Israel threatens to target kite-flying Gazan protesters

By Mustafa Deveci

JERUSALEM (AA) - The Israeli army has threatened to target Palestinian demonstrators in the Gaza Strip who fly kites on or near the strip’s eastern border with Israel amid ongoing rallies against the Israeli occupation.

Israel media reported this week that army snipers would target Palestinian protesters flying kites allegedly rigged with Molotov cocktails.

Protesters have allegedly used such booby-trapped kites in recent weeks to start fires inside Israeli territory.

Demonstrations along the Gaza Strip’s eastern border first began on Mar. 30 and are set to continue until May 15.

Demonstrators are protesting their forced eviction from their homes in historical Palestine in 1948 and demanding an end to Israel’s decade-long blockade of Gaza.

The Israeli army has responded to the peaceful demonstrations with excessive force, killing at least 47 Palestinians since the rallies began one month ago.

Last Friday, the UN high commissioner for human rights urged Israel to refrain from using excessive force against protesters, saying that those responsible for the protesters’ deaths should be held accountable.