In the aftermath of 15 Palestinians being killed by the Israeli security forces, President Mahmud Abbas reiterated the need for the international protection of his people on March 30.
"This [high] number of martyrs and wounded during non-violent popular demonstrations, underlines the need for the intervention of the international community to provide protection to our defenseless Palestinian people," WAFA news agency quoted the President as saying in an official release.
On March 30, 15 Palestinians were killed and more than 1,400 others have been wounded in confrontations with the Israeli forces as scores of them marched towards the fence that separates Gaza from Israel at the start of a six-week protest.
WAFA further reported that earlier on Saturday, it was announced that next Saturday will be a national mourning day in honour of the 15 Palestinians who were killed.
The Palestinian Ministry of Health said that about 1,416 people were wounded and the dead included one 16-year-old, CNN reported.