JERUSALEM, March 30 (Xinhua) -- Some 40,000 Palestinians gathered in several locations on the Gaza Strip border on Saturday afternoon for the "Great March of Return" protests, said the Israel Defense Forces (IDF).

Protesters threw rocks and set tires on fire along the Gaza Strip security fence and they also hurled grenades and explosive devices at the fence, said the IDF.

IDF troops dealt with "riot dispersal means" and fired in accordance with "standard operating procedures," added the Israeli army.

At least three Palestinians were killed and 316 injured during the clashes with Israeli soldiers on the Gaza Strip border, according to Gaza-run health ministry.

The protests were held by Palestinians from the Gaza Strip to mark one year of the "Great March of Return" and 43 years for the Palestinian "Land Day."

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Saturday evening expressed appreciation to Southern Command ground forces, the Air Force and the other security branches for their "resolute activity and massive deployment" which helped bring about the calm, according to a statement issued by the prime minster's office.

The IDF spokesman unit said Hamas operated "with restraint not seen in the past year."