Four Palestinians Killed as Fresh Clashes Erupt During Protests at Gaza Border

The six-week-long protests in the border area between Israel and Gaza have entered the fourth week, with the Israeli Defense Forces preparing for violence which may erupt during demonstrations, dropping leaflets and urging to stay away from the border security fence.

The death toll in Palestinian protests in the Gaza border area on the fourth consecutive Friday has risen to four, with one of the victims being a minor, Gaza's health ministry representative Ashraf al-Kedra told Sputnik. According to the official, over 640 Palestinians got injuries.

Earlier, Gaza Health Ministry reported that 25-year-old Ahmad Abu Aqel, Palestinian participating in protests on the border with Israel, succumbed to wounds after he had been shot in the head. The Israeli army said it was investigating into the incident.

READ MORE: WATCH Palestinian Rapper Records Music Video on Israel-Gaza Border Amid Clashes

Earlier in the day, the Israeli Defense Forces dropped leaflets over Gaza, urging Palestinians not to engage in clashes and vowing to continue to defend Israeli borders.

The IDF just dropped these leaflets over Gaza, urging Palestinians not to endanger themselves by acting on behalf of terrorist #Hamas. The IDF will continue to defend our border and civilians against terror, let's just hope warnings will be headed. pic.twitter.com/DOJCTAw0G7

— Jonathan Conricus (@LTCJonathan) April 20, 2018

Thousand of protesters gathered on Friday at various points along the border in the enclave of Gaza, demanding for Palestinian refugees to be able to return to their former territories which are now Israel's land. According to the Gaza health ministry, since the start of the protests, over 30 Palestinians have been killed and more than 1,300 got wounds.

The six-week protest campaign, dubbed the Great March of Return, began on March 30 and was organized by the Hamas movement. According to Hamas, Palestinians are peacefully demanding their right to return to the territories they claim were illegally seized by Israel, while Israeli authorities say that Palestinians can settle only in Gaza and the West Bank.

The protests will reach its culmination on Nakba day, May 15, the date which marks the so-called "catastrophe" when millions of Palestinian marchers had to flee their homes after the creation of the state of Israel.