Israeli forces on Friday opened fire at Palestinian protesters in the east of Gaza City, wounding three of them, Hamas official and witnesses said.

The crowd was protesting against the restrictions Israel imposed on Gazan farmers working near the border fence separating Gaza and Israel, asserting "the farmers came under Israeli fire while working on their land."

Dozens of protesters approached the border fence, raising Palestinian flags and throwing stones at Israeli soldiers stationed behind. The soldiers responded with fire and tear gas, according to witnesses.

The three Palestinians were moderately injured, said Ashraf al- Qedra of the health ministry of the Hamas authority in Gaza.