The Palestine Chronology

Israel releases 26 Palestinian prisoners, prompting celebrations in the West Bank and Gaza Strip. Meanwhile, Jerusalem municipality approves 942 settlement units for Gilo. (AFP, AP 8/13)

In the Gaza Strip, Palestinians fire 2 rockets with one falling within the territory and the other landing in s. Israel but causing no damage or injuries. In response, the IDF launches an air strike at night, with no reported injuries or damage. Off the coast of the Gaza Strip, Israeli naval vessels open fire on Palestinian fishermen, injuring 3. In the West Bank, the IDF conducts house searches and arrest raids in 3 villages nr. Ramallah, 2 villages nr. Nablus, and 1 village nr. Bethlehem at night; patrols in 1 village nr. Bethlehem at night. (JP, PNN 8/13; PCHR 8/15)

Israel releases 26 Palestinian prisoners, prompting celebrations in the West Bank and Gaza Strip, including fireworks and small rallies. Eleven of those released are welcomed by Pres. Abbas in his presidential compound in Ramallah, while 15 were released directly to the Gaza Strip. Meanwhile, the Jerusalem municipality approves 942 settlement units for Gilo. (AFP, AP 8/13)

Palestinian pres. Mahmud Abbas asks caretaker PM Rami Hamdallah to form a new govt., a task he has 5 weeks to complete. (MNA 8/13)

An Iron Dome anti-missile battery successfully intercepts a rocket launched from the Sinai apparently targeting Eilat. (HA 8/13)

In the West Bank, the IDF conducts house searches and arrest raids in Balata r.c. nr. Nablus and Hebron at night; patrols in 1 village nr. Tulkarm at night. Israeli soldiers also attack regular demonstrations by Palestinians, Israelis, and international activists against Israel’s separation wall, settlements, and the occupation in 3 villages nr. Ramallah (Bil‘in, Ni‘lin, Nabi Salih), 1 village nr. Qalqilya (Kafr Qaddum) and 1 village nr. Bethlehem (al-Ma‘sara), causing no serious injuries except in Bil‘in, where there are 2 injuries from rubber-coated metal bullets and 1 injury from a tear gas canister. (PCHR 7/11)

An estimated 30 people die across Egypt as supporters of deposed pres. Mohamed Morsi protest the military takeover. Twelve die in clashes in Alexandria, with 5 dead in Cairo as supporters and opponents of the Muslim Brotherhood fight in c. neighborhoods. Meanwhile, 5 police officers die in 3 separate attacks in the n. Sinai town of al-Arish, and gunmen also open fire on a military intelligence building in Rafah. The Egyptian authorities close the Rafah crossing on the border of the Gaza Strip due to the security situation. Separately, the Ansar Bayt al-Maqdes group says that it fired 2 rockets at Eilat from the Sinai, after Eilat residents report hearing 2 blasts—though searches by Israeli security forces find nothing. (AFP, AP, JP, MNA, REU 7/5)

In the West Bank, IDF soldiers and Palestinians clash in al-Khader nr. Bethlehem (4 serious injuries), in Bayt Ummar nr. Hebron (6 injuries), and in Ramallah (1 injury). The IDF patrols in al-Jalazun r.c. nr. Ramallah, Tulkarm, and 1 village nr. Hebron at night; conducts house searches and arrest raids in Tubas, Jenin, al-‘Arub r.c. nr. Hebron, and 1 village nr. Tulkarm at night. (PCHR 4/18)

The Mujahidin Shura Council, which has previously fired projectiles from the Gaza Strip into Israel (3/21, 4/2), claims responsibility for firing 2 Grad rockets from the Egyptian Sinai that hit the Israeli resort city of Eilat, causing no damage or injuries. The group states that the attack was intended to demonstrate solidarity with Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails. (NYT, REU, YA 4/17)

The U.S. Senate’s Foreign Relations Committee adopts Senate Resolution 65 (S. Res. 65), introduced on 2/28, which stipulates that Washington will support Israel—though no specific are given—in the event that it takes military action against Iran. (YA 4/17)