Thursday, May 18, 2017

An Israeli settler shoots and kills 1 Palestinian and injures another outside Huwwara village nr. Nablus. A video of the incident shows that he drove his car into a group of Palestinians who then surrounded him, brandishing stones, and he opened fire. The shooting occurs amid clashes between IDF troops and Palestinians marching in solidarity with the 1,500-plus hunger-striking Palestinian prisoners observing the Dignity Strike. The IDF decides not to investigate the ramming and shooting as a criminal incident. Later in the day, the IDF shuts down the nearby Huwwara checkpoint while dozens of settlers gather to “show their presence” to Palestinians in the area. IDF troops violently disperse Palestinians protesting the Huwwara killing in Qalandia refugee camp (r.c.), al-Bireh, and Qalqilya; 5 Palestinians are injured by live ammunition and 1 is arrested. They also arrest 3 Palestinians during raids nr. Ramallah and Nablus, and patrol during the day nr. Hebron and Salfit. Late at night, Israeli settlers set fire to a Palestinian tractor and spray price-tag graffiti on walls outside Burin village. (EI, HA, MNA 5/18; MNA 5/19; PCHR 5/25)

Elsewhere in the West Bank, IDF troops conduct raids in Silwad village nr. Ramallah, sparking clashes; 1 Palestinian is seriously injured and 2 are arrested. Israeli forces demolish 8 coal production buildings and 2 sheds nr. Jenin. (HA, MNA, WAFA 5/18)