Palestinian dies of his wounds in Gaza

By Mostafa Haboush

GAZA CITY, Palestine (AA) - A Palestinian youth died Monday of his wounds after being exposed to Israeli army gunfire near Gaza-Israel security fence, according to Palestinian Health Ministry.

"Palestinian youth Fadi Osama Hijazi, 21, died of wounds after being injured by Israeli bullets in February of this year near the town of Jabalya, northern Gaza Strip," the Palestinian Health Ministry said in a statement.

Hijazi was severely injured while taking part in the weekly anti-occupation protests, known as Great March of Return.

Since the Gaza rallies began in March last year, nearly 270 protesters have been martyred and thousands more wounded by Israeli forces at the security fence with Gaza.

Demonstrators demand an end to Israel’s 12-year-old blockade of the Gaza Strip, which has shattered the coastal enclave’s economy and deprived its two million inhabitants of free movement in and out from Gaza and prevented many basic amenities.

*Bassel Barakat contributed to this report from Ankara