Hamas 'orders Gaza protesters to retreat' amid deadly Israel crackdown

Hamas, the Islamist movement that runs the blockaded Gaza Strip, has ordered protesters to retreat from the border with Israel, amid the deadliest day of conflict in years.

Local sources told The New Arab's Arabic-language service on Monday that Hamas has "suddenly" ordered the tens of thousands of protesters to move back from the fence with Israel.

The move comes after Israeli snipers killed at least 43 Palestinians and wounded hundreds in the deadliest day since a 2014 Gaza war.

The demonstrations took place as a White House delegation and Israeli officials gathered for the inauguration of the US embassy in Jerusalem.

There has already been weeks of protests and clashes along the Gaza border, with almost 100 Palestinians killed by Israeli fire there since March 30.

No Israelis have been killed or injured during the protests, which have demanded the right for Palestinians to return to their lands from which they were expelled by.