Palestinian ‘killed’ by Israeli shelling in Gaza – Palestinian official

A Palestinian health official says a farmer has been killed and a second person killed by an Israeli tank on Friday.

It comes amid rising tensions ahead of planned protests by Palestinians along the border with Israel.

The spokesman from the Gaza health ministry said the incident causing casualties happened near the town of Khan Younis. The 27-year-old was “martyred and another citizen was wounded as a resolt of targeting of farmers east of Qarara village,” he said.

Residents said the farmer was gathering crops to sell later.

The Israeli military said it was checking for details following the Palestinian claim and declined to comment further.

Israeli troops are on heightened alert along the border. The Israeli military enforces a “no go” zone for Palestinians on land next to Israel’s border fence, citing security concerns.

Palestinians are planning a six-week protest near the Israeli border to demand that Palestinian refugees be allowed to return to what is now Israel. Organisers from several factions including Hamas have called for people to demonstrate in tent cities in five locations.

The start of the protest marks “Land Day” commemorating six Arab citizens of Israel killed by Israeli security forces during demonstrations in 1976. It is due to end on May 15, the day Palestinians call the “Nakba” or “catastrophe” when hundreds of thousands of Palestinians were displaced in the conflict which occurred when the state of Israel was created in 1948.