Israel’s defence minister rejected on Sunday calls for an inquiry into the killing of 15 Palestinians by the military during a Palestinian demonstration that turned violent on Friday at the Gaza-Israel border. Israel said eight of the 15 belonged to Hamas, designated a terrorist group by Israel and the West, and two others came from other militant factions. At least 15 Palestinians in Gaza were killed by Israeli forces, the health ministry in the strip said. But hundreds ignored calls from organisers and the Israeli military to stay away from the frontier. Israel withdrew from Gaza in 2005 but, citing security concerns, still tightly controls its land and sea borders.

Source: The Irish Times April 01, 2018 07:52 UTC