In the West Bank, Israeli forces seal the entrances to Beita near Nablus with dirt mounds as collective punishment after reports of stonethrowing in the village. They also fire on a Palestinian driving near the village, damaging his car. IDF troops arrest 2 Palestinians during latenight raids in and around Nablus, sparking minor clashes; 4 Palestinian youths are injured. They also patrol near Tulkarm and Hebron during the day. Israeli settlers vandalize several Palestinian cars near Nablus overnight, leaving price-tag graffiti on nearby walls. Off Gaza’s coast, Israeli naval forces open fire on Palestinian fishing boats near Jabaliya refugee camp and Bayt Lahiya, causing no damage and injuries. (MNA, WAFA 2/15; PCHR 2/22)
In Paris, Israel’s economy minister Eli Cohen meets with the PA’s national economy minister Abeer Odeh. “Promoting joint economic projects is in the interest of both sides and has security and political importance beyond the economic dimension,” Cohen says. (JP 2/18)