In the Gaza Strip, IDF troops open fire on Palestinian farmers close to the border fence nr. Khan Yunis, causing no injuries. In a separate incident, IDF troops fire a shell at farmland nr. Khan Yunis, starting a fire. In the West Bank, the IDF conducts house searches and arrest raids in 1 village and al-Jalazun r.c. nr. Ramallah, and 1 village nr. Hebron at night; patrols in Hebron and Tulkarm in the afternoon, and in 3 villages and ‘Ayn al-Sultan r.c. nr. Jericho, 2 villages nr. Jenin, and 1 village nr. Hebron at night. Meanwhile, Palestinian land owners and activists build a tent village s. of Bethlehem in an area threatened with confiscation. (WAFA 5/31; PCHR 6/5)
PA Pres. Abbas says he expects the unity govt. to be announced on 6/2, in remarks he makes to a group of French peace activists in Ramallah. He also says the govt. will be composed of independents and technocrats, and will maintain existing PA policies. Meanwhile, the Israeli media reports that Israeli officials have informed Abbas all contact with the PA will be severed once the unity govt. is sworn in, though security coordination will continue. (HA, MNA, REU 5/31)
Gunmen kill 6 Egyptian soldiers during a routine patrol in the western desert area of al-Wahat. Authorities say the attackers were smugglers and “outlaws.” Meanwhile, Abbas telephones Egyptian pres.-elect al-Sisi to congratulate him for his election victory. (REU, WAFA 5/31)