A Hamas official says that the group hopes to mobilize a large turnout for next week’s Gaza border protests, the highlight of a campaign to break a decade-old blockade of the territory.
Ghazi Hamad said Tuesday that “there are many tools” to encourage participation, including making phone calls and offering more bus shuttles.
Hamas has sent mixed signals about a possible border breach.
Hamad says protests will continue “as a long-term strategy,” saying it is “less expensive” than going into a military confrontation with Israel.
Since protests and clashes calling for the right to return began on March 30 along Gaza’s border, more than 52 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli fire, mostly by snipers. No Israelis have been injured.
Israel accuses Hamas, with whom it has fought three wars in a decade, of using the protests as cover for violence, but Palestinians say protesters are being shot while posing no threat.
The Nakba commemoration is likely to bring fresh bloodshed in Gaza, especially if Hamas encourages protesters to approach the border fence and with Israel determined to stop infiltrations.
AP
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