The Palestine Chronology

In West Jerusalem, a Palestinian man succumbs to injuries sustained during a funeral procession on 9/7. Off the coast of the Gaza Strip nr. Rafah, Israeli naval forces open fire on Palestinian fishing boats and detain 3 fishermen. In the West Bank, Israeli soldiers shoot and wound a Palestinian as they accompany Israeli settlers on an incursion nr. Nablus. The IDF patrols in Hebron, al-‘Arub r.c., and 1 village nearby; sets up 2 new checkpoints in a village nr. Bethlehem after raiding a school in the area on 12/28. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces detain 2 Palestinian women outside Haram al-Sharif; demolish 4 homes, a restaurant, and a butcher shop in Jabal Mukabir. (MNA, WAFA 12/30; PCHR 12/31; OCHA 1/15)

The UNSC rejects the amended Palestinian draft res., submitted by Jordan on 12/29, with 8 mbrs. voting in favor, 2 opposing, and 5 abstaining. The Palestinian leadership announces an emergency session on 12/31 to discuss its next steps. (AP, HA, MNA, REU 12/30; TOI, YA 12/31)

The PA unity govt. delegation that traveled to Gaza on 12/29 meets with local officials in Gaza City and works out an agreement on the civil servant employment crisis. Spokesperson Ihab Bseiso says that the PA will guarantee the positions of all 70,000 employees who were laid off when the Hamas-run govt. came to power in 2007 and offer remaining positions to employees of the Hamas-run govt., effectively firing all 50,000 employees hired by Hamas. Hamas officials criticize the agreement and dozens of former govt. employees demonstrate outside the meetings. (MNA, WAFA 12/30)

The U.S. imposes sanctions on 9 new targets that the Treasury Dept. says are either facilitating Iran’s efforts to avoid sanctions or contributing to human rights abuses. (JP, REU 12/30)

In the West Bank, Israeli soldiers open fire on 2 Palestinian teenagers walking in a mountainous area s. of Nablus, killing 1 and seriously injuring the other. The IDF says they were throwing stones and ignored warning shots. Late at night, IDF troops open fire at a Palestinian vehicle outside Bayt Umar nr. Hebron, seriously injuring 2 men. The IDF conducts house searches and arrest raids nr. Ramallah and Hebron; patrols nr. Jenin and Hebron. Israeli soldiers also arrest 1 Palestinian at a checkpoint outside Bayt ‘Amr village and construct a surveillance tower at a checkpoint nr. Tulkarm. Private Israeli security guards from the Ofra settlement assault and detain a Palestinian nr. Silwad. Off the coast of the n. Gaza Strip, Israeli naval forces open fire on Palestinian fishing boats on 2 separate occasions, causing no damage or injuries. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces conduct house searches and arrest raids in Silwan. (JP, MNA, NYT, WAFA 12/29; JP, MNA, TOI 12/30; PCHR 12/31)

Jordan submits the Palestinians’ amended draft res. to the UNSC after the Arab Group at the UN approves the amendments. PA Pres. Abbas predicts a vote will be held on 12/30. Secy. of State Kerry calls 13 FMs from around the world to argue against the measure, then a U.S. State Dept. spokesperson says that the U.S. will not support it. (AFP, AP, HA, JP, TOI 12/29; MNA 12/30)

A PA unity govt. delegation arrives in Gaza City to coordinate reconstruction efforts, open the crossings, and deal with issues facing Gaza’s workers. It is the 2d meeting of the govt. in Gaza since its formation on 6/2 (the 1st was on 10/9). Dozens of Palestinians gather at the Erez border crossing to protest the unity govt.’s perceived inaction. Meanwhile, the Palestinian Environmental Quality Authority of Gaza announces that it will stop importing batteries and electrical appliances from Israel, citing their detrimental effects on the environment and the import fees collected by Israeli authorities. (HA, MNA, YA 12/29)

Egyptian security forces uncover and demolish 19 tunnels leading from Gaza under the border into Rafah, including 1 that led to a house 1,700 m from the border. (DNE 12/29; MNA 12/30)

In the Gaza Strip, a 15-year-old Palestinian boy from Bayt Hanun succumbs to injuries sustained in an Israeli air strike on 7/30, during OPE. Nr. al-Waha, Israeli naval forces open fire on Palestinian fishing boats, causing no damage or injuries. Nr. Gaza, the IDF deploys 2 Iron Dome missile defense batteries in response to the 12/24 cross-border violence. In the West Bank, Israeli forces demolish a dairy factory and an animal barn nr. Hebron, as well as EU-funded irrigation pools in the n. Jordan Valley. Elsewhere, IDF troops conduct house searches and arrest raids nr. Qalqilya and Salfit; patrol nr. Hebron, Qalqilya, and Salfit; establish a checkpoint outside Bayt ‘Amr village, where they arrest 1 Palestinian. Unknown Palestinian assailants throw Molotov cocktails at 2 Israeli settlers driving nr. Qalqilya, seriously injuring 1. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces conduct late-night arrest raids and house searches in Silwan. (MNA, WAFA, YA 12/25; JP, TOI, YA 12/26; PCHR 12/31)

Leaders of Hamas and other Palestinian factions in Gaza meet to discuss the 12/24 cross-border violence, and release a joint statement reaffirming their commitment to the 8/26 open-ended cease-fire. (JP 12/25)

The Israeli High Court of Justice orders the evacuation and demolition of the Amona settlement outpost nr. Ramallah, the largest outpost in the West Bank, within 2 years because it was built on privately-owned Palestinian land in 1997. (HA, TOI, YA 12/25; MNA 12/26)

In the Gaza Strip, Egyptian authorities open the Rafah border crossing for the 2d day in a row, allowing students and around 220 tons of medical supplies to cross into Gaza. Off the coast nr. Bayt Lahiya, Israeli naval forces open fire on Palestinian fishing boats overnight, causing no damage or injuries. In the West Bank, Israeli settlers, accompanied by IDF troops, attack around 30 Palestinian farmers nr. Bethlehem, causing no injuries. Meanwhile, the IDF improves conditions at the checkpoint nr. Tulkarm where thousands of Palestinians held an impromptu strike on 12/21. Separately, IDF troops detain Gideon Levy and Alex Levac, Israeli journalists with Haaretz, for entering Area A without a permit, as well as 2 Palestinians at a mobile checkpoint in al-Fawar r.c. The IDF also conducts house searches and arrest raids nr. Nablus, Ramallah, and Hebron; patrols nr. Qalqilya and Hebron; delivers 2 demolition notices to a village w. of Hebron. In East Jerusalem, around 68 right-wing Jewish activists enter Haram al-Sharif and tour the area. Meanwhile, Israeli forces detain 3 Palestinians in the Old City. Later, they raid a Palestinian shop in the area and assault its employees. In response to the recent crackdown on Palestinian businesses in the area, several Palestinian shop owners go on strike and protest nr. Jaffa Gate. Israeli security forces conduct overnight arrest raids in the Old City. Separately, Israeli forces issue 5 demolition orders to Palestinian homes in al-Tur; demolish 4 Palestinian homes and 2 barns in al-‘Izzariya. (+972, AP, IHY, JP, MNA, REU, TOI, WAFA 12/22; MNA 12/23; PCHR 12/25)

PA PM Rami Hamdallah forms a comm. to administer Gaza’s border crossings, implementing an agreement made by reps. of all the Palestinian political factions at their 12/18 meeting in Gaza. (MNA, TOI 12/22)

Imprisoned Fatah leader Marwan Barghouti calls on the PA to drastically reword the UNSC res. proposed on 12/17. He says that Palestinian prisoners should be a principal issue covered by the measure. (MNA, TOI 12/23)

Overnight, the Syrian army shoots down a Skylark-1 Israeli drone flying nr. the Israelioccupied Golan Heights. (IHY, JP, MNA, YA 12/22)

In the Gaza Strip, Egyptian authorities open the Rafah border crossing, allowing infirm Palestinians to cross into Egypt, as well as foreign passport holders. Off the coast nr. Bayt Lahiya, Israeli naval forces open fire on Palestinian fishing boats, causing damage but no injuries. IDF troops nr. the e. border of Gaza open fire on several Palestinian farmers, causing no injuries. In the West Bank, around 6,000 Palestinians go on strike in response to the overcrowding and poor conditions of a checkpoint nr. Tulkarm. IDF troops clash with stone-throwing residents of al-Fawar r.c., and dozens of Palestinians suffer from tear gas inhalation. The IDF also conducts house searches and arrest raids nr. Hebron and Ramallah; patrols nr. Ramallah and al-‘Arub r.c. nr. Hebron; delivers demolition orders for 2 structures nr. Hebron. Israeli settlers accompanied by IDF troops enter Balata r.c. nr. Nablus, sparking clashes with residents in which 2 Palestinians are injured. At the Israeli settlement of Adam, private settlement security officers detain 2 Palestinians approaching the area with knives. Separately, Palestinian youth throw stones at cars nr. Bethlehem and injure a 4-year-old Israeli settler. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces deliver 10 demolition notices to residential buildings in al-Tur. (HA, IMEMC, MNA, TOI, WAFA 12/21; AFP, MNA, TOI, YA 12/22; PCHR 12/25)

PA FM al-Maliki says that the Palestinians will amend the res. they submitted to the UNSC on 12/17 in hopes of having a vote on it before the end of the year. (MNA 12/21)

In the Gaza Strip, IDF troops e. of al-Bureij arrest 3 Palestinians as they attempt to cross the border fence into Israel. Late at night, Israeli soldiers stationed nr. Jabaliya open fire on a group of stone-throwing Palestinians, injuring 5. Off the n. coast of Gaza, Israeli naval forces open fire on several Palestinian fishing boats, causing damage but no injuries. Meanwhile, the union of hospital sanitation workers suspends its strike after PA ministers agree to pay the salaries of 750 mbrs. who had not received full wages since 6/2. Overnight, 1 Palestinian is killed and 4 are injured in an explosion at a Hamas military facility in s. Gaza. In the West Bank, IDF troops clash with around 30 stonethrowing Palestinians nr. Nablus, lightly injuring 1 with rubber-coated metal bullets. Israeli soldiers also assault and arrest 1 Palestinian at a checkpoint nr. Jenin. The IDF conducts house searches and arrest raids nr. Jenin and Hebron; patrols nr. Hebron and Tubas. Dozens of Israeli settlers clash with Palestinians nr. Burin village, s. of Nablus, after the settlers cut down an electricity line that leads to a Palestinian home. In East Jerusalem, municipal officials accompanied by security forces deliver 11 demolition orders to residences in Silwan. Elsewhere, 140 right-wing Jewish activists enter Haram al-Sharif, sparking verbal confrontations with Palestinian worshippers. Israeli forces detain 3 Palestinian photographers during the incident. (HA, MNA, WAFA 12/18; PCHR 12/25)

Reps. of the major Palestinian political parties meet in Gaza and discuss a 5-point initiative jointly presented by the PFLP and Islamic Jihad to kick-start the national reconciliation process. Meanwhile, 1,000s of supporters of Mohammad Dahlan, the exiled former PA and Fatah official, gather in a Hamas-approved demonstration as a corruption trial against him opens in the West Bank. Pres. Abbas orders several Fatah officials to be fired from the PA for helping organize the demonstration. (AHR, AP, MEMO, MNA 12/18; FT 2/4)

The U.S. announces that it will oppose the proposed UNSC res. submitted by the Palestinians on 12/17. Meanwhile, a senior Palestinian official says that the Palestinian res. lacks the support of 9 mbrs. of the UNSC, which would be required for the res. to pass, and is vulnerable to a veto by a permanent mbr. state. (AP, HA, MDW 12/18; AFP 12/19)

In the Gaza Strip, the union of hospital sanitation workers goes on a full strike following weeks of partial strikes protesting the govt.’s failure to pay them since 6/2. Off the coast nr. Gaza City, Israeli naval forces open fire on a Palestinian fishing boat, critically injuring 1 fisherman. IDF troops along the e. border open fire on agricultural lands, causing no injuries. In the West Bank, a Palestinian man enters a supermarket in Mishor Adumim, an Israeli industrial zone in the Ma’ale Adumim settlement bloc, and stabs 2 Israeli settlers, lightly injuring them. An off-duty Israeli security officer shoots him in the leg and the Israeli police detain him. Later, 2 Palestinian men are arrested in connection with the incident and IDF troops raid the injured man’s home in al-‘Izzariya. Separately, IDF troops shut down a secondary school nr. Nablus after a group of Palestinians throws stones at Israeli vehicles on a nearby road on 12/2. IDF troops patrol in ‘Askar r.c. nr. Nablus and 1 area in the e. part of the city, sparking clashes with residents and shooting 1 Palestinian in the foot. Israeli forces deliver demolition orders and stop-work notices to Palestinians in 2 villages nr. Bethlehem. The IDF conducts arrest raids and house searches nr. Nablus, Ramallah, and Tulkarm. In East Jerusalem, Israeli security forces enter the Jabal Mukabir neighborhood, sparking clashes with stone-throwing Palestinians nr. the homes of the 2 Palestinian men who were killed after they attacked a West Jerusalem synagogue on 11/18. During the clashes, Israeli forces detain 1 Palestinian boy and injure others with tear gas canisters and rubber-coated metal bullets. Separately, Israeli forces arrest another Palestinian boy in Silwan. Meanwhile, around 300 Israeli security officers escort multiple construction vehicles into Shu‘fat r.c., and they demolish around 20 stores and the abandoned Cola building for the expansion of an Israeli checkpoint. None of the Palestinian proprietors were notified prior to the demolition. Also, Israeli forces raid the home of a Palestinian reporter with Ma‘an News Agency. The soldiers detain his brother and father and tell the reporter that they will not be released until he turns himself in, which he does soon after. (AnA, AP, HA, JP, MNA, WAFA, YA 12/3; MEMO, MNA, PCHR 12/4; PCHR 12/11)

Reps. of all the parties in the Knesset meet and agree to hold elections on 3/17/2015. Following the meeting, the full body votes in favor of dissolving the 19th Knesset. This vote constitutes a 1st reading, and like any bill it must pass 2 more (both scheduled for 12/8) before being implemented. (AFP, IHY, JP, TOI, YA 12/3)

The Jerusalem City Council announces its plans to use NIS 50 m. to fund new construction projects in the Har Homa settlement in East Jerusalem. (AFP 12/3; JP 12/4)

The U.S. House of Reps. passes the U.S.- Israel Strategic Partnership Act of 2014, after the Senate passed it on 9/19. U.S. Pres. Barack Obama will sign it into law on 12/19. (AFP 12/3)

In the Gaza Strip, Egyptian authorities open the Rafah border crossing for 9 hours, only allowing Palestinians in Egypt to enter Gaza. Off the coast nr. Rafah on 2 occasions, Israeli naval forces open fire on Palestinian fishing boats, causing no damage or injuries. IDF troops along the n. border of Gaza arrest a Palestinian youth attempting to enter Israel, his father, and 1 other family mbr. E. of Khan Yunis, IDF troops open fire on agricultural land nr. the border fence, causing no injuries. In the West Bank, Israeli troops deliver stop-work orders to 2 Palestinians in Bayt Umar. The IDF conducts house searches and arrest raids nr. Ramallah, Salfit, Hebron, and Nablus; patrols nr. Ramallah, Jenin, Tulkarm, and Qalqilya. In East Jerusalem, around 50 right-wing Jewish activists, accompanied by dozens of Israeli security troops, tour Haram al-Sharif. Separately, Israeli soldiers detain a Palestinian woman nr. the Old City and arrest 1 Palestinian on a raid of his home in Jabal Mukabir. In West Jerusalem, a small group of Jewish Israelis assaults a Palestinian man nr. the Old City, leaving him moderately injured. (IMEMC, MNA, WAFA 11/30; MEMO, MNA 12/1; PCHR 12/4)

Israeli authorities decide to hold the Fatah secy.-gen. in Jerusalem in administrative detention for 5 mos. He and his brother were arrested on 11/24. (MNA 11/30)

At a press conference in Gaza City, Hamas spokesperson Sami Abu Zuhri says that the PA unity govt.’s 6-mo. interim term has expired and that a national dialogue should resume to determine the future of national unity. Senior Fatah official Faisal Abu Shahla disputes Abu Zuhri, saying that there never was an agreement that the unity govt. would only last 6 mos. (MNA 11/30; IMEMC 12/1)

In the Gaza Strip, hundreds of Fatah supporters gather in al-Katiba Square in Gaza City to mark the 10th anniversary of the death of Yasir Arafat, despite the cancellation (11/9) of the official ceremony. In the West Bank, IDF troops violently disperse a group of Palestinians throwing rocks and Molotov cocktails at passing Israeli settlers’ cars outside al-‘Arub r.c. nr. Hebron, killing 1 with live ammunition. On separate patrols nr. Hebron and Nablus, IDF troops shoot and wound 3 Palestinians. Also, the IDF conducts house searches and arrest raids in Hebron. Across the West Bank, Palestinians mark the anniversary of Arafat’s death with demonstrations, and clashes of differing intensity break out with Israeli troops in some 30 villages, mostly nr. Bethlehem and Hebron. Israeli settlers attack Palestinian homes nr. Hebron and, separately, settlers vandalize industrial equipment nr. Nablus. Off the coast of the Gaza Strip nr. al-Sudaniyya, Israeli naval forces open fire on Palestinian fishing boats, causing damage but no injuries. Israeli forces conduct a limited incursion to level land close to the border fence e. of Dayr al-Balah. (MNA 11/11; HA, MNA, REU 11/12; PCHR 11/13)

Israeli PM Netanyahu announces a series of measures to be taken to combat Palestinian violence, including reinforcing the presence of security forces, the punitive demolition of attackers’ homes, and fines for the parents of children involved. (JP, YA 11/13)

Off the coast of the Gaza Strip nr. Rafah, Israeli naval forces open fire on Palestinian fishing boats on 2 separate occasions, causing damage and injuring 2 fishermen. In the West Bank, IDF troops shoot and wound a Palestinian during a patrol in a village nr. Tubas. The IDF conducts house searches and arrest raids in 1 village nr. Tulkarm, Hebron, and 1 nearby village at night; patrols in 3 villages nr. Qalqilya and 1 village nr. Tulkarm. In East Jerusalem, Israeli settlers and Palestinians clash in Silwan, causing no serious injuries. (MNA 11/9; PCHR 11/13)

Fatah officials in Gaza cancel the planned commemoration of Yasir Arafat’s death scheduled for 11/11. Hamas authorities confirm the cancellation, citing security concerns related to the series of explosions that targeted Fatah figures on 11/7. (AFP, MNA 11/9)

In the West Bank, IDF troops shoot and kill a 13-year-old Palestinian in Bayt Liqya village nr. Ramallah during a patrol. Meanwhile, PA security forces kill a man in Hebron during a raid. The IDF conducts house searches and arrest raids in 1 village nr. Hebron at night; patrols in 2 villages nr. Hebron during the day. Off the coast of the Gaza Strip nr. Gaza City, Israeli naval forces open fire on Palestinian fishermen, sinking 1 boat. (MNA, REU 10/16; PCHR 10/23)

Senior Hamas official Musa Abu Marzuq confirms that indirect cease-fire talks with Israel will resume at the end of 10/2014 in Cairo. Meanwhile, U.S. Secy. of State Kerry calls for a resumption of the peace negotiations during remarks at a State Dept. event for ‘Id al-Adha. (AFP, REU, YA 10/16)

EU foreign affairs chief Ashton and Iranian FM Zarif hold a 2d day of talks in Vienna, and also meet with senior diplomats from the P5+1 group. The focus of the talks are remaining differences related to lifting sanctions and Iran’s uranium enrichment levels. (REU 10/17)

Off the coast of the Gaza Strip nr. Gaza City, Israeli naval forces open fire on Palestinian fishermen, causing no damage or injuries. In the West Bank, the IDF patrols in 2 villages nr. Tulkarm. In East Jerusalem, Israeli security forces violently disperse Palestinian worshippers and protesters at and around Haram al-Sharif, injuring 1 woman with a rubber-coated metal bullet, and arresting at least 17. The authorities’ crackdown comes as religious Jews visit the compound to mark Sukkoth. There are also clashes in Issawiyya and Jabal Mukabir. (AFP, MNA 10/15; PCHR 10/16)

U.S. Secy. of State Kerry joins EU foreign affairs chief Catherine Ashton and Iranian FM Zarif in Vienna for 6 hours of trilateral talks as part of ongoing efforts to achieve a comprehensive agreement on Tehran’s nuclear program. (AFP 10/15)

Off the coast of the Gaza Strip nr. Shati’ r.c., Israeli naval forces open fire on Palestinian fishing boats, causing no injuries or damage. IDF troops stationed along the border fence nr. c. Gaza detain a Palestinian man who is armed with a knife and trying to enter Israel. Meanwhile, the Israeli authorities deny the PA education minister entry into Gaza, where she was going to officially inaugurate the new school year. In the West Bank, IDF troops fire rubber-coated metal bullets and tear gas to disperse Palestinian protesters in Aida r.c. in Bethlehem, causing no serious injuries. The IDF conducts house searches and arrest raids in 1 village nr. Hebron and Aida r.c.; patrols in 3 villages and al-‘Arub r.c. nr. Hebron, Jenin and 3 nearby villages, Tulkarm and 3 nearby villages, 2 villages nr. Ramallah, and 1 village nr. Jericho. (MNA 9/14; PCHR 9/18)

In the West Bank, IDF troops shoot and kill an unarmed Palestinian in al-Am‘ari r.c. nr. Ramallah during clashes with residents that were prompted by an arrest raid. IDF troops demolish 5 structures in a village nr. Yatta. The IDF conducts house searches and arrest raids in 5 villages nr. Hebron. Off the coast of the Gaza Strip nr. Bayt Lahiya, Israeli naval forces open fire on Palestinian fishing boats, causing no injuries or damage. (MNA 9/10; PCHR 9/11)

Hamas announces that indirect talks with Israel are set to resume in Cairo in mid-9/2014. (AFP 9/10)

A ship sailing to Italy from Egypt full of around 500 migrants—including Palestinians fleeing Gaza, Egyptians, and Sudanese— capsizes in the Mediterranean after another ship of human traffickers rams their vessel. Approximately 450 of the passengers are killed or unaccounted for, and the survivors are picked up by various vessels and taken to Sicily, Crete, and Egypt. The Egyptian govt. releases few details about the incident and the Egyptian media largely ignores the story. (NYT 9/15; AP, NYT 9/19)

U.S. Pres. Obama authorizes air strikes in Syria, for the 1st time, and further attacks in Iraq targeting the so-called Islamic State in Iraq and al-Sham (ISIS) group. The new target list will include ISIS’s “leadership, logistical, and operational capability,” in an attempt to “deny [the group] sanctuary and resources to plan, prepare and execute attacks.” (AP, REU 9/10)

In East Jerusalem, a 16-year-old Palestinian dies of wounds sustained during clashes on 8/31. In the immediate aftermath of his death, the IDF says that his injuries were incurred when he was hit in the leg with a sponge-tipped bullet and then fell, hitting his head on the ground, while the youth’s family says that he was shot in the head at close range. (A Palestinian autopsy will contradict the IDF and corroborate the family’s story on 9/14.) In response to his death, Palestinians protest in several neighborhoods, including Wadi al-Juz, where Israeli police respond to stone-throwing with rubber-coated metal bullets. In the French Hill settlement, Palestinian demonstrators throw Molotov cocktails at a gas station, causing damage. Off the coast of the Gaza Strip, Israeli naval forces open fire on Palestinian fishing boats in 2 separate incidents, causing no injuries or damage. In the West Bank, the IDF patrols in 4 villages nr. Ramallah, 2 villages nr. Salfit, and 1 village each nr. Hebron and Jenin. (HA, JP 9/7; PCHR 9/11; JP 9/15)

PA PM Rami Hamdallah says that the “govt. and the banks operating in the Palestinian territories were warned that if they make payments to former Hamas govt. employees in Gaza then the govt. and the people will be boycotted.” Separately, PA Pres. Abbas tells Palestinian media that “we will not accept the situation with Hamas continuing as it is at the moment.” Meanwhile, PA Dep. PM Muhammad Mustafa says that the PA is “looking for a temporary solution” to the problem of salaries for Hamas-appointed civil servants in the Gaza Strip, like sending money “through nongovernmental organizations such as the UN or any other entity.” He adds, “We want to avoid any legal confrontation with the U.S. whose law prohibits channelling money to Hamas because it’s blacklisted as a terrorist organization.” (AFP, MNA, WAFA 9/7)

Off the coast of the Gaza Strip, Israeli naval forces open fire on Palestinian fishing boats on 2 separate occasions (nr. Rafah and nr. alSudaniyya), causing no injuries or damage. In the West Bank, IDF troops shoot and wound a Palestinian driving through a checkpoint nr. Qalqilya. The IDF conducts house searches and arrest raids in 1 village each nr. Jenin and Tulkarm, and in Nablus, where clashes break out with residents, and 2 Palestinians are injured with live ammunition. During the day, the IDF patrols in 3 villages nr. Ramallah, and 1 village each nr. Jericho, Salfit, and Jenin. IDF troops also demolish a dairy factory in Hebron owned by the Islamic Charitable Society. (MNA, WAFA 9/2; PCHR 9/4)

 Wael Atiyeh, Egypt’s amb. to Palestine, says that no date has yet been set for a return to indirect negotiations between Israel and Hamas, and that an agenda for the meetings in Cairo also needs to be finalized. Meanwhile, Qais Abdel Karim, a mbr. of the Palestinian delegation, says that Israel’s shunning of talks would “render the cease-fire null and void,” responding to reports in the Israeli media that Netanyahu does not intend to resume cease-fire talks. (JP, MNA 9/2)

The U.S. State Dept. and the EU foreign affairs office both condemn Israel’s recent expropriation of 988 acres in the West Bank on 8/31. (HA, WAFA 9/2)

A roadside bomb kills 11 Egyptian police officers nr. al-Wifaq in the Sinai Peninsula close to the Gaza border. (AP 9/2)

On the 5th day of OPE, the IDF strikes multiple targets across the Gaza Strip, killing approximately 48 Palestinians, including 21 in a single strike on the home of a senior police commander in Gaza City. Air strikes also hit a center for the disabled, killing 2. The IDF warns Palestinians in the n. Gaza Strip to “leave their homes for their own safety,” adding that “it’s unsafe to be nr. Hamas.” Israel’s targets expand to include civilian institutions with suspected Hamas ties. Israeli naval forces raid the beach at al-Sudaniyya in the n. Gaza Strip, and clash with al-Qassam Brigades fighters. Palestinians fire some 70 rockets into Israel, and at least 6 are intercepted by Iron Dome batteries. In the evening, al-Qassam Brigades launches 10 rockets toward Tel Aviv, but they cause no damage or casualties. Overall, 2 Israelis are injured nr. Beersheba in the day’s barrage. In addition to s. and c. areas, rockets also land nr. Efrat settlement in the West Bank, causing no damage. In East Jerusalem, Israeli security forces clash with Palestinian youth in Issawiyya, al-Tur, and Qalandia. (AP, HA, JP, MNA, REU 7/12; PCHR 7/13)

Addressing the crisis in Gaza, the UNSC issues a presidential statement calling for a “de-escalation of the situation, restoration of calm, and reinstitution of the 11/2012 ceasefire.” It also expresses “serious concern regarding the crisis related to Gaza and the protection and welfare of civilians on both sides” and calls for “respect for international humanitarian law.” Media reports suggest that a cease-fire proposal is being drawn up at the initiative of the Palestinians with the involvement of Egypt and Qatar, but Islamic Jihad dep. head Ziad al-Nakhleh dismisses this as a rumor. (AP, HA, JP, MNA, REU 7/12)

Unknown persons fire 3 rockets from inside Lebanon that land into n. Israel, causing no damage or injuries. The IDF responds with artillery fire toward “the source of fire.” (AP, REU 7/12)

In the Gaza Strip, Palestinians fire 18 rockets into s. Israel, causing no damage or injuries except where 2 houses are hit by shrapnel. Two of the rockets are intercepted by Iron Dome missile defense batteries. According to Israeli officials, Hamas activists were involved in this barrage, making it the 1st time the organization has participated in rocket fire since the 11/2012 cease-fire. IDF troops conduct air strikes on 34 targets across the Gaza Strip, hitting training sites of al-Qassam Brigades, Islamic Jihad, and the PRC, and agricultural areas, killing 1, injuring 4, and causing damage. Off the coast nr. Bayt Lahiya, Israeli naval forces shell an open area on the coast, causing no damage or injuries. In the West Bank, the IDF conducts house searches and arrest raids in Hebron and 1 nearby village at night; patrols in 2 villages nr. Ramallah and 1 village nr. Hebron at night. Israeli settlers attack a Palestinian in Hebron, wounding him. Separately, settlers vandalize 12 olive trees nr. Hebron. In East Jerusalem, Israeli security forces shoot and wound 2 Palestinians with rubber-coated metal bullets during clashes nr. Haram al-Sharif. The confrontations begin after restrictions are placed on worshippers’ access to the area while right-wing Jewish activists are allowed to enter. (AP, HA, IMEMC, JP, MNA 6/30; PCHR 7/3)

Israeli security forces locate the bodies of the 3 Israeli settler teenagers nr. Hebron, not far from where they were kidnapped (on 6/12) and killed. PM Netanyahu and DM Ya’alon propose that the response to the killing of the teens should include a wave of settlement construction. Netanyahu also addresses the increased tensions in Gaza and s. Israel, saying “either Hamas will stop the rocket fire or we will.” Hamas spokesperson Abu Zuhri says that if Israel attacks Hamas in Gaza, “they will open the gates of hell on themselves,” adding that Hamas does not “want any military confrontation with Israel, but if it will be forced on us it will look like in previous rounds.” Meanwhile, U.S. Pres. Barack Obama issues a statement expressing his condolences to the families of the murdered Israeli youth, calls on Israel and the PA to cooperate to bring the guilty parties to justice, and urges all sides to exercise restraint to prevent further destabilization. (AFP, HA, JP, MNA, REU 6/30)

In the Gaza Strip, an IDF drone strikes a target nr. Dayr al-Balah, killing a mbr. of Hamas’s armed wing, al-Qassam Brigades. Meanwhile, the IDF strikes 12 other, separate targets across the Gaza Strip, causing damage and 3 injuries to civilians. The air strikes hit military training facilities belonging to al-Qassam Brigades, Islamic Jihad, and the PRC, as well as a concrete factory. In addition, IDF troops shell agricultural lands close to the border fence nr. Khan Yunis, causing no damage or injuries. Off the coast of Khan Yunis, Israeli naval forces open fire on Palestinian fishermen, causing no damage or injuries. In the West Bank, IDF troops level land nr. Salfit and destroy dozens of olive trees. The IDF conducts house searches and arrest raids in 1 village nr. Bethlehem; patrols in 2 villages nr. Ramallah and 1 village each nr. Bethlehem and Jericho at night. Israeli settlers attack Palestinian-owned agricultural land nr. Beitar Ilit, destroying crops. (HA, JP, MNA, REU, WAFA 6/29; PCHR 7/2)

Israeli PM Netanyahu says his country is “ready to expand” the operation in Gaza, in comments at the weekly cabinet meeting. Meanwhile, the PRC in Gaza claims responsibility for rocket fire, which it describes as “retaliation to the Israeli crimes against our Palestinian people in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip and the ongoing violations against prisoners.” (AFP, MNA, ToI 6/29)

In the Gaza Strip, Palestinians fire 2 rockets into s. Israel. The 1st lands without causing damage or injuries, and the 2d is intercepted by an Iron Dome missile defense battery. Later in the day, IDF troops target 5 Islamic Jihad and Hamas sites across the Gaza Strip, injuring 6. Off the coast of the Gaza Strip nr. Bayt Lahiya, Israeli naval forces open fire on Palestinian fishing boats, causing no injuries or damage, and arrest 2 fishermen. Meanwhile, 5 mbrs. of Hamas’s al-Qassam Brigades and 1 firefighter die in an explosion in a tunnel nr. Gaza City. In the West Bank, the IDF conducts house searches and arrest raids in Jenin and 1 nearby village, Qalandia r.c. nr. Jerusalem, Dahaysha r.c. nr. Bethlehem, Qalqilya, Hebron and 3 nearby villages, 2 villages nr. Nablus, 1 village nr. Ramallah, Tulkarm and Nur Shams r.c. and 1 village nearby and Salfit at night. (HA, JP, MNA, ToI 6/19; PCHR 6/26)

Israeli PM Netanyahu says that he expects the Palestinian unity govt. to dissolve, and that authorities are moving closer to finding the missing Israeli settler teenagers. Hamas senior official Salah Bardawil says, at a solidarity rally in Gaza, that Hamas is “capable of igniting a 3d intifada,” while Hamas spokesperson Abu Zuhri condemns continued security coordination between the PA and Israel. Meanwhile, PA Pres. Abbas issues a statement denouncing Israel’s West Bank operation as “the most severe punitive reprisals.” (JP, MNA, ToI, WAFA 6/19)