The Palestine Chronology

In the West Bank, the IDF continues its crackdown on Bayt Surik, the Jerusalem-area hometown of the alleged perpetrator of the deadly 9/26 attack in Har Hadar. Israeli soldiers confiscate dozens of cars, conduct raids, and issue stop-work orders to various sites of unpermitted construction in the village. They also maintain the closure of 8 other Jerusalem-area villages for a 3d day. Elsewhere, IDF troops patrol in al-Thaher near Hebron and Ya‘bad village near Jenin, sparking clashes with stone-throwing Palestinians in both places; there are no serious injuries and 4 Palestinians are arrested. They also arrest 19 Palestinians during late-night raids near Hebron, Ramallah, Bethlehem, and Jenin, and patrol near Qalqilya and Jenin. (TOI 9/28; PCHR 10/5)

The IDF announces that the border crossings in and out of the West Bank and Gaza will be closed from midnight on 9/29 until midnight on 9/30, as Israel marks Yom Kippur. In an unusual addendum to the closure, the IDF says that Palestinian workers will be barred from entering Israel’s settlements in the West Bank on 9/30. The additional restriction is likely a response to the deadly attack on 9/26. (TOI 9/28)

The Middle East Quartet meets and releases a statement welcoming the Palestinian national reconciliation efforts: “[The Quartet members] urge the parties to take concrete steps to reunite Gaza and the West Bank under the legitimate Palestinian Authority. This will facilitate lifting the closures of the crossings, while addressing Israel’s legitimate security concerns, and unlock international support for Gaza’s growth, stability, and prosperity, which is critical for efforts to reach lasting peace.” (TOI, WAFA 9/28)

IDF troops shoot and kill a Palestinian child along Gaza’s border nr. Khan Yunis, according to Palestinian witnesses. The IDF will deny any involvement in the shooting. Also along Gaza’s border, IDF troops open fire on Palestinians hunting birds nr. Khan Yunis, causing no injuries. Off Gaza’s coast, Israeli naval forces open fire on Palestinian fishing boats, causing no injuries or major damage. Meanwhile, Israeli forces continue their general closure across the oPt for Yom Kippur and bar non-Jewish visitors from al-Ibrahimi Mosque in c. Hebron. Also in the Hebron area, the IDF shuts down the main entrance to Bayt Umar village, temporarily shuts down some shops, conducts a series of raids in the area, and detains a number of Palestinian youths. IDF troops arrest 5 Palestinians on further raids nr. Bethlehem. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces conduct heavy raids in al-Ram for the 2d day in a row, sparking renewed clashes with Palestinian youths; several Palestinians are injured. They also close down the main entrance to Issawiyya as collective punishment after arresting 5 Palestinians accused of throwing Molotov cocktails. Israeli settlers assault Palestinians and their homes in Silwan, sparking minor clashes between Israeli forces in the area and stone-throwing Palestinians; there are no serious injuries. (MNA, WAFA 10/12; MNA, PCHR, WAFA 10/13; PCHR 10/20)

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)

As a “security precaution” on the 1st day of Yom Kippur, the IDF closes all checkpoints between Israel and the West Bank, barring Palestinians from entering Israel from noon today until midnight on 9/23. Additionally, the Israeli authorities close the Erez and Kerem Shalom border crossings into Gaza, and they deploy additional security barriers, mobile checkpoints, and police throughout East Jerusalem, to facilitate Jewish access to Haram al-Sharif. Meanwhile, all Palestinian men under the age of 40 are barred from the sanctuary. (HA, JP, MNA, TOI, WAFA, YA 9/22; PCHR 10/1)

After IDF troops shoot and injure a young Palestinian at a checkpoint in Hebron, claiming that she attempted to stab 1 of them, a local activist group releases photos of the incident showing that the woman did not have a knife and that she was shot in the back. She succumbs to her injuries later in the day. IDF troops patrol nr. Hebron, sparking clashes with stone-throwing Palestinian youths; there are no serious injuries. Israeli forces conduct late-night raids and house searches in another village nr. Hebron, issuing 1 Palestinian an arrest summons; patrol during the day in Hebron and 2 villages nearby. (HA, JP, MNA, WAFA 9/22; PCHR 10/1)

The IDF carries out air strikes on a number of targets in the Gaza Strip, killing 1 armed Palestinian and wounding a number of civilians. Palestinian groups fire around 100 rockets and mortars into Israel, causing 3 injuries and structural damage. Israeli PM Netanyahu tells the weekly cabinet meeting that the army is prepared to intensify its attacks; a number of ministers urge an escalation in military operations (such as assassinations), as well as other measures, like cutting off electricity. A source in Netanyahu’s office says that the PM is preparing international public opinion for a military operation in Gaza. (AP, HA 11/11; JP 11/12; PCHR 11/14)

U.S. pres. Barack Obama tells PA pres. Abbas that his administration opposes a Palestinian bid for non-state membership of the UN. Abbas tells a rally in Ramallah marking the anniversary of Yasir Arafat’s death that the PA is under huge pressure to stop the UN initiative, but that they would continue regardless, as it is intended to save the two-state solution. (AFP, JP 11/11)

PA pres. Abbas announces that Russia will join an international investigation into whether Yasir Arafat was murdered. French and Swiss experts will exhume the late Palestinian leader’s body later in the month, after an Al Jazeera report in July suggested he was murdered with polonium. (REU 11/11)

In the West Bank, the IDF patrols in 1 village nr. Ramallah and 1 village nr. Bethlehem (firing rubber bullets and tear gas at children going to school) in the morning; patrols in 2 villages nr. Tulkarm and 1 village nr. Ramallah at night; conducts house searches and arrest raids in Hebron and 1 village nr. Ramallah. Israeli police deliver notices to 13 Israeli activists, banning them from taking part in weekly demonstrations in West Bank villages. (972mag 11/11; PCHR 11/14)

Israeli forces fire into Syria in what the military calls a warning, after stray munitions from fighting between Syrian troops and rebels hit the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights. The incident, described by Israel Radio as the 1st direct engagement of the Syrian military on the Golan since the countries’ 1973 war, highlights international fears that Syria’s civil war could ignite wider regional conflict. An Israeli security source said the military fired in the direction of a Syrian army mortar crew that had launched a shell that overshot the Golan disengagement fence on Sunday, exploding near a Jewish settlement without causing casualties. (REU 11/11)

In Gaza, the IDF makes an air strike on an open area nr. Bayt Hanun, causing no casualties. (PCHR 10/1)

Israel imposes a general closure on the West Bank for the 2-day Yom Kippur holiday. The IDF conducts late-night raids, house searches nr. Tulkarm, arresting 1 Palestinian. Jewish settlers fr. Kiryat Arba nr. Hebron attack Palestinians exiting the nearby al-Ras Mosque and throw stones, empty bottles at Palestinian vehicles; no serious injuries are reported. (PCHR 10/1)

Outraged by rumors that right-wing Jews plan to invade the al-Aqsa Mosque compound to mark Yom Kippur, Palestinians throw stones at French tourists visiting the mosque, mistaking them for Jewish activists. Israeli police disperse the crowd of approximately 150 Palestinians with stun grenades, leading to a number of disturbances throughout East Jerusalem. Palestinians also throw rocks, Molotov cocktails, and garbage at Israeli border police. As many as 38 Palestinians and 18 mbrs. of Israeli security forces are injured, and 11 Palestinians are arrested. (NYT 9/28; OCHA Humanitarian Monitor 9/09; WJW 10/1; OCHA 10/2; JPI, OCHA 10/8)

Israel imposes a general closure on the West Bank, seals Gaza’s crossings through 10/9 for Yom Kippur. Inside Israel, riots erupt between Israeli Palestinians and Jews in the mixed city of Acre. Clashes are sparked when Jews observing Yom Kippur (when all traffic in Israel’s Jewish population centers halts) attack an Israeli Palestinian family driving through a predominantly Jewish neighborhood, believing that they are deliberately breaking the sanctity of the holy day. Though the family is only lightly injured, rumors quickly spread through Arab areas of Acre that 1 was killed. Seeking revenge, 100s of angry Palestinian youths rampage through Jewish areas, vandalizing cars and breaking shop windows. In Gaza, the UN reports that 1 rocket was fired toward Israel between 10/1 and 10/7 but landed inside Gaza, causing no damage or injuries. In the West Bank, IDF soldiers nr. Tulkarm bar local Palestinians fr. harvesting their olive groves, citing the Yom Kippur holiday; conduct late-night arrest raids, house searches nr. Hebron. (OCHA 10/8 PCHR 10/9; WP 10/10; NYT 10/13; OCHA 10/15; PCHR 10/16)

Israel imposes a 2-day seal on its West Bank border for Yom Kippur. In Gaza, the IDF sends troops back into al-Shuka village, raiding and searching homes (reportedly stealing jewelry, money, personal articles from at least 1 residence), arresting 11 Palestinians. Nr. Bayt Lahiya, 4 Palestinians are injured when they accidentally trigger IDF UXO. In the West Bank, the IDF ends a 4-day incursion into ‘Ayn Bayt al-Ma’a r.c., having arrested around 50 Hamas and PFLP mbrs., including 2 senior local Hamas cmdrs. The IDF also conducts arrest raids, house searches in and around Hebron; fires rubbercoated steel bullets, percussion grenades, tear gas at Palestinian, Israeli, international activists taking part in the weekly nonviolent demonstrations against the separation wall in Bil‘in, injuring 4. Citing national preparation for Yom Kippur, Israel bars all West Bank Palestinians fr. attending Friday prayers in Jerusalem, raising anger during Ramadan. In Bayt Hanun, a bomb explodes in the Agricultural Union Comm. offices, causing damage but no injuries; no group claims responsibility. (REU 9/21; NYT 9/22; OCHA 9/26; PCHR 9/27; HA 9/30)

As Israeli-Palestinian fighting continue as Israel marks Yom Kippur. Barak warns if clashes continue, the IDF's will begin targeting Arafat's offices, PA police stations, top cmdrs.; Israel may implement a "sanctions package" (including, sealing the West Bank and Gaza, halting all monetary transfers). At Netzarim Junction, the IDF demolishes 2 apartment buildings formerly used as PA police barracks, a factory, an office, several homes, a water well, and an 20-dunam orange grove. A settler rabbi is found shot to death in a West Bank cave. Armed Jewish settlers enter Palestinian areas of East Jerusalem and Hebron, Bidya, Husan, Salfit, Shuafat camp, burning shops, beating Palestinians, shooting at houses, and wounding at least 8 Palestinians, 1 of whom bleeds to death as settlers hold off ambulances with gunfire. Inside Israel, Jewish residents of Upper Nazareth attack Israeli Arabs, property in Nazareth. (ADM, LAW, REU 10/8; Interfax 10/8 in WNC 10/10; Gush Shalom press release, MM, NYT, WP, WT 10/9; HA [Internet], MM, WP 10/10; MA 10/10 in WNC 10/12; HA [Internet] 10/11; MEI, NYT 10/13; LAW 10/19; Globes [Internet] 10/25)

Lebanon places its forces on alert as Israel reinforces troops on the blue line, conducts overflights of Beirut, and warns Hizballah, Lebanon, and Syria of "decisive action" if Hizballah does not release the 3 IDF soldiers kidnapped on 10/7. Saudi Arabia warns Israel that Arab states will not sit idly by if Barak follows through on his threat. (NYT, WP, WT 10/9; MM 10/10; MEI 10/13)

Pres. Clinton asks Mubarak to convene a summit where they could meet with Arafat, Barak. None of the 3 leaders immediately embraces the idea. (MM, NYT, WP, WT 10/9; MENA 10/9 in WNC 10/10; AYM 10/10 in WNC 10/12)

In Gaza, Arafat meets with the Executive Authority and reps. of Hamas, Islamic Jihad to coordinate a joint response to Barak's latest warnings. (NYT 10/9; HJ, MA 10/10 in WNC 10/12; MM 10/11)

The PA releases 5 Hamas mbrs. fr. PA jails. Hamas says 23 mbrs. have been freed in recent days. (AYM 10/9 in WNC 10/12; AYM 10/12 in WNC 10/13) (see 10/4)

Jordan announces that it will postpone sending its newly appointed amb. to Israel to protest Israel's excessive use of force against Palestinians. (WP 10/9; MM 10/10; HA [Internet] 10/11)

In Morocco, 500,000 people march to protest Israel's recent actions. In Amman, 100s of Jordanian students attempt a march to the U.S., Israeli embs. but clash with riot police; at least 5 are injured, 10 arrested. In Beirut, 25,000 Lebanese and Palestinians march in funeral processions for 2 Palestinians shot by IDF on the blue line on 10/7. In Cairo, 9,000 Egyptian students hold a rally. Demonstrations continue in Australia, Greece, Jordan, Lebanon, Syria, Yemen. In the U.S., protests are held in Albuquerque, Anaheim, Kansas City. (UPI 10/8; MENA 10/8, JT 10/9 in WNC 10/10; MM 10/9; Daily Star [Internet], NYT, WP 10/9; TT 10/10 in WNC 10/12; MEI 10/13)

Arafat returns to Washington to meet with Pres. Clinton, then briefs Egyptian FM Musa. (MM 9/29; MENA 9/29 in WNC 9/30; CSM, MM, NYT, WP, WT 9/30; MM 10/1)

IDF places 2-day closure on occupied territories for Yom Kippur holiday. (NYT, WT 9/30; MM 10/1; PR 10/2)

1 Palestinian is killed, 2 are wounded in Beitunia, West Bank, when a bomb blows up in their car. PA police say the 3 alleged Hamas mbrs. had just collected a bag they believe to contain weapons, which detonated as they left the rendezvous. Later, the PSF arrests 4 Israeli Arabs in the Hebron area for selling arms to the men. (CSM, NYT, WP, WT 9/30; ITV 9/30 in WNC 10/2; PR 10/2, 10/9) (see 9/21)

PA security forces raid a suspected Hamas building in Hebron, find 640 lbs. of explosives. (ITV 9/30 in WNC 10/2; MM, WT 10/1)

Clashes btwn. Israeli Arabs, police in Umm al-Fahm continue for 3d day, spread to Nazareth (Israel's largest Arab city). Arabs throughout Israel strike to protest police brutality. Palestinians Bethlehem also hold solidarity protest, clash with IDF. (MM 9/29; NYT, WT 9/30; MM 10/1; MA 10/1 in WNC 10/2; MEI, PR 10/2; Shihan 10/3 in WNC 10/5; ITV 10/2, 10/3 in WNC 10/6; MM 10/5; JP 10/10; JTV 10/19 in WNC 10/21)

PM Netanyahu arrives in London on 1st stop of 3-day EU tour to garner support for his hard-line attitude toward the peace process; meets with PM John Major. (MM 9/24; LPR 9/24 in WNC 9/27; MM, WP, WT 9/25)

Under heavy police guard, Israel undertakes a surprise predawn excavation to complete a long disputed archeological tunnel that runs along the al-Aqsa mosque compound. The 12-yr.-old project was completed only on the personal orders of PM Netanyahu, who intended it as a message to Palestinians that Israel is the sole sovereign in Jerusalem. PA denounces tunnel work, calls for general strike 9/25. During the day, Palestinians at the mosque clash with police, hurl stones at Jews at the Western Wall. Jordan's King Hussein is furious that Gold did not warn him of the tunnel opening in their mtg. 9/22. (MM 9/24; JTV, RJ 9/24 in WNC 9/27; CSM, MM, NYT, WP, WT 9/25; WJW 10/3; MEI, PR 10/4; MM 10/9; WT 10/11)

In Hebron, IDF orders 6-mo. closure of 2 charity organizations allegedly linked to Hamas. Palestinians clash with IDF over reopening the central market (see 9/16). (HA 9/24 in IL 9/24; RMC 9/24 in WNC 9/27)

Following Israel's Yom Kippur holiday, ILMG reconvenes in Naqura to discuss complaints filed by Lebanon, Israel. (ITV, RL 9/24 in WNC 9/27; NYT, WT 9/25; JP 10/5) (see 9/22)

IDF, Amal clash in s. Lebanon, leaving 2 Amal mbrs. dead. (RL 9/24 in WNC 9/27; CSM, MM, NYT, WT 9/25; RL 9/25 in WNC 9/27; JP 10/5)

After Egyptian Pres. Husni Mubarak calls on Israel to prosecute soldiers accused of killing Egyptian POWs during the 1956, 1967 wars, Israeli historian accuses Egypt of killing 200 Israeli POWs during 1973 war. (MM 8/23; WT 8/26; MM 8/29) (see 8/16)

The Sha'ar Hanegev Regional Council reports that about 500 new water wells have been dug in Gaza since the IDF withdrew, causing salinization to increase in the souther costal aquifer. (HA 8/25 in FBIS 8/25)

In Hebron, IDF kills 2 Hamas mbrs in gunfight, then razes house in which they were trapped, puts curfew on residents. (MM 8/25; QY 8/25 in FBIS 8/25; NYT, WP, WT 8/26; JP 9/2)