Many Killed and Injured in Palestinian Protest March

International news agencies reported that on Friday, April 10, in the first day of a six-week demonstration by Palestinians along the borders of the Gaza Strip with Israel, 15 Palestinians were killed by Israeli forces and over 1,400 others were injured. According to Palestinian news and hospital sources, a sixteen-year-old teenager is among the dead. Many of the injured appear to have been affected by tear gas inhalation or smoke bombs. The march, known as the 'Million Return March,' which is supported by Hamas and other Palestinian organizations active in Gaza, began in the early hours of Friday coinciding with the day known as 'Land Day,' with reports indicating that '30,000 people' participated in the demonstration. 'Land Day' is an annual protest held on March 30 by Arab citizens of Israel and Palestinians in the West Bank and Gaza to commemorate the bloody protests of 1976. However, this year, the demonstrations are set to continue along the borders of Israel for six weeks until May 15, which marks Israel's Independence Day. Hamas claims that this year's protest is 'peaceful' and has set up dozens of tents with various facilities along the borders with Israel in preparation for the continuation of protests over the next six weeks. The Israeli army has confirmed its soldiers fired at 'inciting individuals' among the Palestinian demonstrators in several areas along the Gaza-Israel borders but has not yet confirmed the number of 15 dead and over 1,400 injured. According to Israeli media, Colonel Eyal Zamir, commander of the southern brigade of the Israeli army, emphasized the army's readiness to deal with the crisis, stating, 'There have been many provocations from the Palestinians that are worsening the situation.' Israel has deployed dozens of snipers along the borders to counter Palestinians who may attempt to breach the border fence and enter Israel. Ismail Haniyeh, head of Hamas's political bureau, and Yahya Sinwar, the internal leader of Hamas in Gaza, both appeared among the demonstrators and gave speeches. Ismail Haniyeh referred to statements made by U.S. President Donald Trump regarding efforts to achieve a 'deal of the century' between Israel and the Palestinians, stating, 'The Palestinian people are writing their own history, and Trump should know that we will not abandon Jerusalem, and there is no alternative for Palestinian land and the right of return.' Concurrently with the protests along the borders, reports indicated that clashes also occurred between Palestinians and Israeli soldiers in various areas of the West Bank, including reports of Palestinians throwing stones at Israeli soldiers in contact points in Ramallah, Bethlehem, and burning tires. Security measures around Jewish settlements have also been intensified. Nikolai Mladenov, the UN representative for the Middle East, and Jason Greenblatt, the U.S. special representative for Israeli-Palestinian negotiations, issued separate statements expressing concern over the escalating situation between the two sides.