Two killed as more protests, clashes erupt on Gaza border

Thousands protested along the Gaza Strip's border with Israel in a fourth straight Friday of mass demonstrations and clashes today, with two Palestinians shot dead by Israeli forces.

Gazans also flew dozens of kites near the border fence, in some cases carrying Molotov cocktails, in a new tactic that had led to at least a couple of small fires in Israeli territory this week.

The latest deaths brought the toll of those killed by Israeli forces since March 30 to 36, with hundreds also wounded since then, according to Gaza's health ministry.

Some 83 more were injured today, the ministry said.

Israel says it has only opened fire when necessary to guard its border and prevent violence, but no Israelis have been wounded and its open-fire rules have come under scrutiny.

With the border protests posing a challenge to Israeli security forces, military aircraft dropped leaflets in the border area early Friday warning against approaching the fence.

Referring to the Islamist movement that runs the Gaza Strip, the leaflet said: "You are participating in violent riots. The Hamas terror organisation is taking advantage of you in order to carry out terror attacks."
It added: "Stay away from the fence and do not attempt to harm it; avoid using weapons and committing violent acts against Israeli security forces and Israeli citizens."
"Several kites crossed into Israel and were extinguished when required." It said in the statement that "troops are responding with riot dispersal means and are firing in accordance with the rules of engagement." Defence Minister Avigdor Lieberman said while touring the Israeli side of the border today that "the thing that the other side must understand is that there is a determined and skilled army here."
He added that "behind it stands a determined people that is backing up the army."