Gaza protests - as it happened: Two Palestinians killed by Israeli forces in second day of deadly violence
Two countries recall ambassadors while UN describes conduct as 'shocking'
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Your support makes all the difference.Israel has faced widespread international condemnation after 58 people including a baby were killed in protests in Gaza, where Israeli soldiers met rocks thrown by Palestinians with live ammunition.
A 51-year-old man was also killed in Tuesday's more muted demonstrations, along with another protester, bringing the total number of dead to 60.
The US joined Israel in blaming Hamas for the deaths, with the Israeli military suggesting the terrorist group attempted armed violence under cover of the demonstrations against Donald Trump’s move of the US embassy to Jerusalem.
Turkey and South Africa, staunchly aligned with the Palestinians, recalled their ambassadors to Israel while Boris Johnson said: “We understand that some have been provoking that violence but on the other hand there has got to be restraint in the use of live rounds.”
Khaled Batch, the head of the organising committee of protests, said Tuesday would be a day for funerals. It is also what Palestinians call the “Nakba” day, the anniversary of hundreds of thousands of Palestinians’ displacement following Israel’s founding.
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Palestinian president Mahmoud Abbas urged the international community to condemn what he called “massacres” carried out by Israeli troops in Gaza.
Of the 59 Palestinians killed, six were children, Gaza's health ministry said. Some 1,360 Palestinians were wounded by bullets, including 130 who were in serious or critical condition.
Egypt, an important ally of Israel, condemned the killings while the UN human rights chief, Zeid Ra’ad al Hussein, decried the “shocking killing of dozens”.
The European Union’s foreign policy chief, Federica Mogherini, called on Israel to respect the “principle of proportionality in the use of force” and show restraint, while also urging Hamas to ensure any protests remain peaceful.
Additional reporting by agencies
Shadow foreign secretary Emily Thornberry condemns the 'horrific massacre' at the border and says the issue was the result of 'calculated and deliberate policy to kill unarmed protesters who pose no threat'.
Many were shot in the back, many were children, she says.
She says there is no doubt over the 'lethal intent' of Israeli snipers. On US hunting websites, they regularly debate the effectiveness of the ammunition against animals. These bullets were used on women and children.
Banging her fist on the table, Ms Thornberry demands an independent investigation. Thornberry says there cannot be 'one rule for the Israeli government' and one for others.
She calls on Israeli soldiers to 'show some responsibility to other human beings and stop this slaughter'.
Alistair Burt says the government is only supporting the victims and agrees there should be an independent investigation.
Tory grandee Sir Nicholas Soames condemns the behaviour of the Israeli Defence Force (IDF).
He says: "To my shame, I hope our Foreign Office will indulge in a little less limp response to this desperate state of affairs."
Burt says the IDF have raised concerns about breaches of the fence but there were questions about their use of live ammunition.
Labour's Hilary Benn says there is 'no justification' for shooting unarmed protesters. He says the 'greatest tragedy of all is there is no peace process' to speak of and urged a return to finding a political solution.
He says there must widespread condemnation, as it would if it had taken place in any other nation than Israel.
Mr Burt says it is vital to expose the truth and bring these circumstances an end.
Tory MP Stephen Crabb said Hamas were using the protests as an opportunity to bring bloodshed onto Israeli soil. He calls for pressure to be put on the group to bring reconciliation.
Mr Burt says Hamas is a proscribed terror group and the circumstances are challenging.
Lib Dem Layla Moran, who is the first MP of Palestinian descent, says Hamas is partly responsible but the Israeli PM is also to blame for the blood of Palestinian children.
She says hope has died this week.
Yvette Cooper, Labour Home Affairs committee chair, said use of live fire must be condemned wherever it occurs and calls on EU government's to work closely together to change tack.
Sober leadership needed in the wake of the 'reckless' embassy decision by the US.
Tory MP Chris Green says Hamas has a record of using people as human shields and condemns the group for using people to meet their own ends.
Mr Burt agrees with concerns and says the group was clearly keen to use breaches in the fences to achieve its goals. However he says Hamas is only one part of the problem.
Dr Philippa Whitford says she has seen the devastating impact of live ammunition on victims in Gaza, where she has previously worked as a surgeon. She says many of the victims were children.
Mr Burt says she's right to raise the issue.
Britain has called for a UN investigation looking at why “such a volume” of live ammunition was used by Israeli troops against Palestinian protestors in Gaza.
Foreign minister Alistair Burt said UK diplomats were already “urgently” working towards trying to establish an inquiry, after violence that left dozens dead followed Donald Trump’s move to formally recognised Jerusalem as Israel’s capital.
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Dr Rosena Allin-Khan says Donald Trump should not be allowed to visit the UK after this, saying he simply wants to 'watch the world burn'. She vows to join protestors on the streets if he is permitted to continue with his official visit in July.
Mr Burt says she has made her point forcefully but the UK government's position remains the same that Trump should be allowed to visit.