The Palestine Chronology

For a 7th day in a row, Palestinians across the oPt gather to protest U.S. pres. Trump’s 12/6 recognition of Jerusalem as Israel’s capital (attendance continues to steadily decline). Israeli forces violently disperse protestors in Hebron and 3 nearby villages (Dura, Bayt Umar, and Halhul), outside the Beit El settlement near Ramallah, Bethlehem, Tulkarm, Qalqilya, and along Gaza’s border near al-Bureij refugee camp, Bayt Hanun, Khan Yunis, and Rafah; at least 26 Palestinians are injured, including 1 journalist, and 5 are arrested. Meanwhile, IDF troops violently detain 2 Palestinian youths inside an ambulance in Halhul; arrest 3 Palestinians during late-night raids in Hebron and near Ramallah; and patrol in and around Hebron, Tulkarm, and Qalqilya. Israeli settlers throw stones at Palestinian students outside a school in Burin village near Nablus, sparking minor clashes; there are no serious injuries. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces arrest 2 Palestinians during late-night raids in Issawiyya and Abu Dis. Off Gaza’s coast, Israeli naval forces open fire on Palestinian fishing boats near Jabaliya refugee camp, causing no damage or injuries. (HA, MNA, WAFA, YA 12/13; MNA, PCHR 12/14)

Unidentified parties fire 3 rockets from Gaza toward Israel in the evening; 2 are intercepted by the Iron Dome missile defense system and 1 falls in an open area, causing no damage or injuries. The IAF conducts air strikes on at least 5 Hamas sites across Gaza, causing damage but no injuries. The Israeli authorities announce that both the Erez and Kerem Shalom border crossings will be closed indefinitely as collective punishment for the week of rocket attacks emanating from Gaza. (HA, TOI 12/13; HA, PCHR, WAFA, YA 12/14; PCHR 12/21)

At an emergency meeting of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) in Istanbul, reps. of the 57 OIC members jointly declare East Jerusalem to be the capital of the State of Palestine and urge all countries to recognize Palestine. Addressing the attendees, PA pres. Abbas says that Israel’s violations and of international law free the Palestinians from prior commitments made in context of the peace process, threatens to abandon the PA’s security coordination with the IDF, and announces the Palestinians’ intention to go to the UNSC for full UN membership. (AFP, HA, NYT, REU, TOI, WAFA, YA 12/13)

Two PIJ engineers are killed and tens of bystanders are injured in an explosion in Umm al-Nasr village near Bayt Lahiya in northern Gaza. PIJ initially accuses Israel of targeting the engineers with a drone strike. An IDF spokesperson denies any Israeli involvement, and PIJ later says that the explosion was an accident and that the 2 men mishandled explosives. Separately, unidentified parties fire 2 rockets from Gaza toward Israel late at night; 1 falls short of the border and the other lands in an open area in southern Israel, causing no damage or injuries. The IAF conducts air strikes on 2 Hamas military sites, injuring 3 Palestinians and causing major damage. (HA, MNA, TOI, WAFA 12/12; HA, MNA, WAFA 12/13)

For a 6th day in a row, Palestinians across the oPt and Israel gather to protest U.S. pres. Trump’s 12/6 recognition of Jerusalem as Israel’s capital (protests have steadily declined in size since 12/8). IDF troops violently disperse them in Tulkarm, Bethlehem and nearby al-‘Arub refugee camp, and along Gaza’s border near Gaza City, Khan Yunis, and Rafah; 14 Palestinians are injured. Meanwhile, an elderly Palestinian woman suffers a fatal heart attack late at night when Israeli soldiers raid her home near Jericho. They also shoot and seriously injure a Palestinian they claim was attempting to stab Israeli soldiers outside the Ariel settlement. An IDF spokesperson later states that the Palestinian was not carrying a knife, but was among a group that was “suspected of an attempt to attack on the border.” Meanwhile, IDF troops arrest a Palestinian youth in central Hebron, allegedly after he is found to be carrying a knife; arrest 34 Palestinians during late-night raids in and around Ramallah, Hebron, Nablus, Tubas, Jenin, and Tulkarm; and patrol near Tulkarm, Salfit, and Nablus. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces arrest 19 Palestinians during late-night raids in Issawiyya and Silwan. Along Gaza’s border, IDF troops open fire on Palestinian agricultural areas near Bayt Hanun, causing no damage. (HA, MNA, TOI, WAFA 12/12; MNA, WAFA 12/13; PCHR 12/14)

For a 5th day in a row, Palestinians across the oPt gather to protest U.S. pres. Trump’s 12/6 recognition of Jerusalem as Israel’s capital. Israeli troops violently disperse them in Tulkarm, Ramallah, Hebron, Jericho, and along Gaza’s border near Bayt Hanun, Jabaliya refugee camp, Gaza City, Rafah, Khan Yunis, and al-Bureij refugee camp; at least 45 Palestinians are injured and 3 are arrested. Meanwhile, the IDF uses cement blocks to seal the main road connecting Ramallah and Jalazun refugee camp; arrests 16 Palestinians during raids in and around Nablus, Hebron, Qalqilya, Bethlehem, Tulkarm; and patrols near Tulkarm and Tubas. Along Gaza’s border, IDF troops open fire on Palestinian land and other property near Khan Yunis, causing no damage. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces arrest 3 Palestinian youths on the way home from school in Ras al-Amud and 4 during raids in Shu‘fat refugee camp and Silwan. (MNA, TOI, WAFA 12/11; HA 12/12; PCHR 12/14)

Unidentified parties launch a rocket from Gaza into southern Israel. It lands in an open area, causing no damage or injuries. The IAF conducts air strikes on 2 Hamas positions in southern Gaza. Later, unidentified parties fire another rocket from Gaza, into Israel near Ashqelon. It is intercepted by Israel’s Iron Dome missile defense system. Late at night the IDF shells Hamas sites in northern Gaza, causing minor damage. (HA, YA 12/11; HA, TOI 12/12; PCHR 12/14)

For a 2d day in a row, Palestinians gather across the oPt to protest U.S. pres. Trump’s 12/6 recognition of Jerusalem as Israel’s capital. Israeli forces violently disperse them in al-Bireh, Hebron, Qalqilya, Bethlehem, Ramallah and nearby Nabi Salih, Nablus, Tulkarm, across East Jerusalem (Issawiyya, al-Tur, and the Old City), and along Gaza’s border near Khan Yunis, Jabaliya refugee camp, al-Bureij refugee camp, Rafah, and Gaza City; 2 Palestinians are killed, approximately 100 are injured (including 4 journalists), and at least 20 are arrested. Meanwhile, IDF troops shoot, injure, and arrest a Palestinian at the entrance to al-Bireh near Ramallah. Israeli soldiers also arrest 1 Palestinian, assault a 2d, and issue an arrest summons to a 3d during a late-night raid near Hebron; and patrol near Hebron throughout the day. In 3 separate incidents off Gaza’s coast, Israeli naval forces open fire on Palestinian fishing boats near Jabaliya refugee camp and Bayt Lahiya, causing no damage or injuries. (AP, HA, NYT, TOI, WAFA 12/8; EI, MNA, TOI, WAFA 12/9; PCHR 12/14)

Unidentified parties fire 3 rockets from Gaza toward Israel: 1 falls short of the border fence; 1 is intercepted by the Iron Dome missile defense system; and 1 lands in Sderot, damaging a number of cars. The IAF launches air strikes on 4 Hamas and PIJ sites in Khan Yunis, southern Gaza City, and Jabaliya refugee camp, killing 2 Hamas fighters and injuring at least 20 Palestinians, including a 6-month-old child. (EI, HA, MNA, REU, TOI, WAFA 12/9)

PLO secy.-gen. Saeb Erakat says that the Palestinians have decided not to engage in any talks with the U.S. until Pres. Trump reverses his 12/6 recognition of Jerusalem as Israel’s capital. He also says that they are still evaluating what other steps to take in response. (AJ, TOI 12/8)

The UNSC convenes a special session to discuss Trump’s 12/6 recognition of Jerusalem as Israel’s capital. UNSC members England, France, Italy, Bolivia, Uruguay, Senegal, China, Ethiopia, Kazakhstan, and Russia jointly reject the new U.S. policy on Jerusalem. Later, PA pres. Abbas welcomes “the international consensus condemning Trump’s announcement, as was apparent at the [UNSC] session this evening.” (HA, WAFA 12/8)

The Czech Foreign Ministry denies rumors that Pres. Zeman intends to move the Czech embassy to Jerusalem and reaffirms Czech commitment to European Union (EU) policy regarding the Palestinian-Israeli conflict, including the issue of Jerusalem. Later, EU foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini confirms that the Czech Republic intends to conform to the EU’s position on Jerusalem. (HA, WAFA 12/8)

Israeli settlers shoot and kill a Palestinian farmer outside Qusra village near Nablus. The Palestinian press reports that they killed the man when he tried to stop them from entering his fields. According to the Israeli press, the settlers were hiking in the area when a group of Palestinian youths surrounded them and threw stones at them, provoking the shooting. Following the incident, minor clashes break out between Palestinian youths and IDF troops; 2 Israeli soldiers are lightly injured. Also, settlers throw stones at Palestinians and their property in Qusra and nearby Asira village; 10 Palestinians and 1 Israeli soldier are injured in the ensuing clashes. Meanwhile, Israeli forces arrest 10 Palestinian farmers after they refused an evacuation order of their lands near Hebron. The IDF issues arrest summons for 2 Palestinians during raids near Bethlehem, and patrols near Hebron, Tulkarm, and Qalqilya. In East Jerusalem, Israeli settlers assault a Palestinian and her daughter in the Old City, causing light injuries to both. Off Gaza’s coast, Israeli naval forces open fire on Palestinian fishing boats near Bayt Lahiya and later near Jabaliya refugee camp, causing no damage or injuries. Along Gaza’s border, IDF troops open fire on Palestinian agricultural lands near Gaza City on 2 separate occasions, causing no damage or injuries. (HA, MNA, TOI, WAFA 11/30; PCHR 12/7)

Unidentified persons in Gaza fire several mortar shells at IDF troops patrolling along Gaza’s northern border, causing no injuries. The IDF launches strikes on Hamas and Islamic Jihad in Palestine (PIJ) positions in Bayt Hanun, Gaza City, and Rafah (3 Palestinians are injured). The IDF later says that PIJ was responsible for the mortars, and that the attack was likely retaliation for the Israeli demolition of a PIJ tunnel on 10/30 (see JPS 47 [2]). (HA, MNA, TOI 11/30; PCHR 12/7)

Unidentified persons stab to death an IDF soldier at a bus station in Arad, southern Israel (on 12/4, the Shin Bet will announce the arrest of 2 Bedouin Palestinians in connection with the stabbing). (HA, TOI 12/4)

Sinai Province of the Islamic State (SPIS) fighters fire 2 rockets from the north Sinai Peninsula into Israel, where they land in open areas, causing no damage or injuries. Sources on the ground in Sinai report seeing Israeli fighter jets launch air strikes on a number of targets in response to the rockets. The attacks come after a day of heavy violence in Sinai and weeks of tension between Hamas and local Islamist groups in Gaza. Hours before the attack, SPIS fighters assaulted Egyptian soldiers at a vacant church in al-Arish with rocket-propelled grenades and car bombs, and also rob a bank nearby, sparking a firefight with Egyptian security personnel (at least 3 civilians and 4 soldiers are killed and at least 20 people are injured). The Egyptian army then launches a counterassault on insurgent hideouts near Rafah, al-Arish, and Shaykh Zuwayd, killing at least 24 fighters affiliated with SPIS and other armed groups. Meanwhile, the Egyptian authorities announce that they will not be opening the Rafah border crossing with Gaza for 4 days as planned. (AA, AP, HA, JP, REU, TOI, WAFA 10/16; TOI 10/17)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers assault 2 Palestinian children on their way to school in Hebron. They also throw stones and bottles at a mosque in al-Tuwani village near Hebron, causing minor damage and sparking clashes between their IDF escort and residents of the area (there are no serious injuries). Settlers steal olives harvested from more than 65 trees in orchards near Nablus and Ramallah (IDF troops arrest a number of them later in the day). Other settlers attempt to assault Palestinians picking olives outside the Eli settlement near Hebron, but the Palestinians drive them off. IDF troops conduct a raid in Dahaysha refugee camp near Bethlehem, arresting 1 Palestinian and sparking clashes with stone-throwing residents; 1 Palestinian is injured. They arrest 13 Palestinians during latenight raids near Jenin and Ramallah, and in Bethlehem and Qalqilya, and patrol near Jenin. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces violently disperse a Palestinian family gathering in Issawiyya to welcome a relative home from prison, moderately injuring 3 of them. Off Gaza’s coast, Israeli naval forces open fire on Palestinian fishing boats near Gaza City and Bayt Lahiya, causing no damage or injuries. They arrest 4 fishermen and confiscate 2 boats. Along Gaza’s border, IDF troops open fire on Palestinian farmland near al-Maghazi refugee camp, causing no damage or injuries. (WAFA 10/15; MNA, WAFA 10/16; PCHR 10/19)

At the weekly Israeli cabinet meeting, PM Netanyahu says U.S. pres. Trump’s 10/13 decision not to certify the 7/14/2015 Iran nuclear deal presents an opportunity to “fix” the deal. “I believe that any responsible government, and whoever seeks to promote peace and security in the world, needs to take advantage of the opportunity that Pres. Trump’s decision has created to improve the agreement or abrogate it and, of course, stop Iran’s aggression,” he says. (TOI 10/15; JTA 10/16)

Unidentified parties fire a rocket from Gaza toward Israel. It lands in an open area short of the border, causing no damage or injuries. An IDF tank shells and destroys a Hamas observation post east of al-Maghazi refugee camp. Israeli artillery also target a site east of Gaza City, causing a fire to break out; there is no major damage or injuries. Separately, IDF troops stationed along the border fence arrest 2 Palestinians attempting to cross from Gaza into Israel near Rafah, and open fire on Palestinian lands near al-Bureij refugee camp, causing no damage. In East Jerusalem, approximately 524 Israeli settlers tour Haram al-Sharif in the morning, commemorating the Jewish holiday Sukkot. Some of the settlers reportedly pray at the sanctuary. In the West Bank, the Israeli authorities shut down al-Ibrahimi Mosque in Hebron to Muslim worshippers to make way for Sukkot-related activities at the site. IDF troops arrest 16 Palestinians and issue 1 arrest summons during late-night raids in and around Hebron, Jerusalem, Qalqilya, Bethlehem, Nablus, Salfit, and Jenin, and patrol near Tulkarm and Hebron. In Israel, approximately 30,000 Palestinians and Israelis gather in Jerusalem to call for a resumption of IsraeliPalestinian peace talks. The Israeli NGO Women Wage Peace organized the demonstration. Hamas denounces the PLO for supporting the rally, accusing it of “normalizing” relations with Israel. (HA, MNA, TOI, WAFA 10/8; MNA, TOI, WAFA 10/9; PCHR 10/12)

In the West Bank, IDF troops arrest a Palestinian youth at a checkpoint near Nablus, allegedly for carrying a knife. They also arrest 1 Palestinian during a raid in Hebron and patrol near Nablus, Jenin, Qalqilya, and Hebron. Israeli forces raze a swathe of Palestinian land south of Bethlehem to clear space for a new IDF training base, demolish a kindergarten in a Palestinian Bedouin community east of Jerusalem, and remove 6 prefab trailer homes near the Yitzhar settlement, sparking minor clashes with the Israeli settlers living in them (there are no serious injuries). Along Gaza’s border, Israeli forces conduct a limited incursion to level land near Khan Yunis. Off Gaza’s coast, Israeli naval forces open fire on Palestinian fishing boats near Bayt Lahiya on 2 separate occasions, causing no damage or injuries. In Gaza, unidentified armed men open fire on a Hamas post in Rafah, causing no serious injuries. (MNA, WAFA 8/21; TOI 8/22; PCHR 8/24)

Unidentified fighters fire a projectile from Gaza into s. Israel, which lands in an open area nr. Ashqelon, causing no damage or injuries. Late at night, Israeli forces carry out air strikes on 2 Hamas military sites in n. Gaza, injuring 4 Palestinians. (HA, MNA 8/8; TOI, WAFA, YA 8/9; PCHR 8/10)

A Palestinian woman dies of cancer in Rafah. On 8/10, Al Mezan Center for Human Rights will state that Israeli authorities are responsible for her death because they delayed granting her a permit to travel from Gaza to Jerusalem for treatment. (MEZ, WAFA 8/10)

In the West Bank, IDF troops confiscate a Palestinian’s car during a raid nr. Hebron; arrest 21 Palestinians during further raids in and around Hebron, Ramallah, Bethlehem, Tulkarm, Jenin, Bethlehem, and Nablus; and patrol nr. Hebron and Nablus. Israeli settlers set fire to a large swathe of Palestinian land nr. Nablus, damaging hundreds of citrus trees. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces demolish a home in Jabal Mukabir, displacing a Palestinian family of 4. They also arrest 4 Palestinians during raids in Silwan and the Old City, and shut down a main road leading to villages n. of the city, which will remain closed until 8/10. Off Gaza’s coast, Israeli naval forces open fire on Palestinian fishing boats nr. Dayr al-Balah and again nr. Khan Yunis, causing no damage or injuries. (MNA, WAFA 8/8; MNA 8/9; PCHR 8/10; MNA 8/11)

Unidentified assailants fire a rocket from Gaza into s. Israel; it lands in an open area, causing no damage or injuries. Late at night, the Israeli Air Force launches air strikes on 2 Hamas military sites nr. Gaza City and Rafah, causing damage to a number of Palestinian homes. Israeli artillery positioned along the border fence fire on agricultural lands nr. Gaza City as well, causing no serious damage or injuries. In the West Bank, IDF troops clash with stone-throwing Palestinians during late-night raids in Dahaysha r.c. nr. Bethlehem, Bayt Umar and Bayt Awa nr. Hebron; at least 8 Palestinians are injured. They also arrest 8 Palestinians and issue 1 arrest summons during late-night raids nr. Hebron and Ramallah; and patrol nr. Hebron and Nablus during the day. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces arrest 2 Palestinians during raids in Abu Dis. (TOI 6/26; HA, JP, MNA, WAFA, YA 6/27; PCHR 7/6)

For a 3d day in a row, errant fire from Syria crosses into the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights. The IDF says it was only a few bullets, and that they caused no damage or injuries. (HA, YA 6/26)

In the West Bank, IDF troops detain and interrogate 2 Palestinians during a raid in Rantis village nr. Bethlehem. Hours later, PASF troops arrive to arrest 1 of the men. Meanwhile, IDF troops arrest a Palestinian at a checkpoint in c. Hebron after she is found to be carrying a knife. They arrest 6 more Palestinians during latenight raids in and around Hebron, Ramallah, and Tulkarm; and patrol nr. Hebron during the day. Israeli forces level Palestinian lands outside Bayt Dajan in the n. Jordan Valley. Along Gaza’s border, Israeli forces conduct a limited incursion to level land nr. Khan Yunis. They also arrest a Palestinian attempting to cross into Israel nr. Rafah. (MNA, TOI, WAFA 6/12; MNA 6/13; PCHR 6/16)

Hamas-affiliated media report that the high-level delegation to Egypt led by Hamas’s new 2d-in-command Sinwar has returned to Gaza without reaching any major agreement on the Rafah border crossing or other issues. “All the shared issues have been studied in a serious and deep way with our Egyptian brothers,” a Hamas source says. However, there is speculation in the Arab press that Hamas and the Egyptian govt. did, in fact, reach an agreement to ease points of tensions. (TOI 6/12; MNA, TOI 6/13)

Israeli forces shoot and kill a Palestinian citizen of Israel (PCI) and injure 2 others amid late-night clashes sparked by an arrest raid in Kafr Kassim. In the West Bank, IDF troops conduct raids in Nabi Salih nr. Ramallah, sparking minor clashes with stone-throwing residents (1 Palestinian is injured); arrest 7 Palestinians, and issue 2 arrest summons during additional raids nr. Hebron, Bethlehem, and Salfit; and patrol nr. Qalqilya and Hebron. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces arrest 4 Palestinians during late-night raids in Shu‘fat r.c. and the Old City. Along Gaza’s border, Israeli forces conduct limited incursions to level land nr. Jabaliya r.c. and Juhur al-Dik. They also violently disperse Palestinians protesting the Israeli blockade nr. Jabaliya r.c., Khan Yunis, and Rafah; 3 Palestinians are lightly injured. In 3 separate incidents off Gaza’s coast, Israeli naval forces open fire on Palestinian fishing boats nr. Bayt Lahiya and Jabaliya r.c., causing no damage or injuries. (JP, MNA 6/5; HA, MNA, WAFA 6/6; PCHR 6/9)

Bahrain, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates sever economic and diplomatic ties with Qatar, citing Doha’s support for so-called terrorist groups, including Hamas, inter alia. The Qatari Foreign Ministry calls the diplomatic break “unjustified” and “based on claims and allegations that have no basis in fact”. (AJ, ALM, HA, JP, MNA, REU, TOI 6/5; EI 6/6)

Along Gaza’s border, Israeli forces conduct a limited incursion to level land nr. Khuza‘a, and open fire on Palestinian agricultural fields nearby. Meanwhile, IDF troops violently disperse Palestinians protesting along the border fence nr. Gaza City and Rafah; 1 Palestinian is injured. Seven more Palestinians are injured when an unidentified piece of unexploded ordnance detonates nr. Gaza City. In the West Bank, IDF troops arrest 6 Palestinians during late-night raids nr. Ramallah, Bethlehem, Hebron, and Nablus; and patrol nr. Hebron and Nablus. Israeli forces assault and seriously injure a Palestinian taxi driver nr. Nabi Salih. Palestinian youths throw stones at an IDF post nr. Ramallah, sparking minor clashes; 2 Palestinians are injured. In East Jerusalem, unidentified assailants vandalize a number of Palestinian vehicles and spray-paint one with price-tag graffiti s. of Shu‘fat. Israeli forces conduct raids in Issawiyya, sparking minor clashes with stonethrowing Palestinians; 1 Palestinian journalist is injured. They arrest 2 Palestinians on further raids in the Old City and Shu‘fat r.c. (MNA, WAFA 6/4; JP, MNA, WAFA 6/5; PCHR 6/8)

Hamas’s new 2d-in-command, Yahya Sinwar, leads a delegation to Egypt for talks on the humanitarian situation in Gaza and the status of the Rafah border crossing. (AP 6/4)

A Hamas fighter suffers fatal injuries in an “accidental explosion” in n. Gaza, according to Gaza’s Ministry of Health. After he dies on 2/5, Hamas will say he was injured during unspecified “preparations.” Along Gaza’s border, IDF troops open fire on Palestinian farmers working nr. Gaza City. Off Gaza’s coast, Israeli naval forces open fire on Palestinian fishing boats nr. Bayt Lahiya, Rafah, and twice nr. Jabaliya r.c. No injuries are reported in any of these incidents. In the West Bank, IDF troops arrest 5 Palestinians during raids in Qalqilya, Hebron, and nr. Nablus, and patrol nr. Jenin, Nablus, Ramallah, Salfit, and Hebron. Dozens of Israeli settlers enter Huwwara village nr. Nablus and throw stones at Palestinian vehicles. When they start targeting homes, Palestinian residents drive them from the village. In Israel, around 5,000 Palestinians and Israelis demonstrate in protest against the recent demolitions in Qalanswa and Umm al-Hiran. (MNA, WAFA 2/4; HA, MNA 2/5; PCHR 2/9)

The Israeli authorities return to his family the corpse of the Palestinian killed on 1/25 during an alleged vehicular attack nr. Ramallah. (MNA 2/5)

An IDF tank fires on and destroys a Hamas watchtower nr. al-Maghazi r.c. along Gaza’s border. According to the IDF, the attack comes in response to Palestinians allegedly shooting at IDF troops nearby earlier in the day. No further details are made available about the exchange. Also along Gaza’s border, IDF troops open fire on Palestinian farmers and bird hunters nr. Khan Yunis and again nr. Gaza City, causing no injuries. Off Gaza’s coast, Israeli naval forces open fire on Palestinian fishing boats nr. Khan Yunis, Rafah, and Bayt Lahiya, causing no injuries. In East Jerusalem, Israeli settlers forcibly shut down a Palestinian shop in the Old City. In the West Bank, IDF troops arrest 13 Palestinians, issue 1 arrest summons, and confiscate personal property during late-night raids nr. Ramallah, Hebron, Jenin, and Tulkarm, and patrol nr. Hebron throughout the day. (HA, MNA, PCHR, TOI, WAFA, YA 1/24)

Israeli PM Netanyahu and DM Lieberman approve the planning and construction of 2,500 new residences in Israel’s West Bank settlements, including 100 in Beit El, which is outside the major settlement blocs. (HA, JP, NYT 1/24)

IDF troops shoot and kill a Palestinian at a checkpoint nr. Tulkarm after he allegedly attempts to stab 1 of them. Elsewhere in the West Bank, IDF troops conduct raids in Qalandia r.c. late at night, demolishing several small structures and sparking clashes with stone-throwing residents; 6 Palestinians are injured. They also arrest 8 Palestinians during late-night raids nr. Hebron and Ramallah, as well as in Nablus; and patrol nr. Salfit and Hebron. Israeli forces demolish a Palestinian home and an agricultural structure outside Aqraba in the n. Jordan Valley, and raze 2 animal barns and another agricultural structure nr. Nablus. An Israeli settler driver rams a Palestinian child in Hebron, causing moderate injuries. In East Jerusalem, a Palestinian demolishes his own home in Issawiyya to avoid paying Israeli demolition fees. Israeli forces demolish a structure in Jabal Mukabir and arrest 7 Palestinians during raids in Shu‘fat r.c. Off Gaza’s coast, Israeli naval forces open fire on Palestinian fishing boats nr. Jabaliya r.c. and later nr. Gaza City, injuring 1 fisherman. They also confiscate a number of boats. Along Gaza’s border, IDF troops open fire on Palestinian agricultural lands nr. Rafah, causing no serious damage. (HA, JP, MNA, WAFA, YA 1/17; WAFA 1/18; PCHR 1/19)

Concluding 3 days of talks in Moscow, Hamas and Fatah officials agree to form a new Palestinian unity govt. Under their agreement, the various Palestinian factions, including PIJ, will join the PLO and form a new Palestine National Council over the next 2 mos., which will choose a new PLO Exec. Comm. (HA, JP, TOI 1/17; AJ 1/18)

The Israeli authorities release Shaykh Raed Salah from Ramon Prison, where he had served 9 mos. on charges of incitement. Salah was head of the Northern Branch of the Islamic Movement in Israel before it was outlawed in 11/2014. (HA, YA 1/17)

Along Gaza’s border, unidentified Palestinians open fire on Israeli forces doing maintenance work on the border fence nr. Rafah, hitting a military vehicle and causing minor damage. In response, IDF troops and artillery fire on a Hamas post along the border, causing an unspecified amount of damage. Earlier in the day, Israeli forces conducted a limited incursion to level land nr. Khan Yunis. In the West Bank, IDF troops violently suppress a Palestinian demonstration in Bethlehem calling for the Israeli authorities to return the corpses of slain Palestinians; there are no serious injuries. They also arrest 14 Palestinians during late-night raids nr. Ramallah and Hebron, and patrol nr. Hebron and Qalqilya during the day. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces arrest 9 Palestinians during raids in Jabal Mukabir and Hizma, and assault and arrest 2 Palestinian youths in Silwan. Israeli settlers smash furniture and other personal property outside a Palestinian home in Silwan. (HA, JP, MNA, TOI, WAFA, YA 1/15; PCHR 1/19)

Representatives from more than 70 countries, including U.S. secy. of state Kerry, gather in Paris for a conference aimed at restarting Israeli-Palestinian peace talks. After reportedly intense negotiations, the conferees unanimously agree to a joint declaration calling on both the Palestinians and Israelis to officially restate their commitments to a 2-state solution and to demonstrate that commitment through policies and actions. Conferees also welcome the prospect of closer cooperation between the Middle East Quartet and the Arab League; and agree to meet again within a year; inter alia. (BBC, GDN, HA, JP, MNA, REU, TOI, WAFA, WP, YA 1/15; HA 1/20)

The Israeli govt. and the PA agree to restart the Joint Water Comm. after 6 years of inactivity. The comm. will discuss allocating additional water to the West Bank and Gaza, increasing water sources with new drilling, environmental issues, agricultural water use and other hydrological matters. The agreement also gives the PA autonomy to deal with select water projects in the West Bank. (JP, YA 1/15; JP 1/17)

Israel’s security cabinet grants Israeli banks dealing with Palestinian banks immunity from terrorism-related lawsuits in Israel and indemnity from similar suits filed abroad. Two Israeli banks have threatened to end partnerships with Palestinian banks because of the prospect of litigation in the U.S. (HA, TOI 1/22)