At least 1 Palestinian killed, 5 wounded by Israeli gunfire during Gaza protests (VIDEO)

Hundreds of Palestinians protesting near the border fence in Gaza have been shot in conflict with the Israeli military. At least one protester died, according to Palestinian health officials.

Clashes erupted Thursday as crowds of Palestinian protesters burned tires and torches in at least five locations along the border. Large explosions could be seen in the distance in footage from RT’s video agency Ruptly.

Israeli forces deployed tear gas over the fence to disperse the protesters and also responded with live fire after explosive devices were thrown by protesters across the border, according to the Israeli military. A 26-year-old man was shot dead near the city of Jabalia north of Gaza City, according to Palestinian health officials, who also said five other people were injured in the shooting. A 15-year-old protester is in serious condition.

The situation at the border has escalated over the last few weeks, with a series of protests taking place at night. At least two other deaths have been reported on the Palestinian side, and an Israeli soldier was killed.

Last week, arson balloons were sent from the Hamas-controlled enclave, causing fires on the other side. Israel responded with airstrikes and violence broke out on the border. Earlier in August, several explosions in Gaza shook after the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) launched a series of airstrikes in parental retaliation for border conflicts.

Protesters are calling for a complete lifting of the territory’s blockade, as border crossings and movement of goods are closely controlled by Israel. Indirect negotiations to establish a new status quo between Hamas and Israel have been conducted through intermediaries, while Palestinian Authority (PA) President Mahmoud Abbas recently met with Israeli Defense Minister Benny Gantz to discuss a number of issues.

Hamas has warned that border escalations could worsen if the blockade — tightened after the most severe flare-up this year between the two sides in May — is not lifted completely. Israel has eased some of the restrictions as it allowed about 1,000 vaccinated Palestinian workers to travel to Israeli territory and approved more goods to enter Gaza.

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