Explosion near Gaza Separation Fence Leaves Five Palestinians Dead
TEHRAN (Tasnim) – At least five Palestinians were killed and 25 others injured in an explosion adjacent to the separation fence along the occupied territories’ border with Gaza, according to the Ministry of Health in the Gaza Strip.
The cause of the explosion remains unknown.
The incident occurred during a demonstration along the fence, commemorating the anniversary of Israel's 2005 withdrawal from the Gaza Strip, according to Al Jazeera.
Hamas, the Palestinian resistance group governing the territory since 2007, organized the event on Gaza's eastern border.
Demonstrators said that Israeli soldiers deployed tear gas before the fatal explosion. Witnesses reported that when a Palestinian Explosives Engineering Unit attempted to defuse an explosive device, Israeli forces opened fire, preventing their escape from the blast.
The Israeli regime army, which has conducted several deadly bombings in the besieged enclave, denied involvement. They claimed that demonstrators were attempting to toss a bomb over the fence when it detonated.
Earlier in the day, participants displayed Palestinian flags and ignited tires to mark the anniversary of Israel's withdrawal.
Suhail al-Hindi, a Hamas leader, celebrated the "end of this cruel Israeli occupation from Gaza."
The enclave, housing two million people, remains under sea and air blockade, with strict Israeli control over the movement of individuals and goods.