Following a successful evening of talks, U.S. Secy. of State John Kerry holds a press conference in Washington, flanked by Tzipi Livni and Saeb Erakat, and announces the official resumption of peace negotiations (see document D2 in JPS 169 for more). Kerry praises the 2 sides for their engagement and leadership, and announces that there will be a further round of talks within the next 2 weeks. Kerry also says that both sides have agreed to keep the contents of the meetings confidential. (AP, HA 7/30)
In the Gaza Strip, Palestinians fire 1 rocket into s. Israel, causing no damage or injuries. In the West Bank, the IDF conducts house searches and arrest raids in al-‘Arub r.c. and al-Fawar r.c. nr. Hebron and 1 village nr. Jenin at night; patrols in 2 villages nr. Ramallah in the morning, 1 village nr. Jenin in the afternoon, and in Jenin and 1 nearby village and 1 village nr. Ramallah at night. (AFP 7/30; PCHR 8/1)
EU foreign affairs chief Catherine Ashton flies to Cairo and visits ousted pres. Mohamed Morsi, the 1st outsider to see him since the coup. (REU 7/30)