'Israel is simply defending itself'

17 Palestinians are confirmed dead, as reported by Hamas, and over a thousand injured in clashes with Israeli soldiers at the Gaza border. That's according to the UN Permanent Observer for Palestine who, along with the UN Secretary General, is calling for an independent investigation into the deaths. However, Israel blamed what it called violent riots, on Hamas, which it views as a terrorist organisation. The country's army said it would respond to any 'threat to Israeli sovereignty', as well as to damage to the security fence.