Palestinian teen shot dead by Israeli fire in Gaza

A Palestinian teenager was shot dead by Israeli fire in clashes near the border in southern Gaza late Wednesday, the health ministry in the enclave said.

The ministry said Mumin Abu Ayeda, 15, was shot along the heavily-fortified border east of Rafah in southern Gaza.

It said he was part of night time demonstrations which have taken place over months of protests, dubbed the Great March of Return.

There was no immediate confirmation from the Israeli army, which typically highlights the often violent nature of such demonstrations and labels them riots.

At least 184 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli fire in Gaza since the ‘Great March’ protests began on March 30.

One Israeli soldier was shot dead by a Palestinian sniper.

Protests have lessened in intensity in recent months, though smaller demonstrations continue.

On Tuesday two Palestinians were shot dead during violent protests next to the Erez crossing into Israel.

Demonstrators are calling to be allowed to return to the homes their families fled from in 1948, which are now inside Israel.

Israel accuses Gaza’s Islamist rulers Hamas, with which it has fought three wars since 2008, of orchestrating the protests as cover for attacks.