5 killed, 25 injured in border blast

Gaza: The Hamas-run health ministry in Gaza said at least five Palestinians were killed in an explosion on the Israel-Gaza border. 25 others were injured in the blast during a mass demonstration by Palestinians. Palestinian security sources and witnesses said that before the explosion, there had been clashes between Palestinian protesters and Israeli soldiers at the border fence. During this, Israeli soldiers fired bullets and tear gas bombs. According to The Times of Israel, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said Israeli troops took action after Palestinians threw explosive devices and grenades at the barrier. An investigation is underway to determine the cause of the blast, but the IDF claimed that an explosive device was planted by Palestinian rioters during the demonstration in an attempt to hurt Israelis, Xinhua news agency reported. Meanwhile, the Israeli military ruled out the possibility that Israeli firing caused the blast and said the device exploded on its own while attempting to throw it away.