The Palestinian Ministry of Health in Gaza announced on Monday morning the death of an 18-year-old Palestinian who was shot by Israeli snipers two weeks ago near the Gaza borders during the Great Return March.

The youth, identified as Tahrir Saeed Wahba from Khan Younis, who was also deaf, was shot in the head and evacuated to the Gaza European Hospital in critical condition where he stayed until he succumbed to his wounds, Wafa news agency reported.

Earlier on Sunday night, another Palestinian, aged 20, died of his wounds in Gaza in the same hospital. Abdullah Mohammad Shimaly had been shot and critically injured last Friday during the Great Return March protests.

According to the Health Ministry, the deaths of Wahba and Shimaly bring the total number of Palestinian casualties during the Great Return March to 39. Additionally, more than 5000 were injured, 138 of whom are still in life-threatening condition.

Last Friday, despite threats and discouragement by Israeli forces, Palestinians continued their protests for the fourth consecutive Friday. On that day alone two Palestinians were killed by Israeli snipers.