Bloodiest Day in Gaza as US Opens Jerusalem Embassy

In a day of jarring contrasts, Israeli forces killed at least 62 Palestinians and wounded over 2,700 in Gaza while US and Israeli officials celebrated the opening of the American embassy in Jerusalem just 60 miles away.

Split Screen Horror

In Jerusalem:

Festive embassy dedication ceremony
Trump video message praising “historic day”
Kushner blaming protesters for violence
Netanyahu declaring “glorious day”
Evangelical pastors giving blessings

In Gaza:

Deadliest day since 2014 war
Hospitals overwhelmed with casualties
Funeral processions ongoing
Smoke from burning tires darkening sky
Youth charging fence in waves

The Gaza Massacre

Death Toll:

Killed: 62 (including 8 children)
Shot wounded: 1,359
Total injured: 2,771
Critical condition: 100+
Medical staff hit: 1 killed, many wounded

Israeli Tactics:

Snipers with shoot-to-kill orders
Drones dropping tear gas
Tank fire at groups
Naval fire from sea
No Israeli casualties reported

Embassy Celebration

US Officials Present:

Ivanka Trump and Jared Kushner
Treasury Secretary Mnuchin
Deputy Secretary Sullivan
Congressional delegation
Evangelical leaders

Key Messages:

Kushner: “Those provoking violence are part of the problem, not part of the solution.”

Netanyahu: “What a glorious day. Remember this moment.”

Palestinian Response

Leadership:

Abbas declared three days of mourning and recalled ambassador from Washington.

“The massacre committed by Israeli forces against peaceful protesters is a crime against humanity,” Abbas spokesman said.

Hamas:

Called for escalation but stopped short of military action. “The blood of our people will not go in vain,” spokesman declared.

International Outrage

UN Emergency Session:

Kuwait called for emergency meeting
Moment of silence for victims
US blocked statement condemning violence
Calls for investigation

Global Condemnation:

Turkey: Recalled ambassadors from US and Israel
South Africa: Withdrew ambassador
UK: “Extremely concerned” by deaths
France: Condemned “disproportionate” force
EU: Called for “utmost restraint”

US Isolation:

White House blamed Hamas “propaganda” for deaths, standing alone in defending Israeli actions.

The Protests

Scale:

40,000+ Palestinians participated
Multiple breach attempts
Some infiltrators briefly crossed
Molotov cocktails and stones thrown
Kites with firebombs launched

Desperation:

Protesters interviewed expressed nothing to lose: “We’re dying slowly anyway. Better to die for something.”

Medical Crisis

Gaza Hospitals:

Operating rooms full
Blood supplies depleted
Medicine shortages critical
Doctors operating nonstop
Morgues overflowing

Types of Injuries:

High-velocity gunshot wounds
Explosive bullets used
Many leg amputations needed
Tear gas severe effects
Psychological trauma widespread

Historical Context

Nakba Day Significance:

70th anniversary of Palestinian “catastrophe”
When 700,000 fled or expelled in 1948
Right of return central demand
Jerusalem as capital dream
US embassy salt in wound

Divergent Narratives

Israeli Perspective:

Defending sovereign border
Hamas using human shields
Violent infiltration attempts
Restraint shown given threat
Historic justice with embassy

Palestinian Perspective:

Peaceful protest for rights
Disproportionate violence
War crimes committed
International law violated
Jerusalem theft completed

Aftermath Consequences

Diplomatic: US mediation role ended
Violence: Escalation risks high
Gaza: Humanitarian crisis deepening
International: Israel isolation growing
Peace Process: Two-state solution dying

Analysis: Historic Tragedy

May 14, 2018 will be remembered as:

For Israelis:

Victory of recognition
US alliance cemented
Jerusalem status resolved
Security maintained

For Palestinians:

New Nakba day
Peaceful resistance crushed
International abandonment
Hope extinguished

For Peace:

Process officially dead
US role terminated
Violence cycle deepening
Solutions more distant

The split screen of celebration and carnage captured the conflict’s essence: Israeli triumph built on Palestinian tragedy, with America choosing sides definitively and peace prospects buried under embassy stones and Gaza graves.