08 Feb 2019 | 11:49 PM UTC
Israel/Palestinian Terr.: Israeli troops kill two Gazan border protesters Feb. 8 /update 44
Israeli soldiers kill two Palestinian protesters on Israeli-Gazan border February 8; similar protests expected over the coming weeks
Event
Israeli soldiers killed two Palestinians protesting along the Israeli-Gazan border on Friday, February 8. According to the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), protesting Palestinians threw rocks and explosives at Israeli troops, who responded with live fire.
Similar Palestinian protests, as well as clashes between Palestinian demonstrators and Israeli security forces, are to be expected along the border fence in the coming weeks, particularly on Fridays.
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.
