12 Palestinians hurt in border clashes with Israel: Gaza ministry

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Israeli troops on Friday shot and wounded a dozen Palestinians during a protest on the Gaza-Israel border, where rallies have been held for nearly a year, the enclave's health ministry said.

A statement reported "12 injuries by the Israeli occupation forces with live ammunition," without elaborating.

The Israeli army told AFP that troops used live fire "according to the rules of engagement" on violent demonstrators.

"There are close to 8,000 rioters who are throwing stones, who are burning tyres and throwing explosive devices and grenades at troops and at the (border) fence," a spokeswoman said.

"In response we are using riot dispersal means and also firing, according to the rules of engagement of course," she said.

Conclusions of a UN probe published on Thursday said Israeli forces responding to protests on the Gaza border had committed "violations of international human rights and humanitarian law."

"Some of those violations may constitute war crimes or crimes against humanity," said the report, by a commission of inquiry set up by the United Nations Human Rights Council.

Protests and clashes began along the Gaza border on March 30 last year.

Demonstrators have been calling for Palestinian refugees to be allowed to return to their former homes now inside Israel, which Israeli officials say is akin to calling for their country's destruction.

Israel accuses Hamas of using the protests as cover for infiltrations and attacks, while rights groups and Palestinians say protesters posing little threat have been shot by Israeli snipers.

At least 251 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli fire since March 2018, the majority shot during weekly border protests and others hit by tank fire or air strikes in response to violence from Gaza.

Two Israeli soldiers have been killed over the same period.

Israeli leaders strongly condemned findings of the UN inquiry, which investigated possible violations from the start of the protests last March through to December 31.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel "rejects outright the report."

Foreign Minister Israel Katz called it "hostile, deceitful and biased."

"No institution can negate Israel's right to self-defence and its duty to defend its residents and borders from violent attacks," he said.

Israel and Hamas, the Islamist movement that runs the blockaded Gaza Strip, have fought three wars since 2008.