Palestinians bury dead and observe general strike after Israel kills 58 protesters
Hamas says mass border protests would continue on Tuesday despite organisers of the demonstration setting aside time to bury those shot dead
Palestinians are observing a general strike to mourn dozens killed by Israeli army fire in the deadliest day in Gaza since a 2014 war.
Organisers said the day would be set aside for funerals and that turnout for any new protests on the border with Israel would be low.
The Islamic terror Hamas group, which rules the territory, had initially said mass border protests would continue on Tuesday.
The day marks the 70th anniversary of what Palestinians call their “nakba”, or catastrophe – the uprooting of hundreds of thousands in the Middle East war over Israel’s 1948 creation.
On Monday, the world witnessed scenes of jarring contrast. Israeli forces killed 58 Palestinians, most by gunfire, and injured more than 2,700 during protests along the Gaza border, while a few miles away Israel and the US held a festive inauguration ceremony for the new US embassy in contested Jerusalem.
The high toll in Gaza revived international criticism of Israel’s use of lethal force against unarmed protesters, while the opening of the embassy, condemned by Palestinians as blatantly pro-Israel, further dimmed prospects of what President Donald Trump had once touted as plans to negotiate the Middle East “deal of the century”.
The UN Security Council is meeting to discuss the violence, although it is not clear what might come out of the session.
Two UN diplomats said members could not reach unanimous agreement on a proposed statement, circulated by Kuwait, that would have expressed “outrage and sorrow” over the killings and sought an independent investigation.
The Gaza Health Ministry said 58 Palestinians were killed on Monday, including 57 by Israeli fire and a baby who died from tear gas inhalation.
More than 2,700 were hurt, 1,360 by gunfire, the ministry said. Of the wounded, 130 were in serious or critical condition.
Israel has defended its actions, saying troops were defending its border. It also accused Hamas militants of trying to carry out attacks under the cover of the protests.
The Israeli military said its aircraft had struck 11 “terror targets” in a Hamas military compound a day earlier, and that tanks targeted two Hamas posts.
It said protesters used 10 explosive devices and firebombs against troops and that shots were fired at soldiers positioned along the border.
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