Gaza protests - as it happened: Two Palestinians killed by Israeli forces in second day of deadly violence
Two countries recall ambassadors while UN describes conduct as 'shocking'
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Israel has faced widespread international condemnation after 58 people including a baby were killed in protests in Gaza, where Israeli soldiers met rocks thrown by Palestinians with live ammunition.
A 51-year-old man was also killed in Tuesday's more muted demonstrations, along with another protester, bringing the total number of dead to 60.
The US joined Israel in blaming Hamas for the deaths, with the Israeli military suggesting the terrorist group attempted armed violence under cover of the demonstrations against Donald Trump’s move of the US embassy to Jerusalem.
Turkey and South Africa, staunchly aligned with the Palestinians, recalled their ambassadors to Israel while Boris Johnson said: “We understand that some have been provoking that violence but on the other hand there has got to be restraint in the use of live rounds.”
Khaled Batch, the head of the organising committee of protests, said Tuesday would be a day for funerals. It is also what Palestinians call the “Nakba” day, the anniversary of hundreds of thousands of Palestinians’ displacement following Israel’s founding.
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Palestinian president Mahmoud Abbas urged the international community to condemn what he called “massacres” carried out by Israeli troops in Gaza.
Of the 59 Palestinians killed, six were children, Gaza's health ministry said. Some 1,360 Palestinians were wounded by bullets, including 130 who were in serious or critical condition.
Egypt, an important ally of Israel, condemned the killings while the UN human rights chief, Zeid Ra’ad al Hussein, decried the “shocking killing of dozens”.
The European Union’s foreign policy chief, Federica Mogherini, called on Israel to respect the “principle of proportionality in the use of force” and show restraint, while also urging Hamas to ensure any protests remain peaceful.
Additional reporting by agencies
The earlier rocket siren was a false alarm, the Israeli military has said.
The site of yesterday's protests is currently calm, according to reports.
Ireland's foreign minister, Simon Coveney, summoned the Israeli ambassador to express the country's concern at the killings in Gaza, according to reports in Irish media.
Mr Coveney's spokesperson said he was also "very disturbed by the injuries suffered by health workers" attending to injured protesters.
The Gaza Strip's health service was "overwhelmed" by the number of casualties, the spokesman was quoted by RTE as saying.
Muslim-majority countries should review their ties with Israel in the wake of yesterday's killings, Turkish prime minister Binali Yildirim has said.
John Brennan, the former director of the CIA, has weighed in on yesterday's violence.
Doctors Without Borders (MSF) has condemned yesterday's killings in Gaza as "unacceptable and inhuman".
The medics group said: "It is unbearable to witness such a massive number of unarmed people being shot in such a short time.
"Our medical teams are working around the clock, as they have done since 1 April, providing surgical and postoperative care to men, women, and children, and they will continue to do so tonight, tomorrow, and as long as they are needed.
"In one of the hospitals where we are working, the chaotic situation is comparable to what we observed after the bombings of the 2014 war, with a colossal influx of injured people in a few hours, completely overwhelming the medical staff."
Some operation had been performed in hallways due to the numbers involved, MSF said.
The UN's human rights office has condemned Monday's "appalling deadly violence" by Israeli forces in Gaza and said it was concerned about potential for fruther events on Tuesday, while calling for an independent investigation.
The body's human rights spokesman Rupert Colville said Israel had a right to defend its borders according to international law, but lethal force should only be used a last resort, and was not justified by Palestinians approaching the Gaza fence.
Additional reporting by Reuters
Emily Thornberry, the shadow foreign secretary, has been granted an urgent question in the Commons on the subject of violence at the Gaza border.
It is scheduled for 12.30pm, according to Labour.
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