ISRAELI TROOPS OPEN FIRE ON PROTESTERS NEAR BEIT HANOUN

Israeli troops opened fire on unarmed Palestinian and their international supporters near the town of Beit Hanoun who were protesting at the Israeli buffer zone.

According to the Palestine News Network, "Protesters reached about 150 meters away from the security fence and the Eriz border crossing worth Israeli before soldiers opened fire at the people; no injuries were reported."

Some the marchers were able to tear down a section of security fencing.

As Israeli troops were pulling out of the Gaza in November of 2006, Israeli shelling killed 19 Palestinians.

According to the Palestinian Authority, prior to the November 2006 incident, at least 140 Palestinians were killed by Israeli Forces in Beit Hanoun from September 2000 to November 2006.

The following is from the Ma'an News Agency.

Gaza: Protesters remove part of security fence

GAZA CITY (Ma'an) -- Peace activists with the popular committee against the buffer zone removed part of the security fence in Beit Hanoun on Tuesday, officials said.

Local committee coordinator Saber Az-Za’aneen said participants removed 10 meters of the fence as Israeli forces opened fire.

Az-Za'aneen reported no injuries as a result of the shooting but said some wounds were sustained during the removal of the fence, adding that they would return to further dismantle it.

Gaza officials estimate that the 300-meter no-go zone includes 20 percent of the Strip's arable land. Popular movements have organised weekly rallies to protest the move.

The Israeli army considers the area a live combat zone.