Israel/Palestinian Terr.: Thousands protest on “March of Return” anniversary Mar. 30 /update 54

Event

Some 40,000 Palestinians protested along the Israeli-Gazan border on Saturday, March 30, amid the one-year anniversary of the "Great March of Return" protest movement. Some Palestinian demonstrators threw rocks and explosive devices at Israeli troops, who responded by firing tear gas and live ammunition at the protesters; at least three Palestinian demonstrators were killed by the Israeli fire during the protests, as well as another killed early Saturday during an overnight demonstration. At least 64 other Palestinians were wounded.

Palestinian demonstrators and Israeli security forces also clashed near the Beit El settlement in the West Bank on Saturday, as Palestinians demonstrated in commemoration of the Land Day protests of 1976, in which six Arab protesters were killed by Israeli security forces. Palestinian participants burned tires and were dispersed by Israeli water cannons.

Heightened tensions, additional demonstrations, and clashes between Israeli security forces and Palestinians are to be expected along the Israeli-Gazan border over the coming weeks.

Context

Palestinians have staged weekly protests at the Israeli-Gazan border fence since March 30, 2018. Over 260 Palestinians have been killed, including 15 on the first day of demonstrations, and nearly 7000 have been wounded.

Advice

Individuals in Israel and the Palestinian Territories are advised to monitor developments to the situation, avoid all public gatherings due to the risk of violence, and adhere to instructions issued by local authorities and their home governments. 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.