Since protests began on March 30, Israeli forces have killed at least 214 Palestinians and wounded more than 18,000.

For more than six months, Palestinians in the Gaza Strip have protested along the fence with Israel demanding their right to return to the homes and land their families were expelled from 70 years ago.

The Great March of Return rallies culminated on May 15 to mark what Palestinians refer to as the Nakba, or Catastrophe – a reference to the forced removal of 750,000 Palestinians from their homes and villages to clear the way for Israel’s establishment in 1948.

The mass Friday demonstrations have continued since.

Since the protests began on March 30, Israeli forces have killed at least 210 Palestinians in the besieged coastal enclave and wounded more than 18,000 people, according to health officials in Gaza.

Sunday, November 12

Israel kills seven Palestinians in covert Gaza raid

Israeli special forces infiltrated an area near the southern city of Khan Younis late on Sunday in a covert raid to assassinate Hamas members. 

Among those reported killed in the attack was Nour Baraka, a prominent commander of the al-Qassam Brigades, the armed wing of Hamas.

“We heard that a special Israeli unit went inside Khan Younis and assassinated Nour Baraka and another [commander],” Ghazi Hamad, senior Hamas official, told Al Jazeera.

“After [that], the car which carried this special unit or some collaborators, they tried to escape … but they were followed by Hamas and the al-Qassam Brigades and after that Israel tried to cover this car through striking here in Gaza,” he added.

Monday, October 29 

Palestinian killed by Israeli forces

A Palestinian has been killed by Israeli fire during ongoing protests along the Israeli separation fence east of Gaza, according to the enclave’s health ministry.  

The health ministry’s spokesperson, Ashraf al-Qidra, identified the man as 27-year-old Mohammed Abd al-Hay Abu Abada from al-Shati refugee camp in northern Gaza. 

Sunday, October 28 

Israeli air raid kills three Palestinian boys 

Three Palestinian boys aged between 13 and 14 were killed in an Israeli air strike in the southeastern Gaza Strip near the fence with Israel, according to health officials.

Ashraf al-Qidra, spokesperson for the health ministry in the besieged enclave, identified the children as Khaled Bassam Mahmoud Abu Saeed, 14; Abdul Hameed Mohammed Abdul Aziz Abu Zaher, 13; and Mohammed Ibrahim Abdullah al-Sutari, 13.

He said ambulances brought their bodies to Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital in Deir al-Balah in the central Gaza Strip. 

Friday, October 26

Israeli forces have fired live bullets and rubber-coated steel rounds at Palestinians protesting along the fence of Israel, killing at least five of them and wounding a further 170, according to medical officials.

The death and injury toll was provided by Ashraf al-Qifra, spokesperson for the health ministry in Gaza.

The five people killed were identified as Ayesh Sha’th, 23, Saeed Abu Lebdeh, 22, Nassar Abu Taym, 23 and Mohammad Abdul-Nabi, 27 and Jabir Abu Hameesa, 27.

Some of those wounded were taken to hospital for treatment, while others got medical assistance in the field clinics along the border.

Friday, October 19

At least 130 Palestinians wounded, no fatalities reported

Israeli soldiers have wounded at least 130 Palestinians including 25 children, according to the spokesman for the Palestinian health ministry, Ashraf al-Qidra.

The official said protesters had been targeted with live ammunition and that there had not been any Palestinian fatality thus far during Friday’s protest. 

It was the 30th consecutive Friday that Palestinian demonstrators converged on the Gaza-Israel buffer zone to protest Israel’s decades-long occupation. 

Friday, October 12

Seven killed, dozens more injured 

Israeli forces have killed seven Palestinians, including two teenage boys, during ongoing protests along the Israeli separation fence east of Gaza, according to the enclave’s health ministry. 

Four Palestinians were killed along the fence east of Al-Bureij in the centre of the Gaza Strip, while one died east of Gaza City, Dr Ashraf al-Qedra, spokesman for the health ministry, said. 

The seven victims were identified as: Mohammad Issam Mohammad Abbas (21), Ahmed Ibrahim Zaki al-Taweel (27), Mohammed Abdulhafid Youssef Ismail (29), Ahmed Ahmed Abdallah Abu Naeem (17), Abdallah Barham Ibrahim Suleiman al-Daghma (25) and Afifi Mahmoud Atta Afifi (18) and Tamer Iyad Mahmoud Abu Armanah. 

It was not immediately clear where Abbas was killed.

Al-Qidra said 252 others were wounded, 154 of whom were targeted with live ammunition. 

Friday, October 5

Three Palestinians, including minor, killed by Israeli fire

The Gaza health ministry has confirmed that 12-year-old Faris al-Sirsawi has been killed near the fence east of the coastal enclave by Israeli sniper fire.

Mahmoud Akram Abu Samaan, 24, was also shot and killed while Hussein al-Raqab, 28, succumbed to his wounds in the Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis after being shot at earlier.

According to the ministry’s spokesperson Ashra al-Qidra, 192 others have been wounded, including a parademic and a journalist, with seven in serious condition.

Wednesday, October 3

Palestinian teenager killed, 24 others injured 

A Palestinian teenager was killed by Israeli forces during demonstrations along Gaza’s northern border with Israel. 

Ahmed Abu Habel, 15, succumbed to a head wound after being hit with a tear gas canister fired by Israeli soldiers near a checkpoint between Israel and the besieged enclave. 

Twenty-four others were injured, the spokesperson for Gaza’s health ministry, Ashraf al-Qidra said. 

Israel’s military did not comment on the specific incident but a spokeswoman told AFP that soldiers had “fired live rounds in accordance with the rules of engagement” as protesters massed along the border.

Friday, September 28

Six Palestinians killed, including two children

The spokesperson for Gaza’s health ministry confirmed the killing of six protesters and the wounding of 506 others on the 27th Friday of protests.

Mohammed Nayef al-Houm, 14, was shot in the chest by Israeli sniper fire east of al-Bureij in Gaza’s middle district.

Iyad Khalil al-Shaaer, 18, was also killed during the protests, the ministry’s spokesperson Ashraf al-Qidra said.

A 12-year-old boy, Nasser Mosabih, also succumbed to his wounds after being shot in the head east of Khan Younis in Gaza’s south.

Mohammed Ali Mohammed Anshasi, 18, was also killed in Khan Younis.

Two other Palestinians killed by Israeli gunfire have not yet been identified. 

Friday, September 21

Israel forces open fire on Palestinians

A Palestinian was killed by an Israeli sniper and dozens of others were wounded during ongoing protests at the border fence.

Karim Mohammed Kallab, 25, died after being shot in the stomach during protests east of Gaza City. More than 300 other people were wounded, including 54 shot with live ammunition, health ministry spokesman Ashraf al-Qidra said.

The demonstrations were the strongest in recent weeks.

The Israeli army said more than 10,000 people gathered at multiple locations along the border fence.

“The rioters are hurling grenades and explosive devices, burning tyres and hurling rocks at [Israeli] troops and the security fence,” it said. Soldiers responded with live fire “in accordance with standard operating procedures”.

An Israeli aircraft also carried out attacks in Gaza. A position belonging to Hamas was hit, according to witnesses.

Abbas tells Israel Palestinians are ready for talks

Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas said he is ready to resume peace negotiations with Israel. 

Israel and the US suggested recently that Palestinian leaders were to blame for the stalling of peace talks. Palestinians say Israel’s continued construction of settlements, among other issues, is to blame.

“We’re ready for negotiations with Israel – either in public or behind closed doors – with the [Middle East] Quartet as sponsor,” said Abbas.

The so-called Middle East Quartet is comprised of the US, Russia, the UN and the EU.

“The Palestinians haven’t rejected negotiations,” Abbas said during a joint press conference with French President Emmanuel Macron in Paris.

“[Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin] Netanyahu is the one who has derailed the peace process.”

Thursday, September 20

Teenager killed in southern Gaza

The Gaza health ministry has confirmed the death of a Palestinian teen after he was shot in the head by Israeli sniper fire east of Rafah in the southern strip.

Ashraf al-Qidra, the ministry’s spokesperson, said Mo’men Abu Ayadeh, 15, was killed early Thursday morning while he was in one of the main “right of return” encampments set up along the fence with Israel.

Tuesday, September 18

Two Palestinians killed overnight by Israeli air attack in Khan Younis

The bodies of two Palestinians were recovered by Red Crescent medics on the fence in the southern Gaza Strip, after an Israeli warplane targeted them late Monday night.

Gaza’s health ministry later identified the men as 18-year-old Naji Abuasi and 21-year-old Alaa Abuasi.

In a statement, the Israeli army said they targeted a group of “terrorists” who were seen near the fence acting in a “suspicious” way.

“An [Israeli] aircraft attacked terrorists who approached the fence in the southern Gaza Strip in a suspicious manner and planted a suspicious object along it,” the Israeli military said.

Saturday, September 15

Teenager succumbs to wounds and dies

Suheib Abu Kashif, 16, has died from his injuries sustained in a protest on August 3, Gaza’s healthy ministry spokesman Ashraf al-Qidra said.

Abu Kashif has been in the European Hospital, in Khan Younis since he was first wounded.

Friday, September 14

Three Palestinians killed, including one child

The spokesperson for Gaza’s ministry confirmed the killing of three protesters and the wounding of 248 others on the 25th Friday of protests.

Mohammed Shaqoura, 21, was shot in the chest by Israeli sniper fire east of of al-Bureij in Gaza’s middle district. 

A child whose body was taken to the Indonesian Hospital was later identified as Shadi Abdelaziz Abdulal, 12 who was shot east of Jabalia in northern Gaza.

In the southern district, Hani Ramzi Afaneh, 21, was shot and killed. 

Saturday, September 8

Gaza teen dies as a result of wounds 

A Palestinian teen has died of his wounds a day after he was shot by Israeli troops during a protest on the fence with Israel according to health officials in the Gaza Strip.

Ahmad Abu Tayoor, 17, was shot late on Friday close to the southern city of Rafah, the health ministry said.

Another 17-year-old Palestinian, Belal Khafaja, was shot dead on Friday. At least 210 other protesters, including 15 children, suffered injuries.

The Israeli army said in a statement on Saturday that it was opening an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the deaths of the two young protesters.

Friday, September 7

Palestinian teen killed, more than 200 wounded in the eastern Gaza Strip

One Palestinian has been killed by Israeli forces in the eastern Gaza Strip, according to health officials in Gaza.

Belal Mustafa Khafaja, 17, died on Friday after being shot in the chest by an Israeli sniper.

Health officials said 210 protesters were also wounded, including 15 children.

According to health ministry spokesman Ashraf al-Qidra, 70 people were treated in hospitals across the Gaza Strip.  

Friday, August 31

More than 200 wounded across the Gaza Strip

At least 240 Palestinians have been injured by Israeli forces in Friday’s protest, according to Ashraf al-Qidra, the spokesperson for the ministry of health in Gaza.

Two cases – a female medic and a 10-year-old child – were in serious condition.

Qidra also said that an ambulance belonging to the Red Crescent was targeted by Israeli forces north of the Strip, resulting in broken windows and injuring one medic.

Mueen al-Masry, who was hit in the chest with a tear gas canister inside the vehicle, was taken to the nearest hospital for treatment.

Friday, August 24

50 Palestinians wounded by live bullets

Israeli forces fired live bullets and tear gas at protesters near the fence with Israel, wounding at least 189 Palestinians, according to health officials in Gaza.

Of those injured, 50 were hit by live bullets, Palestinian news agency Wafa reported. 

“We’ve seen a lot of tear gas fired … [and] what sounds like live ammunition as well,” said Al Jazeera’s Charles Stratford, reporting from the protests.

Approximately, 5,000 people attended Friday’s demonstration, the 22nd Friday of rallies. 

“There are fewer people here this week that we’ve seen in recent weeks,” said Stratford.

“Some … think that one of the reasons why the protests are being [attended by fewer people] this week is because we are expecting the resumptions of the talks being mediated by the Egyptians in Cairo, between Hamas and Israel.

“Israel denies that there is any direct conversation going … but we do know the Egyptians are being very keen and are working very hard to get both parties to agree to some sort of lasting ceasefire,” he added. 

Friday, August 17

Palestinian killed in Rafah

Ashraf al-Qidra, the spokesperson for Gaza’s ministry of health, said a second Palestinian had been shot dead by Israeli forces on Friday. 

Sa’di Akram Muammar, 26, was killed east of Rafah, in the southern Gaza Strip.

The number of wounded protesters has risen to 270. 

One killed, scores wounded

One Palestinian has been killed by Israeli forces, according to health officials in Gaza.

Karim Abu Fatayer, 30, died after being shot in the head by an Israeli sniper.

Health officials said 154 other protesters were wounded, including four medics who suffocated from tear gas. 

Abu Fatayer’s death brings the number of Palestinian protesters killed since March 30 to 165.

‘Quiet build-up’ to this week’s protest

According to the Gaza Ministry of Health, at least 10 Palestinians have been injured near the Israeli fence.

Speaking from Gaza, Al Jazeera’s Charles Stratford said that the protests have been quiet so far.

“So far today we’ve seen far less of the incendiary balloons and kites that Israel says have caused so much damage across the border,” he said.

“It has been quiet in the build-up to this week’s protest, and we saw that Israel has allowed the opening of Gaza’s only commercial crossing Karem Abu Salem earlier this week, and expand the restricted area which the fishermen can operate,” he continued. 

“It’s vital if this calm is going to be maintained between Israel and Hamas that neither side commits what either side perceive as being a provocation.”

There have also been reports circulating in Israeli media of an Egypt-UN mediated agreement between Hamas and Israel being reached, which includes an extended ceasefire.

“There’s also been talk of potentially the rebuilding of some of Gaza’s infrastructure using foreign funding, and a lot of emphasis on a prisoner exchange as well,” Stratford said.

“But Hamas has not confirmed these reports, and there hasn’t been an official statement regarding these talks from the Israeli side.”

Saturday, August 11

Gaza flotilla to protest against Israeli blockade

Palestinian fishermen in the Gaza Strip are set to stage a protest against Israel’s nearly 12-year land, air and sea blockade of the enclave.

Protest organisers told Al Jazeera that around 40 to 50 boats are expected to leave the Gaza port on Saturday and sail north towards Israel. 

“The protesting fishermen are highlighting their suffering and the restrictions they are under because of the Israeli blockade,” said Al Jazeera’s Charles Stratford, reporting from the Gaza port. “Fifty thousand families are in some way dependent on the fishing industry here.”

Last month, Israel’s defence minister restricted Gaza’s fishing boundaries from six to three nautical miles off the coast.

The Israeli navy intercept ships attempting to breach the naval blockade, and often fire on fishermen who cross into restricted areas. 

Also enforced by Egypt, the blockade has been in place since Hamas began administering the Strip in 2007. 

Two Israeli drone strikes, two injured

Israeli drone strikes in Gaza targeting Palestinian protesters trying to launch incendiary balloons and kites across the fence with Israel have wounded at least two people, sources have told Al Jazeera.

“In the last hour or so, there was one [strike] in Beit Hanoun in the north of Gaza – no casualties reported there,” Al Jazeera’s Charles Stratford, reporting from Gaza, said on Saturday afternoon

“The second strike in the east of the central region injured at least two people,” he added.   

UN delegation to meet Hamas officials

A UN delegation representing the special coordinator for the peace process, Nickolay Mladenov, has arrived in Gaza for meetings with Hamas officials. 

The visit is part of an ongoing effort to lower tensions between Hamas and Israel. The talks are expected to focus on the details of a ceasefire proposal. 

Al Jazeera’s Charles Stratford, reporting from Gaza, said that no lines have come out of the meetings so far.

“These meetings with Hamas are pretty much always behind closed doors, but what they do suggest is this incredible urgency that is needed in order to try and establish some sort of lasting truce between Hamas and Israel after the escalations in recent weeks,” he said. 

Thousands pay last respects to three Palestinians killed 

Thousands of Palestinians on Saturday attended funerals for three Palestinians killed by Israeli gunfire a day earlier.

Mourners laid volunteer paramedic Abdullah al-Qutiti, 22, to rest in the southern city of Rafah. Saeed Aloul, 55, and Ahmed Abu Louli, 40, were also buried in Rafah amid angry chants against Israel by mourners.

Palestinian dies after being shot at protest

A 40-year-old Palestinian hit by Israeli fire during protests on the Gaza border died of his wounds on Saturday, taking the previous day’s death toll to three, the territory’s health ministry said.

He was among at least 131 Palestinians wounded by Israeli bullets during Friday’s protests, even as an informal truce agreed after a deadly flare-up between Gaza’s rulers Hamas and the Israeli army largely held.

The health ministry identified the dead man as Ahmed Abu Louli and said he was shot in a section of the border east of the southern city of Rafah, where two other Palestinians were also killed. 

Friday, August 10

Two Palestinians killed, hundreds wounded by Israeli forces

Israeli forces have shot dead two Palestinians, including one volunteer paramedic, according to health officials in the Gaza Strip, as protesters gathered along the Israeli border fence for the 20th week.

Abdullah al-Qatiti, a 26-year-old paramedic, and Saeed Aloul, 55, were shot and killed in southern Gaza on Friday, health ministry spokesman Ashraf al-Qidra said.

Hundreds of others were injured, with 176 being treated on the field and 131 taken to hospital, added al-Qidra

“There is a lot of tear gas being fired by the Israeli military using drones,” said Al Jazeera’s Charles Stratford, reporting from the protests in Gaza. 

“The coming hours will be critical,” he added. “It is tense here and there are fears that if there is any serious provocation by either side, we could yet again see another escalation in violence.”

This week’s protests, which follow deadly Israeli air attacks and artillery shelling on the besieged enclave, began at around 14:00 GMT.

The demonstrations come a day after Hamas and Israel reached an Egypt-brokered deal to end the flare-up in violence. But the Israeli government has not officially confirmed the agreement.

EU sounds alarm over Gaza violence

The European Union says a recent escalation of violence “has brought Gaza and Israel dangerously close to yet more conflict”, adding that an urgent “de-escalation” was needed to keep civilians from further risk.

On Wednesday, Israeli forces killed at least three people in Gaza, including a 23-year-old woman, who was almost nine months pregnant, and her 18-month-old daughter. 

The Israeli military launched more than 140 attacks after about 150 rockets were fired from the coastal enclave.

A statement by Hamas’ military force said it was responsible for the rockets. It said the Palestinian “resistance” had fired a large number of projectiles at “enemy positions in the Gaza envelope”.

“The rocket fire from Gaza towards communities in southern Israel as well as other violent actions and provocations against Israel by Hamas and other Palestinian militants are totally unacceptable,” an EU foreign affairs spokesperson said in a statement on Friday.

“While having the right to defend itself, Israel is expected to continue to exercise restraint and do everything to avoid civilian casualties in Gaza. The death of a pregnant Palestinian mother and her child in this latest escalation is a tragic loss.”

Saturday, August 4

A Palestinian teenager has died from his wounds after being shot in the abdomen by Israeli forces during a protest on Friday. 

Muaz al-Suri, 15, was demonstrating near Gaza’s fence with Israel when he was shot east of the Bureij refugee camp. He died early Saturday, the health ministry said.

Friday, August 3

Palestinian killed by Israeli army sniper 

A Palestinian man has been shot dead by Israeli soldiers and at least 220 others were wounded during protests near the fence with Israel in the Gaza Strip, according to Palestinian health officials.

Ahmed Yaghi, 25, was killed by a sniper east of Gaza city, health ministry spokesman Ashraf Al-Qidra said.

Of the 220 injured, 90 suffered wounds as a result of live fire, he added.  

Hamas leaders to discuss ceasefire deal 

Several exiled Hamas leaders have entered Gaza to discuss a ceasefire deal brokered by Egypt and the UN.

Prominent leader Saleh al-Arouri, who is wanted by Israel, returned from Lebanon for the first time since 2010 to attend the talks scheduled for Friday.

He crossed the border from Egypt on Thursday, after Egyptian and UN assurances over his safety, with eight other Hamas leaders based outside the besieged Gaza Strip.

Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has also delayed a visit to Colombia and called a special cabinet meeting on Sunday to monitor developments.

“We are seeing these intensive efforts and there is more international spotlight on the situation because the life for people here has become increasingly difficult over the years under the siege by Israel, Egypt’s blockade and also the sanctions from the Palestinian Authority,” said Al Jazeera’s Stefanie Dekker, reporting from Gaza. 

Saturday, July 28

Gaza teen dies of wounds from Israeli border fire

A Gaza teenager died of his wounds on Saturday after being shot by Israeli troops during protests along the border. 

The health ministry in the Hamas-run Palestinian territory in a statement identified him as Mohmen al-Hams, 17. He was shot in the chest during protests near the southern Gaza town of Rafah on Friday.

Troops shot dead two other Palestinians during Friday’s protests.

Friday, July 27

Israeli forces kill Palestinian, 12

Majdi Ramzi Kamal al-Satra, a 12-year-old Palestinian, was killed by Israeli army fire, according to health officials in the besieged Gaza Strip.

Ashraf al-Qidra, spokesperson for the health ministry in Gaza, said the boy was killed east of Khan Younis.

His killing raises the number of Palestinians shot dead on Friday to two. Earlier in the day Ghazi Mohammad Abu Mustafa, 43, succumbed to his wounds after being shot in the head.

Al Jazeera’s Stefanie Dekker, reporting from the protest site in Gaza, said the Israeli military was also using drones to drop tear gas on demonstrators. 

“Israel has been using these drones to drop tear gas further back into the crowd. Closer to the fence, Israeli snipers keep watch and sporadically open fire.” 

A female protester told Al Jazeera that the poor living conditions in the besieged enclave were pushing people to go out and demand their rights. 

“We are suffering, there is no electricity, no water … people are going hungry. It’s painful, we will keep standing, we will come here to show the whole world we want our rights.” 

At least 184 Palestinians were wounded by Israeli forces on Friday, 117 of whom needed hospital treatment, said al-Qidra. Seventy cases involved live bullets. Among the wounded were 14 children and 10 women, as well as four paramedics and one journalist.

A total of 151 Palestinians have been killed since the Great March of Return protests started on March 30.

Gaza situation ‘very tense’ amid standoff

Al Jazeera’s Charles Stratford, reporting from the protests in the Gaza Strip, said that apart of the killing of Ghazi Mohammad Abu Mustafa by Israeli forces, 11 other Palestinians were believed to have been wounded.

Stratford said that Israeli soldiers also used “a lot of tear gas” against protesters, with much of it fired from drones.

“The situation is very tense,” added our correspondent, adding there were growing fears of a further escalation following the recent wave of attacks that hit the besieged enclave.

“What we’re seeing here is a standoff between Hamas and the various armed factions in Gaza and the Israelis. Hamas says that these people have every right to continue demonstrating and describe this form of protest using incendiary balloons and kites as being peaceful and they say they have every right to defend the people of Gaza using their weapons.”

Israeli forces kill Palestinian

Israeli soldiers have shot dead Ghazi Mohammad Abu Mustafa, a 43-year-old Palestinian, near Khan Younis in the Gaza Strip, according to the Palestinian Ministry of Health.

Three ambulance volunteers also were injured in the shooting near the fence with Israel.

According to Palestinian news agency Wafa, Mustafa was shot in the head and subsequently taken to a hospital, where he died of his wounds.

The total number of Palestinians killed so far in the ongoing protests since late March is now 150. More than 16,000 others have been wounded.

Half of those suffering wounds were hit by live gunfire, and at least 60 of them have had a limb amputated.

Wednesday, July 25

An Israeli air raid in the Gaza Strip killed three Palestinians on Wednesday. 

Ahmed al-Bsous, 28, Ubadah Farawneh, 29 and Mohamed al-Aareer, 27, died of their wounds shortly upon arriving at the al-Shifa hospital in Gaza. 

The attack came days after a United Nations-brokered ceasefire helped halt an earlier wave of assaults against the Gaza Strip last week.

Saturday, July 21

Ceasefire appears to hold 

The “return to calm” announced by Hamas in Gaza appears to be holding. 

Israeli officials have yet to comment on the ceasefire announced by Hamas earlier in the morning. 

Hamas and Israel agree on Gaza ceasefire: group spokesman

Hamas and Israel agreed to a ceasefire early on Saturday, according to a spokesman for the Palestinian group governing the besieged Gaza Strip.

“With international and UN efforts, we reached (an agreement) to return to the previous state of calm between the (Israeli) occupation and the Palestinian factions,” Hamas spokesman Fawzi Barhoum said in a statement.

Israeli forces kill fourth Palestinian; Israeli soldier shot dead

Israeli forces have shot dead a Palestinian during the protests in the Gaza Strip near the fence with Israel, raising the number of Palestinians killed on Friday to four. 

Israeli soldiers fired live bullets and teargas canisters towards the protesters along the fence, killing Mohammad Sharif Badwan and wounding 120 others, according to health officials in Gaza. 

The killing of Badwan, 27, came after Hamas said three of its members were killed earlier in the day in air strikes in the southern part of the Strip.

Later on Friday, the Israeli military said gunfire at the Gaza fence killed an Israeli soldier.

The military said a “terrorist squad” fired at troops and one soldier was severely injured and later died of his wounds. He was the first Israeli military fatality in months of violence along the Gaza fence.

The violence raised fears of a new conflict.

“We understand that the Israeli security cabinet has been meeting this afternoon in order to assess whether a large-scale military operation is needed on Gaza,” said Al Jazeera’s Charles Stratford, reporting from the besieged enclave.

“The people of Gaza this evening are very afraid after today’s protests and certainly these air strikes that have happened,” he added.

Israel launches large-scale air attacks in Gaza

The Israeli air force has launched a series of air strikes on several places in the Gaza Strip.

The targets, allegedly belonging to Hamas, were attacked as a result of Friday’s shooting incidents in which at least one Israeli soldier was wounded.

Al-Baba, who has worked for AFP news agency in the Gaza Strip since 2000, was shot while clearly identified in a press vest and helmet, around 200 metres from the fence east of Jabalia in northern Gaza.

Erdogan tweeted back that Netanyahu was the leader of “an apartheid state that has occupied a defenseless people’s lands for 60 years in violation of UN resolutions”, adding that he was criticising Turkey to deflect attention.

“Want a lesson in humanity? Read the 10 commandments”.

The row came as the two countries expelled each other’s senior diplomats.

Earlier in the day, Turkey told Israel’s ambassador to temporarily leave the country, prompting Israel to order the Turkish consul in Jerusalem to leave for an unspecified period, according to the Israeli foreign ministry.

The dispute appears to mark the worst diplomatic crisis between the two regional powers since Israeli marines stormed an aid ship to enforce a naval blockade of Gaza in 2010, killing 10 Turkish activists and prompting a downgrade in diplomatic ties that lasted until 2016.

Hamas leader vows to keep demanding right of return

Marking the 70th anniversary of the Nakba, or the Catastrophe, Hamas leader Ismail Haniya visited protesters east of Gaza City, vowing to continue weeks of protests along Israel’s border.

“Our message today is the Return March and siege-breaking is going on and that the massacre the Israeli occupation committed against our revolting and returning youths will only increase our steadfastness, determination and sticking to the right of return,” said Haniyeh.

“We are coming to tell the whole world: no to the deal of the century and no to the moving of the embassy to Jerusalem and Jerusalem is our eternal capital, the capital of the Palestinian state and Jerusalem’s identity will not be changed by a resolution from Trump nor Netanyahu.”

Second Palestinian killed by Israeli fire

A second Palestinian was killed by Israeli gunfire on Tuesday, the Ministry of Health announced, a day after the Israeli army killed 60 people – the highest death toll in years. 

The ministry said the man, who was not named, was killed east of Bureij in central Gaza.

Tuesday’s protests were far smaller than the previous day’s.

 

Palestinian right of return ‘means Israel’s destruction’

Danny Danon, Israel’s ambassador to the UN, has described the longstanding Palestinian demand for the right of return of refugees who fled their homes during the 1948 Arab-Israeli war as a call to destroy Israel.

“Let me be very clear,” Danon told an emergency session of the UN Security Council. “When the Palestinians say right of return, they mean destruction of Israel.”

He also accused Hamas of using a strategy of “orchestrated riots” and “planned casualties” to seek international sympathy.

Hamas activists were using civilians as human shields in the ongoing protests along Gaza’s border with Israel, in an attempt to breach the fence and stage attacks on Israel, he added. 

Palestinian envoy lambasts UN failure to act over Gaza unrest

Riyad Mansour, Palestine’s envoy to the United Nations, accused Israel of committing “war crimes” against Palestinian protesters in the Gaza Strip and slammed what he said was the UN Security Council’s failure to hold Israel accountable.

“For the past eight weeks, we have begged you to prevent another massacre by Israel, the occupier,” he told an emergency session of the UN Security Council.

“Is it possible that you did not hear our calls? Is it possible that you did not take our warnings seriously?”

Calling for a transparent and investigation into the killings along the Israel-Gaza border, he said:  “Let us investigate what is happening on the ground. We will accept the outcome of such an investigation.”

Arab League calls on ICC to investigate ‘Israeli crimes’

The Arab League’s Permanent Committee on Human Rights called on the International Criminal Court prosecutor to urgently investigate “the crimes of the Israeli occupation” against Palestinians.

“Israel is an oppressive and murderous entity, and its politicians and officers must be taken to the International Criminal Court,” Amjad Shamout, the committee’s chairman, said in a statement.

Arab League chief Ahmed Abul Gheit condemned the “massacres” of Palestinians, which he said resemble “war crimes”.

In a statement, he called on the international community to “protect the Palestinian people, who have chosen the path of peaceful struggle and have been confronted with brutality, violence and murder”.

ICC prosecutor vows to ‘take any action warranted’ over Gaza unrest

The chief prosecutor of the International Criminal Court said she was watching closely the unrest in Gaza, and would “take any action warranted” to prosecute crimes.

“My staff is vigilantly following developments on the ground and recording any alleged crime that could fall within” the tribunal’s jurisdiction, she warned in a statement to AFP news agency. 

“The violence must stop,” she added.

US ambassador says Israel acted with ‘restraint’

US ambassador to the UN Nikki Haley tells the Security Council, “no country in this chamber would act with more restraint than Israel has”.

She said Hamas had been documented by news media as inciting Palestinians to storm the Gaza border.

“The Hamas terrorist organisation has been inciting violence for years, long before the United States decided to move our embassy,” says Haley.

“This is how determined they are to make the lives of the Palestinian people miserable … Make no mistake. Hamas is pleased with the results from yesterday.”

UN Middle East Envoy urges quick action to ‘prevent war’

Nikolay Mladenov, UN’s special coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process, has called on the international community to act quickly and effectively to end the “senseless violence” in the Gaza Strip.

“For it to end, it needs every one of us to put in their best effort into preventing an explosion that can drag the whole region into another deadly confrontation,” he told an emergency session of the UN Security Council.

“The international community must step in and prevent war”, he said.

He called on Israel and Hamas to exercise restraint and to avoid any further escalation, while also urging Israel to investigate any incident that led to the loss of lives.

Belgium summons Israeli envoy, calls for Gaza inquiry

Belgium demanded a UN inquiry into the violence in Gaza and summoned Israel’s ambassador to the foreign ministry after she described all the Palestinian victims as “terrorists”.

Belgium’s foreign ministry said it summoned ambassador Simona Frankel over her remarks while Prime Minister Charles Michel said: “We call for an international inquiry led by the United Nations.”

France says Middle East is ‘explosive’, ‘war could loom’

French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian described the situation in the Middle East as “explosive” and criticised the United States for unilateral acts in the region.

“The situation in the Middle East is explosive, violence is doing the talking, war could loom,” he told lawmakers in parliament.

Israeli troops kill Palestinian near Gaza border

Israeli forces killed a Palestinian near the Gaza border on Tuesday, local health officials said.

The 51-year-old man was fatally shot along the frontier in the central Gaza Strip after thousands of Palestinians took part in funerals for Monday’s dead.

Palestinian protesters turned out in smaller numbers than on Monday, when dozens were killed by Israeli gunfire.

UN Security Council debates Israel’s Gaza killings

The UN Security Council is holding an emergency session in New York to discuss violence along the border between Israel and the Gaza Strip.

The meeting began with a minute of silence for the more than 60 people who were killed in Monday’s protests.  

Speaking before the meeting, Danny Danon, Israeli ambassador to the UN, accused Hamas of attempting to breach the border fence by organising violent protests along the Israel-Gaza border and defended Israel’s right to security. 

He also accused Hamas of committing ‘war crimes’ against Palestinian and Israeli civilians. 

Turkey expels Israeli ambassador for ‘some time’

Turkey’s official news agency says the country has asked Israel’s ambassador to temporarily leave Turkey.

Anadolu news agency said Tuesday the Turkish foreign ministry notified Eitan Na’eh, the Israeli ambassador that “it would be appropriate for him to return to his country for some time”. 

The ministry summoned the ambassador to protest Israel’s use of deadly force on Palestinians and the U.S. decision to relocate its embassy there to contested Jerusalem.

Turkey has also called home its ambassadors to Washington and Tel Aviv for consultations.

National mourning 

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas called on residents across the occupied West Bank to hold a general strike on Tuesday in honour of those killed in the Gaza Strip on Monday.

Schools, universities, banks, and private and public businesses are closed as part of the strike, which comes as Palestinians commemorate 70 years since the Nakba – or the “catastrophe” – when the state of Israel was created, and hundreds of thousands of Palestinians were forced from their towns and villages.

Baby dies of tear gas inhalation east of the Gaza Strip

Laila Anwar al-Ghandour, an eight-month-old baby, died of tear gas inhalation at dawn on Tuesday, according to Gaza’s ministry of health.

On Tuesday morning, 30-year-old Omar Jumaa Abu Foul succumbed to his wounds from Monday’s protests, raising the death toll to 60. 

Britain, Germany, back independent probe into Gaza killings

The United Kingdom on Tuesday called for an independent investigation into the violence at the Gaza border with Israel after the United States blocked a United Nations Security Council statement calling for a probe.

Germany also announced its support for an independent inquiry into the deadly violence. 

“It is our view that an independent investigation commission can clarify the violent incidents and the bloody violations at the border area,” said government spokesman Steffan Seibert.

Monday, May 14:  

At least 58 Palestinians were killed on Monday in Gaza and more than 2,700 others wounded as the Israeli army fired live ammunition, tear gas and firebombs at protesters assembled along several points near the fence with Israel.

The demonstrations coincided with protests against the opening of the US embassy in Jerusalem.

Erdogan accuses Israel of ‘genocide’ over Gaza deaths

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has accused Israel of “state terror” and “genocide”, according to state-run Anadolu agency, as Ankara announced three days of national mourning over the killing of scores of Palestinians in Gaza.

“Israel is wreaking state terror. Israel is a terror state,” Erdogan told Turkish students during a visit in Britain’s capital, London.

“What Israel has done is a genocide. I condemn this humanitarian drama, the genocide, from whichever side it comes, Israel or America,” he added.

Thousands had earlier marched through central Istanbul to denounce the bloodshed as the US moved its Israel embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem in defiance of widespread outrage in the Islamic world.  

US blames Hamas for Gaza violence

White House spokesman Raj Shah has accused Hamas’ leaders of making a “gruesome and unfortunate propaganda attempt” after the killing of at least 55 Palestinian protesters by Israeli forces.

Speaking to reporters at a White House briefing, Shah also declined to join with other countries – including France and Britain – in calling for Israel to exercise restraint in its response to the demonstrations.

The White House instead reiterated the Trump administration’s refrain that Israel had a right to defend itself.

“The responsibility for these tragic deaths rests squarely with Hamas,” Shah said. “Hamas is intentionally and cynically provoking this response.”

Turkey recalls ambassadors to Tel Aviv, Washington

Ankara has recalled its ambassadors to Tel Aviv and Washington for consultations, according to Turkish Deputy Prime Minister and government spokesman Bekir Bozdag.

Turkey also called for an emergency meeting of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) this week, said Bozdag, hoping it will be held on Friday.

Ankara: US shares blame for ‘Gaza massacre’

Turkey has accused the United States of sharing responsibility with Israel for a “vile massacre” along the Gaza border.

“The United States, unfortunately, took its place without complaint alongside the Israeli government in this massacre of civilians and became a party to this crime against humanity,” Prime Minister Binali Yildirim told reporters in Ankara.

“This is a vile massacre, and we condemn it strongly,” he added.

Yildirim said the events were “incompatible” with the US acting as a mediator or protector of world peace.

UN HR High Commissioner: ‘Israeli live fire in Gaza must stop’

Zeid Ra’ad Al Hussein, the UN high commissioner for human rights, says Israeli live fire killing dozens and wounding hundreds in Gaza must stop immediately.

He also calls on the international community to bring those responsible to justice.

Palestinian President Abbas condemns Israeli actions

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas has described the events in Gaza as “one of the most ferocious days” during a press conference.

He also told a press conference that the move of the US embassy to Jerusalem was an assault on the sovereignty of the Palestinian people.

“On this day, the Israeli massacres against our people continue in the Gaza Strip as well as the West Bank. Today is one of the most ferocious days that our people have witnessed,” said Abbas.

“As we speak, about 52 Palestinians have been killed, a number which is likely to increase. This is an indication of the level of Israeli brutality.”

“Today Israel is celebrating the opening of the US embassy. They allege that the occupied land of Jerusalem is the land of their forefathers. That is a falsification of history.

“Palestinians have been living continuously on this land. Our people will not give up their peaceful demonstrations until we reach victory with Jerusalem as our capital.

“By this move [of the embassy] the US has excluded itself from the peace process in the Middle East. It can no longer act as mediator, and its role will no longer be valid.”

Call for emergency Security Council meeting

Riyad Mansour, the Palestinian Authority’s UN ambassador, has condemned Israeli strikes on unarmed Palestinians in Gaza. 

Speaking at a press conference in New York, Mansour described Washington’s decision to open its embassy in Jerusalem as “very tragic”.

“We will use all of our available rights in the security council to see it shouldering its responsibility to condemn this massacre and bring those responsible to justice,” said Mansour. 

“Very tragic that they (America) are celebrating illegal action while Israel is injuring and killing thousands of Palestinians.

“Tragic day for Palestinians and shame on those who ignore the pain and suffering of the Palestinian people.”

Appeal for blood donations

The Palestinian Ministry of Health has put out a call on Twitter for people in Gaza to head to donation centres to donate their blood. 

There has been an increasing need for blood as 52 Palestinians have been killed and 2,400 others injured by Israeli forces across Gaza so far. 

Death toll reaches 52

Palestinian health officials say 52 people have been killed and 2,400 others have been wounded so far.

Of those killed, the Ministry of Health says at least six are below 18, including one female. Of those wounded, at least 200 are below the age of 18; seventy-eight are women, and 11 are journalists, including Al Jazeera’s Gaza correspondent Wael Al-Dahdouh.

Names of those killed 

Here is the list of some of the Palestinians killed as of Monday afternoon according to the Gaza Ministry of Health:

1. Ezz el-din Musa Mohamed Alsamaak, 14 years old

2.Wisaal Fadl Ezzat Alsheikh Khalil, 15 years old

3.Ahmed Adel Musa Alshaer, 16 years old

4. Saeed Mohamed Abu Alkheir, 16 years old

5. Ibrahim Ahmed Alzarqa, 18 years old

6. Eman Ali Sadiq Alsheikh, 19 years old

7. Zayid Mohamed Hasan Omar, 19 years old

8. Motassem Fawzy Abu Louley, 20 years old

9. Anas Hamdan Salim Qadeeh, 21 years old

10. Mohamed Abd Alsalam Harz, 21 years old

11. Yehia Ismail Rajab Aldaqoor, 22 years old

12. Mustafa Mohamed Samir Mahmoud Almasry, 22 years old

13. Ezz Eldeen Nahid Aloyutey, 23 years old

14. Mahmoud Mustafa Ahmed Assaf, 23 years old

15. Ahmed Fayez Harb Shahadah, 23 years old

16. Ahmed Awad Allah, 24 years old

17. Khalil Ismail Khalil Mansor, 25 years old

18. Mohamed Ashraf Abu Sitta, 26 years old

19. Bilal Ahmed Abu Diqah, 26 years old

20. Ahmed Majed Qaasim Ata Allah, 27 years old

21. Mahmoud Rabah Abu Maamar, 28 years old

22.Musab Yousef Abu Leilah, 28 years old

23. Ahmed Fawzy Altetr, 28 years old

24. Mohamed Abdelrahman Meqdad, 28 years old

25. Obaidah Salim Farhan, 30 years old

26. Jihad Mufid Al-Farra, 30 years old

27. Fadi Hassan Abu Salmi, 30 years old

28. Motaz Bassam Kamil Al-Nunu, 31 years old

29. Mohammed Riyad Abdulrahman Alamudi, 31 years old

30. Jihad Mohammed Othman Mousa, 31 years old

31. Shahir Mahmoud Mohammed Almadhoon, 32 years old

32. Mousa Jabr Abdulsalam Abu Hasnayn, 35 years old

33. Mohammed Mahmoud Abdulmoti Abdal’al, 39 years old

34. Ahmed Mohammed Ibrahim Hamdan, 27 years old

35. Ismail Khalil Ramadhan Aldaahuk, 30 years old

36. Ahmed Mahmoud Mohammed Alrantisi, 27 years old

37. Alaa Alnoor Ahmed Alkhatib, 28 years old

38. Mahmoud Yahya Abdawahab Hussain, 24 years old

39. Ahmed Abdullah Aladini, 30 years old

40. Saadi Said Fahmi Abu Salah, 16 years old

41. Ahmed Zahir Hamid Alshawa, 24 years old

42. Mohammed Hani Hosni Alnajjar, 33 years old

43. Fadl Mohamed Ata Habshy, 34 years old

Britain urges ‘calm and restraint’ in Gaza

British Prime Minister Theresa May’s spokesman urged “calm and restraint” in the Gaza Strip ahead of the opening of the US embassy in Jerusalem.

Foreign Office minister Alistair Burt also expressed concern that peaceful protests were being exploited by extremist elements while adding: “(I) urge restraint in use of live fire.”

The prime minister’s spokesman said: “We are concerned by the reports of violence and loss of life in Gaza. We urge calm and restraint to avoid actions destructive to peace efforts.

“The prime minister had made her views clear in December that we disagreed with the decision (to move the US embassy). We believe it’s unhelpful in terms of prospects for peace in the region.”

The spokesman also reiterated Britain’s commitment to a two-state solution between the Israelis and Palestinians with Jerusalem as the shared capital.

Death toll reaches 43

Palestinian health officials say 43 people have been killed and 1,960 others have been wounded so far.

Of those killed, the Ministry of Health says at least six are below 18, including one female. Of those wounded, at least 200 are below the age of 18; seventy-eight are women, and 11 are journalists. 

According to the ministry, some 918 people were shot at with live ammunition. 

At least 39 are in critical condition, and there are fears that the death toll could rise.

“The hospital smells like blood, there is blood everywhere,” local journalist Maram Humaid told Al Jazeera from the Indonesia Hospital in the northern Gaza Strip. 

“Those wounded are lying on the floor – there are no more beds to accommodate them. The hospitals are overflowing,” Humaid added. 

“There is a state of anxiety in the hospitals. Ambulances have not stopped arriving. The refrigerators are filling up with bodies and hundreds of people are crowded near them, distressed by the news of the killing of their loved ones.”

Egypt and Jordan condemn Israeli action

Egypt and Jordan have condemned Israeli action in the Gaza Strip, where dozens of Palestinians have been killed by Israeli fire at the border.      

Jordan’s government spokesman, Mohammed al-Momani, condemned Israel’s use of “excessive force against the defenceless Palestinian people” and described the violence as a “crime”.    

Egypt meanwhile “expressed its strong condemnation for the targeting of unarmed Palestinian civilians by the Israeli occupation forces”, according to a foreign ministry statement.

Egypt and Jordan are the only two Arab states with formal diplomatic relations with Israel. Cairo signed a peace treaty with Israel in 1979 and Jordan followed in 1994.

Palestinians in Gaza prepare to cross fence with Israel 

Organisers of the Great March of Return say they are expecting as many as one million people to join the demonstration and attempt to cross the fence with Israel at various points along the border. 

A leaflet circulated by the organisers reads: “The national committee for the Great March of Return invites you to participate in the peaceful popular protest, the Million Man March of Return and Breaking the Siege”. 

A spokesperson for the Great March of Return, Ahmad Abu Artema, told Al Jazeera that the goal of trying to cross the fence is to “send a message the Palestinian people have not and will not adapt to 70 years of being refugees, estrangement and difficult conditions.”

“We are adamant to return, no matter what happens. This is what the people of Gaza want – it’s about popular will. And this is their right.” 

The Right of Return is enshrined in United Nations Resolution 194. 

Israeli officials have accused Hamas of being behind the protests, saying the movement exploits Palestinians and deliberately exposes them to danger near the border fence.

The organisers behind the Great March of Return have rejected these claims.

Early on Monday, the Israeli military, which has imposed a land, sea and air blockade on the Gaza Strip for more than a decade, dropped leaflets warning Palestinians to stay away from the border. 

Saturday, May 12

Palestinian teen succumbs to wounds

Jamal Afanah, a 15-year-old boy, died on Saturday in the southern Gaza Strip as a result of wounds inflicted by Israeli security forces the day before, according to Palestinian health officials.

Israeli forces shot Afanah on Friday during protests which took place for the seventh Friday in a row as part of the Great March of Return movement.

Afanah’s death takes the number of Palestinians killed by Israeli forces since the protests began to at least 49.

Egypt to open Rafah border crossing

The Palestinian embassy in Cairo announced that Egypt would open the Rafah border crossing for four days and would allow movement in both directions.

The opening is meant to attend to humanitarian cases, as well as to those whose names are registered waiting to leave the Gaza Strip. 

Hundreds mourn death of Jaber Salem Abu Mustafa

Hundreds of Palestinians in the southern Gaza Strip attended the funeral of 40-year-old Jaber Salem Abu Mustafa, who was shot by Israeli forces. 

Mustafa was shot in the chest near the Israeli border, east of Khan Younis, on Friday, May 11.

Friday, May 11

Palestinian killed, more than 100 wounded 

Israeli forces have shot dead a 40-year-old man, Jaber Salem Abu Mustafa, east of Khan Younis, according to Palestinian health officials. 

Abu Mustafa died when he was shot in the chest with live ammunition. 

Ashraf al-Qidra, spokesperson for Gaza’s health ministry, said 167 other people had been wounded by live ammunition, tear gas, and rubber-coated steel bullets. 

One journalist was among those injured. He sustained an injury in his foot east of Khan Younis. 

Al-Qidra said medical staff are conducting therapeutic treatment for dozens wounded by Israeli forces, including women and children.

Preparations under way for Nakba protest

Al Jazeera’s Stefanie Dekker, reporting from the Gaza-Israel border, said young people have been arriving at the protests with tyres to be burned to reduce their visibility to Israeli forces positioned with snipers on the other side of the fence.

“We’ve already seen one youth injured this morning, hit by live fire. He was very close to the fence, taken away in an ambulance,” Dekker said.

“What people here will tell you is that there is a lot of pressure. It has resulted in a lot of pressure on Israel.

“We’re understanding from sources that there are talks under the table to prevent the Nakba protest from happening. Why? Because hundreds of thousands of people are expected to show up – not just at this point but all along the border with Israel.”

Dekker explained that there might be fewer demonstrators attending this Friday’s protests compared with previous weeks because Palestinians are preparing for far bigger protests in the days to come.

Israelis march in support of Palestinians in Gaza

Around noon, some 50 Israelis began marching towards the Gaza border protesting against the Israeli blockade on the Gaza Strip and the Israeli army’s use of lethal force against unarmed Palestinian protesters.

Friday, May 4

Dozens of Palestinians wounded in Gaza border protest

Israeli forces have fired tear gas and live rounds at Palestinian protesters on the Gaza-Israel border, wounding at least 40 people.

At least 13 people were wounded by live fire, according to the health ministry in Gaza.

Al Jazeera’s Harry Fawcett, reporting from the Gaza-Israel border, said there were no reports of deaths and that the number of people injured on Friday marked “a substantial decrease” as compared to previous weeks. 

But that figure could rise, he said, adding: “We have heard live fire being used on several occasions today. There has been a lot of tear gas, a lot of warnings coming from the Israeli side.”

Protesters burned tyres at the site sending black smoke billowing into the air. 

Naming the dead

These are the 56 Palestinians that have been killed by Israel since the start of the protests:

Sunday, April 29

3 Palestinians killed at Gaza border

In two separate incidents, Israeli forces shot dead three Palestinians at the Gaza-Israel border fence late Sunday evening. The spokesperson for the Israeli army confirmed the deaths on Twitter and added that another Palestinian had been detained.

Saturday, April 28

Hundreds mourn death of Palestinian teenager shot on Friday

Azzam Oweida, a 15-year old boy, who was shot in the head by Israeli military on Friday has died of his wounds on Saturday. 

Hundreds in Khan Younis gathered to pay their last respects for Hillal on Saturday. 

Three other Palestinians were shot dead during Friday’s peaceful protests. 

Friday, April 27

Four Palestinians killed, 955 wounded

Four Palestinian demonstrators were killed and 955 injured by Israeli forces during the protests on Friday.

The health ministry identified the three men and child as Khalil Atallah, 22, Muhammad Amin al-Muqid, 21, Abd al-Salam Eid Zuhdi Baker, 33, and Azzam Oweida, 15.

“Thousands of people stood right at the border, then we heard Israeli forces opening live fire. They’re still doing that sporadically as we speak,” Al Jazeera’s Stefanie Dekker reported from the Israel-Gaza border.

“Ambulances are rushing towards that area… The scenes that we have witnessed here over the past half hour or so are the most dramatic.”

Eighteen medical personnel and journalists were among the wounded.

Ashraf al-Qidra, spokesperson for Gaza’s health ministry, said Israeli forces targeted medical service points twice with an unidentified gas east of the al-Bureij refugee camp in central Gaza.

A number of victims experienced convulsions as a result of their exposure, he said.

A female demonstrator is evacuated after inhaling tear gas fired by Israeli troops at the Israel-Gaza border [Ibraheem Abu Mustafa/Reuters]

Palestinian protesters run from tear gas launched by Israeli forces during the Great March of Return in Khan Younis in the southern Gaza Strip [Mustafa Hassona/Anadolu Agency]  

Dozens hurt in latest Gaza protest

At least 25 Palestinian protesters have reportedly been injured by live Israeli gunfire or have suffocated from tear gas inhalation, as demonstrations erupted for the fifth Friday in a row in Gaza, according to reports. 

The Palestinian news agency WAFA reported that at least six Palestinians were injured when Israeli forces fired live ammunition at protesters, while the rest were hurt because of teargas inhalation.

Hundreds of protesters have been gathering at the eastern and northern borders of the Gaza Strip on what they called the “Friday of Rebellious Youth”.

UN rights chief decries Israel’s excessive use of force in Gaza

UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Zeid Ra’ad al-Hussein has condemned Israel’s use of “excessive force” against Palestinian protesters, saying its security forces must be held to account for the many deaths and injuries sustained by Palestinians in the past month.

“The loss of life is deplorable, and the staggering number of injuries caused by live ammunition only confirms the sense that excessive force has been used against demonstrators – not once, not twice, but repeatedly,” Zeid said.

In the past four weeks, 42 Palestinians were killed and more than 5,500 injured along the fence in Gaza, with no reports of Israeli casualties.

Friday, April 20

Four Palestinians killed by Israeli forces

Palestinian officials say the death toll on Friday has risen to four, with Mohammed Ibrahim Ayyoub, a 15-year-old from Jabalia in the northern Gaza Strip, joining the growing list of fatalities.

Ashraf al-Qidra, spokesperson for Gaza’s health ministry,  added that at least 729 Palestinians, including 45 children, had been wounded by Israeli forces.

The other three victims were identified as Ahmed Rashad, 24, Ahmed Abu Aqil, 25, and Saad Abdul Majid Abdul-Aal Abu Taha, 29.

Yahya Sinwar makes rare public appearance at protest site

Yahya Sinwar, the leader of Hamas in the Gaza Strip, has made a rare public appearance at a protest near Gaza City.

Freed in a 2011 prisoner swap with Israel after more than 20 years in jail, Sinwar told the crowd of protesters that they would “march on Jerusalem”.

 

Great March of Return spokesman: South Africa is our model

Asaad Abu Shariek, a spokesman for the Great March of Return protest movement, said demonstrators were following a path laid down by South Africa during its struggle against apartheid.

“People are very enthusiastic to come and take part in the protests because they know without participating in this non-violent form of resistance they can’t achieve their objective,” Abu Shariek told Al Jazeera.

When asked whether the protests would lead to any tangible concessions by the Israelis, Abu Shariek said: “We are implanting an idea in the minds of people across the world that Palestinians have rights and they hope for the right of return.

“We want the world to impose a military embargo on Israel and the BDS [Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions] strategy. South Africa used this method, and they emerged victorious, and I think we will be no exception.”

‘Barrage of tear gas’ 

Reporting from the protest site, Al Jazeera’s Bernard Smith said the thousands of Palestinians in attendance were being subjected to a “barrage of tear gas from Israeli soldiers”.

“Thick black smoke has now filled the air as they try to obscure the view for Israeli soldiers,” Smith said.

“This is a peaceful protest as it has been over the last few weeks.

“There will be more protests like this until May 15, the day the Palestinians call the Nakba that marked the founding of the state of Israel.”

Death toll reaches 37 Palestinians killed

Ahmed Rashad, 24, was pronounced dead by the Palestinian Ministry of Health after being hit by a live bullet fired by Israeli forces. This brings the death toll to 37 Palestinians since protests began on March 30.

Ahmed Abu Akil, 25, died in the hospital after being shot with a live bullet, according to the Palestinian health ministry. 

Palestinians fly kites over fence into Israel

Palestinian protesters along the Gaza border have sent kites over the fence into Israel, including some carrying notes telling Israelis: “There is no place for you in Palestine.”

40 Palestinian protesters wounded

At least 40 Palestinians have been wounded by Israeli use of live fire and tear gas during protests along the Gaza-Israeli border, reported by the Palestinian Ministry of Health.  

Among the wounded is Ahmed Abu Akil from Jabaliya. He has been moved to the intensive care unit after being injured in the head by live bullets fired by the Israeli forces, according to the Palestinian Ministry of Health. 

Another two Palestinians have also been reported injured in the Gaza Strip after Israeli forces fired live bullets at protesters. 

Israel drops leaflets in Gaza: ‘Stay away from border fence’

Israel dropped leaflets in the Gaza Strip warning Palestinians not to approach its border fence as the military braced for fresh Palestinian protests along the eastern borders of the Gaza Strip.

It was the first time leaflets have been dropped in the recent round of demonstrations. 

The Israeli army “is prepared for all scenarios. Stay away from the fence and do not attempt to harm it,” read the leaflets, which were scattered by Israeli aircraft along the border in the early morning.

Friday, April 13

Number of injured approaches 1,000: health ministry

The Palestinian Ministry of Health is reporting that a total of 969 people have been injured by Israeli forces

Palestinian killed in Gaza

The Palestinian Ministry of Health confirmed that Islam Herzallah, 28, died after being shot by Israeli snipers in his stomach, east of Gaza.

The number of injuries has surpassed 701, it added.

Palestinian Ministry of Health: 528 wounded

Health officials in Gaza say at least 528 protesters have been wounded, including 16 journalists and medical professionals.

According to the ministry, at least 122 Palestinians were wounded by live ammunition.

Palestinian Ministry of Health says 363 protesters wounded so far

Journalists are among the injured, with Ahmad Abu Hussein shot in the chest while covering the protests in Jabaliya, northern Gaza.

A bullet also grazed the arm of Middle East Eye’s photographer Mohammed al-Hajjar at the same location.

More than 100 protesters wounded, say health officials

The Palestinian Ministry of Health said that 112 protesters have been wounded by live bullets and tear gas along the Gaza Strip border.

Mobile clinic targeted near Khan Younis

The spokesperson for Gaza’s health ministry Ashraf al-Qidra had condemned Israeli forces targeting a mobile clinic east of Khan Younis with tear gas, resulting in the suffocation of 10 medical staff.

“Despite the direct targeting of our medical points, we are determined to continue providing treatment to our people under all circumstances,” he said.

The Ministry of Health also said that 30 protesters have been injured so far.

Three protesters injured

Al Jazeera’s Harry Fawcett said that three protesters east of Gaza City have already been wounded by Israeli forces.

“What we have seen over the past two Fridays is a great number of people shot by Israeli snipers,” he said, speaking near the encampment near Gaza City. 

According to Gaza’s Ministry of Health, more than 1,600 Palestinians were wounded last Friday.

Journalists undeterred by Israeli targeting

Last Friday, nine journalists who were covering the protests were hospitalised with serious leg injuries after Israeli forces shot at them.

One them, Izz Abu Shanab, is a freelance photographer and told Al Jazeera he was wearing a flak jacket marked with “PRESS” and a helmet.

“As I was working about 400 metres away from the border fence, the Israelis shot me with a live bullet in the leg,” Abu Shanab said. “It broke the bone because it was an explosive bullet.”

Another journalist, Jameel Dahlan, said that despite concern from family members, he will continue to cover the protests.

“We as journalists send a message,” he told Al Jazeera. “No matter what my wife or mother says, we love our work. Because of that we’ll keep coming here.”

 

‘Burn the Israeli flag’

Amer Shreiteh, member of the Coordinating Committee for the Return March, told local Palestinian media that Friday’s protest theme has been dubbed as “Burn the Israeli flag and raise the Palestinian one”.

“A 25-metre flag mast has been built for each of the five encampments along the border,” he said. 

In a statement, the Committee confirmed its commitment to a peaceful, popular protest.

Friday, April 6

For a second week, thousands of Palestinians protested along the eastern borders of the Gaza Strip, as part of the Great March of Return movement.

Israeli forces have killed 29 Palestinians during the past week, including 21 during and after the March 30 protests, which wounded more than 1,600 others.

Eight Palestinians died last Friday, including one who succumbed to his wounds after being shot last week.

Two more died from their wounds the following day, including journalist Yaser Murtaja.

Local media: Eight killed by Israeli forces

The Palestinian Shehab News Agency is reporting that the death toll in Friday’s protests has risen to nine, after Alaa Yahya al-Zamali, 17, was shot dead by Israeli forces in Rafah.

Yahya Sinwar: Gaza will ‘stand tall’ in the face of the occupation

Yahya Sinwar, the leader of Hamas in the Gaza Strip, has made a rare public appearance at a protest near the city of Khan Younis.

Freed in a 2011 prisoner swap with Israel after more than 20 years in jail, Sinwar told the crowd that Gaza would “stand tall” in the face of Israeli occupation.

“The plot of starvation and siege have failed to incite the Palestinian people against the resistance [Hamas].

“Gaza will not starve and will not abandon its national objective.

“Our people came out to tell the world that Gaza is free and that we will stand tall and resist the Israeli occupation.”

A Palestinian protester wears a tyre on his head with an onion (to protect himself from tear gas) dangling from it [Hosam Salem/Al Jazeera]

Local media: Six killed by Israeli forces

The Palestinian Safa Press Agency is reporting that the death toll has risen to eight, with Sidqi Abu Outewi, a 45-year-old from Nuseirat, and Mohammed Hajj Saleh, a 33-year-old from Rafah, joining the growing list of fatalities.

Fifth Palestinian killed, health ministry says

The Palestinian Ministry of Health says the death toll has risen to six, with 20-year-old Ibrahim Al-Ourr killed.

Palestinian Ministry of Health: 780 wounded

Health officials in Gaza said that at least 780 protesters have been wounded, including seven women and 31 children.

Fourth Palestinian killed, health ministry says

The Palestinian Ministry of Health said that a 16-year-old boy has been killed by Israeli forces.

The teenager, Hussein Madi, was dead on arrival after he was taken to Gaza City’s Shifa Hospital, the ministry added.

Journalist: 28 wounded protesters in intensive care unit

Hosam Salem, a photographer at the scene in the southern Gaza Strip, told Al Jazeera that there are currently 8 protesters in the intensive care unit at the Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis.

Salem witnessed his colleague Yaser Murtaja, a 30-year-old journalist with a local media outlet, drop to the ground after he was shot by Israeli forces in the stomach.

“Yaser was filming with his camera next to me when we heard the sound of gunfire,” Salem said. “He just fell on the ground and said, ‘I’ve been shot, I’ve been shot’.”

“He needed eight units of blood,” Salem continued. “The hospital moved him from the operations room to the ICU where his situation remains critical.”

Another journalist, Ibrahim Zanoun, was shot in the arm while covering the protests in Jabaliya, northern Gaza.

Half an hour ago the occupation army shot my brother, journalist, Ibrahim Zanoun in the arm!

Health officials: Two killed, 250 injured

The Palestinian Ministry of Health says protester Majdi Ramadan Shbat has been killed east of Gaza City by Israeli forces.

The number of those wounded has risen to at least 250, according to the ministry.

Shbat’s death brings the total number of protesters killed on Friday to three, after Thaer Rab’a, who was shot by Israeli forces during the March 30 demonstrations, succumbed to his wounds earlier in the day.

Protesters ‘defiant’ amid growing tension

Al Jazeera’s Hoda Abdel-Hamid, reporting from Gaza, says Palestinian protesters have remained “defiant” despite Israel saying it will not change its rule of engagement. 

“Some young boys have been carrying mirrors to blind the soldiers stationed all along the border,” she said. “We’ve seen them with makeshift homemade gas masks which won’t really protect them from anything. 

“Tension is growing because more and more people are arriving, but it seems that the Israelis are showing some degree of restraint compared to last week,” she continued. “They are still using live ammunition and high-velocity bullets which don’t kill but maim protesters.”

Palestinian killed in Gaza

The Palestinian Ministry of Health has confirmed that 38-year-old Osama Qdeih has been killed by Israeli live fire east of Khan Younis.

The number of wounded has increased to at least 150, the ministry added.

Ministry of Health: 40 wounded by live fire and tear gas

Palestinian health officials say at least 40 protesters have been wounded.

According to Ashraf al-Qidra, the health ministry’s spokesperson, five are in critical condition after being shot in the head or in the upper body.

Mahjoob Zweiri, a professor at Qatar University, told Al Jazeera that the protests are the outcome of “years and years of frustration” by the residents of the Gaza Strip.

“If you look at the past 60 years there has always been delayed action from the Arab League and the international community [with regards to] the Palestinian question,” he said.

“That delay of action is an indication that there is no serious attempt to stop Israel from doing what it is doing now.”

UN warns Israeli forces to respect ‘right of peaceful assembly’

UN High Commissioner for Human Rights spokeswoman Liz Throssell has expressed concern over further violence during Friday’s demonstrations and in the weeks ahead.

Speaking at a press conference in Geneva, Throssell said: “We remind Israel of its obligations to ensure that excessive force is not employed against protesters and that in the context of a military occupation, as is the case in Gaza, the unjustified and unlawful recourse to firearms by law enforcement resulting in death may amount to a willful killing, a grave breach of the Fourth Geneva Convention.”

Earlier, Gaza’s Ministry of Health confirmed the death of Thaer Rab’a, 30, who succumbed to his injuries after he was shot by Israeli forces last Friday.

This brings this week’s death toll to 22 Palestinians. 

Friday of ‘Burning Tyres’

Palestinians have gathered hundreds of spare tyres and plan on setting them on fire in order to create a smokescreen to obstruct the vision of Israeli snipers.

Al Jazeera’s correspondent in the Gaza Strip, Hoda Abdel-Hamid, said that the situation is calm at the moment, despite five Palestinians so far being wounded by live ammunition

“[At the five encampments along the border] you have entire families with their children dressed in traditional Palestinian clothes,” she said. “They are having picnics, they are sitting on the floor, and there’s a lot of vendors on the side.

“It is a completely different atmosphere and that’s where the vast majority of people are.”

Hamas internal security called for peaceful protest

On Thursday night, the internal security of Hamas released a statement calling on all protesters to “avoid friction with the Israeli occupation forces, and cooperate with the instructions of the organizers of the events.”

The statement also called on participants to avoid wearing distinctive clothes and to not take photos or use their mobile phones.

Organisers of the march

“The march is organised by refugees, doctors, lawyers, university students, Palestinian intellectuals, academics, civil society organizations and Palestinian families,” Asad Abu Sharekh, the spokesperson of the march, told Al Jazeera.

“Using these claims of Hamas being behind the protests, Israel is trying to sabotage the idea of the march to justify its escalation against protesters.”

Protests begin

The planned protests, which started on March 30, or Land Day, will continue until the Nakba anniversary on May 15, which marks 70 years since 750,000 Palestinians were expelled from their villages and towns by Zionist militias in 1948.

Makeshift tents have been erected 700 metres away from the Israeli fence, symbolising the right of return for Palestinian refugees, who make up 70 percent of the Gaza Strip’s population of two million.

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