IDF troops opened fire on a crowd of Gazans rioting near the border fence, killing at least three and wounding at least fifteen. On Friday afternoon, the crowd approached the fence, throwing stones and burning tires. That section of the border is near Kibbutz Nahal Oz. IDF troops opened fire when the rioters entered the buffer zone on the Gazan side of the border fence.
The IDF also responded to a violent protest on the southern section of the border, near the Gaza city Khan Younis. The protests were a result of Hamas declaring a Day of Rage for Palestinians in Gaza and Israel.
Ismail Haniyeh, a senior leader of Hamas, called for increased violence on Friday in a sermon at a Mosque in Gaza City, referring to the current violence as an intifada.
Gaza will fulfill its role in the Jerusalem intifada and it is more than ready for confrontation. Jews are trying to take over the Al-Aksa mosque but they will not succeed. We will liberate Al-Aksa and we as Gazans intend to join. We are calling for the strengthening and increasing of the intifada. It is the only path that will lead to liberation. We are proud of you, the heroes of knives.” he said.
