Anti-blockade protests continue on Gaza-Israel buffer zone

A Palestinian disabled man throws a stone with a slingshot towards Israeli security forces during the “Great March of Return” demonstration near the Shuja’iyya neighborhood in Gaza City, Gaza on 8 March, 2019 [Ali Jadallah/Anadolu Agency]

A Palestinian is injured by Israeli gunfire during the “Great March of Return” demonstration near the Shuja’iyya neighborhood in Gaza City, Gaza on March 8, 2019. ( Ali Jadallah – Anadolu Agency )

Protesters hold flags and chant slogans during “Great March of Return” demonstration near Israel-Gaza border, in Khan Yunis, Gaza on 8 March 2019. [Mustafa Hassona – Anadolu Agency]

A wounded protester is being carried away after Israeli intervention during “Great March of Return” demonstration near Israel-Gaza border, in Khan Yunis, Gaza on March 08, 2019. ( Mustafa Hassona – Anadolu Agency )

Palestinian protesters climb wire fences during “Great March of Return” demonstration near Israel-Gaza border, in east of Shuja’iyya neighborhood, Gaza City, Gaza on 8 March, 2019 [Ali Jadallah/Anadolu Agency]

Palestinian protesters throw stones in response to Israeli forces’ intervention during “Great March of Return” demonstration near Israel-Gaza border, in east of Shuja’iyya neighborhood, Gaza City, Gaza on March 08, 2019. ( Ali Jadallah – Anadolu Agency )

Palestinians take part in “Great March of Return” demonstration near Israel-Gaza border, in east of Shuja’iyya neighborhood, Gaza City, Gaza on March 08, 2019. ( Ali Jadallah – Anadolu Agency )

For the 50th week in a row, Palestinians on Friday converged along the Gaza-Israel buffer zone to take part in ongoing rallies against Israel’s occupation and 12-year-old blockade of the Gaza Strip, Anadolu Agency reports.

According to Gaza’s Health Ministry, at least 26 Palestinians — including four medics — were injured on Friday by Israeli army gunfire.

In a statement, the ministry accused Israeli forces of “deliberately targeting medical personnel”.

READ: What next after the UN investigation into the bloodshed at the Gaza protests? 

Since the weekly demonstrations began almost one year ago, more than 250 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli troops deployed along the buffer zone.

Demonstrators demand the right of Palestinian refugees to return to their homes in historical Palestine from which they were driven in 1948 to make way for the new state of Israel.

They also demand an end to Israel’s 12-year blockade of the Gaza Strip, which has gutted the coastal enclave’s economy and deprived its roughly two million inhabitants of many basic commodities.