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On 30 March 2018, a six-week campaign composed of a series of protests was launched at the Gaza Strip, near the Gaza-Israel border. Called by Palestinian organizers the "Great March of Return", the protests demand that Palestinian refugees and their descendants be allowed to return to what is now Israel. They are also protesting the blockade of the Gaza Strip and the moving of the United States Embassy in Israel from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem. Violence during the protests has resulted in the deadliest days of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict since the 2014 Gaza War.

Organization of the protests was initiated by independent activists, and has been endorsed and supported by Hamas, as well as other major factions in the Gaza Strip. It is planned to last from 30 March (Land day) to 15 May (Nakba Day). Five tent camps were set up 500 to 700 meters from the border and were to remain there throughout the campaign. In the first event on 30 March, thirty thousand Palestinians participated in the protest near the border. Comparatively larger protests have been held on Fridays, 6 April 13 April 20 April 27 April, 4 May, and 11 May—each of which involved at least 10,000 demonstrators—while smaller numbers attend activities during the week. Most of the demonstrators at the tent camps hundreds of meters from the border demonstrated peacefully, but groups consisting mainly of young men approached the border, rolled burning tires towards the fence, used burning tires to provide smoke screens, and threw stones and Molotov cocktails at Israeli troops. In April, Palestinian protesters began to launch kites bearing incendiary devices over the border fence, causing damage to property on the Israeli side.

The Israeli military killed at least 58 Palestinians from 30 March to 15 May, a number of whom Israel said have been members of various Palestinian militant organizations; 40 of those were killed in the course of the protests. Israeli soldiers fired tear gas and live ammunition. Two Israeli soldiers have been injured as of 15 May.

Protests and military violence escalated significantly on Monday, 14 May, as the United States formally opened its Embassy, one day before the planned culmination of the protest. The Israeli military estimated that 35,000 people participated in protests at 12 locations in Gaza, with thousands more approaching the border fence. At the Gaza border camps, Israeli gunfire injured 448 Palestinians, while 41 protesters were killed, 3 of them were carrying an explosive charge to the fence.

According to the United Nations, 30 March was the day with the greatest number of casualties in the Israeli–Palestinian conflict since the 2014 armed conflict. The Hamas-run Gaza Ministry of Health stated the number of injured on 30 March as 1,416, from live fire, rubber bullets or tear gas intoxication. Nineteen Palestinians were killed on 30 March or died due to wounds sustained that day. Overall, the Gaza Ministry of Health reported that over 5,000 people have suffered injuries as of 20 April, including 1,700 from live fire, 500 from rubber-coated bullets, and 1,950 from tear gas and smoke inhalation. Among the dead are two journalists, Yaser Murtaja and Ahmed Abu Hussein, five children, and two disabled men.

Israeli officials stated that the protests were used by Hamas as cover for launching attacks against Israel. In April 2018, the Israeli government and the Israel-based Intelligence and Terrorism Information Center published an analysis of the list of casualties which stated that of the 40 Palestinians killed, 13 were members of Palestinian military or security organizations which they consider "terrorist organizations", and 19 had "membership or affiliation, or a link" with a Palestinian political party. Hamas identified five of the dead on 30 March as Qassam Brigades members, while Israel estimated the number at eight. Two men killed on 30 March by the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) were armed with AK-47 rifles and hand grenades according to the IDF.

Israel's use of deadly force has been condemned by human rights organizations, including Human Rights Watch, B'Tselem, and Amnesty International, and criticized by United Nations officials. Kuwait has proposed two United Nations Security Council statements, which have been blocked by the United States, calling for an investigation into Israel's killing of Palestinian protesters.

Israeli military and civilian leaders have praised Israeli troops for their actions, which they describe as necessary defensive measures.

Background

The principal demand of the protests is the right of return for Palestinian refugees and their descendants to present-day Israel. A majority of Gaza's population consists of refugees from the 1948 Palestine War and their descendants. Israel has rejected any right of return.

Land Day is an annual day of commemoration for Palestinians worldwide of events that unfolded on 30 March 1976. In response to the Israeli government's planned expropriation of Arab-owned land in northern Israel, local Arab leaders called for a day of general strikes and protests against the confiscation of lands. In the ensuing strikes, six Israeli-Arabs were killed by Israeli security forces and about 100 others were wounded.

In late 2005, after the Israeli disengagement from Gaza, the Israeli military imposed a "no-go zone" on the interior side of the Israel-Gaza border in response to rocket fire from Gaza falling on Israeli towns. This zone restricts Palestinians from entering "about 17 percent of Gaza's territory, including a third of its agricultural lands", according to Human Rights Watch. According to IDF, this is done "to prevent the concealment of improvised explosives and to disrupt and prevent the use of the area for destructive purposes."

The border fence between Gaza and Israel (the separation barrier) is composed of a crude barbed-wire barrier, a brief gap, and then a 10 feet (3.0 m) high "smart fence" with sensors to detect infiltrators. A crowd surging towards the fence could cross the fence in some 30 seconds according to one of the contractors who built it.

Protest organization

In 2011, Ahmed Abu Ratima (Rteima) whose family originally came from Ramla, conceived the idea of Palestinians going peacefully to the separation barrier and protest for their right to return to the homes from which they had been driven, or had fled, in the past.

In early 2018, Gazan journalist Muthana al-Najjar, whose family originally hailed from Salamah, pitched a tent near the border, where he stayed for over a month, while others began planting olive tree seedlings in the area. He and others tried to keep the protest unaffiliated with Hamas or any other political group, but were overruled when Hamas took over the protest by mass mobilization of Gazans to join the march. Recruitment included calls on television, local media, social media and by word of mouth to join the protest. Hamas planned to keep the peace by having its security personnel dress in civilian clothes and move among the protesters to ensure no violence would occur. It gained support from Gazan intellectuals like Atef Abu Saif and graduates of Gazan universities, who are said to have drawn inspiration from the example of Martin Luther King and Mahatma Gandhi.

By March, Hamas, the Palestinian Islamic Jihad, the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine and the faction of Muhammad Dahlan (who was expelled from Fatah in 2011) had endorsed the protest.

The organizers of the event, including the local government authority, Hamas and various Palestinian factions, had encouraged thousands of Palestinians to converge on the Israeli border for the 42nd anniversary, in what was dubbed the "Great March of Return". While multiple factions have endorsed the protests, they have all participated under the shared symbol of the Palestinian national flag.

Prior incidents

In February 2018, four IDF soldiers were injured by an explosive device concealed in a Palestinian flag placed on the Gazan border fence during a Palestinian protest.

On 25 March, the IDF fired some ten Iron Dome missiles to intercept what the IDF sensors interpreted to be rockets, but which later turned out to be high-trajectory machine-gun fire from Gaza towards Zikim.

In the week prior to 30 March, the IDF arrested a suspect who crossed into Israeli territory from northern Gaza; 2 Palestinians were spotted near the now-defunct Karni crossing container port trying to set fire to army engineering equipment close to the security fence; a group of four Palestinians infiltrated Israel near Kissufim; and 3 Gazans, armed with grenades and knives, crossed the border and were captured some 20 kilometers (12 mi) from the border, near Tze'elim.

Timeline

30 March – Land day protests

The events of the day were some of the most violent in recent years.

According to The New York Times, prior to the protests the Israeli government began a campaign to hold Hamas responsible for any violence during the protests. To preempt incidents along the border, Israel nearly doubled their forces stationed along there, deploying special units, drones, and 100 snipers with permission to open fire.

The Israeli Prime Minister's Arabic spokesman and Defense Minister's Arabic Twitter account warned Palestinians who approached the border of the risk of sustaining serious or life-threatening injury. The Palestinian Health Ministry reported that before the main series of clashes, Israeli artillery fire killed a Palestinian farmer working near the border zone.

Five tent camps were set up 500 to 700 meters from the Israel–Gaza barrier, near the 300 m no-go zone imposed by Israel:

• "An-Nahda area in the east of Rafah
• "Al-Najar area east of Khuza'a in Khan Younis
• "Al Bureij camp in the Middle Area
• "Malaka area east of Gaza City
• "Abu Safiya in Jabalia and at the checkpoint in Beit Hanoun, North Gaza."

According to the Israeli military, up to 30,000 people were bused in by the Gazan government to the site of the protest; entire families—‌men, women and children—‌participated in the marches. The majority of the demonstrators in the encampments were away from the border security and did not engage in violence. Hundreds of young Palestinians, however, ignored warnings issued by the organizers and the Israeli military to avoid the border zone. When some Palestinians began throwing stones and Molotov cocktails, Israel responded by declaring the Gaza border zone a closed military zone and opening fire on the Palestinians.

Casualties of 30 March

Twenty-three Palestinians were killed on 30 March or died as a result of wounds sustained that day; many of them were reported by IDF to have been members of Hamas.

Over 1,400 suffered injuries according to the Gaza Ministry of Health, with 758 (or 773) reportedly wounded from live fire, 148 from rubber-tipped bullets, 422 from inhaling tear gas and 88 from other causes. Medical camps set up within the protests were able to treat 405 of the injured, and transferred 1,010 to hospitals for further care.

The Palestinian Red Crescent estimated that around 800 people were injured by live fire, while the Israeli military estimated only a few dozen or so were. A spokesman from Al-Shifa Hospital stated that of the 284 injured people admitted for treatment, most had sustained wounds from live ammunition, and 70 were under 18 years of age, while 11 were women. One photojournalist, Yousef Kronz, who was wearing a jacket marked 'press,' was shot in both of his legs. By his account, the shots came from two different directions while he was standing 750 meters from the fence.

One Palestinian was killed prior to the protests:

• Omar Samour (31), a farmer killed around dawn on his own land near Khan Younis, apparently by artillery fire.

Seventeen protesters were killed:

• Mohammed Naeem Abu Amr (Mohammed Abu Omar, 22, Rafah), a noted sand artist, a member of Hamas' military wing; and according to the IDF, a Hamas military operative involved in tunneling.
• Ahmed Ibrahim Ashour Odeh (19), a member of Hamas' military wing
• Jihad Ahmed Fraina (33), a member of Hamas' military wing; according to the IDF, the Sheikh Radwan company commander.
• Mahmoud Saadi Rahmi (33), according to the IDF from Shuja'iyya, and a Hamas operative.
• Abdul Fattah Abdul Nabi (19, from Beit Lahia) reportedly shot in the back while running away from the border carrying a tire. Israel reported that a "Abd al-Fattah Bahjat Abd al-Nabi" was among the Hamas militants it killed. Al-Nabi's family said he was not a member of Hamas' military wing, and had worked in a falafel shop; his funeral did not involve the honors usually given to slain Palestinian fighters.
• Ibrahim Salah Abu Shaar (20), according to the IDF, a global Jihad activist.
• Sari Walid Abu Odeh, a member of Hamas' military wing; according to the IDF, a Hamas operative from Beit Hanoun.
• Hamdan Isma'il Abu Amsha, according to the IDF, from Beit Hanoun, aged 28, and a member of Hamas' military wing.
• Jihad Zuhair Abu Jamous: according to the IDF, a member of al-Aqsa Martyrs' Brigades.
• Naji Abu Hijir
• Mohammad Kamel Najjar: shot in the stomach near Jabaliya
• Wahid Nasrallah Abu Samour
• Amin Mahmoud Abu Muammar (38, from Rafah):
• Abd al-Qader Marhi al-Hawajri
• Bader Fayek al-Sabbagh (20): Shot in head, reportedly (according to his brother, who was present) while smoking a cigarette with his brother behind a group throwing rocks.

Three more were fatally wounded:

• Faris al-Raqid (29), a member of the Palestinian Islamic Jihad, was fatally wounded by a shot to the stomach, and who succumbed to his wounds three days later. Islamic Jihad said he was unarmed during the protest.
• Shadi al-Kashif (34), was shot in the head. After six days in critical condition, he died on 5 April.
• Thaer Muhammad Rabaa (30, of Jabalia refugee camp) was injured by gunfire; he died on 6 April.

Two reportedly armed men were shot:

• Muhammed Mhareb al-Arabiyeh
• Musab Zuheir Anis al-Saloul (who according to Hamas's website was a member of their military wing)

According to Adalah, their bodies were left lying on the ground at a distance of 150 metres from the border, and could not be checked and evacuated due to their proximity to a no-go zone where Israel declared that anyone detected would be at risk of being shot. Israeli forces recovered the bodies and said the two were gunmen, armed with AK-47 assault rifles and hand grenades, had attempted to breach the separation barrier. An International Crisis Group spokesman described "two armed Hamas gunmen, separate from the protesting crowds, tried to approach the fence and were killed by Israeli forces."

Israel announced on 1 April that it will hold the men's bodies rather than returning them. Israel is currently seeking the return of Avera Mengistu, Hisham al-Sayed, and Jumaa Abu Ghanima, mentally ill men who wandered into Gaza and who are currently held by Hamas, as well as the bodies of Hadar Goldin and Oren Shaul, soldiers believed to have been killed in the 2014 Gaza War. Israel already held the bodies of 24 Palestinians killed in prior incidents.

31 March – 5 April

• Ahmed Arafa (25), was killed by Israeli gunfire after breaking through the border fence on 3 April. Arafa was a member of the military wing of the Democratic Front for the Liberation of Palestine. He was reportedly among a group of five individuals present at the fence in a surveillance video, one of whom broke open the fence with a pipe and two of whom crossed through the resulting hole.
• A Palestinian man was killed by an Israeli airstrike on 5 April after approaching the border fence. The IDF stated that he was armed with an assault rifle and released video footage showing the man walking. The man killed in the airstrike before dawn Thursday had approached the border fence with an assault rifle, the Israeli military said. It released a grainy video showing the armed man walking in the dark.

6 April – "Day of the Tire"

Protest organizers and Hamas called for renewed demonstrations on the Israel-Gaza border the following Friday, 6 April. The IDF stated that it intended to use the same force as the preceding week to prevent infiltrations of Israeli territory.

Between 31 March and 6 April, demonstrators gathered tires in Gaza to be burnt on 6 April, in preparation for what was dubbed the "Day of the Tire" (Arabic: Jumat al-Kawshook) Israeli officials have cautioned that the mass burning of tires along the border can produce environmental harm, calling on the World Health Organization to prevent, what they termed, an "ecological catastrophe".

Thousands of Palestinians joined in 6 April demonstrations; the IDF estimated their number at 20,000 people.

On 6 April, the Ministry reported that 9 Palestinians were killed, 1,350 were injured, and 25 were in critical condition; and that approximately 400 of those injured were hit by live ammunition. The Palestinian Red Crescent Society reported it had treated 700 injuries on 6 April, including 320 from live fire.

• Among those killed was Yaser Murtaja, a 30-year-old Palestinian photographer, who, according to Palestinian Health Ministry, was shot in the stomach by an Israeli sniper despite wearing a jacket emblazoned with 'press' to identify him as a journalist. According to the Palestinian Journalists' Syndicate, seven other Palestinian journalists were injured by the Israelis during that day's protest. Israeli Defense Minister, Avigdor Lieberman, said in response that "anyone who flies drones over IDF soldiers puts himself at risk." According to Israeli security sources, Murtaja was an officer in Hamas security apparatus and attempted to smuggle a drone to Gaza in 2015. Hamas, as well as Murtaja's family, denied the allegation.

The Palestinian Center for Human Rights reported fatalities as follows:

• "Mohammed Sa’ed Mousa al-Haj Saleh (33) from Rafah was hit with 2 live bullets to the abdomen and chest and died after few hours of his injury east of Rafah.
• "‘Ala’a Eden Yehyah al-Zameli (16) from Rafah was hit with a live bullet to the neck , east of Rafah.
• "Osama Khamis Musalam Qdaih (38) from ‘Abasan al-Kabirah in Khan Yunis was hit with a live bullet to the head east of Khuza’ah.
• "Ibrahim Zeyad Salamah al-‘Aar (20) from al-Nuseirat was hit with a live bullet to the head, east of al-Buraij.
• "Sedqi Taleb Mohammed Abu ‘Atawi (45) from al-Nuseirat was hit with a live bullet to the head, east of al-Buraij.
• "Husein Mohammed ‘Adnan Madi (14) from Sheikh Redwan neighborhood in Gaza City was hit with a live bullet to the chest, east of al-Sheja’eyah neighborhood in Gaza City.
• "Majdi Ramadan Mousa Shabat (38) from Beit Hanoun was hit with a live bullet to the neck, northeast of Jabalia."

One additional protester was fatally wounded on 6 April:

• Marwan Qudeih (45), from Khan Younis, who was wounded by Israeli fire east of the town, died of his wounds on 9 April.

In addition to Murtaja, five other journalists were injured on 6 April, according to the Committee to Protect Journalists: al-Aqsa TV cameraperson Khalil abu Adhreh, freelance photographer Ibrahim al-Za'noun, Sky Press Agency editor Ezz Abu Shanab, and Medi1TV cameraman Adham al-Hajjar were all struck by the Israeli military using live fire; European Press Photo Agency photographer, Saber Nureldine, was struck by shrapnel.

6–12 April

• On the evening of 8 April, according to the IDF, three Palestinians infiltrated the fence in the Northern Gaza strip, planted two explosive devices, and then quickly returned to Gaza. The IDF fired at the Palestinians with tank fire.
• In the early morning of 9 April, the IDF said it attacked a military compound belonging to Hamas in the northern Gaza strip in response to the attempted infiltration with explosives. The IDF said Hamas "is solely responsible for what is happening in the Gaza Strip from above and below the ground".
• In the morning of 11 April, Palestinians set off a bomb near an Israeli construction vehicle adjacent to the Gaza fence. The IDF fired tank shells at positions that according to the IDF belong to Hamas.
• On 12 April, Mohammed Hamada Hijila (31), who reportedly "engaged in a military confrontation," was killed by an Israeli airstrike east of Shuja'iyya.

13 April

Protests on a third consecutive Friday were smaller than prior weeks. The IDF estimated that 10,000 people protested on 13 April. Palestinians attempted to breach the border fence, hurled molotov cocktails and explosive devices, and attempted to fly firebomb kites into Israeli territory.

During the protests, Israeli fire killed three Palestinians:

• Islam Hirzallah, 28, who was hit by live ammunition to the abdomen.
• Tahrir Mahmoud Wahba, 18, who is deaf, was fatally wounded, and died on 23 April.
• Ahmed Abu Hussein, a photojournalist wearing a protective vest marked 'press,' was also fatally wounded and died in Sheba Hospital in Tel HaShomer on 25 April, after being transferred for treatment.

The Gaza Ministry of Health reported that 969 people were injured by Israeli forces, among them were 67 children, and 223 people hit by live ammunition. Fifteen of the people sustaining live-fire injuries were in critical condition late on 13 April.

14–16 April

• On 14 April, four Palestinians were killed in a blast near one of the protest camps, the Islamic Jihad Movement in Palestine said that they were members of the organization and that they died during "preparations".
• Several kites with firebombs attached were flown by Palestinians into Israeli territory, sparking several fires, with at least 3 fire bomb kites located on 14 April. No injuries were caused.
• On 15 April, the IDF said it destroyed a tunnel that crossed the Gaza-Israel border. There were no reported casualties.
• On 16 April, additional fire bomb kites were flown from the Gaza strip. One kite started a fire that burned a wheat field on the Israeli side of the border.

20 April

Protests on Friday, 20 April, have been labeled the "Women's March of Gaza" and were intended to highlight the active role women are playing in the protest. The IDF estimates that 10,000 people participated in protests. At least four Palestinian protesters were killed on 20 April, among them a 15-year-old boy, and over four dozen were injured in clashes with Israeli soldiers. Another protester later died of wounds sustained that day. Before the expected protests, the IDF dropped leaflets over Gaza Strip warning anyone against approaching the fence or attempting to damage it.

Five Palestinians were fatally shot on by Israeli live fire on 20 April.

• Mohammad Ayoub, 14, of Al Falouja neighborhood in Jabalia refugee camp, was fatally shot in the head. His brother and cousin, who were eyewitnesses to his shooting, stated that Ayoub was sitting on the ground, then ran to escape the effects of tear gas, at which time he was shot. He died at Al Shifa hospital. Ayoub was the fourth Palestinian child to be killed during the protests.
• Ahmed Abu Aqel, 25, of Jabalia. Abu Aqel was shot a previous demonstration over US recognition of Jerusalem as the capital of Israel in December 2017. He walks on crutches due to the injury and was on a sand dune 150 meters from the fence at the time of his shooting, according to the Al Mezan Center for Human Rights. Israeli forces fatally shot him to the back of the head.
• Ahmed Al Athamna, 24, of Beit Hanoun, was fatally shot by bullet to the upper back, according to the Al Mezan Center.
• Sa’ad Abu Taha, 30, was fatally shot in the neck in eastern Khan Younis. He was approximately 100 meters from the border, according to the Al Mezan Center.

• Abdullah Shamali, 20, was injured by a bullet to his abdomen east of Rafah, and died on the night of 22–23 April.

The Gaza Health Ministry reported that 445 people were injured in protests, including 96 who were shot with live ammunition. 174 people were hospitalized while the remainder were treated at clinic tents at the protest sites.

27 April

According to Israeli military estimates, over 10,000 people gathered to join the day's protest, themed the "Day of Rebellious Youth." For the first time in the five-week campaign, protesters reached the electrified border fence, having passed a smaller barbed wire barrier; Israeli soldiers fired shots and threw a hand grenade at a group of twelve men climbing the fence, hitting several in the head. A large crowd (the IDF reported "several hundred"; The New York Times, "thousands") of people rushed toward the Karni border crossing, after a speech by Hamas leader Ismail Radwan. The IDF launched tear gas and opened fire with live ammunition at the crowd, injuring several people. Israeli military sources state that at least two armed Palestinians, among the large crowd, approached the border and fired at least seven rounds at Israeli soldiers. According the New York Times, retaliatory Israeli fire, which included a hand grenade, wounded two unarmed protesters.

The Gaza Ministry of Health initially reported that three Palestinians were killed, all of them by bullets to the head. Two more Palestinians later died of wounds suffered on 27 April. Overall, Palestinian reports stated that 884 protesters had been wounded,some 174 by live Israeli fire. Four medical staff and six journalists were among those wounded.

• Azzam Oweida (15), shot in the head, died on 28 April
• Anas Abu Asr, fatally wounded near Gaza City, died on 3 May.

On the night of 27 April, the Israeli Air Force attacked six targets in the Port of Gaza belonging to Hamas naval commando forces, injuring four people. The Israeli army said it was responding to "terror acts and the major attempt to infiltrate the border into Israeli territory earlier in the day."

29 April

Three separate incidents along the fence occurred during the evening of 29 April between the IDF and Palestinians. In the first incident, the IDF said that two men "attempted to infiltrate" Israel from the southern strip, one was killed and the other captured after being wounded. In the second incident, the IDF said that two men who had crossed the fence "hurled explosive devices" at IDF soldiers before they shot and killed them. In a third incident, two Palestinians with breaching tools and knives were arrested while attempting to breach the fence.

2 May

A firebomb kite launched from Gaza caused a large fire in the Be'eri Forest, burning hundreds of dunams of woodland. Ten firefighter teams toiled to extinguish and contain the forest fire.

Photos of Palestinians preparing incendiary balloons were posted on Twitter.

4 May

Protesters organized for 4 May as the "Friday of the Palestinian Worker," in honor of International Workers' Day earlier in the week. Israeli officials estimated that 10,000 people participated in the protests. Shortly after noon, confrontations began between protesters, who threw stones, burned tires, and launched flammable kites, and Israeli soldiers, who fired tear gas and live ammunition.

By evening, medical officials estimated that 1,100 protesters were injured, including 82 shot with live ammunition, and 800 suffering from the effects of tear gas. Two off-the-shelf drones used by IDF were shot down by Palestinian slingshots. Protesters entered and damaged property used by Israeli forces at Kerem Shalom border crossing; Israeli officials said the property was on the Palestinian side of the border. The damage included burning a pipeline that Israel uses to supply fuel to Gaza.

Palestinians had prepared hundreds of firebomb kites, intending to fly them as swarms into Israel exploiting the heavy heat wave to ignite fires, however since the wind was blowing in the wrong direction to the west. The wind also blew tear gas and smoke from burning tires westwards into the Palestinian crowd chasing many away.

5 May

Six Hamas operatives were killed in an explosion in Deir al-Balah. A statement by Hamas' military wing blamed Israel – stating that it was a "heinous crime that has been committed against fighters." The IDF spokesperson stated that "the IDF is not involved in this incident in any way." A Palestinian, a source for Haaretz, said that it was "an explosion resulting from the handling of explosives inside a building"

The IDF struck a Hamas outpost in northern Gaza which was used to launch burning objects at Israeli territory. Maj Avichai Adraee tweeted "Attack kites are not a kids' game and we don't see it that way. Hamas is using you and is pushing you toward the circle of terrorism," while Shai Hajaj, head of Merhavim Regional Council in southern Israel, said "When the courts in Jerusalem are discussing petitions from left-wing organizations to tie the hands of the soldiers standing in front of the Gaza rioters who want to break through the fence, the arson continues in the field of farmers... We demand that the IDF stop this violence immediately."

6 May

Three Palestinians were killed, at the southern end of the Gaza border fence. According to the IDF, they were carrying petrol bombs, an ax, wire cutters, an oxygen mask and gloves.

7 May

Incendiary balloons launched from the Gaza strip set fire to a wheat field near Mefalsim and to the Be'eri Forest. Similar to the firebomb kites, the incendiary balloon lofted an already-lit Molotov cocktail. The normally prevailing westerly winds propel the balloons to Israel, and the burning Molotov cocktail causes the balloons to explode in midair, with burning material falling to the ground below.

It was reported by Haaretz that Hamas found itself in an "unprecedented" crisis and "dire" situation, and attempting to enter negotiations with Israel about establishing a long-term truce in order to ease the siege of the enclave, and lower tensions, without, as far as it is known, obtaining any clear response from Israel. The Israeli reluctance might, according to defense correspondent Amos Harel, lead to an explosion of rage on the forthcoming occasion of Nakba Day.

11 May

15,000 demonstrators took part in Friday protests. Some of them burned tires, in the hope the smoke would provide cover for saboteurs to destroy and cross the security fence, and threw grenades, pipe bombs and stones at Israeli troops. A 40-year-old Palestinian was killed and 973 were injured, seven of them critically. The IDF used new, small remote-controlled aircraft with knives on their wings to counter incendiary kites launched from Gaza, downing more than 40 kites.

Palestinians broke into the Kerem Shalom border crossing, the main conduit of goods in and of the strip, setting a gas pipeline alight, damaging a fuel pipe, and torching a conveyor belt. The Israeli air force destroyed an underground attack tunnel that reached just a few meters away from the border.

12 May

Israel announced that the Kerem Shalom border crossing "will remain closed until the damage caused by the riots are repaired and will reopen in accordance with a situation assessment," opening only for humanitarian cases until such a decision is made.

13 May

On 13 May, Israeli soldiers fired at protesters approaching within 75 feet (23 m) of the fence. Alaa Asawafiri, a 26-year-old woman who was part of a group of women shouting towards the fence, was shot in the stomach and hospitalised in critical condition.

14 May

Protests and violence on 14 May coincided with the ceremony marking the relocation of the U.S. embassy to Jerusalem, which international media regarded as the reason for increased tensions. Both events were timed to mark 70 years since the foundation of Israel. Israeli troops fired upon protestors close to the border, killing 52 and injuring more than 1200 (according to Gaza health officials), making it "the bloodiest day in Gaza since the end of the 2014 war." By the end of the day, at least 58 Palestinian protesters were reported to have been killed. Palestinian sources said that about 2700 were injured. Some of those who were killed or injured included health care workers providing medical care to the protesters.

The Israel Defense Forces said that three of those killed had attempted to plant explosives at the security fence, and that in two incidents Israeli troops opened fire after they were shot at. The IDF Air Force attacked five Hamas targets in a Jabalia training camp in response to the attempt at planting explosives and shooting at IDF troops. Israel said 24 of those killed were members of Hamas and the Palestinian Islamic Jihad. One Israeli solider was wounded, "likely from a stone."

A spokesperson for the United Nations Human Rights Commission, Rupert Colville, called the killings an "outrageous human rights violation" by Israel. Zeid Ra’ad al-Hussein, the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, said "Those responsible for outrageous human rights violations must be held to account." Numerous countries expressed concern with the killings, including Russia, France, Germany and the UK. The United States said the deaths were tragic and placed responsibility on Hamas, stating that Israel has the right to defend its borders. South Africa withdrew its ambassador to Israel, citing "the indiscriminate and grave manner of the latest Israeli attack". Turkey′s president Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, addressing Turkish students in London in a speech broadcast by Turkey′s state television, said Israel′s action against Palestinian protesters was genocide; he also said Turkey would recall its ambassadors from Israel and the U.S.

15 May

A Hamas squad attempted to breach the border fence with Israel using Palestinian civilians as cover. All eight attackers were killed by Israeli troops in the exchange of gunfire.

Casualties and damage

A total of 34 Palestinians have been reported dead as of 11 April 2018. Gaza Ministry of Health reports indicate that over 4,279 Palestinians have been injured as of 18 April 2018. 17 Palestinians had limbs amputated since they were prohibited to have access to "sufficient medical care outside Gaza." The World Health Organization (WHO) voiced concern that nearly 350 people may be temporarily or permanently disabled.

The head of WHO's office in Gaza, Gerald Rockenschaub, described the casualties as overwhelming an already weak health care system: "the deteriorating humanitarian situation is extremely worrying. Hospitals in Gaza are overwhelmed with the influx of injured patients. With further escalations expected during the coming weeks, the increasing numbers of injured patients requiring urgent medical care is likely to devastate Gaza's already weakened health system, placing even more lives at risk."

Hundreds of dunams of Israeli crop fields were burned by firebomb kites launched from Gaza, with an estimated economic loss of several millions of shekels.

Descriptions of casualties

According to an IDF tweet on 31 March, later deleted:

Nothing was carried out uncontrolled; everything was accurate and measured, and we know where every bullet landed.

According to Al Haq, 453 protesters were injured and four killed on 27 April, including 69 children. Live ammunition was used to suppress protests, as well as rubber bullets and tear gas. The International Criminal Court's prosecutors office issued a statement that killings and use of human shields "could constitute crimes under the Rome Statute". The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights has said that:

By the end of today – and next Friday, and the Friday after that – more unarmed Palestinians who were alive this morning will have been killed, simply because, while exercising their right to protest, they approached a fence, or otherwise attracted the attention of the soldiers on the other side.

According to the IDF, at least eight members of Hamas were among those killed on 30 March, as well as one from the al-Aqsa Martyrs' Brigades and one from a Salafist group. According to Hamas, five members of its military wing were among the dead; the organization described them as taking part "in popular events side-by-side with their people."

Human Rights Watch observers stated with regard to 30 March, "while some protesters near the border fence burned tires and threw rocks, Human Rights Watch could find no evidence of any protester using firearms or any IDF claim of threatened firearm use at the demonstrations." The organization says there is evidence of Palestinians who did not pose any threat to Israeli guards being shot by the Israeli military. B'Tselem described Israeli actions as unlawful and said that "shooting unarmed demonstrators is illegal and the command that allows it is manifestly illegal." The Intelligence and Terrorism Information Center, which employs among others former Israeli intelligence officials, published an "initial analysis," which stated that 26 of the first 32 people killed belonged to Palestinian militant organisations. The ITIC report identified 13 of them as belonging to the military wings of these organizations, and 6 as members of the Gaza security forces. ITIC describes these identifications as "based on sources of varying reliability."

On 29 April, with the death toll at 44 an Israeli officer stated that most of the deaths were unintentional, that the snipers aimed for the legs but sometimes missed, or the bullets ricocheted or the protesters suddenly bent over.

Legal cases

Both Yousef Karnaz and Mohammad Al-Ajouri each had one of their legs amputated after Israeli authorities denied their requests to receive medical treatment at a better-equipped hospital in the West Bank. Israeli authorities issued a statement: "The main consideration for the refusal stems from the fact that their medical condition is a function of their participation in the disturbances."

Adalah and Al Mezan Center for Human Rights petitioned the Israeli Supreme Court to grant an emergency hearing to consider the request on 12 April, but the Court decided to give the Israeli government three days to respond – due to this delay, doctors were forced to amputate their legs.

On 16 April, the Supreme Court ruled that Karnaz must be allowed to exit Gaza to receive medical treatment in the West Bank to save his remaining leg.

On 15 April, Association for Civil Rights in Israel, Yesh Din, Gisha and HaMoked jointly petitioned the Israeli Supreme Court to revoke the rules of engagement used by the IDF in response to the protests. They argue that "there is no prohibition on demonstrating in Gaza and that if incidents of violence or attempts to cross the fence occur during demonstrations, they alone constitute civil disturbances of the peace. In such disturbances, the law permits live fire only in cases of immediate mortal danger."

In response, the Israeli government refused to disclose its rules of engagement publicly, but said to "comply with Israeli law and with international law." The government indicated that it views the protests as "part of the armed conflict between the Hamas terror organization and Israel, with all that this implies." The Israeli Supreme Court heard arguments from both sides on 30 April.

Investigations

On 5 April, the IDF announced that its Southern Command would conduct an internal investigation into the deaths of civilians during the prior week. Brigadier General Moti Baruch was appointed to lead a second government investigation. Press reports indicate that Baruch's investigation will focus on incidents which appear to have a cause for inquiry.

Tactics

Palestinian tactics

Observers from the International Rescue Committee and the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs reported that the majority of protesters acted nonviolently on 30 March and 6 April. Protest camps are set up 700 meters from the border. Protest actions near the camps have been large, diverse in participation, and peaceful. protesters at the camps are engaged in a sit-in protest organized around their tents. Each tent is labeled with the town or village from which its occupants were expelled. On both of the larger protest days, hundreds of primarily young men have approached or entered the 300-meter exclusion zone declared by Israeli military forces, thrown stones, hurled Molotov cocktails, and attempted to plant Palestinian flags. A New York Times account describes the purpose of approaching the fence as "a powerful statement of defiance, bravery and national pride" among Palestinians.

Palestinian protesters have used burning tires to obstruct the sightlines of Israeli snipers and T-shirts and masks to protect themselves from tear gas. Palestinians erected earthen embankments near the 300 m mark to protect those further away from Israeli fire. Tent encampments allow protesters to sleep, eat, and live on site. These spaces have hosted religious gatherings, weddings, and often have a festive atmosphere. Protest organizer, Ahmad al-Najjar, has described the motivation as follows: "we are trying to practice a normal life here, I believe it is our right to do so."

The Israeli military accused Hamas of using the protests as a guise to launch attacks against Israel, and warned about further reprisals. Israel stated that Hamas is forcing bus companies to transport people to the border for 6 April protests. Hamas has been offering payments to families of Palestinians who are wounded or killed during these events.

A Hamas spokesperson promised US$3,000 to the relatives of those killed, while Palestinians who were injured by Israeli troops would get $200 to $500 in compensation, depending on the injury.

Israeli politicians have accused Hamas of using protesters as human shields. The United States' Special Representative for International Negotiations Jason Greenblatt stated, with regards to the planned 6 April protest, that " condemn leaders and protestors who call for violence or who send protestors – including children – to the fence, knowing that they may be injured or killed.".

Israeli tactics

The Israeli military has deployed soldiers, including snipers and tanks, to the border. Soldiers have opened fire on Palestinians approaching the fence with tear gas, rubber bullets and live ammunition. Soldiers are firing from artificial sand berms that overlook the protests.

Israeli tear gas canisters have penetrated more than 300 m into the Gaza Strip. An investigation by B'Tselem found that Israeli soldiers launched tear gas to the family tents, located 400 to 600 m from the fence, causing hundreds of people to suffer injuries. Protest participants interviewed by B'Tselem reported cases of suffering from tear gas inhalation and injury from tear gas canister impacts.

While the IDF has not publicly disclosed its rules of engagement, press reports indicate that soldiers are permitted to shoot armed protesters within 300 m of the fence and unarmed protesters within 100 m. The IDF has stated that its soldiers are advised to first fire warning shots, then wounding shots, before taking fatal shots.

On 6 April, the IDF used industrial-sized fans to disperse the smoke and then water cannons in unsuccessful attempts to douse fires from burning tires.

Worldwide protests

Protests, expressing solidarity with Palestinian protesters in the Gaza Strip and condemning the use of lethal force by Israeli forces on protesters, have appeared across Israel, the US, UK and Australia. Thousands of protestors gathered in Tel Aviv, Washington D.C., Boston, London, Manchester, Sheffield, Bristol and Melbourne.

Along with 250 others at a Tel Aviv protest, Michael Sfard, a human rights lawyer and left-wing political activist, was quoted as saying: "As an Israeli, my duty is to protest against the evils that are done in my name."

In Boston, US, eight protestors, who chained themselves to the exterior door of the Israeli Consulate, were arrested by police for being a disorderly person, disturbing the peace, and trespassing.

Naturei Karta anti-Zionism protestors joined some thousands others in London, UK, to show solidarity with Palestinians.

Reactions

The escalation of violence in Gaza concerned the entire Arab world. Jordan and Egypt condemned Israel's use of force, considering recent developments as harmful to brokering peace. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu —‌ leaders with mutual disdain for each other —‌ exchanged heated remarks over the border clashes; Erdogan labeled the Israeli response an "inhumane attack" amid growing international criticism of the Israeli military.

On 2 April, "hundreds" of Israelis gathered in Tel Aviv, Jaffa and Yad Mordechai, and protested the IDF's use of "deadly force" against the Palestinians on Gaza border. In Yad Mordecha, near the Israel-Gaza border, protesters had banners reading "Free Gaza," "Stop the Massacre" and "Gaza is Dying".

Individuals

Elizabeth Throssell, a spokesperson for the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, said that the use of deadly force was largely unjustified, since such force may only be used as a last resort when there is an imminent threat of death or serious injury. "An attempt to approach or cross the green-line fence by itself certainly does not amount to a threat to life or serious injury that would justify the use of live ammunition," the office said.

On 6 April, The Prime Minister's Arabic-language spokesman Ofir Gendelman tweeted in response to a video showing a flag with a swastika lying between two Palestinian flags, "Hamas terrorists have planted today right on the Gaza-Israel border this Nazi flag which was flying Palestinian flags. Hamas proudly declares that its aim is to annihilate Israel & the Jewish people. The genocidal message has been received. We will defend our country."

Retired British Colonel Richard Kemp said that it was not a peaceful demonstration, but "a deliberate and specific intent by terrorist organizations to penetrate the State of Israel and kill civilians and the IDF has no option except to use lethal force to stop such a dangerous threat."

Israeli historian Zeev Sternhell wrote that, "the weekly killing on the Gaza Strip border is a campaign of barbarism, exposing the mentality of the society in whose name the army acts: We can do anything we like."

Five former IDF snipers, assisted by Breaking the Silence, published a letter expressing "shame and sorrow" for the killings and stating, "instructing snipers to shoot to kill unarmed demonstrators who pose no danger to human life is another product of the occupation and military rule over millions of Palestinian people, as well as of our country's callous leadership, and derailed moral path."

Peter Beinart, reflecting on the succession of incidents marking the Land Day protests of 2018, wrote that Palestinians were rushing towards Israeli snipers because their land was fast becoming "uninhabitable", with the UN predicting it would be unliveable by 2020.

Countries

•  Israel: On 8 April, Defense Minister, Avigdor Lieberman, responded to foreign criticism by defending Israel's conduct. Speaking on public radio, he said, "there are no innocent people in the Gaza Strip. Everyone's connected to Hamas, everyone gets a salary from Hamas, and all the activists trying to challenge us and breach the border are Hamas military wing activists."
•  Palestine: Palestinian President, Mahmoud Abbas, declared a day of mourning on 31 March.
•  Australia: Australian PM Malcolm Turnbull blamed Hamas for Palestinian deaths. He said that "Hamas's conduct is confrontational. They’re seeking to provoke the Israeli Defense Forces". He added that Hamas is "pushing people to the border. In that conflict zone, you’re basically pushing people into circumstances where they are very likely to be shot at."
•  Egypt: On 14 May, Egypt condemned what it said was Israel's "targeting of Palestinian civilians" in Gaza.
•  Indonesia: The Indonesian government condemned "violence and atrocities committed by Israeli soldiers" and called for an independent investigation into the "disproportional use of violence".
•  Iran: Iranian Foreign Minister, Mohammad Javad Zarif, stated "Israeli regime massacres countless Palestinians in cold blood as they protest in world's largest open air prison. Meanwhile, Trump celebrates move of U.S. illegal embassy and his Arab collaborators move to divert attention. A day of great shame."
•  Malta: The Ministry for Foreign Affairs and Trade Promotion stated that it regretted the violence that occurred. It "call on Israel to adopt a measured response to all protests and actions that can be perceived as a threat" and stated that "the use of force must be proportionate at all times." It also encouraged peace between Israel and Palestine, promoting the two-state solution.
•  Morocco: Morocco's Ministry of Foreign Affairs condemned Israeli actions. The ministry wrote in a statement that "the Kingdom denounces the Israeli occupation forces’ use of excessive force, ignoring the peaceful nature of the demonstrations."
•  South Africa: On 4 April, Foreign Minister Lindiwe Sisulu condemned Israeli actions and called for an independent investigation into deaths.
•  Turkey: Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdoğan accused Israel of committing a 'genocide', called Israel a "terrorist state", and condemned the United States for moving its embassy to Jerusalem. On 14 May, Turkey called for an emergency meeeting of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC).
•  USA: US Ambassador to the UN Nikki Haley said that "Anyone who truly cares about children in Gaza should insist that Hamas immediately stop using children as cannon fodder in its conflict with Israel."

Other official identities

•  EU: On 4 April, the European Union expressed deep alarm over "the use of live ammunition by Israeli Security Forces as a means of crowd control," and called on Israel to investigate every death and prosecute the perpetrators where appropriate.
• International Criminal Court: On 8 April, Fatou Bensouda, prosecutor for the International Criminal Court, issued a public warning to Israelis and Palestinians that, "violence against civilians – in a situation such as the one prevailing in Gaza – could constitute crimes under the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court ("ICC" or "the Court"), as could the use of civilian presence for the purpose of shielding military activities."
•  UN: UN Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres, observed that the situation "underlines the urgency of revitalizing the peace process aiming at creating the conditions for a return to meaningful negotiations." Speaking to the UN Security Council in a meeting on the situation in the Middle East, Nikolay Mladenov, UN Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace, said that Gaza was about to "explode" and called for "actions to prevent another war." Zeid Ra'ad al-Hussein, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights condemned use of "excessive force" by Israeil and siad that security forces had to be "held to account."

NGOs

• Amnesty International: On 27 April, the organization called for worldwide arms embargo on Israel for its "disproportionate response" to the protests.
• Shurat HaDin filed a complaint in the International Criminal Court against Hamas leaders Khaled Mashal, Saleh al-Arouri, and Zahar Jabarin for the use of children as human shields in the conflict along the border based on a clause in the Rome Statute that prohibits recruitment of children under the age of 15 to a militant organization. According to Shurat Hadin Director Nitzana Darshan-Leitner "The death of a 15-year-old boy near the Gaza border last week was a direct result of the war crimes committed by Hamas leaders against their own people".

See also

• Melilla border fence
• Border barrier for a list of border barriers
• List of violent incidents in the Israeli–Palestinian conflict, 2018

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116. REPORT: PALESTINIAN JOURNALIST KILLED IN GAZA WAS A HAMAS ACTIVIST, The Jerusalem Post, 10 April 2018
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122. TWO EXPLOSIVE DEVICES BROUGHT TO GAZA FENCE, IDF SAYS, The Jerusalem Post, 8 April 2018.
123. Jack Khoury and Amos Harel, Israel Strikes Hamas Target in Gaza in Response to Border Infiltration Attempt, Haaretz, 9 April 2018.
124. Palestinians set off bomb against IDF vehicle in Gaza; army retaliates, The Times of Israel, 11 April 2018.
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132. Several killed in mystery blast in Gaza, The Sydney Morning Herald, 14 April 2018
133. Four Islamic Jihad members killed in Gaza explosion, 14 April 2018.
134. Israeli army destroys 'deepest and longest' tunnel from Gaza, CNN, 15 April 2018
135. Wheat field set ablaze by Palestinian 'kite terrorism', YNET, 17 April 2018.
136. ^ Jnena, Anas. "Meet the Palestinian women at the forefront of Gaza's protests". Al Jazeera. Retrieved 20 April 2018.
137. Abuheweila, Iyad; Kershner, Isabel (22 April 2018). "He Played at Death in a Gaza Cemetery. Then He Was Buried There". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 23 April 2018. Over the weekend, the military revised its initial estimate of the number of participants in Friday's protest, raising it from 3,000 to about 10,000 by the day's end.
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140. "Two Gazans die of Israeli gunshot wounds suffered in March of Return". Middle East Eye. 23 April 2018. Retrieved 23 April 2018.
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142. al-Mughrabi, Nidal. "Dead Gaza teenager ignored mother's warning". U.S. Retrieved 23 April 2018.
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149. Jack Khoury,Palestinians: Teen Shot by Israeli Forces During Gaza Protest Dies of Wounds Haaretz 28 April 2018.
150. Gideon Levy,'Why Did the Beautiful Boy Not Reach 20?' Haaretz 29 April 2018.
151. Associated Press (3 May 2018). "Gaza man dies of wounds sustained in border protest". The Washington Post. ISSN 0190-8286. Retrieved 3 May 2018.
152. Israel strikes Hamas naval post in Gaza in response to attack on border fence, 27 April 2018, The Times of Israel
153. ^ Yaniv Kubovich, 'Three Palestinians Killed by Israeli Army After Tring to Breach Gaza Border,' Haaretz 29 April 2018
154. Israeli military kills three Palestinians along Gaza Strip border, Reuters, 29 April 2018
155. ^ Khoury, Jack; Kubovich, Yaniv (4 May 2018). "Gaza Protests: '22 Wounded' in Sixth Consecutive Border March". Haaretz. Retrieved 4 May 2018.
156. "In Weekend Gaza Border Violence, Gazans Burn Their Own Gas Pipeline". JewishPress. 5 May 2018.
157. "Flaming Kites From Gaza Thwarted by Winds", The New York Times, 4 May 2018.
158. Six Said Killed as Explosion Rocks Central Gaza Strip, Haaretz, 5 May 2018
159. IDF STRIKES HAMAS OUTPOST IN GAZA USED AS LAUNCHING PAD FOR 'ATTACK KITES', The Jerusalem Post, 6 May 2018
160. IDF shoots dead 3 Palestinians said to be planting bombs on Gaza fence, YNET, 6 May 2018
161. Incendiary balloons from Gaza cause damage to Israeli fields, YNET, 7 May 2018.
162. Amos Harel, "Israel's Reluctance to Discuss Hamas' Truce Offer Could Blow Up on Nakba Day", Haaretz, 7 May 2018.
163. AS GAZA PROTESTS CONTINUE, IDF EMPLOYS NEW TACTICS TO COMBAT RIOTS, The Jerusalem Post, 12 May 2018.
164. ^ Israel closes Gaza border crossing damaged by Palestinians, Reuters, 12 May 2018.
165. "At the Gaza-Israel Fence: Raw Nerves and Shots Fired". The New York Times. 13 May 2018. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 14 May 2018.
166. ^ In Jerusalem, an embassy opens. In Gaza, at least 58 die on bloodiest day in years: A special dispatch that contrasts violent scenes on the Israeli-Gaza border with celebrations marking opening of the US embassy in Jerusalem The Independent, 14 May 2018.
167. As it happened: Gaza protest violence BBC, 14 May 2018.
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169. Sanchez, Raf; Oliphant, Roland (14 May 2018). "At least 41 Palestinians killed by Israeli troops in Gaza protests as US opens Jerusalem embassy". The Telegraph. Retrieved 14 May 2018.
170. "London, Ont., physician Tarek Loubani shot in leg near Gaza border | CBC News". CBC. Retrieved 15 May 2018.
171. Dunham, Jackie (15 May 2018). "Canadian physician Tarek Loubani shot in Gaza Strip while providing medical care". CTVNews. Retrieved 15 May 2018.
172. "Palestinians say 43 killed, including terror operatives, as 50,000 rally in Gaza". The Times of Israel. 14 May 2018. Retrieved 14 May 2018.
173. ^ 41 killed in Gaza riots; IAF strikes Hamas targets in northern strip, 14 May 2018, YNET
174. Israel says at least 24 of 60 Gazans killed were terrorists, 15 May 2018, The Times of Israel
175. ^ Holmes, Oliver; Balousha, Hazem; Beaumont, Peter (15 May 2018). "Global protests grow after Israeli killing of Palestinian demonstrators". The Guardian. Retrieved 15 May 2018.
176. Wilner, Michael (14 May 2018). "Responsibility for Gaza deaths 'squarely with Hamas', White House says". The Jerusalem Post. Retrieved 15 May 2018.
177. "Global outrage against Israel over Gaza killings". Hürriyet Daily News. 15 May 2018. Retrieved 16 May 2018. {{cite web}}: More than one of |work= and |newspaper= specified (help)
178. "Turkish President accuses Israel of 'genocide' after Palestinian deaths on Gaza border". The Independent. 15 May 2018. Retrieved 16 May 2018.
179. "Erdogan accuses Israel of 'genocide' over Gaza deaths". The Daily Mail. 15 May 2018. Retrieved 16 May 2018. {{cite web}}: More than one of |work= and |newspaper= specified (help)
181. IDF RELEASES DETAILS OF HOW IT PREVENTED A HAMAS BORDER CROSSING FROM GAZA, 15 May 2018, The Jerusalem Post
182. Reuters News. (11 April 2018). "Palestinians shot by Israeli sniper on video says wasn't instigating violence." Jerusalem Post website. Retrieved 11 April 2018.
183. ^ "WHO 'concerned' over overwhelmed health services in the Gaza Strip". PNN. 18 April 2018. Retrieved 19 April 2018. {{cite news}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |dead-url= (help)
184. "Why is Israel shooting at Palestinian demonstrators in Gaza?". USA Today. Retrieved 4 May 2018.
185. "Israel/OPT: Israeli forces must end the use of excessive force in response to "Great March of Return" protests". Amnesty International. Retrieved 17 April 2018.
186. Kite Terrorism: Compensation to Victims, Hadashot, 2 May 2018
187. "Statement of the Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court, Fatou Bensouda, regarding the worsening situation in Gaza". Retrieved 4 May 2018.
188. "27 April 2018: Willful Killings Continue in the Gaza Strip as Impunity Prevails". Al-Haq. Retrieved 4 May 2018.
189. "IDF: At least 10 of the 16 killed at Gaza border were members of terror groups". The Times of Israel. 31 March 2018. Retrieved 3 April 2018.
190. "Hamas admits 5 of its gunmen among 16 Gazans killed in Friday's border violence". The Times of Israel. 31 March 2018. Retrieved 3 April 2018.
191. Balousha, Hazem; Holmes, Oliver (31 March 2018). "The Gaza Strip mourns its dead after protest is met with bullets". The Guardian. Retrieved 3 April 2018.
192. "Report: 80% of Palestinians killed in Gaza border crisis were terrorists". The Jerusalem Post | JPost.com. Retrieved 11 April 2018.
193. "Initial Analysis of the Identities of Gazans Killed During the 'Great Return March' on March 30 and April 6, 2018 – The Meir Amit Intelligence and Terrorism Information Center". terrorism-info.org.il. Retrieved 24 April 2018.
194. Amos Harel, 'Most Killings of Palestinians During Gaza Protests Unintentional, Senior Israeli Official Says,'Haaretz 29 April 2018.
195. ^ Khoury, Jack (12 April 2018). "Israel Denied Passage for Medical Treatment to Two Palestinians Who Protested in Gaza – and Their Legs Were Amputated". Haaretz. Retrieved 4 May 2018.
196. "2 injured Gaza protesters said to lose legs after access to West Bank denied". The Times of Israel. Retrieved 19 April 2018.
197. "Israeli Supreme Court rules on Adalah-Al Mezan petition: Israel must let Palestinian youth wounded by Israeli gunfire at protests leave Gaza for urgent care". ReliefWeb. Retrieved 19 April 2018.
198. "Israel rights groups challenge army's open fire policy in court". Middle East Monitor. 16 April 2018. Retrieved 30 April 2018.
199. ^ Kubovich, Yaniv (29 April 2018). "Israeli Army Refuses to Disclose Open-fire Policy for Gaza Border Protests". Haaretz. Retrieved 30 April 2018.
200. Khoury, Jack; Harel, Amos; Kubovich, Yaniv (5 April 2018). "Israeli Army to Investigate Gazan Protesters' Deaths as Second Border Rally Approaches". Haaretz. Retrieved 19 April 2018.
201. ^ "Brigadier general tapped to probe army's response to Gaza protests". The Times of Israel. Retrieved 19 April 2018. {{cite news}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |dead-url= (help)
202. Halbfinger, David M. (7 April 2018). "Though Deadly, Gaza Protests Draw Attention and Enthusiasm". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 11 April 2018.
203. ^ Halbfinger, David M. (13 April 2018). "300 Meters in Gaza: Snipers, Burning Tires and a Contested Fence". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 14 April 2018.
204. ^ "Feature: Gaza protestors enjoy weddings, camel races despite confrontations". Xinhua News Agency. Retrieved 17 April 2018.
205. ADAM RASGON (5 April 2018). "AHEAD OF FRESH STANDOFF, HAMAS REVEALS PAYOUTS TO INJURED PROTESTER". The Times of Israel. Retrieved 6 April 2018.
206. "Hamas pays families of Gazans killed in border clashes with Israel". The Times of Israel. Retrieved 9 April 2018.
207. "US slams Gaza leaders who send children to border, 'knowing they may be killed'". The Times of Israel. 5 April 2018. Retrieved 6 April 2018.
208. ^ "Military fired teargas at family tents far from fence during Gaza protests, injuring hundreds". B'Tselem. Retrieved 23 April 2018.
209. ^ Shezaf, Hagar (1 April 2018). "Hundreds March in Tel Aviv in Solidarity With Gaza Following Deadly Protests". Haaretz.
210. ^ "Protesters chained themselves to door at Israeli consulate in Boston – The Boston Globe".
211. ^ "PressTV-1000s join anti-Israel rallies in UK, elsewhere".
212. teleSUR/vc-LJS. "US, UK Rally Against Israel As More Palestinians Killed in Gaza".
213. "Egypt, Jordan condemn Israel's use of force". The Jerusalem Post. 2 April 2018. Retrieved 6 April 2018.
214. "Gaza-Israel violence: Netanyahu and Erdogan in war of words". BBC. 1 April 2018. Retrieved 3 April 2018.
215. "Hundreds of Israelis protest IDF's deadly use of force on Gaza border". The Jerusalem Post | JPost.com. Archived from the original on 27 April 2018. Retrieved 27 April 2018. {{cite news}}: |archive-date= / |archive-url= timestamp mismatch; 26 April 2018 suggested (help)
216. "Press briefing note on Gaza and Guatemala". ohchr.org. Retrieved 17 April 2018. {{cite web}}: Italic or bold markup not allowed in: |website= (help)
217. "NINE KILLED DURING FRIDAY 'MARCH OF RETURN'". The Jerusalem Post. 8 April 2018.
218. "REPORTER'S NOTES: PALESTINIANS BURN TIRES AS SECOND 'GREAT MARCH' PROTEST HEATS UP". The Jerusalem Post. 6 April 2018. Retrieved 8 April 2018.
219. Zeev Sternhell, 'At 70, Israel has shunned Herzl's dream for Netanyahu's bleak vision,' Haaretz 28 April 2018.
220. Peter Beinart, 'American Jews Have Abandoned Gaza — And The Truth,' The Forward 26 April 2018:'The truth is too brutal to honestly defend. Why are thousands of Palestinians risking their lives by running toward the Israeli snipers who guard the fence that encloses Gaza? Because Gaza is becoming uninhabitable. That's not hyperbole. The United Nations says that Gaza will be "unlivable" by 2020, maybe sooner.'
221. "Israeli Defense Minister Avigdor Lieberman defends use of force against Gaza protests | DW | 8 April 2018". Deutsche Welle. 8 April 2018. Retrieved 18 April 2018. {{cite web}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |dead-url= (help)
222. "Australian PM: Hamas to blame for Gaza deaths". Retrieved 15 May 2018.
223. "Egypt condemns Israel's 'targeting of Palestinian civilians' in Gaza: foreign ministry". Reuters. 14 May 2018
224. "Indonesia strongly condemns Israeli attacks on Gaza protesters". The Jakarta Post. 31 March 2018.
225. "PressTV-Iran slams Israel's massacres of Palestinians 'in cold blood'". Retrieved 15 May 2018.
226. "'Malta deeply regrets the escalation of violence in Gaza' – government". The Malta Independent. 15 May 2018. Archived from the original on 15 May 2018.
227. "Morocco Condemns Israel’s Violent Attacks on Palestinians at Gaza". Morocco World News. 1 April 2018
228. "South Africa condemns Israeli forces' attack on Gaza". Middle East Monitor. 4 April 2018. Retrieved 27 April 2018.
229. "Erdogan calls Netanyahu 'terrorist', Israel 'terrorist state'". Al Jazeera. 1 April 2018.
230. "Turkey recalls ambassadors to Israel and United States". Al Jazeera. 14 May 2018.
231. "Haley: Hamas must stop using Gaza children as cannon fodder". The Jerusalem Post | JPost.com. Retrieved 27 April 2018.
232. "EU expresses concern over Israeli use of live fire for crowd control". The Times of Israel. 4 April 2018. Retrieved 17 April 2018.
233. Bowcott, Owen (8 April 2018). "Chief ICC lawyer calls for end to violence along Gaza border". The Guardian. Retrieved 17 April 2018.
234. "Statement of the Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court, Fatou Bensouda, regarding the worsening situation in Gaza". Retrieved 17 April 2018.
235. "'Gaza is about to explode,' UN envoy warns Security Council". UN News. 26 April 2018. Retrieved 27 April 2018.
236. Israeli group seeks ICC action against Hamas for using children as shields, Israel Hayom, Yair Altman, 25 April 2018

• 2010s

• Current events
• Ongoing protests
• 2018 in Israel
• 2018 in the Gaza Strip
• 2018 protests
• March 2018 events in Asia
• April 2018 events in Asia
• May 2018 events in Asia
• Israel–Gaza Strip border
• Protests in the Gaza Strip