Sunday, June 22, 2014

In the West Bank, Israeli border police shoot and kill a 26-year-old Palestinian in ‘Ayn Bayt al-Ma’ r.c. nr. Nablus, during an overnight raid. Meanwhile, a group of Palestinians in Ramallah gather to protest PA-Israel security collaboration, leading to clashes with PA security forces in which 1 bystander is killed and 2 protesters are wounded. The IDF conducts house searches and arrest raids in Nablus, Balata r.c., ‘Askar r.c. and 1 nearby village, 3 villages nr. Jenin, Hebron and al-‘Arub r.c. and 1 village nearby, and Tulkarm at night. Israeli settlers open fire on Palestinians nr. Ramallah, causing no injuries. Separately, settlers open fire on Palestinians gathered in al-Bireh for a funeral, injuring 1. (HA, MNA 6/22; HA 6/23; PCHR 6/26)

The PA issues a statement announcing it has begun official procedures to request an emergency session of the UNSC in response to the ongoing Israeli operation in the West Bank, citing “collective punishment,” 5 Palestinian deaths to date, and more than 400 arrests. Meanwhile, Russia’s UN Amb. Vitaly Churkin proposes a statement to the UNSC that would condemn the Israeli operation, but it is not agreed on. Jordan’s UN reps. insist on stronger language, and U.S. Amb. to the UN Samantha Power says that agreeing to any statement criticizing Israel would be a “red line” for the U.S. (JP, MNA 6/22; AP 6/23; PCHR 6/26)

In the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights, an antitank projectile fired from inside Syrian territory kills 1 Israeli civilian, a 13-year-old child, and wounds 2 others. The targeted vehicle was delivering water for the Israeli Ministry of Defense. In response, Israeli tanks fire at Syrian army positions. Later, Israeli forces launch land and air strikes at 9 Syrian army positions, killing 4 and injuring 9, according to the Syrian Foreign Ministry. Israeli DM Moshe Ya’alon says that the Syrian govt. is responsible for the attack, adding that Israel will “respond aggressively and harshly against any provocation and violation of our sovereignty.” (AP, HA, JP, REU 6/22; AP, HA, REU, YA 6/23)