The Palestine Chronology

In the West Bank, a Palestinian man is crushed to death in line at a checkpoint nr. Tulkarm, the same checkpoint where 1,000s of Palestinians protested poor conditions on 12/21. An Israeli settler hits a 10-year-old Palestinian boy with his car nr. Bethlehem, moderately injuring him. Overnight, 2 Israeli settlers throw Molotov cocktails at a Palestinian home nr. Hebron and leave racist price-tag graffiti. Israeli forces demolish a home nr. Hebron and raze a nearby agricultural area. IDF troops detain 8 Palestinian children outside Ofer prison nr. Ramallah, then fire tear gas canisters at their parents when they attempt to recover their children. They also arrest a 14-year-old Palestinian girl after she throws stones at Israeli settlers’ cars. Israeli settlers clash with Palestinians in Burin village, then IDF troops open fire on the Palestinians with live ammunition, injuring 4. Off the coast of the Gaza Strip nr. Rafah, Israeli naval forces arrest 3 Palestinian fishermen. In East Jerusalem, unknown assailants throw stones at a bus in Shaykh Jarrah, lightly injuring 1 Palestinian woman. A Jewish Israeli vandalizes the Dormition Abbey nr. the Old City. Then, a Palestinian man stabs an Israeli settler in the back with a screwdriver nearby, moderately injuring him. Israeli police arrest a Palestinian on charges related to violent threats against Likud MK Tzipi Hotovely. (JP, MNA, TOI, WAFA 12/31; WAFA 1/1; OCHA 1/15; DS 1/29)

Under the aegis of the State of Palestine, Pres. Abbas signs a request to join the ICC, and signs many other international treaties and conventions, at a ceremony marking the 50th anniversary of Fatah at the presidential compound in Ramallah. The ICC will take up to 60 days to process the request. (MNA 12/30; AM, JP, MNA, NYT, 12/31; MNA, WAFA 1/1)

Hundreds of employees of the Hamas-run govt. in Gaza go on a 1-day strike, protesting the PA unity govt.’s decision on 12/30 to rehire civil servants who lost their jobs when Hamas came to power in 2007. (MNA 12/31; AFP 1/1)

Israel’s High Court of Justice rejects a petition to ban all punitive home demolitions, a policy resurrected following the 6/2014 abduction and killing of 3 Israeli settler teenagers. The court also rejects a petition to block the demolition of the Jabal Mukabir homes of the 2 Palestinians who attacked a West Jerusalem synagogue on 11/18. (Israel’s Supreme Court froze the demolition order for the synagogue attackers’ homes on 11/27.) It also, however, freezes the 2d order to demolish the home of the Palestinian who allegedly attempted to assassinate right-wing Jewish activist Yehuda Glick on 10/29. (HA, JP, TOI 12/31; HA 1/1)

In the Gaza Strip, IDF troops on the n. border open fire on 2 Palestinian men trying to enter Israel, injuring and detaining 1. In the West Bank, the IDF arrests 15 Palestinians nr. Qalqilya on charges relating to the 12/25 Molotov cocktail attack. Israeli soldiers shoot and injure 4 Palestinians with rubber-coated metal bullets during clashes nr. Tulkarm and Hebron. Later, Israeli settlers clash with stonethrowing Palestinians in Bayt Umar, injuring 1 Israeli. IDF troops violently disperse Palestinian, Israeli, and international protesters at weekly demonstrations against Israel’s separation wall, settlements, and occupation in villages nr. Ramallah (Bil‘in, Nabi Salih, and Ni‘lin) and Qalqilya (Kafr Qaddum), injuring 4. The IDF conducts house searches and arrest raids in Jalazun r.c.; patrols nr. Ramallah, Hebron, Jericho, and Tulkarm. Elsewhere, Israeli settlers accompanied by IDF troops enter a village nr. Jenin to perform religious rites. PA security forces shoot and injure a Palestinian teenager during overnight clashes with stone-throwing residents in al-Fara‘a r.c. nr. Nablus. In East Jerusalem, a Palestinian man stabs 2 Israeli border police guards nr. the Old City, injuring them both. Separately, Israeli forces arrest a Democratic Front for the Liberation of Palestine (DFLP) leader at a mobile checkpoint between Jerusalem and Jericho, and a Palestinian youth in Ras alAmud. Israeli forces also conduct a raid in Wadi al-Juz, sparking clashes with stonethrowing residents; 1 Palestinian is injured and arrested. (JP, MNA, TOI, YA 12/26; IMEMC 12/27; PCHR 12/31)

In the Sinai Peninsula, Egyptian authorities complete a survey of the 1,200 homes between 500 and 1,000 m of the border with Gaza and prepare to begin demolitions, as announced on 11/17. (MNA 12/27; DNE 12/29; ALM 12/30)

In the Gaza Strip, a 15-year-old Palestinian boy from Bayt Hanun succumbs to injuries sustained in an Israeli air strike on 7/30, during OPE. Nr. al-Waha, Israeli naval forces open fire on Palestinian fishing boats, causing no damage or injuries. Nr. Gaza, the IDF deploys 2 Iron Dome missile defense batteries in response to the 12/24 cross-border violence. In the West Bank, Israeli forces demolish a dairy factory and an animal barn nr. Hebron, as well as EU-funded irrigation pools in the n. Jordan Valley. Elsewhere, IDF troops conduct house searches and arrest raids nr. Qalqilya and Salfit; patrol nr. Hebron, Qalqilya, and Salfit; establish a checkpoint outside Bayt ‘Amr village, where they arrest 1 Palestinian. Unknown Palestinian assailants throw Molotov cocktails at 2 Israeli settlers driving nr. Qalqilya, seriously injuring 1. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces conduct late-night arrest raids and house searches in Silwan. (MNA, WAFA, YA 12/25; JP, TOI, YA 12/26; PCHR 12/31)

Leaders of Hamas and other Palestinian factions in Gaza meet to discuss the 12/24 cross-border violence, and release a joint statement reaffirming their commitment to the 8/26 open-ended cease-fire. (JP 12/25)

The Israeli High Court of Justice orders the evacuation and demolition of the Amona settlement outpost nr. Ramallah, the largest outpost in the West Bank, within 2 years because it was built on privately-owned Palestinian land in 1997. (HA, TOI, YA 12/25; MNA 12/26)

Off the coast of the Gaza Strip nr. al-Waha, Israeli naval forces open fire on Palestinian fishing boats, causing no injuries or damage. In the West Bank, Israeli soldiers at a checkpoint nr. Bethlehem detain a Palestinian man and woman, saying that the woman was planning to attack soldiers at a nearby checkpoint. The IDF conducts arrest raids and house searches in and around Jenin, Hebron, Nablus, Tulkarm, and Ramallah. Two Palestinians are arrested by IDF troops at checkpoints in c. Hebron and a village nr. Ramallah. The IDF also patrols in 1 village each nr. Salfit and Jericho. Israeli settlers level land around the Ahiya outpost nr. Nablus, clearing the area for expansion of the outpost. In East Jerusalem, unknown assailants throw a Molotov cocktail at an Israeli settler home in Silwan. Also, 2 Israeli settlers assault Palestinian employees of a gas station in ‘Ayn Karem, injuring 2. Israeli forces conduct arrest raids and house searches in Jabal Mukabir and Issawiyya. (MNA 12/7, 12/8; PCHR 12/10)

Nr. Damascus, Israeli fighter jets reportedly strike a convoy delivering S-300 missiles to Hizballah in Lebanon, killing 2 Hizballah fighters. The IDF makes no comment about the strikes. (HA, JP, TOI 12/7; HA, JP, 12/8)

In the Gaza Strip, IDF troops on the e. border fence twice open fire on Palestinian agricultural lands, causing no injuries. Late at night, Israeli naval forces open fire on Palestinian fishing boats off the coast nr. alSudaniyya, causing no damage or injuries. In the West Bank, PA security forces enter the H2 area of c. Hebron and arrest 2 Palestinians. IDF troops deliver demolition orders to several homes, tents, and other residential structures in 2 bedouin communities s. of Hebron. The IDF conducts house searches in Jalazun r.c., as well as nr. Hebron and Bethlehem; patrols nr. Salfit, Hebron, Tulkarm, Jenin, and in al-‘Arub r.c. An IDF raid in ‘Askar r.c. nr. Nablus sparks clashes with stone-throwing residents; 1 Palestinian is injured. In East Jerusalem, Israeli security forces enter Shu‘fat r.c. and clashes break out with residents, causing no injuries; conduct house searches in Ras al-Amud and Jabal Mukabir. An unknown assailant throws a firebomb at a bus nr. the Old City, causing some damage. (IMEMC, JP, MNA 12/2; MNA 12/3; PCHR 12/4)

Israeli PM Netanyahu fires Fin. Min. Lapid and Justice Minister Livni from his cabinet. Netanyahu criticizes the 2 ministers for disloyalty, citing their opposition to his “nation-state” bill, and tells the press that he will soon call for the 19th Knesset to be dissolved. Meanwhile, reps. of the 4 nonZionist parties in the Knesset, Balad, Hadash, Ra’am, and Ta’al, meet to discuss running as a joint list in the upcoming elections. (AFP, FP, HA, JP 12/2; AFP, REU, YA 12/3)

U.S. Secy. of State Kerry holds talks with European FMs at a NATO meeting in Brussels. They discuss France’s draft UNSC res., which sets a timetable on IsraeliPalestinian peace negotiations. (AFP, REU 12/2; AFP, HA 12/3)

The UNGA passes a res. introduced by Egypt, which calls on Israel to give up its nuclear weapons and put its nuclear facilities under international oversight. (YA 12/2; EI 12/4)

The French parliament passes a symbolic res. that facilitates recognition of Palestinian statehood. The res. “invites the French govt. to use the recognition of the State of Palestine as an instrument to gain a definitive res. of the conflict,” and sets a 2-year deadline for the creation of an independent Palestinian state. (AFP, IMEMC, MEMO, REU, RT 12/2; WAFA 12/3)

In the Gaza Strip, unknown Palestinians fire shots toward IDF troops nr. the Erez crossing, causing no injuries. In 2 separate incidents, IDF troops open fire on Palestinian farmers nr. the border fence, causing no injuries. In the West Bank, the IDF informs residents nr. Jenin that 1,000s of dunams of land in the area will be seized; delivers demolition orders for 8 structures to Palestinians in a village nr. Hebron. Elsewhere, a Palestinian throws a Molotov cocktail at a settler nr. Hawara village s. of Nablus, and IDF troops impose a curfew on the village. The IDF conducts arrest raids and house searches nr. Hebron, Nablus, Qalqilya, and in Jenin r.c. Clashes break out with residents nr. Nablus, injuring 4 Palestinians in ‘Askar r.c. Late at night, a group of settlers, accompanied by IDF troops, enters a village e. of Ramallah and tries to burn a Palestinian’s home, but residents stop them. An Israeli settler attempts to run over 3 Palestinians with his car s. of Hebron, causing no injuries or damage. In East Jerusalem, municipal authorities and IDF troops deliver a demolition order to the Silwan home of the Palestinian who was suspected of shooting right-wing Jewish activist Yehuda Glick on 10/29 and was killed hours later by Israeli security forces. (See QU in JPS 174 for more.) In Israel, police arrest a U.S. citizen, saying that he has been living in Israel illegally for 18 mos., he possesses illegal weapons, and that he is planning attacks on Haram al-Sharif with his roommate, an IDF soldier. (MNA, WAFA 11/19; IMEMC, MNA, PCHR 11/20; PCHR 11/27; AFP, JP, HA 12/9)

Israeli authorities announce that the bodies of the 2 Palestinians who attacked a synagogue in West Jerusalem on 11/18 will not be returned to their families. Following the announcement, clashes between Palestinians and Israeli security forces break out in the East Jerusalem neighborhoods of Jabal Mukabir, where the men were from, Sur al-Bahir, Silwan, Issawiyya, and al-Tur; 12 Palestinians are injured by rubber-coated metal bullets. (HA, TOI 11/19; MNA 11/20)

Palestinian bus drivers working for Egged continue their strike for a 2d day, protesting the death of a driver on 11/16. (IMEMC 11/19)

Israeli authorities approve the construction of 78 new homes in 2 settlements in East Jerusalem. (AA, REU 11/19)

For the 2d day in a row, U.S. Secy. of State Kerry meets with Oman’s FM Alawi in London to discuss the negotiations between reps. of Iran and the P5+1 over Iran’s disputed nuclear program. (AP 11/19)

Jordan’s govt. formally condemns the attack on the West Jerusalem synagogue on 11/18. The Jordanian parliament holds a moment of silence for the 2 Palestinians who were killed by Israeli police after perpetrating the attack, and Jordanian PM Abdullah Ensour sends a letter of condolence to the men’s family. (TOI 11/21)

In the Gaza Strip, hundreds of Fatah supporters gather in al-Katiba Square in Gaza City to mark the 10th anniversary of the death of Yasir Arafat, despite the cancellation (11/9) of the official ceremony. In the West Bank, IDF troops violently disperse a group of Palestinians throwing rocks and Molotov cocktails at passing Israeli settlers’ cars outside al-‘Arub r.c. nr. Hebron, killing 1 with live ammunition. On separate patrols nr. Hebron and Nablus, IDF troops shoot and wound 3 Palestinians. Also, the IDF conducts house searches and arrest raids in Hebron. Across the West Bank, Palestinians mark the anniversary of Arafat’s death with demonstrations, and clashes of differing intensity break out with Israeli troops in some 30 villages, mostly nr. Bethlehem and Hebron. Israeli settlers attack Palestinian homes nr. Hebron and, separately, settlers vandalize industrial equipment nr. Nablus. Off the coast of the Gaza Strip nr. al-Sudaniyya, 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 e. of Dayr al-Balah. (MNA 11/11; HA, MNA, REU 11/12; PCHR 11/13)

Israeli PM Netanyahu announces a series of measures to be taken to combat Palestinian violence, including reinforcing the presence of security forces, the punitive demolition of attackers’ homes, and fines for the parents of children involved. (JP, YA 11/13)

In the Gaza Strip, Hamas security forces arrest 5 Palestinians on charges relating to the 10/31 rocket fire. Also responding to the incident, Israel closes the Erez and Kerem Shalom border crossings. In the West Bank, the IDF conducts house searches and arrests in 1 village each nr. Hebron, Jenin, and Ramallah; patrols in 2 villages nr. Ramallah, and 1 village each nr. Bethlehem, Hebron, and Tulkarm. Palestinians throw a Molotov cocktail at an Israeli settler bus outside Hawara village nr. Nablus, and in response the IDF imposes an overnight curfew on the village. Israeli soldiers shoot and injure 19 Palestinians during a protest at Qalandia checkpoint, 2 with live ammunition and 17 with rubber-coated metal bullets. (HA, MNA 11/2; PCHR 11/6)

Jordan’s King Abdullah says that his country will confront Israel’s “unilateral policies” and work to protect “Muslim and Christian holy sites,” in response to the 10/30 closing of Haram al-Sharif and the escalating tensions in Jerusalem. Meanwhile, Dep. Secy.-Gen. of the Arab League Ben Hilli says that Israel has reached a “red line” with regard to “violations”in Jerusalem. Netanyahu, meanwhile, says that “Islamic extremist elements” are trying “to stir up unrest” and that Israel will maintain the status quo at Haram al-Sharif. (AFP, HA, JP 11/2)

In the West Bank, IDF troops shoot and kill a 14-year-old Palestinian during a weekly protest in Silwad nr. Ramallah. The IDF says that the youth, also a U.S. citizen, was holding a Molotov cocktail, but Palestinian witnesses deny the claim. State Dept. spokesperson Jen Psaki calls for a “speedy and transparent investigation.” IDF troops violently disperse protests outside Ofer detention center and in Jalazun r.c. nr. Ramallah, injuring 7 with live ammunition. The IDF conducts house searches and arrest raids in 1 village nr. Tulkarm; patrols in Jericho, as well as 1 village and ‘Aqabat Jabir r.c. nearby, 2 villages nr. Ramallah, Jenin and 1 nearby village, and 1 village each nr. Hebron and Qalqilya. Also, 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 Nil‘in) and 1 village nr. Qalqilya (Kafr Qaddum). There are no serious injuries. In East Jerusalem, Israeli authorities deny men under 40 entry to Haram al-Sharif. Meanwhile, Palestinians clash with Israeli security forces in Wadi al-Juz, Ras al-Amud, Silwan and Issawiyya. (AFP, AP, HA, MNA, REU 10/24; PCHR 10/30)

Ansar Bayt al-Maqdis attacks Egyptian soldiers nr. Shaykh Zuwayd and in al-Arish in the Sinai Peninsula, killing 31 with a car bomb, rocket-propelled grenades, and small arms. It is the deadliest single attack on Egyptian security forces in Sinai since the escalation of violence began after the 7/2013 military ouster of thenpres. Mohamed Morsi. In response, Pres. al-Sisi convenes an emergency meeting of his senior defense advisers, declares a state of emergency in some parts of n. Sinai, and closes the Rafah border crossing. (AP, JP 10/24; MNA 11/15)

In the West Bank, the IDF closes the entrance to Burin village nr. Nablus after Palestinians throw Molotov cocktails at Israeli settlers’ cars nearby. The IDF conducts house searches and arrest raids in Jenin, 2 nearby villages, and Hebron; patrols in 2 villages each nr. Jenin and Ramallah, and in 1 village nr. Jericho. Israeli settlers set up 2 new outposts nr. Aqraba in the n. West Bank. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces demolish 6 Palestinian structures in al-Tur, including 3 homes. (AFP, MNA 10/21; PCHR 10/23)

PLO chief negotiator Erakat says that if the U.S. vetoes the Palestinians’ draft UNSC res. for a timetable to end Israeli occupation, then the Palestinian leadership will seek membership in hundreds of international organizations, in addition to the ICC. (MNA 10/21)

In the West Bank, IDF troops shoot and wound a Palestinian with a rubber-coated metal bullet in al-Fara‘a r.c. nr. Tubas during clashes sparked by a raid in the camp. Separately, 3 Palestinian children nr. Bayt Umar n. of Hebron are wounded by an unexploded Israeli sound bomb. Meanwhile, an Israeli border police officer is lightly injured when Palestinians throw a Molotov cocktail at an army post in n. Bethlehem. The IDF conducts house searches and arrest raids in 1 village nr. Jenin; patrols in 3 villages nr. Jenin and 2 villages nr. Ramallah. Israeli settlers torch a mosque in Aqraba village nr. Nablus and leave “price tag” graffiti. In East Jerusalem, hundreds of Israelis tour Haram al-Sharif for the festival of Sukkoth, while Palestinians under 50 and all women are prevented from entering for morning prayers. (JP, MNA, REU 10/14; PCHR 10/16)

UN Secy.-Gen. Ban makes a brief visit to the Gaza Strip, meeting mbrs. of the PA unity govt. and seeing some of the devastation firsthand. Hamas spokesperson Sami Abu Zuhri issues a statement calling on Ban to take “serious actions” to end the suffering of Palestinians in Gaza, and claiming that the UN official “took part in providing cover for the Israeli massacres in Rafah.” Meanwhile, truckloads of cement and steel enter Gaza for the 1st time in a year (600 tons of cement, 50 trucks of construction materials, and 10 trucks of metal), while Israeli authorities allow 15 tons of produce, mainly dates and sweet potatoes, to be sent for sale in the West Bank. (MNA, JP 10/14)

Unidentified Palestinians fire a single mortar shell from the Gaza Strip into s. Israel, causing no damage or injuries. It is the 1st such attack since the 8/26 open-ended cease-fire and no faction claims it. Hamas authorities reportedly arrest those responsible. Off the coast nr. Bayt Lahiya, Israeli naval forces open fire on Palestinian fishing boats, causing no injuries or damage. In the West Bank, the IDF conducts house searches and arrest raids in 2 villages nr. Hebron and Tulkarm at night; patrols in al- ‘Arub r.c. nr. Hebron, and 1 village each nr. Jenin and Tulkarm. In East Jerusalem, Israeli security forces arrest 22 Palestinians on charges of throwing stones and Molotov cocktails. (AFP, MNA, REU 9/16; JP 9/17; PCHR 9/18)

UN Coordinator for Middle East Peace Robert Serry announces that the UN has brokered a deal to enable reconstruction work in the Gaza Strip, satisfying Israel’s conditions that materials would not be diverted to Hamas. The agreement entails a strict, UN-enforced monitoring system, and gives the PA and the private sector lead roles in the rebuilding. (HA, REU 9/16)

In East Jerusalem, a 16-year-old Palestinian dies of wounds sustained during clashes on 8/31. In the immediate aftermath of his death, the IDF says that his injuries were incurred when he was hit in the leg with a sponge-tipped bullet and then fell, hitting his head on the ground, while the youth’s family says that he was shot in the head at close range. (A Palestinian autopsy will contradict the IDF and corroborate the family’s story on 9/14.) In response to his death, Palestinians protest in several neighborhoods, including Wadi al-Juz, where Israeli police respond to stone-throwing with rubber-coated metal bullets. In the French Hill settlement, Palestinian demonstrators throw Molotov cocktails at a gas station, causing damage. Off the coast of the Gaza Strip, Israeli naval forces open fire on Palestinian fishing boats in 2 separate incidents, causing no injuries or damage. In the West Bank, the IDF patrols in 4 villages nr. Ramallah, 2 villages nr. Salfit, and 1 village each nr. Hebron and Jenin. (HA, JP 9/7; PCHR 9/11; JP 9/15)

PA PM Rami Hamdallah says that the “govt. and the banks operating in the Palestinian territories were warned that if they make payments to former Hamas govt. employees in Gaza then the govt. and the people will be boycotted.” Separately, PA Pres. Abbas tells Palestinian media that “we will not accept the situation with Hamas continuing as it is at the moment.” Meanwhile, PA Dep. PM Muhammad Mustafa says that the PA is “looking for a temporary solution” to the problem of salaries for Hamas-appointed civil servants in the Gaza Strip, like sending money “through nongovernmental organizations such as the UN or any other entity.” He adds, “We want to avoid any legal confrontation with the U.S. whose law prohibits channelling money to Hamas because it’s blacklisted as a terrorist organization.” (AFP, MNA, WAFA 9/7)

Off the coast of the Gaza Strip nr. Bayt Lahiya, Israeli naval forces open fire on Palestinian fishing boats, causing no injuries or damage but arresting 2 fishermen. In the West Bank, IDF troops shoot and wound 1 Palestinian during a raid in al-Fara‘a r.c. Also, the IDF conducts house searches and arrest raids in Jenin and 1 nearby village, 1 village nr. Nablus and al-Am‘ari r.c. nr. Ramallah; patrols in 3 villages and al-‘Arub r.c. nr. Hebron, 4 villages nr. Tulkarm, 2 villages nr. Ramallah, and 1 village nr. Jericho. Furthermore, IDF troops demolish 7 structures used for residential and agricultural purposes nr. Hebron. Meanwhile, Palestinians throw a Molotov cocktail at a bus of Israeli settlers in the c. West Bank, causing minor injuries to the driver. (MNA, YA, WAFA 9/1; PCHR 9/4)

The British and French govts. condemn the 8/31 Israeli announcement to expropriate 988 acres of land in the Gush Etzion settlement bloc. UN Secy.-Gen. Ban also criticizes the expropriation, saying the “seizure of such a large swathe of land risks paving the way for further settlement activity.” (REU, UN 9/1)

An anonymous Palestinian officials tells the media that Israel seized 200 m. Israeli shekels (around $55 m.) from monthly tax revenues it collects on behalf of the PA, to cover unpaid debts (such as those of the Palestinian electricity company). (MNA 9/1)

In the Gaza Strip, Palestinians fire around 80 rockets into s. Israel, injuring 1 soldier and 1 civilian in separate incidents. Iron Dome batteries intercept 12 of the rockets. An evening barrage of around 40 rockets in an hour is claimed by al-Qassam Brigades, who say it is in revenge for the killing of its fighters the previous day. Separately, an antitank missile is fired at IDF troops on the s. Gaza border, causing no injuries. The IDF strikes targets in n. Gaza, causing damage and injuring 1 child. Off the coast of Khan Yunis, IDF naval forces open fire on Palestinian fishermen, causing no damage or injuries. In the West Bank, Palestinians throw Molotov cocktails at an IDF base nr. Ramallah, causing no injuries. The IDF patrols in Hebron at night. In Israel, police officers arrest 110 Palestinian citizens across Arab towns and villages (HA, JP, MEMO, MNA, REU, YA 7/7; PCHR 7/10)

Israel’s security cabinet decides to escalate attacks against Hamas and other armed factions in the Gaza Strip, following a 3-hour meeting, and agrees to launch an assault on the Gaza Strip, code-named Operation Protective Edge (OPE). The cabinet orders the army to prepare for a significant expansion of operations. Also, FM Lieberman announces that the official partnership between his party, Yisrael Beytenu, and Likud is over, but his party will remain in the coalition. Lieberman says the move is not meant as an attack on Netanyahu but a reflection of their genuine differences. Meanwhile, State Dept. spokesperson Psaki tells reporters that the U.S. supports Israel’s right to defend itself against attacks from Gaza, and urges restraint against escalation of the conflict. (HA, JP, MNA 7/7)

A mortar shell is fired from inside Syrian territory into the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights, causing no damage or injuries. IDF troops respond by shooting at suspicious targets on the Syrian side. (AP, JP 7/7)

In the Gaza Strip, Palestinians fire 25 rockets into s. Israel, causing no damage or injuries. Attacks are claimed by 4 groups: the PRC, al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigade, Democratic Front for the Liberation of Palestine, and al-Mujahidin Brigades. The IDF strikes 9 targets across the Gaza Strip throughout the day. A strike in al-Bureij r.c. kills 2 mbrs. of Islamic Jihad’s al-Quds Brigades. Later, during the night, the IDF strikes 14 more targets, killing 9 fighters from al-Qassam Brigades and wounding 4. Six of the fighters are killed in a tunnel collapse, which the IDF says is unrelated to air strikes. One Israeli air strike in Bayt Hanun wounds 5 civilians, including a child. Separately, IDF troops open fire from the border nr. Rafah, causing no damage or injuries. In the West Bank, IDF troops clash with Palestinians in al-‘Arub r.c. nr. Hebron, injuring 15 residents with rubber-coated metal bullets. The IDF conducts house searches and arrest raids in 2 villages nr. Ramallah, 1 village nr. Salfit and Jenin at night; patrols in 2 villages nr. Ramallah in the morning, and in 1 village nr. Ramallah at night. Israeli settlers throw stones at Palestinian cars nr. Bethlehem, damaging 1. In a separate incident, settlers assault a priest nr. Ramallah. In East Jerusalem, around 100 Palestinian youths clash with Israeli security forces, and there are similar clashes in Abu Tur and Hizma. Israeli police detain 6 Jewish men in connection with the murder of Palestinian teenager Abu Khdeir on 7/2. In Israel, meanwhile, a group of bedouin in Tel Sheva nr. Beersheba throw Molotov cocktails and stones at passing cars nr. the Jewish town of Omer, causing damage. There are further violent protests in Shafa ‘Amr, in the Galilee, as well as in Nazareth and nearby town Iksal. Some 200 protesters try to block Route 70 at Yavor Junction in the n. (AP, HA, MNA, REU, YA 7/6; PCHR 7/10)

In the weekly Israeli cabinet meeting, PM Netanyahu and FM Lieberman disagree about how to deal with the escalating situation in Gaza and s. Israel. Netanyahu criticizes Lieberman and Economy Minister Bennett for their repeated public calls for a full ground invasion of the Gaza Strip, and urges ministers to be “level-headed and responsible.” Meanwhile, Israeli authorities decide to reduce the fishing zone open for Gaza fishermen from 6 naut. mi. to 3. (HA, JP, MNA 7/6)

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)

Off the coast of the Gaza Strip nr. Rafah, Israeli naval forces open fire on Palestinian fishing boats, while separately, Israeli forces fire 2 missiles that land close to the Egypt border fence, causing no injuries. Separately, off the coast nr. Bayt Lahiya, Israeli naval vessels open fire on Palestinian fishermen, causing no damage or injuries. In the West Bank, Jewish settlers attack a school in Burim village nr. Nablus. The settlers, along with IDF troops, subsequently clash with Palestinians, leaving 6 villagers injured. Separately, a Molotov cocktail is thrown at a settler’s car in the same area. The IDF conducts house searches and arrest raids in Dahaysha r.c. in Bethlehem and Al-‘Ubaydiyya village nr. Bethlehem at night; patrols in 3 villages nr. Ramallah and 1 village nr. Hebron in the afternoon, and in 2 villages nr. Hebron at night. (MNA 2/20; PCHR 2/27)

U.S. Secy. of State Kerry and PA Pres. Abbas meet for a 2d day in Paris. An unnamed State Dept. official characterizes the talks as “constructive.” PA spokesperson Nabil Abu Rudayna tells Palestinian media that there can be no agreement, whether framework or final, that does not include Arab positions based on international resolutions, in a reference to the 2002 Arab League peace initiative. Meanwhile, senior Palestinian official Nabil Shaath says that he held separate, and secret, meetings with diplomats from Italy, Norway, Austria, and the UK, to discuss the ongoing negotiations. (AFP, AP, MNA, REU 2/20)

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) reports that amounts of enriched uranium in Iran’s stockpile have decreased significantly for the 1st time in 4 years, and also confirms that Iran is meeting its commitments under the 6-mo. interim agreement signed in 11/2013. Meanwhile, representatives of Iran and the P5+1 countries end talks with a framework for future negotiations and an agreement to hold their next meeting in Vienna on 3/17. However, little progress is made in this most recent meeting on the question of identifying Iranian concessions to be exchanged for a reduction in sanctions. Separately, the UK and Iran resume diplomatic relations, which were severed in 11/2011 when students ransacked the British embassy in Tehran. Bilateral relations will now be conducted directly “through non-resident charge d’affaires and officials,” according to a UK Foreign Office spokesperson. (AFP, AP, REU 2/20)

Egyptian military forces kill 10 suspected militants in a raid on Shaykh Zuwayd in n. Sinai, a death toll that officials claim includes senior mbrs. of Ansar Bayt al-Maqdis. (AP 2/20)

In the Gaza Strip, Palestinians fire 1 rocket into s. Israel, causing no damage or injuries. Off the coast nr. Bayt Lahiya, Israeli naval vessels open fire on Palestinian fishermen, causing no damage or injuries. In the West Bank, the IDF conducts house searches and arrest raids in 2 villages nr. Jenin and in Hebron at night; patrols in 2 villages nr. Tulkarm and in 1 village nr. Qalqilya in the afternoon, and in 2 villages and al-Fawar r.c. nr. Hebron, and 1 village each nr. Jenin and Salfit at night. Also, a Molotov cocktail is thrown at a settler’s vehicle nr. Nablus, causing no injuries. Separately, settlers uproot around 450 seedlings nr. Ramallah. (HA, MNA 2/8; PCHR 2/13)

The Egyptian military demolishes 7 smuggling tunnels under the Gaza Strip border, and also, in a separate development, authorities close the Rafah crossing after keeping it open for 3 days. During this time, 1,922 people left Gaza for Egypt, with 1,120 crossing in the other direction. Also, the Egyptian military kills 16 suspected militants in air strikes in the Sinai Peninsula. (AFP, MNA 2/8; PCHR 2/13) 

The IAEA and Iranian officials hold a meeting to continue talks that build on the deal agreed in 11/2013. Iranian Atomic Energy Organization spokesperson Behrouz Kamalvandi says the talks went well and the discussions have been extended an additional day. (AFP 2/8)