Great March of Return

Great March of Return
OCHAoPT · Public domain · source
Title	Great March of Return
Date	30 March 2018 – 2019
Place	Gaza Strip, Israel, Egypt

Great March of Return was a sustained series of demonstrations and encampments along the Gaza-Israel boundary beginning on 30 March 2018 and continuing into 2019. The demonstrations intersected with long-standing disputes involving Israel–Gaza conflict, Hamas, Fatah, Palestinian National Authority, Egypt–Gaza border, United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East, and international actors including United States, European Union, United Nations Security Council, and Arab League. The events drew widespread media coverage from outlets such as BBC News, Al Jazeera, The New York Times, The Guardian, and provoked statements from human rights organizations including Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch, and International Committee of the Red Cross.

Background

The demonstrations occurred against the backdrop of the 2014 Gaza War, the Blockade of the Gaza Strip, the Arab Spring, and the Oslo Accords era political divisions between Palestinian Authority leaders such as Mahmoud Abbas and Islamist factions like Ismail Haniyeh of Hamas. The timing followed the relocation of the Embassy of the United States, Jerusalem in May 2018 and built on memories of the Nakba, the Palestinian exodus of 1948, and refugee status administered by UNRWA. Regional dynamics involved Egyptian–Israeli relations, Qatar diplomatic relations, and the role of Turkey–Palestine relations.

Timeline

Protests began on 30 March 2018, coordinated with the annual Land Day. Early large-scale demonstrations featured encampments near the Israel–Gaza barrier and weekly mobilizations through spring and summer 2018, coinciding with periods of escalation such as the 2018 Gaza–Israel clashes and the May 2018 Gaza border protests. Notable flashpoints included exchanges involving Israeli Air Force strikes, rocket fire by factions like Palestinian Islamic Jihad and Al-Qassam Brigades, and cross-border incidents leading to Egyptian-mediated ceasefire efforts involving Qatar and Egypt. The intensity declined into 2019 amid COVID-19 pandemic-unrelated attrition and shifts in Palestinian tactics.

Objectives and Organization

Organizers framed aims around the right of return for Palestinian refugees and the end of the blockade of Gaza, invoking the United Nations General Assembly Resolution 194 and references to UNRWA mandates. Local political leadership included representatives of Hamas, Palestine Liberation Organization, and grassroots groups with links to civil society actors from Gaza City, Khan Yunis, and Rafah. Funding and logistical support were associated with international patrons such as Qatar and local committees reportedly connected to Palestinian political factions and NGOs operating inside and outside the Gaza Strip.

Protests and Tactics

Demonstrations combined mass marches, encampments, burning of tires, launching of incendiary kites, and attempts to breach the Israel–Gaza fence. Tactics produced confrontations with Israel Defense Forces at checkpoints, observation posts, and along the perimeter, leading to uses of crowd-control measures and live fire. Militant responses included rocket launches targeting southern Israel and resulted in retaliatory strikes by the Israel Defense Forces Air Force on sites linked to Hamas military wing and other armed groups. International media covered scenes involving journalists from Reuters, Associated Press, Al Mayadeen, and CNN.

Casualties and Humanitarian Impact

The demonstrations resulted in substantial casualties among protesters, medical personnel, and journalists, with many treated at hospitals such as those run by Palestine Red Crescent Society and referred to facilities in Egypt or Jordan for specialized care. Reports from World Health Organization, Human Rights Watch, and Amnesty International documented deaths and injuries, including loss of limbs and chronic disabilities, and described impacts on Gaza Strip healthcare capacity. The humanitarian situation intersected with existing crises tied to the blockade, fuel shortages, and infrastructure damage monitored by UN OCHA, prompting international appeals from governments including Norway and Sweden.

Responses and Reactions

Reactions varied: Israeli government officials defended the actions of the Israel Defense Forces citing security concerns, while world leaders from United States Department of State, the European Commission, and the United Nations called for restraint and investigations. Human rights groups such as Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International urged independent inquiries, paralleled by calls from the International Criminal Court prosecutors for consideration of alleged violations. Regional actors including Egypt, Qatar, Turkey, and the Arab League engaged in mediation and public statements. Parliamentary bodies in countries like United Kingdom, France, and Spain debated motions and issued statements concerning the incidents.

Legal and Political Implications

The events sparked debates invoking international law instruments such as the Geneva Conventions, International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, and resolutions of the United Nations Human Rights Council. Legal analysis addressed use-of-force rules, proportionality, and allegations warranting investigation by bodies like the International Criminal Court and ad hoc fact-finding missions. Politically, the protests influenced intra-Palestinian relations between Hamas and Fatah, affected Israeli domestic politics including policies of governments led by Benjamin Netanyahu, and shaped international diplomacy involving United States recognition of Jerusalem as State of Israel capital and donor state policy toward Palestinian territories.

Category:2018 protests Category:Gaza Strip