Thirty-two Palestinians have been wounded by Israeli fire during a mass protest along the beach near the Israeli frontier, Gaza’s Health Ministry said.

Protesters threw flaming tyres over the fence, while fishing boats hoisted Palestinian flags.

Israeli forces responded with tear gas and live fire.

Palestinian protesters hang a national flag at the border fence
Palestinian protesters hang a flag at the border fence (Khalil Hamra/AP)

The ruling Hamas militant group has been staging border protests for the past six months in the hope of easing a crippling Israeli-Egyptian blockade.

It has intensified the protests in recent weeks as Egyptian-mediated ceasefire efforts have faltered.

Over the weekend, Israel halted Qatari-donated fuel shipments to Gaza’s power plant in response to the escalated protests.

Palestinian protesters cover teargas canisters with sand
Protesters cover tear gas canisters with sand (Khalil Hamra/AP)

Since March, 155 Palestinians participating in or attending the protests were killed.

Israel says it is defending its border.

An Israeli soldier was fatally shot in July.