Israel/Palestinian Terr.: Thousands protest along Israeli-Gazan border Feb. 15 /update 45

Event

Thousands of Palestinians protested along the Israeli-Gazan border on Friday, February 15. Some Palestinian protesters stormed Israel Defense Forces (IDF) positions on the border, burned tires, and threw rocks and explosive devices (e.g. grenades, Molotov cocktails, etc.) at IDF troops; Israeli soldiers fired tear gas and live ammunition to disperse the protesters from the border. At least eight Palestinians and one Israeli border police officer were wounded in the clashes.

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, 2018, 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.