In the Gaza strip, one Palestinian man has been killed and over 970 injured during clashes between Palestinian demonstrators and Israeli soldiers. According to medics, 13 of the injured are in critical condition.

They clashed during the seventh consecutive Friday of protests along the region's border with Israel. The clash broke out in the aftermath of Friday afternoon prayers, as part of what the Palestinians call "the Great March of Return", which began in late March and will end on May 15. The death toll since the outbreak of the protests has climbed to 48 and more than 8 thousand have been injured. CGTN's Noor Harazeen has the details.

NOOR HARAZEEN GAZA Despite Israel's repeated use of lethal force, Gaza residents once again flocked toward the Israeli border on Friday, to demand the right of return to their homelands and to reject U.S. recognition of Jerusalem as Israel's capital.

Palestinians burned tires to blind the Israeli snipers from shooting protesters, sending flaming kites into Israeli territory. Other demonstrators hurled stones at the Israeli soldiers stationed at the border.   

Israeli Defense Forces issued a statement saying that nearly 5,000 protesters were part of "riots" along the Gaza-Israel border. The Israeli military also vowed to defend the border to "ensure the security of the citizens of Israel and Israeli sovereignty, as necessary."  

But Hamas leader Yehiyeh Sinwar contends that Israel's borders ARE NOT internationally recognized and therefore DO NOT need to be respected.

Organizers say the demonstrations are expected to peak on May 14th, one day before the 70'th anniversary of the "Nakba" or "Catastrophe" when more than 700, 000 Palestinians lost their lands to Israel in 1948. 

The U.S. plans to move its embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem on May 15th. Noor Harazeen, CGTN, Gaza.