Along Gaza’s border, IDF troops violently disperse Palestinians gathering near Bayt Hanun to set tires on fire, throw stones, and otherwise continue the Great March of Return; 1 Palestinian is critically injured. In response, Israeli tanks shell Hamas observations posts near the demonstrations and the Israeli Air Force conducts air strikes on several targets east of al-Bureij refugee camp and in southern Gaza, injuring 3 Palestinians and causing extensive damage. The IDF says that the strikes were targeting Palestinians launching incendiary balloons into Israel (there are no reports of incendiary balloon landings in southern Israel throughout the day). In the West Bank, Israeli settlers assault a Palestinian woman and her son in central Hebron, causing minor injuries. IDF troops arrest 11 Palestinians during late-night raids near Bethlehem, Nablus, and Ramallah; and patrol near Hebron. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces arrest 1 Palestinian during a raid in al-‘Izzariya. (WAFA, WAFA 3/23; HA, MNA, MNA, TOI 3/24; PCHR 3/28)
Saturday, March 23, 2019