The Palestine Chronology

Overnight in the West Bank, Israeli forces carry out the punitive demolition of the Bani Na‘im home of the Palestinian youth who was killed on 6/30 after stabbing and killing an Israeli settler youth in the Kiryat Arba settlement nr. Hebron. The demolition, which targets only the first floor of a 2-story building, sparks clashes with residents of the village; there are no serious injuries. Later in the day, IDF troops arrest 8 Palestinians during raids nr. Jenin, Qalqilya, and Hebron; and patrol nr. Ramallah and Hebron throughout the day. Israeli forces demolish 2 livestock structures nr. Jenin, and confiscate a bulldozer from Palestinians building a road nr. Ramallah. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces arrest 1 Palestinian and issue 1 arrest summons to another during raids in Silwan and Jabal Mukabir. Along Gaza’s border, Israeli forces conduct a limited incursion to level land nr. Khuza‘a. Off Gaza’s coast, Israeli naval forces arrest 5 fishermen working nr. Bayt Lahiya and confiscate their boat. (HA, JP, MNA, TOI, YA 8/15; MNA 8/16; PCHR 8/18)

In response to a 7/25 order from the High Court of Justice, the Israeli police agree to return the bodies of 7 Palestinians killed in confrontations with Israeli forces. The police did not want to return the bodies, but the order compelled Public Security Minister Erdan to renew talks with the families on terms of the bodies’ return. The returns will be staged over the next couple of weeks with conditions: the Israelis will only release the 2d body if the first funeral goes smoothly. (HA, JP 8/16)

The IDF continues its closure of Hebron and the surrounding district, patrolling throughout the region during the day. Meanwhile, IDF troops deliver stop-work orders to a water well under construction in a village nr. Hebron and to several houses and animal barns in the Jordan Valley. They also conduct house searches and raids nr. Bethlehem, Hebron, and Qalqilya, arresting 8 Palestinians, assaulting and injuring 1, and issuing an arrest summons to 1. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces arrest a Palestinian trying to get on the Jerusalem Light Rail while carrying 3 pipe bombs. He was reportedly planning an attack on Israeli civilians during rush hour. They also arrest 4 Palestinians during late-night raids in Issawiyya. Off Gaza’s coast, Israeli naval forces open fire on Palestinian fishing boats nr. Jabaliya r.c., causing no damage or injuries. (HA, WAFA 7/17; PCHR 7/21; JP 8/2)

Fanning the flames across East Jerusalem, at least 20 Israeli settlers escorted by Israeli forces overtake a building in Silwan, claiming that the settler organization Ateret Cohanim had purchased it. A Palestinian man refuses to leave his apartment, so the settlers only move into 4 of the 5 floors. Later, Israeli forces close off a main street in al-Tur nr. the site of a firebomb attack on 8/26. Along Gaza’s border, Israeli forces arrest a Palestinian attempting to cross into Israel e. of Khan Yunis. Egyptian authorities allow the body of a Palestinian who recently died in an Egyptian hospital to be returned home through the Rafah border crossing. In the West Bank, IDF troops patrol in a village nr. Ramallah, sparking minor clashes with stone-throwing Palestinian youths and arresting 1 Palestinian. They also conduct house searches and raids nr. Qalqilya, issuing 1 Palestinian an arrest summons. Israeli forces demolish 4 buildings in Israeli settlement outposts nr. Nablus and arrest 3 settlers protesting the demolitions. In Israel, dozens of Palestinians gather nr. the bedouin village Umm al-Hiran in the Negev to protest the preconstruction phases of 2 Israeli Jewish towns, which Israeli forces began on 8/23. (MNA, TOI, WAFA 8/27; HA, MNA 8/28; PCHR 9/3)

Palestinian UN envoys formally submit a UN General Assembly (UNGA) res. that would allow non-mbr. observer states—Palestine and the Vatican—to display their flags at the UN’s headquarters and offices. (AP, REU, YA 8/26; JP 8/27; AFP 8/28) Senior PA official Azzam al-Ahmad announces that the PNC will convene in Ramallah on 9/15–16 to elect a new PLO Exec. Comm. and discuss the absence of peace negotiations with Israel. (AFP, HA, JP, MNA, TOI 8/27; MNA 8/29) 

In the West Bank, IDF troops violently disperse Palestinian, Israeli, and international protesters at weekly demonstrations against the Israeli occupation in 4 villages nr. Ramallah (Bil‘in, Ni‘lin, Silwad, and Nabi Salih), and Kafr Qaddum nr. Qalqilya; 3 Palestinians are injured. The IDF also conducts house searches and raids in Tulkarm and 1 village nr. Hebron, issuing an arrest summons to 1 Palestinian; patrols during the day in 3 villages nr. Ramallah, 2 nr. Hebron, and 1 nr. Jericho. Unidentified assailants set fire to a gas station nr. the Israeli settlement Eli, causing damage. (AFP, MNA, TOI 8/14; NYT 8/16; PCHR 8/20)

Hunger-striking Palestinian prisoner Allan is placed in a medically induced coma after his condition deteriorates. Later, Islamic Jihad’s military wing, Sarayat al-Quds Brigades, says that if Allan dies, they will not continue upholding the cease-fire with Israel. (HA, JP, MNA, NYT, YA 8/14)

The Arab Bank reaches a settlement in a case brought by hundreds of U.S. citizens accusing the bank of facilitating Hamas attacks in Israel. The terms of the settlement are not disclosed. A U.S. court ruled in 9/2014 that the Jordan-based Arab Bank was liable for knowingly supporting Hamas in its attacks. (TOI 8/14; JP 8/15)

On the Gaza border, IDF troops e. of the Gaza Valley arrest 3 Palestinian youths attempting to cross into Israel for work. In the West Bank, Israeli settlers throw firebombs and stones at a home in Duma, the same village where settlers set fire to a home on 7/31, killing an 18-mo.-old Palestinian child; there are no serious injuries. Later, IDF troops violently disperse Palestinian, Israeli, and international protesters marching in a village nr. Nablus, another nr. Qalqilya, and outside al-‘Arub r.c. nr. Hebron in solidarity with the victims of the 7/31 arson attack, after a 2d victim succumbs to his injuries; there are no serious injuries. The IDF also conducts late-night raids and house searches in Hebron, arresting 1 Palestinian; patrols during the day in 2 villages each nr. Ramallah and Hebron, and 1 nr. Jericho. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces arrest 6 Palestinians on raids in al-Tur, Issawiyya, and Bayt Hanina. (HA, MNA, WAFA, YA 8/8; PCHR 8/13)

In response to poor conditions, 28 Palestinian prisoners in Israel’s Ramon and Eshel Prisons join the mass open-ended hunger strike that began on 8/5, bringing the number of participants to 148. Meanwhile, the UN releases a statement expressing concern over the new Israeli law, adopted on 7/30, that allows for the force-feeding of Palestinian prisoners on hunger strike. (HA, JP 8/8; TOI, WAFA 8/9)

In Gaza, Israeli forces level land e. of Khan Yunis along the border fence. In the West Bank, IDF troops shoot and injure a Palestinian man at a checkpoint s. of Nablus when he refuses to undergo a security check. Israeli forces conduct a raid in a village nr. Jenin, sparking clashes with stone-throwing Palestinian residents. According to the village residents, errant tear gas canisters fired by the Israeli soldiers landed in a nearby agricultural area, setting a number of olive trees on fire. IDF troops conduct latenight raids in Hebron and nearby al-‘Arub r.c., as well as Aida r.c. and 1 village nr. Bethlehem, arresting 7 Palestinians, assaulting 2, and issuing an arrest summons to 1. Meanwhile, Israeli forces demolish a home and part of another in an outpost nr. the Eli settlement. Israeli settlers throw rocks at Palestinian cars nr. Ramallah, causing damage; set fire to 10 olive trees nr. Qalqilya. In East Jerusalem, unknown assailants throw a firebomb at an Israeli car in Bayt Hanina, causing an accident and injuring 3 Jewish Israelis (9 Palestinians will be arrested in connection with this attack and indicted on 8/23). Israeli forces arrest 2 Palestinian children accused of stone-throwing and 5 Palestinians on raids in Silwan. (HA, MNA, WAFA 8/3; JP 8/4; PCHR 8/6; HA 8/23)

PA FM al-Maliki meets with ICC prosecutor Bensouda in The Hague and files a report on Israeli settler violence with the ICC. Meanwhile, Palestinian amb. to Jordan Atallah Khairi says that the Jordanian govt. and Palestinian leadership have agreed to submit a draft res. to the UNSC calling for international defense of Palestinian civilians following the 7/31 arson attack. (HA, MNA, TOI, WAFA 8/3; MNA 8/4)

On behalf of the State of Palestine, PA PM Hamdallah signs a formal request to join Interpol, an intergovernmental organization that facilitates police cooperation across borders. The PA plans to use membership to prosecute Palestinians living abroad on corruption charges. (TOI 8/3)

In the Gaza Strip, IDF troops open fire from the border and wound a Palestinian farmer working close to the fence nr. Jabaliya r.c. In the West Bank, the IDF patrols in 1 village nr. Tulkarm in the afternoon, and in 1 village nr. Hebron at night. 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), 1 village nr. Qalqilya (Kafr Qaddum), and 1 village nr. Bethlehem (al-Ma‘sara). There are no serious injuries, except in Bil‘in, where 2 are struck by tear gas canisters. (MNA 8/30; PCHR 9/5)

Israel’s Central Bureau of Statistics publishes data showing that the number of settler housing starts in the West Bank rose by 141.5% in the 1st half of 2013, compared to the same period in 2012. (JP 8/30)

The Obama administration intensifies its public case for military action against Syria with the release of what it presents as evidence that the Syrian govt. has used chemical weapons against civilians on a number of occasions, including the attack last week. Pres. Obama and Secy. of State Kerry make separate statements condemning the Asad regime but committing the U.S. to only a limited retaliatory action. Meanwhile, according to an unnamed State Dept. official, Kerry speaks with the FMs of Britain, Egypt, Germany, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates. (AP, REU 8/30)

Thousands of supporters of ousted pres. Morsi march in Cairo and other cities across Egypt in protest at the military coup. According to a security source, the day’s protests leave 6 dead and more than 50 injured. (REU 8/30)

In the morning, members of the Palestinian Popular Resistance Comm. (PRCs), retaliating for the death of an Islamic Jihad mbr. on 8/16, fire 2 mortars across the s. Gaza border at IDF troops operating inside Israel, lightly injuring 2; the IDF returns fire but no injuries are reported. Late in the evening, the IDF responds with 6 air strikes targeting a deserted house near the c. Gaza border e. of Gaza Valley village (destroying it, a well, and damaging a nearby factory) and several smuggling tunnels on the Rafah border, causing no injuries. During the day, IDF troops make a brief incursion in to s. Gaza to level lands e. of Abassan to clear lines of sight; fire warning shots at Palestinians staging a nonviolent march to the Erez crossing to protest Israel’s imposition of a no-go zone along the border, causing no injuries. In the West Bank, Jewish settlers fr. Karnei Shomron settlement nr. Qalqilya stone passing Palestinian vehicles, causing no injuries. An Israeli court rules that Israel is responsible for the 1/2007 death of a 10-yr.-old Palestinian girl who was fatally shot by Israeli border police while observing a Palestinian demonstration from a distance; the border police alleged she was hit by a rock thrown by protesters, but the court finds that “there cannot be any dispute . . . that Abir was hit by a rubber bullet fired by border police, meaning the fire was conducted either due to negligence or violation of the rules of engagement.” (JP 8/17; AFP 8/18; PCHR 8/19; OCHA 8/20)

Lebanon passes a law granting the country’s approximately 400,000 Palestinian refugees the same rights to work as other foreigners and giving them access to social security benefits, easing decades of restrictions that had barred them from all but menial jobs. (NYT 8/18) 

The Israeli human rights group Peace Now issues an 8-mo. assessment of Israel’s temporary settlement construction freeze documenting that: (1) construction of at least 600 housing units in over 60 different settlements has begun during the freeze, with at least 492 of those units being constructed in direct violation of the freeze; (2) some 2,000 housing units started before the freeze was implemented on 11/26/09 are currently under construction; and (3) new construction starts during the freeze constitute approximately half of the normal settlement construction pace. (Peace Now press release 8/2)

Unidentified assailants fire 5–7 modified Grad-type rockets apparently fr. the Egyptian desert toward the Aqaba-Elat resort; 1 rocket lands harmlessly nr. the entrance to the Israeli resort town, 2 land inside Jordan (1 harmlessly, the other striking a taxi outside the InterContinental hotel in Aqaba, killing 1 Jordanian and wounding 3), 2 land in the Red Sea. Israel believes the rockets were all intended to strike Elat and calls Hamas “responsible” for the rocket fire; Hamas denies involvement. (JP 8/2; YT 8/3; WT 8/4; KUNA 8/5; HA 8/6; JPI, OCHA 8/13)

Israel’s Jerusalem municipal authority approves construction of 40 settlement housing units in Pisgat Ze’ev settlement in East Jerusalem. In the West Bank, the IDF dismantles and confiscates a Palestinian irrigation network nr. Hebron; patrols in 2 villages nr. Salfit at midday, making no arrests; arrests 3 Palestinian children (ages 13–14) nr. the separation wall nr. Bil‘in; sends undercover units in Jafna village nr. Ramallah late in the evening, raiding 2 Internet cafes and arresting 1 Palestinian; conducts late-night arrest raids, house searches nr. Hebron, Qalqilya. In Gaza, unidentified Palestinians apparently mishandle explosives in a home in Dayr al-Balah, triggering an explosion that injures 58 Palestinians (including 13 children, 9 women) and damages several surrounding homes. (AP 8/3; PCHR 8/5)

In the West Bank, the IDF detains 3 shop owners and demolishes their auto repair shops in Qalqilya, destroying equipment within and causing substantial losses. (PCHR 8/20)

The Israeli government denies reports that it has officially approved a construction freeze to last until 2010 but confirms that PM Benjamin Netanyahu, DM Ehud Barak, and Housing and Construction M Ariel Atias have made a decision to suspend soliciting of new bids for settlement construction in the West Bank. (JP 8/18; WP, WT 8/19; WJW 8/20; WT 8/21)

A Fatah al-Islam (FI) mbr. jailed in Lebanon for his participation in clashes between FI and the Lebanese army in ‘Ayn al-Hilwa r.c. in 2007 (see Quarterly Updates in JPS 145, 146) escapes fr. a highsecurity prison with the help of 8 other would-be escapees. (NYT 8/19)

The IDF completes the evacuation of Gadid (est. 1982, pop. 350, size 1,600 d., hrs. to evac. 3); halts operations at sundown for the Sabbath, planning to resume on 8/21; starts demolishing homes in Kerem Atzmona; begins digging 8-ft. trench around Gush Katif settlements to prevent Palestinians fr. entering before evacuation is complete. During the day in Gadid, where almost all residents left on 8/17, some 200 disengagement protesters set fires, erect roadblocks to block troops. Palestinian gunmen fire on Gadid, causing no damage or injuries. Also in Gaza, 2 Hamas mbrs. are injured when a roadside bomb they are planting explodes prematurely. In the West Bank, disengagement protesters set fire to a gas station outside Sanur. Jewish settlers take over 2 Palestinian homes nr. Homesh as lookout posts to help nonresident settlers infiltrate the IDF closed military zone to protest the disengagement; the IDF ousts them later in the day. A pig’s head, presumably left by disengagement protesters, is found in the Hassan Bek mosque nr. Jaffa. Meanwhile, the IDF occupies a 3-story building under construction nr. Kiryat Arba in Hebron, closes 21 stores attached to the building; conducts patrols in Nablus. Jewish settlers fr. Ramat Yishai in Hebron, throw stones, bottles at Palestinian homes, injuring an 8-yr.-old Palestinian boy. Jewish settlers fr. Sha’ar Hatikva nr. Qalqilya throw stones at nearby Palestinian cars, set fire to agricultural land and several greenhouses. Unidentified gunman fire on the car of West Bank Hamas political leader Shaykh Hasan Yusuf; Yusuf was not in the car, his bodyguards were but are not hurt. (BBC, HA, IDF Radio, ITV, JP 8/19; NYT, WP, WT 8/20; PCHR, PR 8/25)

U.S. special envoy Ross arrives in Jerusalem for talks with PA, Israel aimed at easing tensions, resuming security contacts that would pave way for visit by Secy. of State Albright, resumption of negotiations. (NYT 8/9; Radio France Internationale 8/9 in WNC 8/12; NYT, WT 8/10; JP 8/16)

Arafat calls emergency session of the PC to discuss conditions in the territories since the 7/30 bombings. (NYT, WT 8/10)

Nearly 2 wks. after the 7/30 bombings, Israel is still unable to identify the bombers. While some Israeli news reports claim that unnamed government officials have determined that the bombers were Palestinians fr. Nablus or Surif, other unnamed Israeli, PA officials claim that several indicators (the labels on the bombers clothing had been cut off, their finger prints are not on file, their bombs left no chemical residue, they carried Jordanian dinars) suggest that the bombers came fr. abroad, perhaps fr. Lebanon. Lebanese FM Faris Buwayz says that Israel is propagating these rumors to justify its recent intensification of attacks on Lebanon. (RL 8/9, al-Hayat al-Jadida 8/10 in WNC 8/12; WP 8/11, WT 8/18)

Israel eases the "inner closure" to allow Palestinian movement btwn. Janin, Qalqilya, Tulkarm. Bethlehem, H1 in Hebron, Ramallah are still sealed. Palestinians are permitted to cross the border into Jordan, but the overall ban on Palestinians entering Israel remains in effect. (WT 8/10, 8/13)

PA police uncover a cache of weapons, explosives in Qalqilya, arrest several Palestinians. (NYT 8/10; YA 8/10 in WNC 8/12; NYT 8/11; LAW 8/20)

Israeli Air Force (IAF) stages 2 attacks targeting Hizballah, PFLP-GC training camps in the Biqa` Valley, killing 1 Hizballah mbr. and 1 PFLP-GC mbr., wounding 4 Hizballah mbrs. 1 SLA mbr. is wounded in a separate clash with Hizballah. (RL 8/9 in WNC 8/12; NYT, WT 8/10; MM 8/11)

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Israeli military officials state they have uncovered underground political cell in Golan town of Majd al-Shams responsible for attacks against IDF and civilians during the past 6 months [JTA 8/28]. Latest poll by Modi'in Ezrachi shows that if elections were held, Kach would be third largest party in the Knesset, getting 11 seats in the 120-seat parliament. Labor would get 51 seats and Likud 24 [PI, USN 8/28]. Curfews continue in Tulkarm and Jenin while investigations are conducted into 8/24 attacks on Israelis. [JP 8/28]. Chicago Tribune reports more than 70 Israeli-owned West Bank land offices are under investigation in unfolding land fraud scandal. Among those questioned are former senior officials in Agriculture Ministry involved in settlement activity, ex-officials in the West Bank military government, police authorities, and several land brokers, 4 of whom have been arrested [CT 8/27]. P. M. Peres says Chairman Afarat is directly responsible for attacks against Israelis, and Israeli govemment has evidence to prove it. He says 'Amman has been wamed of the consequences of letting the PLO station itself in 'Amman [DT 8/28]. Isramco, U.S. oil company with oil and gas interests in Israel, announces it is launching expanded program for oil and gas production in the Negev. Company plans to spend between $5-6 million by the end of the first quarter of 1986 UC 8/27].

Other Countries: First International Christian Zionist Congress convenes in Basel, Switzerland for three days, gathering 500 Christian lay leaders and theologians, active supporters of Israel. Congress is organized by the Intemational Christian Embassy in Jerusalem [JTA 8/22].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Palestinian in Qalqilya is shot as he tries to flee IDF patrol attempting to detain him and 2 others [JP 7/28]. The wounded man was hospitalized and the 2 arrested.