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  • December 24, 2009

    In the West Bank, the IDF stages synchronized late-night house searches in and around Jenin town and r.c., arresting 1 Palestinian; conducts late-night arrest raids, house searches in al-Fara‘a r....

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  • December 4, 2009

    In the West Bank, the IDF fires rubbercoated steel bullets, stun grenades, tear gas at stone-throwing Palestinians and nonviolent international (and, in the case of Bil‘in, Israeli) activists...

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  • November 30, 2009

    For a 3d day, Israeli naval vessels off the n. Gaza coast fire on Palestinian fishing boats that approach the boundary of the permitted fishing zone, causing no reported injuries. IDF troops on...

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  • November 12, 2009

    In the West Bank, the IDF demolishes 12 partially built Palestinian homes and 1 poultry farm in Rujib nr. Nablus; issues demolition orders for 17 other Palestinian civilian structures (including 9...

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  • November 1, 2009

    IDF troops on the Gaza border nr. the Erez crossing fire on a group of Palestinians scavenging building materials fr. the rubble of commercial buildings in the Erez industrial zone previously...

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  • September 28, 2009

    IDF troops on the Gaza border direct artillery fire at al-Musaddar village, hitting 1 Palestinian home and injuring 2 teenagers, then make a brief incursion into the area. (PCHR 10/1)

    In...

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  • September 25, 2009

    The IDF makes an air strike on Gaza City’s al-Tuffah neighborhood, killing 3 Islamic Jihad mbrs., possibly injuring 1 Islamic Jihad mbr. and 3 bystanders. (NYT, WP 9/26; OCHA Humanitarian Monitor...

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  • September 15, 2009

    In the West Bank, IDF undercover units raid a village in the Hebron hills, arrest wanted IQB Tulkarm head Muhammad Harwish and his aide Adnan Samara. The IDF conducts late-night raids, house...

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  • September 13, 2009

    The IDF makes an incursion into c. Gaza and searches farmland nr. al-Bureij r.c., arresting 3 Palestinians. (PCHR 9/17)

    In the West Bank, the IDF arrests a Palestinian nr. Pdu’el settlement...

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  • July 23, 2009

    In the West Bank, the IDF conducts arrest raids, house searches in ‘Askar r.c. and Nablus. Jewish settlers fr. Yitzhar vandalize nearby Palestinian homes; the IDF intervenes to fire tear gas to...

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  • July 21, 2009

    IDF troops briefly enter s. Gaza to bulldoze land along the border fence e. of Abasan, firing on nearby residential areas, wounding 1 Palestinian. Israeli naval vessels detain a Palestinian...

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  • July 14, 2009

    The IDF sends troops, bulldozers into n. Gaza to level land along the border nr. Bayt Hanun; troops fire toward nearby residential areas to keep Palestinians indoors, causing no injuries. The UN...

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  • June 1, 2009

    In the West Bank, the IDF removes several tiny settlement enclaves nr. Nablus, including Nahalat Yosef. In response, around 100 Jewish settlers fr. nearby Gilad, Keddumim, and Yitzhar rampage...

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  • May 25, 2009

    In the West Bank, the IDF conducts late-night arrest raids, house searches in and around Hebron, neighboring al-‘Arub r.c., and Tubas. In Jerusalem, several Jewish settlers attempt to access the...

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  • May 22, 2009

    Overnight, the IDF sends troops into Gaza to engage a group of armed Palestinians laying a roadside bomb nr. the border fence, fatally shooting 2 Islamic Jihad mbrs.; the deaths bring to 22 the...

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  • April 24, 2009

    In the West Bank, the IDF makes a rare daytime incursion into Tuqu‘ village nr. Jenin to arrest Palestinian workers at a construction site located 200–300 m fr. the separation wall; fires rubber-...

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  • March 28, 2009

    In the West Bank, the IDF beats and fires tear gas, percussion grenades at Palestinian, Israeli, and international activists (including Israeli Palestinian MK Muhammad Baraka) who hold a...

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  • March 8, 2009

    In the West Bank, the IDF sends troops into Jayyus nr. Qalqilya in the morning, firing on stone-throwing youths who confront them, injuring 1; conducts late-night arrest raids, house searches nr....

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  • March 6, 2009

    In Gaza, the UN reports that 2 Palestinians have been killed and 3 injured in tunnel collapses on the Rafah border in the past 2 days. In the West Bank, the IDF patrols in Nablus in the evening,...

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  • January 15, 2009

    The 20th day of OCL is marked by serious diplomatic steps toward a cease-fire but also by Israel’s heaviest attacks on Gaza since operations began. Israel’s envoy receives the Egyptian-Hamas cease...

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In the West Bank, the IDF stages synchronized late-night house searches in and around Jenin town and r.c., arresting 1 Palestinian; conducts late-night arrest raids, house searches in al-Fara‘a r.c. nr. Tubas and nr. Hebron, Ramallah. A Jewish settler is fatally shot while driving nr. Nablus; a caller to a Palestinian radio station claims the attack was carried out by the Fatah-offshoot al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigades (AMB). Jewish settlers, implementing their “price-tag doctrine” of retaliation, vandalize Palestinian homes and block Palestinian traffic nr. Yitzhar settlement s. of Nablus; bar Palestinian traffic, stone and vandalize Palestinian vehicles, and uproot 100s of Palestinian trees nr. Shavei Shomron settlement, home to the deceased settler; attempt to prevent a Palestinian bus fr. passing through the Einav checkpoint nr. Tulkarm. (NYT 12/25; PCHR 12/30; OCHA 1/6)

In the West Bank, the IDF fires rubbercoated steel bullets, stun grenades, tear gas at stone-throwing Palestinians and nonviolent international (and, in the case of Bil‘in, Israeli) activists taking part in protests against the separation wall in Bil‘in (10s suffer tear gas inhalation) and Ni‘lin (moderately injuring 1 Palestinian); fires stun grenades and tear gas at Palestinian and international activists taking part in a nonviolent protest against the separation wall in al-Ma‘sara, also beating several protesters (moderately injuring 1 Palestinian); conducts late-night house searches in and around Hebron. Jewish settlers fr. Yitzhar attempt to occupy 2 Palestinian homes nearby but are fended off by stonethrowing Palestinians. (OCHA 12/9; PCHR 12/10)

For a 3d day, Israeli naval vessels off the n. Gaza coast fire on Palestinian fishing boats that approach the boundary of the permitted fishing zone, causing no reported injuries. IDF troops on the n. Gaza border also make a brief incursion e. of Jabaliya r.c. to level land along the border fence to clear lines of sight. In the West Bank, the IDF conducts rare daytime arrest raids, house searches in and around Hebron. Some 50 Jewish settlers fr. Yitzhar nr. Nablus, escorted by IDF troops attack a group of Palestinians gathering olive trees that had been uprooted by settlers 3 wks. before, vandalize a nearby Palestinian home. (PCHR 12/3; OCHA 12/9)

In the West Bank, the IDF demolishes 12 partially built Palestinian homes and 1 poultry farm in Rujib nr. Nablus; issues demolition orders for 17 other Palestinian civilian structures (including 9 homes housing 57 people, of whom 39 are children) in Umm al-Khayr nr. Hebron’s Carmiel settlement; and conducts latenight raids, house searches in Tulkarm, summoning 4 Palestinians for interrogation. Jewish settlers fr. Yitzhar uproot nearly 100 olive trees fr. nearby Palestinian land. (OCHA 11/12; PCHR 11/19)

IDF troops on the Gaza border nr. the Erez crossing fire on a group of Palestinians scavenging building materials fr. the rubble of commercial buildings in the Erez industrial zone previously bulldozed by the IDF; fire on a Palestinian farmer working on his land nr. the border, causing damage but no reported injuries. (PCHR 11/5)

In the West Bank, a Palestinian shepherd is severely beaten nr. Yitzhar settlement either by Jewish settlers or IDF troops posted outside the settlement; other IDF troops arrive on the scene and take the shepherd into custody, later transferring him to a hospital in Israel. The IDF conducts late-night raids, house searches in Tubas, nr. Jenin and Qalqilya, arresting 4 Palestinians (including 1 teenager). (OCHA, PCHR 11/5)

In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces demolish a Palestinian home in the Jabal Mukabir neighborhood. (PCHR 11/5)

IDF troops on the Gaza border direct artillery fire at al-Musaddar village, hitting 1 Palestinian home and injuring 2 teenagers, then make a brief incursion into the area. (PCHR 10/1)

In the West Bank, Jewish settlers fr. Yitzhar uproot numerous Palestinian olive trees. (PCHR 10/1)

In East Jerusalem, disturbances between Jews and Muslims continue for a 2d day; at least 2 Jewish homes in Silwan are struck by Molotov cocktails, and Jews stone Arab cars driving on Hebron Street but apparently cause no injuries. (WJW 10/1)

The IDF makes an air strike on Gaza City’s al-Tuffah neighborhood, killing 3 Islamic Jihad mbrs., possibly injuring 1 Islamic Jihad mbr. and 3 bystanders. (NYT, WP 9/26; OCHA Humanitarian Monitor 9/09; PCHR 10/1; OCHA 10/2)

In the West Bank, the IDF fires rubbercoated steel bullets, sound bombs, tear gas at Palestinian and international activists taking part in a nonviolent demonstration against the separation wall in Ni‘lin (injuring 6 Palestinians, including 1 teenager) and at Palestinian activists, some of whom throw stones at IDF troops, taking part in a demonstration against the separation wall in Bil‘in (injuring 1 Palestinian, arresting 1 Palestinian and 2 Israelis); fires sound bombs and violently beats Palestinian and international activists taking part in a nonviolent demonstration against the separation wall in al-Ma‘sara (2 are badly injured); fires rubber-coated steel bullets, tear gas, sound bombs at Palestinians and international activists protesting in Burin nr. Nablus against the confiscation of land to be razed and annexed by Yitzhar settlement. The IDF also arrests 2 Palestinians teenagers nr. Qalqilya for stone-throwing. (PCHR 10/1)

In the West Bank, IDF undercover units raid a village in the Hebron hills, arrest wanted IQB Tulkarm head Muhammad Harwish and his aide Adnan Samara. The IDF conducts late-night raids, house searches nr. Ramallah, arresting 3 Palestinians. In Bil‘in, the IDF raids the home of ‘Abdallah Abu Rahma, the Bil‘in Coordinator of the Public Committee against the Wall and Settlement, violently beating him and attacking a number of international activists. Jewish settlers fr. Yitzhar beat a Palestinian shepherd and shoot another Palestinian who attempts to phone Israeli authorities for help. (PCHR 9/17; JPI 9/24)

In East Jerusalem, the IDF conducts raids, house searches in Silwan, arresting 4 Palestinians (including 1 teenager). (PCHR 9/17)

U.S. special envoy Mitchell begins a 2-day trip to Israel and Ramallah to discuss settlement construction with Netanyahu and PA pres. Mahmud Abbas. (WP 9/16; WJW 9/17)

The UN’s Goldstone mission, which investigated Israeli and Palestinian actions during Operation Cast Lead (OCL), issues its advance report accusing both Israel and Hamas of extensive war crimes and possible crimes against humanity, giving them until 2/5/10 to respond. (NYT, WP 9/16) 

The IDF makes an incursion into c. Gaza and searches farmland nr. al-Bureij r.c., arresting 3 Palestinians. (PCHR 9/17)

In the West Bank, the IDF arrests a Palestinian nr. Pdu’el settlement; conducts latenight raids, house searches nr. Ramallah and Jenin, arresting 3 Palestinians (including a woman). More than 30 Jewish settlers fr. Yitzhar settlement set fire to a field in Far‘ata village nr. Nablus. In a separate incident, Jewish settlers fr. Yitzhar shoot at 2 Palestinian shepherds nr. the settlement, wounding 1. (OCHA, PCHR 9/17)

In the West Bank, the IDF conducts arrest raids, house searches in ‘Askar r.c. and Nablus. Jewish settlers fr. Yitzhar vandalize nearby Palestinian homes; the IDF intervenes to fire tear gas to disperse Palestinians who gather to defend their homes, also severely beating a 10-yr.-old Palestinian boy. Israeli developers report that the first occupants have moved into the new, upscale East Jerusalem settlement Nof Zion, which straddles the Palestinian neighborhood of Jabal Mukabir. The settlement has 91 units, selling for $400,000 to $580,000, a bloc of which has been sold to a group of American Jews fr. Miami. (WJW 7/23; OCHA, PCHR 7/30)

IDF troops briefly enter s. Gaza to bulldoze land along the border fence e. of Abasan, firing on nearby residential areas, wounding 1 Palestinian. Israeli naval vessels detain a Palestinian fishing boat off the Bayt Lahiya coast, interrogating and releasing the fishermen. The UN reports that 2 Palestinians were killed and 6 were injured in tunnel collapses on the Rafah border in the previous wk.; in addition, the body of a Palestinian missing since 7/1 has been found in a collapsed smuggling tunnel. In the West Bank, IDF undercover units enter Yatta village in a vehicle with Palestinian license plates, raid an auto mechanics shop, arresting 1 Palestinian. The IDF also conducts late-night arrest raids, house searches in and around Nablus and neighboring ‘Askar r.c., and nr. Hebron, Jenin. Jewish settlers fr. Yitzhar cut down 24 Palestinian olive trees in nearby Burin village. Jewish settlers fr. Gilad settlement stone Palestinian cars on the Qalqilya–Nablus road. In Khan Yunis, a bomb explodes at the wedding of a fmr. Fatah-affiliated PA security officer, injuring 42 Palestinians; no group claims responsibility. (OCHA, PCHR 7/23)

The IDF sends troops, bulldozers into n. Gaza to level land along the border nr. Bayt Hanun; troops fire toward nearby residential areas to keep Palestinians indoors, causing no injuries. The UN reports that in the previous wk., 4 Palestinians were injured in tunnel collapses on the Rafah border. The UN Development Program reports that it has begun a $12-m. project to remove the nearly 420,000 tons of rubble created by OCL. In the West Bank, the IDF conducts late-night arrest raids, house searches nr. Hebron, Nablus. Palestinians report that in the previous wk., Israeli authorities removed remains fr. 300 graves at a Muslim cemetery nr. the Jaffa Gate in Jerusalem to make way for construction of Israel’s national Tolerance Museum; the remains were reburied in a mass grave elsewhere. Jewish settlers level 18 d. of Palestinian land nr. Yitzhar settlement, in what local residents fear is an attempt to expand the settlement. (OCHA, PCHR 7/16)

A mysterious explosion levels a building in Lebanon’s Khirbat Slim, 12 mi. fr. the Israeli border, causing no casualties; Lebanese and Hizballah authorities secure the site, barring access to UNIFIL soldiers. Israel claims the site housed a Hizballah arms cache, indicating that Hizballah is rearming in violation of UN Res. 1701 that ended the 2006 Lebanon war. Hizballah claims that the explosion was caused by unexploded IDF cluster munitions left over fr. the war. (NYT 7/16)

In the West Bank, the IDF removes several tiny settlement enclaves nr. Nablus, including Nahalat Yosef. In response, around 100 Jewish settlers fr. nearby Gilad, Keddumim, and Yitzhar rampage through Palestinian areas, burning large plots of Palestinian olive trees and crops, blocking roads, and ambushing a minivan of 15 Palestinian workers (beating and seriously injuring 6). The IDF also conducts late-night arrest raids, house searches in Ni‘lin, nr. Jenin. (NYT, PCHR, WP, WT 6/2; OCHA, PCHR, WJW 6/4)

Israeli DM Barak arrives in Washington for meetings with U.S. officials aimed at defusing the settlement freeze dispute. (National Public Radio 6/1; NYT, WP, WT 6/2; WJW 6/4; WJW 6/11)

In the West Bank, the IDF conducts late-night arrest raids, house searches in and around Hebron, neighboring al-‘Arub r.c., and Tubas. In Jerusalem, several Jewish settlers attempt to access the al-Aqsa Mosque compound but are blocked by Palestinians; the IDF intervenes, violently beating several Palestinians, arresting 2 Palestinian teenagers, and extracting the settlers. Nr. Hebron, at least 20 Jewish settlers fr. Bet Yatir and Ma’on attack Palestinian shepherds nearby, moderately injuring 4. Jewish settlers fr. Yitzhar stone Palestinian cars traveling nearby. (OCHA, PCHR 5/28)

Overnight, the IDF sends troops into Gaza to engage a group of armed Palestinians laying a roadside bomb nr. the border fence, fatally shooting 2 Islamic Jihad mbrs.; the deaths bring to 22 the number of Gazans killed by the IDF since the 1/18/09 cease-fire. Later in the day, the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine detonates a roadside bomb on the Gaza border fence as an IDF patrol passes, causing no damage or injuries. In the West Bank, the IDF conducts late-night arrest raids, house searches nr. Jenin (firing live ammunition and stun grenades at homes, injuring a Palestinian woman); fires tear gas at stone-throwing Palestinians demonstrating against the separation wall construction in Bil‘in; fires live ammunition, rubbercoated steel bullets, tear gas at Palestinian, Israeli, and international activists taking part in weekly nonviolent protests against the separation wall in Ni‘lin (injuring 10 Palestinians, 2 with live ammunition). Jewish settlers burn 10s of d. of Palestinian crops nr. Yitzhar settlement nr. Nablus, block firefighters fr. reaching the scene. A Jewish settler is found dead nr. Eli settlement btwn. Ramallah and Nablus; the circumstances of his death are unclear. (NYT, WP 5/23; OCHA, PCHR 5/28)

In the West Bank, the IDF makes a rare daytime incursion into Tuqu‘ village nr. Jenin to arrest Palestinian workers at a construction site located 200–300 m fr. the separation wall; fires rubber-coated steel bullets, tear gas at Palestinian, Israeli, and international activists taking part in weekly nonviolent demonstrations against the separation wall in Ni‘lin (injuring 5 Palestinians); severely beats 4 Palestinians (including a 14-yr.-old boy) at a similar nonviolent rally in al-Ma‘sara; conducts late-night arrest raids, house searches nr. Hebron, Ramallah. Jewish settlers fr. Yitzhar, escorted by IDF troops, enter ‘Urif village s. of Nablus in the evening; when local Palestinians stone the settlers and troops, the IDF calls in reinforcements and fires live ammunition, rubber-coated steel bullets, and tear gas at the Palestinians, injuring 12 (5 by live ammunition, 6 by rubber-coated steel bullets, 1 hit by a tear gas canister). (OCHA, PCHR 4/29)

In the West Bank, the IDF beats and fires tear gas, percussion grenades at Palestinian, Israeli, and international activists (including Israeli Palestinian MK Muhammad Baraka) who hold a nonviolent march and sit-in outside al-Shuhada Street in Hebron to mark Palestinian Land Day, injuring 2 fieldworkers fr. B’Tselem and the Palestinian Center for Human Rights. Jewish settlers fr. Yitzhar attack and run off several Palestinian shepherds grazing flocks nr. the settlement. (OCHA 3/31, 4/1; PCHR 4/2)

In the West Bank, the IDF sends troops into Jayyus nr. Qalqilya in the morning, firing on stone-throwing youths who confront them, injuring 1; conducts late-night arrest raids, house searches nr. Jenin, Tubas. The IDF also sends troops into Bayt Hanina n. of Jerusalem in the early morning, raiding the family home of the construction worker responsible for the 3/5 attack in Jerusalem, arresting 5 family members. Jewish settlers fr. Yitzhar stone Palestinian cars driving in the area, then seal off the road to Palestinian traffic. (OCHA 3/10, 3/11; PCHR 3/12)

In Gaza, the UN reports that 2 Palestinians have been killed and 3 injured in tunnel collapses on the Rafah border in the past 2 days. In the West Bank, the IDF patrols in Nablus in the evening, firing on stone-throwing youths who confront them, wounding 1; fires live ammunition, rubber-coated steel bullets, tear gas, percussion grenades at Palestinian, Israeli, and international activists taking part in nonviolent demonstrations against the separation wall in Bil‘in (injuring 2), Jayyus (beating 2 women), al-Ma‘sara nr. Bethlehem (also beating 2 women), and Ni‘lin (injuring 12); makes late-night incursions into Tubas and neighboring al-Fara‘a r.c., patrolling streets and firing on residential areas, wounding 2 Palestinians. Jewish settlers fr. Yitzhar nr. Nablus stone Palestinian cars driving in the area. In Gaza, interfactional fighting breaks out at the funeral in al-Maghazi r.c. for an Islamic Jihad mbr. killed by IDF crossborder fire on 3/5; 3 Palestinians are injured. (OCHA 3/10, 3/11; PCHR 3/12)

The 20th day of OCL is marked by serious diplomatic steps toward a cease-fire but also by Israel’s heaviest attacks on Gaza since operations began. Israel’s envoy receives the Egyptian-Hamas cease-fire offer in Cairo, returns to Israel to brief the security cabinet. Olmert dispatches Livni to Washington to finalize a bilateral “memorandum of understanding” (MOU) regarding U.S.-led international efforts to halt arms smuggling into Gaza.

Combat notes: The IDF sharply escalates air, naval, and ground attacks across Gaza. IDF ground forces push deep into Gaza City under cover of air strikes and heavy tank and artillery fire. Residents report almost constant air, naval, artillery bombardment from 1:00 A.M. to 1:00 P.M. local time, and particularly heavy ground engagements in al-Atatra n. of the city and Tal al-Hawa neighborhood on the southern outskirts, as well as in Jabaliya r.c. Thousands of Gaza City residents attempt to flee the fighting, but many cannot leave their homes because of the intensity of Israeli fire. During the operations, Israeli troops surround the home of Hamas’s Mahmud Zahhar (in hiding), killing his security guards. Gaza City fighting eases slightly in the afternoon, but IDF troops remain in the city overnight. The IDF also takes up new positions in Bayt Hanun’s alFarta and al-Nazzaza quarters under cover of heavy shelling and gunfire, ordering residents of the 2 areas (some 20 families) to evacuate.

The IDF reports carrying out more than 80 air strikes today, hitting at least 23 rocket and mortar launching sites, 19 groups of armed Palestinians, 6 suspected weapons depots (including 2 mosques in Gaza City, 1 in Rafah), 4 tunnels, 1 radio station in Gaza City. Air strike target areas include al-Atatra, Bayt Hanun, Bayt Lahiya, Dayr al-Balah, Gaza City (al-Rimal, al-Sabra, Tal al-Hawa, al-Yarmuk), Jabaliya, Khan Yunis, al-Maghazi r.c., Nussayrat r.c., Rafah, Yibna r.c. Heavy tank and artillery fire are reported in Abasan, Bayt Hanun, Bayt Lahiya, al-Bureij r.c., Dayr al-Balah, Gaza City (al-Sabra, Tal al-Hawa, al-Tuffah), Jabaliya, Khuza, al-Mughraqa, al-Nasser (n. of Rafah), Nussayrat r.c., al-Qarara, Rafah. UNRWA reports 100s of Palestinians fleeing areas of northeastern Rafah to escape heavy bombardments. Reports of Israel using white phosphorous munitions spike sharply, with confirmed use in 3 areas (Abasan, Khuza, al-Qarara) and suspected use in 5 areas (Bayt Hanun, Bayt Lahiya, al-Bureij r.c., Khan Yunis, Nussayrat r.c.). Israeli naval bombardment concentrates on Khan Yunis and the neighboring al-Mahatin area. Closecombat fighting is reported around Jabaliya r.c.

In a major air strike on Jabaliya, the IDF assassinates Gaza’s acting Interior M Said Siyam in his brother’s home, along with his brother and nephew, Hamas internal security head for Gaza Salah Abu Sharah, 4 Palestinians in an adjacent home. In addition, IDF air strikes hit buildings in Gaza City housing UNRWA’s main food depot (3 white phosphorous missiles incinerate tons of food and medicine brought in during the humanitarian lulls); Palestinian Red Crescent Society offices and the adjacent al-Quds Hospital (both hit repeatedly over a 5-hr. period; the patient wing of the hospital is not targeted); and the shared media offices of Abu Dhabi TV, al-Arabiyya TV, Reuters, and the Russian TV channel Rusiya al-Yaum, causing serious damage and injuring 2 journalists. A number of other hospitals in Gaza City are damaged by Israeli mortar fire. Palestinian medical workers say the Palestinian toll is at least 1,090 dead (including 375 children, 150 women, 14 medical workers), more than 5,000 wounded.

Palestinians fire 15 rockets and 8 mortars into Israel, seriously injuring a 7-yr.-old Israeli boy in Beersheba and causing significant damage in 2 instances (both by Qassams in Sederot); at least 3 of the rockets are Grads (2 in and nr. Beersheba, 1 in Gadera).

The Palestinian toll is estimated to be at least 1,090 dead, more than 5,000 wounded.

Humanitarian notes: With diplomacy toward a cease-fire showing progress, Israel extends the daily humanitarian lull to 4 hrs./day, allowing in up to 170 truckloads of humanitarian aid; permits the Qarni crossing conveyor belt to resume operation for the 1st time since 12/27 for the import of grain. Israel also allows the ICRC and Palestinian Energy Authority to begin repairs to part of Gaza’s electricity network. (AFP, AP, HA, IDF, IFM, IHY, MM, RFM, UNOSAT, YA 1/15; HA, IDF Radio, JP, MA, MM, NYT, REU, Scotsman, WP, WT, XIN, YA 1/16; IFM, NYT, XIN 1/17; ITIC 1/19; PCHR 1/22, 1/29)

Citing unspecified security concerns, the IDF imposes a total closure on the West Bank through 1/17. The IDF also conducts late-night arrest raids, house searches nr. Bethlehem, Hebron, Nablus. Jewish settlers fr. Yitzhar attempt to close a road nr. Nablus to Palestinian traffic, stone Palestinian cars; the IDF forces them to leave. (IDF 1/15; PCHR 1/22)