The Palestine Chronology

IDF troops evacuate 9 homes slated for demolition in the West Bank settlement of Ofra and disperse hundreds of settler youths gathering to protest the move; 11 soldiers sustain light injuries and 2 settlers are arrested. Elsewhere in the West Bank, IDF troops shoot and injure a Palestinian at Huwwara checkpoint nr. Nablus overnight, accusing him of ignoring their commands. They also violently disperse Palestinian students from Birzeit University gathering outside Ofer Prison nr. Ramallah in solidarity with Palestinian prisoners; 6 youths are arrested. The IDF arrests 2 Palestinians during raids nr. Nablus, Ramallah, and Hebron; and patrols nr. Jenin, Nablus, Ramallah, and Hebron. Israeli settlers block a major road nr. Nablus and throw stones at any Palestinian vehicle that approaches. Armed Palestinians open fire on an IDF patrol nr. Bethlehem overnight, lightly injuring 1 soldier. In Israel, Israeli forces demolish several structures in the Bedouin communities Rahat and Ksifih nr. Beersheba. (HA, JP, MNA, WAFA 2/28; MNA, WAFA 3/1; PCHR 3/2)

The PA cabinet decides to hold the municipal elections scheduled for 5/13 in the West Bank only, indefinitely postponing elections in Gaza. A Hamas spokesperson calls the decision a “recipe for division.” Today’s decision follows a meeting between PA PM Rami Hamdallah and the head of the Central Elections Commission (CEC), in which they agreed that Hamas’s reticence to participate in the elections would make it difficult to prepare for balloting in Gaza. (JP, MNA, TOI, WAFA 2/28)

Israel’s State Comptroller Joseph Shapira releases his report on the Israeli govt.’s decisionmaking during Operation Protective Edge (OPE), the IDF’s codename for its summer 2014 assault on Gaza (see JPS 44 [1, 2]). The report concludes that PM Netanyahu and thenDM Moshe Ya’alon concealed key information about the war from ministers in the lead-up to the assault; they did not fully explore diplomatic means of de-escalating tension with Hamas and the other armed groups in Gaza. Additionally, the report said that the Israeli govt. had no set policies or strategies for dealing with Gaza; Israel’s cabinet had not held a single meaningful conversation about the humanitarian crisis in Gaza for 16 mos. prior to the assault; the IDF failed to destroy all of Hamas’s tunnels (only around half were destroyed); and that the IDF did not have specific orders or techniques for dealing with tunnels. The IDF rejects the accusation that it failed to collect sufficient intelligence, but acknowledges that there was room for improvement. Netanyahu criticizes the report, calling OPE a “great success.” (HA, JP, TOI 2/28)

In a 2d day of cross-border violence, Palestinians fire mortar shells at Israeli patrols along Gaza’s s. and n. borders in 3 separate incidents, causing no injuries or damage. Hamas will take credit for at least 1 of the shellings. Israeli forces launch artillery shells at the 3 sources of shelling and conduct at least 5 air strikes in s. Gaza, causing damage and no injuries. After the day’s violence, the IDF declares a region nr. the border a closed military zone and, according to Palestinian sources, IDF troops conduct unspecified operations along the border in Rafah and nr. Jabaliya r.c. In the West Bank, IDF troops conduct raids and house searches in and around Hebron and nr. Bethlehem, arresting 6 Palestinians; patrols nr. Hebron. Israeli forces deliver a stop-work order to a Palestinian home under construction in Hebron. Israeli settlers attack a group of Palestinian schoolchildren in c. Hebron, causing no injuries, and assault a Palestinian activist nr. al-Ibrahimi Mosque, causing moderate injuries. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces arrest 2 Palestinians during raids and patrols in Issawiyya and al-Tur. In Israel, Israeli forces demolish 2 homes in bedouin communities in the Negev and nr. Lydda. (HA, JP, MNA, TOI, WAFA, YA 5/4; MNA, TOI 5/5; OCHA 5/6; PCHR 5/12)

Israeli PM Netanyahu’s office says that DM Ya’alon and Public Security Minister Erdan have been authorized, as of 5/1, to decide whether or not to return the bodies of Palestinians killed in confrontations with the IDF and Israeli police. This statement reverses Netanyahu’s decision, on 3/27, ordering Ya’alon not to return any bodies. (HA, YA 5/4)

The PLO Exec. Comm. decides to start implementing the PA’s threat to limit security coordination with the IDF if the “current situation” continues. PASF troops are instructed to implement the decision “under supervision of the Palestinian political echelon” and security agencies will decide how quickly to implement it. (MNA 5/7)

In the Gaza Strip, the IDF and most armed Palestinian groups maintain the cease-fire for a 3d day. In one incident, Palestinians fire 1 rocket, which is intercepted by an Iron Dome battery, and a few mortar rounds, causing no injuries. Throughout the 72-hour cease-fire, 25 Palestinians died, succumbing to injuries sustained in earlier attacks. In the West Bank, the IDF conducts house searches and arrest raids in 1 village each nr. Qalqilya, Ramallah, and Salfit at night; patrols during the day in 3 villages nr. Ramallah and in Qalqilya. (AFP, AP, HA, JP, MNA, REU, YA 8/7; PCHR 8/8)

Acting U.S. special envoy for Palestinian-Israeli negotiations Frank Lowenstein lands in Cairo to meet with Egyptian officials to discuss a truce extension. In the evening, Hamas officials say that Israel is not responding to the group’s proposal and threaten an escalation if hostilities resume. The Palestinian delegation meets with Egyptian officials, while the Israeli envoys return to Israel to meet with PM Netanyahu and DM Ya’alon before returning to Egypt. Egyptian authorities say that Cairo will agree to permanently open the Rafah crossing on the condition that the PA’s national unity govt. runs the terminal. Overall, the Egyptian authorities are warning that the talks are making no progress. (AFP, AP, HA, JP, MNA, REU, YA 8/7)

The IDF strikes over 50 targets across the Gaza Strip, including the Interior Ministry building and a hospital, killing 23 Palestinians. Among these are 4 children, who are killed when IDF troops shell a beach nr. Gaza City, an attack witnessed by a number of international journalists. IDF troops also destroy the house of a high-ranking Hamas political figure. Palestinians fire more than 60 rockets into Israel, including rockets aimed at Ashqelon and Ashdod. Iron Dome batteries intercept 4 of the projectiles. Rockets cause damage in Ashdod and Tel Aviv, and 1 soldier is injured. In the West Bank, the IDF conducts house searches and arrest raids in Hebron and 1 nearby village at night. (AFP, AP, HA, MNA, NYT, REU 7/16; PCHR 7/17)

UNRWA says that the Gaza Strip’s health system is on the brink of collapse, with 600,000 people facing water shortages and 22,000 seeking refuge in school shelters. (AP, HA, MNA, NYT 7/16)

Israeli DM Ya’alon asks Netanyahu’s security cabinet to authorize the mobilization of another 8,000 reserve troops, adding to the approximately 30,000 that have already been called up since 7/8. (AP, HA, NYT, REU 7/16)

After Hamas rejected the Egyptian cease-fire proposal the previous day, Dep. Hamas leader Abu Marzuq meets Egyptian officials and offers terms Hamas seeks in a cease-fire deal, such as “fully lifting the blockade on Gaza, including opening all the crossings and releasing the rearrested prisoners.” (See the Quarterly Update in JPS 173 for more on Hamas’s terms.) Pres. Abbas meets with Abu Marzuq in Cairo, and separately with Egypt’s Pres. al-Sisi and FM Sameh Shoukri, as well as Arab League chief al-‘Arabi. He also speaks with Hamas leader Mish‘al by telephone. Meanwhile, Secy. of State Kerry says that the U.S. is doing “everything in our power” to end the violence, in remarks he makes on an official visit to Luxembourg. Kerry speaks with the FMs of Egypt, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates. Pres. Obama says that the U.S. supports Egypt’s efforts to secure a cease-fire and restoration of the 11/2012 agreement. (AFP, AP, HA, MNA, REU, YA 7/16)

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 18 rockets into s. Israel, causing no damage or injuries except where 2 houses are hit by shrapnel. Two of the rockets are intercepted by Iron Dome missile defense batteries. According to Israeli officials, Hamas activists were involved in this barrage, making it the 1st time the organization has participated in rocket fire since the 11/2012 cease-fire. IDF troops conduct air strikes on 34 targets across the Gaza Strip, hitting training sites of al-Qassam Brigades, Islamic Jihad, and the PRC, and agricultural areas, killing 1, injuring 4, and causing damage. Off the coast nr. Bayt Lahiya, Israeli naval forces shell an open area on the coast, causing no damage or injuries. In the West Bank, the IDF conducts house searches and arrest raids in Hebron and 1 nearby village at night; patrols in 2 villages nr. Ramallah and 1 village nr. Hebron at night. Israeli settlers attack a Palestinian in Hebron, wounding him. Separately, settlers vandalize 12 olive trees nr. Hebron. In East Jerusalem, Israeli security forces shoot and wound 2 Palestinians with rubber-coated metal bullets during clashes nr. Haram al-Sharif. The confrontations begin after restrictions are placed on worshippers’ access to the area while right-wing Jewish activists are allowed to enter. (AP, HA, IMEMC, JP, MNA 6/30; PCHR 7/3)

Israeli security forces locate the bodies of the 3 Israeli settler teenagers nr. Hebron, not far from where they were kidnapped (on 6/12) and killed. PM Netanyahu and DM Ya’alon propose that the response to the killing of the teens should include a wave of settlement construction. Netanyahu also addresses the increased tensions in Gaza and s. Israel, saying “either Hamas will stop the rocket fire or we will.” Hamas spokesperson Abu Zuhri says that if Israel attacks Hamas in Gaza, “they will open the gates of hell on themselves,” adding that Hamas does not “want any military confrontation with Israel, but if it will be forced on us it will look like in previous rounds.” Meanwhile, U.S. Pres. Barack Obama issues a statement expressing his condolences to the families of the murdered Israeli youth, calls on Israel and the PA to cooperate to bring the guilty parties to justice, and urges all sides to exercise restraint to prevent further destabilization. (AFP, HA, JP, MNA, REU 6/30)

In the Gaza Strip, Palestinians fire 3 rockets into s. Israel, 2 are intercepted by Iron Dome missile defense batteries and 1 causes minor damage, but no injuries. A 4th rocket fired by Palestinians lands inside the Gaza Strip, killing a child in Bayt Lahiya and injuring 3 other family mbrs. In response to the rocket fire, the IDF attacks 7 sites in the Gaza Strip, causing damage and injuring 2 police officers. Israeli military sources say that Islamic Jihad’s al-Quds Brigades are responsible for some of the rocket fire, along with smaller groups that operate independently, and often contrary to, Hamas’s authority. In the West Bank, the IDF scales back OBK, removing some of the mobile checkpoints set up in the Hebron area. Israeli DM Ya’alon says that “a large part of the operation against Hamas has been exhausted.” Meanwhile, the IDF conducts house searches and arrest raids in 1 village nr. Hebron in the morning, 1 village nr. Jenin in the afternoon, and in 5 villages nr. Hebron, in Jenin, and Tulkarm at night. Jewish settlers chop down olive trees and grapevines nr. Nahalin village west of Bethlehem. (HA, JP, MNA, PCHR, WAFA 6/24)

PA Pres. Abbas tells Egypt’s al-Watan newspaper that “we completely reject” the kidnapping of the Israeli youth and “are sorry it happened.” Abbas also says that Israel wants a PA “without authority or power.” Israeli PM Netanyahu praises Abbas’s condemnation of the abduction. (AFP, MNA 6/24)

In the Gaza Strip, IDF opens fire on Palestinian fishermen nr. Bayt Lahiya, causing no injuries. In the West Bank, the IDF conducts night patrols in 1 village each nr. Qalqilya and Tulkarm. 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), 1 village nr. Qalqilya (Kafr Qaddum), and 1 village nr. Bethlehem (al-Ma‘sara). There are no serious injuries, except in Bil‘in (3 wounded by live ammunition) and Kafr Qaddum (2 struck by tear gas canisters). (PCHR 8/29)

In the Gaza Strip, hundreds of Palestinians march in protest of Israeli-Palestinian peace talks; the demonstration was organized by Hamas and Islamic Jihad. (AFP 8/23)

The IDF conducts an air strike against a base of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine-General Command (PFLP-GC) s. of Beirut, in response to the rocket launch the previous day—despite that attack being claimed by and attributed to another group entirely. A Lebanese security source claims that the site is also used by Islamist militants. The air raid causes no casualties or serious damage. Lebanese pres. Michel Suleiman condemns the Israeli strike and orders his diplomats to file a complaint about the attack with the UNSC. Israeli DM Moshe Ya’alon says that the Israeli govt. holds their Lebanese counterparts responsible for the rocket fire emanating from its territory. Outside of 2 Sunni mosques, twin bombs kill at least 42 people in Tripoli; no one claims responsibility for the attack. (AFP, AP, DS, HA, JP, REU, WP 8/23)

UN Secy.-Gen. Ban Ki-moon repeats his desire for both Syrian govt. and rebel forces to permit an inspectors team to investigate the site of an alleged chemical weapons attack. Meanwhile, the British govt. adds its voice to those ascribing responsibility for the attack to govt. forces. Moscow publishes a statement calling for an independent investigation and saying that FM Sergey Lavrov and U.S. Secy. of State John Kerry had spoken about the situation and that both parties had a “mutual interest” in calling for a UN investigation. In an interview on CNN, U.S. pres. Barack Obama plays down the possibility of a rapid military intervention by the U.S. in Syria, saying how important a legal mandate from the UN and international coalition of support would be. (Guardian, REU 22/8)

Protests take place across Egypt by Muslim Brotherhood supporters and other opponents of the coup, though rallies were small and scattered. One person is killed by security forces in the Nile Delta town of Tanta, with official Health Ministry reports saying 54 people are wounded in Cairo and 2 Delta provinces. Meanwhile, speaking on CNN, U.S. pres. Barack Obama says that cutting off aid to Egypt “may not reverse what the interim govt. does.” (AP, REU 8/23)

In a meeting with Swiss FM Didier Burkhalter, Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu says that he intends to bring any proposed peace agreement with the Palestinians to a national referendum. Meanwhile, Israeli sources suggest that PM Netanyahu is afraid that Israel’s negotiation position would be undermined if U.S. Secy. of State John Kerry accepts the Arab League’s recent statement on borders and territorial exchange (see 4/29). Hamas leader Khalid Mishal rejects the Arab League endorsement of land swaps, and claims that the proposal is designed to find economic peace between Arab states and Israel. Meanwhile, Israel’s Justice Minister Tzipi Livni and Netanyahu’s negotiation adviser Yitzhak Molcho arrive in Washington to discuss peace process issues with Kerry. (AP, HA, MNA 5/2)

Unidentified Palestinians fire 2 mortars from Gaza into Israel, causing no damage or injuries. Hamas deploys Izzeddin al-Qassam Brigade (IQB) members nr. along the border fence to prevent rocket fire. Meanwhile, the IDF make a brief incursion into Gaza nr. Bayt Hanun to level land and clear lines of sight along the border fence. In the West Bank, Jewish settlers cut down over 50 olive trees in Dayr Jarir village nr. Ramallah. IDF forces attack a Palestnian funeral procession in Bayt Ummar village nr. Hebron, shooting and injuring 3 mourners. The IDF patrols in al-‘Arub r.c. nr. Hebron, 3 villages nr. Hebron, 1 village nr. Jenin, 2 villages nr. Jericho and 1 village nr. Ramallah at night. At night, IDF troops conduct house searches and arrest raids in 2 villages nr. Bethlehem at night. (AA, MNA, ToI, YA 5/2; PCHR 6/9)

Hamas authorities in Gaza say that they have arrested 6 Salafists on suspicion of stealing weapons and plotting attacks. The Mujahidin Shura Council calls on the government to stop the detention campaign against its members. (MNA 5/2; PCHR 5/9)

Israel’s High Court orders DM Moshe Ya’alon to halt construction of the separation wall nr. the West Bank village of Batir, in response to a petition submitted by residents and Friends of the Earth Middle East. (HA, MNA 5/2)

In the West Bank, the IDF patrols in 2 villages nr. Ramallah and 1 village nr. Tulkarm in the morning; conducts house searches and arrest raids in al-‘Arub r.c. nr. Hebron, the Old City of Hebron, and 1 village each nr. Nablus and Tubas at night. (PCHR 12/27)

Israel’s min. of strategic affairs Moshe Ya’alon claims that Egypt has cracked down on arms smuggling to the Gaza Strip since the end of Operation Pillar of Defense. (ToI 12/25)

Israeli PM Netanyahu promises to do even more to strengthen Israel’s West Bank settlements should he win reelection. He also says that Likud will defend the country’s security interests in the face of international pressure. (JP 12/25)

Senior Fatah official Nabil Shaath says that Hamas, despite its statements on 12/17, is refusing to allow Fatah to celebrate its anniversary in both the al-Katiba and al-Saraya Squares in Gaza, citing security pretexts. Meanwhile, the Gaza government announces it will release Fatah detainees convicted of security and criminal offenses. (MNA 12/25)