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Gaza: Nakba day protests as Palestinians bury those killed in embassy unrest – live updates Gaza: Nakba day protests as Palestinians bury those killed in embassy unrest – live updates
(35 minutes later)
In New York City, Donald and Ivanka Trump’s hometown, the tabloids have different takes on the violence yesterday.
Has a New York tabloid ever had such a headline about the Palestinians? “55 slaughtered in Gaza, but Ivanka all smiles at Jerusalem embassy unveil” pic.twitter.com/eVmglAWSWy
Jordan’s Queen Rania joins the chorus of international condemnation of Israel.
A dark and sad day in history, marked with more Palestinian sacrifices. When will the world’s conscience mobilize to give Palestinians the rights so many of us take for granted? May God have mercy on those who lost their lives defending Jerusalem‘s proud Arab identity.
„Wir sind besorgt, dass es in dieser jetzt sehr aufgeheizten Situation zu weiteren Eskalationen kommen könnte und rufen daher alle Parteien auf, zu einer Deeskalation der Lage beizutragen.“ #Gaza pic.twitter.com/JlW1B8wFJS
Prime Minister Binali Yildirim strongly condemned Israel and the U.S. for the killing of dozens of innocent and oppressed Palestinians in the besieged Gaza Strip.https://t.co/jCSd2UxPKi pic.twitter.com/USyJOFMGbS
The Israel Defence Force claims that it killed “24 terrorists with documented terror backgrounds” during Monday’s protests. Gaza’s health ministry said at least 60 protesters, including several children, were killed.
Most were active Hamas terror organization operatives, and some were active operatives of Palestinian Islamic Jihad.
On Tuesday’s protests it says only 400 “rioters” are gathering at seven locations along the Gaza border compared to around 40,000 protesters on Monday. It also claimed violent riots, involving 1,300 people, were taking place in the West Bank.
In addition, 1,300 Palestinians are currently participating in violent riots in 18 locations throughout Judea and Samaria, where rioters are burning tires & hurling rocks & firebombs at security forces.
It said “riot dispersal means” were being deployed.
Security forces are responding with riot dispersal means and are prepared for a wide variety of scenarios.
The UK government is actively helping to frame a UN resolution setting up an independent investigation into the use of live ammunition by the Israeli defence force, Middle East minister Alistair Burt said today.The UK government is actively helping to frame a UN resolution setting up an independent investigation into the use of live ammunition by the Israeli defence force, Middle East minister Alistair Burt said today.
He was speaking as he came under pressure from Tory backbenchers and the shadow foreign secretary, Emily Thornberry, to toughen the foreign office response to the deaths.He was speaking as he came under pressure from Tory backbenchers and the shadow foreign secretary, Emily Thornberry, to toughen the foreign office response to the deaths.
Thornberry told MPs “The events did not come as the result of some accidental over-reaction to one day’s protests, but as the culmination of six weeks of an apparently calculated and deliberate policy to kill and main unarmed protestors who pose no threat to the armed forces on the border - many of them shot in the back and many of them shot hundreds of metres from the border, and many of them children” .Thornberry told MPs “The events did not come as the result of some accidental over-reaction to one day’s protests, but as the culmination of six weeks of an apparently calculated and deliberate policy to kill and main unarmed protestors who pose no threat to the armed forces on the border - many of them shot in the back and many of them shot hundreds of metres from the border, and many of them children” .
A Kuwaiti led call for a UN investigation into the deaths has been vetoed at the UN by the US partly because the resolution included criticism of the move of the US embassy to Jerusalem.A Kuwaiti led call for a UN investigation into the deaths has been vetoed at the UN by the US partly because the resolution included criticism of the move of the US embassy to Jerusalem.
Thornberry said a UN inquiry, aided by UK diplomats at the UN, was needed to see if international law had been broken and those responsible held to account.Thornberry said a UN inquiry, aided by UK diplomats at the UN, was needed to see if international law had been broken and those responsible held to account.
He said if the US vetoed a resolution establishing an investigation and stripped of any criticism of the US, it would show only that America believed there was one law for Israel and another law for everyone else.He said if the US vetoed a resolution establishing an investigation and stripped of any criticism of the US, it would show only that America believed there was one law for Israel and another law for everyone else.
In a statement to the Commons Burt said the UK was supportive of an independent transparent investigation into the incident, including the volume of live fire, but said a UN inquiry can take many different forms. Criticising the extent of the scale of live fire, he said: “it is a job of the UK to support an investigation into what happened and expose it”.In a statement to the Commons Burt said the UK was supportive of an independent transparent investigation into the incident, including the volume of live fire, but said a UN inquiry can take many different forms. Criticising the extent of the scale of live fire, he said: “it is a job of the UK to support an investigation into what happened and expose it”.
But said the UK has officially regretted the deaths, opposed the timing of the move of the US embassy but suggested that Hamas may have manipulated the Palestinian people.But said the UK has officially regretted the deaths, opposed the timing of the move of the US embassy but suggested that Hamas may have manipulated the Palestinian people.
At the same time, Burt added the US “needs to give a greater sense of understanding of the underlying issues than its statements sometimes suggest”.At the same time, Burt added the US “needs to give a greater sense of understanding of the underlying issues than its statements sometimes suggest”.
He added that split screen – a reference to pictures showing the celebrations at the opening of the embassy and the simultaneous deaths on the Gaza border - will be one of the images of the year.He added that split screen – a reference to pictures showing the celebrations at the opening of the embassy and the simultaneous deaths on the Gaza border - will be one of the images of the year.
Jerusalem and Gaza -- A world apart https://t.co/PF5c80UksN pic.twitter.com/yO4plnn2oOJerusalem and Gaza -- A world apart https://t.co/PF5c80UksN pic.twitter.com/yO4plnn2oO
The violence he said was shocking adding “it is deplorable but real that extremists have been exploiting these protests for their own violent purposes”. But seeking to avoid a binary response Burt added: “the large volume of live wire is extremely concerning and we continue to implore Israel to show greater restraint”.The violence he said was shocking adding “it is deplorable but real that extremists have been exploiting these protests for their own violent purposes”. But seeking to avoid a binary response Burt added: “the large volume of live wire is extremely concerning and we continue to implore Israel to show greater restraint”.
Nicholas Soames, the former armed forces minister, urged the foreign office to show “a less limp response”. He said while Hamas had wickedly manipulated the Palestinians, the Israeli Defence Force was “a wholly unacceptable and excessive use of force and a totally disproportionate response.”Nicholas Soames, the former armed forces minister, urged the foreign office to show “a less limp response”. He said while Hamas had wickedly manipulated the Palestinians, the Israeli Defence Force was “a wholly unacceptable and excessive use of force and a totally disproportionate response.”
There have been more reports of Israeli forces firing teargas at Palestinians gathering at the Gaza-Israel border for Nakba protests.There have been more reports of Israeli forces firing teargas at Palestinians gathering at the Gaza-Israel border for Nakba protests.
But AFP says the protests have been small so far today.But AFP says the protests have been small so far today.
Protests on Gaza border small so far, seems like today might be quiet. Some tents have been dismantled. pic.twitter.com/e3uRgXBWcHProtests on Gaza border small so far, seems like today might be quiet. Some tents have been dismantled. pic.twitter.com/e3uRgXBWcH
Turkey is reported to have expelled Israel’s ambassador to Ankara Eitan Na’eh.Turkey is reported to have expelled Israel’s ambassador to Ankara Eitan Na’eh.
BREAKING — Turkey’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs asks Israeli ambassador to leave the country indefinitelyBREAKING — Turkey’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs asks Israeli ambassador to leave the country indefinitely
On Monday, Turkey said its ambassador to the US was being recalled after the opening of the US embassy in Jerusalem.On Monday, Turkey said its ambassador to the US was being recalled after the opening of the US embassy in Jerusalem.
Turkey says it is prepared to take in wounded Palestinians, according to Turkish media reports.Turkey says it is prepared to take in wounded Palestinians, according to Turkish media reports.
Health Minister Ahmet Demircan said Turkey’s emergency agency and the military had prepared an “air bridge” to transport wounded Gazans and were waiting for negotiations to conclude.Health Minister Ahmet Demircan said Turkey’s emergency agency and the military had prepared an “air bridge” to transport wounded Gazans and were waiting for negotiations to conclude.
He says the wounded are at high risk due to insufficient health care in Gaza, which has been under an Israeli-Egyptian blockade for more than 10 years.He says the wounded are at high risk due to insufficient health care in Gaza, which has been under an Israeli-Egyptian blockade for more than 10 years.
Turkey has also summoned Israel’s ambassador Eitan Na’eh over the Gaza violence.Turkey has also summoned Israel’s ambassador Eitan Na’eh over the Gaza violence.
#BREAKING Turkish Foreign Ministry summons Israeli envoy Eitan Naeh over incidents along Gaza border#BREAKING Turkish Foreign Ministry summons Israeli envoy Eitan Naeh over incidents along Gaza border
More Palestinians have been injured in the current wave of protests than during Israel’s 51-day military offensive on Gaza in 2014, according to Medical Aid for Palestinians.More Palestinians have been injured in the current wave of protests than during Israel’s 51-day military offensive on Gaza in 2014, according to Medical Aid for Palestinians.
Yesterday was the deadliest day in Gaza since 2014. According to the Ministry of Health, 58 Palestinians were killed, including six children and one health worker, and 2,771 injured after the use of live ammunition, rubber bullets and tear gas by Israeli forces targeting demonstrators. Of those hospitalised, 1,359 suffered gunshot wounds. A further three fatalities were subsequently reported.Yesterday was the deadliest day in Gaza since 2014. According to the Ministry of Health, 58 Palestinians were killed, including six children and one health worker, and 2,771 injured after the use of live ammunition, rubber bullets and tear gas by Israeli forces targeting demonstrators. Of those hospitalised, 1,359 suffered gunshot wounds. A further three fatalities were subsequently reported.
Since the Great March of Return protests began on 30 March, at least 97 Palestinian protetesers, including 12 children, have been killed by Israeli forces and more than 12,271 injured. 6,760 Palestinians have been hospitalised, including 3,598 (53 %) by live ammunition. More Palestinians have been injured in these protests (12,271) than during Israel’s 51-day military offensive on Gaza in 2014 (11,231).Since the Great March of Return protests began on 30 March, at least 97 Palestinian protetesers, including 12 children, have been killed by Israeli forces and more than 12,271 injured. 6,760 Palestinians have been hospitalised, including 3,598 (53 %) by live ammunition. More Palestinians have been injured in these protests (12,271) than during Israel’s 51-day military offensive on Gaza in 2014 (11,231).
MAP is responding directly to help local teams treat the injured through the provision of essential medical supplies including medicines, disposables and equipment for orthopaedic surgery. We are also supporting two UK-based medics, orthopaedic surgeon Graeme Groom and consultant plastic surgeon Tom Potokar, who are in Gaza working alongside local teams to treat the large number of complex limb injuries as a result of the use of live fire.MAP is responding directly to help local teams treat the injured through the provision of essential medical supplies including medicines, disposables and equipment for orthopaedic surgery. We are also supporting two UK-based medics, orthopaedic surgeon Graeme Groom and consultant plastic surgeon Tom Potokar, who are in Gaza working alongside local teams to treat the large number of complex limb injuries as a result of the use of live fire.
Dramatic images have emerged of Palestinians clashing with Israeli troops in the West Bank today.Dramatic images have emerged of Palestinians clashing with Israeli troops in the West Bank today.
Israeli forces appear to have responded to stones with teargas canisters some of which were hurled back at Israeli troops.Israeli forces appear to have responded to stones with teargas canisters some of which were hurled back at Israeli troops.
Israel’s use of force against protesters at the Gaza border fence is akin to “an eye for an eyelash” and may amount to a war crime, Michael Lynk, the UN special rapporteur on human rights in the Occupied Palestinian Territory said in a statement.Israel’s use of force against protesters at the Gaza border fence is akin to “an eye for an eyelash” and may amount to a war crime, Michael Lynk, the UN special rapporteur on human rights in the Occupied Palestinian Territory said in a statement.
“This blatant excessive use of force by Israel – an eye for an eyelash – must end, and there must be true accountability for those in military and political command who have ordered or allowed this force to be once again employed at the Gaza fence,” said Lynk, an independent expert who reports to the UN Human Rights Council.“This blatant excessive use of force by Israel – an eye for an eyelash – must end, and there must be true accountability for those in military and political command who have ordered or allowed this force to be once again employed at the Gaza fence,” said Lynk, an independent expert who reports to the UN Human Rights Council.
MSNBC’s Ayman Mohyeldin notes that the White House edited out Jared Kushner’s reference to protesters being part of the problem during in his speech at the opening of the US embassy in Jerusalem.MSNBC’s Ayman Mohyeldin notes that the White House edited out Jared Kushner’s reference to protesters being part of the problem during in his speech at the opening of the US embassy in Jerusalem.
Wow!! Jared Kushner’s controversial comment about Gaza during Embassy opening saying “as we have seen from the protests of the last month & even today, those provoking violence are part of the problem & not part of the solution” was omitted from official White House transcript! pic.twitter.com/M6zRdg4JcpWow!! Jared Kushner’s controversial comment about Gaza during Embassy opening saying “as we have seen from the protests of the last month & even today, those provoking violence are part of the problem & not part of the solution” was omitted from official White House transcript! pic.twitter.com/M6zRdg4Jcp
The roads in the Gaza enclave are very quiet, with few cars driving around.
“It feels like wartime again,” one resident told me. Shops are open, selling snacks and fresh watermelons, and some children are playing football outside.
I’ve heard a few dull thuds that might be sonic booms from jets flying overhead.We stopped at one funeral in Gaza City, where a blue tarpaulin tent had been erected for mourners to spend the day. Yazen al-Toubasi, 23, was shot dead yesterday, his father said, several hundred metres from the frontier.Asked if the protests should continue despite the bloodshed, Ibrahim al-Toubasi said it was a duty for people in Gaza to return to the frontier.“Yazen has a brother, a son, a father, a mother, a neighbour. We will never vanish.”
Germany called on Israelis and Palestinians to try to avoid an escalation in violence and said an independent commission could help clear up what happened, Reuters reports.
“What happened.. worries us greatly,” said spokesman Steffen Seibert, reiterating the German stance that while Palestinians had a right to protest peacefully and Israel had a right to protect its border, all behaviour must be proportionate.
The UK’s Middle East minister Alistair Burt also backed an investigation into the violence.
The Saudi Arabian government, a key ally of the US in the region, said it opposed the Trump administration’s decision to relocate its Israel embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem.
“The kingdom rejects the American administration’s decision to transfer its embassy to Jerusalem,” the council of ministers said in a state carried by state-run Saudi Press Agency.
“This step represents a significant prejudice against the rights of the Palestinian people which have been guaranteed by international resolutions,” it said.
Doctors from the International Committee of the Red Cross are worried that hospitals will become overwhelmed with injured Palestinians in Gaza.
"If we receive more patients, how are we going to take care of them? Doctors are overworked. Nurses are overworked. We are running out of stock." Dr. Srihari, ICRC #Gaza. pic.twitter.com/7vN6MOmHxF
The UK Middle East minister, Alistair Burt, has repeated his extreme concern about Israel’s use of large volumes of live fire, in the Commons.
In answer to an urgent question from Labour on the violence in Gaza Burt read out the statement he issued earlier.
He added:
We agree with the United Nations envoy that the situation in Gaza is desperate and deteriorating and the international community must step up efforts. We call on the UN special representative of the secretary general to bring forward proposals to address the situation in Gaza. These should include easing the restrictions on access and movement and international support for urgent infrastructure and economic development projects. We also reiterate our support for the Egyptian-led reconciliation process and the return of Palestinian Authority to full administration of the Gaza strip.
We must look forward and work urgently towards the long-standing issues between Israel and the Palestinian people. Now more than ever we need a political process that delivers the two-state solution. Every death and every wounding casts a shadow for the future. The human tragedies should be used not as more building blocks for immovable positions which will lead inevitable to more confrontation, but as a spur for urgent change. Yesterday’s tragedies demonstrate why peace is urgently needed.
Benjamin Netanyahu has rebuked Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan for accusing Israel of “state terror” and “genocide” over Monday’s violence.
“Erdogan is one of the biggest supporters of Hamas, so there’s no doubt he’s an expert on terror and slaughter,” Netanyahu said on Twitter.
“I’d suggest he doesn’t preach morality to us.”
Erdogan is among Hamas's biggest supporters and there is no doubt that he well understands terrorism and slaughter. I suggest that he not preach morality to us
Violence in Gaza is destructive to the peace process, a Downing Street spokesman told journalists.
The spokesman said:
“We are extremely concerned by the scale of the violence. The loss of life and the large number of injured Palestinians is tragic ... Such violence is destructive to peace efforts.
“We call on all sides to show restraint and refrain from any further violence. Palestinians have the right to protest but these protests must be peaceful. We are concerned that extremist elements may be seeking to hijack peaceful protests to further their own objectives. Israel has the right to defend its borders ... but the use of live fire is deeply troubling.”
Palestinians are clashing with Israeli troops in the West Bank, AP reports.
Thick black smoke billowed from burning tires as Palestinians threw stones at Israeli troops, who responded with tear gas. About 200 Palestinians were protesting in the biblical city of Bethlehem while another 100 were demonstrating in the Palestinian city of Ramallah.
The Economist’s Gregg Carlstrom has this update from the funeral of eight-month-old Laila al-Ghandour.
At the funeral of an 8-month-old baby in Gaza. Her mother left her home and went to the protest yesterday. The girl started crying uncontrollably, so her uncle brought her to her mother, and she died from tear gas. pic.twitter.com/kE6M1dQH4J
The border between Gaza and Israel has been largely quiet today, but Reuters reporter Dan Williams said he just witnessed an Israeli drone dropping teargas on small crowds gathered at the border. More protesters are expected after the funerals.
An Israeli drone dropping tear gas on a Palestinian protest encampment in Sajayia, as seen from the Israeli side of the Gaza border, 80 yards from the fence. Small crowds, for now, but more are expected after the funerals of yesterday’s dead. pic.twitter.com/dem20SaEPF