The Palestine Chronology

Stabbing and alleged stabbing attacks continue in the West Bank and Jerusalem, leading to the deaths of 2 Palestinians. First, IDF troops shoot and kill a Palestinian youth in the Gush Etzion settlement bloc nr. Bethlehem after he allegedly attempts to stab an Israeli settler (no Israelis are injured). E. of Tulkarm, an Israeli soldier shoots and kills a Palestinian at a checkpoint, claiming that she attempted to stab him. Finally, a Palestinian stabs and lightly injures an Israeli civilian in West Jerusalem. Israeli forces arrest 1 Palestinian woman each in Hebron, outside a settlement nr. Nablus, and s. of Bethlehem, claiming that the women are carrying knives. A video of the Bethlehem incident will show IDF troops forcing the Palestinian woman to pick up a knife prior to her arrest. Late at night, Israeli troops raid the Nablus-area home of the Palestinian woman accused of planning a stabbing attack outside a nearby settlement earlier in the day. They detain and threaten her family. (HA, MNA, WAFA, YA, 12/1; PCHR 12/3)

Elsewhere in the oPt, IDF troops chase, shoot, and injure 3 Palestinian youths in Hebron, alleging that they were preparing to throw Molotov cocktails at an IDF post. IDF troops also conduct late-night raids in 3 villages, al-‘Arub r.c. and al-Fawar r.c. nr. Hebron, ‘Askar r.c. nr. Nablus, and Dayr ‘Ammar nr. Ramallah, arresting 18 Palestinians and issuing an arrest summons to 1; patrol in 8 villages and al-Fawar r.c. nr. Hebron and 1 village nr. Qalqilya. Palestinian youths throw stones at Israeli soldiers nr. Qalqilya, sparking clashes in which 4 Palestinians are injured and an errant tear gas canister causes minor fire damage to a nearby home. E. of Gaza City, IDF border troops open fire on Palestinian farmers, causing no injuries. Off the coast nr. Bayt Lahiya, Israeli naval forces open fire on Palestinian fishing boats, causing no damage or injuries. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces patrol in al-Tur late at night, sparking clashes with stone-throwing Palestinian youths; there are no serious injuries. They also conduct raids in Issawiyya and al-Tur, arresting 4 Palestinians and shooting tear gas canisters at a Palestinian hospital (several patients suffer burns and tear gas inhalation). Meanwhile, a Palestinian family demolishes their own home in the Old City on order from the Israeli authorities. Israeli forces demolish 2 Palestinian apartments in Bayt Hanina. (HA, JP, MNA, WAFA, YA 12/1; EI, MNA 12/2; PCHR 12/3)

In the West Bank, IDF troops clash with and violently disperse Palestinian, Israeli, and international activists at Friday demonstrations against the increased Israeli crackdown and the occupation in villages nr. Ramallah, Bethlehem, and Qalqilya, injuring 44 Palestinians. Israel continues closures of Palestinian areas, shutting down the entrances to 4 villages nr. Nablus. In the evening, IDF troops enter a village n. of Hebron, clashing with stone-throwers and firing tear gas at them; several Palestinians suffer from tear gas inhalation. Other Israeli troops in the village raid 2 homes, arresting 2 Palestinians and issuing summons to 2 others. The IDF conducts additional raids around Dura nr. Hebron and in al-‘Arub r.c. nearby, arresting 16 Palestinians; patrols during the day in the Salfit, Hebron, and Tulkarm areas. Also nr. Salfit, Israeli settlers throw stones at a Palestinian taxi driver and cause minor damage. Unrest continues in Gaza, as IDF troops open fire on protesters gathering along the e. and s. border fences, injuring 29 Palestinians. E. of Jabaliya, Israeli forces open fire on agricultural land along the border fence, causing no injuries. In East Jerusalem, Palestinian youthsthrow stones at Israeli forces in Anata r.c., sparking minor clashes that injure 4 Palestinians. (MNA 11/20; PCHR 11/26)

Stabbing and other small-scale violent incidents continue in the occupied Palestinian territories (oPt) and Israel. In Tel Aviv, 2 Palestinians armed with knives attack a group of Israelis at an office building, killing 2 and injuring 2. Israeli police arrest 1 of the attackers and the other flees. Later, IDF troops raid the Hebron-area home of 1 of the suspects, delivering punitive demolition orders and arresting 3. Nr. Bethlehem, a Palestinian driver opens fire in the Gush Etzion settlement bloc, injuring 10 settlers and killing 3 others, including a U.S. citizen. Israeli forces shoot at the driver, causing him to crash his car and killing 1 Palestinian bystander in the crossfire; they arrest the driver at the scene. In c. Hebron, Israeli forces fire tear gas and skunk water, blocking a number of Palestinian children from accessing their school, after a Palestinian allegedly throws a tear gas canister at an Israeli checkpoint and injures a soldier. Also, a Palestinian succumbs to injuries sustained in clashes with the IDF on 11/11. (HA, MNA, NYT, WAFA, YA 11/19; PCHR 11/26)

Elsewhere, a number of Palestinian municipalities in Israel, including Nazareth, Rahat, and Sakhnin, go on strike in protest of the 11/16 outlawing of the Northern Branch of the Islamic Movement. In the West Bank, IDF troops and stone-throwers clash during raids in Dahaysha r.c. and patrols nr. Jenin, injuring 4 Palestinians and arresting 1, respectively. Israeli forces continue their string of late-night house searches and raids in the Hebron, Ramallah, Jalazun r.c., and Dahaysha r.c. areas, arresting 12 Palestinians and issuing arrest summons to 4; patrol during the day nr. Jenin, Tulkarm, Salfit, Hebron, and Qalqilya. Israeli settlers leave racist graffiti and throw stones at Palestinian homes in a village nr. Ramallah late at night, causing minor damage. Israeli forces begin demolishing a synagogue in the Givat Ze’ev settlement nr. Jerusalem, pursuant to the Israeli govt.’s 11/16 compromise with settler leaders (the demolition will be completed by 12/10). In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces clash with and violently disperse Palestinians at a checkpoint in Abu Dis, seriously injuring 1 Palestinian; arrest 4 Palestinians on raids in Issawiyya and Jabal Mukabir; assault a Palestinian youth in Ras al-Amud. (EI, HA, MNA, NYT, WAFA, YA 11/19; MNA, TOI 11/20; PCHR 11/26)

Israel’s Coordinator of Govt. Activities in the Territories (COGAT) Unit cmdr. Yoav Mordechai signs an agreement with the PA Minister of Civil Affairs Hassan al-Shaykh to grant Palestinian mobile phone users in the West Bank access to 3G high-speed data services. The new services are expected to be in place by mid-2016. (AP, HA 11/19)

The Israeli crackdown continues amid the ongoing wave of violence in the oPt. IDF troops clash with and violently disperse Palestinians protesting w. of Tulkarm, outside a settlement nr. Ramallah, and in a village nr. Hebron; 3 Palestinians are injured (1 will succumb to his injuries on 11/13). Israeli forces demolish 2 agricultural structures and a water well nr. Hebron; shoot and injure a Palestinian in a village nr. Hebron. The IDF conducts late-night raids nr. Hebron, arresting 1 Palestinian; patrols during the day in 1 village each nr. Tulkarm and Jenin. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces fire tear gas canisters at Palestinian students crossing a checkpoint in Shu‘fat r.c.; there are no serious injuries. Israeli forces deliver a punitive demolition order to the Jabal Mukabir home of 1 of the Palestinians who killed 3 Israelis on a bus on 10/13. (MNA, TOI, WAFA 11/12; HA, MNA 11/13; PCHR 11/19)

Israel’s High Court of Justice rejects petitions calling for the suspension of the govt.’s orders to punitively demolish the Nablus- and Ramallah-area homes of 6 Palestinians accused of recent attacks on Israelis. The court accepts 1 petition, suspending the punitive demolition order for the home of the Palestinian who shot and killed an Israeli settler on 6/29. Today’s decision lifts the temporary injunction that the court imposed on 10/22. (JP, TOI, YA 11/12)

A delegation of Jordanian officials arrives in Jerusalem for meetings with their Israeli counterparts on the implementation of the 10/24 Israeli-Jordanian agreement to install cameras at Haram al-Sharif. (HA, TOI 11/13)

The wave of small-scale violence and stabbing attacks continues in the West Bank and East Jerusalem. An Israeli security guard shoots and kills a Palestinian after he allegedly attempts to stab him nr. the Old City. A 2d Palestinian is lightly injured by errant fire. Israeli forces then raid the Palestinian’s home in Issawiyya, arresting his father and 3 brothers. Around the same time, Israeli forces shoot and injure a Palestinian youth after he and a 2d Palestinian youth stab and injure an Israeli security guard on the Jerusalem Light Rail nr. Shu‘fat r.c.; both youths are arrested. Nr. Bethlehem, Israeli soldiers shoot and kill 2 Palestinians at a checkpoint and 2 others in an Israeli settlement nr. Bethlehem after they allegedly attempt to stab Israeli soldiers and settlers. (HA, MNA, WAFA 11/10; PCHR 11/12)

Meanwhile in the oPt, Israeli forces assault and arrest 4 Palestinian youths in Issawiyya. IDF troops patrol in c. Hebron, sparking clashes with stone-throwers (several Palestinians are lightly injured); surround a school in al-‘Arub r.c. nr. Hebron, fire tear gas onto the grounds, and open fire on a number of Palestinian youths (2 are injured). IDF troops clash with and disperse Palestinians protesting in c. Hebron, w. of Tulkarm, and in Aida r.c. nr. Bethlehem (2 Palestinians are seriously injured); conduct late-night house searches and raids in 1 neighborhood in East Jerusalem, 3 villages nr. Hebron, arresting 11 Palestinians. Israeli forces demolish 3 wells, a shed, and a water tank in a village nr. Jenin. (HA, JP, MNA, TOI, WAFA, YA 11/10; AP, JP, MNA 11/11; PCHR 11/12)

PA pres. Abbas instructs the PA’s Foreign Ministry to prepare a file of evidence on Israel’s 10/12 arrest and subsequent treatment of a Palestinian youth for submission to the ICC. A video depicting Israeli interrogators verbally abusing the youth was published on 11/9, prompting criticism. (TOI, WAFA 11/11; HA 11/12)

The Israeli crackdown on the ongoing wave of violence continues across the oPt. IDF troops clash with and violently disperse Palestinians protesting and throwing stones along Gaza’s border nr. al-Bureij r.c., w. of Tulkarm, in Bethlehem, in 3 villages nr. Hebron, ‘Askar r.c. nr. Nablus, and outside a settlement nr. Ramallah; 10 Palestinians are injured and 2 are arrested. The IDF also conducts late-night raids and house searches in al-Fawar r.c. and 3 villages nr. Hebron, ‘Askar r.c. nr. Nablus, and 2 villages each nr. Ramallah and Nablus, arresting 12 Palestinians and issuing an arrest summons to 1. Israeli forces arrest a Palestinian man armed with a knife and a pipe bomb at a gas station across the street from a checkpoint nr. Jenin. They indefinitely close the checkpoint after the arrest (they will reopen it on 11/5). IDF troops fire tear gas canisters into Palestinian homes in Aida r.c. nr. Bethlehem, causing damage and a number of minor injuries. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces close a checkpoint between Silwan and the Old City; raid a medical center in Issawiyya, issuing 1 Palestinian an interrogation summons and searching a number of files. They also arrest 13 Palestinians on raids and patrols in al-Thawri, Issawiyya, and the Old City. In Israel, Israeli forces demolish 2 bedouin homes nr. Beersheba. (HA, JP, MNA, TOI, WAFA, YA 11/3; PCHR 11/5)

The Israeli Civil Admin.’s Higher Planning Council gives preliminary approval of a 2014 master plan for a settlement bloc nr. Ramallah, which would include the construction of 2,200 new residences and the retroactive authorization of 2 settlement outposts. A public hearing was held on the plan on 10/21 (the Civil Admin. will publish the approval on 11/5). (AP, HA 11/9)

In n. Gaza, an IQB fighter dies in a tunnel collapse. Also, Islamic Jihad announces that 1 of its fighters was killed today during an unspecified “jihadist mission.” Off the coast nr. Bayt Lahiya, Israeli naval forces open fire on Palestinian fishing boats, causing no damage or injuries. IDF troops stationed along the n. border arrest a Palestinian attempting to cross into Israel; open fire on agricultural areas along the border fence. In the West Bank, IDF troops violently disperse journalists gathering in Bethlehem for a nonviolent march commemorating World Press Freedom Day; several are lightly injured with stun grenades and tear gas. The IDF conducts house searches and raids in and around Hebron, arresting 1 Palestinian; patrols in Tulkarm, 2 villages nr. Ramallah, and 1 each nr. Hebron and Qalqilya. A Palestinian youth attempts to stab an IDF soldier at a checkpoint nr. Hebron, and he is arrested. (JP, MNA, TOI, WAFA 5/2; PCHR 5/7)

Senior Fatah official Amin Maqboul says that the party has decided to alter the composition of the PA cabinet, swapping up to 6 portfolios. A new minister of the economy is set to be appointed following the resignation of former minister Mustafa. (MNA 5/3)

IDF troops on the Gaza border e. of Khan Yunis fire warning shots at Palestinian farmers nr. the border fence, causing some damage but no injuries. Off the coast nr. al-Sudaniyya, Israeli naval forces open fire on Palestinian fishing boasts, causing no injuries. Also off the coast, IAF jets fire flash bombs nr. Palestinian fishing boats. In the West Bank, Israeli forces demolish a home nr. Ramallah. IDF troops clash with stone-throwing Palestinians in c. Hebron and nr. Nablus, causing a number to suffer from tear gas inhalation. The IDF also conducts raids in a village nr. Hebron, arresting 9 Palestinians; patrols in and around Tulkarm, as well as 1 village each nr. Hebron and Qalqilya. An Israeli settler rams his car into a Palestinian child s. of Hebron, injuring him. Also, Israeli settlers damage water pipes leading to Palestinian homes in c. Hebron, causing minor flooding. In East Jerusalem, Israeli authorities ban 4 Palestinians from entering Haram al-Sharif for varying amounts of time after 3 are arrested in the sanctuary. In Tel Aviv, thousands of Palestinian citizens of Israel gather in Rabin Square to protest the housing shortage and home demolitions in their communities. Also, Palestinians across Israel conduct a general strike, responding to a call from the Arab High Follow-Up Comm. (AFP, HA, JP, MNA, WAFA 4/28; HA, MNA, PCHR 4/29; HA 4/30; PCHR 5/7)

Fired from Syria, 2 mortar shells land in the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights, causing no injuries. The IDF describes them as “spillover” from the Syrian conflict. (HA, MNA, YA 4/28)

In a letter to EU foreign policy chief Mogherini, 59 mbrs. of the European parliament call for the release of PLC mbr. Jarrar, who was placed in administrative detention by the IDF on 4/2. (WAFA 4/29)

In the West Bank, IDF troops shoot and kill a Palestinian man in c. Hebron after he stabs and injures an Israeli soldier. Late at night, the IDF raids several homes owned by the man’s family in a village nr. Hebron, issuing 2 arrest summons and confiscating property. During the day, IDF troops patrol in 1 village nr. Tulkarm and 2 nr. Ramallah. Nr. Qalqilya, 2 Palestinian children are injured in an explosion of suspected unexploded ordnance. Off the coast of Gaza nr. Gaza City, Israeli naval forces open fire on Palestinian fishing boats, causing damage to 2 boats. In East Jerusalem, Israeli security forces clash with stone-throwing residents of al-Tur, Silwan, and Issawiyya hours after the killing of a Palestinian at a checkpoint in the area on 4/24; 26 Palestinians are injured by rubber-coated metal bullets, around 50 suffer tear gas inhalation, and 1 Israeli police officer is hurt. Later in al-Tur, a Palestinian driver rams a car into a group of Israeli police officers, injuring 3. (They will arrest the man early on 4/26.) Israeli forces conduct late-night raids in Silwan and Jabal Mukabir, arresting 2 Palestinians. (HA, MNA, NYT, TOI, WAFA 4/25; MNA, WAFA, YA 4/26; PCHR 4/29)

IDF troops on the Gaza border e. of Khan Yunis open fire on Palestinians nr. the border fence gathering to commemorate Land Day, injuring 2. In the West Bank, thousands of Palestinians gather in several villages and cities for Land Day; IDF troops violently disperse protests in villages nr. Nablus and Ramallah, causing a number of Palestinians to suffer tear gas inhalation. The IDF conducts house searches and raids in 2 villages nr. Hebron, 1 nr. Jenin, and Tulkarm, arresting 4 Palestinians; patrols in 5 villages nr. Ramallah, 1 nr. Jericho, and al-‘Arub r.c. and 1 village nr. Hebron. Israeli forces deliver demolition notices to 7 Palestinian-owned agricultural structures and water wells in a village nr. Nablus and to 7 residential structures in a village nr. Hebron. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces violently disperse Palestinians marching through the Old City to commemorate Land Day, injuring 1 and arresting 2. They also arrest 3 Palestinians at Haram al-Sharif, 3 in the Old City, and 1 during a house search in Silwan. Meanwhile, Palestinian citizens of Israel gather in Jerusalem, Dayr Hanna in the Galilee, and Rahat in the Negev to commemorate Land Day, but the Arab High Follow-Up Comm. does not call for a general strike as it did in 2014. (HA, JP, MNA, WAFA, YA 3/30; YA 3/31; PCHR 4/2)

The Jerusalem Municipality announces that it has approved tenders to build 142 new residences in the Har Homa settlement in East Jerusalem. Also, the Interior Ministry’s District Planning and Building Comm. approves a plan to construct over 2,200 new residences for Palestinians in Jabal Mukabir, East Jerusalem, and to retroactively approve hundreds that have already been built in the neighborhood. (WAFA 3/30; TOI 3/31; HA 4/1)

The PA Ministry of Civil Affairs announces that it will be providing 1 year of financial support to the approximately 15,000 Palestinian families in Gaza whose homes were destroyed during OPE. The project will be funded by international donors, primarily Arab League mbrs., and will grant families between NIS 1,000 and 1,500 per mo. ($250 to $378). (MNA, WAFA 3/30)

A bipartisan group of 4 U.S. senators sends a letter to Pres. Obama stating their opposition to the admin.’s reported reassessment of its policies regarding Israel and the possible end of U.S. support of Israel in international institutions, such as the UN. (TOI 3/31)

IDF troops on the Gaza border e. of Jabaliya fire on Palestinian agricultural land nr. the border fence, causing damage. Meanwhile, IDF troops stationed e. of Khan Yunis fire on Palestinian protesters approaching the border fence, causing several to suffer from tear gas inhalation. Off the coast nr. Jabaliya, Israeli naval forces open fire on Palestinian fishing boats, causing no damage. In the West Bank, IDF troops briefly detain the gov. of Ramallah and threaten her with “direct targeting” if she continues her participation in the weekly nonviolent protests in Nabi Salih. They also arrest a senior PA official at a demonstration in Nabi Salih nr. Ramallah commemorating Land Day (upcoming on 3/30). (He will be released on 3/29.) The IDF conducts house searches and raids in 1 village nr. Tulkarm; patrols in 3 villages nr. Ramallah, 2 each nr. Jericho and Hebron. Israeli settlers assault 4 Palestinian farmers in another village nr. Hebron, causing no injuries. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces conduct a raid in Silwan late at night. (MNA, WAFA 3/28; MNA 3/29; PCHR 4/2)

The 26th Arab League summit begins today, with reps. of all the mbrs. as well as UN Secy.- Gen. Ban, gathering in Sharm al-Shaykh, Egypt, to discuss the recent violence in Yemen, Palestinian affairs, and other issues. At the summit, PA Pres. Abbas says that Israel has not yet released the tax revenues that PM Netanyahu’s office said would be unfrozen on 3/27 and that the PA is still set to “to reevaluate our economic, political and security relationship with Israel.” (MNA 3/27; AFP, AP, HA, MNA, TOI, WAFA 3/28; JP, JTA 3/29)

In the West Bank, IDF troops patrol in a village nr. Tulkarm, sparking clashes with residents; several Palestinians suffer from tear gas inhalation. They also clash with stone-throwing Palestinian youth in a village nr. Ramallah, arresting 2 Palestinians. Israeli forces deliver stop-work orders for a water tank and 2 homes under construction in a village nr. Hebron. The IDF conducts house searches and raids in al-Bireh, 2 villages nr. Ramallah, and 1 village nr. Tulkarm, arresting 5 Palestinians; patrols in Tulkarm and 2 villages nr. Hebron. The PASF confiscates 4 truckloads of chicken smuggled into Hebron from nearby Israeli settlements in contravention of the PA’s boycott of settlement goods, which started in 4/2010; they arrest several individuals allegedly responsible. In East Jerusalem, right-wing Israeli activists tour Haram al-Sharif, sparking verbal clashes with Palestinian worshippers. Israeli forces pepper spray a Palestinian in Wadi al-Juz and issue 2 Palestinians arrest summons in raids in al-Tur. (MNA, WAFA 3/24; MNA 3/25; PCHR 3/26)

In Gaza, Egyptian authorities open the Rafah border crossing for the 1st time since 1/22 (it will remain open until 3/10). Off the coast nr. Bayt Lahiya, Israeli naval forces fire on Palestinian fishing boats, causing no damage or injuries. In the West Bank, Israeli forces demolish a Palestinian’s home nr. Tulkarm; deliver demolition notices to several residential buildings in a village n. of Jerusalem. The IDF conducts a military drill in c. Hebron and soldiers fire tear gas at Palestinian bystanders; house searches and raids in Nablus, 1 village each nr. Qalqilya, Ramallah, Bethlehem, and Jenin, arresting 21 Palestinians and issuing arrest summons to 4; patrols in 4 areas nr. Ramallah and 1 village nr. Hebron. Israeli settlers destroy over 40 olive trees nr. Nablus. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces deliver demolition notices to several buildings nr. Qalandia. (JP, MNA, WAFA 3/9; MNA, TOI 3/10; PCHR 3/12)

Hamas in Gaza releases a statement criticizing the PASF’s arrest of over 100 Hamas affiliates in the past 2 weeks, including 40 on 3/8. They accuse the PA unity govt. of using the arrests as retaliation for the detention of senior Fatah official Mamoun Sweidan in Gaza over the past few days. (MNA, YA 3/9)

Led by Sen. Tom Cotton (R-AR), 47 Republican senators sign and release an open letter to the leaders of Iran. It says that they will consider any agreement the Obama admin. signs with the P5+1 in their negotiations with Iran to be merely an executive agreement, and that such an agreement could be revoked or modified in the future. Meanwhile, IAEA officials arrive in Tehran for talks on Iran’s nuclear program, specifically the results of the IAEA’s recent (2/19) report on Iran’s compliance with the JPOA, which governs its negotiations with the P5+1. (AFP, AP, JP, MDW, TOI 3/9; AP, TOI 3/10)

In Gaza, a Palestinian is killed when he triggers an unexploded piece of Israeli ordnance nr. Rafah. The man’s brother is critically injured. Twice off the coast nr. al-Sudaniyya and Gaza City, Israeli naval forces fire on Palestinian fishing boats, causing damage but no injuries. IDF troops arrest 2 Palestinians nr. Gaza City attempting to cross the border into Israel to find work. In the West Bank, IDF troops violently disperse dozens of Palestinian protesters at a checkpoint nr. Ramallah; 3 Palestinians are injured with live ammunition, tear gas, stun grenades, and rubber-coated metal bullets. The IDF conducts house searches and raids in and around Hebron and 1 village nr. Ramallah, arresting 3 Palestinians and issuing arrest summons to 6; patrols in 2 villages each nr. Tulkarm and Hebron. They also arrest 1 Palestinian outside a settlement nr. Salfit and 2 at checkpoints in Hebron. Israeli settlers destroy 180 olive saplings nr. Hebron and bar Palestinian farmers from tending their lands nr. Nablus. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces conduct house searches and raids in Ras al-Amud and al-Tur, sparking minor clashes with Palestinian youth throwing Molotov cocktails. (MNA, TOI, WAFA 2/28; HA, MNA, YA 3/1; PCHR 3/5)

Egypt’s Court of Urgent Matters designates Hamas as a terrorist organization, banning it from Egypt, after having declared the group’s armed wing, IQB, as such on 1/31. Hamas criticizes the decision, with 1 official saying it “serves the Israeli occupation.” (AJ, AP, BBC, MNA, TOI, YA 2/28; MNA 3/1)

Iranian FM Zarif criticizes Israeli PM Netanyahu’s 3/3 address to the U.S. Congress as an attempt to undermine the negotiations over Iran’s nuclear program. (AP, REU, YA 2/28)

In Gaza, unknown gunmen attempt to assassinate a Fatah official in Gaza City, injuring 2 of his bodyguards. In the West Bank, Israeli forces conduct raids and searches in the “Gate of Jerusalem” protest tent camp in Abu Dis, sparking clashes with Palestinian and international activists who were building concrete rooms; 4 Palestinians and 1 international are detained; several activists are lightly injured with rubber-coated metal bullets, tear gas, and stun grenades. That night, Israel Defense Forces (IDF) troops return to the camp to demolish and evacuate it, but activists begin rebuilding as soon as the soldiers leave. The camp was first set up on 2/3 to protest the Israeli govt.’s plans to displace Palestinian bedouins in the E1 area. The IDF conducts house searches and raids in 1 village each nr. Nablus and Jenin, in and around Hebron, and nr. Bethlehem, arresting 11 total, including a Palestinian Authority (PA) security officer; patrols in 3 villages nr. Tulkarm and 1 nr. Hebron. Israeli settlers accompanied by IDF troops enter Joseph’s Tomb nr. Nablus late at night to perform religious rites. In East Jerusalem, Israeli police accompany a group ofsettlers on a tour of Haram al-Sharif. Israeli authorities continue to require women entering the area to leave their ID cards at the entrance and submit to interrogation; 3 Palestinian women are arrested. Israeli forces conduct house searches and raids in Shaykh Jarrah and al-Tur, arresting 4 Palestinians, issuing summons to 2, and demolishing a wall in al-Tur. (AFP, MNA, TOI, WAFA 2/16; MNA, PNN, WAFA 2/17; IMEMC, PCHR 2/19)

Israeli authorities approve the construction of a solid waste landfill on 520 dunams (1 acre equals about 4 dunams) of primarily Palestinian-owned land in East Jerusalem; around 120 Palestinian bedouins would be evicted from their homes. Both Palestinian residents and Israelis from the nearby French Hill settlement lodged formal complaints in the weeks ahead of the approval. (MNA 2/17; HA 2/18)

In the Gaza Strip, IDF troops nr. the border fence e. of Gaza City open fire on dozens of Palestinians protesting the delay in reconstruction efforts following OPE, causing no injuries. Israeli forces conduct a limited incursion to level land nr. Bayt Hanun. Off the coast, Israeli naval forces open fire on Palestinian fishing boats, causing no damage or injuries. Meanwhile, the IAF conducts mock air raids over the Strip. In the West Bank, IDF troops disperse a group of Palestinians ceremonially planting olive trees in Silwad nr. Ramallah, arresting a senior PA official. During the ensuing clashes, an Israeli settler attacks 2 Palestinian journalists covering the ceremony. The IDF also declares a swath of desert land e. of Jerusalem a closed military zone. IDF troops conduct house searches and arrest raids nr. Hebron, Jenin, and Ramallah; patrol nr. Hebron, Ramallah, Salfit, Qalqilya, and Tulkarm. Elsewhere, Israeli settlers chop down 70 olive trees nr. Hebron. In East Jerusalem, an Israeli settler and his lawyer attempt to evict a Palestinian family from their home in the Old City, which is the last Palestinian-owned home in this area. Meanwhile, 5 Palestinians from al-Tur are indicted on charges relating to a series of attacks on Israeli forces in the last 6 mos. of 2014, which the Shin Bet believes to be a neighborhood-wide conspiracy. Separately, Israeli forces fire tear gas canisters at Palestinian youth in Ras al-Amud; conduct house searches and raids in Jabal Mukabir. (MNA, TOI, WAFA, YA 2/9; PCHR 2/12)

The Palestinian National Comm. against Israeli Punitive Measures announces a boycott of products manufactured by 6 major Israeli companies—Tnuva, Jafora-Tabori, Osem, Prigat, Strauss, and Elite. Comm. chair and Fatah Central Comm. mbr. Mahmoud al-Aloul says that merchants will have 2 weeks to remove the products from their shelves, then they will be subject to random checks from special inspectors. However, the boycott is not legally binding. (HA, JP, WAFA 2/9; MNA, YA 2/10; HA 3/9)

Haaretz reports that the Israeli govt. has marked around 3,740 dunams of the West Bank as state land, with the goal of expanding 4 existing settlements—Keddumim, Vered Yericho, Neve Tzuf, and Emmanuel. (HA, WAFA 2/9; YA 2/10)

In the Gaza Strip, unknown assailants throw a grenade into the home of Fatah Asst. Dep. of the Palestinian Civil Affairs Ministry Nasser al-Sarraj. The grenade does not explode and no one is injured. In 2 separate incidents off the coast nr. Gaza City and Jabaliya, Israeli naval forces open fire on Palestinian fishing boats, causing damage to 1 boat. IDF troops e. of Rafah detain 2 armed Palestinians as they attempt to cross the border fence into Israel. In the West Bank, Israeli forces demolish a water distribution network that services the n. Jordan Valley, as well as a house and a barn nr. Hebron. Sparked by an IDF raid in c. Bayt Umar nr. Hebron, Palestinian residents clash with the Israeli troops, lightly injuring 1 soldier. Nearby, IDF troops shoot tear gas canisters at Palestinian youth as they leave an UNRWA school. The IDF also conducts arrest raids and house searches nr. Hebron and Ramallah; patrols nr. Hebron, Jenin, Qalqilya, Ramallah, and Tulkarm. In East Jerusalem, an Israeli settler attempts to kidnap a Palestinian child in Jabal Mukabir. The IDF conducts arrest raids and house searches in al-Tur, Ras al-Amud, and Ras Khamis. (MNA, WAFA 1/29; JTA 1/30; PCHR 2/5)

UN Special Coordinator Serry’s office (UNSCO) releases a statement announcing that the UN is going to review its operations in Gaza after the violent, Hamas-organized protest outside its headquarters on 1/28. The statement also blames Hamas for not adequately providing security for the protest. The UNSCO has been principally in charge of facilitating the UNadministered reconstruction procedure and mediating between the Israeli authorities, Hamas, and Palestinians in need of support after OPE. (HA 1/30)

The Israel Electric Corporation announces that it will begin intermittently cutting power to the West Bank at the end of the mo. due to the PA’s outstanding debts, which total around NIS 1.8 m. (around $458 m.). (MEMO, YA 1/29) 

Yisrael Beytenu delivers a petition to the Central Elections Comm. (CEC) calling for the disqualification of MK Haneen Zoabi from the 3/17 elections on the basis of her support for boycott and armed resistance against Israel. (HA, JP 1/29)

The U.S. Senate Banking Comm. votes, 18–4, to pass the Nuclear Weapon Free Iran Act of 2015, which Sens. Menendez (D-NJ) and Kirk (R-IL) introduced on 1/27. A White House spokesperson consequently reaffirms Pres. Obama’s pledge to veto the bill. (AFP, REU 1/28; AP, YA 1/29)

Seventy-five U.S. sens. sign on to a letter, initiated by Sens. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) and Marco Rubio (R-FL), to U.S. Secy. of State Kerry calling for a suspension of aid to the PA while the Obama admin. reviews the Palestinians’ accession to the ICC. (JTA 1/30)

In the Gaza Strip, IDF troops e. of Jabaliya open fire on a group of Palestinian youth nr. the border fence, injuring 1. Off the s. coast, Egyptian naval forces open fire on a Palestinian fishing boat, injuring 1 fisherman and arresting the other. In the West Bank, 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), and 1 village nr. Qalqilya (Kafr Qaddum), injuring 4 Palestinians with rubber-coated metal bullets and gas canisters in Bil‘in. Israeli soldiers also violently disperse protests outside Ofer detention center and Silwad nr. Ramallah, injuring 4 Palestinians, as well as in Susiya village nr. Hebron, where they assault Mustafa Barghouti, secy.-gen. of the Palestinian National Initiative. The IDF conducts house searches and arrest raids in Ni‘lin; patrols nr. Hebron, Ramallah, Tulkarm, Jenin, and Jericho. An Israeli settler attempts to hit a Palestinian child with his car nr. Tulkarm. Separately, unknown assailants throw stones at Israeli settlers’ cars nr. the Ofra settlement, lightly injuring 2 women. In East Jerusalem, IDF troops clash with Palestinians in Wadi al-Juz, al-Tur, al-‘Izzariya, and Abu Tor, firing tear gas and stun grenades and detaining 5 Palestinian youths. The Israeli police arrest 3 Palestinian women as they exit Haram al-Sharif and ban 4 others from entering the area for 3 days, following their release from detention late on 1/22. (MNA, TOI 1/23; MNA, WAFA 1/24; PCHR 1/29)

In the Gaza Strip, civil employees in the ministries of public works, labor, justice, and women’s affairs go on strike in protest of the fact that they haven’t been paid a full salary since 6/2. In the West Bank, IDF troops assault Palestinian workers during a raid on a bakery in c. Nablus, injuring 3. The IDF conducts house searches and arrest raids nr. Tulkarm, Hebron, Nablus, and Ramallah; patrols in 1 village and al-Fawar r.c. nr. Hebron. Israeli settlers destroy 12 olive trees and saplings in a village nr. Nablus and leave racist price-tag graffiti. In s. Israel, Israeli police violently disperse around 10,000 Palestinians protesting after a funeral held in Rahat for Sami al-Ajar, the Palestinian bedouin killed by police on 1/14, killing another Palestinian bedouin with tear gas, injuring over 40, and detaining 5 for throwing stones. The Arab High Follow-Up Comm. calls for an extension of the general strike in Rahat began after al-Ajar’s killing, and for a general strike in all Palestinian areas of Israel on 1/20. (MNA 1/17, 1/18; +972, JP, MNA, WAFA 1/19; MNA, OCHA 1/23)

Following Canadian FM John Baird’s meeting with PA FM al-Maliki in Ramallah, dozens of Palestinians throw shoes and eggs at Baird’s vehicle, protesting Canada’s recent proIsrael positions. (MNA, WAFA 1/18)

The PA unity govt. announces that it will pay its civil servants 60% of their salaries for 12/2014 by the end of the week. The funds were reportedly collected through loans from banks, aid from Arab countries, and existing domestic resources. Around 200 PA employees loyal to Mohammad Dahlan will not receive paychecks. (MNA, WAFA 1/18; NYT 1/20; TOI 1/25)

In Syria, an Israeli helicopter fires 2 missiles at a 3-car convoy nr. Qunaytra in the Golan Heights, killing 6 Hizballah fighters and 6 mbrs. of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps. (AFP 1/18; JP, MNA 1/19; JP 1/20; YA 1/31)

Dep. ministers from Iran and the P5+1 meet in Geneva for negotiations over Iran’s disputed nuclear program. Earlier in the day, reps. of China and Iran conduct bilateral meetings. (ALM 1/18; AP 1/21)

Off the coast of the Gaza Strip nr. Bayt Lahiya, Israeli naval forces open fire on Palestinian fishing boats, causing damage. In the West Bank, IDF troops punitively shut down a main road s. of Ramallah after Palestinians throw stones at Israeli settlers’ cars. The IDF conducts house searches and arrest raids nr. Hebron and Ramallah, assaulting 1 to the point of hospitalization; patrols nr. Qalqilya, Hebron, Tulkarm, Jericho, and Salfit. Also nr. Hebron, IDF troops violently disperse a peaceful demonstration with tear gas and stun grenades in Surayf village, injuring and detaining several Palestinians. Israeli soldiers also arrest a Palestinian at the separation wall nr. Jenin. Israeli settlers uproot 20 olive trees outside Turmus ‘Ayya and Ramallah. (MNA, WAFA 1/17; MNA 1/18; PCHR 1/22)

Following Iranian officials’ separate meetings with the U.S. and Russian delegations in Geneva, Iran’s Dep. FM Abbas Araghchi says, “We remain hopeful and I think that if the other side has the necessary goodwill and determination, it will be possible to reach a deal,” reflecting the optimistic atmosphere surrounding the upcoming round of negotiations. (MNA 1/17)

In the Gaza Strip, 2 Palestinian infants and 1 young fisherman die from the effects of winter storm Huda. In the West Bank, IDF troops violently disperse Palestinian youth playing in the snow nr. Nablus, injuring 2 with live ammunition and several others with tear gas. The IDF conducts house searches and raids nr. Qalqilya and Ramallah; patrols nr. Tulkarm and Qalqilya. An Israeli private settlement security officer opens fire with live ammunition on another group of Palestinian youth playing in the snow nr. Hebron, injuring 1. Also nr. Hebron, an Israeli settler shoots and injures a Palestinian youth. Israeli settlers throw stones at Palestinian cars nr. Nablus, injuring 1 Palestinian girl. Separately, Israeli settlers destroy 194 olive and almond trees outside Yatta village nr. Hebron. In East Jerusalem, an Israeli settler opens fire on Palestinian merchants in the Old City, sparking clashes wherein 1 Palestinian is arrested. Israeli police assault and arrest 2 Palestinian youth as they play in the snow in Ras al-Amud. Israeli forces conduct house searches and arrest raids in the Old City and Silwan. (AFP, JP, MNA, WAFA 1/10; IMEMC, MNA 1/11; OCHA, PCHR 1/15)