Credit: AFP/ Jack Guez
Palestinian officials have stated that at least 41 Palestinians have been killed with more than 1700 wounded by Israeli troops in clashes on the Gaza border on Monday, reported the BBC. Children were among the causalities according to Hamas authorities
Media reports have revealed that 40,000 Palestinians were protesting at the borders and that the Israeli army was readying itself for possible rocket fire from the Strip. The protests are occurring parallel to the opening of the US Embassy which has started at 4:oo P.M.
Palestinians gathered at the edges of the fence border earlier today to protest against the opening of the US Embassy in Jerusalem. According to some media reports, some protests were peaceful while some protesters were encouraged to burst through the fences while Israeli troops were carrying out reinforcements. Responding to stones and incendiary devices projected by the Palestinians at the borders, Israeli forced used snipers.
Several protesters who raised the Palestinian flags outside of the new embassy were detained following violent clashes.
Palestinians had organized protests weekly up to the official commemoration of the Nakba, with the biggest protests organized for Tuesday.
The move, which top world leaders have warned against, is considered a controversial one that infuriated thousands of Palestinians and Arabs.
Although President Trump is not physically attending the ceremony, he was present via video link. In his speech, President Trump said ”Today we open the US embassy in Jerusalem. It’s been a long time coming. before adding that ”Today Jerusalem is the seat of Israel’s government. It is the home of the Israeli legislature and the Israeli supreme court and Israel’s prime minister and president.”
“Israel is a sovereign nation with the right like every other sovereign nation to determine its own capital. Yet for many years we failed to acknowledge the obvious. The plain reality that Jerusalem is Israel’s capital,” he also according to the BBC.
Thank you @netanyahu & Mrs. Netanyahu for hosting the Presidential Delegation at your home this evening to celebrate the special, indivisible relationship between our two nations. Looking forward to celebrating the relocation of the US Embassy to Jerusalem, Israel tomorrow. https://t.co/L8JuJLBI1b
— Jason D. Greenblatt (@jdgreenblatt45) May 13, 2018
“President Trump, by recognizing history, you have made history,” Prime Minister Netanyahu said, adding that the US was Israel’s “greatest ally”.
Egypt’s foreign ministry has released an official statement condemning the Israeli use of force at the border.
”Egypt rejects the use of force against peaceful marches demanding legitimate and just rights, and warns of the negative consequences of this dangerous escalation in the occupied Palestinian territories,” said the statement.
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