The Palestine Chronology

Stabbing and alleged stabbing attacks continue across the oPt, leading to the deaths of 4 Palestinians. First, IDF troops shoot and kill a Palestinian at a checkpoint n. of Jerusalem after he exits his vehicle and opens fire on Israeli forces, injuring a soldier and a Palestinian bystander. Late at night, IDF troops shoot and kill 2 Palestinian youths at a checkpoint in Hebron after they allegedly stab an Israeli soldier. The soldier suffers moderate injuries. Israeli forces also shoot and kill a Palestinian man nr. the Old City of Jerusalem after he stabs and moderately injures an Israeli police officer. Meanwhile,IDF troops open fire on Palestinian youths walking nr. Nablus (the IDF later alleged the youths had been throwing stones), injuring 1; violently clash with Palestinians protesting outside a settlement nr. Ramallah, injuring 1; conduct a raid in a village nr. Jenin, sparking clashes with stone-throwers (8 Palestinians are injured). The IDF also conducts late-night raids and house searches in 3 villages nr. Jenin and 1 nr. Tulkarm, arresting 3 Palestinians; patrols in 4 villages, al-‘Arub r.c. and al-Fawar r.c. nr. Hebron. Israeli forces confiscate construction materials from 2 stores nr. Hebron. In Gaza, Egyptian authorities open the Rafah border crossing for the 1st of 2 planned days. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces assault a group of Palestinian women after denying them entry to Haram al-Sharif; there are no serious injuries. The women are murabitat, volunteer guards that Israeli authorities banned from the sanctuary on 9/9. Meanwhile, more than 70 right-wing Jewish activists tour Haram al-Sharif. (HA, MNA, TOI, WAFA, YA 12/3; HA, TOI 12/4; PCHR 12/10)

Egyptian authorities open the Rafah border crossing for passage in and out of Gaza, as the PA announced they would on 6/10. They will keep the crossing open through 6/19. IDF troops stationed nr. the inactive Sufa border crossing nr. Rafah shoot and injure a mentally handicapped Palestinian man approaching the border fence. In the West Bank, Palestinians shoot and damage Israeli cars nr. Nablus, according to the IDF. IDF troops conduct late-night raids in c. Hebron, 1 village and al-‘Arub r.c. near the city, and 1 village nr. Ramallah, arresting 3 Palestinians and issuing arrest summons to 2 others; patrol in 1 village nr. Ramallah. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces clash with Palestinians in Silwan and the Old City; no Palestinians are seriously injured. (MNA 6/10; MNA 6/13; WAFA 6/14; PCHR 6/18)

Dep. chief of Hamas’s political bureau Musa Abu Marzuq flies from Gaza to Doha, Qatar, to put “final touches” on a long-term cease-fire proposal with Hamas leader Khalid Mishal, according to Egyptian officials. (MNA 6/15; JP, YA 6/16)

IDF troops on the Gaza border e. of Khan Yunis fire warning shots at Palestinian farmers nr. the border fence, causing no injuries. A Palestinian is moderately injured when he triggers Israeli unexploded ordnance nr. Rafah. In the West Bank, IDF troops violently disperse over 1,000 Palestinians, mostly women, demonstrating nr. Qalandia to mark International Women’s Day, moderately injuring 4. They also violently disperse Palestinian activists as they are removing a metal gate installed at the entrance to a village nr. Bethlehem and a group protesting land expropriation in a village nr. Hebron. Israeli soldiers accompanied by Israeli settlers violently disperse Palestinians nonviolently protesting s. of Hebron. The IDF conducts patrols and house searches in a village nr. Hebron, arresting 2 Palestinians. The PASF raids Balata r.c. nr. Nablus, sparking a brief firefight with the wanted Palestinian; 2 bystanders are injured. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces conduct house searches and raids nr. the Old City, arresting 8 Palestinians; disperse a group of Palestinian youth throwing stones at the Jerusalem Light Rail in Shu‘fat, arresting 2. Israeli settlers assault a Palestinian man in Silwan, moderately injuring him. (AP, JP, MNA, WAFA 3/7; MNA 3/8; PCHR 3/12)

In Cairo, Islamic Jihad’s delegation departs after 6 days of negotiations with the Egyptian authorities on opening the Rafah border crossing. According to sources close to the talks, the Egyptians have agreed in principle to completely open the crossing once the violence in the Sinai Peninsula subsides, the PA unity govt. has staffed the crossing, and Hamas commits to not to interfere in Egyptian affairs. Also, Egyptian officials announce that the Rafah crossing will open on 3/9–10. (AFP, MNA 3/7)

In Paris, French FM Laurent Fabius, U.S. Secy. of State Kerry, UK Foreign Secy. Philip Hammond, German FM Frank-Walter Steinmeier, and EU foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini meet to review recent progress in their negotiations with Iran over its nuclear program. (TOI 3/6, 3/7; DPA 3/8)