Ashraf Shannon
Press TV, Gaza

Palestinians in Gaza staged protests in the so-called buffer zone following Friday prayers as part of the Great March of Return rallies against the Israeli occupation. 

Protesters including those who were wounded by the Israeli forces in the previous rallies said they were willing to sacrifice their lives for the sake of their homeland. 

Palestinian resistance movements also stressed the determination of the people to fight for their right of return to their homeland. 

The rallies coincided with the 19th anniversary of the al-Aqsa Intifada which was sparked by the desecration of the al-Aqsa Mosque compound in Jerusalem al-Quds by former Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon.

The weekly rallies started in late March 2018 to demand the right of return for Palestinian refugees and the complete lifting of the Israeli blockade on the Gaza Strip.

Israeli forces have killed hundreds of protesters during the rallies so far and injured many more including children, women, journalists and paramedics.

Israel’s shoot-to-kill policy against Palestinian protesters has failed to stop the weekly demonstrations.

Protesters here are taking part in peaceful rallies against Tel Aviv. They vow to continue their resistance to end the Israeli occupation.