The Palestine Chronology

An Israeli settler driver runs over a Palestinian motorcyclist nr. Bethlehem, causing fatal injuries. The Israeli police describe the incident as a “road accident,” though it is not clear whether the collision was intentional. Israeli settlers throw stones at Palestinians driving nr. Jenin, breaking the windshield of 1 vehicle. Meanwhile, 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. Jabaliya r.c. and Gaza City; 8 Palestinians and 1 Korean activist are injured. The IDF arrests 3 Palestinians and issues 1 arrest summons during late-night raids nr. Tulkarm and Bethlehem, and patrols nr. Hebron. (MNA, WAFA 7/7; MNA 7/8; PCHR 7/13)

A Palestinian infant succumbs to injuries sustained amid clashes in Abud village nr. Ramallah on 5/19/2017, when IDF troops fired tear gas canisters at Palestinian homes during the clashes. The infant inhaled an ultimately fatal amount of gas. (MNA, WAFA 7/8)

A suicide bomber detonates a car at an Egyptian checkpoint in Rafah in n. Sinai, killing at least 10 Egyptian soldiers and injuring 26 others. In clashes sparked by their search for accomplices, Egyptian security forces kill 40 armed fighters affiliated with the Sinai Province of the Islamic State and other Islamist groups in the area, and destroy 6 vehicles. (MNA 7/7)

Despite Israeli and U.S. opposition, UNESCO’s World Heritage Comm. approves a res. inscribing Hebron’s Old City, including al-Ibrahimi Mosque, on its List of World Heritage in Danger. Twelve countries vote in favor of the measure, 3 oppose it, and 6 abstain. (BBC, GDN, HA, MNA, TOI, WAFA 7/7; MNA 7/9)

In the West Bank, IDF troops arrest 6 Palestinians at a checkpoint nr. Bethlehem, accusing them of planning a large-scale attack in Jerusalem. They also arrest 11 Palestinians during late-night raids in and around Qalqilya, Bethlehem, Hebron, Jenin, Nablus, and Ramallah; and patrol nr. Nablus and Hebron. Israeli settlers assault a Palestinian in c. Hebron, then Israeli soldiers arrest him. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces demolish 3 Palestinian homes in Bayt Hanina. Off Gaza’s coast, Israeli naval forces open fire on Palestinian fishing boats nr. Bayt Lahiya, causing no damage or injuries. (HA, MNA, WAFA 7/4; MNA 7/5; PCHR 7/6)

In its latest effort to pressure Hamas into giving up control of the region, the PA sends 6,145 of its employees in Gaza into early retirement. A PA spokesperson says that the move and any “previous procedures and any possible future procedures in this regard” are only temporary, and that the PA cabinet has agreed to roll back all of them if Hamas “retracted” its moves against the PA. (MNA, TOI, WAFA, YA 7/4)

The PA cabinet approves the formation of the National Team for the Demarcation of Palestine’s Maritime Border to work with neighboring countries to clarify Palestine’s maritime borders. In 2015, Palestine became a mbr. of the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea. (WAFA 7/4)

The UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization’s (UNESCO) World Heritage Comm. passes a Palestinian-backed res. retaining the Old City of Jerusalem on the comm.’s List of World Heritage in Danger and condemning “the failure of the Israeli occupying authorities to cease the persistent excavations, tunneling, works, projects, and other illegal practices in East Jerusalem, particularly in and around the Old City of Jerusalem”. Ten countries vote in favor, 3 oppose, and 8 abstain. (JP, TOI, YA 7/4; WAFA 7/5)

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) and Kafr Qaddum nr. Qalqilya; at least 1 Palestinian is injured. Elsewhere in the West Bank, an armed Palestinian opens fire on IDF troops conducting a late-night operation in Jenin, causing no injuries. (The Israeli soldiers were removing a memorial for Khaled Nazzal, a Democratic Front for the Liberation of Palestine [DFLP] leader assassinated by Israeli Mossad agents in 1986.) Meanwhile, IDF troops arrest 4 Palestinians and issue 2 arrest summons during late-night raids in and around Jenin and Bethlehem; and patrol nr. Nablus and Hebron during the day. Along Gaza’s border, a former resident of Gaza who moved to Israel 5 years ago under family unification law crosses back into Gaza. Hamas security forces take him into custody. Off Gaza’s coast, Israeli naval forces open fire on Palestinian fishing boats nr. Bayt Lahiya, causing no damage or injuries. In Israel, a deceased Palestinian from East Jerusalem washes ashore at Lake Tiberias. The cause of his death is not known. (HA, MNA, TOI 6/30; PCHR 7/6)

For the 5th time this week, errant mortar fire from Syria lands in an open area in the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights, causing no damage. The IDF returns fire at the source of the mortar. (MNA, TOI 6/30)

IDF troops shoot and kill a Palestinian during a late-night raid of his home in c. Hebron. An IDF spokesperson says that the man pulled a gun on the soldiers, prompting them to open fire. Elsewhere in the West Bank, Israeli soldiers arrest a Palestinian at a checkpoint outside Bethlehem when she is found to be carrying a knife. The IDF conducts raids in Bil‘in village nr. Ramallah, sparking clashes with stone-throwing Palestinians; 2 Palestinians are injured. They also arrest 7 Palestinians and issue 2 arrest summons during raids nr. Ramallah, Nablus, and Jenin, as well as in Tulkarm. Israeli settlers set fire to an olive grove outside Burin village nr. Nablus, destroying approximately 400 olive trees. Along Gaza’s border, Israeli forces conduct a limited incursion to level land nr. al-Bureij r.c. and open fire on agricultural lands nr. the Erez border crossing, causing no major damage. (HA, MNA, TOI 6/28; WAFA 6/29; PCHR 7/6)

Hamas announces that it is constructing a new security barrier along Gaza’s border with Egypt, including new guard posts, lighting, and cameras. A Hamas official says that the barrier was specifically provided for in a recent Hamas-Egypt agreement. “These continuing measures are for the sake of achieving control of the s. border and to completely prevent infiltration and smuggling,” he adds. (MNA, TOI 6/28; HA 6/30)

The IDF reopens the area in the Israeli occupied Golan Heights it declared a closed military zone on 6/27. Hours later, errant fire from Syria crosses the border for the 4th time this week. The IDF launches air strikes on Syrian army targets nr. the border, causing damage and a number of injuries. (HA, TOI, YA 6/28)

Unidentified assailants fire a rocket from Gaza into s. Israel; it lands in an open area, causing no damage or injuries. Late at night, the Israeli Air Force launches air strikes on 2 Hamas military sites nr. Gaza City and Rafah, causing damage to a number of Palestinian homes. Israeli artillery positioned along the border fence fire on agricultural lands nr. Gaza City as well, causing no serious damage or injuries. In the West Bank, IDF troops clash with stone-throwing Palestinians during late-night raids in Dahaysha r.c. nr. Bethlehem, Bayt Umar and Bayt Awa nr. Hebron; at least 8 Palestinians are injured. They also arrest 8 Palestinians and issue 1 arrest summons during late-night raids nr. Hebron and Ramallah; and patrol nr. Hebron and Nablus during the day. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces arrest 2 Palestinians during raids in Abu Dis. (TOI 6/26; HA, JP, MNA, WAFA, YA 6/27; PCHR 7/6)

For a 3d day in a row, errant fire from Syria crosses into the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights. The IDF says it was only a few bullets, and that they caused no damage or injuries. (HA, YA 6/26)

PASF troops violently disperse dozens of former Palestinian prisoners outside a govt. building in Ramallah; there are no serious injuries. The former prisoners were protesting the fact that the PA suspended payments to 277 former prisoners at the beginning of the mo. They vow to maintain pressure on the PA, insisting that Pres. Abbas not relent to Israeli and U.S. pressure to end the payments. The PA does not make any official statements on the protests or the payments. (MNA 6/26; EI 6/27; PCHR 7/6)

An Israeli settler stabs and injures a Palestinian youth at an IDF checkpoint nr. Bethlehem. Witnesses say they were having a personal dispute. Elsewhere in the West Bank, settlers shout anti-Arab insults at residents of Sanur village nr. Jenin and cut down 30 Palestinian olive trees nr. Nablus. Israeli human rights workers discover 45 Palestinian-owned olive trees destroyed outside Burin village nr. Nablus, as well as the Hebrew word for “revenge” scrawled in spray paint on a nearby stone. Hours later, Israeli settlers attack Israeli forces dismantling an illegally built structure nr. Nablus, sparking minor clashes; 3 settlers are arrested. IDF troops arrest 1 Palestinian during a late-night raid nr. Hebron. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces arrest 5 Palestinians during late-night raids in Silwan. (MNA, TOI 6/25; MNA 6/26)

For a 2d day in a row, errant projectiles fired from Syria land inside the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights, causing no damage or injuries. The IDF fires missiles at a Syrian army truck and 2 artillery guns in the Golan Heights in response. “The IDF is not a side to the internal fight in Syria and isn’t involved in it,” an IDF statement on the incident reads. “However, it views with severity any attempt to harm the sovereignty of Israel and the safety of its citizens and considers the Syrian regime responsible for what transpires in its territory.” (AP, HA, MNA, TOI, YA 6/25)

In the West Bank, IDF troops arrest 20 Jewish settlers attempting to enter Joseph’s Tomb nr. Nablus late at night. They also arrest 4 Palestinians during late-night raids nr. Bethlehem and Ramallah. Jewish settlers cut down 10 Palestinian olive trees nr. Ramallah. (WAFA 6/24; MNA, TOI 6/25; PCHR 7/6)

After approximately 10 errant projectiles fired from Syria land in the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights, Israeli fighter jets launch air strikes on the supposed sites of origin, reportedly killing 2 Syrian soldiers. (HA, MNA, TOI, YA 6/24)

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. Jabaliya r.c.; at least 4 Palestinians are injured. They also arrest 6 Palestinians during late-night raids in Jenin and Bethlehem, and patrol nr. Hebron and Nablus during the day. (MNA 6/23; TOI 6/25; PCHR 7/6)

IDF troops conduct a raid in c. Hebron, sparking clashes with stone-throwing residents; 1 IDF vehicle is set on fire and there are no serious injuries. Elsewhere in the West Bank, they arrest 5 Palestinians on further raids nr. Bethlehem and Hebron; and patrol nr. Nablus and Qalqilya. Israeli settlers throw stones at Palestinian vehicles nr. Nablus, causing minor damage to some. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces arrest 1 Palestinian during a raid in the Old City. Along Gaza’s border, Israeli forces conduct limited incursions to level land nr. Bayt Hanun and Rafah. Off Gaza’s coast, Israeli naval forces open fire on Palestinian fishing boats nr. Bayt Lahiya, causing no damage or injuries. (MNA 6/19; MNA, WAFA 6/20; PCHR 6/22)

The Israeli authorities begin implementing their 6/11 decision to cut the electricity supply to Gaza. (They will continue daily cuts through 6/22, fully implementing the 6/11 decision.) (EI, MNA, TOI 6/19; MNA 6/20)

Amid heightened tensions at Haram al-Sharif, Israeli police enter the sanctuary to disperse hundreds of Muslim worshippers protesting the Israeli crackdown following the deadly attack on 6/16; 3 Israelis are injured and several Palestinians are arrested. Meanwhile, Israeli forces arrest 2 Palestinians during late-night raids in Shu‘fat r.c. and Kafr ‘Aqab. In the West Bank, IDF troops conduct raids in Dayr Abu Mash‘al nr. Ramallah for the 3d day in a row, arresting at least 3 Palestinians and sparking minor clashes; 2 Palestinians are injured. The IDF arrests 11 Palestinians and issues 2 arrest summons during late-night raids in and around Qalqilya, Bethlehem, Nablus, and Jenin. Off Gaza’s coast, Israeli naval forces open fire on Palestinian fishing boats nr. Gaza City, causing no damage or injuries. (HA, MNA, WAFA 6/18; MNA 6/19; PCHR 6/22)

Following days of complaints from Israeli ultranationalists, Israeli PM Netanyahu says that his security cabinet will reconsider the plan, 1st reported on 6/14, to allow Qalqilya to expand into Area C with 5,000 new housing units. He claims to not remember the cabinet’s approval of the plan back in 2016. (JP, TOI 6/18)

In the West Bank, IDF troops conduct raids in Dayr Abu Mash‘al for the 2d day in a row, confiscating 40 cars, threatening punitive demolitions, and sparking clashes; 3 Palestinians are injured. They also arrest a Palestinian outside the Gush Etzion settlement bloc after he allegedly stabs and injures an Israeli settler, arrest 1 Palestinian during a raid in Bethlehem, and patrol nr. Ramallah and Hebron. Israeli settlers throw stones at Palestinian cars driving nr. Ramallah, causing minor damage and no injuries. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces arrest at least 350 Palestinians in the city for Ramadan, putting them on buses and sending them back to the West Bank. The campaign follows Israeli PM Netanyahu’s 6/16 order rescinding Ramadan permits. Meanwhile, Israeli forces arrest 8 Palestinians during raids in Abu Dis and the Old City. Off Gaza’s coast, Israeli naval forces open fire on Palestinian fishing boats nr. Bayt Lahiya, causing no damage or injuries. (HA, MNA, TOI, WAFA 6/17; MNA, WAFA 6/18; PCHR 6/22)

Israeli police shoot and kill 3 Palestinian youths outside the Old City of East Jerusalem after they attack Israeli guards at Damascus Gate with knives and guns: 1 Israeli police officer is lightly injured and 1 is fatally wounded, succumbing to her injuries later in the day. After the attack, IDF troops conduct raids in the alleged attackers’ village of Dayr Abu Mash‘al nr. Ramallah, imposing a lockdown on the village and sparking clashes with residents; 2 Palestinians are injured. Israeli PM Netanyahu then rescinds all 250,000 permits issued to Palestinians for Ramadan. (HA, MNA, NYT, TOI, WAFA 6/16)

While the Israeli authorities ramp up their crackdown, thousands of Palestinians visit Haram al-Sharif on the 3d Friday of Ramadan, and Israeli police deploy additional battalions throughout East Jerusalem. IDF troops shoot and injure 2 Palestinian youths attempting to cross into Jerusalem from Bethlehem to pray at the sanctuary. Separately, IDF troops also 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. Jabaliya r.c., al-Bureij r.c., Rafah, and Khan Yunis; 7 Palestinians are injured. They arrest 7 Palestinians during late-night raids in and around Hebron and Tulkarm, and patrol nr. Hebron throughout the day. Along Gaza’s border, IDF troops open fire on Palestinian youths approaching the border fence; there are no serious injuries. (HA, MNA, NYT, TOI, WAFA 6/16; MNA 6/17; WAFA 6/19; PCHR 6/22)

Off Gaza’s coast, Israeli naval forces open fire on Palestinian fishing boats nr. Jabaliya r.c. and nr. Gaza City, causing no damage or injuries. Along Gaza’s border, IDF troops open fire on Palestinian lands nr. Khan Yunis, causing no damage. In the West Bank, IDF troops arrest 8 Palestinians during late-night raids in and around Hebron, Ramallah, and Bethlehem. In Israel, Israeli forces demolish the Bedouin village al-‘Araqib for the 114th time since 2010. (MNA, WAFA 6/14; PCHR 6/16; PCHR 6/22)

The Israeli press reports that the Israeli PM’s office approved a plan to increase the municipal boundaries of Qalqilya, which would allow the construction of approximately 14,000 new Palestinian homes in Area C of the West Bank. (It will be reported that only approximately 5,000 new homes could be built in the space allotted.) PM Netanyahu’s office later confirms that the plan was presented in 2016 and approved by the cabinet. The Samaria Regional Council pledges to file a formal petition against the plan. (HA, JP, TOI 6/14)

Israel’s Knesset advances a bill that would deduct from the monthly transfers of tax revenues to the PA a sum equal to the amount that the PA pays to Palestinians convicted of serious crimes against Israelis and their families. It will now be sent to the Knesset Comm. on Foreign Affairs and Defense to prepare it for its 1st reading. (JP, MNA, TOI 6/14)

In the West Bank, IDF troops conduct a raid in Dahaysha r.c. nr. Bethlehem late at night, arresting 2 Palestinians and sparking clashes; 4 Palestinians are injured. They arrest 5 more Palestinians during late-night raids nr. Bethlehem and Ramallah; patrol nr. Hebron and Nablus. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces assault and arrest a Palestinian during a raid in Silwan overnight. They arrest 6 more Palestinians during raids in Silwan and Issawiyya. Off Gaza’s coast, Israeli naval forces open fire on Palestinian fishing boats nr. Rafah and Bayt Lahiya, causing no damage or injuries. (MNA, WAFA 6/14; PCHR 6/16)

In the West Bank, IDF troops detain and interrogate 2 Palestinians during a raid in Rantis village nr. Bethlehem. Hours later, PASF troops arrive to arrest 1 of the men. Meanwhile, IDF troops arrest a Palestinian at a checkpoint in c. Hebron after she is found to be carrying a knife. They arrest 6 more Palestinians during latenight raids in and around Hebron, Ramallah, and Tulkarm; and patrol nr. Hebron during the day. Israeli forces level Palestinian lands outside Bayt Dajan in the n. Jordan Valley. Along Gaza’s border, Israeli forces conduct a limited incursion to level land nr. Khan Yunis. They also arrest a Palestinian attempting to cross into Israel nr. Rafah. (MNA, TOI, WAFA 6/12; MNA 6/13; PCHR 6/16)

Hamas-affiliated media report that the high-level delegation to Egypt led by Hamas’s new 2d-in-command Sinwar has returned to Gaza without reaching any major agreement on the Rafah border crossing or other issues. “All the shared issues have been studied in a serious and deep way with our Egyptian brothers,” a Hamas source says. However, there is speculation in the Arab press that Hamas and the Egyptian govt. did, in fact, reach an agreement to ease points of tensions. (TOI 6/12; MNA, TOI 6/13)

A senior Hamas military cmdr. is seriously injured in an explosion at a “resistance site” in s. Gaza, according to the Gaza-based Ministry of Health. He succumbs to his injuries later in the day. Along Gaza’s border, IDF troops violently disperse Palestinians protesting the Israeli blockade nr. Jabaliya; 1 Palestinian is moderately injured. In the West Bank, IDF troops assault 2 Palestinians and confiscate a tractor during a raid nr. Nablus. They also arrest 5 Palestinians during late-night raids nr. Bethlehem, Nablus, and Hebron. Israeli forces bulldoze Palestinian land and establish a mobile checkpoint nr. Jenin. Meanwhile, Palestinians across Israel observe a general strike to mourn the Palestinian killed in Kafr Kassim on 6/5. (MNA, WAFA 6/7; HA, MNA, PCHR, WAFA 6/8; PCHR 6/16)

The Higher Planning Council of Israel’s Civil Admin. meets for a 2d day in a row to discuss and debate plans for settlement growth in the West Bank. Over the course of 2 days, the council advances plans for more than 2,000 new settler units, including 102 in Amichai, the new settlement that will house residents of the illegal Amona outpost, which was demolished earlier this year (see JPS 46 [3, 4]). (PCN, USSD 6/8; JP 6/11)

Israeli forces shoot and kill a Palestinian citizen of Israel (PCI) and injure 2 others amid late-night clashes sparked by an arrest raid in Kafr Kassim. In the West Bank, IDF troops conduct raids in Nabi Salih nr. Ramallah, sparking minor clashes with stone-throwing residents (1 Palestinian is injured); arrest 7 Palestinians, and issue 2 arrest summons during additional raids nr. Hebron, Bethlehem, and Salfit; and patrol nr. Qalqilya and Hebron. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces arrest 4 Palestinians during late-night raids in Shu‘fat r.c. and the Old City. Along Gaza’s border, Israeli forces conduct limited incursions to level land nr. Jabaliya r.c. and Juhur al-Dik. They also violently disperse Palestinians protesting the Israeli blockade nr. Jabaliya r.c., Khan Yunis, and Rafah; 3 Palestinians are lightly injured. In 3 separate incidents off Gaza’s coast, Israeli naval forces open fire on Palestinian fishing boats nr. Bayt Lahiya and Jabaliya r.c., causing no damage or injuries. (JP, MNA 6/5; HA, MNA, WAFA 6/6; PCHR 6/9)

Bahrain, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates sever economic and diplomatic ties with Qatar, citing Doha’s support for so-called terrorist groups, including Hamas, inter alia. The Qatari Foreign Ministry calls the diplomatic break “unjustified” and “based on claims and allegations that have no basis in fact”. (AJ, ALM, HA, JP, MNA, REU, TOI 6/5; EI 6/6)

Along Gaza’s border, Israeli forces conduct a limited incursion to level land nr. Khuza‘a, and open fire on Palestinian agricultural fields nearby. Meanwhile, IDF troops violently disperse Palestinians protesting along the border fence nr. Gaza City and Rafah; 1 Palestinian is injured. Seven more Palestinians are injured when an unidentified piece of unexploded ordnance detonates nr. Gaza City. In the West Bank, IDF troops arrest 6 Palestinians during late-night raids nr. Ramallah, Bethlehem, Hebron, and Nablus; and patrol nr. Hebron and Nablus. Israeli forces assault and seriously injure a Palestinian taxi driver nr. Nabi Salih. Palestinian youths throw stones at an IDF post nr. Ramallah, sparking minor clashes; 2 Palestinians are injured. In East Jerusalem, unidentified assailants vandalize a number of Palestinian vehicles and spray-paint one with price-tag graffiti s. of Shu‘fat. Israeli forces conduct raids in Issawiyya, sparking minor clashes with stonethrowing Palestinians; 1 Palestinian journalist is injured. They arrest 2 Palestinians on further raids in the Old City and Shu‘fat r.c. (MNA, WAFA 6/4; JP, MNA, WAFA 6/5; PCHR 6/8)

Hamas’s new 2d-in-command, Yahya Sinwar, leads a delegation to Egypt for talks on the humanitarian situation in Gaza and the status of the Rafah border crossing. (AP 6/4)

Palestinian Authority Security Forces (PASF) troops conduct a late-night raid in Balata r.c. nr. Nablus, sparking clashes with armed residents of the camp; 2 residents are injured. Elsewhere in the West Bank, IDF troops set fire to a Palestinian greenhouse during a raid nr. Qalqilya, arrest 3 Palestinians, and issue 1 arrest summons during late-night raids nr. Bethlehem; and patrol during the day nr. Qalqilya and Nablus. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces arrest 3 Palestinians during raids in Silwan, Issawiyya, and the Old City. Off Gaza’s coast, Israeli naval forces open fire on Palestinian fishing boats nr. Dayr al-Balah and Khan Yunis, causing no damage or injuries. (MNA 6/3; MNA 6/4; PCHR 6/8)

In the West Bank, an Israeli settler driver allegedly rams a Palestinian youth nr. Hebron, causing serious injuries. Israeli settlers and IDF troops surround a Palestinian school in Tuqu‘ village nr. Bethlehem. The soldiers arrest 2 teachers and 1 student who allegedly threw rocks at the settlers. IDF troops raid a printing shop in Ramallah, seizing $18,000 worth of equipment. They also arrest 2 Palestinians during a late-night raid nr. Ramallah, patrol during the day nr. Hebron and Qalqilya; and violently disperse Palestinian and international activists at a protest encampment outside Yatta village nr. Hebron; there are no serious injuries. The IDF injures 4 Palestinians in further clashes at a checkpoint nr. Qalqilya. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces arrest 6 Palestinians during violent raids in Issawiyya and Hizma. Off Gaza’s coast, Israeli naval forces open fire on Palestinian fishing boats nr. Bayt Lahiya and Gaza City; there are no serious injuries or damage. (MNA 5/25; PCHR 6/1)

The Palestinian man seriously injured on 5/23 in a confrontation with Israeli forces in Netanya succumbs to his injuries. (MNA 5/25)

PA pres. Abbas meets with U.S. special rep. for international negotiations Jason Greenblatt in Ramallah to discuss the Dignity Strike. “We asked the American side to intervene in guaranteeing [our] prisoners’ rights and achieving their humane demands,” Abbas later tells the Fatah Central Comm. (JP, TOI 5/25)

Greenblatt also meets with Israeli PM Netanyahu to follow up on U.S. pres. Trump’s visit to the region on 5/22–23. The PM’s office then denies a report that the U.S. is pushing for Israel to transfer parts of Area C to Area B, increasing Palestinian control of the West Bank, as a goodwill gesture. (JP 5/26)

The IDF’s Coordinator of Govt. Activities in the Territories (COGAT) Yoav Mordechai says that the Israeli govt. will acquiesce to the PA’s 4/27 request to reduce the electricity supply to Gaza (see JPS 46 [4]). The PA, which typically pays NIS 40 m. (approx. $11.2 m.) per mo. for Israel to transfer electricity to Gaza, will reduce its monthly payments to NIS 25–30 m. (BBC, JP, MNA, TOI, YA 5/25; AP 5/31)

Hamas forces execute the 3 Palestinians convicted of crimes related to the assassination of senior Hamas cmdr. Fuqaha on 3/24 (see JPS 46 [3]). (JP, NYT 5/25; EI 5/26)

Approximately 60,000 Israelis march through the Old City of Jerusalem in commemoration of Jerusalem Day, a celebration of the IDF’s 1967 capture of the city. Hundreds of left-wing activists and Palestinians participate in a counter-demonstration outside the Old City, sparking minor clashes (there are no serious injuries). Approximately 700 Jewish settlers visit Haram al-Sharif; Israeli forces arrest 15 of them for praying at the sanctuary, along with 3 Islamic Waqf guards. Elsewhere in East Jerusalem, Israeli forces arrest 1 Palestinian during a raid in Shu‘fat r.c. In the West Bank, IDF troops arrest 2 Palestinians nr. Nablus when they are discovered to be carrying pipe bombs. They also assault and arrest 2 Palestinian youths walking home from school in Aida r.c. nr. Bethlehem, and arrest 11 Palestinians during late-night raids nr. Qalqilya, Tulkarm, Nablus, and Ramallah. In Gaza, 5 Palestinians are injured in an explosion at an unspecified “resistance site” nr. Rafah, according to medical sources. Along Gaza’s border, IDF troops open fire on Palestinian agricultural fields nr. Gaza City, causing no damage or injuries. In n. Israel, unidentified assailants torch 2 cars and spray price-tag graffiti on a Palestinian building. (MNA, TOI, WAFA 5/24; PCHR 5/25; PCHR 6/1)

Israeli forces shoot and seriously injure a Palestinian after he allegedly stabs and lightly injures an Israeli police officer in Netanya. They arrest the man, a resident of Tulkarm, and take him to a hospital (he will succumb to his injuries on 5/25). In the West Bank, IDF troops shoot and injure a Palestinian youth allegedly throwing stones at them outside Silwad nr. Ramallah. They also arrest 1 Palestinian during late-night raids in and around Hebron and Nablus, and patrol nr. Hebron. Along Gaza’s border, IDF troops violently disperse Palestinians nr. al-Bureij r.c. and nr. Khan Yunis protesting in solidarity with the prisoners on hunger strike; 1 Palestinian is seriously injured. (HA, JP, MNA 5/23; PCHR 5/25)

On the 2d and final day of his visit to Israel and the oPt, U.S. pres. Trump meets briefly with Palestinian Authority (PA) pres. Mahmoud Abbas in Bethlehem before returning to Israel for a short tour of Yad Vashem. According to a White House statement released in the evening, Abbas tells Trump he is ready to “begin negotiating [with Israel] immediately,” without mentioning any preconditions . In a joint press conference with Abbas, Trump says, “I truly believe if Israel and the Palestinians can make peace, it will begin a process for peace in the Middle East. Abbas assures me he is ready to work toward that goal in good faith, and [Israeli PM] Netanyahu has promised the same.” He then says, “Peace can never take root in an environment where violence is tolerated, funded, and even rewarded,” referring to allegations that the PA is fostering anti-Israeli incitement. Later, on Trump’s flight from Israel to Rome, a senior U.S. official says that the pres. is hoping to reach a “common set of principles” on which to restart peace talks. (HA, JP, MNA, NYT, TOI, WHPO 5/23; HA, JP, TOI 5/24; TOI 5/25)

Armed fighters in the Sinai Peninsula fire a rocket into s. Israel overnight. It lands in an open space, causing no damage or injuries. No group claims responsibility. (JP, TOI 5/23)

Palestinians in the West Bank, Israel, and across the world join in a general strike in solidarity with the 1,500-plus Palestinian prisoners’ Dignity Strike. IDF troops violently disperse protesters at the Qalandia checkpoint, Nabi Salih nr. Ramallah, ‘Azun nr. Qalqilya, outside Dayr Sharaf nr. Nablus, and along Gaza’s border nr. al-Bureij r.c.; at least 10 Palestinians are injured. Meanwhile, IDF troops shoot and kill a Palestinian at a checkpoint nr. Bethlehem. No Israelis are injured. They also arrest 5 Palestinian youths throwing stones at an Israeli settlement nr. Jericho; and patrol nr. Hebron during the day. Approximately 4,000 Jewish settlers, as well as former Arkansas gov. Mike Huckabee, visit Joseph’s Tomb nr. Nablus overnight, sparking clashes between their IDF escort and stone-throwing Palestinians; 2 Palestinians are arrested. IDF troops also conduct raids in Bayt Umar nr. Hebron, sparking clashes with stone-throwing Palestinians; there are no serious injuries. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces arrest 7 Palestinians during late-night raids nr. Jabal Mukabir, Silwan, and Ras al-Amud. Along Gaza’s border, IDF troops open fire on Palestinian farmers working nr. Khan Yunis and agricultural areas nr. al-Maghazi r.c. Off Gaza’s coast, Israeli naval forces open fire on Palestinian fishing boats nr. Rafah twice, causing no damage or injuries. (HA, JP, MNA, TOI, WAFA 5/22; PCHR 5/25)

Upon his arrival in Israel, U.S. pres. Trump gives a short speech on the tarmac at Ben Gurion Airport to a crowd of Israeli leaders, including PM Netanyahu. (The Israeli PM reportedly orders his ministers to greet Trump on the tarmac after many, including several party heads, said they were not planning to attend). “We have before us a rare opportunity to bring security and stability and peace to this region and to its people, defeating terrorism and creating a future of harmony, prosperity, and peace,” Trump says, referencing the peace initiative he hopes to advance during his visit to Israel. “But we can only get there working together. There is no other way.” Trump then meets with Israeli pres. Reuven Rivlin and visits the Western Wall, the first time a sitting U.S. pres. has done so. In his major policy speech of the day, Trump links the fight against Iran with Israeli-Palestinian peace, saying that the Arab states are willing to work with Israel to normalize relations, if Israel ends its occupation of Palestinian lands. (HA, NYT, TOI 5/22; HA 5/23)

IDF troops raid a protest camp nr. Hebron where approx. 175 Palestinian and Israeli activists are protesting the eviction of an entire Palestinian community in the area. The IDF tears down the activists’ tents and confiscates their generator and sound system; there are no serious injuries. IDF troops also violently disperse Palestinians nr. Ramallah (Silwad and Nabi Salih) and Jericho rallying in solidarity with the hunger-striking prisoners; at least 11 Palestinians are injured. Elsewhere in the West Bank, IDF troops shoot stun grenades and tear gas at Palestinian students in al-Khadir nr. Bethlehem, seriously injuring 1. They also arrest 5 Palestinians during late-night raids nr. Bethlehem and Nablus, and patrol nr. Hebron and Nablus. Israeli settlers attempt to cut the power supply to Burin village nr. Nablus, sparking clashes with stone-throwing Palestinians; 1 Palestinian is injured. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces arrest 2 Palestinians during late-night raids in al-Thawri. Off Gaza’s coast, Israeli naval forces open fire on Palestinian fishing boats nr. Gaza City, causing no damage or injuries. (MNA, WAFA 5/21; PCHR 5/25)

A Gaza court sentences 3 men to death for the 3/24 killing of senior Hamas military cmdr. Mazen Fuqaha (see JPS 46 [4]). (TOI 5/21; MNA 5/22)

Israel’s security cabinet approves a package of measures designed to facilitate economic growth in Area C of the West Bank. The package is explicitly meant as a confidence-building gesture of good faith ahead of U.S. pres. Trump’s visit to Israel and the occupied Palestinian territories (oPt) on 5/22–23. (HA, JP, MNA, NYT 5/21; TOI 5/22)

Israel’s security cabinet creates a comm. to address unregulated settlement outposts and the implementation of the so-called regulations law that the Knesset passed in 12/2016 (see JPS 46 [3]). The comm. is set to work on the issue for 3 years, with PM Benjamin Netanyahu and DM Avigdor Lieberman receiving updates every 3 mos. (JP 5/21)

In the West Bank, IDF troops violently disperse Palestinian youths throwing stones at an IDF post nr. Ramallah; 1 Palestinian is injured. They also arrest a Palestinian girl at the Qalandia checkpoint allegedly found to be carrying a knife. They arrest 3 more Palestinians during late-night raids in Ramallah and nr. Hebron and Bethlehem, and patrol nr. Hebron and Nablus. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces escort Joint List member of Knesset (MK) Masud Ganaim from Haram al-Sharif after he violates the ban on Israeli MKs and ministers visiting the sanctuary. (MNA, TOI, WAFA 5/20; PCHR 5/25)

A Palestinian youth succumbs to injuries sustained in a confrontation with IDF troops on 3/15 nr. Bethlehem. (MNA, TOI 5/21; PCHR 5/25)

U.S. pres. Donald Trump meets with Saudi king Salman bin Abdulaziz in Riyadh on the first day of his first international trip as president. They discuss the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, among other regional issues, and sign a joint “strategic vision,” including $110 b. in U.S. arms sales to Saudi Arabia over 10 years. (AP, REU 5/20)

IDF troops violently disperse Palestinians, Israelis, and international activists at Friday protests against the settler killing of a Palestinian nr. Nablus on 5/18, and in solidarity with Palestinian prisoners on hunger strike in 5 areas nr. Ramallah (Qalandia checkpoint, Abud, Nabi Salih, Bil‘in, and Ni‘lin), 2 nr. Nablus (Beita and Bayt Dajan), Kafr Qaddum nr. Qalqilya, Hebron and nearby Bayt Umar, Bethlehem, Dayr Istya nr. Salfit, along Gaza’s border nr. Jabaliya r.c., and Gaza City; at least 11 Palestinians are injured and 12 are arrested. The IDF also arrests 5 Palestinians during raids nr. Tulkarm, Bethlehem, and Ramallah; and patrols nr. Qalqilya and Hebron. (HA, MNA, WAFA 5/19; PCHR 5/25)

In the West Bank, an Israeli settler shoots and injures a Palestinian after Palestinian youths throw rocks at passing vehicles outside Ramallah. The IDF then arrests the injured Palestinian and closes the entrance to nearby Silwad village. Palestinian businesses in Tulkarm hold a 1-day strike and Palestinian protesters shut down the United Nations (UN) office in Ramallah in solidarity with the 1,500-plus Palestinian prisoners observing the Dignity Strike and to protest the organization’s alleged inaction on their behalf. Israeli forces demolish the inner walls of a home nr. Hebron. IDF troops arrest 8 Palestinians and confiscate 1 car during late-night raids in and around Hebron, Tubas, and Bethlehem; and patrol nr. Hebron during the day. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces violently disperse Palestinians demonstrating in Qalandia and Sheikh Jarrah in solidarity with the Dignity Strikers; 1 Palestinian is injured and arrested. They also arrest 27 Palestinians during latenight raids in Silwan, Shu‘fat, Abu Dis, Issawiyya, and Hizma. In Israel, Israeli forces demolish the Bedouin village of al-‘Araqib for the 113th time since 2010. (HA, MNA, WAFA 5/17; MNA, PCHR 5/18; PCHR 5/25)

In the n. Jordan Valley, Israeli forces confiscate 2 Palestinian water pumps in Khirbat al-Dayr and demolish a new well in Bardala. Israeli settlers throw stones at Palestinian vehicles outside Huwwara nr. Nablus, seriously injuring 1 Palestinian before Israel Defense Forces (IDF) disperse the crowd. IDF troops also arrest 13 Palestinians during late-night raids in and around Bethlehem, Hebron, and Nablus; and patrol during the day nr. Nablus and Hebron. Palestinian activists gather on a main road nr. Tulkarm and set tires on fire in solidarity with the 1,500-plus hunger-striking Palestinian prisoners observing the Dignity Strike in Israeli prisons. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces arrest 1 Palestinian during a raid in al-Tur. (WAFA 5/16; MNA 5/17; PCHR 5/18)

Thousands of Palestinians gather at rallies across the West Bank to commemorate the 69th anniversary of the Nakba. IDF troops violently disperse demonstrators in Bethlehem and 2 areas nr. Ramallah (the Beit El checkpoint and Nabi Salih); at least 15 Palestinians are injured. The IDF also shuts down the Beit El checkpoint later in the day. For a 2d day in a row, Palestinian activists block several roads nr. Ramallah in solidarity with the more than 1,500 Palestinian prisoners on hunger strike. Meanwhile, Israeli forces begin leveling land nr. Hebron in preparation for the construction of a new IDF watchtower. IDF troops conduct raids in Dahaysha r.c. nr. Bethlehem late at night, arresting 3 Palestinians and sparking clashes; 2 Palestinians are injured. They also arrest 16 Palestinians and issue 2 arrest summons during further raids nr. Jericho, Hebron, Ramallah, Bethlehem, Qalqilya, and Nablus; and patrol nr. Hebron and Qalqilya during the day. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces assault and arrest a Palestinian nr. Hizma and arrest 1 Palestinian during a latenight raid in Silwan. Off Gaza’s coast, Israeli naval forces open fire on Palestinian fishing boats nr. Jabaliya r.c. on 2 separate occasions, seriously injuring 1 fisherman (he succumbs to his injuries later in the day). They confiscate 2 boats and arrest 6 fishermen. (JP, MNA, TOI, WAFA 5/15; PCHR 5/18)

In the West Bank, IDF troops arrest 5 Palestinians and confiscate 1 car during latenight raids nr. Qalqilya, Hebron, and Bethlehem; and patrol nr. Hebron and Nablus during the day. Meanwhile, Palestinian activists block several roads leading into Ramallah with piles of stones in solidarity with the prisoners who have been on hunger strike since 4/17. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces deliver demolition orders to 4 Palestinian homes in al-Matar, sparking clashes with stone-throwing residents; there are no serious injuries. They also arrest 2 Palestinians during a raid in Ras al-Amud. Along Gaza’s border, Israeli forces conduct limited incursions to level land nr. Dayr alBalah and again nr. Khan Yunis. (MNA, WAFA 5/14; PCHR 5/18)