By Abdul Raouf Arnaout

JERUSALEM

The Israeli army has mobilized its forces on the country’s border with the blockaded Gaza Strip in anticipation of possible confrontations with Palestinian protesters following Friday prayers, Israeli radio has reported.

According to the broadcaster, the army has put its forces along the border on “maximum alert” in anticipation of large Friday demonstrations by Gazan youth.

Last Saturday, the Israeli army announced that four military personnel had been injured by an explosive device near the Gaza border.

According to the army, the explosive device was placed near the border during clashes that erupted last Friday between Israeli troops and Palestinian demonstrators.

The Palestinian territories have remained tense since early last December, when U.S. President Donald Trump recognized Jerusalem as Israel’s capital.

The move sparked angry demonstrations across the territories -- and multiple clashes with Israeli troops -- that have left at least 25 Palestinians dead to date.