The Palestine Chronology

IDF troops shoot and injure a Palestinian waiting in line at the Qalandia checkpoint. They say that she acted “suspiciously” by “quickly approaching the security guards.” Late at night, they arrest 5 Palestinians during raids in and around Nablus, Tulkarm, and Hebron; and patrol during the day nr. Salfit and Ramallah. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces arrest 52 Palestinians during overnight raids in Ras al-Amud and Silwan. The Israeli police dub the raids as “the 700,” referring to the number of officers involved. Along Gaza’s border, IDF troops open fire on Palestinians nr. the border fence, causing no injuries. Off the coast, Israeli naval forces open fire on Palestinian fishing boats nr. Bayt Lahiya, causing no damage. They then arrest 2 fishermen and confiscate their boat. (EI, MNA, TOI, WAFA 7/26; MNA 7/27; PCHR 7/28)

Israeli forces demolish 12 Palestinian homes in Qalandia r.c., sparking clashes with Palestinian protesters; there are no serious injuries. Israeli raids in Abu Dis and al-Am‘ari r.c. spark further clashes with stone-throwing Palestinians (3 Palestinians are injured). Late at night, they demolish 4 more Palestinian structures in Issawiyya and 1 under construction in Silwan, and arrest 2 Palestinians during raids in Ras al-Amud. In the West Bank, IDF troops arrest 4 Palestinians during raids in Zabbuba village nr. Jenin, sparking clashes with stone-throwing residents (there are no serious injuries). They arrest 4 more Palestinians during late-night raids in and around Bethlehem, and patrol nr. Hebron, Salfit, and Qalqilya. The IDF reopens a road nr. Bethlehem, having closed it in the wake of a shooting attack in the area on 7/21. Israeli forces begin constructing permanent cement rooms at the entrance to al-Ibrahimi Mosque in Hebron; the press reports that the rooms will be used as a security inspection area. Meanwhile, the IDF maintains the general closure of Hebron and its surrounding district that it put in place on 7/1. (MNA 7/25; JP, MNA, WAFA 7/26; HA 7/27; PCHR 7/28)

UNRWA releases a statement expressing concern for the humanitarian effects of the IDF’s weeks-long crackdown on Hebron and the surrounding area. (MNA 7/25)

In response to a petition from Palestinian residents of Jerusalem, Israel’s High Court of Justice orders the police to explain why they are withholding the bodies of Palestinians killed while allegedly carrying out attacks on Israelis. The police are given 3 weeks to respond. (TOI 7/26)

Amid heightened tensions and the ongoing IDF closures in the Hebron district, Israeli settlers enter Kafr Haris village nr. Hebron overnight to perform religious rituals. Palestinians in the area report that a group of Israeli settlers have been setting up a new illegal settlement outpost outside the village. Meanwhile, IDF troops conduct raids in Silwad village nr. Ramallah, sparking clashes with stone-throwing Palestinian youth; 1 Palestinian is seriously injured. Late at night, IDF troops arrest 10 Palestinians and issue 1 arrest summons during further raids and house searches nr. Hebron, Bethlehem, Nablus, and Jenin; and patrol in 5 villages nr. Hebron. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces arrest 3 Palestinians suspected of stone-throwing in Issawiyya. They also conduct raids in the Old City, breaking up a minor physical confrontation between Jewish Israelis and Palestinian youths (7 Palestinians are assaulted and 4 are arrested). Meanwhile, a Palestinian demolishes a room of his home in Silwan to avoid paying Israeli demolition fees. Along Gaza’s border, IDF troops open fire on Palestinian farmers working nr. Khan Yunis, causing no injuries. In s. Israel, Israeli forces arrest several bedouin Palestinians after they try to stop an Israeli bulldozer from leveling land outside their village, al-Araqib. (MNA, WAFA 7/24; MNA 7/25; PCHR 7/28)

The Israeli press reports that the mayor of Yatta village, along with several human rights organizations, has submitted a petition to Israel’s High Court of Justice to lift the IDF’s closure of Yatta, which was imposed in the wake of the 6/8 attack in Tel Aviv. The petition states that all entry and exit from the village has been prohibited since 7/2, when the closure was re-enforced. The mayor reportedly complained to the IDF, which responded that the closure will continue because it is a “military-security need” and that it is “part of the effort to prevent further attackers from leaving the area.” (HA 7/24)

The Israeli press reports that the Jerusalem Municipality’s Local Planning and Construction Comm. presented plans for 770 settler housing units between the Gilo settlement and Bayt Jala late last week. The Israeli authorities previously approved 1,200 units in the area, and the reports today appear to cover the same development. (MNA 7/24)

Israeli forces conduct raids in al-Ram village, sparking clashes with stone-throwing Palestinians; 1 Palestinian child is struck in the chest with an unidentified projectile and killed. Palestinian witnesses say he was killed by live ammunition. The Israeli authorities later dispute the nature of the child’s death, arguing that no live fire was used in the clashes. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces demolish a Palestinian home under construction in Bayt Hanina and 4 commercial buildings and a residential structure in Silwan; arrest a West Bank Palestinian 2 days after his release from prison, alleging that he was planning a “terrorist” attack; arrest 3 other Palestinians during late-night raids in Issawiyya; and demolish several Palestinian graves nr. Haram al-Sharif for undisclosed reasons. In the West Bank, the IDF continues its closure of Hebron and the surrounding district that was put in place on 7/1. IDF troops arrest 9 Palestinians and issue 1 arrest summons during house searches and raids nr. Hebron, as well as nr. Ramallah and Bethlehem; and patrol nr. Jenin, Salfit, and Hebron throughout the day. Meanwhile, Israeli settlers set fire to a Palestinian home in Duma nr. Nablus, causing damage and 1 light injury. Along Gaza’s border, Israeli forces conduct a limited incursion to level land nr. al-Bureij r.c. Off Gaza’s n. coast, Israeli naval forces open fire on Palestinian fishing boats, injuring 1 fisherman. (HA, MNA, TOI, WAFA 7/19; WAFA 7/20; PCHR 7/21)

Israel’s Knesset passes into law, 62–45, the so-called Suspension Bill, allowing 70 MKs, including 10 from the opposition, to initiate a procedure that would suspend 1 of their colleagues. The new draft would still require 90 MKs’ support to effect a suspension. (HA, NYT 7/19; HA, JP, MNA, YA 7/20)

The IDF largely maintains the closure of Hebron and the surrounding district in place since 7/1. Elsewhere in the West Bank, IDF troops conduct raids nr. Ramallah, arresting 1 mbr. of the Hamas-affiliated student group at nearby Birzeit University and sparking multiple clashes with stonethrowing Palestinians (14 Palestinians are injured). IDF troops arrest 2 Palestinians during late-night raids nr. Qalqilya, and patrol during the day nr. Hebron. Meanwhile, IDF troops shoot and injure a Palestinian after he attempts to intervene in their arrest of another Palestinian at a checkpoint n. of Jerusalem. The soldiers say the injured Palestinian was carrying a knife. Israeli forces demolish 3 water wells during raids in the Hebron area. In East Jerusalem, Palestinian youths throw an explosive device at Israeli forces on a patrol in Issawiyya overnight, causing no injuries. The Israeli police then impose a military closure on the neighborhood, erecting mobile checkpoints and searching Palestinian vehicles. Meanwhile, Israeli police shoot and injure a Palestinian in Shu‘fat r.c. after he attempts to break up a neighboring family’s quarrel. The police say they suspected him of having a knife. Israeli forces also arrest a Palestinian on a late-night raid in Silwan. (MNA, TOI, WAFA 7/14; MNA, TOI 7/15; MNA 7/18; PCHR 7/21)

As its closure of Hebron and its surrounding district continues, the IDF conducts raids in and around the city, arresting 6 Palestinians, destroying some property, and sparking clashes in both Dura and Sa‘ir (2 Palestinians are injured). IDF troops arrest 11 Palestinians during further raids and house searches in Qalqilya, and nr. Bethlehem and Jenin; and patrol during the day nr. Jenin, Ramallah, and Qalqilya. Israeli forces also raze a swath of Palestinian land nr. Ramallah. Along Gaza’s border, Israeli forces conduct a limited incursion to level land nr. Khan Yunis and open fire on Palestinian farmers nr. Bayt Hanun late at night, causing 1 minor injury. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces assault and arrest 2 Palestinians in Silwan and arrest 3 Palestinians during raids and patrols nr. the Old City and in Kafr ‘Aqab. (MNA, WAFA 7/11; PCHR 7/14)

Israel’s Knesset passes the so-called NGO bill into law, 57–48, following a 6-hour debate in which opponents of the bill cited numerous international reports criticizing the bill’s chilling effect on freedoms of speech. Inter alia, the law requires NGOs receiving more than 50% of their budget from public foreign entities to reveal the sources of their funding in all communications with public officials, on TV, newspapers, billboards, and online. (AP, HA 7/11; MNA, REU, TOI, YA 7/12)

In the West Bank, Israeli soldiers shoot and seriously injure a Palestinian youth outside the Ariel settlement after she allegedly attempts to stab a soldier. IDF troops conduct raids in a village nr. Ramallah, causing a Palestinian man to suffer a nonfatal heart attack and sparking minor clashes with stone-throwing youths (there are no serious injuries). As the IDF’s general closure of the Hebron district continues, Israeli military activity continues to focus on the area. Israeli soldiers conduct major raids in Bani Na‘im village nr. Hebron, threatening to punitively demolish the home of a family mbr. of the Palestinian who killed an Israeli settler on 6/30. Israeli soldiers also patrol in 4 villages nr. Hebron during the day and maintain many restrictions on Palestinian movement in Hebron and the surrounding district, including the closure of Bani Na‘im. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces arrest 4 Palestinians during raids in Silwan and Sur al-Bahir. (HA, JP, MNA, WAFA 7/5; PCHR 7/14)

The Israeli police say that non-Muslims will be allowed to visit Haram al-Sharif again after Eid al-Fitr next week. They banned non-Muslims on 6/28 after 3 days of violence at the sanctuary. (JP 7/5)

After days of general closure, the IDF begins to allow Palestinians to leave Hebron. Every vehicle is still searched before it exits the district. Meanwhile, IDF troops conduct raids in c. Hebron, threatening 1 home with punitive demolition, detaining a handful of Palestinians, and sparking clashes with stone-throwing residents; 1 Palestinian is injured. They arrest 3 Palestinians on further raids late at night nr. Nablus, and patrol in 8 villages nr. Hebron throughout the day. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces arrest 12 Palestinians during raids in Issawiyya, Silwan, and the Old City. (MNA 7/4; JP 7/5; PCHR 7/14)

The Egyptian authorities open the Rafah border crossing for the 5th of 5 planned days since 6/29. (OCHA 7/5)

For a 2d day in a row, the IDF maintains a general closure on Hebron, sealing crossings across the city and barricading at least 20 villages in the surrounding district. The IDF also revokes the travel permits of 2,700 Palestinians from the area and maintains its complete lock-down of Bani Na‘im village and continues its closure of Yatta village (the IDF had been removing roadblocks in the area steadily over the past few weeks). Israeli soldiers arrest 4 Palestinians during raids in and around Hebron late at night; and patrol in 12 villages nr. the city throughout the day. On 1 raid, IDF troops clash with stone-throwing Palestinians in Dura village; 2 Palestinians are injured. Elsewhere in the West Bank, Israeli settlers throw rocks at Palestinian cars nr. Nablus, damaging several. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces arrest 11 Palestinians, including 1 journalist, during late-night raids in Ras al-Amud, Sur al-Bahir, Silwan, and the Old City. (JP, MNA 7/2; MNA 7/3; PCHR 7/14)

Israel’s security cabinet meets to discuss the recent surge of violence across the West Bank and Israel, confirm the approval of 42 new housing units in the Jewish settlement of Kiryat Arba, and decide to maintain the closure of Hebron and the surrounding district. Some ministers push PM Netanyahu to approve a massive round of settlement construction in response to the violence. He reportedly promises to examine the issue. (HA, JP, YA 7/3)

The Egyptian authorities open the Rafah border crossing for passage in both directions. (OCHA 7/5)

In an unusual incident in Ramallah, 9 Israelis try to visit a Palestinian’s home for a fastbreaking meal, but stone-throwing Palestinian youths block them and set their vehicle on fire. PASF and IDF troops secure the group’s departure from the oPt. Meanwhile, the IDF arrests 3 Palestinians during late-night raids nr. Bethlehem and Tulkarm and patrols nr. Hebron and Ramallah throughout the day. Israeli forces deliver stop-work orders to 2 residential buildings under construction and demolition notices to 4 structures nr. Hebron. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces arrest 15 Palestinians during late-night raids in Ras al-Amud, Silwan, Qalandia r.c., and Wadi al-Juz. In Israel, Israeli forces demolish the bedouin village of al-Araqib for the 100th time in 6 years. (MNA, TOI 6/29; JP, PCHR 6/30; PCHR 7/14)

The Egyptian authorities open the Rafah border crossing for the 1st of 5 planned days over the course of the next week. (OCHA 7/5)

Israel’s security cabinet approves the reconciliation deal with Turkey announced officially on 6/27. Only 3 ministers vote against it: DM Lieberman, Education Minister Naftali Bennett, and Justice Minister Ayelet Shaked. During a debate over the deal in the Knesset, MK Haneen Zoabi (Joint List) calls the IDF soldiers who raided the Mavi Marmara in 5/2010 “murderers,” sparking a heated confrontation with several right-wing MKs. Later, PM Netanyahu pledges to expel Zoabi from the Knesset. (HA, JP, YA 6/29).

Following pressure from the Israeli NGO Adalah, Israeli police make public portions of their new rules of engagement, approved by Israel’s atty.-gen. in 9/2015 amid the surge of violence. The new rules authorize the police to respond to stone- or firecracker-throwing with live fire. (JP 7/4; HA 7/5)

Off Gaza’s coast, Israeli naval forces open fire on 4 Palestinian fishing boats nr. Gaza City; they arrest 10 fishermen and confiscate 2 of their boats. Along Gaza’s border, Israeli forces conduct a limited incursion to level land nr. Rafah. In the West Bank, PA Security Forces (PASF) clash with unidentified gunmen in Kafr ‘Aqab village and Qalandia r.c. nr. Jerusalem, injuring 1 Palestinian youth in the crossfire. Meanwhile, Israeli forces close the entrances to Yatta with dirt mounds and rocks, further cracking down on the Hebron-area village in the wake of the 6/8 attack in Tel Aviv. IDF troops conduct late-night raids and house searches in Yatta, and in and around Jericho, and Salfit, arresting 8 Palestinians; and patrol nr. Hebron, Nablus, and Jenin throughout the day. (MNA, WAFA 6/15; PCHR 6/16; PHCR 6/23)

Fatah and Hamas officials resume Palestinian national reconciliation talks in Doha. This is the 3d round of talks in the latest push for reconciliation. The talks are set to continue through 6/18. (MNA 6/15; IMEMC 6/17)

The Jerusalem Municipality permits the construction of a 4-story residential building for Israeli settlers in Silwan. The municipality also pledges to “continue to build in all neighborhoods of the city.” (HA, JP, MNA, TOI 6/15)

Israel’s Knesset passes, 57–16, a so-called anti-terrorism law granting the state broad new powers to prosecute suspected “terrorism” cases. The Joint List decries the new law as “draconian,” echoing the views of Palestinian citizens of Israel and opponents of the right-wing govt. (HA, JP, MNA, YA 6/15)

The IDF maintains its closure of the West Bank and Gaza Strip, as well as its general closure of Yatta village, home of the 2 Palestinians who attacked Israeli civilians on 6/8. They also arrest the father of 1 of the attackers during a raid nr. the village. Meanwhile, Israeli forces carry out the punitive demolition of the Yatta-area home of a Palestinian accused of stabbing and killing an Israeli settler on 1/17. Separately, a Palestinian driver allegedly attempts to ram Israeli soldiers nr. Ramallah. The driver flees the scene, and the IDF seals the entrances to several nearby villages as they search for him. Meanwhile, IDF troops arrest 6 Palestinians and issue 1 arrest summons during raids and house searches nr. Hebron and Ramallah; and patrol nr. Ramallah, Salfit, Jericho, and Hebron throughout the day. In East Jerusalem, around 20 Palestinian-owned vehicles are vandalized and damaged in Silwan in a string of late-night price-tag attacks. (HA, MNA, WAFA, YA 6/11; MNA 6/12; PCHR 6/16)

In Egypt, armed gunmen shoot and a kill a Palestinian and 2 Egyptian civilians in Rafah and al-Arish. (MNA 6/11)

The Jerusalem Municipality issues stopwork orders to the Islamic Waqf, which is building restrooms in the n. section of Haram al-Sharif ahead of Ramadan. The municipality decides not to permit the construction of a new settler building in Silwan. Sources in the PM’s office say that Netanyahu pressured Jerusalem mayor Nir Barkat to halt the settlement construction and, in return, issued the stopwork order to the Islamic Waqf to appease Barkat. (MNA, WAFA 5/31; PCHR 6/2)

Israeli forces arrest 44 Palestinians during raids and house searches across East Jerusalem. Off Gaza’s coast, Israeli naval forces open fire on 2 Palestinian fishing boats nr. Gaza City, injuring 1 fisherman, arresting 4 fishermen, and confiscating the 2 boats. Along Gaza’s border, Israeli forces conduct a limited incursion to level land nr. Bayt Hanun. In the West Bank, IDF troops arrest 6 Palestinians during a latenight raid in Qalqilya, sparking clashes with stone-throwing residents; 2 Palestinians are injured. They also patrol nr. Hebron and Qalqilya throughout the day. (MNA, TOI, WAFA 5/31; HA, WAFA 6/1; PCHR 6/2)

IDF troops conduct raids and house searches in and around Bethlehem, Jenin, Nablus, Hebron, Tulkarm, and Ramallah, arresting 19 Palestinians and confiscating 11 tractors. They also patrol nr. Ramallah throughout the day. Along Gaza’s border, Israeli forces conduct a limited incursion to establish sand barriers nr. Rafah. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces arrest 2 Palestinians during raids in Silwan and the Old City. (PCHR 6/2)

In the West Bank, IDF troops arrest 6 Palestinians and issue 1 arrest summons during raids nr. Ramallah, Hebron, Bethlehem, and Qalqilya; and patrol nr. Hebron and Nablus. Israeli settlers set fire to and destroy 15 olive trees nr. Nablus, and throw stones at Palestinian vehicles nr. Salfit, damaging 1. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces arrest 2 Palestinians and issue arrest summons to 5 during raids in Kafr ‘Aqab, the Old City, and Silwan. Meanwhile, a Palestinian man demolishes his own home in Silwan to avoid paying Israeli demolition fees. (PLONAD 5/28; PCHR 6/2; OCHA 6/9)

PA pres. Abbas meets with Egyptian pres. al-Sisi in Cairo to discuss the Egyptian effort to restart direct Israeli-Palestinian peace talks alongside the French effort to host a multilateral peace conference in Paris, scheduled for 6/3. Meanwhile, the Arab League meets in Cairo and endorses the French peace initiative. (AP, JP, MNA, TOI 5/28; JP, TOI 5/29)

After a significant lull in major violence, Israeli forces shoot and kill a Palestinian at the Ras Biddu checkpoint n. of Jerusalem after she allegedly attempts to stab an Israeli border guard. In East Jerusalem, the Israeli authorities return the bodies of 3 Palestinians killed in confrontations with Israeli forces on 3/8/2016, 10/12/2015, and 10/13/2015. Israeli forces arrest 2 Palestinians on a raid in Silwan, sparking clashes with stone-throwing Palestinian youths (1 Palestinian is injured). They also demolish an Islamic structure in al-Masara. In the West Bank, IDF troops conduct raids in Aida r.c. nr. Bethlehem and Jalazun r.c. nr. Ramallah, arresting 7 Palestinians; and patrol nr. Bethlehem, Hebron, and Tulkarm. Israeli forces issue a stop-work order to a Palestinian construction site in the n. Jordan Valley. Israeli settlers steal wooden furniture from Palestinian homes in Hebron. Off Gaza’s coast, Israeli naval forces open fire on Palestinian fishing boats nr. Gaza City, causing no damage. (JP, MNA, WAFA, YA 5/23; EI, MNA 5/24)

Israeli PM Netanyahu meets with French PM Manuel Valls in Jerusalem and calls on the French to scrap plans for an international peace conference in Paris on 6/3, and organize instead a meeting between Netanyahu and Palestinian Authority (PA) pres. Mahmoud Abbas. Valls says he will discuss the proposal with the French pres. (HA, JP, YA 5/23; YA 5/24)

A Gazan farmer is injured when he accidentally detonates a piece of unexploded Israeli ordnance nr. Dayr al-Balah. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces arrest a Palestinian youth allegedly planning to carry out a stabbing attack in Shu‘fat. They also arrest 6 Palestinians during raids in Silwan, Jabal Mukabir, al-Tur, and Issawiyya. In the West Bank, the IDF patrols nr. Ramallah, Hebron, Tulkarm, and Salfit. (MNA, WAFA 5/19; PCHR 5/27)

A day after offering him the defense portfolio, Israeli PM Netanyahu agrees to Yisrael Beytenu chair Lieberman’s main demand for bringing his party into the ruling coalition: support for new legislation lowering the bar for death penalty sentences for Palestinians found guilty of serious crimes in military courts, meaning it would only affect Palestinians living in the occupied Palestinian territories (oPt). (HA, JP, TOI 5/19)

U.S. secy. of state Kerry confirms that he plans to attend the upcoming Paris peace summit, which the French have now rescheduled for 6/3 to accommodate his schedule. Russian FM Sergey Lavrov is also set to attend. (HA, JP 5/19)

In a 5th day of cross-border violence in Gaza, Palestinian fighters fire 2 mortar shells into s. Israel overnight, causing damage and no injuries; Israeli forces respond with air strikes on 2 Hamas targets nr. Khan Yunis and artillery fire on areas nr. Rafah, causing damage. Following the morning’s violence, Israel and Hamas agree to deescalate tensions along Gaza’s border. Israeli forces pull back from the so-called Access Restricted Areas along the border fence and Hamas fighters maintain a cease-fire. Qatar, Egypt, and the UN were reportedly involved in the deescalation talks. Meanwhile, Israeli officials say they plan to continue anti-tunnel operations in the coming weeks. (JP, TOI 5/7; YA 5/8; PCHR 5/12)

IDF troops stationed along the border nr. Gaza City open fire on Palestinian farmers, causing no injuries. Off Gaza’s coast, Israeli naval forces confront Palestinian fishing boats nr. Bayt Lahiya, arresting 2 fishermen and confiscating their boat. In the West Bank, IDF troops shoot and injure a Palestinian attempting to climb the separation wall and enter Jerusalem, causing minor injuries; and arrest a Palestinian at a checkpoint in Jericho when they find he is carrying a knife. They also conduct raids and house searches in Hebron, and 1 village each nr. Tulkarm and Bethlehem, arresting 3 Palestinians and issuing arrest summons to 1; patrol in and around Tulkarm and Hebron. Israeli settlers assault 2 Palestinian human rights activists in Hebron, destroying some of their personal property. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces violently disperse stone-throwing Palestinians in Silwan, arresting 3. (EI, HA, JP, MNA, TOI, WAFA, YA 5/7; PCHR 5/12)

An Israeli is stabbed and injured in the Old City. Israeli police later arrest a Palestinian youth who allegedly admits to carrying out the attack (they will arrest another Palestinian in connection to the attack later that night), and temporarily close all entrances to the Old City. Elsewhere in East Jerusalem, the Israeli authorities announce that they will be reopening a gate along the separation wall for the 1st time in 7 years, allowing Palestinian residents of al-Ram village access to the city. Israeli forces arrest 2 Palestinians during raids and patrols in the Old City and Issawiyya. A Palestinian family demolishes their own 3 stores in Silwan, to avoid paying for the Jerusalem Municipality’s demolition crew. Along Gaza’s border, Israeli forces conduct a limited incursion to level land nr. Gaza City; open fire on Palestinian farmers working in the area. Off the coast, Israeli naval forces open fire on Palestinian fishing boats nr. Bayt Lahiya, causing no damage. In the West Bank, Israeli forces demolish an agricultural structure nr. Qalqilya. IDF troops conduct raids and house searches in Tulkarm, nr. Ramallah, Hebron, and Jenin, arresting 5 Palestinians; patrol nr. Ramallah, Hebron, and Qalqilya. (MNA, WAFA 5/2; JP, TOI 5/3; PCHR 5/5)

Tensions heighten at Haram al-Sharif during Passover as 115 right-wing Jewish activists tour the sanctuary; 2 Palestinians are detained and 13 right-wing Jewish activists are removed from the site after a verbal altercation. The Israeli authorities also inform administrators at al-Ibrahimi Mosque in Hebron that the mosque will be closed on 4/25 and 4/26. Meanwhile, off Gaza’s coast, Israeli naval forces open fire on a Palestinian fishing boat, causing no damage, arrest 2 fishermen, and confiscate their boat. In the West Bank, Israeli forces reopen an entrance to a village nr. Hebron that has been closed since 10/2015. IDF troops conduct late-night raids in Hebron, arresting 1 Palestinian and confiscating property; patrols nr. Qalqilya, Ramallah, and Jericho. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces conduct raids in Silwan, arresting 2 Palestinians, issuing arrest summons to 2, and sparking minor clashes with residents of the area; there are no serious injuries. (JP, MNA, TOI, WAFA 4/24; HA, JP, MNA, TOI, WAFA 4/25; PCHR 4/28)

In the West Bank, Palestinians hold a funeral in al-‘Arub r.c. for the Palestinian killed on 4/14. Some mourners clash with IDF troops in the area; there are no injuries. IDF troops conduct late-night raids and house searches in and around Hebron, Bethlehem, and Ramallah, arresting 8 Palestinians and issuing arrest summons to 1; patrol nr. Hebron. Israeli settlers prevent a Palestinian farmer from accessing his land nr. Bethlehem. Along Gaza’s border, IDF troops open fire on Palestinian farmers nr. Khan Yunis. Israeli forces conduct a limited incursion to level land nr. Rafah. In East Jerusalem, Israeli soldiers assault and interrogate a Palestinian in Sur al-Bahir, causing light injuries. Israeli forces raid Silwan and deliver 2 demolition orders to Palestinian-owned buildings. (MNA, WAFA 4/16; WAFA, YA 4/17; PCHR 4/21)

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)

Across the oPt, IDF troops violently disperse Palestinians, Israelis, and international activists at Friday demonstrations against Israel’s occupation, separation wall, and settlements in 4 villages nr. Ramallah (Bil‘in, Ni‘lin, Silwad, and Nabi Salih), Kafr Qaddum nr. Qalqilya, and 2 areas along Gaza’s border; 7 Palestinians are injured and at least 4 are arrested. On Gaza’s border, an explosive device detonates under an armored Israeli bulldozer, causing damage but no injuries. Off Gaza’s coast, Israeli naval forces open fire on 2 Palestinian fishing boats nr. Rafah, injuring 2 fishermen, arresting 4, and then confiscating the boats. In the West Bank, IDF troops conduct house searches and raids nr. Hebron and Bethlehem, arresting 2 Palestinians and issuing arrest summons to 4; patrols in 3 villages nr. Hebron. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces disperse Palestinians conducting a sit-in in Silwan in protest of Israeli efforts to Judaize the city; 6 Palestinians are arrested and a tent is confiscated. Israeli police arrest a Palestinian for allegedly planning a stabbing attack outside the Old City, and temporarily detain a shaykh at Haram al-Sharif, accusing him of “incitement.” (JP, MNA, TOI, YA 4/8; PCHR 4/14)

A U.S. State Dept. spokesperson says that the Obama admin. has not decided whether or not to support the draft UNSC res. condemning Israel’s settlements that the Palestinians circulated earlier in the week (a U.S. veto would scuttle the effort). Separately, 394 mbrs., or 90%, of the House of Representatives sign onto a letter calling on U.S. pres. Obama to “oppose and, if need be, veto one-sided UNSC resolutions,” inter alia. (USSD 4/8; TOI 4/9; JP 4/10; JTA 4/15)

In the West Bank, around 1,000 right-wing Jewish activists visit Joseph’s Tomb nr. Nablus late at night, sparking clashes between their IDF escort and stone-throwing Palestinians; at least 3 Palestinians are injured. Earlier, an Israeli settler driver rams a Palestinian youth in Hebron, moderately injuring her. Israeli forces demolish 6 residential structures and an animal barn in a village s. of Hebron early in the morning, displacing 35 Palestinians. They also close a checkpoint nr. Ramallah for several hours in the afternoon, and demolish a poultry slaughterhouse and automobile workshop in a village nr. Ramallah late at night. IDF troops raid a printing house in a village nr. Bethlehem, damaging property; conduct late-night raids and house searches in and around Hebron and nr. Ramallah and Jenin, arresting 7 Palestinians, issuing an arrest summons to 1, and destroying some property; patrol nr. Hebron and Jenin, as well as in Tulkarm. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces uproot and burn 47 olive tree saplings in Silwan. A Palestinian family demolishes part of its own apartment in Bayt Hanina to avoid paying the municipality’s demolition fees. (MNA, WAFA 4/6; MNA, PCHR, WAFA 4/7; PCHR 4/14)

The Israeli govt. announces that the IEC’s power cuts in the West Bank will end indefinitely. Earlier in the day, the PA, IEC, JDECO, and MK Odeh (Joint List) reached a temporary agreement that will see JDECO pay NIS 60 m. ($15.7 m.) to the IEC by 4/12, the PA transfer NIS 20 m. ($5.2 m.) immediately, and govern negotiations to resolve further disputes over tariffs and interest rates. (HA, JP, MNA, TOI 4/6)

In the West Bank, IDF troops conduct late-night raids and house searches in Salfit, Ramallah, Nablus, Hebron, and Bethlehem, arresting 7 Palestinians and issuing arrest summons to 4; and patrol during the day nr. Hebron, Tulkarm, Qalqilya, and Salfit. They also violently disperse Palestinian and international activists at an anti-occupation demonstration in Kafr Qaddum nr. Qalqilya; 1 Palestinian is injured. Along Gaza’s border, IDF troops open fire on Palestinian farmers and land nr. Rafah, injuring 2 Palestinians. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces shoot and injure a Palestinian youth on his way to school in Silwan. They physically assault the youth after he is shot, then call an ambulance for him. (JP, MNA, TOI, WAFA 4/2; PCHR 4/7)

In the West Bank, thousands of Palestinians participate in the Palestine Marathon in Bethlehem (the Israeli authorities barred all 103 Gazan hopefuls from participating). Meanwhile, IDF troops violently disperse Palestinians, Israelis, and international activists at Friday demonstrations against Israel’s occupation, separation wall, and settlements in 4 villages nr. Ramallah (Bil‘in, Ni‘lin, Silwad, and Nabi Salih), Kafr Qaddum nr. Qalqilya, in the Silwan neighborhood of East Jerusalem, and in 3 areas along Gaza’s border; 6 Palestinians are injured. In and around Hebron, IDF troops arrest 1 Palestinian during a late-night raid and patrol in 3 villages. Elsewhere in East Jerusalem, Palestinians stage a sit-in protest at Haram al-Sharif calling for national reconciliation. Off Gaza’s coast, Israeli naval forces open fire on a Palestinian fishing boat nr. Rafah, causing it to catch fire and sink. (WAFA 3/31; HA, MNA 4/1; MNA 4/2; PCHR 4/7)

Along Gaza’s border, IDF troops open fire on Palestinian agricultural land nr. Rafah and Palestinian farmers working nr. Gaza City, causing no damage or injuries. Off Gaza’s coast, Israeli naval forces open fire on Palestinian fishing boats, causing no injuries. In East Jerusalem overnight, Israeli forces demolish a playground and uproot a number of trees in Silwan, and arrest 3 Palestinians during latenight raids in al-Tur and Bayt Hanina. In the West Bank, Israeli forces demolish a home, a farm, a water network, and some trees outside a village nr. Bethlehem, as well as 2 homes, a large barn, and a playground in n. Bethlehem. IDF troops conduct a raid on the Hebron home of the Palestinian activist who captured the video of the Israeli soldier shooting and killing an incapacitated Palestinian on 3/24. The IDF conducts further raids and house searches nr. Bethlehem, Hebron, and Jenin, as well as in Jenin itself, arresting 11 Palestinians; patrols nr. Hebron, Ramallah, and Jenin. Palestinian Authority Security Forces (PASF) troops conduct a raid in c. Nablus, sparking armed clashes with Palestinian youths; 13 Palestinians are injured (5 of whom are PASF). (MNA, TOI, WAFA 3/29; WAFA 3/30; PCHR 3/31) 

Politico publishes a 2/17 letter signed by 11 mbrs. of the U.S. Congress, including Sen. Patrick Leahy (D-VT), addressed to Secy. of State John Kerry and calling for investigations into the “disturbing number of reports of possible gross violations of human rights by security forces in Israel and Egypt.” The letter highlights “what may be extrajudicial killings” by Israeli forces in Israel and the oPt. (POL 3/29; HA, JP, MNA, TOI 3/30)

Israel’s Knesset passes a 1st reading of 2 bills that would create economic incentives for settlement growth. The 1st would reduce bureaucratic restrictions on home purchases in settlements, preventing settlers from paying taxes to both the govt. and the Civil Admin. The 2d would entitle settlers to tax breaks as long as they are eligible for a grant promoting capital investment. (HA 3/29)

At midnight, the Israeli authorities lift the Purim-related closure of the West Bank. Meanwhile, IDF troops conduct late-night raids in Dahaysha r.c. nr. Bethlehem and Qalqilya, sparking clashes with stone-throwing Palestinians in both locales; 4 Palestinians are injured and 2 are arrested. They also raid the Hebron-area home of a Palestinian killed in Hebron on 3/24; 2 Palestinians are arrested. The IDF conducts further raids and house searches in Hebron and nr. Tulkarm and Bethlehem, arresting 5 Palestinians, violently disperses Palestinians demonstrating in Kafr Qaddum nr. Qalqilya, causing no injuries; and patrols nr. Salfit, Tulkarm, and Hebron. Along Gaza’s border, IDF troops open fire on Palestinian farmers and shepherds working nr. Gaza City, causing no injuries. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces arrest 2 Palestinians during raids in Silwan and Hizma. (MNA 3/26; MNA, WAFA 3/27; PCHR 3/31)

Fatah and Hamas officials meet in Doha for the 1st of 2 days of Palestinian national reconciliation talks. (MNA 3/27)

IDF troops shoot and kill a Palestinian driver at the Gush Etzion junction nr. Bethlehem after she allegedly attempts to ram an Israeli soldier (the soldier is injured in the collision). In the evening, a verbal argument between small groups of Palestinians and Israelis in the Old City of Jerusalem turns violent; 1 Israeli is stabbed and lightly injured. Meanwhile, the IDF violently disperses Palestinian, Israeli, and international activists at Friday demonstrations against Israel’s occupation, settlements, and separation wall in 6 areas nr. Ramallah (Bil‘in, Ni‘lin, Nabi Salih, Silwad, Jalazun r.c., and outside a settlement nr. al-Bireh), 1 nr. Qalqilya, in n. Bethlehem, and 2 areas along Gaza’s border; 7 Palestinians are injured. The IDF conducts house searches and raids nr. Bethlehem, arresting 7 Palestinians; patrols nr. Ramallah, Hebron, and Tulkarm. Israeli forces level 2 small swaths of land nr. Salfit. Along Gaza’s border, IDF troops open fire on Palestinian workers nr. Gaza City, causing no injuries. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces arrest 2 Palestinians in the Old City and 2 on raids in Silwan, sparking clashes with stone-throwing Palestinian youths; there are no serious injuries. (HA, JP, MNA, TOI, YA 3/4; PCHR 3/10)

In the West Bank, Israeli forces raid a construction materials shop in Nablus, seizing materials and arresting 2 Palestinians; raid a home in Jenin, assaulting and moderately injuring 1 Palestinian. IDF troops conduct further late-night raids and house searches nr. Ramallah, Hebron, Jenin, and Tulkarm, arresting 7 Palestinians and issuing arrest summons to 2. In separate incidents, Israeli settlers assault 2 Palestinians nr. Nablus, causing minor injuries to both. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces demolish a home under construction in Silwan, sparking clashes with stone-throwing Palestinians in the area; 2 Palestinians are injured. Along Gaza’s border, IDF troops open fire on Palestinian farmers nr. Rafah, causing no injuries. Off the coast, Israeli naval forces open fire on Palestinian fishing boats, causing no injuries or damage. (MNA, WAFA, YA 3/1; MNA 3/2; PCHR 3/3)