Israeli troops killed four Palestinians in second mass protest along Gaza's volatile border

Israeli troops killed four men on Friday in the second mass protest in a week along Gaza's volatile border, as Palestinians torched piles of tires to create a smoke screen to block the view of snipers.

Gaza's health ministry also reported that some 408 Palestinians had been taken to hospitals and medical centers for treatment. The dead included a 16-year-old, it said.

Friday's deaths brought the number of Palestinians killed to 26 by Israeli fire over the past week, including 19 protesters.

Last Friday, Israeli forces opened fire at thousands of Palestinians taking part in the Great March of Return at many locations on the Gaza-Israel border, killing 20 Palestinians and injuring around 1,500 others.

A fifth person, who was wounded in protests last Friday, also succumbed to the gunshot wounds that he had sustained.

Israel has accused the Islamic militant group of using the protests as a cover for attacking Israel's border and has warned that those approaching the fence put their lives at risk.

Israel said there were also attempts to break through the barrier. Thousands of protesters gathered in locations near the border east of Khan Yunis, in the south of the blockaded Palestinian enclave, and east of Gaza City, among other spots.

The number of protesters was, however, lower than last week, when a demonstration by tens of thousands led to clashes in which Israeli forces killed 19 Palestinians.

Hamas's leader in Gaza, Yahya Sinwar, hailed the protests and condemned Israel's blockade of the Gaza Strip.

"They said Gaza would give up its principles, its project of liberation and (dream) of return if they starve it, but Gaza is coming out today," he said to protesters east of Khan Yunis.

Sinwar told the crowd that “the world should wait for our great move when we breach the borders and pray at Al-Aqsa,” referring to the major Muslim shrine in Jerusalem.

With black tire smoke and Israeli tear gas rising into the air, Palestinian youths used T-shirts, cheap medical masks and perfume to try and protect themselves.

Israeli forces took up positions on the other side of the border and set up large fans in a bid to push away the smoke. They also used water cannon to try to douse flames.

Israel had warned that its open-fire rules would remain unchanged for Friday's protests, pledging to stop damage to the fence and prevent infiltrations or alleged attacks. It had faced mounting criticism over its use of live fire, and UN chief Antonio Guterres called for restraint ahead of Friday's protest.

"I particularly urge Israel to exercise extreme caution with the use of force in order to avoid casualties," Guterres said. In the March 30 demonstration, a number of protesters strayed from the main demonstration and approached the heavily fortified fence on the border with Israel.

Israel says troops opened fire only when necessary against those throwing stones and firebombs or rolling burning tires at soldiers. It said there were attempts to damage the fence and infiltrate Israel while alleging there was also an attempted gun attack against soldiers along the border.

After the first tires started burning, several young men with gunshot wounds began arriving at a field clinic at the camp.

Mohammed Ashour, 20, who had been among the first to set tires on fire, was shot in the right arm.

"We came here because we want dignity," he said resting on a stretcher before paramedics transported him to the strip's main hospital.

Yehia Abu Daqqa, a 20-year-old student, said he had come to honor those killed in previous protests.

"Yes, there is fear," he said of the risks of advancing toward the fence. "We are here to tell the occupation that we are not weak."

Seventeen of the 20 Palestinian dead were killed by Israeli gunfire on the first day of protests a week ago, medics said. The deaths drew international criticism of Israel's response.

Human Rights Watch has called the actions of the Israeli soldiers “calculated” and “illegal”. Guterres and the European Union have called for an independent investigation, which Israel has outright rejected. Israel says more than half of the dead from the previous Friday were members of militant groups, including the armed wing of Hamas.

Hamas's armed wing has claimed only five of them, saying they were participating "in popular events side-by-side with their people". Islamic Jihad has claimed at least one of the dead as a member, but it said he was not carrying a weapon when he was shot. Hamas has meanwhile offered compensation of $3,000 to the families of protesters killed and $500 for those seriously injured, drawing outrage from Israel.

An Israeli military spokesman said on Friday that the army "will not allow any breach of the security infrastructure and fence, which protects Israeli civilians."

Hamas spokesman Hazem Qassem urged protesters to keep rallies peaceful. "Maintaining the peaceful nature of the protests will strike all fragile Zionist propaganda," he said.

The Israeli government has ruled out any right of return for Palestinian refugees, fearing that the country would lose its Jewish majority.

Protests will run until the expected opening of the new US embassy in Jerusalem in mid-May. The US move has led to deep anger among Palestinians, who see the annexed eastern sector of Jerusalem as the capital of their future state. The White House on Thursday refrained from criticism of Israel and called on protesters to remain peaceful.