Israel/Palestinian Terr.: Clashes on Israeli-Gazan border wound 14 Nov. 23 /update 33

Event

Israel Defense Forces (IDF) troops clashed with Palestinian protesters during the latest iteration of weekly protests in the Gaza Strip along the Israeli-Gazan border on Friday, November 23. Some 10,000 Palestinians demonstrated along the border; Hamas fighters kept most protesters away from the border fence for the second consecutive week after reaching a ceasefire agreement with Israel. However, some Palestinians threw rocks at IDF soldiers, who forcibly responded and wounded 14 protesters, including several with live fire. Despite recent ceasefire efforts, continuing Palestinian protests and associated clashes with Israeli troops are to be expected at the Israeli-Gazan border over the coming weeks.

Context

Palestinian protesters have rallied at the Gaza border fence since March 30 in a Hamas-supported movement dubbed "The Great March of Return." Israel and groups operating in Gaza, including Hamas, reportedly agreed to a ceasefire on November 13 following days of cross-border rocket attacks and retaliatory airstrikes, the most intense exchange since the 2014 Gaza war. On November 15, Egyptian officials traveled to Gaza in an attempt to broker a long-term ceasefire agreement as some Israeli officials have increased calls for a zero-tolerance policy towards cross-border clashes.

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.