Saturday, August 3, 2013

In the West Bank, the IDF conducts house searches and arrest raids in Hebron, 1 village nr. Ramallah, 1 village nr. Qalqilya, and 1 village and Dahaysha r.c. nr. Bethlehem at night; patrols in 1 village nr. Qalqilya and in Jenin at night. (PCHR 8/15)

Palestinian chief negotiator Saeb Erakat says that Israel will release 104 Palestinian prisoners in 4 stages, with the 1st 26 prisoners set to be released on 8/13. The prisoners to be released have all been serving sentences since before the 1993 Oslo Accord. (MNA 8/3)

Iranian supreme leader Ali Khamenei endorses the presidential election results and Hassan Ruhani takes office, promising “constructive interaction with the world.” (REU 8/3)

Egypt’s Interior Ministry warns supporters of ousted pres. Mohamed Morsi to evacuate their protest camps, as U.S. Dep. Secy. of State William Burns continues his meetings with political stakeholders on both sides. (AP 8/3)