10 weeks of deadly tensions

■ March 30: Major protests begin demanding the right to return to homes that some 700,000 Palestinians were forced to flee in 1948 when Israel was created.

■ Tens of thousands of Palestinians, including many women and children, converge along the border barrier that separates Gaza from Israel.

■ Israeli snipers kill 19 Palestinians. Palestinian president Mahmoud Abbas says he holds Israel responsible for the bloodshed.

■ Turkey, the Arab League, Egypt and Jordan condemn the Israeli response.

■ March 31: The US blocks a draft declaration at the UN Security Council urging restraint.

■ April 6: Thousands of Palestinians gather again near to the security barrier. Nine Palestinians are killed and nearly 500 injured. Consecutive weeks see more Palestinians shot dead.

■ May 14: Tens of thousands of Palestinians return to barrier as the US opens its controversial embassy in Occupied Jerusalem after Washington recognised the divided holy city as Israel’s capital.

■ At least 61 Palestinians are killed by Israeli fire in the ensuing violence and more than 2,400 wounded.

■ June 1: A Palestinian medic is killed by Israeli fire during another round of border demonstrations.

■ On the same day, Washington vetoes a draft resolution tabled by Kuwait at the UN Security Council calling for the protection of Palestinians in Gaza and the occupied West Bank.

■ June 4: Four more Palestinians are killed and 100 injured, including an AFP photographer at the scene, as new demonstrations turn into clashes on June 8.