Israel strikes Gaza after border bombs

Hamas leader calls for a mass turnout for border protests for the first anniversary of the demonstrations

JERUSALEM: Israeli aircraft targeted Hamas positions in the Gaza Strip on Sunday after Palestinians there threw explosive devices at the border fence during "riots", the army said.

Also on Sunday, the health ministry in Gaza announced the death of a Palestinian wounded previously in clashes with Israeli forces.

Palestinians in Gaza had thrown a number of explosive devices toward the border fence with Israel, one of which set off air raid sirens in the south of the country late on Saturday, the army said.



"In response to multiple explosive devices that were hurled and exploded during Gaza riots near Israel's border fence this evening, an IDF aircraft targeted two Hamas observation posts in the southern Gaza Strip," a statement from the military read.

Later on Sunday, the army said a tank targeted a Hamas military position in the north of the enclave, after "balloons with explosives attached were launched from Gaza" and further explosive devices were thrown near the border.

One Palestinian was wounded in the strike, a medical source in Gaza said.

The Gaza health ministry separately announced the death of 24-year-old Habib al-Masri, who was wounded in clashes with the Israeli army. It gave no details on when he was wounded.

On Friday, two Palestinians were killed by Israeli fire in separate border clashes.

And on Saturday, the Israeli army launched two separate airstrikes against groups of Palestinians in Gaza who had allegedly flown balloons rigged with explosives into Israel.

The Gaza health ministry said two Palestinians had been wounded.



At least 258 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli fire in Gaza since weekly border protests began nearly a year ago.

Hamas leader Ismail Haniya is calling for a mass turnout for border protests scheduled for the first anniversary of the demonstrations, on March 30.

Israel holds Hamas responsible for all attacks from Gaza, controlled by the group since 2007.