Soldiers fire on protesters near Gaza border

GAZA CITY (Ma’an) -- Israeli forces fired on protesters in the southern Gaza Strip on Friday afternoon, medical officials said.

One protester was injured in the incident east of Khan Younis, medics told Ma'an.

The protester was taken from Abasan village to the European Hospital for treatment, they said.

An Israeli military spokeswoman said the army confirmed shooting one "inciter" in the leg as he approached a fence separating Palestinians from forces on the border.

Demonstrations organized on Facebook called for Palestinians to demand the right of return.

In response to the demonstrations, Israel's military is increasing a state of alert in Jerusalem and deploying more forces at its Syrian and Lebanese borders, Israel Radio reported.

More protests were expected in Nabi Saleh, where a busload of 50 soldiers had arrived, and Qalandiya, activists said. The two villages are near Ramallah in the occupied West Bank.

The protests come less than a week since Israeli forces killed over a dozen demonstrators crossing into Israeli-controlled territory in the occupied Syrian Golan Heights and from Lebanon.

Over 100 Palestinians were injured in separate clashes throughout the West Bank marking Nakba Day, the 63rd anniversary of the mass exodus of Palestinians amid Israel's creation in 1948.