A Palestinian minor allegedly attempts to stab an Israeli soldier at the Beit Horon checkpoint near Ramallah, causing no injuries. The minor flees the scene before the soldiers can arrest him. Elsewhere in the West Bank, an Israeli settler driver rams a flock of Palestinian-owned sheep near Hebron, killing several. IDF troops arrest 2 Palestinians during a raid near Salfit; and patrol near Nablus, Hebron, and Jerusalem. Along Gaza’s border, Israeli forces conduct a limited incursion to level land near Gaza City. Late at night, Israeli aircraft conduct an air strike on a medical facility in southern Gaza, causing moderate damage. In southern Israel, Israeli forces demolish a Palestinian home near Beersheba. (MNA, MNA, MNA, MNA, WAFA, YA 10/4; MNA 10/5)
Jerusalem mayor Nir Barkat announces plans to remove UNRWA from East Jerusalem, accusing the agency of operating illegally and inciting violence against Israelis. He says that all the schools, clinics, athletic facilities, and other services that UNRWA currently operates in the city will continue operations under Israeli control. Barkat does not say when he intends to implement this plan. UNRWA schools in East Jerusalem currently serve approximately 1,800 students. (AP, YA 10/4; TOI 10/5; AP, HA 10/6)
Hamas sources say that the PA blocked the transfer of 3 truckloads of Qatari-funded diesel fuel to Gaza this morning. Later, sources in Ramallah tell the Israeli press that the PA made threats to an Israeli gas company and to UN employees in an effort to obstruct the transfer. Earlier in the day, the Israeli press reports that Qatar has agreed to purchase $60 m. worth of fuel for Gaza’s sole power plant in an effort to increase the electricity supply in Gaza. Talks on such an arrangement have reportedly been ongoing for the past month under the auspices of UN Special Coordinator Nickolay Mladenov. (HA, MNA, TOI 10/4)