The Palestine Chronology

In the Gaza Strip, Israeli forces shoot and kill 1 Palestinian mbr. of Hamas’s military wing and injure 2 others in a cross-border firefight nr. Khan Yunis. The Palestinian fighters shoot and severely injure an Israeli soldier during the exchange. In the West Bank, a Palestinian man is found dead in Jericho with several stab wounds. Clashes break out between stonethrowing Palestinian youth and Israeli soldiers at a checkpoint nr. Hebron; dozens of Palestinians suffer from tear gas inhalation. More clashes break out nr. Hebron and Nablus, where 2 Palestinians are moderately injured. Israeli forces demolish 400 m of stone walls in a village nr. Nablus and 2 agricultural buildings nr. Hebron. IDF troops arrest 4 Palestinians at a checkpoint nr. Jenin; conduct house searches and arrest raids in and around Nablus and Hebron, as well as nr. Ramallah. Israeli settlers enter Salfit to perform religious rites, and settlers separately open fire on PA police officers nearby. Israeli settlers attack a Palestinian construction worker in Hebron, lightly injuring him. PA security forces conduct raids across the West Bank and detain 14 mbrs. of Hamas. In East Jerusalem, Israeli authorities return the bodies of the 2 Palestinians who were killed after attacking a synagogue in West Jerusalem on 11/18. Israel punitively held the bodies for over a mo. Israeli security forces clash with stone-throwing Palestinians in Issawiyya, and 1 Palestinian child is injured with a rubber-coated metal bullet. Israeli forces conduct arrest raids in Issawiyya, Sur al-Bahir, and al-Tur, where they also demolish 2 residential structures and a barn. (AP, HA, IMEMC, JP, MNA, TOI, WAFA, YA 12/24; HA, MEMO, WAFA 12/25; PCHR 12/31)

The World Bank transfers $31.6 m. to the PA via the Palestinian Reform and Development Plan Trust Fund. The money was donated by Australia, the UK, and Norway and will fund, among other things, emergency needs in Gaza. (WAFA 12/24; MNA 12/25)

Israeli authorities approve the construction of 380 new residences in the East Jerusalem neighborhoods of Har Homa and Ramot, as well as a separate plan for 1,850 residences in Arnona. (AFP, HA, IMEMC, WAFA 12/24)

In the Gaza Strip, IDF troopsstationed along the border arrest 2 Palestinians attempting to enter Israel. In the West Bank, IDF troops enter e. Nablus on a raid and clash with Palestinians, injuring 3 with live ammunition and tear gas. IDF troops enter an area e. of Yatta nr. Hebron and seize a tractor and 4 water tanks; demolish several mobile homes in a village e. of Ramallah; deliver stop-work notes to several construction sites nr. Jericho and demolition notices for 6 wells in Qusra village in the n. West Bank, where Israeli settlers later attack Palestinian property; 2 of the settlers are detained. Separately, around 100 settlers from Adi Ad gather nr. al-Mughir village, but IDF troops intervene before they can attack the residents. In East Jerusalem, Israeli security forces enter Jabal Mukabir to deliver demolition orders to the homes of the Palestinians who attacked a synagogue and were killed on 11/18, then raid a mourning tent set up for them; 5 Palestinians are injured in the ensuing clashes. There are further clashes in Abu Dis, and 37 Palestinians are injured. In Sur al-Bahir, Silwan, and al-Tur, undercover Israeli military officers raid multiple homes, sparking more clashes; approximately 35 Palestinians suffer effects of tear gas inhalation and 12 are injured with rubber-coated metal bullets. Israeli security forces also conduct arrest raids on several homes in the Old City. Late at night, 4 Israeli girls from Yitzhar settlement in the West Bank attack a Palestinian taxi driver with pepper spray. (IMEMC, MNA, WAFA 11/20; MNA 11/21; PCHR 11/27)

Israel’s FM announces that it will return its amb. to Sweden on 11/29, after Amb. Isaac Bachman was recalled in the wake of Sweden’s recognition of Palestine as a state on 10/30. (JP, YA 11/20)

After meeting with UK Foreign Secy. Philip Hammond in London, U.S. Secy. of State Kerry travels to Paris for meetings with French FM Laurent Fabius and Saudi FM Saud al-Faisal, then to Vienna to join the P5+1 negotiating team ahead of the 11/24 deadline. Meanwhile, the head of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Yukiya Amano, calls on Iran to increase its cooperation with the agency, saying that the govt. has not been transparent about some aspects of its research. (AP, NYT, REU, TOI 11/20)

In the Gaza Strip, Israeli soldiers shoot and injure 2 Palestinians close to the border fence nr. Jabaliya r.c. In the West Bank, Israeli soldiers shoot and injure 20 Palestinians with rubber-coated metal bullets during clashes that break out in al-Ram, Sinjil nr. Ramallah, and Hebron. IDF troops confront 2 Palestinians nr. Hawara village, s. of Nablus, search their car, then injure 1 by beating him with the butt of a gun. The IDF conducts house searches and arrest raids in 1 village nr. Hebron; patrols in 3 villages nr. Jericho and 2 villages nr. Hebron. Also, 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 Nil‘in), and 1 village nr. Qalqilya (Kafr Qaddum). There are no serious injuries, except in Bil‘in, where 1 person is struck by a tear gas canister. Israeli forces also violently disperse a demonstration against land confiscation in a village nr. Hebron, causing no serious injuries. Israeli settlers attack a village nr. Ramallah, shooting live ammunition and damaging property, but causing no serious injuries. In East Jerusalem, Palestinians clash with Israeli security forces in Silwan, injuring 1 border police officer. Israeli forces conduct house searches and arrest raids in Jabal Mukabir and al-Tur neighborhoods overnight. Palestinians conduct Friday prayers at Haram al-Sharif without Israeli-imposed age restrictions. Israeli forces shoot and seriously injure a Palestinian child nr. Shu‘fat r.c. (HA, MNA 11/14; PCHR 11/20)

In the West Bank, IDF troops shoot and kill a 14-year-old Palestinian during a weekly protest in Silwad nr. Ramallah. The IDF says that the youth, also a U.S. citizen, was holding a Molotov cocktail, but Palestinian witnesses deny the claim. State Dept. spokesperson Jen Psaki calls for a “speedy and transparent investigation.” IDF troops violently disperse protests outside Ofer detention center and in Jalazun r.c. nr. Ramallah, injuring 7 with live ammunition. The IDF conducts house searches and arrest raids in 1 village nr. Tulkarm; patrols in Jericho, as well as 1 village and ‘Aqabat Jabir r.c. nearby, 2 villages nr. Ramallah, Jenin and 1 nearby village, and 1 village each nr. Hebron and Qalqilya. Also, 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 Nil‘in) and 1 village nr. Qalqilya (Kafr Qaddum). There are no serious injuries. In East Jerusalem, Israeli authorities deny men under 40 entry to Haram al-Sharif. Meanwhile, Palestinians clash with Israeli security forces in Wadi al-Juz, Ras al-Amud, Silwan and Issawiyya. (AFP, AP, HA, MNA, REU 10/24; PCHR 10/30)

Ansar Bayt al-Maqdis attacks Egyptian soldiers nr. Shaykh Zuwayd and in al-Arish in the Sinai Peninsula, killing 31 with a car bomb, rocket-propelled grenades, and small arms. It is the deadliest single attack on Egyptian security forces in Sinai since the escalation of violence began after the 7/2013 military ouster of thenpres. Mohamed Morsi. In response, Pres. al-Sisi convenes an emergency meeting of his senior defense advisers, declares a state of emergency in some parts of n. Sinai, and closes the Rafah border crossing. (AP, JP 10/24; MNA 11/15)

Off the coast of the Gaza Strip nr. Rafah, Israeli naval forces open fire on Palestinian fishermen, causing damage but no injuries. In the West Bank, the IDF conducts house searches and arrest raids in 2 villages each nr. Hebron and Salfit; patrols in 2 villages each nr. Jericho and Ramallah, in Tulkarm and 1 nearby village, and in 1 village each nr. Hebron and Salfit. In East Jerusalem, Israeli security forces shoot and wound 2 Palestinians in separate incidents during protests and clashes in Wadi al-Juz and Shu‘fat. (PCHR 10/30)

In the West Bank, the IDF conducts house searches and arrest raids in 2 villages nr. Ramallah, Jenin r.c., and in 1 village each nr. Hebron, Jericho, Ramallah, Salfit, and Tulkarm; patrols in 1 village nr. Jenin. In East Jerusalem, clashes between Palestinians and Israeli security forces continue for a 2d day, including in neighborhoods like Ras al-Amud and Issawiyya. Dozens of injures are reported, including 2 Palestinians hit in the head by sponge-tipped bullets. (HA, JP, MNA 9/8; PCHR 9/11)

An unknown gunman from inside Syria shoots and lightly injures an IDF soldier in the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights with a stray bullet during clashes between govt. forces and rebels. (JP 9/8)

In the Gaza Strip, the IDF continues its assault with air strikes on over 50 targets, killing 18 Palestinians and injuring dozens more. Also,IDF troops stationed nr. the border shell areas across the fence with artillery in 3 incidents. The armed Palestinian groups launch approximately 135 projectiles into Israel; of which, 125 land in open areas, 5 in urban areas, and 10 are intercepted by Iron Dome batteries. Israeli authorities temporarily close the Erez border crossing, except for humanitarian cases, in response to a mortar shell wounding 3 Israelis nearby, which is claimed by al-Qassam Brigades. In the West Bank, approximately 400 Israeli settlers, escorted by IDF troops, enter a village nr. Salfit to visit religious monuments. In a village w. of Ramallah, IDF troops open fire with live ammunition and tear gas on a group of stone-throwing Palestinian youth, injuring 1. Separately, IDF troops fire tear gas at Palestinian children on their way to school in a village s. of Hebron; establish 5 mobile checkpoints around Ramallah; and conduct patrols in Hebron and 2 villages nr. Jericho. Late at night, the IDF conducts 1 house search and arrest raid in a village nr. Hebron. In East Jerusalem, Israeli security forces enter Wadi al-Juz to set up a mobile checkpoint and raid 2 houses. (JP, JTA, YA 8/24; HA 8/25; PCHR 8/28) 

Israeli PM Netanyahu says that OPE will continue until its goals are reached, in comments to the press ahead of a special cabinet meeting at the Israeli Defense Ministry. Also, the Israeli govt. calls up 10,000 additional reserve troops. (AP, HA 8/24; AFP, HA 8/25)

After meetings with Arab League secy.-gen. Nabil al-‘Arabi and reps. of several Palestinian factions, PA Pres. Abbas returns to Ramallah from Cairo. Abbas will meet with senior Palestinian officials to further develop his new diplomatic initiative before U.S. Secy. of State Kerry visits in the coming days. Meanwhile, Hamas leader Khalid Mishal says in an interview with Iranian TV that Hamas would not return to negotiations in Cairo. (JP 8/24; HA, ToI 8/25)

In the Gaza Strip, the IDF and armed Palestinian groups maintain the new 72-hour cease-fire. In the West Bank, the IDF conducts house searches and arrest raids in 2 villages nr. Jenin, and 1 village each nr. Jericho and Salfit at night; patrols in 2 villages nr. Ramallah and 1 village nr. Jenin during the day. In East Jerusalem, Israeli security forces conduct widespread raids in the Old City, Silwan, Issawiyya, al-Tur, Suwana, and Shu‘fat, detaining 57 Palestinians. There are clashes in al-Tur and Issawiyya, and Israeli security forces injure 26 Palestinians with rubbercoated metal bullets.

During negotiations between reps. of Israel and the Palestinian delegation in Cairo, Israeli officials brief the media that there are large gaps remaining between the sides. These include disagreements over the opening of Gaza’s border crossings, including Rafah, and how the crossings will be supervised. According to a Palestinian source, Hamas insists on a total end to the blockade, rather than an “easing,” and objects to limitations on the entry of construction materials like cement and steel. Anonymous Egyptian sources express optimism about the possibility of reaching an agreement before the end of the cease-fire at midnight. Hamas official Ihab al-Ghossein says he is optimistic as “this time at least it is a real negotiation.” Islamic Jihad official Hassan Abdu says there have been “positive developments.” (AFP, AP, HA, JP, MNA, REU, YA 8/12; 8/13)

The IDF continues its assault on the Gaza Strip by air, land, and sea, killing 64 Palestinians with strikes on approximately 100 targets. Attacks occur before and after a humanitarian cease-fire running from 10:00 A.M. to 5:00 P.M. local time. The cease-fire is not observed in areas of Rafah where IDF ground troops are targeting and destroying tunnels. Armed Palestinian groups fire rockets over Ashdod and Ashqelon, causing no injuries. Other rockets land nr. the Gaza border, also causing no injuries. In the West Bank, IDF troops shoot and injure a Palestinian nr. Tulkarm. The IDF patrols during the day in 2 villages nr. Jericho and al-Bireh. In East Jerusalem, a Palestinian man kills an Israeli when he drives an excavator into pedestrians on the sidewalk. Israeli police shoot and kill the driver on the spot and later describe the incident as a “terrorist attack.” In a separate incident, armed Palestinians open fire on an Israeli soldier nr. Hebrew University, injuring him. In Issawiyya, dozens of Palestinians clash with Israeli security forces, causing no serious injuries. At Haram al-Sharif, Israeli security forces enter to escort right-wing Jewish activists out of the area. Clashes break out with Palestinian worshippers, 10 of whom are injured by rubber-coated metal bullets and stun grenades. (AFP, AP, HA, JP, MNA, REU, YA 8/4; PCHR 8/5)

In Cairo, reps. of Israel and Hamas agree to a 72-hour humanitarian cease-fire to begin on 8/5 at 8:00 A.M. local time, with Egyptian officials urging reps. of all sides to attend further talks to negotiate a longer term cease-fire. Reps. of Hamas and Islamic Jihad meet with Egyptian intelligence officials to discuss a plan to end the violence. (AFP, AP, HA, JP, REU 8/4)

U.S. Pres. Obama signs into law a joint res. appropriating $225 m. in supplemental funding for Israel’s Iron Dome missile defense system. The Senate and House previously passed this res. on 8/1 in 2 of the final actions taken before the 2 chambers adjourned for a 1-mo. recess in 8/2014. (AP 8/4; REU 8/5)

The IDF continues its ground invasion, as well as air strikes in the Gaza Strip, killing 53 Palestinians, including 8 mbrs. of a single family killed in Bayt Hanun. IDF troops face resistance on the ground, in particular from fighters in al-Qassam Brigades and al-Quds Brigades, with both groups claiming attacks on IDF soldiers and positions inside the Gaza Strip. Palestinians fire more than 40 rockets into Israel, and Iron Dome batteries intercept several over Tel Aviv while 25 land in open areas, with no reports of casualties. In the West Bank, IDF troops shoot and injure dozens of Palestinians in a number of protests in solidarity with Gaza, including at Qalandia checkpoint, outside Ofer prison, in Biddu village nr. Jerusalem, and in Shuqba village nr. Ramallah. The IDF conducts house searches and arrest raids in Hebron at night; patrols in 3 villages each nr. Jericho and Ramallah, and 1 village nr. Salfit in the afternoon. 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). There are no serious injuries, except in Nabi Salih, where 1 is hit by a bullet, and Ni‘lin, where another is hit by a bullet. In East Jerusalem, Israeli security forces clash with Palestinians at Haram al-Sharif, 9 are taken to the hospital, including at least 4 injured by rubber-coated metal bullets. (AP, HA, JP, MNA, REU, YA 7/18; PCHR 7/19)

The Israeli security cabinet meets to discuss expansion of the ground operation, with Netanyahu saying that “since there is no way to deal with the tunnels only from the air, our soldiers are doing it now from the ground.” Meanwhile, Pres. Abbas asks France to lobby Hamas’s regional allies Turkey and Qatar to pressure the Palestinian group to accept a ceasefire. French FM Fabius meets Abbas in Cairo after flying out specifically to boost efforts at reaching a cease-fire. Abbas then heads to Turkey for talks with PM Recep Tayyip Erdogan. U.S. Pres. Obama, meanwhile, speaks with PM Netanyahu, underscoring Israel’s right to defend itself, but also stressing the risks of “further escalation.” In New York, the UNSC holds an emergency meeting at the request of Jordan, where it is announced that Secy.-Gen. Ban will head to the region the next day. Separately, EU foreign affairs chief Ashton publishes a statement, saying she is “very concerned” about the violence, “including the resumption of rocket fire into Israel and the Israeli ground operation.” (AP, HA, JP, MNA, REU, YA 7/18)

After concluding a 6th round of talks since the beginning of the 6-mo. interim period began on 1/20, reps. of Iran and the P5+1 powers agree to extend talks on Iran’s disputed nuclear program until 11/24. (REU 7/18)

In the Gaza Strip, Palestinians fire 4 rockets toward Ashqelon: 2 are intercepted by Iron Dome missile defense batteries and 2 hit open areas causing no damage or injuries. In response, the IDF launches air strikes on 5 military targets in the n. and s. Gaza Strip, wounding 3. The IDF says Islamic Jihad is responsible for the rocket fire. In the West Bank, gunmen open fire on an Israeli military post nr. Bethlehem, causing no damage or injuries. The IDF conducts house searches and arrest raids in Hebron and Dayr al-‘Arund r.c. and 3 nearby villages, Nablus and 1 nearby village, Jenin and 1 village nearby, 2 villages nr. Qalqilya, Tulkarm, and 1 nearby village, 1 village nr. Salfit; patrols in 2 villages nr. Hebron and 1 village nr. Ramallah in the morning, 2 villages nr. Hebron and 1 village each nr. Ramallah and Salfit in the afternoon, and in 2 villages nr. Jericho. Israeli settlers throw stones at Palestinian vehicles nr. Salfit, causing no injuries. Separately, settlers throw stones at cars nr. Nablus, causing damage and 1 injury. (HA, JP, MNA 6/15; PCHR 6/19)

Israeli PM Netanyahu reiterates the accusation that Hamas was behind the suspected kidnapping and that the PA is responsible for the fate of the teenagers. U.S. Secy. of State Kerry condemns what he calls a “despicable terrorist act” and says “many indications point to Hamas’s involvement.” The IDF detains dozens more in the West Bank, including parliament speaker ‘Aziz Dwayk, with an estimated 150 Palestinians arrested so far during OBK. Israel’s Coordinator of Govt. Activities in the Territories Yoav Mordechai tells the media that the IDF is not coordinating with PA security forces in the search, and believes Hamas is behind the kidnapping. IDF Chief of Staff Benny Gantz tells senior officers that “we’re heading towards an extensive operation.” He says the objective is to “find the 3 teens, bring them home, hit Hamas as hard as possible and move forward.” The Executive Comm. of the PLO meets in Ramallah and issues a statement condemning the campaign in the West Bank, while PA spokesperson Ehab Bseiso says that the PA condemns Israel’s “collective punishment of the Palestinian people.” (AFP, HA, JP, MNA, WAFA, YA 6/15)

Off the coast of the Gaza Strip nr. Rafah, Egyptian naval forces open fire on Palestinian fishermen, injuring 1. In the West Bank, IDF troops raid the offices of Palestinian newspaper al-Ayyam in Ramallah, and order its staff to stop using their presses to print pro-Hamas publications Filastin, al-Risala and al-Istiqlal. The PA permitted the 3 publications to be distributed in the West Bank starting in late 4/2014, in accordance with the Hamas-Fatah reconciliation deal of 4/23. The IDF conducts house searches and arrest raids in Hebron and 2 nearby villages, 1 village and Aida r.c. nr. Bethlehem, and 1 village and al-Jalazun r.c. nr. Ramallah; patrols in 1 village nr. Jenin in the morning, 1 village nr. Jenin in the afternoon, and in 2 villages each nr. Hebron and Jericho at night. In East Jerusalem, groups of right-wing Jewish activists march through the Old City to celebrate “Jerusalem Day,” leading to clashes with Palestinians at Haram al-Sharif. In the clashes, Israeli security forces injure 4 Palestinians with rubber-coated metal bullets, and Palestinians injure 1 security officer with a thrown stone. Israeli police later arrest 2 Palestinian youth in connection with a clash involving several Jewish Israelis elsewhere in the Old City. (AFP, HA, MNA, YA 5/28; PCHR 5/29)

In response to low voter turnout in the Egyptian presidential election, polls are kept open for a 3d day. Following their close, provisional results indicate that al-Sisi won between 89% and 93.4% of the vote, with al-Sisi’s campaign and judicial sources estimating leftist candidate Hamdeen Sabahi won 2.9% and 5%. Judicial sources estimate turnout to be 44.4% of Egypt’s 54 m. eligible voters. Meanwhile, gunmen shoot and kill an Egyptian border guard in Rafah. (AP, MNA, REU 5/28)