In the Gaza Strip, IDF troops shoot and wound 2 Palestinians participating in a demonstration at the border fence. Separately, Israeli military authorities reveal that they have discovered a tunnel under the border with the Gaza Strip that, they say, was dug by Hamas. In the West Bank, residents of Aida r.c. make a small hole in the separation wall and set an army watchtower on fire with a Molotov cocktail. In ensuing clashes, IDF troops open fire on Palestinian protesters and an Italian journalist is wounded with a rubber-coated metal bullet. In a raid on al-Zabbuda village nr. Jenin, IDF troops wound 1 resident who is struck by a tear gas canister. In Silwad nr. Ramallah, Palestinians clash with Israeli soldiers, and 3 residents are wounded by live ammunition. The IDF conducts house searches and arrest raids in Hebron and 1 nearby village at night; patrols in 1 village nr. Qalqilya in the afternoon, and 4 villages nr. Hebron and Qalqilya at night. IDF troops violently disperse Palestinian, Israeli, and international protesters at weekly demonstrations against Israel’s separation wall, settlements, and occupation in 3 villages nr. Ramallah (Bil‘in, Ni‘lin and Nabi Salih) and 1 village nr. Qalqilya (Kafr Qaddum). In each Bil‘in and Kafr Qaddum, 1 is injured by live ammunition. In Nabi Salih, 2 are wounded by rubber-coated metal bullets. In East Jerusalem, Palestinian worshippers pray in the streets after Israeli authorities prohibit men younger than 50 from entering Haram al-Sharif, a restriction in place to accommodate the Jerusalem marathon. (JP, MNA 3/21; PCHR 3/27)
Responding to the previous day’s announcement from the Israeli Interior Ministry, PA spokesperson Rudayna says that the peace negotiations have reached an impasse because of ongoing Israeli settlement activity. (AFP 3/21)
U.S. State Dept. spokesperson Psaki says that the Obama administration is disappointed by the lack of apology from Israeli DM Ya’alon, for his recent criticism of the U.S. on 3/17. Ya’alon subsequently expresses regret at causing offense, but does not apologize or retract his statement, despite reports he had done so in phone conversation to U.S. Defense Secy. Hagel. (REU 3/21)