Israel/Palestinian Terr.: 51 Palestinians wounded as thousands protest along Israeli-Gazan border August 2 /update 63

Event

Thousands of Palestinians protested along the Israeli-Gazan border on Friday, August 2, marking the 69th consecutive week of protests associated with the "Great March of Return" movement. Some Palestinian protesters threw stones and explosive devices at Israeli soldiers, inflicting no casualties; Israeli soldiers reportedly wounded 51 Palestinian demonstrators, including 24 by live ammunition, according to the Palestinian Ministry of Health in Gaza. Friday's protests and clashes come a day after a Palestinian gunman reportedly crossed the Israeli-Gazan border fence and wounded three Israel Defense Forces (IDF) troops before being shot and killed.

Similar protests and clashes 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 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 protests 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.