The Palestine Chronology

Israeli police arrest 3 Palestinians suspected of starting a large fire near the Dead Sea overnight. The fire reportedly damaged 500 dunams (approximately 123.5 acres) of vegetation. Elsewhere in the West Bank, IDF troops surround Khan al-Ahmar, the Bedouin village slated for evacuation and demolition. They also arrest 1 Palestinian and issue 1 arrest summons during raids near Bethlehem; and patrol near Hebron. Along Gaza’s border, 2 Palestinian minors cross through the border fence into Israel and steal 3 cameras and a box of live ammunition from an IDF post before returning to Gaza. In response, IDF troops stationed along the border fence open fire on 2 Hamas observation posts in the area, causing damage. Off Gaza’s coast, Israeli naval forces open fire on Palestinian fishing boats near Jabaliya refugee camp, causing no damage or injuries. (HA, MNA, MNA, YA 9/11; MNA 9/12; PCHR 9/13)

Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu says that the U.S. made the “right decision” to shutter the PLO office in Washington. “Israel supports American actions that are meant to clarify to the Palestinians that a refusal to negotiate and attempts to attack Israel at international forums will not promote peace.” The U.S. State Department announced the move on 9/10. Meanwhile, Israel’s Channel 10 reports that the PA is considering cutting all remaining ties with the Trump administration following the office closure. (HA, TOI 9/11)

Off Gaza’s coast, Israeli naval forces open fire on a small fleet of Palestinian boats sailing in a symbolic attempt to break the Israeli blockade. Meanwhile, thousands of Palestinians gather along Gaza’s border fence near Jabaliya refugee camp to cheer on the boats and continue the Great March of Return; 49 Palestinians are injured at sea and along the border fence. In the West Bank, Israeli settlers uproot 15 olive trees in a Palestinian grove outside Yatta village near Hebron. IDF troops conduct a raid at an elementary school in Hebron, disrupting classes and assaulting and injuring 1 Palestinian teacher. They also arrest 3 Palestinians and confiscate 1 vehicle during raids in Hebron and near Ramallah; and patrol near Hebron. (HA, MNA, TOI, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 9/10; PCHR 9/13)

The U.S. State Department announces that the PLO is no longer allowed to operate an office in Washington because the Palestinians “have not taken steps to advance the start of direct and meaningful negotiations with Israel.” In the same statement, the State Department also denounces the PLO for criticizing a “peace plan they have not yet seen” and refusing to engage with the Trump administration’s peace initiative. The decision to shutter the office was “also consistent with [Trump administration] and Congressional concerns with Palestinian attempts to prompt an investigation of Israel by the International Criminal Court,” according to the statement. Separately, U.S. National Security Advisor John Bolton says that the U.S. plans to shield Israel from any ICC effort to investigate alleged Israeli war crimes and settlement growth (the ICC has been working on a preliminary examination of such allegations since 1/2015). (HA, HA, JP, JP, MNA, TOI, TOI, WSJ, YA 9/10)

PA prime minister Rami Hamdallah announces that the PA plans to cover the budget deficit facing Palestinian hospitals in East Jerusalem, following the U.S. decision on 9/8 to redirect $25 million in U.S. aid to “other priorities.” “We will continue to meet the basic and urgent needs of our people on every inch of our land,” he says. (MNA, WAFA 9/10)

The PA’s Committee Against the Wall and Settlements announces plans to appeal the Israeli High Court of Justice’s 9/5 decision to authorize the demolition of Khan al-Ahmar, a Bedouin village in the West Bank, at international courts. “[We] will not appeal this decision at Israeli courts anymore because they are a tool of the occupation to legalize theft of Palestinian land,” explains one senior committee member. (MNA, WAFA 9/10)

The Egyptian army demolishes a tunnel leading from the Sinai Peninsula into Gaza, trapping 8 Palestinian workers, according to eyewitnesses in Rafah. Later, the Egyptian army announces that its troops killed 3 alleged terrorists and destroyed a number of tunnels along the border in recent days. Also along Gaza’s border fence, Israeli forces violently disperse hundreds of Palestinians gathering along the fence near Gaza City to continue the Great March of Return; 18 Palestinians are injured, including 3 journalists. They also conduct a limited incursion to level land along the border fence near Gaza City. On Israel’s side of the border fence, firefighters quell 6 fires allegedly sparked by incendiary kites and balloons flown from Gaza. Off Gaza’s coast, Israeli naval forces open fire on Palestinian fishing boats near Gaza City and Bayt Lahiya, causing no damage or injuries. In the West Bank, IDF troops arrest 3 Palestinians during late-night raids near Qalqilya, Tulkarm, and Jenin; and patrol near Hebron and Tulkarm. (AFP, HA, MNA, TOI, WAFA 7/3; PCHR 7/5)

PLO secretary-general Erakat says that the Palestinians are considering a reduction in their political, economic, and security relations with Israel in response to the new Israeli law allowing for deductions to the monthly transfers of tax revenues to the PA. Separately, PA officials say they have no plans to end the stipends to Palestinians imprisoned in Israel in connection with serious crimes against Israelis. (JP, WAFA 7/3)

The IDF declares Khan al-Ahmar, a Bedouin village near Jerusalem, a closed military zone ahead of planned evacuations and demolitions. Israel’s High Court of Justice approved the government’s plan to demolish the village on 5/24. (EI, WAFA 7/3)

Israeli PM Netanyahu lifts his ban on Israeli MKs and ministers visiting Haram al-Sharif. He temporarily lifted the ban in early 2017 after imposing it amid the habba, which was a surge of Palestinian resistance, random attacks, and protests that began in Jerusalem in 9/2015. (AJ, JP, TOI 7/3)