JERUSALEM, Sept. 14 (Xinhua) -- The Israeli army Friday struck two Hamas posts along the Gaza Strip, said the Israel Defense Forces (IDF).

An IDF aircraft and tank struck two posts that belong to Hamas along the Gaza Strip in response to the "riots" taking place along the Israel-Gaza border fence, during which grenades and explosive devices were hurled at IDF troops, according to a statement issued by the IDF on Friday evening.

The army added that an IDF officer was lightly injured from fragments of a pipe bomb.

The Hamas "is responsible for all the events that take place in the Gaza Strip," said the Israeli army, "the IDF will continue to thwart attempts to harm Israeli civilians and IDF troops in order to protect the Israeli borders and civilians."

At least three Palestinians were killed by Israeli army fire during the clashes along the Gaza border on Friday, according to the health ministry in Gaza, including a 14-year-old boy.

About 13,000 Palestinians participated in the weekly demonstrations in several points along the security fence in the Gaza Strip on Friday. The Israeli army said "rioters" burned tires, hurled rocks and firebombs at IDF troops and the security fence.

Some protesters hurled two grenades at a military vehicle in the northern Gaza Strip and a number of explosive devices at IDF troops. The Israeli army "responded with riot dispersal means and operated in accordance with the standard operating procedures," said the IDF.

Earlier, the IDF said an explosive device was uncovered on Friday morning by IDF troops adjacent to the security fence in the southern Gaza Strip and was disposed of safely. This was the second time this week that an explosive device was exposed and detonated.

The three deaths reported Friday has brought the total number of Palestinians killed by Israeli fire during the weekly protests that began in March to 177, according to the Israeli media.