In Pictures: Land Day in Gaza

Images from the Gaza-Israel border, so far today, as Gazans march to mark the first anniversary of the Great March of Return

Israeli forces shoot multiple tear gas canisters at a Palestinian woman with during the anniversary march of the “Great March of Return” and “Palestinian Land Day” protests at Israel-Gaza border located near Al Bureij Refugee Camp in Gaza City, Gaza on March 30, 2019 [Hassan Jedi / Anadolu Agency]

Large numbers of Palestinians marching on the Gaza-Israel border today, to take part in a one-million-man march to mark the first anniversary of the Great March of Return, which was launched on 30 March last year.

In the run-up to Saturday’s rallies, the Israeli army has deployed numerous tanks and armored vehicles along the buffer zone with the Gaza Strip.

On Thursday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reportedly instructed the army to prepare for the possibility of a “broad” campaign in Gaza.

Nearly 270 Palestinian demonstrators have been killed by Israeli army gunfire since Palestinians began holding regular demonstrations along the Gaza-Israel buffer zone in March of last year.

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.

Palestinian Civil Defence members march towards the border…

Palestinian health and civil defence members prepare for the “Great March of Return” and “Palestinian Land Day” demonstrations at Israel-Gaza border located in eastern Rafah, Gaza on March 30, 2019 [Abed Rahim Khatib / Anadolu Agency]

While Israeli tanks, artillery and other military units amass at the other side of the border…

Israeli tanks and armoured vehicles are deployed to the Gaza Strip border ahead of the anniversary march of the “Great March of Return”, in Sderot, Israel on March 29, 2019 [Faiz Abu Rmeleh / Anadolu Agency]

Israeli tanks and armoured vehicles are deployed to the Gaza Strip fence on 29 March 2019 [Faiz Abu Rmeleh/Anadolu Agency]

As the day progresses, more and more Gazans come out to the border…

Palestinians seen at the anniversary march of the “Great March of Return” and “Palestinian Land Day” protests at Israel-Gaza border on March 30, 2019 [Mohammad Asad / Middle East Monitor]

Ismail Haniyeh, senior political leader of Hamas, attends a rally at the anniversary march of the “Great March of Return” and “Palestinian Land Day” protests at Israel-Gaza border on March 30, 2019 [Motasem Dalloul / Middle East Monitor]

A Palestinian women at a protest in Gaza on 30 March 2019 [Mohammad Asad / Middle East Monitor]

Palestinians seen at the anniversary march of the “Great March of Return” and “Palestinian Land Day” protests at Israel-Gaza border on March 30, 2019 [Mohammad Asad / Middle East Monitor]

Palestinians seen at the anniversary march of the “Great March of Return” and “Palestinian Land Day” protests at Israel-Gaza border on 30 March, 2019 [Mohammad Asad/Middle East Monitor]

Palestinians seen at the anniversary march of the “Great March of Return” and “Palestinian Land Day” protests at Israel-Gaza border on March 30, 2019 [Mohammad Asad / Middle East Monitor]

Palestinians gather to attend the anniversary march of the “Great March of Return” and “Palestinian Land Day” protests at Israel-Gaza border located in eastern Khan Yunis, Gaza on March 30, 2019 [Ashraf Amra / Anadolu Agency]

Palestinians seen at the anniversary march of the “Great March of Return” and “Palestinian Land Day” protests at Israel-Gaza border located near Al Bureij Refugee Camp in Gaza City, Gaza on March 30, 2019 [Hassan Jedi / Anadolu Agency]

An injured Palestinian is carried away during the anniversary march of the “Great March of Return” and “Palestinian Land Day” protests at Israel-Gaza border located near Al Bureij Refugee Camp in Gaza City, Gaza on March 30, 2019 [Hassan Jedi / Anadolu Agency]

Palestinian medical staff treat a Palestinian, affected by tear gas, during the anniversary march of the “Great March of Return” and “Palestinian Land Day” protests at Israel-Gaza border located near Al Bureij Refugee Camp in Gaza City, Gaza on March 30, 2019 [Hassan Jedi / Anadolu Agency]

Palestinians throw rocks in response to Israeli tear gas fire, at the anniversary march of the “Great March of Return” and “Palestinian Land Day” protests at Israel-Gaza border located near Al Bureij Refugee Camp in Gaza City, Gaza on March 30, 2019 [Hassan Jedi / Anadolu Agency]

Protesters gather to attend “Great March of Return” and “Palestinian Land Day” demonstrations at Israel-Gaza border located in eastern Khan Yunis, Gaza on March 30, 2019 [Ashraf Amra / Anadolu Agency]

Palestinians seen at the anniversary march of the “Great March of Return” and “Palestinian Land Day” protests at Israel-Gaza border on March 30, 2019 [Mohammad Asad / Middle East Monitor]

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