Israeli occupation forces killed six Palestinians on Friday in protests along Gaza's border, Gaza health officials said. The Palestinian deaths bring to around 200 the number of Gazans killed since the border protests began on March 30, according to Palestinian Health Ministry figures. Gaza medics said that, in addition to the six dead, around 140 others were wounded. The Palestinian protesters are demanding an end to an Israeli blockade on the narrow coastal strip, which is home to around 2 million Palestinians. They also seek the right to return to lands that Palestinians fled or were driven from upon Israel's founding in 1948. Israel besieged Gaza since 2007, waging three wars against the Strip 2008, 2012 and 2014, leaving more than 3000 Palestinians killed, thousands injured and infrastructure in shambles. The Israeli military has been criticised by Palestinians and international human rights groups for its lethal response to the protests. It says its troops have used "riot dispersal means" and have fired "in accordance with standard operating procedures". One Israeli soldier has been killed by a Palestinian sniper during the weekly protests. Hamas seized control of Gaza from Western-backed Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas in 2007. Hamas chief Ismail Haniyeh, addressing a conference in Istanbul from Gaza, said on Friday that Hamas was seeking to reach understandings with several parties, including Egypt and the United Nations. He expressed hope that the efforts "could lead to calm in return for breaking the siege".
