Calm After Storm as Palestinians Mourn Victims of Violence on Gaza Border

Mass protests erupted in Gaza in light of the 70th anniversary of the establishment of Israel and the opening of the US Embassy in Jerusalem on Monday. A total of 61 Palestinians were killed and over 2,700 were injured by the Israeli forces, according to the Palestinian Health Ministry. Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas declared a three-day mourning after Monday's bloodshed.

The situation on the territory of the protest tent camps, which were pitched in Gaza back in March, seems to be back on track, with vendors selling sunflower seeds and people cooking meals. The local television is broadcasting reports of correspondents wearing bullet-proof jackets and helmets.

Meanwhile, groups of teenagers sally out into the territory near the border fence, throwing rocks at Israeli soldiers. Local boys also fly the so-called drone of the Palestinian resistance across the border— cellophane kites carrying a petrol rag in a bid to cause a fire on the Israeli territory.

Israeli soldiers are observing the situation from the breastworks. A couple of times, armored jeeps were deployed to the border to fire gas grenades, with no injuries reported.

​The chief of the medical post, Khalil Siyam, talks about the dedicated work of his colleagues, a chronic shortage of medicines and exploding bullets used by the Israeli military.

​However, not only firearms kill or injure Palestinians in Gaza, but also tear gas dispersed by Israeli soldiers. The latest victim is an eight-month-old girl who supposedly died after having inhaled gas in Gaza. A local mosque held a service in her memory, while her small body covered in the Palestinian flag was carried across the central city streets where all shops and stores were closed in sign of mourning. The funeral procession intermingled praises to Allah with curses toward Israel.

"I also have a son. He got wounds in both arms and has been bleeding since yesterday. We need medicines … I call on the Arab world and the international community to stop the bloodshed in Gaza Strip," the grieving mother told reporters at the funeral.

The versions of the tragic events diverge. According to one of them, the children were brought to the protests by their father.

​Since March 30, Palestinians have been holding the so-called Great March of Return, near the Gaza Strip border. During these protests, dozens of Palestinians protesters have been killed, and thousands of others have been injured as the Israeli forces continue suppressing the demonstrations.