GAZA, July 6 (Xinhua) -- A Palestinian young man was killed and 146 injured on Friday during clashes between dozens of Palestinian demonstrators and Israeli soldiers stationed on the border between the eastern Gaza Strip and Israel, medics said.

Ashraf al-Qedra, the health ministry spokesperson in Gaza, said Jamal Abu Halima, 22, was killed after being shot in the chest by an Israeli soldier's gunshot during the protests.

Al-Qedra told reporters in a short news briefing that four protesters shot by live ammunition are in critical condition.

On Friday, dozens of Palestinian demonstrators gathered in eastern Gaza, burned tires, waved Palestinian flags and clashed with the Israeli soldiers stationed at the borderline area between the coastal enclave and Israel.

Israeli and local Palestinian media reported that activists from Gaza released around 100 flaming kites and balloons from the eastern Gaza Strip into southern Israel, causing large fires to several agricultural fields in the area. No injuries were reported.

Al-Qedra said Israeli forces have killed at least 137 Palestinians, and injured 15,000 others since March 30, the first day of the ongoing Palestinian "Great March of Return" rally against Israel's 11-year crippling blockade and the U.S. embassy move to the disputed holy city of Jerusalem.

Around half of the injured were shot by live ammunition, and many of them are still in critical condition, he added.