May 6, 2005

The IDF imposes a curfew on Silat alDahir, searches Palestinian vehicles; conducts arrest raids, house searches in alRashayda nr. Bethlehem. 2 Jewish settlers fr. Halamish uproot olive trees on nearby Palestinian land, fire in the air and beat a Palestinian who attempts to stop them; the IDF brings the settlers in for questioning later, but releases them. In Rafah, 8 Palestinians are injured in fist-fights and stonethrowing exchanges btwn. Fatah, Hamas supporters over claimed irregularities in the 5/5 municipal elections. (IMEMC 5/6, 5/7; VOP 5/8 in WNC 5/9; PCHR 5/12)