The Palestine Chronology

Israeli forces punitively shut down shops in al-Ram village and conduct a series of raids on homes in Silwan belonging to family mbrs. of the Palestinian who injured 4 Israelis and killed 2 in a shooting in Sheikh Jarrah on 10/9. The raids spark clashes with stone-throwing Palestinians across Silwan; 1 Palestinian is shot and killed with live ammunition. Israeli troops return to al-Ram in the evening, conducting a series of raids and sparking further clashes with Palestinian youths; 4 Palestinians are injured. Elsewhere, 184 right-wing Jewish activists tour Haram al-Sharif. Their Israeli police escort assaults and arrests 1 Palestinian youth. In the West Bank, Israeli forces carry out the punitive demolition of the Nablus apartment of a Palestinian accused of planning the shooting attack on 10/1/2015 that left 2 Israeli settlers dead. Meanwhile, IDF troops conduct a raid in Ni‘lin village nr. Ramallah, sparking minor clashes with stone-throwing residents; there are no serious injuries. Late at night, they conduct further raids in Ni‘lin, arresting 3 Palestinians. The IDF patrols nr. Hebron and Nablus during the day. (EI, HA, JP, MNA, TOI, WAFA, YA 10/11; HA, MNA, WAFA, YA 10/12; PCHR 10/13)

Ahead of the start of Yom Kippur at sunset, the Israeli police and IDF implement a 48-hour general closure of East Jerusalem, the West Bank, and Gaza just after midnight. All border crossings between the West Bank, Gaza, and Israel will be closed, except for humanitarian cases. The police place roadblocks around Jerusalem, preventing Palestinians from driving into Jewish neighborhoods and blocking them from some main streets entirely. (HA, MNA, TOI 10/11)

IDF troops shoot and kill an unarmed Palestinian at a military post outside Ofra settlement nr. Ramallah. The man does not open fire on the soldiers, despite initial reports to the contrary. A Palestinian official later says that the slain Palestinian suffered from mental disabilities and that he had entered the military area by accident. In an uncharacteristic response, the IDF does not label the man a terrorist. Israeli forces return the man’s body to his family in the evening. Meanwhile, Israeli forces shoot and kill a Palestinian driver in Silwan, East Jerusalem, because they think he is attempting to ram them. The police later report that the man was drunk and not attempting a ramming attack. Elsewhere in the West Bank, the IDF violently disperses Palestinians, Israelis, and international activists at Friday demonstrations against Israel’s occupation, settlements, and separation wall in 3 villages nr. Ramallah (Bil‘in, Ni‘lin, and Nabi Salih), Kafr Qaddum nr. Qalqilya, and along Gaza’s border nr. Gaza City; 1 Palestinian is injured. IDF troops conduct raids and house searches in 2 villages nr. Hebron and in Balata r.c. nr. Nablus, arresting 2 Palestinians and sparking minor clashes (there are no serious injuries); and patrol in 3 villages nr. Hebron during the day. Israeli troops also deploy crowd-control measures on Palestinians attending a soccer match in al-Ram nr. Jerusalem. Around 1,200 Palestinians suffer tear gas inhalation. (HA, MNA, TOI 8/26; PCHR 9/1)

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)

In the Gaza Strip, IDF troops open fire on Palestinian farmers close to the border fence nr. Khan Yunis, causing no injuries. Off the coast nr. al-Sudaniyya, Israeli naval vessels open fire on Palestinian fishermen, injuring 1. In the West Bank, a Palestinian man is arrested at Tapuach Junction nr. Nablus while wearing an explosive belt. Reports in the Israeli media suggest the individual was acting alone. The IDF conducts house searches and arrest raids in 1 village nr. Jenin in the morning, and in 1 village each nr. Hebron and Tulkarm at night; patrols in 1 village nr. Ramallah in the afternoon, and in 3 villages each nr. Hebron and 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 each nr. Bethlehem (al-Ma‘sara), Qalqilya (Kafr Qaddum), and Salfit (Kafr al-Dik). There are no serious injuries, except in Bil‘in, where 1 is hit with a tear gas canister, and Ni‘lin, where 1 is hit by a bullet. Meanwhile, a car driven by an Israeli settler nr. al-Ram is hit by small arms fire, according to the Israeli army, causing no injuries. (HA, MNA, REU 5/30; PCHR 6/5)

U.S. State Dept. spokesperson Jen Psaki says that the U.S. has not invited PA PM Hamdallah to Washington, contrary to a claim made by senior Fatah official al-Ahmad. Al-Ahmad reportedly says also that the Obama administration plans to recognize the new PA unity govt., but Psaki denies the comments. Meanwhile in Gaza, Hamas PM Ismail Haniyeh says that the final disputes about the formation of the unity cabinet are “under control” and there is “no turning back.” (JP, MNA 5/30; JP 5/31)

In the West Bank, the IDF conducts house searches and arrest raids in 1 village nr. Hebron at night; patrols in 1 village each nr. Hebron and Qalqilya in the afternoon, 3 villages nr. Hebron and 1 village nr. Qalqilya at night. In East Jerusalem, IDF troops open fire with live ammunition and rubber-coated metal bullets on Palestinian protesters in al-Ram, injuring 9.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 4 are injured (2 by rubber-coated metal bullets and 2 by tear gas canisters). (MNA 10/4; PCHR 10/10)

PA Pres. Abbas meets with U.S. peace process envoy Martin Indyk in Ramallah, to discuss efforts to create a positive climate for the ongoing but stuttering peace talks. (JP 10/4)

Supporters of ousted pres. Morsi demonstrate attempt to march into Tahrir Square, Cairo, with the Egyptian military keeping them out with force, including live ammunition. Clashes in other neighborhoods kill at least 4. (AP, REU 10/4)

Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu finalizes a deal to form a new coalition government comprising of his joint Likud-Yisrael Beiteinu list, Yesh Atid (19 seats), Bayit Yehudi (12 seats), and Hatnua (6 seats), giving the Likud leader control of 68 Knesset seats (out of 120). For the first time in a decade, an Israeli coalition government does not include any ultra-Orthodox parties. (BBC, REU 3/15)

A Palestinian man dies from heart problems brought on by inhaling tear gas fired by the IDF during clashes 3 weeks ago. After his funeral in al-Ram nr. Jerusalem, Palestinians clash with IDF forces (no serious injuries reported). In the West Bank, the IDF patrols in 2 villages nr. Ramallah in the morning; in Hebron, al-Fawar r.c. and al-‘Arub r.c. nr. Hebron in the afternoon; and 1 in village nr. Jericho and 1 village nr. Tulkam at night. IDF soldiers conduct house searches and arrest raids in 1 village nr. Jenin in the afternoon and in 2 villages nr. Hebron at night. The regular weekly nonviolent demonstrations by Palestinians, Israelis, and internationals against the Israeli occupation this week also express solidarity with Palestinian prisoners held by Israel. The demonstrations are also more widespread that usual (cf. 3/8), occurring in 5 villages nr. Ramallah (Abud, Bayt Liqia, Bil`in, Budrus, Ni’lin), 2 villages nr. Bethlehem (al-Khader, al-Ma’sara), Shuhada Street in Hebron, and 1 village nr. Qalqilya (Kafr Qaddum). The IDF violently disperses the demonstrations, but no serious injuries are reported. (MNA 3/15; PCHR 3/21)

In the evening, IDF troops on the Gaza border e. of Gaza City fire an artillery shell at a Palestinian home but it does not explode, causing damage but no injuries to the 4 adults and 8 children inside. In the West Bank, the IDF patrols in 4 villages nr. Ramallah, 2 nr. Qalqilya and 1 nr. Tulkarm during the day; conducts late-night patrols in Jenin town and r.c., 4 villages nr Jenin, 2 nr. Qalqilya, 2 nr. Salfit, 1 nr. Tulkarm. Palestinians (sometimes accompanied by Israeli and international activists) hold weekly nonviolent demonstrations against the separation wall, land confiscations, and settlement expansion in Bil’in, Nabi Salih, and Ni`lin; demonstrations in Bil’in also call for solidarity with Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails. IDF soldiers fire rubber-coated steel bullets, tear gas, and stun grenades at the protesters, causing no reported injuries. Palestinians and international activists also hold 3 large nonviolent demonstrations and marches in various parts of Hebron to mark the 18th anniversary of the Tomb of the Patriarchs massacre. IDF soldiers fire foul-smelling skunk spray, rubber-coated steel bullets, tear gas, and stun grenades at the protesters. In total, 13 Palestinians are moderately injured and hospitalized 27 are lightly injured and treated by medical crews at the scene, and 2 Palestinians and 1 international are arrested. (PCHR 3/1; OCHA 3/2)

Meanwhile, Palestinians responding to rumors (claimed by Israel to be false) that Israeli security forces plan to escort a group of right-wing Jews onto the al-Aqsa Mosque compound march on the IDF’s al-Ram checkpoint into Jerusalem, blocking the access road with burning tires, throwing stones, and setting off fire works, injuring 11 Israeli soldiers and border police. The IDF fires live ammunition, tear gas, and percussion grenades at the protesters, killing 1 Palestinian. (WP 2/27; PCHR 3/1)

Speaking at Friday prayers in Cairo’s al-Azhar Mosque, Hamas’s acting PM in Gaza, Haniyeh, issues the movement’s 1st public call supporting the Syrian opposition, stating: “I salute all people of the Arab Spring . . . and I salute the heroic people of Syria who are striving for freedom, democracy, and reform.” (NYT, WP 2/25; JPI 3/9)

Israel allows 973 Palestinians to transit through the Rafah crossing (881 going into Egypt, 92 returning to Gaza). In the West Bank, IDF troops catch a Palestinian man attempting to scale the separation wall in al-Ram to gain access to Jerusalem to find work; they force the man to stand on top of the wall and jump to the ground, causing him to fracture both legs; they then order him to crawl to a military jeep where they handcuff him before giving him medical attention. The IDF also fires rubbercoated steel bullets, stun grenades, tear gas, and skunk at stone-throwing Palestinians protesting the separation wall in Bil‘in; fires rubber-coated steel bullets, stun grenades, tear gas at Palestinian and international activists demonstrating against the separation wall in Ni‘lin, causing no serious injuries; fire stun grenades and tear gas at Palestinian, Israeli, and international activists nr. Nablus protesting the IDF’s bulldozing of large areas of Palestinian land for the expansion of Brakha settlement. (OCHA, PCHR 8/13)

As massive Israeli strikes on Gaza enter a 2d day, IDF Southern Command head Maj. Gen. Yo’av Galant says (HA 12/28) that the IDF aims to “send Gaza decades into the past” in terms of Hamas’s leadership, weaponry, and smuggling capabilities while achieving “the maximum number of enemy casualties.” Israel’s security cabinet authorizes the IDF to call up 6,500 reservists, and the IDF begins massing tanks and troops on Gaza’s border, indicating planning for a ground incursion. Israel’s Homefront Command orders 80 factories and businesses within 3 mi. of the Gaza border to close indefinitely for their safety (a move expected [WJW 1/1] to cost Israel’s economy $1 m./day), indicating concerns of increased Palestinian rocket fire once ground operations begin. Israeli Military Intelligence breaks into Palestinian radio broadcasts to warn Gazans against cooperating with Hamas. The IDF drops 300,000 leaflets across Gaza warning residents to evacuate areas where Hamas is operating or storing weapons or to remain at their own risk. The Israeli FMin. opens an international media broadcast outlet in Sederot (a main target of Palestinian rockets), begins tours of Sederot and other Gaza border communities for foreign media, diplomats, and VIPs. (Israel continues to prevent the foreign media fr. entering Gaza.)

Israeli actions: The IDF reports air and naval bombardment of 100 sites across Gaza, bringing the number of targets destroyed since operations began to more than 210. The 2-day Palestinian toll rises to an estimated 300 dead (including at least 22 children, 9 women, 60 other civilians) and 1,300 injured (including at least 235 children and 200 women). Target areas include Abasan, Bayt Hanun, Bayt Lahiya, Bani Suhayla (s. Gaza), Bir al-Naja (n. Gaza), Dayr al-Balah, Gaza City (city center, al-Rimal, Shaykh Ridwan, Shati’ r.c., al-Shuja‘iyya, Tal al-Hawa, al-Zaytun), Jabaliya town and r.c., Khan Yunis, Khuza (east of Khan Yunis), Nussayrat r.c., al-Qarara (s. Gaza), Rafah, Shati’ r.c., and Tal al-Za‘atar (nr. Jabaliya).

The IDF’s primary targets are around 40 tunnels along the Rafah border, hit with GBU-39s. Other major targets include several buildings at Islamic University (including a science building Israel claims was connected to rocket manufacturing); Gaza City’s PA ministry compound, the offices of acting PM Ismail Haniyeh, and the main police station (destroying the Saraya; allowing about 50 Fatah prisoners to escape, but killing at least 4); Rafah’s main PASF, governorate, and municipal complexes; more civil and naval police stations, metal workshops believed to make rockets; the Gaza City and Rafah ports; at least 3 mosques (Imad ‘Akel Mosque in Jabaliya r.c., Izzeddin al-Qassam Mosque in Abasan, al-Rimal Mosque in Gaza City) alleged to be weapons depots; a Palestinian Energy Authority building in Khan Yunis; a private medical warehouse; and at least 8 homes and 3 apartment buildings.

Palestinian actions: Palestinians fire 17 rockets, 18 mortars into Israel, injuring at least 6 Israeli civilians (including cases of shock). The rockets include 1 manufactured Grad/Katyusha that lands in Gan Yavne 20 mi. inside Israel, outside Ashdod, the farthest to date. In the evening, 100s of Palestinians attempt to flee Gaza through small breaches in the border wall apparently caused by IDF air strikes; they are sent back by Egyptian security forces, who exchange fire with the crowd, leaving at least 1 Palestinian, 1 Egyptian border policeman dead, 4 Palestinians, 5 Egyptian border policemen, an 8-yr.-old Egyptian child wounded.

Humanitarian notes: Israel allows the entry to Gaza of 100 truckloads of food and medical aid, 10 ambulances, and fuel for hospitals, donated by Jordan, Turkey, and international aid organizations. The shipments include 4 truckloads of pharmaceuticals from the PA central pharmacy in Ramallah (the 2d PA delivery since the PA had blocked the shipments of medicine to Gaza in early 9/08; see 12/16), transferred by the PA at UNRWA request. Humanitarian groups, however, continue to warn of deteriorating medical conditions and lack of food in Gaza and urge Israel to allow unrestricted entry of aid. OCHA reports power outages of up to 16 hrs./day in Gaza City, n. Gaza, and c. Gaza; says all flour mills have shut down for lack of grain imports, threatening widespread bread shortages. (AFP, AP, BBC, HA, IDF, IFM, JAZ, OCHA, REU 12/28; IDF, JP, al-Masryun[Egypt], NYT, SFR, WP, WT 12/29; BBC, Defense Update [online], Global Research [online], WP 12/30; REU, UNOSAT 12/31; JP, PCHR, WJW, WP 1/1; IDF, NYT 1/3; WP 1/4; IFM 1/8; WP 1/10)

Across the West Bank, Palestinians protest against OCL, clashing with the IDF at numerous points (Abu Dis, Issawiyya, and al-Ram nr. Jerusalem; Bani Na‘im nr. Hebron; Ni‘lin and Silwad nr. Ramallah), leaving 3 Palestinians dead, 31 Palestinians, 1 IDF soldier, 1 Israeli child injured. In at least one instance, PASF breaks up one protest by 100s of Palestinians in Ramallah when demonstrators unfurl Hamas banners; the PASF reportedly (NYT 1/3) has been ordered to prevent any popular displays of support for Hamas. The IDF conducts daytime house searches nr. Jenin, making no arrests; conducts late-night arrest raids, house searches in Bil‘in and nr. Hebron, Nablus. Palestinians stone a Jewish settler vehicle nr. Hebron, lightly injuring an 8-yr.-old girl. (PCHR, WJW 1/1)