The Palestine Chronology

Along Gaza’s border, IDF troops shoot and injure a Palestinian minor approaching the border fence near Khan Yunis. They also open fire on Palestinian farmers and shepherds near Dayr al-Balah and al-Bureij refugee camp, causing no reported injuries. In the West Bank, Israeli settlers assault and lightly injure a number of Palestinian farmers working near Hebron. Israeli forces demolish a number of structures on Palestinian farmland near Bethlehem and seize a tractor from a farm near Tubas. IDF troops arrest 7 Palestinians during late-night raids near Tulkarm, Ramallah, Nablus, and Jenin; and patrol near Qalqilya, Hebron, and Ramallah. An unexploded piece of Israeli ordnance detonates in the northern Jordan Valley, killing 4 Palestinian-owned cows. In East Jerusalem, Israeli MK Yehuda Glick (Likud) leads a group of right-wing Jewish activists on a tour of Haram al-Sharif. Separately, Israeli forces arrest 3 Palestinians during a raid in Hizma. (JP, MNA, MNA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 1/28; MNA, MNA, TOI 1/29; PCHR 1/31)

Palestinian ambassador to the UN Riyad Mansour says that the effort to submit the State of Palestine for full membership at the UN is on hold until “obstacles” are no longer in the way, alluding to the U.S. veto at the UN Security Council. Earlier this month, PA foreign minister Riyad al-Maliki said he intended to file the paperwork for another full membership bid before the end of 1/2019. (AP, TOI 1/29)

Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu announces that his government does not intend to renew the mandate of the Temporary International Presence in Hebron (TIPH), an international civilian group that has been monitoring “efforts to maintain normal life” in Hebron since it was established as part of the Hebron Protocol in 1997. The TIPH’s mandate, which has been renewed every 6 months since then, is set to expire on 1/31. A PA spokesperson calls the move “unacceptable.” “We call on the countries sponsoring this agreement to take a clear stance from this grave Israeli position and to immediately act to pressure the Israeli government to continue implementation of the agreement as agreed and not to treat Israel as a state above the law.” (HA, JP, TOI, WAFA, WAFA 1/28; MNA, TOI 1/29; FMEP 2/1)

In the West Bank, IDF troops shoot and injure 1 Palestinian during clashes sparked by a raid near Jenin; arrest 5 Palestinians during further raids near Bethlehem, Hebron, and Jenin; and patrol near Nablus and Hebron. Israeli settlers bulldoze 30 dunams (approximately 7.5 acres) of Palestinian land south of Nablus. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces assault and injure a Palestinian and arrest a 2d during a raid in Jabal Mukabir. They arrest 3 more Palestinians during raids in Qalandia refugee camp and Qatanna. Along Gaza’s border, Israeli forces conduct a limited incursion to level land near Bayt Hanun. (MNA, MNA, WAFA 1/15; PCHR 1/17)

At a formal ceremony in New York City, PA president Mahmoud Abbas assumes chairmanship of the UN’s Group of 77 and China, pledging to “pursue the path paved by previous chairs” and to “strive to carry forth the legacy and traditions of our group in addressing the challenges before us for achieving progress and prosperity for our peoples and states.” The group comprises 134 member states, making it the UN’s largest bloc. Meanwhile, PA foreign minister Riyad al-Maliki says that the Palestinians still intend to move forward with their bid for full membership at the UN this month, despite a likely U.S. veto. (JP, TOI, WAFA 1/15; MNA 1/16)