The Palestine Chronology

In the West Bank, PA forces arrested 3 Palestinians in Jenin, leading to gunmen opening fire at a PA office in the city; the 3 Palestinians were released shortly after by the PA. Armed Israeli settlers raided Susiya, chanting racist slogans and throwing stones, injuring 1 Palestinian man. Israeli forces violently dispersed a protest in al-Bireh, injuring 1 journalist with a rubber-coated bullet; others suffered tear-gas related injuries. Israeli forces also violently dispersed Palestinian protesters in Bayt Dajan, injuring 12 with rubber-coated bullets and others with tear gas. Elsewhere, Israeli forces violently dispersed Palestinian protesters in Kafr Qaddum, injuring 5 with rubber-coated bullets and others with tear gas. Israeli forces also violently dispersed Palestinian protesters in Hebron, injuring 2 with rubber-coated bullets and others with tear gas. Meanwhile, Israeli forces violently dispersed Palestinian protesters in Beita, injuring 4 with rubber-coated bullets and others with tear gas. Israeli forces also violently dispersed Palestinians protesting in Qalqilya, injuring 5 with rubber-coated bullets. Separately, Israeli forces confiscated 1 excavator in Kuseis near Dura. 7 Palestinians were arrested, including 4 during late-night raids in Beita and Aida refugee camp and 3 at a checkpoint near Jenin. In East Jerusalem, 1 Palestinian family demolished parts of their own home in Ras al-Amud. 1 Palestinian was arrested at the Damascus Gate plaza. Off the coast of Gaza, Israeli naval forces opened fire at Palestinian fishermen northwest of Khan Yunis; no injuries were reported. In Gaza, Israeli forces opened fire at Palestinian agricultural lands east of al-Fukhari, Dayr al-Balah, and al-Qarara; no injuries were reported. (WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 1/7; HA, JP, TOI 1/8; PCHR 1/13)

The Directorate of the Islamic Waqf in Jerusalem said Israel is preventing the implementation of a Waqf decision to increase the number of Waqf guards at the Haram al-Sharif compound. The Waqf said it needs to increase the number of guards due to the increase in Israeli settlers touring the compound. (MEMO 1/8; WAFA 1/10)

Norwegian representative to the UN Mona Juul said that she will use her time as president of the Security Council to prioritize the Palestinian-Israeli conflict by elevating a meeting on the issue on 1/19 to the ministerial level. (WAFA 1/7)

In the West Bank, 1 Palestinian teen was severely injured by an unexploded ordinance left behind by Israeli forces in the Masafer Yatta area near Yatta. Israeli forces violently dispersed Palestinian protesters in the Masafer Yatta area; 1 Palestinian was run over by an Israeli military vehicle and others suffered tear-gas related injuries. Israeli forces also violently dispersed Palestinian protesters during the weekly anti-settlement protest in Kafr Qaddum, injuring 2 Palestinians who were hit by tear gas canisters. Elsewhere, Israeli forces violently dispersed Palestinian protesters in Bayt Dajan and Dayr Jarir, leading to tear-gas related injuries. Israeli forces also clashed with Palestinians in Kafr Malik; 1 Palestinian was shot and injured by a rubber-coated bullet and others suffered tear-gas related injuries. Meanwhile, Israeli forces clashed with Palestinians in Bayt Umar and east of al-Bireh, leading to tear-gas related injuries. Israeli forces also confiscated a Palestinian-owned tractor in Sinjil and a tractor and bulldozer in Bayt Dajan. 5 Palestinians were arrested during raids in and around Jenin refugee camp, Halhul, and Dayr Jarir; clashes broke out during the raids in Jenin refugee camp, leading to tear-gas related injuries. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces assaulted Palestinian minors and their older relatives, claiming that the minors had thrown stones at them in the Old City. 1 Palestinian family demolished part of their house in Ras al-Amud to avoid exorbitant Israeli demolition fees. 2 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in al-Tur. In Gaza, Israeli forces opened fire at agricultural lands east of Juhur al-Dik and al-Bureij refugee camp; no injuries were reported. Israeli forces also arrested 1 Palestinian who had entered Israel through the Gaza fence. (WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 1/8; PCHR 1/14)

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)

In the Gaza Strip, a bomb explodes outside a Fatah-affiliated charity, lightly injuring 2 bystanders. Shipments of domestic-use gas into Gaza resume after a dispute between local officials and the PA unity govt. is resolved on 12/10. All public institutions, ministries, and charities go on strike in protest of the PA unity govt.’s failure to pay civil servants. Several civil society organizations coordinate cleaning campaigns in Gaza’s hospitals, as the sanitation workers’ strike continues for a 10th day. IDF troops stationed along the border e. of al-Bureij arrest 2 Palestinians attempting to cross into Israel. In the West Bank, 1,000s of Palestinians attend the funeral of Ziad Abu Ein in Ramallah. Palestinians gathered for the funeral clash with IDF troops in al-Bireh; 19 are injured from rubber-coated metal bullets. Meanwhile, over 100 Palestinians gather in c. Hebron to protest Abu Ein’s death, leading to 2 separate clashes with IDF soldiers. There are also demonstrations in Turmus ‘Ayya. During the day, Israeli soldiers arrest Palestinians at a checkpoints nr. Ramallah and Hebron. The IDF conducts arrest raids nr. Jenin and Hebron; patrols in Tulkarm and n. of Jenin. Late at night, unidentified assailants open fire on the home of an imprisoned Hamas MP in Hebron, causing damage. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces violently disperse 100s of Palestinians gathered to protest Abu Ein’s death in Shu‘fat r.c., Issawiyya, al-‘Izzariya, and Silwan. They conduct late-night arrest raids and house searches in Jabal Mukabir, Wadi al-Juz, Ras al-Amud, and Issawiyya. Meanwhile, 75 new security guards are added to the security detail at Haram al-Sharif in response to King Abdullah of Jordan’s request. (MNA 12/10; HA, JP, MNA, NYT 12/11; IMEMC, MNA 12/12; TOI 12/13; PCHR 12/18)

UN Special Coordinator Serry holds talks with senior Hamas official Abu Marzuq at the UN building in Gaza City. Serry calls on the PA unity govt. to take on its responsibilities stipulated in the cease-fire agreements, specifically staffing the border crossings. Outside the UN building, dozens of Palestinians gather for a sit-in protest in solidarity with Palestinian prisoners on hunger strike. (MNA, TOI 12/11)

Egyptian pres. Abdel Fattah al-Sisi travels to Jordan to hold talks with Jordan’s King Abdullah. They discuss the draft UNSC res. that Jordan plans to introduce on behalf of the Palestinians before 12/25. Meanwhile, Jordan’s House of Deps. votes to cancel its 9/2014 gas agreement with U.S. company Noble Energy. The MPs oppose increasing Jordan’s economic ties with Israel, despite Jordan’s ongoing energy crisis. (JT, MNA 12/11; JP 12/12; NYT 12/14)

The French Senate passes a nonbinding res. inviting the govt. to recognize Palestinian statehood. The French parliament previously passed a similar res. on 12/2. Meanwhile, the Swiss govt. invites all states party to the Fourth Geneva Convention, which includes every UN mbr. and Palestine, to attend a summit on 12/17 to discuss the situation in the oPt. (AFP, AP, HA 12/11; WAFA 12/13)