The Palestine Chronology

In the Gaza Strip, the IDF continues its assault on the Gaza Strip, killing 151 Palestinians, except during a 12-hour humanitarian cease-fire. There are no Israeli strikes during the pause, but IDF troops continue to destroy tunnels. During the pause, residents of Gaza stock up on supplies and inspect the damage done to property. The armed Palestinian groups fire rockets into Israel both before the 12-hour humanitarian cease-fire and immediately after, causing no serious damage or injuries. The IDF announces that 2 soldiers died of their wounds. In the West Bank, IDF troops clash with Palestinians nr. Hebron, at the funeral for a man killed the previous day in al-‘Arub r.c., causing no serious injuries. IDF troops shoot and wound 6 Palestinians with live ammunition in n. Bethlehem, during clashes nr. Rachel’s Tomb. In Bayt Furik nr. Nablus, IDF troops injure 5 with live ammunition during clashes with residents. The IDF also conducts house searches and arrest raids in al-Bireh in the morning. (AFP, AP, MNA, REU, WAFA 7/26; PCHR 7/27)

In the morning, U.S. Secy. of State Kerry and senior European diplomats, including the FMs of France, Britain, Germany, and Italy, as well as their counterparts from Qatar and Turkey, meet in Paris and call for an extension of the 12-hour humanitarian cease-fire. French FM Fabius, speaking for the group, says that they all “want to obtain, as quickly as possible, a durable, negotiated cease-fire that responds both to Israeli needs in terms of security and to Palestinian needs in terms of the socialeconomic development and access to the territory of Gaza.” (AFP, AP, HA, JP, MNA, REU, WAFA 7/26)

In the evening, the Israeli security cabinet responds to the calls from the international community and decides to unilaterally extend the humanitarian cease-fire for 4 hours, then an additional 24 hours, though IDF troops will continue seeking out and destroying tunnels. Al-Qassam Brigades and other Palestinian groups do not agree to the extension, and fire rockets into Israel, causing no damage or injuries. (AFP, AP, MNA, REU, WAFA 7/26)

In the Gaza Strip, Palestinians fire a rocket into s. Israel, causing no damage or injuries. Off the coast nr. Bayt Lahiya, Israeli naval vessels open fire on Palestinian fishermen, causing no damage or injuries. In the n. West Bank, a Palestinian dies at a checkpoint en route to work inside Israel, apparently caused by overcrowding. In Bethlehem, Palestinians throw a pipe bomb at Rachel’s Tomb, lightly injuring 1, while separately, Palestinians throw an improvised explosive device at a military base nr. Bethlehem, causing no damage or casualties. The IDF conducts house searches and arrest raids in Hebron and 1 nearby village, in Nablus and nearby Balata r.c., and in 1 village each nr. Tubas and Tulkarm at night; patrols in 1 village each nr. Ramallah and Tulkarm in the morning, and in Tulkarm and 1 village each nr. Hebron and Ramallah at night. Jewish settlers attack a school and water reservoir in Urif village nr. Nablus, provoking clashes with Palestinian residents. Israeli forces arrive and fire tear gas at the Palestinians. Separately, Jewish settlers attack Palestinians nr. Mitzpe Yair in the s. Hebron hills, prompting clashes that leave 4 Israelis and 1 Palestinian lightly injured. (JP, MNA, ToI, YA 1/6; PCHR 1/9)

Israeli authorities publish plans for the construction of 272 new settlement homes in the West Bank, including the 1st ever master plan for Ofra, a settlement located 15 km (9 mi.) from the Green Line. PM Netanyahu holds a meeting with Likud MKs and tells them that he opposes evacuating settlements in Hebron and Beit El, despite their location outside the major blocs. Meanwhile, U.S. Secy. of State Kerry departs the region for Washington, assuring that progress has been made. (AFP, HA, JP, REU 1/6)