GAZA, July 27 (Xinhua) -- Two Palestinians were killed on Friday in the clashes between Palestinian protesters and Israeli soldiers close to the border between the eastern Gaza Strip and Israel.

Yassin Abu Armana, 14, and Mohamed Abu Mustafa, 43, were both shot in the head by Israeli gunfire east of Khan Younis in southern Gaza close to the border with Israel, Gaza Health Ministry Spokesmen Ashraf al-Qedra told reporters.

About 246 others were injured in the clashes, including three paramedics shot by Israeli live ammunition, he added.

Meanwhile, an Israeli drone fired a missile at a group of Palestinians who were flying and releasing arson balloons from eastern Gaza City into Israel. No injuries reported.

It is the 18th consecutive Friday anti-Israel protests since March 30, the first day of the ongoing Palestinian "Great March of Return" rally against Israel's 11-year crippling blockade and the U.S. embassy move to the disputed holy city of Jerusalem.

The Palestinians formed a commission that organizes the rallies and protests at five different locations in eastern Gaza Strip close to the border with Israel, which include clashes, arson balloon and kite attacks and tires burning at the border.

The health ministry said the Israeli army has killed 153 Palestinians and wounded more than 16,000 others in the eastern Gaza Strip since the start of rallies and protests on March 30.