In the West Bank, IDF troops shoot and kill a Palestinian named Moataz Washaha in Birzeit nr. Ramallah, after surrounding his family house in an attempt to arrest him. Following the killing, the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine states that Washaha was one of their activists, and urges the PA to end security cooperation with Israel. In a protest against the killing of Washaha in al-Fawar r.c. nr. Hebron, IDF troops shoot and wound 3 Palestinians. Separately, hundreds of settlers visit Joseph’s Tomb nr. Nablus. Palestinians gather to protest the visit, but they are violently dispersed by IDF troops, wounding 3 with rubber-coated metal bullets. IDF troops also disperse an unrelated protest nr. a village n. of Hebron (Safa), injuring 2 Palestinians with rubber-coated metal bullets. In another incident, a petrol bomb is thrown at an Israeli bus nr. Nablus, causing no injuries. In response, Israeli forces raid Osarin village, prompting clashes that leave 1 Palestinian injured. The IDF also conducts house searches and arrest raids in 1 village nr. Jenin and Qalqilya at night; patrols in 1 village nr. Salfit in the morning, in 2 villages nr. Qalqilya, 1 village and al-Fawar r.c. nr. Hebron, and 1 village each nr. Salfit and Tulkarm in the afternoon, and in 2 villages each nr. Hebron and Qalqilya, and 1 village nr. Nablus at night. Jewish settlers from Ofra set fire to a nearby Palestinian-owned house in Silwad village nr. Ramallah, causing damage but no injuries. They also leave “price tag” graffiti. In the Gaza Strip, IDF troops launch an air strike nr. Bayt Hanun, targeting a rocket launcher, according to military sources. No injuries are reported. (MNA, REU 2/27; PCHR 3/6)
Palestinian chief negotiator Saeb Erakat says that there is no point in extending negotiations beyond the 4/29 deadline “if Israel, represented by its current govt., continues to disregard international law.” (AFP 2/27)