Trump protest clash claims first victim

A MAN has been killed and dozens more were wounded in skirmishes between Israeli forces and protesters along Gaza’s border with Israel, the Palestinian health ministry said.

Mohammed Al-Masri, 30, died after being struck by live fire east of Khan Younis in the southern Gaza Strip.

More than 35 Palestinians were injured, two seriously, it added.

It was the first death since clashes erupted across the Palestinian territories after US President Donald Trump recognised Jerusalem as Israel’s capital.

The Israeli military said in a statement that during clashes along the border fence, soldiers “fired selectively at two main instigators” and confirmed hitting them. Meanwhile, US secretary of state Rex Tillerson said it is likely to take several years before the United States opens an embassy in Jerusalem.

Mr Tillerson said it will “take some time” to acquire a site for the embassy, develop building and construction plans, obtain authorisations from the Israeli government and actually build it.

He said it will not happen this year, and “probably not in 2018”.

Mr Tillerson also said President Trump’s recognition of the city as Israel’s capital – sparking protests across the region – “did not indicate any final status for Jerusalem”.

He said the US is making clear that Jerusalem’s borders will be left to Israelis and Palestinians to “negotiate and decide”.