by businessinsider — The opening of the new US embassy in Jerusalem sparked violent protests in both Gaza and the West Bank on Monday, leaving dozens of Palestinians dead and wounding thousands. Estimates Monday afternoon indicate Israeli forces have killed at least 52 Palestinians and injured more than 1,600.

by en.annahar.com — BEIRUT: The opening of the U.S embassy in Jerusalem was marked by mass protests along the Gaza border and the death of over 50 Palestinians, drawing condemnation from across the Lebanese political spectrum. The embassy was moved from Tel Aviv after a highly controversial decision by U.S President Donald Trump last December. Lebanese Prime Minister Saad Hariri called the U.S. decision to move its embassy to Jerusalem a “provocative” act that closes the doors for any attempts to reach peace between the Israel and Palestinians. Hariri in a series of tweets Monday said he regrets “this decision that is igniting the anger of millions of Arabs, Muslims and Christians.” He said Lebanon denounces the “provocative” decision that is deepening the conflict and allowing the “Israelis to spill more blood of innocent Palestinians and increases the intensity of extremism that threatens the world community.”

The embassy move comes on the day marking Israel’s creation 70 years ago, which Arabs call the “Nakba” or catastrophe, in reference to the displacement of hundreds of thousands of Palestinians who fled or were expelled from what is now Israel. Lebanon was one of the Arab countries to receive many of the Palestinian refugees. Today, there are more than 170,000 Palestinian refugees living in Lebanon. Meanwhile, Lebanon’s militant Hezbollah group says the U.S. decision to move the American embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem is a unilateral step “that Palestinians will not accept and therefore it is worthless.” The group’s deputy leader, Sheikh Naim Kassem, made his comments in a speech in Beirut on Monday marking the 70th anniversary of the “Nakba”, adding that “God willing, the Nakba that happened 70 years ago will be a motive for change and liberation.” The U.S. is to formally inaugurate the embassy in Jerusalem later on Monday. The Palestinians are holding mass protests along the Gaza border to condemn the move, and to try to break a decade-old blockade of the Hamas-ruled territory by Israel and Egypt.

Lebanese Forces leader Samir Geagea was quick to condemn the violence as well, saying “we denounce the use of live bullets on demonstrators which killed doezens and wounded hundreds.” Geagea also called on the international community to “intervene immediately to stop the massacre of Palestinians who are simply calling for justice based on the two-state solution.” Local Palestinians took to the streets to protest the move as hundreds gathered in front of the Saudi embassy in Beirut. Organizers chose the Saudi embassy given the “close relationship between Trump and the Gulf Kingdom.” – With AP.

Lebanon’s president fears granting Palestinian refugees work permits as “prelude to settlement

BEIRUT, May 14 (Xinhua) — Lebanese President Michel Aoun said Monday that he fears the international community’s proposals for granting Palestinian refugees working permits are “prelude to settlement” which the Lebanese refuse categorically, the National News Agency (NNA) reported. According to the NNA, Aoun made the remarks while speaking to a delegation of the British Royal College of Defense Studies chaired by Major General Craig Lawrence and accompanied by British Ambassador to Lebanon, Hugo Shorter. Aoun also reiterated his position on the return of the displaced Syrians to the safe areas in their country, casting doubt on “some sides hindering this return.” He hailed Britain for the military assistance provided to the Lebanese army, which is “proved to be highly effective in cleansing the Lebanese soil of terrorists.” The president reassured the international community on Lebanon’s commitment to the provisions of UN Security Council resolution 1701, reiterating the government’s rejection of any Israeli attack on the Lebanese soil. Aoun reminded of the incessant Israeli violations of the Lebanese sovereignty and the exploitation of the national airspace to target Syria.