Summary
Israeli forces opened fire on demonstrators in Gaza on Monday, killing dozens and injuring more than 2,400 people protesting the Monday opening of the US embassy in Jerusalem.
As bodies fell on the border on what became the bloodiest day in Gaza since the 2014 war, US and Israeli officials celebrated the opening of the embassy.
Demonstrations have quieted so we’re closing down the live blog for now. Here is a summary of today’s events:
- Gaza’s ministry of health reported 52 people were killed and more than 2,400 were injured during protests at the border between Gaza and Israel. There are six children and one paramedic among the dead, the ministry said.
- United Nations human rights experts urged Israel to halt excessive force against Palestinian protesters and Amnesty International accused Israel of violating international law.
- The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) insisted, however, that is was following protocol. The IDF said it killed three “terrorists” and struck five “terrorist targets.”
- Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the military was acting in self-defense. “Every country has an obligation to defend its borders,” he wrote on Twitter.
- Senior US officials, including president Donald Trump, have not mentioned the protests in communications celebrating the embassy opening. “Big day for Israel. Congratulations!” the president said on Twitter.
- US secretary of state Mike Pompeo also ignored the deadly protests, while declaring the US was committed to advancing peace between Israel and Palestine.
- Foreign ministries in the UK, France and Egypt expressed concern about the the violence. UK prime minister Theresa May’s spokesperson said: “We urge calm and restraint to avoid actions destructive to peace efforts.”
- Trump did not attend the embassy dedication ceremony, but his daughter Ivanka and her husband Jared Kushner, a senior advisor to the president, went in his place. Kushner made a rare public address and said the opening of the embassy was an acknowledgement of the truth that Jerusalem is the capital of Israel.
Protests are quieting down in Gaza but they are expected to return tomorrow, a significant day for the Great March of Return movement, a Palestinian group that has held rallies at the border since 30 March.
At these rallies, demonstrators are calling for the right to return to homes they were expelled from in 1948.
The Great March of Return movement culminates on Tuesday, 15 May, which marks what Palestinians call the Nakba, when hundreds of thousands were forced out of their homes or fled amid the fighting that accompanied the creation in 1948 of the state of Israel after the end of the British Mandate.
Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel acted in self-defense in by firing at protesters on the border.
“Every country has an obligation to defend its borders,” Netanyahu wrote on Twitter. “The Hamas terrorist organisation declares it intends to destroy Israel and sends thousands to breach the border fence in order to achieve this goal. We will continue to act with determination to protect our sovereignty and citizens.”
לכל מדינה החובה להגן על גבולותיה. ארגון הטרור חמאס מצהיר שבכוונתו להשמיד את ישראל ושולח אלפים לפרוץ את גדר הגבול כדי לממש מטרה זו. נמשיך לפעול בנחישות כדי להגן על ריבונותנו ואזרחינו
— Benjamin Netanyahu (@netanyahu) May 14, 2018
What a great day for the great American-Israeli alliance 🇮🇱🇺🇸
— Benjamin Netanyahu (@netanyahu) May 14, 2018
צילום: אבי אוחיון, לע״מ pic.twitter.com/Q2rUdD3ID5
Updated
US president Donald Trump did not attend the dedication ceremony, but his daughter and her husband, Jared Kushner, traveled in his place.
Today we dedicated the new #USEmbassyJerusalem, a longtime promise to the American & Israeli people. As Jared shared today “While many Presidents before him have backed down from their pledge... this President delivered. Because when President Trump makes a promise, he keeps it.” pic.twitter.com/4iNdozAiRF
— Ivanka Trump (@IvankaTrump) May 14, 2018
Gaza City has seen three wars with Israel in 10 years, and everyone expects another will come.
The Guardian last month looked at the huge obstacles Gaza faces in making preparations for conflict, including factional tensions and a punitive blockade have caused debilitating shortages in fuel, electricity and medical supplies.
Reporters say demonstrations are coming to an end in Gaza, where it is nearly 7:30pm.
Demonstrations empty out as people are told to go home over loudspeakers. 52 Palestinians killed according to health ministry. pic.twitter.com/r7Q4fpj9uf
— Loveday Morris (@LovedayM) May 14, 2018
Protests now quiet ending for the day - Organisers called people back. New protests expected tomorrow
— Joe (@joedyke) May 14, 2018
Death toll rises to 52 Palestinians killed
The Associated Press is reporting that Gaza’s health officials have increased the death toll to 52 and more than 1,200 have been wounded by Israeli fire in Gaza.
UK prime minister Theresa May’s spokesperson 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 UK remains firmly committed to a two-state solution with Jerusalem as a shared capital.”
And Emily Thornberry MP, Labour’s Shadow Foreign Secretary, responding to the killing of Palestinians in Gaza today, said:
We condemn unreservedly the Israeli government for their brutal, lethal and utterly unjustified actions on the Gaza border, and our thoughts are with all those Palestinians in Gaza whose loved ones have been killed or injured as a result.
These actions are made all the worse because they come not as the result of a disproportionate over-reaction to one day’s protests, but as the culmination of six weeks of an apparently systemic and deliberate policy of killing and maiming unarmed protestors and bystanders who pose no threat to the forces at the Gaza border, many of them shot in the back, many of them shot hundreds of metres from the border, and many of them children.
US secretary of state Mike Pompeo ignored the deadly protests happening in response to the US’s decision to open an embassy in Jerusalem, while declaring the US was committed to advancing peace between Israel and Palestine.
Pompeo, whose first trip overseas as secretary of state was to Israel, said in a statement:
Today I am proud to celebrate the opening of the United States Embassy to Israel in Jerusalem. This significant event fulfills a promise made by President Trump. As he proclaimed on December 6, 2017, ‘Seventy years ago, the United States, under President Truman, recognized the State of Israel. Since then, the State of Israel has made its capital in Jerusalem — the capital the Jewish people established in ancient times. It is therefore appropriate for the United States to recognize Jerusalem as Israel’s capital.’
We remain committed to advancing a lasting and comprehensive peace between Israel and the Palestinians.
Foreign ministries in the UK, France and Egypt have expressed concern about the the violence, which has seen at least 41 people killed.
The United Nations high commissioner for human rights, Zeid Ra’ad al Hussein, said Israel must stop firing on protestors.
“Shocking killing of dozens, injury of hundreds by Israeli live fire in #Gaza must stop now. The right to life must be respected. Those responsible for outrageous human rights violations must be held to account. The int'l community needs to ensure justice for victims” – #Zeid. pic.twitter.com/hBb7825Sp8
— UN Human Rights (@UNHumanRights) May 14, 2018
The Guardian’s Jerusalem correspondent, Oliver Holmes, has more details from Israel Defense Forces (IDF) spokesman, Lt Col Jonathan Conricus:
“As of now, no one has crossed the fence,” he said, adding there had been “several” attempts.
He said one Israeli soldier had been “slightly wounded by shrapnel” but he did not have details. “Our troops have not taken any sustained direct fire,” he added.
The Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), a 57-member body representing Muslim-majority countries, said on Monday that the US opening of an embassy in Jerusalem was an “illegal decision” and “an attack on the historical, legal, natural and national rights of the Palestinian people, which undermines the standing of the United Nations and rule of international law and thus represents an affront to international peace and security”
The OIC determines that the US Administration has contradicted its own commitments and expressed utter disdain and disrespect to Palestinian legitimate rights, and international law and has made very clear that it has no regard for the rights and religious sentiments of the Muslim Umah and concludes that the current US Administration has invalidated its role as a broker in any future peace efforts in Palestine.
Alistair Burt, the UK’s minister of state for the Middle East, said he was concerned the demonstrations were being “exploited by extremist elements.”
Burt said in a statement:
Extremely saddened by loss of life in Gaza today. Concerned peaceful protests are being exploited by extremist elements. Urge restraint in use of live fire. Violence is destructive to peace efforts. UK remains committed to a two-state solution with Jerusalem as a shared capital.
Egypt’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has condemned “the targeting of unarmed Palestinian civilians by the Israeli occupation forces,” a day after leading Hamas official Ismail Haniyeh visited Cairo as part of diplomatic efforts to control today’s protests.
The statement from Egypt’s MFA reads:
Egypt fully rejects the use of force against peaceful marches demanding fair and legitimate rights, and warns of the negative consequences of such a serious escalation in the Occupied Palestinian Territories. This statement stresses Egypt’s full support for the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people, first and foremost the right to establish their independent state with its capital in East Jerusalem.
France’s foreign minister, Jean-Yves Le Drian, urged Israeli authorities to show restraint in its use of force against demonstrators.
“France calls on all actors to show responsibility to prevent a new escalation,” Le Drian said in a statement. “France again calls on the Israeli authorities to exercise discernment and restraint in the use of force that must be strictly proportionate.”
Le Drian said the US decision to move its embassy to Jerusalem “violated international law and in particular UN Security Council resolutions.”
Humanitarian groups are warning that Gaza’s health system does not have the resources to adequately respond to the injuries incurred in the protests.
Medical services in #Gaza at breaking point as already weakened hospital and healthcare system deals with almost 2000 injured in a single day, over 900 from live ammunition. Health authorities in #Gaza appeal to the international community for assistance.
— amnestypress (@amnestypress) May 14, 2018
The Ministry of Health in Gaza is also calling for the transfer of patients to specialist hospitals in Egypt due to the increasing numbers of patients who have had complex surgeries which require therapeutic interventions not available in Gaza
— Aimee Shalan (@aimshalan) May 14, 2018
Al-Jazeera said one of its reporters was wounded while covering demonstrations in Gaza.
The Qatar-based news network said journalist Wael Dhadouh was “injured by live ammunition from Israeli forces.”
It did not provide details on Dhadouh’s injury.
The IDF said a fighter jet had struck five “terrorist targets” in what it said was a Hamas military training facility in Gaza. It added that the strike was “in response to the violent acts of the last few hours being carried out by Hamas along the security fence”.
The White House has released a briefing that says Donald Trump’s recognition of Jerusalem as the capital of Israel “does not mean the United States has taken a position on final status negotiations.”
The briefing emphasizes that this decision fulfills a promise made by Trump and that is “simply a recognition of reality.”
Other points made by the White House in the lengthy briefing include:
- More than two decades of waivers delaying the Embassy move brought us no closer to a lasting peace agreement between Israel and the Palestinians.
- President Trump has made clear that old challenges demand new approaches, and that he will keep his word to the American people.
- Initial modifications allowing the Embassy to open on May 14, 2018, cost just $400,000.
The dedication ceremony has just ended with a musical performance.
The ceremony’s jovial atmosphere provides a stark contrast to the protests happening nearby.
Quite the disconnect . pic.twitter.com/1Ea0bMfF7v
— Andrew Beatty (@AndrewBeatty) May 14, 2018
Israel’s prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu has just spoken at the opening ceremony.
“What a glorious day. Remember this moment. President Trump: by recognizing history, you have made history,” he said.
Netanyahu spoke about how as a child his neighborhood was exposed to sniper fire from Jordan.
“That was then, this is now! Today the embassy of the most powerful nation on earth, our greatest ally, the United States of America, today its embassy opened here!”
“May the opening of this embassy in this city spread the truth far and wide.”
“God bless the United States of America and god bless Jerusalem – the eternal, undivided capital of Israel.”
Updated
Kushner was the first speaker to make reference to the protests today. Here’s more of what he said:
President Trump was very clear that his decision and today’s celebration do not reflect a departure from our strong commitment to lasting peace. A peace that overcomes the conflicts of the past in order to give our children a brighter and more boundless future.
As we have seen from the protest of the last month and even today those provoking violence are part of the problem and not part of the solution. The United States is prepared to support a peace agreement in every way that we can. We believe that it is possible for both sides to gain more than they give so that all people can live in peace safe from danger, free from fear and able to pursue their dreams.
The United States recognising the sensitivity surrounding Jerusalem, a city that means so much to so many. Jerusalem is a city unique in the history of civilisation. No other place on earth can claim significance to three major religions. Each day Jews pray at the Western Hall. Muslims bow in prayer at Al Asqa mosque, and Christians worship at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. That is why President Trump has called many times, including right now, on all parties to maintain the status quo at Jerusalem’s Holy sites.
Trump’s son-in-law and senior advisor, Jared Kushner, takes to the stage at the opening ceremony.
He said the opening of the embassy was an acknowledgement of the truth that Jerusalem is the capital of Israel. “The US will do what’s right and so we have,” Kushner said. President Trump delivered because when he makes a promise he keeps it, he adds.
He then brings up the “dangerous, contentious, and flawed” Iran deal to applause from the audience. Iran’s aggression threatens the region and the entire world, Kushner says.
“Those provoking violence are part of the problem not part of the solution”, Kushner says in reference to the protests today.
Jerusalem must be a city that brings all faiths together, Kushner says. And he praises the way Israel has been a custodian of Jerusalem.
Tump punctuates his video message with a tweet of congratulations.
Big day for Israel. Congratulations!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) May 14, 2018
“The Israeli people thank you” says Israel’s President Reuven Rivlin at the ceremony.
In theory, at least, the Israeli military’s rules of engagement for demonstrations are largely clear.
In general terms - as has been exposed in court cases, commentaries and remarks by officials - soldiers are only permitted to open fire during a demonstration if lives are deemed to be under threat. In reality, however, that has often be interpreted either in omission or with such latitude that outside observers have criticised lethal live fire as excessive force.
In the case of the weeks-long Gaza fence protests, which culminated today with scores of fatalities from Israeli fire, that criticism has only become louder.
During the weeks leading up to Monday’s protests well over 40 Palestinians had been killed demonstrating close to Gaza’s border fence with little evidence that any posed a serious threat to Israeli troops.
According to Mitch Ginsburg, writing in the Times of Israel on Monday:
“The orders are meant to be simple and clear. They cannot read like a UN resolution. They are repeated to soldiers before each operational action, sunk into the soldiers’ minds like an anchor.
“In the West Bank, for example, the rules often sound something like this: If you see someone with a weapon and feel in immediate danger, shoot to kill. If you feel danger but have time, instruct the person to stop, then fire once in the air, then fire to wound, then fire to kill.”
As Ginsburg points out, the rules of engagement are not set in stone, but their general thrust is supposed to avoid the risk civilian casualties and to be proportionate.
And Gaza has often been treated differently.
On Sunday, amid warnings that Palestinians would be allowed by Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar to try and storm the border fence, that distinction appears to have been seriously blurred with Israel warning in advance in an air drop of leaflets that Gaza residents they will be risking their lives if they approach the border during a planned mass protest and that it will “act against every attempt to damage the security fence or harm IDF soldiers or Israeli civilians.”
In other words, Israel had defined Monday’s demonstrations in advance – regardless of whether Israelis are targeted from the Gaza side of the fence – as a cover for Hamas ‘terrorism’ a point made clear in the leaflets.
“The Israel Defence Forces is determined to defend Israel’s citizens and sovereignty against Hamas’ attempts at terrorism undercover of violent riots,” the leaflets say. “Don’t get near the fence and don’t take part in Hamas’ show, which endangers you.”
According to the Israeli military at least one group on three men was fired on while reportedly placing an explosive device near the border fence, while an explosion near Jabaliya – which appeared to be an air strike – followed reported gun fire from that area.
Updated
A video message by Donald Trump is played at the US embassy inauguration ceremony in Jerusalem.
There are several references to peace. Trmp ends with this:
“The United States will always be a great friend of Israel and a partner in the cause of freedom and peace. We wish Ambassador Friedman good luck as he takes up office in this beautiful Jerusalem embassy and we extend a hand in friendship to Israel, the Palestinians and to all of their neighbours. May there be peace. May God bless this embassy. May God bless all who serve there and may God bless the United States of America.”
Death toll increases to 41
Two more Palestinians have been killed in the protests taking the death toll to 41, according to health officials in Gaza.
Amnesty International has also condemned Israel’s use of force as the death toll rises still further.
We are witnessing an abhorrent violation of Int law and human rights. 38 confirmed dead, including children/minors, with close to 2000 people injured in #Gaza . Many are reporting injuries to the head and chest. Over 500 injured with live ammunition. This horror must end now.
— amnestypress (@amnestypress) May 14, 2018
Updated
Guests at the ceremony repeatedly chanted Trump’s name.
“Trump, Trump” chants #USEmbassyJerusalem pic.twitter.com/YGYkaCaDXy
— Jacob Kornbluh (@jacobkornbluh) May 14, 2018
Ambassador hails Trump's 'vision, courage and moral clarity'
US ambassador David Friedman welcomes guests to the US embassy in Jerusalem to long applause.
He said:
The US finally takes the next step, a step long voted upon,litigated and prayed for all these years. Today we open the United States embassy in Jerusalem, Israel. Again the US leads the way as the first nation to do so. So many have worked so hard and for so long for this day to come and they all deserve our thanks. But make no mistake, today’s historic event is attributed to the vision, the courage and the moral clarity of one person to whom we owe an enormous an eternal debt of gratitude, President Donald J Trump.
Mention of Trump prompts a standing ovation.
Updated
B’Tselem, the Israeli Information Center for Human Rights in the Occupied Territories, has condemned Israel for showing an “appalling indifference towards human life”.
In a statement it said:
The demonstrations held in Gaza today came as no surprise. Israel had plenty of time to come up with alternate approaches for dealing with the protests, apart from firing live ammunition. The fact that live gunfire is once again the sole measure that the Israeli military is using in the field evinces appalling indifference towards human life on the part of senior Israeli government and military officials. B’Tselem calls for an immediate halt to the killing of Palestinian demonstrators. If the relevant officials do not issue an order to stop the lethal fire, the soldiers in the field must refuse to comply with these manifestly unlawful open-fire orders.
You can watch live coverage of the opening ceremony of the embassy in Jerusalem here courtesy of the US. The event is due to get underway in the next 15 minutes.
Watch live coverage of @USEmbassyJerusalem opening ceremony, Streaming now!https://t.co/S8deinFwbO
— US Embassy Jerusalem (@USEmbassyIsrael) May 14, 2018
NBC’s Cal Perry notes the contrasts in the optics of the day: “Well dressed American and Israeli officials on one side of the screen: desperation, death and fires on the other.”
Rarely, if ever have the Palestinians carried the sympathetic optics of the day. Especially with the Western media/television outlets. Well dressed American and Israeli officials on one side of the screen: desperation, death and fires on the other. #USEmbassyJerusalem #Gaza
— Cal Perry (@CalNBC) May 14, 2018
37 protesters killed
The death toll continues to rise rapidly, according to health officials in Gaza. It now stands at 37, Haaretz reports.
#BREAKING: at least 37 protesters killed during the protests in #Gaza today - Gaza MoH
— Asaf Ronel (@AsafRonel) May 14, 2018
According to Palestinian reports, Israeli fighter jets are now bombing Gaza pic.twitter.com/RYOMVQ7NH6
The Israel Defense Forces are pointing to incidents they say show how the protests are being used as a cover for “terrorism”.
The military said it “thwarted a terror attack” when three people attempted to place an explosive device adjacent to the security fence in the south of Gaza. All three were killed. It also said Israeli aircraft struck Hamas military posts in Gaza after its troops were fired on from the northern Gaza Strip. It did not provide further details.
More than 35,000 Palestinians were estimated to be taking part at 12 locations across the strip, the IDF said. It added its soldiers were responding with “riot dispersal means and fire, and are operating according to standard operating procedures.”
A short while ago, 3 terrorists attempted to place an explosive device near the security fence in Rafah, under the cover of violent riots. In response, the IDF fired at the terrorists, who were killed pic.twitter.com/LFRRyfHDzl
— IDF (@IDFSpokesperson) May 14, 2018
28 people killed and 900 injured
The number of people killed in the protest is rising ominously fast and now stands at 28, according to Reuters citing health officials.
It was the highest Palestinian single-day death toll since a series of protests dubbed the “Great March of Return” began at the border with Israel on 30 March and since a 2014 Gaza war.
The health officials said 900 Palestinians were wounded, about 450 of them by live bullets.
Tens of thousands gathered at the frontier on Monday, some of them approaching Israel’s border fence - a line Israeli leaders vowed Palestinians would not be allowed to breach. Black smoke from tyres set alight by demonstrators rose in the air.
“Today is the big day when we will cross the fence and tell Israel and the world we will not accept being occupied forever,” said Gaza science teacher Ali, who declined to give his last name.
“Many may get martyred today, so many, but the world will hear our message. Occupation must end,” he said.
The 28 Palestinian dead on Monday included a 14-year-old boy, a medic and a man in a wheelchair who had been pictured on social media using a slingshot.
The Israeli military identified three of those killed as armed militants whom it said tried to place explosives near the fence in the southern Gaza Strip.
The latest casualties raised the Palestinian death toll to 73 since the protests started six weeks ago. No Israeli casualties have been reported.
The protests are scheduled to culminate on Tuesday, the day Palestinians mourn as the “Nakba” or “Catastrophe” when, in 1948, hundreds of thousands of them were driven out of their homes or fled the fighting around Israel’s creation.
Most countries say the status of Jerusalem - a sacred city to Jews, Muslims and Christians - should be determined in a final peace settlement and that moving their embassies now would prejudge any such deal.
Updated
UN rights experts have urged Israel to halt all excessive force against Palestinian protesters and called for an “impartial, independent investigation” into troop violence that has left dozens dead, AFP reports.
The UN Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination said it was “alarmed by the disproportionate use of force displayed by the Israeli security forces against Palestinian demonstrators.”
The 18-member UN committee said it was “gravely concerned that many of the persons who died or were injured were reportedly posing no imminent threat at the time they were shot.”
It also voiced alarm at “many reports according to which Israeli authorities have denied and continue to deny access to urgent medical treatment to injured Palestinians.”
The experts said the deaths and injuries were occurring “in a context marked by the 50-year occupation of the Palestinian territory” as well as a more than decade-long crippling blockade imposed on Gaza.
They said they were “deeply worried about persisting discriminatory practises against Palestinians by Israel,” and lamented “the absence of adequate accountability mechanisms” for troops accused of violations.
Although Israel has publicly announced an investigation into events at the Gaza border, “an independent and impartial investigation has not yet taken place,” they said.
The committee urged Israel to quickly initiate such a probe, and also to “counter the tide of racism and xenophobia in public discourse ... (and) to combat racist acts and manifestations of racist hate speech that particularly target Palestinians.”
An AFP reporter posted video of a Palestinian man and a young girl on a motorbike ducking as bullets are fired.
A Palestinian on a bike with his young daughter ducks as an Israeli sniper bullet lands nearby pic.twitter.com/EuWDWHZGdb
— Joe (@joedyke) May 14, 2018
Death toll rises to 25
Gaza’s health ministry says the number of Palestinians killed by Israeli fire near Gaza border has risen to 25, Haaretz and AP reports.
#BREAKING: 25 protesters killed in Gaza today - #Gaza MoH.
— Asaf Ronel (@AsafRonel) May 14, 2018
74 Palestinians killed in Gaza since the #GreatReturnMarch started. 1 Israeli soldier was lightly wounded during that period pic.twitter.com/RmWIsAOthy
BREAKING: Gaza Health Ministry says number of Palestinians killed by Israeli fire near Gaza border has risen to 25.
— The Associated Press (@AP) May 14, 2018
Donald Trump has hailed the relocation of the embassy as a “great day” and urged his Twitter followers to watch the event on his favourite news channel. He made no mention of the protests that the move has provoked.
U.S. Embassy opening in Jerusalem will be covered live on @FoxNews & @FoxBusiness. Lead up to 9:00 A.M. (eastern) event has already begun. A great day for Israel!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) May 14, 2018
Israel’s prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu has again thanked Trump for the embassy move. He called it “an amazing day” and also ignored the protests.
What an amazing day!
— Benjamin Netanyahu (@netanyahu) May 14, 2018
Thank you, @POTUS Trump. https://t.co/ehKp29jYLt
Trump’s decision to move the embassy last December ignited six weeks of protests as Gaza residents gathered near the Israel border, with groups throwing stones, burning tyres and vandalising perimeter defences.
Here’s the full text of leaflets dropped by Israeli military this morning in Gaza:
To the rioters,
You are taking part in violent riots that jeopardise your lives.
Hamas is taking advantage of you in order to hide its failures and is threatening you and your family members’ well-being.
The IDF is prepared to face all scenarios and will act against every attempt to damage the security fence or harm IDF soldiers or Israeli civilians.
Do not let Hamas cynically use you as its puppet.
Stay away from the security fence, from terror instigators and the violent rioters!
Save yourselves and prioritize building your future!
IDF Command
What we know so far
The opening of the US embassy in Jerusalem later on Monday has prompted thousands of people to take to the streets of Gaza and the West Bank sparking a violent reaction from the Israeli forces.
Health official say 16 Palestinians were killed and at least 200 injured in Gaza when troops fired shots at protesters.
Tens of thousands turned out at locations across the coastal enclave despite warnings from the Israeli military that Palestinians risked their lives by taking part.
Moving the embassy has also provoked widespread diplomatic criticism.
Russia’s deputy foreign minister, Mikhail Bogdanov, described the relocation of the embassy as “short-sighted.” And the Arab League called on the international community to oppose what it considers an “unjust decision” and the ongoing “Israeli occupation” of the city.
We will post live updates on the increasingly volatile scene in Gaza and the Palestinian territories and monitor the diplomatic fallout.
Updated
