Unidentified Palestinians launch a number of projectiles from Gaza into southern Israel late at night. Israel’s Iron Dome missile defense system intercepts at least 6 and the rest land open areas, causing no damage or injuries. Afterwards the Israeli Air Force conducts air strikes on approximately 100 Hamas sites across Gaza; at least 4 Palestinians are injured and extensive damage is wrought. Earlier in the day along Gaza’s border, IDF troops arrest 5 Palestinians attempting to cross into Israel near Rafah and a 6th who attempts to cross near Khan Yunis armed with a knife. Meanwhile, Hamas security forces violently disperse Palestinians gathering in Gaza City to demonstrate against the high cost of living and the restrictions on imports to Gaza; several protesters are injured. In the West Bank, IDF troops arrest 2 Palestinians during late-night raids near Qalqilya; and patrol near Hebron, Tulkarm, and Salfit. In East Jerusalem, approximately 150 right-wing Jewish activists tour Haram al-Sharif in the morning. Israeli forces arrests 1 Palestinian during a late-night raid in Issawiyya. (MNA, MNA, TOI, TOI, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 3/14; HA, MNA, MNA, MNA, TOI, WAFA, YA, YA 3/15)
After the rocket fire from Gaza late at night, the Hamas-run Ministry of Health in Gaza condemns the attack. “We are following up on the firing of rockets from Gaza against the national consensus and the ministry will take measures against the violators,” a ministry statement reads. Hamas’s military wing, for its part, denies responsibility for the rocket attack, claiming that the projectiles were fired when senior Hamas officials were meeting with a delegation from Egypt. (TOI 3/14)