Israel/Palestinian Terr.: IDF kills one Palestinian near Gaza border April 5 /update 9

Event

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) killed one Palestinian in Gaza near the Israel-Gaza border on Thursday, April 5, raising the number of Palestinian protesters killed by IDF personnel to 19 since large-scale demonstrations broke out along the border on Friday, March 30 ("Land Day"). According to Palestinian officials, nearly 1500 people were wounded in the March 30 protests. Tens of thousands of Palestinians are expected to participate in demonstrations along the Israel-Gaza border on Friday, April 6; on Thursday, protesters were reportedly bringing thousands of tires to burn during Friday's protests, as well as extra tents.

Israeli Minister of Defense Avigdor Lieberman, for his part, has warned that the IDF may use lethal force against Palestinian protesters who demonstrate near the border fence. Additional Palestinian protests, clashes between Palestinian protesters and IDF personnel, and associated casualties are expected in the coming days and weeks as the six-week tent city protests are scheduled to continue until May 15.

Context

Security across Israel was stepped up considerably in late March in anticipation of a series of sensitive events, including Land Day and Passover. An Israeli general warned on March 28 that the army would open fire on anyone who approached the "no go" zone along the Israeli border "dangerously." Additional Israeli troops, including 100 snipers, were deployed to the border area and the border fence was reinforced.

Land Day commemorates the events of March 30, 1976, when six Arab-Israeli citizens were killed and hundreds more wounded or arrested amid a general strike and widespread protests over land confiscated by Israeli authorities.

This year, March 30 also coincided with the start of the Jewish Passover holiday, which runs until Saturday, April 7. Israeli security forces typically maintain a heightened security presence in East Jerusalem during Passover and forbid Palestinians from entering Israel to work, including those with valid permits. Security measures have been strengthened across Israel this year for Passover, and have included operations to arrest undocumented Palestinian workers in the country.

Advice

Individuals present in Israel and the Palestinian Territories are advised to avoid all protests or other public gatherings due to the high risk of violence and to monitor developments to the situation. Due to the underlying terrorist threat, travelers in Israel, the West Bank, and the Gaza Strip are advised to report any suspicious objects or behavior to the authorities. Some Western governments advise their citizens against all travel to the West Bank, the Gaza Strip, and areas near the Israeli-Lebanese, Israeli-Syrian, and Israeli-Egyptian borders.