Gaza Woman Shot Dead By Israeli Troops Near Buffer Zone

A Palestinian woman was killed Friday evening by Israeli army gunfire -- and another 25 people were injured -- while taking part in ongoing rallies near the Gaza-Israel buffer zone, according to Gaza's Health Ministry.



In a statement, ministry spokesman Ashraf al-Qidra identified the slain woman as Amal Mustafa Abu Sultan, 43.



According to al-Qidra, another 25 protesters sustained injuries near the buffer zone -- including two journalists and a medic -- by Israeli army gunfire and/or teargas.



On Friday, thousands of Palestinian demonstrators converged on the Gaza-Israel buffer zone -- for the 42nd week in a row -- to take part in ongoing rallies against Israel's decades-long occupation.



Protesters demand the right to return to their homes and villages in historical Palestine, from which they were driven in 1948 to make way for the new state of Israel.



They also demand an end to Israel's 12-year blockade of the Gaza Strip, which has gutted the coastal enclave's economy and deprived its more than two million inhabitants of many basic commodities.



Since the Gaza demonstrations began in March of last year, more than 250 Palestinians have been killed -- and thousands more injured -- by Israeli troops deployed near the buffer zone. -