Saturday, March 30, 2019

Tens of thousands of Palestinians gather across the occupied Palestinian territories to commemorate Land Day and the 1-year anniversary of the first Great March of Return protest. IDF troops violently disperse the demonstrations at various locations along Gaza’s border fence; 3 Palestinians are killed and at least 300 are injured. This brings the death toll stemming from the Great March of Return to 215. Late at night, after reports of 5 rockets being fired from Gaza into southern Israel, Israeli artillery shell 3 Hamas sites near Gaza City, Dayr al-Balah, and al-Bureij refugee camp, causing extensive damage. Also along Gaza’s border, IDF troops arrest 2 Palestinian minors attempting to cross into Israel. (HA, HA, MNA, TOI, TOI, WAFA, YA 3/30; MNA, MNA, MNA, MNA, WAFA 3/31)

A Palestinian succumbs to injuries sustained when IDF troops opened fire on protesters along Gaza’s border near Gaza City on 3/29. This brings the death toll stemming from the Great March of Return to 216. (MNA, TOI, WAFA 3/30)