Israeli forces shot dead five Palestinian protesters and wounded 232 others in Gaza, including children and paramedics, medical sources said.
The Palestinian Ministry of Health in Gaza identified the five dead as Mohammad Abdel-Nabi, Nassar Abu-Tayyim, Ahmed Abu-Lubda, Ayesh Shaat and Jaber Abu-Hamisah, all of whom were in their twenties.
According to the statement, 180 protesters were shot with live ammunition and needed medical treatment in hospital. Scores more suffered breathing problems due to Israel’s heavy use of tear gas.
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In addition, the statement added that 34 children and four paramedics were among the wounded.
Thousands of Palestinians yesterday rushed to the eastern fence of the besieged Gaza Strip to take part in the Great March of Return, which has been ongoing since 30 March.
The protesters are calling for an end to the 12-year-old Israeli siege imposed on Gaza and reinforcing the right of the Palestinian refugees to return to their homes after they were expelled by Zionist paramilitary organisations in 1948.Since 30 March, the Israeli occupation has killed 207 protesters in Gaza and wounded more than 22,500 others.