Thousands of Palestinians grieved as a funeral was held for eight young men who drowned off the Tunisian coast while fleeing the war-torn region.

Mourners flocked to pay respects to the youths whose bodies arrived in Gaza via the Cairo International Airport on December 18, two months after they had drowned on a perilous journey to Europe.

Footage shows the locals praying over the men's coffins which were covered in Palestinian flags.

After a solemn ceremony, the people poured into the streets and held a march, carrying portraits of the deceased to commemorate their memory before they were finally laid to rest.

The men were among some 24 Palestinians who have suffered similar fates while venturing to Europe to find better opportunities and escape the harsh conditions in Gaza.

Impoverished Gaza has been suffering from a 15-year blockade imposed by Israeli and Egyptian authorities allegedly to prevent the militant Hamas group from gathering supplies and arming itself.

The Gaza Strip in the State of Palestine has been the scene of military and terrorist conflict for a number of years amid a dispute with Israel over territory and religion.

Hamas is designated as a terror group by major powers including the United Kingdom, United States, European Union, United Arab Emirates, China and the United Nations.