Palestinian killed, more than 100 wounded in 7th week of Gaza protests

World Today

Members of Ezz ad-Din al-Qassam Brigades carry the body of 23 years-old Bahaa Qudeih during his funeral in Khan Yunis in the southern Gaza Strip on May 6, 2018, after he was killed while attempting to infiltrate Israel from the Palestinian enclave the Israeli army and Palestinian medical sources said, in the latest incident in escalating cross-border violence. (AFP PHOTO / SAID KHATIB)

Despite Israel’s repeated use of lethal force, Gaza residents once again flocked toward the Israeli border on Friday, to demand the right of return to their homelands and to reject U.S. recognition of Jerusalem as Israel’s capital.

CGTN’s Noor Harazeen reports.

Follow Noor Hazazeen on Twitter @Noor_Harazeen

Palestinians burned tires to blind the Israeli snipers from shooting protesters, sending flaming kites into Israeli territory. Other demonstrators hurled stones at the Israeli soldiers stationed at the border.

A Palestinian protester throws back a teargas canister at Israeli soldiers as others burn tyres near the Israeli fence during a protest at the Gaza Strip’s border with Israel, Friday, May 11, 2018. (AP Photo/Adel Hana)

Israeli Defense Forces issued a statement, saying that nearly 5,000 protesters were part of “riots” along the Gaza-Israel border. The Israeli military also vowed to defend the border to “ensure the security of the citizens of Israel and Israeli sovereignty, as necessary.”

Palestinian Saber al-Ashkar, 29, hurls rocks during clashes with Israeli forces along the border with the Gaza strip, east of Gaza City, on May 11, 2018, as Palestinians demonstrate for the right to return to their historic homelands in what is now Israel. (AFP PHOTO / MAHMUD HAMS)

But Hamas leader Yehiyeh Sinwar contends that Israel’s borders are not internationally recognized and therefore do not need to be respected.

Organizers have said the demonstrations are expected to peak on May 14th, one day before the 70th anniversary of the “Nakba” or “Catastrophe” when more than 700,000 Palestinians lost their lands to Israel in 1948.

The U.S. plans to move its embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem on May 15th