Israel shells southern Gaza; 2 Palestinians martyred

By Nour Abu Aisha and Hani al-Shaer

GAZA CITY, Palestine (AA) – Two Palestinians were martyred in an Israeli shelling of the southern Gaza Strip on Sunday, according to the Health Ministry.

In a statement, ministry spokesman Ashraf al-Qidra identified the martyrs as Hussein al-Amor, 25, and Abdul Halim al-Naqah, 28, in the shelling that targeted the eastern border of Khan Younis city in southern Gaza Strip.

He said another Palestinian was seriously injured in the attack.

An Israeli army statement said the shelling targeted a Hamas position in Khan Younis.

On Saturday, Israeli warplanes struck two Hamas positions in Gaza, with no injuries reported.

Since March 30, more than 115 Palestinians have been killed and thousands injured by Israeli gunfire during anti-occupation rallies along Gaza border.

The protesters demand their return to their homes in historical Palestine from which they were driven in 1948 to make way for the new state of Israel.