The Palestine Chronology

Israeli forces begin the evacuation and demolition of the illegal Netiv Ha’avot settlement outpost near Bethlehem. Hundreds of settlers barricade themselves inside the 15 homes set for demolition and call for the government to annex the West Bank. Six Israeli police are injured in the minor clashes that ensue. Elsewhere in the West Bank, the IDF issues an evacuation order to a Palestinian farmer for 25 dunams (approximately 6 acres) planted with palm trees near Jericho. IDF troops patrol near Hebron and Nablus, and arrest 1 Palestinian during late-night raids near Hebron. (HA, JP, MNA, YA 6/12; PCHR 6/14)

Palestinians across Israel and the oPt observe a general strike in commemoration of the Nakba and in mourning for the 58 Palestinians killed in Gaza on 5/14. Thousands march in their funeral processions, and thousands more gather along the border fence for a 2d consecutive day of Great March of Return protests. Israeli forces violently disperse these demonstrations, as well as smaller protests in East Jerusalem, Hebron, Ramallah, Bethlehem, and at the Qalandia checkpoint; 2 Palestinians are killed and 12 are injured. Meanwhile, IDF troops arrest 20 Palestinians during late-night raids near Ramallah, Nablus, Jericho, Jenin, Hebron, and Bethlehem; and patrol near Hebron and Salfit. Unidentified assailants cut down 300 Palestinian-owned grapevines outside Bayt ‘Aynun village near Hebron and leave racist graffiti in the area. (EI, HA, JP, TOI, WAFA 5/15; HA, MNA 5/16; PCHR 5/17)

Two Palestinians succumb to injuries sustained during the deadly violence in Gaza on 5/14. The 4 deaths today bring the death toll stemming from Israel’s response to the protests on 5/14 to 60 and the overall death toll stemming from the Great March of Return to 106. (MNA, TOI, WAFA, 5/15)

The Egyptian authorities open the Rafah border crossing in both directions for the 4th consecutive day. (AP 5/18; OCHA 5/24)

The Israeli authorities temporarily reopen the Kerem Shalom border crossing, having kept it closed since 5/12, after Palestinians set fire to a nearby pipeline. There are reports of Palestinian activists turning back 4 truckloads of medical supplies provided by the IDF. The organizers of the Great March of Return later confirm that they rejected medical supplies from “the executors of Monday’s massacre against the innocent.” (AP, TOI 5/15; MNA, JP, TOI 5/16)

PA president Abbas recalls PLO envoy in Washington Husam Zomlot in protest at the opening of the U.S. embassy in Jerusalem and the U.S. decision to block the UNSC from making a statement condemning the Israeli violence on 5/14. (WAFA, YA 5/15; HA, WAFA 5/16)

The Turkish Foreign Ministry orders Israeli ambassador Eitan Naeh to leave Turkey in protest of the killings in Gaza on 5/14. In response, Israel’s Foreign Ministry orders the Turkish consul in Jerusalem to return home. Turkey recalled its ambassadors from Israel and the U.S. in the wake of the killings on 5/14. (ANA, HA, JP, TOI 5/16)

Approximately 20 Grad and Fajr-5 rockets are fired from Syria toward northern Israel. Four of them are intercepted by Israel’s Iron Dome missile defense system, and the rest explode over Syrian territory, causing no major damage or injury. The IDF accuses Iran of being behind the attack and retaliates, bombing dozens of alleged Iranian weapons storage, logistics, and intelligence sites in Syria; 27 people are killed, including 19 Iranians, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. (JP 5/9; CNN, HA, JP, MEMO, NYT, TOI, YA 5/10; HA 5/11; AP 5/12)

Along Gaza’s border, Israeli forces conduct a limited incursion to level land and repair the border fence near Khan Yunis. Later, they open fire on Palestinian farmers working near Gaza City and al-Bureij refugee camp and Great March of Return protesters near Khan Yunis, Gaza City, Jabaliya refugee camp, and al-Bureij refugee camp; 6 Palestinians are injured. Off Gaza’s coast, Israeli naval forces open fire on Palestinian fishing boats near Bayt Lahiya and Khan Yunis, causing no damage or injuries. In the West Bank, Israeli forces demolish a makeshift Palestinian home near Nablus. IDF troops arrest 8 Palestinians during late-night raids near Jericho, Tubas, Bethlehem, Ramallah, and Jenin; and patrol near Hebron and Nablus. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces establish a checkpoint in Abu Dis, sparking minor clashes with Palestinian minors; 1 Israeli border police officer and 7 Palestinians are injured (3 Palestinians are arrested as well). (JP, MNA, TOI, WAFA 5/9; PCHR 5/10)

IDF troops violently disperse Palestinians protesting along Gaza’s border for a 5th day in a row; 1 protester is killed, bringing the death toll stemming from the Great March of Return to 17. In the West Bank, IDF troops shoot and kill a Palestinian citizen of Israel after he allegedly rams his car into a bus stop near the Ariel settlement. IDF troops shoot and injure 2 Palestinian amid clashes sparked by a patrol near Nablus; arrest 8 Palestinians; issue 1 arrest summons during late-night raids in and around Ramallah, Nablus, Jericho, and Tubas; and patrol near Hebron and Nablus. Israeli forces order a Palestinian girls’ school near Nablus to close for the day after reports of stones thrown at an Israeli settler’s car earlier that day. (HA, JP, MNA, TOI, WAFA 4/3; PCHR 4/5)

Organizers of the ongoing Great March of Return, which commenced with a 30,000- strong protest in Gaza on 3/30, say that preparations are underway for renewed protests this week. “We welcome all participants of all factions, and appreciate their work for the success of this action that embarrassed Israel throughout the world,” they write, also calling on participants not to approach the border fence, for fear of giving Israeli troops an excuse to open fire. (HA 4/3; HA 4/4)

Israeli PM Netanyahu and U.S. president Trump speak briefly by phone in the evening. According to a White House statement, they discussed “recent developments in the Middle East,” and Trump “reiterated the commitment of the U.S. to Israel’s security.” Two White House officials describe the call as “tense” because of Netanyahu’s concerns about the reported U.S. plans to withdraw from Syria. (TOI 4/4; HA 4/6)

In the West Bank, IDF troops conduct raids in Kafr Qaddum near Qalqilya as Palestinian students are returning home from school. The raids spark clashes, and 2 Palestinians are injured. They arrest 7 Palestinians during further raids near Jericho, Ramallah, Bethlehem, Hebron, and Jenin; and patrol near Tulkarm, Qalqilya, Salfit, and Hebron. Israeli settlers throw stones at Palestinian farmers working near Ramallah, injuring 1. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces arrest 8 Palestinians during raids in the Old City on the pretext that they failed to prevent the stabbing attack on 3/18. They arrest 6 more Palestinians during raids in al-‘Izzariya and al-Ram. Off Gaza’s coast, Israeli naval forces open fire on Palestinian fishing boats near Jabaliya refugee camp, causing no damage or injuries. (WAFA 3/19; PCHR 3/22)

At the start of a PA cabinet meeting in Ramallah, PA president Abbas accuses Hamas of perpetrating the 3/13 assassination attempt on PA PM Hamdallah and threatens further punitive restrictions on Gaza. Hamas later responds in a statement: “[Abbas] is paving the way for chaos which will facilitate the approval of President Trump’s plan and Israel’s plans. We condemn these irresponsible statements by the PA chairman, who has already been trying for a while to subdue our people in Gaza in this difficult and dangerous moment in history.” In the same speech, Abbas criticizes the Trump administration’s peace efforts, specifically calling out U.S. ambassador to Israel Friedman. “Son of a dog,” he says of Freidman. “You are a settler and your family are settlers.” Friedman later responds, “Is that anti-Semitism or political discourse? I leave that up to you.” (HA, JP, TOI, WAFA, YA 3/19; HA 3/20)

Off Gaza’s coast, Israeli naval forces shoot and fatally injure a Palestinian fisherman working near Gaza City. They arrest the injured man and his 2 colleagues. In the West Bank, IDF troops shoot and injure a Palestinian minor amid clashes in Jericho. They also arrest 19 Palestinians and issue 4 arrest summons during late-night raids near Ramallah, Hebron, Nablus, and Bethlehem; and patrol near Hebron. Israeli settlers take over 120 dunams (approximately 30 acres) of Palestinian land near Nablus and plant it with wheat and grapes. (HA, JP, MNA, TOI, WAFA, YA 2/25; EI 2/26; PCHR 3/1)

The Church of the Holy Sepulchre closes down indefinitely to protest a “systemic campaign” to persecute Jerusalem’s Christian community, according to a church official. The Jerusalem Municipality recently implemented a new policy of collecting taxes on church-owned property not being used for worship (see JPS 47 [3]), and the Knesset is set to take up a bill allowing the state to confiscate church property under certain circumstances. After the church shuts its doors, the Knesset committee set to debate that measure today postpones the proceedings to a later date. (HA, JP, TOI, WAFA 2/25)

Israel’s Ministerial Committee for Legislation approves a new bill that would strengthen the Israeli settlement enterprise by allowing the Jerusalem District Court to hear some cases related to property rights, building and construction, freedom of information, and restraining orders filed by Palestinians in Area C. (HA, JP, TOI, WAFA 2/25)

IDF troops violently disperse Palestinians, Israelis, and international activists at Friday protests against Israel’s separation wall, occupation, and settlements, as well as U.S. president Trump’s 12/6/17 recognition of Jerusalem as Israel’s capital in Hebron, Jericho, Kafr Qaddum near Qalqilya, 2 areas near Nablus (Beita village and the Huwwara checkpoint), 5 villages near Ramallah (al-Janiya, al-Bireh, Nabi Salih, Ni‘lin, and Bil‘in), and along Gaza’s border near Gaza City, Khan Yunis, al-Bureij refugee camp, and Jabaliya refugee camp. At least 31 Palestinian are injured and 2 are arrested. In the West Bank, Israeli soldiers shoot and injure 3 Palestinian minors during clashes sparked by an IDF raid near Nablus. IDF troops also arrest 3 Palestinians and assault 1 during late-night raids near Hebron and Bethlehem, and patrol near Hebron and Tulkarm. Israeli settlers throw stones at, and open fire on, Palestinian homes in Burin village near Nablus, causing no major damage or injuries. The attack sparks minor clashes; there are no serious injuries. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces arrest a Palestinian during late-night raids in Issawiyya. In 4 separate incidents off Gaza’s coast, Israeli naval forces open fire on Palestinian fishing boats near Bayt Lahiya and Jabaliya refugee camp, causing no damage or injuries. (HA, NYT, WAFA, YA 2/23; PCHR 3/1)

The U.S. State Department announces that the new U.S. embassy in Israel will open in Jerusalem in 5/2018, implementing President Trump’s 12/6/17 pledge to move the embassy from Tel Aviv. The embassy is set to open with ambassador David Friedman and a skeleton staff working out of an existing U.S. facility in the Arnona neighborhood. “This decision will turn the 70th anniversary of Israeli independence into an even bigger celebration,” says Israeli PM Netanyahu. “Thank you, President Trump, for your leadership and your friendship.” Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) secretarygeneral Saeb Erakat says, “The U.S. decision to recognize Jerusalem as Israel’s capital and now to move its embassy on the eve of marking 70 years since the Nakba [. . .] shows the determination of the U.S. administration to violate international law, destroy the 2-state solution, and provoke the feelings of the Palestinian people, as well as of all Arabs, Muslims, and Christians around the globe.” (AP, HA, JP, TOI, WAFA 2/23)

IDF troops assault and arrest a Palestinian during an overnight raid in Jericho; he succumbs to injuries sustained in the confrontation later in the day. The IDF contends that he suffered fatal seizures after being exposed to large amounts of tear gas during the raid. (An autopsy performed on 2/23 will find that he suffered a fatal gunshot to his abdomen.) Meanwhile, Israeli settlers build a fence around a plot of land near Nablus, reportedly with the intention of building a new illegal settlement outpost. IDF troops arrest 5 Palestinians during late-night raids near Bethlehem and Salfit, and patrol near Hebron, Jenin, Salfit, Qalqilya, and Tulkarm. Along Gaza’s border, IDF troops open fire on Palestinian farmland near Khan Yunis and on a group of Palestinian minors protesting U.S. president Trump’s 12/6/2017 recognition of Jerusalem as Israel’s capital near al-Bureij refugee camp, injuring 1. Off Gaza’s coast, Israeli naval forces open fire on Palestinian fishing boats near Bayt Lahiya, causing no damage or injuries. (HA, MNA, WAFA, YA 2/22; HA 2/25; PCHR 3/1)

The Gaza Electricity Distribution Company (GEDCO) announces that it will be forced to shut down Gaza’s sole power plant soon due to a lack of diesel fuel. A GEDCO spokesperson says that “the premature closure of the Rafah border crossing on 5/21 restricted essential fuel shipments.” (HA, TOI 2/22)

Israel Defense Forces (IDF) troops violently disperse Palestinians, Israelis, and international activists at Friday protests against U.S. president Donald Trump’s 12/6/17 recognition of Jerusalem as Israel’s capital, as well as Israel’s settlements, the separation wall, and occupation in 2 villages near Ramallah (al-Mazra‘a and Nabi Salih), al-Bireh, Jericho, Salfit, Kafr Qaddum near Qalqilya, 2 villages near Nablus (Beita and Huwwara), and along Gaza’s border near Khan Yunis, Gaza City, Jabaliya refugee camp, and al-Bureij refugee camp; at least 41 Palestinians are injured. Meanwhile, IDF troops conduct a raid in Nablus overnight, sparking clashes with stonethrowing residents; 7 Palestinians are injured. They also assault and lightly injure 5 Palestinian minors in central Hebron. Israeli forces deliver stop-work orders to 3 homes under construction near Bethlehem, issue arrest summons to 1 Palestinian during a raid near Hebron; and patrol near Tulkarm and Hebron. Off Gaza’s coast, Israeli naval forces open fire on Palestinian fishing boats near Bayt Lahiya and Jabaliya refugee camp, causing no damage or injuries. (WAFA 2/16; WAFA 2/17; PCHR 2/22)

Israeli forces return the corpses of Palestinians killed in deadly confrontations with the IDF on 9/26/2017 and 2/7 to their families in Bayt Surik near Jerusalem and Halhul near Hebron, respectively. (JP, MNA, TOI 2/17)

An Israeli security guard shoots and kills a Palestinian minor after he stabs and lightly injures another guard at the entrance to Karme Tzur settlement near Hebron. After the incident, IDF troops raid the alleged attacker’s home in Halhul village, sparking clashes with stone-throwing residents; there are no serious injuries. Elsewhere in the West Bank, IDF troops clash with Palestinians in Jericho; 21 Palestinians are injured. They also arrest 9 Palestinians during late-night raids in and around Jenin, Nablus, and Ramallah; and patrol near Hebron and Nablus. Israeli settlers throw stones at Palestinian vehicles near Salfit, lightly injuring 1 driver and damaging 1 car. In East Jerusalem, Palestinian minors throw stones at a fence surrounding an Israeli settlement near Kafr ‘Aqab, sparking minor clashes with Israeli forces; 1 Palestinian is injured. Israeli forces also demolish a Palestinian home in Silwan. Off Gaza’s coast, Israeli naval forces open fire on Palestinian fishing boats near Jabaliya refugee camp, causing no damage or injuries. (HA, JP, MNA, TOI, WAFA 2/7; MNA, PCHR, WAFA 2/8; PCHR 2/15)

The Egyptian authorities open the Rafah border crossing in both directions for the first of 3 days. (WAFA 2/7; OCHA 2/15)

The IAF conducts air strikes on a military “research center” near Damascus, according to the Syrian army. Israeli forces have reportedly targeted the site 3 times in the past 3 months. (DPA, HA, REU 2/7)

In the West Bank, Israeli forces deliver stop-work orders to 3 Palestinian homes under construction near Hebron. IDF troops violently disperse Palestinian minors throwing stones at Israeli vehicles near Hebron (1 Palestinian is injured), arrest 12 Palestinians, and issue 2 arrest summons during raids in and around Hebron, Jenin, and Ramallah; and patrol near Hebron, Salfit, Jericho, and Nablus. (WAFA 1/25; PCHR 2/1)

Hundreds of Palestinians gather in Jabaliya refugee camp to protest U.S. pres. Trump’s 12/6 recognition of Jerusalem as Israel’s capital and the recent U.S. decision to cut aid to UNRWA. In the West Bank, IDF troops conduct a raid in Burqa village near Nablus, sparking clashes with stone-throwing Palestinian youths; 1 Palestinian is injured. Another Palestinian is injured in clashes sparked by an IDF raid in Bayt ‘Aynun near Hebron. IDF troops arrest 4 Palestinians and issue 1 arrest summons during raids near Bethlehem, Qalqilya, and Ramallah. Israeli forces demolish 3 residential shacks and a barn near Nablus and a home in Jiftlik village near Jericho; and patrol near Hebron. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces arrest 2 Palestinians during a raid in Qatanna. In the Negev, Israeli forces demolish the Palestinian Bedouin village al-Araqib for the 124th time since 2010. (WAFA, 1/24; MNA, PCHR, WAFA 1/25; PCHR 2/1)

Jawwal and Wataniya, the only 2 telecoms with more than 3 million customers each in the West Bank and Gaza, launch 3G network technology in the West Bank. (JP, REU, WAFA 1/24)

In the West Bank, Israeli forces arrest 12 Palestinians, issue 1 arrest summons, and confiscate 1 car during late-night raids in and around Bethlehem, Jericho, and Qalqilya; raze a tract of Palestinian land outside Burin village near Nablus; and patrol in and around Tulkarm and Qalqilya. (WAFA 1/14; PCHR 1/18)

The PLO Central Council convenes in Ramallah to coordinate a long-term strategy for responding to U.S. pres. Trump’s 12/6 recognition of Jerusalem as Israel’s capital. All major factions are invited, but both Hamas and PIJ opt not to attend. In a heated speech opening the session, PA pres. Abbas accuses U.S. pres. Trump of insulting the Palestinians and says he will not accept the Trump administration’s peace plan. (NYT, REU, TOI, WAFA 1/14; HA 1/15)

Hamas official Mohammed Hamdan is lightly injured in a car bombing in the southern Lebanese city Sidon. Hamas accuses Israel of an attempted assassination. (AP, HA, TOI, WAFA 1/14)

In the West Bank, IDF troops shoot and injure 4 Palestinians amid clashes outside Birzeit University near Ramallah and in Jericho, and arrest a Palestinian woman, allegedly for carrying a knife, at a checkpoint in central Hebron. They also arrest 14 Palestinians during further raids in and around Salfit, Jericho, Ramallah, Tulkarm, Jenin, Nablus, and Bethlehem; and patrol near Salfit, Jericho, and Nablus. Israeli forces seal the entrance to ’Usarin village near Nablus. Israeli settlers cut down approximately 15 Palestinian-owned olive trees near Nablus. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces arrest 2 Palestinians during latenight raids in Anata refugee camp and Qatanna. Along Gaza’s border, Israeli forces conduct a limited incursion to level lands near Khan Yunis and open fire on Palestinian farmlands near Gaza City. Off Gaza’s coast, Israeli naval forces open fire on Palestinian fishing boats near Jabaliya refugee camp and Bayt Lahiya, seriously injuring 1 fisherman (2 fishermen are arrested). (TOI, WAFA 1/8; PCHR 1/11)

The Israel Electric Corp. increases the amount of electricity being supplied to Gaza to 120 megawatts, following the PA’s 1/3 request to end the 40% reduction requested by the Palestinian authorities last year in an effort to increase pressure on Hamas. (EI, HA, YA 1/8)

Hundreds of Palestinians across the oPt gather at protests against U.S. pres. Trump’s 12/6 recognition of Jerusalem as Israel’s capital. IDF troops violently disperse them at the Qalandia checkpoint, central Jerusalem, Abu Dis village, Bethlehem, Ramallah, Hebron, Jericho, Qalqilya, and along Gaza’s border near al-Bureij refugee camp; 11 Palestinians are injured. Meanwhile, IDF troops arrest 8 Palestinians during late-night raids near Ramallah, Hebron, and in Biddu (East Jerusalem). Off Gaza’s coast, Israeli naval forces open fire on Palestinian fishing boats near Khan Yunis, causing no damage or injuries. Along Gaza’s border, Israeli forces fire sound bombs and artillery at Palestinian lands and other property near Gaza City and Khan Yunis, causing no serious damage. (HA, TOI, WAFA, YA 12/20; PCHR 12/21; PCHR 12/28)

Palestinian diplomatic delegations discuss the future of the peace process with local officials in Moscow and Beijing. PLO executive committee member Salih Ra‘fat says that the delegations are part of the Palestinians’ efforts to gather support in the wake of U.S. pres. Trump’s 12/6 recognition of Jerusalem as Israel’s capital. Both Russia and China have expressed interest in becoming more active in the peace process, and the Palestinians are looking to replace the U.S. as sole mediator. (HA, TOI, WAFA 12/20)

U.S. pres. Trump threatens to cut economic aid to any country that votes in favor of a UNGA resolution rejecting his 12/6 recognition of Jerusalem as Israel’s capital, which is set for a vote on 12/21. “They take hundreds of millions of dollars and even billions of dollars, and then they vote against us,” he says. “Well, we’re watching those votes. Let them vote against us. We’ll save a lot. We don’t care.” (AP, HA, TOI, YA 12/20; HA 12/21)

Two PIJ engineers are killed and tens of bystanders are injured in an explosion in Umm al-Nasr village near Bayt Lahiya in northern Gaza. PIJ initially accuses Israel of targeting the engineers with a drone strike. An IDF spokesperson denies any Israeli involvement, and PIJ later says that the explosion was an accident and that the 2 men mishandled explosives. Separately, unidentified parties fire 2 rockets from Gaza toward Israel late at night; 1 falls short of the border and the other lands in an open area in southern Israel, causing no damage or injuries. The IAF conducts air strikes on 2 Hamas military sites, injuring 3 Palestinians and causing major damage. (HA, MNA, TOI, WAFA 12/12; HA, MNA, WAFA 12/13)

For a 6th day in a row, Palestinians across the oPt and Israel gather to protest U.S. pres. Trump’s 12/6 recognition of Jerusalem as Israel’s capital (protests have steadily declined in size since 12/8). IDF troops violently disperse them in Tulkarm, Bethlehem and nearby al-‘Arub refugee camp, and along Gaza’s border near Gaza City, Khan Yunis, and Rafah; 14 Palestinians are injured. Meanwhile, an elderly Palestinian woman suffers a fatal heart attack late at night when Israeli soldiers raid her home near Jericho. They also shoot and seriously injure a Palestinian they claim was attempting to stab Israeli soldiers outside the Ariel settlement. An IDF spokesperson later states that the Palestinian was not carrying a knife, but was among a group that was “suspected of an attempt to attack on the border.” Meanwhile, IDF troops arrest a Palestinian youth in central Hebron, allegedly after he is found to be carrying a knife; arrest 34 Palestinians during late-night raids in and around Ramallah, Hebron, Nablus, Tubas, Jenin, and Tulkarm; and patrol near Tulkarm, Salfit, and Nablus. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces arrest 19 Palestinians during late-night raids in Issawiyya and Silwan. Along Gaza’s border, IDF troops open fire on Palestinian agricultural areas near Bayt Hanun, causing no damage. (HA, MNA, TOI, WAFA 12/12; MNA, WAFA 12/13; PCHR 12/14)

For a 5th day in a row, Palestinians across the oPt gather to protest U.S. pres. Trump’s 12/6 recognition of Jerusalem as Israel’s capital. Israeli troops violently disperse them in Tulkarm, Ramallah, Hebron, Jericho, and along Gaza’s border near Bayt Hanun, Jabaliya refugee camp, Gaza City, Rafah, Khan Yunis, and al-Bureij refugee camp; at least 45 Palestinians are injured and 3 are arrested. Meanwhile, the IDF uses cement blocks to seal the main road connecting Ramallah and Jalazun refugee camp; arrests 16 Palestinians during raids in and around Nablus, Hebron, Qalqilya, Bethlehem, Tulkarm; and patrols near Tulkarm and Tubas. Along Gaza’s border, IDF troops open fire on Palestinian land and other property near Khan Yunis, causing no damage. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces arrest 3 Palestinian youths on the way home from school in Ras al-Amud and 4 during raids in Shu‘fat refugee camp and Silwan. (MNA, TOI, WAFA 12/11; HA 12/12; PCHR 12/14)

Unidentified parties launch a rocket from Gaza into southern Israel. It lands in an open area, causing no damage or injuries. The IAF conducts air strikes on 2 Hamas positions in southern Gaza. Later, unidentified parties fire another rocket from Gaza, into Israel near Ashqelon. It is intercepted by Israel’s Iron Dome missile defense system. Late at night the IDF shells Hamas sites in northern Gaza, causing minor damage. (HA, YA 12/11; HA, TOI 12/12; PCHR 12/14)

Concluding 2 days of talks in Cairo, representatives of Palestinian factions, including Hamas and Fatah, reaffirm the 10/12 reconciliation agreement (see JPS 47 [2]), emphasize the need for the PA to take control of Gaza, and call for a new round of elections for the PA presidency, the Palestinian Legislative Council, and the Palestinian National Council by the end of 2018. They do not reach a resolution on the issue of Hamas’s military wing, however. (TOI, WAFA 11/23)

In the West Bank, Israeli forces demolish 2 Palestinian homes under construction in Batir village near Bethlehem, a residential structure and an animal barn in Jiftlik village near Jericho, and a residential building in Bayt Dajan village near Nablus. IDF troops arrest 7 Palestinians during late-night raids in and around Ramallah, Bethlehem, Jenin, and Hebron. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces demolish a Palestinian home under construction in Issawiyya and another in Shu‘fat, and arrest 2 Palestinians during a late-night raid in Silwan. Along Gaza’s border, IDF troops open fire on and then arrest 2 Palestinians as they are attempting to cross into Israel near Bayt Lahiya (1 Palestinian is injured). Off Gaza’s coast, Israeli naval forces open fire on Palestinian fishing boats near Gaza City, causing no damage or injuries. (HA, MNA, WAFA 11/22; PCHR 11/23; PCHR 11/30)

An Israeli youth succumbs to injuries she sustained in a bombing attack on a bus stop in Jerusalem in 3/2011. (HA, TOI 11/22)

The Arab press reports that PA pres. Abbas has refused a phone call from senior advisor to U.S. pres. Trump Jared Kushner, apparently implementing the Palestinians’ threat, reported on 11/21, to cut off communication with the U.S. in response to the Trump administration’s threat to close the PLO office in Washington. Instead of taking the call, Abbas reportedly referred Kushner to the PLO office in Washington. (HA, TOI 11/22; HA 11/23)

In the West Bank, Israeli forces demolish 3 Palestinian residential buildings in Jiftlik near Jericho and an agricultural building under construction near Nablus. IDF troops arrest 7 Palestinians during late-night raids in and around Ramallah, Hebron, and Bethlehem, and patrol near Qalqilya and Hebron. In East Jerusalem, Palestinian students from the Bayt Hanina school the IDF shut down on 11/6 gather outside the school for a sit-in protest with their parents. Israeli forces arrest 2 Palestinians and issue a number of arrest summons during raids in Silwan and the Old City. (WAFA 11/7; PCHR 11/9)

In the West Bank, IDF troops evacuate a small Israeli settlement outpost near Nablus, sparking minor clashes with the residents; 1 settler is arrested after turning his dog loose on the soldiers. Israeli settlers then torch a number of Palestinian olive trees in the area. Elsewhere, Israeli forces confiscate 3 Palestinian cars and 2 tractors from residents of Ras al-Ahmar near Tubas. IDF troops conduct raids in Dahaysha refugee camp near Bethlehem late at night, ordering a bookstore to close for 3 weeks and sparking clashes with stone-throwing youths; 1 Palestinian is injured. They arrest 13 Palestinians and issue 2 arrest summons during further raids in and around Qalqilya, Hebron, Jericho, Jenin, and Bethlehem, and patrol near Hebron during the day. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces level Palestinian land outside Hizma in preparation for the construction of a new road in the area. Along Gaza’s border, Israeli forces conduct a limited incursion to level land near Khan Yunis. Off Gaza’s coast, Israeli naval forces open fire on Palestinian fishing boats near Jabaliya refugee camp and Bayt Lahiya, causing no damage or injuries. (MNA, TOI, WAFA 9/24; MNA, WAFA 9/25; PCHR 9/28)

IDF troops shoot and injure a Palestinian youth at a bus stop outside the Kiryat Arba settlement near Hebron, allegedly after he attempts to stab a settler. They leave the injured youth lying on the ground without receiving treatment before arresting him and taking him to a hospital in Israel. In a video released later, the youth can be heard pleading for water and explaining that he was attempting to commit suicide. Israeli forces demolish 8 homes and 6 retaining walls in Steih Dyouk village near Jericho. They also arrest a Palestinian living outside Yatta near Hebron before demolishing his home. The IDF arrests 7 Palestinians and issue 1 arrest summons during late-night raids in and around Nablus, Hebron, Tulkarm, and Salfit, and patrols near Jenin and Hebron. Israeli settlers uproot 27 olive trees on Palestinian land outside Burin village near Nablus. Meanwhile, PASF troops conduct a raid in Yatta overnight, sparking a brief firefight with the wanted Palestinians and their affiliates; 1 Palestinian is killed and another is seriously injured. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces demolish a building in Silwan and a 2-story apartment building in Ras al-Amud, and arrest 1 Palestinian during a late-night raid in Qalandia refugee camp. (MNA, TOI, WAFA 9/13; PCHR 9/14; PCHR 9/21; EI 9/22)

The Egyptian authorities partially open the Rafah border crossing for a 3d day in a row, allowing Muslim worshippers to return from their pilgrimage to Saudi Arabia. (OCHA 9/29)

The UN’s World Tourism Organization announces that the Palestinian bid for membership has been postponed until the body’s next meeting in 2019. The PA reportedly decided to suspend its bid following heavy U.S. pressure, according to a senior Israeli official. (HA, TOI 9/13)

An IDF vehicle strikes and kills a Palestinian girl in the Jordan Valley near Nablus. Elsewhere in the West Bank, IDF troops arrest 9 Palestinians during late-night raids near Hebron, Bethlehem, and Jericho, and patrol near Qalqilya, Hebron, and Salfit. Off Gaza’s coast, Israeli naval forces open fire on Palestinian fishing boats near Bayt Lahiya and Jabaliya refugee camp, causing no damage or injuries. (MNA, TOI 8/26; PCHR 9/1)

PA PM Rami Hamdallah announces that the PA will re-hire the 6,145 Gazan civil servants it forced into early retirement on 7/4 (see JPS 47 [1]). “The government decided with approval from [PA pres.] Abbas to allow employees of the ministries of health and education from the Gaza Strip, who were pensioned, to return to their work and serve our brothers in the Gaza Strip,” Hamdallah says, without offering further details. (HA, MNA, TOI 8/26)

In the West Bank, Palestinians throw stones at an IDF unit conducting a raid in ‘Aqabat Jabir r.c. nr. Jericho, lightly injuring 1 soldier. IDF troops arrest 7 Palestinians and issue 3 arrest summons during late-night raids in and around Hebron, Tulkarm, Ramallah, and Bethlehem; and patrol nr. Salfit and Hebron. They also confiscate a bus nr. Nablus, alleging that it was transporting “rioters” to Israeli checkpoints. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces shoot and injure a Palestinian as they are detaining him in Bayt Safafa. They also arrest 5 Palestinians during late-night raids in Silwan and al-‘Izzariya. (MNA 8/13; PCHR 8/17)

After yet another day of heightened tensions at Haram al-Sharif, the Israeli security cabinet decides to remove the metal detectors installed at the entrances to the sanctuary after the deadly attack, on 7/14 in the evening. A senior Israeli official says that some cameras installed on 7/23 will be removed as well. In a statement, the cabinet says it has “accepted the recommendation of all of the security bodies to incorporate security measures based on advanced technologies and other measures instead of metal detectors to ensure the security of visitors and worshippers in the Old City and [at Haram al-Sharif].” According to the Israeli press, the new measures include heat-sensing “smart cameras” with facial recognition technology, and that their installation will be part of a NIS 100 m. (approx. $28 m.) plan that could take as long as 6 mos. to implement. (MNA, WAFA, YA 7/24; TOI 7/25)

Elsewhere in East Jerusalem, Israeli forces clash with Palestinians in Hizma n. of Jerusalem; 1 Palestinian is seriously injured (he will succumb to his injuries on 7/27). In the West Bank, Birzeit University students march toward a checkpoint outside the Beit El settlement nr. Ramallah to protest the 7/21 killings. IDF troops violently disperse them, injuring 4. IDF troops also patrol in Nablus, Sa‘ir nr. Hebron, and al-Khadir nr. Bethlehem, sparking clashes with stone-throwing Palestinians; 2 Palestinians are injured. The IDF arrests 19 Palestinians during late-night raids in and around Bethlehem, Nablus, Jenin, Qalqilya, Jericho, and Ramallah; and conducts further patrols nr. Hebron and Nablus. Along Gaza’s border, IDF troops arrest a Palestinian allegedly attempting to sneak into Israel armed with a knife. Off Gaza’s coast, Israeli naval forces open fire on Palestinian fishing boats nr. Bayt Lahiya twice, causing no damage or injuries. (MNA, TOI, WAFA 7/24; MNA 7/25; PCHR 7/27)

Following a day of Israeli-Jordanian tensions and negotiations over the deadly attack in Amman on 7/23, the Jordanian authorities allow the staff of the Israeli Embassy in Jordan, including the security guard who killed the 2 Jordanians, to return to Israel. The Israeli authorities first allow Jordanian police to hear the guard’s description of the incident. With rumors to the contrary circulating on social media, the Israeli press reports that Jordan did not condition the release of the guard on the removal of the metal detectors at Haram al-Sharif. (HA, MNA, TOI 7/24; MNA 7/25)

U.S. rep. Greenblatt arrives in Israel to “support efforts to reduce tensions in the region,” according to a senior Trump admin. official. “Pres. Trump and his administration are closely following unfolding events in the region,” the official adds. “We are engaged in discussions with the relevant parties and are committed to finding a res. to the ongoing security issues.” Meanwhile, the UNSC holds a closed-door meeting on the Haram al-Sharif crisis. No details of the discussion are reported. (HA, TOI 7/24)

In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces briefly lock down Haram al-Sharif after an unidentified assailant throws a stone at Jewish settlers touring the sanctuary; 4 Palestinians are arrested and banned from Haram al-Sharif for various lengths of time in connection with the incident. Israeli forces also arrest 5 Palestinians during late-night raids in Silwan and Wadi al-Juz. In the West Bank, Israeli forces deliver a stop-work order to a Palestinian home under construction nr. Jericho; arrest 6 Palestinians during late-night raids nr. Hebron, Ramallah and Jenin; and patrol nr. Hebron and Nablus during the day. Off Gaza’s coast, Israeli naval forces open fire on Palestinian fishing boats nr. Jabaliya r.c., causing no damage or injuries. Along Gaza’s border, IDF troops open fire on Palestinian farmers working nr. Khan Yunis, causing no injuries. (JP, MNA, WAFA 6/11; MNA 6/12; PCHR 6/16)

Israel’s security cabinet approves a 40% reduction in the transfer of electricity to Gaza, acquiescing to the PA’s 4/27 request (see JPS 46 [4]). The security cabinet also discusses a proposal to build an artificial island off Gaza’s coast to host a port to facilitate economic growth and alleviate the region’s humanitarian crisis. DM Lieberman reportedly opposes the proposal, and no decision is made. (TOI 6/11; EI, JP, MNA 6/12; HA 6/13)

The Israeli Knesset’s Ministerial Comm. for Legislation approves a bill to deduct from Israel’s monthly transfers of tax revenues to the PA a sum equal to the amount the PA pays to Palestinians convicted of serious crimes against Israelis and their families. The bill is modeled after similar legislation introduced in the U.S. Congress in 2/2017 (see H.R. 1164 of 2/16/2017 and S. 474 of 2/28/2017 at congressionalmonitor.org, as well as H.R. 1164 of 2/16/2017). The sum deducted would be an estimated NIS 1 b. (approx. $280 m.) per year. (JP, MNA, TOI 6/11)

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)

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)

Off Gaza’s coast, Israeli naval forces open fire on Palestinian fishing boats nr. Bayt Lahiya on 2 separate occasions and later nr. Jabaliya r. c., causing no injuries. Along Gaza’s border, Israeli forces spray Palestinian farmlands nr. Rafah with herbicides overnight and conduct a limited incursion to level land nr. Khan Yunis late at night. In East Jerusalem, Israeli settlers spray price-tag graffiti and slash the tires of at least 17 Palestinian vehicles overnight in Shu‘fat. In the West Bank, Israeli forces demolish 4 Palestinian structures in Jiftlik nr. Jericho. IDF troops arrest 3 Birzeit University students during late-night raids nr. Ramallah. The arrests come hours before student elections are set to take place on 5/10. They also arrest 2 Palestinians during further raids nr. Ramallah; and patrol in Qalqilya, and nr. Salfit and Hebron. (HA, MNA, WAFA 5/9; MNA 5/10; PCHR 5/11)

The Egyptian authorities open the Rafah border crossing for the 4th and final day in a row. (MNA 5/9)

In the West Bank, the IDF seals all the entrances to Beita nr. Nablus, sparking clashes in the village for a 2d day in a row; 1 Palestinian is injured. Residents of Beita later gather for more demonstrations in solidarity with the 1,500-plus prisoners on hunger strike since 4/ 17. The IDF violently disperses them again, as well as breaking up a similar protest in c. Bethlehem; there are no serious injuries. IDF troops confiscate a bulldozer nr. Jericho; arrest 3 Palestinians and issue 2 arrest summons during late-night raids nr. Bethlehem and Hebron; and patrol nr. Hebron, Qalqilya, and Ramallah. The IDF violently disperses Palestinian protesters demonstrating against the occupation and in solidarity with the prisoners on hunger strike in Kafr Qaddum nr. Qalqilya and s. of Bethlehem (1 Palestinian is injured and 2 are arrested). In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces arrest 1 Palestinian during a late-night raid nr. the Old City. Off Gaza’s coast, Israeli naval forces open fire on Palestinian fishing boats nr. Jabaliya refugee camp and Khan Yunis, causing no damage or injuries. (MNA 5/6; PCHR 5/11)

The Egyptian authorities open the Rafah border crossing for the first of 3 planned days. (MNA 5/6)

Hamas elects senior official Ismail Haniyeh to replace Khalid Mishal as the head of its political bureau. “We are all certain that the new leadership will lead the organization wisely for the benefit of the Palestinian people,” Mishal says. Haniyeh was widely seen as the frontrunner to replace Mishal after it became clear earlier this year that Mishal intended to step down. (HA, MNA, NYT, TOI 5/6)