Four killed in clashes with Israeli soldiers in eastern Gaza: Medics

Four Palestinians were killed and 51 injuredduring clashes on Friday with Israeli army forces in the eastern GazaStrip, medics and security sources said.Gaza Health Ministry spokesman Ashraf al-Qedra told reporters thattwo demonstrators were shot dead and 51 injured by Israeli soldiers'gunfire during the weekly anti-Israel protests in the eastern GazaStrip, close to the border with Israel.Al-Qedra added that another two Palestinians were killed in anIsraeli warplanes airstrike on central Gaza Strip, east of al-Mughazirefugee camp, also close to the border with Israel.Friday's clashes broke out in the afternoon as part of weekly ralliesand protests that have been going on since March 30 last year.The Gaza Health Ministry said that since the outbreak of the weeklyprotests last year, the Israeli army killed 275 demonstrators andwounded 17,000 others, who were officially referred to hospitals.Israel Radio reported that thousands of Palestinians gathered closeto the fence on the border between eastern Gaza Strip and Israel,waved Palestinian flags, released arson balloons, climbed on theborder fence and threw stones and home-made grenades on the soldiers.Meanwhile, security sources said the two are Hamas militants andwere killed in an Israeli warplanes airstrike on a training militaryfacility that belongs to the Islamic movement's armed wing.The Israeli army airstrike on Hamas training facility came shortlyafter gunmen opened fire at an Israeli army force stationed on theborder with eastern Gaza Strip and wounded two soldiers; one of themsustained moderate injuries.No one has claimed responsibility for the shooting attack; however,an Israeli army spokesman said in a press statement that the Hamasmovement is held responsible for the shooting attack that came fromeastern Gaza.According to the Health Ministry, more than 270 Palestinians havebeen killed and thousands injured in protests at the border sinceMarch last year.Hamas is classified by the EU, Israel and the US as a terroristorganization.Israel and Egypt have imposed a blockade on Gaza for over a decade,citing security reasons.