Thursday, April 19, 2018

Along Gaza’s border, IDF troops open fire on dozens of Palestinian protesters continuing the Great March of Return near Jabaliya refugee camp and Khan Yunis; 3 Palestinians are injured. In 3 separate incidents off Gaza’s coast, Israeli naval forces open fire on Palestinian fishing boats near Jabaliya refugee camp and Bayt Lahiya, causing no damage or injuries. In the West Bank, IDF troops arrest 1 Palestinian and issue 1 arrest summons during raids near Bethlehem and in Qalqilya, and patrol near Hebron. Israeli settlers throw stones at Palestinian vehicles near Bethlehem, causing minor damage. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces arrest 2 Palestinians during raids in Silwan. In northern Israel, approximately 20,000 Palestinian citizens of Israel march through Atlit to commemorate the Nakba and call for refugees’ right to return to their homes. (HA, MNA 4/19; WAFA 4/20)

The organizers of the Great March of Return move the main protest tent camp near Khan Yunis, approximately 50 meters closer to the border fence “as a message of persistence from our people to the world that we are moving forwards towards our rightful goals,” according to a statement from their committee. (AP, MNA 4/19)