In the Gaza Strip, Israeli forces nr. Khan Yunis open fire on Palestinian demonstrators planting olive trees close to the border fence, causing no injuries. Off the coast nr. Bayt Lahiya, Israeli naval vessels open fire on Palestinian fishermen, causing no damage or injuries. In the West Bank, the IDF conducts house searches and arrest raids in 4 villages and al-Fawar r.c. nr. Hebron, and 1 village nr. Ramallah at night; patrols in 1 village each nr. Jenin and Ramallah in the morning, and in al-‘Arub r.c. and 1 village nr. Hebron and 1 village nr Jericho at night. Jewish settlers throw stones at Palestinian-owned vehicles nr. Jenin, causing damage but no injuries. Separately, a Jewish settler shoots and wounds a Palestinian nr. Nablus. (MNA 3/31; PCHR 4/3)
In an unscheduled trip, aimed at salvaging the negotiations, U.S. Secy. of State Kerry meets in Jerusalem with Israeli PM Netanyahu and then PA Pres. Abbas in Ramallah. Meanwhile, Abbas meets with the Fatah Executive Cmte. in Ramallah to discuss latest developments. Imprisoned Palestinian leaders Marwan Barghouti and Ahmed Sa’adat call the negotiations “fruitless,” and urge the leadership to seek unilateral recognition. Separately, Jordan’s King Abdallah holds talks with Israeli opposition leader MK Isaac Herzog (Labor) in Amman, with no details provided of the contents of their discussions. (AFP, JP, MNA 3/31)
Former Israeli PM Ehud Olmert is convicted of accepting a bribe in relation to a real-estate deal when he was mayor of Jerusalem. (REU 3/31)
Chair of the U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Martin Dempsey meets with IDF Chief of Staff Benny Gantz in Jerusalem, with discussions including the possibility of cooperation between Israel and some Gulf States, according to remarks Dempsey makes following the meeting. (HA, NYT 3/31)