The Palestine Chronology

In the West Bank, Israeli forces confiscate a Palestinian tractor from Ras al-Ahmar village nr. Tubas and deliver stop-work orders for 12 Palestinian projects under construction nr. Hebron. IDF troops arrest 5 Palestinians during late-night raids nr. Tulkarm, Jenin, and Nablus; and patrol nr. Nablus, Qalqilya, and Hebron. Unidentified assailants throw rocks at a bus nr. Bethlehem, breaking a windshield and injuring 3 IDF soldiers. In East Jerusalem, more than 60 Orthodox Jews tour Haram al-Sharif; Israeli forces arrest 5 who attempt to pray at the sanctuary. Israeli forces arrest a Palestinian at an entrance to the Old City, alleging that she was preparing to stab them. Off Gaza’s coast, Israeli naval forces open fire on Palestinian fishing boats nr. Bayt Lahiya and later nr. Rafah, causing no damage or injuries. In n. Israel, Israeli forces demolish a Palestinian’s home in Hurfish village on the grounds that it violated construction regulations. (MNA, WAFA 11/20; MNA 11/21; PCHR 11/24)

Palestinians across the West Bank demonstrate in commemoration of the 12th anniversary of Yasir Arafat’s death. IDF troops violently disperse demonstrations in Bethlehem, Ramallah, al-Bireh, and Tulkarm injuring at least 5 Palestinians. Separately, IDF troops shoot and injure a Palestinian as he throws a Molotov cocktail at them nr. Ramallah; arrest 7 Palestinians during late-night raids nr. Jenin, Tubas, and Nablus, as well as in Qalqilya; and patrol during the day nr. Qalqilya and Hebron. Israeli forces demolish 2 agricultural structures nr. Qalqilya. Off Gaza’s coast, Israeli naval forces open fire on Palestinian fishing boats nr. Gaza City and Nuseirat r.c., causing no damage or injuries. Along Gaza’s border, IDF troops open fire on Palestinian farmers working nr. Gaza City, causing no injuries. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces arrest 4 Palestinians during raids in Ras al-Amud and Silwan. (MNA, TOI, WAFA 11/10; PCHR 11/17)

IDF troops shoot and kill a Palestinian policeman outside the Beit El settlement nr. Ramallah after he opens fire on Israeli soldiers at the Beit El checkpoint, injuring 3. The IDF raids the assailant’s Jenin-area home after the attack, arresting his brother and confiscating the family’s work permits. They also shut down the Beit El checkpoint (it will remain closed through 11/14). Elsewhere in the West Bank, Israeli forces close down the entrance to Marah Rabah village nr. Bethlehem, as well as 2 side roads, after reports of stone-throwing in the area. They also demolish 10 residential structures and animal sheds in the n. Jordan Valley, confiscate 4 tractors from families living nr. Tubas, and deliver stop-work orders to several homes under construction nr. Hebron. IDF troops arrest 10 Palestinians and issue 1 arrest summons during raids nr. Qalqilya, Nablus, and Hebron, as well as in Tubas; and patrol nr. Qalqilya and Hebron during the day. Early in the morning, PASF troops conduct raids in Balata r.c. nr. Nablus, sparking 6 hours of clashes and minor firefights with the alleged criminals they came to arrest. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces raid a middle school in Silwan and attempt to arrest a number of students accused of stone-throwing before 2 administrators intervene. Along Gaza’s border, Israeli forces conduct a limited incursion to level lands nr. Khuza‘a. Off Gaza’s coast, Israeli naval forces open fire on Palestinian fishing boats nr. Gaza City, causing no injuries or damage. (HA, JP, MNA, TOI, WAFA, YA 10/31; HA 11/1; MNA 11/2; PCHR, REU 11/3; MNA 11/14)

Along Gaza’s border, Israeli forces conduct a limited incursion to level land nr. al-Bureij r.c. Meanwhile, the Israeli authorities temporarily limit the number of trucks permitted to pass through the Kerem Shalom crossing bearing goods for Gaza. Around 70 trucks are denied access. In the West Bank, IDF troops conduct raids in al-Khadir nr. Bethlehem and Jayyus nr. Qalqilya, sparking minor clashes with stonethrowing Palestinians in both. IDF troops also arrest 3 Palestinians during raids in Tubas and nr. Tulkarm and Nablus; and patrol during the day nr. Hebron. Israeli forces bulldoze an agricultural road nr. Nablus, then block the road with a sand barrier. Unidentified vandals scrawl swastikas and the words “Death to Jews” on an IDF outpost nr. Hebron late at night. In response, the IDF suspends the Palestinian olive harvest in the area indefinitely. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces conduct raids in Shu‘fat r.c., sparking clashes with stonethrowing residents; at least 12 Palestinians are injured. They arrest 3 Palestinians during further raids in Sur al-Bahir. (MNA, WAFA 10/27; HA 10/30; PCHR 11/3)

PA pres. Abbas meets with Hamas leader Khalid Mishal and his dep. Ismail Haniyeh in Doha. They discuss steps they could take toward Palestinian national reconciliation. Senior Palestinian officials say the meeting is the start of a new reconciliation process, but they add that Abbas and Mishal did not agree on the aims of the new process. (HA, NYT, TOI, YA 10/27; MNA 10/30)

For a 2d day in a row, Gazan fighters fire a rocket into s. Israel. It lands in an open area, causing no serious damage or injuries. The IDF fires retaliatory tank shells across the border at Hamas sites, causing an undetermined amount of damage. After the exchange, DM Lieberman says that Israel will not seek an escalation of violence, but that it will not hesitate from retaliating against all rocket attacks. (HA, JP, MNA, TOI, YA 10/6; PCHR 10/13)

Along Gaza’s border, Israeli forces conduct a limited incursion to level land nr. Rafah. In the West Bank, the IDF conducts a late-night raid in al-Fara‘a r.c. nr. Tubas, sparking clashes with stone-throwing Palestinian youths; 3 Palestinians are injured and 2 are arrested. IDF troops arrest 6 Palestinians during raids nr. Bethlehem, Nablus, and Tulkarm; and patrol nr. Hebron. In Israel, Israeli forces demolish the “unrecognized” bedouin village of al-Araqib in the Negev for the 104th time since 2010. They also shut down several organizations affiliated with the Northern Branch of the Islamic Movement in Nazareth and Umm al-Fahm, including 1 media group. The branch was accused of incitement and outlawed in 11/2015 (see JPS 45 [3]). (MNA 10/6; MNA 10/7; PCHR 10/13)

PA pres. Abbas is admitted to hospital in Ramallah after suffering chest pains and undergoes cardiovascular testing. PLO secy.-gen. Erekat says that the tests confirm that Abbas is in “good health.” (HA, MEMO, MNA 10/6)

IDF troops shoot and injure a Palestinian youth at a checkpoint nr. Qalqilya as she is walking home from school. The Israeli soldiers reportedly thought she was planning a stabbing attack (she will be released from detention on 9/22). Elsewhere in the West Bank, IDF troops raid the Bil‘in homes of several leaders in the activist groups that organize the Friday protests in the Ramallah-area village, confiscating a number of cell phones and computers. Late at night, 2 Israeli soldiers torch a Palestinian-owned lumber warehouse in Nablus, and IDF troops arrest 7 Palestinians during raids and house searches nr. Tulkarm, Jenin, Bethlehem, and Tubas. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces continue targeting Shu‘fat r.c., arresting 5 Palestinians during raids in the camp and in Abu Dis. Along Gaza’s border, IDF troops open fire on Palestinian homes nr. Khan Yunis, causing no damage. (HA, MNA, WAFA, YA 9/21; MNA, PCHR 9/22; HA 9/25; PCHR 9/29)

Following a request from the public prosecutor’s office, the Palestinian High Court of Justice postpones until 10/3 its decision regarding the municipal elections that were initially set for 10/8. The elections had been postponed indefinitely on 9/8 because of challenges to their legitimacy. (AFP, MNA 9/21)

The Egyptian authorities open the Rafah border crossing to allow Palestinian pilgrims to return from their trip to Saudi Arabia. They are set to open it again on 9/22 and 9/23. (MNA 9/23)

While in New York for the UN General Assembly (UNGA) meeting, Israeli PM Netanyahu meets with U.S. pres. Obama. They reportedly do not discuss the push for Israeli-Palestinian peace that the Obama admin. is rumored to be planning after the U.S. election in 11/2016. Netanyahu tells Obama he will always be welcome in Israel, and Obama responds, “We’ll set up a tee time.” (AFP, EI, NYT, REU, YA 9/21; HA 9/25)

In the West Bank, IDF troops conduct raids in al-Fara‘a r.c. nr. Tubas, arresting 1 Palestinian and sparking clashes with stone-throwing youths; 1 Palestinian is injured. They conduct further raids nr. Jenin, Bethlehem, and Hebron, arresting 3 Palestinians; and patrol nr. Nablus, Hebron, and Tulkarm. At a flying checkpoint nr. Jenin, Israeli soldiers stop a group of Palestinians on motorcycles, arrest 1 and assault another, causing moderate injuries. They also confiscate 3 of the motorcycles. Off Gaza’s coast, Israeli naval forces open fire on Palestinian fishing boats nr. Bayt Lahiya, causing no damage or injuries. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces arrest 2 Palestinians and issue arrest summons to 6 during raids in Jabal Mukabir and Hizma. (PCHR 8/25)

The Israel Land Authority and Ma’ale Adumim Economic Development Company open 4 tenders for leasing land, establishing a hotel, and constructing a new park in the settlement. (MNA 8/20)

IDF troops shoot and kill a Palestinian nr. Ramallah after he and other youths throw stones and Molotov cocktails at Israeli settlers in the area, lightly injuring 3 settlers (4 of the other Palestinian youths are injured). Some witnesses say there was no stone throwing and that the youths were just walking home. The PA describes the killing as “extrajudicial.” Elsewhere in the West Bank, Israeli forces carry out the punitive demolition of the Qalqilya-area home of a Palestinian who was killed on 3/8 after he attacked a group of Israelis and U.S. tourists (see JPS 45 [4]). They also deliver stop-work orders to several Palestinian homes under construction nr. Bethlehem. IDF troops arrest 16 Palestinians and destroy part of a home during late-night raids and house searches in and around Hebron, Ramallah, Qalqilya, Nablus, Bethlehem, Tubas, and Tulkarm. Off Gaza’s coast, Israeli naval forces open fire on Palestinian fishing boats nr. Khan Yunis, causing no damage or injuries. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces arrest 8 Palestinians during raids in Sur al-Bahir, Issawiyya, and Abu Dis. (BBC, HA, JP, MNA, WAFA, YA 6/21; PCHR 6/23)

The PA cabinet decides to hold municipal elections on 10/8, though it is unclear whether this round of elections will include both Gaza and the West Bank. Hamas boycotted the last round of municipal elections in 2012, so no ballots were cast in Gaza (see JPS 42 [2]). (MNA 6/21)

Two Palestinians open fire on a crowd of Israelis in an open-air shopping area in c. Tel Aviv, killing 4 and injuring 10. Israeli forces shoot the 2 men, critically injuring 1 and mildly injuring the other. IDF troops raid the attackers’ home village of Yatta nr. Hebron late at night, detaining several Palestinians and barring all entrances and exits, except for humanitarian cases. They declare the village a closed military zone and take measurements and photographs of the attackers’ home, threatening punitive demolition. (HA, MNA, TOI, YA 6/8; JP, MNA, PCHR, TOI 6/9)

Off Gaza’s coast, Israeli naval forces open fire on Palestinian fishing boats nr. Gaza City overnight, sinking 1; 3 of the fishermen are arrested (they are released later in the day). Along Gaza’s border, Israeli forces conduct a limited incursion to level land nr. Rafah. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces arrest 4 Palestinians during raids in the Old City. In the West Bank, Israeli forces confiscate a Palestinian truck from Khirbat al-Hadidiya in the Jordan Valley. Israeli settlers raze some Palestinian land nr. Bethlehem. IDF troops arrest 10 Palestinians during late-night raids in Hebron, Bethlehem, Tubas, 3 villages nr. Nablus, and 1 nr. Tulkarm. (MNA, WAFA, PCHR 6/9; PCHR 6/16)

The Israeli police decide that Palestinians killed after committing serious crimes against Israelis will be denied funeral processions and burials in their home neighborhoods or villages. Instead, the police will select the cemeteries in which to bury them. (HA, MNA, TOI, YA 6/8)

In the West Bank, IDF troops detain a Palestinian youth after arguing with her at a checkpoint nr. Bethlehem, and conduct raids in a village nr. Nablus, sparking clashes with stone-throwing Palestinians. Amid the clashes, Israeli soldiers fire tear gas canisters at a girls’ school, causing many students to choke. The IDF conducts late-night raids in and around Jenin, Hebron, Nablus, Ramallah, and Tubas, arresting 16 Palestinians and confiscating and damaging property; patrols nr. Jenin and Nablus. Israeli soldiers set fire to a Palestinian flag at a checkpoint nr. Nablus. Israeli settlers steal a Palestinian’s horse from a village nr. Nablus. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces demolish 2 residential structures in Kafr Walaja early in the morning, and arrest 18 Palestinians during raids in Silwan, the Old City, and Bayt Hanina. In West Jerusalem, Jewish Israelis assault and moderately injure a Palestinian bus driver nr. the Central Bus Station. (JP, MNA, TOI, WAFA 4/13; HA, PCHR, WAFA 4/14; HA 4/15; PCHR 4/21)

The Israeli press reports that PM Netanyahu and DM Ya’alon recently gave their approval for the construction of 267 settler residences in the West Bank, including in a number of outposts. (HA 4/13; PCN 4/14)

A Palestinian lawyer says that an Israeli court has rescinded the ban on products of 5 Palestinian food companies entering Jerusalem, which was issued by Israel’s Ministry of Agriculture on 3/9. (MNA 4/13)

Alleged stabbing attacks continue across the oPt. Israeli soldiers detain a Palestinian youth in c. Hebron when a knife is found on her person, and arrest another Palestinian youth after she allegedly attempts to stab Israeli police officers in Issawiyya, East Jerusalem. Israeli forces also assault and arrest 4 Palestinian youths nr. the Old City of Jerusalem. Meanwhile, IDF troops violently disperse Palestinians, Israelis, and international activists at Friday demonstrations against Israel’s occupation, separation wall, and settlement in 4 villages nr. Ramallah (Bil‘in, Ni‘lin, Silwad, and Nabi Salih), Kafr Qaddum nr. Qalqilya, and 2 areas along Gaza’s border; 5 Palestinians are injured. Israeli authorities keep the Erez border crossing closed for the 3d of 3 planned days and maintain the closure of the West Bank, as decided on 3/22. Along Gaza’s border, IDF troops open fire on Palestinian farmers and bird hunters nr. Jabaliya, causing no injuries. Separately, Israeli settlers in c. Hebron verbally assault the human rights worker who captured video of the unprovoked killing nearby on 3/24. IDF troops conduct raids nr. Jenin, Tubas, and Bethlehem, arresting 1 Palestinian and issuing arrest summons to 5; patrol in Tulkarm and nr. Hebron. Israeli forces shut down a checkpoint nr. Nablus, sparking clashes with stone-throwing Palestinian youths; 2 Palestinians are injured. (MNA, TOI 3/25; MNA 3/26; PCHR 3/31)

At the Jaffa Military Court, IDF prosecutors formally charge with murder the Israeli soldier who shot and killed an incapacitated Palestinian in c. Hebron on 3/24. (TOI 3/27)

In the West Bank, IDF troops and settlers shoot and injure a Palestinian outside the Gush Etzion settlement bloc nr. Bethlehem after he allegedly attempts to stab an Israeli settler. An IDF soldier is killed in the crossfire. Late at night, Israeli forces take measurements and photographs of the alleged Palestinian attacker’s home nr. Hebron, preparing for possible punitive demolition. Meanwhile, IDF troops raid a village nr. Ramallah, sparking clashes with stone-throwing Palestinian youths; 2 Palestinians are injured and 1 is arrested. The IDF conducts further late-night raids in and around Hebron, Nablus, Jenin, Bethlehem, Tubas, and Ramallah, arresting 21 Palestinians. Israeli settlers assault several Palestinians in c. Hebron, causing no serious injuries. Also, the IDF maintains, for a 4th day in a row, the closure of the Jenin-area village where the Palestinian who allegedly attempted to stab an Israeli soldier on 2/21 was from. Israeli forces deliver 3 punitive demolition notices to Palestinians in the village. Off Gaza’s coast, Israeli naval forces open fire on Palestinian fishing boats nr. Gaza City, causing no damage or injuries. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces arrest 2 Palestinian merchants outside the Old City when explosives are found in their food stand and arrest 6 Palestinians on late-night raids in Shu‘fat, Silwan, Jabal Mukabir, and Issawiyya. (HA, JP, MNA, TOI, WAFA, YA 2/24; PCHR, WAFA 2/25; PCHR 3/3)

In Gaza, a Palestinian worker dies in a tunnel leading to Egypt in unclear circumstances. Residents of the area say he was repairing a section of the tunnel that had been damaged by Egyptian forces when it collapsed. In Israel, an unidentified assailant stabs and injures an Israeli Jewish youth in Ramla, then flees the scene. The Israeli police later arrest a Palestinian in connection with the attack. In the West Bank, Israeli forces issue 11 stop-work notices to homes and agricultural structures under construction nr. Salfit and Hebron. IDF troops conduct house searches and raids in Qalqilya, Tulkarm and 1 nearby village, Hebron and 1 nearby village, 2 villages nr. Ramallah, and 1 each nr. Tubas and Bethlehem, arresting 17 Palestinians; patrol in 5 villages nr. Hebron and 4 nr. Ramallah. (HA, MNA, TOI, YA 2/8; PCHR 2/11)

On the 2d day of Palestinian national reconciliation talks in Doha, Hamas and Fatah officials reach a tentative agreement. They pledge to form a new unity govt., prepare for a new round of presidential and parliamentary elections, and reaffirm their commitments to previous agreements. They also agree that PASF troops will take control of the Rafah border crossing in Gaza, with Hamas staff supporting them. (TOI 2/9)

The Israeli Knesset’s Ethics Comm. suspends MKs Haneen Zoabi, Basel Ghattas, and Jamal Zahalka (Joint List) from plenary sessions and comm. hearings for periods of 2 and 4 mos. in connection with their 2/2 solidarity visit to the family of a Palestinian whose body is being withheld by Israeli authorities. (HA, JP, MNA, TOI 2/8; NYT 2/9; EI 2/10)

The Knesset passes, 50–43, the 1st reading of Justice Minister Ayelet Shaked’s “NGO transparency bill,” which would require Israeli nonprofit organizations that receive funding from foreign govts. to disclose that information in a variety of ways. (JP 2/8; HA, MNA 2/9)

IDF troops kill 3 Palestinians in incidents across the West Bank. First, IDF troops shoot and kill 1 Palestinian at a checkpoint nr. Hebron after he allegedly attempts to stab an Israeli soldier, and a 2d Palestinian is killed by errant fire during the incident. After unknown assailants open fire on cars passing through a checkpoint nr. Bethlehem, IDF troops conduct raids and house searches in nearby villages, sparking clashes with stone-throwing Palestinian youths; 1 Palestinian is killed in Bayt Jala. Meanwhile, IDF troops patrol in Tubas late at night, sparking clashes with stonethrowers and injuring 1 Palestinian. The IDF conducts late-night house searches and raids in al-Fawar r.c. and 2 villages nr. Hebron, arresting 3 Palestinians; further patrols in 1 village each nr. Jericho and Salfit, as well as 7 villages nr. Hebron. Israeli forces raze a swath of land outside a settlement nr. Jenin; demolish a plant nursery nr. Nablus late at night. The Israeli authorities inform the PA of their plans to raze Palestinian land nr. Nablus to build 6 new watchtowers and extend a security fence nr. the Yitzar settlement, and Israeli forces begin construction on the fence extension. (HA, JP, MNA, TOI 1/12; HA, MNA 1/13; PCHR 1/14)

Small-scale violence continues in the Jerusalem and Hebron areas. A Palestinian shoots and injures an Israeli soldier outside al-Ibrahimi Mosque in c. Hebron, and another shoots and lightly injures an Israeli soldier outside a junction nr. Hebron; both suspects evade arrest. Later, Israeli forces arrest a Palestinian in Jabal Mukabir, East Jerusalem, after he allegedly attempts to stab an Israeli at a bus station. Meanwhile, IDF troops conduct raids in Dahaysha r.c. nr. Bethlehem, arresting 1 Palestinian and sparking clashes with stonethrowing Palestinian youths; 3 Palestinians are injured. Israeli forces conduct further raids and house searches in Aida r.c. and 1 village nr. Bethlehem, Hebron and 2 villages nearby, 2 villages nr. Nablus, al-Fara‘a r.c. nr. Tubas, and 2 neighborhoods in East Jerusalem, arresting 17 Palestinians and issuing arrest summons to 15; patrol in 2 villages nr. Hebron, 1 nr. Salfit, Qalqilya, and 3 villages nr. Ramallah. While renovating their home in the Old City, Israeli settlers break 6 holes through the wall of an adjacent Palestinian home. When the Israeli police arrive, they ask the settlers to repair the damage. (HA, JP, MNA, TOI, WAFA, YA 1/3; JP, MNA 1/4; PCHR 1/7)