Israeli Forces K i l l Dozens Of People In Gaza As U.S. Embassy Opens In Jerusalem

Israeli troops killed dozens of Palestinians who were taking part in mass protests on the Gaza border today as the United States opened its embassy to Israel in Jerusalem.

The U.S. move fulfilled a pledge by U.S. President Donald Trump, who has recognized the holy city as the Israeli capital, but it has fired Palestinian anger and drawn criticism from many foreign governments as a set back to peace efforts.

According to a report by Reuters, on the Gaza border, at least 41 Palestinians were killed by Israeli gunfire in the latest in a round of protests dubbed the “Great March of Return”. It was the highest Palestinian death toll in a single day since a series of protests began at the border with Israel on March 30, and since the 2014 Gaza war.

Health officials said 900 Palestinians were wounded, about 450 of them by live bullets.  Tens of thousands had streamed to the coastal enclave’s land border, some approaching the Israeli fence – a line Israeli leaders said Palestinians would not be allowed to breach. Clouds of black smoke from tyres set alight by demonstrators rose in the air.

Demonstrators, some armed with slingshots, hurled stones at the Israeli security forces, who fired volleys of tear gas and intense rounds of gunfire.