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GAZA CITY (Ma’an) – Israeli forces on Wednesday shot and injured seven Palestinians near the border in the central Gaza Strip, medics said.

Seven people were shot at east of al-Maghazi and al-Bureij refugee camps and transferred to the al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital. One man sustained serious injuries, medical officials told Ma'an.

An Israeli military spokeswoman said "rioters" damaged the border fence and tried to enter Israel. She said soldiers acted to distance them "according to the rules of engagement" which can include opening fire.

Earlier, 27-year-old Hassan Ahmad Nseir was shot by Israeli forces near Beit Hanoun in the northern Gaza Strip while collecting iron and gravel, medics told Ma'an.

Israel had barred Palestinians from coming within hundreds of meters of the border, but agreed to ease curbs on Gaza in a ceasefire reached Nov. 21 to end its eight-day war on the enclave.