The IDF sends troops into Gaza nr. the Sufa crossing to level land in search of tunnels. Also in Gaza, angry Palestinians storm the Egyptian legation in Gaza City, demanding that Egypt release 5 Palestinians it has jailed without charge for 3 yrs. after they illegally entered Egypt seeking medical treatment (Egypt claims they are Hamas mbrs.); PA police force demonstrators out of the building, firing in the air, causing no injuries; Egypt denounces the incident. In the West Bank, the IDF patrols, fires on residential areas of Bita nr. Nablus, detaining 3 Palestinian teenagers who threw stones at the troops; conducts arrest raids, house searches in and around Bethlehem, nr. Tulkarm, and in Balata r.c., Nablus. In Hebron, unidentified gunmen fire on the home of the local PSF head, causing damage but no injuries. Palestinian schoolteachers hold a 1-day strike to protest the PA’s failure to pay their salaries. (NYT 5/1; OCHA 5/2; PCHR 5/3)
Monday, April 30, 2007