Israel/Palestinian Terr.: Gaza border protests continue September 21 /update 19

Event

Israel Defense Forces (IDF) troops killed at least one Palestinian protester and wounded some 312 others as weekly protests continued along the Israel-Gaza border in the Gaza Strip on Friday, September 21. Around 10,000 Palestinians reportedly participated in the protests on Friday; some Palestinian demonstrators burned tires, threw rocks and explosive devices at Israeli troops, and launched incendiary kites into Israel, wounding one Israeli soldier and starting several fires. IDF troops fired tear gas and live ammunition at the protesters; at least 54 Palestinians were wounded by live fire. Israeli forces also reportedly carried out airstrikes in northern Gaza; the number of associated casualties was not immediately reported.

Additional Palestinian protests are expected in the Gaza Strip along the Israel-Gaza border in the coming weeks. Further clashes between Palestinian protesters and Israeli troops are to be expected.

Context

Palestinian protesters have rallied at the Gaza border fence weekly since March 30 in a Hamas-supported movement dubbed "The Great March of Return." More than 170 Palestinians and one Israeli soldier have been killed in border clashes since the protests began.

Advice

Individuals present 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.