May 25, 2014

In the Gaza Strip, IDF troops open fire on Palestinians collecting raw materials close to the border fence nr. Bayt Hanun, wounding 1. In the West Bank, IDF troops level land nr. Salfit and distribute confiscation orders. The IDF conducts house searches and arrest raids in al-Fawar r.c. nr. Hebron at night; patrols in 2 villages nr. Salfit and 1 village nr. Hebron in the afternoon, as well as in 2 villages nr. Salfit and 1 village nr. Hebron at night. (MNA 5/25; PCHR 5/29)

Pope Francis visits the West Bank and then Israel, conducting a mass in Bethlehem where he refers directly to the “state of Palestine.” The pope also makes an unscheduled stop at the separation wall in Bethlehem and spends a few moments praying there. (HA, REU 5/25)