Israeli security forces open fire on Palestinians as part of 'riot dispersal means'

Israeli forces shot and killed four Palestinians and wounded at least 50 during protests along the border with Gaza on Friday, local medical officials said.

An Israeli military spokesman said some 10,000 Palestinians had congregated along the Gaza border and were hurling rocks and other missiles at troops who responded with "riot dispersal means" and live fire when needed.

Palestinians have been protesting along the border since March 30, demanding an end to Israel's blockade of the territory and the right to return to lands from which they fled or from which they were driven when Israel was founded in 1948.

Since the protests began, 212 Gazans have been killed by Israeli troops, according to Palestinian Health Ministry figures. An Israeli soldier was killed by a Palestinian sniper.

Egyptian security officials have been in the last two weeks been talking to Israeli leaders and officials of Hamas, which runs Gaza, and other factions in an attempt to restore calm along the border.