19 May 2018•Update: 19 May 2018
By Mohammed Majid
GAZA CITY, Palestine
Israeli gunfire injured 56 Palestinians during peaceful anti-occupation rallies in the eastern part of the besieged Gaza Strip on Friday, according to the Health Ministry.
In a written statement, ministry spokesman Ashraf al-Qidra said Israel soldiers used live and plastic bullets as well as teargas during peaceful demonstrations held by Palestinians at Khan Yunis city.
Separately, Hamas spokesman Hazim Qasim said in a statement the ongoing Great Return March is evidence of Israel’s failure to prevent Palestinians from gathering by deliberate killing.
Since the mass Gaza rallies began on March 30, more than 100 Palestinian protesters have been martyred by Israeli army gunfire.
Monday's protests in Gaza coincided with Israel's 70th anniversary - an event Palestinians refer to as Nakba or the "Catastrophe" - and the relocation of the US Embassy to Israel from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem.
