Gaza remains relatively quiet. IDF troops on the s. Gaza border fire on Palestinians inspecting damaged homes in Khuza, wounding 1 Palestinian. Palestinian smugglers work to clear and repair tunnels on the Rafah border, estimating their operations will be “back to normal” within a month. Israel allows 204 truckloads of humanitarian aid and commercial goods into Gaza and lifts the ban on foreign journalists entering Gaza, though they must sign a document saying they will not sue Israel should they be injured. The UN estimates 15,000 Gazans are still seeking refuge in UN shelters. In the West Bank, the IDF conducts late-night arrest raids, house searches in Issawiyya (arresting 16 teenagers and a 20-yr.-old) and nr. Jenin, Nablus. (PCHR 1/29)
Thursday, January 22, 2009