GAZA, Dec. 24 (Xinhua) -- Tens of Palestinians rallied near Gaza's northern borders with Israel on Thursday to mark the first anniversary of Israel's Operation Cast Lead in the coastal enclave.

    The demonstrators, including the homeless and international activists, stopped away from an Israeli army watching tower. They waved Palestinian flags and banners slamming the offensive.

    They also carried posters slamming the international community for failing to press Israel to lift its closure on the territory to allow construction materials in.

    "Gaza's wound is still bleeding," said Saber al-Za'aneen, one of the demonstrators. "We call on the world to take on its responsibility for the people here who are being killed again," he said, referring to the failure of the rebuilding.

    "We came here to remember the Gaza war," said Eva Bartlett, a Canadian peace activist, adding that "the youths here still enjoy high spirits of struggle."

    Over 1,300 Gazans, including hundreds of civilians, were killed and more than 5,000 others injured during the 22-day war, which also left 13 Israelis dead.