Israel/Palestinian Terr.: At least nine killed in Gaza protests April 6 /update 11

Event

Israel Defense Forces (IDF) troops killed at least nine Palestinian protesters and wounded some 1000 others during large demonstrations along the Israel-Gaza border on Friday, April 6, raising the number of Palestinians killed by IDF personnel to approximately 30 since the March 30 ("Land Day") protests broke out. Thousands of Palestinians reportedly participated in Friday's protests, burning tires and throwing rocks and Molotov cocktails at IDF personnel, with IDF soldiers responding with tear gas and live ammunition. Over 1400 people were wounded in the March 30 protests, according to Palestinian officials.

Israeli Minister of Defense Avigdor Lieberman had previously warned that the IDF may use lethal force against Palestinian protesters who demonstrate near the border fence. Additional Palestinian protests, clashes between Palestinian protesters and IDF personnel, and associated casualties are expected in the coming days and weeks as the six-week tent city protests are scheduled to continue until May 15.

Context

Security across Israel was stepped up considerably in late March in anticipation of a series of sensitive events, including Land Day and Passover. An Israeli general warned on March 28 that the army would open fire on anyone who approached the "no-go" zone along the Israeli border "dangerously." Additional Israeli troops, including 100 snipers, were deployed to the border area and the border fence was reinforced.

Land Day commemorates the events of March 30, 1976, when six Arab-Israeli citizens were killed and hundreds more wounded or arrested amid a general strike and widespread protests over land confiscated by Israeli authorities.

This year, March 30 also coincided with the start of the Jewish Passover holiday, which runs until Saturday, April 7. Israeli security forces typically maintain a heightened security presence in East Jerusalem during Passover and forbid Palestinians from entering Israel to work, including those with valid permits. Security measures have been strengthened across Israel this year for Passover, and have included operations to arrest undocumented Palestinian workers in the country.

Advice

Individuals present in Israel and the Palestinian Territories are advised to avoid all protests or other public gatherings due to the high risk of violence and to monitor developments to the situation. Due to the underlying terrorist threat, travelers in Israel, the West Bank, and the Gaza Strip are advised to report any suspicious objects or behavior to the authorities. 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.