Friday, November 20, 2015

In the West Bank, IDF troops clash with and violently disperse Palestinian, Israeli, and international activists at Friday demonstrations against the increased Israeli crackdown and the occupation in villages nr. Ramallah, Bethlehem, and Qalqilya, injuring 44 Palestinians. Israel continues closures of Palestinian areas, shutting down the entrances to 4 villages nr. Nablus. In the evening, IDF troops enter a village n. of Hebron, clashing with stone-throwers and firing tear gas at them; several Palestinians suffer from tear gas inhalation. Other Israeli troops in the village raid 2 homes, arresting 2 Palestinians and issuing summons to 2 others. The IDF conducts additional raids around Dura nr. Hebron and in al-‘Arub r.c. nearby, arresting 16 Palestinians; patrols during the day in the Salfit, Hebron, and Tulkarm areas. Also nr. Salfit, Israeli settlers throw stones at a Palestinian taxi driver and cause minor damage. Unrest continues in Gaza, as IDF troops open fire on protesters gathering along the e. and s. border fences, injuring 29 Palestinians. E. of Jabaliya, Israeli forces open fire on agricultural land along the border fence, causing no injuries. In East Jerusalem, Palestinian youthsthrow stones at Israeli forces in Anata r.c., sparking minor clashes that injure 4 Palestinians. (MNA 11/20; PCHR 11/26)