Unidentified Palestinians fire 1 mortar fr. Gaza into Israel, causing no damage or injuries. In the West Bank, the IDF conducts morning patrols in Tulkarm, 1 nearby village, and 3 villages nr. Jenin (firing tear gas and stun grenades at stone-throwing Palestinians who confront them in 1 instance). In the afternoon, the IDF makes a raid into Yatta nr. Hebron to rearrest a Palestinian who was released in the recent Israeli-Hamas prisoner swap that freed Israeli soldier Gilad Shalit, sparking a clash with local Palestinians who attempt to block the arrest; during the raid, 1 IDF soldier is stabbed and wounded and opens fire, killing 1 Palestinian teenager (a bystander) and wounding another (the perpetrator). Later in the day, the IDF patrols in 4 villages nr. Jenin and 1 nr. Ramallah. Palestinians and international activists hold a nonviolent march from Qalandia r.c. to the IDF’s Qalandia checkpoint to mark International Women’s Day, to protest Israeli settlement expansion and land appropriation, and to express solidarity with hunger-striking Palestinian prisoners. The IDF fires rubber-coated steel bullets, tear gas, and percussion grenades at the marchers as they approach the checkpoint, causing no serious injuries. (JP 3/8; NYT 3/9; PCHR 3/15; OCHA 3/16)
Thursday, March 8, 2012