Israel imposes a 2-day seal on its West Bank border for Yom Kippur. In Gaza, the IDF sends troops back into al-Shuka village, raiding and searching homes (reportedly stealing jewelry, money, personal articles from at least 1 residence), arresting 11 Palestinians. Nr. Bayt Lahiya, 4 Palestinians are injured when they accidentally trigger IDF UXO. In the West Bank, the IDF ends a 4-day incursion into ‘Ayn Bayt al-Ma’a r.c., having arrested around 50 Hamas and PFLP mbrs., including 2 senior local Hamas cmdrs. The IDF also conducts arrest raids, house searches in and around Hebron; fires rubbercoated steel bullets, percussion grenades, tear gas at Palestinian, Israeli, international activists taking part in the weekly nonviolent demonstrations against the separation wall in Bil‘in, injuring 4. Citing national preparation for Yom Kippur, Israel bars all West Bank Palestinians fr. attending Friday prayers in Jerusalem, raising anger during Ramadan. In Bayt Hanun, a bomb explodes in the Agricultural Union Comm. offices, causing damage but no injuries; no group claims responsibility. (REU 9/21; NYT 9/22; OCHA 9/26; PCHR 9/27; HA 9/30)
Friday, September 21, 2007