Israel/Palestinian Terr.: 49 Palestinians wounded in Gazan border protests June 28 /update 60

Event

Thousands of Palestinians participated in the weekly protests along the Israeli-Gazan border on Friday, June 28. Some 49 Gazans were wounded in the protests, according to the Gaza Health Ministry, with at least 19 wounded by live fire discharged by members of the Israel Defense Forces (IDF). The latest demonstration comes as Israel and Hamas reportedly reached an understanding on Friday to ensure extended calm at the border. According to emerging reports, Israel agreed to resume fuel delivery to Gaza and allow for fishing off its coast up to 15 nautical miles (27 km). Hamas, for its part, agreed to halt attacks against Israel and to call for peaceful and non-violent demonstrations at the border. 

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.