Palestinians rally to mark anniversary of 'Great March of Return'

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Palestinian demonstrators started to rally on Saturday in eastern Gaza Strip, close to the border with Israel, to mark one year of the "Great March of Return" and the Palestinian "Land Day."

The Great March of Return, which started one year ago, has been calling for ending the tight Israeli blockade that had been imposed on the Gaza Strip right after Hamas' violent takeover of the coastal enclave in 2007.

The high commission of the march, which comprises factions, rights activists and Gaza community leaders, has earlier called on residents in Gaza and the Palestinians everywhere to join rallies on Saturday near the fence of the border between eastern Gaza Strip and Israel.

Palestinian protesters throw stones in response to Israeli forces' intervention during Great March of Return demonstration near Israel-Gaza border, March 8, 2019. /VCG Photo

The ministries of health and interior, run by the Islamic Hamas movement, declared a status of emergency.

The official governmental and private sector's institutions closed on Saturday, including schools, universities and stores all over the Gaza Strip, except medical institutions, clinics and hospitals.

According to Palestinian medical sources, a Palestinian was shot dead by Israeli soldiers' gunfire Saturday predawn east of Gaza City. It is also reported that at least nine Palestinians were injured Friday during clashes with Israeli soldiers in the eastern Gaza Strip close to the border with Israel.

Organizing rallies on Saturday coincides with the Palestinian Land Day.

A Palestinian protester uses a slingshot to hurl stones at Israeli troops during clashes on the Gaza-Israel border, east of Gaza City, March 29, 2019. /Xinhua Photo

Land Day, on March 30, is an annual day of commemoration for Arab citizens of Israel and Palestinians of the general strike and marches happened in 1976 against Israeli government's plan to expropriate land.

Meanwhile, the Israeli media announced that the Israeli army deployed more forces along the border with the Gaza Strip and said the forces are ready for any escalation of violence.

Hamas and Islamic Jihad warned in two separate press statements that "any aggression that targets the march will face the response of resistance."

Newly-appointed Palestinian Prime Minister Mohammad Shtayyeh speaks at his office in the West Bank city of Ramallah, March 10, 2019. /VCG Photo

Also on Saturday, Palestinian Prime Minister Mohammed Shtayyeh accused Israel of seeking to take over "the largest geographical area with the least possible Palestinian population."

He said in a statement marking the 43rd anniversary of Land Day that Israeli practices "will be met with stronger Palestinian commitment to their land, provision of all requirements for consolidating citizens' steadfastness on their land and confronting the ongoing settlement attack."

He added that his government's strategy, once formed officially, will be based on "consolidation of the Palestinian people's resilience, defending their land and resources, and confronting colonial settlement expansion."

(Cover: Palestinians are seen carrying the body of a protester who was shot dead by an Israeli sniper during the clashes following the Great March of Return demonstration in Shuja'iyya neighborhood of Gaza City, Gaza, March 22, 2019. /VCG Photo)

Source(s): Xinhua News Agency