JERUSALEM, May 11 (Xinhua) -- Some 15,000 Palestinians participated in the rallies in five locations along the Gaza Strip border with Israel Friday, in the seventh weekly "Great March of Return."
Palestinians hurled pipe bombs and grenades towards Israel Defense Forces (IDF) troops, sabotaged security infrastructure, burnt tires, and hurled rocks towards the security fence and at IDF troops, said a IDF statement on Friday evening.
One Palestinian was shot dead and at least 170 Palestinians were wounded in the clashes on Friday, Palestinian sources reported.
The protests are scheduled to peak on May 15, the day the Palestinians call as the Nakba Day.
IDF troops have responded with riot dispersal means and are firing in accordance with the rules of engagement, the Israeli army said. "The IDF will continue operating to protect Israeli citizens and deter anyone who seeks to harm the security of the State of Israel and its citizens as necessary."
The IDF's Gaza Division and Southern Command are deploying their vast forces in anticipation of violent riots along the Gaza border fence, Israeli media reported.
Some 20 demonstration sites are expected next week. The Israeli military is preparing for the possibility that many Palestinians will try to breach the Gaza border fence and enter Israel at once, report said.
Tensions were spiraling ahead of Monday, when the U.S. will relocate its embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem in a controversial move condemned by the Palestinians.
