The Palestine Chronology

In the West Bank, IDF troops conduct raids in Dayr Nizam, al-Bireh, and Beitunia near Ramallah, sparking minor clashes with Palestinian youths in each village; 3 Palestinians are arrested. They arrest 21 more Palestinians and issue arrest summons to another during late-night raids in and around Nablus, Salfit, Tulkarm, Bethlehem, and Hebron; and patrol near Hebron and Tulkarm. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces arrest 1 Palestinian during a raid in Issawiyya. (PCHR 1/4)

Following the rocket fire from Gaza on 12/29, PM Netanyahu reiterates that Israel holds Hamas accountable for any rockets fired toward Israel, and says that Israeli forces have struck Hamas sites 40 times in recent weeks. He is responding to Labor Party leader Avi Gabbay’s 12/30 criticism. (TOI, WAFA 12/31)

The Likud Central Committee unanimously approves a resolution calling on the party’s leaders, including PM Netanyahu, to extend Israeli sovereignty to West Bank settlements: “On the 50th anniversary of the liberation of the regions of Judea and Samaria [the West Bank], including Jerusalem our eternal capital, the Likud Central Committee calls on the Likud’s elected officials to act to allow free construction and to apply the laws of Israel and its sovereignty to all liberated areas of Jewish settlement in Judea and Samaria.” (TOI 12/31; HA, NYT 1/1)

Leader of the messianic Temple Mount movement and ultranationalist MK Yehuda Glick (Likud) and MK Shuli Moalem-Refaeli (Jewish Home) visit Haram al-Sharif under heavy police protection. Their visit follows Israeli PM Netanyahu’s decision to temporarily lift his ban on MKs and ministers visiting the sanctuary for 1 day only (Netanyahu initially imposed the ban in 10/2015 amid escalating violence across the oPt; see JPS 45 [2, 3]). Israeli forces plan to assess today’s visit and to make a recommendation about the ban’s future. A spokesperson for the Islamic Waqf says the decision to lift the ban is “unacceptable” and shows that “extremist right-wing entities are in control of the Israeli occupation’s government.” Elsewhere in East Jerusalem, Israeli forces arrest 1 Palestinian in the Old City and another during a raid in Abu Dis. In the West Bank, IDF troops escort hundreds of Israeli settlers to visit Joseph’s Tomb near Nablus overnight, sparking clashes with stone-throwing Palestinian youths from nearby Balata refugee camp; 2 Palestinians are injured. IDF troops also arrest 8 Palestinians during late-night raids near Hebron and Bethlehem, and patrol in and around Qalqilya and Hebron. Israeli settlers throw stones at Palestinian Bedouin homes near Hebron, causing minor damage. Off Gaza’s coast, Israeli naval forces open fire on Palestinian fishing boats near Bayt Lahiya, causing no damage or injuries. (HA, MNA, TOI, WAFA, YA 8/29; TOI 8/30; PCHR 9/1; PCHR 9/14)

Israeli ambassador to Egypt Govrin flies to Cairo to resume his post. Along with 8 staffers, he will work out of his home rather than in the Israeli embassy, which was evacuated due to security concerns in 12/2016. (AP, TOI 8/29)

Hundreds of Palestinians march through al-Suwana, East Jerusalem, to mourn Ali Abu Gharbiyeh, the Palestinian whose body washed ashore at Lake Tiberias on 6/30. Israeli forces fire stun grenades at protesters “shouting slogans” and “acting disorderly,” according to an Israeli police spokesperson. At least 35 Palestinians are lightly injured in the ensuing clashes. It is still unclear how Abu Gharbiyeh died. In the West Bank, IDF troops conduct a raid in al-Mughayyir village nr. Ramallah, sparking clashes with stone-throwing youths; 1 Palestinian is injured. They also arrest 9 Palestinians during raids in and around Qalqilya, Hebron, and Nablus; and patrol nr. Hebron. Along Gaza’s border, IDF troops violently disperse Palestinian protesters gathering nr. Jabaliya r.c. and Khan Yunis; there are no serious injuries. Off Gaza’s coast, Israeli naval forces open fire on Palestinian fishing boats nr. Bayt Lahiya for the 3d day in a row, causing no damage or injuries. (MNA, WAFA 7/2; WAFA 7/3; PCHR 7/6)

Israeli PM Netanyahu announces a temporary suspension of his ban on Israeli MKs and ministers visiting Haram al-Sharif, following a petition from MK Yehuda Glick, leader of the messianic Temple Mount movement and ultranationalist mbr. of Likud. The trial period is set to span 7/23–27. Netanyahu 1st implemented the ban amid rising tensions at the site and across the oPt in 10/2015. (MNA, TOI, WAFA 7/2; JTA 7/3)

A delegation of senior Hamas officials departs Gaza for Cairo to build on previous negotiations that the delegation held in the Egyptian capital 6/4–12. The trip comes amid signs of growing ties between Hamas and the Egyptian govt. (MNA 7/2)