Israel lifts full closure on West Bank imposed 7/26, allows 12,000 Palestinian workers fr. the West Bank into Israel. (QY 7/29 in FBIS 7/29; WP 7/30)
In an attempt to tighten Israel's links to disputed lands, Israeli Infrastructure M Sharon orders plans be executed to build 2 highways through the West Bank, build 2 bridges to the Golan Heights, expand highway running the length of the West Bank along the Jordan Valley. PA, Labor Ms call order an act of defiance, against the Oslo agmts. (MM 7/29; QY 7/29 in FBIS 7/29; MM, NYT 7/30; WP 7/31; JP, YA 7/31 in FBIS 7/31)
PM Netanyahu meets with mbrs. YESHA settlers' council in the West Bank, says he approves of their expansion plans but makes no commitments. 4 of the 7 representatives who left YESHA 7/22 attend the mtg. (IDF Radio, QY 7/29 in FBIS 7/30; MM, NYT 7/30; CSM, WP 7/31; CSM 8/2)
2 Hizballah mbrs. are killed in s. Lebanon in clash with IDF. (VOL 8/1 in FBIS 8/2)