The Palestine Chronology

Israel agrees to transfer $25 m. in shekels to Gaza, an amount less than what the PA needs to pay its Gaza salaries, meaning banks are unlikely to reopen, still fearing a run on cash. In the West Bank, the IDF sends troops into Marda village nr. Nablus in the afternoon, arresting 2 Palestinians; returns to Marda late in the evening to search several homes, arresting 5 Palestinians; conducts additional late-night arrest raids, house searches in and around Jenin town and r.c. Jewish settlers fr. Shavei Shomron settlement nr. Nablus enter nearby Sebastia village, fire on residential areas (causing damage but no injuries), leave when the IDF arrives. (WP 12/11; PCHR 12/18)

In Gaza, UNRWA suspends its program of cash distributions to the 100,000 poorest refugees (intended to enable them to supplement their basic food ration with fresh vegetables and other vital household supplies) because there are no Israeli shekels circulating in Gaza due to Israel’s 8/08 ban on exporting currency to Gaza’s banks and hoarding by Gazans. In the West Bank, the IDF conducts late-night house searches in and around Balata r.c. and Nablus, nr. Qalqilya; occupies 4 Palestinian homes in the Wadi al-Nassara area of Hebron, restricts Palestinian movement in the neighborhood while Jewish settlers fr. Kiryat Arba hold a celebration. (OCHA, PCHR 11/20; PCHR 11/27)