Israeli forces fire at Arab protestors on borders with Syria, Lebanon

Palestinians living in Syria shout slogans and wave flags during a gathering to commemorate the Nakba Day in Ein al Tina village, some 65 kilometers southwest of the capital Damascus, Syria, May 15, 2011. Four people were reportedly killed and dozens were wounded Sunday afternoon when Israel Defense Forces (IDF) troops opened fire on hundreds of demonstrators attempting to infiltrate the security fence between Israel and Syria in Golan Heights, local media reported. (Xinhua/Bassim)

by Yuan Zhenyu, Gur Salomon, Susana Mendoza

Eight people were reportedly killed and dozens of others were wounded on Sunday when Israel Defense Forces (IDF) troops opened fire on hundreds of demonstrators at two locations near Israel's northern borders with Syria and Lebanon.

Arab media reported that four were killed among the demonstrators attempting to break through the security fence along the military buffer zone between Israel and Syria. The Arab protesters approached the border fence as part of events commemorating the Nakba Day, an annual event marking the " catastrophe" of Israel's founding.

An IDF spokeswoman would not comment on the number of people who were killed or casualties incurred.

"An IDF force identified Syrian civilians attempting to damage the border fence in the northern Golan Heights," the spokeswoman said, "the troops fired shots in the air to deter the demonstrators."

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said in a televised statement on Sunday afternoon that he has asked the military to " operate with maximum restraint," but to block any attempt to breach the border.

Israel's Magen David Adom emergency medical services confirmed that its paramedics treated wounded in the incident.

Local media said that some 500 Syrian protesters managed to cross the border fence and enter the nearby Druze village of Majdal Shams, which is controlled by Israel. Eyewitness told Xinhua that the protesters succeeded to cross an area in which many landmines have been planted in the past.


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