Gaza woman said killed by IDF near border fence
Army says she failed to heed calls to turn back; Palestinians say she died of her injuries in hospital
A Gaza woman who approached the security fence on the border with Israel was shot by IDF troops Tuesday after failing to respond to warnings to turn back, the army said.
Palestinian reports said the woman, who was not immediately identified, died of her injuries in a Gaza hospital, the Ynet news site reported.
The incident took place at a stretch of border near Khan Younis in the southern Gaza Strip.
An explosive device targeted an IDF patrol last Wednesday near the same part of the border.
No injuries or damage were reported on the Israeli side. Palestinian sources said at least one Palestinian farmer was injured when soldiers returned fire across the border.
Gaza’s Hamas-run Health Ministry said that a 20-year-old man suffered moderate injuries to the leg and hand.
Israeli reports, however, said three Hamas fighters were injured in the firefight.
Israel maintains a military blockade on the coastal strip together with neighboring Egypt in a bid to prevent arms from reaching Gaza’s Hamas rulers.