Over 100 Palestinian Protesters Injured By Israeli Forces

During protests which drew thousands to the Gaza border Friday, over 100 Palestinians were injured by Israeli gunfire.

Since the beginning of the March of Return protests on March 30, at least 113 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli soldiers, and hundreds more severely injured.

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On May 14 alone, the day the United States inaugurated its new embassy in Jerusalem, at least 60 Palestinians were killed.

The protests commemorate the occupation and seizure of homes and land in 1948, known as the Nakba. About 700,000 Palestinians were forcibly expelled from their homes by Israeli forces in 1948.

In spite of it being Israeli soldiers that are killing protesters, Israeli officials have consistently blamed Hamas, the governing political group in Gaza for the violence. Gaza has been under a de facto blockade by Israel and Egypt since 2007, collapsing the economy and leading to a dire humanitarian situation.

Hamas chief Ismail Haniyeh and the group's Gaza leader, Yehya Al-Sinwar, joined separate protest encampments raising cheers from the assembled crowds.

"The marches of return are not over. They may be smaller but we are continuing," Ali, a participant at a protest east of Khan Younis in the southern Gaza Strip, told Reuters.

On Thursday, Israel's Supreme Court dismissed a petition by human rights organizations that accused Israeli forces of illegally using snipers and live ammunition against protesters.