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

Israel has tried to shift the blame for the dozens of Palestinians killed in Gaza onto Hamas, directing its message directly at Palestinians through its Arabic social media channels. 

The Israeli military's Arabic-language spokesman Avichay Adraee claimed on Twitter that Hamas were paying protesters $100 to attend, saying "it seems your lives are cheap in the opinion of Hamas."

The Israeli foreign ministry said casualties were "the sole responsibility of Hamas", which it claimed organised the protests "to sabotage the Israel-Gaza fence and storm into Israel".

Adraee also claimed there had been three attempted attacks by fighters in Gaza during the protests.

The Israeli military's Facebook page for Arabic speakers attempted to encourage Palestinians to avoid protests by suggesting they spend time in the mosque rather than in "crime and terrorism".

Israeli President Reuven Rivlin used his address to thank the US for moving its embassy to Jerusalem. 

He also thanked American congressmen for the "love and support for Israel" they showed in supporting the US embassy move and urged other countries to follow suit. 

"Seventy years ago, the US under Harry Truman, recognised Israel. We are now recognising Jerusalem as the Israeli capital". 

"Israel designated Jerusalem as its capital since it established. It is the seat of the Israel court, prime minister. Israel's capital is Jerusalem."

-US President Donald Trump 

US President Donald Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner is to tell the US embassy opening ceremony in Jerusalem that both sides of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict can "gain more than they give", Reuters reports.

Kushner, who has links to settler groups and has been tasked by Trump with bringing Israelis and Palestinians together, will tell the crowd: "Jerusalem must remain a city that brings people of all faiths together."

"We believe it is possible for both sides to gain more than they give – so that all people can live in peace – safe from danger, free from fear, and able to pursue their dreams," Kushner will say, according to speech excerpts seen by Reuters.

JERUSALEM - MEE correspondent Lubna Masarwa reports that at least two Palestinians have been arrested in protests against the opening of the US embassy in West Jerusalem. 

The situation remains tense, with protestors from both sides of the debate outside the US embassy site.

Two Palestinians were arrested by Israeli security forces, who are maintaining a heavy presence in the area. 

Israeli journalist and MEE contributor Meron Rapoport says today is "supposed to be a day of celebration for Netanyahu and his government and maybe for many Israelis".

"Moving the American embassy to Jerusalem was perceived by Netanyahu and his government not only as a recognition of Israel as the sole sovereign over Jerusalem, east and west, including the holy places but, above all, as an international legitimisation of the unilateral way in which Israel conducts its conflict with the Palestinians," Rapoport writes.

"A recognition that, despite the international consensus against the settlements and the slow yet steady annexation of the West Bank, Israel can continue its policy unhindered and be confident that eventually the Americans and, after them, the rest of the international community, will follow, openly or tacitly. 

"The fact that the status quo with the Palestinians seemed resilient even to the transfer of the embassy to Jerusalem was proof that Israel and Netanyahu are doing the right thing."

Gaza's health ministry reports that 41 Palestinians have been killed, and 1703 injured, as of 4pm local time. 

(Source: Gaza health ministry) 

Brock Gregs, an American tourist on his first visit to Israel, spoke with MEE's Lubna Masarwa in Jerusalem, just ahead of the embassy ceremony.

"I feel it's a great opportunity for Middle East peace, in terms of taking Jerusalem off of the bargaining table. It's an opportunity for the Western world to recognise Jerusalem as the capital of Israel and then the real peace process can begin," Gregs said.

When asked whether he was concerned that the move would be an issue for Palestinians and the Islamic world, he said Jerusalem "is already a city for all people. I'm amazed. This is only my second day in Jerusalem and there is tension, of course, but there is cooperation and it is a relatively peaceful place".

What about the 90 Palestinians killed since Trump declared the move?

"Well, who is to blame?" Gregs said. "There are people who pull the trigger and people who incite riots."

Israeli human rights NGO B’Tselem has strongly denounced the Israeli army’s devastating use of live fire in Gaza, which has killed at least 38 Palestinians so far today.

“Israel had plenty of time to come up with alternate approaches for dealing with the protests, apart from firing live ammunition,” the organisation said in a statement. “The fact that live gunfire is once again the sole measure that the Israeli military is using in the field evinces appalling indifference towards human life on the part of senior Israeli government and military officials.”

According to Gaza's health ministry, 38 people have been killed and 1703 wounded in the territory, as of 3.50pm local time. 

Included among the dead are five minors killed by Israeli gunfire, according to the ministry. 

Palestinian leaders have accused Israel of a "massacre" of protesters in Gaza at the same time as the US prepares to launch its controversial new embassy in Jerusalem.