The Palestine Chronology

In the Gaza Strip, the IDF continues its assault, launching air strikes on approximately 47 targets, killing 38 Palestinians and injuring dozens. Among the 38 are 3 high-ranking commanders in al-Qassam Brigades, who are killed overnight by Israeli fighter jets in Rafah. Five Palestinian civilians are also killed in the strike and at least 40 are injured. The armed Palestinian groups fire 109 rockets and mortars into Israel, with 7 landing in built-up areas and 13 intercepted by Iron Dome batteries. One Israeli man is injured with mortar shrapnel nr. Eshkol. Meanwhile, Hamas executes 3 alleged collaborators with Israel, and arrests 7 others. In the West Bank, IDF troops level land nr. Salfit to clear space for an Israeli settlement to expand. Also, the IDF conducts house searches and raids in 4 villages nr. Hebron, Dayr Istya, ‘Askar r.c., al-Bireh, and Bayt Liqya, arresting 9 and issuing summons to 2. Clashes break out with Palestinians in Bayt Liqya, and the Israeli soldiers open fire with live ammunition, tear gas canisters, and sound bombs. Separately, the IDF conducts 4 separate incursions into Hebron and 3 villages n. of Jericho. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces and municipal officials enter Silwan to hand demolition notices to the owners of 2 apartment buildings where 19 Palestinians live. (MNA 8/21; HA 8/22; PCHR 8/28)

There is no major diplomatic progress as disagreements that led to the breakdown of talks on 8/19 remain between the Palestinian factions and the Israeli negotiators. Mishal says in an interview with Turkish Anadolu News Agency that Hamas will keep fighting until Israel meets its terms for a permanent truce, while Israel’s Maj. Gen. Yoav Mordechai says that Israel will not hold cease-fire negotiations as long as rocket fire from Gaza continues. PA Pres. Abbas travels again to Doha where he will meet with Qatari emir Bin Hamad al-Thani and Hamas leader Mishal to discuss the continued Israeli assault and possible future cease-fire negotiations. Also present are head of the Palestinian delegation in Cairo Azzam al-Ahmad, PLO chief negotiator Saeb Erakat, and PA intelligence chief Majid Faraj. (AA, HA 8/21; MEMO, MNA 8/22)

In the Gaza Strip, the IDF and armed Palestinian groups maintain the new 72-hour cease-fire. In the West Bank, the IDF conducts house searches and arrest raids in 2 villages nr. Jenin, and 1 village each nr. Jericho and Salfit at night; patrols in 2 villages nr. Ramallah and 1 village nr. Jenin during the day. In East Jerusalem, Israeli security forces conduct widespread raids in the Old City, Silwan, Issawiyya, al-Tur, Suwana, and Shu‘fat, detaining 57 Palestinians. There are clashes in al-Tur and Issawiyya, and Israeli security forces injure 26 Palestinians with rubbercoated metal bullets.

During negotiations between reps. of Israel and the Palestinian delegation in Cairo, Israeli officials brief the media that there are large gaps remaining between the sides. These include disagreements over the opening of Gaza’s border crossings, including Rafah, and how the crossings will be supervised. According to a Palestinian source, Hamas insists on a total end to the blockade, rather than an “easing,” and objects to limitations on the entry of construction materials like cement and steel. Anonymous Egyptian sources express optimism about the possibility of reaching an agreement before the end of the cease-fire at midnight. Hamas official Ihab al-Ghossein says he is optimistic as “this time at least it is a real negotiation.” Islamic Jihad official Hassan Abdu says there have been “positive developments.” (AFP, AP, HA, JP, MNA, REU, YA 8/12; 8/13)

In the Gaza Strip, a new 72-hour cease-fire begins at midnight local time, and holds throughout the day. A 1-mo.-old Palestinian dies, succumbing to injuries sustained in earlier attacks. In the West Bank, IDF troops shoot and kill a Palestinian in a raid on Qabalan village nr. Nablus. The Israeli soldiers attack a building with grenades and heavy arms fire, before entering and shooting the man, according to residents. A Palestinian teenager is killed by Israeli ordnance nr. Tubas while tending sheep. The IDF conducts house searches and arrest raids in 1 village nr. Tulkarm in the morning, in 2 villages nr. Qalqilya and 1 village nr. Salfit in the afternoon; there are also 9 patrols. (AFP, AP, HA, JP, MNA, REU, YA 8/11; PCHR 8/12)

In Cairo, Israeli and Palestinian negotiators resume indirect talks mediated by Egyptian officials, with the Israeli delegation flying in and out in the same day. Hamas official al-Rishq says that his group is not opposed to placing the Rafah terminal under the control of the PA unity govt., as offered by Egypt and agreed to by Abbas. Israel reportedly agrees to several terms, including a gradual expansion of the fishing zone and easier passage for goods and people between the Gaza Strip and Israel and the West Bank. Palestinian negotiators reportedly say that they are willing to delay discussions over Gaza’s air and sea ports as long as the rest of their terms are met. (AFP, AP, HA, JP, MNA, REU, YA 8/11)

The IDF continues its assault on the Gaza Strip by land, sea, and air, killing 92 Palestinians. In one strike, 10 mbrs. of one Palestinian family in the Rafah area are killed. In another incident, an Israeli air strike on a UN-run school in the s. Gaza Strip kills 10 and wounds 30. Armed Palestinian groups continue firing projectiles into Israel, with al-Qassam Brigades firing 119 rockets and mortar rounds, causing no serious injuries. In the West Bank, IDF troops shoot and injure a Palestinian child during clashes nr. Hebron. The IDF conducts house searches and arrest raids in 1 village each nr. Hebron, Jenin, and Salfit, and al-Jalazun r.c. nr. Ramallah at night. (AFP, AP, HA, JP, MNA, REU 8/3; PCHR 8/4)

UN Secy.-Gen. Ban denounces the Israeli attack that damages the UN school as a “moral outrage and a criminal act.” State Dept. spokesperson Psaki says in a statement that the U.S. is “appalled by today’s disgraceful shelling” and urges Israel to do more to prevent civilian casualties. The IDF says the strike was targeting Islamic Jihad operatives in the vicinity of the school. (AFP, AP, HA, JP, REU, YA 8/3)

Meanwhile, the IDF confirms that in the incident on 8/1 that led to the breakdown of the cease-fire, the soldier was killed in action rather than kidnapped, as was originally reported, and says that it is preparing for the final stage of the destruction of Hamas’s tunnels. (AFP, AP, HA, JP, REU 8/3)

A delegation of reps. from Hamas and Islamic Jihad arrives in Cairo to prepare for indirect cease-fire talks with Israeli officials, to be mediated by Egyptian and U.S. officials. Israel does not send envoys as scheduled. The Palestinian delegation, joining officials from the PA, presents joint demands for a cease-fire. (HA, JP, MNA, REU, YA 8/3)