Thousands of Palestinians gather along Gaza’s border fence to continue the Great March of Return. IDF troops violently disperse them near Gaza City, al-Bureij refugee camp, Jabaliya refugee camp, Rafah, and Khan Yunis; 1 Palestinian is killed and more than 200 are injured. Today’s killing brings the death toll stemming from the Great March of Return to 131. Amid the protests, armed Gazans throw a small explosive at IDF troops on the other side of the border fence near Jabaliya refugee camp; 1 IDF officer is lightly injured. The IDF retaliates, bombing 2 Hamas tunnels and a training site. Hours after the Israeli attack, armed groups in Gaza launch approximately 31 rockets and other projectiles into Israel. The Iron Dome missile defense system intercepts 6, and the rest land in open areas, causing no major damage. In the West Bank, IDF troops arrest 1 Palestinian during late-night raids near Qalqilya, and patrol near Tulkarm, Salfit, and Nablus. They also violently disperse Friday protests against the Israeli occupation in Kafr Qaddum near Qalqilya; 1 journalist is injured. Israeli settlers set fire to 2 Palestinian vehicles outside ‘Urif village near Nablus, causing major damage, and leave racist graffiti on walls nearby. (EI, WAFA 7/13; HA, MNA 7/14; PCHR 7/19)
The EU calls on the Israeli authorities to reopen the Kerem Shalom border crossing and expand the fishing zone off Gaza’s coast, warning that the recent restrictions risk “aggravating the already dire economic situation in Gaza.” (TOI, WAFA 7/13)