Explosion Kills 5 Palestinians During Gaza Protests

Facts

• An accidental bomb detonation killed at least five Palestinians and injured more than 20 during a protest along the Israel-Gaza demarcation line on Wednesday.¹
• The explosion was reportedly caused by a device that protesters had allegedly planned to use during the rally — in support of Palestinians jailed in Israel — along the volatile frontier.²
• The Israeli army claimed that its soldiers 'resorted to dispersal measures' after Palestinians 'hurled explosive devices and grenades' at the barrier demarcating the frontier.³
• It also alleged that hundreds had taken part in the protests. Videos shared by AFP appear to show protesters picking up fallen tear gas canisters and throwing them at the soldiers.⁴
• The protests on Gaza's eastern border were reportedly organized by Hamas, the Islamic militant group that seized control of Gaza from the Palestinian Authority in 2007.⁵
• It was organized a day after Palestinian armed factions conducted large-scale military maneuvers in Gaza — coinciding with the 18th anniversary of the Israeli pullout from the embargoed enclave.⁶

Sources: ¹BBC News, ²The national, ³The new arab, ⁴Al arabiya english, ⁵Associated Press and ⁶Al.

Narratives

• Pro-Palestine narrative, as provided by Al Jazeera. Bloodshed is a regular occurrence as Gazans agitate against the occupation, the abuse of Palestinian prisoners in Israeli detention, and the suffocating siege under which they live. Two million people remain under indefinite Israeli land, sea, and air blockade with tight control over the movement of people and goods. The cruelty must end.
• Pro-Israel narrative, as provided by The times of israel. The expression, 'you reap what you sow,' comes to mind when observing incidents like this in Gaza. Though the loss of life is always a tragedy, it would be wise for Gaza's leaders to moderate their incredibly militaristic actions toward Israel, and perhaps the situation could improve.

Predictions