The US Embassy in Israel will officially open in Jerusalem on Monday after its controversial relocation from Tel Aviv that sparked widespread concern, as the city of Jerusalem is contested by Israel and Palestine as their capital.
More than 10 thousand Palestinians are reportedly participating in protests in the Gaza Strip against the opening of the US Embassy in Jerusalem. The rally has already reportedly resulted in injuries of 22 people.
According to Gaza health officials, the Israeli forces have shot one Palestinian protester dead amid mass demonstrations.
At the same time, the Israeli army has deployed reinforcements along Gaza and the West Bank in the anticipation of a possible escalation and attempts to penetrate the borders in the run-up to the so-called Nakba Day on May 15 — the day that commemorates the Palestinian exodus that occurred as a result of Israel’s declaration of independence in 1948.
Earlier in the day, the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) announced that their jets had distributed leaflets across the Gaza Strip warning Palestinians against approaching the security fence on their shared border and engaging in life-threatening activities during riots, and stressed their determination to protect Israel’s sovereignty and security.
“In recent weeks, Hamas has been carrying out violence and terror against Israel, its boundaries, and the Gaza Strip. Hamas is trying to hide its many failures by endangering your lives … You deserve a better government and a better future. The IDF is warning you against approaching the security fence. The IDF is determined to protect Israel’s citizens and sovereignty against Hamas’ attempts to terrorize us under the pretense of violent riots. Do not approach the security fence and do not participate in Hamas’ life-threatening farce,” the leaflet, published by the IDF on Twitter, read.
The Gaza protests are expected to further intensify in the wake of the US embassy transfer to the disputed city of Jerusalem, a move that has been strongly condemned by Muslim countries, as well as states, backing the two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian crisis.
Since March 30, Palestinians have been holding mass rallies, known as the Great March of Return, near the Gaza Strip border. During these protests, dozens of Palestinians have been killed, and over 1,000 others have been injured as the Israeli forces continue to suppress the demonstrations. The Palestinians intend to go on with the march until Tuesday, when they will commemorate the 70th anniversary of their displacement.
Israel considers Jerusalem its capital, including the eastern part of the city, seized from Jordan during the Six-Day War in 1967.
The international community does not recognize the occupation of East Jerusalem, claiming that the status of the city should be determined on the basis of an agreement with the Palestinians, who claim the eastern part of Jerusalem to be their capital.