Thousands protest on anniversary of Gaza march

Within the space of an hour the protest, which at its height numbered around 40,000, dropped to some 20,000. By 6 p.m. local time – and an hour before it was officially due to finish – there were just a few stragglers left milling around the border fence.

As the much-anticipated demonstrations, which saw so much bloodshed last year, came to an end, Hamas hailed the “Great March of Return” movement and said it had “achieved some of its goals.”

Hamas officials are welcomed at the protest in Gaza.

Compared to so many previous occasions, Saturday’s protests were largely peaceful, with one person killed and 207 injured, according to the Palestinian Ministry of Health – much lower numbers than we have seen in the past.

Politburo member Khalil Al-Hayya said in a statement that he expected on Sunday to learn details of a timetable by which Israel would ease restrictions on Gaza. This would be part of ongoing Egyptian-led mediation efforts to achieve a long-term ceasefire understanding between Israel and Hamas.

Indeed a senior UN official speaking to CNN said Saturday’s protests were being seen as a test for Hamas.

But he warned that elements of any deal might not start to materialize until after the Israeli elections on April 9.

Less than five hours after the protests first started, the crowds have begun to thin out.

CNN’s Oren Liebermann was given a close-up look at the scene from the Israeli side in Nahal Oz.

Israeli soldiers at a sniper stand watch protesters leave the gathering.

Tear gas is fired on the border fence.

Today’s protest marks one year since the start of the “Great March of Return” rallies along the Israel-Gaza border.

The protest – which began on March 30, 2018 – had originally been scheduled to run up to May 15, marking the 70th anniversary of the creation of Israel and what Palestinians call “Nakba Day.”

But the protests have continued on a weekly basis. While the majority of protesters have been peaceful, the Israeli army has regularly reported people throwing explosives at Israeli soldiers and attempts to break through the fence into Israel. The demonstrations have also given rise to the use of burning kites and balloons, devices launched from Gaza towards Israel with the intention of causing fires when they land.

According to the United Nations:

Meanwhile at today’s protests, the Palestinian Ministry for Health reported:

A 17-year-old boy, Adham Amara, has been killed by Israeli forces along the border fence, according to the Palestinian Ministry of Health.

Earlier Saturday before the protests began, 21-year-old Mohammed Sa’ad, was also killed in Gaza by Israeli troops, Ministry officials said. 

The number of protesters gathering along the Israel-Gaza border fence has now swelled to 30,000, according to the Israel Defense Forces (IDF).

A number of grenades and explosive devices have been thrown towards the fence and tires set on fire, it said. But it also acknowledged attempts on the Gaza side to restrain violence.

According to the Palestinian Ministry of Health:

Protesters flee from tear gas fumes near the border with Israel in Malaka, east of Gaza City.

In the past few hours the number of Palestinian protesters has swelled from a few hundred to thousands, reports CNN’s Michael Holmes on the Gaza border.

Around 8,000 Hamas marshals were tasked with keeping the protesters away from the fence. But hundreds of Palestinians could now be seen just 100 to 200 meters from the fence.

“There have been injuries but we don’t know if that’s from the live fire or the tear gas – which has been pretty constant since the protests began,” said Holmes.

A man is treated for tear gas inhalation in Jabalya, Gaza.

Head towards the rear of the protests and the mood changes completely, reports CNN’s Michael Holmes in Jabalya, Gaza.

Instead of tear gas you’ll find a children’s playground, stalls and even bunting of Palestinian flags flapping in the wind.

“It’s almost a festive atmosphere,” said Holmes.

Children play on swings at the protest in Gaza.

The view from behind the protests in Jabalya, Gaza.

Meanwhile on the Israeli side, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) appeared “fairly relaxed and calm,” reports CNN’s Oren Libermann, located around half a mile from the border fence.

Around 6,500 Palestinian demonstrators were spread out across six sites, he said, adding that there had been a few small explosive devices but “nothing major” on the Israeli side.

A view of the protests taken from the southern Israeli kibbutz of Nahal Oz.

But the IDF also wasn’t taking any chances, installing at least three infantry brigades along the border – something it wouldn’t usually publicize – in a clear show of force to protesters.

The IDF confirmed it had fired tear gas – but not live fire – since the protests began.

It also acknowledged that there had been an effort to restrain protests on the Gaza side.

Ahead of the protests, a 21-year old man – named Mohammed Sa’ad – was killed by Israeli forces in Gaza overnight, according to the Palestinian Ministry of Health.

Medics said Sa’ad was killed by bullet shrapnel near the Israel-Gaza border, Reuters reported.

Hamas crowd control marshals in Jabalya.

Hamas crowd control marshals – decked out in distinctive orange vests – have gathered at the border fence, reports CNN’s Michael Holmes from Jabalya in Gaza.

With an hour before the protests officially start, already hundreds of demonstrators have gathered at the border.

Hamas says it wants the protests to remain peaceful, amid ongoing Egyptian-led mediation efforts to bring about a long-term ceasefire between the militant group and Israel, and the guards in orange vests have been tasked with stopping demonstrators from moving towards the fence.

Demonstrators gather on the Israel-Gaza border Saturday.

That said, at least a dozen protesters have already approached the fence and Israelis have fired shots and tear gas. But as Holmes reported, it’s not quite going to plan:

“Rain showers are also becoming more frequent, which could possibly keep things more muted.”