"Findings of the examination of the names of fatalities
According to the findings of examinations carried out by the ITIC, at least 112 Palestinians were killed during the "Great Return March."[1] In an examination of the names of the fatalities on an individual basis, 93 were identified as terrorist operatives or affiliated with the terrorist organizations, i.e., about 83% of those killed in the 'return marches.' Most of the fatalities (63) are from Hamas (about 56% of the total killed in all the marches). Fatah, which had 21 fatalities, played a minor role, with no significant impact on the events. The other organizations, including PIJ operatives (four fatalities) refrained from playing a significant role, maybe because of their awareness that this is a Hamas 'project.' The organizational affiliation of 19 of the fatalities is unknown to the ITIC. It may be assumed that these are Hamas operatives or civilians who do not belong to any organization.
The findings of the ITIC, which indicate the central role of Hamas among the fatalities, are consistent with the figures provided by two senior Hamas figures in the Gaza Strip: Salah Bardawil said that 50 out of the 62 shaheeds who were killed in the events of May 14, 2018 (about 81%) belonged to Hamas. He added that in the events that took place between March 30, 2018 and May 14, 2018, 50% of the fatalities were Hamas operatives. Yahya Sinwar, head of the Hamas Political Bureau in the Gaza Strip, also said that on May 14, Hamas had over 60 shaheeds, and that "yet other 20 wounded are expected to die at any moment" (Al-Mayadeen Channel's YouTube account, May 21, 2018).
The findings of the examination of the identity of the fatalities carried out by the ITIC, and statements of senior Hamas officials, clearly demonstrate the central role played by Hamas in organizing the 'return marches' and orchestrating them. The 'return marches' were not 'popular,' 'peaceful' events, as falsely presented by Palestinian propaganda, but rather a Hamas strategic move accompanied by preplanned violence. This move was intended to free Hamas of its predicaments and achieve political and propaganda objectives (mainly, raising the 'right of return' to the awareness of the Arab and international public and relieving the 'siege' imposed on the Gaza Strip). Furthermore, the findings of the examination of the identity of the fatalities and reports from the ground clearly demonstrate that IDF soldiers did not shoot indiscriminately at innocent residents but instead hit terrorist operatives. These operatives were the dominant factor among those in the front line who tried to break into Israeli territory..."