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Stark reality: Pictures taken just minutes and a few miles apart show two worlds that couldn't be more different

Palestinians have staunchly opposed the move of setting up a US embassy in Jerusalem and reports state that the embassy's inauguration spurred the fight
UPDATED FEB 19, 2020
Steve Mnuchin and Ivanka Trump (Source: Getty Images)
Steve Mnuchin and Ivanka Trump (Source: Getty Images)

President Donald Trump's daughter and senior White House aide Ivanka Trump and her husband Jared Kushner were pictured celebrating on Monday as the US embassy was officially opened in Jerusalem, while at the exact same time, just a few miles away from them, dozens of people were dying for protesting the same.

The Republican president, on Monday, tweeted that it was a "great day for Israel" while the Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said it was a "glorious day" for their country to remember.

"Remember this moment, This is history," Netanyahu said at the opening ceremony of the embassy.

However, as the United States and Israel were all smiles celebrating the inauguration of the American embassy, the Israeli military claimed that Hamas attempted to carry out bombing and shooting attacks under the cover of the protests.

The Israeli military has garnered international condemnation for their use of excessive force against unarmed protesters.

Picture 1: Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (third L), His wife Sara Netanyahu (second L) Senior White House Advisor Jared Kushner (C), Ivanka Trump (C) at the opening of the US embassy in Jerusalem on May 14, 2018 in Jerusalem, Israel.
Picture 2: The body of eight-month-old Leila Anwar Ghandoor, who died in hospital on Tuesday morning from tear gas inhalation, is placed into a grave on May 15, 2018 in Gaza City, Gaza. (Getty Images)

The military released a video on Monday, claiming that the protesters were ripping away parts of the barbed-wire border fence at Gaza and said that the demonstrators were also seen setting tires on fire and throwing firebombs towards Israeli troops from across the border.

Palestinians have staunchly opposed the move of setting up a US embassy in Jerusalem and reports state that the embassy's inauguration spurred the confrontation.

Reports state that during the lavish inauguration of the embassy, there was barely any mention of the violence unfolding just 50 miles away from where the top government officials of Israel and America had gathered.

Picture 1: Ivanka Trump (L) kisses White House senior advisors Jared Kushner during the opening of the US embassy in Jerusalem on May 14, 2018 in Jerusalem, Israel.
Picture 2: A wounded Palestinian protester arrives at a field hospital near the border fence with Israel as mass demonstrations continue on May 14, 2018 in Gaza City, Gaza (Getty Images)

The Gaza Health Ministry on Monday said that nearly 60 people were killed in the gunfire by the Israeli army, which included a baby who died from tear gas inhalation, according to reports. 

The ministry added that at least six of the people who were shot during the Monday violence were under the age of 18.

Reports state that the violence has officially been declared as the deadliest day in Gaza since the 2014 war between Israel and Gaza's ruling Hamas. 

Picture 1: White House senior advisor Ivanka Trump (C) US Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin (R) and Senior White House Advisor Jared Kushner (L) arrive to the opening of the US embassy in Jerusalem on May 14, 2018 in Jerusalem, Israel.
Picture 2: A Palestinian woman documents the situation at the border fence with Israel as mass demonstrations continue on May 14, 2018 in Gaza City, Gaza. (Getty Images)
 

The incident on Monday reportedly left at least 2,700 people injured. 

The Gaza Health Ministry added that among the injured, 1,360 were wounded in live fire by the Israeli army and over 130 out of these people are said to be in a critical condition.

President Trump, in a videotaped address, said that setting up the American embassy in Jerusalem was a key campaign promise, while adding that he recognizes the "plain reality" that Jerusalem is Israel's capital. The Republican also added that the US "remains fully committed to facilitating a lasting peace agreement."

Picture 1: White House senior advisor Ivanka Trump (R) arrive to the opening of the US embassy in Jerusalem on May 14, 2018 in Jerusalem, Israel. 
Picture 2: A wounded Palestinian boy is rushed to an ambulance at the border fence with Israel as mass demonstrations continue on May 14, 2018 in Gaza City, Gaza. (Getty Images)

While the Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas released a statement saying that he "will not accept" any peace deal proposed by the Trump administration. Abbas, referring to Monday's violence, also urged the international community to condemn the "massacres" carried out by Israeli military in Gaza.

Picture 1: US Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin and US President's daughter Ivanka Trump unveil an inauguration plaque during the opening of the US embassy in Jerusalem on May 14, 2018 in Jerusalem, Israel. 
Picture 2: A Palestinian teenager prepares to head to the border fence with Israel as mass demonstrations continue on May 14, 2018 in Gaza City, Gaza. (Getty Images)

Israel in the 1967 war had captured the Arab east Jerusalem and annexed it later. However, the annexation is not recognized by the international community. The country declared the entire city as its unified capital, but Palestine says that east Jerusalem is the capital of their future state. Israel is building settlements in Jerusalem despite United Nations' warning.

The US is a strong ally of Israel as it supplies the country with more than $3 billion per year in defense aid. 

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