The Palestine Chronology

The IDF launches dozens of air strikes across the Gaza Strip, killing 28 Palestinians and wounding approximately 550. There are fatal strikes in Gaza City, Rafah, Dayr al-Balah, Jabaliya, Khan Yunis, and Bayt Lahiya, among others. Palestinians fire dozens of projectiles into Israel, with 1 rocket hitting a house in Ashdod, causing damage. Other targeted towns include Beersheba, Ashqelon, and Sdot Negev in the s., and Rehovot, Yavne, Lod, Ramle, and Gadera in the c. Iron Dome batteries intercept 2 rockets fired at the Jerusalem area and 2 others fall in open areas. A mortar shell injures 2 Israeli soldiers close to the border. (AFP, AP, HA, JP, MNA, REU 7/10; PCHR 7/11)

Israeli PM Netanyahu says that attacks will continue to “expand and continue until the fire on our communities is over and the quiet returns.” The PM also tells mbrs. of the Knesset Foreign Affairs and Defense Comms. that a cease-fire with Hamas is not on the agenda. Islamic Jihad spokesperson Abu Ahmad says the “factions in Gaza are not going to surrender.” At an emergency meeting of the UNSC in New York, UN Secy.-Gen. Ban says that “it is now more urgent than ever to try to find common ground for a return to calm and a cease-fire understanding,” and that he has been in contact with Israel, the PA, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Egypt, the Arab League, the U.S., and the EU. Palestinian UN amb. Riyad Mansour tells the meeting that the international community is obliged to ensure protection of Palestinian civilians, and accuses Israel of violating its responsibility as an occupying power. Israeli UN amb. Ron Prosor says Hamas is “committing a double war crime: targeting Israeli civilians while hiding behind Palestinian civilians.” Pres. Obama telephones PM Netanyahu and tells him that the U.S. is willing to help negotiate a cease-fire. State Dept. spokesperson Psaki says that Kerry has been “reaching out to countries in the region” including Qatar and Egypt, which “can play a role in bringing an end to the rocket fire from Hamas.” (AFP, AP, HA, JP, MNA, REU 7/10)

In the West Bank, IDF troops violently disperse protesters at numerous demonstrations marking the 1967 war and the beginning of military occupation. Hundreds of Palestinians attend protests at Hebron, Qalandia checkpoint nr. Ramallah, where 4 are injured by rubbercoated metal bullets, and other locations around the West Bank. The IDF conducts house searches and arrest raids in 1 village each nr. Jenin, Ramallah, and Salfit. (MNA 6/5; PCHR 6/12)

Israeli PM Netanyahu unfreezes plans for 1,800 settlement housing units and Housing Minister Uri Ariel publishes tenders for a separate 1,500 housing units in East Jerusalem and the West Bank. Ariel describes the move as an “appropriate Zionist response to the Palestinian terror govt.” Palestinian chief negotiator Saeb Erekat warns of Israeli efforts to annex areas of the West Bank and calls on the international community to boycott settlement products and hold Israel accountable. PLO official Ashrawi says the Palestinians will address the latest settlement expansion at the UNSC. State Dept. dep. spokesperson Harf says that the U.S. is “deeply disappointed” by Israel’s announcement and says “it is hard to see how these settlements contribute to peace.” The EU expresses “deep disappointment” about the moves, and calls on the Israeli authorities “to reverse this decision.” (AFP, AP, HA, MNA, REU, ToI 6/5)

Two mortar shells fired from within Syria land in the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights, causing no damage or injuries. The IDF says the fire is likely inadvertent. (ToI 6/5)

In the West Bank, IDF troops violently disperse a protest nr. Ofer detention center outside Ramallah in solidarity with Palestinian prisoners and administrative detainees on hunger strike, shooting rubber-coated metal bullets and wounding 3. The IDF conducts house searches and arrest raids in 2 villages nr. Hebron and 1 village nr. Jenin at night; patrols in 3 villages nr. Jericho, and 1 village each nr. Hebron and Ramallah at night. Jewish settlers set fire to dozens of olive trees in 2 Palestinian villages nr. Nablus. (MNA 6/4; PCHR 6/5)

Secy. of State Kerry says that the U.S. will work with the new Palestinian unity govt. “as is appropriate” and will monitor it “very closely” to make sure it upholds its commitments to cooperate with Israel and the peace process. Meanwhile, Quartet Rep. Tony Blair calls PA PM Hamdallah to congratulate him on the formation of the govt. Pres. Abbas officially informs the head of the central elections commission to start preparing for presidential and legislative elections in 6 mos. Hamdallah urges the international community to pressure Israel to allow elections in East Jerusalem. (MNA, YA, WAFA 6/4)

Syria’s parliament speaker Jihad Lahan announces that Pres. al-Asad won 88.7% of the vote, winning him another 7-year term. Al-Nouri and Hajjar won 4.3% and 3.2%, respectively. Voter turnout was recorded at 73.42%. (AP, REU 6/4)

In a statement, the White House urges Egyptian pres.-elect al-Sisi to adopt democratic reforms and expresses concern about the “restrictive political environment.” (AP 6/4)