UPDATES INJURIES
By Mohamed Majed
GAZA, Palestine (AA) - Palestinians on Friday converged near a fence that separates Gaza Strip from Israel to demonstrate against Israel’s decades-long occupation of Palestinian territories.
Gaza’s National Authority for Return and Breaking the Siege (NARBS), which organizes weekly rallies, called on Palestinians to attend demonstration and affirm on their right to return to their villages in historical Palestine.
Gaza’s Health Ministry said in a statement that the 74 people were injured including 36 wounded by live ammunition.
Earlier on Friday, the NARBS warned Israel against any "escalation" against the Palestinian peaceful protestors.
Since the Gaza rallies began in March last year, nearly 270 protesters have been martyred -- and thousands more wounded -- by Israeli troops deployed near the buffer zone.
Demonstrators demand an end to Israel’s 12-year blockade of the Gaza Strip, which has shattered the coastal enclave’s economy and deprived its two million inhabitants of many basic amenities.