July 14, 2008

Continuing pressure on Hamas-affiliated institutions in Nablus, the IDF makes another late-night raid into the city, arresting 7 Palestinians, including an assistant to the Hamas-affiliated mayor Adli Yaish (among the 40 Hamas-affiliated politicians arrested in 6/06), a Hamas-affiliated mbr. of the municipal council, a journalist, and senior officers of a hospital, factory, sports club, and women’s association. The IDF also conducts late-night arrest raids, house searches in and around Bethlehem, nr. Nablus. Jewish settlers occupy an abandoned IDF base nr. Bayt Sahur in a renewed effort to establish an outpost at the site; the IDF allows them to stay overnight. (OCHA 7/16; PCHR 7/17)