JERUSALEM (AP) — Israel says it's bolstering its forces along the Gaza border amid escalating Hamas-orchestrated protests.
The military says Thursday it decided on the fortifications to "thwart terror activity and prevent infiltrations into Israel."
Gaza's militant Hamas rulers have been intensifying the border protests as Egyptian-mediated cease-fire efforts have faltered. The militant group has staged demonstrations on a near-weekly basis since March to push for an end to the crippling, decade-long Israeli-Egyptian blockade.
Israeli troops have killed 145 Palestinians during the demonstrations, including 31 children. A Gaza sniper killed an Israeli soldier in August.
Seven Palestinians were killed last Friday, the deadliest day in nearly four months.
Israel has fought three wars against Hamas and accuses it of exploiting and endangering civilians by using the protests as cover for attacks.
Disclaimer: This is unedited, unformatted feed from the Associated Press (AP) wire.
