Israeli occupation forces have killed 253 Palestinian protesters and wounded thousands more during the “Great March of Return” protests in the besieged Gaza Strip, Quds Press reported yesterday.
According to a report issued by Abdullah Al-Hourani Centre for Studies the Israeli occupation is withholding the bodies of 11 Palestinian martyrs killed during the protests.
Forty-five children were among those killed during the protests, the organisation said, including Bayan Abu-Khamash who was just 18 months old.
In addition, it stated that Inas Abu-Khamas, a pregnant mother, two female paramedics and two journalists were also among the martyrs.
Meanwhile, the centre reported that 25,477 protesters were wounded, including 13,750 who were admitted to hospital and the others that were treated in the field.
Some 4,379 children were among the wounded, half of them were shot or wounded by shrapnel as a result of artillery shelling and air strikes. It also stated that 2,050 men and 263 journalists were among the wounded.
Since 30 March, thousands of Palestinians have been protesting along the eastern fence of the Gaza Strip, calling for lifting the 11-year-old Israeli siege and for their right to return to the homes from which their families were forced out as a result of the 1948 Nakba which led to the creation of the state of Israel.