The Palestine Chronology

In the West Bank, Israeli authorities delivered stop-work notices for 4 Palestinian-owned houses under construction in al-Walaja, al-Khader, and Nahalin in the Bethlehem area. Israeli forces shot and injured 2 Palestinians using rubber-coated bullets near the West Bank wall; 1 was transferred to a hospital and another arrested. Separately, 1 Palestinian was arrested during a late-night raid in Hebron. Israeli settlers entered Yatma south of Nablus overnight where they sprayed Price Tag graffiti on a building and punctured the tires of 6 vehicles. In Gaza, Israeli forces opened fire on agricultural lands east of Khan Yunis. Separately, Israeli forces opened fire toward Palestinians protesting east of Khan Yunis. (HA, WAFA, WAFA 8/13; PCHR 8/22)

Israel’s public security minister Gilad Erdan said that the status quo of Jerusalem needed to be altered so that Jews can be formally allowed to worship on the Haram al-Sharif compound. A spokesperson for the Jordanian foreign ministry said that such a move could have “dangerous repercussions.” (HA 8/14)

Along Gaza’s border, Israeli forces conduct a limited incursion to level lands near al-Bureij refugee camp. In the West Bank, Israeli forces uproot 130 Palestinian olive trees outside the Jordan Valley village of Bardala. Israeli soldiers shoot and injure 2 Palestinians in a car near Hebron. It’s unclear why they opened fire. The IDF also arrests 2 Palestinians during latenight raids in Qalqilya and near Bethlehem, and patrols near Tulkarm and Hebron. Israeli settlers slash the tires of 3 Palestinian cars and leave racist graffiti on a 4th in Jalud village near Nablus. Unidentified Israelis then set fire to 2 Palestinian vehicles south of Nazareth in the 2d price-tag attack of the day. (HA, JP, WAFA 4/25; PCHR, WAFA 4/26; PCHR 5/3)

A Palestinian journalist succumbs to injuries sustained when the IDF violently dispersed peaceful protests along Gaza’s border on 4/13, bringing the death toll stemming from the Great March of Return to 37. He is the 2d journalist killed since the protests began on 3/30. (HA, JP, MNA, TOI, YA 4/25; PCHR 4/26)

In the West Bank, Israeli forces seal the entrances to Beita near Nablus with dirt mounds as collective punishment after reports of stonethrowing in the village. They also fire on a Palestinian driving near the village, damaging his car. IDF troops arrest 2 Palestinians during latenight raids in and around Nablus, sparking minor clashes; 4 Palestinian youths are injured. They also patrol near Tulkarm and Hebron during the day. Israeli settlers vandalize several Palestinian cars near Nablus overnight, leaving price-tag graffiti on nearby walls. Off Gaza’s coast, Israeli naval forces open fire on Palestinian fishing boats near Jabaliya refugee camp and Bayt Lahiya, causing no damage and injuries. (MNA, WAFA 2/15; PCHR 2/22)

In Paris, Israel’s economy minister Eli Cohen meets with the PA’s national economy minister Abeer Odeh. “Promoting joint economic projects is in the interest of both sides and has security and political importance beyond the economic dimension,” Cohen says. (JP 2/18)

In the West Bank, IDF troops shoot and injure a Palestinian minor amid clashes sparked by an arrest raid near Nablus, arrest 11 Palestinians during late-night raids in and around Bethlehem, Ramallah, Hebron, Nablus, Qalqilya, Jenin; and patrol near Qalqilya, Salfit, and Hebron. Israeli settlers slash the tires of 5 Palestinian vehicles near Qalqilya and leave price-tag graffiti on the walls nearby. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces demolish a Palestinian shop and cut down a number of trees in Issawiyya. They also arrest 17 Palestinians during late-night raids in Issawiyya, Abu Dis, and al-Ram. Construction begins on a new center for Jewish religious studies in Jerusalem’s Old City, just a short distance from Haram al-Sharif. (MNA, WAFA 2/13; EI, PCHR 2/15)

The Israeli police recommend charging PM Netanyahu in 2 cases where there is sufficient evidence he accepted bribes “against the public interest.” Atty.-gen. Avichai Mandelblit is now tasked with deciding whether or not to formally charge the PM. Netanyahu says that the recommendations are “biased” and have “more holes than Swiss cheese.” (HA, NYT 2/13; NYT, YA 2/14)

In the West Bank, Israeli forces demolish a car repair shop near Hebron and an old structure near Salfit, and deny Palestinian farmers access to their lands near Bethlehem. IDF troops arrest 6 Palestinians during late-night raids near Tulkarm, Hebron, and Ramallah; and patrol near Qalqilya, Tulkarm, and Salfit. Palestinians throw stones at 2 IDF soldiers who drove into Jenin, causing minor injuries. PA Security Forces assist the IDF in extracting the soldiers from the city. In East Jerusalem, Israeli settlers slash the tires of several Palestinian cars in Silwan and leave price-tag graffiti nearby. Israeli forces arrest 9 Palestinians during late-night raids in Qalandia refugee camp, Issawiyya, Silwan, and Abu Dis. (HA, JP, TOI, WAFA, YA 2/12; PCHR 2/15)

IDF troops conduct raids in Dahaysha r.c. nr. Bethlehem overnight, sparking clashes with stone-throwing Palestinians; 2 Palestinians and 1 Israeli soldier are injured. An IDF raid in Kobar nr. Ramallah sparks further clashes; 15 Palestinians are injured and 5 are arrested. IDF troops arrest a Palestinian in c. Hebron found to be carrying a knife, arrest 2 more Palestinians during late-night raids nr. Hebron, and patrol nr. Hebron and Jenin during the day. Israeli settlers set fire to 2 Palestinian vehicles and leave price-tag graffiti in Umm Safa nr. Ramallah overnight. Hundreds of Israeli settlers march through Hebron to the Abu Rajab building in which settler families have been squatting since 7/25. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces demolish a residential structure and a surrounding fence in Bayt Hanina, and arrest 6 Palestinians during raids in Shu‘fat r.c., al-Tur, and the Old City. (HA, MNA, TOI, WAFA, YA 8/9; PCHR 8/10; PCHR 8/17)

Off Gaza’s coast, Israeli naval forces open fire on Palestinian fishing boats nr. Bayt Lahiya on 2 separate occasions and later nr. Jabaliya r. c., causing no injuries. Along Gaza’s border, Israeli forces spray Palestinian farmlands nr. Rafah with herbicides overnight and conduct a limited incursion to level land nr. Khan Yunis late at night. In East Jerusalem, Israeli settlers spray price-tag graffiti and slash the tires of at least 17 Palestinian vehicles overnight in Shu‘fat. In the West Bank, Israeli forces demolish 4 Palestinian structures in Jiftlik nr. Jericho. IDF troops arrest 3 Birzeit University students during late-night raids nr. Ramallah. The arrests come hours before student elections are set to take place on 5/10. They also arrest 2 Palestinians during further raids nr. Ramallah; and patrol in Qalqilya, and nr. Salfit and Hebron. (HA, MNA, WAFA 5/9; MNA 5/10; PCHR 5/11)

The Egyptian authorities open the Rafah border crossing for the 4th and final day in a row. (MNA 5/9)

The Israeli crackdown on the oPt amid the ongoing wave of violence continues. IDF troops clash with stone-throwing Palestinians outside a settlement nr. Ramallah and along Gaza’s border e. of Khan Yunis, injuring 4. Meanwhile, the IDF patrols in 1 village each nr. Jerusalem and Jenin, sparking clashes with stone-throwers (2 Palestinians are injured with live ammunition); conducts raids around Jenin and patrols across the West Bank. Masked assailants assault Palestinian Legislative Council mbr. Mustafa Barghouti in Ramallah, shouting “let the intifada protect you” and causing minor injuries before fleeing the area. The PA then launches an investigation into the attack. Israeli settlers continue assaults on Palestinians and their property, damaging a Palestinian greenhouse nr. Jenin; setting fire to a car in East Jerusalem and leaving price-tag graffiti nr. the scene. A Palestinian family demolishes its own home in Bayt Hanina, responding to the Israeli police’s 4/2015 order giving them until today to destroy the building or accept a fine of NIS 60,000 (around $15,430). Israeli forces arrest 8 Palestinians on raids in the Old City, al-Tur, al-Suwana, Silwan, Shu‘fat, and Issawiyya. In Israel, an Israeli rabbi succumbs to injuries sustained on 11/18/2014 when 2 Palestinians attacked a synagogue in West Jerusalem, bringing the number of Israelis killed in the attack to 6. (HA, JP, MNA, WAFA 10/24; HA, JP, MNA, WAFA, YA 10/25; PCHR 10/29)

After meeting with PA pres. Abbas and Jordan’s King Abdullah in Amman, U.S. secy. of state Kerry announces that they and Israeli PM Netanyahu have reached a series of understandings, including an Israeli-Jordanian agreement to install cameras at Haram al-Sharif to broadcast live 24 hours a day. (HA, JP, MNA, NYT, TOI, YA 10/24; HA, JP 10/25)

In the West Bank, Israeli forces raze 6 dunams (1.5 acres) of land, demolish 2 Palestinian buildings under construction, and seize building materials in Bethlehem. IDF troops raid Jenin r.c. and 1 village nr. Jenin, as well as 1 village nr. Hebron, issuing arrest summons to 1 Palestinian and confiscating property; patrol during the day in 3 villages nr. Hebron. Israeli settlers set fire to a bedouin storage tent nr. Ramallah overnight, causing substantial damage and leaving price-tag graffiti. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces fire sound bombs at a group of Palestinian children in Silwan accused of throwing stones; establish road blocks at the e. entrance to Issawiyya. (HA, MNA, WAFA 8/13; PCHR 8/20)

In Gaza, Hamas police shut down the offices of mobile phone company Jawwal (Hamas ordered the company to close on 6/26). Israeli forces on the Gaza border e. of Khan Yunis conduct a limited incursion to level land nr. the border fence. In the West Bank, IDF troops shoot and injure a Palestinian man at the Qalandia checkpoint. IDF troops later conduct a raid in a nearby village, sparking minor clashes with stonethrowing Palestinian youths. The IDF conducts a late-night raid on offices of the Palestinian Water Authority in a village nr. Ramallah, confiscating 2 computers; patrols during the day in 2 villages nr. Hebron. Israeli settlers assault a Palestinian man with sticks and stones nr. Ramallah, moderately injuring him. In East Jerusalem, Israeli settlers spray price-tag graffiti on a wall in Bayt Safafa. Israeli forces arrest a Palestinian man on a raid nr. the Old City. (MNA, REU, WAFA, YA 6/30; MNA 7/1; PCHR 7/2)

Following Palestinian attacks on 6/29, Israeli authorities set new restrictions on Palestinians entering Jerusalem, rolling back some of the restrictions loosened for Ramadan on 6/16. Specifically, women between 16 and 30 and men under 50 will need a permit to enter the city on Fridays. (HA, MNA 7/1)

Following a meeting of senior PLO officials in Ramallah, PA pres. Abbas fires PLO secy.-gen. Yasser Abed Rabbo, citing his absence from recent meetings. Abed Rabbo responds to the announcement of his firing by saying, “Abbas does not have the authority to fire me. The only party that is authorized to do so is the PLO Exec. Comm., which has to hold a general meeting.” Senior PLO officials also approve a temporary cabinet “shuffle” as negotiations continue on the formation of a new consensus govt. Abbas assigns PM Hamdallah to make “slight changes” to the govt., reportedly shifting 5 ministers. (JP, MNA, TOI 7/1)

The U.S. State Dept. issues a special statement clarifying that, while the Obama admin.“strongly opposes” BDS efforts targeting Israel, it does not have a similar stance regarding “Israeli-controlled territories,” referring to the anti-BDS provision that became law as part of the Bipartisan Congressional Trade Priorities and Accountability Act of 2015 on 6/29. (HA, JTA, MDW, PNN 7/1)

In Vienna, reps. of the P5+1 and Iran agree on a 7-day extension to today’s deadline for a final agreement on Iran’s nuclear program. (BB 6/26; JP, NYT, TOI 6/30)

In c. Gaza, IDF troops open fire on Palestinian homes nr. the border fence, causing damage. Off the coast nr. Bayt Lahiya, Israeli naval forces fire on Palestinian fishing boats, causing no damage or injuries. In the West Bank, IDF troops conduct raids in 1 village each nr. Qalqilya and Bethlehem, sparking clashes with stone-throwing residents in both and arresting 2 in the former. They also patrol in 1 village each nr. Ramallah and Qalqilya, and 2 areas nr. Hebron; arrest a Palestinian man n. of Hebron who attempted to stab an Israeli soldier at a checkpoint; assault a Palestinian at a checkpoint nr. Jenin. The IDF violently disperses Palestinian and international activists nonviolently protesting in 2 villages nr. Qalqilya, detaining 2 Palestinians, moderately injuring 2, and lightly injuring several. Israeli forces deliver demolition notices to a school and 2 homes in Hebron. Israeli settlers deface the walls of a Palestinian school nr. Nablus, leaving price-tag graffiti. Separately, Israeli settlers assault a Palestinian youth from another village nr. Nablus, forcing him to remove his clothes in the cold weather. In East Jerusalem, Jewish Israelis set fire to a Greek Orthodox seminary and leave price-tag graffiti. An Israeli court bans 4 Palestinian women from entering Haram al-Sharif for periods ranging from 10 to 60 days. They were detained on 2/25. (HA, MNA, TOI, WAFA 2/26; MNA 2/28; PCHR 3/5)

The IEC agrees to stop cutting power to areas in the West Bank (as it did on 2/23 and 2/25) in exchange for the Israeli govt.’s promise to offset the Palestinians’ debts with the tax revenues that it has punitively withheld from the PA since 1/2. The PM’s office also announces a deal that will connect Rawabi, the 1st planned Palestinian city, to the water grid, enabling new residents to move in to the city. The agreement will also connect several Israeli settlements in the area to the grid. (HA, TOI 2/26; NYT 2/27)

On the 6 mo. anniversary of the 8/16 cease-fire that ended Operation Protective Edge (OPE), 30 UN agencies and other international organizations in Gaza jointly express their alarm at the slow pace of reconstruction and the dire conditions in the Strip. In their statement, they say, “We must not fail Gaza,” and that “since 7/2014, the situation has deteriorated dramatically.” (WAFA 2/26)

The Jordanian and Israeli govts. sign a deal that will govern the construction of a pipeline to link the Red Sea and the Dead Sea, the 1st phase of a Dead Sea revitalization project that has been debated and discussed for over a decade. They plan to begin preparing tenders to offer to construction companies in the coming weeks. They ultimately plan to build a desalinization plant n. of Aqaba, Jordan. In 12/2013, reps. of Jordan, Israel, and the PA signed a memorandum of understanding at the World Bank to guide their joint efforts on the project. (AFP, TOI 2/26)

In the Gaza Strip, IDF troopsshoot and kill a Palestinian farmer approaching the border fence e. of Jabaliya. Separately, IDF troops open fire on 3 Palestinians approaching the Kerem Shalom crossing, injuring 1 and arresting 5 in 2 separate incidents. In the West Bank, a Palestinian shepherd is seriously injured when he steps on an explosive left by the IDF. (He succumbs to his injuries on 11/24.) During a peaceful demonstration in Hebron, IDF troops shoot and injure a Palestinian photojournalist. At a checkpoint outside al-‘Arub r.c., IDF troops detain 1 Palestinian man and lightly injure him. IDF troops raid homes nr. Ramallah and Tulkarm. In East Jerusalem, an Israeli woman breaks into a Silwan home and attacks a sleeping Palestinian woman with pepper spray. Separately, a Palestinian woman is arrested at the Shu‘fat r.c. checkpoint after, according to Israeli police, attempting to stab an Israeli officer with a sharp object. Later in the evening, clashes break out in Shu‘fat r.c. Seventeen Israelis attack a Palestinian taxi driver in the Bnei Brak neighborhood after 2 of them accuse the driver of trying to run them over. Israeli forces raid several homes and stores in al-Bustan, and they issue fines for violations of construction laws. Dozens of Israelis carrying Israeli flags and chanting “death to Arabs” gather in the Old City and demand that the Israeli govt. open Haram al-Sharif. (AnA, AJ, IMEMC, MEMO, MNA, REU, WAFA 11/23; IMEMC, MNA, WAFA, 11/24; PCHR 11/27)

Israeli settlers enter a village n. of Ramallah to set fire to a Palestinian home and to deface another with price-tag graffiti. In West Jerusalem, settlers attack several Palestinian workers at a vegetable stand. Nr. Nablus, settlers assault 3 Palestinian shepherds. A group of 3 Israeli settlers assaults a Palestinian youth in Bayt Hanina, moderately injuring him. (MNA 11/23; WAFA 11/24)

Following heated arguments between several ministers, Israeli PM Netanyahu’s cabinet passes a preliminary reading of the controversial “nation-state” bill that would govern the reconciliation of competing drafts in the Knesset. (GDN, HA, WAFA 11/23; JP, NYT 11/24)

After a day of negotiations in Vienna between reps. of Iran and the P5+1, U.S. Secy. of State Kerry urges Iranian FM Mohammad Zarif to consider an extension to the talks. A senior Iranian official says that Iran is open to extending the talks between 6 mos. and 1 year. (BBC, HA, MNA 11/23)

In the West Bank, IDF troops shoot and wound a Palestinian with a rubber-coated metal bullet in al-Fara‘a r.c. nr. Tubas during clashes sparked by a raid in the camp. Separately, 3 Palestinian children nr. Bayt Umar n. of Hebron are wounded by an unexploded Israeli sound bomb. Meanwhile, an Israeli border police officer is lightly injured when Palestinians throw a Molotov cocktail at an army post in n. Bethlehem. The IDF conducts house searches and arrest raids in 1 village nr. Jenin; patrols in 3 villages nr. Jenin and 2 villages nr. Ramallah. Israeli settlers torch a mosque in Aqraba village nr. Nablus and leave “price tag” graffiti. In East Jerusalem, hundreds of Israelis tour Haram al-Sharif for the festival of Sukkoth, while Palestinians under 50 and all women are prevented from entering for morning prayers. (JP, MNA, REU 10/14; PCHR 10/16)

UN Secy.-Gen. Ban makes a brief visit to the Gaza Strip, meeting mbrs. of the PA unity govt. and seeing some of the devastation firsthand. Hamas spokesperson Sami Abu Zuhri issues a statement calling on Ban to take “serious actions” to end the suffering of Palestinians in Gaza, and claiming that the UN official “took part in providing cover for the Israeli massacres in Rafah.” Meanwhile, truckloads of cement and steel enter Gaza for the 1st time in a year (600 tons of cement, 50 trucks of construction materials, and 10 trucks of metal), while Israeli authorities allow 15 tons of produce, mainly dates and sweet potatoes, to be sent for sale in the West Bank. (MNA, JP 10/14)

In the Gaza Strip, IDF troops conduct a limited incursion close to the border fence nr. e. Gaza City, and fire shots without causing injuries. In the West Bank, the IDF conducts house searches and arrest raids in 1 village nr. Ramallah in the morning, 1 village nr. Hebron in the afternoon, and in Hebron and 2 nearby villages, 3 villages nr. Nablus, Aida r.c. nr. Bethlehem, and 1 village nr. Qalqilya at night. In East Jerusalem, Jewish Israeli activists vandalize Palestinian-owned cars in Bayt Hanina, and leave “price tag” graffiti. (MNA 6/23; PCHR 6/26)

In the Gaza Strip, Israeli forces open fire on Palestinian farmers and metal-collectors close to the border fence nr. Jabaliya, causing no injuries. In the West Bank, the IDF conducts house searches and arrest raids in Nablus in the afternoon, and in 3 villages nr. Hebron at night; patrols in 2 villages nr. Hebron in the morning, in 3 villages nr. Hebron and 1 village nr. Ramallah at night. Jewish settlers assault and injure a Palestinian shepherd nr. Ramallah. Separately, settlers vandalize 50 olive trees nr. Bethlehem and leave racist “price tag” graffiti. (PCHR 5/15)

Fatah official Azzam al-Ahmad arrives in the Gaza Strip for talks with Hamas leaders. They focus on selecting technocrats to lead the unity govt. (MNA, REU 5/13)

Former Israeli PM Olmert is sentenced to 6 years in jail for taking bribes in a real estate deal during his time as mayor of Jerusalem. (Olmert was convicted on 3/31.) The sentence is widely perceived to end his prospects for a political comeback. (REU 5/13)

Lakhdar Brahimi resigns as the UN and Arab League peace envoy for Syria, saying that “because of divisions we have not been able to make any progress in the course of 3 years.” UN Secy.-Gen. Ban Ki-moon accepts the resignation “with great regret.” (AFP 5/13)

In the Gaza Strip, IDF troops open fire on armed Palestinians close to the border fence nr. Dayr al-Balah, injuring 1. In the West Bank, the IDF conducts house searches and arrest raids in 2 villages each nr. Hebron and Nablus at night; patrols in al-‘Arub and 1 village nr. Hebron at night. Meanwhile, shots are fired toward a house in West Bank settlement Psagot, causing no injuries. In Israel, Jewish extremists leave “price tag” graffiti on a Druze-owned dentistry office in Yokneam. In East Jerusalem, a separate “price tag” attack targets Vaticanowned offices with graffiti. (AFP, HA, JP, MNA 5/7; PCHR 5/8)

U.S. National Security Adviser Susan Rice arrives in Jerusalem and holds a meeting with Israeli PM Netanyahu to discuss the Iranian nuclear issue. She also meets Pres. Shimon Peres, and Israel’s National Security Adviser Yossi Cohen. Rice travels with a team that includes U.S. Under Secy. of State Wendy Sherman. Her trip is unrelated to the breakdown in Israeli-Palestinian negotiations. (HA 5/7)

Iranian technical experts and representatives of the P5+1 countries hold talks in New York City. An anonymous EU official describes them as “useful,” ahead of talks beginning 5/13 aimed at reaching a more comprehensive agreement. (AP, REU 5/7)

Off the coast of the Gaza Strip nr. Khan Yunis, Israeli naval vessels open fire on Palestinian fishermen, causing no damage or injuries. In the West Bank, the IDF conducts house searches and arrest raids in 2 villages nr. Nablus and 1 village nr. Bethlehem at night; patrols in 1 village nr. Ramallah in the morning, in 1 village nr. Hebron in the afternoon, and in Salfit and 1 nearby village, al-Fawar r.c. and 3 villages nr. Hebron, 2 villages nr. Jericho and 1 village each nr. Bethlehem and Ramallah at night. Jewish settlers destroy 35 olive trees in the Gush Etzion settlement bloc s. of Jerusalem, leaving “price tag” graffiti at the scene. Meanwhile in Israel, a Palestinian citizen’s car is vandalized in Acre with “price tag” graffiti. (HA, MNA 5/4; PCHR 5/8)

The Palestinian Prisoners’ Society says that the number of prisoners on hunger strike against their detention without trial has reached 120, with participating prisoners being held in solitary confinement in the Negev, Ofer, and Megiddo jails. (MNA 5/3)

Senior Hamas official Musa Abu Marzuq says that Hamas will not accept the conditions demanded by the Quartet, including recognition of Israel, in remarks made at a press conference in Gaza City. Abu Marzuq also says that it is likely Hamas will participate in the proposed Palestinian presidential elections. (AFP, MEMO 5/3)

In the Gaza Strip, Israeli forces open fire on Palestinians collecting scrap metal close to the border fence nr. Bayt Hanun, wounding 1. In the West Bank, the IDF wound 1 Palestinian during clashes in Nablus during a patrol designed to protect the movement of Jewish settlers. IDF troops demolish 2 houses in al- ‘Arub r.c. nr. Hebron, prompting clashes with residents. Three are injured by rubber-coated metal bullets. IDF troops also fire tear gas into the grounds of 2 schools in al-Khadir, nr. Bethlehem. The IDF conducts house searches and arrest raids in Hebron and 2 nearby villages, and in 1 village nr. Jenin at night; patrols in 2 villages nr. Hebron, in Tulkarm and 1 nearby village, and 1 village nr. Jericho at night. In Israel, a car owned by a Palestinian citizen is vandalized, the 6th such hate crime in the town over the last mo. Meanwhile, residents of Furaydis hold a general strike to protest the “price tag” attack on 4/29, where racist graffiti was sprayed on a mosque. Israeli PM Netanyahu condemns the attack and says that the govt. is tackling those responsible. (HA, MNA, WAFA 4/30; PCHR 5/8)

Senior Palestinian official Shaath says that the Palestinian leadership will look to take action at the international level, in light of the breakdown in negotiations he says were foiled by Israel. (WAFA 4/30)

Fatah official Azzam al-Ahmad says that PA Pres. Abbas will issue a presidential decree to convene the Palestinian Legislative Council— which has not convened since 2007—while elections will not take place for another 6 mos. Hamas and Fatah officials reactivate a subcmte. on civil liberties, as part of the implementation of the reconciliation agreement. Topics for the new subcmte. to deal with include the end of a ban on West Bank newspapers in Gaza. Meanwhile, around 1,000 Hamas supporters march through Ramallah, marking the return of the remains of 2 Hamas fighters killed by Israel in 1998. Speaking to mourners by telephone, Hamas leader Khalid Mish‘al affirms that the organization’s “path is resistance and the rifle,” and that Palestinians were in need of a joint, unified strategy to secure the “liberation of our lands and holy sites.” (AFP, JP, MEMO, MNA, REU 4/30)

In the West Bank, IDF troops demolish a mosque and 3 houses nr. Nablus on the basis that they had been built without a permit, leaving 30 people homeless. The IDF shoots and injures 1 Palestinian with live ammunition during clashes prompted by a routine patrol in Nablus. The IDF conducts house searches and arrest raids in Hebron and 1 nearby village, 1 village nr. Bethlehem, and Jenin r.c. at night; patrols in 4 villages nr. Hebron and 1 village nr. Jenin at night. (MNA, REU 4/29; PCHR 4/30)

Jewish extremists vandalize a mosque and 20 cars in Furaydis, a Palestinian town in n. Israel. Separately, a church on the n. shore of Lake Tiberias is vandalized. Both “price tag” attacks are accompanied by racist graffiti. (JTA, WAFA 4/29)

PA Pres. Abbas tells a conference in Ramallah that an extension of negotiations with Israel would require the borders of a future Palestinian state to be defined. Meanwhile, Israel’s Economics and Trade Minister Naftali Bennett says that Israel would gradually annex Area C of the West Bank in light of the failure of negotiations, and declares that the “Oslo era is over,” in remarks made to reporters during a visit to the Gush Etzion settlement bloc s. of Jerusalem. (AFP, JP, WAFA, YA 4/29)

Turkish PM Recep Tayyip Erdogan says in an interview on U.S. television network CBS that Turkey and Israel could move toward reconciliation within days or weeks, and claims that an agreement has been reached regarding compensation (without specifying exactly what this entails). The Israeli PM’s office refuses to comment. (JP 4/29)

In the Gaza Strip, IDF troops conduct 2 brief incursions nr. Khan Yunis and al-Bureij r.c., levelling land alongside the border fence. In the West Bank, the IDF conducts house searches and arrest raids in 3 villages nr. Hebron and 1 village nr. Jenin at night; patrols in 2 villages nr. Tulkarm, 1 village nr. Hebron and 1 village nr. Salfit at night. Jewish settlers vandalize Palestinian property in 2 villages in the Jordan Valley and nr. Ramallah, leaving “price-tag” graffiti. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces demolish 2 Palestinian-owned homes in Bayt Hanina. (HA, MNA, WAFA 5/29; PCHR 5/30)

The UN Human Rights Council passes a resolution by a 36-1 vote (Venezuela was the sole opposing vote). It calls for an urgent investigation into alleged crimes by Syrian govt. forces and Hizballah fighters in Qusair, and also condemns the role of foreign fighters. The text was drafted by Qatar, Turkey, and the U.S. (AP 5/29)

There are violent clashes between IDF soldiers and Palestinian demonstrators across the West Bank. After the funeral of a man killed by the IDF in Abud village nr. Ramallah, demonstrators clash with IDF soldiers, who fire tear gas canisters and rubber-coated metal bullets, causing no serious injuries.

In Jerusalem, Israeli police and Palestinians clash after Friday prayers at the al-Aqsa Mosque compound, with no serious injuries.

In Hebron, IDF soldiers clash with stone-throwing youths, and seriously injure 3 civilians. In al-Mazra’a al-Qibliya village nr. Ramallah, an IDF patrol fires on stone-throwing youths with live ammunition, wounding 3. Meanwhile, Jewish settlers attack a Palestinian shepherd close to alMughayyir village nr. Ramallah, killing 5 of his sheep. In ensuing clashes, IDF soldiers injure 4 Palestinian civilians. Also, Jewish settlers uproot around 100 olive trees south of Nablus and leave ‘‘price tag’’ graffiti in Issawiyya village. In the West Bank, the IDF patrols in al- ‘Arub r.c. nr. Hebron and 1 village nr. Tulkarm in the afternoon, and in 2 villages nr. Hebron, 1 village nr. Jenin, 1 village nr. Jericho and 2 villages nr. Ramallah at night. IDF soldiers conduct house searches and arrest raids in 1 village nr. Bethlehem at night. IDF soldiers violently disperse Palestinians, Israelis, and international activists taking part in weekly nonviolent demonstrations against the Israeli occupation and land confiscations held in 2 villages nr. Ramallah (Bil‘in, Ni‘lin), 1 village nr. Bethlehem (al-Ma’sara), al-Haraiek area nr. Hebron, and 1 village nr. Qalqilya (Jayyous). There are no serious injuries except in Bil‘in, where 3 Palestinians are injured by rubber-coated metal bullets and tear gas canisters. IDF soldiers also clash with protesters at various locations who are demonstrating in solidarity with Palestinian prisoners, including in Bayt Ummar nr. Hebron, Bayt Laqiya nr. Ramallah, al-Khader and Taqq’a nr. Bethlehem, and Qalqilya; no serious injuries are reported. Israeli naval vessels off the Gaza coast open fire on Palestinian fishermen nr. Rafah, causing no damage or casualties. IDF forces open fire on Palestinians picnicking close to the Gaza border fence nr. Jabaliya, seriously wounding 1. (MNA, REU 3/8; PCHR 3/14)

The IDF enters the c. Gaza Strip nr. al-Bureij r.c. with 6 bulldozers and 4 military vehicles; Israeli tank fire during the incursion injures 1 Palestinian man. In the West Bank, the IDF serves 40 families with eviction orders in Khirbat Tana village nr. Nablus, declaring that the area is earmarked for a military training zone; enters a village nr. Salfit to order residents out of 20 homes in preparation for demolition (clashing with locals, leaving 6 Palestinians injured, including 2 journalists); patrols in 1 village nr. Ramallah and 2 villages nr. Hebron at night; conducts house searches and arrest raids in 1 village nr. Hebron and 1 village nr. Bethlehem at night. Suspected Jewish settlers cut down around 50 Palestinianowned olive trees in a village nr. Rehelim settlement and leave ‘‘price tag’’ graffiti. (MNA, ToI 11/7; PCHR 11/14)

Syrian security forces seal the Damascus office of Hamas chief Khalid Mishal, abandoned by the Hamas leadership earlier in 2012. (REU 11/7)