In the Gaza Strip, IDF troops conduct a limited incursion nr. Rafah to level land close to the border fence. Meanwhile, a Palestinian opens fire on Israeli forces operating nr. the n. border fence, causing no injuries but some light damage to vehicles. In the evening, Palestinians fire 4 rockets into s. Israel, causing no damage or injuries. Shortly afterward, Israeli forces conduct 5 air strikes on targets in the Gaza Strip—including 2 Izzeddin al-Qassam Brigades training sites—causing damage and wounding 2. In the West Bank, IDF troops shoot and wound 1 Palestinian in Nabi Salih, during clashes between residents and soldiers. Palestinians throw a Molotov cocktail at an Israeli military checkpoint nr. Nablus, causing no injuries. The IDF conducts house searches and arrest raids in 1 village nr. Jenin at night; patrols in 1 village nr. Nablus in the afternoon and 1 village nr. Hebron at night. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces demolish mobile dwellings used by Bedouin families in Jabal al-Baba. In Jish, a Palestinian town nr. Safed in Israel, right-wing Jewish extremists vandalize around 40 cars, leaving “price tag” graffiti at the site. (HA, JP, MNA 4/3; PCHR 3/10)
An all-night meeting between U.S. Special Envoy Martin Indyk and the Israeli and Palestinian negotiators ends without any breakthrough or resolution to the impasse in negotiations. Reports of the discussions between Indyk, Tzipi Livni, and Saeb Erakat suggest that both sides present demands for the way forward, with the Israelis urging Palestinians to withdraw applications to 15 international conventions, while the Palestinians focus on the so-called core issues, including recognition of the 1967 borders. Separately, the Jerusalem municipality approves construction of a visitor’s center for the settler-run “City of David” site in the Silwan neighborhood of East Jerusalem. (AFP, HA, MNA, REU 4/3)
Experts from Iran and the P5+1 countries begin a meeting in Vienna to prepare for higher-level negotiations 4/8–9, the 3d round of talks at that level since 2/2014. (REU 4/3)