In the Gaza Strip, IDF troops open fire on Palestinian protesters throwing stones at military positions on the border fence nr. Jabaliya, wounding 1. In the West Bank, IDF troops shoot and injure a Palestinian child in Bayt Umar nr. Hebron during a patrol. Israeli soldiers violently disperse a Land Day demonstration in Burin village nr. Nablus, causing no serious injuries. The IDF conducts house searches and arrest raids in Hebron and 1 nearby village in the afternoon; patrols in 1 village nr. Ramallah in the morning, 1 village nr. Hebron in the afternoon, and in 3 villages nr. Hebron, 2 villages nr. Ramallah and 1 village each nr. Jenin and Jericho 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). There are no serious injuries. (MNA 3/28; PCHR 4/3)
Fatah Central Cmte. mbr. Jibril Rajub says that “the Israeli govt. has informed us through the U.S. mediator that it will not abide with its commitment to release the 4th batch of Palestinian prisoners scheduled for [3/29].” Rajub also says that the failure to release the prisoners “will mark the beginning of the efforts in the international community to challenge the legality of the occupation.” U.S. efforts designed to extend the negotiations beyond their deadline on 4/29 continue, with U.S. Secy. of State Kerry continuing conversations with Israeli PM Netanyahu and PA Pres. Abbas over the phone in Rome, and U.S. Special Envoy Indyk conducting further diplomacy in Jerusalem. (AFP, HA, JP 3/28)
U.S. Pres. Obama visits Saudi Arabia for a fence-mending trip to the key U.S. ally. Obama reassures King Abdallah that he would support moderate Syrian rebels and reject a bad nuclear deal with Iran, during talks in the king’s desert camp. U.S. Secy. of State Kerry also travels with the president. It is the 3d official meeting between Obama and Abdallah in 6 years. An unnamed U.S. official says that Washington is considering allowing shipments of portable air defense systems to Syrian rebels as part of efforts to assuage Saudi concerns. (AP, REU 3/28)
IDF troops shoot 2 men nr. the border fence separating Syrian-controlled territory from the occupied Golan Heights. The IDF subsequently says that the “infiltrators” were seeking to break through the fence, but does not comment on the condition of the men. Israeli media report that the 2 men died at the scene. (AFP, HA, REU 3/28)