UPDATE 7 - 37 Palestinians martyred by Israeli gunfire in Gaza

*UPDATE DEATH TOLL

By Nour Abu Aisha

GAZA CITY, Palestine (AA) – At least 37 Palestinians were martyred and hundreds injured on Monday by Israeli gunfire during anti-occupation rallies in the Gaza Strip, according to the Health Ministry.

“The death toll rose to 37 martyrs and over 1,700 others injured” by Israeli forces, ministry spokesman Ashraf al-Qidra said in a statement.

He said a minor was among those killed during the protests.

According to the spokesman, 39 Palestinians were seriously injured during the protests.

He said nine journalists and a medic were injured during the demonstrations.

Meanwhile, Israeli drones dropped teargas bombs on Palestinian demonstrators arrayed along Gaza-Israel border, according to the Palestinian Red Crescent.

Thousands of Palestinians have gathered on Gaza Strip’s eastern border since early morning to take part in protests aimed to commemorate the Nakba anniversary and protest relocating the U.S. Embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem.

The rallies will culminate on Tuesday, May 15, the 70th anniversary of Israel's establishment -- an event Palestinians refer to as the "Nakba" or "the Catastrophe".

Since the rallies began on March 30, at least 49 Palestinian demonstrators have been killed and hundreds injured, according to Health Ministry figures.

Last week, the Israeli government said that rallies are a part of state of war and human rights laws are not applicable in such case.