Friday, January 11, 2019

Approximately 13,000 Palestinians gather along Gaza’s border to continue the Great March of Return. There are some reports of protesters flying incendiary balloons and kites into Israel, but no reports of fires or any damage. IDF troops violently disperse the demonstrations near Rafah, Khan Yunis, Jabaliya refugee camp, Gaza City, and al-Bureij refugee camp; 1 Palestinian is killed and at least 25 are injured (1 Israeli soldier is injured as well). This brings the death toll stemming from the Great March of Return to 196. Hours after the protests, the Israeli Air Force conducts air strikes on 2 Hamas sites east of Gaza City, completely destroying them, according to Palestinians in the area. Off Gaza’s coast, Israeli naval forces open fire on Palestinian fishing boats near Jabaliya refugee camp, causing no damage or injuries. In the West Bank, IDF troops violently disperse Palestinians, Israelis, and international activists at Friday protests against the Israeli occupation in Kafr Qaddum near Qalqilya; 1 Palestinian photojournalist covering the protests is injured. They also shoot and injure a Palestinian as he allegedly attempts to stab an Israeli settler outside the Kiryat Arba settlement near Hebron; arrest 4 Palestinians during raids near Jenin; and patrol near Nablus, Hebron, Tulkarm, and Qalqilya. Israeli settlers throw stones at a Palestinian taxi northwest of Nablus, causing minor damage. (EI, HA, JP, MNA, MNA, MNA, MNA, TOI, WAFA, WAFA, YA, YA 1/11; HA, WAFA 1/12; PCHR 1/17)

Late at night, the Israeli Air Force conducts air strikes on more than 8 allegedly Iranian and Hezbollah-affiliated targets in and around Damascus, causing extensive damage. According to the Syrian press, Syrian air defenses intercept a number of Israeli missiles targeting additional sites. (JP, TOI, YA 1/12; JP, YA 1/13)