At least five Palestinians were killed and over 20 others were wounded in an explosion near the separation fence along the Israeli-Gaza frontier. The incident occurred during a demonstration marking the anniversary of Israel’s withdrawal from the Gaza Strip in 2005. The event was organized by Hamas, the Islamic militant group that has governed the coastal territory since 2007.
The cause of the explosion was not immediately known. The Israeli army, which has previously engaged in conflicts with Hamas, denied involvement. According to their account, demonstrators were attempting to throw a bomb over the fence when the device detonated prematurely. Aerial footage released by the army captured the moment of the blast, with debris flying into the air, and people seen running away from the scene.
Prior to the deadly explosion, the demonstration had already taken a violent turn. The Israeli army reported that protesters were throwing grenades and other explosives across the border, prompting soldiers to respond with tear gas. Several of the 25 people wounded in the incident remain in serious condition.
Suhail al-Hindi, a Hamas leader, celebrated the end of what he described as the “cruel Israeli occupation” during the demonstration.
Hamas assumed control of Gaza in 2007, a year after winning parliamentary elections. Since then, Israel and Egypt have maintained a blockade on the territory, citing concerns over Hamas arming itself. The blockade, which restricts the movement of goods and people in and out of Gaza, has had a severe impact on the local economy.