Ismail Haniyeh
Ismail HaniyehReuters

Leaders of the Hamas terrorist group on Friday welcomed the so-called “March of the Return” in which tens of thousands of Gazans marched towards the border with Israel.

The march "proves to U.S. President Donald Trump, his [peace] deal and everyone who stands with it that there will be no concession on Jerusalem, no alternative to Palestine and no solution but [the right of] return," Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh declared.

"The world should embrace the message of our Palestinian people, indicating that our people will not accept the continuation of the siege imposed on it," said the group’s leader in Gaza, Yahya Sinwar.

At least 30,000 people took part in Friday’s mass demonstration, according to IDF Spokesman Ronen Manelis.

The protesters burned tires and threw firebombs and rocks at the border and at IDF forces.

Hamas also sent a seven-year-old girl to confront IDF soldiers who were stationed along the border fence with Gaza.

The IDF ensured that the girl returned safely to her parents.

On Friday evening, the IDF thwarted an attempted shooting attack by a terror cell in northern Gaza.

During the attack, two terrorists approached the security fence and fired towards IDF troops, the IDF Spokesperson’s Unit said in a statement.

In response, IDF troops immediately fired according to the rules of engagement, targeting the terrorists as well as three nearby terror sites belonging to the Hamas terrorist organization with tank fire and IAF fighter jets. No injuries were reported and no damage was caused.

(Arutz Sheva’s North American desk is keeping you updated until the start of Shabbat and Passover in New York. The time posted automatically on all Arutz Sheva articles, however, is Israeli time.)