Seven people suffered from excessive tear gas inhalation in clashes between Palestinians and Israeli forces east of Jabaliya refugee camp in the northern Gaza Strip on Friday.
Witnesses told Ma’an reported that Israeli forces fired tear gas heavily at Palestinian youths, and the fumes reached residences in the Izbet Abed Rabbo area east of the camp.
Medics said that two women were among the injured, and that they were taken to Kamal Adwan hospital.
Tensions have been high along the border with Israel in the Gaza Strip recently, as Israeli forces have severely escalated attacks against Palestinian civilians in the area, killing two and injuring 14.
Palestinian militants inside the strip have launched increasing numbers of rockets into southern Israel, which have all landed in open areas.
On Thursday, Dec. 20, Israel forces shot dead a Palestinian man who was collecting plastic and metal scraps near the border, while his brother was injured.
On the same day, four other Palestinians were also shot near the borders of the Gaza Strip in separate incidents.
On Tuesday, when a Palestinian sniper shot an Israeli Defense Ministry employee working at the border fence, Israel responded with air strikes against the Gaza Strip, killing 3-year-old, Hala Abu Sbeikha while she was playing in the yard of her home in al-Maghazi refugee camp, and injuring her mother and brother.
Four other Gazans were also injured in a series of Israeli attacks on that day.
Since then, two more Palestinians have been injured in Israeli airstrikes.
An Egyptian mediated ceasefire agreement was reached in November 2012 between Palestinian factions and Israel to end over a week of fighting which left over 170 Palestinians dead and thousands injured. Six Israelis were also killed during the fighting.
Since the agreement, Israeli forces have shot dozens of Gazans in border areas, and have launched frequent incursions.
The Gaza Strip has been under a severe economic blockade imposed by the State of Israel since 2006.
(Ma’an – www.maannews.net)
