Israel Matzav

'Riot' at Sufa crossing: More Pallywood?

Around the time that Hamas breached the Rafah crossing into Egypt, there was talk of thousands of 'Palestinians' trying to breach the crossings from Gaza into Israel. Everybody wondered what would happen. On Friday, we found out.

Seven Palestinian protesters were wounded Friday when they were shot by IDF troops during a demonstration at Sufa border crossing, Palestinian doctors reported.

More than 10,000 Palestinians waving Hamas flags approached the crossing calling for an end to the blockade imposed on Gaza. The demonstrators burned tires and chanted anti-Israeli slogans.

Hamas had called the protest march, which began following Friday prayers, and several protesters got within yards of the border fence.

The IDF confirmed troops were on the scene at the demo but did not immediately comment on whether they fired.

The army had issued a directive to soldiers to prevent Palestinian penetration of the Sufa terminal at any cost, even the cost of using live ammunition.

Haaretz has it as 3,000 demonstrators and six wounded but two in critical condition.

"The IDF will operate with all its strength to prevent the demonstrators from approaching the security fence or the crossing ... and from entering the state of Israel," an Israeli military official said.

During the standoff, Israeli forces shot into the crowd to "make the rioters back off," the official said.

The Israeli army had posted signs before the protest warning Palestinians that they faced "Danger of Death" if they tried to approach the Sufa crossing, used to bring some humanitarian supplies into the coastal territory.

If 'Palestinians' were really shot, Hamas gets two for each one: 'civilian' casualties and - probably - a shutdown of the crossing so they can complain even more about the 'blockade.' But YNet is reporting that the IDF says nothing but warning shots were fired.

The IDF said in response that the soldiers used tear gas and fired warning shots against the Palestinian protestors in order to prevent them from crossing into Israel through the border fence.

Is this another instance of Pallywood? I'm trying to locate videotape. In the meantime, I have the picture above. They don't look much like 'civilians,' do they?

posted by Carl in Jerusalem @ 5:12 PM