Two Palestinian Arabs were shot dead by Israeli forces during protests along the border with Gaza on Friday, AFP reported, citing the Gazan health ministry.

The two were identified as Mohammed Abu Zaida, 18, who was reportedly shot in the  neck and Mohammad Qita, 26, who was reportedly hit in the stomach.

15 other Palestinians were wounded by Israeli fire during the clashes in central Gaza, the health ministry spokesman Ashraf al-Qudra told AFP.

The IDF confirmed it had fired on protesters after they breached the “buffer zone” along the border.

“Dozens of rioters have breached the buffer zone and are attempting to damage the fence,” a spokeswoman said. “Forces shot rioters posing a threat of infiltration and the riot is ongoing.”

The incident is not the first of its kind, as Gazans have constantly been provoking IDF soldiers stationed near the border fence. These provocations usually take place on Fridays, when Arabs riot near the border fence and attack security forces with rocks.

The soldiers ask the rioters to move back but they ignore the calls and continue to approach the fence, forcing troops to open fire.

Fridays are known as a day of protest in Judea, Samaria and Gaza. These are mainly provoked by Hamas and other terrorist groups which encourage Palestinian Arabs to hold “days of rage” on Fridays.

(Arutz Sheva’s North American desk is keeping you updated until the start of Shabbat in New York. The time posted automatically on all Arutz Sheva articles, however, is Israeli time.)