The IDF makes a brief incursion into n. Gaza to bulldoze land along the border fence nr. Bayt Hanun. In the West Bank, the IDF conducts synchronized late-night house searches in Jenin town, r.c., and nearby Qabatya, making no arrests. Later at night, the IDF stages arrest raids and house searches in Barta‘a village nr. Jenin. Armed Jewish settlers fr. Suissa settlement nr. Hebron beat a Palestinian shepherd grazing her flock nearby and attempt to steal her sheep; another Palestinian intervenes and is also beaten, but the settlers leave without the sheep. Around 10 Jewish settlers ambush a Palestinian car driving on the Ramallah–Nablus road, smash its front window, injuring the driver, who is given medical attention by the IDF. A Hamas-affiliated PA prisoner dies in custody in Nablus; the PASF claims the man committed suicide, but the family and human rights organizations demand an independent investigation. (OCHA, PCHR 8/13)
Monday, August 10, 2009