JERUSALEM, Oct. 5 (Xinhua) -- Israeli Air Force attacked on Friday two Hamas military targets in the northern Gaza Strip, in response to Palestinian riots near the border security fence.
In the afternoon and evening hours, some 20,000 Palestinians demonstrated near the fence, burning tires and throwing grenades and other explosive devices at Israeli soldiers, said the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) in a statement.
The soldiers responded with riot-control fire, and for the first time also used sponge-tipped bullets against the rioters. The Palestinians reported that three demonstrators were killed by Israeli fire, and 376 wounded.
The Israeli forces identified 10 Palestinians who crossed the security fence in the northern Gaza Strip into Israeli territory, threw grenades near the fence and immediately returned to the Gaza Strip, said the statement.
Roads in the area were closed and some of the residents stayed in their homes due to the heavy smoke.
Earlier on Friday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said during his meeting in Jerusalem with German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas that "Israel will act vigorously against Gaza for any action taken against its residents."
