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  • November 10, 2016

    Palestinians across the West Bank demonstrate in commemoration of the 12th anniversary of Yasir Arafat’s death. IDF troops violently disperse demonstrations in Bethlehem, Ramallah, al-Bireh, and...

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  • November 9, 2016

    IDF troops shoot and critically injure a Palestinian in Hawara village nr. Nablus after he allegedly attempts to stab a soldier with a screwdriver. Late at night in the West Bank, Israeli forces...

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  • September 19, 2016

    IDF troops shoot and kill 2 Palestinians in c. Hebron after they allegedly attempt to stab Israeli soldiers. Palestinian witnesses say the 2 men posed no threat to the soldiers. In the wake of the...

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  • September 18, 2016

    Amid an upswing in tension across the West Bank, Israeli soldiers shoot and seriously injure a Palestinian after he allegedly stabs and moderately injures an Israeli officer outside the Efrat...

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  • August 31, 2016

    IDF troops raid al-Sanabel radio station in Dura village nr. Hebron overnight, shutting it down on the grounds of alleged incitement and arresting 5 journalists. They also destroy and confiscate...

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  • August 28, 2016

    In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces arrest a Palestinian youth allegedly carrying a knife and planning a stabbing attack in Shu‘fat r.c., and arrest another Palestinian on a late-night raid in Ras...

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  • August 10, 2016

    An Israeli settler on a motorcycle runs over and seriously injures an elderly Palestinian outside Duma village nr. Nablus; he dies later in the day. It is unclear if the collision is an accident...

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  • August 8, 2016

    In the West Bank, IDF troops conduct late-night house searches and raids nr. Hebron, Tulkarm, Ramallah, and Bethlehem, arresting 7 Palestinians, confiscating some personal property, and violently...

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  • July 26, 2016

    IDF troops shoot and injure a Palestinian waiting in line at the Qalandia checkpoint. They say that she acted “suspiciously” by “quickly approaching the security guards.” Late at night, they...

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  • July 25, 2016

    Israeli forces demolish 12 Palestinian homes in Qalandia r.c., sparking clashes with Palestinian protesters; there are no serious injuries. Israeli raids in Abu Dis and al-Am‘ari r.c. spark...

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  • July 2, 2016

    For a 2d day in a row, the IDF maintains a general closure on Hebron, sealing crossings across the city and barricading at least 20 villages in the surrounding district. The IDF also revokes the...

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  • June 29, 2016

    In an unusual incident in Ramallah, 9 Israelis try to visit a Palestinian’s home for a fastbreaking meal, but stone-throwing Palestinian youths block them and set their vehicle on fire. PASF and...

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  • May 5, 2016

    In a 3d day of cross-border violence, Israeli forces launch a number of air strikes on 4 Hamas sites in n. Gaza overnight; fire artillery shells at Palestinians along the border in multiple...

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  • April 26, 2016

    Tension remains high at Haram al-Sharif in Jerusalem during the ongoing Passover activities. Around 130 right-wing Jewish activists tour the sanctuary throughout the day; Israeli police remove 8...

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  • April 19, 2016

    In the West Bank, IDF troops conduct late-night raids nr. Tulkarm, Ramallah, and Jericho, arresting 4 Palestinians, and patrol during the day in Tulkarm, nr. Jericho, Qalqilya, and Hebron. Off...

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  • April 18, 2016

    An explosive device detonates on a bus in s. Jerusalem, injuring at least 20 Israelis (2 seriously). A Palestinian injured in the blast will succumb to his wounds on 4/20. Israeli officials treat...

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  • April 11, 2016

    Along Gaza’s border, IDF troops shoot and injure a Palestinian youth herding cattle nr. Gaza City. In the West Bank, IDF troops conduct late-night raids and house searches in Tulkarm and Bethlehem...

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  • March 21, 2016

    In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces carry out the punitive demolition of the Jabal Mukabir home of an imprisoned Palestinian accused of attacking Israeli soldiers on 10/10/2015, and also demolish a...

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  • February 9, 2016

    Nr. Bethlehem, unidentified assailants stab and injure an Israeli settler outside the Gush Etzion settlement bloc. The IDF then seals nearby Nahalin village and sets up mobile checkpoints,...

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  • February 5, 2016

    The IDF maintains, for a 3d day, the closure of Qabatiya. Israeli forces shut down the major road to the village with bulldozers, sparking intermittent clashes with stonethrowers wherein 9...

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  • January 31, 2016

    Outside the Beit El settlement nr. Ramallah, IDF troops shoot and kill a Palestinian driver at a checkpoint after he shoots and injures 3 Israeli soldiers (1 seriously). The Palestinian, later...

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Palestinians across the West Bank demonstrate in commemoration of the 12th anniversary of Yasir Arafat’s death. IDF troops violently disperse demonstrations in Bethlehem, Ramallah, al-Bireh, and Tulkarm injuring at least 5 Palestinians. Separately, IDF troops shoot and injure a Palestinian as he throws a Molotov cocktail at them nr. Ramallah; arrest 7 Palestinians during late-night raids nr. Jenin, Tubas, and Nablus, as well as in Qalqilya; and patrol during the day nr. Qalqilya and Hebron. Israeli forces demolish 2 agricultural structures nr. Qalqilya. Off Gaza’s coast, Israeli naval forces open fire on Palestinian fishing boats nr. Gaza City and Nuseirat r.c., causing no damage or injuries. Along Gaza’s border, IDF troops open fire on Palestinian farmers working nr. Gaza City, causing no injuries. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces arrest 4 Palestinians during raids in Ras al-Amud and Silwan. (MNA, TOI, WAFA 11/10; PCHR 11/17)

IDF troops shoot and critically injure a Palestinian in Hawara village nr. Nablus after he allegedly attempts to stab a soldier with a screwdriver. Late at night in the West Bank, Israeli forces use concrete to seal the entrance to the Hebron-area home of a Palestinian accused of assisting in the killing of 4 Israelis in Tel Aviv on 6/8. They also confiscate a tractor from Ras al-Amud village in the n. Jordan Valley and reopen the entrance to Aqraba village nr. Nablus, which was closed on 9/20 as collective punishment for reported stonethrowing in the area. The IDF arrests 14 Palestinian during late-night raids nr. Jenin, Bethlehem, and Hebron; and patrols nr. Hebron and Nablus during the day. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces demolish a car wash in Bayt Hanina overnight. They also conduct raids in Abu Dis, sparking clashes with stone-throwing Palestinian youths; there are no serious injuries. Around 100 right-wing Jewish activists tour Haram al-Sharif in the morning. Along Gaza’s border, Israeli forces conduct a limited incursion to level land nr. Khan Yunis. (MNA, TOI, WAFA, YA 11/9; PCHR 11/10; PCHR 11/17)

A Palestinian from Jalazun r.c. succumbs to a head injury he sustained in clashes with the IDF in the camp in 1992. (IMEMC 11/9)

An errant mortar shell fired from Syria lands in an uninhabited area of the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights, causing no damage or injuries. The IDF responds later in the day, firing artillery at Syrian army targets. There are no reported injuries. (JP, TOI 10/9)

IDF troops shoot and kill 2 Palestinians in c. Hebron after they allegedly attempt to stab Israeli soldiers. Palestinian witnesses say the 2 men posed no threat to the soldiers. In the wake of the attack, IDF troops clash with stonethrowing Palestinian protesters in Dahaysha r.c. nr. Bethlehem and in several areas in and around Hebron; 2 Palestinians are arrested and 3 are lightly injured. They arrest at least 16 Palestinians and issue 2 arrest summons during late-night raids in and around Nablus, Salfit, Bethlehem, Jenin, and Ramallah; seize several Palestinian cars, install a new checkpoint, and patrol in the Hebron district throughout the day. They also shut down an area of Hebron’s Old City, denying maintenance workers access to dilapidated buildings. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces shoot and moderately injure a Palestinian nr. the Old City after he stabs and injures 2 of them. They raid his family home in Ras al-Amud later in the day, arresting his 2 brothers. Meanwhile, Israeli forces arrest 12 Palestinians during late-night raids in Issawiyya and the Old City. A Palestinian demolishes her own grocery shop in al-Thawri to avoid paying for Israeli demolition crews. Off Gaza’s coast, Israeli naval forces open fire on Palestinian fishing boats nr. Bayt Lahiya, seriously injuring 1 fisherman and damaging his boat. (EI, HA, MNA, YA 9/19; PCHR 9/22)

Amid an upswing in tension across the West Bank, Israeli soldiers shoot and seriously injure a Palestinian after he allegedly stabs and moderately injures an Israeli officer outside the Efrat settlement nr. Bethlehem. IDF troops on a patrol nr. Jenin clash with and violently disperse stone-throwing Palestinian youths; 4 Palestinians are arrested. They arrest 3 more Palestinians during late-night raids in and around Nablus; and patrol throughout the day nr. Nablus, Hebron, and Salfit. Israeli forces shut down the entrance to Bayt Umar village nr. Hebron to allow for maintenance work on an IDF watchtower in the area (the work will continue through 9/22). Meanwhile, the Israeli authorities return the body of the Jordanian killed on 9/16 to his family via the Allenby border crossing. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces arrest 4 Palestinians during raids in Ras al-Amud, Issawiyya, and Silwan. (MNA, YA 9/18; PCHR 9/22)

Israeli PM Netanyahu authorizes the extension of his ban on mbrs. of the Knesset (MKs) visiting Haram al-Sharif ahead of the Jewish High Holidays, which he implemented during the habba, the surge of Palestinian resistance, random attacks, and protests that began in Jerusalem in 9/2015. (TOI 9/18)

The Egyptian authorities open the Rafah border crossing overnight and allow 474 Palestinian pilgrims to return home from their trip to Saudi Arabia. (MNA 9/18)

IDF troops raid al-Sanabel radio station in Dura village nr. Hebron overnight, shutting it down on the grounds of alleged incitement and arresting 5 journalists. They also destroy and confiscate some broadcasting equipment. Elsewhere in the West Bank, Israeli forces arrest 8 Palestinians during late-night raids and house searches in and around Tulkarm, Jenin, and in Dahaysha r.c. nr. Bethlehem; and patrol nr. Nablus. Along Gaza’s border, Israeli forces conduct a limited incursion to level land nr. al-Bureij r.c. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces assault and arrest 5 Palestinian youths as they leave a soccer field in the Old City, demolish a blacksmith shop in the southeast corner of the city, and arrest 2 Palestinians during late-night raids in Ras al-Amud. (HA, JP, MNA, WAFA 8/31; PCHR 9/1; PCHR 9/8) 

The Egyptian authorities keep the Rafah border crossing open for the 2d of 3 planned days. (PCHR 9/1; OCHA 9/8)

The High Planning Comm. of Israel’s Civil Admin. advances plans for the construction of 463 settler residences in the West Bank, including approval for 234 units in the Elkana settlement, 31 in Bet Arye, and 20 in Givat Ze’ev. The comm. also retroactively legalizes 178 units built in Bet Arye in the 1980s. (AFP, HA, MNA 8/31)

In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces arrest a Palestinian youth allegedly carrying a knife and planning a stabbing attack in Shu‘fat r.c., and arrest another Palestinian on a late-night raid in Ras al-Amud. In the West Bank, IDF troops arrest 3 Palestinians during raids nr. Nablus, Ramallah, and Jenin; and patrol in 2 villages nr. Nablus, and 3 villages and al-‘Arub r.c. nr. Hebron. Around 12,000 Palestinians attend a funeral for the Palestinian killed by PASF troops in Nablus on 8/23. After the funeral, hundreds of mourners break off from the procession, chant anti-Palestinian Authority (PA) slogans, and clash with PASF troops (there are no serious injuries). Off Gaza’s coast, Israeli naval forces open fire on Palestinian fishing boats nr. Bayt Lahiya, causing no damage or injuries. (JP, MNA, TOI 8/28; PCHR 9/1)

Palestinian officials announce the beginning of preliminary discussions about a possible summit meeting in Moscow between PM Netanyahu and Pres. Abbas, to be mediated by Russian pres. Putin. Separately, a senior PLO official says that the Palestinians recently rejected a U.S. offer for a trilateral peace summit with Israel, and that the Palestinians instead insisted on 2 central preconditions for any meetings: release of the 4th tranche of prisoners that were set to go free in connection with the last round of talks in 3–4/2014 and a settlement freeze. (HA, JP, TOI 8/28)

As the Palestinian school year begins, the PA Education Ministry accuses Israel of withholding the delivery of around 300,000 textbooks to schools in Gaza. Israel’s Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories (COGAT) says the books must be examined and approved before being released. (HA 8/28)

An Israeli settler on a motorcycle runs over and seriously injures an elderly Palestinian outside Duma village nr. Nablus; he dies later in the day. It is unclear if the collision is an accident or an intentional ramming attack. Elsewhere in the West Bank, IDF troops conduct raids in al-Am‘ari r.c. nr. Ramallah overnight, arresting 1 Palestinian and sparking clashes with stone-throwing residents; 4 Palestinians are injured. IDF troops arrest 4 more Palestinians during late-night raids and house searches in Jenin and around Bethlehem. Israeli forces uproot around 500 olive trees outside a village nr. Salfit. Overnight, unidentified suspects throw Molotov cocktails at a structure in an Israeli settlement nr. Nablus, causing damage. In East Jerusalem, Israeli police escort around 100 Jewish settlers and 13 Israeli archaeologists on a tour of Haram al-Sharif, and bar Palestinian maintenance workers from entering the sanctuary. They arrest 2 Palestinians during raids in Ras al-Amud, the Old City, and Silwan. In Gaza, 8 Palestinians are injured when a tunnel collapses in e. Gaza City. In Israel, dozens of Palestinian protesters gather outside the Barzilai Medical Center in Ashqelon in solidarity with hunger-striking prisoner Bilal Kayed. A counter-protest by right-wing Israeli activists sparks minor clashes; 13 Palestinians and Israelis are arrested, and there are no serious injuries. (JP, MNA, WAFA 8/10; PCHR 8/11; PCHR 8/18)

The Israeli police announce a NIS 1 b. (approx. $260 m.) plan to increase their presence in Palestinian areas of East Jerusalem by adding 1,200 officers and 5 new outposts in Ras al-Amud, Jabal Mukabir, Silwan, Issawiyya, and Sur al-Bahir. The outposts will be headquartered in buildings that already offer civic services, such as national insurance and post, reportedly to stop them from becoming sources of tension, as police outposts in East Jerusalem have been in the past. (HA, JP 8/10)

In the West Bank, IDF troops conduct late-night house searches and raids nr. Hebron, Tulkarm, Ramallah, and Bethlehem, arresting 7 Palestinians, confiscating some personal property, and violently dispersing stone-throwers nr. Tulkarm (there are no injuries). They also patrol during the day nr. Hebron, Salfit, and Jenin. Israeli forces demolish a 4-km water pipeline under construction nr. Tubas overnight and 2 homes in the Jordan Valley during the day. A Palestinian demolishes 2 of his own animal shelters nr. Nablus to avoid paying for an Israeli demolition crew. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces issue an arrest summons to a Palestinian and arrest a Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP) leader during raids in Silwan, and order the closure of a Palestinian education organization, the Sa’ed Institution for Educational Consultations, in the Old City, claiming that it supports terrorism against Israelis. A Palestinian demolishes his own home in Ras al-Amud to avoid paying NIS 60,000 (approx. $16,000) for an Israeli demolition crew. (MNA, WAFA 8/8; PCHR 8/11; +972 8/13)

Israel’s army radio reports that the Israeli govt., in response to a Palestinian petition to the Supreme Court, has stated that it no longer opposes the Israel Electric Corporation’s (IEC) punitive cuts of electricity to areas of the West Bank. The IEC punitively cut power to major West Bank cities intermittently over the summer in response to unpaid Palestinian debts (see JPS 45 [4]). (TOI 8/8)

IDF troops shoot and injure a Palestinian waiting in line at the Qalandia checkpoint. They say that she acted “suspiciously” by “quickly approaching the security guards.” Late at night, they arrest 5 Palestinians during raids in and around Nablus, Tulkarm, and Hebron; and patrol during the day nr. Salfit and Ramallah. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces arrest 52 Palestinians during overnight raids in Ras al-Amud and Silwan. The Israeli police dub the raids as “the 700,” referring to the number of officers involved. Along Gaza’s border, IDF troops open fire on Palestinians nr. the border fence, causing no injuries. Off the coast, Israeli naval forces open fire on Palestinian fishing boats nr. Bayt Lahiya, causing no damage. They then arrest 2 fishermen and confiscate their boat. (EI, MNA, TOI, WAFA 7/26; MNA 7/27; PCHR 7/28)

Israeli forces demolish 12 Palestinian homes in Qalandia r.c., sparking clashes with Palestinian protesters; there are no serious injuries. Israeli raids in Abu Dis and al-Am‘ari r.c. spark further clashes with stone-throwing Palestinians (3 Palestinians are injured). Late at night, they demolish 4 more Palestinian structures in Issawiyya and 1 under construction in Silwan, and arrest 2 Palestinians during raids in Ras al-Amud. In the West Bank, IDF troops arrest 4 Palestinians during raids in Zabbuba village nr. Jenin, sparking clashes with stone-throwing residents (there are no serious injuries). They arrest 4 more Palestinians during late-night raids in and around Bethlehem, and patrol nr. Hebron, Salfit, and Qalqilya. The IDF reopens a road nr. Bethlehem, having closed it in the wake of a shooting attack in the area on 7/21. Israeli forces begin constructing permanent cement rooms at the entrance to al-Ibrahimi Mosque in Hebron; the press reports that the rooms will be used as a security inspection area. Meanwhile, the IDF maintains the general closure of Hebron and its surrounding district that it put in place on 7/1. (MNA 7/25; JP, MNA, WAFA 7/26; HA 7/27; PCHR 7/28)

UNRWA releases a statement expressing concern for the humanitarian effects of the IDF’s weeks-long crackdown on Hebron and the surrounding area. (MNA 7/25)

In response to a petition from Palestinian residents of Jerusalem, Israel’s High Court of Justice orders the police to explain why they are withholding the bodies of Palestinians killed while allegedly carrying out attacks on Israelis. The police are given 3 weeks to respond. (TOI 7/26)

For a 2d day in a row, the IDF maintains a general closure on Hebron, sealing crossings across the city and barricading at least 20 villages in the surrounding district. The IDF also revokes the travel permits of 2,700 Palestinians from the area and maintains its complete lock-down of Bani Na‘im village and continues its closure of Yatta village (the IDF had been removing roadblocks in the area steadily over the past few weeks). Israeli soldiers arrest 4 Palestinians during raids in and around Hebron late at night; and patrol in 12 villages nr. the city throughout the day. On 1 raid, IDF troops clash with stone-throwing Palestinians in Dura village; 2 Palestinians are injured. Elsewhere in the West Bank, Israeli settlers throw rocks at Palestinian cars nr. Nablus, damaging several. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces arrest 11 Palestinians, including 1 journalist, during late-night raids in Ras al-Amud, Sur al-Bahir, Silwan, and the Old City. (JP, MNA 7/2; MNA 7/3; PCHR 7/14)

Israel’s security cabinet meets to discuss the recent surge of violence across the West Bank and Israel, confirm the approval of 42 new housing units in the Jewish settlement of Kiryat Arba, and decide to maintain the closure of Hebron and the surrounding district. Some ministers push PM Netanyahu to approve a massive round of settlement construction in response to the violence. He reportedly promises to examine the issue. (HA, JP, YA 7/3)

The Egyptian authorities open the Rafah border crossing for passage in both directions. (OCHA 7/5)

In an unusual incident in Ramallah, 9 Israelis try to visit a Palestinian’s home for a fastbreaking meal, but stone-throwing Palestinian youths block them and set their vehicle on fire. PASF and IDF troops secure the group’s departure from the oPt. Meanwhile, the IDF arrests 3 Palestinians during late-night raids nr. Bethlehem and Tulkarm and patrols nr. Hebron and Ramallah throughout the day. Israeli forces deliver stop-work orders to 2 residential buildings under construction and demolition notices to 4 structures nr. Hebron. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces arrest 15 Palestinians during late-night raids in Ras al-Amud, Silwan, Qalandia r.c., and Wadi al-Juz. In Israel, Israeli forces demolish the bedouin village of al-Araqib for the 100th time in 6 years. (MNA, TOI 6/29; JP, PCHR 6/30; PCHR 7/14)

The Egyptian authorities open the Rafah border crossing for the 1st of 5 planned days over the course of the next week. (OCHA 7/5)

Israel’s security cabinet approves the reconciliation deal with Turkey announced officially on 6/27. Only 3 ministers vote against it: DM Lieberman, Education Minister Naftali Bennett, and Justice Minister Ayelet Shaked. During a debate over the deal in the Knesset, MK Haneen Zoabi (Joint List) calls the IDF soldiers who raided the Mavi Marmara in 5/2010 “murderers,” sparking a heated confrontation with several right-wing MKs. Later, PM Netanyahu pledges to expel Zoabi from the Knesset. (HA, JP, YA 6/29).

Following pressure from the Israeli NGO Adalah, Israeli police make public portions of their new rules of engagement, approved by Israel’s atty.-gen. in 9/2015 amid the surge of violence. The new rules authorize the police to respond to stone- or firecracker-throwing with live fire. (JP 7/4; HA 7/5)

In a 3d day of cross-border violence, Israeli forces launch a number of air strikes on 4 Hamas sites in n. Gaza overnight; fire artillery shells at Palestinians along the border in multiple locations throughout the day, and launch a 2d round of air strikes in s. Gaza in the evening. 1 Palestinian is killed, 4 are injured, and significant damage is incurred. Meanwhile, Palestinian fighters fire mortar shells at IDF troops along the border, causing some damage. Amid the violence, Israeli authorities announce that the IDF has uncovered another tunnel leading from s. Gaza into the area along Israel’s side of the border (it is set for demolition in the coming days), lift a gag order on the news that Israeli forces arrested a Hamas operative in early 4/2016 who, after interrogation, divulged key information about Hamas’s tunnel operations. Separately, Hamas officials say they have contacted Egypt, Qatar, and the UN to request mediation, and that Egyptian officials “immediately and seriously acted to restore the situation to the status quo ante.” The IDF then confirms that the Egyptians are mediating to restore calm. However, crossborder violence erupts again later in the day. (HA, TOI, YA 5/5; OCHA 5/6)

Elsewhere in the oPt, IDF troops conduct raids and house searches in 1 village nr. Jenin and in al-‘Arub r.c. nr. Hebron, arresting 2 Palestinians and sparking brief clashes; there are no serious injuries. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces conduct raids in the Old City and Ras al-Amud, arresting 5 Palestinians and deporting 1 to the West Bank. (HA, JP, MNA, TOI, WAFA, YA 5/5; PCHR 5/12)

Tension remains high at Haram al-Sharif in Jerusalem during the ongoing Passover activities. Around 130 right-wing Jewish activists tour the sanctuary throughout the day; Israeli police remove 8 of them after they spark verbal and physical confrontations with Palestinians by performing religious rituals (4 Palestinians are arrested and there are no serious injuries). Elsewhere in East Jerusalem, Israeli forces arrest 3 Palestinians during raids and patrols in Issawiyya and Ras al-Amud. In the West Bank, Israeli forces order some Palestinians to close their shops in c. Hebron ahead of Israeli settlers’ visits to the city; close al-Ibrahimi Mosque for the 2d day in a row; and conduct house searches and patrols in the area, arresting 2 Palestinians. They also escort dozens of Israeli settlers as they perform religious rituals at a park in a Palestinian village nr. Hebron. IDF troops violently disperse Palestinian journalists demonstrating outside Ofer Prison nr. Ramallah in solidarity with an imprisoned colleague; 2 Palestinians are injured. The IDF patrols in 1 village nr. Salfit. Meanwhile, off Gaza’s coast, Israeli naval forces open fire on Palestinian fishing boats nr. Gaza City and later nr. Bayt Lahiya, causing no damage or injuries (2 fishermen are detained and their boats are confiscated). Along Gaza’s border, Israeli forces conduct a limited incursion to level land nr. Gaza City. (HA, JP, MNA, WAFA, YA 4/26; PCHR 4/28)

In the West Bank, IDF troops conduct late-night raids nr. Tulkarm, Ramallah, and Jericho, arresting 4 Palestinians, and patrol during the day in Tulkarm, nr. Jericho, Qalqilya, and Hebron. Off Gaza’s s. coast, Israeli naval forces open fire on Palestinian fishing boats overnight, injuring 1 fisherman (3 others are arrested and 2 boats are confiscated). In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces assault a group of Palestinian youths in Ras al-Amud, injuring 1. In Israel, Israeli forces destroy the bedouin village al-‘Araqib in the Negev for the 97th time. Meanwhile, around 2,000 Israelis gather in Rabin Square in Tel Aviv to demonstrate in support of Azaria, the Israeli soldier who shot and killed a detained Palestinian on 3/24. (EI, MNA, WAFA 4/19; PCHR 4/21)

Following Jordan’s 4/18 announcement that it is no longer planning to support the installation of cameras at Haram al-Sharif, an Israeli official says that “Israel’s support [for the initiative] remains unchanged.” (TOI 4/19)

An explosive device detonates on a bus in s. Jerusalem, injuring at least 20 Israelis (2 seriously). A Palestinian injured in the blast will succumb to his wounds on 4/20. Israeli officials treat it as a terrorist attack, and the Israeli police and security services begin investigations. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces arrest 3 Palestinian youths after they allegedly assault an Israeli youth in the Old City; arrest 7 Palestinian youths and confiscate some property during raids in Shu‘fat r.c., Qalandia r.c., Ras al-Amud, and the Old City; and shoot tear gas canisters at Palestinian schoolchildren in Ras al-Amud, causing no serious injuries. Israeli forces also raid and search a newspaper company’s offices. In the West Bank, IDF troops shoot tear gas canisters at a school nr. Hebron, causing minor injuries; conduct raids and house searches nr. Bethlehem, Ramallah, Qalqilya, and in and around Hebron, arresting 10 Palestinians, issuing arrest summons to 4, and confiscating some property; patrol nr. Ramallah and Jericho. Along Gaza’s border, Egyptian forces flood and partially destroy a smuggling tunnel leading into the n. Sinai Peninsula. A military court in Gaza sentences 5 Palestinians to death on charges related to collaborating with Israel. A Palestinian woman is injured when she accidentally detonates a piece of unexploded Israeli ordnance in Gaza City. (HA, JP, MNA, TOI, WAFA, YA 4/18; JP, MNA, TOI 4/19; HA, MNA 4/20; PCHR 4/21)

The IDF lifts a gag order on the news that it discovered a tunnel leading from s. Gaza into Israel earlier this week (they will demolish it on 4/19). Hamas’s military wing says “this tunnel is just a drop in the ocean of what the resistance has prepared for the defense of its people and the liberation of holy places, land, and prisoners.” (HA, JP, MNA, TOI, YA 4/18; JP 4/19)

Citing Palestinian complaints and reservations, Jordan’s PM Abdullah Ensour says that Jordan has decided to halt the process of installing cameras at Haram al-Sharif following mos. of stalled negotiations with Israeli officials. (JP, MNA, TOI, YA 4/18; HA 4/19, 4/27)

Along Gaza’s border, IDF troops shoot and injure a Palestinian youth herding cattle nr. Gaza City. In the West Bank, IDF troops conduct late-night raids and house searches in Tulkarm and Bethlehem, as well as nr. Jenin, Hebron, and Salfit, arresting 10 Palestinians and threatening the family of another (an 11th Palestinian turns himself in hours later); patrol nr. Hebron, Qalqilya, and Salfit. In East Jerusalem, a number of right-wing Jewish activists tour Haram al-Sharif in the morning, leading to minor verbal confrontations with Palestinian worshippers. Israeli forces punitively seal the home of a Palestinian prisoner in Sur al-Bahir (he is awaiting trial on manslaughter charges related to a stonethrowing incident on 9/13/2015). They also arrest 7 Palestinians during late-night raids in Qalandia r.c., Ras al-Amud, and Qatanna. (JP, MNA, WAFA 4/11; PCHR 4/14)

PLO secy.-gen. Saeb Erekat says that the Palestinians have begun consultations with various Arab nations on the draft UNSC res. they informally circulated last week, as was reported on 4/7. Egypt is reportedly overseeing the consultations, aimed at finalizing the draft ahead of PA pres. Abbas’s visit to the UN in New York at the end of this mo. (MNA 4/13)

In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces carry out the punitive demolition of the Jabal Mukabir home of an imprisoned Palestinian accused of attacking Israeli soldiers on 10/10/2015, and also demolish a half-built home in Ras al-Amud. Also in Ras al-Amud, a Palestinian family demolishes their own home on Israeli orders. Later, the Israeli authorities return 2 bodies of Palestinians killed in confrontations with Israeli forces since the beginning of the habba (“surge” or “revolt” in English) in the oPt in 10/2015. One family rejects the body of their relative when they discover it is frozen, allegedly in violation of the deal they made with the Israelis (they had agreed to limit the size of the funeral and deposited a NIS 20,000 [around $5,250] guarantee). Israeli forces arrest a Palestinian woman at Haram al-Sharif after she confronts Jewish Israeli MK Shuli Mualem-Rafaeli. In the West Bank, IDF troops raid a number of quarries nr. Qalqilya, confiscating millions of dollars’ worth of equipment. They also raid a number of chicken farms and erect a mobile checkpoint outside a village nr. Ramallah, sparking clashes with stone-throwing Palestinians; 1 Palestinian is injured. The IDF violently disperses stone-throwing Palestinians in a village nr. Tulkarm, causing no serious injuries; raids a village council’s office in a village nr. Bethlehem, destroying property and breaking its main doors; conducts further raids and house searches nr. Tulkarm, Jenin, Nablus, and Bethlehem, arresting 4 Palestinians, issuing arrest summons to 2, and confiscating property; and patrols nr. Tulkarm, Jenin, and Hebron. Israeli forces begin razing 650 dunams (around 160 acres) of Islamic Waqf–owned land nr. Jericho, and confiscate heavy equipment from a factory nr. Bethlehem. Along Gaza’s border, Israeli forces conduct limited incursions to level land nr. Bayt Lahiya and Dayr al-Balah. (MNA, WAFA 3/21; MNA 3/22; PCHR 3/24)

A PA official who monitors settlement growth in the West Bank reveals that Israeli officials recently informed Palestinians in villages nr. Nablus of their intention to confiscate 1,200 dunams (around 300 acres) of nearby land. The IDF’s Coordinator of Govt. Activities in the Territories Unit (COGAT) disputes this figure, saying that only 612 dunams will be seized and incorporated into the nearby settlement of Eli. (MNA, WAFA 3/21; EI 3/30)

At the annual AIPAC conference in Washington, leading presidential candidates Hillary Clinton and Donald Trump present their foreign policy ideas and pro-Israel credentials. All the remaining candidates, except Sen. Bernie Sanders, are set to address the conferees (AIPAC rejected Sanders’s offer to give a speech via satellite after he declined to attend). (HA, JP, YA 3/21; JP 3/22)

Nr. Bethlehem, unidentified assailants stab and injure an Israeli settler outside the Gush Etzion settlement bloc. The IDF then seals nearby Nahalin village and sets up mobile checkpoints, allowing only humanitarian cases to pass in or out. Earlier, Israeli forces confront a Palestinian youth outside the Old City of Jerusalem for “moving in a suspicious way,” then arrest her when she draws a knife and allegedly attempts to stab them. Later, IDF troops arrest another Palestinian youth outside a settlement nr. Hebron when she is found with a knife on her person. (HA, JP, MNA, YA 2/9; PCHR 2/11)

In Gaza, a Hamas fighter is killed in a tunnel collapse nr. Khan Yunis. In the West Bank, IDF troops shoot and injure 2 Palestinians in a village nr. Bethlehem; conduct late-night raids and house searches in Jenin, Bethlehem, 1 village and Dahaysha r.c. nr. Bethlehem, as well as Hebron and nearby al-Fawar r.c., arresting 8 Palestinians and issuing an arrest summons to 1; patrol in 3 villages and al-Fawar r.c. nr. Hebron, as well as Salfit. Israeli forces demolish 11 Palestinian residential and agricultural structures nr. Nablus. The Israeli authorities reopen a road nr. Hebron, which has been closed since 11/2015 when tension began to escalate in the area. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces arrest 14 Palestinians on late-night raids in Qalandia r.c., Abu Dis, Sur al-Bahir, Issawiyya, the Old City, and Ras al-Amud. (HA, MNA, TOI, WAFA 2/9; HA, MNA 2/10; PCHR 2/11)

The IDF maintains, for a 3d day, the closure of Qabatiya. Israeli forces shut down the major road to the village with bulldozers, sparking intermittent clashes with stonethrowers wherein 9 Palestinians are injured. They also arrest 5 Palestinians on raids in the village and return the bodies of the 3 Palestinians suspected of perpetrating the 2/3 shooting in the Old City (a joint funeral is held in the evening). (PCHR 2/11)

Elsewhere in the West Bank, Israeli soldiers shoot and kill a Palestinian youth and arrest a 2d in a village nr. Hebron. The IDF says they were planning to throw Molotov cocktails at passing vehicles. Throughout the day, IDF troops violently disperse Palestinian, Israeli, and international activists at Friday demonstrations against the Israeli occupation and recent violence against Palestinians in 6 areas nr. Ramallah (Bil‘in, Ni‘lin, Nabi Salih, Silwan, ‘Ayn Yabrud, and Jalazun r.c.), 1 village each nr. Qalqilya and Nablus, as well as in 2 areas along Gaza’s border; 10 Palestinians are injured. The IDF also conducts raids and house searches in 3 villages nr. Jenin and 1 nr. Nablus, arresting 3 Palestinians and issuing arrest summons to 2; patrols 2 villages nr. Jericho and 3 nr. Hebron. Also along Gaza’s e. border, IDF troops open fire on agricultural lands, causing damage. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces arrest 1 Palestinian on a late-night raid in Ras al-Amud. (HA, JP, MNA, TOI 2/5; TOI 2/7; PCHR 2/11)

The Israeli authorities extend the closure of part of Hebron’s Old City through 3/1. It was 1st closed on 11/1/2015, and Palestinians and internationals have been banned from entering since. (MNA 2/5)

Outside the Beit El settlement nr. Ramallah, IDF troops shoot and kill a Palestinian driver at a checkpoint after he shoots and injures 3 Israeli soldiers (1 seriously). The Palestinian, later identified as a police officer, opened fire when an Israeli soldier approached his driver’s side window to perform a security check. After the incident, the IDF imposes a partial closure on the Ramallah area, setting up mobile checkpoints, shutting down many roads, and barring nonresidents from entering the city (more restrictions will be implemented by 2/1). Later, IDF troops shoot and injure a Palestinian driver nr. Ramallah as he allegedly attempts to ram them (none of whom are injured); violently disperse Palestinian youths throwing stones and protesting the closure of a nearby checkpoint (1 Palestinian is arrested and there are no serious injuries). Meanwhile, IDF troops conduct raids and house searches in 1 village nr. Ramallah, Nablus and 1 nearby village, Hebron and 1 village nearby, and Tulkarm, arresting 11 Palestinians, assaulting 1, and issuing an arrest summons to 1; patrol in al-Fawar r.c. and 3 villages nr. Hebron, as well as 1 village nr. Salfit. Israeli forces confiscate construction materials and equipment from a site nr. Hebron. Israeli settlers shoot at and damage a Palestinian home nr. Salfit late at night. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces demolish a home in Sur al-Bahir late at night; assault a Palestinian in Ras al-Amud, moderately injuring him; arrest 5 Palestinians on raids and at checkpoints in alThawri, Wadi al-Juz, Silwan, Shaykh Jarrah, and in the Old City. Also, a 2d Palestinian youth turns himself in to the Israeli police in connection with the 1/30 stabbing outside the Old City. (HA, JP, MNA, WAFA, YA 1/31; PCHR 2/4)

The Israeli govt. approves a plan to create a new area at the Western Wall for genderdesegregated prayer, responding to years of complaints from Jewish feminists and other non-Orthodox Israelis about the discriminatory nature of the existing prayer spaces. (HA, NYT 1/31)