December 16, 2009

For the 1st time since 11/23, Palestinians fire 2 rockets fr. Gaza into Israel, causing no damage or injuries; the IDF does not retaliate—an indication that Israel believes the cease-fire pledge that Hamas secured fr. the other Gaza factions on 11/21 is generally holding. In the West Bank, the IDF conducts late-night house searches in Dahaysha r.c. nr. Bethlehem and nr. Qalqilya, making no arrests. Jewish settlers fr. Shilo nr. Ramallah, escorted by IDF troops, attack Palestinian farmers working their fields nearby; the soldiers order the farmers to leave the area. (OCHA, PCHR 12/23; YA 12/30)