The Palestine Chronology

In the West Bank, Israeli forces sealed off Ya‘bad, preventing Palestinians from entering and leaving the town. In East Jerusalem, Wafa reported that 100,000 Palestinians attended prayers at the Haram al-Sharif compound for the Eid al-Adha Maghrib (sunset) prayer. 3 Palestinians were arrested during raids in Silwan and al-Tur. In Gaza, Israeli forces made incursions to level land east of Rafah. In Israel, 2 rockets were fired at Israel from Lebanon hours after Israeli forces attacked south of Aleppo in Syria on 7/19; there were no reports of damage or casualties. The Lebanese army said it had located 3 improvised rocket launchers on a beach near Tyre and neutralized them. Israel subsequently fired 12 artillery shells at the Wadi Hammoul area in Lebanon, causing neither damage nor injuries. (AJ, AP, HA, HA, HA, JP, REU, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 7/20; PCHR 7/29)

Chairman of former president Donald Trump’s inaugural committee Tom Barrack was arrested for not disclosing that he was a foreign agent paid by the UAE. During the Trump administration, Barrack tried to get a senior position so that he could further the UAE’s interest in the U.S. government. Barrack remained an informal advisor to several U.S. officials during the Trump administration. (AJ, AP 7/20; MEMO 7/21)

Unidentified persons riding in a vehicle open fire on Israeli settlers waiting on the side of a road near the Ofra settlement; 7 of the settlers are injured, including 1 pregnant woman. IDF troops in the area open fire on the vehicle, but the assailants flee the scene without apparent injury. Later, IDF troops set up mobile checkpoints and conduct raids in and around the nearby village Silwad, sparking clashes with stone-throwing Palestinians; there are no serious injuries reported. Elsewhere in the West Bank, IDF troops arrest 10 Palestinians and issue 1 arrest summons during late-night raids near Ramallah, Tulkarm, Bethlehem, and Nablus; confiscate 3 makeshift residential structures outside Hebron; and patrol near Nablus and Hebron. An Israeli settler driver rams an elderly Palestinian outside Ni‘lin, causing major injuries. Israeli settlers throw stones at Palestinian vehicles in Ramin village near Tulkarm, causing light damage to 8 of them. In East Jerusalem, dozens of right-wing Jewish activists tour Haram al-Sharif. Israeli forces arrest 11 Palestinians during late-night raids in Hizma, Issawiyya, Ras al-Amud, and Wadi al-Juz. Off Gaza’s coast, Israeli naval forces open fire on Palestinian fishing boats near Rafah and Jabaliya refugee camp, causing no damage or injuries. Along Gaza’s border, IDF troops open fire on Palestinian shepherds working near Rafah, causing no damage or injuries. (HA, MNA, MNA, WAFA, WAFA, YA 12/9; MNA, WAFA 12/10; PCHR 12/13)

Along Gaza’s border, IDF troops violently disperse dozens of Palestinians gathering near Rafah, Khan Yunis and Jabaliya refugee camp to continue the Great March of Return; 5 Palestinians are injured. Amid the demonstrations, an Israeli aircraft conducts an air strike on a protest camp near Rafah, causing damage. Separately, Israeli forces conduct a limited incursion to level land near Jabaliya refugee camp. On the other side of the border fence, Israeli firefighters put out 7 fires that were reportedly sparked by incendiary balloons and kites flown from Gaza. In the West Bank, IDF troops conduct raids in Rumana village near Jenin overnight, sparking minor clashes; several Palestinians are injured. They also arrest 5 Palestinians during further raids in and around Hebron, Qalqilya, and Nablus; and patrol near Hebron throughout the day. In East Jerusalem, approximately 362 right-wing Jewish activists tour Haram al-Sharif to commemorate Sukkot. Late at night, Israeli forces assault and arrest 2 Palestinians in Silwan. (MNA, MNA, MNA, WAFA, WAFA 9/26; MNA, PCHR 9/27)

On the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in New York City, U.S. president Donald Trump meets with Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu. At a joint press conference, Trump says he thinks a “2-state solution will work best.” His statement marks the first time he has publicly expressed a preference for the 2-state solution while in office. Later in the day, Trump says that Netanyahu was “very nice” to him and that a 2-state solution is “more likely,” but that he would be “OK with 1 state, 2 states, whatever they want.” Netanyahu, for his part, tells Israeli reporters that Trump accepts that Israel should retain a military presence in the West Bank even if a 2-state solution is agreed upon. (HA, TOI, WAFA, YA 9/26; HA, HA, JP, WAFA, YA, YA 9/27)

Ahead of PA president Mahmoud Abbas’s planned address to the UN General Assembly on 9/27, Hamas denounces Abbas as an illegitimate representative of the Palestinian people. According to sources close to Hamas’s leadership, the statement stems from the Egyptian delegation’s visit to Gaza last week for talks on the stalled Palestinian reconciliation process. The Egyptians reportedly backed Abbas’s position that there could be no long-term cease-fire with Israel until Hamas and Fatah reconcile and the PA resumes control of Gaza. “Most of the donor countries, including the Arab countries, have adopted this line,” the source says. “So it looks like Hamas is losing the momentum to advance calm on a separate track from reconciliation, and the situation in Gaza is getting worse.” Meanwhile, Hamas security forces summon dozens of Fatah members for interrogation in Gaza. According to some reports from Gaza, they also threaten at least 1 print shop owner with “arrests and beatings” should he print any materials in support of PA president Abbas’s planned speech to the UN General Assembly on 9/27. (HA 9/26; TOI 9/27)

One day after the UK Labour Party endorsed a freeze on UK arms sales to Israel, Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn says that he intends to recognize the State of Palestine if he is elected to lead the UK. (TOI, YA 9/26)

Along Gaza’s border, IDF troops violently disperse hundreds of Palestinians gathering near Gaza City, Rafah, Dayr al-Balah, and Khan Yunis to continue the Great March of Return for a 6th day in a row; 1 Palestinian is killed and at least 9 are injured. This brings the death toll stemming from the Great March of Return to 156. Separately, unidentified Palestinians fly a number of incendiary balloons across the border fence into southern Israel near the Kerem Shalom border crossing, causing no damage or injuries. IDF troops arrest 2 Palestinians allegedly attempting to cut through the border fence near Gaza City. In East Jerusalem, approximately 40 right-wing Jewish activists tour Haram al-Sharif to commemorate Yom Kippur. In the West Bank, IDF troops confront Palestinian schoolchildren on their way to class in Hebron, sparking minor clashes; there are no serious injuries reported. They also assault and injure 2 Palestinians during raids in Hebron late at night; arrest 3 Palestinians during late-night raids near Jenin and Ramallah; and patrol in and around Hebron and Nablus. (HA, MNA, MNA, MNA, MNA, TOI, WAFA 9/19; MNA, MNA, MNA, WAFA 9/20)

Israeli aircraft conduct an air strike on Palestinians allegedly attempting to breach Gaza’s border fence near Rafah late at night, killing 2. The IDF reports that the Palestinians were placing a “suspicious object” near the fence. Earlier, IDF troops stationed along the border fence near Khan Yunis open fire on Palestinian farmers, causing no damage or injuries. Israeli forces also conduct a limited incursion to level land near Rafah. Off Gaza’s coast, Israeli naval forces open fire on 15 Palestinian boats sailing from Gaza in a symbolic challenge to the Israeli blockade. Meanwhile, IDF troops violently disperse thousands of Palestinians gathering along the coast near Jabaliya refugee camp and Khan Yunis to cheer on the boats and continue the Great March or Return for a 4th day in a row; at least 30 Palestinians are injured. In the West Bank, hundreds of right-wing Jewish activists visit Joseph’s Tomb near Nablus overnight, sparking clashes between their IDF escort and Palestinian residents of the area; 8 Palestinians are injured. Elsewhere, IDF troops conduct raids in ‘Azun village near Qalqilya, sparking clashes with Palestinian students on their way to school; there are no reported injuries. One Palestinian is injured and another is arrested in similar clashes sparked by an IDF raid near Nablus. IDF troops also arrest 7 Palestinians during late-night raids near Qalqilya, Jenin, and Hebron; and patrol near Hebron and Qalqilya. Israeli forces deliver stop-work orders to a Palestinian building under construction in Kardala village near Tubas. In East Jerusalem, dozens of right-wing Jewish activists tour Haram al-Sharif. Israeli forces arrest 2 Palestinians and confiscate some property during late-night raids in Qalandia refugee camp (HA, MNA, MNA, MNA, MNA, WAFA 9/17; MNA, MNA, TOI, WAFA, YA 9/18; PCHR 9/20)

UN Humanitarian Coordinator Jamie McGoldrick announces a $1 million transfer to prevent the “collapse of services and a potential outbreak of disease” in Gaza. “Unfortunately, it comes in the absence of action from the relevant authorities, who have responsibility for the well-being of Gaza's citizens, or predictable donor support.” McGoldrick says that $2 million more is still needed to pay for essential health, water, and sanitation services through the end of 2018. (WAFA 9/17)

Thousands of Palestinians gather along Gaza’s border to continue the Great March of Return. IDF troops violently disperse the demonstrations near Khan Yunis, Rafah, al-Bureij refugee camp, Gaza City, and Jabaliya refugee camp; 2 Palestinians are killed and at least 90 are injured. Their deaths bring the Great March of Return death toll to 137. In response to shots allegedly fired at IDF border patrols in the evening, Israeli forces strike a Hamas observation post near Jabaliya refugee camp, causing damage.

In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces enter Haram al-Sharif after Friday prayers and fire sound bombs at Palestinian worshippers, clearing them from the sanctuary; 7 Palestinians and 4 Israeli police officers are injured, and 24 Palestinians are arrested. Some witnesses say that the Israelis entered the sanctuary after children threw firecrackers at them. After the clashes, Israeli forces seal the entrances to the sanctuary. The Islamic Waqf then organizes a sit-in protest outside, and the Israeli authorities order the entrances reopened hours later. Separately, Israeli forces arrest 5 Palestinians during late-night raids in Silwan and Wadi al-Juz. In the West Bank, Israeli settlers set fire to a Palestinian home under construction and surrounding wheat fields near Nablus, causing extensive damage. The IDF seals off the entrance to Kobar village near Ramallah, the hometown of the Palestinian who allegedly stabbed 3 Israeli settlers on 7/26. IDF troops conduct raids in the village throughout the day, sparking intermittent clashes; 5 Palestinians are injured (1 critically). Israeli soldiers also violently disperse Friday protests at Kafr Qaddum near Qalqilya; 5 Palestinians are injured. Dozens of Palestinians gather outside Khan al-Ahmar, a Bedouin village near Jerusalem, to protest the impending Israeli evacuation and demolition of the village. Throughout the day, the IDF patrols near Hebron, Qalqilya, Tulkarm, and Jenin. (EI, HA, JP, MNA, TOI, WAFA, YA 7/27; EI, MNA 7/28; PCHR 8/2)

Israeli DM Lieberman pledges to advance the construction of 400 new housing units in the Adam settlement near Ramallah, justifying the settlement growth in response to the stabbing attack on 7/26. The “best response to terrorism is increased settlement,” Lieberman tweets. The 400 units are reportedly part of an existing plan to build 1,000 new units in the settlement. (HA, MNA, TOI 7/27)

Hundreds of Palestinians gather along Gaza’s border fence to continue the Great March of Return. IDF troops violently disperse them near Khan Yunis, Rafah, al-Bureij refugee camp, Jabaliya refugee camp, and Gaza City. One Palestinian is killed and at least 141 are injured, bringing the death toll stemming from the Great March of Return to 130. On the other side of the border fence, approximately 4,000 Israelis gather to call for the return of the remains of the 2 IDF soldiers and Israeli civilians allegedly being held in Gaza. In the West Bank, Israeli settlers set fire to dozens of olive and almond trees outside ‘Urif village near Nablus while their IDF escort performs raids in Palestinian homes on the outskirts of the village, sparking clashes with residents; 1 Palestinian is injured. Settlers also start fires in 3 locations outside nearby Burin village, causing moderate damage. The settlers later accuse Palestinians of starting the fires. IDF troops patrol near Salfit and Hebron throughout the day. In East Jerusalem, Islamic Waqf staff perform repair work on an area of Haram al-Sharif that Israeli police reportedly damaged recently. (MNA, TOI, WAFA, YA 7/6; MNA, WAFA 7/7; PCHR 7/12)

After Israel’s High Court of Justice froze the demolition orders for Khan al-Ahmar, a Bedouin village near Jerusalem, on 7/5, hundreds of Palestinians perform Friday prayers in the village in solidarity with the residents. (WAFA 7/6)

The Egyptian army demolishes a tunnel leading from the Sinai Peninsula into Gaza, trapping 8 Palestinian workers, according to eyewitnesses in Rafah. Later, the Egyptian army announces that its troops killed 3 alleged terrorists and destroyed a number of tunnels along the border in recent days. Also along Gaza’s border fence, Israeli forces violently disperse hundreds of Palestinians gathering along the fence near Gaza City to continue the Great March of Return; 18 Palestinians are injured, including 3 journalists. They also conduct a limited incursion to level land along the border fence near Gaza City. On Israel’s side of the border fence, firefighters quell 6 fires allegedly sparked by incendiary kites and balloons flown from Gaza. Off Gaza’s coast, Israeli naval forces open fire on Palestinian fishing boats near Gaza City and Bayt Lahiya, causing no damage or injuries. In the West Bank, IDF troops arrest 3 Palestinians during late-night raids near Qalqilya, Tulkarm, and Jenin; and patrol near Hebron and Tulkarm. (AFP, HA, MNA, TOI, WAFA 7/3; PCHR 7/5)

PLO secretary-general Erakat says that the Palestinians are considering a reduction in their political, economic, and security relations with Israel in response to the new Israeli law allowing for deductions to the monthly transfers of tax revenues to the PA. Separately, PA officials say they have no plans to end the stipends to Palestinians imprisoned in Israel in connection with serious crimes against Israelis. (JP, WAFA 7/3)

The IDF declares Khan al-Ahmar, a Bedouin village near Jerusalem, a closed military zone ahead of planned evacuations and demolitions. Israel’s High Court of Justice approved the government’s plan to demolish the village on 5/24. (EI, WAFA 7/3)

Israeli PM Netanyahu lifts his ban on Israeli MKs and ministers visiting Haram al-Sharif. He temporarily lifted the ban in early 2017 after imposing it amid the habba, which was a surge of Palestinian resistance, random attacks, and protests that began in Jerusalem in 9/2015. (AJ, JP, TOI 7/3)

Thousands of Palestinians gather along Gaza’s border to continue the Great March of Return. IDF troops violently disperse them near al-Bureij refugee camp, Jabaliya refugee camp, Rafah, Gaza City, and Khan Yunis; 1 Palestinian is killed and at least 100 are injured. The Palestinian killed today was a paramedic named Razan al-Najjar. She was reportedly shot as she was treating wounded protesters. Her death brings the death toll stemming from the Great March of Return to 115. In East Jerusalem, approximately 250,000 Palestinians pray at Haram al-Sharif, marking the third Friday of Ramadan. In the West Bank, IDF troops issue arrest summons to 2 Palestinians during a raid in Hebron, and patrol near Tulkarm and Hebron. (EI, NYT, WAFA, YA 6/1; MNA 6/2; PCHR 6/7)

At the UNSC, the U.S. vetoes a Kuwait-backed draft resolution condemning Israel’s use of force against Palestinian civilians at recent protests along Gaza’s border fence. “The terrorist group Hamas bears primary responsibility for the awful living conditions in Gaza,” says U.S. ambassador to the UN Nikki Haley, explaining the veto. (HA, JP, NYT, REU, TOI, YA 6/1)

In retaliation for the cross-border attack in Gaza on 5/26, the IDF fires artillery shells at Hamas and Islamic Jihad in Palestine (PIJ) sites east of Dayr al-Balah and Rafah, killing 3 Palestinians, including 2 PIJ fighters, and completely destroying 1 of the sites. The IDF says that PIJ fighters planted an improvised explosive device along the border fence earlier in the day. Later, IDF troops stationed along Gaza’s border open fire on 3 Palestinians approaching the border fence, injuring all of them. In the West Bank, Israeli settlers destroy 700 grapevines in a Palestinian vineyard near Hebron. Later, an Israeli settler reports extensive vandalism in his vineyard near Ramallah, apparently in retaliation for the earlier attack. IDF troops conduct raids in al-Am‘ari refugee camp near Ramallah, searching for the Palestinian who dropped a marble slab on an Israeli soldier amid clashes on 5/24. They arrest 5 Palestinians, sparking minor clashes; 13 Palestinians are injured. The IDF also arrests 7 Palestinians during late-night raids near Hebron, Bethlehem, Jenin, and Tulkarm; and patrols near Hebron. In East Jerusalem, Israeli police shoot and injure a Palestinian driver when she allegedly ignores their calls to stop driving toward them. The Israeli police say that they suspected her of carrying an explosive device under her clothes. Separately, Israeli security forces arrest 6 Palestinians for waving Hamas flags at Haram al-Sharif. (HA, JP, TOI, WAFA, YA 5/27; HA, MNA 5/28; PCHR 5/31)

Unidentified parties fire a rocket from Gaza toward Israel. It lands in an open area short of the border, causing no damage or injuries. An IDF tank shells and destroys a Hamas observation post east of al-Maghazi refugee camp. Israeli artillery also target a site east of Gaza City, causing a fire to break out; there is no major damage or injuries. Separately, IDF troops stationed along the border fence arrest 2 Palestinians attempting to cross from Gaza into Israel near Rafah, and open fire on Palestinian lands near al-Bureij refugee camp, causing no damage. In East Jerusalem, approximately 524 Israeli settlers tour Haram al-Sharif in the morning, commemorating the Jewish holiday Sukkot. Some of the settlers reportedly pray at the sanctuary. In the West Bank, the Israeli authorities shut down al-Ibrahimi Mosque in Hebron to Muslim worshippers to make way for Sukkot-related activities at the site. IDF troops arrest 16 Palestinians and issue 1 arrest summons during late-night raids in and around Hebron, Jerusalem, Qalqilya, Bethlehem, Nablus, Salfit, and Jenin, and patrol near Tulkarm and Hebron. In Israel, approximately 30,000 Palestinians and Israelis gather in Jerusalem to call for a resumption of IsraeliPalestinian peace talks. The Israeli NGO Women Wage Peace organized the demonstration. Hamas denounces the PLO for supporting the rally, accusing it of “normalizing” relations with Israel. (HA, MNA, TOI, WAFA 10/8; MNA, TOI, WAFA 10/9; PCHR 10/12)

In the West Bank, Israeli forces uproot 18 olive trees nr. Salfit to clear space for the construction of a new water supply network for nearby settlements. IDF troops patrol in Bayt Umar nr. Hebron, sparking minor clashes with stone-throwing youths; there are no injuries. They also arrest 5 Palestinians during raids nr. Hebron and Bethlehem, and patrol in and around Hebron during the day. In East Jerusalem, more than 40 Palestinians banned from Haram al-Sharif gather outside the sanctuary in protest while approx. 300 rightwing Jewish activists tour the area. Meanwhile, Israeli forces arrest 7 Palestinians during raids in the Old City. Along Gaza’s border, IDF troops arrest 2 Palestinians attempting to cross into Israel nr. Rafah. (MNA, WAFA 4/11; MNA 4/12; PCHR 4/13)

An Israeli stabs and injures 2 Palestinian street cleaners in Beersheba in the morning. The police say the motive behind the attack was “criminal” and do not offer further details. In the West Bank, IDF troops deliver stop-work orders to 16 Palestinian buildings under construction in the n. Jordan Valley. They also arrest 7 Palestinians during arrest raids in and around Qalqilya and Hebron, and patrol nr. Nablus, Ramallah, and Hebron. In East Jerusalem, right-wing Jewish activists tour Haram al-Sharif in the morning. Israeli forces arrest 9 Palestinians during late-night raids in Jabal Mukabir, the Old City, and Issawiyya. A Palestinian family demolishes their own store in the Old City to avoid paying Israeli demolition fees. Off Gaza’s coast, Israeli naval forces open fire on Palestinian fishing boats nr. Bayt Lahiya and later nr. Rafah, causing no injuries or damage. Along Gaza’s border, a fighter with the Democratic Front for the Liberation of Palestine (DFLP) is injured by shrapnel from an Israeli artillery shell, according to the DFLP. The IDF does not comment on the incident, and no further details are available. (MNA, WAFA 2/12; MNA 2/13; PCHR 2/16)

The Egyptian authorities open the Rafah border crossing for the 2d of 3 planned days. (MNA 2/12)

Off Gaza’s coast, Israeli naval forces open fire on Palestinian fishing boats nr. Bayt Lahiya and Khan Yunis, causing no injuries. Along Gaza’s border, IDF troops open fire on Palestinian farmers working nr. Rafah, causing no damage or injuries. In East Jerusalem, a number of right-wing Jewish activists tour Haram al-Sharif in the morning, sparking a nonviolent confrontation with Muslim worshippers. Israeli forces arrest 14 Palestinians and issue 1 arrest summons during raids in Jabal Mukabir, al-Tur, Ras alAmud, Shu‘fat r.c., and the Old City. In the West Bank, IDF troops conduct raids in Qarawat Bani Hassan village nr. Salfit in the evening, sparking clashes with stonethrowing Palestinian youths; there are no serious injuries. They arrest 11 Palestinians and issue 1 arrest summons during further raids nr. Ramallah, Hebron, and Nablus, and patrol nr. Ramallah, Hebron, and Qalqilya during the day. (JP, MNA, TOI, WAFA 2/5; JP, MNA 2/6; PCHR 2/9)

Israel’s High Court of Justice delays by 1 mo. the demolition of 9 buildings in the Ofra settlement nr. Ramallah. The demolition was set to go forward by 2/8, but the court relented, arguing that a demolition this mo. would put undue burden on the residents, and promising to evacuate them peacefully in exchange for the delay. Meanwhile, thousands of settlers gather in Ofra to protest the planned demolition. (TOI 2/5)

Along Gaza’s border, unidentified Palestinian fighters open fire on IDF troops stationed nr. Bayt Lahiya, causing no injuries or damage. In response, the IDF launches air strikes on at least 2 Hamas military sites in n. Gaza, injuring 3 Hamas fighters. IDF troops also open fire on Palestinian homes nr. al-Maghazi r.c., causing no damage. Off Gaza’s coast, Israeli naval forces open fire on Palestinian fishing boats nr. Gaza City and then nr. Rafah, causing no injuries. In the West Bank, IDF troops attempt to remove a Palestinian flag from a public space in a village nr. Nablus, sparking clashes with stonethrowing residents throughout the day; 2 Palestinians are injured. They also arrest 2 Palestinian youths allegedly planning to carry out stabbing attacks in c. Hebron. Both boys were found to be carrying knives. Israeli forces destroy personal property and threaten to arrest a Palestinian infant during a raid on the Hebron-area home of a Palestinian who was killed on 11/1/2015 after attempting to stab an Israeli soldier. They also impose strict closures on 3 villages nr. Nablus after reports of stone-throwing in the area (the closures will be enforced through 9/10). The IDF arrests 3 Palestinians during raids and house searches nr. Salfit, Nablus, Ramallah, and Bethlehem, sparking clashes in Balata r.c. (1 Palestinian is injured); and patrols nr. Nablus, Hebron, Tulkarm, Salfit, and Qalqilya during the day. Meanwhile, unknown assailants throw Molotov cocktails at the Nablus-area home of a Palestinian woman running for office in the 10/8 municipal elections, causing minor damage. She is affiliated with Fatah. In East Jerusalem, around 60 right-wing Jewish activists tour Haram al-Sharif in the morning. Israeli forces arrest 2 Palestinians during raids in Shu‘fat. (MNA, TOI, WAFA 9/4; MNA 9/5; PCHR 9/8; MNA 9/10)

The Egyptian authorities open the Rafah border crossing for humanitarian cases passing in both directions for the 2d of 2 planned days. (OCHA 9/8)

The PA and Israel sign an agreement to improve postal service in the oPt. The deal gives Palestinians more control over the transfer of mail in and out of the West Bank. (JP, MNA, TOI 9/4)

An errant mortar round fired from Syria lands in the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights, causing no damage or injuries. The IDF returns artillery fire on Syrian govt. positions along the border, causing an unknown amount of damage. (HA, MNA, TOI 9/4)

Tensions remain high at Haram al-Sharif in East Jerusalem, as Israeli forces violently disperse a Palestinian funeral procession; 2 Palestinians are arrested. Late at night, they arrest 3 Palestinians during raids in Issawiyya. Along Gaza’s border, IDF troops open fire on Palestinian farmers working nr. Rafah, causing no injuries. In the West Bank, IDF troops shoot and injure a Palestinian outside a village nr. Bethlehem. They also conduct a late-night raid in al-Azza r.c. nr. Bethlehem, arresting 3 Palestinians and injuring 1. They conduct further raids in 1 village each nr. Bethlehem and Hebron, arresting 4 Palestinians; patrol in and around Hebron and nr. Ramallah. (MNA 4/30; WAFA 5/1; PCHR 5/5)

For the 2d day in a row, the IEC cuts off power to a major West Bank city, this time affecting parts of Hebron from 9:00 A.M. to 10:00 A.M. and 2:00 P.M. to 3:00 P.M. It is the 3d time the IEC has implemented its plan to intermittently and punitively disrupt power supplies to areas of the West Bank in response to unpaid debts. (HA, JP, MNA 4/5)

Along Gaza’s border, IDF troops open fire on Palestinian farmers working nr. Rafah, causing no injuries. Israeli forces conduct a limited incursion to level land nearby. In the West Bank, Israeli forces demolish a slaughterhouse, a balcony, and a water well in a village nr. Bethlehem and force a number of Palestinian shops to close in a village nr. Nablus, arresting 2 Palestinians who allegedly threw stones at them. IDF troops also conduct latenight raids and house searches in Nablus and nr. Hebron arresting 9 Palestinians and issuing arrest summons to 2; take measurements and photographs of a home nr. Hebron, threatening punitive demolition; and patrol nr. Qalqilya, Jenin, and Hebron. Israeli settlers enter a village nr. Nablus late at night, sparking clashes with stone-throwing Palestinians; 1 Palestinian is injured. Meanwhile, Palestinian youths throw Molotov cocktails at Israeli forces on a patrol nr. Ramallah; there are no serious injuries. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces raid al-Quds University in Abu Dis, destroying and confiscating property, and issue an arrest summons for a Palestinian journalist during a raid in al-Thawri. Israeli police arrest 2 right-wing Jewish activists attempting to sneak into Haram al-Sharif disguised as Muslims. (MNA, WAFA 4/5; MNA 4/6; PCHR 4/7)

The day after Israeli PM Netanyahu invited him to Jerusalem for a face-to-face meeting, PA pres. Abbas says that he is prepared to work with Israel to stop and monitor “mutual incitement,” calling for the reinstatement of the joint Palestinian-Israeli-U.S. comm. for monitoring incitement, which was established as part of the Wye River Memorandum in 1998 and met regularly until 9/2000. (JP 4/5; TOI 4/6)

After 2 weeks of increasing tension and clashes in East Jerusalem over access at Haram al-Sharif, Israeli authorities ban male and female volunteer guards— murabitun and murabitat—from the sanctuary on the grounds that they disturb and intimidate Jewish visitors. Around 50 Palestinian women gather outside Haram al-Sharif in the morning to protest the Israeli restrictions on their access. Late at night, suspected right-wing Jewish activists spray racist graffiti on walls in the Old City and Israeli forces arrest 7 Palestinians on raids in al-Tur and Jabal Mukabir. In the West Bank, unknown assailants shoot and lightly injure an Israeli settler driving nr. Nablus. Later, Israeli settlers set fire to dozens of olive trees outside a nearby Palestinian village and Israeli forces block the entrances to the village and order a curfew. Separately, Israeli forces raze agricultural land and seize an irrigation network nr. Hebron. IDF troops conduct late-night house searches and raids nr. Jericho, Jenin, Tulkarm, and Bethlehem, arresting 4 Palestinians; patrol in al-‘Arub r.c and nr. Hebron. The Israeli authorities reopen a road nr. Ramallah that has been closed for 15 years (it was initially reported reopened on 5/25, but Israel’s Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories [COGAT] delayed the opening to perform unspecified maintenance). Off Gaza’s coast nr. Rafah, Israeli naval forces open fire on Palestinian fishing boats, causing no injuries. Later, Israeli forces e. of Khan Yunis arrest 2 Palestinians attempting to cross into Israel. (HA, MNA, NYT, TOI, WAFA 9/9; PCHR, WAFA 9/10; PCHR 9/17; OCHA 9/18)

PNC pres. Zanoun announces that the PNC convention scheduled for 9/14–15 has been postponed in response to various Palestinian political groups’ requests for a delay and calls for a boycott. He says that a comm. comprising himself, the PLO Exec. Comm., and the heads of the various factions will meet to prepare to convene the PNC within 3 mos. (JP, MNA, WAFA 9/9)

UNRWA commissioner-gen. Pierre Krähenbühl reaches an agreement with the UNRWA employees union in Gaza to end the recent protests over reductions in agency services. The union went on strike for a week on 8/24, then agreed to return to work on 8/31 in exchange for a tentative agreement to limit class sizes. (MNA 9/9)

In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces bar 3 Palestinian journalists from entering Haram al-Sharif while right-wing Jewish activists tour the sanctuary. Meanwhile, Israeli police and Palestinian youths clash for the 3d day in a row, in Issawiyya, injuring a Palestinian child. In Gaza, a Palestinian youth is seriously injured when he accidentally detonates an unexploded Israeli munition in Shuja‘iya. Israeli forces level land during a limited incursion e. of Rafah. In the West Bank, Israeli forces raze Palestinian land nr. Bethlehem and block off an agricultural road in a nearby village. IDF troops conduct house searches and raids nr. Jenin, Tulkarm, and Hebron, arresting 5 Palestinians and issuing arrest summons to 1; patrol in al-‘Arub r.c. nr. Hebron and nr. Salfit. Israeli settlers assault 3 Palestinians outside a settlement nr. Nablus. In Israel, 3 Jewish Israelis assault a Palestinian in Dayr Yasin nr. Jerusalem. (MNA, WAFA 9/8; JP, MNA 9/9; PCHR 9/10; OCHA 9/18; WAFA 10/1)

In Israel, around 100 Jewish Israeli protesters clash with some 30 Palestinian citizens of Israel outside the Barzilai Medical Center in Ashqelon where Palestinian prisoner Muhammad Allan is on day 61 of a high-profile hunger strike; at least 10 protesters are arrested. In Gaza, a Palestinian woman succumbs to injuries sustained on 8/6 when a piece of unexploded Israeli ordnance was accidentally triggered in Rafah. Israel Defense Forces (IDF) troops on the border e. of Rafah and Khan Yunis open fire on Palestinian agricultural areas, and Israeli naval forces fire on Palestinian fishing boats off the coast of Rafah, causing no damage. In the West Bank, an Israeli settler injures a Palestinian when he rams him with his car nr. Nablus. IDF troops conduct house searches and raids in the Hebron and Tulkarm areas, arresting 4 Palestinians and issuing arrest summons to 3; patrol nr. Ramallah, Jericho, Qalqilya, and Jenin. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces arrest 2 Jewish Israelis accused of inciting violence at Haram al-Sharif, and later arrest 2 Palestinians on raids in Ras al-Amud and the Old City. (HA, MNA, TOI, WAFA, YA 8/16; PCHR 8/20)

On 3 occasions, Israeli and Egyptian naval forces open fire on Palestinian fishing boats off the coast of Gaza: Israeli forces open fire twice nr. Jabaliya, injuring 2 fishermen; and, Egyptian forces open fire nr. Rafah, injuring 1 fisherman. In the West Bank, 2 PA security troops stab and kill a Palestinian teenager during a confrontation in Nablus. Outside Ramallah, Israeli authorities say they are opening a major road e. of the city, having kept it closed since 2001 (residents were informed of the plans to reopen the road on 3/16, and the authorities will actually open it on 9/9 after more than 3 mos. of unspecified maintenance). The IDF patrols in Tulkarm, 1 village each nr. Hebron and Qalqilya; arrest 1 Palestinian and issue an arrest summons to another in late-night raids and house searches in Nablus and a village nr. Ramallah, where troops also assault a Palestinian man and sic a dog on his mother. Separately, Israeli settlers assault a Palestinian man nr. Ramallah. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces stop a Palestinian car nr. the Old City, then detain and assault the 4 Palestinians riding in it. They also arrest 4 Palestinians as they exit Haram al-Sharif. (HA, MNA, WAFA 5/25; MNA 5/26; PCHR 5/28; MNA 9/9)

In Gaza, a Palestinian man is killed in a tunnel collapse nr. Rafah. In the West Bank, IDF troops shoot and critically injure a Palestinian youth by the separation wall nr. Jenin. The young man will succumb to his injuries late at night. They also conduct house searches and raids in Tulkarm, 1 village and al- ‘Azza r.c. nr. Bethlehem, and 1 village nr. Nablus, arresting 6 Palestinians; patrols in 5 villages nr. Jenin, al-‘Arub r.c. and 1 village nr. Hebron, and 1 village each nr. Ramallah, Qalqilya, and Tulkarm. Overnight, Israeli forces demolish 4 residential structures in the n. Jordan Valley and a home nr. Jenin; conduct a large drill nr. Tubas that leads to fire damage on 3,000–4,000 dunams of farmland. Israeli settlers chop down over 100 almond, grape, and olive trees outside Hebron. Unknown Palestinians throw Molotov cocktails at an Israeli settler’s car nr. Nablus, injuring 1 and causing damage. In East Jerusalem, hundreds of Palestinians gather in al-Tur for the funeral of the Palestinian youth killed by Israeli forces on 4/24, defying the Israeli attempt to restrict the funeral to 70 mourners. Minor clashes break out with Israeli forces, but there are no serious injuries. (The Israeli authorities withheld the teen’s body until early this morning and they required his family to pay approximately $5,000 to get it back.) Meanwhile, Israeli forces arrest 5 Palestinian women nr. Haram al-Sharif. (WAFA 4/26; JP, MNA, WAFA 4/27; HA, MNA, WAFA 4/28; PCHR 4/29)

The Israeli govt. invites tenders for the construction of 77 residences in Israeli settlements in East Jerusalem—36 in Neve Yaakov and 41 in Pisgat Ze’ev. (AFP, JTA, REU, WAFA 4/27)

UN Secy.-Gen. Ban publishes a summary of a report compiled by an official UN board of inquiry on OPE. The board found that the 7 documented attacks on UN schools during Israel’s assault on Gaza in 7–8/2014 led to 44 Palestinian deaths and 227 injuries. It also found that 3 UN facilities were used by Palestinian groups for weapons storage. (HA, MNA 4/27; EI 4/28)

Iranian FM Zarif meets with U.S. Secy. of State Kerry to continue their negotiations over Iran’s nuclear program, on the sidelines of a UN nonproliferation conference in New York. (REU 4/27; AP 4/28)

In the Gaza Strip, a bomb explodes in an Egyptian troop transport in the n. Sinai Peninsula along the border with Gaza. Then, Egyptian soldiers open fire on 2 Palestinian military posts across the border nr. Rafah, causing no injuries. The Hamas-run govt. in Gaza says that it was not involved in the initial bombing, while Egyptian authorities blame Hamas for the bombing. Off the coast nr. Bayt Lahiya, Israeli naval forces open fire on Palestinian fishing boats, causing no damage or injuries. Meanwhile, dozens of Palestinian refugees gather in front of the Ministry of Labor, protesting the lack of jobs in the Strip. In the West Bank, around 250 Palestinian and international activists set up a tent camp, named “Gate of Jerusalem,” in Abu Dis to protest the Israeli govt.’s settlement policies and its plans to displace Palestinian bedouins in the E1 area. Late at night, Israeli soldiers raid the camp and later return to demolish it and forcibly remove the activists. IDF troops conduct late-night house searches and arrest raids nr. Hebron and ‘Aqabat Jabir r.c.; patrols nr. Hebron, Jenin, Jericho, and Qalqilya. They also deliver demolition notices to the Palestinian owners of 3 tents and 2 barns nr. Ramallah. Meanwhile, Israeli settlers, accompanied by IDF troops, break into a Palestinian residential complex nr. Bethlehem and erect Israeli flags. In East Jerusalem, over 20 right-wing Jewish activists accompanied by 12 Israeli police enter Haram al-Sharif and tour the area. During a patrol in the Old City, Israeli forces arrest a Palestinian. (AFP, REU, WAFA 2/3; MNA, WAFA 2/4; PCHR 2/5)

In the Gaza Strip, Egyptian authorities open the Rafah border crossing for 9 hours, only allowing Palestinians in Egypt to enter Gaza. Off the coast nr. Rafah on 2 occasions, Israeli naval forces open fire on Palestinian fishing boats, causing no damage or injuries. IDF troops along the n. border of Gaza arrest a Palestinian youth attempting to enter Israel, his father, and 1 other family mbr. E. of Khan Yunis, IDF troops open fire on agricultural land nr. the border fence, causing no injuries. In the West Bank, Israeli troops deliver stop-work orders to 2 Palestinians in Bayt Umar. The IDF conducts house searches and arrest raids nr. Ramallah, Salfit, Hebron, and Nablus; patrols nr. Ramallah, Jenin, Tulkarm, and Qalqilya. In East Jerusalem, around 50 right-wing Jewish activists, accompanied by dozens of Israeli security troops, tour Haram al-Sharif. Separately, Israeli soldiers detain a Palestinian woman nr. the Old City and arrest 1 Palestinian on a raid of his home in Jabal Mukabir. In West Jerusalem, a small group of Jewish Israelis assaults a Palestinian man nr. the Old City, leaving him moderately injured. (IMEMC, MNA, WAFA 11/30; MEMO, MNA 12/1; PCHR 12/4)

Israeli authorities decide to hold the Fatah secy.-gen. in Jerusalem in administrative detention for 5 mos. He and his brother were arrested on 11/24. (MNA 11/30)

At a press conference in Gaza City, Hamas spokesperson Sami Abu Zuhri says that the PA unity govt.’s 6-mo. interim term has expired and that a national dialogue should resume to determine the future of national unity. Senior Fatah official Faisal Abu Shahla disputes Abu Zuhri, saying that there never was an agreement that the unity govt. would only last 6 mos. (MNA 11/30; IMEMC 12/1)