Palestinian armed groups fired salvoes of rockets from Gaza into southern Israel on Tuesday after an Islamic Jihad leader died in Israeli custody following an 87-day hunger strike, the first such death in more than three decades.

Khader Adnan, who was awaiting trial, was found unconscious in his cell and taken to a hospital, where he was declared dead after efforts to revive him, Israel's Prisons Service said.

Hundreds of people took to the streets in blockaded Gaza and the occupied West Bank to rally in support of Adnan and mourn his death, which Palestinian leaders described as an assassination. In Gaza, an umbrella group of armed Palestinian factions, including Hamas and Islamic Jihad, launched two separate rocket barrages towards Israel.

Watch |&nbsp;45-year-old Islamic Jihad member Khader Adnan dies is Israeli custody

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The Israeli military said at least three rockets were fired from Gaza in the hours after Adnan's death and a further 26 were launched later in the afternoon. Two landed in the southern city of Sderot, wounding three people, including a 25-year-old foreign national who Israel's ambulance service said sustained serious shrapnel wounds.

An Israeli Defence Force official said Israel would respond at a time and a place of its choosing.

Prime Minister Bejnamin Netanyahu held a meeting with security officials to assess the situation and the military said it was investigating how two rockets had penetrated the Iron Dome air defence system.

Since 2011, Adnan had conducted at least three hunger strikes in protest at detentions without charges by Israel. The tactic has been used by other Palestinian prisoners, sometimes en masse, but none had died since 1992.

Adnan's lawyer Jamil Al-Khatib and a doctor with a human rights group who recently met him accused Israeli authorities of withholding medical care.

"We demanded he be moved into a civilian hospital where he could be properly monitored. Unfortunately, such a demand was met by intransigence and rejection," Al-Khatib told Reuters.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/tinder-swipes-left-on-russia-to-exit-the-warring-nation-by-june-30-588252">Tinder 'swipes left' on Russia, to 'dump' the warring nation by June 30</a>

Adnan, 45, was a baker and a father of nine from Jenin in the Israeli-occupied West Bank. Islamic Jihad sources said he was one of its political leaders. The faction has a limited West Bank presence but is the second most powerful armed group in Hamas-ruled Gaza, where Israeli forces fought a brief war against it last August.

Lina Qasem-Hassan of Physicians for Human Rights in Israel said she saw Adnan on April 23, at which point he had lost 40 kg (88 pounds) and was having trouble breathing but was conscious.

"His death could have been avoided," Qasem Hassan told Reuters, saying several Israeli hospitals had refused to admit Adnan after he made brief visits to their emergency rooms.

The Prisons Service said hospitalisation had not been an option as Adnan had declined "even a preliminary inspection".

'Fight is continuing'

Physicians for Human Rights said Israeli authorities had denied requests by Adnan and his family to visit him in prison.

Speaking from the family's home in the northern West Bank town of Arraba near Jenin, Adnan's wife, Randa Musa, said: "Our message to all the resistance groups is, we do not want the weapons that were not used to free the sheikh (Adnan) to be used after his death. We do not want to see any bloodshed."

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/sudan-100000-refugees-have-fled-into-neighbouring-countries-number-could-rise-to-800000-un-588196">Sudan: 100,000 refugees have fled into neighbouring countries, number could rise to 800,000 - UN</a>

Adnan's 9-year-old son Ali led a march through Arraba. Perched on a man's shoulders, he chanted, "Khader, you a hero, your name shook the prison!" as dozens followed.

Tuesday's rocket barrages came almost a month after the last cross-border exchanges of fire between Israel and Gaza, which followed an Israeli police raid in the al-Aqsa mosque complex during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan.

"Our fight is continuing and the enemy will realise once again that its crimes will not pass without a response," Islamic Jihad, which preaches Israel's destruction, said in a statement.

Israel said it was cancelling a military drill that had been planned for the areas surrounding Gaza "pursuant to a situational assessment", and was putting staff in security prisons on heightened alert.

According to the Palestinian Prisoners Association, Adnan had been arrested by Israel 12 times, spending around eight years in prison, mostly under so-called "administrative detention" - or detention without charges.

Israel says such detentions are required when evidence cannot be revealed in court due to the need to keep intelligence sources secret. Palestinians and rights groups say they deny due process of law.

This time, Adnan was arrested and indicted in an Israeli military court on charges that included links to an outlawed group and incitement to violence, the Prisons Service said.

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Palestinian armed groups fired salvoes of rockets from Gaza into southern Israel on Tuesday after an Islamic Jihad leader died in Israeli custody following an 87-day hunger strike, the first such death in more than three decades.

Palestinian armed groups fired salvoes of rockets from Gaza into southern Israel on Tuesday after an Islamic Jihad leader died in Israeli custody following an 87-day hunger strike, the first such death in more than three decades. Khader Adnan, who was awaiting trial, was found unconscious in his cell and taken to a hospital, where he was declared dead after efforts to revive him, Israel's Prisons Service said. Hundreds of people took to the streets in blockaded Gaza and the occupied West Bank to rally in support of Adnan and mourn his death, which Palestinian leaders described as an assassination. In Gaza, an umbrella group of armed Palestinian factions, including Hamas and Islamic Jihad, launched two separate rocket barrages towards Israel. Watch | 45-year-old Islamic Jihad member Khader Adnan dies is Israeli custody The Israeli military said at least three rockets were fired from Gaza in the hours after Adnan's death and a further 26 were launched later in the afternoon. Two landed in the southern city of Sderot, wounding three people, including a 25-year-old foreign national who Israel's ambulance service said sustained serious shrapnel wounds. An Israeli Defence Force official said Israel would respond at a time and a place of its choosing. Prime Minister Bejnamin Netanyahu held a meeting with security officials to assess the situation and the military said it was investigating how two rockets had penetrated the Iron Dome air defence system. Since 2011, Adnan had conducted at least three hunger strikes in protest at detentions without charges by Israel. The tactic has been used by other Palestinian prisoners, sometimes en masse, but none had died since 1992. Adnan's lawyer Jamil Al-Khatib and a doctor with a human rights group who recently met him accused Israeli authorities of withholding medical care. "We demanded he be moved into a civilian hospital where he could be properly monitored. Unfortunately, such a demand was met by intransigence and rejection," Al-Khatib told Reuters. Also read | Tinder 'swipes left' on Russia, to 'dump' the warring nation by June 30 Adnan, 45, was a baker and a father of nine from Jenin in the Israeli-occupied West Bank. Islamic Jihad sources said he was one of its political leaders. The faction has a limited West Bank presence but is the second most powerful armed group in Hamas-ruled Gaza, where Israeli forces fought a brief war against it last August. Lina Qasem-Hassan of Physicians for Human Rights in Israel said she saw Adnan on April 23, at which point he had lost 40 kg (88 pounds) and was having trouble breathing but was conscious. "His death could have been avoided," Qasem Hassan told Reuters, saying several Israeli hospitals had refused to admit Adnan after he made brief visits to their emergency rooms. The Prisons Service said hospitalisation had not been an option as Adnan had declined "even a preliminary inspection". 'Fight is continuing' Physicians for Human Rights said Israeli authorities had denied requests by Adnan and his family to visit him in prison. Speaking from the family's home in the northern West Bank town of Arraba near Jenin, Adnan's wife, Randa Musa, said: "Our message to all the resistance groups is, we do not want the weapons that were not used to free the sheikh (Adnan) to be used after his death. We do not want to see any bloodshed." Also read | Sudan: 100,000 refugees have fled into neighbouring countries, number could rise to 800,000 - UN Adnan's 9-year-old son Ali led a march through Arraba. Perched on a man's shoulders, he chanted, "Khader, you a hero, your name shook the prison!" as dozens followed. Tuesday's rocket barrages came almost a month after the last cross-border exchanges of fire between Israel and Gaza, which followed an Israeli police raid in the al-Aqsa mosque complex during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan. "Our fight is continuing and the enemy will realise once again that its crimes will not pass without a response," Islamic Jihad, which preaches Israel's destruction, said in a statement. Israel said it was cancelling a military drill that had been planned for the areas surrounding Gaza "pursuant to a situational assessment", and was putting staff in security prisons on heightened alert. According to the Palestinian Prisoners Association, Adnan had been arrested by Israel 12 times, spending around eight years in prison, mostly under so-called "administrative detention" - or detention without charges. Israel says such detentions are required when evidence cannot be revealed in court due to the need to keep intelligence sources secret. Palestinians and rights groups say they deny due process of law. This time, Adnan was arrested and indicted in an Israeli military court on charges that included links to an outlawed group and incitement to violence, the Prisons Service said. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Rockets fired from Gaza after Palestinian hunger striker dies in Israeli custody

In Gaza's only boxing club for girls, 15-year-old Farah Abu Al-Qomsan is practising her moves, trading jabs and punches with the other girls training with coach Osama Ayoub at the Palestine Boxing Centre.

Since taking to the sport at the age of nine, Farah has found a release from the daily stresses of life in Gaza, a narrow coastal strip where some 2.3 million Palestinians live blockaded by both Israel and neighbouring Egypt.

"We used to train in a small garage. Now we train according to the full rules and release bad energy," the 15-year-old girl, at the territory's first women-only boxing center.

Six years ago, Ayoub, started with two girls. As more joined, they moved out of the garage and began training on the beach or in rented spaces before moving into the new club building.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/explained-whats-causing-the-recent-conflict-between-israel-and-gaza-504692">Read more:&nbsp;Explained: What's causing the recent conflict between Israel and Gaza?</a>

"The girls are ready. I trained them hard for five years," said Ayoub. "We are setting an example."

Now around 40 girls train in the centre with its full-size boxing ring, training equipment and posters of boxing heroes such as Mike Tyson on the walls, defying expectations in a region where boxing has traditionally been a sport for men.

"Some people used to tell me 'Why boxing, what are you going to benefit from it, go and learn something girly'," Farah said.

"I benefit a lot from boxing and today my ambition is to represent my Palestinian people and take part in world championships."

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In Gaza's only boxing club for girls, 15-year-old Farah Abu Al-Qomsan is practising her moves, trading jabs and punches with the other girls training with coach Osama Ayoub at the Palestine Boxing Centre.

In Gaza's only boxing club for girls, 15-year-old Farah Abu Al-Qomsan is practising her moves, trading jabs and punches with the other girls training with coach Osama Ayoub at the Palestine Boxing Centre. Since taking to the sport at the age of nine, Farah has found a release from the daily stresses of life in Gaza, a narrow coastal strip where some 2.3 million Palestinians live blockaded by both Israel and neighbouring Egypt. "We used to train in a small garage. Now we train according to the full rules and release bad energy," the 15-year-old girl, at the territory's first women-only boxing center. Six years ago, Ayoub, started with two girls. As more joined, they moved out of the garage and began training on the beach or in rented spaces before moving into the new club building. Read more: Explained: What's causing the recent conflict between Israel and Gaza? "The girls are ready. I trained them hard for five years," said Ayoub. "We are setting an example." Now around 40 girls train in the centre with its full-size boxing ring, training equipment and posters of boxing heroes such as Mike Tyson on the walls, defying expectations in a region where boxing has traditionally been a sport for men. "Some people used to tell me 'Why boxing, what are you going to benefit from it, go and learn something girly'," Farah said. "I benefit a lot from boxing and today my ambition is to represent my Palestinian people and take part in world championships." WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

Inspiring! First boxing club exclusively for women opens in Gaza

Palestinian militant group Islamic Jihad and Israel halted hostilities across the Gaza Strip border on Thursday following <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/egypt-mediated-truce-with-israel-in-force-in-gaza-islamic-jihad-261943">Egyptian- and U.N.-mediated efforts </a>to end the worst surge in fighting in months.

Islamic Jihad said a truce went into effect at 0330 GMT, about 48 hours after Israel triggered the exchange of fire by killing the Iranian-backed faction's top Gaza commander in an airstrike, deeming him an imminent threat.

Gaza medical officials put the total death toll at 34 Palestinians, almost half of them civilians and including eight children and three women.

On the other side of the Gaza border, hundreds of rocket launches by militants paralysed much of southern Israel, injuring dozens of people.

Hamas, Gaza's dominant faction, appeared to have stayed out of this round of fighting. That may have helped stem escalation.

An Egyptian official contacted by Reuters confirmed a truce had been reached. The Israeli military eased emergency regulations imposed on areas within range of Gaza rockets.

Islamic Jihad said Israel had accepted its demand to stop both the targeted killing of militants and sometimes lethal army gunfire at weekly Palestinian protests on the Gaza border.

"The ceasefire began under Egyptian sponsorship after the Occupation (Israel) submitted to the conditions set by Islamic Jihad on behalf of Palestinian resistance factions," Islamic Jihad spokesman Musab Al-Braim said.

But Israel said it would observe a more limited quid-pro-quo. "Quiet will be answered with quiet," Foreign Minister Israel Katz told Israel's Army Radio.

Missile strike

In the deadliest incident of the two-day hostilities, eight members of a Gaza family were killed by an Israeli missile strike shortly before the truce took hold, said medical officials and residents.

They said all were civilians. But Israeli military spokesman Major Avichay Adraee said the head of the family, Rasmi Abu Malhous, who was among the dead, was the commander of Islamic Jihad rocket crews in the central Gaza Strip.

Neighbours left their homes to help rescue workers pull out the bodies of the family, some of which were completely buried in sandy earth. Civilians tried to test the pulse of one body before pulling it out.

Israel's allegation about Rasmi Abu Malhous could not be immediately be confirmed by Reuters. Islamic Jihad did not claim him as a member.

Neither the two days of hostilities nor the sudden cessation shifted the dynamics of the underlying core conflict.

While Hamas has been open to long-term ceasefires, like Islamic Jihad it refuses to accept permanent coexistence with Israel.

Gazans are seeking to end years of an Israeli-led blockade. Refugees from the 1948 war of Israel's founding and their descendents make up most of the two million Palestinians in Gaza and are seeking the right to return to their former lands.

Israel rejects this as demographic suicide and sees no means of making peace as long as Hamas and Islamic Jihad are armed.

Katz said there would be no change to Israeli military policy in Gaza, contradicting the assertion of Islamic Jihad.

Targeted killings "will not cease", he said, and "the open-fire policy for which the Israel Defence Forces is responsible (at the Gaza border) will not change".

Gaza was mostly quiet at daybreak, with the exception of a lone rocket launch witnessed by a Reuters correspondent and the sounding of sirens in some outlying Israeli towns.

Markets in Gaza reopened as life returned to normal, though people expressed mixed feelings about the truce.

"We responded and made clear our blood was not shed in vain. Also, a truce is good because we don't want our people to suffer more under the blockade," said one resident, Mohammad Al-Smairi.

UN mediator Nickolay Mladenov said the Gaza situation remained fragile, tweeting: "All must show maximum restraint and do their part to prevent bloodshed. The Middle East does not need more wars."

Palestinian militant group Islamic Jihad and Israel halted hostilities across the Gaza Strip border on Thursday following Egyptian- and U.N.-mediated efforts to end the worst surge in fighting in months.

Palestinian militant group Islamic Jihad and Israel halted hostilities across the Gaza Strip border on Thursday following Egyptian- and U.N.-mediated efforts to end the worst surge in fighting in months. Islamic Jihad said a truce went into effect at 0330 GMT, about 48 hours after Israel triggered the exchange of fire by killing the Iranian-backed faction's top Gaza commander in an airstrike, deeming him an imminent threat. Gaza medical officials put the total death toll at 34 Palestinians, almost half of them civilians and including eight children and three women. On the other side of the Gaza border, hundreds of rocket launches by militants paralysed much of southern Israel, injuring dozens of people. Hamas, Gaza's dominant faction, appeared to have stayed out of this round of fighting. That may have helped stem escalation. An Egyptian official contacted by Reuters confirmed a truce had been reached. The Israeli military eased emergency regulations imposed on areas within range of Gaza rockets. Islamic Jihad said Israel had accepted its demand to stop both the targeted killing of militants and sometimes lethal army gunfire at weekly Palestinian protests on the Gaza border. "The ceasefire began under Egyptian sponsorship after the Occupation (Israel) submitted to the conditions set by Islamic Jihad on behalf of Palestinian resistance factions," Islamic Jihad spokesman Musab Al-Braim said. But Israel said it would observe a more limited quid-pro-quo. "Quiet will be answered with quiet," Foreign Minister Israel Katz told Israel's Army Radio. Missile strike In the deadliest incident of the two-day hostilities, eight members of a Gaza family were killed by an Israeli missile strike shortly before the truce took hold, said medical officials and residents. They said all were civilians. But Israeli military spokesman Major Avichay Adraee said the head of the family, Rasmi Abu Malhous, who was among the dead, was the commander of Islamic Jihad rocket crews in the central Gaza Strip. Neighbours left their homes to help rescue workers pull out the bodies of the family, some of which were completely buried in sandy earth. Civilians tried to test the pulse of one body before pulling it out. Israel's allegation about Rasmi Abu Malhous could not be immediately be confirmed by Reuters. Islamic Jihad did not claim him as a member. Neither the two days of hostilities nor the sudden cessation shifted the dynamics of the underlying core conflict. While Hamas has been open to long-term ceasefires, like Islamic Jihad it refuses to accept permanent coexistence with Israel. Gazans are seeking to end years of an Israeli-led blockade. Refugees from the 1948 war of Israel's founding and their descendents make up most of the two million Palestinians in Gaza and are seeking the right to return to their former lands. Israel rejects this as demographic suicide and sees no means of making peace as long as Hamas and Islamic Jihad are armed. Katz said there would be no change to Israeli military policy in Gaza, contradicting the assertion of Islamic Jihad. Targeted killings "will not cease", he said, and "the open-fire policy for which the Israel Defence Forces is responsible (at the Gaza border) will not change". Gaza was mostly quiet at daybreak, with the exception of a lone rocket launch witnessed by a Reuters correspondent and the sounding of sirens in some outlying Israeli towns. Markets in Gaza reopened as life returned to normal, though people expressed mixed feelings about the truce. "We responded and made clear our blood was not shed in vain. Also, a truce is good because we don't want our people to suffer more under the blockade," said one resident, Mohammad Al-Smairi. UN mediator Nickolay Mladenov said the Gaza situation remained fragile, tweeting: "All must show maximum restraint and do their part to prevent bloodshed. The Middle East does not need more wars."

Islamic Jihad, Israel halt hostilities in Gaza, 34 Palestinians dead

Palestinian militants in Gaza fired a barrage of dozens of rockets at Israel on Saturday and Israel responded with strikes as a fragile ceasefire between the two sides again faltered.

Israel said around 50 rockets were fired from the Palestinian enclave and its air defence systems intercepted dozens of them.

The army said it had targeted two rocket launchers in Gaza with an airstrike in response.&nbsp;

A Gazan security source said later that a series of Israeli strikes hit at least three separate areas of the Gaza Strip and that three "resistance fighters" were wounded.

It was not yet clear if there were casualties on the Israeli side.

The escalation follows the most violent clashes along the Gaza border in weeks on Friday.

Four Palestinians, including two Hamas militants, were killed by Israeli fire in the Gaza Strip on Friday after two Israeli soldiers were wounded in a shooting during weekly protests on the border.

Palestinian militants in Gaza fired a barrage of dozens of rockets at Israel on Saturday and Israel responded with strikes as a fragile ceasefire between the two sides again faltered.

Palestinian militants in Gaza fired a barrage of dozens of rockets at Israel on Saturday and Israel responded with strikes as a fragile ceasefire between the two sides again faltered. Israel said around 50 rockets were fired from the Palestinian enclave and its air defence systems intercepted dozens of them. The army said it had targeted two rocket launchers in Gaza with an airstrike in response. A Gazan security source said later that a series of Israeli strikes hit at least three separate areas of the Gaza Strip and that three "resistance fighters" were wounded. It was not yet clear if there were casualties on the Israeli side. The escalation follows the most violent clashes along the Gaza border in weeks on Friday. Four Palestinians, including two Hamas militants, were killed by Israeli fire in the Gaza Strip on Friday after two Israeli soldiers were wounded in a shooting during weekly protests on the border.

Dozens of rockets fired at Israel from Gaza, Israel responds

Israel reopened its commercial crossing with the Gaza Strip on Sunday but kept military reinforcements deployed on the volatile frontier, a day after a smaller than expected Palestinian <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/four-killed-as-thousands-protest-at-border-but-gaza-israel-truce-holds-206856">protest along the border</a>.

Gaza medical officials said four Palestinians were killed by Israeli fire during demonstrations on Saturday marking the first anniversary of the "Great March of Return" protests.

Around 200 Gazans have been killed by Israeli troops since the protests started on March 30 last year, according to Palestinian Health Ministry figures. An Israeli soldier was also killed by a Palestinian sniper in July.

But while around 40,000 protesters, some hurling grenades and explosives, turned out on Saturday, according to the Israeli military, several signs pointed to pullback from wider confrontation amid Egyptian efforts to reach a long-term ceasefire that would also ease blockaded Gaza's economic plight.

An Israeli military spokesman noted that there had been "significantly less violence" during Saturday's protest, which organisers had billed a "million person march", than in past weekly demonstrations.

In addition, hundreds of Palestinian men, some from Gaza's ruling Hamas group, were deployed in bright orange vests to deter people from going near Israel's border fence, a frequent flashpoint.

A Hamas official said Egyptian mediators were expected to hold talks in Israel to try to finalise a deal.

Israel, which considers Hamas to be a terrorist group, has maintained official silence about any pending agreement, a week before a closely contested election in which rocket strikes from Gaza on Israeli border towns have become the main issue.

Trucks carrying food and fuel rolled into Gaza through the reopened Kerem Shalom crossing on Sunday despite the firing of several rockets at southern Israel overnight and Israeli tank fire on Hamas positions in response. No injuries were reported on either side of the border.

Flare-up

The crossing had been closed on Monday after a rocket that wounded seven Israelis north of Tel Aviv touched off a two-day surge in cross-border violence.

Israel launched a wave of air strikes and ramped up its forces at the border after the rocket strike, as Egypt stepped up its mediation.

A prospective deal, according to three Palestinian officials close to the talks, would include steady Qatari-funded fuel supplies for Gaza, job creation projects and expansion of the territory's fishing zone off the Mediterranean coast.

For their part, militant groups in Gaza agreed before Saturday's protest to keep demonstrators from the border fence and stop the launching of incendiary balloons that have burned farmland in southern Israel, the officials said.

"Days separate us from achieving our demands. We are patient and the enemy is under a test," Khalil al-Hayya, Hamas's deputy Gaza chief, told the group's Aqsa TV.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, accused by far-right rivals of being too soft on Hamas, said on Sunday he ordered Israeli forces to remain at "full strength" along the Gaza frontier.

But in public remarks on Thursday, he said Israel would undertake a broad military campaign in Gaza - Hamas and Israel last fought a war in 2014 - only after exhausting all other options.

Israel reopened its commercial crossing with the Gaza Strip on Sunday but kept military reinforcements deployed on the volatile frontier, a day after a smaller than expected Palestinian protest along the border.

Israel reopened its commercial crossing with the Gaza Strip on Sunday but kept military reinforcements deployed on the volatile frontier, a day after a smaller than expected Palestinian protest along the border. Gaza medical officials said four Palestinians were killed by Israeli fire during demonstrations on Saturday marking the first anniversary of the "Great March of Return" protests. Around 200 Gazans have been killed by Israeli troops since the protests started on March 30 last year, according to Palestinian Health Ministry figures. An Israeli soldier was also killed by a Palestinian sniper in July. But while around 40,000 protesters, some hurling grenades and explosives, turned out on Saturday, according to the Israeli military, several signs pointed to pullback from wider confrontation amid Egyptian efforts to reach a long-term ceasefire that would also ease blockaded Gaza's economic plight. An Israeli military spokesman noted that there had been "significantly less violence" during Saturday's protest, which organisers had billed a "million person march", than in past weekly demonstrations. In addition, hundreds of Palestinian men, some from Gaza's ruling Hamas group, were deployed in bright orange vests to deter people from going near Israel's border fence, a frequent flashpoint. A Hamas official said Egyptian mediators were expected to hold talks in Israel to try to finalise a deal. Israel, which considers Hamas to be a terrorist group, has maintained official silence about any pending agreement, a week before a closely contested election in which rocket strikes from Gaza on Israeli border towns have become the main issue. Trucks carrying food and fuel rolled into Gaza through the reopened Kerem Shalom crossing on Sunday despite the firing of several rockets at southern Israel overnight and Israeli tank fire on Hamas positions in response. No injuries were reported on either side of the border. Flare-up The crossing had been closed on Monday after a rocket that wounded seven Israelis north of Tel Aviv touched off a two-day surge in cross-border violence. Israel launched a wave of air strikes and ramped up its forces at the border after the rocket strike, as Egypt stepped up its mediation. A prospective deal, according to three Palestinian officials close to the talks, would include steady Qatari-funded fuel supplies for Gaza, job creation projects and expansion of the territory's fishing zone off the Mediterranean coast. For their part, militant groups in Gaza agreed before Saturday's protest to keep demonstrators from the border fence and stop the launching of incendiary balloons that have burned farmland in southern Israel, the officials said. "Days separate us from achieving our demands. We are patient and the enemy is under a test," Khalil al-Hayya, Hamas's deputy Gaza chief, told the group's Aqsa TV. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, accused by far-right rivals of being too soft on Hamas, said on Sunday he ordered Israeli forces to remain at "full strength" along the Gaza frontier. But in public remarks on Thursday, he said Israel would undertake a broad military campaign in Gaza - Hamas and Israel last fought a war in 2014 - only after exhausting all other options.

Israel reopens Gaza commercial crossing in sign of easing tensions

Tens of thousands of Palestinians rallied in heavy rain at the <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/thousands-gather-at-gaza-israel-border-on-anniversary-in-test-of-truce-206722">Israel-Gaza border on Saturday</a> to mark the first anniversary of a new wave of protests, facing off against Israeli tanks and troops massed on the fortified frontier.

The 'Great March of Return' protests have been marked by sometimes deadly violence and Gaza medical officials said two Palestinians had been killed on Saturday.

One man died near the border before dawn, hours before the main afternoon rally, they said, while a 17-year-old boy was killed by Israeli fire at a protest site east of Gaza City.

Palestinian protesters threw rocks, grenades and burning tyres towards soldiers across the border fence, the Israeli military said.

Eager to get a big turnout on the anniversary, organisers set up loudspeakers at protest camps along the border, blaring out Palestinian nationalist songs at full volume. Hamas leaders turned up at the rallies and ordered schools to shut for the day to encourage participation.

The protesters are calling for the lifting of a security blockade imposed by Israel and Egypt, and for Palestinians to have the right to return to land from which their families fled or were forced to flee during Israel's founding in 1948.

Israel rejects any such return, saying that would eliminate its Jewish majority.

The Israeli military said 40,000 people had gathered in the frontier area but that most of them were keeping away from the border.

Despite the bad weather, an Israeli security official said the turnout was larger than for the usual weekly protests and that it also appeared organisers were trying to keep violence from erupting.

The Palestinian Health Ministry said 17 people had been wounded by Israeli gunfire and scores more by tear gas and shrapnel.

Around 200 Gazans have been killed by Israeli troops since the protests started on March 30 last year, according to Palestinian Health Ministry figures, and an Israeli soldier was killed by a Palestinian sniper.

Confrontations have mounted ahead of the anniversary.

A Gaza rocket attack wounded seven Israelis north of Tel Aviv on Monday and, in response, Israel launched a wave of air strikes and ramped up its forces at the border.

After 12 months of bloodshed, Egyptian mediators are working to avoid further confrontation, and to ease tensions by persuading Israel to lift restrictions on the movement of goods and people into and out of the Gaza Strip.

The blockade is cited by humanitarian agencies as a key reason for impoverishment in the narrow coastal enclave into which 2 million Palestinians are packed.

Leaders of the armed Palestinian militant groups Hamas and Islamic Jihad said that progress has been made in the truce talks, but Hamas said they had a list of demands from Israel that they wanted to see fulfilled.

"In the coming days we hope to conclude the negotiations and achieve a real breaking of the blockade," Hamas chief in Gaza Yehya Sinwar told Reuters as he arrived at the protest.

Islamist Hamas rules the territory and has fought three wars with Israel in the past decade.

Security has been a prominent issue in the build-up to Israeli elections due on April 9. Facing a serious challenge from a centrist party led by a former general, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's handling of Gaza will also be under scrutiny from hawkish allies in his right-wing coalition.

Lethal force

March 30 also marks "Land Day", an annual commemoration of six Arab citizens of Israel who were killed by Israeli security forces during demonstrations over land confiscations in 1976.

"In a year I will finish school. My father is unemployed so I will be unable to go to university. Who is responsible? Israel," said 16-year-old protester Mohammed Ali. "I don't know how many years will pass before our lives improve but we should continue (protests) as long as the occupation and the blockade exist."

Israel seized Gaza in a 1967 war and pulled out its troops in 2005. It says the security blockade is necessary to stop weapons reaching Hamas, which has fired thousands of rockets into Israel.

Israel's use of lethal force has drawn censure from the United Nations and human rights groups. U.N. investigators last week said that Israeli forces may be guilty of war crimes for using excessive force.

Israel says its troops have no choice because they are trying to stop militants breaching the fence and attacking civilian communities in the area.

The border protests have turned into a standoff between Gazans hurling rocks and explosives and Israeli troops across the border. Palestinians have also launched incendiary balloons and kites into Israel and breached the Israeli frontier fence.

Tens of thousands of Palestinians rallied in heavy rain at the Israel-Gaza border on Saturday to mark the first anniversary of a new wave of protests, facing off against Israeli tanks and troops massed on the fortified frontier.

Tens of thousands of Palestinians rallied in heavy rain at the Israel-Gaza border on Saturday to mark the first anniversary of a new wave of protests, facing off against Israeli tanks and troops massed on the fortified frontier. The 'Great March of Return' protests have been marked by sometimes deadly violence and Gaza medical officials said two Palestinians had been killed on Saturday. One man died near the border before dawn, hours before the main afternoon rally, they said, while a 17-year-old boy was killed by Israeli fire at a protest site east of Gaza City. Palestinian protesters threw rocks, grenades and burning tyres towards soldiers across the border fence, the Israeli military said. Eager to get a big turnout on the anniversary, organisers set up loudspeakers at protest camps along the border, blaring out Palestinian nationalist songs at full volume. Hamas leaders turned up at the rallies and ordered schools to shut for the day to encourage participation. The protesters are calling for the lifting of a security blockade imposed by Israel and Egypt, and for Palestinians to have the right to return to land from which their families fled or were forced to flee during Israel's founding in 1948. Israel rejects any such return, saying that would eliminate its Jewish majority. The Israeli military said 40,000 people had gathered in the frontier area but that most of them were keeping away from the border. Despite the bad weather, an Israeli security official said the turnout was larger than for the usual weekly protests and that it also appeared organisers were trying to keep violence from erupting. The Palestinian Health Ministry said 17 people had been wounded by Israeli gunfire and scores more by tear gas and shrapnel. Around 200 Gazans have been killed by Israeli troops since the protests started on March 30 last year, according to Palestinian Health Ministry figures, and an Israeli soldier was killed by a Palestinian sniper. Confrontations have mounted ahead of the anniversary. A Gaza rocket attack wounded seven Israelis north of Tel Aviv on Monday and, in response, Israel launched a wave of air strikes and ramped up its forces at the border. After 12 months of bloodshed, Egyptian mediators are working to avoid further confrontation, and to ease tensions by persuading Israel to lift restrictions on the movement of goods and people into and out of the Gaza Strip. The blockade is cited by humanitarian agencies as a key reason for impoverishment in the narrow coastal enclave into which 2 million Palestinians are packed. Leaders of the armed Palestinian militant groups Hamas and Islamic Jihad said that progress has been made in the truce talks, but Hamas said they had a list of demands from Israel that they wanted to see fulfilled. "In the coming days we hope to conclude the negotiations and achieve a real breaking of the blockade," Hamas chief in Gaza Yehya Sinwar told Reuters as he arrived at the protest. Islamist Hamas rules the territory and has fought three wars with Israel in the past decade. Security has been a prominent issue in the build-up to Israeli elections due on April 9. Facing a serious challenge from a centrist party led by a former general, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's handling of Gaza will also be under scrutiny from hawkish allies in his right-wing coalition. Lethal force March 30 also marks "Land Day", an annual commemoration of six Arab citizens of Israel who were killed by Israeli security forces during demonstrations over land confiscations in 1976. "In a year I will finish school. My father is unemployed so I will be unable to go to university. Who is responsible? Israel," said 16-year-old protester Mohammed Ali. "I don't know how many years will pass before our lives improve but we should continue (protests) as long as the occupation and the blockade exist." Israel seized Gaza in a 1967 war and pulled out its troops in 2005. It says the security blockade is necessary to stop weapons reaching Hamas, which has fired thousands of rockets into Israel. Israel's use of lethal force has drawn censure from the United Nations and human rights groups. U.N. investigators last week said that Israeli forces may be guilty of war crimes for using excessive force. Israel says its troops have no choice because they are trying to stop militants breaching the fence and attacking civilian communities in the area. The border protests have turned into a standoff between Gazans hurling rocks and explosives and Israeli troops across the border. Palestinians have also launched incendiary balloons and kites into Israel and breached the Israeli frontier fence.

Clashes erupt at Israel-Gaza border as thousands of Palestinians mark anniversary of weekly protests

Israel said Sunday that work to strengthen its border with the <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/two-palestinians-killed-in-clashes-with-israeli-troops-in-gaza-west-bank-192841">Gaza Strip </a>had entered a new phase, with construction starting on a massive new barrier along the frontier.

"Over the weekend we began building the above-ground barrier along the Gaza border," Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told journalists before the weekly cabinet meeting.

The barrier, set to stand six metres (20 feet) off the ground, "will prevent terrorists from Gaza from penetrating into our territory on the ground", he said in Hebrew.

Netanyahu gave no further details but a defence ministry statement said that work on the structure began Thursday.

It is set to follow the 65-kilometre (40-mile) course of an underground barrier also under construction meant to neutralise the threat of cross-border tunnels built by Gaza militants.

At its western end, the statement said, the above-ground barrier would join a fortified sea wall jutting into the Mediterranean, aimed at blocking Palestinian attacks by water.&nbsp;

"It's massive and especially strong," the ministry said in an accompanying video clip.

In the last Gaza war in 2014, Israeli forces killed four Hamas militants who had managed to cross into Israel by water.&nbsp;

Some Israeli commentators have said that Netanyahu would be unwilling to see a new uptick in hostilities with Gaza's Hamas rulers in the runup to general elections set for April 9.

But the premier, who is also defence minister, on Sunday, pledged the upcoming polls would not affect security decisions.

"If the quiet is not maintained in Gaza, we will make the decisions even in the elections period and will not hesitate to act," he said.

Palestinians have for nearly a year gathered at least weekly along the Gaza border for often-violent protests.

They want to be able to return to the homes their families fled in the war surrounding Israel's creation in 1948, and are calling for an end to the Jewish state's blockade of Gaza.

At least 246 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli fire in Gaza since March 30, the majority during border protests but also by tank fire and airstrikes.

Two Israeli soldiers have been killed over the same period.

Israel says its actions are necessary to defend the border and stop mass incursions into its territory.

It accuses Hamas, with whom it has fought three wars since 2008, of seeking to use the protests as cover to carry out violence.

Israel said Sunday that work to strengthen its border with the Gaza Strip had entered a new phase, with construction starting on a massive new barrier along the frontier.

Israel said Sunday that work to strengthen its border with the Gaza Strip had entered a new phase, with construction starting on a massive new barrier along the frontier. "Over the weekend we began building the above-ground barrier along the Gaza border," Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told journalists before the weekly cabinet meeting. The barrier, set to stand six metres (20 feet) off the ground, "will prevent terrorists from Gaza from penetrating into our territory on the ground", he said in Hebrew. Netanyahu gave no further details but a defence ministry statement said that work on the structure began Thursday. It is set to follow the 65-kilometre (40-mile) course of an underground barrier also under construction meant to neutralise the threat of cross-border tunnels built by Gaza militants. At its western end, the statement said, the above-ground barrier would join a fortified sea wall jutting into the Mediterranean, aimed at blocking Palestinian attacks by water. "It's massive and especially strong," the ministry said in an accompanying video clip. In the last Gaza war in 2014, Israeli forces killed four Hamas militants who had managed to cross into Israel by water. Some Israeli commentators have said that Netanyahu would be unwilling to see a new uptick in hostilities with Gaza's Hamas rulers in the runup to general elections set for April 9. But the premier, who is also defence minister, on Sunday, pledged the upcoming polls would not affect security decisions. "If the quiet is not maintained in Gaza, we will make the decisions even in the elections period and will not hesitate to act," he said. Palestinians have for nearly a year gathered at least weekly along the Gaza border for often-violent protests. They want to be able to return to the homes their families fled in the war surrounding Israel's creation in 1948, and are calling for an end to the Jewish state's blockade of Gaza. At least 246 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli fire in Gaza since March 30, the majority during border protests but also by tank fire and airstrikes. Two Israeli soldiers have been killed over the same period. Israel says its actions are necessary to defend the border and stop mass incursions into its territory. It accuses Hamas, with whom it has fought three wars since 2008, of seeking to use the protests as cover to carry out violence.

Israel begins construction of new Gaza border barrier

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/ive-never-been-so-happy-nobel-laureate-malala-yousafzai-on-visiting-hometown-in-pakistan--127459">'I've never been so happy': Nobel laureate Malala Yousafzai on visiting hometown in Pakistan</a>

Nobel Peace Prize winner Malala Yousafzai says she has pined for her home in Pakistan's picturesque Swat Valley, even as she recalled two years living in fear under the Taliban's harsh interpretation of Islamic law.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/violence-subsides-on-israel-gaza-border-a-day-after-deadly-protest-127502">Violence subsides on Israel-Gaza border a day after deadly protest</a>

Dozens of Palestinian youths gathered by the Gaza-Israel border on Saturday, though the area remained mostly quiet, a day after deadly violence broke out in one of the biggest Palestinian demonstrations there in years.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/uk-russia-standoff-deepens-as-moscow-cuts-uk-diplomats-127504">UK-Russia standoff deepens as Moscow cuts UK diplomats</a>

Moscow has told Britain it must cut "just over 50" more of its diplomatic and technical staff in Russia in a worsening standoff over the poisoning of a Russian former spy and his daughter in England, the Russian Foreign Ministry said on Saturday.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/dhinakaran-supporter-offers-poison-to-aiadmk-mp-after-his-suicide-threat-127486">Dhinakaran supporter offers poison to AIADMK MP after his suicide threat</a>

AIADMK MP Navaneethakrishnan who threatened to commit suicide over delay in formation Cauvery Management Board (CMB) became a subject of jeer for a supporter of sidelined AIADMK leader TTV Dhinakaran, who offered him poison and a noose, on Saturday.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/skripal-row-niece-of-ex-russian-spys-daughter-to-visit-uk-127462">Skripal row: Niece of Ex-Russian spy's daughter to visit </a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/skripal-row-niece-of-ex-russian-spys-daughter-to-visit-uk-127462">UK</a>

The niece of Yulia Skripal, who is the daughter of a former Russian spy Sergei Skripal is planning to visit the United Kingdom soon, the Russian embassy in London said in a statement on Friday.

'I've never been so happy': Nobel laureate Malala Yousafzai on visiting hometown in Pakistan Nobel Peace Prize winner Malala Yousafzai says she has pined for her home in Pakistan's picturesque Swat Valley, even as she recalled two years living in fear under the Taliban's harsh interpretation of Islamic law. Violence subsides on Israel-Gaza border a day after deadly protest Dozens of Palestinian youths gathered by the Gaza-Israel border on Saturday, though the area remained mostly quiet, a day after deadly violence broke out in one of the biggest Palestinian demonstrations there in years. UK-Russia standoff deepens as Moscow cuts UK diplomats Moscow has told Britain it must cut "just over 50" more of its diplomatic and technical staff in Russia in a worsening standoff over the poisoning of a Russian former spy and his daughter in England, the Russian Foreign Ministry said on Saturday. Dhinakaran supporter offers poison to AIADMK MP after his suicide threat AIADMK MP Navaneethakrishnan who threatened to commit suicide over delay in formation Cauvery Management Board (CMB) became a subject of jeer for a supporter of sidelined AIADMK leader TTV Dhinakaran, who offered him poison and a noose, on Saturday. Skripal row: Niece of Ex-Russian spy's daughter to visit UK The niece of Yulia Skripal, who is the daughter of a former Russian spy Sergei Skripal is planning to visit the United Kingdom soon, the Russian embassy in London said in a statement on Friday.

WION evening news brief, March 31, 2018