International

Palestinians in Gaza have marched in their thousands to the Israel border at the start of a six-week-long protest.

The Palestinian health ministry says at least five people have been killed and 350 wounded, many of them by Israeli gunfire.

The Israeli military reported "rioting" at six places and said it was "firing towards main instigators".

Palestinians have pitched five camps near the border for the protest, dubbed the Great March of Return.The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said there were about 17,000 Palestinians in five locations along the border fence.

Hamas, the militant group that dominates the Gaza Strip, has accused Israel of trying to intimidate Palestinians by killing the farmer and by urging them not to participate in the protests.

Addressing protesters, Hamas senior political leader Ismail Haniyeh said "we will not concede a single inch of the land of Palestine".

He said: "There is no alternative to Palestine and no solution except to return."