Off the coast of the Gaza Strip nr. Bayt Lahiya, Israeli naval vessels open fire on Palestinian fishermen, causing no damage or injuries. In the West Bank, Palestinians demonstrate across the West Bank and Gaza Strip to mark Prisoners Day, with large protests in Hebron, Jenin, Nablus, Ramallah and Gaza City. In Hebron, IDF troops violently disperse the protest with live ammunition, injuring 6. Separately, Israeli soldiers fire rubber-coated metal bullets at Palestinians in Tuqu‘ village nr. Bethlehem, in clashes sparked by a raid. The IDF conducts house searches and arrest raids in 1 village nr. Hebron in the afternoon, and 1 village each nr. Bethlehem and Hebron at night; patrols in Hebron and 1 nearby village in the morning, in 2 villages each nr. Hebron and Salfit, and 1 village nr. Tulkarm in the afternoon, and in 2 villages each nr. Hebron, Jenin and Ramallah, and 1 village each nr. Jericho and Qalqilya at night. (MNA 4/17; PCHR 4/24)
Israeli and Palestinian negotiators meet in Jerusalem, with U.S. Special Envoy Martin Indyk present. The talks break up after 5 hours without agreement or breakthrough. PA security spokesperson Adnan Dmeiri describes relations between the 2 sides as being “at the lowest level politically, economically and at a security level.” (AFP, JP, MNA, REU 4/17)
The IAEA reports that Iran has diluted 75% of its 20%-enriched uranium into less potent forms, with the agency confirming that Tehran is thus far adhering to its commitments made as part of the 6-mo. interim agreement signed in 11/2013. As a consequence of compliance, State Dept. spokesperson Harf confirms that the U.S. is taking steps to release $450 m. of frozen Iranian funds, while Japan has made 2 more payments totalling $1 billion to Iran for crude imports. (AP, JP, REU 4/17)
In n. Israel, IDF troops cross the Blue Line on the Lebanese border and seize 5 shepherds nr. the Shebaa Farms area. While 3 are immediately released, 2 brothers are detained. The Lebanese military says it is working with UNIFIL to secure the return of the remaining 2. (DS, MNA 4/18)