Israel blames Hamas for Palestinians 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".