The IDF patrols in 4 villages nr. Jenin and Ramallah in the morning; makes an arrest raid into Bayt Umar nr. Hebron in the afternoon; patrols in Bil‘in in the evening, firing rubber-coated steel bullets, tear gas, and stun grenades at stone-throwing youths who confront them, causing no injuries; and conducts late-night patrols in Birzeit and Tulkarm. IDF troops also beat and fire tear gas at Palestinians and international activists taking part in a nonviolent protest march from Bayt Umar to nearby Palestinian lands confiscated for the expansion of Karme Tzur settlement, moderately injuring 2 Palestinians (including a 15-yr.- old boy). Jewish settlers fr. Beit Hadasah settlement in Hebron severely beat a Palestinian passing by the settlement; the IDF observes but does not intervene. (PCHR 6/23; OCHA 6/24)
Saturday, June 18, 2011