The IDF conducts synchronized, latenight arrest raids, house searches in 3 villages nr. Bethlehem; conducts additional late-night arrest raids, house searches in Balata r.c., Nablus. Jewish settlers in Hebron vandalize nearby Palestinian homes; the IDF fires on Palestinians who defend their properties, seriously wounding a 14-yr.-old boy with a gunshot to the head. In Gaza, an estimated 300,000 Hamas supporters attend a rally in Gaza City celebrating Hamas’s 21st anniversary. From Damascus, Hamas leader Khalid Mishal says that the movement will not renew the 6-mo. Gaza cease-fire when it expires on 12/19. Later, however, Hamas’s Gaza leadership says that it is willing to consider an extension; meets with reps. of other factions to discuss extending the truce. (NYT, WP 12/15; PCHR 12/18)
Sunday, December 14, 2008