Tuesday, June 18, 2013

Off the coast of the Gaza Strip, Israeli naval vessels open fire on Palestinian fishermen nr. Dayr al-Balah, causing no damage or injuries. In the West Bank, the IDF conducts house searches and arrest raids in 3 villages nr. Jenin and al-‘Arub r.c. nr. Hebron at night; patrols in 2 villages nr. Jenin in the morning, and in 2 villages nr. Tulkarm, 1 village nr. Jenin, and 1 village and al-‘Arub r.c. nr. Hebron, at night. In Abu Ghosh village west of Jerusalem, dozens of cars are vandalized with racist graffiti. (HA 6/18; PCHR 6/20)

The G8 ends a 2-day summit in Northern Ireland with a declaration that backs peace talks in Geneva, which it says should aim to create a transitional coalition govt. for Syria. However, the G8 does not agree on a clear statement regarding the future of Syrian pres. Bashar al-Asad. (AP, REU 6/18)