Palestinian baby killed by tear gas during Gaza massacre

Eight-month-old Leila al-Ghandour was exposed to tear gas east of Gaza City during major protests on Monday, in which the health ministry said 59 Palestinians were killed by Israeli snipers.
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Eight-month-old Leila al-Ghandour died east of Gaza City. [Getty]

A Palestinian baby died after suffocating from exposure to tear gas during mass protests in Gaza on Monday, the health ministry in the enclave announced Tuesday. 

Eight-month-old Leila al-Ghandour was exposed to the gas east of Gaza City during major protests on Monday, in which the health ministry said 59 Palestinians were killed by Israeli snipers.

It was not immediately clear how close to the border fence Ghandour and her family were.

The massacre of unarmed Palestinian protesters was the single deadliest day in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict since the devastating 2014 war, which killed 2,200 Palestinians.

At least eight children under the age of 16 were among the dead.

Over 100 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli military forces since the Great Return March protests began on 30 March.

More than 10,000 Palestinians have been injured.

Monday's protests were against the opening of the controversial US embassy to Israel in Jerusalem, which has caused outrage among Palestinians and the international community.

East Jerusalem is considered occupied Palestinian territory under international law.