In the Gaza Strip, Israeli forces conduct a limited incursion nr. Khan Yunis and level land. In the West Bank, the IDF conducts house searches and arrest raids in 2 villages nr. Nablus and 1 village nr. Tulkarm at night; patrols in 1 village nr. Hebron in the afternoon. (MNA 1/28; PCHR 1/30)
PA Pres. Abbas says he is willing to accept an Israeli military presence in the West Bank for a 3-year transition period, in the context of a peace deal. He makes the remarks in an interview screened at a security conference in Tel Aviv. (HA, REU 1/28)
U.S. Pres. Obama gives his State of the Union address. In it, he pledges to veto any legislation that would threaten talks with Iran and reassures Israel that the U.S. will always be “at their side.” (See document D2 in JPS 171 for extended excerpts of Obama’s speech.) (REU 1/28)