Israel fires at Palestinian protesters, injures one

Israeli troops opened fire on Palestinian protesters Sunday, at a border crossing in northern Gaza, injuring one, Israeli army sources said.

An Israeli army spokesperson said that more than 40 Gazans approached the Israeli side of the Erez Crossing border terminal and began throwing stones at the security forces, according to Xinhua.

The troops, following the rules of engagement, initially fired warning shots in the air to disperse the rioters, and then aimed at their legs, hitting one of the protesters, the spokesperson said.

Palestinian reports said the clash followed a rally held by the Hamas Islamist organisation earlier in Gaza, to protest the blockade that Israel and Egypt had imposed on the coastal enclave.

Ismail Haniyeh, the Islamist group's leader, attended the rally, in which he called on the world to free Gaza from the long-standing siege, Xinhua cited Israel's Ynet News as saying.

The condition of the man reportedly shot in the foot was not immediately known.

The incident came amid heightened tensions along the Israel-Gaza border.

On Friday, Israeli forces fired at two Palestinians who had attempted to cross the northern Gaza border, into Israel and ignored calls to stop. One of the men was moderately injured after he was shot in the leg and was being held in Israeli custody, while the other fled back to Gaza, according to reports.