Palestinian said shot in Gaza border clashes dies of wounds

A Palestinian has died days after being shot by Israeli troops in clashes along the Gaza border, the Hamas-run Gazan health ministry said Tuesday.

Sari al-Shobaki was transferred to Jerusalem for treatment after being shot several days ago east of Gaza City, the ministry said.

A ministry spokesman said the 23-year-old died at the St. Joseph Hospital in Jerusalem.

There was no immediate confirmation from the hospital.

Since the organized protests and clashes began along the Gaza border on March 30, more than 140 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli fire. Dozens of the fatalities were members of terror groups, Hamas and Islamic Jihad have said.

Israel has said its troops were defending the border and accused Hamas of trying to carry out terror attacks under cover of the protests.

The protests at Israel’s border peaked on May 14, when some 40,000 Gazans protested and rioted along the fence and violent clashes took place between troops and Palestinians.

In addition to the border protests, Palestinians in the Gaza Strip have launched countless kites and balloons bearing flammable materials, and occasionally explosives, into Israeli territory, sparking near-daily fires that have burned thousands of acres of farmland, parks and forests.

The Israeli military says it has insisted its soldiers adhere to the rules of engagement to defend Israeli civilians and security infrastructure from attacks cloaked by the protests.

But Israeli leaders have been split on how to respond to those responsible for the airborne arson attacks, with some calling for the IDF to shoot the kite flyers and balloon launchers on sight, while others argue that would be a step too far.

The IDF has carried out multiple warning strikes in recent weeks at groups of Gazans preparing to launch incendiary devices toward Israel. The army has said repeatedly that it will act to prevent the launch of the airborne incendiary devices and explosives.