Along Gaza’s border, IDF troops arrest several Palestinians allegedly attempting to cross into Israel near Rafah. They also open fire on Palestinian shepherds and farmland near Dayr al-Balah, causing no damage or injuries. In the West Bank, IDF troops patrol near Hebron, Qalqilya, and Salfit. In Israel, Israeli forces demolish a Palestinian family’s home in Lod, displacing 11 Palestinian citizens of Israel. (MNA 2/28; MNA 3/1; PCHR 3/7)
Israel’s Attorney General Avichai Mandelblit announces his intention to indict Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on charges of fraud, bribery, and breach of trust, pending a hearing. Netanyahu later responds in a televised speech, pledging to “continue serving” for “many years.” The indictments are widely expected to hurt Netanyahu’s chances in the upcoming election on 4/9. (HA, JP, NYT, TOI, WP, YA 2/28)
The Israeli authorities release Palestinian Legislative Council member Khalida Jarrar (PFLP) from prison, having kept her in detention since 7/2/17. (MNA, WAFA 2/28)
A commission empaneled by the UN Human Rights Council publishes a report concluding that there are “reasonable” indications that the IDF committed war crimes in violently dispersing Great March of Return protests last year. According to the report, 154 of protesters killed were unarmed. (CNN, HA, WP 2/28)