Palestinian rioters in Gaza prepare to set a kite on fire to be flown across the border to Israel, May 11, 2018. Photo: Reuters / Ibraheem Abu Mustafa.

At least one Palestinian rioter was killed on Friday on the Israel-Gaza Strip border, as Hamas-orchestrated unrest flared up again.

A total of 44 Palestinian rioters — some of whom were reported to be members of terrorist groups — have been killed since the “Great March of Return” demonstrations began at the end of March.

Riot organizers said they expected tens of thousands of Gazans at tented border encampments in the coming days.

The riots peak on Fridays and are building to a climax on May 15, the day Palestinians call the “Nakba” or “Catastrophe” — the anniversary of Israel’s 1948 establishment.

The Israeli military said on Friday its troops were defending the border and “firing in accordance with the rules of engagement.”

Rioters were “violent, burning tires and hurling rocks,” the IDF said in a statement. Israel‘s military “will not allow any harm to the security infrastructure or security fence and will continue standing by its mission to defend and ensure the security of the citizens of Israel and Israeli sovereignty, as necessary.”