Israeli forces shot dead six Palestinians in one of the deadliest days in months of mass protests along the Israeli border with Gaza.

Four people were killed in a single incident when, according to the IDF, several protestors breached a border fence and approached an army post. No Israeli troops were harmed.

A further 140 Palestinians have been wounded by live bullets, Gaza’s health ministry said.

It is believed that about 14,000 demonstrators have gathered along the border, burning tires and throwing rocks, firebombs and grenades at Israeli soldiers stationed on the other side.

Since March, Hamas has co-ordinated continuous protests along the fence in a bid to draw international attention to a blockade imposed on the Gaza strip by Israel and Egypt.

More than 150 Palestinians have died since the marches began, including 60 in a single day.

Elsewhere, Palestinians in the West Bank claim a woman was killed after being struck by a stone thrown by Israeli settlers.

According to relatives, 48-year-old Aisha Rabi was travelling with her two daughters and husband to their home in Biddya, in the north of the territory, early on Saturday when their vehicle was pelted with rocks.

After being struck in the head, Ms Rabi was rushed to hospital where she was later pronounced dead. Israeli police confirmed that her death is under investigation.

A week ago two Israelis, Kim Levengrond-Yehezkel and Ziv Hajbi, were killed in an office in an industrial zone in the West Bank.