Today, two settlers were arrested by Israeli police in the Yitzhar settlement, south of Nablus, after finding knives, gloves, masks and other materials in their car. They were on suspicion of trying to attack Palestinians.

Israeli government pardoned 75 Fatah fighters. Israel said that the pardon came as an act of good will as Muslims are marking the Eid al-Adha Muslim feast. All of the pardoned fighters have laid down their arms.

The Pal-Home news website reported, also on Wednesday, that senior Palestinian security sources announced the arrest of a cell, reportedly affiliated with the Hamas movement, and that cell members were planning to assassinate Nablus governor, and to conduct bombings.

In addition, The Israeli government voted for handing control of the northern sector of the village of Ghajar, in the border with Lebanon, to the UN Interim Force deployed along the border with Israel to keep the peace. Once a withdrawal date is set, the cabinet will vote again to grant a final approval for the redeployment of Israeli force.

Also today, an Israeli official presented an offer to Egypt to release a spy detained by Cairo in exchange for releasing a number of Egyptian detainees. The Egyptian Ambassador answered that he will present the proposal to official at the Egyptian government.

In addition Palestinian Legislators, Ayman Daraghma, was released by Israeli Prison Authorities on Tuesday.

On Tuesday at dawn, Islamic Jihad Fighters Clash With Israeli Troops in Gaza while Israeli troops were trying to enter in the strip. After the exchange, Israeli troops were reportedly forced to withdraw to the Kisufim military base.
On Tuesday night, three Palestinians were arrested while they were trying to extinguish a fire caused by settlers in the village of Khibert Safa, in the northwest of Hebron.

Separate reports issued today point to footage contradicting recent arson allegations, broadcast in Israeli media, that international activists and Palestinian farmers set fire to "state land" in Saffa valley, near Beit Ummar, last October 7th.
Agency France-Presse reported that Jerusalem Mayor, Nir Barkat, presented on Tuesday morning, a controversial new city planning policy for East Jerusalem, which entails demolishing several homes.

In the US, it was reported that on Sunday, a meeting of the left-wing advocacy group 'Jewish Voice for Peace' in San Francisco was attacked by right-wing Zionists from 'SF Voice for Israel' who, wrapped in an Israeli flag, harassed and intimidated meeting attendees, pepper spraying two attendees at point-blank range causing their skin to be burned.


That sums up our news for today, thank you for joining us from occupied Bethlehem, you have been listening to Palestine Today, from International Middle East Media Center. For more updates, please visit our website at www.imemc.org. This report has been brought to you by Husam Qassis and Ane Irazabal.