ISRAELI BORDER security forces remain alert today in case of further unrest following yesterday’s violence in which at least 15 people died.

Arab protesters held demonstrations yesterday along Israel’s borders with Lebanon, Gaza and Syria, on the day Palestine marked its defeat by Israel in 1948, and clashed with Israeli troops. Israel’s victory lead to the creation of the state of Israel.

In Egypt, hundreds were injured as protesters attempted to storm the Israeli embassy in Cairo, according to Al Jazeera. Police fired tear gas and rubber-coated bullets at the protesters, who responded by throwing stones at security forces and burning tires in the street.

The Israeli Defence Forces said rioters were hiding behind ambulances as they threw rocks at troops, according to Israeli news outlet Arutz Sheva.

Financial transfer

Meanwhile, Israel has agreed to transfer money to the Palestine Authority it had withheld after rival Palestinian factions signed a unity pact. The agreement between Palestine’s President Mahmoud Abbas and the Hamas leader Khaled Meshaal was heavily criticised by Israel.

Israel collects taxes and custom fees from Palestinians who work in Israel on behalf of the Palestinian Authority, but had held onto this month’s payments, saying it feared the money would end up with militants in Gaza. Israeli Finance Minister Yuval Steinitz told Haaretz that the revenue transfers will be renewed because the Palestinians had confirmed “that no of the money will be transferred to Hamas or to terrorist operations”.

Israel has been under heavy international pressure to release the funds and the amount being transferred will be decided in meetings with Palestinian officials.

Gaza ship warning shots

Israel’s navy fired warning shots at a Malaysian ship bringing aid to Gaza today, the AFP reports. The Perdana Global Peace Foundation, which organised the shipment, said the vessel was within the Palestinian security zone when Israeli naval forces opened fire.

The ship has withdrawn to Egyptian waters and two Irish citizens are believed to be on board.

Although some of the restrictions Israel imposed after the 2010 Gaza flotilla incident have been loosened, Israel still regularly diverts aid ships away from Gaza.

- Additional reporting by the AP