The Palestine Chronology

Off the coast of the Gaza Strip, Israeli naval forces open fire on Palestinian fishing boats on 2 separate occasions (nr. Rafah and nr. alSudaniyya), causing no injuries or damage. In the West Bank, IDF troops shoot and wound a Palestinian driving through a checkpoint nr. Qalqilya. The IDF conducts house searches and arrest raids in 1 village each nr. Jenin and Tulkarm, and in Nablus, where clashes break out with residents, and 2 Palestinians are injured with live ammunition. During the day, the IDF patrols in 3 villages nr. Ramallah, and 1 village each nr. Jericho, Salfit, and Jenin. IDF troops also demolish a dairy factory in Hebron owned by the Islamic Charitable Society. (MNA, WAFA 9/2; PCHR 9/4)

 Wael Atiyeh, Egypt’s amb. to Palestine, says that no date has yet been set for a return to indirect negotiations between Israel and Hamas, and that an agenda for the meetings in Cairo also needs to be finalized. Meanwhile, Qais Abdel Karim, a mbr. of the Palestinian delegation, says that Israel’s shunning of talks would “render the cease-fire null and void,” responding to reports in the Israeli media that Netanyahu does not intend to resume cease-fire talks. (JP, MNA 9/2)

The U.S. State Dept. and the EU foreign affairs office both condemn Israel’s recent expropriation of 988 acres in the West Bank on 8/31. (HA, WAFA 9/2)

A roadside bomb kills 11 Egyptian police officers nr. al-Wifaq in the Sinai Peninsula close to the Gaza border. (AP 9/2)

In the West Bank, the IDF conducts house searches and arrest raids in al-Fara‘a r.c. nr. Tubas, Dahaysha r.c. nr. Bethlehem, and 1 village nr. Hebron; patrols in 4 villages nr. Salfit and in Jenin. Unknown assailants throw 2 improvised pipe bombs at Israeli settlers’ vehicles nr. Nablus, causing no injuries. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces shoot and seriously injure a Palestinian with a sponge-tipped bullet during clashes nr. the Old City. The teenager’s relatives deny he was involved. (MNA 8/31; PCHR 9/4)

Israeli authorities announce the expropriation of 988 acres of private Palestinian land nr. Bethlehem. PLO chief negotiator Erakat urges diplomatic action against Israel in response to the announcement. (MNA 8/31)

In the Gaza Strip, Israeli forces open fire on Palestinian protesters close to the border fence nr. Jabaliya, wounding 7. Separately, Israeli forces open fire on an open area in the c. Gaza Strip, causing no injuries. In the West Bank, the IDF opens fire on a crowd of a few hundred Palestinian demonstrators outside Jalazun r.c., wounding 14 with live ammunition and 4 with rubber-coated metal bullets. The protest is a response to the killing of a camp resident on 1/29. In addition, Palestinians clash with Israeli forces nr. Ramallah outside Silwad village, with 1 Palestinian wounded by live ammunition. IDF troops detain 2 Palestinians who they say went to the entrance of Nahlilel settlement and set off fireworks. In Bethlehem, amid clashes with Israeli soldiers, Palestinian youth throw an improvised explosive device at Rachel’s Tomb. The clashes result in 7 arrests. Meanwhile, hundreds of Palestinian activists with some internationals go to ‘Ayn Hiljeh, an abandoned Palestinian village in the Jordan Valley, as part of a demonstration protesting settlement activities and land confiscation. The Popular Struggle Coordination Cmte. says that the step is also aimed at averting reported Israeli intentions to annex the area. The IDF conducts house searches and arrest raids in Hebron and 2 nearby villages, 2 villages nr. Salfit, and 1 village each nr. Bethlehem and Ramallah at night; patrols in 1 village nr. Hebron in the afternoon, and in 3 villages in Hebron and 1 village each nr. Qalqilya and Tulkarm 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), 1 village nr. Qalqilya (Kafr Qaddum), and 1 village nr. Bethlehem (alMa‘sara). There are no serious injuries, except in Kafr Qaddum (2 struck by tear gas canisters). (AP, MNA, ToI 1/31; PCHR 2/6)

In Switzerland, the 1st round of UN-sponsored peace negotiations on Syria ends with no breakthroughs or even seeming progress in bringing the 2 sides closer together. UN-Arab League joint special envoy Brahimi, who is serving as mediator, expresses frustration that even an agreement to allow an aid convoy to reach Homs remained elusive. Opposition delegates say they will return on 2/10, but govt. reps. say they would need to check with Damascus. (REU 1/31)

Ansar Bayt al-Maqdis fires a rocket toward Eilat from the Sinai Peninsula, which is intercepted by an Iron Dome missile defense battery. (YA 1/31)

The Egyptian military attacks militants in Shaykh Zuweid, Sinai Peninsula, with Apache helicopters and ground forces, killing 13. (AP 1/31)

In the Gaza Strip, Palestinians fire a rocket into s. Israel, causing no damage or injuries. Off the coast nr. Bayt Lahiya, Israeli naval vessels open fire on Palestinian fishermen, causing no damage or injuries. In the n. West Bank, a Palestinian dies at a checkpoint en route to work inside Israel, apparently caused by overcrowding. In Bethlehem, Palestinians throw a pipe bomb at Rachel’s Tomb, lightly injuring 1, while separately, Palestinians throw an improvised explosive device at a military base nr. Bethlehem, causing no damage or casualties. The IDF conducts house searches and arrest raids in Hebron and 1 nearby village, in Nablus and nearby Balata r.c., and in 1 village each nr. Tubas and Tulkarm at night; patrols in 1 village each nr. Ramallah and Tulkarm in the morning, and in Tulkarm and 1 village each nr. Hebron and Ramallah at night. Jewish settlers attack a school and water reservoir in Urif village nr. Nablus, provoking clashes with Palestinian residents. Israeli forces arrive and fire tear gas at the Palestinians. Separately, Jewish settlers attack Palestinians nr. Mitzpe Yair in the s. Hebron hills, prompting clashes that leave 4 Israelis and 1 Palestinian lightly injured. (JP, MNA, ToI, YA 1/6; PCHR 1/9)

Israeli authorities publish plans for the construction of 272 new settlement homes in the West Bank, including the 1st ever master plan for Ofra, a settlement located 15 km (9 mi.) from the Green Line. PM Netanyahu holds a meeting with Likud MKs and tells them that he opposes evacuating settlements in Hebron and Beit El, despite their location outside the major blocs. Meanwhile, U.S. Secy. of State Kerry departs the region for Washington, assuring that progress has been made. (AFP, HA, JP, REU 1/6)

In Israel, an explosive device detonates on a bus in Bat Yam, causing no casualties as the vehicle had been evacuated. Israeli police describe it as a “terrorist attack,” and a Hamas spokesperson in Gaza describes the bombing as a “heroic act.” No group, however, claims responsibility. In the Gaza Strip, Palestinians fire 1 rocket into s. Israel, causing no damage or injuries. Separately, a rocket fired from inside the Gaza Strip lands in Egyptian territorial waters nr. Rafah, causing no injuries. Hamas authorities say that the rocket was fired during a training exercise and reached Egypt by mistake. In the West Bank, the IDF conducts house searches and arrest raids in 1 village nr. Jenin in the morning, and in 2 villages nr. Jenin and in 1 village each nr. Hebron and Tulkarm; patrols in 2 villages nr. Ramallah and 1 village nr. Jenin in the morning, in 2 villages and alFawar r.c. nr. Hebron, and in 2 villages nr. Salfit at night. (AFP, AP, HA, MNA, REU, YA 12/22; PCHR 12/26)

Asst. Secy.-Gen. on Palestinian affairs at the Arab League Mohammad Sbeih says that Kerry intends to present Palestinian and Israeli leaders with a framework peace deal by the end of the month. Sbeih also reveals Abbas’ position on the peace agreement, including refusal of any Israeli military presence in the Jordan Valley, the entirety of East Jerusalem as the capital, limited land swaps of equal value, and no recognition of Israel as a “Jewish state.” (AP, MNA, ToI 12/22)

Reps. from Iran and the P5+1 suspend their talks in Geneva to resume after Christmas. (REU 12/22)

In the Gaza Strip, Israeli forces open fire on Palestinian farmers close to the border fence nr. Khan Yunis, wounding 1. The army says it targeted the group because it was laying an explosive device. In the West Bank, the IDF conducts house searches and arrest raids in Hebron and 2 nearby villages at night; patrols in 1 village nr. Hebron in the afternoon, and in 2 villages nr. Ramallah, in Nablus and Balata r.c., and 1 village each nr. Jenin and Jericho at night. (MNA 12/20; PCHR 12/26)

PA Pres. Abbas holds talks in Egypt with foreign ministers from Arab League mbr. states about the current state of the peace process. He also meets with Egyptian interim pres. Mansour to discuss regional developments and the national reconciliation effort with Hamas. (MNA 12/21)

Iran’s Dep. FM Abbas Araghchi says that talks in Geneva with reps. of the P5+1 are continuing for a 4th day and making slow progress. According to Araghchi, the issue of uranium enrichment is still a point of contention. (AP, JP 12/21)

During an arrest raid in the Jenin r.c. in the West Bank, IDF troops kill 1 Palestinian and wound 6 others. En route to a suspect’s house in the camp, soldiers meet resistance from residents—including the use of an improvised explosive device—and respond with live fire. In the Gaza Strip, Israeli forces open fire on Palestinian farmers close to the border fence nr. Bayt Hanun, causing no injuries. (HA, MNA 12/18, PCHR 12/19)

Palestinian chief negotiator Erakat tells reporters in Bayt Jala that the Palestinians and Israelis will require up to 1 more year to complete a peace deal, provided that a framework agreement can be put in place in the coming weeks. Erakat says that the Palestinians are thus prepared to extend talks beyond the 4/2014 deadline. (AP, REU, YA 12/18)

The U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Cmte. passes legislation, by a vote of 16–1, that would reform U.S. aid to Egypt, effectively lifting the hold on military aid that was put in place after the 7/2013 military overthrow of Egyptian pres. Morsi. The bill would amend the controversial “coup law” that forbids the transfer of U.S. aid to a country where a democratic govt. has been overthrown by the military; specifically, it would allow the pres. to waive that restriction on the basis of national security, providing that transferred aid supports democratization programs or facilitates new elections. (AP, REU 12/18)

In the Gaza Strip, IDF troops open fire on an open area nr. Bayt Hanun from the border fence, causing no injuries. In the West Bank, the IDF conducts house searches and arrest raids in 2 villages nr. Tulkarm, 1 village nr. Qalqilya, in Nablus, and in Salfit at night; patrols in Tulkarm in the morning, in 1 village each nr. Qalqilya and Salfit in the afternoon. (PCHR 11/7)

At a meeting of senior Fatah mbrs., Pres. Abbas warns that the link Israel has created between the release of prisoners and the approval of settlement construction could derail the entire negotiations process, which he says has shown no signs of progress thus far. (HA 11/5)

The trial of ousted Egyptian pres. Morsi begins and is almost immediately postponed, as Morsi and other Muslim Brotherhood leaders on trial shout slogans and make speeches against the coup and the legitimacy of the proceedings. Meanwhile, Egyptian military forces shoot dead 3 gunmen trying to prepare an IED nr. Rafah. (AP, MNA, REU 11/4)

At a press conference in Saudi Arabia, visiting U.S. Secy. of State Kerry stands with Saudi FM Prince Saud al-Faisal as both men promise their countries will work together on difficult issues like Iran, Syria, and Israeli-Palestinian negotiations. (AP 11/4)

In the Gaza Strip, unidentified suspects plan explosives on a car of a Popular Resistance Cmte. leader, but the car blows up without causing injuries. In the n. West Bank, a Palestinian throws an improvised explosive device at an Israeli settler bus nr. Ya‘bad village, causing no injuries. The IDF conducts house searches and arrest raids in 1 village each nr. Bethlehem, Hebron, Jenin and Salfit at night; patrols in 1 village nr. Hebron in the afternoon and in 1 village nr. Hebron at night. Jewish settlers vandalize more than 30 olive trees nr. Nablus. 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 where 1 person is injured by a rubber-coated metal bullet, and in Kafr Qaddum, where 2 are struck by tear gas canisters. (MNA 10/25; PCHR 10/31)

Thousands of supporters of ousted pres. Morsi march in Cairo, ahead of his expected court appearance on 11/4. There are clashes in Alexandria and Suez, where police disperse crowds with tear gas. (AP, REU 10/25)

In the West Bank, the IDF patrols nr. Tulkarm at night. In East Jerusalem, suspected Jewish extremists vandalize a Christian cemetery in Silwan, and left racist slogans on the perimeter walls. (MNA 10/1; PCHR 10/3)

Israeli PM Netanyahu addresses the UNGA with a focus on Iran, and dismisses efforts at a diplomatic thaw by new Pres. Ruhani as a trick by a “wolf in sheep’s clothing.” Netanyahu says Israel is prepared to go it alone in resisting what he says is Tehran’s drive to acquire a nuclear weapon. (AP, REU 10/1)

Inspectors from OPCW arrive in Damascus to begin the mission of dismantling and destroying Syria’s chemical weapons capacity and arsenal. (AP 10/1)

Egypt’s army chief Abdel Fattah al-Sisi calls for a quick transition to elections in an address to military officials. Meanwhile, around 100 protesters gather in Tahrir Square and chant anti-coup slogans. In the Sinai, 3 Egyptian police officers are injured by a roadside IED between Rafah and al-Arish, while Egyptian authorities announce that the Rafah crossing is open until Friday to allow Hajj pilgrims and humanitarian cases to cross. (MNA, REU 1/10)

In the Gaza Strip, Israeli troops open fire on Palestinian fishermen nr. Bayt Lahiya, causing no damage or injuries. In the West Bank, the IDF conducts house searches and arrest raids in 2 villages nr. Ramallah, 1 villages nr. Tulkarm and Qalqilya at night; patrols in 2 villages nr. Bethlehem and 1 village nr. Bethlehem in the morning. Israeli forces also demolish a Palestinian village in the Jordan Valley, destroying around a dozen residential structures as well as 2 dozen other structures. Dozens of residents of Khirbat Makhul are left homeless. (MNA 9/16; PCHR 9/19)

The Israeli media reports that PM Netanyahu is unhappy with Justice Minister and chief negotiator Tzipi Livni, who is apparently undermining his position in talks with the Palestinians. Livni reportedly is willing to remove all IDF troops from the Jordan Valley, something Netanyahu will not countenance. Meanwhile, PA Pres. Abbas says that Israel will have no presence along the future border of a Palestinian state with Jordan. (INN, JP 9/16)

The U.S., Britain, and France issue a joint warning to Syrian pres. Asad that there would be consequences should he fail to comply with the international community’s demand he hand over his entire chemical weapon stockpile. Meanwhile, UN human rights investigator Karen Koning Abuzayd says that war crimes attributed to the Syrian opposition are largely being carried out by foreign fighters. Also today, Turkish warplanes shoot down a Syrian helicopter after it crossed the border, according to the Turkish military. (AP, REU 9/16)

Egyptian forces storm Delga in c. Minya province, seizing control from supporters of ousted pres. Morsi and arresting more than 50 persons. Meanwhile, in the n. Sinai Peninsula, assailants hit a police bus with a roadside bomb, wounding 9, and then kill 1 of those who jumped clear. (AFP, AP, MNA 9/16)

President of the UNGA Vuk Jeremic says that the Palestinian bid for non-member state is likely to succeed, and that it would likely occur in the second half of 11/2012. (REU 10/19)

The EU issues an expression of regret over Israel’s decision (see 10/18) to approve 800 new houses in Gilo settlement, East Jerusalem. (MNA 10/19)

Armed Palestinians in the Gaza Strip detonate an improvised explosive device nr. the border fence with Israel, damaging an IDF jeep but causing no injuries. IDF troops on the Gaza border open fire on volunteers working on farmland nr. al-Bureij r.c., causing no injuries. In the West Bank, the IDF patrols in 2 villages nr. Ramallah in the morning. (YA 10/19; PCHR 10/24)

A bomb blast in Beirut kills Wissam al-Hassan, head of Lebanese domestic intelligence, as well as another 9 people and injuring more than 100. In the aftermath, opposition politicians, including Saad Hariri, blame the Syrian government, and there are demonstrations across the country by Sunni Muslims. Lebanese PM Najib Mikati says he suspects the killing was linked to al-Hassan’s role in uncovering Syrian involvement in the 2005 assassination of former Lebanese PM Rafiq Hariri. Iran condemns the blast the next day and hints that Israel is responsible. (Guardian, NYT, REU 10/19; BBC, REU 10/20)

Three unidentified assailants cross into Israel from Egypt and plant a roadside bomb that they detonate when 2 vehicles pass carrying laborers who are working to build Israel’s new border fence; they then open fire on the vehicles with automatic weapons and rocketpropelled grenades; 1 Israeli Palestinian worker is killed. Israeli border police respond to the scene and exchanges fire with the infiltrators, leaving 2 assailants dead and 4 policemen injured. The 3d assailant escapes back into Egypt; Israeli units do not pursue him. (NYT, WP 6/19; NYT 6/20; JPI 6/29)

In actions Israel says are unrelated to the attack from Egypt, the IDF carries out 2 air strikes on n. Gaza: 1 targets a Palestinian sniper team that fired across the Gaza border into Israel (causing no damage or injuries), killing 2 Islamic Jihad mbrs.; the other targets Palestinians who attempted but failed to fire a rocket into Israel, killing 1 IQB mbr. and 1 al-Aqsa Guards Group mbr. Late at night, IDF troops on the c. Gaza border fatally shoot 2 Palestinians (1 a teenager) attempting to sneak into Israel to find work. Meanwhile, IDF troops make a brief incursion into n. Gaza nr. Bayt Hanun to level land and clear lines of sight. Israeli naval vessels fire warning shots at Palestinian fishing boats off the n. and c. Gaza coast, forcing them to return to shore. In the West Bank, the IDF patrols in 2 villages nr. Ramallah and 1 nr. Jericho in the morning; and in 1 village nr. Ramallah in the evening. The IDF also conducts late-night arrest raids, house searches in Hebron and Tulkarm, and nr. Jenin. (JP 6/18; NYT, WP 6/19; NYT 6/20; PCHR 6/21; OCHA 6/22; JPI 6/29)

The Israel Project, a Washingtonbased pro-Israel group, hosts a debate between foreign policy advisers to Pres. Obama and Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney, covering numerous issues including Iran, Syria, military aid, and Obama’s commitment to Israel. Romney advisers accuse Obama of failing to support Israel and of being more concerned with preventing Israel from attacking Iran than halting Iran’s nuclear program. Obama adviser Robert Wexler calls Obama’s ‘‘degree of military and strategic support [to Israel] unparalleled,’’ emphasizing that the Obama admin. worked strenuously behind the scenes to ensure there has not been a UN vote on Palestinian statehood since the Palestinians launched their UN statehood bid in 9/2011. (WJW 6/21)

In Lebanon, clashes erupt at the funeral for a Palestinian refugee slain by Lebanese troops outside Nahr al-Barid r.c. on 6/15, leaving 1 Palestinian dead and 7 Palestinians and 3 Lebanese soldiers injured. The clashes spread to ‘Ayn al-Hilwa r.c. in Sidon, where at least 1 Palestinian is killed and 3 Palestinians and 3 Lebanese soldiers are injured. Demonstrations (but no clashes or injuries) are reported in Biddawi r.c. nr. Tripoli and Shatila r.c. in Beirut. (JAZ 6/18)

Overnight, Palestinians fire 11 rockets (including 1 manufactured Grad) fr. Gaza into Israel, retaliating for the 12/8 assassination, causing no damage or injuries. In the morning, Israel carries out more air strikes on 2 alleged Hamas training sites in Gaza City, killing a Palestinian bystander and his 12-yr.-old son and damaging a home, injuring 11 civilians (including 3 children, 2 women); Israel says it regrets the civilian casualties but blames Hamas for operating in densely populated areas. In retaliation, Palestinians fire another 6 rockets (including 1 Grad) fr. Gaza into Israel, causing no damage or injuries. Late at night the IDF makes an air strike on a Hamas training camp in Rafah, causing no reported injuries. In the West Bank, the IDF patrols in Tulkarm (firing tear gas at stone-throwing Palestinian youths, causing no serious injuries) and 1 village nr. Salfit in the afternoon; conducts late-night patrols in 1 village nr. Salfit; conducts late-night arrest raids, house searches in Dahaysha r.c. nr. Bethlehem. Palestinians (sometimes accompanied by Israeli and international activists) hold weekly nonviolent demonstrations against the separation wall, land confiscations, and settlement expansion in Bil’in, Kafr Qaddum, Ni’lin, and Nabi Salih. IDF soldiers beat and fire rubber-coated steel bullets, tear gas, and stun grenades at the protesters, seriously injuring 1 Palestinian and lightly injuring 4 others in Nabi Salih. The incident, in which a man throwing a stone at an armored personnel carrier is hit in the head with a tear gas canister at close range, is caught on camera. (JP 12/9; JP, NYT 12/10; IDFS, WP 12/11; PCHR 12/15; OCHA 12/16)

Unidentified assailants detonate a roadside bomb nr. a UNIFIL patrol nr. Tyre in s. Lebanon, wounding 5 French UNIFIL soldiers in the 3d such attack in 2011. No group claims responsibility. (NYT 12/10; WP 12/12)

The IDF makes a brief incursion into s. Gaza to level lands and clear lines of sight along the border fence e. of al-Qarara. In the West Bank, the IDF begins leveling land for construction of a new segment of the separation wall nr. al-Walaja nr. Bethlehem; conducts late-night arrest raids, house searches in Jenin r.c. Hamas authorities in Gaza hang 2 Palestinians convicted of collaborating with Israel; the father and son were arrested in 2003 and convicted and sentenced in 2004 by the Fatah-led PA. (WP 7/27; PCHR 7/28; OCHA 7/29)

The U.S. for the first time explicitly states that it would veto a UN resolution endorsing Palestinian statehood. (JAZ, NYT 7/27)

In Lebanon, unidentified assailants detonate a roadside bomb nr. a UNIFIL convoy outside Sidon, wounding 5 French soldiers. Hizballah condemns the attack. (AFP, DPA 7/26; WT 7/27; DPA 7/28) (see 5/27)

An IDF tank patrolling along the Gaza border fence inside Israel triggers a roadside bomb laid by Gazans, leaving 1 soldier lightly injured. The IDF makes a brief incursion into s. Gaza to level lands and clear lines of sight along the border fence e. of Abasan. In the West Bank, the IDF patrols in 3 villages nr. Ramallah. (JP 7/10; PCHR 7/14; OCHA 7/15)

The IDF conducts late-night patrols in 2 villages nr. Ramallah, 3 nr. Salfit (issuing 1 Palestinian orders to appear for questioning). Palestinians (sometimes accompanied by Israeli and international activists) hold weekly nonviolent demonstrations against the separation wall, land confiscations, and settlement expansion in Bil‘in, Ni‘lin, and Nabi Salih. IDF soldiers fire rubber-coated steel bullets, tear gas, and stun grenades at the protesters and spray waste water on them, injuring 1 Palestinian and accidentally starting 2 fires damaging 1 Palestinian home and burning an olive grove; 2 Palestinians and 4 internationals are arrested. (PCHR 6/2; OCHA 6/3)

Six members of the Italian contingent of the UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) are wounded when their convoy detonates a roadside bomb planted along their route outside Sidon in s. Lebanon. No group takes responsibility. (NYT, WP 5/28; DS 5/29)

Israeli authorities indicate they intend to close the Qarni crossing into Gaza (used to import wheat, animal fodder, and construction aggregates) permanently within weeks and reroute these imports through the Kerem Shalom crossing. OCHA reports that Israel has allowed no grain or fodder imports to Gaza for a week and that wheat reserves are nearly depleted. Gaza hospital officials report that because of a dispute between PA Health Min. officials in Ramallah and Gaza, transfers of medical supplies to Gaza hospitals have dropped off dangerously, increasing the number of medical supplies that are totally out of stock in the Strip. Meanwhile in Gaza, armed Palestinians detonate a buried explosive device inside the northern border as an IDF patrol on the Israeli side passes, causing no casualties. The IDF troops fire 7 tank shells at the area, killing 1 Palestinian and wounding 2; the IDF claims the men were militants, whereas Palestinians claim they were innocent bystanders scavenging for construction material in the area. Unidentified Palestinians later fire 4–5 mortars fr. Gaza into Israel, causing no damage or injuries. The IDF also makes a brief incursion into n. Gaza to level land and clear lines of sight along the border fence e. of Jabaliya. A Palestinian dies of injuries sustained on 1/15 when Egyptian authorities blew up a smuggling tunnel on the Rafah border. In the West Bank, the IDF conducts synchronized morning patrols in 3 villages nr. Jenin; patrols in Hijja village nr. Qalqilya late at night; conducts late-night arrest raids, house searches nr. Nablus. (JP 1/18; WT 1/19; PCHR 1/20; OCHA 1/21)

Chile recognizes “a sovereign Palestine,” but says the borders must be agreed with Israel. (JP 2/5)

In the West Bank, the PASF releases fr. a Hebron jail 6 Hamas mbrs. who had been on hunger strike for 43 days, protesting their detention without charge. Hrs. later, late at night, IDF undercover units raid Hebron to detain 5 of the 6 men. Storming 1 apartment, undercover units fatally shoot a 66-yr.-old Palestinian man asleep in his bed, mistaking him for the most wanted of the 5 Hamas mbrs. they sought, who lived in another apartment in the same building. The IDF initially says the man ran at soldiers when they entered and soldiers shot in self-defense, but the blood-stained pillow and mattress confirm his wife’s story that he was asleep when soldiers entered firing, raising questions about the IDF’s rules of engagement. Hamas accuses the PA of colluding with Israel to rearrest the men. IDF troops also patrol in villages nr. Ramallah and Tulkarm. Meanwhile, IDF troops on the Gaza border shell armed Palestinians laying a roadside bomb nr. the border fence, causing no Palestinian injuries; at least 1 mortar goes astray hitting an IDF unit, killing 1 Israeli soldier and wounding 4. Unidentified Palestinians fire 1 mortar fr. Gaza into Israel, causing no damage or injuries. Israeli naval vessels fire on Palestinian fishing boats off the n. Gaza coast, forcing them to return to shore. West Bank Palestinians (accompanied by Israeli and international activists in some areas) hold weekly nonviolent demonstrations against the separation wall, land confiscations, and settlement expansion in Bil‘in, Ni‘lin, and Dayr Nizam/ Nabi Salih. Fmr. EU official Luisa Morgantini and 5 observers from the office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights take part in the Bil‘in demonstration. IDF soldiers fire rubber-coated steel bullets, tear gas, and stun grenades at the protesters; 4 Palestinians are lightly injured and 1 is arrested. (AFP 1/7; NYT, WP 1/8; PCHR 1/13; OCHA 1/14)

Israel warns that it will not allow passage to a flotilla of 8 boats organized by the Free Gaza Movement (FGM) and a Turkish organization, Humanitarian Relief Fund (going by the acronym IHH), currently en route to Gaza in an effort to defy Israel’s siege and deliver 10,000 tons of humanitarian aid, saying it will send Israeli naval commandos to intercept the boats and escort them to Ashdod port, where the 100s of activists onboard would be deported. The U.S. urges restraint. (NYT, WP, WT 5/28)

IDF troops on the Gaza border nr. the former Nahal Oz crossing fire on armed Palestinians laying a roadside bomb nr. the border fence, injuring 7; the Palestinians respond with mortar fire, causing no injuries. The IDF also makes air strikes, directs tank fire at an area s. of Qarni crossing in response to mortar fire fr. the area; 2 Palestinian civilians, no Israelis are injured in the exchange. In the West Bank, the IDF makes a predawn raid on a Palestinian home in ‘Arab al-Ramadin village nr. Hebron, firing tear gas in the home (8 family mbrs. are evacuated to a medical center for treatment); conducts late-night arrest raids, house searches nr. Hebron (including arresting a 12-yr.-old boy, who is released on 5/28). (YA 5/28; PCHR 6/3; OCHA 6/4)

Israel charges 2 Israeli Palestinians, Ameer Makhoul (dir. of Ittijah, a union of Arab organizations in Israel) and Omar Said (also a pro-Arab advocate), with espionage for allegedly passing information on the location of IDF facilities to Hizballah, a charge the men deny. (WP, WT 5/28)

IDF troops on the s. Gaza border fire on armed Palestinians laying a roadside bomb nr. the border fence e. of Khan Yunis. When Palestinians return fire, the troops enter the Strip in pursuit, triggering at least 1 buried device and drawing Palestinian mortar fire, which prompts the IDF to move several tanks and armed bulldozers into Gaza, shelling areas outside Khan Yunis. The exchange leaves 2 armed Palestinians, 1 Palestinian bystander, and 2 IDF soldiers dead and 3 IDF soldiers and 6 Palestinians (including at least 2 civilians, one a 13-yr.-old boy) wounded, marking the 1st deadly exchange of fire in Gaza since OCL ended on 1/18/09. The al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigades, Islamic Jihad, and a group calling itself Palestinian Taliban (believed to be a radical Salafist splinter group opposed to Hamas) claim their fighters were involved in the initial border incident; the Izzedin al-Qassam Brigades claims responsibility for ambushing and firing mortars at IDF troops once they entered Gaza, causing the IDF casualties. In the West Bank, the IDF fires rubber-coated steel bullets, stun grenades, tear gas at Palestinian, Israeli, and international activists taking part in weekly demonstrations against the separation wall and settlement expansion in Bil‘in (10s suffer tear gas inhalation; 1 Israeli is arrested), Dayr Nizam/al-Nabi Salih (2 Palestinians injured), and Ni‘lin (10s suffer tear gas inhalation). (JP 3/27; WP 3/28; OCHA, PCHR 4/1; PCHR 4/8)

In Gaza, an International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) jeep is damaged by a roadside explosion along a route nr. the Erez crossing; no injuries are reported. Hamas rejects speculation that the explosion was caused by a roadside bomb, alleging the jeep accidentally triggered IDF UXO fr. OCL; no group claims responsibility. The IDF makes a brief incursion into s. Gaza to level land in the no-go zone e. of Khan Yunis to clear lines of sight. In the West Bank, the IDF makes a rare daytime incursion into Bayt Ula village nr. Hebron, raiding a furniture company and arresting 2 Palestinians; stages 1 late-night arrest raid nr. Hebron, followed several hrs. later by synchronized arrest raids, house searches in 3 other villages nr. Hebron. Jewish settlers fr. Revava nr. Salfit bulldoze 50 d. of nearby Palestinian olive groves and agricultural land, fence off 24 d., block off 3 roads leading to the area, and install mobile homes to expand the settlement. Jewish settlers fr. Adi Ad nr. Nablus place 4 mobile homes on a nearby plot of Palestinian land to create a new settlement outpost. (WT 2/5; OCHA, PCHR 2/11)

The IDF demolishes a Palestinian home in East Jerusalem, displacing 8 Palestinians. In the West Bank, the IDF conducts late-night house searches in al-Ma‘sara, targeting homes of Palestinians involved in organizing local protests against the separation wall, but making no arrests; conducts similar late-night house searches nr. Jenin, making no arrests. Jewish settlers fr. Gil’ad vandalize Palestinian farm equipment and cars in nearby Imatin village. Jewish settlers fr. Havat Maon nr. Hebron uproot 70 Palestinian olive trees in nearby al-Twana village. (OCHA 1/20; PCHR 1/21)

In Jordan, unidentified assailants detonate a roadside bomb nr. a convoy of Israeli diplomats heading home for the weekend, causing no injuries. Israeli amb. Daniel Nevo was not in the convoy. No one takes responsibility. (NYT, WP 1/15)

Late in the evening, the IDF makes an incursion into n. Gaza to level land along the border fence n. of Bayt Lahiya to clear lines of sight; during the operation a “heavy explosion” and gunfire are heard; no casualties are reported and the IDF does not comment on the incident, suggesting that troops may have accidentally triggered an explosive device buried by Palestinian militants. In the West Bank, the IDF conducts late-night arrest raids, house raids nr. Hebron and in al-‘Arub r.c., Jenin town and r.c. (OCHA, PCHR 1/6)

IDF troops on the n. Gaza border fire on a group of Palestinians nr. Bayt Lahiya in disputed circumstances, killing 1 Palestinian teenager, injuring at least 1 other, and possibly arresting a 3d; the IDF claims the group was planting a roadside bomb along the border, whereas Palestinian sources claim they were civilians collecting scrap metal nr. the border fence. Unidentified Palestinians respond by firing 2 or 3 rockets into Israel, wounding an IDF soldier. (NYT, OCHA, WT 8/25; PCHR 8/27; OCHA Humanitarian Reports 8/09, 9/09; JPI 9/4)

In the West Bank, the IDF seals the entrance to Sa‘ir village nr. Hebron for 3 hrs.; conducts late-night raids, house searches in Jenin town and r.c., in and around Hebron, nr. Ramallah, arresting 2 Palestinians and summoning several others for questioning. (PCHR 8/27)

Overnight, the IDF sends troops into Gaza to engage a group of armed Palestinians laying a roadside bomb nr. the border fence, fatally shooting 2 Islamic Jihad mbrs.; the deaths bring to 22 the number of Gazans killed by the IDF since the 1/18/09 cease-fire. Later in the day, the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine detonates a roadside bomb on the Gaza border fence as an IDF patrol passes, causing no damage or injuries. In the West Bank, the IDF conducts late-night arrest raids, house searches nr. Jenin (firing live ammunition and stun grenades at homes, injuring a Palestinian woman); fires tear gas at stone-throwing Palestinians demonstrating against the separation wall construction in Bil‘in; fires live ammunition, rubbercoated steel bullets, tear gas at Palestinian, Israeli, and international activists taking part in weekly nonviolent protests against the separation wall in Ni‘lin (injuring 10 Palestinians, 2 with live ammunition). Jewish settlers burn 10s of d. of Palestinian crops nr. Yitzhar settlement nr. Nablus, block firefighters fr. reaching the scene. A Jewish settler is found dead nr. Eli settlement btwn. Ramallah and Nablus; the circumstances of his death are unclear. (NYT, WP 5/23; OCHA, PCHR 5/28)

In Gaza, the IDF shells armed Hamas mbrs. laying a roadside bomb nr. the Gaza border fence e. of Khan Yunis, killing 2 armed Hamas mbrs. In the West Bank, the IDF withdraws fr. Khirbat Safa and suspends the manhunt for the Bet Ayn attacker, without arresting a suspect, but continues to block all entry and exit fr. the village; patrols in al-Naqura village in the afternoon, withdrawing without incident. Inside Israel, Israeli police fatally shoot a 16-yr.-old bedouin girl after she allegedly fires a pistol toward a border police post. (WP, WT 4/5; OCHA 4/8; PCHR 4/9)

IDF troops fire on armed Palestinians laying a roadside bomb nr. the Israel-Gaza border, sparking a cross-border exchange of gunfire and calling in an air strike, leaving 2 armed Palestinians dead and 3 armed Palestinians and 1 IDF soldier wounded; the IDF enters Gaza to clear the area, claiming to find a cache of grenades and an antitank missile. Palestinians also fire 2 rockets fr. Gaza into Israel, causing no damage or injuries. The UN reports that in 3/09, a total of 10 Palestinians were killed in tunnel incidents (7 collapses, 2 electrocutions, 1 fall) and 12 were rescued fr. tunnels experiencing unexplained breathing difficulties. In the West Bank, the IDF conducts late-night arrest raids, house searches nr. Hebron, Jenin, Tubas. The UN reports that over the previous wk., the IDF has installed a guardrail along 7 km of Road 317 (used by Jewish settlers) nr. Hebron to prevent Palestinian herders fr. crossing the road to access grazing areas. (OCHA, WP 4/1; PCHR 4/2)

The Knesset approves (69–45, with 5 Labor MKs who had opposed joining the coalition abstaining, 1 Israeli Palestinian MK absent) Netanyahu’s coalition government, which bills itself as representing Israelis who are unhappy with the peace process, worn down by Palestinian rocket fire fr. Gaza, and increasingly worried about the growing regional influence of Iran. (IFM, NYT, WP, WT 4/1; WJW 4/2)

Israeli naval vessels shell an open area southwest of Khan Yunis, causing no damage or injuries. Later in the day, Israeli naval vessels open fire on a Palestinian fishing boat 2 naut. mi. off the Gaza coast, seriously injuring a Palestinian teenager. In the West Bank, the IDF patrols in Tulkarm in the morning, withdrawing without incident; conducts synchronized late-night patrols in villages around Jenin, making no raids or arrests; conducts synchronized latenight house searches in villages nr. Hebron and Tulkarm, arresting only 1 Palestinian in Hebron; also conducts late-night house searches in Bethlehem. (OCHA 3/24, 3/25; PCHR 3/26)

Unidentified assailants detonate a roadside bomb outside Mieh Mieh r.c. in s. Lebanon as a convoy carrying senior Fatah official Kamal Madhat leaves the camp, killing Madhat, 2 other Fatah mbrs., and his driver and injuring 3 bodyguards. No group claims responsibility. (NYT, WP 3/24; WT 3/25)

In Gaza, Palestinians detonate a roadside bomb nr. the Gaza border fence e. of al-Musaddar village in c. Gaza, causing no reported damage or injuries. The IDF sends troops into al-Musaddar in pursuit, exchanging gunfire with the armed Palestinians, calling in 3 air strikes on the area, injuring 2 armed Palestinians, heavily damaging 3 Palestinian homes before withdrawing 90 mins. later. Palestinians also fire 2 Qassam rockets fr. Gaza into Israel, causing no reported damage or injuries. In the West Bank, the IDF makes a large late-night incursion into Nablus to raid and search a home for weapons, blowing up part of the home, detaining 2 Palestinians for questioning, but finding no weapons; occupying and searching Asia Television offices; blowing the doors off several shops in the old city. The IDF also conducts late-night arrest raids, house searches in and around Jenin town and r.c., nr. Bethlehem and Hebron. Jewish settlers escorted by IDF troops enter Nablus to pray for several hours at the shrine of Prophet Joseph. In the evening, Jewish settlers in Hebron cut electricity to Palestinian houses in the center and s. of town, then rampage through the areas, damaging several homes; the IDF observes but does not intervene. (OCHA 2/24, 2/25; PCHR 2/26)