Abbas declares ‘national day of mourning’ as protests seem to subside

At least 14 dead according to Hamas-run Palestinian health ministry, over 1,000 injured in clashes between IDF troops and rioters along Israel-Gaza border

The army does not expect the violent protests along the Gaza security to end shortly and is leaving in place the current number of soldiers along the border, hours after the demonstrations began.

“We are ready for any scenario,” an army official says.

The official says this could include any number of things, including attempts to infiltrate the border, attacks with improvised explosive devices or rocket fire.

According to the army, some 30,000 Palestinians are taking part in the demonstrations. Protesters are throwing rocks and Molotov cocktails at the troops on the other side of the border and are trying to damage the security fence with fires and cutting tools, the official says.

The army declines to comment on whether the two Palestinians who shot at IDF troops from along the Gaza border were killed.

Earlier, the IDF said it had thwarted a shooting attack carried out by a “terror cell” in the northern Gaza Strip.

Two Palestinians approached the coastal enclave’s security fence and fired toward IDF troops, the army said.

In response, the soldiers fired back at the terrorists and were joined by tanks and IAF fighter jets who also targeted three nearby military posts belonging to the Hamas terror group, according to the army.

Speaking to reporters during a press conference, the organizers — made up of officials from various Palestinian factions — including the Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad terror groups — call on the United Nations and the Arab League to establish an international commission of inquiry to investigate Israel for use of “excessive force” against demonstrators.

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