The Palestine Chronology

The IDF patrols in 2 villages nr. Ramallah in the morning; conducts synchronized patrols in 3 villages nr. Jenin at midday and 1 village nr. Jenin later in the afternoon; and conducts latenight patrols in 2 villages nr. Ramallah, 1 nr. Jenin, and 1 nr. Tulkarm. In Gaza, Hamas-affiliated police raid a Bayt Lahiya house, beating and detaining 15–20 Palestinians before releasing them later in the day. Palestinian media sources (e.g., Ma’an News Agency 1/17) claim the small group was performing prayers to mark a Shi’i holy day and was targeted because they are Shi’i, but Hamas officials deny this, saying that “police tracked an illegal group with corrupted views that were planning to commit crimes.” Palestinian human rights groups demanded an investigation. (MNA 1/17; PCHR 1/19; OCHA 1/20)