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Hundreds of Palestinians demonstrated near the Israeli separation wall in the southern Gaza Strip, calling on Israel to relax the severe blockade. A few days ago, similar gatherings ended in fatal suppression.
After Hamas, which controlled the besieged zone, prevented the crowd from approaching the wall, the demonstration ended without repeating Saturday’s violence.
Soon after the demonstration ended, Hamas officials announced that the main border crossing between the territory and Egypt will be partially reopened on Thursday.
The Israeli military strengthened the army before the demonstration, saying it used tear gas and limited live ammunition to disperse the crowd.
Palestinian medical staff reported that at least 14 people were injured and 5 of them were shot dead.
Soheil al-Hendi, a Hamas official, said that the organization has made “great efforts” to avoid bloodshed.
The protests tried to put pressure on Israel to relax its blockade on Gaza.
Since Hamas took power in Gaza a year after winning the Palestinian elections in 2007, Israel and Egypt have maintained a blockade.
The blockade destroyed Gaza’s economy and contributed to an unemployment rate that hovered around 50%.
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