Elderly man killed by Israel occupation forces in Gaza

Published today (updated) 15/05/2010 12:51

Gaza - Ma'an -

A Palestine Red Crescent Society ambulance retrieved the body of an elderly man on Saturday after he was reportedly shot dead by Israeli occupation forces east of Gaza City, medics said.

Muawiya Hassanain, chief of ambulance and emergency services in Gaza, identified the deceased as 78-year-old Fuad Ahmad Matar, and that the evacuation was coordinated by Israeli forces who told Palestinian officials that the man had opened fire near the border area.

Hassanain said Matar's body was "riddled with gunshot wounds."

An Israeli military spokesman said he would look into the report.

On Friday, an Israeli force opened fire at a Palestinian man approaching the Gaza-Israel border near the northern Karni crossing.

Israel's Army Radio said an armed Palestinian man was killed after an exchange of fire, apparently quoting sources in the Gaza Strip

According to the Israeli daily Yedioth Ahronoth Israel forces lookout spotted a Palestinian approaching the border fence area, opened fire and searched the area, confirming that the Palestinian was hit. There were no injuries among the soldiers.

An Israeli military spokesman told Ma'an that an Israeli force identified a suspicious person approaching the security border near the Karni crossing, confirming that the man was shot and injured.

The army representative said Israeli forces consider the no-go area a combat zone and that Palestinian fighters "use civilians to cover their activities."

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