Nine people were killed and hundreds injured by Israeli forces during protests demanding the right of return for Palestinian refugees, as tens of thousands came out to commemorate the 1948 Nakba (catastophe) yesterday.
On the occupied Golan Heights, the Israeli military fired at over 1,000 Palestinians who crossed the border fence near the village of Majdal Shams, killing at least four people and injuring dozens.
Commemorating the forcible expulsions of Palestinians that accompanied the declaration of the state of Israel, an estimated 1,000 marched from the northern Gaza town of Beit Hanoun towards the Israeli border.
Medics said that at least 60 demonstrators, mostly children, were injured by artillery shells and gunfire.
In the West Bank, violent clashes broke out at the Qalandiya checkpoint between Ramallah and Jerusalem as Palestinians hurled stones, and troops responded with tear gas and rubber bullets in the morning, with later reports saying live fire was being used.
Medics said 55 were evacuated from the protest by ambulance, and witnesses estimated six had been detained. Medics said that at least one was badly injured, hit in the head with a rubber-coated bullet.
In the Ramallah city centre, Palestinians demanding the right of return for refugees held banners and waved flags.
Demonstrators gathered at the northern entrance to Birzeit University north of Ramallah, setting fire to used tyres and throwing stones at Israeli troops stationed at the Atara checkpoint.
