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| Israel-Palestine-Jordan |
| Hamas supporters demonstrate against Israeli blockade |
| 2008-05-16 |
| (Xinhua) -- Thousands of Islamic Hamas movement's supporters demonstrated on Thursday against the ongoing Israeli blockade near Erez crossing on the border between northern Gaza Strip and Israel. Witnesses said that several dozens of demonstrators tried to reach the crossing area of Erez, adding that Israeli soldiers stationed at the crossing opened warning shots to prevent them from approaching the crossing area. Paramedics said that several teens were shot and wounded Israel had closed down all border crossing points in June last year after Hamas movement tool control of Gaza Strip and routed Fatah security forces loyal to moderate President Mahmoud Abbas. Hamas movement had earlier called on its supporters to demonstrate at Erez crossing against 11 months of Israeli blockade that hardened the daily life of the population in Gaza Strip. The demonstrators chanted slogans against Israel and called on Israel to lift the blockade and open all the closed crossings including Rafah crossing point on the border between southern Gaza Strip and Egypt. Earlier on Thursday, an Israeli army spokesman told Israel Radio that the Israeli army is on alert, and more troops were called to the crossing area to prevent Hamas supporters from approaching the crossing. The spokesman said the Israeli army would use extreme force to prevent the infiltration of Hamas supporters into the Erez crossing area. Witnesses said that intensive gunfire was heard in the area around the crossing, where Palestinian ambulances were seen in the area in case of emergency. |
| Posted by:Fred |