GAZA, 22 August 2021, (TON):  Israeli troops fired at Palestinian protesters who hurled firebombs and burned tires from behind the Gaza Strip’s border fence Saturday, with the Gaza health ministry reporting 24 injuries.

The ministry said in a statement “twenty-four civilians were injured, including 10 children.”

“Two of the injuries are critical, one of whom is a 13-year-old boy, who was hit in the head east of Gaza City.”

Tear gas shot by Israeli security forces from across the Gaza border fence billows as Palestinian protesters watch amid clashes following a demonstration east of Gaza City, denouncing the Israeli siege of the Palestinian territory.

The Israeli army told media “hundreds of rioters and demonstrators” had gathered along the border fence.

The army said “troops are prepared in the area and are using riot dispersal means, and if necessary, .22 calibre rounds.”

The Hamas Islamic movement that rules Gaza had called a protest Saturday to mark the burning 52 years ago of Jerusalem’s Al-Aqsa Mosque, the third-holiest site in Islam.

The movement said in a statement “Al-Aqsa Mosque is a red line, and any attack on it will be met with valiant resistance from our people.”

The protest came exactly three months since Israel and Hamas reached a truce following their deadliest fighting in years.