The Palestine Chronology

A 3d mbr. of the Dawabsha family succumbs to injuries sustained in the Israeli settlers’ arson attack on her Duma home on 7/31 (her husband and 18-mo.-old child were also killed), sparking Palestinian demonstrations across East Jerusalem. Israeli forces violently disperse them in Silwan, al-Tur, and Wadi al-Juz, injuring 2 Palestinians. Meanwhile in the West Bank, Israeli forces assault 3 Palestinians outside a settlement nr. Hebron, moderately injuring them. IDF troops conduct late-night house searches and raids in al-Fawar r.c. and nr. Hebron and Jenin, arresting 3 Palestinians; patrol nr. Salfit, Qalqilya, and Hebron. On Gaza’s border e. of Jabaliya r.c., Israeli forces arrest 2 Palestinians attempting to cross into Israel for work. Meanwhile, the Egyptian authorities partially open the Rafah border crossing, allowing a number of Gazans to cross through for Hajj (they will open the crossing again on 9/8 and 9/9). (AFP, HA, MNA, NYT 9/7; HA, JP, MNA, WAFA 9/8; PCHR 9/10; OCHA 9/11)

Israeli forces demolish a 3-story building in Wadi al-Juz, making it the 19th Palestinian home demolished in East Jerusalem this year. Nearby, Israeli forces arrest 4 Palestinians on late-night raids in Issawiyya and Bayt Hanina. In the West Bank, Palestinian and international activists protest the expansion of the separation wall in Bayt Jala nr. Bethlehem (construction began on 8/17); IDF troops violently disperse protesters, arresting 1 Palestinian. Israeli forces demolish an agricultural structure in a village nr. Ramallah; patrol in al-‘Arub r.c. as well as nr. Hebron and Nablus. They also conduct latenight raids in Aida r.c. and 1 village each nr. Bethlehem and Hebron, arresting 3 Palestinians. In Gaza, Israeli forces conduct 2 limited incursions across the border fence late at night to level land nr. Bayt Hanun. (MNA, TOI, WAFA, YA 8/19; MNA, PCHR 8/20; PCHR 8/27)

The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) announces that, due to a recent string of donations, its budget shortfall has been alleviated sufficiently to allow the 2015–16 school year to proceed on time in its 685 schools across the Middle East. (AFP, MNA 8/19; WAFA 8/20)

In the Sinai Peninsula, unidentified assailants kidnap 4 mbrs. of Hamas traveling nr. Shaykh Zuwayd to Cairo by bus, which departed from the Rafah border crossing earlier in the day. Egyptian security sources suspect that the kidnappers are affiliated with the Sinai Province of the Islamic State. (MNA, REU 8/20)

IDF troops on the Gaza border e. of Rafah fire warning shots at Palestinian farmers approaching the border fence, causing no injuries. Off the coast nr. Gaza City, Israeli naval forces open fire on Palestinian fishing boats, causing no damage or injuries. In the West Bank, IDF troops violently disperse Palestinian, Israeli, and international protesters at weekly demonstrations against Israel’s separation wall, settlements, and occupation in 6 areas nr. Ramallah (Bil‘in, Ni‘lin, Nabi Salih, Silwad, Jalazun r.c., and outside Ofer Prison), and Kafr Qaddum nr. Qalqilya; 4 Palestinians suffer moderate bullet wounds. The IDF patrols in 4 villages nr. Ramallah, and 1 each nr. Jenin and Jericho. Late at night, Israeli soldiers conduct house searches and raids in 2 villages nr. Ramallah and 1 nr. Hebron, arresting 2 Palestinians, issuing 2 arrest summons, and sparking minor clashes. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces patrol in Wadi al-Juz, sparking minor clashes with stone-throwing Palestinian youth. (MNA 5/1, 5/2; PCHR 5/7)

In an interview with Haaretz, ICC prosecutor Bensouda says she is considering war crimes investigations into Palestinians and low-ranking Israeli soldiers. Her comments indicate an expanded scope from previous speculation that only high-level Israeli officials would be targeted. However, she repeats that she is still preliminarily examining evidence and that no investigations have been formally opened. (AFP, HA 5/1)

In Gaza, unknown assailants open fire on trucks at the Kerem Shalom border crossing, causing light damage to 1. In the West Bank, the IDF conducts house searches and raids in Qalqilya, 1 village nr. Ramallah, Tulkarm r.c. and 1 village nr. Tulkarm, as well as al-‘Arub r.c. and 1 village nr. Hebron, arresting 18 Palestinians; patrols in 2 villages nr. Jenin, 1 each nr. Qalqilya and Hebron, and ‘Aqabat Jabir r.c. nr. Jericho. Meanwhile, a group of armed men from the Balata r.c. shut down a main road in Nablus in protest of the PASF crackdown on the camp. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces confiscate the contents of a store in Hizma and demolish a residential building under construction in Wadi al-Juz. They also conduct raids in Silwan, assaulting 2 Palestinians and arresting 3. Meanwhile, the Jordan-funded Islamic Waqf begins renovations at Haram al-Sharif, and Israeli minister Uri Ariel calls for the project to be halted. In the Galilee, Palestinians in Kafr Kanna conduct a general strike in protest of the demolition in the village on 4/12. (MNA, TOI, WAFA, YA 4/13; MNA 4/14; PCHR, WAFA 4/16)

PA Pres. Abbas meets with Russian pres. Vladimir Putin in Moscow to discuss Russian-Palestinian relations, the Middle East peace negotiations, and other issues. (AFP 4/9; AFP, HA, TOI 4/13; REU 4/14)

U.S. Pres. Obama meets with several U.S. Jewish groups to discuss the “key parameters” announced on 4/2 by the P5+1 and Iran, and their concerns about Israel’s security. The groups include the AJC, ADL, the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations, the Jewish Federations of N. America, AIPAC, and J Street. (HA 4/13; HA, TOI 4/14; JP 4/23)

IDF troops on the Gaza border e. of Dayr al-Balah exchange light fire with unknown Palestinian fighters, causing no injuries. The IDF reports that its soldiers fired warning shots when they came under fire. In the West Bank, IDF troops shoot tear gas canisters at Palestinian youth in a village nr. Bethlehem, causing no serious injuries. Late at night, they raid the Jenin r.c., sparking clashes with residents; 1 Palestinian is injured and 2 are detained. The IDF also conducts house searches and raids in Hebron, arresting 3 Palestinians; constructs a military watchtower in c. Hebron overlooking a Palestinian girls’ school. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces demolish the foundations of 3 apartment buildings under construction in Jabal Mukabir and a home in Wadi al-Juz. They also conduct house searches and raids in the Old City, Issawiyya, Jabal Mukabir, and Wadi al-Juz, arresting 14 Palestinians. (HA, JP, MNA, WAFA 3/31; MNA 4/1; PCHR 4/2)

The PA cabinet rejects the Israeli govt.’s decision to make deductions from the recently unfrozen (3/27) tax revenue transfers to pay off the PA’s debts to Israeli utility providers, describing the deduction as collective punishment of Palestinians, a premeditated crime, and a violation of previous agreements. Meanwhile, the PA announces that Dep. PM and National Economy Min. Mustafa has resigned from the govt.; no official reasons are offered for his resignation. (AP, MNA, WAFA 3/31)

In Lausanne, Switzerland, reps. of the P5+1 and Iran agree to a 1-day extension to today’s deadline for reaching a political framework agreement on Iran’s nuclear program. (AFP, HA, NYT, TOI 3/31; HA 4/1)

In the West Bank, Israeli forces deliver stopwork notices to Palestinian homes and structures in 3 villages nr. Hebron. The IDF conducts raids and house searches in 3 villages nr. Ramallah, arresting 1 Palestinian; patrols in 1 village each nr. Hebron and Tulkarm. Israeli settlers destroy 1,200 almond and olive trees outside Hebron. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces conduct raids in Wadi al-Juz, arresting 1 Palestinian. (MNA, WAFA 3/26; MNA 3/28; PCHR 4/2)

Reps. of the Joint List and Palestinian activists begin a 4-day protest march from unrecognized bedouin villages in the Negev to the Israeli president’s residence in Jerusalem. Meanwhile, the Joint List requests 4 seats on the Knesset Finance Comm. in exchange for its allotted seats on the foreign affairs and defense comms., hoping to improve the position of Palestinian citizens of Israel. (HA 3/25; AFP, HA 3/26; HA 3/27)

U.S. Secy. of State Kerry and U.S. Energy Secy. Moniz meet with Iranian FM Zarif and Iran’s atomic energy chief Salehi in Lausanne, Switzerland, for the 1st of 8 days of negotiations on Iran’s nuclear program ahead of their 3/31 deadline for reaching a political accord. Afterward, Kerry calls Israeli PM Netanyahu to update him on the negotiations. (AP, HA, TOI 3/26; HA, REU 3/27)

In the Gaza Strip, Palestinians fire a rocket into s. Israel in the Eshkol region. Israel holds Hamas responsible and the IDF launches a latenight air strike at a Hamas military training site nr. Khan Yunis, causing damage to the site and a nearby UNRWA school. It is the 1st Israeli bombing in Gaza since the 8/26 cease-fire ended OPE. In the West Bank, Palestinians gather in Turmus ‘Ayya, Silwad, and Ofer detention center to protest the death of a senior PA official on 12/10, sparking clashes with IDF troops in which 9 Palestinians are injured with rubbercoated metal bullets and 2 are detained. In Silwad, Israeli soldiers deliberately fire at electricity transformers, causing a power outage. Also, IDF troops violently disperse Palestinian, Israeli, and international protesters at weekly demonstrations against Israel’s separation wall, settlements, and occupation nr. Ramallah (Bil‘in, Nabi Salih, and Ni‘lin), Bethlehem, and Qalqilya (Kafr Qaddum), shooting 1 in Bil‘in with a rubber-coated metal bullet and 1 in Ni‘lin. The IDF conducts an arrest raid nr. Qalqilya; patrols nr. Ramallah, Hebron, Jericho, Tulkarm, and Qalqilya. Meanwhile, dozens gather in Balata r.c. to celebrate the 47th anniversary of the PFLP. In East Jerusalem, nearly 60,000 Palestinians pray at Haram al-Sharif, then march through the streets of the Old City in protest of Israeli policies regarding the site. Later, Israeli forces conduct house searches and arrest raids in the Old City, al-Wad, Silwan, and al-Bustan. Clashes break out between Israeli police and stone-throwing Palestinians late at night in Wadi al-Juz, Anata, and Silwan. Police injure 3 Palestinians with rubber-coated metal bullets and arrest 5. (AP, HA, MNA, 12/19; AFP, HA, MNA, WAFA 12/20; PCHR 12/25)

U.S. Pres. Obama signs into law the U.S.-Israel Strategic Partnership Act, which includes increased intelligence and military cooperation and new congressional oversight procedures. (TOI 12/20; IHY, JP, JTA 12/21)

The UNGApasses 2 nonbinding res. regarding the Arab-Israeli conflict and Palestinian affairs: the 1st calls on Israel to pay Lebanon $856.4 m. in damages related to an oil spill Israeli forces caused during the 2006 war; the 2d recognizes Palestinian sovereignty over the natural resources in the oPt. (AFP, WAFA 12/20)

A leaked report from the IAEA concludes that Iran is upholding commitments made to the P5+1 related to its disputed nuclear program. (JP, REU 12/18)

In the Gaza Strip, a bomb explodes outside a Fatah-affiliated charity, lightly injuring 2 bystanders. Shipments of domestic-use gas into Gaza resume after a dispute between local officials and the PA unity govt. is resolved on 12/10. All public institutions, ministries, and charities go on strike in protest of the PA unity govt.’s failure to pay civil servants. Several civil society organizations coordinate cleaning campaigns in Gaza’s hospitals, as the sanitation workers’ strike continues for a 10th day. IDF troops stationed along the border e. of al-Bureij arrest 2 Palestinians attempting to cross into Israel. In the West Bank, 1,000s of Palestinians attend the funeral of Ziad Abu Ein in Ramallah. Palestinians gathered for the funeral clash with IDF troops in al-Bireh; 19 are injured from rubber-coated metal bullets. Meanwhile, over 100 Palestinians gather in c. Hebron to protest Abu Ein’s death, leading to 2 separate clashes with IDF soldiers. There are also demonstrations in Turmus ‘Ayya. During the day, Israeli soldiers arrest Palestinians at a checkpoints nr. Ramallah and Hebron. The IDF conducts arrest raids nr. Jenin and Hebron; patrols in Tulkarm and n. of Jenin. Late at night, unidentified assailants open fire on the home of an imprisoned Hamas MP in Hebron, causing damage. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces violently disperse 100s of Palestinians gathered to protest Abu Ein’s death in Shu‘fat r.c., Issawiyya, al-‘Izzariya, and Silwan. They conduct late-night arrest raids and house searches in Jabal Mukabir, Wadi al-Juz, Ras al-Amud, and Issawiyya. Meanwhile, 75 new security guards are added to the security detail at Haram al-Sharif in response to King Abdullah of Jordan’s request. (MNA 12/10; HA, JP, MNA, NYT 12/11; IMEMC, MNA 12/12; TOI 12/13; PCHR 12/18)

UN Special Coordinator Serry holds talks with senior Hamas official Abu Marzuq at the UN building in Gaza City. Serry calls on the PA unity govt. to take on its responsibilities stipulated in the cease-fire agreements, specifically staffing the border crossings. Outside the UN building, dozens of Palestinians gather for a sit-in protest in solidarity with Palestinian prisoners on hunger strike. (MNA, TOI 12/11)

Egyptian pres. Abdel Fattah al-Sisi travels to Jordan to hold talks with Jordan’s King Abdullah. They discuss the draft UNSC res. that Jordan plans to introduce on behalf of the Palestinians before 12/25. Meanwhile, Jordan’s House of Deps. votes to cancel its 9/2014 gas agreement with U.S. company Noble Energy. The MPs oppose increasing Jordan’s economic ties with Israel, despite Jordan’s ongoing energy crisis. (JT, MNA 12/11; JP 12/12; NYT 12/14)

The French Senate passes a nonbinding res. inviting the govt. to recognize Palestinian statehood. The French parliament previously passed a similar res. on 12/2. Meanwhile, the Swiss govt. invites all states party to the Fourth Geneva Convention, which includes every UN mbr. and Palestine, to attend a summit on 12/17 to discuss the situation in the oPt. (AFP, AP, HA 12/11; WAFA 12/13)

In the Gaza Strip, IDF troops along the n. border open fire on a group of Palestinian youth playing nr. the fence, seriously injuring 1. Later, a separate group of Israeli soldiers nearby opens fire on a group of Palestinian men approaching the border to throw stones at the soldiers, causing no injuries. Off the coast, Israeli naval forces open fire on Palestinian fishing boats. In the West Bank, IDF troops violently disperse Palestinians gathered for a sitin protest nr. al-Shuhada Street nr. Hebron; dozens suffer from tear gas inhalation. The Shuhada checkpoint has been closed since 11/22. The IDF conducts house searches and arrest raids nr. Nablus, Hebron, and Ramallah. In East Jerusalem late at night, IDF troops conduct raids and house searches in Ras al-Amud and Wadi al-Juz. In West Jerusalem, 3 mbrs. of the anti-Arab group Lehava torch 2 classrooms in a school where Arab and Jewish students study together and leave racist graffiti on the walls. (IMEMC, JP, MNA 11/29; HA, IMEMC, MEMO, REU 11/30; PCHR 12/4; HA 12/11)

In Cairo, the Arab League agrees to politically and financially back the Palestinians’ draft UNSC res. The financial backing would come in the form of monthly $100 m. cash donations to replace transfers of any tax revenues that Israel may punitively withhold. (AFP, HA 11/29; HA, WAFA 11/30; TOI 12/1; MDW 1/9)

Two Palestinian men attack a synagogue in West Jerusalem, killing 4 rabbis and 1 Druze policeman, and injuring around 8 others. Policemen shoot and kill the 2 men. Later in the day, Israeli security forces raid the men’s homes in Jabal Mukabir, East Jerusalem, and arrest 12 of their relatives. Clashes break out between Palestinians and Israeli officers in the neighborhood, injuring 22 Palestinians with tear gas and rubber-coated metal bullets. More clashes erupt in Sur al-Bahir, Wadi al-Juz, and al-Tur. Israeli PM Netanyahu orders the punitive demolition of the 2 men’s homes, and adds additional border police in Jerusalem. (HA, JP, MNA, NYT 11/18; MNA 11/19, 11/20; ALM 11/21)

A 15-year-old Palestinian dies in a hospital in Turkey, succumbing to injuries sustained on 7/21 in Gaza during Israel’s Operation Protective Edge (OPE). (PCHR 11/20)

In the Gaza Strip, public servants in ministry offices, schools, and public universities begin a general strike, protesting the fact that their full salaries haven’t been paid for over a year. In the West Bank, Palestinians nr. Tulkarm protest the recent Israeli violence in Jerusalem, sparking clashes with IDF soldiers. Dozens of Israeli settlers attack a Palestinian school in ‘Urif village nr. Nablus in response to the killing of the 4 rabbis, and IDF troops injure 6 Palestinians with rubber-coated metal bullets, including a Reuters cameraman. Meanwhile, an Israeli settler shoots and seriously injures a Palestinian youth after a settler demonstration e. of Ramallah and Israeli settlers attack a Palestinian home s. of Nablus. Separately, settlers throw rocks at Palestinian vehicles nr. Nablus and Hebron. IDF troops shoot and injure a Palestinian in Baytin village nr. Ramallah. Also, IDF troops search the Hebron homes of 2 of the Palestinian men accused of kidnapping and killing 3 Israeli settler teenagers on 6/12; and raid Bayt Umar village. In East Jerusalem, Israeli settlers stab a Palestinian man on the street in Kafr ‘Aqab, moderately injuring him. Separately, Israeli minister of internal security Yitzhak Aharonovitch enters Shu‘fat r.c. and Palestinian youth throw stones and bottles at him. In the ensuing clashes with Israeli security forces, several Palestinians suffer from tear gas inhalation. Israeli forces demolish the home of the Palestinian man who was killed by police after driving a vehicle into a group of pedestrians on 10/22. Also, Israeli police arrest a Palestinian man on the charge of incitement after he posts videos and images to a Facebook page supporting violence against Israelis. (MNA, SAFA, WAFA 11/18; MNA 11/19; PCHR 11/20; JP 11/24)

Palestinian bus drivers working for the Israeli bus company Egged go on strike in protest of the death of their colleague on 11/16. Over 40 of them quit after Egged decides not to provide additional security. (IMEMC 11/19; AFP 12/4)

Reps. of Iran and the P5+1 (U.S., UK, China, France, Russia, and Germany) resume negotiations in Vienna over Iran’s disputed nuclear program, aiming to meet the Joint Plan of Action’s extended deadline of 11/24. In London, U.S. Secy. of State Kerry meets with Oman’s FM Yusuf bin Alawi, a mediator in the talks with Iran. (GDN, HA 11/18; AP 11/19; NYT 11/20)

The Spanish parliament passes a symbolic res. urging recognition of Palestine as a state after Israel and the Palestinians negotiate a res. to their conflict. (IHY, REU 11/18)

In the West Bank, IDF troops shoot and kill a 14-year-old Palestinian during a weekly protest in Silwad nr. Ramallah. The IDF says that the youth, also a U.S. citizen, was holding a Molotov cocktail, but Palestinian witnesses deny the claim. State Dept. spokesperson Jen Psaki calls for a “speedy and transparent investigation.” IDF troops violently disperse protests outside Ofer detention center and in Jalazun r.c. nr. Ramallah, injuring 7 with live ammunition. The IDF conducts house searches and arrest raids in 1 village nr. Tulkarm; patrols in Jericho, as well as 1 village and ‘Aqabat Jabir r.c. nearby, 2 villages nr. Ramallah, Jenin and 1 nearby village, and 1 village each nr. Hebron and Qalqilya. Also, 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 Nil‘in) and 1 village nr. Qalqilya (Kafr Qaddum). There are no serious injuries. In East Jerusalem, Israeli authorities deny men under 40 entry to Haram al-Sharif. Meanwhile, Palestinians clash with Israeli security forces in Wadi al-Juz, Ras al-Amud, Silwan and Issawiyya. (AFP, AP, HA, MNA, REU 10/24; PCHR 10/30)

Ansar Bayt al-Maqdis attacks Egyptian soldiers nr. Shaykh Zuwayd and in al-Arish in the Sinai Peninsula, killing 31 with a car bomb, rocket-propelled grenades, and small arms. It is the deadliest single attack on Egyptian security forces in Sinai since the escalation of violence began after the 7/2013 military ouster of thenpres. Mohamed Morsi. In response, Pres. al-Sisi convenes an emergency meeting of his senior defense advisers, declares a state of emergency in some parts of n. Sinai, and closes the Rafah border crossing. (AP, JP 10/24; MNA 11/15)

In East Jerusalem, a 16-year-old Palestinian dies of wounds sustained during clashes on 8/31. In the immediate aftermath of his death, the IDF says that his injuries were incurred when he was hit in the leg with a sponge-tipped bullet and then fell, hitting his head on the ground, while the youth’s family says that he was shot in the head at close range. (A Palestinian autopsy will contradict the IDF and corroborate the family’s story on 9/14.) In response to his death, Palestinians protest in several neighborhoods, including Wadi al-Juz, where Israeli police respond to stone-throwing with rubber-coated metal bullets. In the French Hill settlement, Palestinian demonstrators throw Molotov cocktails at a gas station, causing damage. Off the coast of the Gaza Strip, Israeli naval forces open fire on Palestinian fishing boats in 2 separate incidents, causing no injuries or damage. In the West Bank, the IDF patrols in 4 villages nr. Ramallah, 2 villages nr. Salfit, and 1 village each nr. Hebron and Jenin. (HA, JP 9/7; PCHR 9/11; JP 9/15)

PA PM Rami Hamdallah says that the “govt. and the banks operating in the Palestinian territories were warned that if they make payments to former Hamas govt. employees in Gaza then the govt. and the people will be boycotted.” Separately, PA Pres. Abbas tells Palestinian media that “we will not accept the situation with Hamas continuing as it is at the moment.” Meanwhile, PA Dep. PM Muhammad Mustafa says that the PA is “looking for a temporary solution” to the problem of salaries for Hamas-appointed civil servants in the Gaza Strip, like sending money “through nongovernmental organizations such as the UN or any other entity.” He adds, “We want to avoid any legal confrontation with the U.S. whose law prohibits channelling money to Hamas because it’s blacklisted as a terrorist organization.” (AFP, MNA, WAFA 9/7)

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 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)

The IDF raids al-Quds Open University campus in Hebron, holds 52 students and staff for interrogation for 3 hrs. until the Temporary International Presence in Hebron intervenes; raids, searches Palestinian homes nr. Nablus, Ramallah; conducts late night arrest raids, house searches in and around Ramallah, nr. Bethlehem. Also in Gaza, 1 Italian, 1 French journalist are kidnapped, quickly released by unidentified gunmen who say they wanted to pressure the PA to address employment issues in the Strip. In Bayt Lahiya, suspected militant Fatah mbrs. shoot, wound PA military intelligence official Bassam Azzam (who was close to assassinated military intelligence cmdr. Musa Arafat). Later, suspected Hamas mbrs. kidnap, shoot, then dump seriously wounded senior Fatah official Samir al-Juz in Bayt Lahiya. Soon after, a previously unknown group calling itself the Omar Bin al-Khattab Brigades (OBKB; suspected to be made up of disaffected PA General Intelligence officers angry over the 10/2 clashes) kidnaps senior Hamas mbrs. (Bassam Obeido, Hassan Safi, Ra’id Raz) in Bethlehem, Hebron, and Tulkarm, stating that “this is a response to Hamas’s violations and disregard for law and order and their attacks on security institutions and Palestinian leaders.... This is our first response”; Hamas blames elements of Fatah; the AMB says it is not involved. (HA, IMEMC, JAZ 10/6; Irish Examiner 10/7; AFP, NYT 10/8; MEI 10/12; PCHR 10/13)

The IDF shells Hamas's press office in Nablus, killing 8 Palestinians, wounding 7. Among the fatalities are Hamas political leaders Jamal Mansur and Jamal Salim, the targets of assassination and prominent public figures known for running a network of welfare programs and medical clinics. Also killed are Fahim Dawabsha, another Hamas mbr. on Israel's wanted list; 2 journalists interviewing Mansur; 2 children outside the building. The attack triggers firefights, especially around Jerusalem; mortar strikes; and 2 ambushes of Jewish settler vehicles that leave 7 settlers wounded. 100s of Palestinians gather outside the Hamas office to protest. Sharon terms the attack "one of our most important successes." The State Dept. "strongly deplores" the "highly provocative" incident. Egypt's Mubarak sends an "urgent letter" to Bush pressing for U.S. to intervene with Israel. Meanwhile, the IDF demolishes 2 Palestinian homes in Shu`fat; sends tanks, bulldozers into Bayt Sahur to shell residential areas, demolish part of a home, a water network; directs heavy machine gun fire at residential areas of Bayt Jala, Gaza City, al-Khadir, Khan Yunis, Rafah; bulldozes additional land outside Ramallah; conducts arrest sweeps in Bayt Hanina, East Jerusalem, Shu`fat, al-Tur, Wadi al-Juz; sets up a new checkpoints nr. Nablus, Ramallah, Zawata; tightens the closures on Salfit, Tulkarm. IDF soldiers also severely beat 2 journalists at a checkpoint nr. Qalandiyya; 2 Palestinians are killed in clashes elsewhere. Jewish settlers vandalize Palestinian cars in East Jerusalem. (AP, HP, LAW, PMC, REU 7/31; MENA 7/31 in WNC 8/1; MENA 7/31, ATL, JT, MA, MENA, XIN 8/1 in WNC 8/2; NYT, WP, WT 8/1; XIN 8/1, AN 8/2 in WNC 8/3; HP 8/2; MENA 8/4 in WNC 8/6; LAW 8/6; JP, MEI 8/10)

A PA security court sentences 4 Palestinians to death for collaborating with Israel in the assassination of senior Fatah official Thabet Thabet on 12/31/00. A 5th defendant is acquitted. (WT 8/1; AYM 8/4 in WNC 8/10; WT 8/7)

The UNSC votes unanimously to extends the UNIFIL mandate through the end of 1/02, implement the staged troop reduction endorsed on 5/18. (UN press release 7/31; AFP 8/1 in WNC 8/2; MEI 8/10)