The IDF makes its largest daylight arrest raid in the West Bank in more than 2 yrs., sending troops, armored vehicles, bulldozers into Ramallah, with helicopter support, arresting 4 and sparking an exchange of gunfire that leaves 4 Palestinians dead (including at least 3 bystanders), more than 20 wounded (including a journalist); the main target, local AMB leader Rabi‘a Hamad, is wounded but escapes. In reaction Abbas issues a statement saying that the raid proves that “Israeli calls for peace and security are fake.” Haniyeh again cuts short his regional tour to return to Gaza to deal with factional violence. In accordance with new security arrangements agreed by Abbas, Israel, the U.S., and European Union (EU) on 1/3, Haniyeh is forced to undergo a stringent security check before being allowed back into Gaza. In addition, the IDF sends undercover units into al-Duha nr. Bethlehem in a vehicle with Palestinian license plates, where they shoot, wound, arrest a wanted Palestinian; conducts arrest raids, house searches in al-Khadir nr. Bethlehem. Meanwhile, IDF troops on the Gaza border fire on Palestinian farmers working their land nr. the border fence n. of Bayt Lahiya, wounding 4. Suspected Fatah mbrs. ambush an ESF convoy in Bayt Lahiya, killing 1 ESF mbr., wounding 2. Later in the evening, ESF mbrs. surround the Bayt Lahiya home of PSF Col. Muhammad Gharib, who was allegedly involved in the ambush, sparking an exchange of gunfire and RPGs that leaves Gharib, 4 of his guards dead, at least 36 Palestinians wounded (including 8 children). In al-Maghazi and Dayr al-Balah, 5 Palestinians are wounded in clashes btwn. Fatah, Hamas supporters. Hamas releases Fatah mbrs. kidnapped in Bayt Lahiya on 1/3 in a deal brokered by smaller factions. In Gaza City, a Hamas mbr. dies of injuries he received on 1/3 when a bomb he was handling exploded prematurely. In Jenin, unidentified assailants set fire to car of the PA Prison Affairs M. (HA, MM 1/4; MM, NYT, WP, WT 1/5; NYT 1/6; HA 1/7; MM 1/8, 1/9; OCHA 1/10; PCHR 1/11; MM 1/12)
Thursday, January 4, 2007