The Palestine Chronology

In the West Bank, Israeli forces open fire with live ammunition during a raid of Silwad village nr. Ramallah, wounding 4. The IDF conducts house searches and arrest raids in Bethlehem at night; patrols in 3 villages nr. Hebron at night. Jewish settlers nr. Hebron cut down or vandalize around 40 Palestinianowned olive trees. 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). There are no serious injuries, except in Bil‘in where 1 is wounded by a bullet and Nabi Salih where 2 are wounded by rubber-coated metal bullets. (MNA 12/27; PCHR 1/2)

U.S. State Dept. spokesperson Jen Psaki says that Israel has informed the U.S. that the release of 26 Palestinian prisoners will be postponed 1 day, to 12/30. (MNA 12/27)

A car bomb in Beirut kills 7 people and wounds more than 50, including Mohammad Chatah, former minister and mbr. of the March 14 coalition. Former PM Saad Hariri hints that Hizballah is behind the attack and Fares Souaid, secy.-gen. of March 14, calls for the creation of a govt. that excludes Hizballah. (AFP, DS, REU 12/27)

Clashes break out across Egypt between supporters of the Muslim Brotherhood and security forces, 3 are killed and 87 wounded, with more than 250 arrested. The group’s supporters had gathered to protest the govt.’s classification of the Brotherhood as a terrorist organization on 12/24. (AFP, AP, REU 12/27)

Ali Akbar Velayati, senior adviser to Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, calls for new direct talks with the U.S. over Tehran’s nuclear program. Separately, the head of Iran’s Atomic Energy Organization, Ali Akbar Salehi, says that the country is building a new generation of centrifuges for uranium enrichment, in what is seen as a gesture toward hard-liners unhappy with the ongoing negotiations with reps. of the P5+1 in Geneva. (AP 12/27)

In the Gaza Strip, a Palestinian sniper shoots and kills an Israeli Ministry of Defense contractor working on the border fence nr. kibbutz Nahal Oz, an attack claimed by the Popular Resistance Cmtes. In response, the Israeli military launches attacks on 6 separate sites across the Gaza Strip, killing 1 child in al-Maghazi r.c. and wounding a total of 10. Separately, Israeli forces open fire on Palestinians collecting scrap metal close to the border fence nr. Bayt Lahiya, wounding 1 with live ammunition. In the West Bank, the IDF patrols in 2 villages and al-‘Arub r.c. nr. Hebron at night. The IDF also demolishes 15 houses in Ras Karkar and Dayr Ammar villages nr. Ramallah, as well as properties in Fasayil village in the n. Jordan Valley. Meanwhile, Palestinians throw stones at a bus carrying Israelis nr. Qalqilya, wounding 1. (HA, MNA, REU 12/24; YA 12/25; PCHR 12/26)

In an attack on a police headquarters in Egypt’s Nile Delta, a bomb kills 15 people and wounds more than 100. Authorities blame the Muslim Brotherhood, which for their part condemn the attack and deny any connection to it. The attack is subsequently claimed by Ansar Bayt al-Maqdis. Following the attack, Dep. PM Hossam Eissa reads a govt. statement declaring the Muslim Brotherhood a terrorist organization. In response to developments, the U.S. State Dept. condemns the bombing but also urges Egypt to have an “inclusive political process,” noting the Brotherhood’s condemnation of the attack. (AP, REU 12/24; AP, REU 12/25)

In Israel, an explosive device detonates on a bus in Bat Yam, causing no casualties as the vehicle had been evacuated. Israeli police describe it as a “terrorist attack,” and a Hamas spokesperson in Gaza describes the bombing as a “heroic act.” No group, however, claims responsibility. In the Gaza Strip, Palestinians fire 1 rocket into s. Israel, causing no damage or injuries. Separately, a rocket fired from inside the Gaza Strip lands in Egyptian territorial waters nr. Rafah, causing no injuries. Hamas authorities say that the rocket was fired during a training exercise and reached Egypt by mistake. In the West Bank, the IDF conducts house searches and arrest raids in 1 village nr. Jenin in the morning, and in 2 villages nr. Jenin and in 1 village each nr. Hebron and Tulkarm; patrols in 2 villages nr. Ramallah and 1 village nr. Jenin in the morning, in 2 villages and alFawar r.c. nr. Hebron, and in 2 villages nr. Salfit at night. (AFP, AP, HA, MNA, REU, YA 12/22; PCHR 12/26)

Asst. Secy.-Gen. on Palestinian affairs at the Arab League Mohammad Sbeih says that Kerry intends to present Palestinian and Israeli leaders with a framework peace deal by the end of the month. Sbeih also reveals Abbas’ position on the peace agreement, including refusal of any Israeli military presence in the Jordan Valley, the entirety of East Jerusalem as the capital, limited land swaps of equal value, and no recognition of Israel as a “Jewish state.” (AP, MNA, ToI 12/22)

Reps. from Iran and the P5+1 suspend their talks in Geneva to resume after Christmas. (REU 12/22)

In the Gaza Strip, IDF troops shoot and injure a Palestinian farmer working close to the border fence nr. Gaza City. The IDF also opens fire on Palestinian fishermen nr. Bayt Lahiya, causing no damage or injuries. In the West Bank, the IDF conducts house searches and arrest raids in Bethlehem, 1 village nr. Hebron, Qalqilya, 1 village nr. Ramallah, and Nablus and Balata r.c. at night; patrols in 1 village nr. Salfit and al-‘Arub r.c. nr. Hebron at night. (PCHR 8/15)

The Israeli govt. publishes a list of 26 Palestinian prisoners to be freed in the 1st stage of a planned release of 104 total prisoners in the context of renewed negotiations. Fourteen of the 26 will be deported or sent to the Gaza Strip, and 12 to the West Bank, with most having been jailed between 1985 and 1994. Meanwhile, Israel approves nearly 1,200 more settlement homes in East Jerusalem and the West Bank, an announcement that prompts Palestinian negotiator Mohammed Shtayyeh to accuse Israel of trying to destroy the viability of a two-state solution. (BBC, REU, WP 8/11)

The Egyptian military kill at least 12 suspected militants in helicopter strikes in Shaykh Zuweid in the Sinai, a group that the army claims was responsible for attacks on Egyptian soldiers and abductions of security officials. (WP 8/11)

In the West Bank, the IDF conducts house searches and arrest raids in Nablus and Jenin at night. (PCHR 7/25)

In Damascus, Syrian govt. forces fire a rocket into Yarmuk r.c., reportedly killing 15 Palestinian civilians. (REU 27/4)

Assailants throw a bomb at security headquarters in Mansoura, Egypt, killing 1 and wounding more than a dozen. Meanwhile, Gen. al-Sisi calls for demonstrations in support of the ruling military and against “terrorism.” Separately, U.S. Pres. Barack Obama halts the scheduled delivery of 4 F-16 fighter planes to the Egyptian Air Force, with the Pentagon’s Press Secy. George Little saying that the decision was due to it not being seen as “appropriate” to complete the delivery at this time. (AFP, AP, NYT 7/24)

In the West Bank, IDF troops conduct house searches and arrest raids in 1 village nr. Tulkarm in the afternoon, and in Hebron, and 1 village each nr. Tulkarm, Ramallah, Bethlehem, and Jenin at night; patrols in 1 village nr. Qalqilya and al-Fawar r.c. nr. Hebron at night. Jewish settlers pump wastewater onto agricultural land belonging to Palestinian farmers of Wadi Fukin village nr. Bethlehem. (WAFA 7/7; PCHR 7/11)

Assailants attack security checkpoints in the n. Sinai towns of Shaykh Zuweid and al-Arish, killing one soldier. An army spokesperson says that preparations are underway for a large-scale operation in the Sinai, to target “terrorist and criminal cells.” The official says that there is coordination between Egypt and Israel over bringing military forces into the Sinai. In the Israeli media, Israeli army officers serving nr. the Egyptian border report that security coordination is in good shape despite the political turmoil. Meanwhile, Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson Abbas Araghchi expresses opposition to the Egyptian military’s intervention. (AP, HA, MNA, REU 7/7)

In the Gaza Strip, IDF troops conduct a limited incursion nr. al-Bureij r.c. and level land close to the border fence. In the West Bank, the IDF demolish 2 homes and a sheep barn in Barta‘a, a village nr. Jenin. The IDF conducts house searches and arrest raids in 6 villages nr. Hebron, 1 village nr. Nablus and 1 village nr. Ramallah at night; patrols in 2 villages nr. Jenin at night. (MNA, PNN 6/12; PCHR 6/13)

Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu says he is willing to launch direct peace talks with the Palestinians without preconditions, speaking at a press conference in Warsaw alongside Polish PM Donald Tusk. Meanwhile, the Israeli media report that plans are going ahead to build 675 new housing units in Itamar settlement. (HA, YA 6/12)

Israeli DM Moshe Ya’alon departs to Washington for talks with U.S. Defense Secy. Chuck Hagel, his 1st such visit since taking office in 3/2013. The 2 men are said to be focusing their discussion on military and intelligence cooperation with regard to Syria. Ya’alon will also meet with U.S. politicians and pro-Israel lobbying group AIPAC. (AFP 6/12)

A Syrian army helicopter opens fire on a Lebanese border town in the e. Bekaa Valley, wounding 2. State news agency SANA says that the helicopter was chasing “terrorist groups.” In response, the Lebanese army says it will immediately respond to any further such cross-border attacks. (AFP, REU 6/12)

The Jerusalem District Court convicts Hamas-affliated PC mbrs. Khalid Abu Arafa and Muhammad Toutah of membership in a terrorist organization and illegally residing in Israel, following their arrest in 1/2012 after they had stayed 569 days at the Red Cross office in Shaykh Jarrah neighborhood in East Jerusalem (see Quarterly Update in JPS 163). (JP 2/14)

In the Gaza Strip, the IDF opens fire on Palestinians close to the border fence nr. Bayt Hanun, injuring 2. IDF soldiers also make a brief incursion into the Gaza Strip nr. Bayt Lahiya to level land, opening fire on surrounding areas as they do so. In the West Bank, IDF soldiers open fire and wound a Palestinian when his car passes over a checkpoint nr. Qalqilya. The IDF also patrols in 1 village nr. Jenin in the afternoon and in Tulkarm at night; conducts house searches and arrest raids in 1 village nr. Hebron in the morning, and 1 village each nr. Jenin, Ramallah, and Salfit at night. (MNA 2/14; PCHR 2/21)

Republicans vote against the nomination of Chuck Hagel as defense secretary in a 58–40 vote in the Senate, delaying his approval and provoking Democrats’ anger at what they claim is an unprecedented filibuster. Sixty votes are required to pass a motion to stop debate and move the process on to a vote by the full senate. Another vote is expected later in the month and Obama says he expects the nomination to be approved. (REU 2/14)

Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu meets with Yesh Atid leader Yair Lapid to have the 1st discussions about forming a coalition. Lapid reportedly sets 2 conditions for joining a governing coalition: (1) a universal draft bill (see Quarterly Update in JPS 165) and (2) the resumption of peace talks with the Palestinians. Meanwhile, Yisrael Beiteinu leader Avigdor Lieberman says that domestic issues will be the priority of the next government. (HA, YA, JP 1/24)

Secy.-gen. of the PLO Executive Comm. Yasir ‘Abid Rabbuh says that Pres. Abbas wants to meet and talk with centrist mbrs. of the new Knesset in coming weeks, including newcomers such as Yair Lapid. (YA 1/24)

Nominated U.S. secy. of state John Kerry tells his Senate confirmation hearing that he intends to invest effort in the Israeli-Palestinian peace process and hopes that the Israeli election can help restart talks. (JP 1/24)

Israeli naval vessels open fire on Palestinian fishermen off the Gaza coast nr. al-Waha, causing no injuries. In the West Bank, the IDF demolishes 4 homes in 2 communities in the n. Jordan Valley; conducts house searches and arrest raids in 1 village nr. Salfit at night. The IDF also patrols in 3 villages nr. Jenin, 2 each nr. Jericho and Ramallah, and 1 nr. Tulkarm in the morning; in Tulkarm and 1 village nr. Qalqilya in the afternoon; and in ‘Ayn al-Sultan r.c. nr. Jericho, 2 villages each nr. Jenin and Qalqilya, and 1 village each nr. Jericho and Ramallah at night. (MNA 1/24; PCHR 1/31)

The International Federation of Journalists condemns a week of arrests of journalists by Hamas security forces in the Gaza Strip, and calls for the release of 6 detained media workers. (MNA 1/24)

Israeli security agency Shin Bet announces that for the 1st year since 1973, there were no Israeli casualties from a Palestinian attack in the West Bank. The report covering 2012 says that there was an uptick in so-called popular terror in the West Bank, referring to stone-throwing and Molotov cocktails. The report notes that 10 Israelis were killed in security-related incidents during 2012, and that more than 2,500 rockets and mortar shells were fired from the Gaza Strip into Israel. However, Shin Bet reports that since Operation Pillar of Defense in November 2012, no rockets have been fired. The report also records that 8 rockets were fired at Israel from Egypt’s Sinai Peninsula, and that there were 11 attempts to fire anti-aircraft weaponry at IDF planes, up from just 1 effort in 2011. (HA 1/24)

A number of Fatah leaders who fled the Gaza Strip during the Fatah-Hamas fighting in 2007 return to the territory, including former PA preventive security service head in Khan Yunis, Nasser al-Saqq. (MNA 1/24)

UN special rapporteur on human rights and counterterrorism Ben Emmerson announces that the UN is launching an inquiry into the impact on civilians of drone strikes that will focus on 5 locations, including the Palestinian territories. The other 4 are Afghanistan, Pakistan, Somalia, and Yemen. (BBC 1/24)

Unidentified Israeli officials tell the Jerusalem Post that unofficial, informal talks under EU auspices are taking place between Israeli and Palestinian academics and former political and military leaders. These discrete dialogues are looking at final-status issues like Jerusalem in order to come up with recommendations for steps that could be taken by both sides. (JP, REU 1/8)

Israel’s Jerusalem municipality demolishes a Palestinian home in Silwan in East Jerusalem on the basis that it was built without a permit. In the West Bank, the IDF conducts house searches and arrest raids in al-‘Arub r.c. nr. Hebron, ‘Ayn Bayt al-Ma’ r.c. nr. Nablus, and 1 village nr. Bethlehem at night. (WAFA 1/8; PCHR 1/10)

Israel’s education min. Gideon Sa’ar convenes an unscheduled meeting of the Council for Higher Education in order to officially endorse the university status of Ariel settlement’s college. Speaking at Ariel University on the same day, PM Netanyahu says the settlement will ‘‘always remain under Israeli sovereignty.’’ (HA, JP 1/8)

Palestinian PM Salam Fayyad says that the PA is on the verge of bankruptcy, but that he is not afraid of popular protests against the PA similar to those that took place in 9/2012 (see Quarterly Update in JPS 166). Fayyad points out that international aid to the PA dropped from $1.8 b. in 2008 to $1 b. in 2011. (JP 1/8)

PA pres. Abbas appoints the new leadership of the Fatah comm. in the Gaza Strip, a group tasked with increasing the movement’s membership in Gaza. (MNA 1/8)

A military court in Gaza City sentences Fatah military leader Zaki al-Sakani to 15 yrs. in jail on charges of terrorism and illegal possession of explosives and weapons. Fatah denounces the verdict. (MNA 1/8)

Pro-Asad Palestinian factions in Damascus call for a cease-fire after a month of fighting in Yarmuk r.c. A statement signed by the PFLP–GC, the Democratic Front for the Liberation of Palestine, and the Nidal Front says that Palestinians in Syria must remain ‘‘neutral.’’ (AJE, Guardian 1/8)

IDF general and head of Central Command Nitzan Alon approves 2 settlement outposts nr. Nablus by combining them into 1 settlement named Rechalim. (PCHR 1/10)

In the West Bank, IDF troops patrol in Bayt Umar village nr. Hebron, then fire rubber-coated steel bullets at stonethrowing Palestinians who confront them, wounding 1 child. The IDF also patrols in ‘Aqabat Jabir r.c. nr. Jericho at night; conducts house searches and arrest raids in and around Bethlehem and in 1 village nr. Hebron at night. (PCHR 1/10)

Israel’s Shin Bet security service reports that 12/2012 saw a 400% increase in what the organization classifies as ‘‘terrorist attacks’’ in the West Bank and East Jerusalem. Israeli media promote the statistics as reinforcing recent remarks by IDF col. Yaniv Alaluf that a 3d intifada is already underway. Shin Bet also says that Palestinians fired 1 mortar from the Gaza Strip during the whole of 12/2012. (ToI 1/7)

U.S. pres. Barack Obama nominates Republican Chuck Hagel as his next defense secretary and counterterrorism adviser and John Brennan as head of the CIA. Hagel is expected to meet opposition over his record on Israel and Iran, while Brennan has faced criticism by human rights groups over his views on mistreatment of prisoners during interrogations. (REU 1/7)

The Lebanese army says that the U.S. has given 200 armored vehicles to Lebanon in order to support the armed forces’ ability to respond to crises. (REU 1/7)

Israel’s fin. min. Yuval Steinitz visits Washington, D.C., to press U.S. officials to tighten sanctions on Iran further and give Tehran a clear ultimatum, backed with a credible military threat, to halt its nuclear program. (AP 1/7; JP 1/8)