Teen girl shot by Israeli soldiers brought to Istanbul

By Ayse Busra Erkec

ISTANBUL (AA) – A Palestinian teenage girl, who was shot by Israeli soldiers during anti-occupation rallies on border of the Gaza Strip, was brought to Istanbul for treatment, according to Turkey’s Humanitarian Relief Foundation (IHH).

Meryem Abu-Matar, 16, who lives in Gaza’s Rafah city, was brought to Istanbul for medical treatment after she was shot during the rallies, IHH said in a statement on Wednesday.

After a 7-hour operation, doctors said her health was improving and that she could have lost her leg if she was late in being admitted to hospital, according to the statement.

IHH said Abu-Matar has lost her father when she was 3 years old and she was getting aid from the foundation's project "Orphan sponsorship system".

Since March 30, Palestinians have been staging rallies along Gaza border demanding the return of refugees to their towns and villages in historical Palestine from which they were driven in 1948 to make way for the new state of Israel.

At least 41 Palestinians have been martyred and hundreds injured by Israeli gunfire since the protests began last month.

The rallies are part of a six-week protest that will culminate on May 15. That day will mark the 70th anniversary of Israel's establishment -- an event Palestinians refer to as the "Nakba" or "Catastrophe".