The UN has held an emergency meeting on situation in Gaza. Palestine's UN representative says at least 17 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli armed forces along the Israel-Gaza border.

RIYAD MANSOUR PERMANENT REP. OF OBSERVER MISSION OF PALESTINE TO UN "These peaceful demonstrators posed no threats whatsoever to Israel or its heavily armed soldiers. Yet its trigger soldiers used live ammunition, tear gas and rubber bullets to shoot indiscriminately at those non-violent protesters who were demonstrating inside the Gaza Strip near their side of the well-fortified barrier that separates them from Israel. How could that be condoned?"

The UN chief has called for an independent investigation after learning that situation in Gaza "might deteriorate in the coming days". The violence broke out as tens of thousands of Gazans marched near the Israeli border to demand the right of Palestinian refugees to return after fleeing or being forcibly removed by Israeli forces. Iran and Kuwait condemned Israel's attacks. The Israeli military warned they would expand the military operation against Hamas if violence on the border with Gaza continues.