Palestinian medics say Israeli gunfire has wounded at least six Palestinians demonstrating near one of the Gaza Strip's main border crossings with Israel.
Medical workers and witnesses say Israeli forces opened fire at the Sufa border crossing Friday to prevent demonstrators from approaching the border post. At least 3,000 protesters burned tires and chanted anti-Israeli slogans to demand Israel lift its blockade of the Hamas-ruled Gaza Strip.
Israel imposed the blockade, cutting off fuel and supplies to Gaza residents, after Hamas militants took control of the region last June.
The Israeli military did not immediately comment on whether its troops had opened fire Friday. But military officials said the troops would operate "in all strength" to prevent anyone from entering Israel.
Separately, Palestinian medical officials say a 65-year-old woman died Friday from wounds she sustained Thursday when gunshots were fired from an Israeli military position near her home in the Gaza Strip.
The Israeli military says it has no information about Israeli gunfire in the area at that time.
In other news, Palestinian officials say Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert will meet Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas Monday for talks on advancing the peace process. Mr. Olmert is then expected to travel to the United States for talks with President George Bush.
Some information for this report was provided by AFP, AP and Reuters.
