Palestinians in Gaza Attempt to Cross Fence with Israel

Organisers of the Great March of Return say they are expecting as many as one million people to join the demonstration and attempt to cross the fence with Israel from various points across the border.

A leaflet circulated by the organisers reads: "The national committee for the Great March of Return invites you to participate in the peaceful popular protest, One Million of Return and Breaking the Siege".

A spokesperson for the Great March of Return, Ahmad Abu Artema, told Al Jazeera on Monday that the aim of trying to cross the fence is to "send a message the Palestinian people have not and will not adapt to 70 years of being refugees, estrangement and difficult conditions."

"We are adamant to return, no matter what happens. This is what the people of Gaza want - it's about popular will.

And this is their right."
 
The Right of Return is enshrined in United Nations Resolution 194.

Israeli officials have accused Hamas of being behind the protests, saying the movement exploits Palestinians and deliberately exposes them to danger near the border fence.

The organisers behind the Great March of Return have rejected these claims.

Early on Monday, the Israeli military, which has imposed a land, sea and air blockade on the Gaza Strip for more than a decade, dropped leaflets warning Palestinians to stay away from the border.

Source: Aljazeera