Israeli forces kill three youths near Erez crossing

Ma'an
Israeli forces keeping siege to Gaza shot at a group of youths near the northern border Saturday, killing three and injuring a fourth...

Eyewitnesses told Ma'an that the group of four was "a few meters away from the Gaza border fence near Erez" when Israeli forces opened fire at them. One managed to escape the attack, though witnesses said it was unclear whether or not he was injured.

Palestinian sources said the victims were likely scavenging for construction materials near the border, as Gazans continue to build mud-brick homes out of recycled cement from the rubble left from the last Israeli assault on Gaza.

...They were in their early 20s.

An Israeli army spokesman said the youths were killed by a direct hit from an aircraft strike, but reported troops firing shots at the group, which he said had been "crawling toward the border fence." When they continued advancing, he said, an aircraft was sent out.... Full story