Gaza death toll from Israeli fire rises to 60

By Nour Abu Aisha

GAZA CITY, Palestine (AA) – The number of Palestinians martyred by Israeli army gunfire during anti-occupation rallies along border of the Gaza Strip rose to 60, according to the Palestinian Health Ministry.

“The death toll rose after two people died of their wounds on Tuesday,” ministry spokesman Ashraf al-Qidra said in a statement.

He identified the two martyrs as Omar Abu Foul, 30, and 16-year-old Talal Matar.

Thousands of Palestinians staged mass rallies on the Gaza Strip’s eastern border on Monday to commemorate the Nakba anniversary and protest the relocation of the U.S. embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem.

More Palestinian protests are expected on Tuesday, which marks the 70th anniversary of Israel’s creation, an event Palestinians refer to as the “Nakba” or “the Catastrophe”.

Since the rallies began on March 30, more than 109 Palestinian demonstrators have been killed and hundreds injured by cross-border Israeli gunfire, according to the Palestinian Health Ministry.

On Monday, Turkey condemned the Israeli violence against Palestinian demonstrators and recalled its ambassador from Israel and the U.S. for consultations. South Africa also recalled its envoy from Israel.