Gaza: The Palestinian death toll from Israeli live fire in protests along the Gaza-Israel border on Monday rose to 52, a Palestinian health ministry official said.

It was the highest toll in a single day since a series of such protests demanding the right to return to ancestral homes in Israel began on March 30.

Palestinian Health Ministry spokesman Ashraf Al-Qidra said the dead included six children under the age of 18. About 2,400 Palestinians had been wounded, about half of them by live bullets.

Israeli troops killed dozens of Palestinians taking part in mass protests on the Gaza border on Monday as the United States opened its embassy to Israel in Jerusalem.

The U.S. move fulfilled a pledge by President Donald Trump, who has recognized the holy city as the Israeli capital, but it has fired Palestinian anger and drawn criticism from many foreign governments as a set back to peace efforts.

At the embassy inauguration ceremony, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu thanked Trump for ‘having the courage to keep your promises’.

‘What a glorious day for Israel,’ Netanyahu said in a speech. ‘We are in Jerusalem and we are here to stay.’

Trump, in a recorded message, said he remained committed to peace between Israel and the Palestinians.

On the Gaza border, Palestinian protests quickly turned into bloodshed.