Desperate Gazans protest against Hamas
Desperate Gaza residents are so poor, hungry and desperate that they no longer fear demonstrating against powerful Hamas.
![Woman waves a Palestinian flag during a protest at the Israel-Gaza border fence east of Gaza City A woman waves a Palestinian flag during a protest calling for lifting the Israeli blockade on Gaza and demanding the right to return to their homeland, at the Israel-Gaza border fence east of Gaza City September 28, 2018. REUTERS/Mohammed Salem TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY - RC18D059CEE0](/sites/default/files/styles/article_hero_medium/public/almpics/2018/09/RTS23BPQ.jpg/RTS23BPQ.jpg?h=b2c59e98&itok=8d1Y_932)
Violent demonstrations along the border fence with Israel in recent days took yet another heavy toll on residents of the Gaza Strip. On Sept. 29, Israel troops fired at thousands of protesters who massed along the fence, killing seven Palestinians — among them a 12-year-old boy. Palestinians hurled a large number of grenades and other explosive devices at Israeli soldiers.
Israeli and international media reporting on such incidents generally focus on the number of Palestinian casualties, on assessments by senior defense officials regarding Hamas motives in increasing the frequency of the anti-Israel demonstrations, and — according to the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) spokesperson — on the number of protesters who heeded Hamas' calls to clash with Israeli troops at the border fence.