At least three Palestinians were killed today and 365 were wounded in clashes with the Israeli army along the border between the Gaza Strip and Israel, the Palestinian Ministry of Health announced.
Thousands of Palestinians came today to the border of the Gaza Strip and Israel for a protest called the "March of Return", whose aim, among other things, is to draw attention to Palestinian refugees who fled, or were driven from their homes in the war that broke out in 1948. , after the creation of Israel.
Demonstrators clashed with Israeli soldiers by throwing stones and burning car tires near the border fence.
According to reports, protesters were wounded by live ammunition and rubber bullets, while some inhaled tear gas, AP reported.
Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh addressed the protesters, saying the Palestinian people "proved time and again that they can take the initiative and do a great thing," adding that the march was "the beginning of a return to all of Palestine."
He announced that the Palestinians will not compromise and that there is no solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict without the return of "the entire land of Palestine."
"This march sends a message that the Palestinian people are united against the occupation and against the blockade, as well as against concessions and dubious agreements," the top Hamas leader said.
Israeli Defense Minister Avigdor Lieberman sent a message to Palestinian protesters on his official Twitter account in Arabic, Israeli media reported.
"The leadership of Hamas is playing with your lives. Anyone who comes close to the (border) fence today is putting themselves in danger. I suggest you continue with your lives and do not participate in the provocations," Lieberman said, alluding to the fact that the leaders of the ruling Islamic extremist Hamas called for protests in the Gaza Strip.
In the past few days, the Israeli army has warned that it will shoot anyone who tries to enter Israel.
As a result, reinforcements were brought to the border, including 100 snipers and riot control units. Snipers have orders to shoot at protesters trying to cross the border.
Today's demonstrations are supposed to be just the beginning of six weeks of protests that will culminate on Israel's Independence Day on May 14. Then the new US embassy in Jerusalem will be opened based on the decision of US President Donald Trump to recognize Jerusalem as the capital of the Jewish state.
Israel annexed the eastern part of Jerusalem after occupying it in the 1967 war.
The Palestinians in that part of Jerusalem are planning the seat of their future state, which will include the Gaza Strip and the West Bank.
Today's demonstration was organized to coincide with the observance of Land Day in memory of the six Israeli Arabs who died during demonstrations in 1976 due to the confiscation of Arab land.
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