IN PICTURES: Protesters near the Gaza border wall were met with over 100 Israeli snipers, soldiers, and even tanks.
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Thousands of Palestinians came to the border of Gaza to protest on Land Day, which commemorates March 30, 1976, when six unarmed Palestinians were killed by Israeli forces.
Photo:Reuters
After a tank fired on a Palestinian farmer, killing him, more deaths quickly followed, with at least seven confirmed by medical professionals and reports of more coming in.
Photo:Reuters
Hundreds more have been reported injured.
The demonstrators demanded that Palestinian refugees be allowed the right of return to towns and villages which their families fled from, or were driven out of when Israeli settlers invaded in 1948.
Photo:Reuters
An estimated 17,000 protesters set up tents along the border, for a six-day planned demonstration.
Photo:Reuters
Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh spoke at one tent encampment on Friday, saying that Gazans were demanding a "return to Palestine, all of Palestine. No concessions and no recognition of the Zionist entity (Israel) in an inch of the land".
Photo:Reuters
Protesters near the Gaza border wall were met with over 100 Israeli snipers, soldiers, and even tanks.
Photo:Reuters
Israel is attempting to paint protests as "violent riots," to justify their brutal military response against civilians.
Photo:Reuters
In a pre-emptive attempt to justify such a harsh response, Israel declared the area around the border zone a "closed military zone," saying that any "trespassers" could be shot.
Photo:Reuters
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