Israel/Palestinian Terr.: 39 Palestinians wounded in Gazan border protests June 21 /update 59

Event

Some 6000 Palestinians participated in the weekly protests along the Israeli-Gazan border on Friday, June 21. Some 39 Gazans were wounded in the protests, according to the Gaza Health Ministry, as the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) reportedly fired tear gas at demonstrators attempting to damage and scale the border fence. Protesters also threw explosive devices into Israeli territory near the border; there were no immediate reports of injuries associated with the acts. 

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.