GAZA, July 5 -- At least 40 Palestinians were injured on Friday afternoon during clashes between hundreds of Palestinian demonstrators and Israeli soldiers in eastern Gaza Strip, close to the border with Israel, medics said.
Ashraf al-Qedra, spokesman of the health ministry in Gaza, told reporters that 40 Palestinians were injured, including 22 who were shot and wounded by the gunfire of Israeli soldiers, who are stationed on the border with eastern Gaza Strip.
The clashes broke out on Friday after hundreds of Palestinians joined the weekly anti-Israel protests and rallies, better known as the Great March of Return and Breaking the Israeli Siege, which began in late March last year.
The highest commission of the marches of return had earlier called on the Gaza Strip's populations to join the 65th week of marches to express rejection to the U.S. peace plan, better known as The Deal of the Century.
Eyewitnesses in eastern Gaza said that the demonstrators waved Palestinian flags, chanted slogans against Israel and the United States and threw stones at the soldiers stationed on the border with Israel.
However, Israeli media reported that around 5,000 Palestinian demonstrators gathered near the fence of the border, released dozens of arson balloons and threw handmade grenades on the soldiers stationed at the borderline area.
Local radio stations reported that Israeli soldiers fired dozens of tear gas canisters, metal-coated rubber bullets and live gunshots at the demonstrators, who approached the fence of the border with Israel.
The rallies and protests went on although Israel earlier on Friday announced that it has taken a series of measures to ease the blockade that Israel has been imposing on the Gaza Strip since 2007, according to Israel Radio.
The radio reported that Israel lifted the ban on the shipment of 18 different kinds of raw-materials that Israel said it had dual usage such as fertilization materials for agriculture, metal robes and fibreglass used for renovating fishing boats.
The report also said that Israel decided to increase providing permissions for 5,000 Palestinian merchants and businessmen to go from Gaza to Israel and to the West Bank to increase Gaza Strip trade of export and import.
Since the start of the Great March of Return in late March last year, the Israeli army shot and killed 307 Palestinians and wounded by live ammunition more than 17,000 others.
Hamas and other factions, who are members in the commission of the marches of return, are demanding an end to the Israeli blockade that has been imposed on the coastal enclave since 2007.
Egypt, the United Nations and Qatar have been mediating a calm understanding between Israel and Hamas movement, which rules the Gaza Strip to restore clam in Gaza for easing the tight Israeli measures that has been imposed on the enclave.
Khalil al-Hayya, a senior Islamic Hamas movement official, said that the "battle with the occupation (Israel) is opened until the siege is lifted and until the Palestinians get their legitimate rights."
Al-Hayya, who joined the rallies in eastern Gaza, told reporters that the marches of return will go on, adding "we will carry on with our political and popular activities until we reach our goals."
Meanwhile, the highest commission that organizes the marches said in a press statement at the end of the weekly protests that the Palestinians reject any normalization between Israel and the Arabs before resolving the Palestinian cause.
The commission called on the Palestinian factions, mainly President Mahmoud Abbas's Fatah Party and Hamas, to end their feuds and achieve unity, adding "by unity, we can present settlements and protect Al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem."
国内英语资讯:17 dead after 2 dragon boats overturn
国内英语资讯:Top legislature to inspect on statistics law implementation
国内英语资讯:U.S. restrictions for Chinese investment are oppression: FM
国内英语资讯:China to send peacekeeping police to South Sudan, Cyprus
国内英语资讯:China defends manufacturing plan, pledges greater openness
国内英语资讯:Chinese vice president meets with foreign minister of Nepal
Project 和 programme 的区别
国内英语资讯:Xi calls for high-quality growth through developing Yangtze River economic belt
中国英语能力等级量表发布 看看自己在第几级?
国内英语资讯:China to promote lifelong professional skills training
很难翻成英语的词:人脉
Costa加入环境保护阵列,一年回收5亿咖啡杯!
国内英语资讯:Never underestimate our resolve, ability to safeguard territorial integrity: mainland spokes
国内英语资讯:China to use AI and drones to protect Great Wall
国内英语资讯:China values U.S. willingness to address trade friction through dialogue, communication: pre
国内英语资讯:China to broaden market access, expand imports: ambassador
国内英语资讯:China calls on Australia to listen to other countries voices
国内英语资讯:China unveils intl development cooperation agency
国内首部《空中医疗急救手册》发布
国内英语资讯:Vice premier highlights rural Internet Plus medical care
'One-stop shops' set to speed up cancer diagnosis 英国设立“一站式”体检中心 加快癌症诊断速度
国内英语资讯:China prepared for mooted U.S. restrictions on Chinese investment: MOC
国内英语资讯:Economic Watch: Chinas rising aviation industry brings opportunities for U.S. companies
Will robots cost us our jobs? 机器人会抢走我们的饭碗吗?
国内英语资讯:Chinas aircraft carrier formation conducts exercises in West Pacific
美国前第一夫人去世!全美都为之心碎!
国内英语资讯:China, Britain agree to further promote golden era of bilateral ties
人类为什么能成为地球上最厉害的长跑健将?
国内英语资讯:China Focus: Hainan to take on bigger roles in reform, opening-up
网络热词“确认过眼神”用英语怎么说?