#GreatReturnMarch: World stands by Palestine as Israel kills peaceful protesters

The peaceful protests, which began on Friday, included cultural events such as traditional Palestinian dabka dancing for the thousands of families, women and children attending. But demonstrations soon turned sour after at least 12 people were killed and more than 1,000 injured by Israeli forces.

While Israel unleashes its heavy-handed response on protesters, millions across the world are keeping an eye on the planned six-week protest - dubbed 'Great March of Return' - using social media to stand with the Palestinians from the besieged Gaza strip.

“We fire rockets and it's not good enough. We march on the border and it's not good enough. We die in silence and it's not good enough. What do you want from us?”

I'd say Happy Passover, but our snipers and tanks are currently sitting behind super-secure border fences, using live fire to cut down unarmed demonstrators trying to walk out of bondage. So.

BREAKING: 3000 Israeli soldiers deployed on outskirts of Gaza

Should be noted that 80 percent of Gaza's population are refugees. In the #GreatReturnMarch families are taking part. Here women hold up signs with the names of the villages their families were forcibly displaced from.

Now from Gaza borders ... 

#GreatMarchofReturn 

#مسيرة_العودة_الكبرى

"It is amazing and inspiring how restrained and nonviolent Palestinian demonstrators are remaining throughout these protests in Gaza even after Israel has killed 5 demonstrators."

"Israel expels Palestinians, steals land, destroys villages, and collectively punishes millions trapped in an open air prison, & then when those very Palestinians peacefully march to return to their homes & land, they're called infiltrators & are shot on sight. #GreatReturnMarch"

"In a warning to Netanyahu a few years ago, Kerry asked what Israel would do if it was confronted by thousands of unarmed Palestinians marching and demanding their rights. Today we are getting the Israeli answer."

Organisers say the camps will remain in place until May 15 when Palestinians commemorate the Nakba, or "catastrophe", when more than 700,000 Palestinians fled their land or were expelled during the war that led to the creation of Israel in 1948.

According to the United Nations, some 1.3 million of Gaza's 2 million residents are refugees or their descendants and the protest is calling for them to be allowed to return to land that is now Israel.

Washington's plans to launch its new embassy in Jerusalem around the same time, to coincide with the 70th anniversary of the foundation of the Israeli state, have further stoked Palestinian anger.