Israeli forces conduct raids in al-Ram village, sparking clashes with stone-throwing Palestinians; 1 Palestinian child is struck in the chest with an unidentified projectile and killed. Palestinian witnesses say he was killed by live ammunition. The Israeli authorities later dispute the nature of the child’s death, arguing that no live fire was used in the clashes. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces demolish a Palestinian home under construction in Bayt Hanina and 4 commercial buildings and a residential structure in Silwan; arrest a West Bank Palestinian 2 days after his release from prison, alleging that he was planning a “terrorist” attack; arrest 3 other Palestinians during late-night raids in Issawiyya; and demolish several Palestinian graves nr. Haram al-Sharif for undisclosed reasons. In the West Bank, the IDF continues its closure of Hebron and the surrounding district that was put in place on 7/1. IDF troops arrest 9 Palestinians and issue 1 arrest summons during house searches and raids nr. Hebron, as well as nr. Ramallah and Bethlehem; and patrol nr. Jenin, Salfit, and Hebron throughout the day. Meanwhile, Israeli settlers set fire to a Palestinian home in Duma nr. Nablus, causing damage and 1 light injury. Along Gaza’s border, Israeli forces conduct a limited incursion to level land nr. al-Bureij r.c. Off Gaza’s n. coast, Israeli naval forces open fire on Palestinian fishing boats, injuring 1 fisherman. (HA, MNA, TOI, WAFA 7/19; WAFA 7/20; PCHR 7/21)
Israel’s Knesset passes into law, 62–45, the so-called Suspension Bill, allowing 70 MKs, including 10 from the opposition, to initiate a procedure that would suspend 1 of their colleagues. The new draft would still require 90 MKs’ support to effect a suspension. (HA, NYT 7/19; HA, JP, MNA, YA 7/20)