Hundreds attend funeral for man Gazan authorities claim was shot by Israeli soldiers

(21 Dec 2013) Hundreds of mourners participated in the funeral of a 22 year-old Palestinian man that Gazan officials said was killed by Israeli soldiers on Friday. The body of Odeh Hamad was carried through the streets of Beit Hanoun by the mourners on Saturday. A Health Ministry spokesperson in Gaza said the 22-year-old was killed when he was shot in the head near the border between Gaza and Israel. The spokesperson said that three civilians were wounded by Israeli fire in a separate incident near the border as they hunted for birds. The Israeli military said troops responded with live fire to four incidents along the border Friday. It said some Palestinians threw stones at troops and caused damage to the fence separating Gaza from Israel. The military also said a mortar shell was fired toward Israel, which caused no damage or injuries. The Israeli statement did not specifically identify Hamad or the bird hunters, but said that everyone shot was suspected of being involved in one of the incidents. Such shootings have been rare since Israel and Gaza's Hamas rulers fought an eight-day battle last year, but occur occasionally. Find out more about AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/HowWeWork Twitter:   / ap_archive   Facebook:   / aparchives   ​​ Instagram:   / apnews   You can license this story through AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/metadata/you...