Palestinians’ bloodbath as US Embassy moves to Jerusalem

JERUSALEM: Fifty-two Palestinians were martyred by Israeli fire during violent clashes on Monday on the Gaza-Israel border coinciding with the shifting of the US Embassy in Jerusalem, the health ministry in the strip announced.

Tens of thousands took part in protests throughout the Gaza Strip, with some confronting Israeli soldiers along the border in the bloodiest day in the conflict since a 2014 war. More than 2,400 were wounded, the ministry said.

The protests ended for the day before sunset but fresh demonstrations are expected Tuesday. The United States opened its deeply controversial embassy in Jerusalem on Monday but the inauguration was marred by violent clashes along the Gaza border that left 52 Palestinians martyred from Israeli fire in the conflict’s bloodiest day in years.

The clashes, which left hundreds of Palestinians wounded, erupted before a White House delegation and Israeli officials opened the embassy at an inauguration ceremony in Jerusalem and continued throughout the day. It was the bloodiest day in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict since a 2014 Gaza war.

The dead included a 14-year-old, according to the Gazan health ministry. Tens of thousands had gathered near the border in protest while smaller numbers of stone-throwing Palestinians approached the fence and sought to break through, with Israeli snipers positioned on the other side.

The embassy inauguration nonetheless went on as planned, attended by a Washington delegation that included US President Donald Trump´s daughter Ivanka and her husband Jared Kushner, both White House aides.

Ivanka Trump helped declare the new embassy open and a plaque and seal were unveiled before the 800 guests at the ceremony. Trump addressed the ceremony by video. "Our greatest hope is for peace," he said despite the Palestinian anger the move has provoked. The United States remains fully committed to facilitating a lasting peace agreement."

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told Trump in his address that "by recognising history you have made history." He added later: "We are in Jerusalem and we are here to stay."

Along the Gaza border, crowds built throughout the day in the Palestinian enclave less than 100 kilometres away from Jerusalem and sealed off from Israel by a blockade. Israel´s military said in the late afternoon that "40,000 Palestinians are currently partaking in violent riots in 13 locations along the Gaza Strip security fence."

"The rioters are hurling firebombs and explosive devices at the security fence and at Israeli troops and are burning tyres, throwing rocks and launching flaming objects with the intention of igniting fires in Israeli territory and harming Israeli troops." It said soldiers were responding with "riot dispersal means and fire."

The military also said one of its fighter jets had struck five targets at a Hamas training facility in Gaza. Turkey condemned the killing by Israeli forces of 52 Palestinians protesting on Monday at the Gaza border against the opening of the American embassy in Jerusalem, saying the United States was an accomplice in a crime against humanity.

"Unfortunately, the US has arrogantly stood by the Israeli administration which kills civilians and has partnered in this crime against humanity," Prime Minister Binali Yildirim told reporters in Ankara.

The bloodshed along Gaza´s border with Israel is an "abhorrent violation" of human rights, Amnesty International said on Monday after dozens of Palestinians were martyred by Israeli fire. "We are witnessing an abhorrent violation of international law and human rights in Gaza. This must end immediately," the London-based human rights group said on Twitter.

Earlier, a military plane and tank targeted two other Hamas posts in response to what it said was fire toward its forces by Hamas. The Palestinian Authority government based in the West Bank accused Israel of committing a "terrible massacre."

EU foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini said "we expect all to act with utmost restraint to avoid further loss of life." In a tweet on Monday, Trump said: "Big day for Israel. Congratulations!" The ceremony took place at what until now had been a US consulate building in Jerusalem.

Saeb Erekat, Palestine Liberation Organisation secretary-general, called it a "hostile act against international law". Arab League chief Ahmed Abul Gheit blasted as "shameful" countries that were celebrating the embassy opening.

Police and the Israeli military deployed massively. Israeli Defence Minister Avigdor Lieberman said in a message to Gazans "we will protect our civilians with all our means and not enable the fence to be crossed."

Israelis began celebrating on Sunday, as tens of thousands marched in Jerusalem, some holding American flags, to mark Jerusalem Day. The annual event is an Israeli celebration of the "reunification" of the city following the 1967 Six-Day War.

Israel occupied the West Bank and east Jerusalem in 1967 and later annexed east Jerusalem in a move never recognised by the international community. Beyond the disputed nature of Jerusalem, the date of the embassy move is also key.

May 14 marks the 70th anniversary of the founding of Israel. The following day, Palestinians mark the "Nakba", or catastrophe, commemorating the more than 700,000 Palestinians who fled or were expelled from their homes in the 1948 war surrounding Israel´s creation.

Palestinian protests are also planned for Tuesday. Israel says it only opens fire when necessary to stop infiltrations, attacks and damage to the border fence, while accusing Hamas of seeking to use the protests as cover to carry out violence.

Jerusalem´s status is perhaps the thorniest issue in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Israel considers the entire city its capital, while the Palestinians see east Jerusalem as the capital of their future state. -