The Palestine Chronology

Along Gaza’s border, IDF troops shoot and seriously injure a Palestinian woman e. of Khan Yunis as she was working in an agricultural field nr. the barrier fence; violently disperse Palestinians protesting nr. al-Bureij r.c., injuring 3. In the West Bank, IDF troops arrest a Palestinian man in c. Hebron for allegedly planning a stabbing attack; assault and arrest 2 Palestinians at a flying checkpoint in a village nr. Ramallah, seriously injuring 1. Palestinian teachers prevent Israeli forces from raiding their secondary school nr. Bethlehem, sparking minor clashes between stone-throwers and the Israeli troops; there are no serious injuries. IDF troops also clash with stone-throwers in a village nr. Ramallah, injuring 7 Palestinians. The IDF conducts late-night raids and house searches in Hebron, Jenin and 1 nearby village, 2 villages nr. Ramallah, arresting 1 Palestinian and issuing 1 arrest summons; patrols during the day in 1 village nr. Hebron and 10 nr. Tulkarm. Israeli forces return 2 bodies of Palestinian women killed by the IDF to their families nr. Hebron and Nablus. Israeli settlers uproot around 50 olive tree saplings outside a Palestinian village nr. Nablus. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces arrest 1 Palestinian on a late-night raid in Abu Dis; evacuate a Palestinian building in the Old City, claiming that it belongs to Israeli settlers. (MNA, TOI, WAFA 12/22; TOI, WAFA 12/23; PCHR 12/31)

In a special session attended by PA pres. Abbas, Greece’s parliament approves a nonbinding res. encouraging the Greek govt. to recognize the State of Palestine. (JP, TOI, WAFA 12/22)

In West Jerusalem, Israeli police shoot and kill a Palestinian nr. the Old City after he allegedly hits 1 Israeli with his car and stabs another, lightly injuring both. On Gaza’s s. border, unknown assailants open fire on IDF vehicles patrolling along the border fence, causing minor damage, according to the IDF. Late at night, IAF jets launch air strikes on a Hamas military site in n. Gaza, causing damage. During the day, IDF troops stationed along the border e. of al-Bureij r.c. violently disperse Palestinian stone-throwers, injuring 1. In the West Bank, IDF troops patrol in 1 village each nr. Tulkarm and Nablus, sparking clashes with stone-throwers in each; 2 Palestinians are injured and 3 are arrested. There are several incidents in the Hebron area today as Israeli forces raid a medical center, assaulting a 14-year-old Palestinian patient; deliver stop-work orders to 3 homes under construction e. of Bayt Umar; and remove the doors and windows from several residences and confiscate drilling equipment in a village nr. Hebron. IDF troops violently clash with Palestinian protesters in 1 village nr. Ramallah and at Palestine Technical University in Tulkarm; 12 Palestinians are injured. They also conduct late-night raids and house searches in Jenin and Jenin r.c., Qalqilya, 1 village nr. Salfit, 2 nr. Nablus, and 3 each nr. Hebron and Ramallah, arresting 15 Palestinians; patrol in 5 villages nr. Hebron and 1 nr. Tulkarm. In East Jerusalem, a number of right-wing Jewish activists tour Haram al-Sharif in the morning. Israeli forces arrest a Palestinian youth in Silwan claiming she had a knife; raid the home of a PA security forces (PASF) officer in Abu Dis, sparking clashes with stone-throwers (there are no injuries). They also arrest 7 Palestinians on late-night raids in Jabal Mukabir, Issawiyya, and the Old City. (MNA, TOI, WAFA, YA 12/6; HA, JP, MNA, TOI, WAFA 12/7; PCHR 12/10)

The Israeli crackdown on the oPt continues amid the ongoing wave of violence. In the West Bank, Israeli forces punitively demolish the Hebron apartment of the Palestinian who stabbed an Israeli woman to death outside the Gush Etzion settlement nr. Bethlehem on 11/10/2014. Throughout the day, IDF troops violently disperse Palestinians protesting w. of Tulkarm and outside a settlement nr. Ramallah, injuring 3 Palestinians. The IDF conducts a raid in a village nr. Bethlehem, sparking clashes with stonethrowing Palestinian youths; 1 Palestinian is injured with live ammunition. IDF troops also conduct late-night raids and patrol in other areas across the West Bank, arresting 21 Palestinians, including 1 senior Hamas official on charges related to incitement, and issuing arrest summons to 4. Israeli settlers burn tires and verbally confront Palestinians nr. Salfit. In East Jerusalem, a large group of Israeli settlers escorted by Israeli forces forcibly evict Palestinians from 2 homes in Silwan. The property was allegedly purchased by the Israeli settler association Ateret Cohanim. Later, Israeli forces raid the Jabal Mukabir home of 1 of the Palestinians who attacked a group of Israelis on a bus in East Jerusalem on 10/13 and the Old City home of the Palestinian who attacked a group of Israelis in Tel Aviv on 10/8, taking measurements and preparing for a possible punitive demolition. They also arrest 7 Palestinians on late-night raids in Abu Dis, Ras al-Amud, and Issawiyya. In West Jerusalem, Jewish Israelis attempt to assault a Palestinian man on his way home from work, but his boss intervenes. (HA, MNA 10/19; EI, HA, JP, MNA, TOI, WAFA 10/20; PCHR 10/22)

Israeli PM Netanyahu orders the Israeli police to suspend their construction of a concrete barrier in East Jerusalem between Jabal Mukabir and the nearby Israeli settlement East Talpiot, responding to complaints from his cabinet about dividing Jerusalem. The police erected sections of the planned 300 m barrier on 10/18. (HA, TOI 10/19)

Israel’s Foreign Ministry summons the French amb. to Israel to a disciplinary meeting, during which Israeli officials criticize the French plans to push for the UNSC to sponsor an international observer force at Haram al-Sharif, as reported in the French press on 10/17. Meanwhile, U.S. secy. of state Kerry says that the U.S. opposes the French proposal for an international observer force. (HA, JP, TOI 10/19)

Tension in East Jerusalem continues to escalate surrounding Jewish holidays and access at Haram al-Sharif. After Palestinian youths spend the night in al-Aqsa Mosque, the Israeli police and Islamic Waqf officials spend the morning attempting to negotiate their exit, but the talks fail to produce an agreement. Then, 150 Israeli police officers raid Haram al-Sharif, evacuating Palestinians from al-Aqsa Mosque and sparking clashes with stone- and firebomb-throwing Palestinian youths for the 2d day in a row; 1 Israeli policeman and 22 Palestinians are injured, including 3 seriously. The Israeli authorities close all but 3 entrances to the sanctuary and later bar all Palestinian worshippers. Israeli forces also arrest 9 Palestinians on late-night raids in the Old City, Jabal Mukabir, Ras al-Amud, and Abu Dis. In a related development, the Israeli authorities announce they will close Hebron’s al-Ibrahimi Mosque, known to Jews as the Cave of the Patriarchs, to Muslim worshippers on 9/29 and 9/30 to accommodate Jewish access during the Jewish holiday Sukkoth. (HA, JP, MNA, TOI, WAFA 9/28; PCHR 10/1)

In Gaza, a Hamas fighter dies in a smuggling tunnel accident. A Palestinian in Gaza City is injured when he accidentally detonates an unexploded Israeli munition. In the West Bank, IDF troops conduct late-night raids and house searches in 1 village each nr. Ramallah and Hebron, arresting 3 Palestinians, assaulting several others, and damaging their property; patrol during the day nr. Hebron and Salfit. (HA, JP, MNA, TOI, WAFA, YA 9/28; PCHR 10/1)

The Israeli crackdown on protests in East Jerusalem continues as the Israeli authorities restrict Palestinians’ access to Haram al-Sharif; only men over 40 and women are permitted to enter the sanctuary. Meanwhile, Israeli forces clash with Palestinian protesters across the city for the 2d day in a row (nr. the Old City and in Jabal Mukabir, Silwan, Issawiyya, Shu‘fat r.c., al-Tur, Abu Dis, al-‘Izzariya, and Wadi al-Juz); at least 4 Israeli police and 4 Palestinians are injured, and 11 Palestinians are arrested. Israeli forces also conduct raids and house searches in Silwan, Jabal Mukabir, Shaykh Jarrah, and the Old City, arresting 16 Palestinians and sparking minor clashes. (HA, JP, MNA, WAFA 9/18; PCHR 10/1)

As violence and tension spread from Jerusalem across the oPt, unknown persons launch a rocket from Gaza into Israel that lands in Sderot, damaging a bus. Iron Dome missile defense batteries intercept a 2d rocket fired toward Ashqelon. At night, IAF jets launch retaliatory air strikes on 3 Hamas military sites in n. Gaza, causing 2 minor injuries and serious damage. Off the coast nr. Bayt Lahiya, Israeli naval forces open fire on Palestinian fishing boats, causing no damage. Israeli forces e. of al-Bureij r.c. arrest 2 Palestinians attempting to cross into Israel. In the West Bank, IDF troops violently disperse Palestinian, Israeli, and international protesters at Friday demonstrations against the Israeli occupation and recent restrictions at Haram al-Sharif in 7 areas nr. Ramallah (Bil‘in, Ni‘lin, Nabi Salih, outside Ofer Prison, Silwad, ‘Abwayn, and Jalazun r.c.), and Kafr Qaddum nr. Qalqilya, in and around Hebron, Tulkarm, Qalqilya, and nr. Bethlehem; 8 Palestinians are injured and at least 13 Palestinians are detained. Israeli forces also patrol in 2 villages nr. Hebron and 1 nr. Jenin. Meanwhile, Palestinian police officers assault 2 young Palestinian protesters in Bethlehem (a video taken of the incident will proliferate on Palestinian media in the next few days). The PASF reportedly blocked a group of demonstrators from approaching an Israeli military post to protest the recent Israeli restrictions on access at Haram al-Sharif. (AJA, HA, JP, MNA, TOI, WAFA, YA 9/18; JP, MNA, YA 9/19; MNA 9/24; WAFA 9/27; PCHR 10/1)

Off the coast of Gaza nr. al-Sudaniyya, Israeli naval forces open fire on Palestinian fishing boats, causing no injuries. In the West Bank, Israeli forces confiscate a bulldozer in e. Nablus that Palestinians were using to open a road in the area. Elsewhere, IDF troops injure a Palestinian child and confiscate several solar panels in a raid in a bedouin village nr. Abu Dis. The IDF conducts house searches and raids in 1 village nr. Ramallah, ‘Askar r.c. nr. Nablus, and al-Fara‘a r.c. nr. Tubas, arresting 8 Palestinians and sparking clashes in which 2 more are injured; patrols in 3 villages nr. Hebron during the day. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces conduct a raid in the Old City, arresting 1 Palestinian. (MNA, WAFA 4/1; MNA, PCHR 4/2; PCHR 4/9)

In The Hague, Palestinian FM Riyad al-Maliki attends an induction ceremony at the ICC, marking the Palestine’s official membership at the court. Meanwhile, a German delegation is in Gaza to meet with reps. of Hamas and to discuss the possibility of a long-term cease-fire with Israel. (AFP, HA, JP, MNA, NYT, WAFA 4/1; ALM 4/14)

PA Finance Min. Shukri Bishara announces that PA employees earning more than NIS 2,000 ($515) per mo. will only receive 60% of their salaries for 3/2015 on 4/2, despite the Israeli govt.’s 3/27 pledge to unfreeze the transfers of tax revenues collected on behalf of the PA. This will be the 4th mo. in a row that PA employees have received reduced salaries. (REU, WAFA 4/1)

In Syria, fighters affiliated with ISIS conduct an assault on Yarmouk r.c. outside Damascus. During a day of intense fighting, they take control of large areas of the camp, casting further uncertainty over the fate of the approximately 18,000 Palestinian refugees and other civilian residents. (AFP, MNA 4/1; WAFA 4/2)

Egypt’s cabinet approves a new res. designed to crack down on smuggling tunnels from Gaza into Egypt, which would make tunnel digging, or knowledge of tunnel digging, punishable by life imprisonment and home confiscation. The res. will be passed by presidential decree on 4/12. (HA, MNA 4/3; EN 4/12; TOI 4/13)

In a letter to U.S. Pres. Obama, 79 Democratic mbrs. of Congress encourage the continued pursuit of a 2-state solution despite Israeli PM Netanyahu’s controversial campaign rhetoric. (AFP, JTA, TOI 4/1; POL 4/2)

After a 1-day extension to their 3/31 political framework agreement deadline, reps. of the P5 +1 and Iran agree to another extension until 4/2. (HA, REU, TOI, YA 4/1; HA, REU 4/2)

IDF troops on the Gaza border e. of Khan Yunis fire on land nr. the border fence, causing no injuries. Off the coast nr. Gaza City, Israeli naval vessels fire on Palestinian fishing boats, causing no damage or injuries. In the West Bank, IDF troops violently disperse Palestinian, Israeli, and international protesters at weekly demonstrations against Israel’s separation wall, settlements, and occupation in 6 areas nr. Ramallah (Silwad, Bil‘in, Ni‘lin, Nabi Salih, outside Ofer Prison, and Jalazun r.c.), Kisan nr. Bethlehem, and Kafr Qaddum nr. Qalqilya; a total of 25 protesters are moderately injured. The IDF also raids the “Gate of Jerusalem” protest tent camp in Abu Dis, sparking clashes with Palestinian and international activists; 2 activists are arrested. IDF troops conduct house searches and raids in 1 village nr. Qalqilya and in and around Hebron, arresting 3 Palestinians and issuing arrest summons to 6; patrols in 4 villages nr. Ramallah, 1 village and al-‘Arub r.c. nr. Hebron, and 1 village nr. Jenin. Israeli settlers assault a Palestinian outside Hebron, lightly injuring him; throw stones at Palestinian cars on a road between Jenin and Nablus, causing minor damage. In East Jerusalem, Israeli settlers assault a Palestinian nr. the Old City. (MNA, YA 3/13; MNA, PNN, WAFA 3/14; PCHR 3/19)

On the sidelines of economic talks in Egypt, U.S. Secy. of State Kerry meets with Jordan’s King Abdullah and PA Pres. Abbas to discuss the PA’s economic crisis. At the conference, Abbas says, “There is no alternative but to reevaluate the security and economic relations with Israel, so that the PA would restore its role in building and ending the occupation.” Kerry reportedly tells Abbas that he will pressure Israel into transferring the tax revenues that it has withheld for 3 mos. (AFP, JP, TOI 3/13; AFP, JP, WAFA 3/14)

In the Gaza Strip, a Palestinian man at the European Hospital in Khan Yunis succumbs to injuries sustained in an Israeli air strike on 8/3/2014 during OPE. In the West Bank, Israeli forces demolish and evacuate the tent camp “Gate of Jerusalem” after Palestinian and international activists rebuild it in Abu Dis for the 4th time. In separate incidents, IDF troops violently disperse Palestinian and international activists protesting outside Ofer military prison nr. Ramallah and in a village nr. Hebron, causing no injuries. The IDF conducts house searches and raids nr. Jenin and Hebron; patrols nr. Ramallah, Tulkarm, Hebron, and in al-Fawar r.c.; arrests 1 Palestinian outside al-Ibrahimi Mosque in c. Hebron. Israeli settlers park 5 mobile homes in a Palestinian village nr. Nablus, establishing a new outpost. Separately, an Israeli settler opens fire on Palestinian cars driving in the area, causing no injuries. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces arrest 1 Palestinian during a raid in the Old City. (MNA, WAFA 2/7)

PA Pres. Abbas establishes a special comm. to oversee cases to bring to the ICC, and senior PLO official Erakat will serve as its chair. (AFP, HA, WAFA 2/7)

The Jerusalem Planning and Construction Comm. approves a call for bids to build 64 new residences in the Ramot settlement in East Jerusalem. (MNA 2/7)

In the Gaza Strip, a bomb explodes in an Egyptian troop transport in the n. Sinai Peninsula along the border with Gaza. Then, Egyptian soldiers open fire on 2 Palestinian military posts across the border nr. Rafah, causing no injuries. The Hamas-run govt. in Gaza says that it was not involved in the initial bombing, while Egyptian authorities blame Hamas for the bombing. Off the coast nr. Bayt Lahiya, Israeli naval forces open fire on Palestinian fishing boats, causing no damage or injuries. Meanwhile, dozens of Palestinian refugees gather in front of the Ministry of Labor, protesting the lack of jobs in the Strip. In the West Bank, around 250 Palestinian and international activists set up a tent camp, named “Gate of Jerusalem,” in Abu Dis to protest the Israeli govt.’s settlement policies and its plans to displace Palestinian bedouins in the E1 area. Late at night, Israeli soldiers raid the camp and later return to demolish it and forcibly remove the activists. IDF troops conduct late-night house searches and arrest raids nr. Hebron and ‘Aqabat Jabir r.c.; patrols nr. Hebron, Jenin, Jericho, and Qalqilya. They also deliver demolition notices to the Palestinian owners of 3 tents and 2 barns nr. Ramallah. Meanwhile, Israeli settlers, accompanied by IDF troops, break into a Palestinian residential complex nr. Bethlehem and erect Israeli flags. In East Jerusalem, over 20 right-wing Jewish activists accompanied by 12 Israeli police enter Haram al-Sharif and tour the area. During a patrol in the Old City, Israeli forces arrest a Palestinian. (AFP, REU, WAFA 2/3; MNA, WAFA 2/4; PCHR 2/5)