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Journalism of Courage
Israeli troops opened fire on Sunday as protesters from Syria stormed a ceasefire line in the occupied Golan Heights,killing four demonstrators,according to Syrian television.
Hundreds of protesters rushed towards the ceasefire line,attempting to cut through a line of barbed wire and head into the Golan Heights in a repeat of demonstrations last month,which saw thousands mass along Israel’s north.
Similar protests were held in the West Bank,where hundreds demonstrated at the Qalandia checkpoint near Ramallah,and in Gaza,where several hundred gathered in the north of the coastal enclave.
In Majdal Shams,on the occupied Golan,Israeli troops opened fire as demonstrators sought to push through the mined ceasefire line,which has been reinforced with two lines of curled barbed wire blocking access to a fence.
“Despite numerous warnings,both verbal and later warning shots in the air,dozens of Syrians continue to approach the border and IDF (Israel Defence Forces) forces were left with no choice but to open fire towards the feet of protesters in efforts to deter further actions,” said an army spokesman.
Updating an earlier toll,Syrian state television reported that four people were killed and 13 wounded.
An AFP photographer saw at least 20 people with injuries,some soaked in blood as they were evacuated from the scene,while the Israeli military said it was aware of 12 casualties.
Syrian television showed footage of protesters trying to scale the barbed wire as Israeli soldiers atop a tank opened fire. “Four martyrs have fallen,including a child,and 13 others have been wounded,” it said.
