Sunday, December 16, 2012

Israeli naval vessels open fire on Palestinian fishermen off the coast of Gaza nr. al-Waha, causing no injuries. The IDF also opens fire on a group of Palestinians working their lands nr. the border fence e. of Khan Yunis, seriously wounding 1 farmer. In the West Bank, the IDF fires tear gas at stone-throwing Palestinian youths nr. the entrance of Aida r.c. in Bethlehem, hitting 1 child in the leg with a tear-gas canister. The IDF patrols in Jenin and in 1 village each nr. Jenin and Tulkarm at night; conducts house searches and arrest raids in 1 village nr. Bethlehem in the morning and in Nablus, nearby Balata r.c., and 1 village each nr. Bethlehem, Jenin, and Nablus at night. (PCHR 12/20)

Abdul Salam Siyam, cabinet secy.- gen. of Hamas’s government in Gaza, says that Egyptian authorities have pledged to end a blacklist of Gaza Strip residents who cannot use the Rafah crossing. (MNA 12/16)

Palestinian PM Salam Fayyad calls for West Bank residents to boycott all Israeli products. (REU 12/16)

Israeli FM and dep. PM Lieberman resigns over corruption charges filed against him on 12/14, saying that he hopes to take ‘‘the briefest possible leave.’’ He remains chair of Yisrael Beiteinu and 2nd on the joint electoral list with Likud. (AP 12/16)

The Syrian air force bombs Yarmuk r.c. nr. Damascus, killing an estimated 23 persons, all civilians, and sending thousands of Palestinian refugees fleeing the camp for safety. (Guardian, MNA 12/16)