"IAF [Israeli Air Force] fighter jets targeted 6 military targets belonging to the Hamas terror organization's naval force in the Gaza Strip," the Israel Defense Forces tweeted.

Hundreds of Palestinians tried to breach the fence earlier in the day to cross into what they say is their ancestral land. Israeli soldiers used live fire, killing three people. A total of 43 people have lost their lives over five weeks of violence at the border, which IDF blames on Hamas.</s>GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip (AP) — Thousands of Palestinians joined a mass funeral on Thursday for a Hamas scientist who was gunned down in Malaysia last week, as Hamas' leader accused Israel of killing him and vowed revenge.

Fadi al-Batsh was laid to rest shortly after his body was returned to Gaza through the Egyptian border.

Hamas chief Ismail Haniyeh led the funeral prayers at a mosque in Jabaliya, the town in northern Gaza where al-Batsh grew up.

"The hand that assassinated the scientist will be severed," he said, as the crowd responded with chants of "God is great."

Al-Batsh's body was brought to Gaza after crossing the Egyptian border earlier on Thursday, after Malaysia and Egypt arranged the return.

Israeli Defense Minister Avigdor Lieberman had urged Egypt to reject the request to help repatriate the body and put pressure on Hamas to return two captive Israeli civilians and the remains of two Israeli soldiers the militant group is believed to be holding.

Haniyeh thanked Malaysia and Egypt for allowing al-Batsh's repatriation "against the will of" Lieberman.

Al-Batsh, an electrical engineering lecturer in Malaysia, was killed last week by two assailants on a motorcycle as he was walking to a mosque in Kuala Lumpur.

Hamas identified him as a commander in its military wing and quickly accused Israel's Mossad spy agency of being behind the hit. Israeli media reported that al-Batsh was a key player in a military drone program being developed by Hamas.

Israel has a long history of assassinating wanted militants, though it rarely acknowledges responsibility. But in a published interview on Thursday, Lieberman said Israel did not do it.

"We did not assassinate him," Lieberman told the Arabic news site Elaph. "Ask James Bond," he added. "Maybe James Bond killed him like in the movies."

Family members, Hamas leaders and other Palestinian dignitaries greeted the body, wrapped in a Palestinian flag, as it arrived at the Rafah border terminal.

"You are returning back to us ... paving the way for our return to Palestine," said Khalil al-Hayya, a top Hamas leader, at a small ceremony.

"To the occupation, we say the debt to us has become heavy," he said. "The day of punishment is coming."

Israel and Hamas, a militant group sworn to Israel's destruction, are bitter enemies that have fought three wars since Hamas seized control of Gaza in 2007.

Tensions have heightened recently as Hamas has organized mass protests along the Israeli border.

Earlier on Thursday in Gaza, hundreds of Palestinians took part in the funeral of a Gaza journalist who died after being shot by Israeli troops while covering a protest on April 13.

Ahmed Abu Hussein, 24, died from his wounds on Wednesday at an Israeli hospital, where he had been transferred.

Amateur video taken at the time shows him wearing a blue vest and helmet with the word "TV" on it. He appeared to be standing far from the Israeli border in a group of bystanders when he was shot.

In a statement Thursday, the Israeli military said "the circumstances regarding the injury of Ahmed Abu Hussein will be examined."

During the weekly demonstrations so far, 35 protesters, including two journalists, have been killed by Israeli live fire.

The Palestinian Health Ministry said 21 of those wounded by Israeli fire in the protests have since had to undergo amputations due to their wounds. It said 17 lost legs and four lost fingers or parts of their upper limbs.

Rights groups, the United Nations and the European Union have all criticized Israel's use of live fire against unarmed protesters.

Israel says it is defending its border and accuses Hamas of using the demonstrations as cover to plan and carry out attacks.</s>Palestinian group Hamas on Saturday blamed Israel for recent military escalation in the Gaza Strip.

Israeli warplanes struck late Friday military targets belonging to the armed wing of Hamas and two boats belonging to maritime police.

The Israeli military said the attacks were in response to "an infiltration attempt".

"The Israeli bombardment reflects the state of confusion in Israel over its failure to deal with the [anti-occupation] rallies," Hamas spokesman Fawzi Barhoum said in a statement.

Tension has been high along Gaza border amid Palestinian rallies demanding the return of refugees to their homes in historical Palestine from which they were driven in 1948 to make way for the new state of Israel.

At least 46 Palestinians have been killed and hundreds injured by Israeli gunfire since the rallies began in late March. 

“Our people will continue their advance until their goals are achieved,” Barhoum said. “The enemy’s escalation will do nothing but make them [demonstrators] stronger.”

The rallies are part of a six-week protest that will culminate on May 15. That day will mark the 70th anniversary of Israel's establishment -- an event Palestinians refer to as the "Nakba" or "Catastrophe".</s>GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip (AP) — The Latest on developments surrounding the killing of a Palestinian in Malaysia (all times local):

Thousands of people, led by Hamas chief Ismail Haniyeh, are taking part in the funeral of Hamas engineer Fadi al-Batsh in northern Gaza.

Haniyeh led the funeral prayers at a mosque in Jabaliya, the town where al-Batsh grew up. He accused Israel of killing al-Batsh, who was gunned down in Malaysia last week, and vowed revenge.

Haniyeh said "the hand that assassinated the scientist will be severed." He also thanked Malaysia and Egypt for allowing the body to be repatriated to Gaza "against the will of" Israeli Defense Minister Avigdor Lieberman.

Lieberman had said the body should not be returned until Hamas releases captive Israeli civilians and the remains of Israeli soldiers it is holding.

Mourners interrupted Haniyeh several times in applause, chanting "God is Great."

The body of a Hamas scientist gunned down in Malaysia last week has arrived in his native Gaza for burial.

Relatives and Palestinian faction leaders gathered in a show of respect to greet the body of Fadi al-Batsh as it entered Gaza through the Egyptian border. Hamas has scheduled a funeral for Friday.

Al-Batsh, who was working as a university researcher in Malaysia, was killed by a pair of assailants on motorcycles early Saturday as he was on his way to pray at a mosque in Kuala Lumpur.

Hamas has identified him as commander in its military wing and accused Israel of killing him.

But on Thursday, Israeli Defense Minister Avigdor Lieberman said Israel did not do it.

Israeli media have reported that al-Batsh was involved in Hamas' military drone program.

Israel's defense minister is denying that his country killed a Hamas-affiliated scientist who was gunned down last week in Malaysia.

Avigdor Lieberman told the Arabic news site Elaph that "we did not assassinate him."

When asked in the interview on Thursday who killed Palestinian engineer Fadi al-Batsh, the minister said: "Ask James Bond ... maybe James Bond killed him like in the movies."

Al-Batsh, an electrical engineering lecturer at a Malaysian university, was gunned down by two men on a motorcycle as he was on his way to a mosque on Saturday.

In Gaza, Hamas leaders and relatives are waiting at the Egyptian border for his body.

Hamas, the militant Islamic group that rules Gaza, accuses Israel of assassinating al-Batsh. He is to be buried Friday at a ceremony led by Ismail Haniyeh, Hamas' top leader.

Hundreds of Palestinians have participated in the funeral of a Gaza journalist who died after being shot by Israeli troops while covering a border protest.

Ahmed Abu Hussein, 24, died Wednesday at an Israeli hospital, nearly two weeks after he was shot on April 13.

Abu Hussein was covering the weekly massive protests organized by Hamas, the militant group that controls Gaza.

Hamas leaders and family members were waiting Thursday at the Egyptian border for the body of a Hamas-affiliated scientist gunned down last week in Malaysia. The body of Fadi al-Batsh, an engineering lecturer in a Kuala Lumpur university, was expected to arrive later Thursday.

Hamas, which accuses Israel of assassinating al-Batsh, is to bury him on Friday at a ceremony led by Ismail Haniyeh, the group's top leader.</s>GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip (AP) — The Latest on developments surrounding the killing of a Palestinian in Malaysia (all times local):

Thousands of people, led by Hamas chief Ismail Haniyeh, are taking part in the funeral of Hamas engineer Fadi al-Batsh in northern Gaza.

Haniyeh led the funeral prayers at a mosque in Jabaliya, the town where al-Batsh grew up. He accused Israel of killing al-Batsh, who was gunned down in Malaysia last week, and vowed revenge.

Haniyeh said "the hand that assassinated the scientist will be severed." He also thanked Malaysia and Egypt for allowing the body to be repatriated to Gaza "against the will of" Israeli Defense Minister Avigdor Lieberman.

Lieberman had said the body should not be returned until Hamas releases captive Israeli civilians and the remains of Israeli soldiers it is holding.

Mourners interrupted Haniyeh several times in applause, chanting "God is Great."

The body of a Hamas scientist gunned down in Malaysia last week has arrived in his native Gaza for burial.

Relatives and Palestinian faction leaders gathered in a show of respect to greet the body of Fadi al-Batsh as it entered Gaza through the Egyptian border. Hamas has scheduled a funeral for Friday.

Al-Batsh, who was working as a university researcher in Malaysia, was killed by a pair of assailants on motorcycles early Saturday as he was on his way to pray at a mosque in Kuala Lumpur.

Hamas has identified him as commander in its military wing and accused Israel of killing him.

But on Thursday, Israeli Defense Minister Avigdor Lieberman said Israel did not do it.

Israeli media have reported that al-Batsh was involved in Hamas' military drone program.

Israel's defense minister is denying that his country killed a Hamas-affiliated scientist who was gunned down last week in Malaysia.

Avigdor Lieberman told the Arabic news site Elaph that "we did not assassinate him."

When asked in the interview on Thursday who killed Palestinian engineer Fadi al-Batsh, the minister said: "Ask James Bond ... maybe James Bond killed him like in the movies."

Al-Batsh, an electrical engineering lecturer at a Malaysian university, was gunned down by two men on a motorcycle as he was on his way to a mosque on Saturday.

In Gaza, Hamas leaders and relatives are waiting at the Egyptian border for his body.

Hamas, the militant Islamic group that rules Gaza, accuses Israel of assassinating al-Batsh. He is to be buried Friday at a ceremony led by Ismail Haniyeh, Hamas' top leader.

Hundreds of Palestinians have participated in the funeral of a Gaza journalist who died after being shot by Israeli troops while covering a border protest.

Ahmed Abu Hussein, 24, died Wednesday at an Israeli hospital, nearly two weeks after he was shot on April 13.

Abu Hussein was covering the weekly massive protests organized by Hamas, the militant group that controls Gaza.

Hamas leaders and family members were waiting Thursday at the Egyptian border for the body of a Hamas-affiliated scientist gunned down last week in Malaysia. The body of Fadi al-Batsh, an engineering lecturer in a Kuala Lumpur university, was expected to arrive later Thursday.

Hamas, which accuses Israel of assassinating al-Batsh, is to bury him on Friday at a ceremony led by Ismail Haniyeh, the group's top leader.</s>Israel bombed six naval targets of the Islamist movement Hamas in the Gaza Strip overnight, the Israeli army said.

The bombing was in response to an attempt at mass infiltration during the protests on Friday, the army said.</s>GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip (AP) — In a sit-in tent camp near the Gaza border with Israel, a lecturer answered questions from activists grappling with the concept of non-violent protest.

They asked what's allowed, listing different actions. Throwing stones and holding rallies is permitted, he said. Throwing firebombs is a "maybe" and using knives a definite "no."

Such workshops — held amid weekly mass marches on the border for the past month — are the latest sign of the Hamas militant group's search for new tactics for breaking the debilitating blockade of Gaza. Israel and Egypt closed the borders after Hamas overran Gaza in 2007, and Israel blockades the sea and controls the skies, making it increasingly difficult for the group to govern.

The border protests were the idea of grassroots activists several months ago, and the project, envisioned as non-violent, was quickly embraced by Hamas. The militant group has led the organization and been careful to contain the protests by keeping its armed men far away and out of sight.

Hamas has been supportive, said workshop lecturer Issam Hammad, a self-described independent who runs a medical supplies company. "They encourage young people to take part."

Any degree of non-violence would be a striking departure for Hamas, which over the years has attacked Israelis with suicide bombings, shootings and rockets. For more than a decade the group has tightly controlled Gaza, quashing dissent.

The large-scale protests are the only card the group has left, three high-ranking Hamas officials told The Associated Press, speaking on condition of anonymity because they were discussing internal strategy.

They said Hamas rules out other options — either disarming or fighting another cross-border war with Israel. The last one, in 2014, devastated Gaza, a coastal territory with 2 million people squeezed into 140 square miles (365 square kilometers).

Bassem Naim, another senior Hamas official, believes the new method has refocused world attention on Gaza's misery. The territory suffers from grueling power cuts and a two-thirds unemployment rate among young men.

"The momentum of the marches is going strong and will continue," he said. "People can no longer endure the siege and will not stop until the siege is stopped."

Each Friday, thousands of people have gathered in five tent camps near the border, while smaller groups throw stones and burn tires closer to the border fence.

Since protests began in late March, 35 Palestinians were killed and more than 1,500 wounded by Israeli soldiers firing across the border. Rights groups say open-fire regulations are unlawful because they permit troops to use potentially lethal force against unarmed protesters.

Israel says it's defending its sovereign border, including nearby communities, and that troops only target instigators. It accuses Hamas of using the protests as a cover for damaging the fence and preparing to infiltrate and carry out attacks. There is considerable fear among Israelis of a mass breach in which Gazans stream across, militants mixed in, wreaking havoc.

Nonetheless, the European Union urged Israel to stop using deadly force against unarmed protesters, and a senior U.N. envoy to the region called Israel's deadly shooting of a 14-year-old Gaza boy last week "outrageous."

Hamas has kept the pressure on Israel by at least telegraphing an embrace of nonviolence. For example, top leader Ismail Haniyeh recently spoke against the backdrop of posters of icons such as Nelson Mandela and Martin Luther King Jr.

The senior Hamas officials said the movement has learned from mistakes, such as confronting Israel's powerful military with crude rocket fire. They said Hamas is offering Israel an open-ended truce in exchange for lifting the blockade.

Hamas says it wants to keep its weapons for defensive purposes — a claim undercut by the group's tunnel program. Hamas had built tunnels from Gaza into Israel in recent years, for attacks, before Israel began destroying them.

But Israel and Hamas' main Palestinian rival, West Bank-based President Mahmoud Abbas, are skeptical because of the group's refusal to disarm.

Hamas "is changing its tactics, but it's not changing its nature and strategies," said Palestinian analyst Abdel Majed Sweilem.

Abbas has told Egyptian mediators that he will only return to Gaza if Hamas hands over all powers, including control over weapons. Hamas drove out Abbas' forces a year after it won 2006 Palestinian parliamentary elections.

Organizers say that in addition to compelling an end to the blockade, the marches are meant to press for the "right of return" of refugees and their descendants to what is now Israel.

Hundreds of thousands of Palestinians fled or were driven from their homes in the 1948 war over Israel's creation, and march organizers see May 15, the anniversary of Israel's founding, as a key target day.

Some Hamas leaders have called for a mass border breach, while others are vague. Haniyeh told protesters that "we will return to Palestine," without giving specifics.

Either way, Hamas faces a tough decision ahead of May 15.

If it stops short of a mass breach, momentum may falter.

Israel has warned that a mass breach could lead to many casualties. If huge crowds break through the fence, Israel could have a stronger case for using lethal force.

Hamas leaders would face renewed accusations of cynically exploiting Gaza civilians — especially if senior leaders stay back while desperate young men rush into danger. A high casualty toll also risks triggering another war.

Hammad, who began holding non-violence workshops a week ago, offers a definition of non-violence disputed by Israel, whose military considers stone-throwing and burning tires "acts of terrorism."

But it's new to Gaza, where young people grew up with Hamas' fiery rhetoric and lived through three wars, including massive Israeli air strikes.

Participant Yousef al-Qishawi, 27, said he grew up thinking the use of force was the only language Israel understands, but has realized it only hurts Palestinians.

"Now, we are learning about more ways and peaceful methods that are more effective," he said.</s>GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip (AP) — The Latest on protests at Gaza border with Israel (all times local):

The Palestinian U.N. ambassador is challenging Israel to agree to an independent commission to investigate events in Gaza and determine "who are the criminals, who are violating international law and to hold them responsible for these crimes."

Riyad Mansour demanded to know why Israel won't accept an independent and transparent investigation, as Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has called for.

He said the Palestinians are exploring ideas, including at the Geneva-based Human Rights Council and the International Criminal Court, to "stop this massacre and serve justice and to hold accountability."

"We will not leave a stone unturned," he told reporters at U.N. headquarters in New York on Friday.

"Those cowards who are hiding behind the hills and armed to the teeth ... with high velocity rifles to use them as snipers against civilians — shame on them. They are the cowards who are facing defenseless civilians and killing them, as one would go hunting in the open fields," Mansour said.

"If they are really a moral force," he said, "they would not conduct themselves in this matter. They would allow people to demonstrate peacefully without threatening their lives."

The Israeli military has responded to the reported violence at the border fence east of Gaza City, saying its troops "thwarted" an attempted infiltration by Palestinian protesters.

In a statement Friday, the army said "hundreds of rioters" tried to burn the fence and infiltrate Israel. It says the crowd approached the fence and threw grenades, explosives, firebombs and rocks as they tried to set the fence on fire. It says troops opened fire "in accordance with the rules of engagement" and halted the crowd.

The military says in other incidents Friday, Palestinian crowds rolled burning tires, hurled rocks and flown kites with flaming objects attached with the goal of damaging the fence and other Israeli targets.

It also released a photo appearing to show a group of youths tugging at barbed wire along the fence.

Gaza's Health Ministry says a Palestinian has been killed by Israeli gunfire while trying to breach the Gaza border.

The ministry said three others were wounded in the incident Friday afternoon east of Gaza City.

Gaza's Islamic militant rulers have called for a mass rally at the border every Friday as part of a weeks-long campaign of protests against a decade-old blockade of the territory.

Israel is closely guarding the fence and has warned it will not tolerate attempts to breach it. Israel's military has said troops are under orders to target "instigators," but has also warned that anyone approaching or trying to damage the fence risks his life.

Gaza's Health Ministry said 50 people were wounded earlier in the day, including at least 16 by live fire.

Hundreds of Palestinian protesters have gathered next to the fence along the Israeli border east of Gaza City.

Heavy Israeli gunfire was heard Friday afternoon as the crowd broke away from a larger protest and moved toward the fence. Witnesses said at least three protesters broke through the fence and briefly entered Israel before running back.

There were no immediate details on injuries, but ambulances rushed to the scene and took away dozens of wounded.

The Israeli military had no immediate information on the incident.

The U.N. high commissioner for human rights has urged Israel to refrain from using excessive force against Palestinians who have been staging weekly mass protests on the Gaza border with Israel.

Zeid Ra'ad Al Hussein made his appeal ahead of a fifth round of Gaza marches on Friday, aimed in part at trying to break a decade-long blockade of the territory.

The commissioner says Israel has not heeded warnings by the U.N. and others, after troops used lethal force against unarmed protesters, killing 35 Palestinians and wounding more than 1,500.

Since late March, thousands have demonstrated near the border every Friday, some throwing stones or burning tires. Israel says Gaza's rulers from the militant Hamas group are using protests as cover for attacks on the border, including by planting explosives.</s>GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip (AP) — The Latest on protests at Gaza border with Israel (all times local):

The Palestinian U.N. ambassador is challenging Israel to agree to an independent commission to investigate events in Gaza and determine "who are the criminals, who are violating international law and to hold them responsible for these crimes."

Riyad Mansour demanded to know why Israel won't accept an independent and transparent investigation, as Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has called for.

He said the Palestinians are exploring ideas, including at the Geneva-based Human Rights Council and the International Criminal Court, to "stop this massacre and serve justice and to hold accountability."

"We will not leave a stone unturned," he told reporters at U.N. headquarters in New York on Friday.

"Those cowards who are hiding behind the hills and armed to the teeth ... with high velocity rifles to use them as snipers against civilians — shame on them. They are the cowards who are facing defenseless civilians and killing them, as one would go hunting in the open fields," Mansour said.

"If they are really a moral force," he said, "they would not conduct themselves in this matter. They would allow people to demonstrate peacefully without threatening their lives."

The Israeli military has responded to the reported violence at the border fence east of Gaza City, saying its troops "thwarted" an attempted infiltration by Palestinian protesters.

In a statement Friday, the army said "hundreds of rioters" tried to burn the fence and infiltrate Israel. It says the crowd approached the fence and threw grenades, explosives, firebombs and rocks as they tried to set the fence on fire. It says troops opened fire "in accordance with the rules of engagement" and halted the crowd.

The military says in other incidents Friday, Palestinian crowds rolled burning tires, hurled rocks and flown kites with flaming objects attached with the goal of damaging the fence and other Israeli targets.

It also released a photo appearing to show a group of youths tugging at barbed wire along the fence.

Gaza's Health Ministry says a Palestinian has been killed by Israeli gunfire while trying to breach the Gaza border.

The ministry said three others were wounded in the incident Friday afternoon east of Gaza City.

Gaza's Islamic militant rulers have called for a mass rally at the border every Friday as part of a weeks-long campaign of protests against a decade-old blockade of the territory.

Israel is closely guarding the fence and has warned it will not tolerate attempts to breach it. Israel's military has said troops are under orders to target "instigators," but has also warned that anyone approaching or trying to damage the fence risks his life.

Gaza's Health Ministry said 50 people were wounded earlier in the day, including at least 16 by live fire.

Hundreds of Palestinian protesters have gathered next to the fence along the Israeli border east of Gaza City.

Heavy Israeli gunfire was heard Friday afternoon as the crowd broke away from a larger protest and moved toward the fence. Witnesses said at least three protesters broke through the fence and briefly entered Israel before running back.

There were no immediate details on injuries, but ambulances rushed to the scene and took away dozens of wounded.

The Israeli military had no immediate information on the incident.

The U.N. high commissioner for human rights has urged Israel to refrain from using excessive force against Palestinians who have been staging weekly mass protests on the Gaza border with Israel.

Zeid Ra'ad Al Hussein made his appeal ahead of a fifth round of Gaza marches on Friday, aimed in part at trying to break a decade-long blockade of the territory.

The commissioner says Israel has not heeded warnings by the U.N. and others, after troops used lethal force against unarmed protesters, killing 35 Palestinians and wounding more than 1,500.

Since late March, thousands have demonstrated near the border every Friday, some throwing stones or burning tires. Israel says Gaza's rulers from the militant Hamas group are using protests as cover for attacks on the border, including by planting explosives.</s>GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip (AP) — Thousands of Palestinians joined a mass funeral on Thursday for a Hamas scientist who was gunned down in Malaysia last week, as Hamas' leader accused Israel of killing him and vowed revenge.

Fadi al-Batsh was laid to rest shortly after his body was returned to Gaza through the Egyptian border.

Hamas chief Ismail Haniyeh led the funeral prayers at a mosque in Jabaliya, the town in northern Gaza where al-Batsh grew up.

"The hand that assassinated the scientist will be severed," he said, as the crowd responded with chants of "God is great."

Al-Batsh's body was brought to Gaza after crossing the Egyptian border earlier on Thursday, after Malaysia and Egypt arranged the return.

Israeli Defense Minister Avigdor Lieberman had urged Egypt to reject the request to help repatriate the body and put pressure on Hamas to return two captive Israeli civilians and the remains of two Israeli soldiers the militant group is believed to be holding.

Haniyeh thanked Malaysia and Egypt for allowing al-Batsh's repatriation "against the will of" Lieberman.

Al-Batsh, an electrical engineering lecturer in Malaysia, was killed last week by two assailants on a motorcycle as he was walking to a mosque in Kuala Lumpur.

Hamas identified him as a commander in its military wing and quickly accused Israel's Mossad spy agency of being behind the hit. Israeli media reported that al-Batsh was a key player in a military drone program being developed by Hamas.

Israel has a long history of assassinating wanted militants, though it rarely acknowledges responsibility. But in a published interview on Thursday, Lieberman said Israel did not do it.

"We did not assassinate him," Lieberman told the Arabic news site Elaph. "Ask James Bond," he added. "Maybe James Bond killed him like in the movies."

Family members, Hamas leaders and other Palestinian dignitaries greeted the body, wrapped in a Palestinian flag, as it arrived at the Rafah border terminal.

"You are returning back to us ... paving the way for our return to Palestine," said Khalil al-Hayya, a top Hamas leader, at a small ceremony.

"To the occupation, we say the debt to us has become heavy," he said. "The day of punishment is coming."

Israel and Hamas, a militant group sworn to Israel's destruction, are bitter enemies that have fought three wars since Hamas seized control of Gaza in 2007.

Tensions have heightened recently as Hamas has organized mass protests along the Israeli border.

Earlier on Thursday in Gaza, hundreds of Palestinians took part in the funeral of a Gaza journalist who died after being shot by Israeli troops while covering a protest on April 13.

Ahmed Abu Hussein, 24, died from his wounds on Wednesday at an Israeli hospital, where he had been transferred.

Amateur video taken at the time shows him wearing a blue vest and helmet with the word "TV" on it. He appeared to be standing far from the Israeli border in a group of bystanders when he was shot.

In a statement Thursday, the Israeli military said "the circumstances regarding the injury of Ahmed Abu Hussein will be examined."

During the weekly demonstrations so far, 35 protesters, including two journalists, have been killed by Israeli live fire.

The Palestinian Health Ministry said 21 of those wounded by Israeli fire in the protests have since had to undergo amputations due to their wounds. It said 17 lost legs and four lost fingers or parts of their upper limbs.

Rights groups, the United Nations and the European Union have all criticized Israel's use of live fire against unarmed protesters.

Israel says it is defending its border and accuses Hamas of using the demonstrations as cover to plan and carry out attacks.
Israel launches airstrikes on Hamas ships in Gaza's port and a Hamas building in Deir al-Balah in response to the ongoing, and sometimes violent, protests.