In the Gaza Strip, Palestinians fire 2 rockets into s. Israel, causing no damage or injuries. The IDF conducts house searches and arrest raids in 2 villages nr. Ramallah, Nablus, and Jenin r.c. at night; patrols in Tulkarm in the morning, in 1 village nr. Tulkarm in the afternoon, and in 1 village nr. Jenin, 1 village nr. Ramallah and 1 village nr. Tulkarm at night. (YA 7/18; PCHR 7/25)
Anonymous Palestinian sources inside the PA squash speculation that a breakthrough in U.S. Secy. of State John Kerry’s attempts to restart peace talks is imminent, with senior Fatah official Amin Maqboul telling the media that Israel’s refusal to hold negotiations based on the 1967 borders has stymied Kerry’s efforts. Palestinian pres. Mahmud Abbas meets with the PLO leadership in Ramallah to update them on progress in the discussions with Kerry, but no decision is reached on possible resumption. (HA, MNA, REU, WP 7/17)
Assailants attack Egyptian police officers in the n. Sinai, killing 2 and wounding 2. (AP 7/18)