Bloodshed on Gaza-Israel border as US embassy opens

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Areas along the Gaza-Israel border have literally turned to a real battlefield on Monday, as hundreds of thousands of demonstrators streamed toward the Israeli frontier, to protest the opening of the new US embassy building in Jerusalem.

A wall of smoke from burning tires darkened the sky above the protesters, while Israeli gunshots echoed until the late hour of Monday evening.

A commercial strike in the Gaza Strip, protesting the transfer of the US Embassy to Jerusalem, in Gaza, May,14. 2018. /CGTN Photo

Local sources said that some demonstrators managed to damage parts of the barbed wire separating Gaza from Israel, trying to break through Israeli territory. At least 55 people were shot dead by Israeli troops , and more than 2,000 injured, health officials in Gaza said.

Early on Monday, loudspeakers in mosques across the blockaded enclave blasted "Allahu Akbar" over and over, while Imams urged people to approach the security fence and clash with the Israeli soldiers in an attempt to break through.

"Monday’s demonstrations bear strong messages to both Israel and the US which has opened its new embassy building in Jerusalem today. We will restore our rights. We will make these protests a reality. These demonstrations are the strongest response to the failed US policies," Hamas spokesman told CGTN.

A general strike was also declared in the Gaza Strip on Monday. The strike action saw schools, businesses and governments closed for the day.

Thousands of Palestinians participate in protests on the Gaza Strip border with Israel on May 14, 2018. /CGTN Photo

“This is a sad day for the Palestinian people,” Hossam Selmi, who owns a shop in one of Gaza’s refined neighborhoods, said. He added that the strike is a strong protest message to the US administration that the Palestinian people will restore their holy city sooner or later.

Member of the National Committee of the Great March of Return Khaled Al-Batsh said at a press conference in Gaza City on Monday , that the campaign’s events will continue every day and every Friday.

Al-Batsh who held the US completely responsible for the May 14 bloodshed in Gaza, declared Tuesday a day of mourning in honor of the Palestinian victims who fell by Israeli fire earlier in the day.

He also denied rumors that his committee has decided to stop the ongoing protests. “The scenes of the crowds massing toward the border today was a source of pride registered by this people”, he said.

Wounded Palestinians receive medical treatment in the field hospital on the Gaza Strip border on May 14, 2018. /CGTN Photo

Israel’s use of lethal force against demonstrators in Gaza will escalate tensions if it did not exercise maximum restrain. This would eventually lead to an inevitable military confrontation between Hamas and Israel.