The Palestine Chronology

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers uproot around 50 olive trees in Ein al-Beida. Israeli settlers also steal sheep and a tractor in Kisan. Elsewhere, Israeli settlers throw stones at Palestinian vehicles traveling near Bizarya. Israeli settlers also injure a Palestinian and damage property during a raid in Yasuf. Meanwhile, Israeli settlers throw stones at Palestinian vehicles traveling near Umm Safa. Israeli settlers also demolish an agricultural structure in Qusra. Israeli forces shoot and kill a Palestinian man during a raid in Qalqilya. Israeli forces also shoot and injure a Palestinian child in ‘Azzun. Elsewhere, Israeli forces fire anti-tank missiles at a home in Sir, causing extensive damage and displacing 6 people, and arrest 7 Palestinians. Israeli forces arrest 15 others in Ramallah, Hebron, Bethlehem, and Salfit. Elsewhere, Israeli forces seize a vehicle in the Jordan Valley. In Gaza, Israeli forces bomb Nuseirat refugee camp, Khan Yunis, Rafah, Dayr al-Balah, Maghazi, and Gaza City, killing at least 133 people. Israeli forces also shoot and kill 3 Palestinians at the Nasser Hospital in Khan Yunis, including a man the soldiers beat and cuff before forcing him to tell people at the hospital to evacuate after which he is shot and killed. Israeli forces fly drones over the hospital, ordering people to evacuate. 3 Israeli soldiers are killed in combat. In Lebanon, Hezbollah attacks several Israel sites, including a police building in Kiryat Shmona, injuring 2, including a child. (AJ, HA, HA, HA, NYT, NYT, UNOCHA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 2/13; AJ, AJ, INT, UNOCHA 2/14)

More than 28,473 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli forces in Gaza, including at least 11,500 children and 7,200 women, and around 68,146 have been injured since 10/7/2023. At least 8,000 people are missing in rubble, including 1,700 children. 388 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli forces and settlers in the West Bank and East Jerusalem since 10/7/2023, including 99 children. More than 4,475 people have been injured. Israel reports that 1,139 Israelis and foreign nationals have been killed and 5,400 have been injured in Israel since 10/7/2023, including Israeli soldiers. In addition, 230 Israeli soldiers have been killed and 1,346 injured in Gaza since the ground invasion began on 10/27/2023. Over 1.93 million Palestinians, nearly 85% of the population of Gaza, have been displaced since 10/7/2023. There has been a complete electricity blackout in Gaza since 10/12/2023 due to the Israeli blockade. At least 70,000 housing units have been destroyed and 290,000 have been damaged in Israeli airstrikes since 10/7/2023, constituting over 60% of all housing units. 100 trucks carrying aid enter Gaza. (AJ, UNOCHA, UNOCHA, WAFA 2/13; UNOCHA 2/14)

Al Jazeera says Israel intentionally targeted their correspondent Ismail Abu Omar in Rafah, leading to the amputation of his leg and serious injuries to his cameraperson. (AJ, AJ 2/13; AJ 2/15)

South Africa files an urgent request to the ICJ, asking it to consider whether an Israeli invasion of Rafah would breach the provisional measures issued by the court against Israel. (AJ, AJ, AP, AP, HA, NYT, WAFA 2/13; HA 2/14)

Hamas political leader Ismail Haniyeh meets with Iranian foreign minister Hossein Amirabdollahian in Doha. (AJ, HA 2/13)

Hezbollah secretary-general Hassan Nasrallah says in a televised speech that the conflict along the Blue Line will end when Israel stops its attacks on Gaza. (AJ, AJ, HA 2/13)

CIA director Bill Burns, Mossad director David Barnea, Egyptian president Abdel Fattah el-Sisi and intelligence chief Abbas Kamal, and Qatari prime minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani meet in Cairo, discussing Hamas’s ceasefire counterproposal. Axios reports that Barnea was only there to listen to the discussions and was sent by Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the request of U.S. president Joe Biden. (AJ, AJ, AP, AX, HA, NYT 2/13; HA 2/14)

U.S. secretary of state Antony Blinken meets with Jordanian king Abdullah II. (AJ, HA 2/13)

France imposes sanctions on 28 Israeli settlers. France also proposes a truce between Hezbollah and Israel that would see Hezbollah move 6 miles north of the Blue Line and calls for negotiations to resume over delineating the land border between Israel and Lebanon. (REU 2/12; AJ, AJ, HA, HA, HA, NYT, WAFA, WAFA 2/13; HA, HA 2/14)

Italian foreign minister Antonio Tajani calls Israel’s response to 10/7/2023 “disproportionate,” saying there are “too many victims who have nothing to do with Hamas.” (AJ 2/13)

Axios reports that Israeli finance minister Bezalel Smotrich is blocking flour shipments to Gaza that Prime Minister Netanyahu had promised President Biden would be allowed in several weeks ago. (AJ, AX, HA 2/13; NYT 2/14)

In the West Bank, Israeli forces shot and killed 1 Palestinian during a raid in ‘Ayn Bayt a-Ma’ refugee camp, 2 were arrested. Israeli forces also razed 5 dunums (1.25 acres) of farmland and sealed 3 water wells with concrete in Hijja. 39 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in Bethlehem, Tubas, Jenin, al-Bireh, Salfit, Tulkarm, and Hebron. In East Jerusalem, Israeli settlers toured the Haram al-Sharif compound. (AJ, AP, HA, IN, MEE, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 7/26; PCHR 7/27; UNOCHA 7/29; HA 7/30; UNOCHA 8/11)

PA president Mahmoud Abbas and Hamas political leader Ismail Haniyeh met with Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdoğan in Ankara. The 2 Palestinian leaders met in preparation for the summit of Palestinian political parties in Cairo on 7/30 where reconciliation will be discussed. According to Al Jazeera, Abbas presented Haniyeh with a plan that would see all Palestinian parties operate under the PLO umbrella. (HA 7/25; AJ, HA, MEMO, QDS, QDS, QDS, REU 7/26)

Qatar, Oman, and China submitted written statements to the ICJ in support of Palestine. (WAFA, WAFA 7/26)

Germany said it had pledged $40 million to UNRWA during a visit to Gaza by the German representative to Palestine. (WAFA 7/26)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers with military escort threw stones at Palestinians protesting settlement expansion west of Salfit; Israeli forces also beat several Palestinian protesters. Israeli forces delivered demolition notices for 3 Palestinian-owned homes in Ya‘bad and demolished 1 house in al-Khadir; 1 house under construction and 1 well near Halhul; and 2 shacks in Qalqilya. 13 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in and around Izzariya, Anata, Bethlehem, Ramallah, Jericho, and Jenin. In East Jerusalem, 1 Palestinian family started demolishing their own home in Jabal Mukabir to avoid paying exorbitant Israeli demolition fees; 6 people were displaced. In Gaza, Israeli forces made incursions to level agricultural lands east of al-Bureij. Israeli forces also opened fire on Palestinians near the Erez crossing; no injuries were reported. (WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 11/30; WAFA 12/1; PCHR 12/3)

PA and Israeli officials met to discuss the details of transferring the $756 million to the PA in taxes owed. (WAFA 11/30)

PA president Mahmoud Abbas met with Egyptian president Abdel Fattah al-Sisi in Cairo. According to WAFA, President al-Sisi confirmed Egypt’s support of a Palestinian state with East Jerusalem as its capital. (WAFA 11/30; WAFA 12/1)

A court in Israel rejected a lawsuit brought by 1 Palestinian-Israeli on behalf of his nephew and niece who have to travel outside the city of Carmiel to go to school as there are no Arabic-speaking schools in their city. The suit asked for the city to pay their expenses for traveling to the Arabic-speaking school, but the Israeli court dismissed the suit, citing the Jewish Nation-State Law saying the city’s Jewish character had to be preserved. The judge wrote in his ruling, “Carmiel, a Jewish city, was meant to establish Jewish settlement in the Galilee . . . Establishing an Arabic-language school . . . [and] funding school rides for Arab students . . . could change the demographic balance and damage the city’s character.” (Adalah, HA, HA 11/30)

Saudi Arabia allowed Israeli airlines to fly over their airspace for commercial flights 1 day before the 1st commercial flight between Israel and the UAE was set to happen. The flight was said to be at risk of being canceled; however, according to a U.S. official, U.S. special advisor to the president Jared Kushner and Saudi officials were able to “reconcile the issue.” Special Advisor Kushner is scheduled to visit Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, and Qatar this week. (AJ, HA 11/30; MEE 12/1)

The EU donated $11.15 million to the PA to help pay for medical transfers to East Jerusalem hospitals. (WAFA 11/30)

Approximately 1,000 Israeli settlers visit Joseph’s Tomb near Nablus overnight, sparking clashes between their IDF escort and stone-throwing Palestinians from nearby Balata refugee camp; 1 Palestinian is injured. Elsewhere in the West Bank, Palestinians steal and torch the car of 3 Israeli settlers in central Nablus, prompting the IDF to escort the settlers out of the city. IDF troops also arrest 4 Palestinians during late-night raids in and around Bethlehem, Ramallah, and Hebron; and patrol near Hebron and Salfit. Off Gaza’s coast, Israeli naval forces open fire on Palestinian fishing boats near Bayt Lahiya, causing no damage or injuries. (IMEMC, TOI, WAFA 11/21; PCHR 11/23)

Representatives of Hamas, Fatah, and 11 other Palestinian factions meet in Cairo for the 1st of 2 planned days of reconciliation talks. (TOI, WAFA 11/21)

PA FM al-Maliki says that the Trump administration is reconsidering its threat, 1st reported on 11/17, to shutter the PLO office in Washington, following the Palestinians’ refusal to comply with their demands. He says that in the meantime, the Palestinians have decided to freeze contacts with the U.S. “In practice, by closing the office they are freezing all meetings and we are making that official.” A State Dept. spokesperson responds, “In our view, communications are not frozen.” She says that Trump administration officials are in contact with Palestinian officials “about the status of that PLO office in Washington, as well as having conversations with them about our larger efforts on the part of a lasting and comprehensive peace process.” (HA, TOI 11/21)

Along Gaza’s border, IDF troops open fire on Palestinian agricultural lands near Khan Yunis, causing no damage or injuries. In the West Bank, IDF troops arrest 2 Palestinians and issue 1 arrest summons during late-night raids near Qalqilya and Salfit, and patrol near Tulkarm, Hebron, and Qalqilya. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces arrest 8 Palestinians during late-night raids in Shu‘fat refugee camp, Issawiyya, and al-Tur. (PCHR 9/21)

Following another round of talks in Cairo, both internal and with Egyptian intelligence officials, Hamas releases a statement pledging to dismantle the administrative committee established earlier this year, to allow the PA to resume operations in Gaza, to resume reconciliation talks with Fatah, and to participate in general elections. Fatah Central Committee member Azzam al-Ahmad, who is also in Cairo, welcomes Hamas’s statement and says that Hamas and Fatah are set to take tangible steps toward reconciliation, including bringing PA control back to Gaza, in the coming days. (HA, MNA, TOI, WAFA 9/17; NYT 9/19; AFP 9/22)

In the West Bank, IDF troops arrest 12 Palestinians during late-night raids near Hebron, Salfit, Bethlehem, and Ramallah. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces arrest a Palestinian at a light rail stop, allegedly for carrying a knife. They also arrest 2 more Palestinians during late-night raids in Silwan. Approximately 130 Israeli settlers tour Haram al-Sharif in the morning. Off Gaza’s coast, Israeli naval forces target Palestinian fishing boats near Bayt Lahiya for a 3d day in a row, firing on them on 2 separate occasions (they cause no damage or injuries). (MNA, WAFA 8/23; PCHR 8/24; PCHR 9/1)

Israel’s ambassador to Egypt David Govrin leads a delegation to Cairo for a day of talks before returning to Israel. It is Govrin’s first visit to Egypt since the Israeli embassy in Cairo was evacuated in 12/2016. (YA 8/25)

Israeli forces arrest an East Jerusalem Palestinian at the c. bus station in West Jerusalem when he is found to be carrying a knife. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces patrol in Issawiyya after reports of a violent family dispute in the area. Their presence sparks clashes with stone-throwing Palestinians; 1 Palestinian bystander is shot in the eye with a sponge-tipped bullet (he later loses the eye). In the West Bank, IDF troops conduct a late-night raid in Dahaysha r.c. nr. Bethlehem, arresting 3 Palestinians and sparking minor clashes with stone-throwing Palestinians; there are no serious injuries. They arrest 4 more Palestinians and issue 1 arrest summons during further raids nr. Hebron and Qalqilya, and patrol nr. Hebron and Salfit. Along Gaza’s border, IDF troops arrest 2 Palestinian youths attempting to cross into Israel. (MNA 7/9; HA 7/10; PCHR 7/13)

The Hamas-run energy authority in Gaza announces that it is exploring alternative means of paying for Egyptian fuel transfers, since the PA is blocking Hamas’s fuel payments (see 7/8). PA pres. Abbas meets with Egyptian pres. Abdel Fattah al-Sisi in Cairo to discuss Israeli settlement activity and bilateral relations, including Cairo’s improving ties with Hamas. A PA source later says that al-Sisi supports the “legitimate Palestinian leadership” and that the meeting was “successful.” (MNA, TOI 7/9)

Off Gaza’s coast, Israeli naval forces open fire on Palestinian fishing boats, causing no damage or injuries. In the West Bank, an Israeli settler driver rams an elderly Palestinian nr. Nablus, causing moderate injuries. The IDF delivers confiscation orders to the Palestinian owners of 169 dunams (42 acres) of farmland nr. Qalqilya and stop-work orders to 7 Palestinian homes under construction in Kafr al-Dik nr. Salfit. IDF troops arrest 6 Palestinians and confiscate a tractor during raids nr. Ramallah, Jericho, and Tubas; and patrol nr. Hebron during the day. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces demolish 2 residential buildings in Jabal Mukabir. (MNA, WAFA 3/ 20; MNA, WAFA 3/21; PCHR 3/23)

PA pres. Abbas meets with Egyptian pres. Abdel Fattah al-Sisi in Cairo to discuss regional affairs and the prospect of holding a regional peace conference to kick off a new round of peace talks. Al-Sisi reportedly tells Abbas that the Palestinian question will remain a high priority in Cairo. (TOI, WAFA 3/ 20; MNA, WAFA 3/21)

The U.S. State Dept. announces that the U.S. will be boycotting the UNHRC’s discussion of Israel at its 34th session this week, also known as Agenda Item 7. “The U.S. strongly and unequivocally opposes the existence of the UNHRC’s Agenda Item 7,” the State Dept. statement reads. (JP, TOI, USSD 3/20)

Israeli forces punitively demolish a Palestinian home in Kafr ‘Aqab, n. of Jerusalem, sparking clashes with stone-throwing residents of the area; 1 Palestinian is killed and several are injured. The owner of the home was killed on 10/9 after participating in the drive-by shooting of a crowd of Israelis. Elsewhere in the West Bank, IDF troops conduct arrest raids in Balata r.c. nr. Nablus late at night, sparking clashes with stone-throwing Palestinians; 1 Israeli soldier and 1 Palestinian are injured. They also arrest 2 Palestinians during raids nr. Nablus and Salfit, assault and seriously injure a Palestinian at a checkpoint nr. Nablus, and patrol during the day nr. Hebron and Salfit. An Israeli settler driver attempts to ram 2 Palestinian youths nr. Hebron, causing no injuries. In Israel, Israeli forces demolish the bedouin village al-‘Araqib in the Negev for the 107th time since 2010. (IMEMC, MNA 12/22; PCHR 12/29)

Following high-level contacts between the Israeli and Egyptian govts. and massive Israeli pressure against the draft UNSC res. Egypt circulated on 12/21, 2 Western diplomats say that the vote set for today has been postponed indefinitely. Later, 4 mbrs. of the UNSC—New Zealand, Venezuela, Malaysia, and Senegal—give Egypt an ultimatum. They tell Cairo that, if it does not call a vote by 12/23, they reserved the right to table the draft themselves. (EI, HA, JP, NBC, REU, TOI, WAFA, YA 12/22; HA, JP, MNA 12/23)

France’s FM Jean-Marc Ayrault announces that the peace conference initially set for 12/21 is now scheduled for 1/15/2017, adding that the summit will present conclusions to Israeli PM Netanyahu and PA pres. Abbas in a mediated meeting in the hopes of relaunching peace negotiations. (MNA, TOI 12/23)

After the residents of the illegal Amona settlement outpost formally pledge to evacuate their homes peacefully, Israel’s High Court of Justice agrees to the govt.’s request for a 45-day postponement of its order for the outpost to be evacuated and demolished by 12/25. (HA, JP, TOI, YA 12/22; MNA 12/24)

Palestinian fighters in Gaza launch a rocket into Israel, which lands in Sderot, causing no damage or injuries. The IDF then launches dozens of air strikes on “key Hamas strategic assets,” according to IDF sources on 8/23. The IDF also targets Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ) and other factions’ sites in and around Bayt Hanun, injuring at least 7 Palestinians (3 of whom are Hamas mbrs.). Also, an Israeli tank fires 6 shells at a Gazan water storage facility along the border nearby, causing damage. Initial reports say that the PFLP’s armed wing is responsible for the rocket launch; later, a Salafi group affiliated with the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS) claims responsibility. Off Gaza’s coast, Israeli naval forces open fire on Palestinian fishing boats, causing no injuries; 2 fishermen are arrested. In the West Bank, IDF troops conduct raids and house searches in and around Hebron, as well as in Bethlehem and nr. Salfit, arresting 8 Palestinians; and patrol nr. Nablus, Salfit, Ramallah, and Hebron. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces issue arrest summons for 6 Palestinians during raids in Jabal Mukabir. (AP, HA, JP, MNA, TOI, WAFA 8/21; HA 8/22; TOI 8/24; PCHR 8/25)

An Israeli delegation meets with their Egyptian diplomatic counterparts in Cairo to discuss Pres. Abdel Fattah al-Sisi’s efforts to revive the stalled Israeli-Palestinian peace talks. After the meetings, al-Sisi says he recently spoke with Russian pres. Vladimir Putin about hosting a round of Israeli-Palestinian peace talks in Moscow, and indicated that Putin would be willing to do so. (TOI 8/21; JP, TOI 8/22)

In the West Bank, IDF troops arrest 6 Palestinians and issue 1 arrest summons during raids nr. Ramallah, Hebron, Bethlehem, and Qalqilya; and patrol nr. Hebron and Nablus. Israeli settlers set fire to and destroy 15 olive trees nr. Nablus, and throw stones at Palestinian vehicles nr. Salfit, damaging 1. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces arrest 2 Palestinians and issue arrest summons to 5 during raids in Kafr ‘Aqab, the Old City, and Silwan. Meanwhile, a Palestinian man demolishes his own home in Silwan to avoid paying Israeli demolition fees. (PLONAD 5/28; PCHR 6/2; OCHA 6/9)

PA pres. Abbas meets with Egyptian pres. al-Sisi in Cairo to discuss the Egyptian effort to restart direct Israeli-Palestinian peace talks alongside the French effort to host a multilateral peace conference in Paris, scheduled for 6/3. Meanwhile, the Arab League meets in Cairo and endorses the French peace initiative. (AP, JP, MNA, TOI 5/28; JP, TOI 5/29)

Uncoordinated stabbing and alleged stabbing attacks continue in the West Bank and Jerusalem, resulting in the deaths of 3 Palestinians. Two Palestinians open fire on an Israeli bus in Ramot, causing no damage. Israeli police then chase the shooters into the Old City, where they shoot and kill the 2 men after they allegedly attempt to ram their car into a Jewish Israeli pedestrian, causing no serious injuries. A 3d Palestinian is critically injured in the crossfire. The IDF maintains, for a 2d day, the closure of 1 village each nr. Qalqilya and Salfit. On the outskirts of the village nr. Salfit, Israeli soldiers open fire on 2 Palestinian youths as they approach an IDF checkpoint, killing 1 and critically injuring the other. An IDF spokesperson says that one of the youths was armed with a knife and intended to attack the soldiers. (HA, JP, MNA, TOI, WAFA, YA 3/9; PCHR 3/10)

Elsewhere in the oPt, Hamas announces that 1 of its fighters died earlier in the day during unspecified training exercises. IDF troops raid a village nr. Jenin, sparking clashes with stone-throwing Palestinians; there are no serious injuries. They conduct further raids in and around Nablus, Qalqilya, Bethlehem, and Hebron, arresting 18 Palestinians. An Israeli settler stabs and injures a Palestinian nr. Nablus. Late at night, Israeli settlers spray price-tag graffiti on the walls of a Palestinian home in a village nr. Bethlehem. (MNA, TOI, WAFA 3/9; MNA, TOI, WAFA 3/10; PCHR 3/17)

In response to the string of attacks on 3/8 and after conferring with senior security officials, Israeli PM Netanyahu announces that Israel will complete the construction of the separation wall in the s. Hebron Hills. He also states that his govt. proposes new legislation to deter and punish Palestinians who enter Israel illegally, close Palestinian media outlets responsible for alleged incitement, and deny work permits to the families of Palestinians who commit serious crimes against Israelis. Israeli police immediately arrest 10s of Palestinians in raids across Israel, targeting those who entered the country without proper permits. (HA, JP, TOI 3/9)

The Israeli authorities inform 5 Palestinian food companies that their goods will no longer be permitted to pass through the Beitunia crossing for sale in Jerusalem. Israel last barred West Bank food products from entering East Jerusalem for a brief period in 2010. (TOI 3/13)

In Cairo, French FM Jean-Marc Ayrault says that France will not recognize the State of Palestine if the planned French peace initiative fails, effectively retracting his predecessor’s 1/29 pledge. “There is never anything automatic,” he says, adding that “France will present its initiative to its partners. It will be the first step, there is no prerequisite.” (TOI 3/9; JTA 3/10)

In the West Bank, a Palestinian man stabs 2 Israeli soldiers at a junction nr. Ramallah, critically injuring 1, then the soldiers shoot and kill him. The IDF consequently conducts raids in several villages in the area and detains 7 Palestinians. The IDF also conducts house searches and raids in and around Hebron, and in Tubas, arresting 7 Palestinians; patrols in 1 village each nr. Jenin and Salfit. IDF troops assault a Palestinian man at a mobile checkpoint in Hebron, lightly injuring him. Palestinians throw rocks at 2 Israeli buses nr. Jerusalem, lightly injuring 3 in the 2 incidents. Off the coast of Gaza nr. Bayt Lahiya, Israeli naval forces open fire on Palestinian fishing boats, causing no damage or injuries. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces arrest a Palestinian doctor in Wadi al-Rababa. (WAFA 4/7; HA, JP, MNA, TOI, WAFA, YA 4/8; PCHR 4/9)

Late at night, PLO delegates led by Exec. Comm. mbr. Ahmad Majdalani meet with Syrian dep. FM Faisal Mekdad in Damascus; Syrian govt. says it is ready to support Palestinian fighters in Yarmouk r.c., outside Damascus. (MNA 4/7; MNA, TOI 4/8)

Palestinian envoy to France Hale Fahoum says the Palestinian leadership supports the recently announced French initiative to pass a UNSC res. setting parameters for future peace negotiations. (YA 4/7)

FIFA Pres. Sepp Blatter says he opposes the Palestinian campaign to suspend Israel from international soccer competition ahead of a meeting with PFA head Jibril Rajoub in Cairo. (AFP, REU 4/7)

In the Gaza Strip, IDF troops e. of Khan Yunis detain 3 Palestinians as they attempt to cross the border fence into Israel. In the West Bank, Israeli forces conduct house searches and arrest raids nr. Ramallah and Jenin; patrol nr. Hebron and Salfit; demolish 30 dunams (around 7.4 acres) of wheat fields nr. Bethlehem; and deliver eviction orders to several Palestinian bedouin families in a village nr. Jericho. Israeli settlers level land so they can establish a road leading to an outpost s. of Bethlehem. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces fire sound bombs and tear gas at Palestinian students as they exit their elementary school in al-Tur, then arrest 1 of their parents. (MNA, WAFA 1/15; PCHR 1/22; OCHA 1/23)

In Cairo, the Arab League agrees to make the “necessary communications and consultations” with international partners to submit a new proposal on behalf of the Palestinians to the UNSC. Diplomats from 5 Arab countries will form a joint comm. to organize the resubmission, and PA Pres. Abbas agrees to respect the comm.’s decisions regarding timing. (AP, HA, JP, MNA, WAFA 1/15; TOI 1/17)

After meeting with the U.S. Consul Gen. to Israel and Palestine Michael Ratney in Ramallah, PA PM Hamdallah calls on the international community to pressure Israel into unfreezing its tax revenue transfers to the PA. (AJ, REU, WAFA, YA 1/15) 

Iranian FM Zarif meets with German FM Steinmeier in Berlin, then with EU foreign affairs chief Mogherini, to discuss the ongoing negotiations over Iran’s disputed nuclear program. In Geneva, reps. of Iran and the U.S. discuss the negotiations. (AFP 1/16; MNA 1/17)

In the West Bank, IDF troops shoot and kill a Palestinian at a junction between Bethlehem and Hebron, later alleging that the man was attempting to steal a car. The IDF raids the home of 2 PA security officers nr. Nablus, and Palestinian officials call it a provocative step. On a late-night arrest raid in Jenin r.c., Israeli soldiers shoot and injure a Palestinian man with rubber-coated metal bullets and arrest 4 others, sparking clashes with stone-throwing residents and arresting 1 more. Hours after unknown assailants shoot at an Israeli military vehicle nr. Abud village n. of Ramallah, Israeli forces conduct house-to-house raids in the village, fire stun grenades and flares, and shut down a road leading to a nearby monastery. The IDF also conducts house searches and arrest raids nr. Salfit and Hebron; demolishes 1 Palestinian home and 2 animal shelters in a village nr. Ramallah; arrests a Palestinian outside the Gush Etzion settlement nr. Bethlehem. Separately, an Israeli settler runs over with his car 2 sheep belonging to a Palestinian nr. Nablus. In the Gaza Strip, Israeli authorities reopen the Erez border crossing, having closed it on 1/8. IDF troops e. of Rafah open fire on agricultural land nr. the border fence, causing damage. Dozens of employees of the Hamas-run govt. protest outside the PA unity govt.’s headquarters in Gaza City, calling for their full salaries to be paid for the 1st time since 6/2. In East Jerusalem, unknown Israelis vandalize 11 Palestinian-owned vehicles in Bayt Safafa, puncturing tires and leaving racist pricetag graffiti. Israeli forces conduct a house search in al-‘Izzariya, arresting 2 Palestinians. In s. Israel, an Israeli police officer shoots and kills a 22-year-old Palestinian with live ammunition during an arrest raid in Rahat in the Negev, sparking clashes between the police and local Palestinians. Separately, Israeli forces demolish several steel structures in the nearby Palestinian bedouin village al-‘Araqib. This is the 80th time Israeli authorities have ordered demolitions in the village since 2010, when it was 1st targeted. (JP, MEE, MNA, NYT, TOI, WAFA 1/14; MNA, PCHR, WAFA 1/15; EI 1/16; PCHR 1/22; OCHA 1/23)

Hamas reactivates Gaza’s separate Palestinian Legislative Council and convenes a session of the body, a move that contravenes the national reconciliation deal that was announced on 4/23. No other parties attend the session. The decision comes after 2 weeks of increased tension between Hamas and the PA unity govt. (AFP, MNA, NYT 1/14; MNA 1/15)

PA Pres. Abbas meets with Egyptian pres. al-Sisi in Cairo to discuss Abbas’s proposed resubmission of the draft UNSC res. and the reconstruction of the Gaza Strip. (MNA, REU, WAFA 1/14)

U.S. Secy. of State Kerry meets with Iranian FM Zarif in Geneva to discuss the negotiations over Iran’s disputed nuclear program. Kerry says he is hoping to “accelerate the process to make greater progress,” but he will not participate in the coming 3 days of bilateral talks or the broader talks between reps. of Iran and the full P5+1 on 1/18. (ALM 1/17)

In the Sinai Peninsula, the Sinai Province of the Islamic State kills 3 bedouins suspected of collaborating with Israel. (MNA 1/15)

Off the coast of the Gaza Strip nr. Bayt Lahiya, Israeli naval forces open fire on Palestinian fishermen on 3 separate occasions, causing no damage or injuries. In the West Bank, the IDF conducts house searches and arrest raids in Nablus and 1 nearby village and 1 village nr. Hebron; patrols in 3 villages nr. Hebron, 2 villages nr. Jericho, and 1 village nr. Ramallah. IDF troops violently disperse Palestinian, Israeli, and international protesters at weekly demonstrations against Israel’s separation wall, settlements, and occupation in 2 villages nr. Ramallah (Bil‘in and Nabi Salih) and 1 village nr. Qalqilya (Kafr Qaddum). There are no serious injuries, except in Nabi Salih, where 1 person is struck by a tear gas canister. Meanwhile, Israeli settlers set fire to around 100 trees nr. Salfit. (MNA 10/10; PCHR 10/16)

PM Hamdallah and other ministers from the Palestinian unity govt. head from Gaza to Cairo ahead of the Gaza reconstruction conference on 10/12. Separately, the PA releases its plan for the recovery and reconstruction of the Gaza Strip. It estimates that the whole process will cost $4 b., along with an additional $500 m. for the PA to administer the efforts. (MNA 10/10) (See Doc. B4 in JPS 174 for more on the plan.)

Off the coast of the Gaza Strip nr. Bayt Lahiya, Israeli naval forces open fire on Palestinian fishermen, causing no damage or injuries. IDF troops open fire on gravel collectors nr. the Gaza border fence, injuring 2. In the West Bank, the IDF patrols in Hebron and 2 villages and al-Fawar r.c. nearby, in Salfit and 1 nearby village, and in 1 village nr. Jenin during the day. (PCHR 9/25)

An anonymous Israeli official tells the media that indirect cease-fire talks will recommence in Cairo on 9/23. Egyptian media, meanwhile, report that Hamas and Fatah will hold talks over national reconciliation before the joint Palestinian delegation opens negotiations with the Israelis in Cairo. (HA, REU, WAFA 9/20)

An Israeli drone crashes inside s. Lebanon. The IDF says a technical malfunction, rather than a targeted attack, caused the crash. (AFP, JP 9/20)

In the West Bank, the IDF conducts house searches and arrest raids in Hebron and 2 nearby villages late at night; patrols in 1 village each nr. Hebron, Ramallah, and Salfit. In East Jerusalem, Israeli security forces raid a number of houses in Issawiyya, arresting 2 Palestinians. (PCHR 9/11)

Israeli soldiers deliver land confiscation orders to Palestinians nr. Yatta s. of Hebron, declaring the seizure of 2,000 dunams (around 500 acres) of Palestinian-owned land for military purposes. (MNA, WAFA 9/7) 

PA Pres. Abbas arrives in Cairo for a 3-day visit. On arrival, Abbas says that Hamas is jeopardizing the PA unity govt. “There are 27 under secys. of ministries who are running the Gaza Strip, and the national unity govt. cannot do anything on the ground,” he says. Meanwhile, ahead of a meeting with Abbas, Arab League secy.-gen. Nabil al-‘Arabi says that the Palestinian leader is ready for “real negotiations” with Israel in line with “the principles established in international resolutions.” (HA, ToI 9/6)

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)

The Palestinian and Israeli negotiators agree on an open-ended cease-fire deal, which PA Pres. Abbas confirms in a brief televised address. The agreement contains 3 points: Israel will permit humanitarian aid and construction material to enter Gaza; Israel will restore the fishing zone from 3 to 6 naut. mi. away from the shore, and gradually extend it to 12 by the end of 2014; and indirect negotiations will continue within 1 mo. in Cairo to deal with the remaining disputes, including Hamas’s demand for sea and airports in Gaza, and the release of recently rearrested prisoners who were released in the Shalit deal. Additionally, talks between Palestinian officials and Egyptian authorities are scheduled to take place soon with the goal of opening the Rafah crossing permanently. Israeli PM Netanyahu agrees to the cease-fire deal without putting it to a vote in the security cabinet, a move reportedly opposed by Economy Minister Naftali Bennett. Haaretz reports that over half of the security cabinet would have voted against the deal. (AFP, AJ, AP, HA, JP, MNA, NYT, WP 8/26)

In the Gaza Strip, the IDF continues its assault and armed Palestinian groups continue firing projectiles into Israel until the new ceasefire goes into effect in the evening. The Israeli air force hits approximately 32 targets, while IDF troops stationed along the border fence open fire on 3 occasions, 2 with artillery and 1 with live ammunition. Six Palestinians die in the attacks, and dozens are injured. Among the targets in Gaza is the so-called Italian building, a 13-story residential and commercial complex. Though the building is mostly empty at the time of the Israeli strikes, its destruction leaves around 70 families homeless. Prior to the cease-fire, the armed Palestinian groups launch more than 180 projectiles into Israel, killing 2 Israelis and wounding 5. In the West Bank, 7 Israeli settlers attack a Palestinian nr. Jerusalem with knives and stones, leaving him unconscious. The IDF conducts house searches and raids in Nablus, 3 villages nr. Hebron, 3 villages nr. Ramallah, Jenin, 1 village nr. Jenin, and Tulkarm, arresting 17; patrols in 2 villages nr. Hebron and 2 villages nr. Salfit. In East Jerusalem, dozens of Palestinians gather in Bayt Hanina, al-Tur, and Wadi al-Juz to celebrate the cease-fire announcement and Israeli security forces disperse the celebrations with waste water, sound bombs, and tear gas. One Palestinian is arrested in Wadi al-Juz. (MNA, REU, YA 8/26; HA 8/27; PCHR 8/28)

In the Gaza Strip, the IDF continues its assault with strikes on around 53 targets, killing 12 Palestinians and injuring dozens more. Also, IDF troops stationed nr. the border shell areas across the fence with artillery in 2 incidents. The armed Palestinian groups launch over 120 projectiles into Israel; of which, 102 land in open areas, 4 in urban areas, and 16 are intercepted by Iron Dome batteries. Also, Israeli authorities reopen the Erez border crossing, after closing it on 8/24. In the West Bank, a Palestinian teenager dies from injuries sustained in clashes with IDF troops on 8/15. The IDF conducts house searches and raids in 2 neighborhoods in Ramallah, Tulkarm r.c., and 1 suburb of Tulkarm, arresting 4. During the day, IDF troops conduct patrols in al-Fawar r.c., Hebron, and 1 village nr. Hebron; establish mobile checkpoints in 1 village nr. Hebron and 2 villages nr. Ramallah. In a village nr. Salfit, PA security forces detain 3 armed Israeli settlers and turn them over to IDF troops. In East Jerusalem, Israeli security forces enter Silwan to set up a mobile checkpoint and raid several houses. Stone-throwing Palestinian youth clash with the soldiers, but there are no arrests or injuries. (HA 8/25; PCHR 8/28)

Israeli and Palestinian negotiators return to Cairo and reports appear in the press of a potential breakthrough. Senior Islamic Jihad officials Khalid al-Batsh and Ziad Nakhleh are quoted saying they believe an agreement will be made within hours. Lebanon-based Hamas official Usama Hamdan says “there has been positive and fast progress.” An anonymous Palestinian official says that the Palestinian delegation would accept the new Egyptian proposal that would open the crossings into Gaza for aid and construction material, and defer disputed points to further negotiations to be held in 1 mo. Notably, Egypt requires the Rafah crossing to be negotiated with the Palestinians directly, separate from the indirect negotiations with the Israelis. Later in the day, however, senior Hamas official Musa Abu Marzuq says that there has been no progress in talks. (HA, JP, MNA, ToI, Yahoo! 8/25)

In closed meetings at the UN headquarters in New York, U.S. diplomats present principles for a UNSC res. that would call for a cease-fire in Gaza and conduct meetings with their German, French, and British counterparts, as well as Jordanians, in the hope of reconciling the 3 different proposals. The U.S. has sent Israel and Egypt a draft of the principles in the past 2 days. The Jordanian draft includes an international monitoring mechanism and the other 2 do not. (JP, REU 8/25)

In the Gaza Strip, the IDF continues its assault with air strikes on over 50 targets, killing 18 Palestinians and injuring dozens more. Also,IDF troops stationed nr. the border shell areas across the fence with artillery in 3 incidents. The armed Palestinian groups launch approximately 135 projectiles into Israel; of which, 125 land in open areas, 5 in urban areas, and 10 are intercepted by Iron Dome batteries. Israeli authorities temporarily close the Erez border crossing, except for humanitarian cases, in response to a mortar shell wounding 3 Israelis nearby, which is claimed by al-Qassam Brigades. In the West Bank, approximately 400 Israeli settlers, escorted by IDF troops, enter a village nr. Salfit to visit religious monuments. In a village w. of Ramallah, IDF troops open fire with live ammunition and tear gas on a group of stone-throwing Palestinian youth, injuring 1. Separately, IDF troops fire tear gas at Palestinian children on their way to school in a village s. of Hebron; establish 5 mobile checkpoints around Ramallah; and conduct patrols in Hebron and 2 villages nr. Jericho. Late at night, the IDF conducts 1 house search and arrest raid in a village nr. Hebron. In East Jerusalem, Israeli security forces enter Wadi al-Juz to set up a mobile checkpoint and raid 2 houses. (JP, JTA, YA 8/24; HA 8/25; PCHR 8/28) 

Israeli PM Netanyahu says that OPE will continue until its goals are reached, in comments to the press ahead of a special cabinet meeting at the Israeli Defense Ministry. Also, the Israeli govt. calls up 10,000 additional reserve troops. (AP, HA 8/24; AFP, HA 8/25)

After meetings with Arab League secy.-gen. Nabil al-‘Arabi and reps. of several Palestinian factions, PA Pres. Abbas returns to Ramallah from Cairo. Abbas will meet with senior Palestinian officials to further develop his new diplomatic initiative before U.S. Secy. of State Kerry visits in the coming days. Meanwhile, Hamas leader Khalid Mishal says in an interview with Iranian TV that Hamas would not return to negotiations in Cairo. (JP 8/24; HA, ToI 8/25)

In the Gaza Strip, the IDF continues its assault, launching air strikes on approximately 47 targets, killing 38 Palestinians and injuring dozens. Among the 38 are 3 high-ranking commanders in al-Qassam Brigades, who are killed overnight by Israeli fighter jets in Rafah. Five Palestinian civilians are also killed in the strike and at least 40 are injured. The armed Palestinian groups fire 109 rockets and mortars into Israel, with 7 landing in built-up areas and 13 intercepted by Iron Dome batteries. One Israeli man is injured with mortar shrapnel nr. Eshkol. Meanwhile, Hamas executes 3 alleged collaborators with Israel, and arrests 7 others. In the West Bank, IDF troops level land nr. Salfit to clear space for an Israeli settlement to expand. Also, the IDF conducts house searches and raids in 4 villages nr. Hebron, Dayr Istya, ‘Askar r.c., al-Bireh, and Bayt Liqya, arresting 9 and issuing summons to 2. Clashes break out with Palestinians in Bayt Liqya, and the Israeli soldiers open fire with live ammunition, tear gas canisters, and sound bombs. Separately, the IDF conducts 4 separate incursions into Hebron and 3 villages n. of Jericho. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces and municipal officials enter Silwan to hand demolition notices to the owners of 2 apartment buildings where 19 Palestinians live. (MNA 8/21; HA 8/22; PCHR 8/28)

There is no major diplomatic progress as disagreements that led to the breakdown of talks on 8/19 remain between the Palestinian factions and the Israeli negotiators. Mishal says in an interview with Turkish Anadolu News Agency that Hamas will keep fighting until Israel meets its terms for a permanent truce, while Israel’s Maj. Gen. Yoav Mordechai says that Israel will not hold cease-fire negotiations as long as rocket fire from Gaza continues. PA Pres. Abbas travels again to Doha where he will meet with Qatari emir Bin Hamad al-Thani and Hamas leader Mishal to discuss the continued Israeli assault and possible future cease-fire negotiations. Also present are head of the Palestinian delegation in Cairo Azzam al-Ahmad, PLO chief negotiator Saeb Erakat, and PA intelligence chief Majid Faraj. (AA, HA 8/21; MEMO, MNA 8/22)

In the Gaza Strip, the IDF and armed Palestinian groups largely hold to the new 5-day cease-fire, though Palestinians fire 8 rockets into Israel and IDF troops conduct a number of air strikes. Meanwhile, 3 Palestinians die of injuries sustained earlier in the Israeli assault. In the West Bank, IDF troops shoot and injure a Palestinian in Aida r.c. in Bethlehem during an arrest raid. The IDF conducts house searches and arrest raids in 1 village each nr. Hebron and Salfit at night; patrols in 3 villages nr. Hebron and al-Fara‘a r.c. nr. Tubas during the day. A Jewish settler runs over a Palestinian nr. Salfit and kills him. In East Jerusalem, Israeli security forces arrest dozens of Palestinians in Silwan, Shu‘fat, and the Old City, taking the number of those detained since the murder of Abu Khdeir to more than 600. (AFP, AP, HA, JP, MNA, REU, YA 8/14; PCHR 8/15)

Upon his arrival in Gaza from Cairo, Hamas official Khalil al-Hayya says that there is “still a real chance to clinch an agreement” for a longer-term deal. An unnamed Egyptian official tells Haaretz that “the emerging agreement will be the most detailed that has been signed between Israel and the Palestinians since the Oslo accords” and that, if successful, it “would set up a new framework of relations between Israel and a Palestinian govt., because without it there will be no way to implement the agreement’s clauses.” Islamic Jihad official Ziad al-Nahla, in Cairo for the talks, says that the long-term cease-fire is a “done deal.” (AFP, AP, HA, JP, MNA, REU, YA 8/14)

In Tel Aviv, approximately 10,000 Israelis gather in Rabin Square to demonstrate support for the assault on Gaza and call on the govt. to stop rocket attacks. (AFP, AP 8/15)

In the Gaza Strip, the IDF and armed Palestinian groups maintain the new 72-hour cease-fire. In the West Bank, the IDF conducts house searches and arrest raids in 2 villages nr. Jenin, and 1 village each nr. Jericho and Salfit at night; patrols in 2 villages nr. Ramallah and 1 village nr. Jenin during the day. In East Jerusalem, Israeli security forces conduct widespread raids in the Old City, Silwan, Issawiyya, al-Tur, Suwana, and Shu‘fat, detaining 57 Palestinians. There are clashes in al-Tur and Issawiyya, and Israeli security forces injure 26 Palestinians with rubbercoated metal bullets.

During negotiations between reps. of Israel and the Palestinian delegation in Cairo, Israeli officials brief the media that there are large gaps remaining between the sides. These include disagreements over the opening of Gaza’s border crossings, including Rafah, and how the crossings will be supervised. According to a Palestinian source, Hamas insists on a total end to the blockade, rather than an “easing,” and objects to limitations on the entry of construction materials like cement and steel. Anonymous Egyptian sources express optimism about the possibility of reaching an agreement before the end of the cease-fire at midnight. Hamas official Ihab al-Ghossein says he is optimistic as “this time at least it is a real negotiation.” Islamic Jihad official Hassan Abdu says there have been “positive developments.” (AFP, AP, HA, JP, MNA, REU, YA 8/12; 8/13)

In the Gaza Strip, a new 72-hour cease-fire begins at midnight local time, and holds throughout the day. A 1-mo.-old Palestinian dies, succumbing to injuries sustained in earlier attacks. In the West Bank, IDF troops shoot and kill a Palestinian in a raid on Qabalan village nr. Nablus. The Israeli soldiers attack a building with grenades and heavy arms fire, before entering and shooting the man, according to residents. A Palestinian teenager is killed by Israeli ordnance nr. Tubas while tending sheep. The IDF conducts house searches and arrest raids in 1 village nr. Tulkarm in the morning, in 2 villages nr. Qalqilya and 1 village nr. Salfit in the afternoon; there are also 9 patrols. (AFP, AP, HA, JP, MNA, REU, YA 8/11; PCHR 8/12)

In Cairo, Israeli and Palestinian negotiators resume indirect talks mediated by Egyptian officials, with the Israeli delegation flying in and out in the same day. Hamas official al-Rishq says that his group is not opposed to placing the Rafah terminal under the control of the PA unity govt., as offered by Egypt and agreed to by Abbas. Israel reportedly agrees to several terms, including a gradual expansion of the fishing zone and easier passage for goods and people between the Gaza Strip and Israel and the West Bank. Palestinian negotiators reportedly say that they are willing to delay discussions over Gaza’s air and sea ports as long as the rest of their terms are met. (AFP, AP, HA, JP, MNA, REU, YA 8/11)

The IDF continues its assault on the Gaza Strip attacking over 30 targets with aircraft, tanks, and naval vessels, killing 17 Palestinians. Palestinians fire some 30 rockets into s. Israel, causing no damage or injuries. In the West Bank, Palestinian gunmen open fire on Israeli soldiers nr. Nablus, causing no injuries. The IDF conducts house searches and arrest raids in 1 village each nr. Ramallah and Salfit, and ‘Ayn al-Sultan r.c. nr. Jericho at night; patrols during the day in 8 villages nr. Ramallah, Jericho, and Salfit. (AFP, AP, HA, JP, MNA, REU, YA 8/9; PCHR 8/10)

Egyptian and Palestinian officials reportedly reach a new draft cease-fire agreement to present to Israel, which stipulates that the PA would take control of the Rafah crossing. Anonymous Israeli officials tell the media that their negotiators will not return to Cairo “as long as the shooting goes on.” Senior Hamas official Abu Marzuq says that the Palestinian delegation will leave Cairo on 8/10 unless Israel agrees to return to Egyptian-mediated negotiations. (AFP, AP, HA, JP, MNA, REU, YA 8/9)

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 continues its assault on the Gaza Strip by land, sea, and air, killing 92 Palestinians. In one strike, 10 mbrs. of one Palestinian family in the Rafah area are killed. In another incident, an Israeli air strike on a UN-run school in the s. Gaza Strip kills 10 and wounds 30. Armed Palestinian groups continue firing projectiles into Israel, with al-Qassam Brigades firing 119 rockets and mortar rounds, causing no serious injuries. In the West Bank, IDF troops shoot and injure a Palestinian child during clashes nr. Hebron. The IDF conducts house searches and arrest raids in 1 village each nr. Hebron, Jenin, and Salfit, and al-Jalazun r.c. nr. Ramallah at night. (AFP, AP, HA, JP, MNA, REU 8/3; PCHR 8/4)

UN Secy.-Gen. Ban denounces the Israeli attack that damages the UN school as a “moral outrage and a criminal act.” State Dept. spokesperson Psaki says in a statement that the U.S. is “appalled by today’s disgraceful shelling” and urges Israel to do more to prevent civilian casualties. The IDF says the strike was targeting Islamic Jihad operatives in the vicinity of the school. (AFP, AP, HA, JP, REU, YA 8/3)

Meanwhile, the IDF confirms that in the incident on 8/1 that led to the breakdown of the cease-fire, the soldier was killed in action rather than kidnapped, as was originally reported, and says that it is preparing for the final stage of the destruction of Hamas’s tunnels. (AFP, AP, HA, JP, REU 8/3)

A delegation of reps. from Hamas and Islamic Jihad arrives in Cairo to prepare for indirect cease-fire talks with Israeli officials, to be mediated by Egyptian and U.S. officials. Israel does not send envoys as scheduled. The Palestinian delegation, joining officials from the PA, presents joint demands for a cease-fire. (HA, JP, MNA, REU, YA 8/3)

Soon after the planned 72-hour cease-fire takes effect, it breaks down and the IDF continues its assault on the Gaza Strip, killing 160 Palestinians. Armed Palestinian groups resume rocket fire, launching 38 into Israel. IDF troops are primarily active in Shuja‘iya in e. Gaza City, Bayt Hanun in the n. Gaza Strip, and Khan Yunis in the s. Gaza Strip. The cease-fire breaks down after both sides accuse the other of violating it during an incident in s. Gaza. According to the IDF, 2 hours after the ceasefire began, al-Qassam Brigades fighters attacked IDF troops demolishing a tunnel, killing 2 and capturing 1. The Hamas armed wing denies reports of the capture, saying that the soldier might have been killed in clashes before the cease-fire began. In the West Bank, IDF troops shoot and kill 2 Palestinians in separate incidents. The 1st dies in clashes nr. Tulkarm during protests against the assault on Gaza, and the 2d dies in Safa nr. Ramallah in similar circumstances. In the clashes in Safa, 5 are injured by live ammunition and 10 by rubber-coated metal bullets. At Hawara checkpoint nr. Nablus, IDF troops shoot and injure 6 Palestinians with live ammunition during protests. In Hebron, meanwhile, around 50,000 residents protest the assault on Gaza, leading to clashes with IDF troops in which 90 Palestinians are injured with live fire and rubber-coated metal bullets. The IDF conducts house searches and arrest raids in 1 village nr. Salfit and al-Jalazun r.c.nr. Ramallah 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), and 1 village nr. Qalqilya (Kafr Qaddum). In Ni‘lin, 1 is seriously injured by a rubber-coated metal bullet; in Nabi Salih, 2 are seriously injured by rubber-coated metal bullets; and in Kafr Qaddum, 4 are wounded by rubber-coated metal bullets. In East Jerusalem, Palestinians clash with Israeli security forces in ongoing demonstrations against the Gaza offensive, causing dozens of injuries. The clashes happen in Shu‘fat r.c., Issawiyya, Silwan, al-Tur, al-Suwana, Abu Dis, al-‘Izzariya, al-Ram, Qalandia, and Anata. (AFP, AP, HA, JP, MNA, REU, YA 8/1; PCHR 8/2)

U.S. officials express outrage and disappointment at the breakdown of the ceasefire. U.S. Pres. Obama calls for the release of the soldier that was reported kidnapped and says it will be “very hard to put a cease-fire back together again if Israelis and the international community can’t feel confident that Hamas can follow through on a cease-fire commitment.” White House spokesperson Earnest says that the U.S. “would encourage those who have influence with Hamas to get them back on to the terms of the cease-fire and to get them to abide by the agreements that they struck just yesterday.” Meanwhile, Kerry calls Qatari FM Khalid bin Mohammed al-Attiyah and Turkish FM Ahmet Davutoğlu and urges them to use their influence with Hamas to release the soldier. Davutoğlu tells reporters that Turkey would do what it can. Kerry also speaks with PM Netanyahu and Pres. Abbas. Talks planned in Cairo are postponed until further notice. (AFP, AP, Guardian, HA, JP, MNA, REU, YA 8/1)

Saudi Arabia’s King Abdallah speaks for the 1st time in public on the Gaza violence and accuses Israel of “state-sponsored terrorism” in a televised speech. (Guardian, HA, MNA, REU 8/1)