Israel/Palestinian Terr.: Two killed in West Bank, Gaza protests Jan. 25 /update 42

Event

Israel Defense Forces (IDF) soldiers killed at least two Palestinian protesters in the West Bank and Gaza Strip on Friday, January 25. In the West Bank, three Palestinians reportedly threw rocks at Israeli forces near Silwad, north of Ramallah, to denounce land seizures for Jewish settlements in the West Bank. Israeli forces reportedly opened fire on the protesters, killing one and wounding another.

Additionally, thousands of Palestinians protested along the Israeli-Gazan border on Friday as part of weekly protests demanding an end to the Israeli blockade of the Gaza Strip. Clashes between Israeli forces and Palestinian protesters left at least one Palestinian dead and some 20 others wounded.

Similar Palestinian protests are to be expected in the West Bank and along the Israeli-Gazan border in the coming weeks, particularly on Fridays, as well as clashes between Palestinian demonstrators and Israeli security forces.

Context

Palestinian protesters have rallied at the Gaza border fence since March 30 in a Hamas-supported movement dubbed "The Great March of Return." Over 240 Palestinians and one Israeli have been killed in associated clashes between Israeli troops and Palestinian protesters. 

Advice

Individuals 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.