Israel kills 55 Palestinians as US opens embassy in Jerusalem

Gaza : Israeli Security Forces gunned down at least 55 Palestinians during a mass protest along Gaza border on Monday.

The cross border war erupted after Israel's festive inauguration of the new US embassy in contested Jerusalem.

Protesters burned tyres, hurled firebombs and stones towards Israeli troops who in return cross fired and killed over 50 protesters.

Three Palestinians were shot after they were found planting a bomb at the border with a motive to break through the border.

At least 1,204 protesters were wounded, including 116 in serious or critical condition. The statement says about 1,200 others suffered other types of injuries, including from tear gas.

Decision to shift US Embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem is one of the key promises made by Donald Trump during his election campaigns. His decision angered Palestinians who wish to see east Jerusalem as a future capital. 

Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas condemned Israeli "massacres" along the Gaza border. Abbas, who declared three days of mourning, also said "the US is no longer a mediator in the Middle East (West Asia)," and the new embassy was tantamount to "a new American settler outpost" in Jerusalem.