The Palestine Chronology

In the West Bank, around 500 Israel Defense Forces (IDF) troops conduct arrest raids and weapons searches in al-Fawar refugee camp (r.c.), sparking major clashes with stone-throwing Palestinian youths; at least 33 Palestinians are injured (1 bystander succumbs to his injuries later in the day). Initial reports of the clashes say that IDF snipers were aiming at Palestinian youths’ lower bodies; an autopsy of the fatally injured youth later shows that he was shot in the heart. B’Tselem will report on 9/9 that the Palestinian killed did not, in fact, take part in the clashes, despite media reports at the time. The IDF remains deployed in the camp for nearly 24 hours. Meanwhile, IDF troops conduct further raids and house searches late at night nr. Ramallah and nr. Hebron, arresting 10 Palestinians and issuing an arrest summons to 1; and patrol during the day nr. Hebron, Nablus, and Qalqilya. Israeli forces uproot around 50 olive trees outside a village nr. Tulkarm, and demolish 7 homes outside Sa‘ir village nr. Hebron, 3 homes and a room in Bayt Jala nr. Bethlehem, and 1 home outside Duma village nr. Nablus. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces demolish a stable in Jabal Mukabir and a car showroom in Anata, and forcibly disperse Palestinian protesters at a sit-in in solidarity with Palestinian prisoners at a Red Crescent office in Sheikh Jarrah. Along Gaza’s border, IDF troops arrest 4 Palestinians after they cut through the border fence and enter Israeli territory. It is unclear what they intended to do. (HA, MNA, TOI, WAFA 8/16; MNA, TOI 8/17; PCHR 8/18; HA 8/21; MNA 9/10)

Israeli forces conduct raids in al-Ram village, sparking clashes with stone-throwing Palestinians; 1 Palestinian child is struck in the chest with an unidentified projectile and killed. Palestinian witnesses say he was killed by live ammunition. The Israeli authorities later dispute the nature of the child’s death, arguing that no live fire was used in the clashes. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces demolish a Palestinian home under construction in Bayt Hanina and 4 commercial buildings and a residential structure in Silwan; arrest a West Bank Palestinian 2 days after his release from prison, alleging that he was planning a “terrorist” attack; arrest 3 other Palestinians during late-night raids in Issawiyya; and demolish several Palestinian graves nr. Haram al-Sharif for undisclosed reasons. In the West Bank, the IDF continues its closure of Hebron and the surrounding district that was put in place on 7/1. IDF troops arrest 9 Palestinians and issue 1 arrest summons during house searches and raids nr. Hebron, as well as nr. Ramallah and Bethlehem; and patrol nr. Jenin, Salfit, and Hebron throughout the day. Meanwhile, Israeli settlers set fire to a Palestinian home in Duma nr. Nablus, causing damage and 1 light injury. Along Gaza’s border, Israeli forces conduct a limited incursion to level land nr. al-Bureij r.c. Off Gaza’s n. coast, Israeli naval forces open fire on Palestinian fishing boats, injuring 1 fisherman. (HA, MNA, TOI, WAFA 7/19; WAFA 7/20; PCHR 7/21)

Israel’s Knesset passes into law, 62–45, the so-called Suspension Bill, allowing 70 MKs, including 10 from the opposition, to initiate a procedure that would suspend 1 of their colleagues. The new draft would still require 90 MKs’ support to effect a suspension. (HA, NYT 7/19; HA, JP, MNA, YA 7/20)

For the 3d day in a row, IDF troops shoot and kill a young Palestinian man after he allegedly draws a knife on them while being temporarily detained. After the incident, Israeli forces close down several roads in the area. Separately, IDF troops conduct raids nr. Jenin and Bethlehem, sparking clashes with stone-throwing youths and confiscating 1 vehicle (2 Palestinians are injured). IDF troops conduct further house searches and raids in 2 villages nr. Hebron, arresting 2 Palestinians and issuing arrest summons to 2; patrol nr. Ramallah, Salfit, and Hebron. Late at night, unidentified assailants set fire and cause damage to a Palestinian home in Duma village nr. Nablus, where Israeli settlers killed 3 Palestinians in a similar attack on 7/30/2015. A PA official later confirms that the owner of the home was the only witness of the 7/30 attack. Elsewhere, IDF troops stationed along Gaza’s border open fire on Palestinian shepherds and farmers working nr. Khan Yunis; there are no injuries. (HA, JP, MNA, TOI, WAFA 3/19; HA, MNA, WAFA, YA 3/20; PCHR 3/24)