President Donald Trump has said he remains committed to securing a peace deal between Israelis and Palestinians, even as deadly protests broke out amid the dedication of a new US embassy in Jerusalem.

Mr Trump released a video message on the day of the dedication, which he spurred when he decided to officially recognise Jerusalem as the capital of Israel last year.

In the video message, Mr Trump said the relocation of the US embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem – one of his key campaign promises, and a break from decades of US policy – was “a long time coming”.

“Israel is a sovereign nation with the right, like every other sovereign nation, to determine its own capital,” he said in the pre-recorded address. “Yet for many years we failed to acknowledge the obvious: the plain reality that Israel’s capital is Jerusalem.”

The embassy dedication – attended by Mr Trump’s daughter, Ivanka, and his son-in-law, Jared Kushner – was celebrated by Jewish Israelis but heavily protested by Palestinians, who also claim Jerusalem as their capital.

Jared Kushner: The United States stands with Israel

At least 41 Palestinians were killed and 1,700 were wounded by Israeli forces during protests at the Israeli border in Gaza on Monday, according to the Palestinian Ministry of Health. It was the deadliest single day since Palestinians began protesting at the border fence more than six weeks ago.

The Israel Defense Forces claimed the Palestinian militant group Hamas was leading a “terrorist operation" at the border, and estimated that about 35,000 "violent rioters" were assembled near the fence. Some were planting or throwing explosives, the military said.

Hundreds of Arab Israelis, including five members of parliament, also staged a protest near the site of the new embassy on Monday, according to the Associated Press.

Gazans protest as US embassy moves to Jerusalem – in pictures Show all 37 1 /37 Gazans protest as US embassy moves to Jerusalem – in pictures Gazans protest as US embassy moves to Jerusalem – in pictures Palestinian mourners carry the dead body of Mukhtar Ebu Hamas, 25, killed by Israeli forces in Gaza on 14 May Getty Gazans protest as US embassy moves to Jerusalem – in pictures A Palestinian woman flashes a victory sign during a protest near the border fence AFP/Getty Gazans protest as US embassy moves to Jerusalem – in pictures Israeli soldiers guard on top of a watch tower along the Israel-Gaza border AP Gazans protest as US embassy moves to Jerusalem – in pictures Palestinian demonstrators react to fired tear gas Reuters Gazans protest as US embassy moves to Jerusalem – in pictures Palestinian demonstrators run for cover Reuters Gazans protest as US embassy moves to Jerusalem – in pictures US President's daughter Ivanka Trump and her husband Senior White House Advisor Jared Kushner arrive for the controversial inauguration of the US embassy in Jerusalem. The United States moved its embassy in Israel to Jerusalem after months of global outcry, Palestinian anger and exuberant praise from Israelis over President Donald Trump's decision tossing aside decades of precedent. AFP/Getty Gazans protest as US embassy moves to Jerusalem – in pictures Palestinians carry a demonstrator injured during clashes AFP/Getty Gazans protest as US embassy moves to Jerusalem – in pictures US Ambassador to Israel David Friedman speaks during the dedication ceremony of the new US embassy in Jerusalem Reuters Gazans protest as US embassy moves to Jerusalem – in pictures A Palestinian man walks in the smoke billowing from burning tyres AFP/Getty Gazans protest as US embassy moves to Jerusalem – in pictures Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu waves as he arrives ahead of the dedication ceremony of the new US embassy in Jerusalem. Reuters Gazans protest as US embassy moves to Jerusalem – in pictures Palestinian protesters lying on the floor during clashes Rex Gazans protest as US embassy moves to Jerusalem – in pictures Palestinian protesters burn tires AP Gazans protest as US embassy moves to Jerusalem – in pictures Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, his wife Sara, Senior White House Advisor Jared Kushner, US President's daughter Ivanka Trump, US Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin and US ambassador to Israel David Friedman attend the opening of the US embassy in Jerusalem. AFP/Getty Gazans protest as US embassy moves to Jerusalem – in pictures A Palestinian man assists a wounded protestor AFP/Getty Gazans protest as US embassy moves to Jerusalem – in pictures A Palestinian man holding his national flag walks in the smoke billowing from burning tyres AFP/Getty Gazans protest as US embassy moves to Jerusalem – in pictures US Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin and Ivanka Trump unveil an inauguration plaque during the opening of the US embassy in Jerusalem AFP/Getty Gazans protest as US embassy moves to Jerusalem – in pictures Palestinians carry a protester injured AFP/Getty Gazans protest as US embassy moves to Jerusalem – in pictures Ivanka Trump and US Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin stand next to the dedication plaque at the US embassy in Jerusalem Reuters Gazans protest as US embassy moves to Jerusalem – in pictures A Palestinian demonstrator uses a sling to hurl stones at Israeli troops during a protest against U.S. embassy Reuters Gazans protest as US embassy moves to Jerusalem – in pictures A female Palestinian demonstrator stands amidst smoke Reuters Gazans protest as US embassy moves to Jerusalem – in pictures Ivanka Trump attends the opening ceremony of the new US embassy in Jerusalem AP Gazans protest as US embassy moves to Jerusalem – in pictures Palestinian medics and protesters evacuate a wounded protester AP Gazans protest as US embassy moves to Jerusalem – in pictures An Israeli soldier aims his weapon at Palestinian demonstrators Reuters Gazans protest as US embassy moves to Jerusalem – in pictures Gazans carry an injured protestor Rex Gazans protest as US embassy moves to Jerusalem – in pictures Protestors gather to demonstrate Reuters Gazans protest as US embassy moves to Jerusalem – in pictures An Israeli soldier fires tear gas at demonstrators Reuters Gazans protest as US embassy moves to Jerusalem – in pictures A Palestinian demonstrator poses with a slingshot Reuters Gazans protest as US embassy moves to Jerusalem – in pictures Protestors carry tires Reuters Gazans protest as US embassy moves to Jerusalem – in pictures A demonstrator kicks a burning tire Reuters Gazans protest as US embassy moves to Jerusalem – in pictures Palestinians congregate prior to their demonstration against the US moving their embassy to Jerusalem Reuters Gazans protest as US embassy moves to Jerusalem – in pictures Female Palestinian demonstrators react to tear gas fired by Israeli troops Reuters Gazans protest as US embassy moves to Jerusalem – in pictures A Palestinian demonstrator reacts Reuters Gazans protest as US embassy moves to Jerusalem – in pictures A Palestinian man throws leaflets dropped by the Israeli military during a protest against the US embassy move to Jerusalem and ahead of the 70th anniversary of Nakba, at the Israel-Gaza border, east of Gaza City Reuters Gazans protest as US embassy moves to Jerusalem – in pictures A boy holds a Palestinian flag as he stands amidst smoke Reuters Gazans protest as US embassy moves to Jerusalem – in pictures A Palestinian demonstrator tries to put out a fire caused by objects dropped from Israeli drones during a protest against the US embassy move to Jerusalem and ahead of the 70th anniversary of Nakba, in Khan Younis in the southern Gaza Strip Reuters Gazans protest as US embassy moves to Jerusalem – in pictures A Palestinian demonstrator with a slingshot REUTERS Gazans protest as US embassy moves to Jerusalem – in pictures Protesters look up at falling tear gas cannisters dropped by an Israeli drone AFP/Getty

Still, Mr Trump maintained that the US’s “greatest hope” in the region was for lasting peace.

“The United States remains fully committed to facilitating a lasting peace agreement, and we continue to support the status quo at Jerusalem's holy sites,” he said.

Mr Kushner echoed this sentiment in his address at the dedication, saying it was possible for both sides to “live in peace, safe from danger, free from fear, and able to pursue their dreams”.

"Jerusalem must remain a city that brings people of all faiths together," added Mr Kushner, who the president has charged with spearheading peace negotiations.

Trump: 'Jerusalem was the right thing to do, we took that off the table'

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas said in December that the US was no longer qualified to broker peace talks in the region after Mr Trump’s decision on Jerusalem. Nearly 60 Muslim countries signed a joint declaration affirming this.

Leaders from Lebanon, Turkey, Egypt, Ireland, the Netherlands, and numerous other countries reiterated their opposition to the embassy’s relocation on Monday. The leader of the UN, Antonio Guterres, also expressed his concern at the number of people killed at the Israeli border.

Ismail Radwan, a representative of Hamas, said protests would continue until Palestinians were allowed the “right of return” to the land from which they were displaced during the 1948 formation of Israel.

“We will continue on this path until the rights of the Palestinian people are achieved,” he said, according to the Associated Press.