Israel/Palestinian Terr.: Ten Palestinians wounded ahead of large Mar. 30 protests /update 52

Event

Israeli troops shot and wounded at least ten Palestinian protesters along the Israeli-Gazan border on Friday, March 29, as the "Great March of Return" protests continued for another week. Protests commemorating Land Day were also held in the West Bank, with Israeli troops firing tear gas at Palestinian demonstrators, who burned tires and threw objects at Israeli troops.

The protests come ahead of large rallies expected on Saturday, March 30 - the one-year anniversary of the beginning of the "Great March of Return" movement. Mass Palestinian protests are to be expected on the Israeli-Gazan border on March 30, as well as accompanying clashes between Palestinian demonstrators and Israeli troops; Israeli tanks and several thousand soldiers have been stationed at the border ahead of the demonstrations.

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

Context

Palestinian protesters have rallied at the Gaza border fence since March 30, 2018, in a Hamas-supported movement dubbed the "Great March of Return." Over 250 Palestinians and two Israeli soldiers have been killed in associated clashes between Israeli troops and Palestinian protesters.

Advice

Individuals 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.