The Palestine Chronology

In the Gaza Strip, IDF troops conduct a limited incursion nr. Dayr al-Balah to level land close to the border fence. In the West Bank, the IDF conducts house searches and arrest raids in 1 village nr. Hebron and Nablus at night; patrols in 1 village nr. Jericho in the morning, in 1 village nr. Qalqilya in the afternoon, and in 2 villages nr. Hebron, 1 village nr. Ramallah, Qalqilya and Tulkarm at night. Unknown assailants throw a petrol bomb at a Jewish settler’s car nr. Nablus, causing no injuries. (MNA 10/20; PCHR 10/24)

Hamas’s armed wing Izzeddin al-Qassam Brigades claims direct responsibility for digging the tunnel under the Gaza-Israel border recently exposed by the IDF. Meanwhile, Israeli authorities open Kerem Shalom border crossing for truckloads of imports including commercial commodities and limited amounts of fuel and gas for domestic use. Construction material is not part of the consignment. (MNA, REU 10/20)

Journalists demonstrate in Ramallah to demand the reopening of the Gaza Strip offices of Ma’an News Agency and Al-Arabiya, which have been shut since the summer. Meanwhile, the PA Public Workers’ Union announces a general strike to begin on Wednesday in all govt. offices in the West Bank, due to an industrial dispute about rising living costs requiring a commensurate increase in wages. (MNA 10/12)

Gunmen shoot dead 3 people including a child outside a Coptic church in Cairo, opening fire on congregation mbrs. as they leave the church. In the Sinai, gunmen attack Egyptian security forces nr. Shaykh Zuweid in the Sinai, injuring 3. Meanwhile, some 3,000 student supporters of ousted pres. Morsi protest in Al-Azhar University, with security forces using tear gas to disperse demonstrators and arresting 11. (AFP, AP, MNA, REU 10/20)

In the Gaza Strip, IDF troops open fire on Palestinian fishermen in 2 separate incidents nr. Dayr al-Balah and Bayt Lahiya, causing no damage or injuries in either case. In the West Bank, the IDF conducts house searches and arrest raids in 1 village nr. Hebron in the afternoon, and in Tulkram r.c. and 2 villages nr. Tulkarm, and 1 village each nr. Hebron and Ramallah at night; patrols in 2 villages each nr. Hebron and Ramallah at night. Meanwhile, the IDF announces the discovery of a so-called “terror tunnel” running from inside the Gaza Strip under the border fence into Israel, which it claims was established by Hamas. Following the announcement, Israel freezes the entry of construction materials into the Gaza Strip. (AFP, MNA 10/13; PCHR 10/24)

In the Gaza Strip, IDF troops conduct 2 separate limited incursions nr. Khan Yunis and Dayr al-Balah, in both cases leveling land along the border fence before withdrawing. In the West Bank, the IDF conducts house searches and arrest raids in 1 village nr. Ramallah and Hebron at night; patrols in 1 village nr. Ramallah in the morning, Hebron and 1 nearby village in the afternoon, and in Hebron and 3 nearby villages and 1 village each nr. Jenin and Ramallah at night. In Jerusalem, Israeli security forces clash with Palestinians, wounding around 40 with rubber-coated metal bullets and stun grenades. (MNA 9/24; PCHR 9/26)

Both U.S. Pres. Obama and Iranian pres. Hassan Ruhani address the UNGA in New York. The 2 men struck optimistic notes but also gave no idea of any specific concessions necessary to secure a breakthrough in the impasse over Tehran’s nuclear program. However, there is no direct meeting or handshake between the 2 leaders. Ruhani says he is prepared to engage in “time-bound and results-oriented” nuclear talks, in a talk boycotted by Israeli officials. Israeli PM Netanyahu says that Ruhani’s gestures toward the West are a deceptive “smoke screen,” in remarks broadcast on Israeli television. (AP, HA, REU, YA 9/24)

An unnamed U.S. State Dept. official says that Kerry and Lavrov worked in a “constructive spirit” on a draft res. about Syria’s chemical arms but that more work is needed. A sticking point remains whether, and how, the proposed UNSC res. will hold Syria accountable should it fail to comply. (AP, REU 9/24)

Palestinians in the Gaza Strip fire a rocket intended to hit s. Israel, but the projectile lands in an open area inside the Palestinian territory, causing no damage or injuries. Sirens were sounded in Ashkelon and surrounding areas. In response, Israeli authorities close the Kerem Shalom border crossing. In the Gaza Strip, the IDF opens fire on Palestinian farmers in 2 separate incidents nr. Khan Yunis and Dayr al-Balah, causing no injuries. IDF troops also open fire on fishermen nr. Khan Yunis, causing no damage or injuries. In the West Bank, the IDF conducts house searches and patrol arrest raids in 2 villages nr. Hebron, 1 village nr. Bethlehem, and Balata r.c. nr. Nablus at night; patrols in al-Fawar r.c. nr. Hebron at night. (JP, MNA, YA 6/19; PCHR 6/20)

Off the coast of the Gaza Strip, Israeli naval vessels open fire on Palestinian fishermen nr. Dayr al-Balah, causing no damage or injuries. In the West Bank, the IDF conducts house searches and arrest raids in 3 villages nr. Jenin and al-‘Arub r.c. nr. Hebron at night; patrols in 2 villages nr. Jenin in the morning, and in 2 villages nr. Tulkarm, 1 village nr. Jenin, and 1 village and al-‘Arub r.c. nr. Hebron, at night. In Abu Ghosh village west of Jerusalem, dozens of cars are vandalized with racist graffiti. (HA 6/18; PCHR 6/20)

The G8 ends a 2-day summit in Northern Ireland with a declaration that backs peace talks in Geneva, which it says should aim to create a transitional coalition govt. for Syria. However, the G8 does not agree on a clear statement regarding the future of Syrian pres. Bashar al-Asad. (AP, REU 6/18)

In the Gaza Strip, IDF troops operating from a watchtower on the border fence nr. Dayr al-Balah open fire on a Palestinian farmer, injuring him. In the West Bank, the IDF conducts house searches and arrest raids in 1 village nr. Hebron in the afternoon; patrols in 3 villages nr. Ramallah, 1 village nr. Jericho, and 1 village nr. Qalqilya in the morning, in 1 village nr. Jericho and 3 villages and al-Fawar r.c. nr. Hebron in the afternoon, and in 2 villages nr. Ramallah and 1 village nr. Qalqilya at night. Israeli soldiers also attack regular demonstrations by Palestinians, Israelis, and international activists against Israel’s separation wall, settlements, and the occupation in 3 villages nr. Ramallah (Bil‘in, Ni‘lin, Nabi Salih), 1 village nr. Qalqilya (Kafr Qaddum) and 1 village nr. Bethlehem (al-Ma‘sara), causing no serious injuries except in Bil‘in, with 1 injury from a tear gas canister and 1 from a rubber-coated metal bullet. (MNA 6/14; PCHR 6/20)

Israeli DM Moshe Ya’alon declares that U.S. Secy. of State John Kerry’s effort to restart peace talks has failed and that the Arab League proposal is just spin. Ya’alon’s remarks are made in an address to the Washington Institute for Near East Policy in Washington, ahead of a meeting with U.S. Defense Secy. Chuck Hagel. His remarks are criticized by Israel’s Science and Technology Minister Jacob Perry as not conducive to resuming negotiations. (HA, JTA 6/14)

Norway’s Dep. DM confirms that UN Secy.-Gen. Ban Ki-moon has asked Sweden, Norway, Finland, and Denmark to contribute soldiers to the UNDOF in the Golan Heights, following Austria’s withdrawal. Meanwhile, U.S. Amb. to the UN Susan Rice says that the Obama administration has determined that sarin gas was used on 3/19 in an attack by the Syrian army in Aleppo and that unidentified chemical weapons were also used on 5/14 and 5/23. Separately, Hizballah leader Hasan Nasrallah declares in a televised speech that his group will continue to fight alongside Syrian pres. Asad and that the decision to intervene had been a calculated one. (AP, DS, HA, REU 6/14)

In the Gaza Strip, IDF troops conduct a limited incursion nr. Dayr al-Balah, levelling land alongside the border fence. In the West Bank, the IDF conducts house searches and arrest raids in 4 villages nr. Hebron, 1 village nr. Ramallah and in Bethlehem at night; patrols in 1 village nr. Hebron in the morning and in 2 villages nr. Hebron at night. During a patrol in al-Fara‘a r.c. nr. Tubas at night, IDF troops clash with stone-throwing youths and wound 5 with rubber-coated metal bullets. In East Jerusalem, Israeli authorities issue expulsion orders for 8 Palestinian families totalling 53 people in Bayt Hanina. (MNA, WAFA 6/11; PCHR 6/13)

PA Dep. PM Mohammad Mustafa tells a news conference in Ramallah that the PA’s debts total $4.2 billion, with those owed money including local banks and the Palestinian Pension Fund. (JP, MNA 6/11)

Austria begins withdrawing its peacekeepers from the Golan Heights-based UNDOF, with an initial group of some 60 to 80 soldiers departing. (AFP, REU 6/11)

The U.S. Treasury imposes an asset freeze under U.S. jurisdiction on 4 individuals based in West Africa it accuses of fundraising for Hizballah. Meanwhile, rockets fired from the Syrian side of the border wound 4 people in the Lebanese town of Hermel. (DS, NYT 6/11)

Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu says that Israel will only accept a peace agreement with the Palestinians ‘‘that will prevent Israel from becoming a binational state, but will provide stability and security.’’ Meanwhile, Palestinian FM Riyad al-Maliki confirms that the PA has promised the U.S. that it will freeze efforts to join United Nations agencies or turn to the International Criminal Court as a ‘‘gesture’’ for the peace process. (HA, JP 5/1)

The IDF makes a brief incursion into southern Gaza to level land and clear lines of site along the border fence nr. Khan Yunis. Israeli naval vessels twice open fire on Palestinian fishermen off the Gaza coast, once nr. Rafah and once nr. Dayr al-Balah, causing no damage or injuries. In the West Bank, the IDF patrols in Hebron in the morning, and in 1 village nr. Hebron in the afternoon. At night, IDF troops conduct house searches and arrest raids in 3 villages nr. Hebron, 1 village nr. Jericho, and 1 village nr. Salfit. (MNA 5/1; PCHR 5/2)

Hamas reports that PA security forces have arrested 5 Hamas members in Hebron, Ramallah and Qalqilya. (MNA 5/1)

U.S. Secy. of State John Kerry welcomes the Arab League’s expression of support for reviving peace talks made the previous day, describing it as a ‘‘very big step forward.’’ An Israeli official welcomes the development, but says that the framework will not be a starting point for talks. Justice Minister Tzipi Livni says that the Arab League proposal represents encouragement for the Palestinians that they have regional support for a negotiated agreement. PLO Chief Negotiator Saeb Erekat says that the Arab League’s support for land swaps is nothing new. Meanwhile, Israel’s Construction and Housing Minister Uri Ariel says that his party, Bayit Yehudi, will not back a 2013 budget that does not include full funding for West Bank settlement construction projects. (NYT 4/29; MNA, JP 4/30)

In the Gaza Strip, the IDF makes an air strike nr. Rafah assassinating Hitham al-Mishal, whom Israel accuses of being a Salafist militant responsible for arms manufacturing. In response, Hamas urges Egypt to ensure that Israel stays committed to the truce deal signed at the end of Operation Pillar of Defense in 11/2012 (see QU 167). Israeli naval vessels open fire on Palestinian fishermen twice, once off the central Gaza coast nr. Dayr al-Balah and once off the south Gaza coast nr. Rafah, in the latter case causing damage and 1 injury. IDF forces also make a brief incursion into central Gaza nr. Juhr al-Dikto level land and clear lines of sight along the border fence. In the West Bank, a Palestinian fatally stabs a Jewish settler from Yitzhar at a Tapuach junction bus stop. In retaliation, Jewish settlers riot and attack Palestinians across the West Bank, including blocking roads and throwing stones at passing vehicles. Overall, the Palestinian civil defense report 57 fires across the West Bank caused by settlers, with damage to hundreds of olive and almond trees. In the most serious incident, Jewish settlers from Yitzhar settlement attack a mosque in Urif village and try to set it on fire; and stone a bus carrying Palestinian schoolchildren, injuring 2. The attack on Urif sparks clashes between IDF forces and Palestinians, leaving 4 Palestinians injured. Meanwhile, the IDF patrols in Hebron and 2 villages nr. Ramallah in the morning; conducts house searches and arrest raids in Tulkarm in the afternoon, and in Bethlehem and Tulkarm at night. (HA, MNA 4/30; MNA 5/1; PCHR 5/2)

UNRWA estimates that 235,000 Palestinian refugees have been displaced inside Syria during the ongoing civil war. (AP, WAFA 4/30)

A Palestinian man dies of wounds sustained when IDF forces shot him in the head with a rubber-coated metal bullet on 2/22 in Abud village during protests in solidarity with prisoners in Israeli jails. IDF forces violently disperse Palestinians holding a sit-in outside Ofer prison nr. Ramallah to demand the release of hunger-striking Palestinian administrative detainees being held by Israel without charge. In the West Bank, the IDF patrols in 1 village nr. Salfit in the morning; 1 al-Fawar r.c. and 1 village nr. Hebron, 2 villages nr. Jenin, and 1 village nr. Salfit in the afternoon; and in 2 villages nr. Jenin at night. IDF soldiers also conduct house searches and arrest raids in 1 village nr. Salfit in the afternoon and in 1 village nr. Bethlehem at night. Meanwhile, IDF forces hand out 26 demolition orders, including for 10 homes, in Khallet Athaba, a village nr. Yatta in the southern West Bank. In the Gaza Strip, the IDF conducts an incursion nr. Dayr al-Balah, levelling land along the border fence. (MNA 3/7; PCHR 3/14)