Palestinians in Gaza Protest Israeli Blockade

Thousands of Palestinians have formed a human chain in the Gaza Strip to protest Israel’s blockade of the Hamas-controlled territory. Nearly five thousand children and adults linked hands Monday, along a highway that runs from Rafah, on Gaza’s border with Egypt, to Beit Hanun in northern Gaza.

Thousands of Israeli troops stood across the border to prevent any security breach. But the demonstration, organized by Hamas and its supporters, ended without incident.

Last month, Hamas militants broke through the border barrier wall at Rafah, allowing tens of thousands of Palestinians to enter Egypt to buy goods not available in Gaza because of the Israeli blockade.

Israel says the blockade is needed to pressure Hamas militants to stop their rocket attacks on Israel.

International human rights groups have condemned the blockade, saying it collectively punishes innocent civilians.

In related developments, Palestinian officials in Gaza say Israeli air strikes early Monday, killed at least three Hamas militants and wounded four others.

Israeli officials say a cross-border rocket attack wounded a child in the southern Israeli town of Sderot, Monday.

by VOA News

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