Demonstrators protest against the opening of U.S. embassy in Jerusalem outside the Israeli embassy in Athens, Greece, on May 14, 2018. (Xinhua/Marios Lolos)

by Maria Spiliopoulou

ATHENS, May 14 (Xinhua) -- Greece called for restraint on Monday after dozens of Palestinian protesters were killed and over 2,000 injured in clashes with Israeli soldiers along the border of Gaza.

The killings occurred as the U.S. embassy was transferred to Jerusalem, as Israel celebrated the 70th anniversary since its establishment, and as Palestinians were set to commemorate Nakba (Day of Catastrophe) on Tuesday.

"We note with abhorrence and deep concern the tragic loss of dozens of lives, including those of children, and the wounding of hundreds of protesters resulting from Israeli gunfire in the Gaza Strip," read an e-mailed foreign ministry announcement.

"It is imperative that restraint be shown in order to avoid further escalation and more victims. Israel needs to respect the right to peaceful demonstration and avoid the use of disproportionate force. On their part, Hamas and all those organizing the protests in the Gaza Strip need to ensure the peaceful nature of these protests," the press statement concluded.

Monday's protests were organized as part of a series of anti-Israeli rallies which started in late March.

A symbolic demonstration in protest of the killings and the U.S policy in the Middle East was held on Monday in Athens outside the Israeli embassy by the Communist Party of Greece (KKE), affiliated labor unions, and organizations.

In statements to local media outside the Israeli embassy, KKE general-secretary Dimitris Koutsoumpas strongly condemned the killings, the U.S. president's decision on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, as well as the Iranian nuclear program issue and the U.S policy in Syria.

"This is our neighborhood and when the neighbor's home is on fire, it will soon reach our home," he said.