(MENAFN- Gulf Times) Israeli fire killed a Palestinian at the Gaza border yesterday and another died of wounds suffered several days ago, health officials said, bringing the number of Palestinian dead in a week of frontier protests and violence to 19. Tens of thousands of Palestinians began a six-week-long protest last Friday in tent encampments along the fenced border of the Israeli-blockaded Gaza Strip, an enclave of 2mn ruled by the Hamas group.
The demonstrators are pressing for a right of return for refugees and their descendants to what is now Israel. The latest deaths are likely to add to international concerns over the violence. Israel says it is doing what is necessary to defend its border and prevent it from being breached.
Sixteen Palestinians died after being shot by Israeli troops on the first day of the protest, Palestinian medical officials said, and another was killed on Tuesday. A 33-year-old man, hit by Israeli fire a few days ago near one of the tent cities, died yesterday, the health officials said.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has called for an independent investigation into Friday's deaths and appealed to those involved to refrain from any act that could lead to further casualties or place civilians in harm's way.
UN deputy political affairs chief Taye-Brook Zerihoun, commenting on the violence, has said lethal force should only be used as a last resort.
Many of the demonstrators who turned out for the start of the protest campaign returned to their homes and jobs over the week. But organisers expect large crowds again today. Hamas announced yesterday it would pay $3,000 to the family of anyone killed in the protests, $500 to Palestinians critically wounded and $200 to those who sustain more minor injuries. Visiting the frontier this week, Lieberman warned protesters 'against continuing the provocation and said that 'every person who comes close to the fence is endangering their lives.
Speaking on Army Radio, Israeli Public Security Minister Gilad Erdan said: 'We are prepared for every scenario, even an attempt to cause sharpshooters to lose focus.
The protest action is set to wind up on May 15, when Palestinians mark the 'Naqba, or 'Catastrophe, when hundreds of thousands fled or were driven out of their homes during violence that culminated in war in May 1948. Israel-Palestinian peace talks have been frozen since 2014.
The Palestinians are furious at US President Donald Trump's December 6 decision to recognise Jerusalem as Israel's capital, and to move the US Embassy to the city. Its eastern half was taken by Israel in a 1967 war and is wanted by Palestinians for the capital of a future state.
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