First Fatality in Gaza Since Truce
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Jerusalem — Israeli forces killed a Palestinian Arab in the Gaza Strip who tried to breach the border, the first such fatality in the three weeks since a truce with Hamas took effect. Palestinians launched two rockets at Israel in response.
The soldiers fired when the man ignored calls to halt and warning shots after approaching the Kissufim border fence early yesterday in southern Gaza, an Israeli army spokesman said, speaking anonymously under military rules. The Palestinian Arab was later found to be unarmed, the army said.
The al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigades, a militia connected to the Fatah party of the Palestinian Authority President, Mahmoud Abbas, circulated pamphlets in Gaza saying the dead man was a member and vowing, “We will respond to this crime soon.” Hours later, the two unguided rockets were launched from northern Gaza, causing no damage or injuries, according to the Israeli army.
