The Palestine Chronology

The IDF continues its assault on the Gaza Strip by land, air, and sea, attacking over 90 targets and killing 104 Palestinians. One IDF strike on a UN-run school in Bayt Hanun kills at least 15, and wounds 200, mostly women and children seeking shelter. The Israeli army says it is investigating the incident and that “terrorists” opened fire at IDF personnel from the area of the school. Palestinians fire around 60 rockets into Israel, 15 of which are intercepted by Iron Dome, causing no damage or injuries (including 5 over Tel Aviv). On the ground in Gaza, al-Quds Brigades and al-Qassam Brigades claim to have killed 4 and 8 Israeli soldiers, respectively. In the West Bank, a reported 10,000 Palestinians gather in protest of the assault on Gaza and march from c. Ramallah to Qalandia checkpoint, where clashes with IDF troops break out. IDF troops kill 2 and injure more than 200 protesters, including 60 with live ammunition. The IDF conducts house searches and arrest raids in Nablus in the morning. In East Jerusalem, Israeli security forces set up checkpoints to restrict access to Haram al-Sharif, leading to clashes and the arrest of 12 Palestinian youth. (AFP, AP, HA, JP, MNA, REU, YA 7/24; PCHR 7/25)

Secy. of State Kerry meets with UN Secy.- Gen. Ban in Cairo once more. Meanwhile, in Amman, PA Pres. Abbas meets with Jordan’s King Abdallah and says “there is hope for a cease-fire” along the lines of “the Egyptian initiative” before fuller negotiations about wider demands. Kerry reaches out to Turkish and Qatari diplomats in an effort to garner support from Hamas’s regional allies for his cease-fire initiative. (AFP, AP, JP, MNA, REU, YA 7/24)

Rivlin is sworn in as the new pres. of Israel, succeeding Peres. (HA 7/24)

The IDF continues its ground invasion, as well as air strikes in the Gaza Strip, killing 53 Palestinians, including 8 mbrs. of a single family killed in Bayt Hanun. IDF troops face resistance on the ground, in particular from fighters in al-Qassam Brigades and al-Quds Brigades, with both groups claiming attacks on IDF soldiers and positions inside the Gaza Strip. Palestinians fire more than 40 rockets into Israel, and Iron Dome batteries intercept several over Tel Aviv while 25 land in open areas, with no reports of casualties. In the West Bank, IDF troops shoot and injure dozens of Palestinians in a number of protests in solidarity with Gaza, including at Qalandia checkpoint, outside Ofer prison, in Biddu village nr. Jerusalem, and in Shuqba village nr. Ramallah. The IDF conducts house searches and arrest raids in Hebron at night; patrols in 3 villages each nr. Jericho and Ramallah, and 1 village nr. Salfit in the afternoon. IDF troops violently disperse Palestinian, Israeli, and international protesters at weekly demonstrations against Israel’s separation wall, settlements, and occupation in 3 villages nr. Ramallah (Bil‘in, Nabi Salih, and Ni‘lin). There are no serious injuries, except in Nabi Salih, where 1 is hit by a bullet, and Ni‘lin, where another is hit by a bullet. In East Jerusalem, Israeli security forces clash with Palestinians at Haram al-Sharif, 9 are taken to the hospital, including at least 4 injured by rubber-coated metal bullets. (AP, HA, JP, MNA, REU, YA 7/18; PCHR 7/19)

The Israeli security cabinet meets to discuss expansion of the ground operation, with Netanyahu saying that “since there is no way to deal with the tunnels only from the air, our soldiers are doing it now from the ground.” Meanwhile, Pres. Abbas asks France to lobby Hamas’s regional allies Turkey and Qatar to pressure the Palestinian group to accept a ceasefire. French FM Fabius meets Abbas in Cairo after flying out specifically to boost efforts at reaching a cease-fire. Abbas then heads to Turkey for talks with PM Recep Tayyip Erdogan. U.S. Pres. Obama, meanwhile, speaks with PM Netanyahu, underscoring Israel’s right to defend itself, but also stressing the risks of “further escalation.” In New York, the UNSC holds an emergency meeting at the request of Jordan, where it is announced that Secy.-Gen. Ban will head to the region the next day. Separately, EU foreign affairs chief Ashton publishes a statement, saying she is “very concerned” about the violence, “including the resumption of rocket fire into Israel and the Israeli ground operation.” (AP, HA, JP, MNA, REU, YA 7/18)

After concluding a 6th round of talks since the beginning of the 6-mo. interim period began on 1/20, reps. of Iran and the P5+1 powers agree to extend talks on Iran’s disputed nuclear program until 11/24. (REU 7/18)

During the day, the IDF launches multiple strikes on targets across the Gaza Strip, killing 21 Palestinians, except during a 5-hour humanitarian cease-fire. After the humanitarian pause, Palestinian groups resume rocket fire into Israel, launching 105 projectiles, 20 of which are intercepted by Iron Dome batteries. One Israeli soldier nr. the border is wounded by a mortar shell just before the end of the pause. Meanwhile, 13 armed Palestinians enter Israel through a tunnel, but their attack is halted by IDF troops. Reports differ on whether or not 1 Palestinian is killed during the attack. Palestinians also launch a drone into s. Israel, which IDF troops shoot down nr. Ashqelon. UNRWA announces that 20 rockets were discovered in an unused school in Gaza, and condemns those responsible for a “flagrant breach” of international law. (AFP, AP, HA, JP, MNA, REU 7/17; AJ, PCHR 7/18)

At approximately 10:30 P.M., the IDF launches a ground invasion of the Gaza Strip, beginning with heavy artillery shelling of Bayt Hanun and Bayt Lahiya in the n. and incursions nr. the border fence to expand the buffer zone. IDF spokesperson Peter Lerner says the invasion has 2 objectives: “to strike Hamas . . . so they do not have the motivation to continue” and “to strike the terrorist infrastructure, the rockets, the tunnels.” During the invasion, 1 Israeli soldier is killed by friendly fire. Israeli media report that the ground invasion is initiated largely in response to the tunnel attack early in the day. (AFP, AP, HA, JP, MNA, REU 7/17; AJ, PCHR 7/18)

In the West Bank, IDF troops shoot a Palestinian farmer nr. Nablus, shoot and injure 1 resident during clashes in al-Fara’a r.c. nr. Tubas, and shoot and injure 2 residents during clashes nr. Ramallah. IDF troops also shoot and injure 7 Palestinians during a demonstration at Qalandia checkpoint. The IDF conducts house searches, arrest raids in 1 village nr. Qalqilya at night; patrols in 3 villages and al-‘Arub r.c. nr. Hebron and 1 village nr. Salfit in the afternoon. Meanwhile, armed Palestinians open fire on IDF troops at a checkpoint nr. Ramallah, causing no injuries. In East Jerusalem, Israeli security forces raid Haram al-Sharif and assault worshippers protesting a visit by rightwing Jewish activists. Israeli forces also detain approximately 36 Palestinians. Meanwhile, police charge 3 Jewish Israelis with the murder of Abu Khdeir. (AFP, AP, HA, JP, MNA, REU 7/17; AJ, PCHR 7/18)

UN Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process Serry requests a 5-hour humanitarian cease-fire and it is observed. An unnamed Israeli defense official tells the media that the cease-fire is for Palestinians in Gaza to see the damage wrought by Israel thus far. (AFP, AP, HA, REU 7/17)

Hours before the ground invasion starts, the U.S. Senate agrees to a nonbinding res. condemning the rocket fire against Israel and reiterating Israel’s right to defend itself. The res. has 78 cosponsors and the support of many U.S.-based, pro-Israel groups, including AIPAC. (AFP, AP, JP 7/17; AJ 7/18)

On the 5th day of OPE, the IDF strikes multiple targets across the Gaza Strip, killing approximately 48 Palestinians, including 21 in a single strike on the home of a senior police commander in Gaza City. Air strikes also hit a center for the disabled, killing 2. The IDF warns Palestinians in the n. Gaza Strip to “leave their homes for their own safety,” adding that “it’s unsafe to be nr. Hamas.” Israel’s targets expand to include civilian institutions with suspected Hamas ties. Israeli naval forces raid the beach at al-Sudaniyya in the n. Gaza Strip, and clash with al-Qassam Brigades fighters. Palestinians fire some 70 rockets into Israel, and at least 6 are intercepted by Iron Dome batteries. In the evening, al-Qassam Brigades launches 10 rockets toward Tel Aviv, but they cause no damage or casualties. Overall, 2 Israelis are injured nr. Beersheba in the day’s barrage. In addition to s. and c. areas, rockets also land nr. Efrat settlement in the West Bank, causing no damage. In East Jerusalem, Israeli security forces clash with Palestinian youth in Issawiyya, al-Tur, and Qalandia. (AP, HA, JP, MNA, REU 7/12; PCHR 7/13)

Addressing the crisis in Gaza, the UNSC issues a presidential statement calling for a “de-escalation of the situation, restoration of calm, and reinstitution of the 11/2012 ceasefire.” It also expresses “serious concern regarding the crisis related to Gaza and the protection and welfare of civilians on both sides” and calls for “respect for international humanitarian law.” Media reports suggest that a cease-fire proposal is being drawn up at the initiative of the Palestinians with the involvement of Egypt and Qatar, but Islamic Jihad dep. head Ziad al-Nakhleh dismisses this as a rumor. (AP, HA, JP, MNA, REU 7/12)

Unknown persons fire 3 rockets from inside Lebanon that land into n. Israel, causing no damage or injuries. The IDF responds with artillery fire toward “the source of fire.” (AP, REU 7/12)

The IDF launches OPE, a major assault on the Gaza Strip. Israeli air strikes hit 150 targets across Gaza, killing 23 Palestinians and wounding more than 100. One attack in Khan Yunis kills 8 mbrs. of the same family when their home is bombed. Hamas fighters infiltrate Israel by sea nr. Kibbutz Zikim and are all killed, according to the IDF. Al-Qassam Brigades says the operation goes as planned. Palestiniansfire approximately 130 rockets into Israel, with Iron Dome batteries intercepting at least 23 of them. Some rockets reach c. Israel, though most fall in the s. Warning sirens are heard in Tel Aviv, where an Iron Dome battery intercepts 3 rockets. The rockets cause damage to 2 houses, and lightly injure 2 people. In the West Bank, IDF troops shoot and injure 3 Palestinians during clashes nr. Qalandia checkpoint, and also shoot and injure 2 Palestinians in clashes in n. Bethlehem. The IDF conducts house searches and arrest raids in Nablus, 2 nearby villages, and Balata r.c. at night. In East Jerusalem, Israeli security forces detain 31 Palestinians in relation to the recent protests. (AFP, HA, JP, MNA, REU, YA 7/8; PCHR 7/10)

The Israeli govt. authorizes a call-up of some 40,000 reserve troops, in preparation for a possible ground invasion. Israeli DM Ya’alon says it is likely to be a protracted campaign that will “exact a very heavy price from Hamas.” Al-Qassam Brigades spokesperson Abu Ubayda says that Israel must cease its offensive and commit to the 2012 cease-fire agreement. PA Pres. Abbas, meanwhile, demands that Israel immediately halt its offensive and asks the international community to intervene to halt the escalation. (AFP, AP, HA, JP, MNA, PCHR, REU, YA 7/8)

In the Gaza Strip, Palestinians fire 11 projectiles into s. Israel, causing no damage and lightly injuring 1 soldier with mortar shell shrapnel. Iron Dome batteries intercept 4 of the rockets. In the West Bank, IDF troops use rubber-coated metal bullets against Palestinian protesters nr. Qalandia, injuring 1. Meanwhile, IDF troops injure 6 Palestinians with tear gas canisters and rubber-coated metal bullets at the entrance of al-‘Arub r.c. nr. Hebron. The IDF patrols in 1 village nr. Ramallah in the morning, and in 2 villages nr. Jericho and 1 village each nr. Ramallah and Salfit at night. Jewish settlers assault a Palestinian in Hebron, causing moderate injuries, while separately, settlers set fire to tires and agricultural land at a road junction nr. Jenin. In Israel, Palestinian citizens demonstrate in the c. and n. of the country as protests previously concentrated in East Jerusalem spread. Clashes with Israeli police break out in Qalansuwa, Taibe, and Jaljulia, as well as Nazareth, where hundreds block roads and throw stones at police officers. Dozens of demonstrators are arrested. (AFP, HA, JP, MNA, ToI, WAFA 7/5; PCHR 7/10)

IDF Chief of Staff Gantz says that Hamas bears responsibility for ongoing rocket fire from Gaza and that the army will “know how to respond with much force if quiet isn’t returned to the area.” Meanwhile, the PRC in Gaza rejects any cease-fire that does not include an end to the siege of Gaza and “bring back life” to the West Bank and Jerusalem.” (JP, MNA 7/5)

In the Gaza Strip, Palestinians fire approximately 20 projectiles into s. Israel, causing no injuries and minor damage to several buildings in 1 kibbutz. Two projectiles are intercepted by Iron Dome batteries. The IDF launches air strikes on 3 Hamas-related targets in the s. Gaza Strip. IDF troops on the border fence nr. Rafah fire tank shells at the remains of the Gaza international airport, causing no casualties. Later, IDF troops open fire on farmers close to the border fence nr. Dayr al-Balah, wounding 1. Off the coast nr. Bayt Lahiya, IDF naval forces open fire on Palestinian fishermen, causing no damage or injuries. In the West Bank, IDF troops injure 8 Palestinians with live ammunition and rubber-coated metal bullets during clashes with demonstrators at Qalandia checkpoint nr. Ramallah. There is also a demonstration in Surayf village nr. Hebron protesting Israeli settlements, and IDF troops open fire during the ensuing clashes, wounding 5 Palestinians. The IDF patrols in 1 village nr. Ramallah in the morning, in al-Fawar r.c. nr. Hebron in the afternoon, and in 2 villages nr. Ramallah at night. IDF troops violently disperse Palestinian, Israeli, and international protesters at weekly demonstrations against Israel’s separation wall, settlements and, occupation in 3 villages nr. Ramallah (Bil‘in, Nabi Salih, and Ni‘lin), and 1 village nr. Qalqilya (Kafr Qaddum). There are no serious injuries. In East Jerusalem, Israeli security forces deploy in large numbers and restrict worshippers’ access to Haram al-Sharif. Two days after his death on 7/2, Abu Khdeir’s funeral is held in Shu‘fat, after which there are violent clashes with Israeli police, who use rubbercoated metal bullets and injure 20. (HA, JP, MNA, REU 7/4; PCHR 7/10)

Israeli media reports that Egyptian intelligence officials are mediating a truce between Israel and Hamas, on the basis of “quiet for quiet.” Israeli FM Lieberman criticizes talk of a possible cease-fire and urges the IDF to target the Hamas leadership. Hamas spokesperson Abu Zuhri, meanwhile, says the group is “not interested in a confrontation” and holds Israel “responsible for the escalation.” (REU, ToI, YA 7/4)

In the Gaza Strip, Palestinians fire 2 rockets into s. Israel. The 1st lands without causing damage or injuries, and the 2d is intercepted by an Iron Dome missile defense battery. Later in the day, IDF troops target 5 Islamic Jihad and Hamas sites across the Gaza Strip, injuring 6. Off the coast of the Gaza Strip nr. Bayt Lahiya, Israeli naval forces open fire on Palestinian fishing boats, causing no injuries or damage, and arrest 2 fishermen. Meanwhile, 5 mbrs. of Hamas’s al-Qassam Brigades and 1 firefighter die in an explosion in a tunnel nr. Gaza City. In the West Bank, the IDF conducts house searches and arrest raids in Jenin and 1 nearby village, Qalandia r.c. nr. Jerusalem, Dahaysha r.c. nr. Bethlehem, Qalqilya, Hebron and 3 nearby villages, 2 villages nr. Nablus, 1 village nr. Ramallah, Tulkarm and Nur Shams r.c. and 1 village nearby and Salfit at night. (HA, JP, MNA, ToI 6/19; PCHR 6/26)

Israeli PM Netanyahu says that he expects the Palestinian unity govt. to dissolve, and that authorities are moving closer to finding the missing Israeli settler teenagers. Hamas senior official Salah Bardawil says, at a solidarity rally in Gaza, that Hamas is “capable of igniting a 3d intifada,” while Hamas spokesperson Abu Zuhri condemns continued security coordination between the PA and Israel. Meanwhile, PA Pres. Abbas issues a statement denouncing Israel’s West Bank operation as “the most severe punitive reprisals.” (JP, MNA, ToI, WAFA 6/19)