The Palestine Chronology

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, Palestinians fire a rocket into s. Israel in the Eshkol region. Israel holds Hamas responsible and the IDF launches a latenight air strike at a Hamas military training site nr. Khan Yunis, causing damage to the site and a nearby UNRWA school. It is the 1st Israeli bombing in Gaza since the 8/26 cease-fire ended OPE. In the West Bank, Palestinians gather in Turmus ‘Ayya, Silwad, and Ofer detention center to protest the death of a senior PA official on 12/10, sparking clashes with IDF troops in which 9 Palestinians are injured with rubbercoated metal bullets and 2 are detained. In Silwad, Israeli soldiers deliberately fire at electricity transformers, causing a power outage. Also, IDF troops violently disperse Palestinian, Israeli, and international protesters at weekly demonstrations against Israel’s separation wall, settlements, and occupation nr. Ramallah (Bil‘in, Nabi Salih, and Ni‘lin), Bethlehem, and Qalqilya (Kafr Qaddum), shooting 1 in Bil‘in with a rubber-coated metal bullet and 1 in Ni‘lin. The IDF conducts an arrest raid nr. Qalqilya; patrols nr. Ramallah, Hebron, Jericho, Tulkarm, and Qalqilya. Meanwhile, dozens gather in Balata r.c. to celebrate the 47th anniversary of the PFLP. In East Jerusalem, nearly 60,000 Palestinians pray at Haram al-Sharif, then march through the streets of the Old City in protest of Israeli policies regarding the site. Later, Israeli forces conduct house searches and arrest raids in the Old City, al-Wad, Silwan, and al-Bustan. Clashes break out between Israeli police and stone-throwing Palestinians late at night in Wadi al-Juz, Anata, and Silwan. Police injure 3 Palestinians with rubber-coated metal bullets and arrest 5. (AP, HA, MNA, 12/19; AFP, HA, MNA, WAFA 12/20; PCHR 12/25)

U.S. Pres. Obama signs into law the U.S.-Israel Strategic Partnership Act, which includes increased intelligence and military cooperation and new congressional oversight procedures. (TOI 12/20; IHY, JP, JTA 12/21)

The UNGApasses 2 nonbinding res. regarding the Arab-Israeli conflict and Palestinian affairs: the 1st calls on Israel to pay Lebanon $856.4 m. in damages related to an oil spill Israeli forces caused during the 2006 war; the 2d recognizes Palestinian sovereignty over the natural resources in the oPt. (AFP, WAFA 12/20)

A leaked report from the IAEA concludes that Iran is upholding commitments made to the P5+1 related to its disputed nuclear program. (JP, REU 12/18)

Off the shore of the Gaza Strip nr. Bayt Lahiya, Israeli naval forces open fire on Palestinian fishermen, causing no damage or injuries. In the West Bank, an unknown gunman opens fire on Israeli forces at Beitunia checkpoint nr. Ofer prison, causing no injuries. The IDF conducts house searches and arrest raids in 1 village nr. Hebron in the afternoon, and in Hebron and 4 nearby villages, and 2 villages nr. Salfit at night; patrols in 1 village nr. Ramallah in the morning, and in Hebron and 3 nearby villages and 4 villages nr. 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 nr. Qalqilya (Kafr Qaddum). There are no serious injuries, except in Bil‘in, where 2 are wounded by tear gas canisters. In East Jerusalem, Israeli security forces storm Haram al-Sharif to suppress a post-prayers demonstration in support of Palestinian prisoners, wounding 28. (MNA 6/13; PCHR 6/19)

In response to the kidnapping of 3 Israeli teenagers on 6/12, the IDF erects numerous roadblocks and begins intensive raids in the Hebron region. PA security services spokesperson Adnan Dmeiri says that the PA is not responsible for the safety of settlers and that the area in question is under Israeli security control. Hamas spokesperson Husam Badran, meanwhile, calls on Palestinians to return the West Bank to its “natural place as the focal point of the struggle and resistance.” U.S. Secy. of State Kerry calls Pres. Abbas to discuss several issues, including the missing teenagers, and asks the Palestinian leader to help in the search. Kerry also speaks with PM Netanyahu. (HA, MNA 6/13)

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)

In the Gaza Strip, Israeli forces launch air strikes on 3 targets, causing no damage or casualties. Separately, Israeli forces open fire on 1 Palestinian collecting metal close to the border fence nr. Bayt Hanun, wounding him in the leg. Separately, during a protest, Israeli forces wound another Palestinian civilian close to the border fence with live ammunition. In the West Bank, the IDF conducts house searches and arrest raids in Hebron at night; patrols in 2 villages nr. Ramallah and 1 village nr. Jenin in the morning, in 2 villages nr. Jenin and 1 village nr. Hebron in the afternoon, and in 2 villages nr. Hebron and 1 village nr. Jericho at night. IDF troops violently disperse Palestinian, Israeli, and international protesters at weekly demonstrations against Israel’s separation wall, settlements, and occupation in 2 villages nr. Ramallah (Bil‘in and Ni‘lin), 1 village nr. Bethlehem (al-Ma‘sara), and 1 village nr. Qalqilya (Kafr Qaddum). There are no serious injuries. In East Jerusalem, a Palestinian woman attempts, and fails, to stab a border police officer nr. Nablus Gate. (JP, MNA, YA 1/3; PCHR 1/9)

U.S. Secy. of State Kerry meets with Israeli FM Lieberman in the morning, before meeting Netanyahu again, and then heads to Ramallah for talks with PA Pres. Abbas. Israeli media reports that in discussion with Kerry, Lieberman states his opposition to the return of Palestinian refugees to the West Bank. In Ramallah, meanwhile, Kerry’s visit is met with a demonstration by hundreds of Palestinians protesting against the U.S. official and the peace process. (AFP, JP, ToI 1/3)

In Egypt, clashes between supporters of ousted pres. Morsi and security forces leave 17 people dead, and 62 wounded, with 17 mbrs. of the security forces also injured. An anonymous govt. official says that 258 protesters were arrested. The violence took place in a number of cities, including Cairo, Giza, Ismailia, Fayoum, and Alexandria. (AP, REU 1/3)