An 18-month-old Palestinian boy died today hours after being shot in the neck as Israeli forces guarding a Jewish settlement opened fire on a southern Gaza refugee camp.
The child was hit in the neck when Israeli soldiers manning the Gadid settlement fired on Khan Yunis, the scene of frequent exchanges of fire between Palestinian gunmen and Israeli troops, Palestinian sources said.
An Israeli army spokeswoman said Palestinian gunmen in the area had twice opened fire earlier in the day and that troops had shot back. Five home-made mortars were also fired this morning at a nearby settlement, she said.
Palestinian security sources said the toddler had been in his house when he was hit. The army said its troops had only targeted the sources of Palestinian fire.
The houses of Khan Yunis facing the Jewish settlements are riddled with bullet holes and scars from shell fire, while the settlements themselves are heavily defended with concrete walls and military posts.
AFP