On Friday, the Palestinian Health Ministry in the Gaza Strip announced an escalation in injuries, with the total reaching 26 Palestinians wounded by Israeli forces during peaceful protests held in the eastern part of the strip. Apart from these injuries, several cases of suffocation were also reported from the demonstration sites due to the use of tear gas.
Abdul Latif Al-Qanoua, the spokesperson for the “Hamas” movement, noted that the confrontations being endured by the protestors demonstrate the heightened state of anger, particularly in light of the escalating aggression toward Al-Aqsa. He added, “Our people and their resistance remain in a perpetual state of conflict with the occupation in response to its crimes. Moreover, we’re in an open battle against the policies of [Israeli Prime Minister] Yair Lapid and his extremist government.” He also emphasized that “the resistance will remain prepared to face the occupation as long as there’s ongoing aggression against our people and our sacred places.”
Furthermore, in an earlier statement, the Palestinian Foreign Ministry vehemently condemned the killing of six Palestinians by the Israeli military in locations like Jenin, Jericho, and the Gaza Strip. The ministry attributed the escalation in Palestinian cities to the actions of the Israeli government, characterizing Israel’s violence as a direct response to both Arab and international calls for reviving the peace process.
Nabil Abu Rudeineh, the spokesperson for the Palestinian Presidency, had previously denounced the continuous Israeli aggression against the Palestinian people. He affirmed that Israel’s arbitrary actions would only exacerbate the crisis.
Tensions in the region have been recurrent, with sporadic flare-ups between the Palestinians and Israeli forces. The eastern border of the Gaza Strip has been a focal point of such confrontations, with Palestinians organizing “Great March of Return” protests since 2018. These demonstrations underscore the Palestinian refugees’ right to return to their homes and also protest against the dire living conditions in Gaza. Israel has consistently responded with force, resulting in multiple casualties and drawing international criticism.
