Four Palestinians Killed in Gaza Border Protests; Rocket Attack from Gaza to Israel

At least four Palestinians have been killed during protests at the Gaza-Israel border. On Sunday morning, the Israeli army announced that five rockets had been fired from the Gaza Strip into the country, and army tanks had shelled Hamas positions. The Associated Press reports that the rocket attacks on Israel could have negative consequences for efforts, initiated by Egypt, to alleviate the severe economic blockade of the Gaza Strip. However, Agence France-Presse, citing the Israeli army and local witnesses, states that the rocket attacks from Gaza and the Israeli army's tank responses did not result in casualties. The recent developments at the Gaza-Israel border and the rocket attacks occur on the first anniversary of the weekly protests by Gaza citizens near the border fences. Protesters have been gathering near the fences for months; these gatherings have often escalated into violence and left casualties. The events also come just nine days before the general elections in Israel and shortly after Hamas suppressed the 'We Want to Live' protests in Gaza. On Saturday, tens of thousands of Palestinians gathered for the anniversary of the weekly protests at the Gaza border. Senior Israeli officials and the army have repeatedly threatened that they will not allow protesters to approach the fences. Israel states that demonstrators attempting to cross the border fence will face a 'decisive' response. The Associated Press reported that most demonstrators on Saturday refrained from approaching the border fences, although a small group did get close and threw stones towards the other side. The Israeli army claims these individuals threw explosives. Israeli forces also fired tear gas and shot at them. The death toll, initially reported as three, has now risen to four, with three of them being 17 years old. At least 64 others have been injured. Previously, Hamas stated that it would prevent protesters from approaching the fences to avoid creating an obstacle to negotiations aimed at reducing the economic blockade of the Gaza Strip. Hamas officials have said that Israel proposed an economic incentive package in exchange for maintaining calm at the borders. A senior Hamas official stated that if calm is established at the border, Israel would allow more Qatari aid into the strip and ease some restrictions. Israeli media, including Haaretz, have also published similar reports. Israeli government officials have yet to respond officially to these reports and statements. Gaza is home to at least two million Palestinians; it is a region grappling with poverty and other crises, situated between Israel, Egypt, and the Mediterranean Sea.