29 Jun 2018 | 08:58 PM UTC
Israel/Palestinian Terr.: Two Palestinians killed Gaza border clashes June 29 /update 1
Israeli forces use live ammunition and tear gas disperse protesters along Gaza border June 29; at least two Palestinians killed
Event
Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) personnel killed two Palestinians and wounded at least 415 other protesters as demonstrations continued along the Israel-Gaza border on Friday, June 29. Israeli security forces reported that the Palestinians burned tires and threw rocks and a grenade at Israeli troops. IDF personnel used tear gas and live ammunition to disperse protesters engaged in "extremely violent riots." Related demonstrations are possible in the coming days; wider protests - as well as potentially deadly clashes between protesters and Israeli troops - are expected to continue along the Israel-Gaza border in the coming weeks. Including Friday's fatalities, the death toll for Gaza border protests has risen at least 135 since weekly protests began on March 30.
Context
Palestinians have repeatedly protested along and attempted to breach the Gaza border fence in recent months. In addition, a spike in tensions and cross-border incidents has been observed in Israel and the Palestinian Territories in the wake of US President Donald Trump's December 2017 announcement that the US would officially recognize Jerusalem as Israel's capital - a departure from the previous US and international position of neutrality on the status of the city claimed by both Israelis and Palestinians - and would move the US Embassy in Israel from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem. The new embassy was officially opened on May 14.
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.
