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Photo:
Scene. Published by Maan News
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GAZA (Ma’an) -- A Palestinian was shot and injured on Friday in the east of Gaza city after Israeli forces opened live fire on Palestinian youth near the security barrier between the besieged Gaza Strip and Israel.

Witnesses told Ma’an that Israeli forces stationed at the Nahel Oz military post east of the neighborhood of Shujaiyya opened live ammunition on a group of Palestinian youths who had approached the border area, causing the injury of a Palestinian youth in his foot.

Witnesses added that the injured Palestinian was transferred to al-Shifa hospital where his injury was described as medium.

An Israeli army spokesperson told Ma’an she would look into reports.

The borders between Gaza and Israel are often the site of violent clashes as Palestinians in Gaza have continued to protest the nearly decade-long Israeli-imposed siege on the small territory. Rights groups have pointed out that the siege has crippled Gaza’s economy, while the UN has warned that the enclave would become uninhabitable by 2020 if Israeli authorities continue their refusal to lift the blockade.

According to UN documentation, at least 178 Palestinians in Gaza were injured by Israeli forces in 2016, while eight Palestinians were killed by Israeli forces during this period, mainly during clashes with Israeli forces along the security barrier between the territory and Israel.