The Palestine Chronology

In the Gaza Strip, IDF troops violently disperse 2 separate groups of Palestinian protesters, injuring 3 with live ammunition nr. the Erez border crossing and 4 nr. Shuja‘iya. Separately, Israeli soldiers fire live ammunition at Palestinian farmers approaching the border fence nr. Khan Yunis, causing no injuries. Meanwhile, the Gaza power plant shuts down, having exhausted its fuel reserves. Scheduled power outages increase from 12 to 18 hours a day, on average, with all electricity consumed having been purchased from Israel and Egypt. Meanwhile, Hamas prevents 37 children orphaned during OPE from attending a 1-week publicity tour to Israel and the West Bank sponsored by an Israeli nongovernmental organization, saying that the trip’s goal was normalization. In the West Bank, an 8-year-old Palestinian from Nabi Salih is moderately injured when a leftover Israeli sound bomb explodes in his hand. IDF troops raid a school in a village s. of Bethlehem. Later, Israeli forces raze agricultural land in a village s. of Nablus, then set up earth mounds in the area in preparation for military exercises. The IDF also conducts house searches and arrest raids nr. Nablus, Jenin, and Ramallah, as well as Askar r.c. and Jenin r.c.; patrols nr. Tulkarm, Hebron, Jenin, and Jericho. An Israeli settler hits a 7-year-old Palestinian boy with his car, moderately injuring him, before fleeing the area s. of Hebron. PA security forces conduct a late-night raid n. of Ramallah and arrest 1 Palestinian journalist. (MNA, NYT, WAFA 12/28; EI, MNA 12/29; YA 12/30; PCHR 12/31; OCHA 1/2)

Senior Hamas official Abu Marzuq criticizes the Palestinian leadership for amending the proposed UNSC res. without consulting Hamas. Meanwhile, U.S. Secy. of State Kerry calls PA Pres. Abbas and asks him to delay the submission of the amended res. until after the Israeli elections on 3/17/2015. (MNA, TOI 12/28; HA, TOI 12/29; ALM 12/30)

In the Gaza Strip, Israeli forces shoot and kill 1 Palestinian mbr. of Hamas’s military wing and injure 2 others in a cross-border firefight nr. Khan Yunis. The Palestinian fighters shoot and severely injure an Israeli soldier during the exchange. In the West Bank, a Palestinian man is found dead in Jericho with several stab wounds. Clashes break out between stonethrowing Palestinian youth and Israeli soldiers at a checkpoint nr. Hebron; dozens of Palestinians suffer from tear gas inhalation. More clashes break out nr. Hebron and Nablus, where 2 Palestinians are moderately injured. Israeli forces demolish 400 m of stone walls in a village nr. Nablus and 2 agricultural buildings nr. Hebron. IDF troops arrest 4 Palestinians at a checkpoint nr. Jenin; conduct house searches and arrest raids in and around Nablus and Hebron, as well as nr. Ramallah. Israeli settlers enter Salfit to perform religious rites, and settlers separately open fire on PA police officers nearby. Israeli settlers attack a Palestinian construction worker in Hebron, lightly injuring him. PA security forces conduct raids across the West Bank and detain 14 mbrs. of Hamas. In East Jerusalem, Israeli authorities return the bodies of the 2 Palestinians who were killed after attacking a synagogue in West Jerusalem on 11/18. Israel punitively held the bodies for over a mo. Israeli security forces clash with stone-throwing Palestinians in Issawiyya, and 1 Palestinian child is injured with a rubber-coated metal bullet. Israeli forces conduct arrest raids in Issawiyya, Sur al-Bahir, and al-Tur, where they also demolish 2 residential structures and a barn. (AP, HA, IMEMC, JP, MNA, TOI, WAFA, YA 12/24; HA, MEMO, WAFA 12/25; PCHR 12/31)

The World Bank transfers $31.6 m. to the PA via the Palestinian Reform and Development Plan Trust Fund. The money was donated by Australia, the UK, and Norway and will fund, among other things, emergency needs in Gaza. (WAFA 12/24; MNA 12/25)

Israeli authorities approve the construction of 380 new residences in the East Jerusalem neighborhoods of Har Homa and Ramot, as well as a separate plan for 1,850 residences in Arnona. (AFP, HA, IMEMC, WAFA 12/24)

In the Gaza Strip, Israeli forces conduct a limited incursion along the border fence nr. Khan Yunis to level land. In the West Bank, over 10,000 people attend a funeral procession in Ramallah for the Palestinian killed by Israeli soldiers on 12/15, and a general strike is held in the surrounding villages. IDF troops clash with stone-throwing Palestinians during a raid of a village w. of Jenin, and several Palestinians suffer from tear gas inhalation. Israeli soldiers later detain a Palestinian at a mobile checkpoint nr. Jenin. Separately, Israeli forces deliver stopwork orders to 4 homes under construction nr. Bethlehem and patrol nr. Tulkarm. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces arrest 6 Palestinians in Silwan during raids and house searches, as well as 2 Palestinian youths on their way home from school. After the 12/15 killing of a Palestinian in Qalandia, right-wing Jewish activists enter Haram al-Sharif early in the morning. Also, clashes break out in various neighborhoods around East Jerusalem and 3 Palestinians are arrested. (MNA, WAFA 12/16; IMEMC 12/17; PCHR 12/18)

A day ahead of the Palestinians’ promised submission of their draft res. to the UNSC, various Palestinian, U.S., EU, Arab, and Israeli officials meet to discuss their options. PA FM al-Maliki meets with French FM Fabius, and he offers to back the French draft UNSC res. if a couple of critical amendments are made. Separately, U.S. Secy. of State Kerry flies to London to hold talks with senior PLO official Saeb Erakat and PA intelligence chief Majid Faraj, and later with an Arab League delegation. Kerry asks the Palestinians to delay submitting their draft so he can conduct further meetings with PA Pres. Abbas. Russian Dep. FM Mikhail Bogdanov reiterates Russia’s support for the Palestinian UNSC res. during a meeting with Palestine’s Amb. to Russia Fayed Mustafa in Moscow. (AFP, HA, MNA, NYT, TOI, WAFA 12/16)

The Israeli Defense Ministry and the U.S. military conduct a 2d test of the Arrow-3 antiballistic missile system, designed to defend Israel from hypothetical Iranian nuclear weapons, but the test fails. (HA, TOI 12/16; AFP 12/17)

In the Gaza Strip, IDF troops e. of al-Bureij r.c. arrest 2 Palestinians attempting to cross the fence into Israel after firing warning shots. Off the coast nr. al-Sudaniyya, Israeli naval forces detain 12 Palestinian fishermen and confiscate 5 of their boats. Around 20 Palestinian youth volunteer to help clean up the European Hospital in Khan Yunis as the hospital sanitation workers continue their strike for a 4th day. In the West Bank, Israeli settlers throw stones at Palestinian homes in Hebron while Israeli soldiers stand by. At the al-Karama crossing into Jordan, the IDF arrests a Palestinian Al-Quds University prof. The IDF conducts arrest raids and house searches nr. Hebron, Ramallah, and Bethlehem; patrols in Hebron and 1 village each nr. Jenin and Salfit. In East Jerusalem, 5 Israeli settlers board an Egged bus and assault its Palestinian driver, causing him moderate injuries before Israeli police intervene. (MNA, WAFA 12/6; MNA 12/7; IMEMC 12/9; PCHR 12/10)

Palestinian prisoners threaten to go on a hunger strike if the Israeli Prison Service does not meet demands of a fellow prisoner, Nahar al-Sa‘adi, who has been on hunger strike since 11/20 in protest of a lack of family visits and his year-long solitary confinement; 70 of them begin a strike on 12/9. (MNA 12/6, 12/9)

In the Gaza Strip, Egyptian authorities open the Rafah border crossing for 9 hours, only allowing Palestinians in Egypt to enter Gaza. Off the coast nr. Rafah on 2 occasions, Israeli naval forces open fire on Palestinian fishing boats, causing no damage or injuries. IDF troops along the n. border of Gaza arrest a Palestinian youth attempting to enter Israel, his father, and 1 other family mbr. E. of Khan Yunis, IDF troops open fire on agricultural land nr. the border fence, causing no injuries. In the West Bank, Israeli troops deliver stop-work orders to 2 Palestinians in Bayt Umar. The IDF conducts house searches and arrest raids nr. Ramallah, Salfit, Hebron, and Nablus; patrols nr. Ramallah, Jenin, Tulkarm, and Qalqilya. In East Jerusalem, around 50 right-wing Jewish activists, accompanied by dozens of Israeli security troops, tour Haram al-Sharif. Separately, Israeli soldiers detain a Palestinian woman nr. the Old City and arrest 1 Palestinian on a raid of his home in Jabal Mukabir. In West Jerusalem, a small group of Jewish Israelis assaults a Palestinian man nr. the Old City, leaving him moderately injured. (IMEMC, MNA, WAFA 11/30; MEMO, MNA 12/1; PCHR 12/4)

Israeli authorities decide to hold the Fatah secy.-gen. in Jerusalem in administrative detention for 5 mos. He and his brother were arrested on 11/24. (MNA 11/30)

At a press conference in Gaza City, Hamas spokesperson Sami Abu Zuhri says that the PA unity govt.’s 6-mo. interim term has expired and that a national dialogue should resume to determine the future of national unity. Senior Fatah official Faisal Abu Shahla disputes Abu Zuhri, saying that there never was an agreement that the unity govt. would only last 6 mos. (MNA 11/30; IMEMC 12/1)

Off the coast of the Gaza Strip nr. Rafah, Israeli naval forces open fire on Palestinian fishing boats, causing damage but no injuries. Israeli forces conduct a limited incursion to level land close to the border fence nr. Khan Yunis. In the West Bank, a Palestinian stabs to death an Israeli settler and injures 2 others nr. Alon Shvut settlement. The attacker is shot and wounded by a private settlement security guard. The IDF conducts house searches and arrest raids in 1 village each nr. Hebron, Nablus, Qalqilya, and Ramallah; patrols in 2 villages each nr. Hebron and Ramallah, and 1 village each nr. Jenin and Qalqilya. Israeli settlers clash with Palestinian villagers in Hawara nr. Nablus, causing no serious injuries. Separately, Israeli settlers nr. Nablus vandalize more than 30 Palestinian vehicles. In Tel Aviv, a Palestinian stabs and kills an Israeli soldier at a train station. The assailant is arrested. (HA, JP, MNA, YA 11/10; PCHR 11/13)

The IDF conducts approximately 100 strikes on targets across the Gaza Strip, killing 14 Palestinians in Bayt Hanun, Rafah, Khan Yunis and Dayr al-Balah. Hospitals in Gaza report a serious shortage of medicines and equipment, particularly for trauma injuries. Palestinians fire around 100 rockets and mortar shells into Israel, causing damage and seriously wounding 2 children in the bedouin village of Lakia. Iron Dome batteries intercept 15 of the projectiles. In addition, al-Qassam Brigades fly a drone into s. Israel along the coast nr. Ashdod, and the Israeli Air Force (IAF) shoots it down. In the West Bank, IDF troops shoot and kill a 22-year-old Palestinian civilian in clashes nr. Hebron. In Bayt Umar nr. Hebron, IDF troops shoot and injure 2 Palestinians in another confrontation. Separately, IDF troops detain 11 Hamas parliamentarians in Nablus, Jenin, and Salfit. (AFP, AP, HA, JP, MNA, REU 7/14; PCHR 7/15)

Following a meeting of Arab League FMs in the evening, Egypt’s Foreign Ministry proposes a cease-fire to start the next day, followed by talks in Cairo. The Arab League welcomes the proposal. An Israeli official says that PM Netanyahu will discuss the proposal the following day with his security cabinet. (AFP, AP, HA, JP, MNA, REU 7/14)

A rocket launched from inside Lebanon hits n. Israel, causing no damage or injuries, the 4th such attack in recent days. IDF troops respond with artillery shells. (REU 7/14)

In the Gaza Strip, Palestinians fire 2 rockets into s. Israel, causing light damage but no injuries. Subsequently, the IDF launches 5 air strikes, targeting military sites used by PRC and al-Qassam Brigades, in which 1 man is injured. In addition, IDF troops conduct a limited incursion to level land alongside the border fence nr. Khan Yunis, while separately, the IDF says that an explosive device is uncovered nr. the border fence. In the West Bank, IDF troops shoot and wound 1 Palestinian in ‘Askar r.c. nr. Nablus during a raid. Separately, IDF troops shoot and wound 1 nr. Nablus during a raid. Meanwhile, IDF troops demolish 7 houses across the s. West Bank: 3 in al-Khadir nr. Bethlehem and 4 nr. Hebron, leaving 7 families homeless. The IDF conducts house searches and arrest raids in Hebron and 8 nearby villages, Nablus and nearby ‘Ayn Bayt al-Ma’ r.c. and 5 villages, 3 villages nr. Ramallah, and Jenin r.c. at night. (HA, MNA, YA 6/18; PCHR 6/19)

Israeli PM Netanyahu praises the security forces for the arrest of 53 former prisoners, who were released in the Shalit exchange deal in 2011 and recaptured as a part of OBK. An estimated 240 Palestinians have now been detained since the start of the operation, 180 of them affiliated with Hamas, according to Israeli media reports. Pres. Abbas condemns those behind the kidnapping, comments denounced by Hamas spokesperson Abu Zuhri. U.S. State Dept. spokesperson Psaki praises Abbas’s remarks, saying the administration is calling on Israelis and Palestinians to “show restraint during this difficult period.”

In the Gaza Strip, armed Palestinians fire 4 rockets into s. Israel, causing no damage or injuries. The IDF responds with 8 air strikes in the Gaza Strip, targeting military training sites belonging to Hamas’s Izzeddin al-Qassam Brigades, Islamic Jihad’s al-Quds Brigades, and the Popular Resistance Comms. (PRC) in the c. Gaza Strip, Rafah, and Khan Yunis. Damage is sustained, and 2 civilians are wounded when they are hit by shrapnel in separate attacks. Off the coast nr. Bayt Lahiya, Israeli naval forces open fire on Palestinian fishermen, causing no damage or injuries. Meanwhile, a 10-year-old boy dies, succumbing to injuries sustained in an Israeli air strike on 6/11. In the West Bank, the IDF conducts house searches and arrest raids in Ramallah and 8 villages nearby, Nablus and 4 villages and ‘Askar r.c. nearby, Tulkarm and 3 villages and Nur Shams r.c. nearby, Tubas and 1 village and al-Fara‘a r.c. nearby, Jenin and 1 nearby village, Jericho and ‘Ayn al-Sultan r.c. nearby, 1 village each nr. Qalqilya and Jerusalem, and al-Bireh at night; patrols in 2 villages nr. Jericho, 1 village nr. Ramallah at night. Jewish settlers stone Palestinian vehicles nr. Nablus, injuring 3 and causing damage. Separately, Jewish settlers throw stones at Palestinians and their homes in Susia nr. Hebron. (HA, JP, MNA 6/14; PCHR 6/19)

Israeli PM Netanyahu announces that the Israeli govt. holds the PA responsible for the fate of the 3 missing Israeli teenagers, since “the terrorists originated from Palestinian territory.” Anonymous PA officials tell the media that Abbas has instructed his security services to help in the manhunt. Meanwhile, the IDF continues intensive sweeps of the s. West Bank, and wideranging arrest raids, which pick up 80 Palestinians, including 4 mbrs. of the Palestinian Legislative Council (PLC). The IDF also imposes a closure on the s. West Bank, from Bethlehem to the Hebron region. IDF sources tell the media that the working assumption is that the youth are alive. (HA, JP, MNA, YA 6/15)

In the West Bank, IDF troops shoot and kill a Palestinian at a checkpoint s. of Nablus. According to the Israeli military, the man 1st opened fire on soldiers, wounding 1, but his family denies the claim. IDF troops demolish a car wash in Hizma village nr. Jerusalem, and barns in Silwan, East Jerusalem. They also demolish a small house nr. Bethlehem. The IDF conducts house searches and arrest raids in Jenin and in 2 villages nr. Tulkarm. In the Gaza Strip, IDF troops target 2 military training sites, one nr. Gaza City and the other nr. Khan Yunis, causing no injuries. (HA, MNA, REU, WAFA 6/2; PCHR 6/5)

PA Pres. Abbas swears in the new national unity govt. in Ramallah, after final disagreements between Fatah and Hamas are resolved. The 18 ministers, including a secy. with ministerial rank but no portfolio, take an oath of office in a televised ceremony, though 4 are participating via teleconference from the Gaza Strip because Israel denied their entry into the West Bank. Abbas announces that the govt.’s principal task is to organize elections within 6 mos., and that preparations will begin immediately. Following a meeting of Israel’s security cabinet, which was called to coordinate a response, Netanyahu’s office issues a statement that says Israel will work against the inclusion of Hamas candidates in the planned Palestinian elections, while refusing to negotiate with the Palestinians as long as a Hamas-backed unity govt. is in power. U.S. State Dept. spokesperson Psaki announces that the Obama administration intends to work with the new PA unity govt. She cites a phone call between U.S. Secy. of State Kerry and Abbas over the weekend, in which Abbas assured Kerry that the new govt. would be committed to the principles of nonviolence, recognition of the state of Israel, and acceptance of previous agreements. (AFP, HA, JP, MNA, REU, YA 6/2)

A mortar shell fired from Syria lands in the occupied Golan Heights, causing no injuries. In response, IDF troops fire an antitank missile back into Syrian territory. No damage or casualties are reported. (AP, HA, MNA 6/2)

In the Gaza Strip, IDF troops open fire on Palestinian farmers close to the border fence nr. Khan Yunis, causing no injuries. In a separate incident, IDF troops fire a shell at farmland nr. Khan Yunis, starting a fire. In the West Bank, the IDF conducts house searches and arrest raids in 1 village and al-Jalazun r.c. nr. Ramallah, and 1 village nr. Hebron at night; patrols in Hebron and Tulkarm in the afternoon, and in 3 villages and ‘Ayn al-Sultan r.c. nr. Jericho, 2 villages nr. Jenin, and 1 village nr. Hebron at night. Meanwhile, Palestinian land owners and activists build a tent village s. of Bethlehem in an area threatened with confiscation. (WAFA 5/31; PCHR 6/5)

PA Pres. Abbas says he expects the unity govt. to be announced on 6/2, in remarks he makes to a group of French peace activists in Ramallah. He also says the govt. will be composed of independents and technocrats, and will maintain existing PA policies. Meanwhile, the Israeli media reports that Israeli officials have informed Abbas all contact with the PA will be severed once the unity govt. is sworn in, though security coordination will continue. (HA, MNA, REU 5/31)

Gunmen kill 6 Egyptian soldiers during a routine patrol in the western desert area of al-Wahat. Authorities say the attackers were smugglers and “outlaws.” Meanwhile, Abbas telephones Egyptian pres.-elect al-Sisi to congratulate him for his election victory. (REU, WAFA 5/31)

In the Gaza Strip, IDF troops open fire on Palestinian farmers close to the border fence nr. Khan Yunis, causing no injuries. Off the coast nr. al-Sudaniyya, Israeli naval vessels open fire on Palestinian fishermen, injuring 1. In the West Bank, a Palestinian man is arrested at Tapuach Junction nr. Nablus while wearing an explosive belt. Reports in the Israeli media suggest the individual was acting alone. The IDF conducts house searches and arrest raids in 1 village nr. Jenin in the morning, and in 1 village each nr. Hebron and Tulkarm at night; patrols in 1 village nr. Ramallah in the afternoon, and in 3 villages each nr. Hebron and Ramallah at night. IDF troops violently disperse Palestinian, Israeli, and international protesters at weekly demonstrations against Israel’s separation wall, settlements, and occupation in 3 villages nr. Ramallah (Bil‘in, Nabi Salih, and Ni‘lin), and 1 village each nr. Bethlehem (al-Ma‘sara), Qalqilya (Kafr Qaddum), and Salfit (Kafr al-Dik). There are no serious injuries, except in Bil‘in, where 1 is hit with a tear gas canister, and Ni‘lin, where 1 is hit by a bullet. Meanwhile, a car driven by an Israeli settler nr. al-Ram is hit by small arms fire, according to the Israeli army, causing no injuries. (HA, MNA, REU 5/30; PCHR 6/5)

U.S. State Dept. spokesperson Jen Psaki says that the U.S. has not invited PA PM Hamdallah to Washington, contrary to a claim made by senior Fatah official al-Ahmad. Al-Ahmad reportedly says also that the Obama administration plans to recognize the new PA unity govt., but Psaki denies the comments. Meanwhile in Gaza, Hamas PM Ismail Haniyeh says that the final disputes about the formation of the unity cabinet are “under control” and there is “no turning back.” (JP, MNA 5/30; JP 5/31)

Off the coast of the Gaza Strip nr. Rafah, Israeli naval vessels arrest 2 fishermen and confiscate their boats. In a separate incident off the coast nr. Khan Yunis, Israeli naval vessels open fire on Palestinian fishermen, causing no damage or injuries. In the West Bank, IDF troops clash with Palestinians in Yatta village nr. Hebron during a morning arrest raid, wounding 1 Palestinian with a tear gas canister. The IDF conducts house searches and arrest raids in 1 village nr. Hebron in the afternoon, and in 1 village each nr. Jenin and Tulkarm at night; patrols in 2 villages nr. Ramallah and 1 village nr. Tulkarm in the morning, and in 2 villages each nr. Hebron, Jenin, and Tulkarm at night. (MNA 5/20; PCHR 5/22)

In the Gaza Strip, IDF troops open fire on agricultural lands nr. Khan Yunis close to the border fence, wounding 1 child collecting grass. Meanwhile, Israeli soldiers open fire on a Palestinian fisherman on the beach nr. al-Sudaniyya, wounding him. In the West Bank, a Palestinian man dies of a heart attack following a raid of his home in Hebron by Israeli soldiers. The IDF conducts house searches and arrest raids in Aida r.c., 3 villages nr. Bethlehem, Hebron, 2 villages nr. Hebron, and 1 village nr. Jenin at night. Also, the IDF patrols in 1 village nr. Jericho in the morning, 1 village nr. Ramallah in the afternoon, 2 villages each nr. Hebron and Jenin, ‘Ayn al-Sultan r.c. nr. Jericho, and 1 village each nr. Ramallah and Salfit at night. (MNA 5/17; PCHR 5/22)

Israeli FM Avigdor Lieberman says that PA Pres. Mahmud Abbas is not a partner for peace, and also that the U.S. administration is “wrong about the settlements,” in comments to Israeli television reporters. Lieberman frames the latter dispute as a fallout between “good friends,” but says that the Israeli govt. must present an “alternative” to the current framework for talks. (HA, ToI 5/17)

Senior Hamas official Musa Abu Marzuq announces that Hamas and Fatah have reached an agreement on the ministers who will make up the PA’s new unity govt. Abu Marzuq says that Fatah official Azzam al-Ahmad is expected to return to the Gaza Strip within days for further discussions. Separately, Hamas spokesperson Fawzi Barhoum urges Abbas not to give in to Israeli pressure with regard to the unity govt. (JP 5/17)

In the Gaza Strip, IDF troops open fire on Palestinians collecting scrap metal close to the border fence nr. Bayt Hanun, wounding 1. Separately, IDF troops open fire on agricultural areas nr. Khan Yunis, causing no injuries. In the West Bank, the IDF conducts house searches and arrest raids in Dahaysha r.c. and 1 village nr. Bethlehem, and in 1 village each nr. Jenin and Qalqilya at night; patrols in 1 village each nr. Bethlehem and Salfit in the morning, in 1 village each nr. Jenin, Ramallah, and Tulkarm in the afternoon, and in al-Fawar r.c. and 4 villages nr. Hebron, in 2 villages nr. Jenin, 1 village each nr. Bethlehem and Ramallah, and in Qalqilya at night. Jewish settlers chop down around 70 almond and olive trees and grape vines nr. Hebron. (MNA, WAFA 5/11; PCHR 5/15)

The IDF declares the area around the Qunaytra crossing in the occupied Golan Heights a closed military zone, after intense fighting in the area between Syrian govt. and opposition forces. (HA, REU 5/11)

Gunmen shoot and kill 1 Egyptian soldier and injure another in al-Jura village nr. Shaykh Zuwayd in n. Sinai. (MNA 5/11)

In the Gaza Strip, Israeli forces open fire on an open area nr. Bayt Hanun, causing no damage or injuries. Off the coast nr. Khan Yunis, Israeli naval vessels open fire on Palestinian fishermen, causing no damage or injuries. In the West Bank, the IDF clash with Palestinians in Hebron, wounding 4 with rubber-coated metal bullets. Meanwhile, Palestinians throw Molotov cocktails at a vehicle driven by a Jewish settler nr. Nablus, causing no injuries. The IDF conducts house searches and arrest raids in Hebron and 1 village nr. Ramallah at night; patrols in Hebron and 2 nearby villages and 1 village nr. Qalqilya in the afternoon, and in Jenin and 2 villages each nr. Hebron and Qalqilya at night. (MNA 3/17; PCHR 3/20)

PA Pres. Abbas meets with U.S. Pres. Obama in the White House, with the American leader urging both Abbas and Israeli PM Netanyahu to take “risks” for peace. In a joint press conference, Abbas says that a scheduled Israeli release of Palestinian prisoners would indicate Netanyahu’s commitment to the peace negotiations. (AFP, HA 3/17)

U.S. Secy. of State Kerry announces a new special envoy for Syria, with career diplomat Daniel Rubinstein succeeding the retired Robert Ford. (AP 3/17)

In the Gaza Strip, IDF troops open fire on farmers working on agricultural land close to the border fence nr. Khan Yunis, causing no injuries. Separately, IDF troops conduct a limited incursion nr. Bayt Hanun to level land. In the West Bank, the IDF demolishes 5 Palestinian-owned structures in Khirbet Yerza in the Jordan Valley, displacing 5 families. The IDF conducts house searches and arrest raids in 1 village and Jalazun r.c. nr. Ramallah, and in Nablus, at night; patrols in Hebron and 2 nearby villages in the afternoon, and in 1 village each nr. Hebron and Jenin. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces demolish 5 structures belonging to the Bedouin al-Jahalin community in al-‘Izzariya, displacing 55. (MNA, WAFA 2/17; PCHR 2/20)

Iran’s Amb. to Moscow Mehdi Sanaei says that Tehran is looking to commission Russia to build a 2d nuclear power reactor in exchange for oil shipments, and that negotiations over the exchange began when Russian pres. Vladimir Putin met with Iranian pres. Hassan Ruhani in 9/2013. Meanwhile, Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei tells a crowd in Tabriz, n. Iran, that while he does not oppose continued talks with the international community, he does not believe they will lead anywhere. (AFP, REU 2/17)

Jordanian soldiers shoot and kill a gunman who opened fire on their position while attempting to cross the border from Syria. (AP 2/17)

Egyptian forces shoot and kill 5 fighters reportedly connected to “terrorist” groups in Shaykh Zuwayd and Rafah in n. Sinai, according to military sources. Meanwhile, security forces also destroy 21 tunnels under the border with the Gaza Strip. (MNA 2/18)

In the Gaza Strip, Israel Defense Forces (IDF) troops open fire on open land nr. Khan Yunis, causing no injuries. In the West Bank, IDF troops conduct house searches and arrest raids in 1 village each nr. Hebron, Jenin, Nablus, and Salfit at night; patrols in 1 village each nr. Hebron and Salfit, and in Qalqilya and 1 nearby village in the afternoon, in 3 villages and al-‘Arub refugee camp (r.c.) nr. Hebron and 2 villages nr. Ramallah at night. (PCHR 2/20)

Palestinian Authority (PA) Pres. Mahmud Abbas tells a group of visiting Israeli students in Ramallah that he does not seek to “flood Israel” with millions of Palestinian refugees or to change the country’s “social composition.” Meanwhile, at an Al Jazeera event in Oxford, UK, Palestinian chief negotiator Saeb Erakat warns that Palestinians will call for a boycott of Israel and turn to international tribunals if the negotiations fail. (MNA, REU, YA 2/16)

In Egypt, a bomb explodes on a bus in Sinai, killing 2 South Korean tourists and the local driver, and wounding 12. Ansar Bayt al-Maqdis claims responsibility, and says that a suicide bomber executed the attack. (AP, REU 2/16; JTA 2/17; REU 2/18)

The Free Syrian Army (FSA) announces that it has replaced its leader, Gen. Selim Idriss, with Col. Abdelilah al-Bashir, a decision prompted by “the ineffectiveness of the command in the past few mos.,” according to an FSA statement issued following a meeting in Gaziantep, Turkey. Meanwhile, Syrian FM Walid Muallem accuses the U.S. of creating a “negative climate” for dialogue at the 2d round of talks in Geneva, as the Syrian delegation returns from Switzerland to Damascus. U.S. Secy. of State Kerry praises the opposition’s “seriousness of purpose,” and criticizes the Syrian govt. for stalling in Geneva and attacking civilians in Syria. On the Syria-Jordan border, 10 gunmen from Syria open fire on Jordanian troops as they patrol, according to a Jordanian military spokesperson. The soldiers return fire, wounding 7 and arresting 3, while suffering no injuries. (AP, REU 2/16)

Hizballah’s leader, Shaykh Hasan Nasrallah, says that his group intends to stay and fight in Syria because Lebanon is threatened by Takfiri groups. He also urges Arab nations to help a process of Syrian national reconciliation. (DS 2/16)

In the Gaza Strip, Palestinians fire 3 rockets into s. Israel, causing no damage or casualties. Israeli forces conduct a limited incursion nr. Khan Yunis to level land. Israeli forces at the border fence also open fire on land nr. al-Qarara village, causing no injuries. There are also 3 separate incidents of Israeli naval vessels opening fire on Palestinian fishermen off the coast of the Gaza Strip nr. Bayt Lahiya, causing no damage or injuries. In the West Bank, the IDF opens fire with live ammunition on al- ‘Arub r.c. residents during clashes sparked by a raid, wounding 1. Meanwhile, IDF troops uproot around 120 palm trees nr. Jericho because they were not allowed to be planted in Area C. Separately, the Red Cross announces it has suspended the supply of tents to Palestinians displaced by Israel in the Jordan Valley, in protest at the IDF’s confiscation of the materials. The IDF patrols in 4 villages nr. Tulkarm in the morning, in Hebron and nearby al-‘Arub r.c., and 1 village nr. Jenin in the afternoon, and in 1 village each nr. Jenin and Nablus at night. Jewish settlers attack Palestinian farmers in Qusra village nr. Nablus, causing no injuries. (JP, MNA, WAFA 2/6; PCHR 2/13)

Palestinian chief negotiator Erakat meets with U.S. envoy Martin Indyk in Jericho, but no details about the contents of discussions are made public. Meanwhile, EU foreign affairs chief Ashton expresses “deep concern” about Israel’s decision to build 558 new settlement housing units in East Jerusalem. (HA, MNA 2/6)

In the Gaza Strip, Israeli forces shoot and wound a Palestinian nr. Dayr al-Balah close to the border fence after an explosion targets an Israeli military jeep, causing no injuries. Separately, Israeli forces open fire on farmland nr. Khan Yunis, causing no injuries, and in another incident, Israeli forces conduct a limited incursion nr. Bayt Hanun and search the area adjacent to the border fence before withdrawing. In the West Bank, the IDF conducts house searches and arrest raids in 2 villages nr. Hebron, and 1 village each nr. Jenin and Tulkarm at night; patrols in 2 villages nr. Jenin and in Tulkarm in the morning, 1 village nr. Qalqilya in the afternoon, and in 6 villages nr. Jenin and 3 villages nr. Hebron at night. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces demolish a total of 4 Palestinian homes, 2 each in the al-Isawiyya and Bayt Hanina neighborhoods. (AFP, MNA 1/27; PCHR 1/30)

A dispute escalates between Israeli PM Netanyahu and Economy and Trade Minister Naftali Bennett, with Netanyahu condemning his colleague for “irresponsible” comments, a reference to Bennett’s reported attack on the PM’s suggestion Israeli settlers could live under Palestinian rule. (HA, ToI 1/27)

The Israeli Air Force attacks a warehouse of S-300 missile launchers in the Syrian city of Latakia, according to Syrian opposition groups cited in Israeli media. The Syrian govt. neither confirms nor denies the alleged strike. (JP 1/27)

Egypt’s Supreme Council of the Armed Forces gives DM Sisi approval to run for pres., an election he is widely expected to win. (REU 1/27)

In the Gaza Strip, Palestinians fire 6 rockets toward s. Israel. Each is intercepted by the Iron Dome battery, except 1, which lands in an open area, causing no injuries. In response, the Israeli Air Force strikes 4 targets in the n. Gaza Strip, moderately wounding 1 woman and 4 children who were hit by shrapnel. Separately, Israeli forces conduct a limited incursion nr. Khan Yunis to level land. Off the coast nr. Bayt Lahiya, Israeli naval vessels open fire on fishermen on 2 occasions, causing no damage or injuries. In the West Bank, the IDF shoots and wounds 1 Palestinian in Aida r.c. in Bethlehem, during clashes between dozens of youth and soldiers positioned at the n. entrance to the camp. IDF troops conduct house searches and arrest raids in 1 village nr. Hebron in the afternoon, and in Hebron and 4 nearby villages, and 1 village nr. Jenin at night; patrols in 2 villages nr. Hebron and in Jenin and Jenin r.c. at night. Jewish settlers set fire to a mosque in Dayr Istya village nr. Salfit, leaving “price-tag” graffiti. Meanwhile, a group of Palestinians open fire on an Israeli vehicle nr. Nablus, causing damage but no injuries. (AFP, HA 1/15; MNA, PCHR, ToI 1/16)

In comments delivered after a meeting of PLO leaders in Ramallah, PLO Secy.-Gen. Rabbuh says that the peace process with Israel has reached an impasse and accuses Netanyahu of “deception and fraud.” Another PLO official Tayseer Khaled says that the demand to recognize Israel as a Jewish state is “dangerous.” (JP 1/15)