The Palestine Chronology

Along Gaza’s border, Israeli forces conduct a limited incursion to level land nr. al-Bureij r.c. Meanwhile, the Israeli authorities temporarily limit the number of trucks permitted to pass through the Kerem Shalom crossing bearing goods for Gaza. Around 70 trucks are denied access. In the West Bank, IDF troops conduct raids in al-Khadir nr. Bethlehem and Jayyus nr. Qalqilya, sparking minor clashes with stonethrowing Palestinians in both. IDF troops also arrest 3 Palestinians during raids in Tubas and nr. Tulkarm and Nablus; and patrol during the day nr. Hebron. Israeli forces bulldoze an agricultural road nr. Nablus, then block the road with a sand barrier. Unidentified vandals scrawl swastikas and the words “Death to Jews” on an IDF outpost nr. Hebron late at night. In response, the IDF suspends the Palestinian olive harvest in the area indefinitely. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces conduct raids in Shu‘fat r.c., sparking clashes with stonethrowing residents; at least 12 Palestinians are injured. They arrest 3 Palestinians during further raids in Sur al-Bahir. (MNA, WAFA 10/27; HA 10/30; PCHR 11/3)

PA pres. Abbas meets with Hamas leader Khalid Mishal and his dep. Ismail Haniyeh in Doha. They discuss steps they could take toward Palestinian national reconciliation. Senior Palestinian officials say the meeting is the start of a new reconciliation process, but they add that Abbas and Mishal did not agree on the aims of the new process. (HA, NYT, TOI, YA 10/27; MNA 10/30)

The IDF continues targeting Yatta in the aftermath of the 6/8 killings in Tel Aviv, raiding homes in the village late at night and taking new photographs and measurements of 1 of the attackers’ homes, threatening punitive demolition. Elsewhere in the West Bank, IDF troops arrest 5 Palestinians during raids nr. Hebron, Tulkarm, Salfit, and Ramallah; and patrol nr. Ramallah and Salfit. An IDF jeep rams and injures a Palestinian youth nr. Qalqilya. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces arrest 2 Palestinians during late-night raids in al-‘Izzariya. Along Gaza’s border, IDF troops open fire on Palestinian farmers working nr. Khan Yunis. Off the coast, Israeli naval forces open fire on Palestinian fishing boats nr. Rafah. There are no injuries in either incident. Meanwhile, a Palestinian is injured when he accidentally detonates a piece of unexploded Israeli ordnance in Gaza City. (MNA, WAFA 6/18; PCHR 6/23)

Palestinian national reconciliation talks in Doha break down halfway through their last scheduled day. Hamas spokesperson Sami Abu Zuhri says that Fatah officials reneged on agreements made in previous rounds of negotiations and that Fatah withdrew during the 2d session of talks today. A Fatah spokesperson says that Hamas is “not ready yet for national unity and political partnership.” (MNA 6/18)

In the West Bank, IDF troops conduct latenight raids in Yatta. They take photographs and measurements of 1 of the attackers’ homes, threatening punitive demolition and sparking clashes with stone-throwing Palestinian youths (there are no serious injuries). IDF troops also conduct early-morning raids nr. Bethlehem and Ramallah, arresting 2 Palestinians, confiscating 5 vehicles, and sparking further clashes with stone-throwing residents (2 Palestinians are injured). They arrest 3 more Palestinians during raids nr. Qalqilya and Hebron; and conduct patrols nr. Hebron throughout the day. In East Jerusalem, Israeli police block off a road in Jabal Mukabir after unidentified assailants throw a Molotov cocktail at a home in the area, causing minor damage. (MNA, PNN, WAFA 6/16; MNA, YA 6/17; PCHR 6/23)

Hamas and Fatah officials meet for a 2d day of Palestinian national reconciliation talks in Doha, which will continue through 6/18. (WAFA 6/16)

Off Gaza’s coast, Israeli naval forces open fire on 4 Palestinian fishing boats nr. Gaza City; they arrest 10 fishermen and confiscate 2 of their boats. Along Gaza’s border, Israeli forces conduct a limited incursion to level land nr. Rafah. In the West Bank, PA Security Forces (PASF) clash with unidentified gunmen in Kafr ‘Aqab village and Qalandia r.c. nr. Jerusalem, injuring 1 Palestinian youth in the crossfire. Meanwhile, Israeli forces close the entrances to Yatta with dirt mounds and rocks, further cracking down on the Hebron-area village in the wake of the 6/8 attack in Tel Aviv. IDF troops conduct late-night raids and house searches in Yatta, and in and around Jericho, and Salfit, arresting 8 Palestinians; and patrol nr. Hebron, Nablus, and Jenin throughout the day. (MNA, WAFA 6/15; PCHR 6/16; PHCR 6/23)

Fatah and Hamas officials resume Palestinian national reconciliation talks in Doha. This is the 3d round of talks in the latest push for reconciliation. The talks are set to continue through 6/18. (MNA 6/15; IMEMC 6/17)

The Jerusalem Municipality permits the construction of a 4-story residential building for Israeli settlers in Silwan. The municipality also pledges to “continue to build in all neighborhoods of the city.” (HA, JP, MNA, TOI 6/15)

Israel’s Knesset passes, 57–16, a so-called anti-terrorism law granting the state broad new powers to prosecute suspected “terrorism” cases. The Joint List decries the new law as “draconian,” echoing the views of Palestinian citizens of Israel and opponents of the right-wing govt. (HA, JP, MNA, YA 6/15)

In the West Bank, Israeli authorities reopen a road in e. Hebron 5 mos. after sealing it behind earth mounds. Israeli forces confiscate 4 water tanks and 2 cars, and demolish 16 residential tents and 15 livestock barracks in a village nr. Nablus, displacing 117 Palestinians. IDF troops conduct raids and house searches nr. Jenin, Ramallah, and Hebron, arresting 5 Palestinians; patrol nr. Hebron. Israeli settlers uproot trees and level land nr. Ramallah, sparking minor clashes with Palestinians in the area; there are no injuries. Along Gaza’s border, Israeli forces conduct a limited incursion to level land nr. al-Bureij r.c., arrest a Palestinian attempting to cross into Israel for work nr. Jabaliya r.c., and open fire on Palestinian picnickers nearby, causing no injuries or damage. Off Gaza’s coast, Israeli naval forces detain 2 Palestinian fishermen nr. Khan Yunis. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces arrest 2 Palestinians during raids in the Old City. (MNA, WAFA 4/7; MNA 4/8; PCHR 4/14)

Western diplomats and senior Palestinian officials say that the Palestinian leadership informally circulated a draft res. to UNSC mbrs. this week condemning Israel’s settlements and calling for a 1-year time frame on a 2-state solution. They say PA pres. Abbas hopes to have it brought for a vote while he is in New York for a climate conference at the end of 4/2016 (he is set to arrive on 4/22). (HA, TOI 4/7; HA, JP, MNA, TOI, YA 4/8; TOI 4/10)

In Gaza City, senior Hamas and Fatah officials meet for national reconciliation talks, continuing the process begun in Doha on 3/26–27. There are no major announcements of progress. (MNA 4/8)

Israeli and Turkish officials meet in London for another round of reconciliation talks. Turkey’s FM will say, on 4/8, that progress was made today and that an agreement is due “very soon.” The Israeli govt. does not comment. (HA, JP, TOI, YA 4/8; ECO 4/12)

An Islamic Jihad fighter in Gaza succumbs to injuries sustained while fighting the IDF in 2006. Meanwhile, dozens of Gazans gather in front of UNRWA’s offices in Rafah to protest a perceived lack of support. In s. Israel, Israeli police raid a slaughterhouse in a village nr. Beersheba, arresting more than 100 Palestinians from the West Bank working without proper permits. In the West Bank, Israeli forces deliver a stop-work order to a workshop under construction nr. Hebron. IDF troops conduct late-night house searches and raids in and around Ramallah, Qalqilya, Hebron, Nablus, and Jenin, arresting 19 Palestinians and issuing arrest summons to 2; patrol nr. Hebron, Salfit, and Ramallah. (MNA, WAFA 3/28; PCHR 3/31)

Israeli PM Netanyahu instructs Defense Minister (DM) Moshe Ya’alon to stop returning to the PA or their families bodies of Palestinians killed after committing serious crimes against Israelis. Sources in Netanyahu’s office refuse to comment on his motivation. (ALM, JP 3/28; HA, TOI 3/29)

A senior Fatah official reported on the Hamas and Fatah national reconciliation efforts following 2 days of talks in Doha on 3/26–27. He says they agreed to form a national unity govt. comprising Hamas, Fatah, and other factions, and to hold legislative and presidential elections within 6 mos. In addition, they agreed that a new unity govt. would work according to the Palestine Liberation Organization’s (PLO) guidelines (i.e., pursuing a 2-state solution by way of negotiations). Other reports say that the talks produced only 1 agreement: to not discuss the talks with the media. (TOI 3/28; JP 3/29)

Along Gaza’s border, IDF troops open fire on Palestinian farmers and shepherds working nr. Rafah, causing no injuries. In the West Bank, IDF troops conduct house searches and arrest raids in and around Qalqilya, Hebron, Jenin, Nablus, Ramallah, and Bethlehem, arresting 8 Palestinians and issuing arrest summons to 2; patrols in 3 villages nr. Hebron. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces arrest 2 Palestinians on late-night raids in Bayt Duqqu. (WAFA 3/27; PCHR 3/31)

Hamas and Fatah officials meet in Doha for the 2d of 2 planned days of Palestinian national reconciliation talks. (MNA 3/27)

At midnight, the Israeli authorities lift the Purim-related closure of the West Bank. Meanwhile, IDF troops conduct late-night raids in Dahaysha r.c. nr. Bethlehem and Qalqilya, sparking clashes with stone-throwing Palestinians in both locales; 4 Palestinians are injured and 2 are arrested. They also raid the Hebron-area home of a Palestinian killed in Hebron on 3/24; 2 Palestinians are arrested. The IDF conducts further raids and house searches in Hebron and nr. Tulkarm and Bethlehem, arresting 5 Palestinians, violently disperses Palestinians demonstrating in Kafr Qaddum nr. Qalqilya, causing no injuries; and patrols nr. Salfit, Tulkarm, and Hebron. Along Gaza’s border, IDF troops open fire on Palestinian farmers and shepherds working nr. Gaza City, causing no injuries. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces arrest 2 Palestinians during raids in Silwan and Hizma. (MNA 3/26; MNA, WAFA 3/27; PCHR 3/31)

Fatah and Hamas officials meet in Doha for the 1st of 2 days of Palestinian national reconciliation talks. (MNA 3/27)

In Gaza, a Palestinian worker dies in a tunnel leading to Egypt in unclear circumstances. Residents of the area say he was repairing a section of the tunnel that had been damaged by Egyptian forces when it collapsed. In Israel, an unidentified assailant stabs and injures an Israeli Jewish youth in Ramla, then flees the scene. The Israeli police later arrest a Palestinian in connection with the attack. In the West Bank, Israeli forces issue 11 stop-work notices to homes and agricultural structures under construction nr. Salfit and Hebron. IDF troops conduct house searches and raids in Qalqilya, Tulkarm and 1 nearby village, Hebron and 1 nearby village, 2 villages nr. Ramallah, and 1 each nr. Tubas and Bethlehem, arresting 17 Palestinians; patrol in 5 villages nr. Hebron and 4 nr. Ramallah. (HA, MNA, TOI, YA 2/8; PCHR 2/11)

On the 2d day of Palestinian national reconciliation talks in Doha, Hamas and Fatah officials reach a tentative agreement. They pledge to form a new unity govt., prepare for a new round of presidential and parliamentary elections, and reaffirm their commitments to previous agreements. They also agree that PASF troops will take control of the Rafah border crossing in Gaza, with Hamas staff supporting them. (TOI 2/9)

The Israeli Knesset’s Ethics Comm. suspends MKs Haneen Zoabi, Basel Ghattas, and Jamal Zahalka (Joint List) from plenary sessions and comm. hearings for periods of 2 and 4 mos. in connection with their 2/2 solidarity visit to the family of a Palestinian whose body is being withheld by Israeli authorities. (HA, JP, MNA, TOI 2/8; NYT 2/9; EI 2/10)

The Knesset passes, 50–43, the 1st reading of Justice Minister Ayelet Shaked’s “NGO transparency bill,” which would require Israeli nonprofit organizations that receive funding from foreign govts. to disclose that information in a variety of ways. (JP 2/8; HA, MNA 2/9)

In Israel, a suspected Palestinian stabs and injures a Jewish Israeli in Rahat nr. Beersheba, then flees the scene. Later in Ashqelon, Israeli forces shoot and kill a Sudanese national after he allegedly stabs and injures an Israeli soldier. Meanwhile in the West Bank, IDF troops confiscate the work permits of a number of Palestinians trying to cross into Israel nr. Jenin (a PLO spokesperson says 10 permits have been revoked so far, and that the Israelis decided to do so hours after lifting the closure of nearby Qabatiya on 2/6). IDF troops conduct raids and house searches in 1 village and Tulkarm r.c. nr. Tulkarm, 1 village each nr. Nablus and Jenin, and 2 nr. Salfit, as well as Aida r.c. and 1 village nr. Bethlehem, arresting 13 Palestinians and issuing an arrest summons to 1; patrol in 4 villages and al-‘Arub r.c. nr. Hebron. (MNA, WAFA, YA 2/7; PCHR 2/11)

 On the 75th day of his hunger strike, Palestinian prisoner al-Qiq rejects an Israeli military court offer to be released on 5/1, demanding an immediate end to his administrative detention and treatment in a Palestinian medical facility upon release. (MNA 2/7; SAM 2/8)

Hamas and Fatah officials meet in Doha to start a new round of mediated talks on Palestinian national reconciliation. They discuss the possible formation of a new unity PA govt., elections, and the civil servants Hamas has hired in Gaza since 2007, who have not been paid a full salary since the current PA consensus govt. was sworn in on 6/2/2014. (XIN 2/6; AnA, JP, MEMO, TOI 2/7)