April 17, 2010

Israel imposes a general closure on the West Bank through 4/20 for Israel’s memorial and independence days. In the West Bank, the IDF enters Bayt Umar nr. Hebron at midday to break up a demonstration in support of Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails, firing rubber-coated steel bullets, tear gas, and beating some demonstrators, seriously injuring 2 teenagers. The IDF also conducts synchronized late-night arrest raids in Aida r.c., al-Azza r.c. and al-Duha village nr. Bethlehem; conducts separate late-night arrest raids, house searches in ‘Askar r.c., Hawara, and al-Thawri neighborhood in East Jerusalem. (OCHA, PCHR 4/22)