Israeli forces detain 3 men trying to cross Gaza border

Israeli forces detained three men overnight Monday in the central Gaza Strip after they reportedly approached the security fence separating Israel and the coastal enclave. Witnesses said that the men were trying to cross the border illegally to work in Israel. Soldiers fired flares near the border and deployed forces before detaining the men, who were from al-Bureij refugee camp. An Israeli army spokesman said that three suspects were identified trying to cross the security fence and were arrested by soldiers and transferred to security custody for questioning. A man in his 20s was seriously wounded last week after being shot by Israeli soldiers east of Gaza City. The man was hunting for birds in the Shujaiyeh neighborhood, medics said. The Israeli army said a "suspicious individual" had approached the security fence. Israel maintains a sea, land and air blockade of the Gaza Strip, restricting the import and export of goods and the movement of people. The blockade has been described as collective punishment by rights agencies and the United Nations.