Palestinian succumbs to wounds, Gaza death toll rises to 168

A Palestinian today succumb to wounds he had sustained on 14 May during “the Great March of Return” protests along the eastern borders of the besieged Gaza Strip.

The Palestinian Ministry of Health in Gaza announced that Wissam Yousef Hijazi, 30, died of wounds sustained east of Khan Yunis, south of the Gaza Strip.

The ministry confirmed that Hijazi was severely injured after he was shot by Israeli forces during his participation in the protests near the camps setup along the eastern border during the protests.

This brings the total number of those killed in Gaza since March 30th to 168 Palestinians killed.

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More than 18,000 Palestinians were injured by Israeli forces during the marches, the ministry added.

“The Great March of Return” protests were launched by thousands of Palestinian civilians in Gaza – which has suffered from a decade-long Israeli siege – who took to the borders to demand their right of return as refugees to their families’ homes.

Israel has come under widespread international condemnation for its use of excessive force and live ammunition against unarmed protesters.