The Palestine Chronology

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers attacked Palestinians in al-Mufaqra. Israeli forces detained journalist Basel Adra, who was covering the attack, for several hours and confiscated his phone. Israeli settlers also assaulted 1 Palestinian man at the Otniel settlement before he was arrested by Israeli forces. Elsewhere, Israeli settlers attacked a Palestinian home in Sebastia, before Israeli forces arrested 2 Palestinians defending the home. Israeli forces violently dispersed Palestinians protesting a raid in ‘Askar refugee camp, causing tear-gas related injuries. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces violently dispersed Palestinians protesting house demolitions in Silwan. (WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 7/15; HA 7/16; PCHR 7/19; UNOCHA 7/29)

The Palestinian Water Authority said that the Israeli water company Mekorot had reduced the daily supply of water to Hebron and Bethlehem provinces to 6,000 cups. (WAFA 7/15; QDS 7/17)

Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu was hospitalized after fainting and fitted with a heart monitor. Netanyahu was released on 7/16 and said he was hospitalized due to dehydration. (AJ, ALM, HA, NYT, REU, SKY 7/15; AJ, GDN, HA, NYT, REU 7/16; HA 7/17)

In Lebanon, a group of Lebanese people, reported to be MP Kasem Hashem and journalists, entered an area claimed by Israel on border of Lebanon and the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights before being shot at by Israeli forces; no injuries were reported. (HA, WAFA 7/15)

Congressional Progressive Caucus leader Pramila Jayapal (D-CA) called Israel “a racist state” during a speech in Chicago. Later in a statement Jayapal clarified that she thinks the Netanyahu-led government is racist after criticism from Democratic leaders. (HA 7/15; WAFA 7/16; AX, HA, MDW, MEE 7/17; MDW 7/18)

In the West Bank, the Palestinian Water Authority said that Israeli settlers had vandalized a reservoir in Asira, soiling the water supply for 6,000 Palestinians. 4 Palestinians were arrested, including 3 during late-night raids in Tulkarm and Jericho, and 1 at a checkpoint east of Tubas. In East Jerusalem, Israeli police arrested 6 Israeli settlers suspected of attacking Palestinians; the 6 had been part of a larger group asking people on the street questions and attacking those who responded in Arabic or with an Arabic accent. Israeli forces also attacked Palestinian protesters with stun grenades and water cannons at the Damascus Gate plaza, for the 7th night in a row. 1 Palestinian family started demolishing their own home in Jabal Mukabir. 3 Palestinians were arrested in the Old City, Issawiyya, and al-Tur. In Gaza, Israeli forces opened fire at agricultural lands east of Khuza‘a refugee camp; no injuries were reported. (WAFA 4/19; HA, WAFA 4/20; HA 4/21; PCHR 4/22)

The Palestinian central elections committee said it provided polling stations for about 150,000 Palestinians in East Jerusalem who live in neighborhoods on the West Bank side of the separation barrier. There are still some 150,000 Palestinians in East Jerusalem who do not know if Israel will allow them to participate in the upcoming Palestinian elections, as Israel has not responded to the PA’s request to let them participate. According to Haaretz, the PA leadership discussed postponing the elections if Israel doesn’t allow all Palestinians in East Jerusalem to participate. (WAFA 4/19; ALM, HA, WAFA 4/20; WAFA 4/21)

The PA said that the Israeli president Reuven Rivlin had called PA president Mahmoud Abbas to offer him best wishes on Ramadan. (WAFA 4/19)

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)

An IDF soldier is killed by friendly fire nr. Ramallah. IDF troops conducting a predawn arrest raid in Jenin are ambushed by AMB gunmen, who wound 1 IDF soldier. The IDF continues with the raid, detaining, stripping, searching, questioning 10s of Palestinian men, arresting 12, releasing others in their underwear. The IDF also conducts arrest sweeps in Qalqilya, Tulkarm; bulldozes 113 dunams of land in Khuza. The Palestinian Water Authority says it has been informed that the Israeli Infrastructure Min. will stop supplying al-Bireh, Jenin, Nablus, Tubas, Ramallah, other towns with water and will not allow Palestinians to drill new water wells or maintain existing ones. (AFP, HA 4/25; WT 4/26; LAW, PCHR 5/1)