The Palestine Chronology

Late in the evening, IDF troops on the n. Gaza border nr. Bayt Hanun fire on a group of unarmed Palestinian laborers attempting to cross into Israel to find work, calling in a helicopter air strike 20 mins. later, killing 3 Palestinians and wounding 1. In the West Bank, the IDF fires rubbercoated steel bullets, stun grenades, tear gas at stone-throwing Palestinians and nonviolent international (and, in the case of Bil‘in, Israeli) activists taking part in protests against the separation wall in Bil‘in and Ni‘lin (10s suffer tear gas inhalation at both sites); fires stun grenades and tear gas at Palestinian and international activists taking part in a nonviolent protest against the separation wall in al-Ma‘sara, also beating several protesters (moderately injuring 2 Palestinian children, ages 10 and 13); conducts late-night house searches in al-‘Arub r.c. (occupying 1 home as an observation post) and nr. Jenin, making no arrests. The PASF in Nablus detains and interrogates some 150 Palestinians in connection with the fatal shooting of a settler on 12/24. (PCHR 12/30; OCHA 1/6)

In the West Bank, the IDF conducts late-night house searches in Bil‘in, arresting 2 Palestinians involved in the weekly demonstrations against the separation wall, including artist Ibrahim Bernat (who makes portraits from rubber bullets, tear gas, and stun grenade canisters fired by IDF troops against demonstrators), confiscating his portrait collection. A Jewish settler fr. Gush Etzion nr. Bethlehem fires on 5 Palestinian farmers working land in Safa village nr. Hebron that settlers have previously tried to seize; no injuries are reported; the IDF observes but does not intervene. Jewish settlers fr. Shilo stone Palestinian vehicles driving on the Ramallah– Nablus road nr. the settlement, causing no injuries; the IDF observes but does not intervene. (OCHA, PCHR 12/23)

In the West Bank, the IDF makes a rare daytime raid on 2 houses in the center of Hebron, violently beating several Palestinians (moderately injuring 5), detaining 4 for questioning, ultimately arresting 1; fires rubber-coated steel bullets, stun grenades, tear gas at stone-throwing Palestinians and nonviolent international (and, in the case of Bil‘in, Israeli) activists taking part in protests against the separation wall in Bil‘in and Ni‘lin (10s suffer tear gas inhalation at both sites); fires stun grenades and tear gas at Palestinian and international activists taking part in a nonviolent protest against the separation wall in al-Ma‘sara, also beating several protesters (moderately injuring 1 Palestinian); conducts late-night house searches in Tubas and nr. Jenin, making no arrests. (OCHA, PCHR 12/23)

In the West Bank, the IDF fires rubbercoated steel bullets, stun grenades, tear gas at stone-throwing Palestinians and nonviolent international (and, in the case of Bil‘in, Israeli) activists taking part in protests against the separation wall in Bil‘in (10s suffer tear gas inhalation) and Ni‘lin (moderately injuring 3 Palestinians); fires stun grenades and tear gas at Palestinian and international activists taking part in a nonviolent protest against the separation wall in al-Ma‘sara, also beating several protesters (moderately injuring 2 Palestinians); makes a late-night incursion into Jenin r.c., patrolling streets for several hrs. and firing stun grenades, causing no injuries. Jewish settlers vandalize a mosque in Yasuf village nr. Nablus, burning prayer rugs and Qur’ans, leaving behind Hebrew graffiti protesting Netanyahu’s 10-mo. settlement freeze. (WP 12/12; WT 12/13; NYT 12/14; OCHA, PCHR 12/16)

In the West Bank, the IDF fires rubbercoated steel bullets, stun grenades, tear gas at stone-throwing Palestinians and nonviolent international (and, in the case of Bil‘in, Israeli) activists taking part in protests against the separation wall in Bil‘in (10s suffer tear gas inhalation) and Ni‘lin (moderately injuring 1 Palestinian); fires stun grenades and tear gas at Palestinian and international activists taking part in a nonviolent protest against the separation wall in al-Ma‘sara, also beating several protesters (moderately injuring 1 Palestinian); conducts late-night house searches in and around Hebron. Jewish settlers fr. Yitzhar attempt to occupy 2 Palestinian homes nearby but are fended off by stonethrowing Palestinians. (OCHA 12/9; PCHR 12/10)

The IDF makes an air strike on a group of armed mbrs. of the Soldiers of the Companions of God (SCG) in n. Gaza who were preparing to fire a rocket into Israel, wounding 4 SCG mbrs. (1 seriously); though the SCG is a rival of Hamas, Israel says it holds Hamas responsible for the foiled attack. In the West Bank, the IDF fires rubber-coated steel bullets, stun grenades, tear gas at stone-throwing Palestinians and nonviolent international and Israeli activists taking part in protests against the separation wall in Bil‘in (10s suffer tear gas inhalation). (NYT 11/28; PCHR 12/3; OCHA 12/9)

In the West Bank, the IDF fires rubbercoated steel bullets, stun grenades, tear gas at stone-throwing Palestinians taking part in weekly protests against the separation wall in Bil‘in (10s suffer tear gas inhalation) and against Palestinian, Israeli, and international activists taking part in weekly nonviolent demonstration against the separation wall in Ni‘lin (injuring 3 Palestinians); fires stun grenades and tear gas at Palestinian and international activists taking part in the weekly nonviolent demonstration against the separation wall in al-Ma‘sara s. of Bethlehem (injuring 3 Palestinians, including a 9-yr.-old boy); conducts late-night arrest raids on several coffee shops nr. Qalqilya, detaining 3 PA security officers and 3 teenagers (including a 14-yr.- old boy). In Hebron, Jewish settlers fr. Ma’on in Hebron beat 4 Palestinian youths tending sheep nearby, chasing them off the land; Jewish settlers fr. Carmiel attack and vandalize a Palestinian home nearby, attempting to drive the Palestinian family off the land. (OCHA, PCHR 11/25)

In the West Bank, Palestinian activists celebrating the 20th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall with a protest against the separation wall in Dayr Ghusun nr. Tulkarm attempt to remove and subsequently damage a gate in the separation wall that prevents Palestinian farmers in the area fr. reaching their lands. The IDF fires rubber-coated steel bullets, sound bombs, tear gas at the protesters (causing no reported injuries) and arrests 6 Palestinians (including 2 teenagers). Jewish settlers fr. Carmiel attack Palestinians fr. the nearby Bedouin village of Umm al-Khayr, badly injuring 1 Palestinian woman and damaging several Palestinian houses and 1 car. (MNA 11/14; PCHR 11/19; OCHA 11/20)

IDF troops on the c. Gaza border e. of Gaza Valley open fire on 7 Palestinians nr. the border fence, killing 1 Palestinian teenager and wounding another, then enter Gaza to detain the entire group. The IDF claims they were engaging in hostile activity, a charge local Palestinians deny. (NYT, WP 11/14; PCHR 11/19; OCHA 11/20; OCHA Humanitarian Monitor 11/09)

In the West Bank, the IDF completes construction of a segment of the separation wall along bypass road No. 55 nr. Qalqilya, completely isolating Azun village and separating the farmers in the village fr. at least 1,300 d. of their land; fires live ammunition at Palestinian and international activists taking part in a nonviolent demonstration against the separation wall in Ni‘lin (injuring at least 2 Palestinians); fires rubber-coated steel bullets, sound bombs, tear gas at Palestinian activists, some of whom throw stones at IDF troops, taking part in a demonstration against the separation wall in Bil‘in (10s suffer fr. tear gas inhalation). Jewish settlers fr. Avraham Avino occupy a Palestinian commercial building on al-Sahla street in the old city of Hebron for several hrs. to conduct religious ceremonies. (MNA 11/14; PCHR 11/19; OCHA 11/20)

In the West Bank, Palestinian activists in a number of locations along the separation wall protest in commemoration of the 20th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall. In Ni‘lin, Palestinian protesters also attempt to pull down sections of the separation wall but are dispersed by rubber-coated steel bullets, sound bombs, tear gas fired by IDF troops; 5 protesters are wounded, and 10s suffer fr. tear gas inhalation. The IDF also closes the entrance to al-Ma‘sara, fires rubber-coated steel bullets and sound bombs, violently beats a number of Palestinian and international activists taking part in a nonviolent demonstration against the separation wall there (injuring 2 Palestinians under the age of 13); fires rubber-coated steel bullets, sound bombs, tear gas at Palestinian activists, some of whom throw stones at IDF troops, taking part in a demonstration against the separation wall in Bil‘in (10s suffer fr. tear gas inhalation). The IDF also conducts late-night raids, house searches nr. Bethlehem but makes no arrests. (MNA 11/9; OCHA, PCHR, WJW 11/12; OCHA 11/17)

In the West Bank, the IDF fires rubbercoated steel bullets, sound bombs, tear gas at Palestinian and international activists taking part in a nonviolent demonstration against the separation wall in Ni‘lin (10s suffer fr. tear gas inhalation) and at Palestinian activists, some of whom throw stones at IDF troops, taking part in a demonstration against the separation wall in Bil‘in (10s suffer fr. tear gas inhalation); closes the entrance to al-Ma‘sara and fires sound bombs, tear gas at Palestinian and international activists taking part in a demonstration against the separation wall there, beating a number of them (injuring 4 Palestinians, including 1 teenager); patrols Saffa village nr. Ramallah, firing rubber-coated steel bullets, tear gas, sound bombs at stone-throwing Palestinian youths who confront them (10s suffer fr. tear gas inhalation) and arresting 1 Palestinian. IDF troops also detain a Palestinian worker attempting to install power networks in al-Taqani nr. Hebron and confiscate his equipment. (Israeli efforts to prevent the construction and infrastructure projects in the village, which is close to Ma’on settlement, have been ongoing since 5/09.) (PCHR 11/5)

Armed Jewish settlers in the Bayt Safafa neighborhood of East Jerusalem attack a Palestinian family over a land ownership dispute, injuring 4 Palestinians. (OCHA Humanitarian Monitor 10/09; OCHA 11/5)

In the West Bank, the IDF forcefully disperses a peaceful sit-in by Palestinian and international activists protesting the expansion of Kiryat Arba settlement, detaining 12 international activists and 3 Palestinians and violently beating 2 Palestinians; fires rubber-coated steel bullets, sound bombs, tear gas at Palestinian and international activists taking part in a nonviolent demonstration against the separation wall in Ni‘lin (injuring 7, including 2 teenagers) and at Palestinian activists, some of whom throw stones at IDF troops, demonstrating against the separation wall in Bil‘in (10s suffer fr. tear gas inhalation). (PCHR 10/29)

In the West Bank, the IDF fires rubber-coated steel bullets, sound bombs, tear gas at Palestinian and international activists taking part in a nonviolent demonstration against the separation wall in Ni‘lin (10s suffer fr. tear gas inhalation) and at Palestinian activists, some of whom throw stones at IDF troops, taking part in a demonstration against the separation wall in Bil‘in (injuring 2 Palestinians, 1 French activist, and 1 Canadian journalist); fires sound bombs, tear gas at Palestinian and international activists taking part in a demonstration against the separation wall in al-Ma‘sara, violently beating a number of them (injuring 3 Palestinians); conducts late-night raids, house searches nr. Jenin and Bethlehem, summoning 1 Palestinian for questioning. (PCHR 10/22)

The HRC votes (25 to 6, with the U.S. voting against) to endorse the Goldstone report and refer it to the UNGA. (NYT, WP 10/17; WJW 10/22; OCHA Humanitarian Monitor 10/09)

The IDF fires rubber-coated steel bullets, sound bombs, tear gas at Palestinian and international activists taking part in a nonviolent demonstration against the separation wall in Ni‘lin (10s suffer fr. tear gas inhalation) and at Palestinian activists, some of whom throw stones at IDF troops, demonstrating against the separation wall in Bil‘in (10s suffer fr. tear gas inhalation). (PCHR 10/15)

Following a week of tensions, Israel declares a state of high alert in East Jerusalem, deploys additional security forces, and sets up additional checkpoints across the city. In the only serious incident reported, IDF troops fire rubber-coated steel bullets, sound bombs, tear gas at Palestinian protesters in Ras al-Amud, slightly injuring at least 10; 3 others are arrested and beaten by undercover security forces in front of TV cameras. (PCHR 10/15; PCHR 10/22)

U.S. special envoy Mitchell begins 2 days of mtgs. with Netanyahu in Jerusalem and Abbas in Ramallah. (WP 10/10, 10/12)

In response to escalating tensions in East Jerusalem, 1,000s of Palestinians attend a rally in Gaza organized by Hamas calling for another intifada. (WT 10/6)

In the West Bank, the IDF arrests a Palestinian by the separation wall nr. Azun Atma; conducts late-night raids, house searches in and around Nablus and nr. Jenin, arresting 2 Palestinians. (PCHR 10/8)

Israeli-Palestinian tensions in Jerusalem remain high following the 10/4 clashes. Although Israel deploys 1,000s of additional police in and around the Old City and IDF helicopters and drones monitor fr. above, some significant clashes are reported in and around the city. At a checkpoint at the entrance of Shu‘fat r.c., Israeli security forces arrest a Palestinian who stabbed an Israeli soldier in the neck; IDF troops then enter Shu‘fat r.c., fire sound bombs and tear gas, and arrest 8 more Palestinians (all under the age of 18, 2 under the age of 13). At Qalandia checkpoint, Israeli security forces fire rubbercoated steel bullets, tear gas, sound bombs at 10s of Palestinian protesters. In Ras alAmud neighborhood, Israeli security forces arrest 13 Palestinians for stone-throwing. Israeli authorities also seal off 2 Arab neighborhoods adjacent to the Old City and bar men under the age of 50 fr. entering alAqsa Mosque. At least 7 Palestinians are wounded in clashes during the day. Israel releases 2 Palestinians detained at crossings into Jerusalem on 10/4 but bars them fr. entering Jerusalem for 90 days. (WT 10/6, PCHR 10/8)

A complaint filed by Israeli human rights organization Yesh Din results in the arrest of an IDF soldier on charges of beating the Bil‘in Coordinator of the Public Committee against the Wall and Settlement during a late-night raid on 9/15. (OCHA Humanitarian Monitor 10/09)

IDF troops on the n. Gaza border nr. Bayt Lahiya shoot and seriously wound 1 Palestinian teenager who says that he was throwing stones at a dog on the beach when he was shot. (OCHA, PCHR 10/8)

In the West Bank, the IDF arrests 5 Palestinian workers by the separation wall nr. Azun Atma nr. Qalqilya; conducts latenight raids, house searches in and around Qalqilya, arresting 3 Palestinians. (PCHR 10/8)

Major clashes erupt in Jerusalem sparked by rumors that Israeli authorities plan to allow Jewish settlers to enter the al-Aqsa Mosque compound to mark the Sukkoth holiday. In reaction, Muslim leaders call on Palestinians to rally to defend the mosque, prompting Jewish religious leaders to call followers to defend the Temple Mount. As some 200 Palestinians inside the mosque compound and some 150 Palestinians on the periphery hold off 100s of Jewish settlers fr. reaching the compound, Israeli security forces attempt to seal off the holy site and Jerusalem’s Old City to disperse the protesters and prevent violence fr. spreading. Minor incidents are reported in Ras al-Amud and al-Tur neighborhoods. Some Palestinians throw stones at security forces, who respond with stun grenades and a water cannon. Israeli security forces also arrest 10 Palestinians and violently beat 10s of others who attempt to force their way through IDF checkpoints around the Old City to reach the mosque. Among those arrested are 2 public figures—Shaykh Kamal al-Khatib and Palestinian Legislative Council (PLC) mbr. Hatim ‘Abd al-Qadir (both quickly released on bail and forbidden fr. entering the Old City for 15 days). (WT 10/6; PCHR, WJW 10/8; OCHA Humanitarian Monitor 10/09)

As agreed on 9/30, Israel releases 19 Palestinian female prisoners in exchange for a 2-min. video fr. Hamas proving that captured IDF soldier Cpl. Shalit is still alive. A 20th prisoner is expected to be released on 10/3. After Palestinians fire 3 rockets fr. Gaza into Israel (causing no damage or injuries), the IDF carries out air strikes on smuggling tunnels along the Rafah border and on a marble factory and an iron warehouse in Gaza City suspected of being used to manufacture weapons. An Israeli drone also fires a missile nr. Bayt Lahiya. No casualties are reported in any of the air strikes. (NYT 10/3; PCHR 10/8; JR 10/26)

In the West Bank, the IDF fires rubbercoated steel bullets, sound bombs, tear gas at Palestinian and international activists taking part in a nonviolent demonstration against the separation wall in Ni‘lin (10s suffer fr. tear gas) and at Palestinian activists, some of whom throw stones at IDF troops, taking part in a demonstration against the separation wall in Bil‘in (injuring 2 international activists); conducts late-night raids, house searches nr. Tulkarm, arresting 1 Palestinian. (PCHR 10/8)

Israeli security forces prevent thousands of Palestinians fr. entering East Jerusalem for Friday prayers at the al-Aqsa Mosque. The overcrowded conditions at Qalandia checkpoint cause at least 35 Palestinians to faint. Additional checkpoints are also erected in the Old City. (PCHR 10/8)

Hamas mbr. Yusuf Abu Zuhri, the brother and bodyguard of Hamas spokesperson Sami Abu Zuhri, dies in Egyptian custody. Hamas accuses Egyptian authorities of torturing him. Abu Zuhri was detained in al-Arish in 4/09 on charges of entering Egypt illegally through a smuggling tunnel on the Rafah border. (Agence France-Presse 10/13; JPI 10/22)

At Abbas’s request, the UN Human Rights Council (HRC) defers until 3/10 a vote to endorse the UN’s Goldstone report (see 9/15). The move is supported by Israel and the U.S. but is immediately denounced by Palestinians. (WP 10/2; WP 10/3; JR 10/26)

The IDF makes an air strike on Gaza City’s al-Tuffah neighborhood, killing 3 Islamic Jihad mbrs., possibly injuring 1 Islamic Jihad mbr. and 3 bystanders. (NYT, WP 9/26; OCHA Humanitarian Monitor 9/09; PCHR 10/1; OCHA 10/2)

In the West Bank, the IDF fires rubbercoated steel bullets, sound bombs, tear gas at Palestinian and international activists taking part in a nonviolent demonstration against the separation wall in Ni‘lin (injuring 6 Palestinians, including 1 teenager) and at Palestinian activists, some of whom throw stones at IDF troops, taking part in a demonstration against the separation wall in Bil‘in (injuring 1 Palestinian, arresting 1 Palestinian and 2 Israelis); fires sound bombs and violently beats Palestinian and international activists taking part in a nonviolent demonstration against the separation wall in al-Ma‘sara (2 are badly injured); fires rubber-coated steel bullets, tear gas, sound bombs at Palestinians and international activists protesting in Burin nr. Nablus against the confiscation of land to be razed and annexed by Yitzhar settlement. The IDF also arrests 2 Palestinians teenagers nr. Qalqilya for stone-throwing. (PCHR 10/1)

Israeli naval vessels detain for 12 hrs. 5 fishermen off the n. Gaza shore and confiscate their boat. The IDF also makes a brief incursion into n. Gaza to level land along the border fence n. of Bayt Hanun. (PCHR 10/1)

In the West Bank, the IDF reopens 3 gates in the separation wall in the Jerusalem governorate that were closed on 8/26; local Palestinian farmers who rely on the gates for access to their land located between the separation wall and the Green Line report that their grape crops have been damaged because of the prolonged closure. The IDF also conducts late-night raids, house searches nr. Hebron, Salfit, and Tulkarm and in and around Nablus, arresting 11 Palestinians. (OCHA Humanitarian Monitor 9/09; PCHR 10/1)

Israel seals the West Bank for the Jewish New Year. Inside the West Bank, the IDF arrests 3 Palestinians armed with knives attempting to enter Gush Etzion settlement nr. Bethlehem; violently beats 1 Palestinian teenager nr. the al-Ibrahimi Mosque/Tomb of the Patriarchs; fires rubbercoated steel bullets, sound bombs, tear gas at Palestinian and international activists taking part in a nonviolent demonstration against the separation wall in Ni‘lin (10s are injured) and at Palestinian activists, some of whom throw stones at IDF troops, demonstrating against the separation wall in Bil‘in (10s suffer fr. tear gas inhalation). (PCHR 10/1; OCHA 10/2)

The IDF makes an incursion into al-Bureij r.c. in central Gaza, detaining a Palestinian (who is released on 9/12). (PCHR 9/17)

In the West Bank, the IDF patrols Qalandia r.c. nr. Ramallah, firing rubbercoated steel bullets, sound bombs, tear gas at stone-throwing Palestinians who confront them, wounding 1 (possibly a bystander); fires rubber-coated steel bullets, sound bombs, tear gas at Palestinian and international activists taking part in a nonviolent demonstration against the separation wall in Ni‘lin (10s suffer fr. tear gas inhalation) and at Palestinian activists, some of whom throw stones at IDF troops, taking part in a demonstration against the separation wall in Bil‘in (injuring 2); conducts late-night raids, house searches nr. Nablus, Jenin, and Salfit, arresting 5 Palestinians. (PCHR 9/17)

On the 3rd Friday of Ramadan, the IDF continues to enforce age restrictions announced on 8/23 limiting Palestinian access to Jerusalem for prayers; an estimated 190,000 Palestinians enter the city, but as a result of intense crowding at Qalandia checkpoint, many other “qualified” Palestinians are prevented fr. entering, and 80 people (primarily women and children, and 20 of whom are hospitalized) are injured. (PCHR 9/17; OCHA Humanitarian Monitor 9/09)

Unidentified assailants fire 2 Katyusha rockets (the 1st in 6 mos.) fr. Lebanon into Israel, causing no reported damage or injuries. In retaliation, the IDF fires at least 14 missiles toward the port of Tyre and sends fighter jets across the border; no casualties are reported in either attack. (NYT, WP 9/12; JPI 9/24)

In the West Bank, the IDF seals Attara nr. Ramallah for 3 hrs. after troops discover a suspicious object during vehicle checks at the entrance to the village. The IDF conducts late-night raids, house searches nr. Qalqilya and Salfit and in Jenin town and r.c., but makes no arrests; a Palestinian whose house is raided reports money missing. The IDF also patrols and opens fire in Qabatya but makes no arrests and causes no injuries. Jewish settlers fr. Susia, escorted by the IDF, erect tents and set up electricity generators on an unauthorized settlement outpost site nr. Hebron that was dismantled by the IDF on 9/9. The Israeli High Court, ruling on a petition filed in 2003, orders the IDF to dismantle sections of the separation wall in Khirbat Jibara and Jayyus n. of Qalqilya, reinstating Palestinian access to 2,488 dunams (d.; 4 d. = 1 acre) of land. (OCHA 9/11; OCHA, PCHR 9/17; OCHA Humanitarian Monitor 9/09)

In Silwan in East Jerusalem, a Jewish settler shoots, wounds 1 Palestinian, also hitting 1 Palestinian teenager with shrapnel; the settler is arrested by Israeli police. The al-Aqsa Association reports that the Israeli authorities are digging a new tunnel under Silwan. (NYT 9/12; OCHA , PCHR 9/17; OCHA Humanitarian Monitor 9/09)

IDF troops on the n. Gaza border nr. Bayt Hanun fire on Palestinian farmers approaching their land some 600 m fr. the border fence, killing 1 Palestinian teenager. The IDF also makes a brief incursion into s. Gaza to level land in Khuza village nr. Khan Yunis. (PCHR 9/10; OCHA 9/11; OCHA Humanitarian Report 9/09)

In the West Bank, the IDF fires rubbercoated steel bullets, sound bombs, tear gas at Palestinian and international human rights activists taking part in a nonviolent demonstration against the separation wall in Ni‘lin (injuring 3, including an Israeli and a Palestinian journalist) and at Palestinian activists, some of whom throw stones at IDF troops, taking part in a demonstration against the separation wall in Bil‘in (injuring 2, including 1 teenager); conducts latenight raids, house searches in and around Tulkarm town and r.c., in al-Fara‘a r.c. nr. Tubas, and nr. Jenin, Ramallah, and Hebron, making no arrests but summoning at least 1 Palestinian for questioning; patrols Qabatya but makes no arrests. (PCHR 9/10)

On the 2d Friday of Ramadan, the IDF continues to enforce age restrictions announced on 8/23 limiting Palestinian access to Jerusalem for prayers; an estimated 130,000 Palestinians enter the city, but as a result of intense crowding at Qalandia checkpoint, many other “qualified” Palestinians are prevented fr. entering and 19 people (primarily women and children) are injured in the crush of worshipers awaiting entry at IDF checkpoints around the city. (PCHR 9/10; OCHA 9/11; OCHA Humanitarian Report 9/09)

Unidentified Palestinians fire a rocket fr. Gaza into Israel, causing no damage or injuries. The body of a Palestinian initially reported missing after the IDF’s 8/25 air strike on the Rafah border is recovered fr. a destroyed smuggling tunnel. (WJW, PCHR 9/3)

In the West Bank, the IDF fires rubbercoated steel bullets, sound bombs, tear gas at Palestinian and international activists taking part in a nonviolent demonstration against the separation wall in Ni‘lin (10s suffer fr. tear gas inhalation) and at Palestinian activists, some of whom throw stones at IDF troops, demonstrating against the separation wall in Bil‘in (injuring 1 Palestinian and exposing 10s of others to tear gas); closes the entrance to al-Ma‘sara, fires sound bombs and tear gas at Palestinian and international activists taking part in a nonviolent demonstration against the separation wall there, beating a number of them (injuring 2, including a 9-yr.-old child); conducts late-night raids, house searches in Nablus and nearby ‘Ayn Bayt al-Ma’ r.c., nr. Ramallah, arresting 6 Palestinians (including 1 woman). In Hebron, 3 Jewish settlers fr. Ramat Yishai beat a 12-yr.-old Palestinian child; the IDF observes but does not intervene. (PCHR 9/3)

On the 1st Friday of Ramadan, the IDF enforces age restrictions announced on 8/23 limiting Palestinian access to Jerusalem for prayers; an estimated 60,000 Palestinians enter the city. (OCHA, PCHR 9/3; OCHA Humanitarian Monitor 9/09)

Israeli naval vessels fire on Palestinian fishing boats and swimmers approximately 700 m fr. the Gaza coast nr. Bayt Lahiya, killing 1 Palestinian and injuring 1 other. (OCHA, PCHR 9/3)

In the West Bank, the IDF erects an iron gate at the entrance of al-Naqura village nr. Nablus. Israeli security forces announce that 3 gates in the separation wall nr. Jerusalem closed on 8/26 will remain so indefinitely. Jewish settlers in Hebron vandalize 3 Palestinian vehicles and throw stones, bottles at Palestinian homes in Tal Rumayda neighborhood. (OCHA, PCHR 9/3)

Fmr. U.S. pres. Jimmy Carter leads a group of international public figures associated with human rights advocacy to meet with local organizers of the weekly nonviolent protests against the separation wall held in Bil‘in. (NYT 8/28)

The IDF shoots, seriously wounds a Palestinian at a checkpoint in Hebron after he allegedly attempts to attack a soldier with a knife; conducts late-night raids, house searches in Qalqilya and nr. Jenin, Bethlehem, Jericho, Hebron, Salfit, and Ramallah, arresting 15 Palestinians. Following a latenight explosion nr. the Bayt Ijza gate into Jerusalem, Israeli border police close all 3 gates in the separation wall controlling access to Palestinian agricultural land in the Jerusalem governorate, preventing Palestinian farmers fr. reaching their grape crops. (PCHR 8/27; OCHA Humanitarian Monitor 8/09; OCHA, PCHR 9/3)

On the sidelines of meetings with British PM Gordon Brown in London, Netanyahu meets with U.S. special envoy George Mitchell to discuss peace issues; the two report having “made good progress” (no elaboration) and say they will meet again in the coming weeks. (Christian Science Monitor, NYT, WJW, WP 8/27)

For unknown reasons, IDF troops on the n. Gaza border nr. Bayt Hanun fire at Palestinian farmers and houses, wounding a farmer who is at least 1,800 m fr. the border. (OCHA 8/25; PCHR 8/27; OCHA Humanitarian Monitor 8/09)

Israel announces a general easing of restrictions on movement of West Bank Palestinians during Ramadan (which began on 8/22), though Palestinian access to East Jerusalem is restricted to men over 50 yrs. old, women over 45, and children under 12. In the West Bank, the IDF violently beats a Palestinian who allegedly threw rocks at a checkpoint in Hebron; conducts late-night raids, house searches in and around Jenin town and r.c., arresting 3 Palestinians. Jewish settlers fr. Avraham Avino throw stones, empty bottles, garbage at nearby Palestinian houses; the IDF observes but does not intervene. Muhammad Ibrahim Abu Rahma, the deputy mayor of Bil‘in arrested by the IDF on 8/19, is released on bail under strict conditions, including that he agree not to participate in demonstrations, remain at least 6 km away fr. the separation wall every Friday, and make a 3-hr. visit to an Israeli police station every day. (PCHR 8/27, 9/3; OCHA Humanitarian Monitor 9/09)

For unknown reasons, IDF troops on the n. Gaza border shoot and wound a Palestinian teenager fr. Bayt Lahiya who is at least 900 meters fr. the border. (PCHR 8/27)

In the West Bank, the IDF detains dozens of farmers in and around Bayt Awa nr. Hebron and warns them of straying near the separation wall. (PCHR 8/27)

The IDF makes a brief incursion into s. Gaza to level land and clear lines of sight e. of Abasan, Khuza, and al-Fukhari villages. (PCHR 8/27)

In the West Bank, the IDF fires rubbercoated steel bullets, sound bombs, tear gas, skunk (a foul-smelling liquid) at Palestinians and international activists taking part in a nonviolent demonstration against the separation wall in Ni‘lin (10s suffer fr. tear gas inhalation); fires rubber-coated steel bullets, sound bombs, tear gas and violently beats a number of Palestinian and international activists taking part in a nonviolent demonstration against the separation wall in al-Ma‘sara (injuring 2, including 1 teenager); fires rubber-coated bullets, sound bombs, tear gas at Palestinian activists, some of whom throw stones at IDF troops, taking part in a demonstration against the separation wall in Bil‘in (10s suffer fr. tear gas inhalation); implements additional security restrictions on the movements of Palestinians in the old city of Hebron, which prevents a number of them fr. entering the al-Ibrahimi Mosque/ Tomb of the Patriarchs for Friday prayers; conducts late-night raids, house searches in Surif village nr. Hebron, arresting 2 Palestinians. (OCHA 8/25; PCHR 8/27)

Israeli naval boats fire on Palestinian fishing boats off the Rafah coast to force them back to shore, seriously wounding a 12-yr.-old Palestinian boy on the beach with a gunshot to the head. In the West Bank, the IDF fires rubber-coated steel bullets, tear gas, stun grenades, skunk at stone-throwing Palestinians protesting the separation wall in Bil‘in; fires rubbercoated steel bullets, tear gas, percussion grenades at Palestinian and international activists holding nonviolent demonstrations against the separation wall in al-Ma‘sara and Ni‘lin, causing no major injuries; conducts late-night house searches in and around Jenin, making no arrests. In Rafah, Hamas police and Izzeddin al-Qassam Brigades (IQB) mbrs. attempt to arrest SCG leader Shaykh ‘Abd al-Latif Musa, surrounding his mosque during Friday prayers, sparking a 7-hr. battle that leaves 24 Palestinians dead (12 SCG, 6 Hamas, 6 bystanders), 130 injured (including a boy inside Egyptian Rafah), and 95 SCG supporters under arrest. The dead include Shaykh Musa, who reportedly commits suicide by detonating an explosives belt, killing s. Gaza IQB cmdr. Muhammad Jibril Shamali, who led the raid. (Agence France-Presse 8/14; MNA, NYT, WP, WT 8/16; Jerusalem Post, OCHA, PCHR 8/20)