37 Palestinians killed in Gaza clashes as US opens new embassy in Jerusalem

The US on Monday opened its embassy in Jerusalem amid violent clashes along the Gaza Strip's border hours ahead of the controversial move, leaving 37 Palestinians dead from Israeli fire and hundreds more wounded, the deadliest escalation of violence since 2014.

The Gaza Health Ministry said 37 Palestinians were killed by Israeli fire amid mass protests on the border against the transfer of the US embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem.

The dead included a 14-year-old, according to the ministry.

Meanwhile, the Palestinian Authority government accused Israel of committing a "terrible massacre" after Israeli fire killed 37 Palestinians in protests and clashes.

Palestinian government spokesman Yusuf al-Mahmoud demanded in a statement "an immediate international intervention to stop the terrible massacre in Gaza committed by the forces of the Israeli occupation against our heroic people."

Thousands had gathered near the border in protest while smaller numbers of stone-throwing Palestinians were approaching the fence and trying to break through, with Israeli snipers positioned on the other side.