The Palestine Chronology

Hundreds of Israeli settlers visit Joseph’s Tomb near Nablus late at night, sparking clashes between their IDF escort and Palestinians from nearby Balata refugee camp; 3 Palestinians are injured. IDF troops also arrest 8 Palestinians during late-night raids in and around Ramallah, Jenin, Hebron, and Bethlehem; and patrol near Qalqilya, Salfit, and Hebron. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces arrest 5 Palestinians during raids in al-Ram, Silwan, Wadi al-Juz, and al-Suwana. A Palestinian demolishes his own home in Silwan to avoid paying Israeli demolition fees. Along Gaza’s border, IDF troops violently disperse Palestinians protesting U.S. pres. Trump’s 12/6 recognition of Jerusalem as Israel’s capital near Jabaliya refugee camp; there are no serious injuries. Israeli forces also conduct limited incursions along the border to level land near Dayr al-Balah and Khan Yunis, and open fire on agricultural lands near Bayt Hanun, causing no damage. (MNA 12/19; MNA, WAFA 12/20; PCHR 12/21)

The Egyptian authorities open the Rafah border crossing for the 4th and final day in a row, allowing passage in both directions. (WAFA 12/19; PCHR 1/4)

For an 11th consecutive day, Palestinians across Israel and the oPt gather to protest U.S. pres. Trump’s 12/6 recognition of Jerusalem as Israel’s capital. Israeli forces violently disperse them in Tulkarm, al-‘Arub refugee camp near Hebron, and along Gaza’s border near Jabaliya refugee camp and Gaza City; 5 Palestinians are injured. Meanwhile, Israeli forces raze 500 dunams (approximately 123 acres) of Palestinian land near Nablus and cut down dozens of Palestinian trees near Hebron. Israeli border police arrest a Palestinian carrying pipe bombs into an Israeli military court near Nablus. IDF troops arrest 11 Palestinians during late-night raids in and around Hebron, Ramallah, Qalqilya, and Bethlehem; and patrol near Tulkarm and Hebron. In East Jerusalem, Israeli settlers tour Haram al-Sharif in the morning. Off Gaza’s coast, Israeli naval forces open fire on Palestinian fishing boats near Dayr al-Balah and Jabaliya refugee camp, causing no damage or injuries. (HA, TOI, WAFA, YA 12/17; PCHR 12/21)

Unidentified parties fire 2 rockets into Israel; 1 lands in an open area and the other explodes in the yard of a home near Ashqelon, causing minor damage. The IAF conducts air strikes on 6 Hamas sites in northern Gaza, causing damage and no injuries. (HA, WAFA, YA 12/18)

The Egyptian authorities open the Rafah border crossing for the 2d of 4 planned days, allowing passage in both directions. (WAFA 12/17)

Israel’s Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories reopens the Kerem Shalom crossing. The Israeli authorities closed it and the Erez border crossing on 12/13. (TOI 12/17)

In the West Bank, IDF troops violently disperse Palestinians, Israelis, and international activists at Friday protests against Israel’s occupation, settlements, and separation wall in 3 villages near Ramallah (Nabi Salih, Bil‘in, and Ni‘lin), Khirbat Qalqas near Hebron, Kafr Qaddum near Qalqilya, and along Gaza’s border near Jabaliya refugee camp; 1 Palestinian and 1 German activist are injured. The IDF also arrests 1 Palestinian during a patrol near Jenin, and conducts further patrols near Hebron and Qalqilya. (MNA, WAFA 11/24; PCHR 11/30)

A U.S. State Dept. spokesperson announces that the PLO office in Washington will be allowed to remain open for at least another 90 days, after which Pres. Trump will decide whether or not to allow it to stay open indefinitely (see Update). The Trump administration has “advised the PLO Office to limit its activities to those related to achieving a lasting, comprehensive peace between the Israelis and Palestinians,” the spokesperson explains. (HA, MNA, TOI 11/25)

Approximately 25–30 gunmen launch an attack on a crowded mosque in the northern Sinai Peninsula, killing at least 300 Egyptian civilians. In response, the Egyptian army kills at least 30 of the militants in a series of strikes on known hideouts in the area. A Palestinian official says that the attack prompted the Egyptian authorities to cancel a planned 3-day opening of the Rafah border crossing on 11/25–27. (AFP, HA 11/24; AP, HA, REU, TOI 11/25)

In the West Bank, IDF troops arrest 5 Palestinians during late-night raids near Hebron and in Tulkarm; and patrol near Nablus, Hebron, and Qalqilya. Approximately 200 Israeli settlers visit a Jewish holy site near Hebron (the burial site of the prophets Gad and Nathan), sparking clashes between their IDF escort and stone-throwing Palestinian youths; there are no serious injuries. Israeli settlers also throw stones at Palestinian homes near Hebron, causing minor damage. Off Gaza’s coast, Israeli naval forces open fire on Palestinian fishing boats near Jabaliya refugee camp, causing no damage or injuries. Along Gaza’s border, IDF troops open fire on Palestinian agricultural lands near Khan Yunis, Juhur al-Dik, and alBureij refugee camp, causing no serious damage. (MNA, WAFA 11/18; PCHR 11/23)

The Egyptian authorities open the Rafah border crossing for the first of 3 planned days, allowing passage in both directions. This opening is the first with the Gaza side of the crossing under PA control. (TOI, WAFA 11/18)

PA FM Riyad al-Maliki says that the Palestinians will not give in to U.S. “extortion,” following the 11/17 report of a U.S. threat to close the PLO diplomatic mission in Washington. (HA, TOI, WAFA 11/18)

An Israeli tank fires a warning shell at Syrian forces congregating near the Golan Heights, causing no damage or injuries. (HA, TOI 11/18)

IDF troops violently disperse Palestinians marching through Bethlehem to mark the 100th anniversary of the Balfour Declaration. There are no serious injuries in the ensuing clashes. Elsewhere in the West Bank, Israeli settlers steal the olives harvested from 280 trees in Palestinian orchards near Nablus. IDF troops arrest 5 Palestinians during raids in Dahaysha refugee camp near Bethlehem overnight, sparking minor clashes; 1 Palestinian is injured. They arrest 11 more Palestinians during latenight raids in and around Tubas, Hebron, and Bethlehem, and patrol near Nablus, Qalqilya, and Hebron. (MNA, WAFA 11/1; PCHR 11/2; PCHR 11/9)

At a ceremony at the Rafah border crossing, Hamas formally hands over control of Gaza’s border crossings to the PA, implementing a key provision of their 10/12 reconciliation agreement. A senior PA official calls the moment an “important step on the path toward reconciliation.” The PA is set to take full control of Gaza on 12/1. (MNA, NYT, REU, TOI, WAFA 11/1)

Haaretz reports that the Israeli police have formed a special unit to oversee security and public order at Haram al-Sharif, following the upsurge in tensions at the site in 7/2017 (see JPS 47 [1]). The unit is expected to comprise about 200 officers when it begins operations in 2018. (HA 11/1)

PA pres. Abbas writes an op-ed for The Guardian lamenting the Balfour Declaration on its 100-year anniversary. “This British policy, to support Jewish immigration into Palestine while negating the Arab-Palestinian right to self-determination, created severe tensions between European Jewish immigrants and the native Palestinian population,” he writes. Meanwhile, Israeli PM Netanyahu flies to the UK to participate in the 100th anniversary celebrations. (GDN, TOI 11/1)

The IDF orders some 300 Palestinian Bedouins to leave their homes in the northern Jordan Valley ahead of the planned demolition of their village. Similar orders have been issued for Bedouin villages near Jerusalem in the past, but none have been enforced yet. (HA 11/17)

Israeli jets launch air strikes on an alleged Syrian government weapons depot in an industrial zone near Homs along the Lebanon-Syria border. The site reportedly hosted joint Iranian-Syrian activities. (HA 11/1; YA 11/2)

Sinai Province of the Islamic State (SPIS) fighters fire 2 rockets from the north Sinai Peninsula into Israel, where they land in open areas, causing no damage or injuries. Sources on the ground in Sinai report seeing Israeli fighter jets launch air strikes on a number of targets in response to the rockets. The attacks come after a day of heavy violence in Sinai and weeks of tension between Hamas and local Islamist groups in Gaza. Hours before the attack, SPIS fighters assaulted Egyptian soldiers at a vacant church in al-Arish with rocket-propelled grenades and car bombs, and also rob a bank nearby, sparking a firefight with Egyptian security personnel (at least 3 civilians and 4 soldiers are killed and at least 20 people are injured). The Egyptian army then launches a counterassault on insurgent hideouts near Rafah, al-Arish, and Shaykh Zuwayd, killing at least 24 fighters affiliated with SPIS and other armed groups. Meanwhile, the Egyptian authorities announce that they will not be opening the Rafah border crossing with Gaza for 4 days as planned. (AA, AP, HA, JP, REU, TOI, WAFA 10/16; TOI 10/17)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers assault 2 Palestinian children on their way to school in Hebron. They also throw stones and bottles at a mosque in al-Tuwani village near Hebron, causing minor damage and sparking clashes between their IDF escort and residents of the area (there are no serious injuries). Settlers steal olives harvested from more than 65 trees in orchards near Nablus and Ramallah (IDF troops arrest a number of them later in the day). Other settlers attempt to assault Palestinians picking olives outside the Eli settlement near Hebron, but the Palestinians drive them off. IDF troops conduct a raid in Dahaysha refugee camp near Bethlehem, arresting 1 Palestinian and sparking clashes with stone-throwing residents; 1 Palestinian is injured. They arrest 13 Palestinians during latenight raids near Jenin and Ramallah, and in Bethlehem and Qalqilya, and patrol near Jenin. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces violently disperse a Palestinian family gathering in Issawiyya to welcome a relative home from prison, moderately injuring 3 of them. Off Gaza’s coast, Israeli naval forces open fire on Palestinian fishing boats near Gaza City and Bayt Lahiya, causing no damage or injuries. They arrest 4 fishermen and confiscate 2 boats. Along Gaza’s border, IDF troops open fire on Palestinian farmland near al-Maghazi refugee camp, causing no damage or injuries. (WAFA 10/15; MNA, WAFA 10/16; PCHR 10/19)

At the weekly Israeli cabinet meeting, PM Netanyahu says U.S. pres. Trump’s 10/13 decision not to certify the 7/14/2015 Iran nuclear deal presents an opportunity to “fix” the deal. “I believe that any responsible government, and whoever seeks to promote peace and security in the world, needs to take advantage of the opportunity that Pres. Trump’s decision has created to improve the agreement or abrogate it and, of course, stop Iran’s aggression,” he says. (TOI 10/15; JTA 10/16)

In the West Bank, IDF troops arrest 2 Palestinians and issue 2 arrest summons during late-night raids near Hebron, Bethlehem, and Jenin, and patrol near Ramallah, Nablus, Jenin, Hebron, and Salfit. Israeli settlers cut down 40 olive trees in a Palestinian orchard near Nablus. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces arrest 2 Palestinians during raids in Silwan. In southern Israel, Israeli forces demolish a home in the Palestinian Bedouin village of Umm Qabu. Off Gaza’s coast late at night, Israeli naval forces open fire on Palestinian fishing boats near Bayt Lahiya, causing no damage or injuries. (MNA 9/14; PCHR 9/21)

The Egyptian authorities partially open the Rafah border crossing for a 4th and final day in a row, allowing Muslim worshippers to return from their pilgrimage to Saudi Arabia. (OCHA 9/29)

IDF troops shoot and injure a Palestinian youth at a bus stop outside the Kiryat Arba settlement near Hebron, allegedly after he attempts to stab a settler. They leave the injured youth lying on the ground without receiving treatment before arresting him and taking him to a hospital in Israel. In a video released later, the youth can be heard pleading for water and explaining that he was attempting to commit suicide. Israeli forces demolish 8 homes and 6 retaining walls in Steih Dyouk village near Jericho. They also arrest a Palestinian living outside Yatta near Hebron before demolishing his home. The IDF arrests 7 Palestinians and issue 1 arrest summons during late-night raids in and around Nablus, Hebron, Tulkarm, and Salfit, and patrols near Jenin and Hebron. Israeli settlers uproot 27 olive trees on Palestinian land outside Burin village near Nablus. Meanwhile, PASF troops conduct a raid in Yatta overnight, sparking a brief firefight with the wanted Palestinians and their affiliates; 1 Palestinian is killed and another is seriously injured. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces demolish a building in Silwan and a 2-story apartment building in Ras al-Amud, and arrest 1 Palestinian during a late-night raid in Qalandia refugee camp. (MNA, TOI, WAFA 9/13; PCHR 9/14; PCHR 9/21; EI 9/22)

The Egyptian authorities partially open the Rafah border crossing for a 3d day in a row, allowing Muslim worshippers to return from their pilgrimage to Saudi Arabia. (OCHA 9/29)

The UN’s World Tourism Organization announces that the Palestinian bid for membership has been postponed until the body’s next meeting in 2019. The PA reportedly decided to suspend its bid following heavy U.S. pressure, according to a senior Israeli official. (HA, TOI 9/13)

Along Gaza’s border late at night, Israeli forces conduct a limited incursion to level land near Bayt Lahiya. Off Gaza’s coast, Israeli naval forces open fire on Palestinian fishing boats near Jabaliya refugee camp, causing no damage or injuries. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces demolish parts of the outer wall of a Palestinian cemetery outside the Old City. In the West Bank, an IDF raid in Tuqu‘ near Bethlehem sparks clashes with stone-throwing Palestinians; 1 Palestinian is injured. IDF troops also arrest 4 Palestinians during late-night raids in and around Hebron, Bethlehem, and Qalqilya, and patrol near Jenin throughout the day. Israeli settlers confront Palestinians at the elementary school in Jubbet al-Dhib inaugurated on 9/10, but Palestinians drive them away nonviolently. Separately, racist anti-Arab graffiti pops up overnight in east Nablus. (MNA, PNN, WAFA 9/11; MNA 9/12; PCHR 9/14)

The Egyptian authorities partially open the Rafah border crossing, allowing Muslim worshippers to return from their pilgrimage to Saudi Arabia. (OCHA 9/29)

 After a 2d day of meetings in Cairo, Hamas’s top officials release a statement expressing willingness to “immediately” sign a new national reconciliation agreement with Fatah and disband the administrative committee set up in Gaza earlier this year. They reportedly tell Egyptian intelligence officials that they would allow the PA to take charge in Gaza and carry out new elections only if all Palestinian factions participated in a follow-up conference to elect a new national government. (HA 9/11; MNA, TOI 9/12)

The PASF issues a press release explaining that the 9/4 arrest of Youth Against Settlement founder Amro stemmed from his engagement in “actions that would cause internal strife” and his “contacting foreign parties to undermine the work of the PA.” Amro was released on bail on 9/10. (WAFA 9/11)

IDF troops violently disperse Palestinians, Israelis, and international activists at Friday protests against Israel’s occupation, settlements, and separation wall in 3 villages near Ramallah (Nabi Salih, Bil‘in, and Ni‘lin), Kafr Qaddum near Qalqilya, and along Gaza’s border near Jabaliya refugee camp; 4 Palestinians are injured. Elsewhere in the West Bank, the IDF arrests a Palestinian in central Hebron, allegedly for carrying a knife, arrests 1 Palestinian during a late-night raid near Tulkarm, and patrols near Hebron, Nablus, and Salfit. In East Jerusalem, Israeli police violently disperse Palestinians protesting outside the Sheikh Jarrah home where a Palestinian family was evicted on 9/5; 3 Palestinians are arrested. Off Gaza’s coast, Israeli naval forces open fire on Palestinian fishing boats near Khan Yunis, causing no damage or injuries. (MNA, WAFA 9/8; PCHR 9/14)

The Egyptian authorities partially open the Rafah border crossing, allowing Muslims to return from their pilgrimage to Saudi Arabia. (MEMO 9/8; OCHA 9/14)

Israeli forces arrest 5 Palestinians during raids near Bethlehem, Jenin, and the Old City of Jerusalem, and patrol near Hebron. In 3 separate incidents off Gaza’s coast, Israeli naval forces open fire on Palestinian fishing boats near Bayt Lahiya and Jabaliya refugee camp, causing no damage or injuries. (PCHR 9/1)

The Egyptian authorities partially open the Rafah border crossing, allowing a group of Palestinian Muslims to leave Gaza on their pilgrimage to Mecca. (MNA 8/27; OCHA 9/14)

Israel’s Justice Ministry announces that the Israeli settler families that took over the 2d and 3d floors of the Palestinian-owned Abu Rajab house in central Hebron on 7/25 have been ordered to leave within 1 week. Israel’s state prosecutor says that they took over the building without finalizing a legal purchase. (HA, TOI 8/27; MNA, WAFA 8/28)

Israel’s Defense Ministry announces that it has finalized a deal with U.S. defense contractor Lockheed Martin to buy 17 additional F-35 stealth fighter jets. The initial order of 33 jets was set to be complete by 2021. Five of the jets have already been delivered. The new order will bring the total size of the fleet to 50 jets by 2024. The Israeli cabinet authorized the purchase in 11/2016. (JP, JTA, TOI, YA 8/27)

Late at night, Israeli forces carry out the punitive demolition of the Kobar home of the Palestinian who killed 3 settlers at the nearby Halamish settlement on 7/21. The demolition sparks clashes with stone-throwing Palestinians in the area; 12 Palestinians are injured. Separately, IDF troops arrest 5 Palestinians and issue 1 arrest summons during raids nr. Hebron, Ramallah, and Bethlehem; and patrol nr. Nablus. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces demolish a 2-story building in Issawiyya, a makeshift home in Silwan, a car wash in Bayt Hanina, and a commercial structure in Jabal Mukabir. They also arrest 5 Palestinians during raids in al-Tur and Abu Dis. In Israel, the police arrest Shaykh Raed Salah, the head of the Islamic Movement’s outlawed Northern Branch, on charges related to incitement. (MNA, WAFA, YA 8/15; HA, MNA, TOI, WAFA 8/16; PCHR 8/17)

The Egyptian authorities open the Rafah border crossing for a 2d day in a row, allowing only Gazans embarking on the pilgrimage to Mecca to pass. (TOI, WAFA 8/15; OCHA 8/17)

IDF troops shoot and injure a Palestinian as he attempts to cross the separation wall into Israel nr. Bethlehem. Elsewhere in the West Bank, the IDF arrests 14 Palestinians during late-night raids in and around Hebron, Nablus, Tulkarm, and Qalqilya; and patrols nr. Hebron. Israeli soldiers also assault and arrest a Palestinian attempting to stop them from arresting his mentally handicapped daughter. Israeli forces demolish 3 homes and a livestock barn in a small Bedouin village nr. Hebron. In East Jerusalem, dozens of Jewish settlers tour Haram al-Sharif. Israeli forces arrest 2 Palestinians and issue 1 arrest summons during raids in Silwan and the Old City. Along Gaza’s border, Israeli forces conduct a limited incursion to level land nr. al-Bureij r.c. (MNA, WAFA 8/14; PCHR 8/17)

The Egyptian authorities open the Rafah border crossing for a limited period, allowing 800 Palestinians from Gaza to embark on the pilgrimage to Mecca. (WAFA 8/14; OCHA 8/17)

IDF troops shoot and kill a Palestinian at al-Jaba‘ checkpoint nr. Ramallah after he allegedly attempts to stab 1 of them. After the incident, the IDF raids the alleged attacker’s home in al-‘Izzariya and arrests his father. Elsewhere in the West Bank, Israeli forces begin leveling land nr. Nablus to expand settlement infrastructure in the area. IDF troops arrest 2 Palestinians during late-night raids nr. Hebron. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces briefly detain an Islamic Waqf guard at Haram al-Sharif and summon 3 other guards for interrogation. (HA, MNA 6/20; EI, MNA 6/21; PCHR 6/22)

A day after the Israeli authorities began cutting the electricity supply to Gaza, a Hamas-affiliated source says that the Egyptian govt. has agreed to ship diesel fuel into the region via the Rafah border crossing to allow Gaza’s sole power plant to resume operations for a limited time. It’s unclear if the shipments are linked to a rumored agreement between Egypt and Hamas earlier this mo. (HA, TOI 6/20)

Israeli forces begin construction on Amichai, a new settlement to house residents of the illegal Amona outpost, which was demolished in early 2/2017 (see JPS 46 [3, 4]). Amichai is reportedly the 1st settlement built officially by the Israeli govt. in 25 years. (HA, MNA, TOI 6/20)

Off Gaza’s coast, Israeli naval forces open fire on Palestinian fishing boats nr. Bayt Lahiya on 2 separate occasions and later nr. Jabaliya r. c., causing no injuries. Along Gaza’s border, Israeli forces spray Palestinian farmlands nr. Rafah with herbicides overnight and conduct a limited incursion to level land nr. Khan Yunis late at night. In East Jerusalem, Israeli settlers spray price-tag graffiti and slash the tires of at least 17 Palestinian vehicles overnight in Shu‘fat. In the West Bank, Israeli forces demolish 4 Palestinian structures in Jiftlik nr. Jericho. IDF troops arrest 3 Birzeit University students during late-night raids nr. Ramallah. The arrests come hours before student elections are set to take place on 5/10. They also arrest 2 Palestinians during further raids nr. Ramallah; and patrol in Qalqilya, and nr. Salfit and Hebron. (HA, MNA, WAFA 5/9; MNA 5/10; PCHR 5/11)

The Egyptian authorities open the Rafah border crossing for the 4th and final day in a row. (MNA 5/9)

Israeli forces shoot and kill a Palestinian youth in the Old City of Jerusalem after she allegedly attempts to stab an Israeli police officer at Damascus Gate, causing no injuries. Palestinian witnesses say that she did not pose a threat to the police, and that she was “executed in cold blood.” Elsewhere in East Jerusalem, the Israeli police open a new station in Shu‘fat r.c. It’s the first of 5 new stations planned across East Jerusalem as part of the NIS 1 b. plan to increase security announced in 8/2016 (see JPS 46 [1]). Meanwhile, Israeli forces arrest 6 Palestinians during late-night raids in Silwan and the Old City. Along Gaza’s border, Israeli forces conduct limited incursions to level land nr Dayr al-Balah and Khan Yunis. Off Gaza’s coast, Israeli naval forces open fire on Palestinian fishing boats nr. Bayt Lahiya, causing no damage or injuries. In the West Bank, Israeli settlers assault Palestinian farmers protesting the expansion of a settler bypass road nr. Ramallah; there are no serious injuries. IDF troops confiscate surveillance tapes, arrest 8 Palestinians, and issue 2 arrest summons during late-night raids in and around Bethlehem, Qalqilya, and Hebron; and patrol nr. Nablus and Hebron during the day. (HA, MNA 5/7; MNA 5/8; PCHR 5/11)

The Egyptian authorities open the Rafah border crossing for the 2d of 3 planned days. They also announce that the crossing will be open an additional day on 5/9. (WAFA 5/7)

The IPS releases footage, taken on 4/27 and 5/5, purportedly showing Marwan Barghouti eating cookies and candy in his prison cell. Barghouti, the Fatah leader who organized the Dignity Strike, is currently being held at Kishon Prison. Some IPS sources say that they provided him with the food to see if they could get him to break his strike. Barghouti’s lawyer and various Palestinian leaders dismiss the videos as forgeries. (JP, NYT, TOI 5/7; HA 5/8)

Israel’s Ministerial Comm. for Legislation approves a new version of the so-called nation-state bill, which would cancel Arabic’s status as an “official language” of Israel and codify Israel’s status as the “national home of the Jewish people”. Disagreements over previous drafts of this bill led to the dissolution of the Knesset and national elections in 3/2015 (see JPS 44 [3, 4]). Unlike earlier drafts, the version approved today does not subordinate Israel’s democracy to its Jewish character. (HA, JP, TOI 5/7)

Along Gaza’s border, IDF troops open fire on Palestinian agricultural lands nr. Khan Yunis, causing no major damage. Off Gaza’s coast, Israeli naval forces open fire on Palestinian fishing boats nr. Khan Yunis, causing no injuries or damage. In the West Bank, IDF troops arrest 7 Palestinians and issue 1 arrest summons during late-night raids nr. Hebron, Tulkarm, and Ramallah; and patrol nr. Salfit and Hebron. In East Jerusalem, 53 rightwing Jewish activists tour Haram al-Sharif. (MNA, WAFA 3/26; PCHR 3/30)

Amid the ongoing investigation of the 3/24 killing of senior Hamas military cmdr. Fuqaha, the Hamas-run interior ministry in Gaza indefinitely shuts down the Erez border crossing, except for humanitarian cases; orders all fishermen to return to the shore; and shuts down the Rafah border crossing into Egypt. (Most of these restrictions will remain in place through 4/6.) The Kerem Shalom border crossing remains open. (HA, JP, MNA, TOI 3/26; MNA 4/6)

A spokesperson for the residents of the Amona settlement outpost warns that if the Israeli govt. does not build them a new settlement, as PM Netanyahu promised before Amona’s evacuation and demolition in 2/2017 (see JPS 46 [3]), they will “have to unilaterally move onto the [designated] land” and build it themselves. The spokesperson is likely responding to reports in the Israeli press about Israel-U.S. talks in Washington last week, and specifically an unconfirmed report that the U.S. may condone the Amona replacement in exchange for other limitations on settlement growth. (JP 3/26; JP 3/27)

In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces arrest 3 Islamic Waqf officials at Haram al-Sharif, alleging that they refused to comply with orders related to Israeli restoration efforts at the sanctuary. In the West Bank, IDF troops arrest 15 Palestinians during raids nr. Hebron, Salfit, Nablus, Tulkarm, and Ramallah. They also temporarily detain U.S.-Israeli anti-occupation activist Jeff Halper at the Ma’ale Adumim settlement, following a complaint that he possesses “materials related to [the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions movement].” Halper, a cofounder of the Israeli Comm. Against House Demolitions, was leading a tour of the oPt. Off Gaza’s coast, Israeli naval forces open fire on Palestinian fishing boats nr. Bayt Lahiya, causing no damage or injuries. (WAFA 3/8; PCHR 3/9; PCHR 3/16)

The Egyptian authorities open the Rafah border crossing for the 3d of 3 planned days. (WAFA 3/8; HA 3/14)

In the West Bank, a Palestinian hitchhiker stabs and injures an Israeli settler driver who picked him up nr. Bethlehem. IDF troops violently disperse Palestinians outside the Ofer Prison nr. Ramallah protesting the 3/6 killing of Basel al-Araj and PA security coordination with Israel; 8 Palestinians are arrested. IDF troops also set up mobile checkpoints around the Bethlehem area in the evening, confiscate personal property, and arrest 8 Palestinians during raids in and around Hebron and Nablus; and patrol nr. Nablus and Hebron. Along Gaza’s border, Israeli forces dismantle an explosive device nr. Jabaliya r.c. Around the same time, Israeli forces shell an Islamic Jihad in Palestine (PIJ) post nearby, injuring 1 Palestinian, according to PIJ. The IDF says it will look into a connection between the incidents. Off Gaza’s coast, Israeli naval forces open fire on Palestinian fishing boats, causing no damage or injuries. In Israel, the Israeli authorities deliver demolition orders to several homes in the Bedouin village Rakhama nr. Beersheba. (JP, MNA, WAFA, YA 3/7; MNA 3/8; PCHR 3/9)

The Egyptian authorities open the Rafah border crossing for the 2d of 3 planned days. (MNA, WAFA 3/6)

During the U.S. State Dept.’s first press briefing under the Trump admin., a spokesperson says that the dept. is “working closely” with Trump on his new Middle East policy and that the admin. is working with Israel to figure out “what exactly it would look like” for Israel to restrict settlement growth. (USSD, JP, TOI 3/7; AFP, HA 3/8)

IDF troops conduct a raid on a house in al-Bireh nr. Ramallah in which they shoot and kill Basel al-Araj, a prominent Palestinian activist. Two other Palestinians are injured in confrontations with Israeli forces following the raid. Elsewhere in the West Bank, IDF troops shut down a workshop nr. Nablus, arrest 7 Palestinians during late-night raids nr. Jenin, and patrol nr. Salfit and Hebron. Israeli forces demolish a Palestinian home under construction in s. Hebron. Israeli settlers assault Palestinian farmers nr. Nablus, injuring 2. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces conduct overnight raids in Issawiyya, sparking minor clashes with stone-throwing youths; 5 Palestinians are arrested and 3 are issued arrest summons. Meanwhile, Palestinian youths gather outside the Jerusalem Municipality complex nr. the Old City to protest the Israeli authorities’ closure of their school in Sur al-Bahir on 2/23. Along Gaza’s border, IDF troops open fire on Palestinian farmers working nr. Dayr al-Balah, causing no damage or injuries. Israeli forces conduct a limited incursion to level land nearby. (EI, HA, JP, MNA, TOI, WAFA 3/6; PCHR 3/9)

The Egyptian authorities open the Rafah border crossing for the first of 3 planned days, allowing Palestinians to enter and exit Gaza. (MNA 3/6)

Israel’s Knesset passes a law barring foreign nationals who call for economic, cultural, or academic boycotts of Israel or “area under its control,” such as Israel’s settlements in the occupied Palestinian territories (oPt), from receiving entry visas or residency rights. The interior minister is granted the right to make exceptions on a case-by-case basis. (HA, JP, NYT 3/7)

Off Gaza’s coast, Israeli naval forces open fire on Palestinian fishing boats nr. Gaza City, causing no damage or injuries. In East Jerusalem, a Palestinian family demolishes their own home in Jabal Mukabir to avoid paying Israeli demolition fees. In the West Bank, Israeli settlers threaten to harm a group of Palestinian shepherds over an ongoing land dispute in the n. Jordan Valley. IDF troops patrol in Qalqilya, firing tear gas canisters that injure a Palestinian baby. They also arrest 7 Palestinians during late-night raids nr. Bethlehem and Ramallah, and patrol nr. Nablus and Ramallah throughout the day. (MNA, TOI, WAFA 2/18; MNA 2/19; JP 2/20; PCHR 2/23)

The Egyptian authorities open the Rafah border crossing to allow Palestinians in Egypt to enter Gaza. (MNA 2/18; MNA 2/19)

In the West Bank, IDF troops arrest a Palestinian youth at a checkpoint in c. Hebron when she is found to be carrying a knife, and patrol throughout the day nr. Hebron, Qalqilya, Nablus, Salfit, and Ramallah. They also issue 1 Palestinian an arrest summons during latenight raids nr. Hebron. Israeli forces seize a Palestinian’s car and water hoses nr. Tubas. Unidentified assailants throw stones at Israeli settlers’ vehicles driving nr. Bethlehem, injuring 2 settlers. (MNA, TOI 2/11; WAFA 2/12; PCHR 2/16)

The Egyptian authorities open the Rafah border crossing in both directions (see Update). (MNA, TOI, WAFA 2/11)

In the West Bank, IDF troops shoot and injure a Palestinian approaching them at a checkpoint nr. Tulkarm. They also conduct raids in Aida r.c. nr. Bethlehem, sparking clashes with stone-throwing residents; there are no serious injuries. The IDF arrests 1 Palestinian during a late-night raid in Qalqilya, and patrols nr. Qalqilya, Hebron, Salfit, and Ramallah during the day. Israeli settlers throw stones at Palestinian cars driving between Ramallah and Nablus, damaging 10 and injuring 1 driver. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces conduct raids in Hizma, arresting 1 Palestinian and sparking clashes with stone-throwing residents; there are no serious injuries. Along Gaza’s border, IDF troops arrest 3 Palestinians attempting to cross into Israel nr. Dayr al-Balah. (MNA, PNN 1/30; PCHR 2/2)

The Egyptian authorities open the Rafah border crossing for the 3d day in a row. (MNA 1/31)

Israel’s ruling coalition postpones until 2/6 a Knesset vote on the new draft of the so-called regulations bill, which would retroactively authorize illegal settlement outposts in the West Bank. (HA, JP 1/30; TOI, YA 1/31)

The White House announces that U.S. pres. Trump and Israeli PM Netanyahu have arranged to hold their first official meeting on 2/15. Netanyahu later says that he plans to coordinate policy on Iran’s ballistic missile program with Trump, responding to reports of Iran conducting a missile test on 1/29. (HA, JP, TOI 1/30)

IDF troops shoot and kill a Palestinian youth and injure 4 others during clashes sparked by an IDF arrest raid in Jenin r.c. Elsewhere in the West Bank, armed Israeli settlers detain 2 Palestinian youths at gunpoint outside a settlement nr. Qalqilya. They accuse the youths of planning a stabbing attack. IDF troops arrest a Palestinian nr. Ramallah when he is found with a knife. They arrest 7 more Palestinians during late-night raids nr. Ramallah, Tubas, Hebron, and Jenin, and patrol nr. Ramallah and Hebron during the day. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces arrest 3 Palestinians during raids in the Old City. Along Gaza’s border, IDF troops open fire on Palestinians approaching the border fence nr. Rafah, causing no injuries. Then they arrest the 2 men. An unknown explosive detonates in Nuseirat r.c., injuring 2 Palestinians. In Israel, Israeli forces conduct raids in Umm al-Hiran in the Negev and prepare to demolish the 2 mobile homes donated to the community on 1/28. (JP, MNA, WAFA, YA 1/29; HA, MNA 1/30; PCHR 2/2)

The Egyptian authorities open the Rafah border crossing for the 2d day in a row. (MNA 1/29; MNA 1/30)

Israeli PM Netanyahu says that the so-called regulations bill, which would retroactively authorize illegal settlement outposts in the West Bank and which he previously opposed, will be returning to the Knesset on 1/30 for a vote. The bill needs to pass 2 more readings before it becomes law. (MNA, TOI, YA 1/29)