Thousands Attend Funeral of Palestinian Medic Killed by Israeli Army in Gaza Protest

Thousands of Palestinians are attending Saturday the funeral of a volunteer medic killed by Israeli soldiers during protests along the Gaza border fence on Friday. The funeral procession for Razan Najjar, 21, departed from her hometown of Khuza'a and will conclude in a cemetery in Khan Yunis.

According to Palestinian Health Minister Dr. Jawad Awaad, Najjar was shot in the neck. "This is a war crime," he said Friday, saying Najjar was shot while clearly wearing a medical staff uniform. Earlier that day, Najjar gave an interview in which she took pride in the aid she was providing for the wounded, Awaad added.

>> Gaza Flare-up: How One Israeli Tank Shell Almost Started an All-out War | Analysis <<

Speaking at a convention in Wadi Ara on Saturday, Israeli-Arab lawmaker Ahmad Tibi (Joint List) called Najjar's killing "a heinous war crime," adding that the U.S. and its envoy to the UN, Nikki Haley, who vetoed the Security Council resolution for "international protection" for the Palestinians, bear responsibility for Najjar's death.

Another 40 people were reported wounded during Friday's protest along the Gaza border. Since the confrontations along the border of May 14, the number of participants has fallen dramatically, and Hamas and other Palestinian factions have set June 5 as the date for a march by tens of thousands to mark 51 years since the Six-Day War, known as Nakba Day by the Palestinians.

The Palestinian Health Ministry in Gaza has updated its figures and says 118 people have died in the marches, after a 23-year-old Gaza resident succumbed Thursday to the gunshot wounds he suffered on May 14.