The Palestine Chronology

After Hamas fighters fire an anti-tank missile at an IDF bus near Kibbutz Kfar Aza, critically injuring an Israeli soldier, Israeli forces continue the assault on Gaza that began last night, striking approximately 100 Hamas and other armed groups’ sites across Gaza; 3 Palestinians are killed and at least 20 more are injured. The strikes destroy 4 residential buildings, 5 commercial buildings, 3 tunnels, 1 intelligence compound, and the headquarters of al-Aqsa TV in Gaza City. Meanwhile, armed groups in Gaza retaliate by launching more than 300 rockets and other projectiles into southern Israel, injuring approximately 70 Israelis and destroying several Israeli buildings. Initially reported as an Israeli civilian casualty, a West Bank Palestinian is killed when a rocket hits the building in Ashqelon where he was staying (2 women in the building are injured as well). Around mid-day, there are reports that the Israeli authorities have stopped working with Egyptian and UN mediators to de-escalate the violence. A Hamas military spokesperson threatens major Israeli cities like Beersheba and Ashdod with rocket fire if “Israel persists in its aggression.” (BBC, EI, HA, JP, MNA, MNA, TOI, TOI, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 11/12; EI, HA, HA, MNA, MNA, YA, YA 11/13; PCHR 11/15)

In the West Bank, Israeli forces demolish a Palestinian residential structure near Nablus. They also arrest 2 Palestinians during late-night raids near Ramallah and Bethlehem; and patrol near Ramallah, Tulkarm, and Hebron. (MNA 11/12; PCHR 11/15)

In Gaza, Israeli drones bomb sites near Jabaliya refugee camp and near al-Bureij refugee camp allegedly being used as staging areas for incendiary kite and balloon attacks; there are no reported injuries. On the other side of the border fence, Israeli firefighters put out 10 small fires allegedly sparked by such attacks. Meanwhile, IDF troops violently disperse dozens of Palestinians gathering near al-Bureij refugee camp to continue the Great March of Return; 1 Palestinian is injured. Off Gaza’s coast, Israeli naval forces open fire on Palestinian fishing boats near Rafah and Dayr al-Balah, causing no damage or injuries. In the West Bank, Israeli forces level Palestinian lands near Bethlehem to make space for the expansion of settlements in the area. IDF troops arrest 9 Palestinians and issue 1 arrest summons during late-night raids near Bethlehem, Ramallah, and Hebron; and patrol near Tulkarm and Hebron. A raid near Ramallah sparks clashes with stone-throwing Palestinian minors; there are no reported injuries. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces arrest 1 Palestinian during a late-night raid in Silwan. (HA, MNA, TOI, WAFA, YA 8/4; PCHR 8/9)

A Palestinian minor succumbs to injuries sustained when Israeli soldiers opened fire on Palestinian protesters along Gaza’s border on 8/3, bringing the death toll stemming from the Great March of Return to 140. (MNA, WAFA 8/4)

Israeli naval forces intercept the second ship of a planned flotilla sailing toward Gaza in a symbolic effort to break the Israeli blockade. As they did with the flotilla’s lead ship on 7/29, Israeli naval forces commandeer the ship, escort it to the port at Ashdod, and detain all 12 activists on board. “The forces made it clear to the sailors that they were violating the blockade and that any humanitarian supplies can be delivered to Gaza through the port of Ashdod,” the IDF states. (HA, MNA, TOI, WAFA 8/4)

An Israeli drone bombs a group of Palestinians near Jabaliya refugee camp in Gaza, killing 2 and causing moderate damage. The Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine later claims the 2 men were members of its armed wing. Also along Gaza’s border fence, Israeli forces conduct a limited incursion to level land near Jabaliya refugee camp In the West Bank, IDF troops arrest 21 Palestinians during late-night raids in and around Hebron, Bethlehem, Ramallah, and Tubas; and patrol near Tulkarm, Qalqilya, and Hebron. Israeli forces also demolish a small agricultural structure near Hebron. (MNA, TOI, WAFA, YA 7/29; PCHR 8/2)

Reuters reports that Saudi king Salman bin Abdulaziz recently informed U.S. officials that he won’t be able to support the Trump administration’s long-awaited peace plan unless it provides for a Palestinian capital in East Jerusalem. Jordanian and Egyptian officials have also reportedly encouraged the U.S. team to only circulate a finished plan that is fair to both sides. (HA, TOI, YA 7/29)

Israeli naval forces confront the first ship of a planned flotilla sailing toward Gaza in a symbolic effort to break the Israeli blockade. They commandeer the ship, escort it to the port at Ashdod, and detain all 22 activists on board. Some activists are reportedly assaulted during the confrontation. The IDF will report that they used “reasonable force.” (DPA, HA, MEE, MNA, WAFA, YA 7/29; MNA 7/31)

The Israeli authorities release 17-year-old Palestinian activist Ahed Tamimi from prison, marking the end of her eight-month sentence for kicking, slapping, and otherwise resisting an Israeli soldier during a raid in her hometown Nabi Salih. She was arrested on 12/19/17. (BBC, MNA, WAFA 7/29)

Off Gaza’s coast, Israeli naval forces open fire on a Palestinian fishing boat attempting to ferry 7 wounded Palestinians out of Gaza for medical attention. The Israeli forces tow the boat to the port at Ashdod and arrest all 9 people aboard. In the West Bank, IDF troops arrest 18 Palestinians during late-night raids near Nablus, Ramallah, Hebron, Bethlehem, and Tubas; and patrol near Hebron and Tulkarm. They also deliver stop-work orders to 3 Palestinian homes under construction near Hebron. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces arrest 2 Palestinians during raids in Silwan. In Israel, Israeli forces demolish 2 Palestinian homes in Qalansuwa, citing a lack of the proper permits. (JP, MNA, WAFA 7/10; PCHR 7/12)

UN special coordinator Nickolay Mladenov responds to the Israeli decision to temporarily shut down the Kerem Shalom border crossing: “I urge the [Israeli] authorities to reverse this decision,” he says, also calling on Hamas and the other armed groups in Gaza to “do their part” by “maintaining calm, stopping incendiary kites, and preventing other provocations.” (JP, MNA 7/10)