GAZA/TEL AVIV, June 1 (RIA Novosti) - The Israeli military shot dead two Palestinians and wounded another Friday near the border between Israel and Gaza, the Israel Defense Force and PNA health authorities said.
According to the Palestinian account, both of the dead were 13-year-old children playing near the border. The Israeli Army said its soldiers opened fire only after the group several times defied orders to stop as they approached the border.
"They crawled to the border and left something there, resembling an improvised explosive device. Troops stationed in Israel opened fire only after several orders [to stop], which were disregarded," an Israeli spokeswoman said.
The two dead were taken away by PNA ambulances, while the third, who was slightly wounded, is in an Israeli hospital, she said.
"We are 100% sure that they were not children. And in any case, the border zone is not the right place for children's games," she said.
