As you already know, Israel is celebrating the opening of the US Embassy in Jerusalem today, which also coincides with Israel’s 70th anniversary of being a state.
With those celebrations come massive Palestinian riots on the Gaza border, according to the IDF:
Over 35,000 Palestinians are currently taking part in violent riots along the security fence. The rioters are hurling firebombs & explosive devices, burning tires, throwing rocks, & attempting to ignite fires in Israeli territory
— Israel Defense Forces (@IDF) May 14, 2018
IDF troops are responding with riot dispersal means and fire, and are operating according to standard operating procedures
— Israel Defense Forces (@IDF) May 14, 2018
Here’s video of the protests:
VIDEO: Clashes have erupted between Palestinians and Israeli forces along the Gaza Strip's border with Israel ahead of the controversial inauguration of the US embassy in Jerusalem pic.twitter.com/lR70N5wPOQ
— AFP news agency (@AFP) May 14, 2018
According to the AP, Palestinians are reporting 37 dead thus far:
Gaza’s Health Ministry says the number of Palestinians killed by Israeli army fire amid mass protests near the Gaza border has reached 37, making it the deadliest day since a 2014 war with Israel.
The ministry says at least 448 Palestinians were shot and wounded Monday, while hundreds more suffered other types of injuries, including from tear gas.
The violence made it the deadliest day in Gaza since the devastating cross-border war between the territory’s Hamas rulers and Israel four years ago, and clouded the opening of the U.S. Embassy in Jerusalem.
The deaths brought to 79 the number of Palestinians killed by Israeli soldiers firing from across the border fence since mass border protests began in late March. More than 2,200 Gaza residents have been wounded in that time by Israeli fire.
Even thought it’s being reported by the Palestinian Health Ministry, the number of dead is probably accurate and is expected to rise throughout the day and night.