The Palestine Chronology

Implementing the security cabinet’s 7/24 decision, Israeli forces overnight remove the metal detectors they installed at Haram al-Sharif after the deadly attack on 7/14. The Islamic Waqf then meets in the morning and announces its decision to “reject any changes [to the status quo at Haram al-Sharif], including technological measures,” such as replacements for the metal detectors that the Israeli cabinet approved on 7/24. The Waqf also calls for the sanctuary to be “opened to Muslim worshippers in a completely free manner to ensure freedom of worship.” A Waqf official says that a comm. will enter the sanctuary, review the situation, and issue a report before the Waqf decides whether to call on Muslims to resume prayers at the site or to continue the boycott. Later, PA pres. Abbas reiterates his plan not to resume relations with the Israeli govt., including security coordination, until all the new Israeli security measures at Haram al-Sharif “cease to exist”; he also reaffirms his support for the Waqf. In response to the Israeli security cabinet’s decision to replace the metal detectors with “advanced technology,” he says, “There are new developments, which we must study so that we can say our word and decide where to go from here.” Meanwhile, tensions remain high across East Jerusalem, with clashes erupting outside the sanctuary and in various other locations across the city (1 Palestinian is seriously injured and 5 are arrested). (HA, MNA, TOI, WAFA, YA 7/25; PCHR 7/27)

In the West Bank, IDF troops patrol in Nablus, sparking clashes in and around the city; 2 Palestinians are injured. Further raids in Aida r.c. nr. Bethlehem lead to more clashes; 2 Palestinians are arrested. The IDF also arrests 8 Palestinians and issues 1 arrest summons during late-night raids nr. Hebron, Nablus, and Jenin; and patrols nr. Hebron throughout the day. Approximately 15 Israeli settler families take over a building in c. Hebron in the evening to protest the Israeli govt.’s “zigzagging” on Haram al-Sharif, according to a spokesperson for the group. Along Gaza’s border, Israeli forces conduct a limited incursion to level land nr. Khan Yunis. Off Gaza’s coast, Israeli naval forces open fire on Palestinian fishing boats nr. Gaza City, causing no damage or injuries. Meanwhile, thousands of Palestinians rally in Gaza City to protest the new Israeli restrictions at Haram al-Sharif. (HA, MNA, NYT, TOI, WAFA 7/25)

Tensions stemming from new Israeli security measures at Haram al-Sharif boil over, with mass protests and clashes erupting across the oPt throughout the day; 3 Palestinians are killed (all in East Jerusalem), 235 are injured, and 27 are arrested (at least 2 Israelis are injured as well). The Islamic Waqf calls on all imams in Jerusalem to conduct their sermons outside Haram al-Sharif, and thousands of Muslim worshippers gather at the sanctuary. The Israeli police deploy heavily across Jerusalem and bar Palestinian men under the age of 50 from the Old City. In the evening, they cut off electricity to a large swathe of East Jerusalem and close the sanctuary to all visitors (it will remain closed through 7/23). (EI, MNA, NYT, WAFA 7/21; HA, MNA 7/22; WAFA 7/23; HA 7/24; PCHR 7/27)

In light of the crisis at Haram al-Sharif, PA pres. Abbas suspends all PA contacts with Israel, including security coordination. He also calls on Hamas to dismantle its new administrative comm. in Gaza and to turn the collective Palestinian struggle toward Israel. Abbas also phones senior U.S. advisor Kushner urging the U.S. to intercede and push Israel to remove the new security measures at the sanctuary. (MNA, TOI, WAFA, YA 7/21; HA 7/22)

In the evening, a Palestinian enters the Halamish settlement nr. Bethlehem and stabs 4 Israeli settlers, killing 3 and seriously injuring the 4th. An off-duty IDF soldier hears the attack, then shoots and moderately injures the Palestinian assailant. Hours before the attack, the alleged assailant had posted to Facebook, “I’m going to die for al-Aqsa.” Late at night, the IDF raids the alleged attacker’s hometown, Kobar nr. Ramallah, detaining and interrogating his family and imposing a lockdown on the village. Elsewhere in the West Bank, IDF troops arrest 3 Palestinians during raids in Jenin and nr. Bethlehem, and patrol in and around Hebron. (EI, MNA 7/21; HA 7/22; PCHR 7/27)

Three Palestinian citizens of Israel open fire on Israeli police officers in the Old City of Jerusalem, critically injuring 3 (2 succumb to their injuries later in the day). The attackers seek refuge at Haram al-Sharif, and Israeli forces shoot and kill all 3. Israeli police deploy heavily across the Old City, block off all entrances to Haram al-Sharif, and cancel Friday prayers at the sanctuary, forcing Muslim worshippers to pray in the streets. They also detain and interrogate 58 Islamic Waqf employees. With tensions running high across the city, an unidentified assailant throws a Molotov cocktail at an Israeli settler family driving through Silwan; 3 of the settlers are injured, including an infant. Israeli forces conduct raids in Abu Dis, sparking minor clashes with stone-throwing Palestinians; at least 25 are arrested. In the West Bank, IDF troops conduct raids in Dahaysha r.c. nr. Bethlehem, arresting 3 Palestinians and sparking clashes; 1 Palestinian is killed. Israeli settlers throw stones at Palestinian cars driving nr. Bethlehem, causing no injuries or major damage. IDF troops violently disperse Palestinians, Israelis, and international activists at Friday protests against the Israeli occupation, separation wall, and settlements in 3 villages nr. Ramallah (Bil‘in, Ni‘lin, and Nabi Salih), Kafr Qaddum nr. Qalqilya, and along Gaza’s border nr. al-Bureij r.c. and Jabaliya r.c.; 2 Palestinians are injured. The IDF also patrols in and around Qalqilya and Hebron. (EI, HA, MNA, NYT, PNN, TOI, WAFA, YA 7/14; MNA 7/15; PCHR 7/20)

PA pres. Abbas phones Israeli PM Netanyahu to condemn the morning’s attack in Jerusalem and to denounce violence on both sides, particularly at holy sites. He also calls for Netanyahu to reopen Haram al-Sharif. Netanyahu reportedly tells Abbas that he will uphold the status quo at the sanctuary, but that Israeli forces will maintain security at all costs. Abbas later calls on Jordan to intervene, and the Jordanian govt. releases a statement calling on Israel to reopen the sanctuary. (HA, TOI, WAFA 7/14; HA 7/16)

After shutting down on 7/12, the Gaza power plant resumes operations, with 3 of its turbines supplying 70 MW to the local grid. It’s unclear if the fuel required came from Egypt or somewhere else. (MNA 7/15)

In the West Bank, IDF troops conduct raids in Dayr Abu Mash‘al nr. Ramallah for the 4th time this week, confiscating about 20 vehicles and arresting 2 relatives of the 3 Palestinians killed in a confrontation with Israeli forces on 6/16. They also arrest 2 Palestinians during latenight raids nr. Hebron and Nablus, and patrol during the day nr. Hebron. Israeli forces level land nr. Nablus for a 2d day in a row. In East Jerusalem, around 300,000 Muslims pray at Haram al-Sharif late at night, marking Laylat al-Qadr, the night Muslims observe to mark the revelation of the Qur’an to the Prophet Muhammad. (MNA, WAFA 6/21; HA, PCHR, WAFA 6/22; PCHR 7/6)

Son-in-law and senior advisor to U.S. pres. Jared Kushner arrives in Israel and meets with Israeli PM Netanyahu to discuss U.S. efforts to restart Palestinian-Israeli peace talks. According to the White House, the 2 sides reaffirmed their desire to make peace and acknowledged the need for “economic opportunities for Palestinians and major investment in the Palestinian economy.” Kushner and U.S. rep. Greenblatt then travel to Ramallah to meet with PA pres. Abbas. No further details are made available. (HA, TOI, WHPO, YA 6/21; WAFA 6/22)

Netanyahu meets with several top defense and security officials to approve a new “security strategy” for Damascus Gate, the main entrance to Jerusalem’s Muslim Quarter, following the 6/16 attack in East Jerusalem. The new strategy reportedly includes new “surveillance points,” increased numbers of cameras, and other measures. (They will announce it on 6/22.) (MNA 6/22; TOI 6/23)