Hamas expects about 15,000 demonstrators on the fence • Palestinians report 37 wounded • Gaza announces continued "return marches" next Friday
Individuals demonstrated, including many children. Gaza Strip // Photo: EPA
Only a few thousand (at a peak - 4,200) of Palestinians protested on Friday in the Gaza Strip.
The bottom line is Hamas' failure: at least 15,000 protesters were expected to return to the fence after three weeks of interruption in protests. However, as far as Hamas is concerned, as long as there are contacts with the Egyptians, the "Return Campaign" is not his top priority.
According to the Ministry of Health in the Gaza Strip, 37 were wounded in the "return march" today, 4 of them by live fire and 10 of rubber bullets. Sources in Israel note that the significant phenomenon in the "return demonstration" today was massive use of children. The National Marching Return Authority and the Gaza blockade announced the continuation of the march activity also next Friday.
Meanwhile, Hamas' military wing, Izz al-Din al-Qasam Brigades, released a threat video to the IDF lest it decide to enter the Gaza Strip.
