A Palestinian Killed at the Start of the March Known as 'Earth Day'

As a protest march by a number of Palestinians began along the Gaza-Israel border, reports emerged of a Palestinian man being killed and several others injured in the early hours of Friday, April 10. Palestinian organizations in Gaza, led by Hamas, had announced days earlier that on March 30, known among Palestinians as 'Earth Day', they would hold a march titled 'Million Return' along the narrow borders of Gaza with Israel, continuing their gathering until May 25, coinciding with the 70th anniversary of Israel's establishment. According to Palestinian news sources, the man killed in the early hours of Friday was 'a farmer who was taking his produce to Khan Younis for sale' and was killed by a tank shell explosion. However, an Israeli army spokesperson only confirmed that soldiers fired at 'a suspicious group' of four Palestinians who approached the border fence. Israeli officials have recently warned Palestinians that 'any action that endangers the lives of Israeli citizens' will face severe repercussions. Israeli Defense Minister Avigdor Lieberman also tweeted in Arabic on Friday morning: 'Anyone who approaches the border fence puts themselves in danger... Hamas is playing with the lives of its people.' Nevertheless, reports indicate that thousands of other Palestinians, mainly young men and teenagers, participated in the 'Million Return' march from early Friday, forming long lines of crowds in border areas. Photographers from Reuters and France captured the transfer of some of the first injured from these crowded areas. Arab citizens of Israel and Palestinians in the West Bank and Gaza have held protests in previous years to commemorate the bloody events of March 1976, known as 'Yom al-Ard' or Earth Day, but Hamas and other Palestinian groups have emphasized that this year, in the 70th year of Israel's establishment, their protests will be broader and longer. Hamas emphasized in a statement on Thursday evening that the 'Million Return' march would be held 'peacefully' and urged all Palestinians to follow this guideline. Israeli officials assess that as May 14 approaches, when the U.S. is set to move its embassy in Israel from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem, tensions between Israel and the Palestinians will escalate further. Since December 6 of last year, when the U.S. recognized Jerusalem as Israel's capital, Palestinians have strongly criticized this policy, and attacks on Israelis, including stabbings and vehicular assaults, have resumed. On the other hand, the 'Million Return' march began on Friday morning at the Gaza-Israel borders while Jews are celebrating the Passover holiday, one of the most important religious festivals. Security measures in Israel are always heightened during the eight days of this holiday compared to normal days.