The Palestine Chronology

The IDF carries out an air strike on n. Gaza, assassinating 2 armed Palestinians, at least 1 of whom was from the Salafist group al-Tawhid wal-Jihad and also wounding a child. Earlier, the group claimed responsibility for a rocket that hit the Israeli city of Netivot. In the night, the IDF fires a missile at a Hamas training site nr. Gaza City, causing no injuries. In the West Bank, the IDF patrols in 1 village nr. Jenin in the morning, and in 1 village nr. Qalqilya, 1 village nr. Jenin, and 1 village nr. Tulkarm at night; conducts house searches and arrest raids in 1 village nr. Jenin and 1 village nr. Hebron. Suspected Jewish settlers burn down olive trees belonging to residents of a village nr. Nablus. (IMEMC, NYT, ToI 10/13; PCHR 10/18)

Israel’s PM Netanyahu announces his intention to hold early elections in around 3 mos. time (elections were due to take place in November 2013). (972mag 10/9)

Unidentified Palestinians fire rockets from the Gaza Strip into s. Israel during the day, causing no injuries. At night, the IDF shells and opens fire at positions in the Gaza Strip, causing no injuries, and fires a missile at a warehouse nr. Bayt Lahiya, destroying it but causing no injuries. An Israeli military source claims that the target was a training camp used by Hamas fighters, and the strike a response to recent rocket fire. The IDF also enters the Gaza Strip nr. Rafah at night to level land near the border, directing sporadic shelling and live fire at the surrounding area, causing no injuries. Palestinian fighters identified as Salafists fire rockets overnight into Israel from Gaza, landing nr. Sderot and Netivot, causing no injuries. (AFP 10/10; PCHR 10/11)

In the West Bank, the IDF patrols in Tulkarm (firing stun grenades and teargas bombs at Palestinians throwing stones) and 1 village nr. Jenin at night; conducts house searches and arrest raids in 3 villages nr. Hebron, 1 village nr. Ramallah (arresting Mohammad Tamimi of the Popular Committee against Settlements in al-Nabi Salih), and 1 village nr. Jenin (questioning Khader Adnan, arrested on 12/17/11 and released after a highly publicized hunger strike) (see QU in JPS 164). Jewish settlers cut down more than 120 olive trees in a village nr. Nablus, according to PA officials and eyewitnesses. (IDFS10/9; MNA 10/10; PCHR 10/11)

Armed Palestinian groups in the Gaza Strip fire an estimated 55 rockets and mortars at s. Israel in the morning, causing no injuries. The IQB and the Ansar al-Quds group claim joint responsibility in retaliation for the IDF assassination on 10/7/12. The IDF retaliates with air strikes and artillery fire on an area of s. Gaza, wounding a total of 10 Palestinians (4 armed and 6 civilians, including 2 children from the same family), and artillery fire on n. Gaza, damaging a factory but causing no injuries. (JP, NYT, YA 10/8; PCHR 10/11).

In the West Bank, a Jewish settler shoots and wounds a Palestinian laborer nr. Bayt Jala, and a group of Jewish settlers attack a Palestinian-owned house nr. Nablus. The IDF patrols in 2 villages nr. Hebron at night, and conducts house searches and arrest raids in Balata r.c. in Nablus and al-Fawar r.c. nr. Hebron. (JP NYT, YA 10/8; PCHR10/11)

An Israeli official announces that PM Netanyahu will visit Europe before the end of the year in order to try to persuade leaders to toughen sanctions against Iran. (AP, NYT 10/2; MNA, OCHA 10/5)

Hamas authorities in Gaza demolish 12 residential structures nr. Umm Nasir village on the grounds that the land is ‘‘state land,’’ displacing 60 residents and sparking clashes between police and residents that leave 2 children and 1 woman injured. IDF troops on the n. Gaza border open fire on Palestinians scavenging for construction materials nr. the border fence northwest of Bayt Hanun; no injuries are reported. In the West Bank, the IDF patrols in 2 villages nr. Hebron at night; raids a home nr. Hebron in the morning, detaining residents on the 1st floor and using the roof as a military observation point; conducts arrest raids and house searches in 1 village nr. Nablus and 2 villages nr. Hebron. Over 100 Israelis marking the Jewish holiday of Sukkot enter the al-Aqsa compound in Jerusalem, protected by Israeli security forces, sparking confrontations with Palestinian worshippers; no serious injuries are reported. Jewish settlers vandalize/spray graffiti on a Jerusalem monastery. (PCHR 10/4; MNA, OCHA 10/5)

PA pres. Mahmud Abbas addresses the UNGA in New York, announcing as expected that his government will seek non-member observer state status for Palestine (see Doc. B4 in JPS 166). Abbas also refers to current Israeli policies as ‘‘ethnic cleansing,’’ singling out settlement construction and home demolition for particular criticism. Hamas and the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP) criticize the speech for not offering anything new, but Fatah praises it as ‘‘historic.’’ Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu also addresses the assembly, notably literally drawing a ‘‘red line’’ on a cartoon of a bomb to illustrate his claim that Iran would be capable of making a nuclear weapon within a year. In contrast, U.S. officials play down the notion that Iran is on the brink of achieving a nuclear weapon. Meanwhile, Reuters reports that Iran is making progress in building a research reactor capable of potential weapon material, and Israeli media describe the Netanyahu government as urging the EU to impose further sanctions on Iran in light of the economic damage achieved by sanctions to date. (AP, HA, MNA, REU, ToI 9/27)

Israel approves a proposal to allow 5,000 additional entry permits for Palestinian construction and agricultural workers, bringing the total number of work permits issued by Israel to West Bank Palestinians to over 45,000. Israel also allows, for the 1st time since 2007, 3 truckloads of furniture to be exported from the Gaza Strip to the West Bank, destined for PA-run schools. This marks the 3d time in 2012 that Israel permitted the passage of goods from Gaza to the West Bank. Meanwhile Egypt informed Palestinian officials of their intention to ease travel through the Rafah crossing over coming days. (JP, MNA 9/27)

In the West Bank, Jewish settlers fr. Beitar Ilit settlement nr. Bethlehem dump sewage water on agriculture lands in the Fukin valley. Jewish settlers fr. Brakha settlement nr. Burin village s. of Nablus cut down over 60 olive trees. In the West Bank, the IDF patrols in 2 villages nr. Jericho, 2 villages nr. Ramallah, and 1 village nr. Jenin in the morning; patrols in 1 village nr. Qalqilya and 1 village nr. Ramallah in the afternoon; patrols in 3 villages nr. Ramallah, 1 village nr. Tulkarm (firing sound bombs), and 1 village nr. Hebron at night; conducts a house raid and summons in Qalqilya in the morning and house raids in 1 village nr. Hebron at night (beating 2 residents, arresting another 2, and firing tear-gas canisters at homes) at night. (PCHR 10/4)

U.S. and Lebanese government officials allege that Hizballah has sent military advisers to help the Asad government in Syria. UNRWA estimates that the total number of refugees fleeing Syria will reach 700,000 by the end of 2012. (REU, WP 9/27)

Israeli naval vessels open fire on Palestinian fishermen nr. Bayt Lahiya, causing no injuries, in the morning. In the West Bank, the IDF patrols in 1 village nr. Jericho and 1 village nr. Ramallah at night; conducts house searches and arrest raids in Balata r.c. and Nablus at night. Jewish settlers assault a Palestinian farmer nr. Jerusalem, causing multiple injuries. The farmer had gone to check his land after reports that settlers had cut down 150 olive trees. (MNA, PCHR 9/27; PCHR 10/4)

Egyptian pres. Mohamed Morsi tells the U.S. media that Egypt’s peace deal with Israel depends on the Jewish state’s policies toward the Palestinians and that the U.S. government needs to help create a Palestinian state to reduce anger in the region. (REU 9/23)

The PA says that in a village nr. Nablus, its security forces discovered an underground bunker used by Hamas mbrs. that contained communications equipment. (MNA 9/23)

In the West Bank, the IDF patrols in 1 village nr. Jenin and 1 village nr. Ramallah in the morning; patrols in 3 villages nr. Salfit, 2 villages nr. Qalqilya, and 1 village nr. Hebron at night; conducts house searches and arrest raids in 3 villages nr. Hebron. (PCHR 9/27)

The IDF makes an air strike on a car traveling in Rafah, assassinating 2 mbrs. of the al-Aqsa Guards Group, which is closely affiliated with Hamas, and wounding a 3d. Israel alleges that the men were responsible for smuggling explosives into Gaza through the Rafah tunnels and plotting attacks on Israel. In the West Bank, the IDF confiscates 60 dunams (d.; 4 d. = 1 acre) of land in Wadi Fukin village nr. Bethlehem; patrols in 2 villages nr. Tulkarm, 1 village nr. Hebron, and ‘Aqabat Jabir r.c. nr. Jericho at night; conducts house searches and arrest raids in 1 village nr. Ramallah at night. (MNA 9/19; MNA, PCHR, REU 9/20; PCHR 9/27)

Hamas and a Palestinian rights groups say that the PA security forces have detained dozens of Hamas mbrs. across the West Bank, including 5 Hamas mbrs. in Nablus. (MNA 9/19)

A Gaza court convicts several Palestinians identified as mbrs. of the Hamas security forces working for a Salafist group of the 2011 killing of Italian activist Vittorio Arrigoni (see QU in JPS 160). (MNA 9/17)

A PA court in Jericho extends the detention of Freedom Theater director and former AMB commander Zakaria Zubeidi by 19 days. In response, Zubeidi renews his hunger strike, which he had previously relaxed. (MNA 9/17)

Israeli naval vessels open fire on Palestinian fishermen nr. Bayt Lahiya, causing no injuries. In the West Bank, the IDF conducts house searches and arrest raids in 1 village nr. Hebron at night. Jewish settlers assault 3 Palestinian farmers in a village nr. Nablus. (MNA 9/18; PCHR 9/20)

In Nablus, 100s of Palestinians protest against the PA’s economic policies in a trade union–organized demonstration. (MNA 9/15)

In the West Bank, the IDF patrols in 2 villages nr. Ramallah and 1 village nr. Jenin at night. Jewish settlers attack a Palestinian man in a village nr. Nablus. (MNA 9/17; PCHR 9/20)

Unidentified Palestinians fire 2 rockets from the Gaza Strip into Israel, causing no injuries. In the West Bank, the IDF patrols in 1 village nr. Tulkarm in the morning and in 2 villages nr. Hebron at night; conducts house searches and arrest raids in 1 village nr. Nablus and 1 village nr. Hebron. Suspected Jewish settlers vandalize a mosque in a village nr. Hebron and try to set cars on fire. (MNA, ToI 9/12; PCHR 9/13, 9/20)

Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu orders the transfer of $60 million in VAT taxes collected on behalf of the PA, citing the PA’s current economic crisis and protests in the West Bank. (ToI 9/12)

In the Gaza Strip, the IDF fires a missile at a group of armed Palestinians nr. al-Bureij r.c. at night, killing 3 Palestinian fighters. In the West Bank, unknown assailants shoot dead Hisham al-Rakh, a colonel in the PA security forces, nr. Jenin r.c. In the West Bank, the IDF patrols in Yatta village nr. Hebron, and conducts training and sets up tents nr. the village in the afternoon; patrols in 1 village nr. Tulkarm at night; conducts house searches and arrest raids in 1 village nr. Nablus, in Balata r.c. in Nablus, and in Dahaysha r.c. nr. Bethlehem. Jewish settlers destroy dozens of olive trees in a village nr. Nablus. (MNA 9/5; MNA, PCHR 9/6; PCHR 9/13)

In the West Bank, the IDF patrols in 2 villages nr. Hebron at night; conducts house searches and arrest raids in Nablus, 1 village nr. Nablus, 1 village nr. Tubas, and 5 villages nr. Hebron at night. Suspected Jewish extremists vandalize the Latrun monastery nr. Jerusalem, including spraying pro-settler graffiti. (REU 9/4; PCHR 9/6)

IDF troops on the Gaza border nr. Dayr al-Balah open fire on Palestinian farmers working nearby, injuring 1. In the West Bank, the IDF patrols in 1 village nr. Jericho at night; conducts house searches and arrest raids in 1 village nr. Hebron and 1 village nr. Nablus at night. A group of Jewish settlers set fire to a car and spray racist graffiti in a Palestinian village nr. Ramallah. (MNA 8/29; PCHR 8/30, 9/6)

In the West Bank, the IDF patrols in 2 villages nr. Tulkarm (firing tear gas at stone-throwing Palestinians in one case) in the morning, in 1 village nr. Tulkarm and 1 village nr. Hebron, and in Hebron and 1 village nr. Tulkarm; conducts house searches and arrest raids in 1 village nr. Hebron, ‘Ayn Bayt al-Ma’ refugee camp (r.c.), 1 village nr. Nablus, and 1 village in Jenin. Jewish settlers try to set fire to 2 cars and write racist slogans in a village nr. Nablus. (MNA 8/22; PCHR 8/30)

Israeli FM Avigdor Lieberman writes to members of the Quartet, urging them to call for new elections in the PA and describing Pres. Abbas as an obstacle to peace due to his weak mandate and determination to pursue goals in international forums. (HA, ToI 8/22)

European Union (EU) foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton criticizes Israel for its recently announced plans to expand Har Homa settlement in occupied East Jerusalem. (HA, ToI 8/22)

Sectarian clashes between Sunni Muslims and Alawites in Lebanon continue, with a death toll of 12 in 3 days of fighting in the northern city of Tripoli. (REU 8/22)

In the West Bank, the IDF patrols in 2 villages nr. Tulkarm in the morning and in 1 village nr. Tulkarm in the afternoon; conducts house searches and arrest raids in 2 villages nr. Hebron at night. Jewish settlers try to set fire to a Palestinian home in a village nr. Nablus in the morning. (MNA 8/21; PCHR 8/30)

A day after the PA urges Egypt to destroy smuggling tunnels on the Gaza border, saying they pose a threat to Egyptian security and undermine Palestinian national unity efforts, Hamas officials in Gaza say that they will close tunnels on the Rafah border if Egypt opens the border to trade. (JPI 8/24)

An unconfirmed report says that unidentified Palestinians fire a Qassam rocket fr. Gaza into Israel, causing no damage or injuries. Israeli naval vessels fire warning shots at Palestinian fishing boats off the n. Gaza coast, forcing them to return to shore. In the West Bank, the IDF patrols in 1 village nr. Salfit late in the evening, firing warning shots at a Palestinian car (no injuries reported) and ordering it to stop; the car is searched and allowed to go on its way. The IDF also conducts late-night arrest raids, house searches nr. Hebron, Nablus, and Salfit. Jewish settlers fr. Susia settlement nr. Hebron spread poison on nearby grasslands used by local Palestinian shepherds, killing 7 sheep. (Mivzak Live [Internet] 8/12; PCHR 8/16; OCHA 8/18)

IDF Central Command formally reclassifies Bruchin outpost as a legal settlement, implementing a 3/2012 cabinet decision to legalize 3 outposts retroactively (see QU in JPS 163). The formal reclassifications of Rachelim and Sansanna have not been implemented yet. (JPI 8/24; PCHR 8/16)

Israel’s daily Ha’Aretz for the 2d time in recent days reports that a new National Intelligence Estimate (NIE) by the Obama admin. has added a ‘‘lastminute update’’ on Iran stating that Iran has ‘‘boosted efforts’’ to advance its nuclear program. The U.S. meanwhile has not announced that a new NIE has been written. U.S. officials refuse to comment except to say that U.S. intelligence continues to believe: (1) that Iran has not made a decision on whether to develop a nuclear weapon and (2) that Iran’s is years away from being able to produce a nuclear bomb. Meanwhile, Israel’s dep. FM Danny Ayalon calls on the international community to issue a declaration that diplomacy toward Iran has failed, raising fears that Israel is preparing a military strike. (HA, REU 8/12; NYT, WP 8/13)

Unidentified Palestinians fire 2 rockets or mortars fr. Gaza into Israel, causing no damage or injuries. In the West Bank, the IDF patrols in 3 villages nr. Ramallah (2 synchronized) in the evening; conducts late-night patrols in 2 villages nr. Jenin and Jericho; and conducts late-night arrest raids, house searches in Hebron and Nablus, firing tear gas and stun grenades at stonethrowing youths who confront them in Nablus (causing no serious injuries). Palestinians (accompanied by Israeli and international activists) hold weekly nonviolent demonstrations against the separation wall, land confiscations, and settlement expansion in Bil‘in, Kafr Qaddum, al-Nabi Salih, and Ni‘lin. IDF soldiers fire live ammunition (al-Nabi Salih only), rubber-coated steel bullets, tear gas, and stun grenades at the protesters; a Palestinian child (al-Nabi Salih) and 1 Swedish activist (Kafr Qaddum) are moderately injured by tear gas canisters, and 1 Palestinian (Kafr Qaddum) is moderately injured by a rubber-coated steel bullet. (YA 7/28; 8/2; OCHA 8/3)

Pres. Obama signs into law the U.S.-Israel Enhanced Security Cooperation Act, which calls for an unprecedented strengthening of military, intelligence, and technology cooperation intended to preserve Israel’s qualitative military edge. Experts describe the act as prescribing a ‘‘laundry list of security enhancements’’ for Israel (see QU in JPS 165 for details). (JTA, White House press release 7/27; WP 7/28, 7/30; Defense News 8/1)

Hamas acting PM in Gaza Ismail Haniyeh meets with Egyptian pres. Morsi in Cairo to discuss Fatah-Hamas reconciliation prospects and ways of further easing the siege of Gaza. (WP 7/28)

To mark the start of Ramadan, Israel eases access restrictions for West Bank Palestinians wanting to enter East Jerusalem, permitting children 12 and under and adults over 40 to enter without permits. In addition, the IDF removes 2 key roadblocks: one on the main road from Aqraba village to Nablus and the other in the Jordan Valley, opening the main northeastern entrance to Jericho from Road 90 (closed since 2000). The IDF also patrols in 1 village nr. Ramallah in the morning, 1 nr. Qalqilya in the afternoon, and 1 nr. Qalqilya late at night; conducts late night arrest raids, house searches nr. Jenin. Palestinians (accompanied by Israeli and international activists) hold weekly nonviolent demonstrations against the separation wall, land confiscations, and settlement expansion in Bil‘in, Kafr Qaddum, al-Nabi Salih, and Ni‘lin. IDF soldiers fire live ammunition (al-Nabi Salih only), rubbercoated steel bullets, tear gas, and stun grenades at the protesters; no serious injuries or arrests are reported. (PCHR 7/26; OCHA 7/27)

The IDF bulldozes 3 agricultural storehouses and a well nr. Hebron; conducts late-night patrols in 2 villages nr. Ramallah, 1 nr. Hebron, and 1 nr. Jenin; and conducts separate late-night arrest raids, house searches in and around Hebron. Hundreds of Jewish settlers, escorted by the IDF, enter Balata village nr. Nablus to pray at Joseph’s Tomb; the IDF imposes a curfew on local Palestinians during the visit. (PCHR 7/19, 7/26; OCHA 7/27)

In Bulgaria, a suicide bomber detonates a device outside a bus boarding Israeli tourists in the port city of Burgas, killing at least 6 Israelis and wounding 32 plus the Bulgarian tour operator. Israel blames Iran for the blast and vows retaliation, but Iran denies the allegation, and no group takes responsibility. (NYT, WT 7/19; NYT, WP 7/20; JPI 7/27)

Around this date (before Ramadan begins on 7/20), Israel, as a goodwill gesture to Abbas, advances the PA almost $45 m. in VAT taxes for 7/2012 to help it meet monthly budget expenditures. Israel notably makes the move just before a visit by U.S. secy. of state Hillary Clinton, though it says it was not asked to do so by the U.S. (JPI 8/3)

The IDF patrols in 1 village nr. Jericho in the morning; conducts late-night patrols in 2 villages nr. Ramallah, in Jenin and 1 nearby village (synchronized), and in 1 village nr. Jericho; conducts latenight arrest raids, house searches nr. Bethlehem, Hebron, Jenin, and Nablus. (PCHR 7/19; OCHA 7/20)

The IDF conducts late-night arrest raids, house searches in 2 villages nr. Salfit (synchronized), in Jericho and 1 nearby village (synchronized), and 1 village each nr. Bethlehem, Jenin, Qalqilya, Ramallah, and Tulkarm. Jewish settlers fr. Adei Ad outpost nr. Nablus beat a Palestinian shepherd grazing his sheep nearby and kill his sheep; an Israeli guard fr. nearby Shilo settlement intervenes and the settlers flee; the guard summons Israeli border police, who photograph the scene and take the shepherd’s formal complaint. (PCHR 7/19; OCHA 7/20)

In Israel, 1,000s of Israelis demonstrate in Tel Aviv to mark the 1st anniversary of the launch of the 2011 social justice protests against the rising cost of living. During the protest, one of the prominent activists connected with the July 14 Movement, Moshe Silman, immolates himself and is critically injured (he dies on 7/20). (WP 7/17; NYT 7/21)

IDF troops on the n. Gaza border nr. Bayt Hanun fire warning shots at Palestinians scavenging for recyclable goods in the former settlement sites, wounding 1 Palestinian. Unidentified Palestinians fire 1 Qassam rocket fr. Gaza into Israel, causing no damage or injuries. OCHA reports that over the past 3 days, Israel has allowed Gaza authorities to import 20,000 tons of construction aggregates that have been stored at the Sufa crossing since it was closed in 10/2007. In the West Bank, the IDF patrols in 2 villages nr. Jericho and Ramallah in the morning; in 2 villages nr. Jenin and Jericho in the afternoon; and in Jericho, 1 nearby village, and 2 villages nr. Ramallah late at night. Jewish settlers fr. Taffuh settlement nr. Nablus cut down at least 120 olive trees in the nearby Palestinian village of Yatma. Jewish settlers also seize 5 d. of Palestinian agricultural land nr. al-Khadir village nr. Bethlehem and install a mobile home. (TOI 6/5; PCHR 7/12; OCHA 7/13)

Ha’Aretz journalist Uri Blau, who used leaked classified government documents for several reports he published, confesses to reduced charges of possessing classified information without authorization but ‘‘with no intention to harm national security’’ in exchange for 4 mos. community service. (WP 7/6) (see 5/31/12)

Israel’s High Court approves a petition by a group of Jewish settlers calling for the expedited demolition of 52 Palestinian homes and facilities (including a clinic and kindergarten) in Susia village nr. Hebron. Though the Israeli group Rabbis for Human Rights immediately files an appeal on the Susia residents’ behalf, the IDF serves them with the demolition orders, saying it will raze the structures within 3 days. The IDF makes a day-long incursion into c. Gaza to level land and clear lines of sight along the border fence, razing 43 d. of Palestinian crops and demolishing several irrigation networks. The IDF also briefly enters s. Gaza to level land and clear lines of sight along the border fence nr. al-Qarara. Hrs. after troops pull out, Israeli helicopters open fire on agricultural areas nr. alQarara, causing no reported damage or injuries. Israeli naval vessels fire warning shots at Palestinian fishing boats off the n. Gaza coast, forcing them to return to shore. In the West Bank, the IDF conducts late-night arrest raids, house searches in Balata r.c. nr. Nablus. In East Jerusalem, the IDF raids a Palestinian farm in Jabal Mukabir, orders the owner to evacuate his sheep, then demolishes several animal pens and sheds, hands the owner a demolition bill of $12,500, and orders him to remove the debris. (PCHR 6/14; OCHA 6/15)

Israeli naval vessels fire warning shots at Palestinian fishing boats off the Gaza coast 3 times during the day, forcing them to return to shore. In the West Bank, the IDF conducts a rare daytime arrest raid into Tulkarm and conducts late-night arrest raids, house searches in Bethlehem and nr. Nablus. Dozens of Palestinians demonstrate outside Israel’s Ofer prison nr. Ramallah in solidarity with Palestinian prisoners; the IDF fires rubber-coated steel bullets, tear gas, and percussion grenades to disperse them, causing no reported injuries. Jewish settlers fr. Ma’on settlement nr. Hebron uproot 30 olive trees on nearby Palestinian land. Jewish settlers fr. Karme Tzur nr. Hebron attack a Palestinian farmer working his field nearby; the IDF observes but does not intervene until other Palestinians come to the farmer’s aid, firing tear gas and percussion grenades to disperse the Palestinians and arresting 1. (PCHR 6/14; OCHA 6/15)

Israeli naval vessels fire on Palestinian fishing boats off the c. Gaza coast, forcing them to return to shore. In the West Bank, the IDF patrols in 2 villages nr. Ramallah and 1 nr. Jericho in the morning; in 2 villages nr. Ramallah and 1 nr. Jenin in the afternoon; and in ‘Ayn al-Sultan r.c. nr. Jericho and 1 village nr. Ramallah late at night. The IDF also conducts late-night arrest raids, house searches nr. Hebron and Tulkarm. Palestinian, Israeli, and international activists stage a ‘‘march of return’’ from Nuba village nr. Nablus to the nearby Latroun villages emptied by Jewish forces in 1948; afterward, they march toward the separation wall, where IDF soldiers fire rubber-coated steel bullets, tear gas, and percussion grenades to disperse them, causing a small brush fire but no reported injuries. (PCHR 6/14; OCHA 6/15)

Unidentified Palestinians fire 1 mortar fr. Gaza into Israel, causing no damage or injuries. In the afternoon, Israeli warplanes carry out 3 air strikes n. of Rafah in s. Gaza, targeting a poultry farm and damaging a nearby greenhouse; no injuries are reported. Late at night, an Israeli warplane makes an air strike on a group of Izzeddin al-Qassam Brigades (IQB) mbrs. operating nr. the border n. of Bayt Lahiya, wounding 2 IQB mbrs. and damaging a nearby home. Also late at night, Israeli naval vessels halt and seize 3 Palestinian fishing boats off the s. Gaza coast, detaining 3 fishermen (released 6/6). In the West Bank, the IDF patrols in 2 villages nr. Jericho and Ramallah in the morning; in 2 villages each nr. Jericho and Ramallah and 1 each nr. Jenin and Tulkarm in the afternoon; and in Jericho and 1 village nr. Ramallah at night. The IDF also bulldozes 5 residential tents in Wadi al-Malih village in the Jordan Valley nr. Tubas (an area designated as an IDF firing zone), and informs another 28 families in the same community that they must relocate or face demolition; conducts late-night arrest raids, house searches in Nablus and nearby ‘Ayn Bayt al-Ma’ r.c., in and around Jenin, and in Nur Shams r.c. nr. Tulkarm. Dozens of Palestinians demonstrate outside Israel’s Ofer military prison nr. Ramallah in solidarity with Palestinian prisoners held in Israeli jails; IDF troops fire live ammunition, rubber-coated steel bullets, tear gas, and percussion grenades at the demonstrators, wounding 2. Meanwhile, 10s of Palestinians gather nr. the Qalandia r.c. nr. Ramallah to mark the 45th anniversary of Israel’s 1967 occupation; the IDF fires live ammunition and rubber-coated steel bullets to disperse the crowd, causing no serious injuries. Jewish settlers fr. the Hebron area burn 20 d. of Palestinian crop land in al-Zahiriyya village. Jewish settlers fr. Itamar settlement nr. Nablus beat a Palestinian shepherd grazing animals nearby; other Palestinians race to the scene, prompting 1 settler to fire in the air; IDF troops nearby intervene, arresting the shepherd and 3 other Palestinians. (YA 6/5; PCHR 6/7; OCHA 6/8)

The IDF issues a military order confiscating 29 dunams (d.; 4 d. = 1 acre) of Palestinian land in Dayr Istya village nr. Salfit for ‘‘security and military purposes and to combat terrorist attacks.’’ The IDF patrols in Tulkarm and 2 villages nr. Qalqilya in the morning; stages synchronized patrols in 3 villages nr. Qalqilya in the afternoon; conducts other patrols in 2 villages nr. Jenin and Salfit in the afternoon; and undertakes late-night patrols in Tulkarm and neighboring Nur Shams r.c. Jewish settlers fr. Yitzhar settlement nr. Nablus set fire to a small plot of crop land and attack Palestinians in nearby Madama village. (PCHR 5/31; OCHA 6/1)

Washington Jewish Week reports that in the previous wk., a U.S. court awarded the family of an American teenager killed in a 2006 Islamic Jihad suicide bombing in Tel Aviv (his father was seriously injured in the attack) $332 m. in damages from Iran and Syria. The family’s lawyers argued that Islamic Jihad was sheltered by Syria and funded by Iran. The family is unlikely to collect the money. (WJW 5/24)

After a 2d day of P5+1 talks with Iran, EU foreign policy chief Ashton announces that ‘‘significant differences’’ remain, but enough ‘‘common ground’’ existed to schedule a 3d round of meetings in Moscow on 6/18–19. (NYT, WP, WT 5/25)

The New York Times runs a special report on a congressional race for a House seat representing Queens, NY, that has been dubbed ‘‘Israelapalooza’’ for the way in which the candidates have touted their pro-Israel credentials in effort to win the endorsement of Ed Koch, former Democratic mayor of New York City, and the votes of Jewish constituents who make up 20% of the district’s population. For example, candidate Grace Meng, who built her political career as an advocate for Chinese Americans and yet has never visited China, made a recent trip to Israel that she has highlighted during her campaign. (NYT 5/24)

Israeli naval vessels fire warning shots at Palestinian fishing boats off the c. Gaza coast, forcing them to return to shore. In the West Bank, the IDF patrols in Tulkarm and 2 villages in Ramallah in the morning; in 1 village each nr. Jericho and Ramallah in the afternoon; and in Jericho and 1 village nr. Jenin late at night. The IDF also conducts late-night arrest raids, house searches in Jenin, Nablus, Salfit, Tulkarm, and 1 village each nr. Hebron and Qalqilya. Jewish settlers fr. Tekoa settlement nr. Bethlehem vandalize Palestinian homes in nearby Taqqua’ village; IDF troops observe but do not intervene. The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) reports that in the previous week: (1) Israeli authorities demolished a Palestinian home in East Jerusalem’s al-Tur neighborhood (marking the 1st residence demolished in East Jerusalem for 2 mos.) and ordered a Palestinian family to demolish an addition to their home; (2) the IDF removed a major roadblock on the main north–south road to Hebron, significantly reducing travel times between Hebron and 4 villages to the east; and (3) 2 Palestinians died and 4 (including a teenager) were injured in 4 smuggling tunnel accidents on the Rafah border. (PCHR 5/23; OCHA 5/25)

At the close of 2 days of talks in Tehran with Iranian nuclear negotiator Saeed Jalili, IAEA head Yukiya Amano announces that Iran has agreed in principle to provide the IAEA with access to Iran’s nuclear scientists and facilities, but it has not yet signed a formal statement to this effect. P5+1 nations (the 5 permanent UNSC members plus Germany) call the deal ‘‘a step in the right direction,’’ but say they will judge Iran by its actions. Israeli DM Ehud Barak comments: ‘‘It looks like the Iranians are trying to reach a technical agreement that will create a deception of progress in talks in order to reduce the pressure ahead of talks tomorrow in Baghdad and postpone harshening of sanctions.’’ (WP 5/23)

The IDF patrols in 2 villages nr. Ramallah and 1 nr. Qalqilya in the morning; in 1 village nr. Nablus at midday (firing rubber-coated steel bullets and tear gas at stone-throwing Palestinian youths who confront them, causing no serious injuries); in 1 village nr. Jenin in the afternoon; and in 2 villages nr. Qalqilya and 1 each nr. Jericho and Ramallah late at night. The IDF also conducts late-night arrest raids, house searches in al-Bireh. Armed Jewish settlers fr. Yitzhar settlement nr. Nablus set fire to Palestinian crops and attack homes in nearby Asira village, then stone and open fire on local Palestinians who intervene, seriously wounding 1 Palestinian with live ammunition, lightly injuring 5 others with stones; the IDF observes but does not intervene. (PCHR 5/23; OCHA 5/25)