In the West Bank, IDF troops assault a number of Palestinians commuting to Jerusalem at a checkpoint near Bethlehem; there are no serious injuries reported. Israeli forces set up a mobile checkpoint at the entrance to Turmus ‘Ayya village near Ramallah, sparking clashes with Palestinians preparing for the funeral of the Palestinian killed by Israeli settlers on 1/26; 1 Palestinian minor is injured. Another Palestinian is injured during clashes sparked by an IDF raid near Tulkarm. Separately, IDF troops arrest 20 Palestinians during late-night raids in and around Ramallah, Hebron, Tubas, Bethlehem, and Jenin; and patrol near Hebron. In East Jerusalem, approximately 40 right-wing Jewish activists tour Haram al-Sharif in the morning. Off Gaza’s coast, Israeli naval forces open fire on Palestinian fishing boats near Tulkarm, causing no damage or injuries. Along Gaza’s border, IDF troops violently disperse a small group of Palestinians gathering at the Great March of Return protest camp near al-Maghazi refugee camp; 1 Palestinian minor is injured. (JP, MNA, MNA, MNA, WAFA 1/27; PCHR 1/31)
UN and Qatari officials sign a memorandum of understanding governing a grant of $20 million from Qatar for UN-administered humanitarian projects in Gaza. The money comes on top of the $9.4 million Qatar transferred to Gaza on 1/26. (JP 1/28)
The Egyptian authorities open the Rafah border crossing for Palestinians entering Gaza from Egypt. They have kept the crossing largely closed since 1/5. (WAFA 1/27)