Israel 'suffocates medical workers with gas bombs' in Gaza #GreatReturnMarch protests

Local Gazan media says two Palestinian ambulances were  targeted by Israel with gas bombs east of Khuza'a in the town of Khan Younis, injuring a number of paramedics.

Hundreds of Palestinians gathered on the Gaza border on Friday for the sixth week of protests in which nearly 50 people, including children, have already been killed by Israeli fire, according to a count by The New Arab. 

Hundreds of others have suffocated as a result of gas bombs in the east of Rafah, according to Hamas affiliated Shehab News Agency.

At a protest camp east of Gaza City, several hundred people prepared for demonstrations expected to gain momentum in the mid-afternoon following the main weekly Friday prayers.

Organisers said part of Friday's plans included attempting to fly dozens of kites, some carrying Molotov cocktails, over the border fence to target Israeli agriculture.

A 32-year-old man wearing a camouflage hat with his face masked, a traditional keffiyeh scarf around his neck, said they hoped to fly around 50 kites.

"We hope to return back to our land, which is occupied," said the man who declined to give his name. "I'm not afraid, only of Allah."

Hamas spokesperson Sami Abu Zuhri told local TV station al-Quds TV that this week’s protest aims to reject US President Donald Trump’s proposal to orchestrate the “deal of the century” between Palestinians and Israelis.

Israelis in southern Israel holding up a sign in broken Arabic which says "Only Lieberman (Israel's defence minister) understands Arabic - do not mess with us" [AFP]

Mass protests erupted on 30 March - dubbed "Great Return March" - which have centred on the right of Palestinian refugees to return to their homes, after they were expelled following the 1948 creation of Israel.

The protests along the Gaza border quickly turned deadly after Israeli forces began responding with live ammunition. Thousands of protesters have been wounded by gunfire or needed treatment for tear gas inhalation in the weeks of protests.

No Israelis have been reported hurt.

Israel has defended its disproportionate use of violence against peaceful protesters involved in the the Great Return March demonstrations after facing a legal challenge from international rights groups, suggesting human rights laws do not apply to what it described as "acts of war”.

Agencies contributed to this report.