The Palestine Chronology

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers threw stones at a Palestinian truck driving near Huwwara, injuring the driver and causing damage. Israeli settlers also threw stones at Palestinian vehicles traveling near Hebron. Meanwhile, Israeli settlers with a military escort also raided Qaryut, leading to tear-gas related injuries. Israeli forces violently dispersed Palestinian protesters in Kafr Qaddum, causing tear-gas related injuries. Israeli forces also violently dispersed Palestinian protesters in Bayt Dajan, assaulting 1 journalist and causing tear-gas related injuries. Elsewhere, Israeli forces violently dispersed Israeli activists protesting near the home of Israeli national security minister Itamar Ben-Gvir in the Kiryat Arba settlement, arresting 2 and confiscating Palestinian flags. 2 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in Ni’lin and Surda. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces assaulted Palestinians trying to enter the Haram al-Sharif compound for noon prayers, injuring 4. Israeli forces also violently dispersed Palestinian protesters in Sheikh Jarrah, injuring 1. In Gaza, Israeli forces violently dispersed Palestinian protesters near the Gaza fence east of Malka, injuring 1 with live ammunition and others with tear gas. Israeli forces also opened fire at Palestinian farmers east of Gaza City; no injuries were reported. (HA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 8/25; HA 8/27; PCHR 8/31; UNOCHA 9/11)

1 Palestinian man succumbed to injuries sustained from Israeli forces in Jenin refugee camp on 7/3 during Israel’s 2-day assault on the camp. (WAFA 8/25; AJ, AP 8/26; PCHR 8/31)

Israeli defense minister Yoav Gallant signed an order to release a settler from administrative detention, saying he had confessed to his crimes. The settler was part of the settler attacks on Palestinians in the last week of June. (HA 8/25)

The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs released a survey of the West Bank, finding Israel placed 645 obstacles to the movement of Palestinians. The UN counted 49 permanently staffed checkpoints, 139 intermittently staffed checkpoints, 304 roadblocks, 73 earth walls, road barriers, and trenches, and 80 obstacles of various types in H2 in Hebron, in addition to the restrictions posed by the separation wall. (UNOCHA 8/25)

The Wall Street Journal reported that the Chinese state-owned company China National Nuclear Corp had offered to build a nuclear plant in Saudi Arabia. It has been widely reported that a condition for Saudi normalization with Israel depends on U.S. help with establishing a nuclear program in Saudi Arabia. 4 U.S. officials also told Axios that the U.S. has informed Israel that it would have to make significant concessions to Palestine if they are to strike a normalization deal with Saudi Arabia. (AJ, ALM, AX, HA, WSJ 8/25; MEE 8/26)

The Dutch Supreme Court found that a Palestinian man, Ismail Ziada, cannot sue former Israeli military officials Benny Gantz and Amir Eshel over their involvement in the 2014 airstrike that killed 6 members of his family. The court found that the 2 have immunity from civil prosecution in the Netherlands. (AP, HA, REU 8/25)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers uprooted 170 olive trees in al-Lubban ash-Sharqiya and set 1 vehicle on fire in Asira al-Qibliya, writing “Jewish blood is not cheap” on nearby walls. Israeli settlers also opened fire on Palestinian vehicles driving near the Migdal Oz settlement. Elsewhere, Israeli settlers threw stones at Palestinian vehicles near the al-Hamra checkpoint, smashing the windshields on 5 vehicles. Israeli settlers also threw stones at 1 Palestinian vehicle near Jericho, injuring the driver. Meanwhile, Israeli settlers stopped a Palestinian taxi driver near the Dead Sea before beating him. Israeli settlers also vandalized 2 vehicles in the Masafer Yatta area. Israeli forces raided Ya‘bad, arresting 4 of the family members of 1 Palestinian man who killed 5 people in Israel on 3/29. Israeli forces also took measurements for a punitive demolition. Elsewhere, Israeli forces raided al-Khader, causing tear-gas related injuries. 20 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in Bayt Rima, Ein Misbah, Deir Abu Masha‘al, Bir al-Basha, Kafr Qaddum, Balata refugee camp, al-‘Ibayyat, and Beit Umar. In East Jerusalem, 1 Palestinian was arrested during a late-night raid in Isawiya. Off the coast of Gaza, Israeli naval forces opened fire on Palestinian fishermen; no injuries were reported. (HA, HA, MEE, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 3/30; HA, PCHR, WAFA 3/31; +972 4/4; UNOCHA 4/10)

The Israeli cities of Netanya, Ramle, Holon, and Givatayim suspended construction and gardening work at public schools in an apparent effort to limit work by Palestinian laborers. Ramat Gan’s mayor also told building contractors in the city to end work on sites that “rely on Arab labor.” In addition, the Israeli military banned the entry of Palestinian workers into Israeli settlements. The restrictions on Palestinian workers come as 3 different attacks were carried out in Israel over the past week, including 2 by Palestinian citizens of Israel and 1 by a Palestinian from the West Bank. (HA 3/30)

Israel’s security cabinet decided to revoke work permits for relatives of Palestinians who have attacked Israelis and pushed forward a plan to reinforce the separation barrier. Israeli police also asked the security cabinet to limit access to the Haram al-Sharif compound to Muslim worshippers 60 and older—a request the security cabinet did not immediately respond to. Prime minister Naftali Bennett also called on all licensed Israelis to start carrying a weapon. (HA 3/30; HA, HA 3/31)

Prime Minister Bennett spoke with U.S. president Joe Biden, who offered his condolences after 11 people have been killed in attacks in Israel in the past week. (HA 3/31)

Israeli president Isaac Herzog met with Jordan’s king Abdullah II in Amman. (HA, REU 3/29; ALM, HA, REU 3/30)

Thousands of Palestinians gather along Gaza’s border to continue the Great March of Return for the 5th consecutive Friday. This week’s protests, dubbed the “Friday of Rebellious Youth,” are dedicated to the 37 Palestinians killed since the March began on 3/30. IDF troops violently disperse the demonstrations in multiple locations; 3 Palestinians are killed and at least 150 are injured. After hours of Israeli sniper fire, the IDF considerably escalates its crackdown on the protests with artillery shelling and air strikes on 6 Hamas sites across Gaza, causing damage and injuring 4 Palestinians. An IDF spokesperson later says the strikes were a response to the “terrorist actions and extensive attempts to breach Israeli territory earlier today.” In the West Bank, IDF troops violently disperse Friday protests against Israel’s occupation, settlements, and separation wall in Hebron, Kafr Qaddum near Qalqilya, and Ramallah; 2 Palestinians are injured. They also arrest 1 Palestinian during a raid near Bethlehem and patrol near Hebron and Qalqilya. Israeli settlers slash the tires of a number of Palestinian vehicles near Nablus overnight, and chop down 12 olive trees in a Palestinian grove outside ‘Urif near Nablus. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces clash with stonethrowing Palestinians in al-‘Izzariya; 1 Palestinian is arrested and 1 is wounded. A Palestinian demolishes his own car park in Silwan to avoid paying Israeli demolition fees. (EI, HA, JP, MNA, TOI, WAFA 4/27; YA 4/28; PCHR 5/3)

IDF troops violently disperse Palestinians, Israelis, and international activists at Friday protests against Israel’s occupation, settlements, and separation wall in 3 villages near Ramallah (Nabi Salih, Bil‘in, and Ni‘lin), Kafr Qaddum near Qalqilya, central Hebron, and along Gaza’s border near al-Bureij refugee camp; 1 Palestinian is injured. Meanwhile, the IDF maintains its general closure of 9 Jerusalem-area villages for a 4th day, following the deadly attack in Har Hadar on 9/26. Israeli soldiers arrest 2 Palestinians, allegedly for placing an explosive device on a road near the Migdal Oz settlement outside Hebron. After an IDF drone goes down in Bethlehem, Israeli soldiers enter the area to search for the device, sparking clashes with stone-throwing residents; 1 Palestinian is injured. The IDF patrols in and around Tulkarm and Hebron. Off Gaza’s coast, Israeli naval forces open fire on Palestinian fishing boats near Jabaliya refugee camp, causing no damage or injuries. (MNA 9/29; MNA 9/30; PCHR 10/5)

Israeli forces arrest a mentally unstable Palestinian after he stabs and kills a UK woman on the Jerusalem Light Rail nr. the Old City. Elsewhere in Jerusalem, Israeli police arrest 4 Muslim worshippers when they attempt to stop Jewish settlers from praying at Haram alSharif. They arrest 10 more as they are exiting the sanctuary, and also arrest 2 Palestinians during raids in Shu‘fat. In the West Bank, IDF troops arrest a Palestinian at a checkpoint outside Nabi Salih after he is found to be carrying a knife. Meanwhile, they violently disperse Palestinians, Israelis, and international activists at Friday demonstrations against Israel’s occupation, separation wall, settlements, and withholding of Palestinian corpses in 3 villages nr. Ramallah (Nabi Salih, Bil‘in, and Ni‘lin), Kafr Qaddum nr. Qalqilya, and Bethlehem; 4 Palestinians are injured. They also establish a mobile checkpoint e. of Tubas, sparking clashes with stone-throwing Palestinians; 4 Palestinians are injured. The IDF patrols nr. Hebron during the day. Off Gaza’s coast, Israeli naval forces open fire on Palestinian fishing boats nr. Jabaliya r.c., causing no injuries or damage. Along Gaza’s border, IDF troops open fire on Palestinian farmers nr. Juhur al-Dik and again nr. Khan Yunis, causing no injuries. (HA, JP, MNA, NYT, TOI, WAFA 4/14; HA 4/15; PCHR 4/20)

The Israeli authorities open the Kerem Shalom border crossing to allow fuel to enter Gaza. They closed the crossing for Passover on 4/9, and are set to shut it down again from 4/15 through 4/17. (MNA 4/14)

The Gaza Electricity Distribution Company (GEDCO) temporarily cuts off power throughout the region in protest of “unfair measures” imposed on the people of Gaza, including the reduction of former PA employees’ salaries. (MNA 4/14)

IDF troops open fire on 2 Palestinian youths, killing 1 and moderately injuring the other, in al-‘Arub r.c. nr. Hebron after they allegedly throw firebombs at Israeli settlers’ cars nearby. Elsewhere in the West Bank, IDF troops violently disperse Palestinians, Israelis, and international activists at Friday demonstrations against Israel’s occupation, separation wall, and settlements in 3 villages nr. Ramallah (Nabi Salih, Bil‘in, and Ni‘lin) and Kafr Qaddum nr. Qalqilya; 2 Israeli activists are injured. They also patrol nr. Nablus, sparking clashes with stone-throwing Palestinians; 1 Palestinian is moderately injured. The IDF conducts further patrols in and around Qalqilya, Jericho, and Ramallah. Israeli settlers uproot around 75 olive tree seedlings nr. Nablus. Palestinian youths throw stones at 3 Israeli settlers who enter Qalandia r.c.; the IDF then escorts the settlers out of the camp. Along Gaza’s border, IDF troops arrest a Palestinian attempting to cross into Israel. Off Gaza’s coast, Israeli naval forces open fire on Palestinian fishing boats nr. Rafah, causing no damage or injuries. (HA, JP, MNA 3/17; PCHR 3/23)

Hundreds of Israeli settlers visit a Jewish holy site nr. Nablus overnight. Their IDF escort conducts raids in nearby Awarta village, closing its entrances. Later, IDF troops violently disperse Palestinians, Israelis, and international activists at Friday demonstrations against Israel’s 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.; 1 Palestinian is injured. IDF troops also assault and arrest an elderly Palestinian and her grandson during a raid in c. Hebron, and establish a mobile checkpoint nr. Nablus, sparking minor clashes with stone-throwing Palestinians. 1 Palestinian is injured. The IDF patrols nr. Qalqilya, Hebron, and Ramallah. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces assault 2 Muslim worshippers as they are leaving Haram al-Sharif. Off Gaza’s coast, Israeli naval forces open fire on Palestinian fishing boats nr. Bayt Lahiya and later nr. Jabaliya r.c. and Rafah, causing no damage or injuries. (MNA, WAFA 2/3; MNA 2/4; PCHR 2/9)

IDF troops violently disperse Palestinians, Israelis, and international activists at Friday demonstrations against Israel’s settlements, the separation wall, and occupation 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.; 1 Palestinian is killed in Gaza and 3 are injured. Elsewhere in the West Bank, IDF troops clash with stone-throwing Palestinians outside Tuqu‘ village nr. Bethlehem; 1 Palestinian is injured. IDF troops issue 2 Palestinians arrest summons during late-night raids nr. Hebron and patrol nr. Hebron. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces arrest 2 Palestinians during raids in the Old City and Silwan. Off Gaza’s coast, Israeli naval forces open fire on Palestinian fishing boats nr. Bayt Lahiya, causing no damage. Along Gaza’s border, IDF troops open fire on a group of Palestinian youths nr. Gaza City. There are no injuries in either incident. In Israel, thousands of Palestinian citizens of Israel gather in Kafr Kanna and other villages to protest a bill, approved in a Knesset comm. on 11/13, that would bar mosques from broadcasting the call to prayer (see JPS 46 [2]). (HA, MNA, TOI, YA 11/18; PCHR 11/24)

The Egyptian authorities open the Rafah border crossing for the 5th of 5 planned days. (MNA 11/18; OCHA 12/2)

IDF troops violently disperse Palestinians, Israelis, and international activists at Friday demonstrations against Israel’s separation wall, settlements, and occupation in 3 villages nr. Ramallah (Bil‘in, Ni‘lin, and Nabi Salih), Kafr Qaddum nr. Qalqilya, and in 4 areas along Gaza’s border (nr. Gaza City, Khan Yunis, Dayr al-Balah, and al-Bureij r.c.); 2 Palestinians are injured and 1 of their vehicles is confiscated. After reports of stone-throwing in Huwwara village nr. Nablus, the IDF shuts down all the stores in the village and blocks off the main road. IDF troops patrol nr. Hebron and Salfit throughout the day. Israeli settlers assault a number of Palestinian farmers harvesting olives nr. Salfit, sparking clashes between their IDF escort and the Palestinians; 2 Palestinians are arrested. Off Gaza’s coast, Israeli naval forces open fire on Palestinian fishing boats nr. Gaza City, and then detain 2 fishermen and confiscate 1 boat. (MNA 10/7; PCHR 10/13)

IDF troops on the Gaza border e. of Bayt Lahiya fire warning shots at Palestinians walking nr. the border fence, critically injuring 1. Off the coast nr. Gaza City and then nr. Bayt Lahiya, Israeli naval forces open fire on Palestinian fishing boats, injuring 2 fishermen and causing damage. A small armed group, with self-proclaimed affiliations to ISIS, fires mortar rounds at a Hamas military base; no injuries are reported. 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 6 areas nr. Ramallah (Bil‘in, Ni‘lin, Nabi Salih, Silwad, Jalazun r.c., and outside Ofer Prison), and Kafr Qaddum nr. Qalqilya; 9 Palestinians are injured, including 3 photojournalists. The IDF also searches a home in a village nr. Hebron late at night, issuing a summons to a Palestinian; patrols in 2 villages nr. Jenin, 4 nr. Ramallah, 3 nr. Hebron, and 1 each nr. Tulkarm and Jericho. Israeli settlers cut the branches off 3 olive trees nr. Hebron. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces enter Silwan and Issawiyya, sparking clashes with stone-throwing Palestinian youth; the Israeli soldiers respond with stun grenades and rubber-coated metal bullets. (AFP, JP, MNA, TOI 5/8; MNA 5/9; PCHR 5/14)

In the Gaza Strip, IDF troops e. of Khan Yunis open fire on agricultural land nr. the border fence, causing no damage or injuries. Later, Israeli soldiers e. of Rafah arrest 3 Palestinians as they attempt to cross the border into Israel. Meanwhile, Palestinians gather outside UNRWA’s office in Gaza City in a sit-in protest organized by Hamas against the agency’s 1/27 suspension of its cash assistance program. 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); 1 Palestinian in each Nabi Salih and Kafr Qaddum are moderately injured. The IDF also disperses stone-throwing Palestinian youth nr. Ramallah; conducts house searches and arrest raids nr. Hebron; patrols nr. Hebron, Ramallah, and Tulkarm, as well as al-‘Arub r.c. (MNA 1/30; PCHR 2/5)

The Israeli govt. publishes tenders for the construction of a hotel and several offices in Ma’ale Adumim and 450 new homes in 4 other settlements in the West Bank. Also, the Jerusalem Building and Planning Comm. republishes a plan for 93 new housing units in s. Gilo in East Jerusalem. (HA, Peace Now 1/30)

Acting pres. of the UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC) Joachim Rücker receives a letter of complaint from Israel’s permanent rep. to the UN in Geneva Eviatar Manor, alerting him to the previously unreported fact that the head of the UNHRC’s 3-mbr. commission currently investigating possible war crimes committed during OPE, William Schabas, was paid $1,300 for a consulting job with the PLO in 2012. (HA 2/3)

In the Gaza Strip, Egyptian troops open fire on Palestinian youth along the border e. of Rafah, killing 1 and arresting 3. In 2 separate incidents, Israeli soldiers stationed along the border fence (e. of Khan Yunis r.c. and e. of Jabaliya r.c.) open fire on stone-throwing Palestinians, moderately injuring 2. In the West Bank, Israeli settlers from the Adi Ad outpost throw stones outside Turmus ‘Ayya at 2 vehicles from the U.S. Consulate General in Jerusalem, causing light damage. 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), where they arrest 1 Palestinian. In the evening, Israeli troops clash with stone-throwing Palestinians in a village nr. Ramallah, then impose a curfew on the village and arrest 1 resident. (AP, HA, MNA, TOI 1/2; IMEMC, MNA, YA 1/3; OCHA 1/15)

Senior Palestinian leaders meet in Ramallah and discuss resubmitting their res. to the UNSC since 5 new mbrs. joined the council on 1/1. PA Pres. Abbas meets with Jordanian officials about the timing of the resubmission. (TOI 1/3; DS 1/4)

In the Gaza Strip, IDF troops open fire on Palestinian farmers working close to the border fence nr. Khan Yunis r.c., causing no injuries. Separately, IDF troops open fire on stone-throwing Palestinians nr. Jabaliya r.c., wounding 1. In the West Bank, a Palestinian man dies from wounds inflicted when Israeli soldiers shot him in the head on 3/1 with a rubber-coated metal bullet during clashes at the entrance to Qalandia r.c. nr. Ramallah. Following his funeral, there are clashes at Qalandia checkpoint between stone-throwing Palestinian youth and Israeli soldiers who fire live ammunition and tear gas, with 1 Palestinian injured from a bullet to the leg. Separately, in al-‘Izzariya and Abu Dis neighborhoods of East Jerusalem, IDF troops shoot and injure 2 Palestinians with live ammunition during protests against the death of a Palestinian delayed at a checkpoint en route to hospital the previous day. The IDF patrols in 1 village nr. Ramallah in the morning, in Dura and surrounding area nr. Hebron in the afternoon, and in Hebron and al-‘Arub and 5 nearby villages, and in 2 villages nr. Ramallah at night. IDF troops violently disperse Palestinian, Israeli, and international protesters at weekly demonstrations against Israel’s separation wall, settlements, and occupation in 2 villages nr. Ramallah (Bil‘in, Nabi Salih), 1 village nr. Qalqilya (Kafr Qaddum) and 1 village nr. Bethlehem (al-Ma‘sara). There are no serious injuries except in Bil‘in, with 2 injured by rubber-coated metal bullets, and in Kafr Qaddum with 2 injured by gas canisters. (MNA 11/29; PCHR 12/5)

A senior but unnamed official within Israel’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs tells the media that Israel has been invited to join the UNHRC’s Western European and Others Group. The development was made possible by Israel ending its boycott of the UNHRC in 10/2013, as well as agreeing to participation in its Universal Periodic Human Rights Review process. On 11/6, ambassadors of the U.K., Australia, Canada, Germany, France, and the U.S. sent a letter to the UN institutions in Geneva to urge the inclusion of Israel in the regional group. (HA, ToI 11/29)

In a White House statement, the Obama administration confirms it is keeping oilrelated sanctions targeting Iran in place despite the recently-signed deal. Meanwhile, Tehran’s envoy to the IAEA tells the agency’s board in Geneva that the implementation of the deal will start by early 1/2014. Separately, Iranian pres. Ruhani says that his country will not decommission its nuclear plants. (AP, FT, REU 11/29)

The executive council of the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons in The Hague rejects a request from Syria to convert facilities used to produce chemical weapons to other activities. (NYT 11/29)

Egyptian security forces violently disperse demonstrations in various parts of Cairo with tear gas and water cannons, as supporters of ousted pres. Morsi express their opposition to a new law restricting protests. There are also similar clashes in Giza, Alexandria, and Suez. According to Interior Ministry figures, 10 are wounded and 183 arrested. (AP 11/29)

In the evening, unidentified Palestinians fire a Qassam rocket fr. Gaza into Israel, damaging 2 houses but causing no injuries. In the West Bank, the IDF patrols in 2 villages nr. Ramallah in the morning, in Tulkarm in the afternoon, and in 2 villages nr. Jenin (firing stun grenades at stone-throwing Palestinians who confront them in 1 instance) and 1 nr. Qalqilya late at night. In the afternoon, the IDF raids and searches stores nr. Qalqilya and enters al-Zira village nr. Bethlehem in search of Palestinian youths who had stoned a patrol earlier (questioning youths at random, arresting 4). Late at night, the IDF patrols in Aqabat Jabir r.c. nr. Jericho, firing live ammunition, rubbercoated steel bullets, tear gas, and stun grenades at stone-throwing Palestinians who confront them, wounding 3 Palestinians with live ammunition (2 seriously); enters Jericho and 1 nearby village to serve 3 Palestinians with papers summoning them for questioning. The IDF also makes a late-night raid on and search of the Nablus-area home of a Palestinian released in the recent prisoner swap that freed IDF Cpl. Gilad Shalit, serving him with orders to appear for questioning; during the raid, a pregnant woman in the home complains of pain and is taken to the hospital, where she miscarries. Palestinians (sometimes accompanied by Israeli and international activists) hold weekly nonviolent demonstrations against the separation wall, land confiscations, and settlement expansion in Bil’in, Kafr Qaddum, Nabi Salih, and Ni’lin; demonstrations in Bil’in, Nabi Salih, and Ni’lin also call for solidarity with hungerstriking Islamic Jihad prisoner Khader Adnan. IDF soldiers fire live ammunition (Nabi Salih only), rubber-coated steel bullets, tear gas, and stun grenades at the protesters; 3 Palestinian protesters, 1 Palestinian journalist, and 1 New York Times reporter are injured. Palestinians in Kafr al-Dik village nr. Salfit hold their first nonviolent protest against recent IDF actions in the nearby Dayr Sam’an archeological area that have been interpreted as preliminary steps to annex the area; IDF troops fire tear gas and percussion grenades to disperse them, causing no injuries. Jewish settlers fr. Carmiel settlement nr. Hebron escorted by IDF troops plant trees on 40 d. of nearby Palestinian agricultural land along a new settleronly bypass road. (JP 2/11; PCHR 2/16; OCHA 2/17)

Hamas’s Haniyeh arrives in Iran. Neither side discusses the visit, hoping to keep a low profile. Arab media reports (see NYT 2/11) say Hamas is resisting pressure fr. Iran to demonstrate support for Syria’s Asad. Gulf leaders urged Haniyeh against visiting Iran, but he demurred. (NYT 2/11)

In the West Bank, the IDF fires rubbercoated steel bullets, stun grenades, tear gas, skunk at stone-throwing Palestinians protesting the separation wall in Bil‘in; fires stun grenades at Palestinian and international activists taking part in a nonviolent demonstration against the separation wall in al-Ma‘sara, severely beating 3 international activists and a Palestinian journalist covering the event; conducts synchronized late-night house searches in and n. of Tulkarm, making no arrests; stages other late-night arrest raids, house searches in Bethlehem and nr. Hebron, Jenin, Ramallah, Salfit. Jewish settlers set up tents on a plot of Palestinian land in Kafr Qaddum village nr. Qalqilya establishing a new unauthorized outpost; settlers tried to occupy the site previously, but the Palestinian owner, who recently died, had won a court ruling evicting them. Jewish settlers fr. Harsina and Kiryat Arba settlements occupy a plot of Palestinian land nr. Hebron, erect a tent, and plant trees in an effort to establish a new unauthorized outpost. Jewish settlers fr. Karme Tzur nr. Hebron bulldoze large tracks of Palestinian agricultural land and uproot trees nearby to expand the settlement. (OCHA, PCHR 8/6)