Palestinian women are increasingly joining protests on the Israeli border – and standing in front of men because they are less likely to be shot by snipers.
Deadly protests have taken place at the flash point every Friday over the last month – and this week’s has been labelled the ‘Women’s March of Gaza’.
It comes after large numbers of women and girls – on a scale never seen before – started to take active roles in the demonstrations, which are set to culminate on May 12.
There are reports of female participants trying to protect their male counterparts by standing in front of them to provide cover.
One Palestinian woman who joined protests on April 13, Taghreed al-Barawi, claimed: ‘Women are less likely to be shot at.’
Palestinian women are increasingly joining protests amid reports they are standing in front of men on the Israeli border because they are less likely to get shot by snipers. A female protester with a Palestinian flag is pictured receiving help after tear gas was fired by Israeli troops today
A large number of women and girls – on a scale never seen before – have started to take active roles in the demonstrations, which are set to culminate on May 12. A female protester is pictured on a stretcher clasping her leg amid clashes today
There are reports of female participants protecting the men by standing in front of them to provide cover. A group of Palestinian women are pictured hurling stones during protests today
A series of deadly protests have taken place at the flash point every Friday over the last month. Pictured: A demonstrator is pictured during a clash with Israeli soldiers along the Israel-Gaza border today
She told Al Jazeera: ‘We live in a male-dominated society and women’s participation in protests can be a strange scene for some people in Gaza.
‘However, this time men somehow were more accepting and encouraging. It seems like they finally realised that we’re all part of this and women should be present.’
She said she had attended the protest with her younger sister and friends and in joining the action, women were helping to unite Palestinians and galvanise their cause.
Iktimal Hamad, head of the Women’s Committee of the march, said this would send a ‘clear message to the world that our protest is non-violent and peaceful.’
Today pictures emerged of women taking part in renewed unrest on the Gaza-Israel border today.
Israeli troops shot dead two Palestinian protesters and wounded 12 as the series of protests in the enclave reached its half-way mark.
Some Palestinians brought wire-cutters to cut through the border fence. As the crowd grew, Israeli soldiers called out warnings in Arabic over loudspeakers to individuals who approached the border fence.
Conflict: Palestinian protesters evacuate a wounded woman during a protest at the Gaza Strip’s border with Israel
A woman demonstrator reacts to tear gas fired by Israeli troops during clashes at a protest at the Israel-Gaza border where Palestinians demand the right to return to their homeland
In the line of fire: Pictures have emerged today of women taking part in renewed unrest on the Gaza-Israel border today
A demonstrator carries tyres during clashes with Israeli troops at a protest where Palestinians demand the right to return to their homeland, at the Israel-Gaza border in the southern Gaza Strip
Palestinian protesters carry a transparent kite defaced with a swastika during clashes with Israeli forces across the border today
The protest campaign, dubbed The Great March of Return, is leading up to May 15, when Palestinians mark Nakba Day, or the Day of Catastrophe, commemorating their displacement around the time of Israel’s founding in 1948. An injured Palestinian is taken away from the protest site on a stretcher today
Despite the warnings, two Palestinians were killed and 12 wounded by Israeli gunfire, Palestinian health officials said, bringing the death toll in the past few weeks of protests to at least 33. Several hundred people have also been wounded by Israeli sharpshooters.
The protests have been staged every Friday for the past month to push demands for Palestinian refugees to regain ancestral homes in what is now Israel. They are expected to culminate on May 15. The Israeli military had no comment on the latest events.
The use of live fire has drawn international criticism but Israel says it is protecting its borders and takes such action when protesters come too close to the border fence.
It accuses Hamas, the Islamist militant group which rules Gaza, of staging riots and trying to carry out attacks. Although the main protest campaign is intended to be peaceful, Gazans have hurled stones and burning tyres near the border fence.
Israeli troops shot dead two Palestinian protesters and wounded 12 as the series of protests in the enclave reached its half-way mark today
Some protesters on Friday fitted kites with cans of flammable liquids which they hoped to fly across the border and start fires in Israel
Palestinian protesters pull barbed wire from the border fence with Israel, in Rafah in southern Gaza Strip today
Some protesters on Friday fitted kites with cans of flammable liquids which they hoped to fly across the border and start fires in Israel.
‘We aim to distract the soldiers from shooting and wounding or killing our people. Israeli soldiers will be worried those fire-kites may fall on their heads or torch bushes around them,’ said Mohammad Abu Mustafa, 17, who lost his right leg a few months ago after being shot by an Israeli soldier.
‘These kites also torch bushes and trees and not only cause them losses, but keep them busy trying to put out fires,’ he said, leaning on crutches.
Early in the morning, the Israeli military used a new tactic, dropping leaflets into Gaza warning residents to not approach the border.
‘The Hamas terror organisation is taking advantage of you in order to carry out terror attacks. The IDF (Israel Defense Forces) is prepared for all scenarios. Stay away from the fence and do not attempt to harm it,’ said the leaflets scattered by Israeli aircraft in areas along the border.
Two Palestinians were killed and 12 wounded by Israeli gunfire, Palestinian health officials said, bringing the death toll in the past few weeks of protests to at least 33
Several hundred people have also been wounded by Israeli sharpshooters. A woman is pictured on the ground after inhaling tear gas
The protests have been staged every Friday for the past month to push demands for Palestinian refugees to regain ancestral homes in what is now Israel
The use of live fire has drawn international criticism but Israel says it is protecting its borders and takes such action when protesters come too close to the border fence
Hamas, which is sworn to Israel’s destruction, denies this.
More than 750,000 Palestinians are packed into the narrow coastal enclave. Israel withdrew its troops and settlers from Gaza in 2005 but maintains tight control of its land and sea borders. Egypt also restricts movement in and out of Gaza on its border.
The protest campaign, dubbed The Great March of Return, is leading up to May 15, when Palestinians mark Nakba Day, or the Day of Catastrophe, commemorating their displacement around the time of Israel’s founding in 1948.
It takes place at a time of growing frustration over the prospects for an independent Palestinian state. Peace talks between Israel and the Palestinians have been stalled for several years and Israeli settlements in the occupied territories have expanded.
U.S. President Donald Trump’s decision last year to recognise disputed Jerusalem as Israel’s capital further fueled Palestinian anger.