In the West Bank, Israeli forces demolished the home in al-Zawiya of a Palestinian accused of killing an Israeli settler and Israeli soldier in March. The Palestinian man was killed by Israeli forces 2 days after the episode. The demolition leaves 6 of the Palestinian’s family members homeless. A confrontation between Palestinian residents and Israeli forces broke out during the demolition and Israeli forces fired tear gas and sound bombs at the Palestinians; no injuries were reported. Israeli settlers with military escort raided the Palestinian town al-Samou near Hebron. Meanwhile, Israeli forces set up checkpoints in al-Thahriya, Yatta, Taffuh, and Hebron. Elsewhere, clashes between Israeli forces and residents ensued in al-‘Arub refugee camp north of Hebron. Israeli forces fired live ammunition and stun grenades; no injuries were reported. In Nablus, 27 Palestinians were injured by Israeli forces escorting some 1,500 Israeli settlers to Joseph’s Tomb; 3 of the injured Palestinians were taken to a hospital. 3 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in and around Hebron, Bayt Iksa, and Ramallah. In East Jerusalem, some 500 Israeli settlers and military escort stormed Haram al-Sharif to perform prayers. Israeli authorities also banned 2 Palestinians from Haram al-Sharif for 4 and 6 months. (AJ, HA, MNA, MNA, MNA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 4/24; MNA, WAFA 4/25)
In a meeting with U.S. senators Mitt Romney (R-UT) and Chris Murphy (D-CT) in Ramallah, Palestinian prime minister Mohammed Shtayyeh stressed the importance of U.S. support of a 2-state solution and asked for the U.S. to recognize the State of Palestine and lift the ban on the PLO. (MNA 4/25)