The Gaza border has been tense in recent weeks, with the Islamic militant group Hamas that rules Gaza urging mass Palestinian protests there every Friday as part of a weeks-long campaign against a decade-old blockade of the territory. The protests have turned violent and 39 Palestinians have been killed during the unrest, which began March 30. Israel accuses Hamas, which is sworn to Israel’s destruction, of trying to carry out attacks under the guise of the mass protests. Also Sunday, the Israeli army said most of the deaths of Palestinians during the Gaza unrest have been unintentional. The protests also press for a “return” of Palestinian refugees and their descendants to what is now Israel.

Source: Manila Bulletin April 29, 2018 23:48 UTC