In the Gaza Strip, Palestinians fire approximately 70 rockets; 41 of which land in s. Israel, causing no damage or injuries, and 3 are intercepted by Iron Dome missile defense batteries. Islamic Jihad claims responsibility for the barrage, saying that it is in retaliation for the killing of Palestinians in the last 2 days, including 3 of its mbrs. the previous day. (They also put the number of projectiles fired at 130.) In response, the Israeli air force conducts air strikes on 29 targets throughout the Gaza Strip, with the Israeli military saying that Hamas authorities are responsible for any projectile fire emanating from the territory. The Israeli air strikes cause no injuries but inflict significant damage at a number of military training sites operated by the Saraya al-Quds Brigades and also by the Izzeddin al-Qassam Brigades. Reacting to the violence, UN Secy.-Gen. Ban Ki-moon condemns the rocket attacks and “urges all actors to exercise maximum restraint.” PA Pres. Abbas releases a statement condemning “Israeli military escalation,” and PLO senior official Hanan Ashrawi condemns the killings of Palestinians by Israel over recent days. U.S. State Dept. spokesperson Psaki condemns the rocket attacks and reaffirms Israel’s right to defend itself. In the West Bank, IDF troops injure 5 Palestinians with live ammunition and rubber-coated metal bullets during clashes with residents in Bayt Umar nr. Hebron. The IDF conducts house searches and arrest raids in Jenin, Jalazun r.c. nr. Ramallah, and Nur Shams r.c. nr. Tulkarm at night; patrols in 2 villages and al-‘Arub r.c. nr. Hebron at night. (HA, MNA, REU 3/12; PCHR 3/13)
The Knesset adopts a new Basic Law by a vote of 68–0 that requires a referendum on any concessions of sovereign territory. It is the 1st new Basic Law since 1992. The territory in question include the occupied Golan Heights and occupied East Jerusalem, but not the West Bank. The law also states that a treaty with such a territorial dimension can also be approved without a national referendum if more than 80 MKs support it, and if fewer than 61 MKs support it, it will be rejected without a referendum. (JP 3/12)
Egypt’s military says it has destroyed 1,370 smuggling tunnels under its border with the Gaza Strip, without specifying a precise time scale. Authorities have maintained a heavy military presence in the Sinai Peninsula since the military overthrow of the govt. in 7/2013. (AFP 3/12)