A child was shot and killed by Israeli forces east of the Yasser Arafat International Airport in Rafah on Tuesday, medics said.
Muawiya Hassanein, director of ambulance and emergency services in Gaza, said Muhammad Zen Ismail Al-Farmawi, 15, was shot dead near the southeasterly border by Israeli forces.
Hassanein said ambulances had been unable to retrieve the body because of ongoing clashes in the area.
An Israeli military spokesman said several rallies took place in the southern Gaza Strip during the day, with protesters "knowingly present" in an area prohibited to Palestinians. He said an investigation showed "soldiers operated in accordance with accepted dispersal procedures," and said investigations were ongoing into "apparent injuries" reported.
Locals said dozens of Palestinians sustained injuries when Israeli forces opened fire on a number of marches across Gaza heading to the borders, marking the 34th anniversary of Land Day in which six Palestinians with Israeli citizenship were killed by Israeli forces during demonstrations protesting land confiscation.
Witnesses said Israeli troops opened fire directly at protesters east of Khan Younis and the Al-Maghazi refugee camp in southern Gaza.
The marches were organized by the Popular Committee Against the Buffer Zone in Rafah and Khan Younis in southern Gaza, and Beit Hanoun and Beit Lahiya to the north.
An Israeli military spokesman told Ma'an he would look into the reports.
Mahmud Az-Zaq, coordinator of the Popular Committee Against the Buffer Zone, said six peaceful marches were launched at the same time across all Gaza districts, heading toward Israel.
"We are 200 meters from the border, with groups of young men heading the marches, waving Palestinian flags," he said.
Walid Al-Awad, member of the Palestine People's Party's politburo, said hundreds of Palestinians participated in the march to confirm that the Palestinian people are united against Israel's occupation.
Front Page Features