Great Return March: Israeli forces kill Palestinians at Gaza border
Thousands of Palestinians marched to the Gaza-Israeli border demanding the right of return of refugees. The six-week-long demonstration was named 'Great Return March', and soon turned deadly after Israeli forces fired on the Palestinians, killing at least 16. The Israeli military said 17,000 Palestinians were rioting in six locations on the Gaza strip, and they fired 'against the main instigators'.
Things you should know about The Great Return March
The primary demand of protesters was the return of Palestinians refugees to their homes, out of which they were forced to flee when Israel was formed in 1948. The protest was launched on 'Land Day', a day observed to commemorate the killing of six Arabs by Israel who protested against government land confiscations in 1976. The protest is scheduled to end on May 15.
Palestine youth among those killed by Israel
Palestinian President blames Israel, UN calls for transparent investigation
After the attacks, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas blamed Israel for the violence. UN deputy political affairs chief Taye-Brook Zerihoun said the situation might worsen in the coming days and told Israel "to uphold its responsibilities under international human rights and humanitarian law." In his defense, Israeli military commander said, "We are identifying attempts to carry out terror attacks under the camouflage of riots."
