The Palestine Chronology

In the Gaza Strip, Palestinians fire around 80 rockets into s. Israel, injuring 1 soldier and 1 civilian in separate incidents. Iron Dome batteries intercept 12 of the rockets. An evening barrage of around 40 rockets in an hour is claimed by al-Qassam Brigades, who say it is in revenge for the killing of its fighters the previous day. Separately, an antitank missile is fired at IDF troops on the s. Gaza border, causing no injuries. The IDF strikes targets in n. Gaza, causing damage and injuring 1 child. Off the coast of Khan Yunis, IDF naval forces open fire on Palestinian fishermen, causing no damage or injuries. In the West Bank, Palestinians throw Molotov cocktails at an IDF base nr. Ramallah, causing no injuries. The IDF patrols in Hebron at night. In Israel, police officers arrest 110 Palestinian citizens across Arab towns and villages (HA, JP, MEMO, MNA, REU, YA 7/7; PCHR 7/10)

Israel’s security cabinet decides to escalate attacks against Hamas and other armed factions in the Gaza Strip, following a 3-hour meeting, and agrees to launch an assault on the Gaza Strip, code-named Operation Protective Edge (OPE). The cabinet orders the army to prepare for a significant expansion of operations. Also, FM Lieberman announces that the official partnership between his party, Yisrael Beytenu, and Likud is over, but his party will remain in the coalition. Lieberman says the move is not meant as an attack on Netanyahu but a reflection of their genuine differences. Meanwhile, State Dept. spokesperson Psaki tells reporters that the U.S. supports Israel’s right to defend itself against attacks from Gaza, and urges restraint against escalation of the conflict. (HA, JP, MNA 7/7)

A mortar shell is fired from inside Syrian territory into the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights, causing no damage or injuries. IDF troops respond by shooting at suspicious targets on the Syrian side. (AP, JP 7/7)

In the West Bank, IDF troops shoot and kill 1 Palestinian in al-Jalazun r.c. nr. Ramallah, in clashes with residents during an arrest raid. IDF troops also shoot and wound 1 Palestinian during a raid in Jenin, and wound 3 with rubbercoated metal bullets during clashes with Bayt Umar residents nr. Hebron. At Qalandia checkpoint, Israeli troops violently disperse demonstrators, wounding 6, including 1 critically, with live ammunition. The IDF conducts house searches and arrest raids in Hebron and 3 nearby villages, Balata r.c. and 1 village nr. Nablus, and 2 villages nr. Qalqilya, 1 village nr. Ramallah, Bethlehem, and Jenin at night; patrols in Hebron in the afternoon, and in 4 villages nr. Ramallah, 3 villages nr. Hebron, and 1 village each nr. Qalqilya, and Salfit, and al-Bireh at night. Israeli settlers open fire on a Palestinian car nr. Ramallah, causing no injuries. In the Gaza Strip, IDF troops open fire from the border fence nr. Jabaliya, causing no damage or injuries. Israeli authorities briefly open the Kerem Shalom crossing, which was closed on 6/12. (MNA, WAFA 6/16; PCHR 6/19)

Israeli PM Netanyahu delivers a televised statement and says that the military is “in the middle of a complex operation” in the search for the missing teens. Netanyahu also calls PA Pres. Abbas and tells him he expects help in ensuring the safe return of the youth, their 1st telephone conversation in almost a year. Subsequently, Abbas releases a statement condemning the kidnapping as well as the Israeli crackdown that has followed. Meanwhile, Hamas releases a statement condemning the Israeli operation in the West Bank, and also calls on the PA to stop security coordination with Israel. (AFP, HA, JP, MNA 6/16)

Talks between reps. of Iran and the P5+1 powers on the disputed Iranian nuclear program resume in Vienna, with discussions scheduled to last until 6/20. The 2 sides aim to resolve final differences, including the number of centrifuges Iran will operate, and begin drafting a final deal. (REU 6/17; AA 6/17)