The IDF fatally shoots a 17-yr.-old Palestinian boy throwing stones at troops in Balata r.c.; fires on residential areas of Khan Yunis, wounding 2 Palestinian girls (ages 3 and 12) in their homes; fires on stone-throwing Palestinians nr. Nablus, injuring 5; conducts arrest raids, house searches nr. Dayr al-Balah, Hebron, Jenin, Nablus, Ramallah, Tulkarm; continues bulldozing operations in Bayt Hanun, demolishing 2 Palestinian homes; starts bulldozing Palestinian agricultural land for construction of a new road fr. Erez Crossing to the e. of Bayt Lahia. Palestinians fire a Qassam rocket at the Negev, causing no damage or injuries. (VOI 7/19 in WNC 7/21; PR 7/21; PCHR, PM 7/22)
To calm protests in Gaza, Arafat named Brig. Gen. ‘Abd al-Raziq al-Majayda as head of public security for the West Bank and Gaza, making him Musa Arafat’s superior. The AMB, National and Islamic Higher Coordinating Comm. for the Intifada (NIHC) say the change is insufficient, only true reforms and halt to corruption will improve conditions in Gaza. Qurai‘says his resignation stands. (BBC, MM 7/19; AN, al-Quds 7/18 in WNC 7/21; NYT, WP, WT 7/20; JAZ, SA, VOP 7/20 in WNC 7/22; SA 7/21 in WNC 7/23; PR 7/23; MEI 7/23)