Palestine authorities have announced a national day of mourning after the death of 17 protesters.

Hundreds more were injured during protests at the border with Israel - which were part of a six-week plan calling for refugees to be allowed back to their homes.

The UN Security Council hasn't decided on any action during an emergency meeting to discuss the incident.

Instead, it's called for an 'independent investigation.

Assistant Secretary-General for Political Affairs Tayé-Brook Zerihoun says lethal force should only be used as a last resort.

He says they'll continue to encourage Israeli forces to exercise maximum restraint - to avoid casualties.

The Palestinian Ambassador to the UN is asking how 'trigger-happy' soldiers could have killed 'peaceful' protesters.

Riyad Mansour has criticised Israel for the attack, saying the protesters showed no threat to Israel's heavily armed soldiers.

He says despite this, its trigger-happy soldiers used live ammunition, tear gas and rubber bullets to shoot indiscriminately at the non-violent protesters.