August 12, 2013

In the West Bank, the IDF conducts house searches and arrest raids in Qalqilya and 1 village nr. Ramallah at night; patrols in 1 village nr. Hebron in the afternoon. Jewish settlers attack Palestinian homes and set fire to Palestinian-owned land nr. Nablus, causing damage but no injuries. (WAFA 8/12; PCHR 8/15)

Israel gives final approval to a plan for 890 new homes in Gilo settlement in East Jerusalem. U.S. Secy. of State John Kerry says that recent Israeli announcements of new settlement construction likely will not thwart plans for talks scheduled for later this week. (AP, HA 8/12)