A Palestinian youth succumbs to complications related to a congenital heart defect after the Israeli authorities refuse to permit him passage from Gaza to Israel or the West Bank for medical treatment. Along Gaza’s border, IDF troops shoot and injure a Palestinian youth collecting firewood nr. the border fence outside Bayt Lahiya. In the West Bank, IDF troops confiscate a Palestinian vehicle during a raid in Bayt Umar village nr. Hebron, sparking minor clashes with stonethrowing Palestinians; there are no serious injuries. They also arrest 5 Palestinians and issue 1 arrest summons during raids nr. Hebron and Ramallah, as well as in Jenin, and patrol nr. Salfit and Hebron during the day. Israeli settlers assault a Palestinian police officer nr. Nablus, causing minor injuries. Off Gaza’s coast, Israeli naval forces open fire on Palestinian fishing boats nr. Gaza City and again nr. Khan Yunis and Bayt Lahiya, injuring 1 fisherman. (MNA, WAFA 1/14; MNA 1/15; PCHR 1/19; MNA 1/22)
PA pres. Abbas inaugurates the new Palestinian embassy at the Vatican after meeting with Pope Francis. The Vatican formally recognized Palestine as a state on 6/26/ 2015. (AFP, HA, LF, REU, WAFA 1/14)