In the Gaza Strip, IDF troops open fire on civilians close to the border fence nr. Jabaliya, wounding 13. The civilians had gathered in protests organized to mark the upcoming 20th anniversary of the Ibrahimi Mosque massacre. Separately, Israeli soldiers shoot and wound a Palestinian man close to the border fence nr. Jabaliya. In the West Bank, IDF troops injure 13 Palestinians and detain 5 in clashes in Hebron following protests marking the anniversary of the massacre. There are also demonstrations in Jalazun r.c. nr. Ramallah and in Silwad village nr. Ramallah, where Israeli soldiers wound 3 and 1, respectively. The IDF conducts house searches and arrest raids in Aida r.c. in Bethlehem at night; patrols in 2 villages in Hebron at night. In Tuqu‘ village nr. Bethlehem, IDF troops shoot and injure 1 Palestinian in clashes sparked by a routine patrol. Also, IDF troops violently disperse Palestinian, Israeli, and international protesters at weekly demonstrations against Israel’s separation wall, settlements and, occupation in 3 villages nr. Ramallah (Bil‘in, Nabi Salih, and Ni‘lin), and 1 village nr. Qalqilya (Kafr Qaddum). There are no serious injuries, except in Bil‘in (1 wounded by a bullet, 1 struck by a tear gas canister). In East Jerusalem, Israeli security forces detain 6 Palestinians as they exit Haram al-Sharif, following protests against a visit by Israeli MK Moshe Feiglin (Likud). (MNA 2/21; PCHR 2/27)
PA Pres. Mahmud Abbas tells journalists in Paris that U.S. efforts to facilitate an agreement on a framework for the peace negotiations have been a failure so far. He also says that Kerry’s proposals are unacceptable for the Palestinians. Abbas also meets French pres. Francois Hollande. (AFP, AP 2/21)
The Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons meet in The Hague to discuss the mission to Syria, with anonymous diplomats saying that the Syrian govt. has submitted a new 100-day plan for the removal of its chemical weapons after missing a deadline on 2/5. (REU 2/21)