The Arab League has held an emergency meeting to discuss the recent killings of Palestinian protesters by Israeli army fire. Saudi Arabia's representative strongly condemned Israel's actions, and demanded that the international community protect the Palestinian people.

BADR AL SHEMARY SAUDI REPRESENTATIVE AT THE ARAB LEAGUE "Saudi Arabia strongly condemns this brutal massacre which is considered a flagrant violation of international resolutions and conventions and we call upon the international community to immediately take actions to stop those aggressions and provide protection to the Palestinian people."

Tuesday's meeting was called by the Palestinian government, as the death toll from the mass protests at the Gaza-Israel border rose to 18. The Palestinians accuse Israel of using unlawful lethal force against the demonstrators. But Israel said the Islamist political organization, Hamas, is trying to attack its border under false pretences. The protests are scheduled to run for six weeks. Besides the 18 deaths, more than 750 Palestinians were wounded in Friday's protest, making it the bloodiest day in Gaza in years.