Gaza counts its dead as embassy opens

The political fallout continues after 55 Palestinian protesters were killed on the day the new US embassy in Jerusalem opened. There is no justification for the shooting of unarmed civilians inside Gaza. Democratic congressman Ro Khanna calls Netanyahu morally obtuse. Covering protests such as those in Gaza can be dangerous. Gaza's health ministry says the number killed in violence has risen to 58, with 2,771 injured.

The UK Foreign Office has released a statement about the violence in Gaza and the West Bank today.

Minister for the Middle East Alistair Burt said: "The violence today in Gaza and the West Bank has been shocking. The loss of life and the large number of injured Palestinians is tragic, and it is extremely worrying that the number of those killed continues to rise. "Such violence is destructive to peace efforts. We have been clear that the UK supports the Palestinians' right to protest, but these protests must be peaceful.

"It is deplorable that extremist elements may have been seeking to exploit these protests for their own violent purposes. We will not waver from our support for Israel's right to defend its borders. But the large volume of live fire is extremely concerning. We continue to implore Israel to show greater restraint.

"The UK remains committed to a two-state solution, with Jerusalem as a shared capital. All sides now need to show real leadership and courage, promote calm, refrain from inflaming tensions further, and show with renewed urgency that the path to a two-state solution is through negotiation and peace."

The Trump Administration continues to work to achieve a comprehensive peace agreement between the Israelis and the Palestinians. After announcing the United States’ recognition of Jerusalem as the capital of Israel, President Trump quickly and efficiently opened the Embassy in Israel at a low cost to taxpayers.

Turkey's president Recep Tayyip Erdogan said tonight while on a visit to London: "Israel is wreaking state terror. Israel is a terror state. "What Israel has done is a genocide. I condemn this humanitarian drama, the genocide, from whichever side it comes, Israel or America," he added.

Turkey has recalled its ambassadors to Israel and the US for "consultations". A breakdown of the killed and injured, according to Dr Ashraf Al Qudra, the director of public relations for the Gaza Ministry of Health: 55 killed and 2771 injured Of them (1760 taken to hospitals and 1011 to field facilities. Of those killed - 6 children under 18 years old, 1 female child. Of those injured - 225 children, 79 females.

Gaza's health ministry has thanked the health minister for Egypt for opening Egyptian hospitals to receive casualties from the violence and "save the lives of the wounded" . He added that Dr. Ahmed Emad El Din had allowed Egyptian hospitals to provide facilities in Gaza with "urgent medical supplies".

The number of dead in the violence has risen again. Palestinian Health Ministry officials said 55 protesters were killed and 2,700 injured either by gunfire, tear gas or other methods.

More on the statement from the White House on responsibility for the violence in Gaza: Spokesman Raj Shah said: "We're aware of the reports of continued violence in Gaza today. "The responsibility for these tragic deaths rests squarely with Hamas. Hamas is intentionally and cynically provoking this response." The WH called the violence a "gruesome propaganda attack" but it will not impact the US's peace plan for the area. The spokesman declined to urge Israel to exercise restraint and but said that Hamas bears responsibility for the "dire situation".

The White House has said responsibility for Gaza deaths "rests squarely with Hamas", and it supports Israel's "right to defend itself".