In the West Bank, IDF troops clash with Palestinian protesters outside Jalazun r.c. nr. Ramallah, causing no serious injuries. During a raid in Tuqu‘ village nr. Bethlehem, IDF troops wound 1 Palestinian with live ammunition. The IDF conducts house searches and arrest raids in Hebron and 2 nearby villages at night; patrols in Jenin in the morning, in 1 village and al-Fawar r.c. nr. Hebron, and 1 village each nr. Jenin and Ramallah in the afternoon, and in 2 villages each nr. Hebron, Ramallah and Tulkarm at night. (MNA 3/18; PCHR 3/20)
Israel’s Economics and Trade Minister Naftali Bennett says that the 4th and final Palestinian prisoner release is uncertain to take place as scheduled because the peace negotiations are at a standstill. In response, PA Minister of Prisoner Affairs Issa Qarage says that any delay would be “political blackmail” and could “foil negotiations.” Israeli chief negotiator Tzipi Livni also says that the scheduled 3/29 prisoner release is linked to Palestinian willingness to show commitment to an extension of peace talks. (AFP, JP, MNA 3/18)
A roadside bombing wounds 4 Israeli soldiers patrolling along the border with Syria in the occupied Golan Heights, including 1 seriously. Israeli PM Netanyahu vows to “act forcefully to preserve Israel’s security” in reference to “jihadists and Hizballah elements” operating alongside the border. (AFP, JP, REU 3/18)
Representatives of Iran and the P5+1 countries begin talks in Vienna, with EU foreign affairs chief Ashton leading the negotiations on behalf of the world powers. Discussions focus on what an unnamed EU official calls the “nitty-gritty” of a deal. (AP, REU 3/17) In a speech made at Tel Aviv University, Israeli DM Moshe Ya’alon says that the U.S. “shows weakness” in various areas around the world, including with regard to Iran, and that U.S. military aid to Israel needs to be seen “in proportion.” An unnamed senior U.S. official responds, saying that Ya’alon is “undermining” security ties between the 2 countries. (HA 3/18)