The Palestine Chronology

In the Gaza Strip, IDF troops conduct 2 separate limited incursions nr. Khan Yunis and Dayr al-Balah, in both cases leveling land along the border fence before withdrawing. In the West Bank, the IDF conducts house searches and arrest raids in 1 village nr. Ramallah and Hebron at night; patrols in 1 village nr. Ramallah in the morning, Hebron and 1 nearby village in the afternoon, and in Hebron and 3 nearby villages and 1 village each nr. Jenin and Ramallah at night. In Jerusalem, Israeli security forces clash with Palestinians, wounding around 40 with rubber-coated metal bullets and stun grenades. (MNA 9/24; PCHR 9/26)

Both U.S. Pres. Obama and Iranian pres. Hassan Ruhani address the UNGA in New York. The 2 men struck optimistic notes but also gave no idea of any specific concessions necessary to secure a breakthrough in the impasse over Tehran’s nuclear program. However, there is no direct meeting or handshake between the 2 leaders. Ruhani says he is prepared to engage in “time-bound and results-oriented” nuclear talks, in a talk boycotted by Israeli officials. Israeli PM Netanyahu says that Ruhani’s gestures toward the West are a deceptive “smoke screen,” in remarks broadcast on Israeli television. (AP, HA, REU, YA 9/24)

An unnamed U.S. State Dept. official says that Kerry and Lavrov worked in a “constructive spirit” on a draft res. about Syria’s chemical arms but that more work is needed. A sticking point remains whether, and how, the proposed UNSC res. will hold Syria accountable should it fail to comply. (AP, REU 9/24)

Off the coast of the Gaza Strip, Israeli naval vessels open fire on Palestinian fishermen nr. Dayr al-Balah, causing no damage or injuries. In the West Bank, the IDF conducts house searches and arrest raids in 3 villages nr. Jenin and al-‘Arub r.c. nr. Hebron at night; patrols in 2 villages nr. Jenin in the morning, and in 2 villages nr. Tulkarm, 1 village nr. Jenin, and 1 village and al-‘Arub r.c. nr. Hebron, at night. In Abu Ghosh village west of Jerusalem, dozens of cars are vandalized with racist graffiti. (HA 6/18; PCHR 6/20)

The G8 ends a 2-day summit in Northern Ireland with a declaration that backs peace talks in Geneva, which it says should aim to create a transitional coalition govt. for Syria. However, the G8 does not agree on a clear statement regarding the future of Syrian pres. Bashar al-Asad. (AP, REU 6/18)

U.S. Secy. of State John Kerry welcomes the Arab League’s expression of support for reviving peace talks made the previous day, describing it as a ‘‘very big step forward.’’ An Israeli official welcomes the development, but says that the framework will not be a starting point for talks. Justice Minister Tzipi Livni says that the Arab League proposal represents encouragement for the Palestinians that they have regional support for a negotiated agreement. PLO Chief Negotiator Saeb Erekat says that the Arab League’s support for land swaps is nothing new. Meanwhile, Israel’s Construction and Housing Minister Uri Ariel says that his party, Bayit Yehudi, will not back a 2013 budget that does not include full funding for West Bank settlement construction projects. (NYT 4/29; MNA, JP 4/30)

In the Gaza Strip, the IDF makes an air strike nr. Rafah assassinating Hitham al-Mishal, whom Israel accuses of being a Salafist militant responsible for arms manufacturing. In response, Hamas urges Egypt to ensure that Israel stays committed to the truce deal signed at the end of Operation Pillar of Defense in 11/2012 (see QU 167). Israeli naval vessels open fire on Palestinian fishermen twice, once off the central Gaza coast nr. Dayr al-Balah and once off the south Gaza coast nr. Rafah, in the latter case causing damage and 1 injury. IDF forces also make a brief incursion into central Gaza nr. Juhr al-Dikto level land and clear lines of sight along the border fence. In the West Bank, a Palestinian fatally stabs a Jewish settler from Yitzhar at a Tapuach junction bus stop. In retaliation, Jewish settlers riot and attack Palestinians across the West Bank, including blocking roads and throwing stones at passing vehicles. Overall, the Palestinian civil defense report 57 fires across the West Bank caused by settlers, with damage to hundreds of olive and almond trees. In the most serious incident, Jewish settlers from Yitzhar settlement attack a mosque in Urif village and try to set it on fire; and stone a bus carrying Palestinian schoolchildren, injuring 2. The attack on Urif sparks clashes between IDF forces and Palestinians, leaving 4 Palestinians injured. Meanwhile, the IDF patrols in Hebron and 2 villages nr. Ramallah in the morning; conducts house searches and arrest raids in Tulkarm in the afternoon, and in Bethlehem and Tulkarm at night. (HA, MNA 4/30; MNA 5/1; PCHR 5/2)

UNRWA estimates that 235,000 Palestinian refugees have been displaced inside Syria during the ongoing civil war. (AP, WAFA 4/30)