The Palestine Chronology

In the West Bank, IDF troops kill 3 Palestinians in a raid on Yatta village nr. Hebron. The Israeli military claims that the dead men were suspected of planning an attack in the coming days and belonged to a Salafist terror cell. Palestinian factions in Hebron declare a day of mourning. The IDF conducts house searches and arrest raids in Hebron and 1 nearby village at night; patrols in 1 village nr. Ramallah in the morning, and in 5 villages nr. Hebron and 1 village nr. Ramallah at night. Also in the West Bank, Jewish settlers attack a Palestinian home with Molotov cocktails in Burin village nr. Nablus, causing property damage but no injuries. In the Gaza Strip, IDF troops shoot and wound 1 Palestinian man nr. the border fence. (JP, MNA 11/26; PCHR 11/28)

Senior Palestinian official Nabil Shaath says that the Palestinian leadership is preparing to join international bodies and ratify agreements such as the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court, due to the lack of progress in the peace talks. Shaath also confirms that Saeb Erakat’s resignation (11/13) was not accepted by Pres. Abbas, and thus Erakat continues in a caretaker role. (MNA 11/26)

Israel and the EU finalize an agreement to allow Israel’s participation in the Horizon 2020 scientific research project. Following lengthy talks between Israeli justice minister Tzipi Livni and EU foreign affairs chief Catherine Ashton, a compromise formula is reached. This includes the publication of an appendix stating the applicability of the EU’s funding guidelines approved in 7/2013, which renders ineligible entities based in West Bank settlements, accompanied by an Israeli appendix stating the govt.’s opposition to those guidelines. (HA, REU, ToI 11/26)

Gen. Salim Idriss, leader of the FSA, tells Al Jazeera that his group plans to shun the peace conference that UN Secy.-Gen. Ban Ki-moon announced on 11/25, claiming that “conditions are not suitable” for the talks. Meanwhile, the Syrian National Coalition (SNC) issues a statement saying it wants to see progress on the ground through the establishment of humanitarian corridors and a release of political prisoners, before it decides whether to attend the talks. (AP, REU 11/26)

U.S. Secy. of State John Kerry addresses Congress in a video message, and places the onus on Iran to prove that their nuclear program is peaceful. In an effort to reassure lawmakers who criticized the 6-mo. interim deal as being too soft on the Iranian govt., Kerry affirms that, should the agreement fall apart, Tehran would face “even tougher sanctions.” Meanwhile, marking his 1st 100 days in office, Pres. Ruhani says in a TV interview that Iran’s enemies were now “isolated” following the deal. (AP 11/26; JP 11/27)

Egyptian armed forces kill Mohammed Hussein Muhareb, the leader of a militant group in the Sinai Peninsula, nr. Shaykh Zuweid. Muhareb was wanted for various attacks on state security forces. (AP 11/26)

In the West Bank, IDF troops uproot around 60 olive trees in Tuqu‘ village nr. Bethlehem, while separately, Jewish settlers nr. Nablus attack a house in Burin village, throwing stones and a Molotov cocktail, causing no injuries. (MNA 11/25; PCHR 11/28)

The Israeli NGO Peace Now announces that an Israeli military cmte. has approved the construction of 829 new homes in West Bank settlements Givat Ze’ev, Nofei Prat, Shilo, Givat Salit, and Nokdim. The planned construction is condemned by Nabil Abu Rdeineh, aide to PA Pres. Abbas, as a “policy of escalation aimed at putting obstacles in front of the peace process.” (AFP, REU 11/25)

UN Secy.-Gen. Ban Ki-moon announces that an international peace conference on Syria will take place in Switzerland on 1/22/14, in an attempt to bring about direct talks between the Syrian govt. and opposition forces. The statement describes 1 of the key goals of the peace talks as “the establishment, based on mutual consent, of a transitional governing body with full executive powers, including over military and security entities.” (AP, REU 11/25) 

Pres. Obama, speaking during a visit to San Francisco, defends the deal with Iran, saying that the U.S. “cannot close the door on diplomacy.” In a clear criticism of those who have attacked the agreement, Obama says that “tough talk and bluster may be the easy thing to do politically, but it’s not the right thing to do for our security.” Meanwhile, Israeli PM Netanyahu announces that national security adviser Yossi Cohen will visit Washington to discuss the agreement with U.S. officials. In the UK, Foreign Secy. William Hague urges Israel to refrain “from taking any steps that would undermine this agreement.” (REU 11/25; AP 11/26)

In the Gaza Strip, IDF troops open fire on Palestinian fishermen nr. Bayt Lahiya, causing no damage or injuries. The IDF conducts house searches and arrest raids in 1 village nr. Jenin in the morning, and in Bethlehem and 1 nearby village and 1 village nr. Ramallah at night; patrols in 1 village nr. Qalqilya in the afternoon, and in 2 villages each nr. Hebron and Jenin and in 1 village nr. Salfit at night. Jewish settlers attack Palestinians in Burin village nr. Nablus, with Israeli soldiers subsequently also attacking residents with tear gas and stun grenades. (MNA 11/9; PCHR 11/14)

PA Pres. Abbas meets in Amman with Jordan’s FM Nasser Judeh for routine talks about the latest developments in the peace process. (WAFA 11/9)

Talks with Iran in Geneva end late Saturday without a deal, but with all sides agreed on the need to resume discussions on 11/20. U.S. Secy. of State Kerry says that “significant progress” had been made on remaining points of difference. An unnamed senior Israeli official responds by saying that his govt. will campaign hard against a deal viewed as very bad for Israel. (AP, JP, REU 11/9)

In the Gaza Strip, IDF troops open fire on Palestinian fishermen nr. Bayt Lahiya, causing no damage or injuries. IDF troops also conduct a limited incursion nr. al-Maghazi in c. Gaza to level land, before withdrawing. In the West Bank, the IDF patrols in 1 village each nr. Jericho and Qalqilya in the afternoon, and in Tulkarm and 1 nearby village, and 1 village each nr. Hebron, Jenin and Ramallah at night. Jewish settlers attack farmers in Burin village nr. Nablus, injuring 1. In East Jerusalem, Jewish right-wing extremists escorted by Israeli police tour the al-Aqsa compound. (MNA 10/24; PCHR 10/31)

An unnamed Israeli official confirms that the govt. will press ahead with plans to build in the so-called settlement blocs and East Jerusalem, claiming that such construction is in accordance with agreements reached as talks recommended. Meanwhile, the Financial Times reports that the PA has sent letters to 50 countries urging them to clamp down on companies doing business with West Bank settlements, citing an unnamed Palestinian official. (HA, FT, REU 10/24)

The White House hosts a meeting of Senate cmte. leaders’ aides as part of a drive to get new sanctions targeting Iran delayed. At the same time, dep. national security adviser to Pres. Obama Ben Rhodes tells a conference in Washington that the U.S. will not be easing sanctions until Tehran takes “concrete steps.” (REU 10/24)

Gunmen kill an Egyptian policeman in al-Arish, while separately, an explosive device injures 2 border guards nr. Rafah. (MNA 10/24)

In the West Bank, the IDF conducts house searches and arrest raids in 1 village each nr. Bethlehem, Hebron, Jenin and Qalqilya; patrols in Tulkarm in the morning, and in Jericho and 1 village and al-‘Arub r.c. nr. Hebron at night. Jewish settlers attack a Palestinian family home in Burin village nr. Nablus, causing no serious damage or injuries. (MNA 10/23; PCHR 10/24)

Palestinian pres. Abbas meets with European Council pres. Herman van Rompuy in Brussels and demands that European companies end all business with settlements. Meanwhile, speaking to a German newspaper, Abbas says that the lack of progress in negotiations is in part due to Netanyahu’s insistence on starting from scratch. Meanwhile, Arab League spokesperson Nasif Hata emerges from a meeting in Paris with U.S. Secy. of State Kerry to say that the body is not optimistic about the renewed peace talks. (AFP, AP, JP 10/23)

U.S. Secy. of State Kerry holds extensive talks with Israeli PM Netanyahu in Rome, with discussions focusing on the peace process, Iran, and Syria. Kerry is particularly keen to seek answers from Netanyahu on Israel’s positions vis-à -vis a final settlement with the Palestinians, during 7 hours of talks. Since negotiations began on 7/29, 13 Israeli-Palestinian meetings have taken place, 3 of them in the previous 5 days. (HA, REU 10/23)

In Lebanon, 3 days of fighting in Tripoli between supporters and opponents of Syrian pres. Asad have killed 2 and wounded 33. (AFP 10/23)

In the Gaza Strip, IDF troops conduct 2 separate limited incursions to level land close to the border fence nr. Bayt Hanun and Khan Yunis. In the West Bank, IDF troops kill 1 armed Palestinian after he sought refuge in a cave nr. Bayt Liqya village, a man wanted for his alleged role in an attack on an Israeli bus during “Operation Pillar of Defense” in 11/2012. In addition, a Palestinian run over by a settler car in Qalqilya on 10/15 dies in hospital from his injuries. The IDF conducts house searches and arrest raids in 1 village and al-‘Arub r.c. nr. Hebron at night; patrols in 1 village nr. Tulkarm in the morning, and in Hebron and 3 nearby villages at night. In Qabatya nr. Jenin, IDF troops set up a flying checkpoint at the entrance to the village where around 20 soldiers check IDs and inspect vehicles. Residents throw stones and soldiers fire tear gas, causing no reported injuries. Also in the West Bank, IDF troops temporarily displace 17 families in the n. Jordan Valley on the basis of conducting military drills. Jewish settlers nr. Bethlehem uproot 80 olive seedlings, and other settlers nr. Bethlehem pump sewage water on agricultural lands, while in a further separate incident nr. Bethlehem, settlers throw stones at Palestinian vehicles, causing minor damage. Settlers nr. Qalqilya uproot more than 50 olive trees, while separately, settlers from Yitzhar assault a Palestinian farmer from Burin village nr. Nablus. (MNA 10/22; PCHR 10/24)

PA Pres. Abbas warns that the Palestinians will not accept Israeli control over a border with Jordan and that it could be a deal breaker. Speaking on a visit to Lithuania, Abbas also praises EU demands that Israel stops settlement construction. (AFP 10/23)

Reps. of 11 countries from the “Friends of Syria” group meet in London to encourage the Syrian opposition to join talks under the proposed “Geneva 2” framework. However, SNC head Ahmed Jarba tells a news conference following the meeting that their conditions included the impossibility of Asad being allowed to remain in power. The SNC says it will continue internal discussions about whether or not to attend the proposed peace conference. (REU 10/22)

In the West Bank, Palestinian gunmen open fire on Psagot settlement nr. al-Bireh, wounding 1 child. Israeli soldiers and settlers attack residents in Burin village nr. Nablus, and in a patrol in al-Bireh, IDF troops shoot and injure 1 Palestinian with a rubber-coated metal bullet. The IDF conducts house searches and arrest raids in 2 villages nr. Bethlehem at night; in al- ‘Arub r.c. and 1 village nr. Ramallah at night. Jewish settlers damage 120 olive trees nr. Nablus, while in a separate incident, settlers throw stones at Palestinian houses nr. Ramallah. (HA, MNA 10/5; PCHR 10/10)

PA security forces raid Jenin r.c. and arrest a number of residents, including Islamic Jihad activists. (JP 10/5)

Egypt allows Hajj pilgrims from the Gaza Strip to exit through the Rafah border crossing, and around 100 Palestinians are permitted to return to Gaza from the Egyptian side. Meanwhile, Egypt’s Maj.-Gen. Ahmad Ibrahim says that the military has demolished 1,055 smuggling tunnels under the border with Gaza since 1/2011, with 794 of them destroyed in 2013. (MNA 10/5)

Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei gives his support to Pres. Ruhani’s diplomatic opening to the U.S., but says he does not trust Washington as a negotiating partner. (REU 10/5)

In the West Bank, the IDF conducts house searches and arrest raids in 1 village nr. Qalqilya at night; patrols in 1 village nr. Qalqilya at night. Jewish settlers from Brakha nr. Nablus attack Palestinian shepherds nr. Burin village, sparking clashes that are dispersed by the Israeli army, with no serious injuries reported. (MNA 6/22; PCHR 6/27)

Hamas announces the execution of 2 Palestinians found guilty of spying for Israel, the 1st to be killed since an amnesty offer expired in 4/2013. A total of 16 Palestinians have been executed for spying in the Gaza Strip by Hamas authorities since 6/2007. (REU 6/22)

A meeting of the Friends of Syria group in Doha, attended by U.S. Secy. of State John Kerry, produces an agreement to give urgent military support to opposition forces confronting both an Asad regime counteroffensive and jihadist fighters. (REU 6/22)

In the West Bank, the IDF conducts house searches and arrest raids in Hebron and in 1 village each nr. Jenin, Bethlehem, Ramallah, and Tulkarm at night; patrols in 3 villages nr. Jenin and in Hebron in the morning, in Jenin in the afternoon, and in 2 villages nr. Jenin, 2 villages nr. Tulkarm, 1 village nr. Bethlehem, and 1 village nr. Ramallah at night. Jewish settlers set fire to over 50 acres of Palestinian-owned fields nr. Madama and Burin in the n. West Bank. In East Jerusalem, Israeli officials deliver a demolition order to a building in the Abu Dis neighborhood, sparking clashes with residents. (MNA 6/3; PCHR 6/5)

The Obama administration approves further sanctions targeting Tehran, this time in respect to financial institutions involved in significant transactions in the Iranian rial, as well as the Iranian auto industry. The sanctions will go into effect on 7/1. Meanwhile, IAEA head Yukiya Amano tells the agency’s 35-nation board that talks with Iran “have been going around in circles.” (AP, REU 6/3)

Five people die and at least 19 are wounded in clashes between gunmen of rival neighborhoods Bab al-Tabbaneh and Jabal Mohsein in Tripoli. (DS, REU 6/3)

Dozens of Jewish settlers from Yitzhar settlement enter Burin village nr. Nablus and clash with Palestinians. The IDF intervenes, violently dispersing the Palestinian residents with tear gas and rubber-coated metal bullets, but causing no serious injuries. Jewish settlers also enter Urif village nr. Nablus and clash with Palestinian residents, causing no serious injuries. In the West Bank at night, the IDF patrols in Jericho, 1 village nr. Jenin and 1 village nr. Qalqilya at night; conducts house searches and arrest raids in 2 villages nr. Hebron, 3 villages nr. Jenin, in Nablus, 1 village nr. Nablus, 1 village nr. Ramallah and 1 village nr. Tulkarm. (AFP 5/11; PCHR 5/16)

The Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine–General Command (PFLP–GC) says that it is forming combat units to recapture the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights. The announcement comes after Syrian pres. Bashar al-Asad and Hizballah indicated that they would support such operations. (REU 5/11)

PLO Secy.-Gen. Fathi Abu al-Ardat says that at least 55,000 Palestinian refugees have fled Syria to Lebanon since the civil unrest in Syria began. (DS 5/11)

Israeli pres. Shimon Peres formally tasks PM Netanyahu with forming the next government with a deadline of 28 days. Peres says that it is essential for the next government to tackle the budget deficit, social justice, universal military conscription, and renewed negotiations with the Palestinians. Netanyahu emphasizes the need to form as broad a coalition as possible to deal with domestic and international challenges. (HA, JP 2/2)

IDF soldiers attack and evacuate around 200 Palestinian activists who had set up a protest camp called alManatir in Burin village nr. Nablus, injuring around 20. During the clashes, Jewish settlers attack Burin with Molotov cocktails and rocks, and set fire to olive trees. Earlier, Jewish settlers shoot a Palestinian teenager in the leg in Burin. Elsewhere in the West Bank, the IDF patrols in 1 village nr. Ramallah in the morning, in 2 villages nr. Jenin and 1 village nr. Ramallah in the afternoon, and in 1 village nr. Ramallah and 3 villages nr. Jericho at night; conducts house searches and arrest raids in 1 village nr. Bethlehem at night. (MNA 2/2; PCHR 2/7)