In the West Bank, the IDF conducts house searches and arrest raids in 1 village and Dahaysha r.c. nr. Bethlehem at night; patrols in 2 villages nr. Tulkarm in the morning, and in al- ‘Arub r.c. and 1 village nr. Hebron, and 1 village nr. Tulkarm at night. Meanwhile, IDF troops uproot dozens of trees in Dayr Istya village nr. Salfit. (MNA 1/23; PCHR 1/30)
The UN-sponsored conference on peace in Syria continues into a 2nd day, with no sign of compromise from either side. Syrian FM Muallem says the priority is ending terrorism, and insists on Pres. Asad’s legitimacy. Meanwhile, Syrian opposition leader Jarba calls on the Syrian govt. to sign the 6/30/12 Geneva Communiqué, an international agreement which called for political transition in Syria. (AFP, REU 1/23)
Gunmen kill 5 Egyptian police officers and wound 2 at a checkpoint s. of Cairo. (AFP 1/23)