Palestinian protestors formed a human chain in Gaza today to protest at the continuing Israeli blockade.
Thousands of schoolchildren were joined by adults along Salaheddin Road, the main highway traversing Gaza.
As the demonstrators dispersed a few hours later, a small group of youths set fire to some tyres a few dozen metres from the Erez crossing, and Israeli soldiers fired into the air in response.
Slogans such as ‘The Siege of Gaza Will Only Strengthen Us’, ‘The World Has Condemned Gaza to Death’ and ‘Save Gaza’ were among banners brandished by the demonstrators.
The Popular Committee Against the Siege, a politically independent group headed by Jamal al-Khudari, called for the demonstration against the months-long siege.
‘This is a peaceful and civilised act to let the people express their rejection of the siege and of collective punishment,’ Mr Khudari said. ‘We are raising a cry to the world for it to act.’
Hamas backed the demonstration. ‘This is a message addressed to the international community and to the Israeli occupation, and I hope it will seize the opportunity to lift the siege,’ Hamas spokesman Fawzi Barhum said.
Israel had warned Hamas that it will defend its territory if there are any disturbances.
Israel accused Hamas of orchestrating a premeditated effort to put civilians on the front line. The army and police said they had beefed up forces in the border area.
Media reports said organisers were planning to place one person every metre along the roughly 40km road running from Rafah to Beit Hanun, for a total of around 40,000 people.
Meanwhile, an Israeli youth was wounded when a rocket fired from Gaza hit the entrance to a housing complex in the southern city of Sderot.
Three members of the armed wing of Hamas were killed overnight in two Israeli air strikes on Gaza.
A fourth militant, belonging to the Popular Resistance Committees, was killed during an Israeli incursion near Rafah, in the south.
