ISRAELI forces have killed at least 10 Palestinians in Gaza, including three children, over the past two weeks, the United Nations said today.

A further 882 were injured over the same period in assaults which have occurred along the illegally constructed border, with the escalation of operations prompting UN spokesman Jamie McGoldrick to urge “Israel, Hamas and all other actors with the ability to influence the situation, to take action now to prevent further deterioration and loss of life.” 

The attacks on Friday September 28 saw the highest number of fatalities since the peak of the Great Return March protests in May.

Two of the children killed aged 11 and 15 were shot in the chest and head with live ammunition bringing the total number of child fatalities in Gaza since the protests started to 39.

Another child was killed and 189 injured by Israeli forces as part of the continuing Great March of Return protests, peaceful demonstrations which have taken place every Friday since March 30.

Palestinians are demanding the right to return to land they were forcibly removed from in 1948 during the creation of the state of Israel.

However, the protesters continue to be attacked by Israeli snipers and security forces who have killed more than 200 people, including medics and journalists, as they fired live ammunition at unarmed civilians.

The Israeli aggression received worldwide condemnation and has prompted a UN investigation into potential war crimes.

But Israeli premier Benjamin Netanyahu has continued to insist that the protests are co-ordinated by Hamas and are a threat to national security.

Last week, a 74-year old Palestinian man named by authorities as Ibrahim Ahmad Nassar al-Arouqi was killed while standing next to his home in the al-Maghazi refugee camp in Gaza. 

Despite being around 2,000 metres from the illegal perimeter fence and with no demonstrations or other activities taking place, Israeli forces shot two live bullets at him.

Two more Palestinians were killed and six injured today, according to Gaza’s Ministry of Health as Israeli forces opened fire with live bullets and tear gas at the latest Great Return March protests.