The Palestine Chronology

In the Gaza Strip, IDF troops conduct a limited incursion nr. Juhur al-Dik, where they level land close to the border fence and then withdraw. In the West Bank, the IDF injures 5 Palestinians nr. Jalazun r.c. nr. Ramallah during clashes which result from Palestinians trying to stop Jewish settlers throwing stones at cars nr. the camp. The IDF conducts house searches and arrest raids in 2 villages nr. Bethlehem, Qalqilya and 1 nearby village, Nablus, and Jenin r.c. at night. They patrol in al-Fawar r.c. nr. Hebron in the afternoon, and in Tulkarm and 1 nearby village, as well as 1 village nr. Jenin at night. (MNA, WAFA 9/1; PCHR 9/5)

U.S. State Dept. spokesperson Jen Psaki confirms that U.S. peace process envoy Martin Indyk participated in 1 of the sets of meetings between Israelis and Palestinians that have taken place since the resumption of talks in 7/2013 (though without specifying which one). Meanwhile, Palestinian PM Rami Hamdallah says that a 2d group of Palestinian prisoners could be freed by Israel by the end of 9/2013. (JP, REU 9/1)

Secy. of State John Kerry tells U.S. television networks that the govt. has proof sarin gas was used in a recent Damascus chemical weapons attack, urging Congress to vote for military action against the Asad regime. Meanwhile, the Syrian opposition coalition issues a statement asking Congress to approve the strike. In France, Interior Minister Mauel Valls says that his govt. would not go it alone in Syria and will wait for the decision by the U.S. Congress. (AFP, AP, REU 9/1)

Egypt’s chief prosecutor orders ousted pres. Morsi and 14 other Muslim Brotherhood leaders to stand trial on charges including inciting violence and murder. The new regime also names a constituent assembly and gives it 60 days to review amendments that would erase articles brought in by the Brotherhood and other Islamic parties last year. (NYT, REU 9/1)

In the West Bank, the IDF conducts house searches and arrest raids in 1 village each nr. Jenin and Qalqilya, and in 3 villages, as well as al-‘Arub refugee camp (r.c.) nr. Hebron, 1 village each nr. Bethlehem and Jenin, and Qalqilya at night; patrols in 2 villages nr. Nablus and 1 village nr. Jenin at night. Jewish settlers from Migron outpost attack a Palestinian shepherd on his village land, severely wounding him and killing 2 sheep. (PCHR 8/22; YA 8/18)

The PLO Executive Cmte. meets in Ramallah, speaking out against recent Israeli settlement construction announcements and threatening to go to international bodies in search of redress. The cmte. also says it holds the U.S. administration responsible for failing to stop Israel’s settlement activity during the renewed peace talks. Meanwhile, Palestinian Authority (PA) PM Rami Hamdallah signs an agreement with U.S. Consul General in Jerusalem Michael Ratney in which the U.S. will pay $148 million to support the PA’s budget. (JP, MNA, WAFA 8/18)

A meeting takes place in the Gaza Strip between Hamas and Fatah leaders to discuss the possibility of holding presidential and legislative elections. However, on the same day, Fatah accuses Hamas authorities in Gaza of targeting its mbrs. for detention and harassment. Meanwhile, PA forces arrest 6 Hamas mbrs. in the West Bank. (MNA 8/18)

The U.S. State Dept. puts financing for economic programs directly involving the Egyptian govt. on hold, in the 1st real indication that the Obama administration will cut or curtail aid to the country in response to the military coup. Meanwhile, clashes continue in Egypt, with security forces killing at least 36 prisoners through suffocation after firing tear gas into a prison truck. The estimated death toll for 4 days of unrest in the country stands at around 900, with an estimated 70 police officers also killed. (AP, NYT 8/18)

A UN team tasked with investigating alleged use of chemical weapons arrives in Damascus and visits 3 specific sites. (AP, NYT 8/18)

The IDF opens fire on Palestinians demonstrating against continued settler violations in Bayt Ummar village nr. Hebron, injuring 20 with rubber-coated steel bullets, including 1 man shot in the head. The IDF also shoots Palestinian protesters demonstrating against the IDF’s closure of the main entrance of Silwad village nr. Ramallah, injuring 14, while in al-‘Arub r.c. nr. Hebron, 2 Israeli soldiers are wounded by Palestinians during confrontations in the camp. There are also clashes between Paletinains and the IDF at Huwara checkpoint nr. Nablus as Palestinians protest recent violence in the al Aqsa Mosque compound, with no serious injuries. Separately, IDF soldiers violently disperse Palestinians, Israelis, and internationals taking part in nonviolent demonstrations in multiple villages against the Israeli occupation in solidarity with Palestinian prisoners. Demonstrations are held in 3 villages nr. Ramallah (Bil‘in, al-Nabi Salih, Nilin), 1 village nr. Qalqilya (Kafr Qaddum), 1 village nr. Bethlehem (al-Ma’sara), and al-Shakara area nr. Ramallah. There is 1 serious injury in al-Shakara, 1 in Bil‘in, and 2 in al-Nabi Salih. The IDF patrols in 1 village nr. Qalqilya and 2 villages nr. Ramallah in the morning, in 2 villages nr. Hebron (injuring 3 during clashes) and 1 village nr. Jenin in the afternoon. Then at night, IDF soldiers patrol in al-‘Arub r.c. nr. Hebron, 1 village nr. Jenin and 2 villages nr. Ramallah; conduct house searches and arrest raids in Hebron, 3 villages nr. Hebron and 1 village nr. Qalqilya. Meanwhile, Jewish settlers uproot around 70 olive trees in al-Tawani village nr. Hebron. (MNA 5/10; PCHR 5/16)