As smoke clears, capturing the Israeli-Palestinian conflict

As smoke clears, capturing the Israeli-Palestinian conflict

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The Israeli-Palestinian conflict is often framed in black and white, an outlook captured by this image of Palestinian youths shrouded by clouds of smoke that block out everything except an isolated moment of protest and defiance.

Reuters photographer Mohammed Salem's photograph of a handful of demonstrators in a field of dying flowers and charred grass recorded a new phenomenon in an old war – the weekly Palestinian protests that began in the spring of 2018 along the Gaza-Israeli border.

. Gaza Border, Israel. Reuters/Amir Cohen

The protests pitted thousands of Palestinian demonstrators against heavily armed Israeli soldiers on the other side of the fortified border fence intent on stopping the protesters from crossing or approaching the frontier.

What became known as the "Great March of Return" dominated the headlines for months, evolving into a compelling but deadly form of attritional public spectacle, all covered by photojournalists risking their lives to document it.

. Gaza City, Palestinian Territories. Reuters/Mohammed Salem

Taking place in a handful of accessible locations at prearranged times, the protests became battlegrounds of image and spin for both sides.

The Israeli military published video footage, pictures and social media posts in Hebrew, English and Arabic to support its message that its forces were engaged in "riot dispersal".

. Khan Younis, Palestinian Territories. Reuters/Mohammed Salem

Hamas, the militant Islamist group that controls Gaza, televised images of the Palestinian dead and wounded, and Palestinian protesters posted images from the front lines on social media.

The primary stated purpose of the protests was to revive a demand by refugees for the right to return to lands that Palestinians were driven from or fled when Israel was founded in 1948. Israel has ruled out any such right, concerned that the country would lose its Jewish majority.

. Havat Gilad, Palestinian Territories. Reuters/Ronen Zvulun

But the immediate factor was Palestinian anger at U.S. President Donald Trump's decisions on Dec. 6 last year to recognise Jerusalem as the capital of Israel and to begin preparations to move its embassy to the city that is sacred to three of the great monotheistic faiths: Judaism, Christianity and Islam.

Trump's move delighted Israel's government, which regards Jerusalem as the capital of the Jewish people, but infuriated Palestinians, who claim East Jerusalem as the capital of a state they hope to establish in the Israeli-occupied West Bank and in Gaza.

. Gaza, Palestinian Territories. Reuters/Ibraheem Abu Mustafa

The deadliest day of the protests was May 14, when the new embassy held its opening ceremony. It fell on a symbolic date for both sides - the 70th anniversary of the creation of Israel. That is a joyous day for Israelis, but an event regarded by Palestinians as their "Nakba" or Catastrophe when they lost their homeland.

. Jerusalem, Israel. Reuters/Ronen Zvulun

The Jerusalem-Gaza juxtaposition made headlines at home and abroad, and produced a worldwide split-screen television moment as Trump's daughter Ivanka attended the embassy ceremony, even as Israeli troops killed around 60 Palestinian protesters just over 70 km (43 miles) away.

. Gaza Border, Israel. Reuters/Amir Cohen

The border protests continued and morphed into other forms.

Israelis were angered by another new phenomenon first seen in 2018 - the Palestinian 'fire kites' and balloons loaded with petrol bombs by Gaza militants and sent flying over the border.

Palestinians continued to call for an end to an Israeli-led blockade on Gaza.

. Gaza City, Palestinian Territories. Reuters/Ahmed Zakot

The conflict switched to the skies in November when a bungled Israeli commando mission inside Gaza erupted into a deadly gunfight and then the fiercest Palestinian rocket salvoes and Israeli air strikes since the 2014 war.

The skies fell quiet again as the year drew to a close, giving way to ceasefires and mediation efforts, as all sides waited for the Trump administration to unveil its long-expected Middle East peace plan.

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Mourners carry the body of Palestinian Mosab al-Tamimi, 17, who was killed during a confrontation between Israeli troops and Palestinian stone-throwing protesters, during his funeral near the West Bank city of Ramallah.
. Ramallah, Palestinian Territories. Reuters/Mohamad Torokman

Mourners carry the body of Palestinian Mosab al-Tamimi, 17, who was killed during a confrontation between Israeli troops and Palestinian stone-throwing protesters, during his funeral near the West Bank city of Ramallah.

An Israeli soldier fires tear gas at Palestinian demonstrators during clashes at a protest calling for the release of Palestinian prisoners from Israeli jails, in the West Bank village of Nabi Saleh, near Ramallah.
. Ramallah, Palestinian Territories. Reuters/Mohamad Torokman

An Israeli soldier fires tear gas at Palestinian demonstrators during clashes at a protest calling for the release of Palestinian prisoners from Israeli jails, in the West Bank village of Nabi Saleh, near Ramallah.

Israeli soldiers detain a Palestinian during clashes at a protest in Hebron, in the Israeli-occupied West Bank.
. Hebron, Palestinian Territories. Reuters/Mussa Qawasma

Israeli soldiers detain a Palestinian during clashes at a protest in Hebron, in the Israeli-occupied West Bank.

Ayelet Coleman (3rd right), wife of Adiel Coleman, an Israeli who was killed in a stabbing attack in Jerusalem's Old City on March 18, mourns during his funeral in the Jewish settlement of Kochav Hashchar in the Israeli-occupied West Bank. A Palestinian suspect was shot and killed by police.
. Kochav Hashachar, Palestinian Territories. Reuters/Ronen Zvulun

Ayelet Coleman (3rd right), wife of Adiel Coleman, an Israeli who was killed in a stabbing attack in Jerusalem's Old City on March 18, mourns during his funeral in the Jewish settlement of Kochav Hashchar in the Israeli-occupied West Bank. A Palestinian suspect was shot and killed by police.

A Palestinian demonstrator returns a tear gas canister fired by Israeli troops during clashes in Hebron, in the Israeli-occupied West Bank.
. Hebron, Palestinian Territories. Reuters/Mussa Qawasma

A Palestinian demonstrator returns a tear gas canister fired by Israeli troops during clashes in Hebron, in the Israeli-occupied West Bank.

Israelis look at the Israel-Gaza border line as Palestinian protestors clash with Israeli soldiers.
. Gaza Border, Israel. Reuters/Amir Cohen

Israelis look at the Israel-Gaza border line as Palestinian protestors clash with Israeli soldiers.

People carry the body of Palestinian journalist Ahmed Abu Hussein, 24, who died of wounds he sustained while covering a protest along the Gaza-Israel border, at a hospital in the northern Gaza Strip.
. Gaza, Palestinian Territories. Reuters/Mohammed Salem

People carry the body of Palestinian journalist Ahmed Abu Hussein, 24, who died of wounds he sustained while covering a protest along the Gaza-Israel border, at a hospital in the northern Gaza Strip.

Female demonstrators run for cover from tear gas fired by Israeli forces during a protest at the Israel-Gaza border in the southern Gaza Strip.
. Gaza, Palestinian Territories. Reuters/Ibraheem Abu Mustafa

Female demonstrators run for cover from tear gas fired by Israeli forces during a protest at the Israel-Gaza border in the southern Gaza Strip.

A Palestinian demonstrator uses a sling to hurl stones at Israeli troops during a protest near the Jewish settlement of Beit El, near Ramallah, in the Israeli-occupied West Bank.
. Ramallah, Palestinian Territories. Reuters/Mohamad Torokman

A Palestinian demonstrator uses a sling to hurl stones at Israeli troops during a protest near the Jewish settlement of Beit El, near Ramallah, in the Israeli-occupied West Bank.

A relative mourns as she carries the body of eight-month-old Palestinian infant Laila al-Ghandour during her funeral in Gaza City.
. Gaza City, Palestinian Territories. Reuters/Mohammed Salem

A relative mourns as she carries the body of eight-month-old Palestinian infant Laila al-Ghandour during her funeral in Gaza City.

Burnt ground and trees are seen on the Israeli side of the border between Israel and the Gaza Strip, near kibbutz Or HaNer. Tracts of Israeli land have been burned up by incendiary materials flown over the border by Palestinians using kites or balloons.
. Or Haner, Israel. Reuters/Amir Cohen

Burnt ground and trees are seen on the Israeli side of the border between Israel and the Gaza Strip, near kibbutz Or HaNer. Tracts of Israeli land have been burned up by incendiary materials flown over the border by Palestinians using kites or balloons.

A wounded Palestinian demonstrator, Haitham Abu Sabla, 23, is hit in the face with a tear gas canister fired by Israeli troops during a protest marking al-Quds Day, (Jerusalem Day), at the Israel-Gaza border in the southern Gaza Strip.
. Gaza, Palestinian Territories. Reuters/Ibraheem Abu Mustafa

A wounded Palestinian demonstrator, Haitham Abu Sabla, 23, is hit in the face with a tear gas canister fired by Israeli troops during a protest marking al-Quds Day, (Jerusalem Day), at the Israel-Gaza border in the southern Gaza Strip.

Relatives of a Palestinian, who was killed at the Israel-Gaza border, react at a hospital in Gaza City.
. Gaza City, Palestinian Territories. Reuters/Mohammed Salem

Relatives of a Palestinian, who was killed at the Israel-Gaza border, react at a hospital in Gaza City.

The brother of a Palestinian teenager, who was killed in an Israeli air strike, reacts in Gaza City.
. Gaza, Palestinian Territories. Reuters/Mohammed Salem

The brother of a Palestinian teenager, who was killed in an Israeli air strike, reacts in Gaza City.

An Israeli man looks on as Israel's Iron Dome system fires an interceptor rocket in the southern Israeli city of Ashkelon.
. Ashkelon, Israel. Reuters/Amir Cohen

An Israeli man looks on as Israel's Iron Dome system fires an interceptor rocket in the southern Israeli city of Ashkelon.

Relatives of Palestinian militant Mohammed Abu Dakah, 31, who was killed in an Israeli strike, mourn during his funeral in Khan Younis in the southern Gaza Strip.
. Khan Younis, Palestinian Territories. Reuters/Suhaib Salem

Relatives of Palestinian militant Mohammed Abu Dakah, 31, who was killed in an Israeli strike, mourn during his funeral in Khan Younis in the southern Gaza Strip.

Palestinians gather around a building after it was bombed by an Israeli aircraft, in Gaza City.
. Gaza, Palestinian Territories. Reuters/Mohammed Salem

Palestinians gather around a building after it was bombed by an Israeli aircraft, in Gaza City.

Israel's Iron Dome system fires an interception missile at Palestinian rockets launched from Gaza towards Israel near the southern city of Sderot, Israel.
. Sderot, Israel. Reuters/Amir Cohen

Israel's Iron Dome system fires an interception missile at Palestinian rockets launched from Gaza towards Israel near the southern city of Sderot, Israel.

A man cleans bloodstains inside a damaged house where a Palestinian woman and her 18-month-old child were killed, in the central Gaza Strip.
. Gaza, Palestinian Territories. Reuters/Ibraheem Abu Mustafa

A man cleans bloodstains inside a damaged house where a Palestinian woman and her 18-month-old child were killed, in the central Gaza Strip.

A relative of Palestinian teenager Belal Khafaja, who was killed during a protest at the Israel-Gaza border, reacts at a hospital in the southern Gaza Strip.
. Gaza, Palestinian Territories. Reuters/Ibraheem Abu Mustafa

A relative of Palestinian teenager Belal Khafaja, who was killed during a protest at the Israel-Gaza border, reacts at a hospital in the southern Gaza Strip.

A Palestinian boy covers his face with a plastic bag to protect himself from tear gas fired by Israeli troops during a protest near the maritime border with Israel, in the northern Gaza Strip.
. Gaza, Palestinian Territories. Reuters/Mohammed Salem

A Palestinian boy covers his face with a plastic bag to protect himself from tear gas fired by Israeli troops during a protest near the maritime border with Israel, in the northern Gaza Strip.

Palestinians run from tear gas fired by Israeli troops during a protest at the Israel-Gaza border fence in the southern Gaza Strip.
. Gaza, Palestinian Territories. Reuters/Ibraheem Abu Mustafa

Palestinians run from tear gas fired by Israeli troops during a protest at the Israel-Gaza border fence in the southern Gaza Strip.

A Palestinian is carried into hospital after he was wounded during a protest at the Israel-Gaza border fence, in Gaza City.
. Gaza, Palestinian Territories. Reuters/Mohammed Salem

A Palestinian is carried into hospital after he was wounded during a protest at the Israel-Gaza border fence, in Gaza City.

A Palestinian man argues with an Israeli soldier during clashes over an Israeli order to shut down a Palestinian school near Nablus in the Israeli-occupied West Bank.
. Nablus, Palestinian Territories. Reuters/Mohamad Torokman

A Palestinian man argues with an Israeli soldier during clashes over an Israeli order to shut down a Palestinian school near Nablus in the Israeli-occupied West Bank.

Israeli soldiers remove the dead body of a Palestinian suspected of carrying out a stabbing attack on an Israeli soldier in Hebron, in the occupied West Bank.
. Hebron, Palestinian Territories. Reuters/Mussa Qawasma

Israeli soldiers remove the dead body of a Palestinian suspected of carrying out a stabbing attack on an Israeli soldier in Hebron, in the occupied West Bank.

Flames rise after a Palestinian rocket attack on the Israeli town of Sderot, near the Israel-Gaza border.
. Gaza Border, Israel. Reuters/Amir Cohen

Flames rise after a Palestinian rocket attack on the Israeli town of Sderot, near the Israel-Gaza border.

A man stands inside a house damaged by a rocket fired from the Gaza Strip overnight, in the Israeli city of Ashkelon.
. Ashkelon, Israel. Reuters/Ronen Zvulun

A man stands inside a house damaged by a rocket fired from the Gaza Strip overnight, in the Israeli city of Ashkelon.

A man holds the body of a baby wrapped in a shroud who died after being delivered prematurely following a shooting attack on Israelis near the settlement of Ofra, in the Israeli-occupied West Bank, before his funeral at Mount of Olives cemetery in Jerusalem.
. Jerusalem, Israel. Reuters/Ronen Zvulun

A man holds the body of a baby wrapped in a shroud who died after being delivered prematurely following a shooting attack on Israelis near the settlement of Ofra, in the Israeli-occupied West Bank, before his funeral at Mount of Olives cemetery in Jerusalem.