5 Palestinians killed by Israeli troops in fresh clashes along Gaza border

A Palestinian was killed in clashes with Israeli forces in central Gaza on Friday, the health ministry in the strip said, bringing the day's death toll to five

One of the men was shot dead on the border east of central Gaza's al-Bureij.

The dead also included a 16-year-old, the ministry said, adding that he was killed east of Gaza City.

Around 408 people had been taken to hospitals and medical centres for treatment, the ministry added.

The clashes come a week after a mass demonstration led to violence and the bloodiest day since a 2014 war.

Palestinians burned mounds of tyres and threw stones at Israeli soldiers over the border fence, who in turn responded with tear gas and live fire.

The tyre fires were meant to be a smokescreen from Israeli snipers, and thick black smoke covered the border area in some places.

Israeli forces took up positions on the other side of the border and set up large fans in a bid to push away the smoke.

They also used water cannon to try to douse flames.

Israel said there were also attempts to break through the barrier.

Thousands of protesters gathered in locations near the border east of Khan Yunis, in the south of the blockaded Palestinian enclave, and east of Gaza City, among other spots.

The number of protesters was, however, lower than last week, when a demonstration by tens of thousands led to clashes in which Israeli forces killed 19 Palestinians.

Hamas's leader in Gaza, Yahya Sinwar, hailed the protests and condemned Israel's blockade of the Gaza Strip.

"They said Gaza would give up its principles, its project of liberation and (dream) of return if they starve it, but Gaza is coming out today," he said to protesters east of Khan Yunis.

Israel's military said around 20,000 Palestinians were "rioting" and "attempts were made to infiltrate into Israel under the cover of a smoke screen." It added that explosive devices and firebombs were thrown and said that soldiers opened fire "in accordance with the rules of engagement."

Israel has faced mounting criticism over its use of live fire, and UN chief Antonio Guterres called for restraint ahead of Friday's protest.

Guterres and the European Union have called for an independent investigation, which Israel has rejected outright.

"I particularly urge Israel to exercise extreme caution with the use of force in order to avoid casualties," he said.

Human Rights Watch has called the actions by the Israeli soldiers "calculated" and illegal.

Palestinians say protesters were shot while posing no threat to soldiers, and unverified videos that have spread online have fuelled their accusations.

The videos include one appearing to show a man with a tyre shot while running away from the fence.

Israel says more than half of the dead from the previous Friday were members of militant groups, including the armed wing of Hamas.

Hamas's armed wing has claimed only five of them, saying they were participating "in popular events side-by-side with their people".

Militant group Islamic Jihad has claimed at least one of the dead as a member, but it said he was not carrying a weapon when he was shot.

The protests, designed to last six weeks, are in support of refugees.

More than 700,000 Palestinians fled or were expelled from their lands during the war surrounding Israel's creation in 1948.

Israelis say allowing the so-called "right of return" would mean their country would cease to exist.

Protests will run until the expected opening of the new US embassy in Jerusalem in mid-May.

The US move has led to deep anger among Palestinians, who see the annexed eastern sector of Jerusalem as the capital of their future state.

The White House on Thursday refrained from criticism of Israel and called on protesters to remain peaceful.

(With inputs from AFP)