The Palestine Chronology

IDF troops conduct raids in and around Nablus, sparking clashes in Balata r.c. and ‘Askar r.c.; 4 Palestinians are injured. They arrest 4 Palestinians on further raids in and around Jenin, and patrol nr. Nablus and Hebron during the day. Israeli forces demolish a number of agricultural structures and a water tanker nr. Hebron. Along Gaza’s border, Israeli forces conduct a limited incursion to level land nr. Rafah. (MNA, WAFA 12/27; PCHR 12/29)

PA pres. Abbas says he hopes the Paris peace conference set for 1/15 enables the international community to stop Israeli settlement construction. Meanwhile, the State Dept. announces that U.S. secy. of state Kerry intends to give a major speech on 12/28 outlining principles for resolving the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, as he had announced on 12/23. In the evening, Russian FM Sergey Lavrov reportedly rejects Kerry’s request, made via telephone, for the Middle East Quartet to adopt the principles he plans to present. (AP, HA, MNA, NYT, TOI, YA 12/27)

Off Gaza’s coast, Israeli naval forces open fire on Palestinian fishing boats nr. Rafah, causing no damage or injuries. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces prevent mourning Palestinians from burying a recently deceased woman in the Bab al-Rahma cemetery nr. the Old City. In the West Bank, IDF troops arrest 11 Palestinians and issue 1 arrest summons during late-night raids in and around Nablus, Bethlehem, Qalqilya, and Hebron; and patrol nr. Jenin, Hebron, and Qalqilya during the day. (MNA 12/5; MNA 12/6; PCHR 12/8)

The Israeli police decide to extend, by 1 hour, the time allotted every day for non-Muslims to visit Haram al-Sharif. They are now allowed to access the site from 7:30 A.M. to 11 A.M. (MNA 12/5)

Israel’s Knesset passes a preliminary reading of a new draft of the so-called regulations bill that would retroactively authorize many Israeli settlement outposts, except Amona, which is still scheduled to be evacuated and demolished by 12/25. The bill is expected to receive a 1st reading on 12/7. (HA, JP, MNA, TOI, YA 12/5)

IDF troops shoot and kill a Palestinian outside the Yitzhar settlement nr. Nablus after chasing him and other youths who allegedly threw stones from a moving vehicle at Israeli soldiers. According to the IDF, the slain Palestinian allegedly stabbed and lightly injured 1 of the soldiers in the ensuing confrontation. However, photos of the scene show the Palestinian, still alive, sitting in the army vehicle, where he would not have presented a threat to the soldiers. His cousin says he did not attempt to stab anyone, adding that he was engaged to be married in 2 mos. Elsewhere in the West Bank, IDF troops arrest a Palestinian in c. Hebron when she is found to be carrying a knife, and conduct late-night raids nr. Ramallah and Bethlehem, arresting 9 Palestinians. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces return the body of a Palestinian to his family, who hold a small funeral for him in a nearby cemetery. Israeli forces killed him on 3/9 after he and a companion opened fire on an Israeli bus. Overnight, Israeli forces demolish 3 residential structures and a cultural center in a village nr. Hebron. Israeli settlers dump untreated sewage in Palestinian olive groves and grape arbors nr. Bethlehem. Along Gaza’s border, Israeli forces conduct a limited incursion to level land nr. Rafah, and open fire on Palestinian shepherds working nr. Bayt Hanun, injuring 1 moderately. Off Gaza’s coast, Israeli naval forces open fire on Palestinian fishing boats nr. Jabaliya r.c., causing no damage or injuries. (EI, HA, JP, MNA, PIC, TOI, WAFA 8/24; PCHR 8/25; PCHR 9/1)

Tensions in the Hebron district remain high as the IDF maintains restrictions on Palestinian movement in Hebron and the surrounding district and conducts patrols in the region throughout the day. IDF troops conduct raids in Yatta overnight, sparking clashes with stoneand bottle-throwing residents (2 Palestinians are injured). Movement in Yatta has been restricted since 6/8. The IDF conducts further raids and house searches in and around Hebron, as well as nr. Qalqilya and Bethlehem, issuing arrest summons to 4 Palestinians and arresting 2. Unidentified Palestinians open fire on an Israeli settler driving nr. Bethlehem, causing damage and no injuries. A Palestinian suffers minor burns when a flare left by Israeli forces ignites in Jenin. Along Gaza’s border, Israeli forces conduct a limited incursion to level land nr. Rafah. In Israel, Israeli forces conduct raids in al-Araqib in the Negev, arresting 2 Palestinians. (MNA 7/21; MNA 7/22; MNA 7/23)

PA pres. Abbas meets with French pres. Hollande in Paris to discuss the French peace initiative in light of recent events. Hollande says that France is determined to build on the 6/3 summit. Meanwhile, in an interview with the Times of Israel, the dir. gen. of Israel’s Foreign Ministry, Dore Gold, says that Israel will probably not attend a follow-up summit in Paris, if invited, because it would “undermine the whole peace process,” reiterating Israel’s opposition to the French efforts. (TOI 7/21; AFP, MNA, TOI 7/22)

For a 3d day in a row, clashes erupt at Haram al-Sharif. Palestinians atop the sanctuary throw stones at Jews praying at the Western Wall below, lightly injuring 1 elderly woman. Israeli police arrest at least 11 Palestinians. After the day’s clashes, the Israeli police decide to bar non-Muslims from the sanctuary through the end of Ramadan on 7/5, reversing Public Security Minister Erdan’s 6/26 announcement. (JP, MNA, TOI 6/28; PCHR 6/30)

Elsewhere in East Jerusalem, Israeli forces arrest 2 Palestinians during raids in Issawiyya. In the West Bank, the IDF conducts raids in 2 villages nr. Hebron overnight, sparking clashes with stone-throwing Palestinians (1 is injured). They arrest 2 Palestinians on further raids nr. Hebron during the day. Israeli settlers destroy 2 Palestinian greenhouses, uproot plants, and spray-paint “Death to Arabs” in Wadi Fuqin village nr. Bethlehem. Along Gaza’s border, IDF troops open fire on Palestinian farmers working nr. Rafah, causing no injuries. Off Gaza’s coast, Israeli naval forces open fire on Palestinian fishing boats nr. Jabaliya r.c., damaging 1. (HA, JP, MNA, TOI, WAFA, YA 6/28; MNA 6/29; PCHR 6/30)

An IDF spokesperson says that the IDF has canceled its Hannibal Directive, i.e., its protocol to employ extraordinary force to prevent the capture of its soldiers. A senior IDF officer says that Lt. Gen. Gadi Eisenkot canceled the directive weeks ago and that a replacement directive will be issued soon. (JP, NYT, TOI 6/28)

Off Gaza’s coast, Israeli naval forces open fire on 4 Palestinian fishing boats nr. Gaza City; they arrest 10 fishermen and confiscate 2 of their boats. Along Gaza’s border, Israeli forces conduct a limited incursion to level land nr. Rafah. In the West Bank, PA Security Forces (PASF) clash with unidentified gunmen in Kafr ‘Aqab village and Qalandia r.c. nr. Jerusalem, injuring 1 Palestinian youth in the crossfire. Meanwhile, Israeli forces close the entrances to Yatta with dirt mounds and rocks, further cracking down on the Hebron-area village in the wake of the 6/8 attack in Tel Aviv. IDF troops conduct late-night raids and house searches in Yatta, and in and around Jericho, and Salfit, arresting 8 Palestinians; and patrol nr. Hebron, Nablus, and Jenin throughout the day. (MNA, WAFA 6/15; PCHR 6/16; PHCR 6/23)

Fatah and Hamas officials resume Palestinian national reconciliation talks in Doha. This is the 3d round of talks in the latest push for reconciliation. The talks are set to continue through 6/18. (MNA 6/15; IMEMC 6/17)

The Jerusalem Municipality permits the construction of a 4-story residential building for Israeli settlers in Silwan. The municipality also pledges to “continue to build in all neighborhoods of the city.” (HA, JP, MNA, TOI 6/15)

Israel’s Knesset passes, 57–16, a so-called anti-terrorism law granting the state broad new powers to prosecute suspected “terrorism” cases. The Joint List decries the new law as “draconian,” echoing the views of Palestinian citizens of Israel and opponents of the right-wing govt. (HA, JP, MNA, YA 6/15)

The IDF maintains its closure of the West Bank and Gaza Strip, as well as its general closure of Yatta village, home of the 2 Palestinians who attacked Israeli civilians on 6/8. They also arrest the father of 1 of the attackers during a raid nr. the village. Meanwhile, Israeli forces carry out the punitive demolition of the Yatta-area home of a Palestinian accused of stabbing and killing an Israeli settler on 1/17. Separately, a Palestinian driver allegedly attempts to ram Israeli soldiers nr. Ramallah. The driver flees the scene, and the IDF seals the entrances to several nearby villages as they search for him. Meanwhile, IDF troops arrest 6 Palestinians and issue 1 arrest summons during raids and house searches nr. Hebron and Ramallah; and patrol nr. Ramallah, Salfit, Jericho, and Hebron throughout the day. In East Jerusalem, around 20 Palestinian-owned vehicles are vandalized and damaged in Silwan in a string of late-night price-tag attacks. (HA, MNA, WAFA, YA 6/11; MNA 6/12; PCHR 6/16)

In Egypt, armed gunmen shoot and a kill a Palestinian and 2 Egyptian civilians in Rafah and al-Arish. (MNA 6/11)

Two Palestinians open fire on a crowd of Israelis in an open-air shopping area in c. Tel Aviv, killing 4 and injuring 10. Israeli forces shoot the 2 men, critically injuring 1 and mildly injuring the other. IDF troops raid the attackers’ home village of Yatta nr. Hebron late at night, detaining several Palestinians and barring all entrances and exits, except for humanitarian cases. They declare the village a closed military zone and take measurements and photographs of the attackers’ home, threatening punitive demolition. (HA, MNA, TOI, YA 6/8; JP, MNA, PCHR, TOI 6/9)

Off Gaza’s coast, Israeli naval forces open fire on Palestinian fishing boats nr. Gaza City overnight, sinking 1; 3 of the fishermen are arrested (they are released later in the day). Along Gaza’s border, Israeli forces conduct a limited incursion to level land nr. Rafah. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces arrest 4 Palestinians during raids in the Old City. In the West Bank, Israeli forces confiscate a Palestinian truck from Khirbat al-Hadidiya in the Jordan Valley. Israeli settlers raze some Palestinian land nr. Bethlehem. IDF troops arrest 10 Palestinians during late-night raids in Hebron, Bethlehem, Tubas, 3 villages nr. Nablus, and 1 nr. Tulkarm. (MNA, WAFA, PCHR 6/9; PCHR 6/16)

The Israeli police decide that Palestinians killed after committing serious crimes against Israelis will be denied funeral processions and burials in their home neighborhoods or villages. Instead, the police will select the cemeteries in which to bury them. (HA, MNA, TOI, YA 6/8)

In a 5th day of cross-border violence in Gaza, Palestinian fighters fire 2 mortar shells into s. Israel overnight, causing damage and no injuries; Israeli forces respond with air strikes on 2 Hamas targets nr. Khan Yunis and artillery fire on areas nr. Rafah, causing damage. Following the morning’s violence, Israel and Hamas agree to deescalate tensions along Gaza’s border. Israeli forces pull back from the so-called Access Restricted Areas along the border fence and Hamas fighters maintain a cease-fire. Qatar, Egypt, and the UN were reportedly involved in the deescalation talks. Meanwhile, Israeli officials say they plan to continue anti-tunnel operations in the coming weeks. (JP, TOI 5/7; YA 5/8; PCHR 5/12)

IDF troops stationed along the border nr. Gaza City open fire on Palestinian farmers, causing no injuries. Off Gaza’s coast, Israeli naval forces confront Palestinian fishing boats nr. Bayt Lahiya, arresting 2 fishermen and confiscating their boat. In the West Bank, IDF troops shoot and injure a Palestinian attempting to climb the separation wall and enter Jerusalem, causing minor injuries; and arrest a Palestinian at a checkpoint in Jericho when they find he is carrying a knife. They also conduct raids and house searches in Hebron, and 1 village each nr. Tulkarm and Bethlehem, arresting 3 Palestinians and issuing arrest summons to 1; patrol in and around Tulkarm and Hebron. Israeli settlers assault 2 Palestinian human rights activists in Hebron, destroying some of their personal property. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces violently disperse stone-throwing Palestinians in Silwan, arresting 3. (EI, HA, JP, MNA, TOI, WAFA, YA 5/7; PCHR 5/12)

Cross-border violence in Gaza continues for a 4th day. Hamas forces fire at least 2 mortar shells at an IDF position overnight nr. Rafah, causing no injuries. Israeli forces then shell Hamas positions in e. Rafah and an Islamic Jihad position nr. Khan Yunis, causing no injuries. Also in Gaza, 3 Palestinian children die in a house fire sparked by a candle they were using because power outages have lasted 18 hours per day. Hamas officials will blame the Israeli blockade for their deaths. Across the oPt, IDF troops violently disperse Palestinians, Israelis, and international activists at Friday demonstrations against Israel’s occupation, separation wall, and settlements in 4 villages nr. Ramallah (Bil‘in, Ni‘lin, Silwad, and Nabi Salih), 1 nr. Qalqilya, and along Gaza’s border nr. the Erez crossing; 4 Palestinians are injured. Elsewhere in the West Bank, IDF troops conduct late-night raids nr. Jenin and Hebron, arresting 3 Palestinians; patrol nr. Tulkarm and Hebron. In East Jerusalem, around 300 elderly Gazans visit Haram al-Sharif after the Israeli authorities lift a 2-week ban on Gazans’ Friday visits to the sanctuary. (BBC, HA, JP, MNA, OCHA, TOI, YA 5/6; HA 5/7; PCHR 5/12)

In a 2d day of cross-border violence, Palestinians fire mortar shells at Israeli patrols along Gaza’s s. and n. borders in 3 separate incidents, causing no injuries or damage. Hamas will take credit for at least 1 of the shellings. Israeli forces launch artillery shells at the 3 sources of shelling and conduct at least 5 air strikes in s. Gaza, causing damage and no injuries. After the day’s violence, the IDF declares a region nr. the border a closed military zone and, according to Palestinian sources, IDF troops conduct unspecified operations along the border in Rafah and nr. Jabaliya r.c. In the West Bank, IDF troops conduct raids and house searches in and around Hebron and nr. Bethlehem, arresting 6 Palestinians; patrols nr. Hebron. Israeli forces deliver a stop-work order to a Palestinian home under construction in Hebron. Israeli settlers attack a group of Palestinian schoolchildren in c. Hebron, causing no injuries, and assault a Palestinian activist nr. al-Ibrahimi Mosque, causing moderate injuries. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces arrest 2 Palestinians during raids and patrols in Issawiyya and al-Tur. In Israel, Israeli forces demolish 2 homes in bedouin communities in the Negev and nr. Lydda. (HA, JP, MNA, TOI, WAFA, YA 5/4; MNA, TOI 5/5; OCHA 5/6; PCHR 5/12)

Israeli PM Netanyahu’s office says that DM Ya’alon and Public Security Minister Erdan have been authorized, as of 5/1, to decide whether or not to return the bodies of Palestinians killed in confrontations with the IDF and Israeli police. This statement reverses Netanyahu’s decision, on 3/27, ordering Ya’alon not to return any bodies. (HA, YA 5/4)

The PLO Exec. Comm. decides to start implementing the PA’s threat to limit security coordination with the IDF if the “current situation” continues. PASF troops are instructed to implement the decision “under supervision of the Palestinian political echelon” and security agencies will decide how quickly to implement it. (MNA 5/7)

In the West Bank, Palestinians hold a funeral in al-‘Arub r.c. for the Palestinian killed on 4/14. Some mourners clash with IDF troops in the area; there are no injuries. IDF troops conduct late-night raids and house searches in and around Hebron, Bethlehem, and Ramallah, arresting 8 Palestinians and issuing arrest summons to 1; patrol nr. Hebron. Israeli settlers prevent a Palestinian farmer from accessing his land nr. Bethlehem. Along Gaza’s border, IDF troops open fire on Palestinian farmers nr. Khan Yunis. Israeli forces conduct a limited incursion to level land nr. Rafah. In East Jerusalem, Israeli soldiers assault and interrogate a Palestinian in Sur al-Bahir, causing light injuries. Israeli forces raid Silwan and deliver 2 demolition orders to Palestinian-owned buildings. (MNA, WAFA 4/16; WAFA, YA 4/17; PCHR 4/21)

IDF troops shoot and kill a Palestinian at an entrance to al-‘Arub r.c. nr. Hebron as he allegedly attempts to attack a soldier with an ax. Elsewhere in the West Bank, IDF troops raid a money exchange office in Ramallah early in the morning. They detonate a small explosive in an attempt to open a safe, which causes a large fire and major damage. In the Hebron area, IDF troops shut down a number of Palestinian stores, and assault and arrest a Palestinian taxi driver outside al-‘Arub r.c. Israeli forces destroy a charcoal facility, an agricultural structure, and a number of solar cells nr. Jenin, sparking minor clashes with Palestinians (there are no injuries). They also demolish a rainwater harvesting well nr. Hebron and conduct late night raids nr. Nablus, arresting 4 Palestinians; patrol during the day nr. Hebron. In East Jerusalem, Israeli police arrest 2 Palestinian youths carrying knives, and order the Palestinian National Theater to close for 1 day as punishment for organizing an event sponsored by the PA. Israeli forces arrest 2 Palestinians during late-night raids in the Old City. Along Gaza’s border, Israeli forces conduct a limited incursion to level land nr. Rafah. Separately, Hamas forces establish 3 new bases and a number of temporary structures along the border with Egypt in an attempt to strengthen border security and improve ties with the Egyptian govt. (AFP, EI, HA, MNA, TOI, WAFA, YA 4/14; PCHR 4/21)

Israeli PM Netanyahu’s office denies that the PM recently approved the construction of over 200 new settler residences in the West Bank, contrary to Israeli press reports on 4/13. “Almost all of the permits are intended for the upgrading of existing buildings,” the office’s statement reads. Peace Now rejects the PM’s statement, offering photographic evidence showing that the permits are for new residences. (HA, TOI 4/14; JP 4/15)

Across the oPt, IDF troops violently disperse Palestinians, Israelis, and international activists at Friday demonstrations against Israel’s occupation, separation wall, and settlements in 4 villages nr. Ramallah (Bil‘in, Ni‘lin, Silwad, and Nabi Salih), Kafr Qaddum nr. Qalqilya, and 2 areas along Gaza’s border; 7 Palestinians are injured and at least 4 are arrested. On Gaza’s border, an explosive device detonates under an armored Israeli bulldozer, causing damage but no injuries. Off Gaza’s coast, Israeli naval forces open fire on 2 Palestinian fishing boats nr. Rafah, injuring 2 fishermen, arresting 4, and then confiscating the boats. In the West Bank, IDF troops conduct house searches and raids nr. Hebron and Bethlehem, arresting 2 Palestinians and issuing arrest summons to 4; patrols in 3 villages nr. Hebron. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces disperse Palestinians conducting a sit-in in Silwan in protest of Israeli efforts to Judaize the city; 6 Palestinians are arrested and a tent is confiscated. Israeli police arrest a Palestinian for allegedly planning a stabbing attack outside the Old City, and temporarily detain a shaykh at Haram al-Sharif, accusing him of “incitement.” (JP, MNA, TOI, YA 4/8; PCHR 4/14)

A U.S. State Dept. spokesperson says that the Obama admin. has not decided whether or not to support the draft UNSC res. condemning Israel’s settlements that the Palestinians circulated earlier in the week (a U.S. veto would scuttle the effort). Separately, 394 mbrs., or 90%, of the House of Representatives sign onto a letter calling on U.S. pres. Obama to “oppose and, if need be, veto one-sided UNSC resolutions,” inter alia. (USSD 4/8; TOI 4/9; JP 4/10; JTA 4/15)

For the 2d day in a row, the IEC cuts off power to a major West Bank city, this time affecting parts of Hebron from 9:00 A.M. to 10:00 A.M. and 2:00 P.M. to 3:00 P.M. It is the 3d time the IEC has implemented its plan to intermittently and punitively disrupt power supplies to areas of the West Bank in response to unpaid debts. (HA, JP, MNA 4/5)

Along Gaza’s border, IDF troops open fire on Palestinian farmers working nr. Rafah, causing no injuries. Israeli forces conduct a limited incursion to level land nearby. In the West Bank, Israeli forces demolish a slaughterhouse, a balcony, and a water well in a village nr. Bethlehem and force a number of Palestinian shops to close in a village nr. Nablus, arresting 2 Palestinians who allegedly threw stones at them. IDF troops also conduct latenight raids and house searches in Nablus and nr. Hebron arresting 9 Palestinians and issuing arrest summons to 2; take measurements and photographs of a home nr. Hebron, threatening punitive demolition; and patrol nr. Qalqilya, Jenin, and Hebron. Israeli settlers enter a village nr. Nablus late at night, sparking clashes with stone-throwing Palestinians; 1 Palestinian is injured. Meanwhile, Palestinian youths throw Molotov cocktails at Israeli forces on a patrol nr. Ramallah; there are no serious injuries. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces raid al-Quds University in Abu Dis, destroying and confiscating property, and issue an arrest summons for a Palestinian journalist during a raid in al-Thawri. Israeli police arrest 2 right-wing Jewish activists attempting to sneak into Haram al-Sharif disguised as Muslims. (MNA, WAFA 4/5; MNA 4/6; PCHR 4/7)

The day after Israeli PM Netanyahu invited him to Jerusalem for a face-to-face meeting, PA pres. Abbas says that he is prepared to work with Israel to stop and monitor “mutual incitement,” calling for the reinstatement of the joint Palestinian-Israeli-U.S. comm. for monitoring incitement, which was established as part of the Wye River Memorandum in 1998 and met regularly until 9/2000. (JP 4/5; TOI 4/6)

In the West Bank, thousands of Palestinians participate in the Palestine Marathon in Bethlehem (the Israeli authorities barred all 103 Gazan hopefuls from participating). Meanwhile, IDF troops violently disperse Palestinians, Israelis, and international activists at Friday demonstrations against Israel’s occupation, separation wall, and settlements in 4 villages nr. Ramallah (Bil‘in, Ni‘lin, Silwad, and Nabi Salih), Kafr Qaddum nr. Qalqilya, in the Silwan neighborhood of East Jerusalem, and in 3 areas along Gaza’s border; 6 Palestinians are injured. In and around Hebron, IDF troops arrest 1 Palestinian during a late-night raid and patrol in 3 villages. Elsewhere in East Jerusalem, Palestinians stage a sit-in protest at Haram al-Sharif calling for national reconciliation. Off Gaza’s coast, Israeli naval forces open fire on a Palestinian fishing boat nr. Rafah, causing it to catch fire and sink. (WAFA 3/31; HA, MNA 4/1; MNA 4/2; PCHR 4/7)

In the West Bank, Israeli forces raid a construction materials shop in Nablus, seizing materials and arresting 2 Palestinians; raid a home in Jenin, assaulting and moderately injuring 1 Palestinian. IDF troops conduct further late-night raids and house searches nr. Ramallah, Hebron, Jenin, and Tulkarm, arresting 7 Palestinians and issuing arrest summons to 2. In separate incidents, Israeli settlers assault 2 Palestinians nr. Nablus, causing minor injuries to both. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces demolish a home under construction in Silwan, sparking clashes with stone-throwing Palestinians in the area; 2 Palestinians are injured. Along Gaza’s border, IDF troops open fire on Palestinian farmers nr. Rafah, causing no injuries. Off the coast, Israeli naval forces open fire on Palestinian fishing boats, causing no injuries or damage. (MNA, WAFA, YA 3/1; MNA 3/2; PCHR 3/3)

IDF troops shoot and kill a Palestinian at a checkpoint nr. Ramallah after he allegedly attempts to stab them. The IDF later returns the body of the alleged Palestinian attacker to his family. Meanwhile, IDF troops violently disperse Palestinian, Israeli, and international activists at Friday demonstrations against Israel’s occupation, settlements, and separation wall in 5 villages nr. Ramallah (Bil‘in, Ni‘lin, al-Masara, Silwad, and Nabi Salih), Kafr Qaddum nr. Qalqilya, Hebron, and along Gaza’s border nr. Khan Yunis and al-Bureij r.c.; 5 Palestinians are injured. They also conduct raids and house searches nr. Salfit, Hebron, and Bethlehem, arresting 1 Palestinian and issuing arrest summons to 6; patrol in Tulkarm, 1 village nr. Salfit, and nr. Hebron. Along Gaza’s border, IDF troops open fire on 3 Palestinians walking nr. Khan Yunis, moderately injuring 1; arrest 3 Palestinians attempting to cross the border nr. Rafah to work in Israel. (HA, JP, MNA, TOI 2/26; MNA 2/27; PCHR 3/3)

Following weeks of reports on back-channel economic talks, the Israeli press reports that Finance Minister Moshe Kahlon has decided to take steps to help improve the PA’s economic situation, including a transfer of NIS 500 m. (around $131 m.) in withheld tax revenues. PM Netanyahu reportedly approved Kahlon’s proposals after they met on 2/24. (YA 2/26; JP 2/29)

A Palestinian is found mortally wounded on the grounds of the Palestinian Embassy in Bulgaria and succumbs to his injuries in an ambulance on the way to hospital. He is later identified as Omar Nayef Zayed, who was wanted by Israel for his alleged killing of an Israeli in 1986. (EI, HA, MNA 2/26)

In Gaza, a Palestinian child is killed and a 2d is injured when they accidentally detonate a piece of unexploded Israeli ordnance nr. Jabaliya r.c. Off the coast late at night, Israeli naval forces open fire on Palestinian fishing boats nr. Rafah, causing no damage or injuries. Meanwhile, employees of the Hamas-run govt. go on strike to protest unpaid salaries (they have not been regularly paid since 6/2/2014, when the PA consensus govt. was sworn in). In the West Bank, Israeli forces demolish 8 Palestinian agricultural structures nr. Ramallah early in the morning; prevent Palestinian laborers from carrying out renovations at a home in the Old City of Hebron; take measurements and photographs of a Palestinian home nr. Jenin, threatening punitive demolition. IDF troops conduct raids in a village nr. Hebron, sparking clashes with stone-throwing Palestinian youths; 2 Palestinians are injured. They conduct further raids and house searches nr. Jenin, Bethlehem, and Hebron, arresting 2 Palestinians, issuing an arrest summons to 1, and confiscating a vehicle; patrol in 1 village nr. Qalqilya and 4 nr. Hebron. Late at night, a Palestinian stabs and critically injures an Israeli security guard at the Ma’ale Adumim settlement nr. Jerusalem. The IDF then bars Palestinian workers from the settlement until at least 2/28 (the same day the alleged attacker will be arrested). In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces arrest 3 Palestinians and issue 1 an arrest summons on raids in and around the Old City. (MNA, WAFA 2/25; HA, JP, MNA, YA 2/26; MNA 2/28; PCHR 3/3)

In the West Bank, an Israeli settler driver allegedly rams 2 Palestinians nr. Jericho, killing 1 and injuring the other. It is unclear if the collision was the result of an accident or homicidal intent. IDF troops conduct latenight raids and house searches in 2 villages nr. Ramallah and 1 nr. Nablus, arresting 5 Palestinians. Meanwhile, the IDF maintains, for a 3d day in a row, the closure of the Jeninarea village where the Palestinian who allegedly attempted to stab an Israeli soldier on 2/21 was from. There are intermittent clashes in the village; 3 Palestinians are injured. Off Gaza’s coast, Israeli naval forces open fire on Palestinian fishing boats nr. Rafah, causing minor damage. Along Gaza’s border, IDF troops open fire on Palestinian farmers working nr. the border fence, causing no injuries. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces arrest 2 Palestinians on raids in Issawiyya. (MNA, WAFA 2/23; MNA 2/24; PCHR 2/25)

IDF troops and an Israeli settler shoot and critically injure 2 Palestinian youths in a supermarket nr. Jerusalem after they attacked 2 settlers, killing 1 and injuring the other. The IDF then closes down a main road nearby, and bars Palestinians from entering the settlement where the alleged stabbing occurred, excluding certain laborers. Elsewhere in the West Bank, IDF troops conduct late-night house searches and raids nr. Tulkarm and Ramallah, arresting 1 Palestinian; patrol during the day in 3 villages nr. Jenin, 6 nr. Hebron, and 4 nr. Ramallah. Israeli forces assault and injure a Palestinian worker at a checkpoint nr. Bethlehem and deliver stop-work orders to 6 Palestinian buildings under construction nr. Hebron. Along Gaza’s border, Israeli forces conduct a limited incursion across the border fence to level land nr. Rafah. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces arrest a former Palestinian prisoner from a bus e. of the city. (HA, JP, MNA, TOI, WAFA, YA 2/18; MNA 2/19, 2/20; PCHR 2/25)

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)

A total of 2 Palestinians are killed and 15 injured when IDF troops violently disperse Palestinian, Israeli, and international activists at Friday demonstrations against the Israeli occupation in 5 areas nr. Ramallah (Bil‘in, Ni‘lin, Nabi Salih, outside the Beit El settlement, and outside Ofer Prison), Kafr Qaddum nr. Qalqilya, and in 3 areas along Gaza’s border. Separately, Gaza’s Ministry of Health reports that a Hamas fighter was killed by an electric shock in a tunnel nr. Rafah this morning. Meanwhile, Palestinians throw stones at Israeli forces in 2 areas nr. Bethlehem (Aida r.c. and al-Khadir), sparking clashes in which 5 Palestinians are injured, including 2 paramedics and 1 journalist. The IDF conducts a late-night raid in a village nr. Bethlehem, sparking clashes with stonethrowing Palestinian youths; 1 Palestinian is shot and injured. IDF troops conduct further late-night raids and house searches in Hebron, Bethlehem, and 2 villages and Aida r.c. nr. Bethlehem, arresting 3 Palestinians and issuing arrest summons to 4; patrol in 7 villages nr. Hebron and 2 nr. Jenin, as well as Tulkarm and 1 village nearby. Israeli settlers disguise a large rock as a pile of garbage and place it in the middle of a road nr. Salfit; a Palestinian taxi driver later crashes his car into the rock, causing major damage. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces arrest an elderly Palestinian woman at Haram al-Sharif and confiscate NIS 1,800 (around $100) from her. (HA, JP, MNA, TOI 1/15; MNA 1/16; PCHR 1/21)