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Clashes along Gaza Border Leave Two Dead, Hundreds Wounded

Weekend clashes along the Gaza Strip’s border with Israel left at least two Palestinians dead and 224 wounded, according to a statement issued on Saturday by the Palestinian Ministry of Health. The two men killed were identified as Mohammed Jehad Sa’ad, 20, and Adham Nedal Amara, 17. The protests attracted 40,000 Palestinians, with many hurling stones and explosive devices toward Israeli troops on the other side of the fence. Despite the gathering being larger than what has become the norm for the weekly protests, the Israel Defense Forces said it was less violent. Hamas placed members in orange vests at each protest site to make sure demonstrators wouldn’t approach the fence, something that usually has led Israel to open fire. Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh participated in this weekend’s demonstration. He was accompanied by members of the Egyptian delegation that is currently in the coastal enclave to mediate ceasefire talks between Israel and Hamas. The demonstrations marked the one-year anniversary of the Gaza protests, which have been dubbed the March of Return, as well as Land Day, which commemorates large-scale marches by Arab citizens of Israel in 1976 that turned deadly.