Gaza, a 15-year-old Palestinian dies for an Israeli raid against the launch of incendiary balloons

The victim, Saif al-Deen Abu Zeid, died in hospital from head injuries. The Israeli army speaks of "response" after hundreds of "rioters" threw stones and explosive devices. Strategic sites of Hamas bombed. It is the fifth operation since last March.

Gaza (AsiaNews / Agencies) - A young Palestinian died from Israeli army gunfire during the clashes that broke out overnight between the two fronts along the border between Israel and Gaza.

The Palestinian Ministry of Health this morning reported the victim is a 15-year-old boy called Saif al-Deen Abu Zeid. He died in hospital "following the wounds [to the head] received [in the clashes] east of Gaza a few hours ago ".

An Israeli army spokesman did not want to officially comment on the incident that led to the boy's death. However, he stressed that the army responded after hundreds of "rioters" threw stones and explosive devices against the troops. In a note the army specifies that the air force bombed strategic Hamas sites, which controls the territory of the Strip.

Local witnesses report that the clashes broke out following the latest episode of  "night confusion": This is a violent form of protest using with hand held fire bombs and laser lights targeting Israeli forces along the border barrier. Palestinian security sources speak of a bombing of a Hamas base south of Gaza, which would have caused material damage but no casualties.

It is the fifth military operation of the Israeli army since 2 March, each time in response to the launch of "balloons with explosive devices" and other incendiary material along the border.

From March 30, 2018 to coincide with the beginning of the "March of return", the border that separates the Strip from Israel was the scene of repeated demonstrations by the Palestinians. The population protests against the Israeli blockade of goods into Gaza [now described as an open-air prison] and for the recognition of Palestinian refugees’ right to return to their homes.

In the context of the protests, in recent months there have been numerous episodes of violence termed "shameful" by Israeli activists, during which at least 251 Palestinians (and two Israeli soldiers) were killed.

The army has always claimed to have opened fire to protect the border from raids and attacks by armed militiamen. The UN does not exclude that the Israeli military is committing "war crimes".

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