The Palestine Chronology

In the West Bank, IDF troops violently disperse Palestinians protesting the occupation in al-‘Arub refugee camp; 1 Palestinian is injured. They also arrest 13 Palestinians and confiscate 1 car during late-night raids in and around Hebron, Bethlehem, Tulkarm, Nablus, and Jenin; and patrol near Nablus, Qalqilya, Tulkarm, and Hebron. Israeli border police arrest a Palestinian in central Hebron, allegedly when he is found to be carrying a knife. Unidentified Palestinians open fire on an IDF post near Ramallah, causing no damage or injuries. In East Jerusalem, approximately 62 Israeli settlers tour Haram al-Sharif. Israeli forces arrest 5 Palestinians during raids in Silwan. (TOI, WAFA 11/26; MNA 11/27; PCHR 11/30)

Israeli forces stage a multi-stage “controlled detonation” of an underground tunnel leading from the Khan Yunis area of Gaza into Israel, killing 12 Hamas and PIJ fighters, and injuring at least 18 more. An IDF spokesperson says that the detonation was a preemptive move because the tunnel did not yet pose a threat to Israel, claims that the Palestinians were only killed because they rushed into the tunnel after the detonation and suffered smoke inhalation, and calls the tunnel a “gross violation of Israeli sovereignty.” A PIJ spokesperson says the group is “weighing its options” in response to the attack (PIJ reportedly built the tunnel). (EI, HA, MNA, TOI, WAFA, YA 10/30; MNA 10/31; MNA 11/3; HA 11/5)

In the West Bank, IDF troops arrest 2 Palestinians during early morning raids in Jenin refugee camp, sparking clashes with stone-throwing residents. Amid the clashes, Israeli soldiers shoot and injure a Palestinian garbage truck driver. IDF troops also arrest 11 Palestinians during late-night raids near Ramallah, Nablus, Hebron, Qalqilya, and Jenin, and patrol in and around Hebron, Salfit, and Tulkarm. Israeli settlers open fire on Palestinian farmers harvesting olives south of Hebron, causing no damage or injuries. In East Jerusalem, undercover Israeli forces open fire on 2 Palestinians at the entrance to Qalandia refugee camp, injuring 1 before arresting both. Three Palestinians are injured in the ensuing clashes. Israeli forces also arrest 3 Palestinians during late-night raids in Silwan, Shu‘fat, and Hizma, and violently disperse a sit-in and dismantle a protest tent Palestinians set up in al-Bustan in 2009. (EI, HA, MNA, TOI, WAFA, YA 10/30; MNA 10/31; PCHR 11/2)

PA minister of education Sabri Saidam visits the Jubbet al-Dhib school that the IDF dismantled on 8/22 and 9/9 to celebrate its rebuilding and opening. Elsewhere in the West Bank, Israeli forces confiscate machinery from a Palestinian farm near Tubas. Palestinians throw stones at Israeli forces on patrol in Tulkarm and nearby Nur Shams refugee camp, sparking minor clashes; there are no serious injuries. IDF troops arrest 11 Palestinians during late-night raids in and around Hebron, Tulkarm, Jenin, and Ramallah, and patrol near Hebron. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces conduct raids in Abu Dis, sparking minor clashes with Palestinian youths; there are no serious injuries. They also arrest 5 Palestinians during raids in Silwan. Off Gaza’s coast late at night, Israeli naval forces open fire on Palestinian fishing boats near Jabaliya refugee camp on 2 separate occasions, causing no damage or injuries. (MNA, WAFA 9/10; PCHR 9/14)

The PA releases Youth Against Settlement founder Issa Amro on $1,400 bail. He was arrested on 9/4 for Facebook posts criticizing the PA. (AJ, MNA 9/10)

In Cairo, Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh chairs the first meeting of Hamas’s top officials since their election earlier this year (see JPS 46 [4] and 47 [1]). They discuss relations with Egypt, the possibility of reconciliation with Fatah, and their regional position. Several Hamas officials then meet with top Egyptian security officers to discuss the Rafah border crossing and other bilateral issues. (TOI 9/10; TOI 9/11)

In the West Bank, Israel Defense Forces (IDF) troops conduct raids in Dahaysha refugee camp near Bethlehem, sparking clashes with Palestinian youths; 1 Palestinian is injured. They also confiscate a car and arrest 1 Palestinian during late-night raids near Nablus and Hebron. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces arrest 3 Palestinians during raids in Silwan. Off Gaza’s coast, Israeli naval forces open fire on Palestinian fishing boats near Bayt Lahiya, causing no damage or injuries. Along Gaza’s border, IDF troops arrest 2 Palestinians attempting to cross into Israel. (MNA, TOI, WAFA 8/16; PCHR 8/24)

The Egyptian authorities open the Rafah border crossing for a 3d day in a row, allowing Muslim worshippers to pass through on their pilgrimage to Mecca. (TOI 8/16; MNA 8/17; OCHA 9/14)