The Palestine Chronology

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers vandalized vehicles and set fire to 15 dunams (3.7 acres) of agricultural land in the Masafer Yatta area. 6 Palestinians were arrested, including 4 during late-night raids in and around Tubas and Nablus, and 2 at checkpoints near Huwwara and in Hebron. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces violently dispersed Palestinian and Israeli protesters near Shaykh Jarrah, demanding that they end the lockdown of the area. 9 Palestinians were arrested, including 5 during house raids in Issawiyya and the Old City and 4 at the Haram al-Sharif compound. Off the coast of Gaza, Israeli naval forces opened fire at Palestinian fishermen within 3 nautical miles west of Dayr al-Balah; no injuries were reported. In Israel, thousands demonstrated in Tel Aviv for “a joint future” for all Israelis after days of violence among Israeli citizens. There were also protests outside of prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s official residence. (HA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 5/22; PCHR 5/27)

Israel allowed a limited number of fishing boats from Gaza to start fishing, after closing the fishing zone since 5/10. (AP 5/23)

Egypt sent a convoy of 130 trucks to Gaza carrying humanitarian aid. (HA, WAFA 5/22)

PA president Mahmoud Abbas spoke with Qatari emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani about the recent Israeli attacks on Gaza and East Jerusalem. Emir Al Thani promised to help organize other nations in ending Israeli attacks on the al-Aqsa Mosque. President Abbas also spoke to the emir of Kuwait, Nawaf Al‑Ahmad Al‑Jaber Al‑Sabah, and the Egyptian security delegation that had been working as intermediaries between Israel and Hamas before the ceasefire. (AJ, REU, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 5/22)

The mayor of Lydda Yair Revivo threatened Palestinian-Israeli councilwoman Fida Shehade that he would send the Shin Bet after her because she had criticized the city’s treatment of its Palestinian-Israeli residents. (HA 5/23)

Lebanese prime minister-designate Saad Hariri said he would not continue trying to form a cabinet after Lebanese president Michel Aoun said that he was incapable of doing so on 5/21. (REU, REU 5/22)

The UN security council (UNSC) released its 1st statement since the escalation of violence against Gaza on 5/10, calling for adherence to the ceasefire. The statement mourned the loss of civilian lives, called for humanitarian aid to Palestinians, and reiterated its support for a 2-state solution. The U.S. has been criticized by other members of the UNSC for blocking statements before the ceasefire took effect on 5/21. UN humanitarian coordinator for the Palestinian territories Lynn Hastings also toured Gaza to assess the damage, calling for the blockade to end and expressing concern about a potential new COVID-19 outbreak. (AJ, AP, HA, HA, WAFA 5/22)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers raided Qarawat Bani Hassan before confronted by Palestinian residents. Israeli settlers attacked 1 Palestinian minor near Kisan, causing injuries. Elsewhere, Israeli settlers set fire to agricultural lands planted with olive trees in Jalud, causing extensive damage. Israeli forces violently dispersed Palestinian protesters commemorating Nakba Day throughout the West Bank, killing 1 Palestinian in Hebron and injuring 450, including 27 in Hebron, 29 in Qalqilya, 12 in Ramallah, 18 in Nablus, 9 in Tulkarm, 6 in Jenin, 2 in Bethlehem, and 1 in Tubas using live ammunition. 13 Palestinians were arrested, including 4 during late-night raids in Tulkarm and 9 during protests near Jenin. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces violently dispersed Palestinian protesters in Shaykh Jarrah, injuring 1 journalist and arresting 1. Israeli forces also violently dispersed Palestinian protesters in al-Tur, causing tear-gas related injuries and 1 arrest. 13 others were arrested during raids in Issawiyya, al-Tur, Silwan, and Sur Bahir. In Gaza, 17 Palestinians were killed, including 8 children, and dozens were injured, raising the comprehensive death toll since 5/10 from 136 to 153, including 41 children and 2 pregnant women. The casualties included: 10 members of the same family in an Israeli air strike in al-Shati refugee camp, including 8 children; 1 infant was found in the rubble of the house and was the only survivor of the attack; 2 in an air strike on a market in Gaza City; 1 in an air strike while driving north of Gaza City; 1 in a drone strike on agricultural lands near al-Bureij; 1, and 1 injured in an air strike on al-Bureij; 1 in an air strike while riding a motorbike in al-Maghazi; 1 Palestinian succumbed to wounds sustained in an air strike on a car wash al-Zawaideh. Israel also demolished al-Jalaa tower, a 12-story building in Gaza City hosting the offices of AP, Al Jazeera, and other international media outlets along with residential apartments; Israel claimed that it also housed Hamas and Islamic Jihad in Palestine intelligence offices, saying that made it a legitimate target; residents and workers were given 1 hour to evacuate the building. AP said their reporting capabilities in Gaza were significantly reduced while Al Jazeera called it a war crime and an act to stop reporting. Air strikes also demolished the home of senior Hamas official Khalil al-Hayya and severely damaged the 14-story tower al-Qahira and the 12-story tower al-Andalus in Gaza City. Shelling from land and sea also caused significant damage and injuries in Khan Yunis and Bayt Hanun. Egypt sent 10 ambulances to Gaza to pick up injured Palestinians for treatment at Egyptian hospitals. In Israel, 1 Israeli was killed by a rocket fired from Gaza in Ramat Gan, raising the Israeli death toll to 10. 6 buildings were also damaged in Ramat Gan. Rockets were also fired at Beersheba, Ashkelon, and Ashdod from Gaza, causing damage in Beersheba and Ashdod. Hundreds of Palestinian-Israelis protested in Jaffa over the Israeli police’s inability to protect them as violence has been escalating in the neighborhood and 1 minor was seriously injured by a firebomb on 5/14. 67 Palestinian-Israelis were reported arrested, including 52 in ‘Akka and 15 in Lydda. In Lebanon, hundreds of protesters gathered along the Blue Line to show solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza and Shaykh Jarrah. (AJ, AJ, AJ, AJ, AJ, AJ, AJ, AJ, AJ, AP, HA, HA, HA, HA, MEE, MEE, PCHR, REU, REU, REU, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 5/15; AP, AP, AP, AP, HA, MEE, PCHR, REU, TOI, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 5/16; AP 5/17; HA 5/18; PCHR 5/20; MEE 5/21; NYT 5/26; GDN 7/28)

There were major demonstrations in many cities worldwide in commemoration of Nakba Day and in solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza and those threatened by eviction in Shaykh Jarrah. (DM, DW, NAT 5/15 BBC, GDN, WAFA 5/16)

U.S. president Joe Biden spoke with both Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu and PA president Mahmoud Abbas. It was the 1st time that President Biden and President Abbas have spoken since Biden took office in January. (HA, WAFA 5/15)

U.S. chair of the senate foreign relations committee Bob Menendez (D-NJ) said, after Israel demolished the building housing the offices of AP and Al Jazeera, that he was “deeply troubled by reports of Israeli military actions that resulted in the death of innocent civilians in Gaza as well as Israeli targeting of buildings housing international media outlets.” Menendez is known as 1 of the staunchest supports of Israel among the senate Democrats. Several House Democrats separately tweeted, “Apartheid states aren’t democracies,” in a reference to Israel. (AJ, AJ, HA, NYT 5/15)

In the West Bank, Israeli forces seized a tractor near Jericho and assaulted its 2 Palestinian owners as they tried to prevent the seizure, leading to hospitalization of 1 and arrest of the other. Israeli forces also violently dispersed a protest in Kafr Qaddum, injuring 2 with sponge grenades. 2 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in Hizma and al-Shuyukh. In East Jerusalem, 2 Palestinians were arrested during raids in Silwan and Issawiyya; during the arrest in Silwan, Israeli forces also confiscated 1 Palestinian-owned vehicle. Off the coast of Gaza, Israeli naval forces opened fire at Palestinian fishermen within 3 nautical miles west of Bayt Lahiya; no injuries were reported. In Gaza, Israeli forces opened fire on Palestinian lands east of Khan Yunis; no injuries were reported. (WAFA, WAFA 2/20; PCHR 2/25)

UNRWA announced that it will unify its food basket system in Gaza, canceling double portions for the most vulnerable families to expand its services to another 60,000 people. The Palestinian Centre for Human Rights warned that the move will harm the poorest people in Gaza and that UNRWA needs to enhance its food program. (PCHR 2/21)

PA president Mahmoud Abbas signed a decree banning police pursuits and detentions based on “reasons related to freedom of expression and political affiliation.” The decree also said prisoners held because of political affiliation or for voicing opinions should be released. President Abbas also signed a decree allocating a minimum of 7 seats in the Palestinian Legislative Council to Palestinian Christians. (AP, HA, WAFA, WAFA 2/20; WAFA 2/21)

According to al-Arabiya, the Israeli government has asked Egypt to help negotiate a prisoner release with Hamas. (HA 2/20)

1 Israeli navy ship entered Lebanese territorial waters. (WAFA 2/21)

In the West Bank, 1 Israeli settler killed 1 Palestinian after ramming him with his vehicle near Kafr Haris. Israeli forces punitively demolished 1 house by explosion in Tura belonging to the family of 1 Palestinian accused of killing 1 Israeli settler on 12/21/2020, displacing a family of 6, including 4 children; clashes erupted during the demolition, leading to the hospitalization of 1 elderly Palestinian who suffered tear gas inhalation and damage from the explosion was reported at 4 other houses in the vicinity. Israeli forces also delivered stop-work notices for 11 houses and 1 playground in Yasuf. Elsewhere, Israeli forces shot and injured 1 Palestinian trying to enter Israel for work by the separation barrier near Barta‘a. Israeli forces also seized 1 residential tent in Khirbet al-Rakiz, 1 tent near Susiya, and 1 tent used as a health care unit east of Yatta. The Palestinian mayor of Hebron said he had received death threats from several people including 1 Israeli settler mayor and Israeli MK Moshe Abutbul. 29 Palestinians were arrested during raids in and around ‘Ayn Yabrud, Ramallah, Baytin, al-Izzariya, al-Khadir, Sa‘ir, al-‘Arub refugee camp, Qabatiya, Jenin, Nablus, and Balata refugee camp. In East Jerusalem, 1 Palestinian was arrested during a raid in Issawiyya. In Gaza, Israeli forces opened fire at agricultural lands east of Abasan; no injuries were reported. Israeli forces also made incursions and leveled land east of al-Fukhari. (WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 2/10; PCHR, PCHR, WAFA, WAFA 2/11)

PA prime minister Mohammed Shtayyeh met with UN special coordinator on Middle East peace Tor Wennesland in Ramallah. (WAFA 2/10)

The Israeli health ministry said that Palestinians from the West Bank who work in Israel legally or illegally will not receive the COVID-19 vaccine from Israel. (HA 2/18)

Axios reported that diplomats from Egypt, Jordan, Germany, and France met with Israeli and PA officials separately, proposing a plan to restart peace negotiations including confidence measures such as Israel freezing settlement expansion and releasing bodies of Palestinians killed by Israeli forces and the PA reforming payments made to Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails. (AX 2/10)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers uprooted some 60 olive saplings in Jalud. Israeli settlers also attacked Palestinian vehicles traveling on the Nablus-Qalqilya road, leading to 1 injury and damage. Israeli forces shot and injured 7 Palestinians trying to enter Israel for work through the separation barrier near Far‘un. Israeli forces also seized heavy machinery used to rehabilitate a road in Kardala. 10 Palestinians were arrested during raids in and around Bayt Umar, Sabastiyya, Qabatiya, Jalazun refugee camp, and Nahalin. In East Jerusalem, 6 Palestinians were arrested during raids in Issawiyya. Off the coast of Gaza, Israeli naval forces opened fire at Palestinian fishermen 3 nautical miles west of al-Sudaniyya; no injuries were reported. In Gaza, Israeli forces opened fire at Palestinian farmers east of Khan Yunis and Dayr al-Balah; no injuries were reported. (WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 1/11; PCHR 1/14)

Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that the Israeli defense ministry and the civil administration’s higher planning committee will approve 800 new settlement units in the Itamar, Beit El, Shavei Shomron, Oranit, Givat Ze’ev, Tal Menashe, and Nofei Nehemia settlements and settlement outposts. Prime Minister Netanyahu also said on Facebook that “[w]e’re here [in the West Bank] to stay. We’re continuing to build the Land of Israel.” Leader of the Israeli opposition Yair Lapid of the Yesh Atid party called the announcement of the new settlement units “irresponsible,” citing the U.S. presidential transition on 1/20. France’s foreign ministry, the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, and the PA denounced the settlement expansion. Israeli defense minister Benny Gantz also approved a small number Palestinian construction projects in al-Walaja, Hizma, Bethlehem, and Bayt Jala. All the projects need secondary approval. (ABC, AJ, AP, HA, REU, TOI, TOI, WAFA 1/11; REU, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 1/12)

PA prime minister Mohammed Shtayyeh and a member of the PLO executive committee condemned the UAE for allowing Israeli settler products to be imported to its market after the 1st shipment of Israeli settler goods arrived in the UAE. (WAFA 1/11; REU 1/14)

The PA health ministry said it had approved the Russian-made COVID-19 vaccine Sputnik V for emergency use. (WAFA 1/11)

PA president Mahmoud Abbas issued 3 presidential decrees, 2 of which critiques say serves to bolster the power of the PA presidency ahead of potential elections later this year. 1 decree allows the PA president to select judges instead of approving judges, who would be selected based on seniority. The decree also allows the president to force Palestinian judges to retire 5 years before the set retirement age of 70. A 2d decree establishes administrative courts, which can hear petitions against officials and institutions, previously a duty of the High Court of Justice. The president of the administrative court is appointed by the PA president. (HA 1/28)

An Israeli court in Lod ruled that screening or distributing the movie Jenin Jenin from 2002 by Mohammad Bakri should be banned and copies of the movie destroyed. Bakri was also ruled to pay $55,000 to an Israeli soldier who appears in archival footage used for the movie and $16,000 for the cost of the trial. The Israeli judge said that Bakri did not do enough research to label the movie a documentary. The PA ministry of culture condemned the ruling. (HA 1/11; AJ, TOI, WAFA 1/12; WAFA 1/13)

Defense Minister Benny Gantz said that he regretted forming a coalition with Prime Minister Netanyahu, saying that Netanyahu “cheated me and cheated you [the Israeli public].” He then called on all opposition leaders, including the Joint Arab List’s Ayman Odeh, to join him in sending “Bibi [Netanyahu] home” in the upcoming election. (HA 1/11)

The foreign ministers of Germany, France, Jordan, and Egypt met in Cairo to discuss reviving peace talks between Israel and Palestine. The quartet expressed willingness to work closely with the U.S. to map steps toward peace. In a statement, the 4 called for a Palestinian state with East Jerusalem as its capital. According to the Jerusalem Post, the 4 countries had tried to invite the Israeli and PA foreign ministers to the meeting, but both were unable or unwilling to travel for the meeting. (HA, WAFA 1/11; JP 1/12)

U.S. billionaire and mega-donor to Benjamin Netanyahu, Donald Trump, and Israeli settlements Sheldon Adelson died. Adelson had recently flown the convicted Israeli spy Jonathan Pollard to Israel from the U.S. so he could immigrate after being released from parole, and he bought the U.S. ambassador’s house in Tel Aviv from the U.S. state department earlier in 2020. Adelson was known to have had a large influence on U.S. president Donald Trump’s aggressively pro-Israel policies during his presidency. (AJ, AJ, HA, HA, HA, NYT, REU, REU 1/12)

In the West Bank, Israeli forces shot and injured 1 Palestinian during clashes in Jericho. Israeli forces also sealed the entrance to Asira. Elsewhere, Israeli forces razed land in Jalud to expand a nearby settlement, and demolished residential tents and agricultural structures in Kisan. 5 Palestinians were arrested, including 2 who were shot by live ammunition and injured by Israeli forces near the entrance to Kafr Malik; 2 during raids in and around Jalazun refugee camp and Bayt Umar; and 1 at the Allenby border crossing. In East Jerusalem, 7 Palestinians were arrested in the Old City and Issawiyya. (WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 9/24; PCHR 10/1)

Fatah and Hamas leaders said they have agreed to the 1st Palestinian elections since 2006. Fatah official Jibril Rajoub said that “[w]e have agreed to first hold legislative elections, then presidential elections of the Palestinian Authority, and finally the central council of the Palestine Liberation Organization.” A member of the Fatah Central Committee also said that “[w]ithout Jerusalem, there will be no elections.” It is unclear how national elections will include East Jerusalem as Israel refuses to let Palestinian East Jerusalemites participate in Palestinian elections. The 2 factions also agreed to a common vision of action to end the dispute between the 2; the vision would be presented on 10/1. (AJ, HA, WAFA, WAFA 9/24)

Foreign ministers of Jordan, Germany, Egypt, and France held a joint press conference in Amman, calling for resumption of Palestinian-Israeli peace negotiations. The 4 foreign ministers also praised the UAE and Bahrain’s normalization deals with Israel. (AJ 9/24)

At the UN General Assembly, the king of Bahrain Hamad bin Isa al-Khalifa said, via video link, that Bahrain’s normalization of ties with Israel will help facilitate a 2-state solution and that Bahrain still adheres to the parameters stipulated in the Arab Peace Initiative. (AJ 9/24)

Unidentified Palestinians fire a rocket from Gaza into southern Israel overnight, and Israel’s Iron Dome missile defense system intercepts it near Ashqelon. In response, the Israeli Air Force conducts air strikes on 2 Hamas sites near Bayt Lahiya, reportedly destroying 1 property and damaging another in the vicinity of both. Also along Gaza’s border, Israeli forces conduct limited incursions to level land near Dayr al-Balah and Bayt Lahiya and open fire on Palestinian farmland near Rafah, causing no damage. In the West Bank, IDF troops shoot and injure a Palestinian minor at a checkpoint near Nablus. An IDF spokesperson says she was acting suspiciously, ignoring the soldiers’ orders and warning shots, and that the incident is suspected to be an attempted “suicide by cop.” IDF troops also shoot and injure 3 Palestinians during clashes sparked by an arrest raid in al-Bireh; arrest 13 Palestinians and issue 1 arrest summons during late-night raids near Ramallah, Hebron, and Bethlehem; and patrol near Hebron throughout the day. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces arrest 3 Palestinians during raids in Issawiyya and the Old City. (HA, HA, JP, JP, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, YA 1/7; PCHR 1/10)

There are reports in the Israeli and Palestinian press that the 3d transfer of Qatari money into Gaza, which was planned to go forward this week, is being delayed indefinitely. Some reports indicate that the Israeli authorities ordered the delay in response to the rocket fire today. The Israeli authorities previously allowed 2 transfers of $15 million each, on 11/8/18 and 12/6/18. They previously agreed to allow 6 total monthly transfers of $15 million to help pay the salaries of civil servants working for the Hamas-run government and to support families in urgent need in Gaza. In the evening, UN special coordinator Nickolay Mladenov reportedly informs Hamas that the transfer is set to go forward within 48 hours, so long as the relative calm in Gaza holds. (JP, MEMO, TOI, TOI, YA 1/7; C10, JP, JT 1/8)

After PA security forces withdraw from the Rafah border crossing in the morning, Hamas security forces retake control of the Gaza side of the crossing. The Egyptian authorities then announce that the crossing “will be limited to only the arrival of individuals and the entry of goods” into Gaza. An Egyptian official in Cairo says he does not expect the crossing to be closed completely, despite widespread rumors and speculation to the contrary. “Egypt recognizes the importance of the humanitarian situation in Gaza and the Rafah crossing is an important access point for Palestinians,” he adds. The PA announced the withdrawal on 1/6 amid a week of escalating tensions between Hamas and Fatah. Later, Fatah Central Committee member Azzam al-Ahmad says that the withdrawal is only the first step in Fatah’s plan to return the PA to power in Gaza. “There will be other measures… to annihilate the authority of division and status quo,” he says. Separately, a Fatah spokesperson accuses Hamas of detaining more than 1,000 Fatah members in Gaza, including 500 who were allegedly arrested in the past 24 hours. He alleges that the arrests are meant to undermine Fatah’s planned 54th anniversary celebration in Gaza this month. (AFP, EI, TOI, TOI, WAFA 1/7; JP, REU, TOI 1/8)

The Hamas-run Interior Ministry in Gaza announces the arrest of 45 Palestinians alleged to have collaborated with Israel. (JP, TOI 1/8)

After 3 days of talks in Cairo, Hamas and Fatah announce that they have reached a new national reconciliation agreement. They do not release the text of the agreement, but according to Palestinian and Egyptian officials close to the talks, the PA is set to lift the sanctions imposed on Gaza earlier this year and Hamas agreed to hand over control of Gaza to the PA by 12/1, inter alia. Egypt’s State Information Service releases a statement announcing that the 2 sides have “agreed on procedures” for reconciliation, acknowledging that “division between the 2 sides” remains. The statement says Cairo will host a follow-up meeting on 11/21. (AFP, HA, MDW, MNA, NYT, PNN, TOI, WAFA, YA 10/12)

Thousands of Palestinians gather in the streets of Gaza City to celebrate the Palestinian reconciliation deal. Off Gaza’s coast, Israeli naval forces open fire on Palestinian fishing boats near Bayt Lahiya, causing no damage or injuries. In the West Bank, IDF troops violently disperse Palestinian youths throwing stones at them outside a settlement near Hebron (there are no serious injuries), and patrol near Hebron during the day. In East Jerusalem, hundreds of Israeli settlers march through the Old City, chanting slogans, throwing rocks, and smashing car windows. They assault and moderately injure a Palestinian shop-owner. Israeli forces arrest 4 Palestinian youths who attempt to stop the settlers’ attacks. Israeli forces also impose a curfew on Issawiyya and arrest 1 Palestinian driving in the neighborhood. They arrest another Palestinian during a raid in Shu‘fat. (REU 10/13; PCHR 10/19)

The U.S. State Dept. announces that the U.S. is withdrawing from UNESCO. “This decision was not taken lightly, and reflects [. . .] continuing anti-Israel bias at UNESCO.” The withdrawal goes into effect at the end of 2018. Shortly after the State Dept.’s announcement, Israeli PM Netanyahu’s office announces that Israel is following the “brave and moral” U.S. decision and leaving UNESCO as well. (EI, HA, NYT, TOI, YA 10/12; MNA 10/13)

Israeli forces arrest an East Jerusalem Palestinian at the c. bus station in West Jerusalem when he is found to be carrying a knife. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces patrol in Issawiyya after reports of a violent family dispute in the area. Their presence sparks clashes with stone-throwing Palestinians; 1 Palestinian bystander is shot in the eye with a sponge-tipped bullet (he later loses the eye). In the West Bank, IDF troops conduct a late-night raid in Dahaysha r.c. nr. Bethlehem, arresting 3 Palestinians and sparking minor clashes with stone-throwing Palestinians; there are no serious injuries. They arrest 4 more Palestinians and issue 1 arrest summons during further raids nr. Hebron and Qalqilya, and patrol nr. Hebron and Salfit. Along Gaza’s border, IDF troops arrest 2 Palestinian youths attempting to cross into Israel. (MNA 7/9; HA 7/10; PCHR 7/13)

The Hamas-run energy authority in Gaza announces that it is exploring alternative means of paying for Egyptian fuel transfers, since the PA is blocking Hamas’s fuel payments (see 7/8). PA pres. Abbas meets with Egyptian pres. Abdel Fattah al-Sisi in Cairo to discuss Israeli settlement activity and bilateral relations, including Cairo’s improving ties with Hamas. A PA source later says that al-Sisi supports the “legitimate Palestinian leadership” and that the meeting was “successful.” (MNA, TOI 7/9)

The IDF maintains restrictions on Palestinian movement in Hebron and the surrounding district that it put in place on 7/1. They also maintain the closure of Sa‘ir village nr. Hebron, nr. the site of the settler shooting on 7/9; conduct raids and bulldoze land in and around the village; and temporarily close nearby al-‘Arub r.c. IDF troops conduct further late-night raids and house searches in and around Hebron, Bethlehem, and Tulkarm, arresting 11 Palestinians, issuing arrest summons to 2, and confiscating 1 vehicle. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces arrest 3 Palestinians in Issawiyya for alleged stone-throwing, and confiscate a large number of antiquities from a shop in the Old City. In n. Gaza, a mbr. of PIJ’s military wing dies in a tunnel collapse. (HA, MNA, TOI 7/10; PCHR 7/14)

The Israeli cabinet approves an immediate transfer of NIS 6 m. (approx. $1.6 m.) for education and infrastructure in Kiryat Arba, the settlement where a Palestinian stabbed a settler youth to death on 6/30. (JP, TOI 7/10; MNA 7/11)

Egyptian FM Sameh Shoukry visits Israel to meet with PM Netanyahu and discuss the state of the peace process. Shoukry calls for Israeli-Palestinian confidence-building measures, pushes for the 2002 Arab Peace Initiative, and seeks backing for Egyptian pres. al-Sisi’s recent peace-building efforts. Netanyahu expresses his willingness to participate in a 3-way summit with PA pres. Abbas in Cairo. (HA, MNA, NYT, REU, TOI, YA 7/10; HA, TOI 7/11)

In Gaza, a 10-year-old Palestinian girl dies of kidney failure. Her father says she was on the list of infirm Palestinians waiting to travel to Egypt or Israel for treatment, and that a Palestinian in Jenin offered to donate a kidney to her, but the Palestinian Authority (PA) delayed and blocked the transfer. He specifically blames the minister of health, saying he “killed her when he refused their request to transfer the girl to a hospital in Israel to get a transplant.” Along Gaza’s border, Israeli forces conduct a limited incursion to level land nr. al-Bureij r.c. overnight. IDF troops conduct late-night raids and house searches in Tulkarm and 1 nearby village, 2 villages nr. Hebron, and 1 each nr. Jenin and Bethlehem, arresting 7 Palestinians and confiscating NIS 15,000 (around $3,935). In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces level 5 acres of land nr. Issawiyya, uprooting a number of cypress and olive trees and demolishing several agricultural buildings in the process. In the morning, Israeli forces escort 133 right-wing Jewish activists as they tour Haram al-Sharif. Palestinian youths reportedly block some of them from performing prayers at the sanctuary, and a small fight breaks out between an Israeli police officer and 1 of the guards at al-Aqsa Mosque. (MNA, TOI, WAFA 2/17; JP, PCHR 2/18; PCHR 2/25)

In the Gaza Strip, a bomb explodes outside a Fatah-affiliated charity, lightly injuring 2 bystanders. Shipments of domestic-use gas into Gaza resume after a dispute between local officials and the PA unity govt. is resolved on 12/10. All public institutions, ministries, and charities go on strike in protest of the PA unity govt.’s failure to pay civil servants. Several civil society organizations coordinate cleaning campaigns in Gaza’s hospitals, as the sanitation workers’ strike continues for a 10th day. IDF troops stationed along the border e. of al-Bureij arrest 2 Palestinians attempting to cross into Israel. In the West Bank, 1,000s of Palestinians attend the funeral of Ziad Abu Ein in Ramallah. Palestinians gathered for the funeral clash with IDF troops in al-Bireh; 19 are injured from rubber-coated metal bullets. Meanwhile, over 100 Palestinians gather in c. Hebron to protest Abu Ein’s death, leading to 2 separate clashes with IDF soldiers. There are also demonstrations in Turmus ‘Ayya. During the day, Israeli soldiers arrest Palestinians at a checkpoints nr. Ramallah and Hebron. The IDF conducts arrest raids nr. Jenin and Hebron; patrols in Tulkarm and n. of Jenin. Late at night, unidentified assailants open fire on the home of an imprisoned Hamas MP in Hebron, causing damage. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces violently disperse 100s of Palestinians gathered to protest Abu Ein’s death in Shu‘fat r.c., Issawiyya, al-‘Izzariya, and Silwan. They conduct late-night arrest raids and house searches in Jabal Mukabir, Wadi al-Juz, Ras al-Amud, and Issawiyya. Meanwhile, 75 new security guards are added to the security detail at Haram al-Sharif in response to King Abdullah of Jordan’s request. (MNA 12/10; HA, JP, MNA, NYT 12/11; IMEMC, MNA 12/12; TOI 12/13; PCHR 12/18)

UN Special Coordinator Serry holds talks with senior Hamas official Abu Marzuq at the UN building in Gaza City. Serry calls on the PA unity govt. to take on its responsibilities stipulated in the cease-fire agreements, specifically staffing the border crossings. Outside the UN building, dozens of Palestinians gather for a sit-in protest in solidarity with Palestinian prisoners on hunger strike. (MNA, TOI 12/11)

Egyptian pres. Abdel Fattah al-Sisi travels to Jordan to hold talks with Jordan’s King Abdullah. They discuss the draft UNSC res. that Jordan plans to introduce on behalf of the Palestinians before 12/25. Meanwhile, Jordan’s House of Deps. votes to cancel its 9/2014 gas agreement with U.S. company Noble Energy. The MPs oppose increasing Jordan’s economic ties with Israel, despite Jordan’s ongoing energy crisis. (JT, MNA 12/11; JP 12/12; NYT 12/14)

The French Senate passes a nonbinding res. inviting the govt. to recognize Palestinian statehood. The French parliament previously passed a similar res. on 12/2. Meanwhile, the Swiss govt. invites all states party to the Fourth Geneva Convention, which includes every UN mbr. and Palestine, to attend a summit on 12/17 to discuss the situation in the oPt. (AFP, AP, HA 12/11; WAFA 12/13)

After early morning consultations with senior cabinet mbrs., the IDF launches its major offensive on Gaza, Operation Cast Lead (OCL), at 11:25 A.M. local time (4:25 A.M. EST). Israeli DM Barak acknowledges (WP 12/28) that OCL has been planned for several months, stating that the aim is “to strike Hamas severely so as to change the situation from its base,” cautioning that “it won’t be short.”

Israeli actions: After an initial “shock and awe campaign” lasting 3 min. and 40 sec., with 64 warplanes hitting more than 50 targets across the Strip, the IDF conducts periodic air strikes throughout the day, recording a total of 170 sorties against 150 targets, killing at least 228 Palestinians, wounding more than 700 (140 seriously), marking the highest single-day death toll and Israel’s largest offensive in the territories since 1967. The midday timing of the initial onslaught, just as schools let out for lunch, increases the number of civilian casualties, including an estimated 25 women and children. Israeli Military Intelligence sends automated calls to 20,000 Palestinians across the Strip warning of further air strikes targeting anyone with weapons or guns.

Targets struck are primarily civil police stations, military training bases, Hamas-related command-and-control centers, suspected weapons depots, and sites believed to manufacture rockets. Target areas include Bayt Hanun, Bayt Lahiya, al-Bureij r.c., Dayr al-Balah, Gaza City (the city center and al-Daraj, al-Shuja‘iyya, Tal al-Hawa, alTuffah, al-Zaytun neighborhoods), Jabaliya r.c., Khan Yunis, al-Mughraqa (s. of Gaza City), Rafah, Shati’ r.c., and al-Zahra’ (c. Gaza nr. Jabaliya).

Palestinian actions: Palestinians fire 59 rockets (including some that reach the farthest north to date), 19 mortars into Israel during the day, killing 1 Israeli civilian in Netivot, wounding 4. (The fatality may have occurred before the official launch of OCL.)

Humanitarian notes: Gaza’s hospitals report (BBC 12/27) overflowing wards and not enough surgeons or supplies to cope. Egypt temporarily opens the Rafah crossing to allow transportation of some wounded to Egyptian hospitals.

Of note: During the initial “shock and awe,” the IDF hits a police academy graduation ceremony in Gaza City, killing at least 60 new civil police recruits and the chief of Palestinian police Maj. Gen. Tawfiq Jabber. Other targets include Gaza City’s main jail (the Saraya, holding Hamas opponents, hitting only the gates), the PA Preventive Security headquarters in Gaza City, the PA security compound in Rafah (southern headquarters of the PASF, PA Internal Security Service, and PA civil police), PA naval police facilities in n. Gaza and Khan Yunis, Palestinian Telecommunication Company offices in n. Gaza, a Gaza City mosque identified by the IDF as “a base for terrorist activities,” Hamas’s al-Aqsa TV station, the agriculture control dept. in Khan Yunis, numerous police stations and training sites, at least 9 homes, several workshops (considered rocket-manufacturing sites), and Hamas’s Asda’ media center outside Khan Yunis. One IDF airstrike on a PA ministry building kills 8 Palestinian students at an adjacent UNRWA training center, wounding 19 others (8 seriously). Hamas and Palestinian human rights groups in Gaza estimate that the dead include around 165 civil police officers (including those at the graduation ceremony) and Hamas’s central district governor, Abu Ahmad Ashur. Some targets are hit with U.S.-supplied GBU-39 bunkerbusting munitions received as recently as 9/08 (see Quarterly Update in JPS 150 and the “Israeli Arsenal” document in this issue’s Special Focus section). (al-Arabiyya TV, BBC, HA, IDF, JAZ, Middle East News Agency [Cairo], Palestine News Agency, YA 12/27; AFP, AP, BBC, HA, IFM, JAZ, NYT, Radikal, REU, WP, WT, XIN 12/28; JP, NYT, Zaman [Ankara] 12/29; PCHR 1/1; BBC 12/30; UNOSAT 12/31; JP, WJW 1/1; WP 1/4; Eurasia Daily Monitor [online], NYT, UNOSAT 1/5; IFM, JPI 1/8; NYT 1/11)

In other Israeli-Palestinian violence, the IDF fires tear gas, percussion grenades, rubber-coated steel bullets to disperse Palestinians demonstrating against OCL in the East Jerusalem suburbs of Anata, Issawiyya, Shu‘fat r.c. An E. Jerusalem Palestinian, reportedly angry over events in Gaza, injures an Israeli border police officer in a deliberate hit and run in the city. The IDF also conducts late-night arrest raids, house searches nr. Bethlehem, Jenin. (HA 12/28; PCHR, WJW 1/1)

A day after the IDF completes withdrawal fr. Gaza, Sharon, DM Mofaz separately vow that Israel will “make every effort to direct resources to the development” of West Bank settlement blocs. Meanwhile, Palestinians continue looting fmr. Gaza settlement sites for a 2d day, overwhelming PA security forces to strip some greenhouses. Egypt, daunted by the number of Palestinians seeking to cross the Rafah checkpoint, declares the border open for several days as a good-will gesture, allowing 1,000s on either side of the border to cross; many Palestinians rush to buy Egyptian goods (including food, medicine, sheep for the upcoming Ramadan holidays) that are dramatically cheaper than those in Gaza, and visit family and friends they have not seen in yrs. before the border is resealed. Israel criticizes the lax Egyptian, PA security; Egypt, the PA blame Israel for failing adequately to coordinate disengagement. Egyptian border guards patrolling the border find a smugglers tunnel containing 38 fire arms, 3 rocket propelled grenades (RPGs); the PA security forces seize the weapons. Palestinian militant groups hold larger rallies than on 9/12 (including 10,000s of Palestinians at a Hamas rally in Gaza City), celebrating the disengagement as a victory of the resistance; at Islamic Jihad rallies, mbrs. display their arms, but at Hamas rallies, mbrs. do not; Abbas warns that he will no longer tolerate the “chaos of weapons.” In the West Bank, the IDF occupies the top floor of a 4-story residential building nr. Hebron as an observation post, fires on stone-throwing youths who challenge the troops, killing 1 Palestinian, wounding 4; demolishes a Palestinian home in ‘Issawiyya, East Jerusalem, nr. French Hill settlement. (HA, NYT, YA 9/13; AFP, IMEMC, Independent, NYT 9/14; PCHR 9/15)

The IDF continues operations in Balata r.c., Nablus for the 5th day; blows up an alleged bomb-making factory, raids and damages a medical center in Balata r.c. In new Askar r.c., the IDF conducts house-to-house searches, breaking through walls; bulldozes 4 cars; damages 22 stores, a medical center. The IDF also sends tanks into al-`Ayn r.c., `Ayn Bayt Hilma r.c., calling on men ages 15-45 to turn them selves in, detaining 100s; conducts arrest raids in al-Bireh, Khan Yunis, Qalqilya (also confiscating files fr. the Qalqilya Charity Comm., Islamic Club), Tulkarm; shells residential areas of Rafah, destroying 1 Palestinian home, damaging 6; bulldozes 50 dunams of Palestinian land nr. Khan Yunis, areas around the Gaza airport. The IDF, Shin Bet also raid the Arab Chamber of Commerce in Jerusalem, arrest 6 Palestinian employees for violating the closure of the building imposed in 8/01. Israel seizes 30 dunams of Palestinian land along the Green Line nr. Issawiyya for creation of buffer zones, 120 dunams in the Jabal Mukabir neighborhood of East Jerusalem for Jewish housing, a tourists complex. Overnight, Palestinians detonate 2 roadside bombs nr. IDF convoys in the West Bank, causing no damage. (AP, HP 6/3; WP, WT 6/4; LAW 6/5; HA, WJW 6/6)

The PA High Court rules that the PA has no legal ground to hold PFLP head Saadat, must release him immediately. In response, the IDF sends tanks toward Jericho, where Saadat is being held; declares the Jericho area a closed military zone; warns it will kill Saadat if he is freed. Arafat quickly convenes the Executive Authority (EA), the PA's cabinet, which over turns the court decision. (AFP, HA, JP, LAW 6/3; RMC 6/3 in WNC 6/4; WP, WT 6/4; MM 6/5; AYM 6/5 in WNC 6/6) (see 5/19)

The U.S. announces it has just scheduled a mtg. btwn. Bush, Sharon at the White House on 6/10, after a visit by Egyptian pres. Husni Mubarak. Israeli officials say Sharon asked for the mtg. out of concern that Israel's views were being overshadowed by the "near-constant stream" of Arab visitors to Washington. (JP, NYT, WT 6/4; MM, NYT, WP 6/5; AYM 6/7 in WNC 6/10)