The protests have intensified in recent weeks as attempts to reach a truce with Israel, including an easing of the blockade, have faltered. Israeli Defence Minister Avigdor Lieberman announced that following Friday’s demonstrations Israel would halt all fuel shipments to the Gaza Strip until further notice. Israel transferred four tankers of Qatari-donated diesel to the beleaguered Gaza Strip on Friday. Israel and Hamas have fought three wars over the past decade and have recently engaged in several flare-ups of fighting. Hamas has escalated the border protests in recent weeks in response to stalled negotiations with Israel moderated by Egypt and the United Nations.

Source: National Post October 14, 2018 10:03 UTC