Saturday, February 4, 2017

A Hamas fighter suffers fatal injuries in an “accidental explosion” in n. Gaza, according to Gaza’s Ministry of Health. After he dies on 2/5, Hamas will say he was injured during unspecified “preparations.” Along Gaza’s border, IDF troops open fire on Palestinian farmers working nr. Gaza City. Off Gaza’s coast, Israeli naval forces open fire on Palestinian fishing boats nr. Bayt Lahiya, Rafah, and twice nr. Jabaliya r.c. No injuries are reported in any of these incidents. In the West Bank, IDF troops arrest 5 Palestinians during raids in Qalqilya, Hebron, and nr. Nablus, and patrol nr. Jenin, Nablus, Ramallah, Salfit, and Hebron. Dozens of Israeli settlers enter Huwwara village nr. Nablus and throw stones at Palestinian vehicles. When they start targeting homes, Palestinian residents drive them from the village. In Israel, around 5,000 Palestinians and Israelis demonstrate in protest against the recent demolitions in Qalanswa and Umm al-Hiran. (MNA, WAFA 2/4; HA, MNA 2/5; PCHR 2/9)

The Israeli authorities return to his family the corpse of the Palestinian killed on 1/25 during an alleged vehicular attack nr. Ramallah. (MNA 2/5)