Israel/Palestinian Terr.: Clashes break out on Israeli-Gazan border Dec. 7 /update 35

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, December 7. Some 10,000 Palestinians demonstrated along the border, throwing rocks at Israeli troops. IDF soldiers forcibly responded by firing tear gas and live ammunition, wounding 37 Palestinians. 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." Some 175 Palestinians and one Israeli have been killed in associated clashes between Israeli troops and Palestinian protesters.

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.