The Palestine Chronology

Anonymous Israeli officials say that 2 wks. ago, Abbas, under heavy Quartet pressure (especially fr. the U.S.), submitted a proposal for restarting talks that dropped demands that Israel halt settlement construction but demanded that Israel release in exchange 100 Palestinian prisoners jailed since before the Oslo process began. Israel rejected this on the grounds that (1) it would replace 1 precondition with another, and (2) it was vague about whether the talks that would result would be preparatory talks or direct negotiations between Abbas and Netanyahu. There is no official Palestinian, U.S., or Quartet comment on this. Another Israeli official says that Israel is concerned that if talks do not resume by 1/26/12, Abbas would resume Palestinian statehood efforts at the UN, including seeking membership in various UN organizations. (HA 12/28, 1/1)

Late at night, unidentified Palestinians fire 4 Qassam rockets fr. Gaza into Israel, causing no damage or injuries. In response, Israeli warplanes carry out 3 air strikes on a smuggling tunnel on the Rafah border and 1 air strike on a Hamas training site s. of Gaza City; damage but no injuries are reported. In the West Bank, the IDF conducts latenight arrest raids, house searches in Azariyya nr. East Jerusalem, in Hebron, and nr. Tulkarm. Israeli municipal officials in Jerusalem approve construction of another 130 housing units in Gilo settlement, s. of Jerusalem. (PCHR 12/29; YA 12/30; OCHA, PCHR 1/5)

As of this date, Congress has freed up only $40 m. of the $192 m. in humanitarian aid to the Palestinians that was frozen in light of the UN bid (see QU in JPS 162). USAID and the White House are pressuring Congress to release the rest of the money, calling it “in the interest of the Palestinians, Israel and the United States” to ensure continued development “vital to the establishing and strengthening the foundations necessary for a future Palestinian state.” (WP 12/29)

The IDF patrols in 5 villages nr. Jenin and 2 nr. Tulkarm during the day; conducts late-night arrest raids, house searches in and around Tulkarm and nr. Hebron. (PCHR 12/29; OCHA 1/5)

The IDF makes a brief incursion into n. Gaza in the morning to level lands and clear lines of sight along the border e. of Jabaliya r.c., firing on nearby residential areas to keep Palestinians indoors. In Dura and Ithna villages nr. Hebron, the IDF destroys 1 Palestinian home, part of 2 other homes, 9 agricultural pools and irrigation networks, 4 water tanks, and 5 wells, also confiscating 15 water pumps and other agricultural equipment. The IDF also patrols in 3 villages nr. Qalqilya and 1 nr. Jenin in the evening; conducts late-night arrest raids, house searches in Bethlehem and neighboring Dahaysha r.c. Washington Jewish Week reports that in the previous wk., Israel’s Jerusalem Magistrate’s Court rejected 2 lawsuits demanding the eviction of Palestinian families fr. their Silwan homes; the suits were brought by Eldad, an organization seeking to Judaize Jerusalem in part by settling Jews in the predominantly Palestinian neighborhood of Silwan, nr. the Haram al-Sharif/Temple Mount. (WJW 12/22; PCHR 12/29; OCHA 1/5)

At the close of 2 days of talks in Cairo, Fatah’s Abbas and Hamas’s Mishal agree that they will both sit on the comm. that will prepare for the next elections of the PLO’s parliament-in-exile, the Palestinian National Council (PNC), marking a major step toward Hamas joining the PLO. They also agree to form an interim unity government by the end of 1/2012 and to bring elected Hamas-affiliated legislators back into the PA’s parliament, the Palestinian Council (PC), in 2/2012. (NYT, AP, WP, WT 12/23; HA 12/28)

Reports indicate that Hamas is scaling back its presence in Syria because of violence there, but overall feels buoyed by the Arab Spring. Senior Hamas official Mahmud Zahar states that Hamas feels strengthened and validated by the popular support shown for Islamist parties in countries affected by the Arab Spring, suggesting that the new Tunisian model of power-sharing among Islamist and secular nationalist parties could be a model for the Palestinians. (WP 12/22)

IDF troops on the n. Gaza border fire warning shots at Palestinians scavenging for construction materials nr. the border, wounding 1 Palestinian. In the West Bank, the IDF bulldozes 2 storehouses and 2 wells nr. Salfit; conducts late-night arrest raids, house searches in Jenin town and r.c., and nr. Hebron. (PCHR 12/22, 12/29; OCHA 1/5)

Israel denounces the 12/20 statement by Britain, France, Germany, and Portugal at the UNSC, accusing the 4 EU states of interfering in its internal affairs. Israeli FM spokesman Yigal Palmor adds: “We felt that the European statement broke all the diplomatic rules. You aren’t meant to issue such a harsh statement by surprise, without prior consultation.” (NYT 12/22)

Israeli naval vessels fire on Palestinian fishing boats off the n. Gaza coast, forcing them to return to shore. In the West Bank, the IDF conducts arrest raids, searches in Hebron and 1 village nr. Jenin in the morning; patrols in 2 villages nr. Jenin and Qalqilya during the day and in and around Jenin town and r.c. late at night; conducts late-night arrest raids, house searches nr. Nablus. Jewish settlers fr. Kfar Assaf settlement outpost nr. Ramallah set fire to 5 Palestinian cars in nearby Bitin village. (PCHR 12/22; OCHA 12/23)

In light of Jewish settler violence against the IDF on 12/12, the Israeli cabinet approves several measures against right-wing Jewish extremists, including permitting their detention without trial (administrative detention) and trial in military courts, allowing soldiers in the West Bank to arrest them, and banning them fr. entering the West Bank; it does not label them “terrorists,” which would have allowed security forces even greater leeway to act against them. Hrs. later, Israeli police raid a Jerusalem apartment and arrest 6 Israelis for involvement in “recent events” targeting Palestinians and the IDF. In apparent “price-tag” attacks to protest the government moves: Jewish extremists set fire to the Nabi Ukasha mosque in West Jerusalem (Israeli authorities have barred Palestinians fr. using the mosque but have allowed Jewish settlers affiliated with the extremist Kach party to use the courtyard as a playground); Jewish settlers fr. Burkan settlement set fire to 2 Palestinian cars in nearby Salfit; and Jewish settlers fr. Yitzhar set fire to 2 Palestinian cars in nearby Douma village nr. Nablus. (NYT, PCHR, WP, WT 12/15; PCHR 12/22; OCHA 12/23)

Under pressure fr. PA and Jordanian officials, Israel reopens the Mughrabi footbridge to the Haram al-Sharif/Temple Mount (closed on 12/12/11), saying it will reinforce rather than rebuild it. Meanwhile, IDF troops on the Gaza border e. of Gaza City fire on a Palestinian who strays too nr. the border fence while hunting birds, moderately wounding him. IDF troops in the West Bank conduct late-night arrest raids, house searches in al-Fawar r.c. and Bayt Umar, both nr. Hebron. (NYT, PCHR, WP, WT 12/15; PCHR 12/22; OCHA 12/23)

Addressing 10,000s of Hamas supporters in Gaza City to mark Hamas’s 24th anniversary, Hamas acting PM Ismail Haniyeh says that “Today we say it clearly: Armed resistance and armed struggle are the strategic way to liberate the Palestinian land from the sea to the river,” but that if Israel were to turn over the occupied territories, including East Jerusalem, Hamas could take a “temporary” respite “without Israel being recognized and without any concession being made.” Of note: at the rally, the flags of the Arab states are displayed except for Syria’s. (NYT 12/15)

The New York Times runs a long special report on a 6-yr. U.S. investigation of Lebanese Canadian Bank and its suspected role providing financial support to “terrorists.” U.S. officials allege—but refuse to release their evidence—that the investigation revealed that the bank laundered hundreds of millions of dollars fr. Hizballah criminal enterprises and that Hizballah had significant ties to Latin American drug cartels. U.S. investigators say the transactions also revealed a pattern “in which entities tied to Hezbollah have been buying up militarily strategic pieces of property in largely Christian areas” of Lebanon. Hizballah calls the claims “politically motivated propaganda.” U.S. admin. sources say that when the connections first came to their attention in fall 2010, some argued that the Hizballah link should be left unstated, but the admin. changed course (1) after Hizballah forced out Saad Hariri as PM and secured appointment of an ally in his place and (2) when the UN tribunal accused Hizballah of involvement in Rafiq Hariri’s assassination. (NYT 12/14)

With the completion of a section of the separation wall bordering Shu’fat r.c. in East Jerusalem, the IDF closes its Shu’fat checkpoint into Jerusalem and redirects traffic to a new modern checkpoint (begun in 2009 to serve as a future international crossing into Jerusalem). The move leaves more than 50,000 Palestinians living in Shu’fat r.c. and several surrounding Jerusalem suburbs (Ras Shihada, Ras Khamis, al-Salam, and part of ‘Anata) who hold Jerusalem IDs completely isolated fr. Jerusalem. In the West Bank, the IDF clashes with mourners taking part in the funeral for Palestinian activist Mustafa Tamimi (see 12/10), causing no serious injuries; conducts daytime patrols in 3 villages nr. Salfit, 2 nr. Qalqilya, and 1 nr. Jenin; conducts late-night arrest raids, house searches in and around Hebron, in Bethlehem, and in Tulkarm; conducts late-night patrols in 1 village nr. Qalqilya. (PCHR 12/12, 12/15; OCHA 12/16; JPI 12/23)

The Israeli cabinet unanimously approves $160 m. for the next stage of construction of the security fence along the border with Egypt, expansion of detention centers, and increased policing of companies that hire illegal workers. Since 1/2006, nearly 50,000 illegal workers, mostly fr. Eritrea and Sudan, have entered Israel via the Sinai, raising concerns among Israelis that the mounting influx of illegal African workers could undermine Israel’s Jewish character. (NYT, WP 12/12)

The IDF carries out an air strike on a car in a crowded section of Gaza City, assassinating senior al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigade (AMB) mbr. Issam al-Batash and his nephew Subhi al-Batash, a mbr. of Hamas’s armed wing, the Izzeddin al-Qassam Brigades (IQB), wounding 4–6 bystanders; Israel claims the 2 men planned to infiltrate Israel and that Issam al-Batash was involved in plotting an AMB–Islamic Jihad suicide bombing in Elat on 1/29/07. Overnight, in the West Bank, the IDF conducts arrest raids targeting the PFLP in Hebron, arresting 3; the IDF spokesman states that 9 other PFLP mbrs. are arrested in raids in Bethlehem, Jenin, and Qalqilya, but there is no corroboration. During the day, the IDF confiscates 150 d. of Palestinian agricultural land nr. the Gush Etzion settlement bloc nr. Bethlehem. Late at night, the IDF patrols in 2 villages nr. Qalqilya, 1 each nr. Jenin and Salfit. (AP, HA, IDFS, MNA 12/8; JP, NYT, WP 12/9; PCHR 12/15; OCHA 12/16)

Overnight, Jewish settlers set fire to the entrance of a mosque, a car, and a construction vehicle in Burqin village nr. Salfit, moderately damaging the mosque and destroying the 2 vehicles. IDF troops on the n. Gaza border fire warning shots at Palestinians scavenging for construction material in the demolished Erez industrial zone, forcing them to flee. In the West Bank, the IDF conducts late-night arrest raids and house searches nr. Hebron, Tulkarm. (PCHR 12/8, 12/15; OCHA 12/16)

Republican presidential candidates Mitt Romney and New Gingrich address the conservative Republican Jewish Coalition, criticizing U.S. Pres. Barack Obama for his weak and confused foreign policy and mistreatment of Israel. Neither endorses a 2-state solution, even though the Republican Party platform officially supports this. Romney pledges that his 1st trip as pres. would be to Israel. Gingrich promises that he would move the U.S. emb. fr. Tel Aviv to Jerusalem. Republican candidates Michele Bachmann, John Huntsman, Rick Perry, and Rick Santorum also address the forum and promise new approaches to the Middle East but do not go into detail. (NYT, WP 12/8)

Late in the evening, IDF troops on the n. Gaza border nr. Bayt Hanun fire across the border into open areas in the no-go zone, causing no reported damage or injuries. In the West Bank, the IDF demolishes a Palestinian factory nr. Qalqilya and 2 Palestinian homes nr. Hebron; raids the Tulkarm offices of the Hamas-affiliated Change and Reform Party late in the evening, confiscating 3 computers and some documents; conducts daytime patrols in 2 villages nr. Jenin and Qalqilya; conducts late-night arrest raids, house searches in Kafr Qaddum; conducts late-night patrols in 2 villages nr. Jenin and 1 nr. Qalqilya. In East Jerusalem, Israeli municipal officials demolish 2 Palestinian homes in Bayt Hanina and Silwan and level a Palestinian barnyard in al-Bustan. (PCHR 12/8; OCHA 12/9)

IDF troops on the s. Gaza border fire warning shots at Palestinians who enter the demolished Dahaniyya airport site outside of Rafah, forcing them to flee. Israeli naval vessels fire on Palestinian fishing boats off the Gaza coast w. of Rafah in the south and w. of Bayt Lahiya in the north, forcing them to return to shore. In the West Bank, the IDF patrols in 2 villages each nr. Jenin and Ramallah in the morning and 2 villages nr. Qalqilya and 1 nr. Jenin late at night. The IDF also removes mobile homes placed by Jewish settlers nr. Itamar settlement nr. Nablus; soon after, Jewish settlers fr. nearby Elon Moreh settlement retaliate by kidnapping and beating a 63-yr.-old Palestinian man working his land nearby, releasing him after 2 hrs. In a separate retaliatory attack, Jewish settlers beat a Palestinian shepherd nr. Itamar and kill 4 of his sheep. Palestinians and international activists in Khirbat Susia nr. Hebron protest recent IDF attacks on residents; the IDF fires tear gas and stun grenades to disperse them; 4 Palestinians and 1 Danish activist are lightly injured, and 1 Palestinian is arrested for trying to raise a Palestinian flag. (PCHR 12/8; OCHA 12/9)

The IDF patrols in Jenin and nearby ‘Ayn al-Sultan r.c., 2 villages nr. Ramallah, and 1 nr. Salfit in the morning; sends undercover units into Dahaysha r.c. nr. Bethlehem in the afternoon, arresting 1 Palestinian; conducts evening patrols in 3 villages nr. Jenin, 2 nr. Salfit, and 1 nr. Ramallah; carries out latenight arrest raids, house searches in Balata r.c. nr. Nablus, in Hebron, and nr. Bethlehem. (PCHR 12/8; OCHA 12/9)

Iceland recognizes the state of Palestine within 1967 borders. (NYT 11/29)

Israeli naval vessels intercept 3 Palestinian fishing boats off the s. Gaza coast, arresting 12 fishermen, confiscating 2 boats, and releasing 1 fisherman and 1 boat. In the West Bank, the IDF confiscates 12 d. of Palestinian agricultural land n. of Hebron for construction of the separation wall, ordering the owners to remove a well and clear the land of trees within 45 days or face a fine; patrols in 2 villages nr. Ramallah (1 in the morning, 1 late at night); conducts late-night arrest raids, house searches in Nablus, searching a car rental firm, damaging equipment, and confiscating computers, cash, and papers. (PCHR 12/1; OCHA 12/2)

Hamas leader Mishal and PA pres. and Fatah head Abbas meet for 2 hrs. in Cairo to hold the 1st detailed talks since 8/2011 on implementing their 5/2011 national unity deal (see QU in JPS 161). They approve a 2-page document (leaked to AFP on 11/24, which publishes excerpts, but not released publicly) reiterating their commitment to the main elements of the 5/2011 accord, agreeing to observe a truce in the West Bank and Gaza Strip (including halting political arrests), vowing to increase “popular resistance” to oppose Israel’s settlement expansion and construction of the separation wall, and pledging that the factions would agree on the “style” of popular resistance and form “a framework to direct it.” In an interview with AFP later in the day, Mishal clarifies that Hamas believes in both armed and popular resistance, stating “armed struggle is our right. How we use it, and when we use it, is something different.” Mishal and Abbas fail, however, to resolve key issues regarding composition of an interim unity government and elections. Though both call the meeting positive, sources say (e.g., WP 11/25) that the meeting “raised new questions about whether the rivals are serious about working together or just going through the motions.” (AFP 11/24; NHR, NYT, WP, WT 11/25; WP 12/22)

IDF troops on the n. Gaza border fire warning shots at Palestinian farmers working their fields nr. the no-go zone, forcing them to flee. Israeli naval vessels fire on Palestinian fishing boats off the n. Gaza coast, forcing them back to shore. In the West Bank, the IDF troops operating in the Hebron area demolish a mosque, 2 Palestinian homes, a rabbit farm, and a generator and block up a cave used as an agricultural storeroom in Yatta village; demolish 1 Palestinian home, 3 wells, and 3 agricultural storehouses in Ithna village; bulldoze a residential tent and an animal pen in Khirbat Susia. The IDF also patrols in 5 villages nr. Jenin (1 village is entered twice; 3 villages are entered simultaneously) and 3 villages nr. Qalqilya (2 villages are entered simultaneously). (PCHR 12/1; OCHA 12/2)

U.S. Dep. Secy. of State Burns meets with Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu to discuss ways of reviving peace talks with the Palestinians. U.S. officials say that they are trying to find ways around Palestinian demands for a settlement freeze in East Jerusalem and the West Bank, but give no details. (NYT 11/22; JPI 12/2)

The IDF makes a late-night incursion into s. Gaza, patrolling in and firing on residential areas of Rafah, causing no injuries and making no arrests. Israeli naval vessels fire on Palestinian fishing boats off the n. Gaza coast, forcing them back to shore. In the West Bank, the IDF raids and searches the home of a PA police officer nr. Jenin, arresting him; patrols in 7 villages nr. Ramallah, in 1 instance firing rubber-coated steel bullets, tear gas, and stun grenades at stone-throwing Palestinian youths who confront them. (PCHR 11/24; OCHA 11/25)

PA Tourism and Antiquities M Hamdan Taha says that now that Palestine has full membership in UNESCO (see QU in JPS 162), it is planning to seek world heritage status for the old cities of Hebron and Jericho. An application for Bethlehem is already in the works and is expected to have a better chance now that Palestine has membership. The PA also plans to seek recovery of artifacts looted by Israel, increase funds for preservation and excavations, and use its status to force Israel to stop calling West Bank sites “Israeli antiquities.” (WP 11/22)

King Abdallah of Jordan makes an official visit to Ramallah (his 1st in 10 yrs.) to hold talks with PA pres. Abbas on their independent efforts to reconcile with Hamas and personally to inform Abbas that Jordan has invited Damascus-based Hamas leader Khalid Mishal (barred fr. visiting Jordan since 1999) for an official visit to Amman. The king stresses that any improvement in ties with Hamas is not intended as a move against the PA or as a gesture to Jordan’s Islamist opposition. The U.S. reportedly has expressed displeasure to Jordan over the Mishal visit and hinted that U.S. aid could be cut if Jordan reconciles with Hamas. (NYT, WP 11/22; JPI 12/2)

U.S. Dep. Secy. of State William Burns meets with PA Pres. Mahmud Abbas to urge him to revive peace talks with Israel and delay formation of a unity government with Hamas. (CNN 11/21)

The IDF conducts morning patrols in Qalqilya, Salfit, 2 villages nr. Jenin, and 1 village each nr. Jericho and Tulkarm; fires tear gas, stun grenades to disperse a funeral procession nr. Hebron, causing no serious injuries; conducts late-night arrest raids, house searches in and around Jenin and in Salfit; conducts late-night patrols in Jericho, 2 villages each nr. Ramallah and Tulkarm, and 1 nr. Salfit. Jewish settlers in Hebron attack the home of a Palestinian released in the prisoner swap deal that freed captured IDF soldier Gilad Shalit in 10/2011, hang posters urging that he be killed, vandalize a grocery store owned by a relative; the Palestinian, Hani Jaber, had been sentenced to life in prison for fatally stabbing a settler in 1993. The incidents spark several clashes between the settlers and local Palestinians in which settlers attack and vandalize several more Palestinian homes; the IDF intervenes, separating the sides. (WP 11/21; PCHR 11/24; OCHA 11/25)

The IDF patrols in 3 villages nr. Ramallah in the morning; makes a morning raid into Tulkarm city to search the homes of at least 2 mbrs. of the Palestinian Authority (PA) security forces; raids Dura nr. Hebron in the afternoon, rearresting a Palestinian released in the 10/2011 prisoner swap for IDF Cpl. Gilad Shalit (see Quarterly Update [QU] in JPS 162); patrols in 1 village nr. Jenin in the afternoon. Late at night, the IDF conducts synchronized patrols and 1 arrest raid in 3 villages s. of Jenin late at night; separate patrols in 1 village nr. Ramallah; and an arrest raid nr. Hebron. (PCHR 11/24; OCHA 11/25)

A Hamas-appointed lower court in Gaza rules that 2 major banks in Gaza, the Bank of Palestine and Palestine Islamic Bank, must pay 10s of millions of dollars in fines and back fees for refusing to recognize the Hamas authority’s power to levy tax, instead remitting taxes to the West Bank PA. Bank officials boycott the hearings and say they may simply shut down to avoid paying. The ruling is seen as precedent setting and possibly applicable to Gaza’s 6 other banks, as well as companies that import fuel and electricity and operate cell phones. (NYT 11/18)

IDF troops on the n. Gaza border fire warning shots at Palestinian farmers working their land nr. the border fence, forcing them to flee. In the West Bank, the IDF conducts daytime patrols in Tulkarm, 2 villages nr. Jenin, and 1 nr. Ramallah; conducts late-night patrols in 1 village nr. Qalqilya; conducts other late-night arrest raids nr. Hebron. The IDF also conducts late-night raids on the homes (in al-Nabi Salih and 2 nr. Ramallah) of 3 Palestinians released in the Shalit prisoner swap, summoning them for questioning. (PCHR 11/17; OCHA 11/18)

Unidentified Palestinians fire 1 rocket fr. Gaza into Israel, causing no damage or injuries; in response the IDF carries out an air strike on a Hamas training post in Khan Yunis, causing no damage or injuries. In the West Bank, the IDF confiscates 4 d. of Palestinian agriculture land nr. Hebron for expansion of a settlers-only bypass road; raids a house in Hebron, firing stun grenades and live ammunition, wounding and arresting 1 Palestinian; searches several abandoned houses and photographs an old mosque in Kafr Qaddum nr. Qalqilya; conducts 3 synchronized morning patrols in 2 villages nr. Ramallah, 2 villages nr. Tulkarm, and 3 nr. Jenin; conducts other morning patrols in 1 village nr. Salfit and late-night patrols in 2 villages nr. Qalqilya, 2 nr. Ramallah, and 1 nr. Salfit. Jewish settlers in Hebron set fire to 3 Palestinian vehicles. (PCHR 11/17; OCHA 11/18)

Obama Middle East adviser Ross announces at a lunch with Jewish leaders that he will resign effective 12/2011 to return to work at the pro-Israel Washington Institute for Near East Policy. Sources say his decision reflects “the diminishing chances for a breakthrough in either Iran or the Arab-Israeli peace process” before the 2012 presidential elections. (NYT, WP 11/10)

In retaliation for Israeli air strikes on 11/8, unidentified Palestinians fire 2 rockets fr. Gaza into Israel, causing no damage or injuries. Israeli naval vessels detain a Palestinian fishing boat off the c. Gaza coast, confiscating the boat, detaining 1 man who is a mbr. of the Palestinian naval police, questioning and releasing 2 others. In the West Bank, the IDF conducts afternoon patrols in 1 village nr. Jericho and 2 nr. Ramallah (firing rubber-coated steel bullets, stun grenades, and tear gas at stone-throwing youths in 1 case, causing no serious injuries); patrols in Tulkarm late at night; conducts latenight arrest raids, house searches nr. Hebron. (XIN 11/9; PCHR 11/17; OCHA 11/18)

IDF troops make a brief incursion into n. Gaza nr. Bayt Lahiya for unknown reasons and are engaged by a Hamas border patrol unit, causing no initial casualties; the IDF troops call in artillery fire, directing at least 4 shells at the surrounding area (forcing local farmers to flee, injuring 2 civilians, and damaging a civilian vehicle), and deploy drones and helicopters to chase and fire missiles at Hamas mbrs., firing at least 3 missiles that kill 2 IQB mbrs. and cause some collateral damage. In the West Bank, the IDF takes down several electricity poles supplying bedouin encampments nr. Havat Maon unauthorized settlement outpost nr. Hebron, stating that no permit was obtained to expand electricity services; patrols in Tulkarm in the morning and 1 village nr. Ramallah late at night. (PCHR 11/17; OCHA 11/18)

In a rare interview with Israeli TV, Abbas states, “It was our mistake. . . . It was an Arab mistake as a whole” to reject the 1947 UN partition plan to divide historic Palestine into a Jewish and a Palestinian state. (NYT 10/29)

The IDF conducts daytime patrols in Tulkarm and 1 nearby village, Dura nr. Hebron (firing percussion grenades and unleashing attack dogs to chase off stone-throwing youths; 1 dog attacks a man outside his home, moderately injuring him), 2 villages nr. Jenin, and 1 nr. Ramallah; conducts late-night patrols in Beitunia nr. Ramallah. The weekly demonstrations by Palestinians and international activists in Bil‘in for a 4th week express solidarity with Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails, calling for the release of Fatah’s Barghouti and the PFLP’s Sa‘adat. In al-Nabi Salih and Ni‘lin, Palestinians and international activists rally in support of the Palestinian statehood bid at the UN. Demonstrations by Palestinians in Kafr Qaddum protest Israeli land seizures. In all 4 cases, IDF soldiers fire rubbercoated steel bullets, tear gas, and stun grenades at the protesters, injuring 1 Palestinian in Bil‘in. (PCHR 11/3; OCHA 11/4)

The IDF conducts late-night arrest raids, house searches in Hebron. Jewish settlers attack Palestinians harvesting olives nr. Salfit, stealing their olives and tools and driving them away. (PCHR 10/20, 10/27; OCHA 10/28)

The IDF patrols in 2 villages nr. Tulkarm in the morning (setting up a flying checkpoint and randomly checking Palestinian IDs in 1 village); raids a car repair shop in Barta‘a village nr. Jenin in the afternoon, confiscating 10s of cars with Israeli license plates; conducts latenight arrest raids, house searches in Hebron. (PCHR 10/20; OCHA 10/21)

Palestinians rally in solidarity with prisoners in Israeli jails, and clash with the IDF at a demonstration outside Ofer military prison nr. Ramallah; no serious injuries are reported. Palestinian students and teachers fr. Cordoba Elementary School in Hebron hold a sit-in at an IDF checkpoint on al-Shuhada Street to protest new IDF demands that they submit to searches before proceeding to the school (see 10/13); the IDF fires tear gas and beats the protesters to disperse them, lightly injuring 3 children. The IDF conducts predawn patrols in Qalqilya and 1 village nr. Tulkarm; patrols in 1 village nr. Qalqilya in the afternoon; conducts latenight patrols in open areas e. of Qalqilya, in Jenin, and in nearby Burqin village. (WP 10/17; PCHR 10/20; OCHA 10/21)

The IDF levels 30 d. of Palestinian agriculture land nr. Salfit for the expansion of a settlement outpost, moving 4 mobile homes onto the site; conducts 2 sets of synchronized late-night patrols in 8 villages southwest of Jenin and 3 northeast of Jenin, without searching homes or making arrests. Jewish settlers in Hebron attack and vandalize the Cordoba Elementary School (see 10/11) while classes are in session, violently beating teachers who bar them fr. entering the school; the IDF observes but does not intervene. (PCHR 10/20; OCHA 10/21)

In Hebron, Palestinians protesting the treatment of Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails throw stones at IDF troops, who respond with rubber-coated steel bullets, tear gas, and percussion grenades; during the mêlée Israeli undercover units grab and beat a Palestinian teenager, shooting and wounding him with live ammunition as he attempts to flee. The IDF also conducts late-night arrest raids in and around Hebron, in Tulkarm and nearby Nur Shams r.c., and nr. Jenin. (PCHR 10/13, 10/20; OCHA 10/21)

Israel announces it has signed a prisoner swap agreement in Cairo with Hamas, which agreed to free IDF soldier Gilad Shalit (captured on the Gaza border in 6/2006). In return, Israel will release around 1,027 Palestinian prisoners in 2 stages: the 1st 450 Palestinians would be exchanged for Shalit within a wk.; the remaining 550 or so Palestinians would be freed within 2 mos. In Gaza, 1,000s pour into the streets to celebrate. (NYT, WP, WT 10/12; NYT, WP 10/13; NYT 10/17, 11/6)

Unidentified Palestinians fire a Qassam rocket fr. Gaza into Israel, causing no damage or injuries. In the West Bank, IDF troops in Hebron violently beat a group of Palestinian children and teachers who refuse new IDF demands to submit to searches before crossing a permanent checkpoint in al-Shuhada Street to reach the Cordoba Elementary School, moderately injuring 7 children (ages 10–15). The IDF also demolishes a newly constructed mosque in Khirbat Yazra nr. Tubas; demolishes 2 Palestinian homes and an animal pen belonging to a bedouin family outside Qalqilya; conducts synchronized latenight patrols in 2 villages nr. Qalqilya. (YA 10/11; PCHR 10/13; OCHA 10/14)

The IDF makes a brief incursion into s. Gaza to level land and clear lines of sight along the border e. of al-Qarara. IDF troops on the n. Gaza border fire warning shots at Palestinian farmers working their land nr. the border fence, forcing them to flee but causing no injuries. Israeli naval vessels fire on Palestinian fishing boats off the n. Gaza coast, forcing them to return to shore. In the West Bank, the IDF demolishes a Palestinian house under construction nr. Bethlehem; patrols in Tulkarm in the morning; patrols in 2 villages nr. Qalqilya in the afternoon; conducts late-night arrest raids, house searches nr. Hebron (including in al-‘Arrub r.c.), Jenin, and Qalqilya (arresting 4 Palestinian children ages 15–17). In 2 separate incidents, Jewish settlers fr. Karnei Shomron nr. Qalqilya chase off Palestinians harvesting olives nearby; the IDF intervenes both times, removing the settlers but barring the Palestinians fr. resuming the harvest. (PCHR 10/13; OCHA 10/14)

In 2 separate incidents, IDF troops on the n. Gaza border fire warning shots at Palestinian farmers working fields nr. the border fence, forcing them to flee but causing no injuries. Israeli naval vessels fire on Palestinian fishing boats off the c. Gaza coast, forcing them to return to shore. In the West Bank, the IDF bars Palestinian farmers fr. reclaiming a plot of agricultural land northwest of Hebron, confiscating a bulldozer; the Dutch government had funded the project by the Agricultural Development Association to develop the land. The IDF also conducts 2 sets of synchronized patrols in 2 villages nr. Tulkarm in the afternoon and in 3 villages e. of Qalqilya in the evening; conducts late-night patrols in w villages nr. Jenin and Qalqilya. (PCHR 10/13; OCHA 10/14)