Geneva, April 6 (IANS/WAM): The UN human rights office said on Friday it has indications that Israeli forces used "excessive force" during a deadly crackdown on protesters last week in Gaza and expressed concerns about possible further violence.

Spokeswoman Elizabeth Throssell said in a news conference that Israeli forces were required under international human rights law to use non-violent means "to the extent possible".

She said live fire by Israel forces killed 16 people and reportedly wounded more than 1,000 others, many who were unarmed. She also said there were "ominous statements" from Israeli authorities leading up to protests.

Meanwhile, demonstrations continued throughout the day as hundreds of Palestinians set tires ablaze along the Gaza-Israel border fence in order to confuse Israeli Army snipers and impede visibility.

The Islamist movement Hamas, which rules the coastal enclave, called for another mass protest as part of the Land Day actions to claim the right of Palestinian refugees and their descendants to return to their homeland.