(JTA) — Two Palestinian teenagers were killed in clashes Friday with the Israeli military along the Gaza border, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry.
The Israel Defense Forces said approximately 6,200 Palestinians participated in what the army called “especially violent” protests. The IDF said demonstrators threw explosive devices at its soldiers.
The Gaza Health Ministry, which is run by the Hamas terror group that controls the coastal strip, said a 17-year-old and a 14-year-old, both males, were killed by gunshots and that an additional 66 people were wounded.
Last month, Hamas threatened an escalation in violence on Israel’s southern border unless the country allowed financial aid from Qatar and an increase in electricity in to Gaza.
Israel has regularly allowed Qatar to distribute millions of dollars to needy Gaza families.
