Reuters
Israel faces a new military and political challenge in the Gaza Strip as Palestinian activists have pledged weeks of protests after Israeli soldiers opened fire Friday on at-times violent demonstrators, killing at least 15.
Palestinians rallied again along the fence dividing the strip from Israeli territory on Sunday, calling for the right to return to homes in what is now Israel, as the Israeli army came under international criticism for Friday’s deaths.
More than 1,400 Gazans were injured during Friday’s clashes, including about 740 hurt by gunfire, according to Palestinian health authorities. Israeli officials questioned the casualty numbers and said the protest was hijacked by Hamas, a U.S.-designated terrorist organization that governs Gaza.
The protests represent a fresh test for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who has enforced an economic blockade on Gaza that has hurt Hamas and blunted its ability to target Israel with rockets.
An expanded version of this report appears on WSJ.com.
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