The Palestine Chronology

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers raided Qarawat Bani Hassan before confronted by Palestinian residents. Israeli settlers attacked 1 Palestinian minor near Kisan, causing injuries. Elsewhere, Israeli settlers set fire to agricultural lands planted with olive trees in Jalud, causing extensive damage. Israeli forces violently dispersed Palestinian protesters commemorating Nakba Day throughout the West Bank, killing 1 Palestinian in Hebron and injuring 450, including 27 in Hebron, 29 in Qalqilya, 12 in Ramallah, 18 in Nablus, 9 in Tulkarm, 6 in Jenin, 2 in Bethlehem, and 1 in Tubas using live ammunition. 13 Palestinians were arrested, including 4 during late-night raids in Tulkarm and 9 during protests near Jenin. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces violently dispersed Palestinian protesters in Shaykh Jarrah, injuring 1 journalist and arresting 1. Israeli forces also violently dispersed Palestinian protesters in al-Tur, causing tear-gas related injuries and 1 arrest. 13 others were arrested during raids in Issawiyya, al-Tur, Silwan, and Sur Bahir. In Gaza, 17 Palestinians were killed, including 8 children, and dozens were injured, raising the comprehensive death toll since 5/10 from 136 to 153, including 41 children and 2 pregnant women. The casualties included: 10 members of the same family in an Israeli air strike in al-Shati refugee camp, including 8 children; 1 infant was found in the rubble of the house and was the only survivor of the attack; 2 in an air strike on a market in Gaza City; 1 in an air strike while driving north of Gaza City; 1 in a drone strike on agricultural lands near al-Bureij; 1, and 1 injured in an air strike on al-Bureij; 1 in an air strike while riding a motorbike in al-Maghazi; 1 Palestinian succumbed to wounds sustained in an air strike on a car wash al-Zawaideh. Israel also demolished al-Jalaa tower, a 12-story building in Gaza City hosting the offices of AP, Al Jazeera, and other international media outlets along with residential apartments; Israel claimed that it also housed Hamas and Islamic Jihad in Palestine intelligence offices, saying that made it a legitimate target; residents and workers were given 1 hour to evacuate the building. AP said their reporting capabilities in Gaza were significantly reduced while Al Jazeera called it a war crime and an act to stop reporting. Air strikes also demolished the home of senior Hamas official Khalil al-Hayya and severely damaged the 14-story tower al-Qahira and the 12-story tower al-Andalus in Gaza City. Shelling from land and sea also caused significant damage and injuries in Khan Yunis and Bayt Hanun. Egypt sent 10 ambulances to Gaza to pick up injured Palestinians for treatment at Egyptian hospitals. In Israel, 1 Israeli was killed by a rocket fired from Gaza in Ramat Gan, raising the Israeli death toll to 10. 6 buildings were also damaged in Ramat Gan. Rockets were also fired at Beersheba, Ashkelon, and Ashdod from Gaza, causing damage in Beersheba and Ashdod. Hundreds of Palestinian-Israelis protested in Jaffa over the Israeli police’s inability to protect them as violence has been escalating in the neighborhood and 1 minor was seriously injured by a firebomb on 5/14. 67 Palestinian-Israelis were reported arrested, including 52 in ‘Akka and 15 in Lydda. In Lebanon, hundreds of protesters gathered along the Blue Line to show solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza and Shaykh Jarrah. (AJ, AJ, AJ, AJ, AJ, AJ, AJ, AJ, AJ, AP, HA, HA, HA, HA, MEE, MEE, PCHR, REU, REU, REU, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 5/15; AP, AP, AP, AP, HA, MEE, PCHR, REU, TOI, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 5/16; AP 5/17; HA 5/18; PCHR 5/20; MEE 5/21; NYT 5/26; GDN 7/28)

There were major demonstrations in many cities worldwide in commemoration of Nakba Day and in solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza and those threatened by eviction in Shaykh Jarrah. (DM, DW, NAT 5/15 BBC, GDN, WAFA 5/16)

U.S. president Joe Biden spoke with both Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu and PA president Mahmoud Abbas. It was the 1st time that President Biden and President Abbas have spoken since Biden took office in January. (HA, WAFA 5/15)

U.S. chair of the senate foreign relations committee Bob Menendez (D-NJ) said, after Israel demolished the building housing the offices of AP and Al Jazeera, that he was “deeply troubled by reports of Israeli military actions that resulted in the death of innocent civilians in Gaza as well as Israeli targeting of buildings housing international media outlets.” Menendez is known as 1 of the staunchest supports of Israel among the senate Democrats. Several House Democrats separately tweeted, “Apartheid states aren’t democracies,” in a reference to Israel. (AJ, AJ, HA, NYT 5/15)

In the West Bank, 1 Israeli settler shot and killed 1 Palestinian and injured 1 other when the 2 confronted a group of settlers attempting to set fire to their crops near al-Rihiya, south of Hebron; +972 reported that the settlers mutilated the body of the Palestinian man they had shot dead. 10 Palestinians were killed and 209 wounded by Israeli forces throughout the West Bank. The casualties included: 1, and 39 injured during a protest in Shwaika near Tulkarm; several others were reported injured; 1 protester, and 2 injured in Salem; 1 protester in Asira; 1 protester, and 4 injured in Beita; 1 protester, and 18 others injured by live ammunition in Ya‘bad; 1 protester in Marda; 1 protester in Iskaka; 1 protester, and 4 injured in ‘Urif; 1 protester in Jericho; 1 Palestinian at a checkpoint, who allegedly tried to ram Israeli soldiers near Silwad; 148 protesters injured by live ammunition and rubber-coated bullets during protests in and around Dayr Nidham, Bayt Dajan, Bayt Furik, al-Fawar refugee camp, al-Khadir, Salfit, Tayassir, Huwwara, Aqraba, Ni‘lin, Jenin, Qalqilya, Tulkarm, and Qusra. 13 Palestinians were arrested, including 6 during late-night raids in and around Qalandia refugee camp, Bayt Umar, and Sa‘ir; 7 were arrested during protests at the al-Jalama checkpoint near Jenin. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces shot and injured 19 Palestinians using live ammunition, rubber-coated bullets, and sound bomb canisters during protests in and around Shaykh Jarrah, Bayt Hanina, Silwan, and the Old City. 7 Palestinians were arrested during raids in al-Tur, Silwan, and Sur Bahir. In Gaza, 22 Palestinians were killed, including 6 children, and dozens injured, raising the comprehensive death toll since 5/10 from 114 to 136, including 33 children and 2 pregnant women. The casualties included: 9, including 3 children, and 73 injured, including 20 children, in air strikes on buildings in Bayt Lahiya and Bayt Hanun; 4 in an air strike on Gaza City, including 1 child; 3, including 1 child, in air strikes on Jabaliya; 1, and 16 injured, including 2 children, in air strikes on al-Bureij refugee camp; 1, and 1 wounded in an air strike on Abasan; 1 in an air strike while riding a motorbike in Rafah; 1 Palestinian was found dead in rubble from an air strike in Dayr al-Balah on 5/13; 1 Palestinian child succumbed to wounds sustained in an air strike on Gaza City on 5/12; 1 Palestinian succumbed to wounds sustained in an air strike on 5/12 in Bayt Lahiya. Israel also said it had assassinated 3 Hamas operatives, Shadi Abed Al-Hadi, Osama Shehadeh, and Zakaria Zarendah. Israeli air strikes also destroyed an interior ministry building west of Gaza City and 3 poultry farms near Rafah, killing more than 10,000 chickens. Israeli forces also struck the fishing ports in Gaza city and Khan Yunis. Damage to power lines in Gaza was reported, significantly reducing the amount of available electricity. In Israel, Israeli forces killed 2 people after several people crossed from Lebanon into Israel by Metula. Israel also said that 3 rockets were fired at Israel from Syria, with 2 landing in open land in the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights and 1 in Syria. 2 rockets from Gaza hit 2 houses in Sderot, causing damage and 1 injury. 1 rocket from Gaza lightly injured 1 Israeli driving near Beersheba. Israel barred people from outside of Lydda from entering the city from 4 p.m. and barred all its residents from leaving their homes after 9 p.m. 1 Palestinian-Israeli minor was seriously injured, and another minor lightly injured, after a firebomb was thrown at their house in Jaffa; Israeli police claimed without evidence that it was 2 Palestinian-Israeli men that had thrown the firebomb. Israeli forces were filmed kicking Palestinian-Israeli vehicles traveling in Umm al-Fahm and firing stun grenades at them for no apparent reason. Israeli forces shot and injured 1 Palestinian-Israeli minor in Lydda, claiming he tried to throw a firebomb at them. 5 Palestinian-Israelis were arrested in Umm al-Fahm after a fire was ignited at the town’s city hall. 9 Palestinian-Israelis were arrested in ‘Akka. Israeli forces violently dispersed Palestinian-Israeli protesters in Kafr Kana, injuring 28. Israel also told international news outlets that it would conduct a ground invasion of Gaza shortly and then later apologized to the news outlets for providing false information; analysts suspected that Israel used the media outlets to lure Hamas militants into tunnels before heavily bombarding said tunnels; Israel said that dozens were killed in the attack on the tunnels. Israel also shot down 1 drone sent from Gaza. 1 Israeli woman succumbed to injuries sustained after falling while running to a shelter in Neta’im on 5/11, raising the Israeli death toll to 9. In Jordan, some 500 protesters tried to enter the West Bank through the Allenby bridge, but were dispersed by Jordanian forces 3 miles from the border. In Amman, thousands of protesters called for the expulsion of the Israeli ambassador and ending the Jordanian-Israeli peace treaty. (AJ, AJ, AJ, HA, HA, HA, HA, HA, HA, HA, HA, NYT, NYT, PCHR, PCHR, REU, REU, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 5/14; AJ, AP, AP, GDN, HA, HA, HA, PCHR, PCHR 5/15; TOI 5/16; HA 5/19; PCHR 5/20; MEE 5/21; NYT 5/26; +972 6/8; INT 7/15)

The Palestinian Health Ministry in Gaza said that 42% of the 119 people who have been killed in the Israeli attack on Gaza, at the time of reporting, were women and children. It also said 830 people had been injured. The UN estimated that 10,000 Palestinians have been internally displaced during the current escalation so far. (AJ, HA 5/14)

Spokesperson for PA president Mahmoud Abbas Nabil Abu Rudeineh said that the silence of the U.S. administration was encouraging Israeli war crimes in Gaza, East Jerusalem, and the West Bank. (WAFA 5/14)

Morocco sent 40 tons of emergency aid to Palestine and denounced Israel’s aggression toward Palestinians. (HA 5/15)

The U.S. deputy assistant secretary for Israel and Palestinian affairs Hady Amr landed in Tel Aviv in an attempt by the U.S. administration to deescalate the situation. (AX, HA 5/14; HA 5/15)

A letter co-signed by 11 Jewish Democrats in the house of representatives, led by Jerrold Nadler (D-NY), urged the Biden administration to be more active in ending the escalation of violence between Israel and Hamas and to do more to end the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The 11 members of Congress also expressed concern about the violence in East Jerusalem and urged Israel to halt the “unjust eviction” of Palestinians from their homes in Shaykh Jarrah, and said that the U.S. must address the deepening occupation. (HA 5/15)

Democrats in the House also debated the attack on Gaza on the floor, with 1 group of 11 speaking in defense of Palestinians and 1 group of 10 defending Israel’s actions. (AJ, HA 5/14)

ICC chief prosecutor Fatou Bensouda said that she will continue with her inquiry into potential war crimes committed by Israelis and Palestinians in the occupied Palestinian territories despite Israel’s refusal to cooperate. Chief Prosecutor Bensouda also said that the investigation will include the current escalation of the conflict. (HA, REU 5/14)

The Italian trade union of port workers said that its members in Livorno had refused to load a shipment of weapons and explosives to be shipped to Israel, citing Israel’s attack on Gaza. (AA 5/15; WAFA 5/16; IN 5/17)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers attacked 2 Palestinians near Nablus by throwing stones and physically assaulting them, causing their hospitalization. Israeli forces shot and killed 1 Palestinian at a checkpoint in Za’atra and injured 1 other; Israeli forces claimed that 2 were in a car and refused to stop at the checkpoint. Israeli forces also violently dispersed protesters at a checkpoint north of Ramallah, injuring 9 Palestinians with rubber-coated bullets. Elsewhere, Israeli forces violently dispersed protesters at the Qalandia checkpoint, injuring 37 Palestinians using rubber-coated bullets. Israeli forces also violently dispersed Palestinian protesters in Jenin, injuring 1 with live ammunition while others suffered tear-gas related injuries. Meanwhile, Israeli forces violently dispersed Palestinian protesters, injuring 2 using live ammunition. Israeli forces also violently dispersed Palestinian protesters in Tulkarm, injuring 1 with live ammunition; others suffered tear-gas related injuries. Separately, Israeli forces violently dispersed Palestinian protesters in Hebron, injuring 7 with live ammunition and 10 with rubber-coated bullets. Israeli forces also injured 1 with a tear gas canister in Bethlehem. Elsewhere, Israeli forces violently dispersed Palestinian protesters at the Huwwara checkpoint, injuring 5 with rubber-coated bullets. 14 Palestinians were arrested, including 13 at checkpoints in Tulkarm, Huwwara, and Jenin, and 1 was arrested during a late-night raid in Jenin. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces violently dispersed a sit-in protest against evictions in Shaykh Jarrah, spraying skunk water at protesters and arresting 3 residents. 6 other Palestinians were arrested, including 4 at a checkpoint in Issawiyya and 2 during late-night raids in Silwan and al-Tur. In Gaza, 10 Palestinians, including 1 child, were killed in Israeli air strikes, raising the comprehensive death toll since 5/10 from 20 to 30, including 10 children. The casualties included: 2, and 2 injured in an air strike on a 7-story building in al-Shati camp; 6, and at least 8 injured in 3 air strikes on apartment buildings in Gaza City; and 2 in an air strike near a chicken farm southwest of Dayr al-Balah. Additionally, Israeli air strikes damaged or destroyed dozens of buildings, including 1 14-story residential and commercial building, the Hanadi Tower west of Gaza City, 1 ice cream factory south of Gaza City, 1 health clinic and police station in Bayt Lahiya, 1 large school in Dayr al-Balah. Hamas reported that Israeli air strikes had destroyed all police buildings in Gaza. In Israel, 5 were killed by rockets from Gaza, including 2 Palestinian citizens of Israel, who were killed by a rocket fired from Gaza near Lydda, and 2 Jewish-Israelis and 1 Indian national in Ashkelon and Tel Aviv. 1 rocket fired from Gaza also damaged an Israeli pipeline in Ashkelon, igniting a large oil fire. A state of emergency was also declared in Lydda after a synagogue and some 30 cars were set on fire as Jewish-Israelis and Palestinian citizens of Israel clashed. Israeli forces also violently dispersed Palestinian-Israelis in Lydda after a protest erupted following a funeral of 1 Palestinian citizen of Israel who was killed by a Jewish-Israeli on 5/10; 12 Palestinian-Israelis were injured by stun grenades and rubber-coated bullets. Clashes also ensued in Ramla and a synagogue, a marketplace, and a Muslim cemetery were set on fire. In Acre, 1 police station and 1 restaurant were set on fire. 19 Palestinian citizens of Israel were arrested after trash bins were set on fire and stones were thrown at Israeli police in Haifa. Israeli forces also violently dispersed Palestinian-Israeli protesters in Jaffa, arresting 3; 2 police officers were reportedly injured. Clashes between Jewish-Israelis and Palestinian-Israelis were also reported in Beersheba. Israeli forces said that the Iron Dome had intercepted 85-90% of around 850 rockets fired from Gaza since 5/10. (AJ 5/10; AJ, AJ, AX, CBS, HA, HA, MEE, MEMO, MEMO, NYT, PCHR, REU, REU, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 5/11; AJ, AJ, AP, AP, BBC, CNN, CNN, HA, HA, HA, JP, MEMO, PCHR, PCHR, REU, REU, TOI 5/12; HA 5/18; WAFA 5/19; PCHR 5/20; MEE 5/21; NYT 5/26)

PA president Mahmoud Abbas canceled Eid al-Fitr celebrations to mourn for the Palestinians killed by Israel in the last couple of days. (MEMO 5/12)

A Spokesperson for the U.S. national security advisor said chief of Palestinian affairs at the U.S. embassy in Israel George Noll had delivered a letter from U.S. president Joe Biden to PA president Mahmoud Abbas. The spokesperson would not say what the letter was about, saying it was part of the administrations outreach to “the Palestinian leadership.” (HILL, WAFA 5/11)

The Arab League secretary-general Ahmed Aboul Gheit said Israel was responsible for the escalation between Hamas and Israel, stating that “Israeli violations in Jerusalem . . . is what led to the ignition of the situation in this dangerous way.” Secretary-general Gheit’s comments came after a meeting of Arab League foreign secretaries discussing the situation. (AJ, REU 5/11)

Haaretz reported that Palestinian and Egyptian sources said that talks to end the escalation between Hamas and Israel had ended due to opposition from Islamic Jihad and Israel. Leader of Hamas Ismail Haniyeh said that the escalation was started by Israel and that Hamas is ready for “an escalation and ready for calm, on the condition that they end the aggression against al-Quds.” Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu said, “Hamas and Islamic Jihad have paid—and will pay—a heavy price for their aggression . . . It will take time. We’ll restore security for the citizens of Israel.” (AJ, HA, MEMO 5/12)

It was reported that the U.S. was delaying a UN security council (UNSC) statement addressing the Israeli aggression in Jerusalem, and escalation of the conflict between Hamas and Israel. A UNSC emergency meeting was called on 5/9 by Tunisia and 9 other countries. The state department spokesperson Ned Price said secretary of state Antony Blinken, national security advisor Jake Sullivan, and deputy secretary of state Wendy Sherman had talked to their Israeli counterparts and unnamed Palestinian officials. The White House spokesperson Jen Psaki said that President Joe Biden’s “support for Israel security, for its legitimate right to defend itself and its people is fundamental and will never waver . . . We condemn ongoing rocket attacks by Hamas and other terrorist groups, including against Jerusalem.” (HA, HA, REU 5/11; AP, HA 5/12)

The 57 members of the Organisation for Islamic Cooperation released a joint communiqué after an emergency meeting, calling Israeli attacks on the Haram al-Sharif compound “barbaric” and said the nations consider Israel’s attacks a “serious violation of international law.” (HA 5/11)

The U.S. treasury department sanctioned 7 Lebanese people for transferring $500 million on behalf of Hezbollah. (AJ, AP, REU 5/11)

In the West Bank, Israeli forces demolish a Palestinian carwash north of Hebron. An IDF driver runs over a Palestinian as he attempts to cross a road near Hebron, causing major injuries. It’s unclear if the crash was an accident or a ramming attack. IDF troops patrol in and around Nablus, Hebron, and Tulkarm. Off Gaza’s coast, Israeli naval forces open fire on Palestinian fishing boats near Jabaliya refugee camp and Bayt Lahiya, causing no damage or injury. In southern Israel, Israeli forces demolish a Palestinian home, workshop, and agricultural structure in Rahat near Beersheba. (MNA, MNA, MNA 11/22; PCHR 11/29)

Israel’s High Court of Justice rules to allow Ateret Cohanim, a settler organization, to continue its legal campaign that would evict 700 Palestinians from their homes in Silwan. The ruling upholds a 2002 decision, but it defers a decision on most of the case’s central issues to a lower court. (HA, TOI 11/22; EI 11/27; PCHR 11/29)

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)

An incendiary balloon allegedly flown from Gaza sparks a fire in Israel’s Alumin Kibbutz near Beersheba, damaging 1 vehicle. Off Gaza’s coast, Israeli naval forces open fire on Palestinian fishing boats near Bayt Lahiya, causing no damage or injuries. In the West Bank, Israeli forces uproot a number of olive trees from Palestinian land near Tulkarm. IDF troops patrol near Jenin, Tulkarm, Qalqilya, and Hebron. Israeli settlers dump sewage on the grounds of a Palestinian school in ‘Azun ‘Atma village near Qalqilya. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces arrest 3 Palestinians during raids in Hizma, Silwan, and the Old City. They also arrest the PA’s governor of Jerusalem, Adnan Ghaith, during a raid in Silwan. The allegations against him are reportedly varied, revolving around land sales in East Jerusalem and PA operations in the city. Ghaith was arrested in connection with similarly murky allegations on 10/21. (MNA, MNA, WAFA, WAFA 11/1; MNA 11/2; PCHR 11/8)

After meeting with Egyptian intelligence officials in Gaza, the various political factions in Gaza agree to stop launching incendiary kites and balloons into Israel and to stop protesters from setting fire to tires, according to a senior Hamas official. “Friday’s events will be quiet,” adds a member of the Great March of Return organizing committee. The protests on 11/2 are set to proceed no less than 500 meters away from the border fence. Today’s agreement comes amid ongoing Egypt-mediated talks on a possible long-term cease-fire between Hamas and Israel. It also comes one day after Israeli defense minister Lieberman ordered an expansion of the fishing zone off Gaza’s coast. (HA, JP, TOI, YA 11/1)

Unidentified Palestinians launch 2 rockets toward southern Israel from Gaza; 1 hits an Israeli home in Beersheba, causing major damage, and the other lands in the Mediterranean Sea. Israeli aircraft then conduct approximately 20 air strikes on sites across Gaza, killing 1 Palestinian, injuring at least 7, and causing extensive damage. Hours after the exchange, there are reports “intensive” Egyptian mediation efforts and a temporary cease-fire agreement. In a joint statement, Hamas and Islamic Jihad in Palestine appear to disavow the rocket fire: “We welcome the Egyptian effort to fulfill the Palestinian people's demand to remove the [Israeli] siege, and reject any irresponsible attempts meant to incite and sabotage the effort.” The Israeli authorities reject their statement, arguing that only Hamas has access to rockets with sufficient range to strike Beersheba. (HA, HA, MNA, TOI, YA 10/17; PCHR 10/18)

Hours after the exchange of rocket fire and air strikes in Gaza overnight, Israeli defense minister Avigdor Lieberman orders the Kerem Shalom and Erez border crossings into Gaza closed indefinitely and the fishing zone off Gaza’s coast reduced to 3 nautical miles. In the evening, Israel’s security cabinet convenes for 5 hours to discuss the situation in Gaza. They agree to impose new “rules of the game” on the weekly protests along Gaza’s border that have been held every Friday since 3/30/18, which are widely referred to as the Great March of Return. The cabinet instructs the IDF to gradually toughen its response to Palestinian attempts to damage or cross Gaza’s border fence, including incendiary balloons and kites. The new policy is reportedly based on a zero-tolerance approach. There are no further details as the cabinet agrees not to discuss the policy with the media. (EI, HA, JP, PIC, YA 10/17; HA, TOI, YA 10/18)

In the West Bank, Israeli forces demolish 2 makeshift Palestinian residential structures, a Palestinian home, and an agricultural structure in various locations near Hebron. They also continue levelling land around Khan al-Ahmar, the Jerusalem-area Bedouin village slated for evacuation and demolition. The Israeli forces sporadically clash with Palestinian and international solidarity activists in the village; 4 protesters are injured and 1 is arrested. Meanwhile, IDF troops arrest 5 Palestinians during late-night raids near Hebron, Nablus, and Tulkarm; and patrol near Salfit and Hebron. Israeli settlers assault 2 Palestinians harvesting olives near Nablus, causing moderate injuries to both. They also throw rocks at Palestinian vehicles and homes in the area, causing moderate damage. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces demolish a Palestinian home in Jabal Mukabir overnight and arrest 3 Palestinians during late-night raids in Wadi al-Juz and the Old City. (MNA, MNA, MNA, MNA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, YA 10/17; PCHR 10/18)

A Palestinian succumbs to injuries sustained when IDF troops opened fire on Palestinian protesters along Gaza’s northern border on 10/15. This brings the death toll stemming from the Great March of Return to 178. (MNA 10/17)

ICC chief prosecutor Fatou Bensouda says that Israel’s planned evacuation and demolition of the Jerusalem-area Bedouin village Khan al-Ahmar could constitute a war crime. “Extensive destruction of property without military necessity and population transfers in an occupied territory constitute war crimes [under the Rome Statute],” she says. “I will not hesitate to take any appropriate action within the framework of my authority according to the Rome Statute.” (HA, JP 10/17)

The UN General Assembly votes to confirm the State of Palestine’s status as next chair of the Group of 77 and China, with 146 votes in favor, 15 abstentions, and 3 opposed (Australia, Israel, and the U.S.). The Group of 77 and China is a group of developing countries who work together at the UN to promote their collective economic interests. It is so called because it had 77 members when it was founded and because China participates but does not consider itself a member. Leadership of the group grants the State of Palestine many of the same privileges allotted to full UN member states. (JP, MNA, YA 10/17)

Israeli forces conduct raids in the bedouin village of Umm al-Hiran nr. Beersheba overnight to prepare for demolitions during the day. The raids spark clashes with residents and solidarity activists, including Joint List MKs; 1 bedouin and 1 Israeli police officer are killed. (The Israeli police shoot and kill the bedouin after his vehicle strikes the police officer, killing him. An autopsy of the driver will reveal that he was struck in the leg by a police bullet, causing him to depress the accelerator pedal and strike the officer.) Later, Israeli forces demolish 8 homes and 7 agricultural buildings in the village, leading to renewed clashes throughout the day; a number of Palestinians are injured, including Joint List chair Odeh. (HA, MNA, NYT, TOI, YA 1/18)

Dozens of Israeli settlers visit Joseph’s Tomb nr. Nablus, sparking clashes between their IDF escort and stone-throwing Palestinians; 1 Palestinian is injured. Israeli settlers also damage 12 olive trees outside Turmus ‘Ayya village nr. Ramallah, leaving racist graffiti at the site. IDF troops arrest 8 Palestinians during late-night raids nr. Tulkarm, Hebron, Nablus, and Qalqilya. Along Gaza’s border, IDF troops open fire on Palestinian farmers working nr. Gaza City and agricultural lands nr. Khan Yunis. Off Gaza’s coast, Israeli naval forces open fire on Palestinian fishing boats nr. Gaza City. There are no injuries reported in any of the day’s incidents. (HA, MNA, NYT, TOI, WAFA, YA 1/18; MNA, PCHR 1/19; PCHR 1/26)

Two Palestinians die in a tunnel accident late at night nr. Gaza City. Hamas claims the 2 men were mbrs. of its group. In the West Bank, Israeli forces demolish 2 Palestinian car washes n. of Jerusalem. IDF troops arrest 12 Palestinians and issue 4 arrest summons during late-night raids in and around Nablus, Hebron, Jenin, and Tulkarm, and patrol nr. Hebron and Nablus during the day. In and around East Jerusalem, Israeli forces arrest 2 Palestinians during raids in Hizma village and Qalandia r.c. Late at night, they conduct raids in Shu‘fat r.c., sparking minor clashes with stone-throwing residents; there are no serious injuries. In Israel, Israeli forces demolish 2 homes in a bedouin village nr. Beersheba. An Israeli driver rams a Palestinian worker from Tulkarm while he is walking along a street in Tel Aviv, causing moderate injuries. (MNA, WAFA, YA 12/7; MNA, PCHR 12/8; PCHR 12/15)

A Jerusalem Municipality planning comm. approves the construction of 770 settler residences in the Gilo settlement in East Jerusalem. City officials say that the plans, initially approved in 2013, were “undergoing routine processes of allocation regarding roads and public spaces.” (MNA 12/9)

Israel’s Knesset passes a 1st reading of the new draft of the so-called regulations bill, which passed a preliminary reading on 12/5 and would retroactively authorize illegal settlement outposts in the West Bank. (HA, JP, MNA, TOI, YA 12/7; MNA 12/8)

A senior Israeli official says that Israeli PM Netanyahu has rejected French pres. François Hollande’s invitation to a mediated meeting with PA pres. Abbas after the next French-organized peace summit, which is set for 12/21. Later, Netanyahu calls Hollande personally to discuss the invitation. He tells the French pres. that he would be happy to meet with Abbas, but only if the conference is canceled. (HA, JP, YA 12/7)

Joint List members of the Knesset (MKs) Basel Ghattas and Ayman Odeh join hundreds of Palestinians in the bedouin village of Umm al-Hiran nr. Beersheba, protesting the Israeli authorities’ order to evacuate and demolish the village. The Israeli police ultimately delay the day’s demolitions, but do not offer a new date (demolitions will take place on 1/18). (HA 11/22; EI 11/23)

Following 2 mos. of drought, a series of large fires breaks out nr. Jerusalem, burning 30 homes and causing massive damage. (HA, MNA 11/24)

IDF troops shoot and kill a Palestinian at Qalandia checkpoint after he allegedly attempts to stab them. Elsewhere in the West Bank, Israeli settlers throw Molotov cocktails at a Palestinian home s. of Hebron, causing moderate damage. IDF troops arrest 8 Palestinians during late-night raids in and around Tulkarm, Hebron, and nr. Nablus; and patrol nr. Hebron and Ramallah. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces complete the demolition of a Palestinian home under construction in al-Tur. They had begun the demolition on 11/10, but stopped when their bulldozer broke down. (HA, JP, MNA, TOI, WAFA, YA 11/22; EI 11/23; PCHR 11/24)

Israeli police shoot and kill a Palestinian in Sheikh Jarrah, East Jerusalem, after he injures 6 Israelis in a drive-by shooting nr. an Israeli police headquarters (2 succumb to their injuries later in the day). The Palestinian was reportedly supposed to turn himself into the Israeli authorities today to begin serving a 4-mo. sentence for attacking a police officer in 2013. Israeli forces later conduct a series of raids in Silwan and al-Ram, interrogate the attacker’s family, and spark clashes with stone-throwing Palestinians; 7 Palestinians are detained, and 1 Associated Press photographer and 2 Israeli soldiers are injured (1 seriously). Israeli troops return to al-Ram late at night, arrest the attacker’s teenage daughter, and threaten punitive demolition of the attacker’s home. (HA, JP, MNA, TOI, WAFA, YA 10/9; HA, MNA, NYT, YA 10/10; PCHR 10/13)

Around 1,200 right-wing Jewish activists visit Joseph’s Tomb nr. Nablus, sparking clashes between their IDF escort and stonethrowing Palestinians; there are no serious injuries. Meanwhile, IDF troops arrest 13 Palestinians and damage 1 workshop during raids and house searches nr. Tulkarm, Hebron, and Qalqilya. Inside Israel, Israeli forces demolish multiple homes in the bedouin village of Bir Hadaj nr. Beersheba. The IDF also demolishes 22 residential and agricultural structures in the n. Jordan Valley, 8 homes in a bedouin community nr. Bethlehem, and a number of residences, agricultural structures, solar panels, and the main water pipeline in a bedouin village nr. Jerusalem. Along Gaza’s border, Israeli forces open fire on Palestinian farmers nr. al-Maghazi r.c., causing no injuries; and conduct a limited incursion to level land nr. al-Bureij r.c. (MNA, WAFA 10/9; MNA 10/10; PCHR 10/13)

In Gaza, a Hamas mbr. is killed in a tunnel collapse nr. Khan Yunis. Meanwhile, the Jerusalem Post reports that some Hamas mbrs. fear that Israel is responsible for the recent tunnel collapses. Meanwhile, Israeli forces arrest a Palestinian soccer player as he attempts to cross through the Erez border crossing. In the West Bank, Israeli forces arrest a Palestinian youth nr. Jericho after he allegedly stabs and lightly injures an Israeli officer; demolish a fuel station in a village nr. Jerusalem. They also patrol nr. Ramallah, Tulkarm, and Hebron. Israeli settlers smash the windshield of a Palestinian car nr. Nablus. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces seal off Issawiyya for 3 hours after some police officers on patrol in the neighborhood come under gunfire. They also conduct raids in the neighborhood, sparking clashes with stone-throwing Palestinians; there are no injuries and 2 Palestinians are arrested. In Israel, around 300 residents of 2 bedouin villages slated for destruction—Atir and Umm al-Hiran—demonstrate in Beersheba, calling for the govt. to avert its plan to displace them and build a new Jewish Israeli town on their land. (HA, JP, MNA, TOI, WAFA, YA 3/3; PCHR 3/10; EI 3/18)

In Israel, a suspected Palestinian stabs and injures a Jewish Israeli in Rahat nr. Beersheba, then flees the scene. Later in Ashqelon, Israeli forces shoot and kill a Sudanese national after he allegedly stabs and injures an Israeli soldier. Meanwhile in the West Bank, IDF troops confiscate the work permits of a number of Palestinians trying to cross into Israel nr. Jenin (a PLO spokesperson says 10 permits have been revoked so far, and that the Israelis decided to do so hours after lifting the closure of nearby Qabatiya on 2/6). IDF troops conduct raids and house searches in 1 village and Tulkarm r.c. nr. Tulkarm, 1 village each nr. Nablus and Jenin, and 2 nr. Salfit, as well as Aida r.c. and 1 village nr. Bethlehem, arresting 13 Palestinians and issuing an arrest summons to 1; patrol in 4 villages and al-‘Arub r.c. nr. Hebron. (MNA, WAFA, YA 2/7; PCHR 2/11)

 On the 75th day of his hunger strike, Palestinian prisoner al-Qiq rejects an Israeli military court offer to be released on 5/1, demanding an immediate end to his administrative detention and treatment in a Palestinian medical facility upon release. (MNA 2/7; SAM 2/8)

Hamas and Fatah officials meet in Doha to start a new round of mediated talks on Palestinian national reconciliation. They discuss the possible formation of a new unity PA govt., elections, and the civil servants Hamas has hired in Gaza since 2007, who have not been paid a full salary since the current PA consensus govt. was sworn in on 6/2/2014. (XIN 2/6; AnA, JP, MEMO, TOI 2/7)

Nr. Beersheba, Israeli forces demolish bedouin homes in al-‘Araqib for the 91st time since 7/27/2010. The Israeli authorities continue demolishing al-‘Araqib as part of their ongoing effort to make room for Jewish Israeli settlement of the Negev. Around 400 residents remain in the village, using generators and solar panels to subsist without any Israeli infrastructural support. (MNA 11/26)

As Israel continues its crackdown in the oPt, IDF troops kill a total of 3 Palestinians throughout the day. IDF troops shoot and kill a Palestinian youth during clashes sparked by an overnight raid in Qatanna n. of Jerusalem. After the funeral for the Palestinian victim, IDF troops violently disperse stone-throwers and protesters, injuring 5 Palestinians. IDF troops shoot and seriously injure a Palestinian at Tapuach Junction s. of Nablus after he allegedly attempts to stab Israeli settlers. The Palestinian succumbs to his injuries while the IDF is delaying a crew of Palestinian medical technicians access to him, according to witnesses. A 3d Palestinian is killed when stone-throwers clash with Israeli soldiers at an entrance to al-‘Arub r.c. nr. Hebron. Nr. Ramallah, IDF vehicles ram a Palestinian car suspected of avoiding a checkpoint, sparking clashes with stone-throwers; a number of Palestinians are injured and the 3 Palestinians in the car are assaulted and arrested. IDF troops violently clash with Palestinian protesters s. of Hebron, w. of Qalqilya, and at Palestine Technical University in Tulkarm; at least 13 Palestinians are injured. Nr. Hebron, residents of al-Fawar r.c. obstruct Israeli forces attempting to raid the camp, sparking clashes in which 2 Palestinians are injured. Meanwhile, the IDF conducts further raids and house searches s. of Hebron and in Nablus, arresting 3 Palestinians; patrols in 4 villages nr. Hebron and 1 nr. Tulkarm. Israeli forces demolish a number of residential structures and confiscate 7 residential tents in the Jordan Valley; bulldoze an agricultural structure nr. Hebron; seize 8 buses from a transportation company overnight in Nablus on the grounds that they were used to transport Palestinian youths to nearby demonstrations. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces conduct raids and searches in Issawiyya, arresting 2 Palestinians; arrest 1 Palestinian outside Haram al-Sharif. (HA, JP, MNA, TOI, WAFA, YA 11/26; PCHR 12/3)

The Israeli crackdown on the ongoing wave of violence continues across the oPt. IDF troops clash with and violently disperse Palestinians protesting and throwing stones along Gaza’s border nr. al-Bureij r.c., w. of Tulkarm, in Bethlehem, in 3 villages nr. Hebron, ‘Askar r.c. nr. Nablus, and outside a settlement nr. Ramallah; 10 Palestinians are injured and 2 are arrested. The IDF also conducts late-night raids and house searches in al-Fawar r.c. and 3 villages nr. Hebron, ‘Askar r.c. nr. Nablus, and 2 villages each nr. Ramallah and Nablus, arresting 12 Palestinians and issuing an arrest summons to 1. Israeli forces arrest a Palestinian man armed with a knife and a pipe bomb at a gas station across the street from a checkpoint nr. Jenin. They indefinitely close the checkpoint after the arrest (they will reopen it on 11/5). IDF troops fire tear gas canisters into Palestinian homes in Aida r.c. nr. Bethlehem, causing damage and a number of minor injuries. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces close a checkpoint between Silwan and the Old City; raid a medical center in Issawiyya, issuing 1 Palestinian an interrogation summons and searching a number of files. They also arrest 13 Palestinians on raids and patrols in al-Thawri, Issawiyya, and the Old City. In Israel, Israeli forces demolish 2 bedouin homes nr. Beersheba. (HA, JP, MNA, TOI, WAFA, YA 11/3; PCHR 11/5)

The Israeli Civil Admin.’s Higher Planning Council gives preliminary approval of a 2014 master plan for a settlement bloc nr. Ramallah, which would include the construction of 2,200 new residences and the retroactive authorization of 2 settlement outposts. A public hearing was held on the plan on 10/21 (the Civil Admin. will publish the approval on 11/5). (AP, HA 11/9)

In the Gaza Strip around midday, an armed Palestinian group launches 3 rockets into Israel that land in an open area nr. Beersheba, breaking the 24-hour extension to the previous 5-day cease-fire. The IDF responds with air strikes, hitting approximately 25 targets across Gaza, killing 2 Palestinians and injuring over 50. In 1 incident late at night, IDF troops launch 6 missiles at a house in Gaza City in an attempt to assassinate Mohammed Deif, Izzeddin al-Qassam Brigades commander. Deif’s wife and 7-mo.-old son, as well as 3 other Palestinians, are killed in the attempt. The armed Palestinian groups fire over 50 projectiles into Israel, with 1 rocket hitting a highway nr. Tel Aviv and around 14 intercepted by Iron Dome batteries. At a hospital in Turkey, 1 Palestinian succumbs to injuries sustained earlier in the assault. Overnight in the West Bank, the IDF conducts house searches and raids in Dayr Istya, Hebron, 3 villages nr. Nablus, 1 village s. of Hebron, and 1 village n. of Tulkarm, arresting 13 Palestinians. In East Jerusalem, Israeli security forces raid a home and arrest 1 Palestinian. (AP, CNN, HA, MNA, WP 8/19; PCHR 8/21)

In the morning in Cairo, Palestinian and Israeli negotiators, as well as Egyptian mediators, conduct talks on a long-term ceasefire agreement, specifically the Israeli demands for Hamas’s disarmament and the Palestinian demands for lifting the blockade. Head of the Palestinian delegation al-Ahmad says “maybe we will reach an agreement and maybe not.” Palestinian negotiator Qais Abdel Karim says the Israelis have proposed measures that would comprise “not removing the blockade but easing it.” Hamas spokesperson Fawzi Barhoum says, in an email to CNN, that “if Netanyahu does not understand our message and people’s demands in Gaza through political language, we know a way to make him understand.” After hostilities resume in Gaza, both Israel and the Palestinian factions accuse the other of violating the cease-fire and instruct their reps. to end the negotiations. (AP, Guardian, HA, MNA 8/19)

German, French, and British diplomats begin circulating a document containing principles for a new United Nations Security Council (UNSC) res. at the UN’s New York headquarters. The principles include a return of PA control to Gaza, reconstruction under international supervision, and a return to Israeli-Palestinian peace negotiations. U.S. and Israeli diplomats have been briefed on the initiative. (HA 8/21)

Israeli leaders defend the 11/21 Gaza cease-fire in the face of strong criticism from politicians like Yesh Atid’s Yair Lapid and Kadima’s Shaul Mofaz, who believe that the operation had not successfully restored ‘‘deterrence.’’ DM Barak asserts that ‘‘it is still not time to enter Gaza in a very wide operation and conquer it.’’ Barak also reveals that Israel dropped 1,000 times as many explosives on the Gaza Strip as landed on its soil. FM Lieberman (Yisrael Beiteinu) states that Israel will ‘‘eventually need to overthrow the Hamas regime.’’ (INN, JP, REU, YA 11/22)

In Gaza, Palestinian factions organize a major rally in Gaza City to celebrate the cease-fire and call for national reconciliation. On a rare visit to Gaza since the Hamas takeover in 2007, Fatah Central Comm. mbr. Nabil Shaath tells the crowds that Israel failed to isolate them from the West Bank. PM Ismail Haniyeh tells the rally that the ‘‘resistance fighters changed the rules of the game’’ but that the fighters should ‘‘guard’’ the truce ‘‘as long as Israel respects it.’’ (AP, MNA 11/22)

Meanwhile, the toll of Operation Pillar of Defense continues to climb: an Israeli soldier dies from injuries sustained by a Palestinian rocket attack during the operation, becoming the 2d soldier and 6th Israeli to die in the fighting. In the Gaza Strip, rescue workers pull the bodies of 2 more Palestinians from the rubble of the Dalou family home (bombed on 11/18), raising the Palestinian toll to 160. Though the ceasefire generally continues to hold, the IDF opens fire on Palestinians who protest at the border fence nr. Khan Yunis, injuring 1 man. (AP, MNA 11/22; PCHR 11/29)

In the West Bank, Israeli authorities transfer 30 Palestinian prisoners to administrative detention, apparently because of their involvement in solidarity events for Gaza. (MNA 11/22)

The IDF patrols in 1 village each nr. Jenin and Tulkarm in the afternoon; conducts house searches and arrests in 1 village nr. Jenin in the morning and in Qalqilya, al-Bireh, Balata r.c. nr. Nablus, 3 villages nr. Hebron, 1 village nr. Jenin, 1 village nr. Qalqilya, 1 village nr. Tulkarm, Nur Shams r.c. nr. Tulkarm, 1 village nr. Ramallah, and Bethlehem, 4 nearby villages, and Dahaysha r.c. and al-Azza r.c. (both nr. Bethlehem) at night. Those detained overnight include at least 5 mbrs. of the Palestinian parliament affiliated with Hamas. Right-wing Jewish extremists chop down 300 olive trees belonging to Palestinians nr. Hebron, leaving graffiti nearby reading ‘‘price tag’’ and ‘‘regards from Beersheba and Tel Aviv.’’ (MNA 11/22; MNA, ToI 11/23; PCHR 11/29)

The European Parliament passes a resolution expressing support for ‘‘Palestine’s bid to become a UN nonmember observer.’’ (EJP 11/22)

The Lebanese army disables a rocket aimed at Israel and say 2 others were fired but fell short of the border. No group claims responsibility. (REU 11/22)

Unidentified assailants attack and damage Egypt’s national gas pipeline to Israel for the 3d time in a month and the 5th time since unrest in Egypt erupted in 2/2011 (see 7/11). IDF troops on the n. Gaza border fire warning shots at Palestinian farmers working nr. the border fence, grazing 1. In the West Bank, the IDF conducts synchronized morning patrols in 4 villages nr. Jenin; patrols in 3 villages nr. Tulkarm, 2 nr. Salfit, and 1 each nr. Jericho and Ramallah; conducts late-night arrest raids, house searches nr. Hebron. In East Jerusalem, the IDF enters Silwan at midday, raiding a home and arresting a Palestinian. (JTA 7/31; PCHR 8/4; OCHA 8/5)

As many as 150,000 Israelis in Tel Aviv, Haifa, Jerusalem, Beersheba, and 6 other cities protest the high cost of living, demanding economic reforms, “social justice,” and “a welfare state now.” In previous days, the Histadrut, Israel’s labor federation, said it strongly supports the demonstrations. (WP 7/31; NYT, WP, WT 8/1)

In response to the cross-border exchange on 2/23, Palestinians fire 3 manufactured Grad rockets fr. Gaza into Israel, striking Beersheba for the 1st time since Operation Cast Lead (OCL; 12/27/08–1/18/09), damaging a house but causing no injuries. The IDF retaliates with multiple air strikes on Hamas and Islamic Jihad targets, killing 2 Hamas mbrs. in Rafah and wounding 3 Islamic Jihad mbrs. elsewhere. In the West Bank, the IDF patrols in Qalqilya and 4 nearby villages, in Jericho and 1 nearby village, as well as in 2 villages nr. Salfit and Tulkarm. In Ramallah, up to 1,500 Palestinians rally in support of national unity and an end to the Hamas-Fatah divide, which they say “opens the door for the occupiers to do whatever they want”; though representing Fatah, Hamas, and leftist factions, they show only the Palestinian flag—a rare gesture in recent years. Hamas authorities in Gaza ban a similar planned rally. (HA, JP, MNA 2/24; WP 2/25; PCHR 3/3; OCHA 3/4)

International diplomacy to end OCL clicks into gear with France proposing that Israel and Hamas impose a 48-hr. humanitarian truce to try to defuse the violence and restore the Gaza cease-fire, with humanitarian groups, Egypt, the EU, the Quartet, and the U.S. opening mediation channels (see Quarterly Update). Israel’s security cabinet meets to discuss the French proposal but does not formally respond.

Israeli actions: The IDF conducts 70 air strikes on Gaza, while the Israeli navy continues shelling from the sea, killing at least 10 Palestinians and wounding 40, bringing the death toll to about 370. The IDF reports hitting 110 individual sites, with primary targets being tunnels on the Rafah border, suspected weapons factories and rocket-launching sites, civil and naval police stations, and groups of resistance mbrs. In Gaza City, at least 20 air strikes hit Haniyeh’s offices, PA Interior Min., and main PA government complex in Gaza City, all of which had been targeted previously; 1 air strike hits an ambulance, killing 1 paramedic, seriously wounding a doctor and the driver. Part of Gaza’s main power grid is also hit, cutting all power to Gaza City. A fuel depot in Rafah is destroyed. In al-Bureij r.c., a mosque and health clinic are hit. In Khan Yunis, a money exchange is destroyed. At least 7 homes across the Strip are targeted. Target locations include Abasan, Bayt Hanun, Bayt Lahiya, al-Bureij r.c., Dayr al-Balah, Gaza City, Jabaliya town and r.c., Khan Yunis, al-Maghazi (c. Gaza), al-Mughraqa, al-Qarara, Rafah. The IDF launches a YouTube channel to broadcast declassified videos of its operations in Gaza, “other footage of interest to the international community” (JPI 1/8) and begins regular briefings for Internet bloggers worldwide.

Palestinian actions: Palestinians fire 41 rockets, 10 mortars into Israel, damaging 1 home in Sederot and causing several light injuries (excluding shock); 1 rocket lands in Beersheba, 25 mi. fr. the Gaza border, marking the farthest strike to date; 2 other long-range rockets land in Ashdod. Humanitarian notes: Israel allows 93 trucks into Gaza (50 carrying medical supplies and food donated by aid groups; 43 carrying commercial goods), but Gaza City’s Shifa Hospital says it is out of 150 kinds of medicine and 230 other medical supplies, including gloves, scissors, sterilization equipment, nitrogen for anesthesia. Fuel shipments are still cut off; Gaza’s power plant shuts down for lack of fuel. (BBC, HA, Independent 12/30; IDF, IFM, NYT, REU, UNOSAT, WP, WT 12/31; JP, PCHR 1/1; ITV 1/2; IDF 1/3; WP 1/4; IFM 1/8; NYT 1/13)

In the West Bank, a Palestinian worker in Mod’in Ilit settlement, angry over Israel’s war on Gaza, stabs, wounds 4 Jewish settlers before being shot and wounded by a paramedic who arrives on the scene. The IDF fires live ammunition, rubber-coated steel bullets, percussion grenades, tear gas at Palestinians demonstrating against OCL in al-Fawar r.c. nr. Hebron, wounding 3 (including teenagers ages 13, 14); makes simultaneous afternoon incursions into Beita and Hawara villages nr. Nablus, imposing curfews through 12/31; conducts simultaneous late-night raids, house searches on 4 villages nr. Jenin, firing on residential areas in all cases, causing no injuries and arresting only 1 teenager; conducts late-night arrest raids, house searches in Abu Dis and Jalazun r.c. nr. Ramallah, and nr. Bethlehem, Hebron, Jenin, Nablus, Tulkarm. (PCHR, WJW 1/1)

Islamic Jihad mbrs. fire 19 rockets, 3 mortars fr. Gaza into Israel, damaging a home, lightly injuring 1 Israeli in 2 separate instances. The IDF makes 2 air strikes on rocket-launching sites in Gaza City, wounding a 2-yr.-old girl. In the West Bank, IDF troops for no apparent reason fire on a group of Palestinian laborers on their way to work nr. Hebron, wounding 1 with live ammunition; conduct early morning patrols in Tulkarm; conduct daytime raids, search Palestinian homes and shops nr. Bethlehem and Ramallah, making no arrests; conduct late-night arrest raids, house searches nr. Ramallah, Tulkarm and in Balata r.c., Hebron, Nablus. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces bulldoze a tent, displacing a family whose house on the site had been bulldozed in 11/08. (Forward, MM, WT 12/22; PCHR 12/24)

At its weekly session, the Israeli cabinet gives the IDF the green light to initiate attacks on Hamas targets in Gaza, in addition to hitting sites fr. which rockets and mortars are launched. Some reports suggest the cabinet took a decision to launch a military strike on Gaza and has authorized the IDF chief of staff to prepare to implement previously drafted plans for a ground invasion into Gaza to oust Hamas. Senior Hamas officials in Gaza immediately go underground, fearing assassination. The cabinet also authorizes the Israeli FMin. to launch an international public relations campaign enlisting support for a military offensive against Hamas. Israeli FM Tzipi Livni plans a series of teleconferences with UN Secy.-Gen. Ban Ki-moon, U.S. Secy. of State Condoleezza Rice, and the FMs of Britain, France, Germany, and Russia. Shin Bet head Yuval Diskin reports that Hamas has rockets that would strike as far n. as Kiryat Gat, Ashdod, Beersheba. (International Middle East Media Center [Bayt Sahur] 12/21; Forward, MM, WP, WT, YA 12/22)

An Islamic Jihad suicide bomber detonates a device in a Tel Aviv deli, killing 9 Israelis, wounding 59. Abbas condemns the attack, the deadliest since an 8/31/04 bombing killed 16 Israelis in Beersheba and since the 2/05 cease-fire was declared, whereas a Hamas spokesman in Gaza calls the bombing “a natural result of the continued Israeli crimes against our people”; the U.S. says that “the burden of responsibility for preventing terrorist attacks such as this one rests with the Palestinian Authority.” The IDF continues to shell the n. Gaza no-go zone (killing 1 Palestinian, wounding 2) and the s. Gaza coast from land and sea; makes an air strike on a building in Gaza City allegedly used as a factory to make rockets, causing no injuries; reopens the Sufa and Qarni crossings (closed on 4/13 and 4/15); sends troops into Nablus, where they fire on Palestinian stone throwers and on residential areas, wounding at least 16 Palestinians and damaging a clearly marked AP press vehicle; conducts arrest raids, house searches in Jenin town and r.c. (arresting the father of the 4/17 suicide bomber), in Tulkarm town and r.c., and nr. Hebron, Qalqilya. Jewish settlers fr. Elon Moreh fire on Palestinian shepherds, steal some sheep nr. Nablus. (HA, NYT, YA 4/17; MM, NYT, WP, WT 4/18; HA, MM 4/19; PCHR 4/20; OCHA 4/23)

The IDF demolishes 5 Palestinian homes in Ramallah, 3 in Jenin, a 3-story building in Bayt Hanina; conducts arrest raids, house searches in Qalqilya and nr. Hebron, Tulkarm. An IDF undercover unit driving a car with Palestinian plates enters Aida r.c., arrests 2 Palestinians. A Palestinian bystander wounded in the 2/4 IDF assassination of 3 AMB mbrs. in Gaza City dies. (PMC 2/8; PCHR 2/9, 2/16)

The Israel Lands Authority (ILA) bulldozes 2,500 d. of bedouin crops (classified as state lands) nr. Beersheba to dissuade the bedouin fr. staying in the area. In previous years, the ILA sprayed the land with pesticides but the Israeli High Court ruled against that practice in 2004. The ILA has offered to rent the land back to the bedouin for the duration of the growing season at a nominal fee, but the bedouin have refused, saying a lease would give legal backing to Israel’s claim that the land does not belong to the bedouin. (HA 2/9)

The IDF blocks all roads leading to Tulkarm with sand berms; severely beats a Palestinian at a checkpoint into al-Fawwar r.c. nr. Hebron, 2 Palestinians at checkpoints nr. Bethlehem. In Jerusalem, some 70,000 right-wing Israelis (many of them settler teenagers bussed in from the territories) demonstrate against Sharon’s disengagement plan. Israel charges 6 Egyptian students it captured on 8/25 with plotting to kidnap, kill IDF soldiers in Beersheba. A Palestinian dies of injuries received during an IDF raid on Rafah on 11/18/03. (VOI 9/12 in WNC 9/14; MM, NYT, WT 9/13; PR 9/15; PCHR 9/16)

The IDF pulls out of Beit Hanun without explanation; continues operations in Khan Yunis, demolishing 1 Palestinian home, conducting searches and arrests, firing on residential areas; conducts arrest raids in Balata r.c., Hebron, Tubas, Tulkarm; demolishes 1 Palestinian home in Nablus, causing the Palestinian owner to have a fatal heart attack. The Israeli Interior Min. demolishes 13 bedouin homes in the Negev, nr. Beersheba. (HA, MM 2/24; HA, NYT, PMC, WT 2/25; LAW, PCHR 2/27)

The IDF continues operations in Ramallah, Tulkarm; conducts arrest raids in Bayt Furik, Rafah, Tubas (demolishing 2 PSF posts, 2 Palestinian homes, a kindergarten); sets fire to 300 dunams of olive groves nr. Shavei Shomron settlement, bulldozes 50 dunams of land nr. Khan Yunis. In Gaza, 8 Palestinians are killed by the IDF; a 9th Palestinian dies of injuries received earlier. In the evening, the IDF withdraws fr. most of Ramallah, including removing a cordon around Arafat's offices, lifts curfew for 3 hrs. but reimposes it; more than 80 Palestinian have been arrested in Ramallah since 6/9. (HP, PR, PRCS press release, UPMRC 6/12; NYT, PCHR, WP 6/13; LAW 6/19)

Nr. Beersheba, Israeli authorities bulldoze 17 bedouin homes, bulldozes bedouin land to expand the Omer municipal district. (WAFA 6/13)

MK Uriel Ariel (National Union and Yisrael Beitainu) proposes that the Knesset establish a committee of inquiry into how the secret Oslo talks came about in 1993. Israeli FM Shimon Peres in protest suspends the Labor party's membership in the governing coalition, but the motion fails to pass by a vote of 34-26. (INN 6/13; HA 6/17)

State Dept. senior adviser on the Arab-Israeli negotiations Aaron Miller gives a private briefing to a Zionist Organization of America (ZOA) group, during which some ZOA mbrs. yell "Wrong!" when he says there can be no "military solution" to the conflict, groan audibly when he mentions Seeds of Peace camps for Israeli and Palestinian children, walk out, slamming the door, when he says that Palestinians seek a "democratic, pluralistic, humanistic" government. ZOA head Morton Klein says the group found Miller "frustrating" after just having come from a Congressional reception that made an "incredible show of support" for Israel. (Forward 6/21)

Israel backs off its attack on Gaza, sends home some reserves called up on 5/9. The Church of the Nativity standoff ends: 13 Palestinians are sent to Cyprus, where they will stay while their final destinations are worked out; 26 Palestinians are bussed under U.S. emb. watch to Gaza, where they are freed to a hero's welcome; the remaining 84 civilians, clergy are allowed to go free after an identity check; the church is inspected and found to be dirty but only with minor damage. The IDF withdraws troops to the outskirts of Bethlehem by the end of the day. In Beersheba, 2 Palestinians detonate an explosive device, injuring 4 Israelis; Israeli police capture both. In Tulkarm, the IDF blows up the home of the 3/27 Hamas suicide bomber, leaving 21 family mbrs. homeless, severely damaging a home next door. Israel says it has now arrested 4 Jewish settlers in the plot to bomb Maqassid Hospital on 4/29 (see 4/28). In Gaza, the PSF arrests another 7 Hamas mbrs.; Israel complains they are low-level mbrs. (HA, LAW, MM, WP 5/10; AYM, MENA 5/10, QA, al-Quds 5/11 in WNC 5/13; NYT, PCHR, WP, WT 5/11; HA, WT 5/12; JP 5/16; MENA 5/16 in WNC 5/17; MEI 5/17; NYT 5/18)

In Cairo, Israel, PA close 2-day round of talks on expanding self-rule, reach draft agmt. on transferring responsibilities for labor to PA. (MENA 6/7 in FBIS 6/8; CSM 6/9)

IDF dismantles a military base in `Illar nr. Tulkarm. (CSM 6/9)

Multilateral Working Group on Economic Development meets in Amman. (JTV 6/7 in FBIS 6/8)

Quadripartite (Egypt, Israel, Jordan, PA) technical comm. on refugees convenes for 1st time in Beersheba. (IGPO 6/6; VOP 6/7 in FBIS 6/7) (see 3/7)

In Damascus, U.S. envoy Ross, Pres. Asad discuss agenda for Syrian-Israeli talks to be held in Washington 6/27. After mtg. Ross heads to Cairo to meet with FM Musa, stops on way to brief PM Rabin on talks with Syrians. (MM 6/7; RE, SATN 6/7 in FBIS 6/8; MM, WT 6/8)

German Chancellor Kohl meets with Arafat in Jericho, pledges additional $7 m. to the PA, says Germany will consider investing in industrial parks. (VOP 6/7 in FBIS 6/8; CSM 6/8; VOP 6/10 in FBIS 6/12; MM 6/13; BT 6/22)

In Geneva, PA Labor M Samir Ghawshah represents PA at International Labor Org. (ILO) mtg., blocks U.S., Israeli motion to delete topic of Palestinian workers' conditions fr. the agenda. (PWR 6/95)

Israeli parliament approves $70 m. for army to begin "Rainbow II"--a plan calling for months of construction of new bypass roads for settlers in and a slowly phased withdrawal fr. West Bank. (WP 6/8)

Natan Sharansky announces formation of new Movement for Israel and Immigration to aid immigrants economically, socially politically; says he may turn it into a party aimed at coalescing Russian immigrants into voting bloc for Israel's 1996 elections. (JP 6/8 in FBIS 6/9; JP 6/17; NYT 6/20; JP 6/24; CSM 6/27)

Israeli State Atty. rules that Shin Bet interrogator who caused death of Palestinian detainee 4/25 "could not and should not have expected a fatal result of his actions," will not be criminally prosecuted. (NYT 6/8) (see 4/28)

Senate passes Pres. Clinton's antiterrorism bill 91-8. Bill expands government use of wiretaps, gives FBI greater access to phone and credit card reports, expands authority to deport or refuse entry to immigrants, bans fundraising for foreign organizations designated as terrorist by State Dept., allows U.S. citizens to sue terrorist groups for personal injuries sustained in attacks. (NYT, WP, WT 6/8; WJW 7/27) (see 6/20)

IDF reportedly has decided to evacuate its headquarters in Nablus, Jenin by 6/1; has drafted plan for eventual redeployment of stations now located in Bethlehem, Hebron, Ramallah, Tulkarm. Police M Shahal says that after redeployment the Israeli police presence in West Bank will double, police stations will be set up in each settlement. (ITV, QY 3/28 in FBIS 3/29; MM 3/29; JP 5/6)

King Hussein lobbies mbrs. of Congress, incl. Sen. Robert Dole, Rep. Gingrich, for full debt forgiveness, increased military aid; meets with Secy. of State Christopher, who says U.S. is committed to debt relief. (JTV 3/28, RJ 3/29 in FBIS 3/29; MM, NYT 3/29; WT 3/30; CSM 3/31; FT 4/4)

In Washington, U.S., Jordan sign extradition treaty. (JTV 3/28 in FBIS 3/29)

Russian FM Andrei Kozyrev arrives in Egypt, meets with FM Musa, Arab League Secy. Gen. `Abd al-Majid, discusses peace process, Libya, NPT. (MENA 3/28 in FBIS 3/29; MM 3/30)

Israel police admit that report of large bomb on truck stopped nr. Beersheba 3/21 was deliberately exaggerated, say they seized only three small homemade devices before destroying truck. (YA 3/29 in FBIS 3/30; JP 4/8)

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: U.S. Asst. Sec. of State Richard Murphy arrives in Israel for meetings with P. M. Shamir. Director of UNRWA in Gaza accuses IDF of intensifying beatings in recent days. Gazan youth beaten 2/8 dies in Beersheba hospital; 3 Palestinians have died from military-inflicted beatings [NYT 2/10]. Closure of Birzeit U. is extended for another month [FJ 2/14]. Settlers from Ma'aleh Adomim, between Jerusalem and Jericho, raid neighboring village of al-'Azzariyyah (Bethany), attacking houses, breaking doors and windows [FJ 2/14].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Palestinian is shot, killed in 'Attil, village near Tulkarm [NYT 2/10]. Demonstrators and troops clash in Gaza City; reports indicate at least 50 are injured by soldiers. Settlers and soldiers battle demonstrators in W. Bank town of Halhul; town is placed under curfew. Demonstrations are reported in Hebron, Sa'ir, Jenin-district village of Qabatiyyah, Bethlehem, Silwan, and jerusalem. Curfews remain in force for Nablus region, Qalqiliyyah, Tulkarm, Bayt 'Ur al-Tahta, Bayt Ummar, Bani Na'im, 'Anabta, refugee camps of Balatah, 'Askar, 'A'idah, Shu'fat, and Gaza Strip's Burayj camp. Al-'Azzah camp, Hibla village, and Jabal al-Mukabir ae under siege [FJ 2/14].