UNRWA suspends operations in Gaza citing lack of fuel because of Israel’s blockade, stating that more than 700,000 Palestinians will not receive food aid as a result. Operation of UNRWA schools, clinics are also affected; because of fuel cuts, 12 municipalities and solid waste management councils have stopped all operations, affecting at least 500,000 Gazans. Early in the morning, the IDF send troops under cover of aircraft into Abasan to level land, making an air strike on a group of armed Palestinians, wounding 2 gunmen, 2 bystanders. In the West Bank, the IDF conducts late-night house searches nr. Tulkarm (no arrests are reported). Jewish settlers enter the Homesh settlement site (evacuated by the IDF in 2005), attack a Palestinian shepherd nearby, kill 2 of his sheep, steal 2. Unidentified assailants kidnap a fmr. PA security officer (Fatah affiliated) fr. his home in Nussayrat r.c., severely beat him. (WP, WT 4/25; OCHA, PCHR 4/30; see also UNRWA and OCHA press releases 4/23)
Thursday, April 24, 2008