The Palestine Chronology

In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces shoot and kill a Palestinian in the Old City after she allegedly draws a knife with the intent to stab 1 of them. Israeli police shoot and kill a 2d Palestinian nr. the Old City after he opens fire on them with an automatic weapon, injuring 2 (1 seriously). Israeli forces then raid the alleged attacker’s home in Issawiyya, issue arrest summons to his father and uncle, take measurements in preparation for possible punitive demolition, and spark minor clashes with stone-throwing youths. In Israel, Israeli police shoot and kill a 3d Palestinian nr. Petah Tikva after he allegedly stabs and moderately injures an Israeli; shoot and kill a 4th Palestinian in Jaffa after he stabs several people, killing 1 U.S. citizen and injuring at least 10 Israelis (5 seriously). Later, a video of the incident in Jaffa circulates on social media, apparently showing an Israeli police officer shooting the Palestinian attacker execution-style. After the attacks in Petah Tikva and Jaffa, the IDF seals the Qalqilya and Salfit-area villages of the alleged attackers, blocking residents from entering or exiting. (HA, INT, JP, MNA, NYT 3/8; PCHR 3/10)

Elsewhere, Israeli forces confiscate a tractor from a village nr. Nablus and level farmland outside a bedouin village in the Negev. They also conduct raids nr. Hebron, Qalqilya, Bethlehem, Jericho, Tulkarm, and Jenin, as well as in 1 neighborhood in East Jerusalem, arresting 16 Palestinians and demolishing some property; patrol in 4 villages nr. Hebron. Israeli settlers raze a large area of land nr. Bethlehem. (HA, JP, MNA, TOI, WAFA, YA 3/8; PCHR 3/10)

U.S. VP Joe Biden arrives in Israel, meets with former Israeli pres. Shimon Peres in Jaffa, and pledges “total, unvarnished commitment” to Israel. Meanwhile, a White House official denies a 3/7 Wall Street Journal report that the Obama admin. plans to change policy toward the Israeli-Palestinian conflict: “There has been no change to our policy or strategy with regard to this issue.” (HA, JTA, TOI 3/8; JP 3/9)

Israeli Air Force (IAF) jets conduct an air strike targeting a vehicle in the Syrian Golan Heights between 10 and 15 km from the Israeli border, killing at least 4 of the PIJ mbrs. allegedly responsible for the 8/20 rocket attack on Israel. In Gaza, 2 Palestinian children are injured when an unexploded piece of Israeli ordnance detonates in n. Rafah. In the West Bank, IDF troops violently disperse Palestinian, Israeli, and international protesters at Friday demonstrations against the Israeli occupation in 6 areas nr. Ramallah (Bil‘in, Ni‘lin, Nabi Salih, Silwad, Jalazun r.c., and outside Ofer Prison) and Kafr Qaddum; 5 Palestinians are injured and 3 are arrested. Israeli forces also conduct house searches and raids in 1 village nr. Hebron; patrol nr. Hebron, Ramallah, and Jericho. In East Jerusalem, Israeli officials deliver demolition notices to a mosque, house, and apartment in Silwan, where there has been a recent increase in Palestinian home demolitions and evictions in order for Israel to increase the neighborhood’s Jewish settler population. Israeli forces violently disperse Palestinians protesting against the Israeli occupation in Abu Dis, causing no serious injuries. (MNA, NYT, TOI, YA 8/21; JTA, MNA 8/22; PCHR 8/27)

In Gaza, Hamas police shut down the offices of mobile phone company Jawwal (Hamas ordered the company to close on 6/26). Israeli forces on the Gaza border e. of Khan Yunis conduct a limited incursion to level land nr. the border fence. In the West Bank, IDF troops shoot and injure a Palestinian man at the Qalandia checkpoint. IDF troops later conduct a raid in a nearby village, sparking minor clashes with stonethrowing Palestinian youths. The IDF conducts a late-night raid on offices of the Palestinian Water Authority in a village nr. Ramallah, confiscating 2 computers; patrols during the day in 2 villages nr. Hebron. Israeli settlers assault a Palestinian man with sticks and stones nr. Ramallah, moderately injuring him. In East Jerusalem, Israeli settlers spray price-tag graffiti on a wall in Bayt Safafa. Israeli forces arrest a Palestinian man on a raid nr. the Old City. (MNA, REU, WAFA, YA 6/30; MNA 7/1; PCHR 7/2)

Following Palestinian attacks on 6/29, Israeli authorities set new restrictions on Palestinians entering Jerusalem, rolling back some of the restrictions loosened for Ramadan on 6/16. Specifically, women between 16 and 30 and men under 50 will need a permit to enter the city on Fridays. (HA, MNA 7/1)

Following a meeting of senior PLO officials in Ramallah, PA pres. Abbas fires PLO secy.-gen. Yasser Abed Rabbo, citing his absence from recent meetings. Abed Rabbo responds to the announcement of his firing by saying, “Abbas does not have the authority to fire me. The only party that is authorized to do so is the PLO Exec. Comm., which has to hold a general meeting.” Senior PLO officials also approve a temporary cabinet “shuffle” as negotiations continue on the formation of a new consensus govt. Abbas assigns PM Hamdallah to make “slight changes” to the govt., reportedly shifting 5 ministers. (JP, MNA, TOI 7/1)

The U.S. State Dept. issues a special statement clarifying that, while the Obama admin.“strongly opposes” BDS efforts targeting Israel, it does not have a similar stance regarding “Israeli-controlled territories,” referring to the anti-BDS provision that became law as part of the Bipartisan Congressional Trade Priorities and Accountability Act of 2015 on 6/29. (HA, JTA, MDW, PNN 7/1)

In Vienna, reps. of the P5+1 and Iran agree on a 7-day extension to today’s deadline for a final agreement on Iran’s nuclear program. (BB 6/26; JP, NYT, TOI 6/30)

In the Gaza Strip, Egyptian authorities open the Rafah border crossing for a 3d day in a row. In the West Bank, Israeli forces demolish a Palestinian’s workshop in Jalazun r.c. nr. Ramallah. Later, Israeli soldiers violently disperse Palestinians protesting the occupation and distributing Christmas gifts in Bethlehem. IDF troops also arrest 1 Palestinian youth n. of Hebron and fire tear gas canisters at Palestinian students in c. Hebron, then close down a nearby checkpoint when the students throw stones. Meanwhile, the IDF conducts house searches and arrest raids in a village nr. Ramallah; patrols nr. Hebron. In East Jerusalem, dozens of rightwing Jewish activists enter Haram al-Sharif and tour the area. Meanwhile, the Jerusalem Magistrate’s Court indicts 8 Palestinians on charges relating to incitement, quoting material from their personal Facebook pages. (IMEMC, MNA, WAFA 12/23; PCHR 12/25, 12/31)

A Palestinian prisoner in a PA detention center in Qalqilya dies of complications related to a heart condition. (MNA 12/23)

Pres. Abbas says that the PA will “no more deal with the Israeli govt.” if the UNSC fails to pass the res. proposed on 12/17. Hamas opposes the res. and calls for its withdrawal. (IMEMC, JP, MNA 12/23)

Revoking its 2011 approval of the Delek Group-Noble Energy alignment, the Israeli Antitrust Authority recommends that the 2 U.S. and Israeli energy companies either sell off their shared stake in offshore natural gas fields or end their cooperation agreement. (TOI 12/23; JP, JTA 1/4)

In the Gaza Strip, Palestinians fire a rocket into s. Israel in the Eshkol region. Israel holds Hamas responsible and the IDF launches a latenight air strike at a Hamas military training site nr. Khan Yunis, causing damage to the site and a nearby UNRWA school. It is the 1st Israeli bombing in Gaza since the 8/26 cease-fire ended OPE. In the West Bank, Palestinians gather in Turmus ‘Ayya, Silwad, and Ofer detention center to protest the death of a senior PA official on 12/10, sparking clashes with IDF troops in which 9 Palestinians are injured with rubbercoated metal bullets and 2 are detained. In Silwad, Israeli soldiers deliberately fire at electricity transformers, causing a power outage. Also, IDF troops violently disperse Palestinian, Israeli, and international protesters at weekly demonstrations against Israel’s separation wall, settlements, and occupation nr. Ramallah (Bil‘in, Nabi Salih, and Ni‘lin), Bethlehem, and Qalqilya (Kafr Qaddum), shooting 1 in Bil‘in with a rubber-coated metal bullet and 1 in Ni‘lin. The IDF conducts an arrest raid nr. Qalqilya; patrols nr. Ramallah, Hebron, Jericho, Tulkarm, and Qalqilya. Meanwhile, dozens gather in Balata r.c. to celebrate the 47th anniversary of the PFLP. In East Jerusalem, nearly 60,000 Palestinians pray at Haram al-Sharif, then march through the streets of the Old City in protest of Israeli policies regarding the site. Later, Israeli forces conduct house searches and arrest raids in the Old City, al-Wad, Silwan, and al-Bustan. Clashes break out between Israeli police and stone-throwing Palestinians late at night in Wadi al-Juz, Anata, and Silwan. Police injure 3 Palestinians with rubber-coated metal bullets and arrest 5. (AP, HA, MNA, 12/19; AFP, HA, MNA, WAFA 12/20; PCHR 12/25)

U.S. Pres. Obama signs into law the U.S.-Israel Strategic Partnership Act, which includes increased intelligence and military cooperation and new congressional oversight procedures. (TOI 12/20; IHY, JP, JTA 12/21)

The UNGApasses 2 nonbinding res. regarding the Arab-Israeli conflict and Palestinian affairs: the 1st calls on Israel to pay Lebanon $856.4 m. in damages related to an oil spill Israeli forces caused during the 2006 war; the 2d recognizes Palestinian sovereignty over the natural resources in the oPt. (AFP, WAFA 12/20)

A leaked report from the IAEA concludes that Iran is upholding commitments made to the P5+1 related to its disputed nuclear program. (JP, REU 12/18)

In the Gaza Strip, the IDF continues its assault with air strikes on over 50 targets, killing 18 Palestinians and injuring dozens more. Also,IDF troops stationed nr. the border shell areas across the fence with artillery in 3 incidents. The armed Palestinian groups launch approximately 135 projectiles into Israel; of which, 125 land in open areas, 5 in urban areas, and 10 are intercepted by Iron Dome batteries. Israeli authorities temporarily close the Erez border crossing, except for humanitarian cases, in response to a mortar shell wounding 3 Israelis nearby, which is claimed by al-Qassam Brigades. In the West Bank, approximately 400 Israeli settlers, escorted by IDF troops, enter a village nr. Salfit to visit religious monuments. In a village w. of Ramallah, IDF troops open fire with live ammunition and tear gas on a group of stone-throwing Palestinian youth, injuring 1. Separately, IDF troops fire tear gas at Palestinian children on their way to school in a village s. of Hebron; establish 5 mobile checkpoints around Ramallah; and conduct patrols in Hebron and 2 villages nr. Jericho. Late at night, the IDF conducts 1 house search and arrest raid in a village nr. Hebron. In East Jerusalem, Israeli security forces enter Wadi al-Juz to set up a mobile checkpoint and raid 2 houses. (JP, JTA, YA 8/24; HA 8/25; PCHR 8/28) 

Israeli PM Netanyahu says that OPE will continue until its goals are reached, in comments to the press ahead of a special cabinet meeting at the Israeli Defense Ministry. Also, the Israeli govt. calls up 10,000 additional reserve troops. (AP, HA 8/24; AFP, HA 8/25)

After meetings with Arab League secy.-gen. Nabil al-‘Arabi and reps. of several Palestinian factions, PA Pres. Abbas returns to Ramallah from Cairo. Abbas will meet with senior Palestinian officials to further develop his new diplomatic initiative before U.S. Secy. of State Kerry visits in the coming days. Meanwhile, Hamas leader Khalid Mishal says in an interview with Iranian TV that Hamas would not return to negotiations in Cairo. (JP 8/24; HA, ToI 8/25)

In the West Bank, IDF troops conduct 2 separate incursions nr. Khan Yunis and in the c. Gaza Strip to level land by the border fence. In the West Bank, the IDF conducts house searches and arrest raids in Hebron, Nablus and ‘Ayn Bayt al-Ma’ r.c. and 2 nearby villages at night; patrols in 1 village each nr. Hebron and Jenin at night. Jewish settlers destroy 50 olive trees in the s. Hebron hills. In East Jerusalem, Palestinian activists drill a hole in the separation wall nr. Abu Dis. (MNA 10/3; PCHR 10/10)

Israeli and Palestinian negotiators meet for the 1st time after a hiatus of about 2 weeks, discussions attended by U.S. envoy Martin Indyk. (HA, REU, JTA 3/10)

In the Gaza Strip, IDF troops open fire on Palestinian fishermen nr. Bayt Lahiya, causing no injuries or damage to the vessels. IDF troops also conduct a limited incursion in land close to the border fence nr. Khan Yunis before withdrawing. In the West Bank, the IDF conducts house searches and arrest raids in 1 village nr. Jenin in the afternoon and in 1 village nr. Hebron at night, and patrols in 1 village nr. Jenin in the afternoon and in al-‘Arub r.c., 1 village nr. Hebron, and in 2 villages nr. Jenin at night. In East Jerusalem, IDF troops clash with residents in Abu Dis after protests against the arrest of a cancer patient. Separately, Israeli police ban 10 Palestinians from attending prayers at al-Aqsa mosque when Jewish extremists plan to visit the compound. Police also arrest Shaykh Raed Salah, leader of the n. Islamic Movement in Israel, on suspicion of incitement. Salah refuses bail conditions that would keep him 30 km away from al-Aqsa for 30 days and remains in jail. (JP, MNA, WAFA 9/3; PCHR 9/5)

Palestinian and Israeli negotiators meet for a 5th round of peace talks in Jerusalem. PA FM Riyad al-Maliki tells the media that Abbas is seeking to arrange a meeting with U.S. Secy. of State John Kerry to express doubts about the nature of the talks and dissatisfaction at U.S. envoy Martin Indyk’s limited participation thus far. Meanwhile, Arab League Secy.-Gen. spokesperson Nassif Hetti tells reporters that an Arab ministerial delegation will meet Kerry in Rome on Sunday to discuss the peace process. (AFP, JP, MNA 9/3)

The U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Cmte. reaches an agreement on a draft authorization for the use of military force against the Syrian govt., with conditions narrower than those requested by Pres. Obama. The draft sets a 60-day time limit on any U.S. action with a conditional single 30-day extension possible. There is also a provision banning the use of ground forces. Speaking to the cmte., Defense Secy. Chuck Hagel says that the pres.’s national security team is now convinced that taking military action against the Asad regime targets would be the right course of action. Hagel also reveals that Obama approved plans in 1/2013 to give lethal aid to Syrian rebels, the 1st time such a decision has been made public. Meanwhile, pro-Israel Jewish community groups such as the American Israel Public Affairs Cmte. (AIPAC) and the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations back the administration’s call for a strike on Syria, following a conference call with Obama’s security advisers. In another development, UN Secy.-Gen. Ban Ki-moon affirms that the use of force is only legal as self-defense or with UNSC authorization. (AP, Guardian, JTA, REU, WP 9/3)

An Egyptian military court in Suez hands down sentences ranging from 5 years to life to around 50 Muslim Brotherhood mbrs. convicted of violence against the army, in relation to the events of 8/14 (when security forces massacred anti-coup protesters in Cairo). Meanwhile, Egyptian helicopter gunships kill 8 suspected militants and wound 15 others in air strikes in the Sinai Peninsula nr. the Rafah border with the Gaza Strip. (AFP, AP, REU, NYT 9/3)

Israeli media reports that PM Benjamin Netanyahu may adopt a package of ‘‘goodwill gestures’’ ahead of U.S. Pres. Obama’s upcoming visit, including transferring responsibility for 2 West Bank roads to the PA, releasing Fatah prisoners, and approving building plans for Palestinian villages in Area C currently considered illegal. Netanyahu’s office denies the reports and says that any practical steps would only be taken if the Palestinian leadership returns to talks without conditions. (MNA, ToI 3/5)

In the West Bank, Jewish settlers uproot around 100 olive trees in Nahalin village nr. Bethlehem. The IDF conducts house searches and arrest raids in 1 village nr. Jenin in the afternoon, and in Nablus, 1 village nr. Bethlehem, Aida r.c. in Bethlehem, 3 villages nr. Hebron and 2 villages nr. Jenin at night. (AP 3/5; PCHR 3/6)

Israeli security service Shin Bet publishes statistics indicating a 70% increase in violent attacks by Palestinians in the occupied territories during 2/2013 (138 incidents) compared to 1/2013 (83 incidents), most of which were the throwing of Molotov cocktails. (HA 3/5; XIN 8/6)

Hamas reports that PA security forces arrested 66 of the movement’s supporters in the West Bank during 2/2013, and summoned another 38 for interrogation. A senior Hamas official in the Gaza Strip says that PA Pres. Mahmud Abbas had ‘‘sold the reconciliation in return for an American smile.’’ (JP 3/5)

A week after assuming office, U.S. Defense Secy. Chuck Hagel hosts Israeli DM Ehud Barak at the Pentagon for talks on Iran and Syria, among other topics. Hagel assures Barak that there would be no interruption of funding for Israeli defense systems like Iron Dome, Arrow and David’s Sling, even as the looming sequester looks set to cost Israel around $155 million in defense assistance. (HA, JTA 3/5)

Unidentified Palestinians fire 2 rockets or mortars fr. Gaza into Israel, causing no damage or injuries. In the West Bank, the IDF patrols in 3 villages nr. Ramallah (2 synchronized) in the evening; conducts late-night patrols in 2 villages nr. Jenin and Jericho; and conducts late-night arrest raids, house searches in Hebron and Nablus, firing tear gas and stun grenades at stonethrowing youths who confront them in Nablus (causing no serious injuries). Palestinians (accompanied by Israeli and international activists) hold weekly nonviolent demonstrations against the separation wall, land confiscations, and settlement expansion in Bil‘in, Kafr Qaddum, al-Nabi Salih, and Ni‘lin. IDF soldiers fire live ammunition (al-Nabi Salih only), rubber-coated steel bullets, tear gas, and stun grenades at the protesters; a Palestinian child (al-Nabi Salih) and 1 Swedish activist (Kafr Qaddum) are moderately injured by tear gas canisters, and 1 Palestinian (Kafr Qaddum) is moderately injured by a rubber-coated steel bullet. (YA 7/28; 8/2; OCHA 8/3)

Pres. Obama signs into law the U.S.-Israel Enhanced Security Cooperation Act, which calls for an unprecedented strengthening of military, intelligence, and technology cooperation intended to preserve Israel’s qualitative military edge. Experts describe the act as prescribing a ‘‘laundry list of security enhancements’’ for Israel (see QU in JPS 165 for details). (JTA, White House press release 7/27; WP 7/28, 7/30; Defense News 8/1)

Hamas acting PM in Gaza Ismail Haniyeh meets with Egyptian pres. Morsi in Cairo to discuss Fatah-Hamas reconciliation prospects and ways of further easing the siege of Gaza. (WP 7/28)

The IDF patrols in 2 villages nr. Ramallah and 1 nr. Tulkarm during the day; and in 1 village nr. Jenin and 1 nr. Ramallah late at night. The IDF also halts construction of a mosque in Yatta village nr. Hebron. Palestinians (accompanied by Israeli and international activists) hold weekly nonviolent demonstrations against the separation wall, land confiscations, and settlement expansion in Bil‘in, Kafr Qaddum, and al-Nabi Salih. IDF soldiers fire live ammunition (al-Nabi Salih only), rubber-coated steel bullets, tear gas, and stun grenades at the protesters; no serious injuries are reported. (PCHR 6/14; OCHA 6/15)

The House votes down (185–233) a Democratic procedural motion concerning the energy appropriations bill that would have provided an additional $1 m. to the $2 m. already proposed for the U.S.-Israel Energy Cooperation programs for FY 2013 (see QU in JPS 164). The vote fell along party lines, with Republicans defeating the motion, accusing Democrats of adding money that Israel had not requested to deflect attention from their last minute inclusion of funding for pork barrel projects sought by Democratic constituents. Analysts noted (Jewish Telegraphic Agency [JTA] 6/8) that this was ‘‘at least the fourth attempt this Congress by Democrats to add pro-Israel language to a bill at the last minute’’ in order to push through approval. (JTA 3/8)

Unidentified assailants attack and damage Egypt’s national gas pipeline to Israel for the 3d time in a month and the 5th time since unrest in Egypt erupted in 2/2011 (see 7/11). IDF troops on the n. Gaza border fire warning shots at Palestinian farmers working nr. the border fence, grazing 1. In the West Bank, the IDF conducts synchronized morning patrols in 4 villages nr. Jenin; patrols in 3 villages nr. Tulkarm, 2 nr. Salfit, and 1 each nr. Jericho and Ramallah; conducts late-night arrest raids, house searches nr. Hebron. In East Jerusalem, the IDF enters Silwan at midday, raiding a home and arresting a Palestinian. (JTA 7/31; PCHR 8/4; OCHA 8/5)

As many as 150,000 Israelis in Tel Aviv, Haifa, Jerusalem, Beersheba, and 6 other cities protest the high cost of living, demanding economic reforms, “social justice,” and “a welfare state now.” In previous days, the Histadrut, Israel’s labor federation, said it strongly supports the demonstrations. (WP 7/31; NYT, WP, WT 8/1)

Israel makes an air strike on a car in Gaza City, assassinating 3 senior Hamas mbrs. (Muhammad Mahdi al-Dayah, Abdullah Lobbad, and Isma‘il Lobbad) and injuring 1 bystander. Israel claims the Hamas mbrs. were plotting to kidnap Israelis in Israel and Egypt during Passover later in 4/2011; Hamas denies that it operates outside the borders of historic Palestine but says the 3 were senior weapons developers. The DFLP says it will no longer observe a cease-fire toward Israel. In the West Bank, the IDF conducts late-night searches in Qalqilya, summoning 1 Palestinian for questioning. Palestinians (sometimes accompanied by Israeli and international activists) hold weekly nonviolent demonstrations against the separation wall, land confiscations, and settlement expansion in Bil‘in, Ni‘lin, and Nabi Salih. IDF soldiers fire rubber-coated steel bullets, tear gas, and stun grenades at the protesters, causing no serious injuries; 3 Palestinians (including 2 children) are arrested. Jewish settlers fr. Beit Hadassah settlement in Hebron set fire to the awnings of several Palestinian stores. (NYT 4/2, 4/3; JTA 4/4; PCHR 4/7; OCHA 4/15)

In a Washington Post op-ed online (in print on 4/3), South African judge Richard Goldstone, head of the UN committee that investigated possible war crimes and crimes against humanity committed during OCL, says that “if I had known then what I know now,” he would have concluded that Gazan “civilians were not intentionally targeted as a matter of [Israeli] policy” and would have given more weight to crimes perpetrated by Hamas. (WP 4/1; IFM, NYT, WP 4/3; NYT 4/6; JTA, NYT, YA 4/7; NYT, 4/20)

Based on Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu’s 5/20 meeting with Mitchell (see 5/19) and a meeting today between Israeli and PA security officials, Israel announces plans to relax some restrictions on West Bank movement and access over the next 2 wks. as a goodwill gesture to support proximity talks. The promised moves include: removing 60 roadblocks (around 10% of total) across the West Bank, various steps to improve Palestinian tourism and trade, and lifting some restrictions on Israeli Palestinians access to the West Bank. (IFM 5/23; JTA 5/24; OCHA, WJW 5/27)

In Gaza, around 20 armed Palestinians vandalize and set fire to an United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) beachside summer camp for refugee children under construction w. of Gaza City, binding the caretaker and leaving him with a letter threatening UNRWA senior staff; Hamas denounces the attack; no group takes responsibility, but previously Islamist extremists have condemned UNRWA for corrupting Gazan youths by introducing them to activities they deem at odds with Islam. The Israeli navy fires on Palestinian fishing boats off the n. Gaza coast, forcing them to return to shore. IDF troops on the n. Gaza border fire warning shots at Palestinians scavenging construction materials fr. former settlement sites nr. Bayt Lahiya, wounding 1 Palestinian. In the West Bank, the IDF conducts late-night arrest raids in and around Hebron and neighboring al-‘Arub refugee camp (r.c.), in Jenin and Qalqilya, nr. Jericho and Ramallah. (IFM 5/23; NYT 5/24; OCHA, PCHR 5/27; NYT 6/29)

Israel begins a 5-day nationwide civil defense exercise to test the preparedness of civilians, emergency services, local authorities in case of war. Netanyahu stresses that the drill does not mean Israel is expecting or planning a major security engagement. (NYT 5/24)

Overnight, Hamas secures the release of BBC reporter Johnston fr. the Army of Islam, which kidnapped him on 3/12; Haniyeh holds a press conference with Johnston at his Gaza City home, facilitates his transfer to the British Consulate in Jerusalem; British FM David Miliband “fully acknowledge[s] the crucial role” played by Hamas and Haniyeh in securing his release. Meanwhile, the IDF bulldozes Palestinian land in n. Gaza, reinforces troops inside the border nr. Bayt Hanun (conducting arrest raids, house searches, occupying a Palestinian home, bulldozing land), expanding the IDF’s n. Gaza buffer zone. Islamic Jihad fires an RPG at an IDF jeep on the Israeli side of the border fence nr. Dayr al-Balah; the missile lands inside Gaza, causing no damage or injuries. In the West Bank, the IDF conducts arrest raids, house searches in Bethlehem and nr. Hebron, Jenin, Tulkarm. A Palestinian teenager dies of wounds received during a 2004 IDF raid on Hebron. (BBC, HA, NYT, WP 7/4; PCHR, WP 7/5; Jewish Telegraphic Agency 7/6; WP 7/8; OCHA 7/11; PCHR 7/12)

An Islamic Jihad suicide bomber fr. Nablus detonates a device in a Tel Aviv restaurant, killing only himself, wounding 24 Israelis (1 critically). The PA accuses Islamic Jihad of trying to derail the 1/25 elections. The IDF fatally shoots a Palestinian throwing a Molotov cocktail at troops in Hebron; arrests Fatah candidate fr. Jerusalem Ahmad ‘Abd al-Rahim at a campaign rally in Shu‘fat, East Jerusalem; raids, seals an office in East Jerusalem linked to Change and Reform campaigning, confiscating computers, documents; demolishes 3 Palestinian homes nr. Jenin for construction of the separation wall; conducts arrest raids, house searches in and nr. Hebron, nr. Ramallah, and in Bethlehem, Jenin, Nablus, Tubas. Palestinians fire a rocket fr. n. Gaza towards Israel, but it lands in Bayt Lahiya, damaging a Palestinian home, lightly injuring a 7-yr.-old girl. (AP, IMEMC, JTA 1/19; HA, NYT, IMEMC, WP, WT 1/20; WT 1/21; PCHR 1/26)

The IDF carries out at least 8 predawn air strikes on the n. Gaza no-go zone (causing no casualties) and a predawn air strike on al-Mughraqa s. of Gaza City (tearing up a main street, damaging water and phone networks, but causing no casualties). Early in the day, the IDF warns of the imminent launch of Operation Blue Skies, dropping leaflets on n. Gaza that warn residents to stay away fr. the border area and the sites of vacated n. Gaza settlements, saying that anyone in the zone after 6:00 P.M. local time risks being shot; maps on the leaflets show the no-go zone as roughly corresponding to the n. Gaza settlement areas evacuated under disengagement, though also including areas 1.5 miles into Gaza housing some 100,000 Palestinians, whom the IDF recommends evacuate for “a limited period of time”; reportedly no Palestinians leave. Shortly before the deadline, AMB mbrs. fire 4 rockets at Sederot and a nearby IDF base, causing no damage or injuries; the IDF begins several hrs. of artillery fire (at least 25 strikes), fire fr. helicopters on the n. Gaza zone (wounding 1 Palestinian militant, 1 teenage bystander) and mock air raids breaking the sound barrier over the Strip, marking the start of the operation. Late in the evening, the IDF conducts arrest raids, house searches nr. Bethlehem, Hebron. AMB mbrs. angry over the Fatah party list submitted today for the 1/25 elections seize election offices in 5 towns in Gaza, wage shoot-outs with the PA police, leaving 1 Gaza City policeman wounded. In Rafah, Palestinian gunmen kidnap a British aid worker, her parents; immediately begin negotiating with the PA for their release. (AFP, IMEMC, Israeli FMin. press release, JAZ, NYT, XIN 12/28; DS, IMEMC, JTA, NYT, PCHR, PMC, WP, WT, YA 12/29)

In keeping with the agmt. brokered by Rice on 11/15, Israel allows the PA to open the Rafah crossing under EU monitoring for 4 hrs./day; only foot traffic will be allowed until vehicle scanners are installed; Egypt will require men age 18–40 to obtain an entry visa. The IDF also tightens restrictions on Palestinian movement in Hebron; fires teargas at stone-throwing Palestinians outside a polling station in Aida r.c. nr. Bethlehem being used for the Fatah primaries in advance of the 1/25 elections; conducts arrest raids, house searches in Bethlehem, Hebron. Palestinians report that a private contractor for a Jewish settlement nr. Bil‘in recently uprooted 100s of the village’s olive trees located on the western side of the separation wall despite IDF pledges that villagers would be given access to the trees to harvest them. (JTA, REU, YA 11/25; IMEMC, NYT, WP, WT 11/26; PCHR 12/1)

Extremist Jews attack a busload of Israeli Palestinians in Shafa ‘Amr nr. Jerusalem, injuring 8 Palestinians. (IMEMC 11/26)

Citing retaliation for the death of an Israeli woman on 7/14, the IDF launches overnight missile strikes on 4 sites in Gaza: a Hamas cultural center in n. Gaza, 2 sites Palestinians have used to launch rockets in s. Gaza, and a metal workshop (alleged weapons factory) in central Gaza; at least 2 Palestinians are injured. Later in the day, an IDF drone fires a missile at a car driving in Gaza City, assassinating 4 Hamas mbrs. (Sabir Abu Assi, ‘Assim Abu Ras, Amjad Arafat, ‘Adil Haniyeh), wounding more than 12 bystanders; an IDF helicopter and ground troops fire 3 missiles at a car driving in Salfit, assassinating 3 wanted Hamas mbrs. (Muhammad Ayyash, Samir Dawahqa, Muhammad Mar’ai); an IDF helicopter fires at 3 Palestinians firing mortars at Gush Katif, injuring them. In clashes in Salfit after the assassinations, the IDF fatally shoots a stone-throwing Palestinian teenager. The Israeli strikes mark the definitive end of the 2/8 cease-fire; Hamas announces that it is considering massive retaliation. Israel blames Abbas for failing to crack down on militant groups. The IDF also continues operations in and around Tulkarm; conducts arrest raids, house searches nr. Bethlehem, Hebron, Jenin, Nablus. Overnight, PA police searching for Hamas gunmen clash again with Hamas mbrs., this time in Gaza City, leaving 2 Palestinian children dead; during the clash, Hamas mbrs. destroy a PA armored personnel carrier with rocket-propelled grenades, burn a police station and a PA office building; Hamas, Fatah quickly convene an emergency mtg. to defuse tensions. Palestinians fire a barrage of at least 19 rockets and 10s of mortars at Neve Dekalim, lightly injuring 2 settlers, damaging 5 houses; 1 shell hits an industrial zone in the Negev, sparking a fire. A Jewish settler seriously injures a Palestinian teenager in a hit-and-run incident in Hebron. Jewish settlers fr. Ramat Yishai throw stones, bottles at Palestinian homes in Hebron and at a Palestinian teenager, lightly injuring him. An Israeli court sentences an East Jerusalem Palestinian to 5 mos. in jail for joining Force 17 in 2000, calling it a “severe crime”; says at least 80 “Jerusalem Arabs” have been indicted on similar charges since 9/00. (IMEMC, JTA, NYT, UNIS, WP, YA 7/15; VOI 7/15 in WNC 7/15; Interfax, ITARTASS, JP, MENA, VOI, VOP, XIN 7/15 in WNC 7/16; HA, IMEMC, NYT, PRCS, REU, WP, WT, YA 7/16; VOP 7/16 in WNC 7/17; HA 7/17; OCHA, PR 7/20; PCHR 7/21)

The IDF seals the West Bank, Gaza through 5/14, while Israelis mark their memorial and independence days, and Palestinians observe the Nakba; seals Sammu‘, al-Rihiyya nr. Hebron for the day; imposes a curfew on Hawara nr. Nablus; tightens restrictions on Palestinian movement on the Ramallah–Nablus road; removes earthen barriers blocking the main road fr. Nablus to the Jordan Valley; raids, searches 2 CEC offices in Jerusalem, confiscates documents, arrests 2 employees. Jewish settlers fr. Keddumim bar Palestinian farmers fr. reaching their land in Kafr Qadim; the IDF says the farmers will henceforth require permits to access the land. (HA, IMEMC, MM 5/10; JTA, OCHA 5/11; PCHR 5/12)

Overnight, the IDF fatally shoots 2 Islamic Jihad mbrs. who allegedly attempted to attack an IDF patrol in central Gaza. During the day, the IDF halts Operation Eastern Step outside Gaza City; demolishes 5 Palestinian homes in Walaja nr. Bethlehem, begins bulldozing land for a new road; fires on residential areas of Jenin town and r.c.; conducts arrest raids, house searches nr. Hebron and Ramallah, and in Bayt Hanun, Bayt Jala, Bayt Lahiya, Jericho, Tulkarm r.c. and town. The PRCs fire 2 Nasir 3 rockets fr. n. Gaza toward Sederot, 1 lands inside Gaza, the other inside Israel; neither causes damage or injuries. Hamas fires 3 mortars at Nisanit, 1 mortar at Aley Sinai, causing no damage or injuries. (HA, MM 1/17; VOI, VOP 1/17, JTA, NYT, WT 1/18; VOI, VOP 1/18 in WNC 1/20; OCHA 1/19; PR 1/20; PCHR 1/27)

After holding emergency sessions with the PA national security council and cabinet, Abbas orders the PA security forces to make “maximum efforts” to stop Palestinian attacks on Israelis, to investigate the 1/13 Qarni attack. PA Negotiation Affairs M Saeb Erakat says that security forces in Gaza would “create security zones and road blocks” to prevent rocket and mortar fire. Israel says the steps are “a small but positive sign.” (VOP 1/17 in WNC 1/20; NYT, WP, WT 1/18; PR 1/20)

Sharon orders the IDF to intensify operations against Palestinian militants and to act “without restrictions, I emphasize, without restrictions” to halt “terrorism,” stating that Abbas is “not lifting a finger” to stop attacks on Israelis. The IDF withdraws fr. Gaza City (having bulldozed a total of 80 d., wounding at least 13 Palestinians since 1/15) but continues targeted operations in the outskirts of the city; shells Khan Yunis, damaging 1 Palestinian home, then firing on the family when they emerge to check the damage, killing a Palestinian mother and son, wounding the father, saying soldiers fired on suspicious “figures gathering information about IDF troops” in the area; separately fires on residential areas of Khan Yunis, hitting Nasser Hospital; fires on residential areas of Balata r.c., Rafah; conducts arrest raids, house searches in Abasan nr. Khan Yunis, Hebron, Husan, Ithna, Saida. Hamas fires 3 mortars at an IDF post in Gaza, 1 Qassam rocket at Gadid settlement, causing no damage or injuries. Palestinian gunmen fire on an IDF patrol in Jenin, wounding 4 soldiers. (AFP, HA, JAZ, VOI, VOP, YA 1/16, MENA 1/17 in WNC 1/20; NYT, WP, WT 1/17; JTA 1/18; HA, OCHA 1/19; PR 1/20; PCHR 1/27)

A Hamas suicide bomber detonates a device on a bus in Tel Aviv, killing 5 Israelis, injuring more than 50. Sharon convenes his cabinet, which unanimously decides to launch Operation Matter of Time to "isolate” Arafat, calls for the immediate extradition of around 20 wanted Palestinians (including Force 17 head Mahmud Damara, PA General Intelligence chief Tawfiq Tirawi) allegedly among the 200 Palestinians hiding in Arafat's offices (8 surrender in the evening). The IDF immediately reimposes 24-hr. curfews on all West Bank areas except Hebron; sends tanks into Ramallah to surround Arafat's offices (1 tank fatally shoots a 10-yr.-old Palestinian boy 6 times; troops shoot, wound 2 Arafat bodyguards in the PA headquarters compound); fires on "Palestinian schoolchildren challenging the army's attempt to impose a curfew" in Amari r.c., killing a 11-yr.-old Palestinian; shells residential areas of Rafah; conducts arrest raids in Bayt Hanun (where an IDF tank runs over a roadside bomb, injuring 2 soldiers), Jenin r.c. (blowing up 1 Palestinian home), Nablus, Qalqilya, the Tulkarm area; bulldozes 19 dunams of agricultural land nr. Kefar Darom settlement. Jewish settlers open fire on a Palestinian taxi nr. Tulkarm, seriously injuring the driver. (AP, HA, JTA, LAW, MM, PM 9/19; ATL, ITAR-TASS 9/19 in WNC 9/20; MM, NYT, WP, WT 9/20; Interfax, MA, Radio Monte Carlo 9/20 in WNC 9/23; MEZ, NYT 9/21; AYM 9/23 in WNC 9/25; LAW, PCHR, PR 9/25; MA 9/25 in WNC 9/26; WJW 9/26; MEI 9/27)

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: P.M. Peres criticizes U.S. Asst. Sec. of State Richard Murphy's plan for preliminary meeting with joint Jordanian-Palestinian delegation and vetoes another suggested Palestinian delegate Nabil Sha'th. Peres expresses confidence in King Hussein's desire for peace, says Israel wants to open negotiations with joint Jordanian-Palestinian delegation immediately [JP 9/6]. Negev Bedouin given o.k. to elect 15-member delegation to the soon-to-be-established regional committee on Bedouin affairs [JP 9/6].

Other Countries: Washington Post reports U.S. administration is considering sending Asst. Sec. of State Richard Murphy to meet with Jordanian-Palestinian delegation that would include Nabil Sha'th, a close personal advisor to Arafat. Israel vehemently protestshe proposal [WP 9/3, 9/7]. Jerusalem Post reports Reagan administration iformed Congress in July in classified 17-page report that Israel's "qualitative" military edge over the Arabs is "secure and likely to grow stronger, under present policy, at least through the rest of this decade" [JP 9/6].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Israeli truck driver Moshe Fitusi, 28, is critically stabbed in Gaza City; Israeli settlers torch Palestinian home in the West Bank in retaliation. Gaza City sealed off and 500 residents reportedly detained by army for questioning. Home of Palestinian exprisoner freed in 5/20 prisoner exchange set afire in Dura village by Israeli settlers, home of another painted with threatening slogans and its windows smashed in Balata refugee camp near Nablus. Groups of armed settlers reported roaming streets of Ramallah and Nablus. Israeli authorities briefly detain 9 Tehiya members who squat at Tel Rumeida in Hebron [CSM, PI, NYT, JP 9/6; JTA 9/9].

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Jerusalem Post reports Sakhnin residents received letters from Kach movement demanding they leave Israel "of their own free will" or face leaving "against their will" [JP 1/1]. Def. Ministry offers to allow burial of Fahd Qawasmeh [assassinated 12/29 in Amman] in W. Bank if 4 Israelis missing in Lebanon are repatriated [NYT 1/2]. IDF arrest 12 during mock funeral for Qawasmeh in Hebron [TS 1/2]. 

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: On 20th anniversary of founding of Fateh, bomb explodes near Jaffa Gate; police defuse bomb near Jerusalem City Hall; grenade thrown at Israeli vehicle in Gaza [JTA 1/2].

Arab World: Bomb explodes near IDF patrol in Sidon, S. Lebanon; 2 civilians injured. Shots fired at IDF patrol near Adousiya, SLA patrol near Jibsheet, S. Lebanon [JP 1/2].