The Palestine Chronology

In the West Bank, the IDF conducts house searches and arrest raids in 2 villages nr. Ramallah, Hebron and 1 nearby village, 1 village nr. Nablus, and in Tulkarm; patrols in 3 villages nr. Salfit, and in Hebron and 2 nearby villages. (AFP, HA 8/27; PCHR 8/28)

Syrian opposition forces take control of the Qunaytra border crossing between Syria and the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights, prompting Israel to close off the surrounding area. Two Israelis are injured by stray fire in separate incidents caused by the intense fighting in Syria: an officer is shot and wounded and a civilian is injured by a tank shell. Earlier, 2 mortar shells land in the Golan Heights, causing damage but no injuries. The IDF responds by targeting 2 Syrian army positions. (AFP, AP, HA, JP, YA 8/27)

The IDF continues its assault on the Gaza Strip attacking over 30 targets with aircraft, tanks, and naval vessels, killing 17 Palestinians. Palestinians fire some 30 rockets into s. Israel, causing no damage or injuries. In the West Bank, Palestinian gunmen open fire on Israeli soldiers nr. Nablus, causing no injuries. The IDF conducts house searches and arrest raids in 1 village each nr. Ramallah and Salfit, and ‘Ayn al-Sultan r.c. nr. Jericho at night; patrols during the day in 8 villages nr. Ramallah, Jericho, and Salfit. (AFP, AP, HA, JP, MNA, REU, YA 8/9; PCHR 8/10)

Egyptian and Palestinian officials reportedly reach a new draft cease-fire agreement to present to Israel, which stipulates that the PA would take control of the Rafah crossing. Anonymous Israeli officials tell the media that their negotiators will not return to Cairo “as long as the shooting goes on.” Senior Hamas official Abu Marzuq says that the Palestinian delegation will leave Cairo on 8/10 unless Israel agrees to return to Egyptian-mediated negotiations. (AFP, AP, HA, JP, MNA, REU, YA 8/9)