Gazan injured in border clashes last week dies of wounds

The Gaza Strip health ministry said Thursday that a Palestinian man shot during recent clashes along the border fence with Israel has died of his injuries.

A spokesman for the Hamas-run ministry said 19-year-old Anas Abu Aser was shot by Israeli soldiers during protests east of Gaza City last Friday.

His death brings to 49 the number of Palestinians killed by Israeli forces in Gaza border clashes in recent weeks, according to Gazan health ministry figures. Israel has no official death toll.

Over the last month, tens of thousands of Palestinians have taken part in Hamas-backed “March of Return” protests at the border. Some protesters have burned tires, hurled firebombs and rocks at Israeli troops, flown flaming kites over the border, and repeatedly attempted to sabotage the security fence.

The IDF maintains that its soldiers only open fire when necessary to thwart attacks, infiltration and damage to the border fence. Israel has accused Hamas of using the recent border protests as cover to carry out attacks.

On Friday, the army released video footage showing what it said was an attempt by hundreds of Gazans to breach the border with Israel. The confrontation, which drew IDF fire, was one of the most violent incidents yet in five weeks of protests.

Four people were killed and more than 300 hurt in Friday’s rallies, according to the Gaza health ministry.

In a statement, the Israeli military said it had thwarted an attempted infiltration by Palestinian protesters. It said hundreds of rioters tried to burn the fence and enter Israel, and went on to say that the crowd threw explosives, firebombs and rocks, and that troops opened fire in accordance with the rules of engagement, halting the crowd.