14 Dec 2018 | 07:06 PM UTC
Israel/Palestinian Terr.: Clashes reported on Israeli-Gazan border Dec. 14 /update 36
Fighting between Israeli forces and Palestinian protests on the Israeli-Gazan border leave 60 wounded on December 14; further protests and clashes expected over the coming weeks
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 14. Some 10,500 Palestinians demonstrated along the border, throwing rocks at Israeli troops. IDF soldiers forcibly responded by firing tear gas and live ammunition, wounding some 60 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.
