Gaza border death toll rises to 18

A 29-year-old Gaza man has died of injuries from Israeli army fire during  mass protests along the Gaza border with Israel, the Palestinian health ministry said.

Separately, Israeli defence authorities confirmed that Israel is holding the bodies of two Hamas terrorists.

With Monday’s death, this raises to 18 the number of Palestinians killed.

The terror group said Friday’s mass march was the first in six weeks of protests against a decade-old border blockade.

Israel rejected allegations of excessive force, saying it defended its border against what it claims is a Hamas attack under the guise of mass protests.

It said troops were instructed to target “the main instigators”.

Rights groups say shooting Palestinians who do not pose a threat to soldiers’ lives is unlawful.