Israel/Palestinian Terr.: Protests continue along Israeli-Gazan border July 12 amid heightened tensions /update 61

Event

Israel Defense Forces (IDF) troops wounded at least 55 Palestinians as around 6000 protested at five locations along the Israeli-Gazan border on Friday, July 12. The protests came amid heightened Israeli-Palestinian tensions after Israeli forces reportedly killed a Hamas officer in Beit Hanoun (Gaza Strip) on Thursday, July 11. The IDF reinforced its Iron Dome missile defense systems in southern Israel on Friday ahead of possible retaliatory missile fire from the Gaza Strip.

Similar Palestinian protests and clashes between Palestinian protesters and Israeli troops are to be expected along the Israeli-Gazan border over the coming weeks. Palestinian rocket fire targeting Israeli communities from the Gaza Strip is also possible over the coming days in response to the July 11 killing of Hamas officer Mahmoud Ahmad Sabri al-Adham.

Context

Palestinians have staged weekly protests at the Israeli-Gazan border fence since March 30, 2018. Over 300 Palestinians have been killed and thousands have been wounded since the "Great March of Return" protest movement began, according to the Palestinian Ministry of Health in Gaza.

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. Seek shelter immediately in the event of a rocket attack.