FRIDAY, At least 15 Palestinians reportedly dead and over 1400 injured in confrontations with Israeli forces armed with rubber bullets, tear gas and live rounds during a protest - match towards and around a mesh fence that separates Gaza from Israel on the first day of protest scheduled to last six weeks.





The protest is called March of Return coincides with Palestinian Land Day, which commemorates the confiscation of Palestinian-owned land in Israel in 1976.

Organizers assure that it's a 'nonviolent protest' while warning about possible military response from Israeli forces but reports suggest that the protesters armed with stones and other rioting materials instigated the violence that marred the protest.





The Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) in a released statement said that thousands of protesting Palestinians were "rioting throughout the Gaza Strip, rolling burning tires and hurling stones at the security fence and at IDF troops, who are responding with riot dispersal means and firing towards main instigators."





The IDF said they are "prepared to respond to the violent riots planned throughout the Gaza Strip if needed," the statement added.





The Palestinian Red Crescent set up a field hospital in eastern Gaza with another being set up at Jabalia. A spokesperson for the Palestinian Red Crescent told that about 350 injuries were caused by live rounds.





Israeli Defense Minister, Avigdor Lieberman tweeted a warning to Gaza residents that Hamas - the political and militant group that controls Gaza is "risking your lives." Also warned that anyone who approached the border was "endangering his life."

Israeli Air Force fighter jets also hit three Hamas locations after an alleged shooting attack in northern Gaza was foiled, according to an IDF statement.