Israel/Palestinian Terr.: Israeli forces kill Palestinian in Gaza Strip protest Sep. 23 /update 20

Event

Israel Defense Forces (IDF) soldiers killed a Palestinian protester and wounded some 20 others at a demonstration in the Gaza Strip along the Israel-Gaza border on Sunday, September 23. Hundreds of Palestinians participated in the protest; some demonstrators reportedly launched incendiary kites into Israel and burned tires and threw them and firecrackers at Israeli troops, who fired live ammunition at the protesters in response.

Additional Palestinian protests are expected in the Gaza Strip along the Israel-Gaza border in the coming weeks. Further clashes between Israeli soldiers and Palestinian protesters are to be anticipated during related demonstrations.

Context

Palestinian protesters have rallied at the Gaza border fence weekly since March 30 in a Hamas-supported movement dubbed "The Great March of Return." More than 180 Palestinians and one Israeli soldier have been killed in border clashes since the protests began.

Advice

Individuals present in Israel and the Palestinian Territories are advised to monitor developments to the situation and to avoid all protests and demonstrations due to the risk of violence. 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.