Friday, January 31, 2020

In the West Bank, Israeli forces violently dispersed Palestinian protests of the U.S. administration’s peace plan throughout the West Bank for the 4d day in a row: 1 Palestinian was shot by live ammunition at the Qalandia checkpoint; 1 was injured by live ammunition in Nabi Salih; 1 was hit with a tear gas canister to her face near Tubas; and others suffered rubber-coated bullet and tear-gas related injuries. A Palestinian family started demolishing their own home in Abu Dis to avoid exorbitant Israeli demolition fees. Israeli settlers uprooted 700 apricot and almond tree seedlings in Sabastiyya; Israeli settlers also broke windows of a Palestinian-owned home in Madama. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces stormed the Haram al-Sharif compound, leading to clashes with worshippers; 10 people were reported injured by rubber-coated bullets and 3 were arrested. In Gaza, for the 3d consecutive day, Israeli forces struck targets in Gaza. Subsequently, 2 rockets were fired at Israel; 1 was intercepted and the other landed in an open area, causing no damage or injuries. 14 Palestinians were injured by Israeli forces as they were protesting near the Gaza fence, including 10 who were hit by live ammunition. 1 minor Palestinian succumbed to wounds sustained during the Great March of Return protest on 10/11/19. This brings the death toll stemming from the Great March of Return to 231. (AJ, MEMO, WAFA, WAFA, WP 1/31; HA 2/1; PCHR 2/6)

The Israeli defense minister Naftali Bennett ordered a ban on all Palestinian agricultural imports to Israel, effective on 2/2. (HA, WAFA 1/31)