The IDF largely maintains the closure of Hebron and the surrounding district in place since 7/1. Elsewhere in the West Bank, IDF troops conduct raids nr. Ramallah, arresting 1 mbr. of the Hamas-affiliated student group at nearby Birzeit University and sparking multiple clashes with stonethrowing Palestinians (14 Palestinians are injured). IDF troops arrest 2 Palestinians during late-night raids nr. Qalqilya, and patrol during the day nr. Hebron. Meanwhile, IDF troops shoot and injure a Palestinian after he attempts to intervene in their arrest of another Palestinian at a checkpoint n. of Jerusalem. The soldiers say the injured Palestinian was carrying a knife. Israeli forces demolish 3 water wells during raids in the Hebron area. In East Jerusalem, Palestinian youths throw an explosive device at Israeli forces on a patrol in Issawiyya overnight, causing no injuries. The Israeli police then impose a military closure on the neighborhood, erecting mobile checkpoints and searching Palestinian vehicles. Meanwhile, Israeli police shoot and injure a Palestinian in Shu‘fat r.c. after he attempts to break up a neighboring family's quarrel. The police say they suspected him of having a knife. Israeli forces also arrest a Palestinian on a late-night raid in Silwan. (MNA, TOI, WAFA 7/14; MNA, TOI 7/15; MNA 7/18; PCHR 7/21)
Thursday, July 14, 2016