Israel pledges to expand Gaza response and ‘act against terror organisations’ if clashes continue

In Friday’s confrontations, large crowds gathered near the border fence, throwing stones and burning tyres as Israeli troops fired live rounds and drones dropped tear gas from above

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Palestinian men wave their national flag during a demonstration in the Israeli occupied West Bank on March 30. Israeli troops opened fire on the protesters, killing 16. Photo: AFP

Published: 6:06pm, 31 Mar 2018Updated: 9:01pm, 31 Mar 2018

Israel will target “terror organisations” in Gaza if violence along the territory’s border with Israel drags on, the chief military spokesman warned Saturday, a day after thousands of Palestinians staged protests near the border fence.

The mass marches were led by Gaza’s ruling Hamas group and touted as the launch of a six-week-long protest campaign. Palestinian officials said 16 Palestinians were killed by Israeli fire and more than 750 hit by live rounds, making it the bloodiest day in Gaza since the 2014 cross-border war between Israel and Hamas.

In Friday’s confrontations, large crowds gathered near the border fence, with smaller groups of protesters rushing forward, throwing stones and burning tyres.

Israeli troops responded with live fire and rubber-coated steel pellets, while drones dropped tear gas from above. The army released video showing soldiers with rifles perched on high earthen embankments overlooking the scene.

A wounded Palestinian is evacuated during clashes at the border fence between Gaza Strip and Israel. Photo: Xinhua

General Ronen Manelis, the chief army spokesman, denied allegations of excessive use of force, saying those killed by Israeli troops were men between the ages of 18 and 30 who were involved in violence and belonged to militant factions.