The Palestine Chronology

Protests continue across the oPt as IDF troops violently clash with Palestinians protesting and throwing stones along Gaza’s border e. of al-Bureij r.c. and at Palestine Technical University in Tulkarm; 11 Palestinians are injured. IDF troops shoot and injure a Palestinian in Hebron after she allegedly attempts to stab them. The IDF conducts raids and house searches in 1 village each nr. Jenin, Ramallah, and Qalqilya, 3 areas nr. Hebron, as well as Tulkarm and 1 nearby village, arresting 9 Palestinians, issuing an arrest summons to 1, and confiscating personal property; patrol in 1 village each nr. Ramallah and Qalqilya, and 6 villages nr. Hebron. Off Gaza’s coast, Israeli naval forces open fire on Palestinian fishing boats nr. Jabaliya r.c., causing no damage or injuries. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces begin installing steel columns and other security infrastructure at the city’s bus stations, implementing Israeli PM Netanyahu’s 12/14 order; arrest 4 Palestinians on late-night raids in Jabal Mukabir. (MNA, TOI 12/20; MNA, TOI, YA 12/21; PCHR 12/31)

In Syria, senior Hezbollah officer Samir Kuntar and several Syrian civilians are killed in an air strike outside Damascus. Hezbollah and both Lebanese and Syrian media say that Israel is responsible. The Israeli govt. does not confirm its involvement. Later, unknown persons fire 3 rockets from s. Lebanon into open areas in the Galilee, causing no injuries or damage. The IDF launches retaliatory artillery fire toward the source of the rockets. (DS, HA, JP, MNA, NYT, TOI, YA 12/20; CNN 12/21)

IDF troops on the Gaza border e. of Jabaliya open fire on agricultural areas nr. the border fence, causing no damage or injuries. Off the coast nr. Rafah, Israeli naval forces open fire on Palestinian fishing boats, causing no damage. In the West Bank, Israeli authorities order the demolition of an electricity grid nr. Nablus. Israeli forces deliver demolition orders to a Palestinian agricultural structure and 3 homes nr. Bethlehem; block off all entrances to a nearby village. IDF troops confront a group of 4 Palestinians nr. Nablus, assaulting them and arresting 1. The IDF conducts late-night raids and house searches in Tulkarm, Hebron, 1 village each nr. Nablus and Tubas, and 2 nr. Bethlehem, arresting 10 Palestinians and issuing an arrest summons to 1; patrols in 2 villages nr. Jenin and 1 each nr. Qalqilya and Ramallah. Meanwhile, thousands of Palestinians march through the streets of Ramallah commemorating the 67th anniversary of the Nakba. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces conduct house searches and raids in al-Ram, arresting 1 Palestinian. (MNA, WAFA 5/13; PCHR 5/14; PCHR 5/21)

ICC prosecutor Bensouda says that she has not been provided any official information from either the Palestinians or Israel relating to Israel’s assault on the Gaza Strip in 7–8/2014, and that, unless that changes, her decision to launch a full investigation will be based on publicly available materials. (AP, JP 5/13)

Israeli PM Netanyahu’s new govt. presents a document to the Knesset outlining the basic principles binding its ruling coalition. In language similar to that used for the 2009 and 2013 govts., it says that the govt. will work toward a peace agreement with the Palestinians, but it does not specify a 2-state solution. It also notes that “if an agreement of this kind is reached [with the Palestinians], it will be brought for the approval of the cabinet and Knesset, and if necessary, a national referendum as well.” (AFP, HA 5/13)

In an interview published today, U.S. Pres. Obama says that the U.S. is “taking a hard look” at its positions regarding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, and that the Palestinians “deserve an end to the occupation and the daily indignities that come with it.” Obama is hosting several leaders of the GCC countries at a summit in Washington today to discuss regional issues. (AWS, HA, REU 5/13)

The head of the Palestinian Power and Natural Resources Authority Omar Kittanah announces that the PA cabinet has approved an initiative to connect the electricity grid in the West Bank to Jordan. The PA will begin looking for funding for the project, which is estimated to cost $100 m. It is part of a regional, 3-year initiative to connect the grids of Turkey, Lebanon, Syria, Iraq, Libya, Egypt, Jordan, and the oPt. (MNA 5/13)

The Vatican announces that it has concluded a treaty that will recognize the state of Palestine. (AP, NYT 5/13)