Although CPTers observe fewer episodes of abuse at checkpoints than they had in some months, Israeli soldiers and border police perpetrated at least two serious incidents: a beating on 8 August and a shooting on 26 August. Israeli settlers encroached on land in the Beqa'a Valley. Settler sponsored tours continued regularly through the souq (market) on Saturday afternoons, even in the midst of Ramadan crowds. Ramadan, the Muslim holy month of fasting and prayer began on August 22 and continued into the following month.