Following the shooting nr. Bethlehem on 7/21, the IDF closes entrances to several Palestinian villages in the area. Elsewhere in the West Bank, the IDF continues its closure of Hebron and the surrounding areas that has been in place since 7/1. Amid heightened tensions in the Hebron region, IDF troops assault and injure a Palestinian in c. Hebron and patrol throughout the region during the day. Meanwhile, IDF troops violently disperse Palestinians, Israelis, and international activists at Friday demonstrations in 3 villages nr. Ramallah, and Kafr Qaddum nr. Qalqilya; 2 Palestinians are injured and 5 are arrested. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces arrest 1 Palestinian on a raid in Shu‘fat. The Israeli authorities only allow 250 elderly Gazans to visit Jerusalem to pray at Haram al-Sharif today. They normally permit 300 to travel for Friday prayers. COGAT says that the reduction was a response to Hamas and other groups’ “choosing to use the crossing permits . . . illegally.” Along Gaza’s border, IDF troops open fire on Palestinian farmers working nr. al-Bureij r.c., causing no injuries. (MNA 7/22; PCHR 7/28)
Friday, July 22, 2016