Thousands of Gazans were gathered on Friday at various locations along the border in the Gaza Strip, calling for Palestinian refugees to be able to return to their former lands in what is now Israel. Israel is accusing the Palestinian movement Hamas of using the protests as cover to carry out violence. Gaza City: Four Palestinians were shot dead by Israeli forces in the northern Gaza Strip on Friday, the Palestinian Health Ministry said, as demonstrations entered their fourth week along the Gaza-Israel border. Ashraf Al-Qudra, spokesman for the health ministry in Hamas-run Gaza, said Ahmad Abu Aqel, 25, died of bullet wounds sustained east of Jabaliya. The names of the three other Palestinians are unknown. The Israeli army said it was looking into the incident. Security sources in Gaza said Abu Aqel was standing near a group of people setting fire to tyres near the border with Israel. Their deaths bring the number of Gazans killed by Israeli forces in demonstrations and clashes since March 30 to 38, according to Gaza"s health ministry. Thousands of Gazans were gathered on Friday at various locations along the border in the blockaded enclave, calling for Palestinian refugees to be able to return to their former lands in what is now Israel. Hundreds were clashing with Israeli forces, an AFP correspondent said. Earlier on Friday, Israel dropped leaflets in the Gaza Strip warning Palestinians not to approach its border fence as the military braced for fresh clashes along the frontier. Israel has pledged to stop damage to the fence, infiltrations and attacks, and alleges there have been attempts at all three. It accuses Palestinian movement Hamas, with whom it has fought three wars since 2008, of using the protests as cover to carry out violence.