Wednesday, April 1, 2020

In the West Bank, Israeli forces demolished 3 Palestinian-owned buildings in Rumana; during the demolitions, clashes broke out with Palestinians, leading to tear-gas related injuries. Elsewhere, in Jiftlik, Israeli forces seized a residential caravan. 1 Palestinian shot by Israeli forces using rubber-coated bullets during a demonstration against settler encroachment near Nablus on 3/11 succumbed to his injuries. In East Jerusalem, 7 Palestinians were arrested, including 5 during late-night raids in Issawiyya and Silwan; 2 others were arrested during the day in Issawiyya and the Old City. In Gaza, Israeli forces opened fire on agricultural lands east of Khuza‘a; no injuries were reported. Israeli forces also made incursions to level land near Bayt Hanun. (AJ, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 4/1; PCHR 4/2)

Israel’s defense minister Naftali Bennett said that any aid provided to Gaza to help deal with the COVID-19 virus would be linked to Israel recovering the bodies of 2 Israeli soldiers killed during Operation Protective Edge in 2014. A Hamas spokesperson said in response that Israel is responsible for the consequences of the spread of the virus due to its blockade. The PA also donated 1,500 testing kits to Gaza via the World Health Organization. (REU, WAFA 4/1; PCHR 4/5)