Israeli forces open fire on Gaza protests, killing two and injuring scores

Israeli forces opened fire on protests in the Gaza Strip on Friday, killing at least two Palestinians and injuring dozens more.

Gaza's Ministry of Health said two Palestinians were killed and over 270 injured as Israeli soldiers opened fire on demonstrations calling for the right of return for Palestinian refugees.

The ministry named one man as Karim Abu Fatayer, 30, and said he was shot near the central Gaza Strip town of Bureij.

The second was named as Saadi Akram Moamer, 26, who was shot east of Rafah.

Over 40 Palestinians were injured by live fire.

At least 160 Palestinians have been killed since the Great Return March protests began on 30 March, with more than 17,500 injured.

More than 68 Palestinians injured by Israeli forces have required amputations of either lower or upper limbs since protests began.

Palestinians are calling to return to the homes their families were forced from in 1948, during the war surrounding the creation of Israel.

Protesters have also called for an end to the decade-long crippling blockade on the Palestinian enclave.

Israel says its use of live fire is necessary to defend its borders and stop infiltrations, but human rights groups accuse it of disproportionate force against unarmed protesters. 

Gaza has been under an Israeli blockade for over a decade, with residents banned from leaving the besieged coastal enclave.