The Palestine Chronology

Off the coast of Gaza nr. Gaza City, Israeli naval forces open fire on Palestinian fishing boats, causing neither damage nor injuries. In the West Bank, the IDF issues an arrest summons to a Palestinian on a late-night raid in Dahaysha r.c. nr. Bethlehem, sparking light clashes with stone-throwing Palestinian youths. IDF troops also conduct late-night raids and house searches in and around Hebron, al-Fawar r.c., and Bethlehem, arresting 8 Palestinians; patrols during the day in 1 village and al-‘Arub r.c. nr. Hebron, 2 villages nr. Ramallah, and ‘Aqabat Jabir r.c. nr. Jericho. Israeli settlers set fire to dozens of olive trees outside Bethlehem. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces raid a Palestinian clothing store in Shu‘fat r.c., sparking clashes with stone-throwing Palestinian youths; 2 Palestinians are injured (1 of them will lose an eye after being struck by a sponge-tipped bullet). Israeli forces arrest 6 Palestinians on late-night raids in the Old City, Qalandia r.c., and Issawiyya. (MNA, WAFA 7/12; HA, MNA, TOI 7/13; MNA 7/14; PCHR 7/15)

A senior Hamas official tells a Russian media outlet that former Quartet envoy Blair is mediating talks between Israel and Hamas over the 2 Israeli civilians who are allegedly being held in Gaza. Blair reportedly met with Hamas leader Mishal in Doha 3 times, both before and after Blair resigned as Middle East Quartet envoy on 5/27, to discuss the issue. On 7/16, a senior Palestinian source will confirm that these talks took place. (TOI, YA 7/12)

PA pres. Abbas forms a national comm. to investigate alleged Israeli war crimes committed in Gaza during OPE. He appoints Farid al-Jallad to head the comm., which will begin its work after ‘Id al-Fitr concludes on 7/20. (JP 7/12; MNA 7/13)

Egyptian authorities open the Rafah border crossing for passage in and out of Gaza, as the PA announced they would on 6/10. They will keep the crossing open through 6/19. IDF troops stationed nr. the inactive Sufa border crossing nr. Rafah shoot and injure a mentally handicapped Palestinian man approaching the border fence. In the West Bank, Palestinians shoot and damage Israeli cars nr. Nablus, according to the IDF. IDF troops conduct late-night raids in c. Hebron, 1 village and al-‘Arub r.c. near the city, and 1 village nr. Ramallah, arresting 3 Palestinians and issuing arrest summons to 2 others; patrol in 1 village nr. Ramallah. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces clash with Palestinians in Silwan and the Old City; no Palestinians are seriously injured. (MNA 6/10; MNA 6/13; WAFA 6/14; PCHR 6/18)

Dep. chief of Hamas’s political bureau Musa Abu Marzuq flies from Gaza to Doha, Qatar, to put “final touches” on a long-term cease-fire proposal with Hamas leader Khalid Mishal, according to Egyptian officials. (MNA 6/15; JP, YA 6/16)

In the Gaza Strip, an IQB fighter is killed nr. Rafah by gunfire; no further information is released. Off the coast nr. Gaza City, Israeli naval forces open fire on Palestinian fishing boats, causing damage. Later, 2 explosions damage several buildings in Gaza City nr. UNRWA headquarters. In the West Bank, the IDF conducts nighttime house searches and raids in 1 village each nr. Hebron and Bethlehem, arresting 2 Palestinians and issuing summons to 3; patrols in ‘Aqabat Jabir r.c. nr. Jericho. Meanwhile, the PASF conducts raids and house searches in Hebron, arresting 12 Palestinians. (MNA, TOI, WAFA 4/18; JP, TOI, WAFA, YA 4/19; PCHR 4/23)

Hamas’s parliamentary bloc Change and Reform passes the National Solidarity Tax Law, imposing a new tax on “non-basic” goods being imported into Gaza. Meats, fruits, vegetables, and clothing would all be subject to as much as a 10% tax, but medicine and flour will be exempt. The revenues collected under the new tax policy would be used to pay the salaries of the Hamas-run govt.’s civil servants. (TOI 4/21)

PA Pres. Abbas meets with Joint List head Odeh and other reps of the Israeli non-Zionist bloc. Abbas passed along an invitation to the next meeting of the Arab League in Doha, Qatar. (TOI, WAFA 4/18)