The Palestine Chronology

In Gaza, Israeli forces conduct a limited incursion e. of Jabaliya to level land. IDF troops stationed nr. Rafah arrest 3 Palestinians attempting to cross the border into Israel. Off the coast nr. Bayt Lahiya, Israeli naval forces open fire on Palestinian fishing boats, causing no damage or injuries. A small armed group, with self-proclaimed affiliations to ISIS, posts a statement online threatening to “act” against Hamas if certain prisoners are not freed within 72 hours. Hours later, a bomb explodes on the perimeter of Hamas’s security headquarters in Gaza City. The group does not take credit for the bombing, but Hamas police proceed to arrest dozens of the group’s mbrs. and destroy a makeshift mosque-headquarters in Dayr al-Balah. In the West Bank, Israeli forces set up 12 mobile homes early in the morning on 650 dunams of previously leveled land outside a Palestinian village nr. Bethlehem. Meanwhile, the IDF conducts drills in the n. Jordan Valley, causing fire damage on large tracts of agricultural land; patrols in 3 villages nr. Ramallah, 1 each nr. Nablus, Qalqilya, and Jericho. Israeli forces also conduct house searches and late-night raids in and around Nablus, Jenin, and 1 village nr. Ramallah, arresting 18 Palestinians and confiscating some of their property. A Palestinian throws a Molotov cocktail at a bus of Israeli settlers nr. Nablus, then the IDF imposes a curfew on a nearby village. In East Jerusalem, Israeli security guards shoot and injure a Palestinian man at a Light Rail station nr. the French Hill settlement, after reportedly mistaking his belt buckle for a knife. (AFP, HA, JP, MNA, TOI, WAFA, YA 5/4; AP, MNA 5/5; JP 5/7)

Israel’s High Court of Justice approves COGAT’s request to demolish a number of tents and homes in a Palestinian village nr. Hebron. Approximately 450 Palestinians will be displaced. (MNA 5/4; JP 5/5)

Israeli FM Avigdor Lieberman resigns as FM and says his Yisrael Beytenu party will not be joining the ruling coalition of PM Netanyahu’s next govt. He says that he chose “principles and not portfolios,” and that “what’s being built is not a national camp, but a govt. that smacks of opportunism.” Netanyahu’s deadline for forming a coalition is 5/6. (HA, JP, YA 5/4)

Mortar rounds fired from inside Syria hit a UN Disengagement Observer Force base in the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights, injuring 2 international peacekeepers. The IDF says that the fire was not deliberately aimed across the Israeli border. (AFP, REU, TOI 5/4)

In Gaza, IDF troops on the s. Gaza border e. of al-Qarara exchange cross-border fire with armed Palestinians, causing no reported injuries; Israeli naval vessels then shell the area, injuring 3 armed Palestinians, damaging a mosque. IDF troops in observation towers on the Gaza border e. of Jabaliya fire on Palestinian farmers working land 400 m fr. the border (outside Israel’s no-go zone), forcing them to leave. Israeli naval vessels fire on Palestinian fishing boats off the n. Gaza coast, forcing them to return to shore. Late in the evening, IDF troops on the n. Gaza border fire at Palestinian homes in Bayt Hanun for 40 mins., causing no injuries. In the West Bank, the IDF opens fire on a Palestinian vehicle driving nr. Husan village w. of Bethlehem, wounding 3 Palestinians (ages 17–21), claiming they fired on an IDF patrol; fires tear gas, stun grenades at Palestinians attempting to reach their agricultural land inside a closed military zone nr. Hebron, injuring an 8-yr.-old Palestinian boy; raids and seals (until 2/28) 2 Palestinian organizations in Sur Bahir nr. Jerusalem; imposes a late-night curfew on, conducts house searches in al-Zubaydat village nr. Jericho. Jewish settlers fr. Kiryat Arba settlement in Hebron throw stones and bottles at Palestinian houses in nearby Wadi Husayn, injuring a 7-yr.-old Palestinian boy. Jewish settlers fr. Shilo settlement n. of Ramallah seize 10 d. of Palestinian agricultural land to expand their settlement. (PCHR 2/24; OCHA 2/25)

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Police announce detention of 2 Israelis on charges of stockpiling weapons allegedly for anti-Arab attacks [WP 3/19]. IDF Chief of Staff Dan Shomron calls on Israeli leaders to reach accord with Arab leaders and end uprising [WP 3/19]. Israel arrests Muhammad Abu Sha'ban, deputy chairman of Gaza Bar Association, and 4 Palestinian joumalists [FBIS 3/18; WP 3/19]. In Nazareth, large numbers of Palestinians participate in Rakah-organized demonstration [FJ 3/27]. Close to 700 prisoners from Gaza are moved to Ansar 3, newly opened detention camp in Negev desert [FJ 3/27].

Other Countries: U.S. announces it will send special envoy Philip Habib to Middle East in continuing effort to revive peace process [WP 3/19]. UN General Assembly opens emergency session to consider means to keep PLO observer mission open [NYT 3/19]. Former Atty. Gen. Ramsey Clark says he will represent PLO in U.S. court efforts to prevent closure of its observer mission to UN [NYT 3/19].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: IDF helicopters drop tear gas cannisters while soldiers use rubber bullets and live ammunition in violent clash with worshipers leaving mosque in Gaza's Beach refugee camp; 2 Palestinians are killed and at least 21 are injured [WP, NYT 3/19]. In Ramallah, troops pour gravel from helicopters on protesters; 2 Palestinians are wounded by army gunfire [NYT, WP 3/19]. Army bars foreign joumalists from W. Bank and Gaza Strip [WP 3/19]. In Nablus, soldiers shoot, kill Palestinian youth from 'Ayn Bayt al-Ma' camp [NYT, FJ 3/20]. Elderly Palestinian dies from effects of tear gas in Jabalya camp [FJ 3/20]. Jalazun is ordered under military curfew. Mass detentions are reported in Nablus, Hebron, Ramallah [FJ 3/18].

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Shin Bet arrests 2 American schoolteachers in Ramallah on charges of possessing "inciteful materials" [LAT 2/29].

Arab World: PLO Chairman Yasir Arafat says he is submitting to U.S. names of Palestinians with whom Sec. of State Shultz can meet [NYT 2/28]. Sec. Shultz meets with Syrian f.m. Faruq al-Shar' and Pres. Hafiz al-Asad in Damascus and with Jordanian p.m. Zayd Rifa'i and Crown Prince Hasan in Amman to discuss new U. S. peace proposals [NYT 2/28]. Syria and Jordan restate their support for UN-sponsored international conference [WP 2/28].

Other Countries: Estimated 4,000 participate in Amsterdam march protesting Israeli policies in occupied territories [FJ 3/13].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Cashes between IDF troops and worshipers outside mosque and hospital in Halhul result in 1 dead, at least 5 injured by tear gas inhalation and live ammunition [NYT 2/28]. Troops use tear gas, rubber bullets, and live ammunition in effort to disperse crowds from nearby 'Arrub camp blocking Jerusalem-Hebron highway; 1 is killed, and 4 wounded. Towns along road are ordered under curfew [WP 2/28]. In 'Ubaydiyyah, soldiers impose curfew, arrest 32 [FJ 2/28]. Curfew is also imposed in Jabalya, 'Arrub, and Burayj camps [FJ 2/28].

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Sec. of State Shultz holds separate meetings with P.M. Shamir, F.M. Peres, and Def. Min. Rabin. Palestinian leaders boycott talks with Shultz [WP 2/27]. Shamir rejects proposed international conference and exchange of land for peace [NYT 2/27]. Members of Likud and Tehiya parties demonstrate outside meeting between Shamir and Shultz [NYT 2/27]. IDF bans media from several W. Bank, Gaza Strip cities [WP 2/27].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Protests are reported throughout the W. Bank and Gaza Strip. In Gaza's Jabalya cmp, youth is killed accidentally by piece of concrete thrown by protesters; some sources claim youth was shot and killed at mosque in Bayt Lahiyah [FJ, LAT 2/28]. At least 20 are hospitalized after soldiers break into homes in Jabalya [H 2/28]. Officials at Gaza's Shifa Hospital reportreating 11 wounded by gunshot, about 20 injured by tear gas, beatings. In Tubas near Nablus, soldiers open fire on worshipers leaving mosque after Palestinian throws knife at officer; bystander is shot, killed. Army is investigating whether Hebron resident was killed by tear gas inhalation or gunfire. Army is also investigating death of resident of 'Arrub refugee camp near Bethlehem; hospital sources report he was shot in chest by soldiers. Army announces arrest of 4 soldiers filmed beating, breaking arms of 2 Palestinians and suspension of unit's deputy commander; the Palestinians are released [WP 2/27; LAT 2/28]. In Jenin 3,000 marching Palestinians clash with IDF troops; soldiers respond to crowd throwing stones and bottles with tear gas, rubber bullets, and live ammunition, wounding 3 [LAT 2/28]. Soldiers shoot, kill 2, wound 6 during clash in Halhul [Fl 3/6]. At least 6 are wounded by gunfire in violent clash in Dahriyyah, near Hebron. Troops in military vehicles accompanied by bulldozer and helicopter clash with villagers in Mazra'ah al-Sharqiyyah, Dayr al-Sudan, Ibwayn, and Mazra'ah al-Nubani [Fl 3/6]. Ya'bad village, near Jenin, is ordered under curfew after Palestinian is run over, killed by military vehicle [Fl 3/6]. Curfews are imposed in Maghazi camp, Rafah's Shabura quarter, and Dayr al-Balah camp; curfews continue in Yamun village and Beach, Jalazun, and Am'ari camps [FJ 2/28].

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: In Jerusalem, 31st World Zionist Congress ends 5-day meeting after fight between American Jews and Likud supporters over control of Jewish Agency [WP 12/13]. Israel imposes 10-day distribution ban on al-Fajr in Gaza Strip and W. Bank, charging newspaper violated censorship rules. Newspaper's editorial board votes to cease publication until ban is lifted [FJ 12/13].

Arab World: Hizballah claims responsibility for attack on Israeli patrol boat 12/10, says Israeli boat was sunk, 35 sailors killed [NYT 12/12].

Other Countries: UN General Assembly's Com. on International Legal Matters votes 100 to 1 on resolution affirming PLO's right to maintain observer mission [NYT 12/12].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: During demonstrations after noon prayers at Balatah refugee camp, at least 3 Palestinians are shot dead by Israeli troops; at least 7 others shot, wounded. Palestine Press Service reports 4 dead, at least 11 injured. Israel reports 3 police injured in day's fighting. Balatah sources charge Druze border guards have been harrassing, beating camp residents and today shot at Palestinians leaving mosque. Demonstrations are also reported in 'Askar and 'Ayn Bitilma refugee camps, Nablus, and Bayt Furik village. Balatah and 'Askar refugee camps are placed under curfew [WP 12/12; FJ 12/13]. In Gaza Strip's Jabalya refugee camp, 3 Palestinians are wounded by army gunfire [LAT 12/12].