LATEST: Gaza sees more protests and violence on Nakba Day, after 62 killed

Today marked the bloodiest day in Gaza since 2014. The local Gaza health ministry reported that Israeli gunfire killed at least 43 Palestinians.

Middle East Eye compiled the names of every single Palestinian killed during today's protests as the American and Israeli governments celebrated the opening of the US embassy in Jerusalem.

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Riyad Mansour, the Palestinian Authority's UN ambassador, has condemned Israeli strikes on unarmed Palestinians in Gaza. 

Speaking at a press conference in New York, Mansour described America's decision to open its embassy in Jerusalem as "very tragic."

"We will use all of our available rights in the security council to see it shouldering its responsibility to condemn this massacre and bring those responsible to justice," said Mansour. 

"Very tragic that they (America) are celebrating illegal action while Israel is injuring and killing thousands of Palestinians."

"Tragic day for Palestinians and shame on those who ignore the pain and suffering of the Palestinian people."  

Zeid Ra'ad al-Hussein, United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, said: "Those responsible for outrageous human rights violations must be held to account."

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GAZA- Wadee Masri, a 52-year-old Palestinian participating in protests in Gaza on Monday, told MEE contributor Hind Khoudary that he marched "to prove that I am a person that has rights to return to my land".

"We have a right to return. We have to prove this to the world that this is our land," he said. "Celebrations today in Jerusalem make me feel sad for what the USA did against the Palestinians. There is no peace without Jerusalem. We will live and die fighting for Jerusalem."

Masri said he would be back on Tuesday to protest on Nakba Day.

"A lot of Palestinians died today for the sake of Palestinians peacefully protesting. We won't give up on the blood they gave," he said.

Tunisia's largest trade union is considering stopping American ships from unloading at the country's ports in response to the US decision to transfer its Israeli embassy to Jerusalem, according to the London-based newspaper Al-Quds Al-Arabi.

Mohammed Abbas, assistant general secretary of the Tunisian General Labour Union, told Al-Quds: “The union is considering a proposal to prevent the unloading and shipping of American vessels coming to Tunisian ports, in condemnation of US President Donald Trump's decision to move his country's embassy to Jerusalem."

Israeli forces have dialled up their response to protesters in Gaza, using more heavy-handed tactics than in previous weeks, according to lawyers from the Adalah human rights organisation and legal centre, which has observed protests throughout the weeks-long Great March of Return.

"The sound of snipers was very intense. The use of tanks as well was very much heard. What we heard and what we saw definitely reflects the high number of deaths," Adalah lawyer Sawsan Zaher told MEE. "The scene of Gaza...from where we [watched] on different points on the border, really reflects different and more aggressive behaviour by the army toward Gazans who are demonstrating."

Zaher added that:

• The lethal use of sniper fire was illegal under international and Israeli law but Adalah was still awaiting a High Court ruling on ending the use of snipers;
• A high number of upper body injuries suggested intent to kill, according to Adalah data;
• Previous weeks had been much calmer but the Israeli response has been more aggressive despite no significant change in the behaviour of protesters.

GAZA - MEE contributor Hind Khoudary, who is inside Gaza, shared her thoughts from the ongoing protests:

"Rage, dissatisfaction, disappointment: that's how Palestinians are expressing their anger. They still can't imagine that people are celebrating the relocation of the US embassy, when they are protesting near the fence, giving their souls for Palestine.

"All I saw in the past hour is blood, with people's heads, necks and chests injured. The Israelis have been shooting randomly at protestors the minute they tried to break the fence. Some bodies are still trapped there too, and ambulances can't reach them." 

Al Jazeera journalist Wael Dahdouh was injured by live ammunition from Israeli forces during Gaza protests.

(Source: Al-Jazeera) 

Jared Kushner used his address at the opening of the US embassy in Jerusalem to condemn Iran and praise his father-in-law, US President Donald Trump, for exiting the "flawed Iran deal".

"We have taken this decision to strengthen the bond between our two nations," said Kushner.  

"We stand with Israel because we both believe in human rights, democracy worth defending, and believe that we know that it is the right thing to." 

Palestinian citizen of Israel and member of the Knesset Jamal Zahalka told Middle East Eye that Palestinians are protesting the illegal relocation of the American embassy. 

"This is a violation of international law. Trump and the US are responsible for all the blood that has been shed since the US decision," Zahalka said.

"Those who are celebrating today [the US embassy inaugration] have blood on their hands."

JERUSALEM - MEE correspondent Lubna Masarwa reports that Israeli police have been beating unarmed protesters in West Jerusalem, outside the US embassy site. 

"The atmosphere is becoming very tense as dignitaries speak inside the US embassy site," said Masarwa. 

"From what I have seen, dozens of Palestinians present have been arrested and beaten by Israeli security forces. Two Palestinians have been injured in front of me."

Addressing American dignitaries assembled in Jerusalem for the opening of the new US embassy, Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu said: "We have no better friends in the world - you stand for Israel and for Jerusalem."  

He continued: "Friends, what a glorious day, remember this day, this is history. Mr Trump, by recognising history, you made history."

"All of us are deeply moved and grateful. The embassy of the most powerful nation on earth, the United States of America."