Off the coast of the Gaza Strip nr. Bayt Lahiya, Israeli naval vessels open fire on Palestinian fishermen, causing no damage or injuries. In the West Bank, IDF troops raid Tuqu‘ village nr. Bethlehem, and fire tear gas and stun grenades without provocation. IDF troops fire tear gas and stun grenades in Hebron after a patrol provokes Palestinian stone-throwing. The IDF conducts house searches and arrest raids in al-Fawar r.c. and 4 villages nr. Hebron, and 1 village each nr. Jenin and Nablus at night; patrols in 2 villages nr. Hebron at night. In East Jerusalem, Israeli security forces raid Haram al-Sharif and assault a number of worshippers, causing no serious injuries. At the same time, some 30 Jewish activists enter the area. (MNA, WAFA 4/22; PCHR 4/24)
A meeting between Israeli and Palestinian negotiators, with U.S. Special Envoy Indyk, ends without progress. PA Pres. Abbas tells Israeli journalists in Ramallah that he has 3 conditions for continuing negotiations beyond the 4/29 deadline: the release of the 4th group of Palestinian prisoners, including Palestinian citizens of Israel, a settlement construction freeze, and a pledge that the 1st 3 mos. of extended talks focus on the borders of a future Palestinian state. In addition, the PA cabinet concludes in its weekly meeting in Ramallah that the demarcation of borders based on the 1967 lines is the key to future successful negotiations. However, an Israeli official tells AFP on condition of anonymity that “he who makes such conditions does not want peace.” Meanwhile, Palestinian chief negotiator Erakat dismisses the possibility of the PA being dismantled, but says that Israel’s actions “have annulled all the legal, political, security, economic, and operational aspects of the prerogatives of the PA.” (AFP, HA, JP, WAFA 4/22)
A PLO delegation arrives in the Gaza Strip for talks with Hamas officials about national unity. The delegation includes independent Palestinian parliamentarian Mustafa Barghouti. Azzam al-Ahmad of Fatah, Bassam al-Salhi of the People’s Party, businessman Munib al-Masri, and Palestinian Arab Front leader Jamil Shehadeh. Ahmad says that the group came to Gaza “to address the formation of a national consensus govt., elections, and restructuring the PLO to maintain Palestinian unity so we can dedicate our efforts to confronting Israeli occupation.” Hamas PM Ismail Haniyeh welcomes the group, saying that “we must conclude national reconciliation and end the division so we can have one govt., one political national agenda, and one system.” (MNA 4/21; AFP, REU 4/22)
PA PM Rami Hamdallah meets with the Jordanian minister of industry and trade Hatem Hilwani to discuss economic issues, especially the challenges of development in Area C of the West Bank. Hamdallah highlights the importance of Amman’s support, especially in light of current economic and political difficulties. (WAFA 4/22)
Director-Gen. Ahmet Üzümcü of the OPCW says that the Syrian govt. has disposed of more than 86% of its total chemical weapons stockpile. (AP 4/22)
