The Palestine Chronology

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers and Israeli forces attacked Palestinian journalists filming in the vicinity of the Ariel settlement. Israeli settlers also began construction on a tract of land in ‘Ayn Bus. Israeli forces seized and demolished residential tents in Khirbet Humsa provided by humanitarian agencies to displaced residents after Israeli forces demolished and confiscated and demolished 46 residential structures on 2/1 and 2/3. Israeli forces also demolished 1 water well in al-Mughayyir and 2 residential structures in Khirbet Yarza. Elsewhere, Israeli forces violently dispersed Palestinian protesters demonstrating against stop-work orders delivered in al-Twana, leading to tear-gas related injuries. Israeli forces also shot and injured 1 Palestinian with live ammunition during a late-night raid near Jenin. Meanwhile, Israeli forces shot and injured 1 Palestinian trying to enter Israel for work near the separation barrier in Barta‘a. 14 Palestinians were arrested, including 13 during late-night raids in and around Jalazun refugee camp, Hebron, Nablus, Qabatiya, and al-Bireh, and 1 was arrested at a checkpoint near Nablus. In East Jerusalem, 4 Palestinian citizens of Israel were arrested at the Haram al-Sharif compound. In Gaza, Israeli forces opened fire on Palestinian famers east of Gaza City and Khan Yunis; no injuries were reported. (WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 2/8; CNN 2/10 PCHR 2/11)

PA and Hamas officials and members of 12 other Palestinian factions met in Cairo to discuss reconciliation and the Palestinian elections. (AJ, REU, WAFA, WAFA 2/8)

A Palestinian court in Nablus sentenced 1 Palestinian man to 5 years in prison for selling Israeli settlement products. (WAFA 2/8)

Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu pleaded not guilty in response to the corruption charges against him in an Israeli court. Prime Minister Netanyahu was forced to appear in court but left after 30 minutes as the judges excused his absence. (REU 2/7; AJ, AP, AX, CBS, CNN, HA, WP 2/8)

The U.S. said it will rejoin the UN Human Rights Council as an observer after the Donald Trump administration left the UN body, citing anti-Israel bias in 2018. The Biden administration wants to rejoin as a full member at an unset date. (NYT 2/7; TOI 2/8)

In an interview with CNN, U.S. secretary of state Antony Blinken said he applauded the normalization deals between Israel, the U.S., the UAE, Bahrain, Morocco, and Sudan, and said that peace between Palestine and Israel is far away, saying the 2 need to engage in peace before the U.S. can get involved. Secretary Blinken also said the Biden administration supported a 2-state solution but when asked about whether a Palestinian state would have East Jerusalem as its capital, he said it was part of final status issues, despite saying the U.S. considers Israel’s capital Jerusalem. Former secretary of state John Kerry said the U.S. supports East Jerusalem as a future capital of Palestine during the Barack Obama administration. Lastly, Secretary Blinken said that the Biden administration would consider supporting the return of the Golan Heights to Syria if Bashar al-Asad was no longer in power. (HA, REU, State Department 2/8; HA 2/9; AJ 2/11)

IDF troops conduct raids in and around Nablus, sparking clashes in Balata r.c. and ‘Askar r.c.; 4 Palestinians are injured. They arrest 4 Palestinians on further raids in and around Jenin, and patrol nr. Nablus and Hebron during the day. Israeli forces demolish a number of agricultural structures and a water tanker nr. Hebron. Along Gaza’s border, Israeli forces conduct a limited incursion to level land nr. Rafah. (MNA, WAFA 12/27; PCHR 12/29)

PA pres. Abbas says he hopes the Paris peace conference set for 1/15 enables the international community to stop Israeli settlement construction. Meanwhile, the State Dept. announces that U.S. secy. of state Kerry intends to give a major speech on 12/28 outlining principles for resolving the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, as he had announced on 12/23. In the evening, Russian FM Sergey Lavrov reportedly rejects Kerry’s request, made via telephone, for the Middle East Quartet to adopt the principles he plans to present. (AP, HA, MNA, NYT, TOI, YA 12/27)

Along Gaza’s border, IDF troops open fire on Palestinian agricultural land nr. Rafah and Palestinian farmers working nr. Gaza City, causing no damage or injuries. Off Gaza’s coast, Israeli naval forces open fire on Palestinian fishing boats, causing no injuries. In East Jerusalem overnight, Israeli forces demolish a playground and uproot a number of trees in Silwan, and arrest 3 Palestinians during latenight raids in al-Tur and Bayt Hanina. In the West Bank, Israeli forces demolish a home, a farm, a water network, and some trees outside a village nr. Bethlehem, as well as 2 homes, a large barn, and a playground in n. Bethlehem. IDF troops conduct a raid on the Hebron home of the Palestinian activist who captured the video of the Israeli soldier shooting and killing an incapacitated Palestinian on 3/24. The IDF conducts further raids and house searches nr. Bethlehem, Hebron, and Jenin, as well as in Jenin itself, arresting 11 Palestinians; patrols nr. Hebron, Ramallah, and Jenin. Palestinian Authority Security Forces (PASF) troops conduct a raid in c. Nablus, sparking armed clashes with Palestinian youths; 13 Palestinians are injured (5 of whom are PASF). (MNA, TOI, WAFA 3/29; WAFA 3/30; PCHR 3/31) 

Politico publishes a 2/17 letter signed by 11 mbrs. of the U.S. Congress, including Sen. Patrick Leahy (D-VT), addressed to Secy. of State John Kerry and calling for investigations into the “disturbing number of reports of possible gross violations of human rights by security forces in Israel and Egypt.” The letter highlights “what may be extrajudicial killings” by Israeli forces in Israel and the oPt. (POL 3/29; HA, JP, MNA, TOI 3/30)

Israel’s Knesset passes a 1st reading of 2 bills that would create economic incentives for settlement growth. The 1st would reduce bureaucratic restrictions on home purchases in settlements, preventing settlers from paying taxes to both the govt. and the Civil Admin. The 2d would entitle settlers to tax breaks as long as they are eligible for a grant promoting capital investment. (HA 3/29)

In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces shoot and injure a Palestinian youth during clashes in Qatanna n. of the city. In the West Bank, IDF troops shoot and injure a Palestinian driver after he allegedly rams his car into a group of Israeli security forces at a junction nr. Nablus, injuring 4. They also violently clash with Palestinian protesters at Palestine Technical University in Tulkarm (the IDF maintains a shooting range close to the university and blocked administrators from building a wall to deter violent protests at the range last mo.), w. of Qalqilya, and outside a settlement nr. Ramallah, injuring 16 Palestinians. The IDF assaults 1 Palestinian and arrest 19 others during raids and house searches in Jenin r.c.; 4 villages, Qaddura r.c., and Qalandia r.c. nr. Ramallah; and 7 villages nr. Hebron. Israeli settlers assault Palestinians picking olives outside Burin village nr. Nablus, causing no major injuries; the settlers then set fire to some of the olive trees. Palestinians throw rocks at an Israeli settler’s car driving nr. Ramallah, causing moderate injuries. Palestinian gunmen later open fire on an Israeli settler’s car driving nr. Ramallah, causing damage. They also arrest 6 Palestinians on late-night raids in al-Thawri and Issawiyya. In Israel, Palestinian journalist and administrative detainee al-Qiq begins an open-ended hunger strike after being tortured in Israeli detention. He was captured by Israeli forces during a raid at his home on 11/21. In West Jerusalem, Israeli forces arrest 1 Palestinian accused of planning a stabbing attack nr. the Central Bus Station. Along Gaza’s border, Israeli forces stationed e. of Khan Yunis open fire on Palestinian agricultural land, causing no damage or injuries. Off the coast nr. Jabaliya late at night, Israeli naval forces open fire on Palestinian fishing boats, causing no damage or injuries. (HA, MNA, WAFA, YA 11/24; MNA 11/25; PCHR 11/26; HA 12/12; MNA 1/10; SAM 1/28)

U.S. secy. of state John Kerry meets with Israeli PM Netanyahu in Jerusalem to discuss means of quelling the ongoing violence in the oPt among other issues. Kerry reportedly rejects Netanyahu’s request for the U.S. to recognize construction within Israel’s settlement blocs in exchange for Israel undertaking measures to improve the humanitarian situation in the oPt. (AA, HA, MNA 11/24; TOI 11/25; HA 11/27)

In Gaza, 2 rockets are fired toward Israel, with 1 falling short of the n. border and the other exploding in open land on the Israeli side of the border fence; neither cause major damage. Off the n. coast, Israeli naval forces open fire on Palestinian fishing boats, causing no injuries. Meanwhile, hundreds of Palestinian refugees gather in front of UNRWA’s headquarters in Gaza City for the 2d Sunday in a row to protest the agency’s recent reduction in services. In the West Bank, thousands of Palestinians march in Duma, nr. Nablus, in solidarity with the victims of the 7/31 arson attack in the village. Israeli forces erect mobile checkpoints outside the village to stop the march, sparking clashes in the evening; there are no serious injuries. IDF troops assault 1 Palestinian each in c. Hebron and Bethlehem; conduct late-night raids and house searches in 2 villages nr. Nablus, arresting 2 Palestinians; patrol during the day in 3 villages nr. Hebron. Israeli settlers return to the evacuated Sa-Nur settlement, harassing Palestinians in the area; throw rocks at a Palestinian bus s. of Hebron, causing minor damage. In East Jerusalem, Israeli authorities increase restrictions on Palestinians’ access to Haram al-Sharif, barring all Palestinian women and men under the age of 30 from entering between 7:00 and 11:00 A.M. Israeli forces detain 5 Palestinians as they leave the sanctuary. Later, minor clashes break out when 30 right-wing Jewish activists tour the sanctuary; there are no serious injuries. Meanwhile, Israeli forces also set up mobile checkpoints at 5 entrances to the Old City. In c. Israel, 3 Jewish Israelis assault a Palestinian in Lydda, shouting that he should be forced out of the city. (HA, JP, MNA, TOI, WAFA 8/2; MNA, TOI 8/3; PCHR 8/6)

U.S. and Egyptian officials, including U.S. secy. of state Kerry, meet in Cairo for a Egypt-U.S. strategic dialogue, the 1st such meeting since 12/2009. (SIS 7/17; AHR 7/27; AP, NYT, REU 8/2)

In Gaza, a Palestinian man is killed in a tunnel collapse nr. Rafah. In the West Bank, IDF troops shoot and critically injure a Palestinian youth by the separation wall nr. Jenin. The young man will succumb to his injuries late at night. They also conduct house searches and raids in Tulkarm, 1 village and al- ‘Azza r.c. nr. Bethlehem, and 1 village nr. Nablus, arresting 6 Palestinians; patrols in 5 villages nr. Jenin, al-‘Arub r.c. and 1 village nr. Hebron, and 1 village each nr. Ramallah, Qalqilya, and Tulkarm. Overnight, Israeli forces demolish 4 residential structures in the n. Jordan Valley and a home nr. Jenin; conduct a large drill nr. Tubas that leads to fire damage on 3,000–4,000 dunams of farmland. Israeli settlers chop down over 100 almond, grape, and olive trees outside Hebron. Unknown Palestinians throw Molotov cocktails at an Israeli settler’s car nr. Nablus, injuring 1 and causing damage. In East Jerusalem, hundreds of Palestinians gather in al-Tur for the funeral of the Palestinian youth killed by Israeli forces on 4/24, defying the Israeli attempt to restrict the funeral to 70 mourners. Minor clashes break out with Israeli forces, but there are no serious injuries. (The Israeli authorities withheld the teen’s body until early this morning and they required his family to pay approximately $5,000 to get it back.) Meanwhile, Israeli forces arrest 5 Palestinian women nr. Haram al-Sharif. (WAFA 4/26; JP, MNA, WAFA 4/27; HA, MNA, WAFA 4/28; PCHR 4/29)

The Israeli govt. invites tenders for the construction of 77 residences in Israeli settlements in East Jerusalem—36 in Neve Yaakov and 41 in Pisgat Ze’ev. (AFP, JTA, REU, WAFA 4/27)

UN Secy.-Gen. Ban publishes a summary of a report compiled by an official UN board of inquiry on OPE. The board found that the 7 documented attacks on UN schools during Israel’s assault on Gaza in 7–8/2014 led to 44 Palestinian deaths and 227 injuries. It also found that 3 UN facilities were used by Palestinian groups for weapons storage. (HA, MNA 4/27; EI 4/28)

Iranian FM Zarif meets with U.S. Secy. of State Kerry to continue their negotiations over Iran’s nuclear program, on the sidelines of a UN nonproliferation conference in New York. (REU 4/27; AP 4/28)

Off the n. coast of Gaza, Israeli naval forces open fire on Palestinian fishing boats, injuring 1 fisherman with rubber-coated metal bullets. In the West Bank, IDF troops arrest a Palestinian in a village nr. Hebron and another in c. Hebron. Meanwhile, hundreds of Israeli settlers perform religious rites at Joseph’s Tomb outside Balata r.c. nr. Nablus, sparking clashes between IDF troops and Palestinians in the camp. Israeli forces seize around 1,000 dunams of land nr. Hebron for the expansion of a nearby settlement. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces assault 2 guards in Haram al-Sharif after they try to intervene in the arrest of a Palestinian woman in the sanctuary. (MNA, WAFA 4/8; PCHR 4/9)

PA PM Hamdallah confirms PA Pres. Abbas’s earlier announcement that the PA refused reduced tax revenues from Israel after PM Netanyahu’s office announced on 3/27 that it would be unfreezing the transfers. He also says that the Palestinians will lodge an official complaint about the freeze at the ICC. (WAFA 4/8)

As part of a reported deal with Israel’s COGAT, the PASF expands deployments in towns and villages nr. Jerusalem, in Area B. The PASF will begin by opening up police stations in the villages. (REU 4/8; AFP, MNA 4/9)

U.S. Pres. Obama calls Sens. Corker (R-TN) and Ben Cardin (D-MD), the 2 ranking mbrs. of the Senate Foreign Relations Comm., denouncing Corker’s proposed bill that would empower Congress to approve or disapprove of any final agreement made by Iran and the P5+1. The bill, the Iran Nuclear Agreement Review Act, is set for a comm. deliberation on 4/14. Meanwhile, Secy. of State Kerry and Under Secy. Wendy Sherman meet with reps. of AIPAC, the American Jewish Comm. (AJC), the Anti-Defamation League (ADL), and other pro-Israel U.S. Jewish groups to argue in favor of the agreement with Iran and further diplomacy. (AP 4/8; TOI 4/9; JTA 4/12)

IDF troops on the Gaza border e. of Khan Yunis fire on land nr. the border fence, causing no injuries. Off the coast nr. Gaza City, Israeli naval vessels fire on Palestinian fishing boats, causing no damage or injuries. In the West Bank, IDF troops violently disperse Palestinian, Israeli, and international protesters at weekly demonstrations against Israel’s separation wall, settlements, and occupation in 6 areas nr. Ramallah (Silwad, Bil‘in, Ni‘lin, Nabi Salih, outside Ofer Prison, and Jalazun r.c.), Kisan nr. Bethlehem, and Kafr Qaddum nr. Qalqilya; a total of 25 protesters are moderately injured. The IDF also raids the “Gate of Jerusalem” protest tent camp in Abu Dis, sparking clashes with Palestinian and international activists; 2 activists are arrested. IDF troops conduct house searches and raids in 1 village nr. Qalqilya and in and around Hebron, arresting 3 Palestinians and issuing arrest summons to 6; patrols in 4 villages nr. Ramallah, 1 village and al-‘Arub r.c. nr. Hebron, and 1 village nr. Jenin. Israeli settlers assault a Palestinian outside Hebron, lightly injuring him; throw stones at Palestinian cars on a road between Jenin and Nablus, causing minor damage. In East Jerusalem, Israeli settlers assault a Palestinian nr. the Old City. (MNA, YA 3/13; MNA, PNN, WAFA 3/14; PCHR 3/19)

On the sidelines of economic talks in Egypt, U.S. Secy. of State Kerry meets with Jordan’s King Abdullah and PA Pres. Abbas to discuss the PA’s economic crisis. At the conference, Abbas says, “There is no alternative but to reevaluate the security and economic relations with Israel, so that the PA would restore its role in building and ending the occupation.” Kerry reportedly tells Abbas that he will pressure Israel into transferring the tax revenues that it has withheld for 3 mos. (AFP, JP, TOI 3/13; AFP, JP, WAFA 3/14)

IDF troops on the Gaza border e. of Khan Yunis fire warning shots at Palestinian farmers nr. the border fence, causing no injuries. A Palestinian is moderately injured when he triggers Israeli unexploded ordnance nr. Rafah. In the West Bank, IDF troops violently disperse over 1,000 Palestinians, mostly women, demonstrating nr. Qalandia to mark International Women’s Day, moderately injuring 4. They also violently disperse Palestinian activists as they are removing a metal gate installed at the entrance to a village nr. Bethlehem and a group protesting land expropriation in a village nr. Hebron. Israeli soldiers accompanied by Israeli settlers violently disperse Palestinians nonviolently protesting s. of Hebron. The IDF conducts patrols and house searches in a village nr. Hebron, arresting 2 Palestinians. The PASF raids Balata r.c. nr. Nablus, sparking a brief firefight with the wanted Palestinian; 2 bystanders are injured. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces conduct house searches and raids nr. the Old City, arresting 8 Palestinians; disperse a group of Palestinian youth throwing stones at the Jerusalem Light Rail in Shu‘fat, arresting 2. Israeli settlers assault a Palestinian man in Silwan, moderately injuring him. (AP, JP, MNA, WAFA 3/7; MNA 3/8; PCHR 3/12)

In Cairo, Islamic Jihad’s delegation departs after 6 days of negotiations with the Egyptian authorities on opening the Rafah border crossing. According to sources close to the talks, the Egyptians have agreed in principle to completely open the crossing once the violence in the Sinai Peninsula subsides, the PA unity govt. has staffed the crossing, and Hamas commits to not to interfere in Egyptian affairs. Also, Egyptian officials announce that the Rafah crossing will open on 3/9–10. (AFP, MNA 3/7)

In Paris, French FM Laurent Fabius, U.S. Secy. of State Kerry, UK Foreign Secy. Philip Hammond, German FM Frank-Walter Steinmeier, and EU foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini meet to review recent progress in their negotiations with Iran over its nuclear program. (TOI 3/6, 3/7; DPA 3/8)

In Gaza, unknown assailants set fire to a Fatah leader’s house in e. Gaza City. Off the coast nr. al-Sudaniyya, Israeli naval forces open fire on Palestinian fishing boats, causing 2 injuries and arresting 4 fishermen. IDF troops e. of Gaza City fire on Palestinian homes and agricultural lands in the area, causing damage but no injuries. In the West Bank, the IDF conducts house searches and raids in 1 village each nr. Bethlehem and Nablus, arresting 3 Palestinians; patrols in 2 villages nr. Hebron; arrests 1 Palestinian nr. Jenin. (MNA, WAFA 3/5; PCHR 3/12)

The PCC meets in Ramallah for a 2d day in a row and adopts several major resolutions, including calls to end security coordination with Israel, boycott all Israeli products, and to reject recognition of Israel as a Jewish state. The PLO Exec. Comm. will execute the decisions made by the council at an appropriate time, according to a statement released at the conference’s end. (MNA, NYT, TOI, YA 3/5; HA, JP 3/6).

Israeli officials announce that Israel will partially resume importing fruits and vegetables from Gaza next week (on 3/12), a practice halted in 2007 after Hamas began governing Gaza. (HA, REU, TOI 3/5)

Israel’s High Court of Justice issues an injunction temporarily delaying the demolition of 24 under-construction apartments in the West Bank settlement Beit El. The apartments were set to be destroyed by 3/8, and the court does not give a new deadline. Meanwhile, the IDF temporarily suspends its use of canine units in the West Bank, days after a video depicting an Israeli dog attacking a Palestinian youth on 12/23 proliferated in the media. (TOI, HA 3/6)

In Riyadh, U.S. Secy. of State Kerry briefs Saudi Arabia’s King Salman, other officials, and 6 FMs from the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) on the ongoing negotiations on Iran’s nuclear program. Kerry says that the U.S. is not seeking a “grand bargain” with Iran. (AFP, AP, JP, MNA, NBC, YA 3/5)

After receiving a letter of protest from a group of Democratic and Independent senators on 3/4, Majority Leader McConnell decides to temporarily postpone legislative action on the Iran Nuclear Agreement Review Act, in an effort to consolidate bipartisan support. (TOI 3/6)

Off the coast of Gaza nr. Gaza City, Israeli naval forces fire on Palestinian fishing boats, causing no damage or injuries. In the West Bank, the IDF floods an olive grove outside Bethlehem during a drill. The IDF also conducts house searches and raids in 1 village each nr. Tubas, Nablus, and Jenin, arresting 2 Palestinians and sparking clashes nr. Jenin; arrests 5 Palestinians in a village nr. Bethlehem; patrols in 3 villages nr. Hebron, 5 nr. Ramallah, and 2 each nr. Jericho and Qalqilya. A group of Palestinian youth affiliated with Fatah steal a Tnuva milk truck and dump its contents in the middle of al-Manara Square in Ramallah. Tnuva is 1 of the 6 Israeli companies targeted by the boycott initiated by the National Comm. against Israeli Punitive Measures on 2/9. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces conduct raids in the Old City and al-‘Izzariya, arresting 5 Palestinians and issuing summons to 3. In n. Israel, Israeli police arrest 68 Palestinian workers who have been sleeping and laboring in Israel without permits. (MNA, WAFA 3/2; MNA 3/3; PCHR 3/5; HA 3/9)

Israeli state prosecutors tell the High Court of Justice that they are no longer pursuing the punitive demolition of the Silwan home of the Palestinian alleged to have shot and injured right-wing activist Yehuda Glick, leader of the messianic Temple Mount movement, on 10/29/ 2014. The prosecutors argue, instead, for the man’s room to be blocked off. (TOI 3/2)

UN Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process Robert Serry meets with Hamas officials in Gaza and proposes a 3–5-year hudna, or truce. (AFP, HA 3/2; HA 3/9)

In Washington, Israeli PM Netanyahu addresses the AIPAC conference, saying he has a “moral obligation” to warn the U.S. Congress on 3/3 of the dangers of a potential deal with Iran. Hours later, U.S. Pres. Obama tells Reuters that Netanyahu’s trip to the U.S., and the way it was organized, is a distraction, but not “permanently destructive” to the U.S.-Israel relationship. (NYT, YA 3/2; HA 3/3)

U.S. Secy. of State Kerry meets with Iranian FM Zarif and Iran’s atomic energy chief Ali Akbar Salehi in Montreux, Switzerland, for 3-day negotiations over Iran’s nuclear weapons program. (TOI 3/1; REU 3/2)

While in Switzerland, Kerry speaks in front of the UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC) in Geneva and urges its mbrs. to end their “unbalanced focus” on Israel. (AP, JP, NYT, TOI 3/2)

In the West Bank, IDF troops shoot and kill a Palestinian at a junction between Bethlehem and Hebron, later alleging that the man was attempting to steal a car. The IDF raids the home of 2 PA security officers nr. Nablus, and Palestinian officials call it a provocative step. On a late-night arrest raid in Jenin r.c., Israeli soldiers shoot and injure a Palestinian man with rubber-coated metal bullets and arrest 4 others, sparking clashes with stone-throwing residents and arresting 1 more. Hours after unknown assailants shoot at an Israeli military vehicle nr. Abud village n. of Ramallah, Israeli forces conduct house-to-house raids in the village, fire stun grenades and flares, and shut down a road leading to a nearby monastery. The IDF also conducts house searches and arrest raids nr. Salfit and Hebron; demolishes 1 Palestinian home and 2 animal shelters in a village nr. Ramallah; arrests a Palestinian outside the Gush Etzion settlement nr. Bethlehem. Separately, an Israeli settler runs over with his car 2 sheep belonging to a Palestinian nr. Nablus. In the Gaza Strip, Israeli authorities reopen the Erez border crossing, having closed it on 1/8. IDF troops e. of Rafah open fire on agricultural land nr. the border fence, causing damage. Dozens of employees of the Hamas-run govt. protest outside the PA unity govt.’s headquarters in Gaza City, calling for their full salaries to be paid for the 1st time since 6/2. In East Jerusalem, unknown Israelis vandalize 11 Palestinian-owned vehicles in Bayt Safafa, puncturing tires and leaving racist pricetag graffiti. Israeli forces conduct a house search in al-‘Izzariya, arresting 2 Palestinians. In s. Israel, an Israeli police officer shoots and kills a 22-year-old Palestinian with live ammunition during an arrest raid in Rahat in the Negev, sparking clashes between the police and local Palestinians. Separately, Israeli forces demolish several steel structures in the nearby Palestinian bedouin village al-‘Araqib. This is the 80th time Israeli authorities have ordered demolitions in the village since 2010, when it was 1st targeted. (JP, MEE, MNA, NYT, TOI, WAFA 1/14; MNA, PCHR, WAFA 1/15; EI 1/16; PCHR 1/22; OCHA 1/23)

Hamas reactivates Gaza’s separate Palestinian Legislative Council and convenes a session of the body, a move that contravenes the national reconciliation deal that was announced on 4/23. No other parties attend the session. The decision comes after 2 weeks of increased tension between Hamas and the PA unity govt. (AFP, MNA, NYT 1/14; MNA 1/15)

PA Pres. Abbas meets with Egyptian pres. al-Sisi in Cairo to discuss Abbas’s proposed resubmission of the draft UNSC res. and the reconstruction of the Gaza Strip. (MNA, REU, WAFA 1/14)

U.S. Secy. of State Kerry meets with Iranian FM Zarif in Geneva to discuss the negotiations over Iran’s disputed nuclear program. Kerry says he is hoping to “accelerate the process to make greater progress,” but he will not participate in the coming 3 days of bilateral talks or the broader talks between reps. of Iran and the full P5+1 on 1/18. (ALM 1/17)

In the Sinai Peninsula, the Sinai Province of the Islamic State kills 3 bedouins suspected of collaborating with Israel. (MNA 1/15)

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, IDF troopsstationed along the n. border open fire on a group of stonethrowing Palestinians, injuring 4. A Palestinian is injured in an explosion nr. the French Cultural Center in Gaza City. (A small armed group takes responsibility for the attack on 12/18.) In the West Bank, IDF troops violently disperse Palestinian, Israeli, and international protesters at weekly demonstrations against Israel’s separation wall, settlements, and occupation, as well as the recent death of a senior PA official on 12/10 nr. Ramallah, Nablus, Hebron, and 1 village nearby (Bayt Umar), and 1 village nr. Qalqilya (Kafr Qaddum). Two Palestinians are hit by tear gas canisters in Bil‘in and 7 are shot with rubbercoated metal bullets elsewhere. Meanwhile, a Palestinian man throws vinegar at a family of 5 Israeli settlers nr. Bethlehem, lightly injuring all of them. (The Israeli press 1st reported the story as an acid attack.) Another Israeli settler hits the Palestinian man with his car and shoots him in the leg, moderately injuring him. Shin Bet officers arrive soon after to detain the Palestinian man. The IDF then conducts a raid of his home. Separately, Palestinians throw stones at IDF troops on a patrol of Bayt Umar nr. Hebron, sparking clashes in which 3 Palestinians are injured with rubber-coated metal bullets. The IDF also patrols in the n. Jordan Valley, where they assault a Palestinian farmer and lightly injure him. IDF troops fire tear gas at dozens of Palestinians throwing stones at the soldiers; 1 Palestinian youth and 1 Israeli officer are injured. Israeli soldiers also conduct a raid s. of Bethlehem; patrol in Tulkarm. Following a march marking Hamas’s 27th anniversary, the IDF conducts late-night arrest raids nr. Hebron. In East Jerusalem, the Israeli police increase their patrols and deploy additional officers around Haram al-Sharif. (HA, JP, MNA, TOI, WP, YA 12/12; MNA, TOI 12/13; IMEMC 12/14; AFP, PCHR 12/18; EI 12/22)

The Israel Prison Service threatens to move the 70 Palestinian prisoners on hunger strike since 12/9 to criminal sections of their prisons, which would decrease their quality of life, if they continue their strike. (MNA 12/12)

U.S. Secy. of State Kerry phones Russian FM Sergey Lavrov and PA Pres. Abbas separately to discuss the French and Palestinian draft UNSC res. Kerry pressures Abbas not to end security coordination with Israel in response to the 12/10 death of senior PA official Ziad Abu Ein. Following the call, senior PLO and Fatah officials postpone their meeting to discuss a response until 12/14. (JP, MNA 12/13)

The Portuguese parliament adopts a recommendation calling on the govt. to recognize Palestinian statehood “in coordination with the EU.” (AFP, TOI 12/12; HA, IMEMC, WAFA 12/13)

In the West Bank, IDF troops shoot and kill 2 of the 3 Palestinians suspected of kidnapping and killing 3 Israeli settler teenagers in 6/2014. They are killed during a gun battle in Hebron. Separately, IDF troops shoot and wound a Palestinian at a checkpoint nr. Nablus. The IDF conducts house searches and arrest raids in 1 village and al-‘Arub r.c. nr. Hebron at night. (MNA, REU 9/23; PCHR 9/25)

Israeli officials and the Palestinian delegation hold mediated talks on extending the 8/26 cease-fire and other remaining issues. Israel seeks to ensure the demilitarization of Gaza and a tightly controlled reconstruction process, while the Palestinians seek a broader opening up of Gaza to the outside world, including air and seaports. They present their positions and adjourn, agreeing to meet again at the end of 10/2014. (MNA 9/23)

U.S. Secy. of State Kerry announces a more than $71 m. U.S. contribution toward humanitarian assistance in the Gaza Strip, most of which will be spent on UNRWA projects. The U.S. previously pledged $47 m. to the effort on 7/12. (MNA 9/23)

Israeli forces shoot down a Syrian fighter jet after it enters Israeli airspace. The plane is destroyed after it turns back toward the border, so the wreckage lands in Syrian territory. The crew safely ejects prior to impact. This is the 1st time the IDF has shot down a Syrian jet since the 1982 war in Lebanon. (AP, HA 9/23)

Soon after the planned 72-hour cease-fire takes effect, it breaks down and the IDF continues its assault on the Gaza Strip, killing 160 Palestinians. Armed Palestinian groups resume rocket fire, launching 38 into Israel. IDF troops are primarily active in Shuja‘iya in e. Gaza City, Bayt Hanun in the n. Gaza Strip, and Khan Yunis in the s. Gaza Strip. The cease-fire breaks down after both sides accuse the other of violating it during an incident in s. Gaza. According to the IDF, 2 hours after the ceasefire began, al-Qassam Brigades fighters attacked IDF troops demolishing a tunnel, killing 2 and capturing 1. The Hamas armed wing denies reports of the capture, saying that the soldier might have been killed in clashes before the cease-fire began. In the West Bank, IDF troops shoot and kill 2 Palestinians in separate incidents. The 1st dies in clashes nr. Tulkarm during protests against the assault on Gaza, and the 2d dies in Safa nr. Ramallah in similar circumstances. In the clashes in Safa, 5 are injured by live ammunition and 10 by rubber-coated metal bullets. At Hawara checkpoint nr. Nablus, IDF troops shoot and injure 6 Palestinians with live ammunition during protests. In Hebron, meanwhile, around 50,000 residents protest the assault on Gaza, leading to clashes with IDF troops in which 90 Palestinians are injured with live fire and rubber-coated metal bullets. The IDF conducts house searches and arrest raids in 1 village nr. Salfit and al-Jalazun r.c.nr. Ramallah at night. IDF troops violently disperse Palestinian, Israeli, and international protesters at weekly demonstrations against Israel’s separation wall, settlements, and occupation in 3 villages nr. Ramallah (Bil‘in, Nabi Salih, and Ni‘lin), and 1 village nr. Qalqilya (Kafr Qaddum). In Ni‘lin, 1 is seriously injured by a rubber-coated metal bullet; in Nabi Salih, 2 are seriously injured by rubber-coated metal bullets; and in Kafr Qaddum, 4 are wounded by rubber-coated metal bullets. In East Jerusalem, Palestinians clash with Israeli security forces in ongoing demonstrations against the Gaza offensive, causing dozens of injuries. The clashes happen in Shu‘fat r.c., Issawiyya, Silwan, al-Tur, al-Suwana, Abu Dis, al-‘Izzariya, al-Ram, Qalandia, and Anata. (AFP, AP, HA, JP, MNA, REU, YA 8/1; PCHR 8/2)

U.S. officials express outrage and disappointment at the breakdown of the ceasefire. U.S. Pres. Obama calls for the release of the soldier that was reported kidnapped and says it will be “very hard to put a cease-fire back together again if Israelis and the international community can’t feel confident that Hamas can follow through on a cease-fire commitment.” White House spokesperson Earnest says that the U.S. “would encourage those who have influence with Hamas to get them back on to the terms of the cease-fire and to get them to abide by the agreements that they struck just yesterday.” Meanwhile, Kerry calls Qatari FM Khalid bin Mohammed al-Attiyah and Turkish FM Ahmet Davutoğlu and urges them to use their influence with Hamas to release the soldier. Davutoğlu tells reporters that Turkey would do what it can. Kerry also speaks with PM Netanyahu and Pres. Abbas. Talks planned in Cairo are postponed until further notice. (AFP, AP, Guardian, HA, JP, MNA, REU, YA 8/1)

Saudi Arabia’s King Abdallah speaks for the 1st time in public on the Gaza violence and accuses Israel of “state-sponsored terrorism” in a televised speech. (Guardian, HA, MNA, REU 8/1)

In the Gaza Strip, the IDF continues its ground offensive as well as air strikes, killing 53 Palestinians, around 10 of whom die in a strike on a park in al-Shati r.c., which the eyewitnesses blame on an IDF drone strike and the IDF army says was a misfired Palestinian rocket. In the evening, the IDF sends text messages and phone calls to residents in n. and e. neighborhoods of Gaza City, telling them to evacuate their homes and leave for c. Gaza City. Palestinians continue to fire rockets and mortar shells into Israel, with a mortar shell killing 4 IDF soldiers nr. the Gaza border. In the West Bank, IDF troops shoot and injure 3 Palestinians outside Yatta nr. Hebron during a protest against the attack on Gaza. The IDF conducts house searches and arrest raids in 1 village each nr. Nablus and Ramallah at night. In East Jerusalem, Palestinian protesters clash with Israeli security forces in Jabal Mukabir and Issawiyya, causing no serious injuries. (AFP, AP, HA, JP, MNA, REU, WAFA 7/28; PCHR 7/30)

In New York City, UN Secy.-Gen. Ban says that both Israelis and Palestinians have expressed interest in a further 24-hour truce but no deal has been reached. Ban also raises concerns about the proportionality of Israel’s actions, saying that the destruction in Gaza had been described by some as a “man-made hurricane.” Meanwhile, in Washington, U.S. Secy. of State Kerry says that efforts to secure a truce between Israel and Hamas must ultimately include the disarmament of the latter. U.S. Pres. Obama, French pres. Francois Hollande, German chancellor Angela Merkel, British PM David Cameron, and Italian PM Matteo Renzi hold a teleconference to discuss various issues, including the escalation of violence in Gaza. (AFP, AP, HA, JP, MNA, REU, WAFA 7/28)

The IDF continues its assault on the Gaza Strip by land, sea, and air, killing 66 Palestinians. Armed Palestinian groups fire more than 80 rockets into Israel, with 16 intercepted by Iron Dome batteries. Palestinian fighters kill 2 Israeli soldiers in Gaza. Across the West Bank, there are large demonstrations against the attack on Gaza in Bethlehem, Jenin, Nablus, Ramallah, Salfit, Tulkarm, and other locations. IDF troops kill 7 Palestinians as clashes break out during the protests. In one of the clashes, at Hawara checkpoint, an Israeli settler kills a Palestinian, bringing the day’s total to 8. In addition, IDF troops violently disperse Palestinian, Israeli, and international protesters at weekly demonstrations against Israel’s separation wall, settlements, and occupation in 3 villages nr. Ramallah (Bil‘in, Nabi Salih, and Ni‘lin), and 1 village nr. Qalqilya (Kafr Qaddum). There are no serious injuries, except in Bil‘in, where 1 is injured by a bullet, and Ni‘lin, where 2 are injured by bullets. In addition, Jewish settlers attack 2 Palestinians in Bayt Hanina, seriously injuring 1. In East Jerusalem, Israeli security forces clash with Palestinians after worshippers under the age of 50 are banned from entering Haram al-Sharif, injuring around 40. (AFP, AP, HA, JP, MNA, YA 7/25; PCHR 7/26)

Meanwhile, in the early afternoon the Israeli cabinet rejects a draft of cease-fire principles proposed by U.S. Secy. of State Kerry, which he based partly on consultations with reps. of Qatar and Turkey. A senior Israeli official reportedly later described the proposal as a “strategic terrorist attack.” Later, Secy. Kerry meets with the UN’s Ban and Arab League Secy.-Gen. al-‘Arabi to discuss the latest developments in Gaza. Kerry also meets with Egyptian FM Shoukri. (AFP, AP, HA, JP, JP 7/25; HA 7/28)

In the evening, the UN, U.S., Egypt, and the Arab League call for an extendable 12-hour humanitarian cease-fire. PM Netanyahu tells Secy. of State Kerry that Israel will observe the humanitarian pause the following day, but the IDF will continue working to locate “terror tunnels.” Hamas spokesperson Abu Zuhri says that al-Qassam Brigades and other factions will observe the humanitarian pause. (AFP, AP, JP, MNA, YA 7/25)

The IDF continues its assault on the Gaza Strip by land, air, and sea, attacking over 90 targets and killing 104 Palestinians. One IDF strike on a UN-run school in Bayt Hanun kills at least 15, and wounds 200, mostly women and children seeking shelter. The Israeli army says it is investigating the incident and that “terrorists” opened fire at IDF personnel from the area of the school. Palestinians fire around 60 rockets into Israel, 15 of which are intercepted by Iron Dome, causing no damage or injuries (including 5 over Tel Aviv). On the ground in Gaza, al-Quds Brigades and al-Qassam Brigades claim to have killed 4 and 8 Israeli soldiers, respectively. In the West Bank, a reported 10,000 Palestinians gather in protest of the assault on Gaza and march from c. Ramallah to Qalandia checkpoint, where clashes with IDF troops break out. IDF troops kill 2 and injure more than 200 protesters, including 60 with live ammunition. The IDF conducts house searches and arrest raids in Nablus in the morning. In East Jerusalem, Israeli security forces set up checkpoints to restrict access to Haram al-Sharif, leading to clashes and the arrest of 12 Palestinian youth. (AFP, AP, HA, JP, MNA, REU, YA 7/24; PCHR 7/25)

Secy. of State Kerry meets with UN Secy.- Gen. Ban in Cairo once more. Meanwhile, in Amman, PA Pres. Abbas meets with Jordan’s King Abdallah and says “there is hope for a cease-fire” along the lines of “the Egyptian initiative” before fuller negotiations about wider demands. Kerry reaches out to Turkish and Qatari diplomats in an effort to garner support from Hamas’s regional allies for his cease-fire initiative. (AFP, AP, JP, MNA, REU, YA 7/24)

Rivlin is sworn in as the new pres. of Israel, succeeding Peres. (HA 7/24)

The IDF continues its assault of the Gaza Strip, killing 64 Palestinians, primarily in the s. Khan Yunis area. The IDF says that it is hitting “concealed rocket launchers, terror tunnels, militant compounds, and terror activity posts located within the premises of al-Wafa hospital.” Severe shortages in electricity, water, and medical supplies continue to affect Palestinians in Gaza, with the UN estimating that the total number of displaced has risen to 118,300. Palestinians kill 3 Israeli soldiers inside the Gaza Strip, and severely wound another 2, in an attack claimed by al-Quds Brigades. Armed Palestinian groups fire rockets into s. Israel at a diminished rate relative to previous days, causing no damage and killing 1 Thai worker nr. the border fence. In the West Bank, IDF troops shoot and kill 1 Palestinian man during clashes that break out after a protest in Husan village nr. Bethlehem. Clashes also break out in Silwad, and IDF troops injure 2 Palestinians with rubber-coated metal bullets. The IDF conducts house searches and arrest raids in 2 villages nr. Nablus. (AFP, AP, JP, MNA, REU, YA 7/23)

The FAA extends the previous day’s ban on U.S. airline flights to Ben-Gurion Airport for an additional 24 hours. (AFP, AP, JP 7/23)

In a televised speech from Doha, Hamas leader Mish‘al responds to the international calls for a cease-fire, saying that Hamas “cannot accept any proposal that does not include the lifting of the siege.” Mish‘al also calls for a “humanitarian truce” of a few hours “to evacuate the wounded and assist in the relief.” (AFP, AP, HA, MNA 7/23)

In response to an Israeli request on 7/20, the U.S. Defense Dept. agrees to resupply the IDF with arms from the War Reserves Stockpile based in Israel. Details of the sale are not reported until 7/30. (AFP, AP 7/23; Guardian 7/30)

U.S. Secy. of State Kerry holds talks with UN Secy.-Gen. Ban in Jerusalem, their 2d meeting of the week. Kerry says afterward that “we have certainly made some steps forward, but there is still work to be done.” Kerry also meets with Pres. Abbas in Ramallah and then with Israeli PM Netanyahu in Tel Aviv, before returning to Cairo with no sign of an imminent breakthrough that might enable a cease-fire. (HA, JP, MNA, YA 7/23)

The UN Human Rights Council in Geneva passes a res., 29–1–17, condemning Israel’s occupation and the current assault on Gaza, as well as commissioning an investigation into potential war crimes committed during the current Gaza conflict, with the U.S. casting the sole “no” vote. Israeli PM Netanyahu calls the vote a “travesty,” while Israel’s Justice Minister Tzipi Livni responds on Facebook with the comment: “Get lost.” UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Navi Pillay says that there is a “strong possibility” Israel is committing war crimes in the Gaza Strip. (AFP, AP, HA, JP, MNA, YA 7/23)

The IDF continues its assault on the Gaza Strip, killing 61 Palestinians. Local officials say targets struck include 5 mosques and a soccer stadium, in addition to other Palestinian infrastructure and multiple tunnels. Prolonged Israeli shelling of Khan Yunis kills at least 6 and wounds more than 20. Also, the IDF strikes a UNRWA-run school in c. Gaza. Palestinian fighters kill 2 Israeli soldiers overnight and fire approximately 67 rockets and mortar shells into Israel, with 18 projectiles intercepted by Iron Dome batteries. In the West Bank, an Israeli citizen shoots and kills a Palestinian man between al-Ram and Hizma checkpoint n. of Jerusalem, reportedly after the Palestinian man threw stones at the Israeli’s car. IDF troops shoot and injure 5 Palestinians in ‘Askar r.c. nr. Nablus, during clashes in an arrest raid. The IDF conducts house searches and arrest raids in Nablus and 2 villages nr. Ramallah at night. In East Jerusalem, Israeli security forces clash with Palestinians in at-Tur, Shu‘fat r.c., and Issawiyya, causing no serious injuries. (AFP, AP, JP, MNA, REU, YA 7/22; PCHR 7/23)

After 1 rocket lands nr. Ben Gurion Airport, the U.S. Federal Aviation Authority (FAA) bans flights to and from Israel for at least 24 hours, and the European Aviation Safety Agency advises all carriers to avoid Tel Aviv “until further notice.” Israel’s Transportation Minister Yisrael Katz, in a statement, says “there is no need for U.S. carriers to suspend flights and reward terrorism.” U.S. Secy. of State Kerry and PM Netanyahu later discuss the FAA ban on a phone call. (AFP, AP, JP, MNA, REU, YA 7/22)

At a monthly meeting of the EU Council, the 28 EU FMs issue a statement that “strongly condemns the indiscriminate firing of rockets into Israel by Hamas and militant groups in the Gaza Strip” and also “condemns calls on the civilian population of Gaza to provide themselves as human shields.” Meanwhile, Secy. of State Kerry meets with Egypt’s Pres. al-Sisi in Cairo to discuss Gaza, and afterward, affirms that “there is a framework available to end the violence, and that framework was the Egyptian initiative.” Senior Fatah official al-Ahmad flies in to Cairo to also meet with Kerry. In Israel, UN Secy.-Gen. Ban meets with PM Netanyahu and at a Tel Aviv press conference, Ban condemns the rocket attacks, while the Israeli leader accuses Hamas of committing a “double war crime” of targeting Israeli civilians while using Palestinian civilians as human shields. (AFP, AP, HA, JP, MNA, REU, YA 7/22)

In East Jerusalem at night, Israeli settlers kidnap 16-year-old Mohammed Abu Khdeir from Shu‘fat, burn him alive, and leave his body in the Jerusalem Forest. PA Pres. Abbas states that Israel “bears full responsibility for this incident” and “must bring those responsible to justice.” Israeli PM Netanyahu urges police “to swiftly investigate who was behind the loathsome murder” and calls on all sides “not to take the law into their own hands.” In a statement, Secy. of State Kerry condemns the killing as a “sickening” act of “vengeance,” adding that the U.S. looks “to both the govt. of Israel and the PA to take all necessary steps to prevent acts of violence and bring their perpetrators to justice.” UN Middle East envoy Robert Serry also condemns the killing. During the day, there are protests and clashes in Jerusalem, especially in Shu‘fat, and 170 Palestinians are wounded. Meanwhile, Jewish settlers attack Palestinian-owned vehicles in Jaba‘, causing damage to dozens. In the Gaza Strip, Palestinians fire 9 mortars into s. Israel, causing no damage or injuries. The IDF attacks 15 targets across Gaza, injuring 11, including at least 3 civilians. Targets include a number of al-Qassam Brigades training camps. Palestinians fire 2 rockets at Ashqelon, with 1 intercepted by an Iron Dome battery and 1 falling in an open area. Later, 10 rockets are fired into s. Israel, causing no damage or injuries (1 is shot down). Meanwhile, off the coast nr. al-Sudaniyya IDF naval forces open fire on Palestinian fishermen, causing no damage or injuries. In the West Bank, IDF troops destroy a house nr. Hebron. It belonged to Ziad Awad, who is charged by Israeli authorities with the killing of an Israeli police officer in 4/2014. The IDF says that the demolition is intended to serve as a deterrent. During the demolition, IDF troops clash with residents and wound 6 with live ammunition. The IDF also conducts house searches and arrest raids in Hebron at night. Israeli settlers set fire to a sheep farm nr. Nablus, causing damage, and leaving “price tag” graffiti. (AFP, HA, JP, MNA, REU, YA, WAFA 7/2)

Reps. of Iran and the P5+1 group begin the 6th and final scheduled round of talks ahead of the 7/20 deadline for agreeing to a deal on Iran’s disputed nuclear program. Talks are scheduled to take place between 7/3 and 7/15, but may continue up to the deadline. Both sides say that progress has been made, but major differences remain. (BBC 7/3)

In the West Bank, IDF troops shoot and kill 2 Palestinian teenagers outside Ofer prison nr. Ramallah during protests held on the 66th annual day of Nakba commemoration. There are conflicting reports about whether they are shot with live ammunition or rubber-coated metal bullets. Thousands of Palestinians participate in Nakba Day protests across the West Bank and Gaza Strip, including rallies jointly organized by different political factions. In Hebron, IDF troops injure 11 demonstrators with rubber-coated metal bullets. In Gaza City, a large crowd gathers to support of the right of return and to protest continued negotiations with Israel. In East Jerusalem, Israeli police violently disperse a rally, injuring 6. The IDF conducts house searches and arrest raids in 1 village nr. Nablus at night; patrols in 2 villages nr. Hebron in the afternoon, and in 3 villages nr. Hebron, 2 villages nr. Ramallah and 1 village each nr. Jericho and Qalqilya at night. (AFP, MNA, REU 5/15; PCHR 5/22)

U.S. Secy. of State Kerry meets with Israeli chief negotiator Livni in London, a day after meeting with PA Pres. Abbas. The State Dept. describes the meeting as “informal,” and no details of their discussions are released. (ToI 5/15)

In the Gaza Strip, IDF troops conduct a limited incursion close to the border fence nr. Gaza City to level land. In the West Bank, the IDF conducts house searches and arrest raids in al-Fawar r.c., al-‘Arub r.c. and 2 villages nr. Hebron, in Balata r.c. and 1 village nr. Nablus, and in Jalazun r.c. and 1 village nr. Ramallah at night; patrols in 2 villages nr. Ramallah in the morning, and in al-’Arub r.c. and 1 village nr. Hebron at night. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces demolish 3 Palestinian-owned structures in Bayt Hanina, Shu‘fat, and Ras al-Amud. (AFP, MNA 5/14; PCHR 5/15)

U.S. Secy. of State Kerry meets with PA Pres. Abbas in London, where Kerry is attending talks with international partners on Syria and Ukraine. State Dept. spokesperson Psaki subsequently says Kerry made it clear that “while the door remains open to peace, it is up to the parties to determine whether they are willing to take the steps necessary to resume negotiations.” (AP 14/5)

Hamas and Fatah officials meet in Gaza to discuss the makeup of a unity govt., with Hamas chief negotiator Musa Abu Marzuq saying that talks would be finalized the following week. PM Ismail Haniyeh states that Hamas authorities will “clean the road to reconciliation from all obstacles and landmines” and calls on PA authorities in the West Bank “to take the same path and to maintain freedoms.” (HA, MNA 5/14)

Representatives of Iran and the P5+1 countries open negotiations in Vienna, with the goal of reaching a final agreement by 7/20. Substantial gaps remain, including on the future of uranium enrichment in Iran. As an initial step, EU foreign affairs chief Ashton and Iranian FM Zarif meet to put into writing what has already been agreed, as embodied by the 11/2013 interim deal. (HA 5/14)

In the Gaza Strip, Israeli forces kill a senior Islamic Jihad operative in an air strike on Jabaliya r.c., wounding 2 (including a child). The Israeli military claims the targeted operative was responsible for rocket fire. Two other Israeli air strikes cause some damage but no injuries. Islamic Jihad say that strikes on Gaza may lead to the end of the cease-fire broadly observed since 11/2012. Separately, Israeli forces open fire on Palestinian farmers close to the border fence nr. Bayt Hanun, causing no injuries. Off the coast nr. Bayt Lahiya, Israeli naval vessels open fire on Palestinian fishermen, causing no damage or injuries. In the West Bank, the IDF conducts house searches and arrest raids in 2 villages each nr. Hebron and Ramallah, Jenin and 1 nearby village, and in Nablus at night; patrols in 3 villages nr. Jenin in the morning, and in Hebron and 2 villages and al-‘Arub r.c. nearby, and in 1 village each nr. Jenin and Tulkarm at night. (MNA, REU 1/19; PCHR 1/23)

Israel’s Justice Minister Livni and Special Envoy Yitzhak Molcho depart for Washington to meet with U.S. Secy. of State John Kerry, to discuss details of his draft framework for a peace agreement. Other attendees of their meeting include Israeli amb. to the U.S. Ron Dermer and U.S. mediator Martin Indyk. Meanwhile, Israeli radio reports that Netanyahu has told Kerry that he intends to annex a 4th bloc of settlements, adding Beit El-Ofra-Psagot to the Etzion, Ma’ale Adumim and Ariel blocs. (AFP, HA, JP 1/19)

UN Secy.-Gen. Ban Ki-moon says that he invited Iran to the Syria peace talks in Switzerland and held discussions with Iranian FM Zarif about the constructive role the country could play. In response, the U.S. says the invitation should be withdrawn unless Tehran states its support for the 2012 agreement establishing a Syrian transition govt. (i.e., the 6/30/12 Geneva Communiqué). Meanwhile, the Islamic Front opposition alliance rejects participation in the talks. (AP, HA, REU 1/19)

In the Gaza Strip, a Palestinian is killed by an Israeli drone strike, although the Israeli military denies involvement. The Health Ministry reports that the Islamic Jihad militant was targeted in Gaza City. In the West Bank, the IDF conducts house searches and arrest raids in Hebron and 3 nearby villages, Dahaysha r.c. in Bethlehem, and Jenin at night; patrols in 2 villages nr. Hebron in the morning, and in al-‘Arub r.c. and 1 village nr. Hebron at night. In al-Khadir village nr. Bethlehem, students clash with Israeli soldiers who fire tear gas. In the Jordan Valley, Israeli forces demolish Palestinian-owned structures, leaving 25 homeless. Separately, Jewish settlers torch 2 Palestinian cars and leave “price-tag” graffiti in Madama village nr. Nablus, in an apparent revenge attack for the previous day’s incident involving settlers from Esh Kodesh. (AFP, JP, MNA, PNN 1/8; PCHR 1/9)

PA Pres. Abbas meets with Jordan’s King Abdallah II to discuss Kerry’s proposed framework. Abbas says after the meeting that he is keen on coordinating positions with Jordan, while King Abdallah reiterates his country’s support for an independent Palestinian state. (JP, MNA 1/8)

In Washington, U.S. Secy. of State John Kerry and VP Joe Biden meet with senior Arab officials including the Bahraini, Egyptian, Jordanian and Qatari FMs, and representatives from the PA, Arab League, Lebanon, and Saudi Arabia for talks on the peace process. Qatari PM Shaykh Hamad Bin Jassem al-Thani, speaking on behalf of the Arab League delegation, cites the possibility of a border agreement that includes mutually agree and minor land swaps between the Israelis and the Palestinians. Kerry affirms the importance of the 2002 Arab Peace Initiative that promised full normalization for Israel’s complete withdrawal from the occupied territories (including the Golan). (AP, REU 29/4)

Unidentified Palestinians fire 1 rocket from Gaza into Israel, causing no damage or injuries. In response to recent rocket fire (see also 4/27), Israel closes the Kerem Shalom commercial crossing, further restricts movement through the Erez crossing to ‘‘humanitarian cases,’’ though it cancels visits for Gazan families of Palestinians jailed in Israel (VIPs were the only others allowed to cross Gaza). Israeli naval vessels fire on Palestinian fishermen off the south Gaza coast east of Rafah, causing no damage or injuries. In the West Bank, IDF soldiers evict several hundred Bedouin from Wadi al-Malih village in the Jordan Valley after declaring the area a live fire training zone (see 4/24). Meanwhile, Israel demolishes 4 Palestinian apartments in the al-Tur neighborhood of East Jerusalem, as well as a water well and utility room in the al-Fawar r.c. in Hebron. The IDF patrols in 3 villages nr. Tulkarm in the morning, in 2 villages nr. Jenin in the afternoon. At night, IDF troops conduct house searches and arrest raids in Dahaysha r.c. in Bethlehem, in Hebron, in 5 villages nr. Hebron, in Nablus, and in 1 village nr. Ramallah. Jewish settlers attack Palestinians in Bayt Furik village nr. Nablus, injuring 2. (AFP, MNA REU 4/29; PCHR 5/2)

UN Secy.-Gen. Ban Ki-moon urges the Syrian government to allow experts into the country to investigate reports of alleged use of chemical weapons. Damascus wants any investigation limited to a 3/2013 incident nr. Aleppo while Ban wants to also include a 12/2012 incident in Homs. (see 4/24) (AP 4/29)

U.S. Secy. of State John Kerry meets with Israeli pres. Shimon Peres to discuss efforts to restart the peace process. Meanwhile, Palestinian pres. Mahmud Abbas arrives in Doha for a meeting organized by the Arab League and chaired by senior Qatari officials to plan a delegation to the UN in New York to revive negotiations. (HA, MNA 4/8)

Israel closes the Kerem Shalom goods crossing into Gaza in response to the 4/7 rocket fire. Israeli naval vessels open fire on Palestinian fishermen off the Gaza coast nr. Bayt Lahiya, causing no damage or injuries. In the West Bank, IDF forces shoot and seriously injure a Palestinian photographer during clashes in Aida r.c. in Bethlehem, and also shoot and injure a Palestinian construction worker in Madama village nr. Nablus. In the West Bank, the IDF patrols in 1 village nr. Jenin in the morning, in Qalqilya and 1 village nr. Ramallah in the afternoon, and in Qalqilya and 1 nearby village, and 2 villages each nr. Hebron and Jenin at night. IDF forces also conduct house searches and arrest raids in and around Jenin and Tulkarm, nr. Hebron, in Dahaysha r.c. in Bethlehem, and nr. Qalqilya and Salfit. (JP, MNA 4/8; PCHR 4/11)

UNRWA announces that it is reopening its Gaza Strip-based food distribution centers after last week’s suspension (4/4). (REU 4/8)

Israeli newspaper Ma’ariv reports that U.S. Secy. of State John Kerry is planning to visit Jerusalem and Ramallah ‘‘once every two weeks’’ in a bid to revive peace talks. His third trip to the region in 2 weeks (3/4, 3/24) begins 4/6. (AFP, AP 4/3)

Israeli soldiers stationed at a military post shoot and kill a Palestinian teenager nr. Tulkarm, after what the IDF says was a firebomb attack (an account disputed by witnesses). A Fatah-called general strike is observed in Hebron and East Jerusalem, as protests continue following the death of prisoner Maysara Abuhamdieh. Palestinians protesting the death clash with IDF forces in and around Hebron, in Nablus and Tulkarm, nr. Bethlehem, and outside Ofer prison nr. Ramallah (where 7 are injured with rubber bullets). In the West Bank, the IDF patrols in and around Hebron and nearby al-‘Arub r.c. in the afternoon, and in 1 village nr. Hebron at night; conducts house searches and arrest raids in al-‘Arub r.c. and 1 village nr. Hebron, in 1 village nr. Ramallah, and in Tulkarm at night. Unidentified Palestinian militants fire 2 rockets from Gaza into Israel, causing no injuries or damage. (HA, MNA 4/3; HA, PCHR 4/4)

A source in the office of Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu says that special envoy to Turkey Joseph Ciechanover and National Security Adviser Yaakov Amidror will go to Ankara on 4/11 for the start of talks on restoring Turkish-Israeli ties. (HA 4/3)

U.S. and Jordanian officials say that the two countries are training Syrian opposition forces that could be used to establish a future buffer zone alongside Syria’s southern border. (WP 4/3)

U.S. State Dept. spokesperson Victoria Nuland says that Secy. of State John Kerry, appointed on 2/1, is working to try to free up almost $700 m. in aid for the PA held up in Congress. Separate from that figure is an additional $100 m., which has been released but can only be used on anti-narcotics and law enforcement. (AFP 2/11)

Hamas says that the Egyptian army is flooding tunnels between the Gaza Strip and Sinai used for smuggling, and that there is a reinforced troop presence on the border. Meanwhile, Turkish media reports that Israel has agreed to allow Turkish trucks to bring building materials into Gaza for the construction of a hospital that will be opened by PM Recep Tayyip Erdogan. (HA 2/11)

Israeli NGO Peace Now says that Israel has given final approval to 90 new homes in Beit El settlement nr. Ramallah. (AFP 2/11)

Israeli naval vessels open fire on Palestinian fishermen off the Gaza coast nr. al-Waha, causing no injuries. In the West Bank, the IDF destroys 3 structures, including a home, in Bayt Awa village nr. Hebron. The demolitions prompt clashes with residents, and 1 Palestinian is injured from a tear-gas canister to the leg. The IDF patrols in 1 village each nr. Jenin and Tulkarm in the morning; conducts house searches and arrest raids in Bethlehem and nearby Aida r.c., Tulkarm, 2 villages nr. Hebron, and 1 village each nr. Nablus, Qalqilya, and Tulkarm at night. (MNA 2/11; PCHR 2/14)

Palestinians in the Gaza Strip and West Bank start registering to vote in preparation for legislative and presidential elections, the dates for which have not been set. Once the process is completed, an election could theoretically be called for 3 mos. later. (REU 2/11)

Two Israeli companies sign an agreement to acquire a 30% stake in exploration rights for gas and oil off Cyprus’s s. shore to be carried out by U.S. company Noble Energy. Cypriot commerce min. Neoclis Sylikiotis says the deal marks a ‘‘new era of Cyprus-Israeli strategic cooperation.’’ (AFP 2/11)