The Israeli navy fires on Palestinian fishermen off the coast of Bayt Lahiya, forcing them to return to shore. Palestinians fire 10 mortars at the IDF post at Kerem Shalom crossing, causing no damage or injuries but prompting Israel to close the transit point, which had been allowing limited food aid into Gaza. Meanwhile, 3,000 Hamas mbrs. hold a nonviolent demonstration at the Rafah crossing, demanding that Israel allow entry to some 6,000 Palestinians stranded in Egypt. Egypt reinforces border guards on the Rafah border, fearing that Hamas mbrs. might try to force open the crossing. In the West Bank, the IDF conducts arrest raids in and around Nablus (targeting the Fatah tanzim), in Jenin town and r.c., and nr. Bethlehem, Hebron, Qalqilya. Fatah officials complain that in the past 2 wks., IDF arrest campaigns in the West Bank have detained at least 300 Fatah mbrs., more than offsetting a planned release of 250 Fatah prisoners. (IFM, MNA 7/10; NYT, PCHR 7/12)
Tuesday, July 10, 2007