More than 35,000 Palestinians descended on the border between Gaza and Israel to protest the opening of the United States embassy in Jerusalem. The protesters clashed with Israeli security forces along the border fences, resulting in at least 52 deaths and thousands of injuries.
According to the Times of Israel, the rioters were "hurling pipe bombs and firebombs at IDF troops, burning tires, throwing stones and burning objects, with the intention of setting fires in Israel."
Israeli troops attempted to disperse the crowds using tear gas, and witnesses reported hearing gunfire exchanged between troops and the rioters.
The Israeli Air Force reportedly bombed a Hamas outpost in Jabaliya after troops reported they were being shot at from forces inside. No Israeli troops were injured.
The protests have been growing in intensity over the past two months. Since the protests began in March, over 2,300 Palestinians have been injured and dozens have lost their lives. Israel’s security service, Shin Bet, claims that Hamas is behind the protests and that they are hoping to use the chaos as a cover to carry out terror attacks within Israel.
"From the information we have, it appears Hamas is encouraging and sending protesters to the border fence in order to carry out violent acts and damage security infrastructure.”
Israeli officials announced that "an IDF patrol foiled a bomb-laying attack by a cell of three armed terrorists near Rafah, close to the border."
Photo: Getty Images