In the West Bank, Israeli settlers marching through Hebron attack and injure a Palestinian man inside his shop near the Ibrahimi Mosque. Israeli forces continue raids in Jenin and Jenin refugee camp for the 55th day in a row. Israeli forces also continue raids in Tulkarm, Tulkarm refugee camp, and Nur Shams refugee camp for the 49th day in a row. Elsewhere, Israeli forces shoot and injure a Palestinian man near the Qalandia checkpoint. Israeli forces also shoot and injure a Palestinian child during a raid in Sa’ir. Meanwhile, Israeli forces shoot and injure a Palestinian man during a raid in al-Ram. Israeli forces also open fire at a vehicle during a raid in Nabi Salih, causing damage. In Gaza, 2 Palestinians succumb to injures sustained from Israeli forces on 3/15 in Nuseirat refugee camp and Beit Lahiya. Israeli forces bomb Juhor ad-Dik, killing a Palestinian man and injuring others. Israeli forces also bomb Rafah, injuring several Palestinians. In Lebanon, Israeli forces bomb Ainata and Yater, killing 4 people. In Yemen, the U.S. bombs the country for the second day in a row, hitting Sanaa, Saada, Kahza, and al-Bayda, killing tens of people, including 5 children, bringing the death toll since 3/15 to at least 53 people with over 100 injured. Houthi forces respond by launching drones and missiles at the U.S. aircraft carrier USS Harry S Truman; the U.S. says the counterattack did not come close to hitting the aircraft carrier. (AJ, AJ, AJ, HA, NYT, REU, REU, REU, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 3/16; AJ, AJ, AJ, AP, AP 3/17; UNOCHA 3/20)
More than 48,572 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli forces in Gaza, including at least 17,881 children and 12,749 women, and around 112,032 have been injured since 10/7/2023. In addition, 14,222 Palestinians who have been missing are presumed dead. 933 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli forces and settlers in the West Bank and East Jerusalem since 10/7/2023, including 186 children. More than 6,500 people have been injured. Israel reports that 1,139 Israelis and foreign nationals have been killed and 5,400 have been injured in Israel since 10/7/2023, including Israeli soldiers. In addition, 408 Israeli soldiers have been killed and 2,579 injured in Gaza since the ground invasion began on 10/27/2023. Over 1.93 million Palestinians, nearly 85% of the population of Gaza, have been displaced since 10/7/2023. There has been a complete electricity blackout in Gaza since 10/12/2023 due to the Israeli blockade. 92% of all housing units in Gaza have been destroyed or severely damaged since 10/7/2023. The Rafah Municipality says all water distribution has ceased due to a lack of fuel. (AJ, WAFA 3/16)
Hamas Political Bureau chairpersons Muhammad Ismail Darwish and Khaled Mashal meet with Russian deputy foreign minister Mikhail Bogdanov. (AJ 3/16)
U.S. Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff says Hamas gave an “unacceptable response” to the new U.S. ceasefire agreement. Hamas and Israeli negotiators are in Cairo for ceasefire talks. (AJ, HA, HA 3/16)
Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu says he will fire Shin Bet director Ronen Bar, citing a lack of trust. Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara, who Netanyahu also plans to fire, says Netanyahu cannot fire Bar until “the factual and legal basis underlying your decision is fully examined.” The Shin Bet has been investigating Netanyahu aides for secret ties to Qatar. (AJ, AJ, AX, HA, HA, HA, HA, HA, NYT, REU 3/16; AP, HA, HA, HA, HA 3/17)
U.S. secretary of defense Pete Hegseth says the U.S. will continue attacking Yemen until the Houthi movement announces that it will not blockade Israel from the Red Sea anymore. National Security Advisor Mike Waltz says multiple Houthi leaders are killed in the U.S. attacks. Russian foreign minister Sergey Lavrov speaks to U.S. secretary of state Marco Rubio, urging the U.S. to stop attacking Yemen. (AJ, HA, HA, NYT, REU 3/16)