In Amman, Palestinian and Israeli negotiators meet for the 4th time. Molcho and Erakat clash, when Molcho, without advanced notice, brings a military expert to the talks to lay out security concerns that Israel wants the Palestinians to address in amending their initial security and borders proposals. Erakat balks, stating that the sides are not at the stage of negotiating and Israel was attempting to ambush the Palestinian side. The Palestinian team for the 1st time complains publicly that Israel has not offered its comprehensive position papers on borders and security as requested by the Quartet. Israeli officials say the 3-mo. period for them to produce detailed papers only began running with the 1st meeting on 1/3, and they therefore have until 4/3. The Quartet does not comment. (NYT 1/24, 1/26)
Overnight, unidentified Palestinians fire 3 mortars fr. Gaza into Israel, causing no damage or injuries. Early in the morning, Israeli warplanes make 2 air strikes on a group of armed Palestinians nr. al-Shuka in s. Gaza, causing no serous injuries. A smuggling tunnel on the Rafah border collapses, injuring 2 Palestinians. In the West Bank, the IDF conducts synchronized morning patrols in 2 villages n. of Ramallah; raids a community center in Hebron, arresting 1 Palestinian involved in organizing local settlement protests; patrols in 1 village nr. Jenin in the afternoon and 1 nr. Ramallah late at night. (JP, YA 1/21; PCHR 1/26; OCHA 1/27)
Hamas issues an official statement confirming rumors (see 1/17) that Mishal is not seeking another term as head of Hamas's politburo in upcoming internal elections, though some officials suggest that he may be asked to stay on and might agree if this would be seen as an endorsement of his more pragmatic style of leadership. (NYT, WP 1/22)