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8-month-old baby girl named Laila al-Ghandour was among the dozens of Palestinians killed in Gaza this week
5-16-2018
As of May 14, 52 Palestinians were reported killed by Israeli forces in Gaza, and more than 2000 injured, according to the Palestinian Ministry of Health (MoH), during demonstrations near the perimeter fence.
"We condemn in the strongest terms these atrocities by the Israeli occupying forces, using this massive fire power against civilians who have the right to demonstrate peacefully - and they have been demonstrating peacefully," said Ambassador Riyad Mansour.
Mansour said Palestinians demand an immediate stop to the violence and, pointing to Israel, said "we want those responsible to be brought to justice."
Although protests were originally announced as the culmination of the ‘Great March of Return’ which began on 30 March, there are indications that the demonstrations may continue until 5 June.
Mansour said the "massacre" was occurring as the US "illegally and unilateraly and in a provocative way is opening its embassy."
"It is very tragic that they are celebrating an illegal action while Israel is killing and injuring thousands of Palestinians civilians."
8-month-old baby girl named Laila al-Ghandour was among the dozens of Palestinians killed in Gaza this week.
The infant died after inhaling tear gas at one of the tented protest camps on Monday, the girl's grandmother told Reuters.
"When we got back home, the baby stopped crying and I thought she was asleep. I took her to the children's hospital and the doctor told me she was martyred (dead)," Heyam Omar said.
Several other children have reportedly been killed in addition to the 8-month-old baby. Eight children under 16 are among the dead as per the Palestinian envoy to UN.
On Monday, the former presidential candidate Bernie Sanders tweeted, "Over 50 killed in Gaza today and 2,000 wounded, on top of the 41 killed and more than 9,000 wounded over the past weeks. This is a staggering toll. Hamas violence does not justify Israel firing on unarmed protesters."
Trump has been almost silent on the situation except on Monday he Tweeted, "Big day for Israel. Congratulations!"
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