7 Palestinians killed, over 500 injured in clashes with Israeli soldiers in Gaza

At least seven Palestinians have lost their lives and over five hundred more sustained injuries when Israeli military forces opened fire on a group of protesters participating in anti-occupation rallies along the border between the besieged Gaza Strip and Israeli-occupied territories.

The Gaza Ministry of Health said in a statement that 14-year-old Mohammed Nayef al-Houm was fatally shot in the chest during “The Great March of Return” protests east of Bureij refugee camp on Friday evening.

The statement added that 18-year-old Iyad Khalil Ahmed al-Shaer and Mohammed Bassam Shakhseh, 24, were shot dead east of Gaza City.

Four others were later identified as 24-year-old Mohamed Waleed Haniyeh, Nasser Azmi Musbah, 12, 18-year-old Mohammed Ali Anshasi and Mohammed Ashraf Awawdeh, 23.

Another 506 protesters were also injured. A total of 210 demonstrators were admitted to hospitals and medical centers across Gaza Strip to receive medical treatment. Ninety people were struck with live bullets. 

Thirty-five children, four women, four medics and two journalists were among the injured Palestinians.

A minor and a young man were taken to hospital in critical condition. Both had suffered Israeli-inflicted gunshot wounds in the chest.

More than 190 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli forces ever since anti-occupation protest rallies began in the Gaza Strip on March 30. Approximately 20,000 Palestinians have also sustained injuries.

The Gaza clashes reached their peak on May 14, on the eve of the 70th anniversary of Nakba Day (Day of Catastrophe), which coincided this year with the US embassy relocation from Tel Aviv to occupied East Jerusalem al-Quds.

On June 13, the United Nations General Assembly adopted a resolution, sponsored by Turkey and Algeria, condemning Israel for Palestinian civilian deaths in the Gaza Strip.

The resolution, which had been put forward on behalf of Arab and Muslim countries, garnered a strong majority of 120 votes in the 193-member assembly, with 8 votes against and 45 abstentions.

The resolution called on UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres to make proposals within 60 days “on ways and means for ensuring the safety, protection, and well-being of the Palestinian civilian population under Israeli occupation,” including “recommendations regarding an international protection mechanism.”

It also called for “immediate steps towards ending the closure and the restrictions imposed by Israel on movement and access into and out of the Gaza Strip.”