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  • July 21, 2014

    The IDF continues its attacks on the Gaza Strip from land, sea and air, killing 78 Palestinians, including 25 people from a single family nr. the border with Egypt and 10 who die in Khan Yunis...

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  • May 15, 2013

    Unidentified Palestinians fire a rocket from Gaza into Israel, causing no damage or injuries. IDF forces and Palestinians clash across the West Bank and East Jerusalem on Nakba Day, with 25...

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  • November 10, 2012

    The PA denies reports that Pres. Abbas is considering postponing the UN bid and confirmed that he will submit the resolution for a vote later in 11/2012. Israeli fin. min. Yuval Steinitz says that...

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  • November 8, 2012

    PA pres. Abbas circulates a draft resolution to UN member states, ahead of an expected vote later in the month on upgrading the Palestinian status to that of non-member observer state. The draft...

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  • February 10, 2010

    In the morning, IDF troops on the n. Gaza border nr. Bayt Lahiya fire on Palestinians collecting scrap metal from destroyed sites nr. the border fence (no injuries are reported). In the West Bank...

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  • April 22, 2006

    The IDF tightens restrictions on Palestinians traveling btwn. the n. and s. West Bank; bars 100s of Armenian worshipers from processing to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem to...

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  • July 12, 2005

    After mos. of IDF operations in which an Islamic Jihad leader was assassinated on 3/10, another leader survived an attempted assassination on 7/10, and more than 300 cadres were arrested following...

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  • January 26, 2005

    The IDF shells residential areas of Dayr al-Balah, killing a 3-yr.-old Palestinian girl outside her home; assassinates Hamas mbr. Mahir Abu Sunayna, firing on his car as he drives in Qalqilya,...

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  • January 20, 2005

    The IDF reopens the Rafah crossing (closed on 12/12) to Palestinians entering Gaza as a gesture to Abbas for taking steps on security; fatally shoots a 14-yr.-old Palestinian carrying a toy gun in...

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The IDF continues its attacks on the Gaza Strip from land, sea and air, killing 78 Palestinians, including 25 people from a single family nr. the border with Egypt and 10 who die in Khan Yunis after shells hit their home repeatedly as they try to flee. An air strike on a tower in c. Gaza City kills 11, including 5 children. IDF troops shell al-Aqsa Hospital in c. Gaza, killing 4 and wounding 70. Palestinian fighters kill 9 Israeli soldiers during the fighting on the ground. Al-Qassam Brigades target Haifa, Tel Aviv, and Ashdod with rocket fire, with over 50 rockets fired into Israel, causing no injuries. In an al-Qassam Brigades operation, 12 Palestinian fighters enter Israel by a tunnel nr. Bayt Hanun and attack an IDF site, killing 4 and destroying a jeep with an RPG shell. Ten of the Palestinian fighters are killed in the operation and the other 2 return through the tunnel. In the West Bank, the IDF conducts house searches and arrest raids in Hebron, 1 nearby village and al-Fawar r.c., and 1 village nr. Qalqilya at night; patrols in 2 villages nr. Jericho and 1 village each nr. Hebron and Ramallah during the day. (AFP, AP, JP, MNA, REU, YA 7/21; PCHR 7/22)

Speaking in a televised address, former Hamas PM Haniyeh says that “Gaza has decided to end the blockade by its blood and its heroism,” adding, “We cannot go back to the silent death” of the siege. Israeli DM Ya’alon tells a parliamentary comm. that the operation will continue “as long as necessary until the completion of the task.” However, Ya’alon mentions that the Israeli govt. would welcome the PA unity govt. exercising authority in Gaza, in an apparent reversal of policy. In Doha, Hamas leader Mish‘al meets with Pres. Abbas for the 1st time since the war began. PA spokesperson Abu Rudayna reiterates the PA leadership’s call for an immediate cease-fire as a way of realizing “the national goals of the Palestinian people.” In Cairo, UN Secy.-Gen. Ban holds talks with Egyptian FM Shoukri aimed at pressing for an immediate truce. Secy. of State Kerry also arrives in Cairo to facilitate the cease-fire talks. Kerry announces that the U.S. will send $47 m. in humanitarian aid to Gaza. Meanwhile, the IDF requests access to the U.S. War Reserves Stockpile based in Israel to resupply its munitions. (AFP, AP, HA, JP, MNA, REU, YA 7/21)

Unidentified Palestinians fire a rocket from Gaza into Israel, causing no damage or injuries. IDF forces and Palestinians clash across the West Bank and East Jerusalem on Nakba Day, with 25 Palestinians arrested and 6 Israeli security forces injured in and around Jerusalem’s Old City. In al-‘Aqba village nr. Hebron, unidentifed Palestinians throw a Molotov cocktail at an IDF jeep, destroying it and injuring 4 soldiers. In another incident in the nearby village of al-Tabaqa, IDF forces briefly detain more than 45 children. As part of Nakba Dayrelated protests, IDF forces violently disperse Palestinian demonstrators at Qalandia and Bitunia nr. Jerusalem, Ofer nr. Ramallah, Kufor Kaddoum nr. Qalqilya, and open fire on Palestinians in al-Khader nr. Bethlehem (injuring 12). In the West Bank, the IDF patrols in al- ‘Arub r.c. in the morning, and in Tulkarm at night; conducts house searches and arrest raids in 2 villages nr. Hebron and in Tubas at night. (AFP, HA, JP, MNA, YA 5/15; PCHR 5/16)

Palestinian pres. Mahmud Abbas arrives in Cairo for talks with Egyptian pres. Mohamed Morsi about the Arab League’s recent visit (4/29) to Washington and Palestinian national reconciliation moves. (MNA 5/15)

After 2 years of internal discussions, senior Fatah members operating in their own personal capacity issue a document calling for the establishment of one democratic country between the Mediterranean Sea and the Jordan River. (HA 5/17)

Mortars fired from inside Syria land in the Mount Hermon area of the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights, causing no damage or injuries. (HA 5/15)

The PA denies reports that Pres. Abbas is considering postponing the UN bid and confirmed that he will submit the resolution for a vote later in 11/2012. Israeli fin. min. Yuval Steinitz says that Israel will stop collecting tax revenues for the PA if Abbas pursues the initiative. (JP, REU, ToI, WAFA 11/10; JP 11/11)

In the Gaza Strip, armed Palestinians fire an anti-tank missile at an IDF jeep on the border, injuring 4 soldiers. The IDF shells a residential area nr. Gaza City in response, killing 4 Palestinian civilians, including 2 teenagers, and wounding 38 Palestinians (1 of whom subsequently dies of their wounds). The IDF also fires 2 shells at a village nr. Khan Yunis, injuring 11 civilians; makes an air strike on a group of Islamic Jihad mbrs., killing 1. Unidentified Palestinians then fire around 30 rockets and mortars into Israel, causing no injuries. In the West Bank, the IDF patrols in 1 village nr. Hebron, firing tear gas at stonethrowing Palestinians; conducts house search and arrest raids in 1 village nr. Qalqilya in the afternoon and in 1 village nr. Jenin at night. (REU 11/10; JP 11/11; PCHR 11/14)

PA pres. Abbas circulates a draft resolution to UN member states, ahead of an expected vote later in the month on upgrading the Palestinian status to that of non-member observer state. The draft text includes the Palestinian commitment to the two-state solution. An anonymous Palestinian official says that Arab League foreign ministers will discuss the draft and the timing of the vote in a meeting in Cairo on 11/12–13. Israeli FM Lieberman warns of ‘‘far-reaching implications’’ to the UN bid, but Palestinian officials respond with their own threats, such as cancelling the 1994 Paris Protocol, should Israel impose sanctions on the PA after the vote. In meetings with Quartet envoy Tony Blair and the U.S. and French consuls, PLO chief negotiator Saeb Erakat says the UN bid does not contradict the two-state solution. (AP, REU 11/8; JP, MNA 11/9)

The IDF makes a brief incursion into the Gaza Strip nr. Khan Yunis, where troops are engaged by armed PRC mbrs.; the IDF fatally shoots a Palestinian boy during the gun battle. In response, IQB mbrs. detonate a bomb near the border fence, damaging an IDF jeep and wounding 1 soldier. In the West Bank, the IDF uproots trees on land belonging to Nahalin village nr. Bethlehem; patrols in 2 villages nr. Ramallah, 2 villages nr. Qalqilya, and 4 villages nr. Jenin in the morning; patrols in 1 village nr. Qalqilya, 1 nr. Jenin, and 1 nr. Ramallah (firing rubber bullets and tear gas at stone-throwing Palestinians) at night; conducts late-night house searches and arrest raids in 1 village nr. Ramallah. (MNA, REU, YA 11/8; MNA 11/9; PCHR 11/14)

Three mortar shells fired from inside Syria land inside the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights, causing no injuries. (HA 11/8)

In the morning, IDF troops on the n. Gaza border nr. Bayt Lahiya fire on Palestinians collecting scrap metal from destroyed sites nr. the border fence (no injuries are reported). In the West Bank, an off-duty Palestinian policeman (not in uniform) stabs, kills an IDF soldier parked in a jeep at a junction s. of Nablus in Israeli-controlled area C and is detained by an Israeli security guard from a nearby Jewish settlement; PA Pres. Abbas denounces the attack, urging Palestinians to participate only in nonviolent protests against Israel. In response, the IDF raids, searches several Palestinian houses and the assailant’s home in al-Khiljan village southwest of Jenin, confiscating computers and cell phones, and arresting 6 Palestinians, including 4 of his brothers. The IDF also fires rubber-coated steel bullets, tear gas to disperse Palestinians and international activists planting 500 olive trees on Palestinian land slated for Israeli confiscation in Bayt Umar village nr. Karme Tzur settlement; levels Palestinian land nr. Bayt Sahur for construction of an IDF observation post; conducts late-night arrest raids, house searches in Bethlehem, Jalazun r.c. nr. Ramallah (arresting 20 Palestinians, all between the ages of 15 and 18), and nr. Hebron. (NYT, OCHA, PCHR, WP 2/11; OCHA, PCHR 2/18)

The IDF tightens restrictions on Palestinians traveling btwn. the n. and s. West Bank; bars 100s of Armenian worshipers from processing to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem to celebrate Orthodox Easter; sends troops back into Nablus, where they fire on stone-throwing youths who confront them, wounding 3 stone-throwers and a journalist covering the clashes; conducts arrest raids, house searches in Hebron. Dozens of Jewish settlers attempting to break into a Palestinian store in Hebron attack, beat 2 female international peace activists blocking their way; the IDF intervenes to halt the attack. Jewish settlers fr. Ma’on ambush and stone an IDF jeep escorting Palestinian school children to school along a road that passes by the settlement, detaining the jeep and children for an hour until IDF reinforcements arrive. Jewish settlers fr. Yitzhar set fire to 2 new trucks and a generator at a private Palestinian quarry nr. Nablus. In Gaza City, al-Azhar University students backing Fatah and rallying in support of Abbas’s 4/21 veto of Siyam’s security decisions occupy a campus building, unfurl a Fatah banner, stone students at neighboring Islamic University, largely supportive of Hamas, who throw stones back; Fatah, Hamas cadres join the clashes, exchanging gunfire, leaving 20 Palestinians wounded. In the West Bank, some 4,000 Fatah supporters take part in several rallies supporting Abbas and denouncing Mishal (see 4/21). Hamas, Fatah leaders meet late in the evening to restore calm. (HA, PCHR, WP 4/23; MM, WT 4/24; PCHR 4/27; HA 4/30)

After mos. of IDF operations in which an Islamic Jihad leader was assassinated on 3/10, another leader survived an attempted assassination on 7/10, and more than 300 cadres were arrested following the 2/25 suicide bombing carried out by a renegade Islamic Jihad mbr., an Islamic Jihad suicide bomber fr. al-Til outside Tulkarm detonates a device outside a mall in Netanya, killing 3 Israelis, wounding up to 48, marking the 1st suicide bombing since 2/25/05 (1st inside Israel since 11/1/04); Islamic Jihad at first denies, then confirms responsibility. Israel suspends all contacts with the PA regarding disengagement, seals the West Bank and Gaza, vows to respond harshly against the group. Abbas states, “We condemn this terrorist attack. It’s a crime against the Palestinian people. Those traitors are working against the Palestinian interest. . . . They did a stupid thing that they should be punished for,” though he notes Islamic Jihad’s denial. At almost the same time as the bombing, a stolen car breaks through the fence of Shavei Shomron settlement in the West Bank and explodes, injuring the driver but causing no other casualties; the IDF says the driver was an Islamic Jihad mbr. who had been working as an informant for Israel; he had been handcuffed to the wheel of the car and the bomb he was carrying was detonated by cell phone, suggesting an attempt to assassinate him for collaboration. The IDF demolishes 2 Palestinian homes built without permits in Issawiyya and Silwan, East Jerusalem, where Israel intends to construct a park; conducts house searches, detains Palestinians for interrogation in Bayt Fajjar nr. Bethlehem. Palestinians detonate aroadside bomb under an IDF jeep outside Netzer Hazani settlement in s. Gaza, injuring 2 soldiers. Masked Palestinian gunmen fire on senior PA Interior Min. Ibrahim Salama as he drives in Ramallah, force his car to stop, severely beat him; no group takes responsibility. (AP, BBC, HA, IMEMC, XIN 7/12; VOI, VOP 7/12 in WNC 7/13; NYT, OCHA, PR, WP, WT, YA 7/13; HA, Interfax, ITAR-TASS, JP, MA, XIN, YA 7/13 in WNC 7/14; PCHR 7/14; al-Safir 7/16 in WNC 7/17; PR 7/20; XIN 7/21)

The IDF shells residential areas of Dayr al-Balah, killing a 3-yr.-old Palestinian girl outside her home; assassinates Hamas mbr. Mahir Abu Sunayna, firing on his car as he drives in Qalqilya, wounding and arresting 2 AMB mbrs. riding with him, wounding a 15-yr.-old bystander; fires on residential areas of Rafah. Nr. Khan Yunis; 100 Jewish settlers protesting the deployment of PA security forces clash with PA officers, IDF soldiers, and Israeli police; slash PA and IDF jeep tires; 5 settlers are arrested. Palestinians fire 2 mortars at Sederot, causing no damage or injuries. (JAZ 1/26; PCHR, WP, WT 1/27; OCHA, PR 2/2; PCHR 2/3)

Sharon adviser Dov Weisglass, PA Negotiation Affairs M Saeb Erakat,Abbas security adviser Muhammad Dahlan hold the 1st high-level public political talks since Israel suspended contacts on 1/13 to begin planning for an Abbas-Sharon mtg. (BBC 1/26; HA, NYT, WP, WT, XIN 1/27; NYT 1/29; al-Ra’i, VOP 1/30 in WNC 1/31; PR 2/2)

The IDF reopens the Rafah crossing (closed on 12/12) to Palestinians entering Gaza as a gesture to Abbas for taking steps on security; fatally shoots a 14-yr.-old Palestinian carrying a toy gun in Tubas; fires on 3 Palestinian children walking nr. a Rafah mosque, killing a 2d 14-yr.-old Palestinian; cuts down an olive grove nr Salfit for road construction; conducts arrest raids, house searches in Bayt ‘Awwa, Bani Na‘im, Bayt Hanun, Sammu‘a nr. Hebron. Hamas fires an antitank missile at an IDF bulldozer in Bayt Hanun, injuring 3 IDF soldiers. DFLP mbrs. fire a missile at an IDF jeep nr. Khan Yunis, causing no damage or injuries. (JTA 1/20; VOI 1/20 in WNC 1/21; MM, NYT, WP 1/21; OCHA 1/26; PCHR 1/27)