The Palestine Chronology

For the 10th consecutive Friday, Israeli forces violently disperse Palestinians, Israelis, and international activists at protests against U.S. pres. Trump’s 12/6 recognition of Jerusalem as Israel’s capital, as well as Israel’s settlements, separation wall, and occupation, in al-Mazra‘a and al-Bireh near Ramallah, 3 villages near Nablus (Beita, Dayr al-Hatab, and Madama), the Huwwara checkpoint, and along Gaza’s border near Jabaliya refugee camp, al-Bureij refugee camp, and Gaza City; at least 41 Palestinians are injured (1 critically). Meanwhile, Israeli border police arrest a Palestinian in central Hebron, claiming he is carrying a knife. The IDF temporarily shuts down the Huwwara checkpoint near Nablus following clashes in the area earlier in the day. IDF troops arrest 1 Palestinian during a late-night raid near Tubas, and patrol near Salfit and Hebron. In 4 separate incidents off Gaza’s coast, Israeli naval forces open fire on Palestinian fishing boats near Jabaliya refugee camp and Gaza City, causing no damage or injuries. (HA, JP, MNA, TOI, WAFA 2/9; PCHR 2/15)

The Egyptian authorities open the Rafah border crossing in both directions for the 3d and final day. (OCHA 2/15)

Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney arrives in Israel on the 2d stage of his international tour (see 7/26), which he hopes will increase support for him among evangelical Christian voters who are wary of his Mormon faith and among Democratic Jewish voters disaffected by Pres. Obama. He pledges that he will ‘‘stand as one’’ with Israel. (NYT, WP, WT 7/28; NYT 7/30)

Unidentified Palestinians fire 2 Qassam rockets fr. Gaza into Israel, causing no damage or injuries. Israeli naval vessels fire on Palestinian fishing boats off the n. Gaza coast, forcing them to return to shore. In the West Bank, the IDF conducts early morning patrols in Jericho, nearby ‘Ayn al-Sultan r.c., and 1 village nr. Ramallah; patrols in al-Nabi Salih in the afternoon, firing rubber-coated steel bullets, tear gas, and stun grenades at stone-throwing youths who confront them (causing no serious injuries) and arresting 1 Palestinian teenager; and patrols in 1 village nr. Jericho in the evening. Late at night, 14 Palestinians without Israeli work permits drive towards the al-Za‘im checkpoint e. of Jerusalem, believing the checkpoint would be unmanned and they would be able to sneak into Israel to find work; when they discover that Israeli border police are at the crossing, they attempt to turn their car around to flee; the Israeli border police open fire on the vehicle, killing 1 Palestinian, wounding 3, and arresting the rest. (YA 7/28; PCHR 8/2; OCHA 8/3)

Russian pres. Putin meets with PA pres. Abbas in Ramallah and tours holy sites in Bethlehem. Putin calls the Palestinian conditions on resuming negotiations with Israel ‘‘responsible’’ and reiterates that Russia would recognize a Palestinian state. (WT 6/27) 

Jewish settlers begin evacuating Ulpana outpost, moving into new mobile homes placed on an Israeli border police base next to neighboring Beit El settlement. Meanwhile, Israel’s Jerusalem planning comm. approves construction of 180 new housing units for Armona Hanatsiv settlement on 67 d. of confiscated Palestinian land in Sur Bahir. (NYT, WP 6/27)

Unidentified Palestinians fire 4 Grad rockets fr. Gaza into Israel, causing light damage in 1 instance but no injuries; 2 of the rockets are intercepted by Israel’s Iron Dome antimissile system. Israeli naval vessels fire warning shots at Palestinian fishing boats off the c. Gaza coast forcing them to return to shore. In the West Bank, the IDF conducts late-night arrest raids, house searches in Hebron, and nr. Bethlehem and Jenin. The IDF also makes a late-night raid into Salfit, searching the offices of Hamas-affiliated Palestinian Council (PC) mbrs. Omar ‘Abd al-Raziq and Nasser ‘Abd al-Jawwad as well as a nearby house. OCHA reports that in the previous week, the IDF demolished another 3 residential structures, 9 animal pens, and 1 portable kitchen in Wadi al-Malih village in the Jordan Valley nr. Tubas (an area designated as an IDF firing zone), where several structures were demolished on 6/5/12. (JP 6/26; PCHR 6/28; OCHA 6/29)

As civil war escalates in Syria, Palestine Liberation Army (PLA) col. Ahmad Salih Hassan is shot dead near Damascus. The PLA is technically a wing of the PLO but is incorporated into the Syrian army. Government sources blame the Free Syrian Army (FSA) for Hassan’s killing, whereas opposition groups claim he was killed by government forces for refusing orders to target the FSA. Hassan is the 6th PLA officer to be killed since 1/2012. A new charity funded by 3 Russian Jewish billionaires and comanaged with the Israeli government plans to offer a $1-m. ‘‘Genesis Prize’’ for excellence in any field. The prize is intended to ‘‘honor those who attribute their success to Jewish values’’ and to ‘‘recognize the role of Jewish identity in encouraging universal achievements.’’ (NYT 6/27)

An Iranian detained in Kenya ca. 6/20 on charges of plotting an attack on Israelis there says that he was interrogated by Israeli agents. Israel’s amb. to Kenya refuses to comment other than to say the matter is an internal Kenyan issue. (WT 6/28)

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)

Al-Jazeera and Britain’s Guardian newspaper release a set of documents written by Palestinian officials (the “Palestine Papers”) that they claim constitutes “the confidential record of 10 years of efforts to seek a peace agreement with Israel.” The more than 1,600 pages of documents dating from 1999 to 2010 are mostly from the PLO Negotiation Affairs Dept. (PLONAD) and its successor body, the Negotiations Support Unit (NSU), headed by chief negotiator Saeb Erakat, and include memos, emails, maps, minutes from private meetings, accounts of high-level exchanges, strategy papers, and Power Point presentations. The papers apparently were leaked to al-Jazeera by several PLONAD/NSU staff. Timed with the release, al-Jazeera begins a 4-night series (1/23–26) of hour-long programs to discuss the contents of the leaked material thematically: Jerusalem and settlements, refugees and right of return, PA security coordination with Israel, and the negotiations process. (AP, Globe and Mail, Guardian, JAZ, NYT, REU 1/23; BBC, Guardian, HA, MM, NYT, WP 1/24; MM, NYT, WP 1/25; MM 1/26)

In the West Bank, the IDF opens fire at a car driving quickly toward a checkpoint nr. Hebron, wounding 2 unarmed Palestinians; conducts daytime incursions into 2 villages nr. Qalqilya searching shops and questioning Palestinians; conducts latenight arrest raids, house searches nr. Bethlehem and Qalqilya. Israeli border police for unknown reasons enter Haris village nr. Salfit, beating several Palestinians and firing on 1 man who attempts to flee, wounding a bystander. Jewish settlers fr. Carmiel settlement nr. Hebron attack Palestinian shepherds grazing sheep nearby and 2 Italian human rights activists protecting them; the IDF intervenes to arrest the 2 Italians. Jewish settlers fr. Ma’on settlement nr. Hebron attack a Palestinian family living nr. the settlement, shooting dead a sheep and a dog, attacking cattle, and threatening to shoot 2 children. (PCHR 1/27; OCHA 1/28)

Pres. Obama, asked during his trip to Indonesia about his reaction to Israel’s 11/8 construction announcement, states sharply that “this kind of activity is never helpful when it comes to peace negotations. I’m concerned that we’re not seeing each side make the extra effort . . . to get a breakthrough. Each of these incremental steps can end up breaking trust.” Hours later, Netanyahu’s office responds saying “Jerusalem is not a settlement. It is the capital of the State of Israel. . . . Israel sees no link between the peace process and its development plans in Jerusalem.” (IFM, Israel Radio News [Internet], MNA, REU 11/9; NYT, WT 11/10)

Israeli tax authorities and border police seal the entrances to the Jerusalem suburb of Issawiyya, checking Palestinians leaving and entering the village and raiding businesses in search of Palestinian tax evaders. Border police fire rubber-coated steel bullets at stone-throwing Palestinian youths who confront them, injuring 19 Palestinian children (ages 10–15); 1 Israeli border policeman is also injured. Also in East Jerusalem, Israeli authorities raid, search 2 Palestinian homes in Silwan, arresting 2 Palestinians. Silwan residents report that in recent weeks, Israeli authorities have stepped up arrests of young Palestinian men in Issawiyya and Silwan, and that Jewish settlers and settlement guards in Silwan have been accosting local Palestinians more frequently, generating almost daily low-grade clashes. The IDF conducts arrest raids, house searches in Issawiyya later in the evening; and conducts latenight arrest raids, house searches in and around Hebron and nearby al-‘Arub r.c., in al-Bireh (searching the home of Palestinian Council secy. Mahmud al-Ramahi, but making no arrests; Ramahi was one of the Hamas-affiliated elected PC mbrs. that Israel arrested after the 2006 capture of Shalit to pressure Hamas but he was recently released; 7 Hamas-affiliated PC mbrs. are still jailed by Israel), and nr. Tulkarm. Meanwhile, the IDF makes brief incursions into n. Gaza nr. Bayt Lahiya and c. Gaza e. of al-Maghazi r.c. to bulldoze Palestinian lands along the border fence to clear lines of sight. Unidentified Palestinians fire 2 mortars fr. Gaza toward Israel, 1 landing in Israel and 1 inside Gaza, causing no damage or injuries. OCHA (11/11) reports that in the previous wk., the IDF imposed at least 8 new barriers to Palestinian travel around Hebron. (YA 11/9; NYT 11/10; OCHA, PCHR 11/11)

Overnight, Israeli naval commandos in boats and helicopters easily commandeer 5 small boats in the FGM-IHH flotilla to Gaza without incident, but open fire on passengers when they attempt to seize the main vessel (Mavi Marmara) sailing with the group, killing 9 Turkish activists (1 with dual U.S. citizenship); another 53 passengers (23 seriously, including 1 Australian) and 7 Israeli commandos (1 seriously; 1 stabbed, several with gunshot wounds) are injured. The IDF claims commandos acted in self-defense, saying they faced a premeditated attack by passengers; FGM-IHH says passengers were unarmed and nonviolent and at most acted in selfdefense. In light of the incident, the U.S. cancels a meeting at the White House between U.S. Pres. Barack Obama and Israeli PM Netanyahu scheduled for 6/1 and issues a statement saying that the U.S. is “deeply concerned by the suffering of civilians in Gaza” and “will continue to engage the Israelis on a daily basis to expand the scope and type of goods allowed into Gaza.” (IFM 5/31; IFM, NYT, WP, WT 6/1; AHR 6/3; JPI 6/11; ITIC 7/6; Counterpunch 6/10; JPI 7/16)

Meanwhile, IDF troops on the Israeli side of the Erez crossing fire warning shots at Palestinians scavenging construction materials fr. destroyed buildings inside the Erez industrial zone, causing no reported injuries. Israeli border police fire tear gas at Palestinian and international activists staging a nonviolent demonstration against Israel’s attack on the flotilla nr. the Qalandia crossing into Jerusalem, hitting an American activist in the head with a tear gas canister (she loses an eye). (PCHR 6/3; OCHA 6/4; WJW 6/10)

Egyptian border police clash with 100s of Palestinians protesting Egypt’s refusal to allow a humanitarian aid convoy through the Rafah crossing into Gaza without Israel’s permission and Egyptian plans to build an underground steel wall to deter smuggling tunnels, leaving 1 Egyptian soldier fatally shot, 10s of Palestinians injured. In Gaza, a PRC mbr. injured in the 1/5 Israeli air strike on al-Qarara dies. The UN reports that since 12/23, 1 Palestinian has been killed in a smuggling tunnel collapse on the Rafah border. In the West Bank, the IDF makes a late-night incursion into Zabbuba village nr. Jenin, patrolling streets but making no arrests; conducts late-night arrest raids, house searches n. of Jerusalem. Jewish settlers fr. Gilad nr. Qalqilya attack Palestinian farmers working their nearby land. (OCHA 1/6, 1/13; PCHR 1/14)

The IDF shoots, seriously wounds a Palestinian at a checkpoint in Hebron after he allegedly attempts to attack a soldier with a knife; conducts late-night raids, house searches in Qalqilya and nr. Jenin, Bethlehem, Jericho, Hebron, Salfit, and Ramallah, arresting 15 Palestinians. Following a latenight explosion nr. the Bayt Ijza gate into Jerusalem, Israeli border police close all 3 gates in the separation wall controlling access to Palestinian agricultural land in the Jerusalem governorate, preventing Palestinian farmers fr. reaching their grape crops. (PCHR 8/27; OCHA Humanitarian Monitor 8/09; OCHA, PCHR 9/3)

On the sidelines of meetings with British PM Gordon Brown in London, Netanyahu meets with U.S. special envoy George Mitchell to discuss peace issues; the two report having “made good progress” (no elaboration) and say they will meet again in the coming weeks. (Christian Science Monitor, NYT, WJW, WP 8/27)

IDF troops on the Gaza border e. of Dayr al-Balah fire warning shots at a Palestinian farmer who strays nr. the border fence, forcing him to leave without injuring him, but damaging 4 nearby Palestinian homes. IDF troops at the Erez crossing fire on a World Vision vehicle carrying a Palestinian driver and a Japanese employee who had been informed that the IDF had approved his exit through the crossing; the 2 men are pinned under IDF fire for 15 minutes until the Japanese, using his World Vision shirt as a flag, is able to signal the troops to halt fire; neither man is hurt. In the West Bank, the IDF conducts late-night arrest raids, house searches in and around Hebron, and nr. Bethlehem, Qalqilya. A Palestinian deliberately drives into 2 Israeli border police officers at a checkpoint into Jerusalem, causing no serious injuries, before being halted and arrested. Dozens of Jewish settlers gather at the evacuated Homesh settlement site, stone Palestinian vehicles traveling the Jenin-Nablus road. (OCHA 4/22; PCHR 4/23)

Israeli naval vessels fire on an unmanned Palestinian boat off the Bayt Lahiya coast, causing it to explode, resulting in no injuries; Israel claims the boat was full of explosives and Palestinians floated it out to sea in an attempt to attack its ships; there is no independent confirmation, and no group takes responsibility for staging an attack. Egyptian border police demolish 6 smuggling tunnels on the Rafah border. In the West Bank, the IDF stages a late-night raid into Tuqu‘ village nr. Bethlehem, searching several homes and ordering a number of Palestinians to surrender for questioning, but making no arrests; conducts late-night arrest raids, house searches nr. Jenin, Nablus. In Jerusalem, around 80 Jewish settlers break into the al-Aqsa Mosque compound to celebrate the Passover festival there, chanting slogans to destroy the mosque and build the Third Temple; mosque guards block the settlers fr. entering the mosque itself; the IDF intervenes to arrest a Palestinian journalist covering the incident, charging him with “posing a danger to the Jewish public.” (NYT 4/14; OCHA 4/15; PCHR 4/16)

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)

In the West Bank, the IDF conducts late night arrest raids in and around Jenin town and r.c., Nablus, and in al-Fara‘a r.c. nr. Tubas (firing live ammunition and rubber-coated steel bullets on stone-throwing youths who confront them, wounding 6); fires rubber-coated steel bullets, tear gas at Palestinian, Israeli, international peace activists taking part in a nonviolent demonstration against the separation wall in Ni‘lin (injuring 2 Palestinians, 1 international). Israel imposes new restrictions requiring Palestinian medical personnel fr. the West Bank who work in Jerusalem to enter Jerusalem only through the Qalandia checkpoint, the most crowded checkpoint, causing them significant delays. Heavy rains cause the collapse of 10 smuggling tunnels on the Rafah border, trapping and injuring at least 7 Palestinians. Egypt allows the entry of a delegation of Islamic Jihad officials fr. Gaza who are heading to Damascus for a wk. of internal discussions on Egypt’s proposed national unity plan ahead of national unity talks in Cairo on 11/9. Inside Israel, Hebrew University student Ali Baher, an Israeli Palestinian, is detained by campus security, questioned for 3 hrs., charged with “inappropriate conduct” for refusing on political grounds to shake hands with Pres. Shimon Peres, who randomly approached Baher while he was touring the campus library meeting with students; the university evicts Baher from campus housing and orders a disciplinary hearing (date not set) to decide whether he should be suspended. (MNA 11/2; OCHA 11/5; PCHR, Physicians for Human Rights–Israel press release 11/6)

Concerned by the escalating settler violence directed at Israeli security forces, the Israeli cabinet at its weekly meeting votes to suspend all direct and indirect government funding to unauthorized settlement outposts (especially citing infrastructure such as roads, garbage collection, and school buses) in the 1st de facto admission that public funds are used to advance illegal settlement. Olmert also proposes increasing arrests and administrative detention of Jewish settlers who break the law. The Jerusalem District Juvenile Court remands and indicts 3 Jewish settler girls (ages 12, 15, 17) for reckless endangerment, aggravated assault of security forces, and obstruction of a police officer for attacks against Israeli border police in Givat Harsina on 10/30. IDF district cmdr. Noam Tivon cancels plans to give a speech at a yeshiva in Efrat settlement nr. Bethlehem after Jewish settlers fr. Hebron threaten to hold a massive demonstration to block his visit, calling him an “expulsion criminal” for previously ordering the removal settlers fr. the unauthorized Federman Farm outpost. (YA 11/2; NYT, WP 11/3; WT 11/4; MM 11/4, 11/7)

A week ahead of her deadline to form a government, Kadima party head and acting Israeli FM Tzipi Livni, with powersharing deals with the Labor and Meretz parties already drafted, unexpectedly informs Israeli pres. Shimon Peres that she cannot form a coalition. She blames other Israeli parties for making unreasonable political and economic demands, stating that she was unwilling to compromise her priciples to form a government (see Quarterly Update). (NYT, WP 10/26; WP 10/27)

Overnight, the IDF, Israeli police, and border police evacuate Jewish settlers fr. the unauthorized settlement outpost of Federman Farm in Hebron, sparking violent clashes with the settlers in which 1 policeman is seriously injured, 2 settler girls attempt to burn police vehicles, and settlers rampage through Palestinian areas, slashing the tires of 22 cars and vandalizing a Muslim cemetery. In interviews with the press afterward, Jewish settlers call for retributive attacks on the Israeli security forces. During the day, Jewish settlers fr. Harsina settlement in Hebron attack, vandalize, attempt to occupy a Palestinian home and land adjacent to the settlement; Jewish settlers vandalize Palestinian cars in Hizma village nr. Jerusalem; and 10 masked settlers attack IDF soldiers guarding Palestinians harvesting olives nr. Otniel settlement nr. Hebron, injuring 1 soldier. At the weekly Israeli cabinet meeting, Olmert warns that the government “will show no tolerance toward such expressions and actions,” while Shin Bet security chief Yuval Diskin states that he is “very concerned” that right-wing settler groups might try to assassinate pro-peace politicians. Meanwhile, the IDF conducts late-night arrest raids, house searches in and around Nablus and nr. Bethlehem. (IFM 10/26; NYT 10/27; OCHA 10/29; PCHR, WJW 10/30; WP 11/2)

In Gaza, the IDF bulldozes 24 d. of olive groves and a small Gaza police outpost nr. al-Maghazi r.c. Egyptian border police discover, demolish a smuggling tunnel on the Rafah border. In the West Bank, the IDF demolishes a Palestinian home in Anata nr. Jerusalem; occupies a Palestinian home nr. Jenin as a military outpost; conducts late-night arrest raids, house searches nr. Tulkarm and in al-Bireh (raiding and searching the municipal building, rounding up 2 municipal employees fr. their homes and bringing them to the offices to log onto password-protected computers), Ramallah (raiding the chamber of commerce offices), Jericho. The Israeli Housing Min. presents Olmert with a proposal for construction of 1,900 new Jewish settler housing units across the West Bank in 2008: 682 units in Beitar Ilit nr. Bethlehem, 510 units in Givat Ze’ev n. of Jerusalem, 302 units in Ma’ale Adumim e. of Jerusalem, 160 units in Binyamin settlement n. of Jerusalem, 158 units in Efrat nr. Bethlehem, and 48 units each in Ariel nr. Salfit and Kiryat Arba in Hebron. Palestinians throw stones at Jewish settler vehicles nr. Nablus; the settlers respond by shooting, killing 3 Palestinian sheep nearby. Jewish settlers fr. Keddumim nr. Qalqilya stone Palestinian vehicles driving nearby, causing no reported injuries. PA security forces impose a night curfew on Kafr Thuluth nr. Qalqilya to prevent clashes btwn. feuding families (the curfew is still in place as of 4/8). (PCHR 4/3; OCHA, PCHR 4/9)

With the Rafah border breached, Israel halts emergency imports authorized on 1/22, arguing that Gazans can now get food and fuel fr. Egypt. Meanwhile, the IDF makes an air strike on a car nr. the Rafah border, assassinating Izzeddin al-Qassam Brigades mbrs. Zayid ‘Abd al-‘Aal and Ibrahim al-‘Absi; sends troops into areas e. of Rafah to conduct arrest raids, detaining and taking back to Israel 25 Palestinians possibly connected to the 1/23 border breach. In the West Bank, 2 Palestinians fr. Bayt Umar nr. Hebron infiltrate Kefar Etzion settlement, stab and wound 3 Jewish settlers before being shot dead by settlement security officers; no group takes responsibility. The IDF sends troops into Bayt Umar, fires on residential areas, occupies the homes of the 2 Kefar Etzion attackers, interrogates their families, fires on stone-throwing Palestinians who confront them, killing 1 Palestinian teenager, wounding 2 Palestinians; later, IDF troops posted at the entrance to the village fire on a funeral procession for 1 of the assailants, injuring 1 mourner. A Palestinian gunman fires on Israeli border police outside Shu‘fat r.c. nr. Jerusalem, killing 1 Israeli border policeman, wounding another, escaping unharmed; no group takes responsibility. The IDF also conducts arrest raids, house searches in Azun, nr. Hebron. Jewish settlers fr. Karme Tzur in Hebron, guarded by IDF troops, add 5 mobile homes to an unauthorized outpost nearby in Halhul. (AP 1/24; NYT, WP, WT 1/25; OCHA 1/30; PCHR 1/31)

The IDF makes an air strike on a car carrying Islamic Jihad mbrs. in Gaza City, missing the target, damaging a house and lightly injuring 1 bystander. Egyptian border police demolish a smuggling tunnel on the Rafah border. A Palestinian is injured when explosives he is handling detonate prematurely. In the West Bank, the IDF fires rubber-coated steel bullets, percussion grenades, tear gas at Palestinian, Israeli, international activists taking part in the weekly nonviolent demonstration against the separation wall in Bil‘in (injuring several) and a similar protest at alWalaja (causing no reported injuries). Palestinian gunmen fire on a Jewish settler’s vehicle nr. Karnei Shomron settlement nr. Qalqilya, injuring 2 settlers. Having sealed the West Bank border for Rosh Hashanah (see 9/12), the IDF allows only Palestinian men over age 60 to enter Jerusalem fr. the West Bank to attend prayers marking the 1st Friday of Ramadan. (OCHA 9/19; PCHR 9/20)

In an apparent assassination attempt in Gaza, suspected Fatah gunmen fire on Haniyeh’s 10-car convoy, set fire to 1 PA security vehicle, causing no injuries. In Gaza, the IDF sends troops into Bayt Hanun, seals the town, demolishes a workshop, a coffee shop before withdrawing; sends troops into Khan Yunis, fatally shooting 1 Palestinian, demolishing 2 Palestinian homes, bulldozing 6 d. agricultural land. A 15-yr.-old Palestinian is injured when he accidentally detonates unexploded IDF ordnance nr. Dayr al-Balah. In the West Bank, the IDF conducts arrest raids, house searches in Hebron. On the last Friday of Ramadan, Israel allows 180,000 West Bank Palestinians into Jerusalem to worship at al-Aqsa Mosque. 100s of Palestinians denied entry scuffle with IDF soldiers and border police nr. Bethlehem, who fire tear gas, stun grenades. Fatah, Hamas mbrs. exchange fire in Bayt Hanun, wounding 3 Palestinians. In Khan Yunis, a Fatah mbr. is kidnapped, shot, wounded by unidentified gunmen. (NYT, WP, WT 10/21; OCHA 11/1; PCHR 11/2)

Israel allows Gaza’s Qarni crossing to open for export of goods to Israel, Sufa crossing (closed since 2/14) for the import of construction materials; shells the n. Gaza no-go zone, causing no damage or injuries; conducts arrest raids, house searches nr. Hebron, also firing on residential areas, wounding a Palestinian standing on his balcony; issues a military order confiscating 80 d. of Palestinian land for construction of the separation wall around Gilo settlement nr. Bethlehem. The IDF says that its liaison offices in the West Bank will continue to operate after a Hamas-led government is sworn in, but will no longer deal with any PA officials; they will deal only with international organizations, Palestinian hospitals, individual Palestinians. Israeli border police report that in the previous wk. they arrested 550 Palestinians working in Jerusalem without permits and another 130 elsewhere in Israel. (HA, IMEMC 3/26; OCHA 3/29; PCHR 3/30)

The IDF bulldozes 5 Palestinian homes in Yatta nr. Hebron; fires on a Palestinian car nr. Bayt Furik checkpoint nr. Nablus, hitting the driver 7 times, wounding him; conducts arrest raids, house searches in Qalqilya; conducts patrols in Jinata nr. Bethlehem. Israeli border police raid a Central Elections Commission (CEC) registration center in Nabi Samuel outside Jerusalem, check IDs of the staff; raid another center in Harmala nr. Bethlehem, holding staff for 3 hrs. In Bayt Lahiya, 2 Palestinian boys are injured when they accidentally trigger a roadside bomb; 2 Palestinian boys are injured in a similar incident nr. the Rafah border fence. (IMEMC 5/23; OCHA 5/25; PCHR 5/26)

An Israeli border policeman fires on a group of Palestinians attempting to circumvent a checkpoint btwn. Jerusalem and Bethlehem, seriously injuring 1. The IDF fires on a group of Palestinian children returning home fr. school who apparently stray too close to a separation wall construction site, wounding 3; conducts arrest raids, house searches in Saida, Nur al-Shams r.c. (targeting Islamic Jihad mbrs.), Tulkarm r.c.; bulldozes 22 d. of land in Surif nr. Hebron for construction of the separation wall. Palestinians fire a rocket toward Sederot, causing no damage or injuries. Unidentified Palestinian gunmen fire on an IDF patrol searching for stolen cars in al-Amari r.c. nr. Ramallah, wounding 2 soldiers seriously, 2 lightly; the IDF seals al-Amari, conducts house searches. A PA court sentences 5 Palestinians to jail terms of 3–5 yrs. for collaborating with Israel. (HA, VOP 3/20; VOI 3/21; OCHA 3/23; PCHR 3/24)