A Palestinian farmer was killed in Gaza on Friday morning by an Israeli tank shell, shortly before Gazans were preparing for mass sit-ins near the border with Israel.

The farmer was identified as 27-year-old Amr Samour. The Palestinian Health Ministry said he was struck by an Israeli tank shell in the southeastern Gaza Strip.

Israel said it has prepared for facing the demonstrations by deploying snipers, Special Forces and paramilitary border police units, who specialize in riot control.

Hamas, the political party that runs the Gaza Strip, and many Palestinian factions called for the Great Return March to take place, to mark the Palestinian Land Day on 30 March. Hamas noted that the demonstrations will be peaceful.

By setting the sit-ins in motion, Hamas is aiming to break the decade-long siege that has been weakening the group since 2007.