Fifteen Palestinians were killed and more than 1,000 injured Friday...

As the death toll in Gaza rises, Israel is facing growing criticism for using live ammunition against mobs of Palestinian protesters in the past month.

Azzam Aweida, 15, died early Saturday after being shot in the head by Israeli forces on Friday. The teenager was among at least 45 gunned down since March 30, the start of the “Great March of Return” protests.

Hundreds gathered at Aweida’s home in the town of Khan Younis for his funeral. Mourners carried his body, wrapped in a Palestinian flag, to a nearby mosque for prayers before burial.

“My son is a martyr, and I am very proud of him,” said his father, Helal Aweida.

The Israeli military said about 14,000 Gazans have been participating in what it described as “riots” at the border fence dividing the territory from the Jewish state, using “explosive devices, hand grenades and firebombs.”

Soldiers only shoot when protesters come too close to the fence, the military claimed. Two journalists and several teenagers were among those killed. No Israelis have been injured.

More than 1,500 people have been shot by Israeli troops since the start of the weekly protests, which are organized by private groups but supported by Hamas.

Most shot protesters were hit in the legs, according to the Gaza Health Ministry, but reports of severe injuries, including amputated limbs, have raised questions about the type of ammunition being used by Israeli forces.

Israel has accused the terror group Hamas of using the protests as cover to carry out attacks.

The European Union and others have called for an investigation, an idea Israel rejected. The US blocked moves for a probe at the United Nations.

Amnesty International called Friday for an arms embargo against Israel over its use of live fire in Gaza.

The protests come at a time of growing frustration for Palestinians, as prospects for an independent state look poor.

US-led peace talks between Israel and the Palestinians broke down in 2014.

Efforts by the Trump administration to revive negotiations have shown no sign of progress and were dealt a blow by President Trump’s decision to reverse decades of policy by moving the US Embassy to Jerusalem from Tel Aviv.

Demonstrations are expected to spike again ahead of the embassy opening on May 14. Trump said Friday he “may go” to the opening.

With Wire Services