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CITY OF GAZA: A Palestinian teenager was killed in clashes with Israeli soldiers near the border with Gaza, said Wednesday the Ministry of Health in the enclave.
Ministry spokesman Ashraf al-Qudra told AFP that Ahmed Abu Habel, 15, succumbed to a head injury after being hit by a gas cartridge. tear gas fired by soldiers near a checkpoint between Israel and the Gaza Strip.
The Israeli army did not comment on this incident, but a spokeswoman told AFP that soldiers had "fired live bullets in accordance with the rules of engagement" while the protesters were massing along the border.
There have been months of demonstrations and clashes along the Gaza border. Wednesday's incident took place in the Beit Hanoun area of northern Gaza Strip, near the Erez crossing point for Israel.
At least 195 Palestinians in Gaza have been killed by Israeli gunfire since demonstrations began on 30 March. An Israeli soldier was killed in the border area during the same period.
Israel said its actions were necessary to defend the border and end the infiltrations and attacks, accusing Hamas, the Islamist movement that runs the Gaza Strip, of orchestrating it.
Palestinians and human rights groups say demonstrators have been shot dead without the threat being real.
Israeli and Palestinian militants stranded in Gaza have waged three wars since 2008.
The demonstrations called on Palestinian refugees to return to their former homes in Israel.
More than 700,000 Palestinians fled or were deported during the 1948 war around the creation of Israel.
Israel says that allowing the so-called right of return would mean the end of the country as a Jewish state.
Last Friday, seven Palestinians, including one aged 12 and 14, were killed in clashes with Israeli forces along the Gaza border.
It was the bloodiest day of the border demonstrations since May 14, when more than 60 Palestinians died in the violence that accompanied the inauguration of the US Embassy in Jerusalem, a decision that made the Palestinians furious.
Demonstrations saw Palestinians throwing stones and burning tires. Israel says protesters have also targeted soldiers with explosive devices, grenades and shots, while infiltrations have been attempted.
Israeli snipers were placed on the other side of the fence.
The months of unrest have also resulted in several exchanges of rockets or mortars fired by Hamas and air strikes by the Israeli army.
