An IDF drone fires a rocket at Muhammad al-Sumairi (affiliation unknown) riding a motorcycle in Khan Yunis, seriously inuring him in an apparent assassination attempt, and wounding 17 bystanders, including 11 children, a pregnant woman. IDF troops on the n. Gaza border fire on Palestinians and international activists repairing homes on the outskirts of Bayt Hanun, forcing them to leave the area but causing no injuries. Palestinians fire a rocket fr. Gaza into Israel (the 2d in 12 hrs.; see 1/28), causing no damage or injuries but raising concerns over the durability of the cease-fire. Israel allows 145 truckloads of goods (much of it seed and fodder) and 130 tons of medicine and medical equipment into Gaza. In the West Bank, the IDF conducts late-night arrest raids, house searches in Qabatya, nr. Qalqilya. (UNIS 1/29; HA, MM, NYT, WP 1/30)
Thursday, January 29, 2009