(ANSA) - GAZA, 25 AUG - A day of tension today in Gazanella imminent of a new Hamas demonstration - the second in recent days - near the border with Israel. This is a further effort to loosen the blockade on the Strip, now aggravated by the extension of the closure of the Rafah crossing with Egypt for the third consecutive day.
A militant from Hamas, Osama Abu Duej (32 years old) died in a hospital in Gaza overnight, struck on Saturday by Israeli military fire during serious riots that occurred near the demarcation line. Hamas has appealed to its supporters to attend his funeral in the late morning and to converge in the locality of Malaka, east of Gaza City, in the afternoon for the protest demonstration against Israel.
Demonstrators were instructed not to approach Israeli positions. But in fear of new incidents, the Israeli army yesterday brought reinforcements into the area with armored vehicles and sharpshooters. The Iron Dome batteries for Palestinian rocket defense were also placed on alert. (HANDLE).
