At Least 16 Palestinians Injured In Clashes With Israeli Forces In Gaza - Health Ministry

GAZA (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 25th May, 2019) At least 16 Palestinians were injured on Friday in clashes with Israeli troops near the Gaza Strip border,�Gaza Health Ministry spokesman Ashraf Qidra told Sputnik.

"Sixteen Palestinians were injured by Israeli soldiers in clashes on the eastern borders of the enclave," Qidra said.

According to the Maan news agency, the injuries were due to the use of tear gas and rubber bullets. A journalist and a medical officer were among those injured, the agency added.

The Israeli-Palestinian conflict escalated in March 2018, when the Palestinians started the continuing protest campaigns called the Great March of Return at the Gaza border.

Since the start of the protests, 305 Palestinians were killed and over 17,300 were injured in clashes with Israeli troops. The scope of the protests has noticeably decreased in the last month due to the fact that the parties to the conflict have managed, with the mediation of Egypt and the United Nations, to agree on easing the blockade of the Gaza Strip and other measures of social and economic support.