The Palestine Chronology

In the West Bank, the IDF closes the 2d major entrance to Shuqba village nr. Ramallah, having closed the first one in the wake of the killing in nearby Bayt Rima on 12/18. IDF troops arrest 2 Palestinians during raids nr. Hebron and Ramallah, and patrol nr. Hebron. Late at night, Israeli settlers visit Kifl Haris village nr. Salfit to pray at Jewish shrines. Their IDF escort sets up mobile checkpoints and roadblocks to facilitate their visit. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces demolish 3 agricultural containers and a steel structure, as well as parts of a store in Silwan. Approximately 176 right-wing Jewish activists tour Haram al-Sharif in the morning; Israeli forces meanwhile detain 1 Palestinian guard at the sanctuary. (MNA, WAFA 12/28; MNA, PCHR 12/29; PCHR 1/5)

U.S. secy. of state Kerry gives a speech in Washington outlining his principles for resolving the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, as he pledged to do in the wake of the UNSC’s adoption of anti-settlement Res. 2334 on 12/23. Citing the so-called regulations bill that is percolating through the Knesset, Kerry says that current trends on the ground, particularly settlement growth and the legalization of settlement outposts, are eliminating the possibility of a 2-state solution, that Jerusalem must be the shared capital of Israel and a future state of Palestine, and that a final agreement must be based on negotiated land swaps, inter alia. Israeli PM Netanyahu calls Kerry’s speech a “big disappointment” and reiterates his desire for the U.S.-Israel relationship to improve under Pres.-elect Trump. Trump himself tweets, “Stay strong, Israel, JANUARY 20 is approaching fast.” PA pres. Abbas says that he would be open to restarting peace talks with Israel as long as the Israeli govt. freezes settlement growth and upholds previous agreements. (BBC, EI, HA, JP, MNA, NYT, REU, TOI, WP, YA 12/28)

A senior PLO official says that the Palestinian leadership wants the ICC to “expedite” its preliminary examination of alleged war crimes committed during Israel’s assault on Gaza in 2014 and “proceed to opening a full investigation” into Israeli settlements in the wake of the 12/23 UNSC res. condemning them. (JP 12/28)

A small Salafi group fires a rocket from Gaza into Israel, which explodes in Sderot, causing no injuries and minor damage. Holding Hamas responsible, the IDF fires tank shells and launches at least 25 air strikes on Hamas military sites in Bayt Hanun, Khan Yunis, and Gaza City, causing substantial damage. After the air strikes, the Israeli press reports that Hamas sent a message via a 3d party pledging to try to deescalate tensions and to stop small armed groups from firing more rockets. Meanwhile, an Israeli jet crashes on its return trip from a sortie in Gaza, killing the pilot and injuring another Israeli airman. An IDF spokesperson says that the 2 men ejected from the aircraft before the crash, and that the cause of the crash was unknown. (HA, JP, MNA, TOI, WAFA, YA 10/5; PCHR, TOI 10/6)

The IDF lifts its 3-day general closure of the West Bank overnight, allowing Palestinians in the West Bank and Gaza to use border crossings into Israel again. They also lift their 1.5 mo. closure of Kifl Haris village nr. Salfit. The village was closed after reports of stonethrowing in the area. Elsewhere in the West Bank, Israeli forces level 36 dunams (9 acres) of Palestinian land nr. Hebron, destroying numerous plum and olive trees. IDF troops arrest 17 Palestinians during late-night raids and house searches nr. Ramallah, Hebron, Tulkarm, and Bethlehem. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces arrest 15 Palestinians during raids in Issawiyya and al-Tur. Off Gaza’s coast, Israeli naval forces open fire on Palestinian fishing boats nr. Gaza City and Khan Yunis, causing no damage or injuries. Along Gaza’s border, IDF troops open fire on Palestinian farmers and shepherds working nr. Gaza City, causing no injuries. (MNA, WAFA 10/5; PCHR 10/13)

A delegation of ICC officials, including chief prosecutor Bensouda, arrives in Israel for a 5-day educational visit. They will meet with both Israeli and Palestinian officials. Bensouda is still conducting the preliminary examination into alleged war crimes that she initiated in 1/2015 at the Palestinians’ request. However, the ICC officials explicitly state that they are not in Israel to “engage in evidence collection in relation to any alleged crimes” or to “assess the adequacy of the respective legal systems to deal with crimes that fall within ICC jurisdiction." (HA, JP, TOI 10/5)

Israeli naval forces intercept the ship Zaytouna around 35 naut. mi. off the coast of Gaza and peacefully arrest its all-female crew of solidarity activists. The takeover and escort to the port of Ashdod are “uneventful,” according to the IDF. The women are then detained at Givon Prison ahead of their likely deportation. PLO secy.-gen. Saeb Erekat says, “We strongly condemn the Israeli aggression today against the international flotilla that attempted to break the illegal Israeli siege over 1.8 m. people in Gaza.” (EI, HA, MNA, NYT, WAFA 10/5)

The Arab League says it will support the 12/12 Palestinian decision to suspend direct and indirect negotiations with Israel until the U.S. offers a serious proposal to advance peace. (WP 12/16)

Norway upgrades the status of the PLO representation in Oslo from a “general delegation” to a “diplomatic mission.” The head of the office will have ambassador status but will go by the title “chief of mission” and will have no added diplomatic privileges. (YA 12/17)

IDF troops on the n. Gaza border fire warning shots at Palestinians scavenging for construction materials in the fmr. Jewish settlement sites, wounding 1. In the West Bank, the IDF conducts arrest raids, house searches in Dura nr. Hebron and in Tulkarm. The Jewish holy site of Joseph’s Tomb in Kifl Haris nr. Salfit is vandalized sometime during the day; local Palestinians are suspected. (PCHR 12/16; OCHA, PCHR 12/23)