The Palestine Chronology

In the West Bank, the IDF conducts house searches and arrest raids in Jenin and 2 nearby villages, and 1 village nr. Ramallah at night; patrols in 1 village and al-‘Arub r.c. nr. Hebron and 1 village nr. Ramallah at night. In East Jerusalem, Jewish right-wing activists enter Haram al-Sharif, provoking clashes with Palestinian worshippers. (MNA 12/4; PCHR 12/5)

Israeli media reports that the Ministry of Defense is preparing to hand over 20,000 dunams of land in Area C to the PA, to be used for agricultural and commercial projects. (MNA 12/4)

Hizballah commander Hassan al-Laqqis is shot and killed outside his home in Beirut by unknown assailants. Laqqis had fought in Syria’s civil war. A previously unknown group, Ahrar al-Sunna Baalbek Brigade, claimed responsibility for the assassination on Twitter, but the claim could not be verified. In a statement broadcast on al-Manar TV, Hizballah accuses Israel of being behind the killing. Israel’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs then issues a denial. (AFP, DS, REU 12/4)

Israeli television reports that construction of the 245-km (152-mi.) border fence between Israel and Egypt’s Sinai Peninsula has been completed, 3.5 years after work began. (JP 12/4)

Israel’s Environmental Affairs Minister Amir Peretz flies to Istanbul to attend a 4-day UN-sponsored conference on Mediterranean marine and coastal environment issues. He is the 1st Israeli cabinet minister to visit Turkey since the Mavi Marmara raid in 2010. (REU 12/4)

In the West Bank, the IDF patrols in 4 villages nr. Hebron and 1 village nr. Jericho at night. Jewish settlers throw stones at Palestinian vehicles nr. Nablus, damaging around 20 cars. (MNA 10/16; PCHR 10/23)

Talks between Iran and the P5+1 group end with negotiators sounding positive about a follow-up round set for 11/7–8 in Geneva, and speaking of progress in addressing concerns about Tehran’s nuclear program. However, 1 source of disagreement between the sides, according to U.S. State Dept. spokesperson Jen Psaki, is what sanctions relief might be provided if Iran took concrete steps demanded by the international community regarding the nuclear work. (AFP, AP, REU 10/16)

The Turkish army fires on what it describes as al-Qa‘ida-linked militants in n. Syria, after the latter accidentally fired a mortar shell into Turkey’s territory. (REU 10/16)

In the West Bank, the IDF conducts house searches and arrest raids in Hebron and 3 nearby villages at night; patrols in al-‘Arub r.c. and 1 village nr. Hebron at night. In Jenin, an IDF raid provokes clashes with residents of Jenin. (MNA 8/15; PCHR 8/22)

Muslim Brotherhood supporters take to the streets to protest against the previous day’s protest camp massacre. Arab leaders are divided in their response to the bloody developments in Egypt, with Turkey, Iran, and Qatar condemning the violent crackdown, while Saudi Arabia and the UAE back the military’s position. Meanwhile, gunmen in the Sinai shoot and kill 7 Egyptian soldiers at a checkpoint. (JP, MNA, REU 8/15)

A car bomb explodes in s. Beirut, killing 20 people and wounding 120. The attack is claimed by a group called Brigades of Aisha, which it says was as retaliation for Hizballah’s intervention in Syria on the side of Pres. Asad. (AP 8/15)

In the Gaza Strip, IDF troops conduct 2 brief incursions nr. Khan Yunis and al-Bureij r.c., levelling land alongside the border fence. In the West Bank, the IDF conducts house searches and arrest raids in 3 villages nr. Hebron and 1 village nr. Jenin at night; patrols in 2 villages nr. Tulkarm, 1 village nr. Hebron and 1 village nr. Salfit at night. Jewish settlers vandalize Palestinian property in 2 villages in the Jordan Valley and nr. Ramallah, leaving “price-tag” graffiti. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces demolish 2 Palestinian-owned homes in Bayt Hanina. (HA, MNA, WAFA 5/29; PCHR 5/30)

The UN Human Rights Council passes a resolution by a 36-1 vote (Venezuela was the sole opposing vote). It calls for an urgent investigation into alleged crimes by Syrian govt. forces and Hizballah fighters in Qusair, and also condemns the role of foreign fighters. The text was drafted by Qatar, Turkey, and the U.S. (AP 5/29)

Palestinian prisoner and administrative detainee Samer al-Issawi agrees to end his hunger strike—which has lasted for more than 8 months and inspired widespread Palestinian protest in solidarity—in exchange for an early release. At one such rally today, IDF soldiers clash with residents in Abu Dis, East Jerusalem, shooting and injuring 1. In the West Bank, Jewish settlers destroy hundreds of almond and olive trees in Bayt Dajan nr. Nablus, while in Dayr Jarir nr. Ramallah, settlers attack Palestinian property and set fire to 10 vehicles. The IDF patrols in 1 village nr. Jenin and 1 village nr. Tulkarm in the morning, and in 1 village nr. Hebron, 2 villages nr. Jericho, 3 villages nr. Jenin, 1 village nr. Qalqilya, 1 village nr. Salfit and 1 village nr. Tulkarm at night. IDF soldiers conduct house searches and arrest raids in 1 village nr. Jenin and in 1 village nr. Jericho at night. The IDF conduct a ground incursion close to the border nr. Bayt Hanun and level land. (REU, WAFA 4/22; MNA 4/23; PCHR 4/25)

An Israeli delegation meets their Turkish counterparts in Ankara to discuss ways of improving bilateral relations, including the question of financial compensation by Israel to the families of Turkish activists killed on the Mavi Marmara in 2010. (JP 4/21)

Al-Ahram cites Palestinian government sources claiming that Palestinian pres. Mahmud Abbas has asked Turkish PM Recep Tayyip Erdogan that Turkey play a more prominent role in the drive for national reconciliation between Fatah and Hamas. (HA 4/22)

U.S. Defense Secy. Chuck Hagel announces an arms deal with Israel at a press conference in Tel Aviv alongside Israeli DM Moshe Ya’alon. The sale includes V-22 Osprey helicopter-plane aircraft, refueling tankers, advanced radars for fighter jets, and advanced missiles that target air defenses. During their remarks, Ya’alon tacitly confirms that Israel was responsible for a 1/30 air strike on an army convoy in Syria, saying that Israel has already acted to stop weapons falling into Hizballah’s hands: ‘‘When they crossed this red line, we acted.’’ (AFP, JP 4/22)

In the West Bank, the IDF patrols in 2 villages nr. Jenin in the morning, in 3 villages nr. Jenin in the afternoon, and in 2 villages nr. Hebron, 1 village each nr. Ramallah and nr. Tulkarm at night. At night, IDF soldiers conduct house searches and arrest raids in al-Azza r.c. in Bethlehem, Aida r.c. in Bethlehem, 1 village nr. Bethlehem, 2 villages nr. Hebron, and 2 villages nr. Jenin. (PCHR 4/25)

U.S. Defense Secy. Chuck Hagel begins a Middle East tour in Israel, where he is expected to have meetings with Pres. Shimon Peres, PM Benjamin Netanyahu, IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Benny Gantz and DM Moshe Ya’alon. Hagel will discuss Iran, Syria, and also the sale of U.S. military equipment to Israel. Hagel’s weeklong tour of the region will also include Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Egypt and the United Arab Emirates. (HA, NYT 4/20; WP 4/21)

U.S. Secy. of State John Kerry meets Palestinian pres. Mahmud Abbas in Istanbul to continue discussions about restarting negotiations, particularly a proposal to focus on boosting the Palestinian economy. Palestinian amb. to Turkey Nabil Maarouf says that the meeting fails to make any substantial progress with regards to Palestinian conditions for resuming negotiations. Secy. Kerry says that restored ties between Turkey and Israel can allow both countries to work with Washington on Iran and Syria. Kerry asks Turkish PM Recep Tayyip Erdogan to delay his planned trip to the Gaza Strip in order not to disrupt efforts to improve Turkish-Israeli relations. Secy. Kerry also attends a major meeting between the Syrian opposition and its main 11 foreign supporters. After the meeting, Secy. Kerry says that Washington will double its nonlethal aid to the Syrian opposition to $250 million, support that will be funnelled through the rebels’ Supreme Military Council. (AFP 4/20; MNA, NYT, REU 4/21; JP 4/22)

Palestinians protest in Bethlehem, Hebron and Ramallah in solidarity with hunger-striking prisoners in Israeli jails. In al-Khader village nr. Bethlehem, Palestinians demonstrate by Route 60, until they are violently dispersed by Israeli soldiers. The IDF also clashes with Palestinians nr. al-‘Arub r.c. north of Hebron, shooting 1 Palestinian in the leg; 1 IDF soldier is moderately injured. Palestinians throw stones in Hebron and on Highway 446 nr. Ramallah; no one is injured in these clashes. In the West Bank, the IDF patrols in al-‘Arub r.c. nr. Hebron in the afternoon, and in Bethlehem and 3 villages nr. Hebron at night. In the Gaza Strip, Israeli naval vessels open fire on Palestinian fishermen off the coast of northern Gaza, wounding 2. (HA, MNA 2/18; PCHR 2/21)

The PA’s director of custom taxes and VAT Ahmad al-Hilou says that Israel is still withholding tax revenues from the PA, a step taken in 11/2012 as a response to the successful UN bid (see JPS 167). A meeting between PA and Israeli officials to discuss transferring 1/2013 tax revenues is set for 2/28. (MNA 2/18)

Egyptian security officials say that a delegation from Cairo will visit Israel for talks on the Gaza cease-fire and border restrictions, and will present a demand for Israel to allow commercial goods to enter Gaza via the Rafah crossing. The visit comes a day after an Israeli delegation visited Cairo. (MNA 2/18)

The Turkish media report that Israel has supplied electronic warfare systems to the Turkish military, the first such exchange since the deadly attack on the Mavi Marama in 5/2010. An Israeli defense source says that the deal came about after American pressure and due to an Israeli desire to improve relations with Turkey. (HA 2/18)

European Union foreign ministers announce that the sanctions regime against Syria will remain the same, with the addition of an amendment allowing for the supply of ‘‘non-lethal support and technical assistance for the protection of civilians’’—wording intended to further aid rebels, but stopping short of a push by Britain and France to make support for the rebels more explicit. (AP 2/18)