The Palestine Chronology

A Hamas fighter dies in a tunnel accident nr. Khan Yunis. Off Gaza’s coast, Israeli naval forces open fire on a Palestinian fishing boat nr. Bayt Lahiya, causing no injuries. They also arrest 2 of the fishermen and confiscate their boat. In the West Bank, IDF troops arrest 6 Palestinians during late-night raids nr. Bethlehem, Hebron, and Jenin, and patrol during the day nr. Salfit, Hebron, and Qalqilya. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces arrest 7 Palestinians and issue 4 arrest summons during raids in Issawiyya, Sur al-Bahir, Shu‘fat r. c., Issawiyya, and Silwan. (MNA, MNA, WAFA 12/4; PCHR 12/8)

Israeli PM Netanyahu and DM Lieberman permit the transfer of 5 armored vehicles from Jordan to the PA because of the deteriorating security situation in the oPt, particularly in Nablus, according to an Israeli spokesperson. The PA has been requesting approval for such transfers for at least 4 years. (MNA, TOI 12/7)

After mos. of negotiations and intracoalition struggle, Netanyahu resolves several conflicts over the illegal Amona settlement outpost. First, he secures Atty. Gen. Avichai Mandelblit’s approval for the govt.’s plan to relocate the 40-odd families from Amona to a nearby plot of “abandoned” land. Second, he announces plans to petition the High Court of Justice for a 30-day delay of its evacuation and demolition order to give his govt. time to prepare temporary alternate housing for Amona’s residents. Third, he brokers a deal with Finance Minister Moshe Kahlon and Education Minister Naftali Bennett on the so-called regulations bill, which Bennett is backing in order to retroactively authorize the illegal West Bank settlement outposts, including Amona. Netanyahu and Kahlon agree to reverse their positions and support the bill as long as Clause 7, the provision that specifically addresses Amona, is removed. (HA, JP, TOI, YA 12/4; HA, JP, YA 12/5)

In the West Bank, Israel Defense Forces (IDF) troops conduct an early morning raid in Ramallah, sparking clashes with stone-throwing Palestinian youths; 3 Palestinians are injured. The IDF arrests 8 Palestinians during late-night raids in and around Hebron, Bethlehem, and Tulkarm; and patrols nr. Jenin, Ramallah, and Hebron. Along Gaza’s border, the Israeli authorities prevent a truck from passing through the Kerem Shalom border crossing on the grounds that it contains materials that could be used to build rockets. Off Gaza’s coast, Israeli naval forces open fire on Palestinian fishing boats nr. Jabaliya refugee camp (r.c.), causing no damage or injuries. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces arrest 6 Palestinians during late-night raids in Jabal Mukabir and Issawiyya. (MNA 11/16; PCHR 11/17; PCHR 11/24)

The Egyptian authorities open the Rafah border crossing for the 3d of 5 planned days. (MNA 11/16; OCHA 12/2)

Israel’s Knesset passes the 1st reading of the so-called regulations bill, which would retroactively authorize Israeli settlement outposts in the West Bank. Meanwhile, in response to the Israeli High Court of Justice’s 11/14 reaffirmation of its evacuation order for the illegal Amona settlement outpost, the Jerusalem Municipality approves demolition orders for 14 Palestinian homes in Bayt Hanina. Jerusalem mayor Nir Barkat says that thousands of Palestinian homes in Jerusalem lack proper permits and should be held to the same standard as Amona, adding that “the Amona verdict leaves us no discretion to legalize building offenses.” (HA, JP, MNA, TOI, YA 11/16; JP, MNA 11/17)

The Israeli authorities return the body of a Palestinian to his family in East Jerusalem, having punitively withheld it since he was killed on 12/14 after carrying out a car ramming attack in Jerusalem. His family is forced to pay a security deposit, bury the body at al-Mujahidin Cemetery in c. Jerusalem (rather than nr. their home in Hebron), and limit the attendance at his funeral at 25 people. In the West Bank, IDF troops open fire on a group of Palestinian students walking home from school in Jalazun r.c. nr. Ramallah, injuring 1 and sparking clashes with stone-throwing youths in the area (there are no serious injuries). They also patrol nr. Hebron and Jenin. An Israeli settler driver rams his vehicle into an elderly Palestinian nr. Bethlehem, causing moderate injuries. Along Gaza’s border, IDF troops open fire on Palestinian bird-hunters and farmers nr. Jabaliya, injuring 1. Off Gaza’s coast, Israeli naval forces open fire on Palestinian fishing boats nr. Gaza City and arrest 6 fishermen. (MNA, TOI, WAFA 9/8; PCHR 9/22)

A Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson confirms that PA pres. Abbas and Israeli PM Netanyahu “agreed in principle”to meet in Moscow, but they have not yet set a date. She says that Russian officials are still working to find an appropriate date. (HA, JP, REU, RFM, TOI 9/8)

In response to growing Hamas-Fatah tensions, the Palestinian High Court of Justice puts a freeze on the municipal elections scheduled for 10/8. The freeze is set to expire on 12/21. The court will deliberate again on 9/21. (HA, JP, MNA, TOI, WAFA 9/8; MNA, NYT 9/9)

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)

In the West Bank, IDF troops conduct late-night house searches and raids nr. Hebron, Tulkarm, Ramallah, and Bethlehem, arresting 7 Palestinians, confiscating some personal property, and violently dispersing stone-throwers nr. Tulkarm (there are no injuries). They also patrol during the day nr. Hebron, Salfit, and Jenin. Israeli forces demolish a 4-km water pipeline under construction nr. Tubas overnight and 2 homes in the Jordan Valley during the day. A Palestinian demolishes 2 of his own animal shelters nr. Nablus to avoid paying for an Israeli demolition crew. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces issue an arrest summons to a Palestinian and arrest a Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP) leader during raids in Silwan, and order the closure of a Palestinian education organization, the Sa’ed Institution for Educational Consultations, in the Old City, claiming that it supports terrorism against Israelis. A Palestinian demolishes his own home in Ras al-Amud to avoid paying NIS 60,000 (approx. $16,000) for an Israeli demolition crew. (MNA, WAFA 8/8; PCHR 8/11; +972 8/13)

Israel’s army radio reports that the Israeli govt., in response to a Palestinian petition to the Supreme Court, has stated that it no longer opposes the Israel Electric Corporation’s (IEC) punitive cuts of electricity to areas of the West Bank. The IEC punitively cut power to major West Bank cities intermittently over the summer in response to unpaid Palestinian debts (see JPS 45 [4]). (TOI 8/8)

Israeli forces demolish 12 Palestinian homes in Qalandia r.c., sparking clashes with Palestinian protesters; there are no serious injuries. Israeli raids in Abu Dis and al-Am‘ari r.c. spark further clashes with stone-throwing Palestinians (3 Palestinians are injured). Late at night, they demolish 4 more Palestinian structures in Issawiyya and 1 under construction in Silwan, and arrest 2 Palestinians during raids in Ras al-Amud. In the West Bank, IDF troops arrest 4 Palestinians during raids in Zabbuba village nr. Jenin, sparking clashes with stone-throwing residents (there are no serious injuries). They arrest 4 more Palestinians during late-night raids in and around Bethlehem, and patrol nr. Hebron, Salfit, and Qalqilya. The IDF reopens a road nr. Bethlehem, having closed it in the wake of a shooting attack in the area on 7/21. Israeli forces begin constructing permanent cement rooms at the entrance to al-Ibrahimi Mosque in Hebron; the press reports that the rooms will be used as a security inspection area. Meanwhile, the IDF maintains the general closure of Hebron and its surrounding district that it put in place on 7/1. (MNA 7/25; JP, MNA, WAFA 7/26; HA 7/27; PCHR 7/28)

UNRWA releases a statement expressing concern for the humanitarian effects of the IDF’s weeks-long crackdown on Hebron and the surrounding area. (MNA 7/25)

In response to a petition from Palestinian residents of Jerusalem, Israel’s High Court of Justice orders the police to explain why they are withholding the bodies of Palestinians killed while allegedly carrying out attacks on Israelis. The police are given 3 weeks to respond. (TOI 7/26)

Amid heightened tensions and the ongoing IDF closures in the Hebron district, Israeli settlers enter Kafr Haris village nr. Hebron overnight to perform religious rituals. Palestinians in the area report that a group of Israeli settlers have been setting up a new illegal settlement outpost outside the village. Meanwhile, IDF troops conduct raids in Silwad village nr. Ramallah, sparking clashes with stone-throwing Palestinian youth; 1 Palestinian is seriously injured. Late at night, IDF troops arrest 10 Palestinians and issue 1 arrest summons during further raids and house searches nr. Hebron, Bethlehem, Nablus, and Jenin; and patrol in 5 villages nr. Hebron. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces arrest 3 Palestinians suspected of stone-throwing in Issawiyya. They also conduct raids in the Old City, breaking up a minor physical confrontation between Jewish Israelis and Palestinian youths (7 Palestinians are assaulted and 4 are arrested). Meanwhile, a Palestinian demolishes a room of his home in Silwan to avoid paying Israeli demolition fees. Along Gaza’s border, IDF troops open fire on Palestinian farmers working nr. Khan Yunis, causing no injuries. In s. Israel, Israeli forces arrest several bedouin Palestinians after they try to stop an Israeli bulldozer from leveling land outside their village, al-Araqib. (MNA, WAFA 7/24; MNA 7/25; PCHR 7/28)

The Israeli press reports that the mayor of Yatta village, along with several human rights organizations, has submitted a petition to Israel’s High Court of Justice to lift the IDF’s closure of Yatta, which was imposed in the wake of the 6/8 attack in Tel Aviv. The petition states that all entry and exit from the village has been prohibited since 7/2, when the closure was re-enforced. The mayor reportedly complained to the IDF, which responded that the closure will continue because it is a “military-security need” and that it is “part of the effort to prevent further attackers from leaving the area.” (HA 7/24)

The Israeli press reports that the Jerusalem Municipality’s Local Planning and Construction Comm. presented plans for 770 settler housing units between the Gilo settlement and Bayt Jala late last week. The Israeli authorities previously approved 1,200 units in the area, and the reports today appear to cover the same development. (MNA 7/24)

Random attacks continue in the West Bank: Israeli forces shoot and kill 2 Palestinians in a settlement nr. Nablus after they allegedly attack and lightly injure an Israeli settler. Later, 2 Palestinian youths allegedly stab and lightly injure 2 Israeli soldiers at a settlement nr. Nablus. After the 2d incident, the IDF shuts down all roads leading from Nablus except 1; closes the entrances to nearby villages (they will keep the roads sealed through 3/4). Meanwhile, IDF troops conduct raids and house searches in and around Jenin, Tulkarm, Qalqilya, and Nablus, arresting 20 Palestinians. Israeli forces demolish 12 residential, educational, and agricultural structures in a village nr. Nablus, and a home under construction nr. Tulkarm, and deliver stop-work orders to 3 homes under construction nr. Hebron. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces demolish a 3-story building in al-Tur. Dozens of right-wing Jewish activists tour Haram al-Sharif. (HA, JP, MNA, WAFA, YA 3/2; MNA, PCHR 3/3; PCHR 3/10)

Israel’s High Court of Justice rules that the govt. must return 1,700 dunams (around 420 acres) of unused land nr. Ramallah to its Palestinian owners. (JP, MNA 3/2)

Late at night in Gaza, 2 Hamas fighters are killed in a tunnel collapse nr. Rafah. In the West Bank, IDF troops shoot and critically injure a Palestinian youth amid clashes outside a settlement nr. Ramallah. After Israeli forces demolish 23 of the planned 40 structures in a bedouin village s. of Hebron, the High Court of Justice issues a temporary injunction. Elsewhere in Hebron, IDF troops conduct raids and house searches in al-Fawar r.c. and 4 villages nr. the city, raiding the homes of 2 Palestinians suspected of carrying out attacks and preparing the homes for punitive demolition. Meanwhile, Israeli settlers assault a Palestinian youth outside the city. The IDF also conducts raids and house searches in Aida r.c. nr. Bethlehem, Jenin, Jenin r.c., and 1 village nr. Tulkarm, arresting 12 Palestinians and confiscating personal property; patrol in al-‘Arub r.c. and 4 villages nr. Hebron. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces demolish 1 Palestinian home in Silwan. Meanwhile, 3 Joint List MKs visit a number of families of Palestinians whose bodies are being withheld by the Israeli authorities, offering solidarity and amplifying the families’ protests. (MNA, TOI, WAFA 2/2; HA, MNA, TOI, YA 2/3; PCHR 2/4; EI 2/5)