Photo Credit: Abed Rahim Khatib / Flash 90
Gazans at the security fence on the border with Israel

Gaza’s ruling Hamas terrorist organization is to blame for the death of a 15-year-old who was shot while trying to damage the security fence on the border with Israel during the weekly riots on Friday, according to Defense Minister Avigdor Liberman. He had managed to get past a roll of barbed wire to reach his objective, the IDF pointed out.

The teen was one of four people involved in the Hamas-driven violence at the security fence along the border that is used by the terror group to mask its attempts to infiltrate into Israeli territory to carry out attacks.

Advertisement




“The leaders of Hamas are the only culprints in the death of the boy, the cowardly leaders who hide behind children and women and send them forward as human shields so that they can continue digging attack tunnels and carrying out terror attacks against the State of Israel,” Liberman said.

Initial investigation by the IDF into the incident showed that Mohammed Ayoub — who ignored his mother’s warning to stay home — was trying to damage the security fence on the border when he was shot. Ayoub was among thousands who gathered to throw stones — some using slingshots and catapults –and hurl burning tires at the fence in an effort to damage it. The activities are intended to provide cover for the more experienced Hamas terrorists to slip through breaks in the fence or penetrate elsewhere into Israeli territory to carry out terror attacks.

Hamas “intentionally acts to endanger youth by sending them to the fence to serve as human shields for their agenda,” the IDF pointed out.

In a statement describing the events that took place, the IDF Spokesperson said, “There were violent disturbances Friday at the fence with about 10,000 participants, during which explosives and Molotov cocktails were hurled and attempts were made to damage the fence. Our forces used a series of measures to disperse rioters and in certain cases, when there was no alternative to stop the danger, they used live fire according to rules of engagement…

“The IDF is working on an ongoing basis to learn operational lessons and to reduce the number of casualties in the security barrier area. Unfortunately, Hamas deliberately and calculatingly endangers civilians. Every week it places young children, teenagers and women, at the forefront of the riots to serve as human shields for the Hamas agenda.

“The IDF has repeatedly warned citizens against approaching the fence and against taking part in violent activities and terrorist attacks. The IDF will continue to act professionally and decisively to protect Israeli citizens and security infrastructures.”

Advertisement

SHARE
Previous articleGunfire Reported Near Saudi Palace, King Evacuated
Next articleTurkey’s Parliament Approves Snap Elections Called by Erdogan
Hana Levi Julian is a Middle East news analyst with a degree in Mass Communication and Journalism from Southern Connecticut State University. A past columnist with The Jewish Press and senior editor at Arutz 7, Ms. Julian has written for Babble.com, Chabad.org and other media outlets, in addition to her years working in broadcast journalism.