GAZA (Reuters) - Israeli forces killed a Palestinian nurse on Friday as she tried to help a wounded protester at the Gaza border, according to health officials and a witness, while Israel said militants had attacked its troops with gunfire and a grenade. A colleague of Palestinian nurse Razan Al-Najar, who was killed during a protest at the Israel-Gaza border, reacts at a hospital in the southern Gaza Strip June 1, 2018. REUTERS/Ibraheem Abu Mustafa Razan Al-Najar’s death brought to 119 the number of Palestinians killed in weekly demonstrations launched on March 30 in the Gaza Strip, an enclave controlled by the Islamist group Hamas and long subject to grinding Israeli and Egyptian embargoes. Najar, a 21-year-old volunteer medic, was shot as she ran toward the fortified border fence, east of the south Gaza city of Khan Younis, in a bid to reach a casualty, a witness said. Wearing a white uniform, “she raised her hands high in a clear way, but Israeli soldiers fired and she was hit in the chest,” the witness, who requested anonymity, told Reuters. An Israeli military spokeswoman had no immediate comment on Najar’s killing. Israeli officers have previously said that army snipers target only people posing a threat, but that the bullets can sometimes run through them or ricochet, hitting bystanders. Gazan medical officials said at least 100 Palestinians were wounded by army gunfire during Friday’s mass demonstrations. In a separate statement, the Israeli military said its troops had acted to disperse “thousands of rioters” at five locations. Slideshow ( 10 images ) It said that “an IDF (Israel Defence Forces) vehicle was fired upon and a suspect was identified crossing the security fence in the northern Gaza Strip and planting a grenade which exploded as he returned to the Strip”. There have been no Israeli casualties during the border confrontations, but Israel has reported extensive damage to farmland from firebomb-bearing kites flown over from Gaza. The surge in violence at the border crescendoed this week to the most intensive shelling exchanges between Israel and Hamas and another Palestinian armed faction since a 2014. But the violence, which caused no fatalities, was reined in with Egyptian ceasefire mediation. [L5N1T11CG] In the protests, billed as the “Great March of Return”, Palestinians have been calling for the right to return to lands lost to Israel during the 1948 war of its creation. Israel calls them a ploy to breach its border and deflect scrutiny from Hamas’ governance problems. Israel’s lethal response has drawn international censure. Friday’s turnout of protestors was less than in previous weeks, but is expected to grow next week as Palestinians mark the anniversary of Israel’s capture of the Gaza Strip and West Bank and East Jerusalem in the 1967 war. Israel quit Gaza in 2005, but has elsewhere deepened settlements on occupied land. The demonstrations come at a time of growing frustration over the prospects for an independent Palestinian state or even a revival of peace talks, stalled since 2014. At her house in Khan Younis, Najar’s mother collapsed in grief as she was handed her daughter’s blood-stained uniform. A statement from Gaza’s Health Ministry mourned Najar as a “martyr”. Interviewed by Reuters interview in April, she said she would see the border protests through until their end. “I am returning and not retreating,” Najar’s last Facebook post said. “Hit me with your bullets. I am not afraid.”<doc-sep>cnxps.cmd.push(function () { cnxps({ playerId: '36af7c51-0caf-4741-9824-2c941fc6c17b' }).render('4c4d856e0e6f4e3d808bbc1715e132f6'); }); if(window.location.pathname.indexOf("656089") != -1){console.log("hedva connatix");document.getElementsByClassName("divConnatix")[0].style.display ="none";} The Israeli army is probing the shooting death of Gazan nurse Razan al-Najar during violent protests along the security fence in the southern Gaza Strip Friday.The IDF said Palestinian militants had attacked troops with gunfire and a grenade, and had returned fire in accordance with the open-fire regulations. "Cases in which a civilian is alleged to have been killed by IDF fire are thoroughly investigated by the relevant command echelons and examined by the General Staff's debriefing mechanism, and this will be done with regard to the current allegations," read a statement provided to The Jerusalem Post.The military stated that while it is "constantly working to draw operational lessons to reduce the number of casualties" along the border fence, and that it has repeatedly warned citizens not to approach the fence and take part in the violence demonstrations, Hamas "unfortunately methodically places young children and women on the front lines of violent disturbances to act as human shields for the realization of Hamas's goals. "The Gaza Ministry of Health stated that 21-year-old Razan Ashraf al-Najjar, from the town of Khuzaa near Khan Yunis, was shot in the stomach while providing first aid to wounded demonstrators near the fence on Friday evening.“Reports indicate that Razan was assisting injured demonstrators and wearing her first responder clothing, clearly distinguishing her as a healthcare worker even from a distance,” said James Heenan, Head of Office, Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights in the occupied Palestinian territory (oPt).“Reports suggest that she was shot about 100 metres from the fence. Under international human rights law, which applies in this context along with international humanitarian law, lethal force may only be used as a last resort and when there is an imminent threat of death or serious injury. It is very difficult to see how Razan posed such a threat to heavily-armed, well-protected Israeli forces in defensive positions on the other side of the fence,” Heenan added.According to the Palestinian official news agency Wafa, al-Najar was 100 meters away from the security fence when "all of a sudden she was targeted by an Israeli sniper's gunfire despite wearing a clearly visible white coat. "The Gazan Health Ministry has stated that 119 Palestinians have been killed by IDF fire and more than 13,000 have been wounded during the violent protests that began on March 30. Al-Najjar is the second woman and second medic to have been killed by IDF fire.Gazan Health ministry spokesman Ashraf al-Qidra stated that over 100 protesters were injured on Friday, the majority from tear-gas and 40 by live ammunition.Gazans have been protesting along the border with Israel for the past seven weeks as part of what organizers have called the "Great March of Return." Demonstrators have been throwing stones, Molotov cocktails and rocks toward Israeli troops, and flying incendiary kites toward Israeli territory with the aim of arson.Fires broke out in several spots along the Gaza border area over the weekend, with four air tankers and 12 firefighting teams dealing with the blazes in the Karmia Nature Reserve, Ynet news reported.On Saturday, the IDF stated that several Palestinians infiltrated into Israel territory from the southern part of the Gaza Strip and tried to sabotage security infrastructure. The men fled back to Gaza after IDF troops opened fire. "The Hamas terror organization is trying again and again to turn the border fence area into an area of violence and fighting both underground and above ground. The IDF will not allow this and will continue to act to ensure the safety of the residents of the State of Israel," read a statement released by the IDF Spokesperson's Unit.Also on Saturday, a 37 year-old Palestinian was killed in the West Bank after an attempted vehicular ramming attack against IDF troops near Hebron.The man was identified as local construction worker Rami Wahid Sabarneh from the town of Beit Ummar.Ma'an News quoted local activist Aaref Jaber as stating that he "was driving a Bobcat excavator while another worker walked next to him, Israeli soldiers asked them to stop when he was at least 10 meters away from them, the walking worker stopped, but Sabarneh apparently did not hear the soldiers and continued his way so they opened fire at him until he was killed. "The IDF said soldiers acted to stop Sabarneh according to the army's rules of engagement, during which he turned around and attempted to run over civilians at the scene. Another soldier, standing on the roof of a nearby building, identified the threat and shot dead the suspect.<doc-sep>Thousands of Palestinians, many dressed in white medical uniforms, took part on Saturday in the funeral of a nurse who was shot dead at the Israel-Gaza border. Razan Najjar, 21, a volunteer paramedic, was shot by Israeli troops near Khan Yunis on Friday, prompting outrage in Gaza. Her father held her white, blood-stained medics' jacket as ambulances and medical crews took part in the procession. The Palestinian Medical Relief Society (PMRC) said three other first responders were hit by Israeli fire on Friday and that Najjar was shot "as she was attempting to provide first aid to an injured protester." "Shooting at medical personnel is a war crime under the Geneva conventions," the PMRC said in a statement. It called for "an immediate international response to Israeli humanitarian law violations in Gaza." Clashes continued late Saturday, with Palestinian residents saying Israeli aircraft struck two militant sites in the Gaza Strip, hours after rockets were fired from the enclave at Israel. An Israeli military spokesman made no immediate comment. The military had earlier said Gaza militants fired two rockets at Israel—one was shot down while the other fell short, with no immediate casualties reported. Read more: 'General disregard' for Palestine, says UN coordinator in Gaza How the Gaza protests against Israel escalated this year Palestinian PM Rami Hamdallah targeted The convoy of Palestinian Prime Minister Rami Hamdallah of the West Bank-based Fatah group was targeted as he made a rare visit to Gaza on March 13. The Palestinian Authority said it held Hamas responsible, having failed to provide adequate security. Hamas claimed the attack was aimed at hurting efforts to achieve unity and reconciliation. How the Gaza protests against Israel escalated this year Land Day march Some 30,000 Palestinians took part in the first of the demonstrations on March 30, marking Land Day, named for the 1976 Arab protests against Israeli plans to expropriate land. Some demonstrators ran at the border fence and 16 were killed by Israeli troops with others injured, and some dying later. How the Gaza protests against Israel escalated this year Netanyahu: 'We will hurt them' Speaking on April 9 in the Israeli town of Sderot, near Gaza, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said: "We have one clear and simple rule and we seek to express it constantly: If someone tries to attack you — rise up and attack him. We will not allow, here on the Gaza border, them to hurt us. We will hurt them." How the Gaza protests against Israel escalated this year Protesters injured Palestinians ran to help a young man injured during the border protest on April 13. Stones had been thrown at border guards and the Israeli troops fired on the demonstrators. Some 45 Palestinians died and hundreds were injured between March 30 and April 27. How the Gaza protests against Israel escalated this year Boy killed on April 20 Protest continued on April 20th, with some Palestinian protesters using kites to transport Molotov cocktails and firebombs over the fence. Israeli snipers killed at least four more Palestinians on April 20th, including a 15-year-old boy. The UN Middle East envoy dubbed the killing "outrageous." How the Gaza protests against Israel escalated this year May 15: US Embassy officially moved to Jerusalem from Tel-Aviv US President Donald Trump's daugher Ivanka is part of the delegation that opened the new US Embassy in Jerusalem. The transfer of the embassy triggered a fresh wave of protests in which 62 people were killed. The deaths have considerably heightened tensions in the area. How the Gaza protests against Israel escalated this year US no longer seen as partner in Middle East negotiations As the US celebrated its embassy move from Tel-Aviv to Jerusalem, Palestinian protests escalated. The events coincided with the 70th anniversary of the foundation of modern-day Israel, and Nakba Day, when Palestinians recall those who fled or were expelled as Israel was established. How the Gaza protests against Israel escalated this year More than 60 people were killed in protests Palestinians carried away a protester injured on May 15th after demonstrations marking the 70th anniversary of Nakba. How the Gaza protests against Israel escalated this year Palestinian youths run from tear gas Hamas official Salah al-Bardaweel said on Palestinian television that all but 12 of the dead were members of Hamas. Mahmoud Abbas the head of the Palestine Liberation Organization is planning to pursue a war crimes complaint against Israel at the International Criminal Court. How the Gaza protests against Israel escalated this year Israeli airstrikes pound Hamas military targets in Gaza Following an increase in cross-border violence in mid-July, Israel pounded Hamas military targets in Gaza, while Palestinian militants fired more than 170 rockets and mortars into Israel. Two Palestinian boys, aged 15 and 16, were killed in Israeli airstrikes, according to Gaza's health ministry. Three Israelis were injured after a rocket landed on a residential home in the Israeli city of Sderot. How the Gaza protests against Israel escalated this year Israel temporarily closes its Kerem Shalom cargo crossing with the Gaza Strip Days later, Israel blocked all fuel and gas transfers through the Kerem Shalom crossing with the Gaza Strip for six days "in light of the continued terrorist attempts of Hamas." Israel's defense ministry said essential food and medicine deliveries would still get through. The crossing had been shuttered to commercial trade a week earlier. Further action Some mourners on Saturday called for revenge and, after the funeral, dozens headed to the border fence and threw stones at Israeli soldiers. The Palestinian Health Ministry said five protesters had been wounded by Israeli fire in response. Since March 30, Gazans have protested at the Israeli border, demanding the return of land taken during the 1948 war. About 120 people have been killed in recent weeks, with Israeli being roundly condemned for using excessive force. The United Nations envoy for the Middle East, Nickolay Mladenov, said in a tweet that "Israel needs to calibrate its use of force and Hamas need to prevent incidents at the fence." Read more: 70 years of Nakba — The ongoing struggle of Palestinian refugees The Israeli army said Saturday cases such as Najjar's "in which civilians are allegedly killed" by Israeli fire "are thoroughly examined" by an internal military committee. The military said its troops operated "in accordance with standard operating procedures" and insisted that they only opened fire at instigators. It accused Hamas of using the demonstrations as cover to carry out attacks. Hamas has organized the protests to draw attention to the decade-long Israeli-Egyptian blockade on the territory. Watch video 00:42 Abbas: 'Israel does not want peace' aw/cmk (AP, AFP, Reuters)<doc-sep>
The Israeli military is investigating the shooting of a Palestinian paramedic killed while attending to an injured protester in Gaza. Razan Najjar, 21, was the second female killed at the border of Gaza and Israel since mass protests began there in March. More than 115 people have died in the clashes. Najjar was a volunteer who helped evacuate and treat the wounded during the weeks of violence. An Associated Press video and other images posted on social media showed Najjar among medics walking toward a wounded man lying on the ground near the fence, with their hands raised. Najjar wore a dark blue headscarf and a white coat with the logo of the Palestinian Medical Relief Society, where she volunteered. Her colleague Fares al-Kidra told the AP that as they were leaving, three gunshots rang out, and Najjar fell to the ground. The Khan Younis hospital said Najjar had a gunshot wound in the chest with an exit wound in the back. The Palestinian Medical Relief Society said three other first responders were also hit by live fire. “Shooting at medical personnel is a war crime under the Geneva conventions,” the PMRC said in a statement, demanding “an immediate international response to Israeli humanitarian law violations in Gaza.” Cases such as Najjar’s, “in which civilians are allegedly killed” by Israeli fire, “are thoroughly examined” by an internal military committee, the Army said. Najjar’s body was wrapped in a Palestinian flag as the funeral procession started Saturday from the hospital and passed near her home in the village of Khuzaa. Ambulances and hundreds of medical workers in white uniforms took part in the funeral procession, which drew thousands of people. Her father carried the white blood-stained medics’ jacket she wore when she was shot, as mourners called for revenge. She was the eldest of six siblings. In a video posted online, her mother Sabreen, dressed in black, held up the jacket and her daughter’s ID to the camera, saying “This is the weapon of my daughter.” Izzat Shatat, 23, a volunteer ambulance worker, said he and Najjar were set to announce their engagement at the end of the holy month of Ramadan. He said he was worried and asked her not to go to the border area Friday. “She helped all people. She has never refused to help. She was the first to run toward anybody when he is shot,” he said in tears. After the funeral, dozens of mourners headed to the fence and started throwing stones at the Israeli soldiers on the other side. The Palestinian Health Ministry said five protesters were wounded by Israeli fire. The Israeli military said two rockets were fired from Gaza on Saturday. One was shot down and the other landed on the Gaza side of the border fence. The rockets flew days after a cease-fire was reached following an intense attack Tuesday involving militants from Hamas and Islamic Jihad that sent dozens of rockets and mortar bombs at Southern Israel . The violence has boiled since border protests began March 30. Demonstrators demanded the return of Palestinians to land they fled or were expelled from during the 1948 war surrounding Israel’s creation, now inside the Jewish state.