The Palestine Chronology

In Gaza, IDF troops conduct a limited incursion across the border fence to level land nr. Khan Yunis. Later, Israeli soldiers nearby open fire on Palestinian agricultural land along the fence, causing damage. Off the coast nr. Rafah, Israeli naval forces open fire on Palestinian fishing boats, causing no damage or injuries. Separately, Rafah temporarily loses power after a malfunction at the power station in al-Arish in n. Sinai. In the West Bank, unknown Palestinian assailants open fire on an Israeli vehicle nr. Nablus, causing no injuries or damage. The IDF conducts house searches in 1 village each nr. Jenin and Bethlehem, arresting 3 Palestinians; patrols in 2 villages nr. Hebron and 1 nr. Tulkarm. IDF troops arrest a Palestinian at a border crossing into Jordan. (MNA 4/6; MNA, TOI 4/7; PCHR 4/9)

PA FM al-Maliki says that the Palestinians are providing ICC prosecutor Fatou Bensouda additional documents in an effort to expedite her preliminary examination into the situation in the oPt (opened 1/16). He adds that if Bensouda does not open a full investigation, the Palestinians will make “specific referrals” to the court regarding Israel’s settlements and OPE. (MNA, JP 4/6)

After a meeting of Arab League FMs in Cairo, Egyptian FM Sameh Shoukry says a special comm. of experts will prepare a detailed plan for assisting the Palestinians in their campaign to pass a UNSC res. calling for a timetable on the end of Israeli occupation. He adds that they plan to open dialogue with relevant international parties and that the effort hinges on the U.S., which opposed the Palestinians’ efforts to obtain such a res. in 12/2014. (AP, JP 4/7)

In the Gaza Strip, Israeli authorities partially open the Kerem Shalom crossing to allow entry of 220 truckloads of goods for the commercial, agricultural, and aid sectors. Cooking gas is also pumped through the crossing. In the West Bank, the IDF conducts an arrest raid in 1 village nr. Nablus including the participation of undercover forces. (MNA 6/9; PCHR 6/13)

Israeli NGO Peace Now reveals official govt. figures showing that building of West Bank settlement homes hit a 7-year high in the 1st quarter of 2013, with 865 housing starts compared to 313 for the same period in 2012. Meanwhile, Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu emphasizes at a cabinet meeting that his govt. is committed to reaching an agreement that would see the establishment of a demilitarized Palestinian state. (AFP, AP 6/9)

U.S. troops begin military exercises in Jordan, with more than 4,500 U.S. soldiers, some 3,000 Jordanians, and 500 British soldiers participating. The drills also involve the deployment of Patriot missiles and fighter jets, which may be kept by Jordan after the exercises finish. (REU 6/9)

Unidentified assailants shoot and kill an Egyptian counterterrorism officer in al-Arish in the Sinai Peninsula. (AP 6/9)