The Palestine Chronology

In the Gaza Strip, Egyptian authorities open the Rafah border crossing for the 2d day in a row. Off the coast nr. Rafah, Israeli naval forces open fire on a Palestinian fishing boat, causing no injuries or damage. In the West Bank, Israeli soldiers shoot and critically injure a Palestinian woman after she fights with an Israeli settler nr. Gush Etzion settlement, and they later raid the woman’s home in Bayt Fajjar and arrest her father. Nr. the Jabara checkpoint s. of Tulkarm, IDF troops open fire on several Palestinians attempting to climb the security fence and enter Israel. A Palestinian hits and critically injures an Israeli settler with his car nr. Nablus. The IDF closes the nearby Hawara and Zatara checkpoints while they search for the driver. The IDF later conducts house searches and arrest raids nr. Hebron, Nablus, and Bethlehem. Late at night, PA security forces clash with residents in al-Am‘ari r.c. nr. Ramallah. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces demolish a home under construction in Issawiyya. In West Jerusalem, a Jewish Israeli man attacks a Palestinian taxi driver with pepper spray, lightly injuring him. (HA, MNA, WAFA 12/1; IMEMC, MEMO, MNA 12/2; PCHR 12/4; MNA 12/16)

Israeli PM Netanyahu presents fin. min. and leader of the Yesh Atid party Lapid with 5 conditions to meet to stay in the ruling coalition, which include supporting Netanyahu’s “nation-state” bill and continued construction in Jerusalem. Lapid rejects the terms. Earlier in the day, Netanyahu had warned if harmony within his ruling coalition was not preserved, he would hold new elections, 2 years ahead of schedule. (JP, TOI 12/1; HA, REU 12/2)

In the Gaza Strip, unknown Palestinians fire shots toward IDF troops nr. the Erez crossing, causing no injuries. In 2 separate incidents, IDF troops open fire on Palestinian farmers nr. the border fence, causing no injuries. In the West Bank, the IDF informs residents nr. Jenin that 1,000s of dunams of land in the area will be seized; delivers demolition orders for 8 structures to Palestinians in a village nr. Hebron. Elsewhere, a Palestinian throws a Molotov cocktail at a settler nr. Hawara village s. of Nablus, and IDF troops impose a curfew on the village. The IDF conducts arrest raids and house searches nr. Hebron, Nablus, Qalqilya, and in Jenin r.c. Clashes break out with residents nr. Nablus, injuring 4 Palestinians in ‘Askar r.c. Late at night, a group of settlers, accompanied by IDF troops, enters a village e. of Ramallah and tries to burn a Palestinian’s home, but residents stop them. An Israeli settler attempts to run over 3 Palestinians with his car s. of Hebron, causing no injuries or damage. In East Jerusalem, municipal authorities and IDF troops deliver a demolition order to the Silwan home of the Palestinian who was suspected of shooting right-wing Jewish activist Yehuda Glick on 10/29 and was killed hours later by Israeli security forces. (See QU in JPS 174 for more.) In Israel, police arrest a U.S. citizen, saying that he has been living in Israel illegally for 18 mos., he possesses illegal weapons, and that he is planning attacks on Haram al-Sharif with his roommate, an IDF soldier. (MNA, WAFA 11/19; IMEMC, MNA, PCHR 11/20; PCHR 11/27; AFP, JP, HA 12/9)

Israeli authorities announce that the bodies of the 2 Palestinians who attacked a synagogue in West Jerusalem on 11/18 will not be returned to their families. Following the announcement, clashes between Palestinians and Israeli security forces break out in the East Jerusalem neighborhoods of Jabal Mukabir, where the men were from, Sur al-Bahir, Silwan, Issawiyya, and al-Tur; 12 Palestinians are injured by rubber-coated metal bullets. (HA, TOI 11/19; MNA 11/20)

Palestinian bus drivers working for Egged continue their strike for a 2d day, protesting the death of a driver on 11/16. (IMEMC 11/19)

Israeli authorities approve the construction of 78 new homes in 2 settlements in East Jerusalem. (AA, REU 11/19)

For the 2d day in a row, U.S. Secy. of State Kerry meets with Oman’s FM Alawi in London to discuss the negotiations between reps. of Iran and the P5+1 over Iran’s disputed nuclear program. (AP 11/19)

Jordan’s govt. formally condemns the attack on the West Jerusalem synagogue on 11/18. The Jordanian parliament holds a moment of silence for the 2 Palestinians who were killed by Israeli police after perpetrating the attack, and Jordanian PM Abdullah Ensour sends a letter of condolence to the men’s family. (TOI 11/21)

In the Gaza Strip, Israeli soldiers shoot and injure 2 Palestinians close to the border fence nr. Jabaliya r.c. In the West Bank, Israeli soldiers shoot and injure 20 Palestinians with rubber-coated metal bullets during clashes that break out in al-Ram, Sinjil nr. Ramallah, and Hebron. IDF troops confront 2 Palestinians nr. Hawara village, s. of Nablus, search their car, then injure 1 by beating him with the butt of a gun. The IDF conducts house searches and arrest raids in 1 village nr. Hebron; patrols in 3 villages nr. Jericho and 2 villages nr. Hebron. Also, IDF troops violently disperse Palestinian, Israeli, and international protesters at weekly demonstrations against Israel’s separation wall, settlements, and occupation in 3 villages nr. Ramallah (Bil‘in, Nabi Salih, and Nil‘in), and 1 village nr. Qalqilya (Kafr Qaddum). There are no serious injuries, except in Bil‘in, where 1 person is struck by a tear gas canister. Israeli forces also violently disperse a demonstration against land confiscation in a village nr. Hebron, causing no serious injuries. Israeli settlers attack a village nr. Ramallah, shooting live ammunition and damaging property, but causing no serious injuries. In East Jerusalem, Palestinians clash with Israeli security forces in Silwan, injuring 1 border police officer. Israeli forces conduct house searches and arrest raids in Jabal Mukabir and al-Tur neighborhoods overnight. Palestinians conduct Friday prayers at Haram al-Sharif without Israeli-imposed age restrictions. Israeli forces shoot and seriously injure a Palestinian child nr. Shu‘fat r.c. (HA, MNA 11/14; PCHR 11/20)

Off the coast of the Gaza Strip nr. Rafah, Israeli naval forces open fire on Palestinian fishing boats, causing damage but no injuries. Israeli forces conduct a limited incursion to level land close to the border fence nr. Khan Yunis. In the West Bank, a Palestinian stabs to death an Israeli settler and injures 2 others nr. Alon Shvut settlement. The attacker is shot and wounded by a private settlement security guard. The IDF conducts house searches and arrest raids in 1 village each nr. Hebron, Nablus, Qalqilya, and Ramallah; patrols in 2 villages each nr. Hebron and Ramallah, and 1 village each nr. Jenin and Qalqilya. Israeli settlers clash with Palestinian villagers in Hawara nr. Nablus, causing no serious injuries. Separately, Israeli settlers nr. Nablus vandalize more than 30 Palestinian vehicles. In Tel Aviv, a Palestinian stabs and kills an Israeli soldier at a train station. The assailant is arrested. (HA, JP, MNA, YA 11/10; PCHR 11/13)

In the Gaza Strip, Hamas security forces arrest 5 Palestinians on charges relating to the 10/31 rocket fire. Also responding to the incident, Israel closes the Erez and Kerem Shalom border crossings. In the West Bank, the IDF conducts house searches and arrests in 1 village each nr. Hebron, Jenin, and Ramallah; patrols in 2 villages nr. Ramallah, and 1 village each nr. Bethlehem, Hebron, and Tulkarm. Palestinians throw a Molotov cocktail at an Israeli settler bus outside Hawara village nr. Nablus, and in response the IDF imposes an overnight curfew on the village. Israeli soldiers shoot and injure 19 Palestinians during a protest at Qalandia checkpoint, 2 with live ammunition and 17 with rubber-coated metal bullets. (HA, MNA 11/2; PCHR 11/6)

Jordan’s King Abdullah says that his country will confront Israel’s “unilateral policies” and work to protect “Muslim and Christian holy sites,” in response to the 10/30 closing of Haram al-Sharif and the escalating tensions in Jerusalem. Meanwhile, Dep. Secy.-Gen. of the Arab League Ben Hilli says that Israel has reached a “red line” with regard to “violations”in Jerusalem. Netanyahu, meanwhile, says that “Islamic extremist elements” are trying “to stir up unrest” and that Israel will maintain the status quo at Haram al-Sharif. (AFP, HA, JP 11/2)

Off the coast of the Gaza Strip nr. alSudaniyya, Israeli naval forces detain 5 Palestinian fishermen and confiscate their boat. In the West Bank, the IDF conducts house searches and arrest raids in Jenin and 2 nearby villages in the morning, and in 2 villages each nr. Hebron and Nablus, and in Salfit; patrols in 1 village nr. Tulkarm and 1 village nr. Hebron. Israeli settlers from Yitzhar torch about 100 olive trees in Hawara nr. Nablus. In East Jerusalem, a Palestinian drives his car into a light rail station, killing a baby and injuring another 8 people. (An Ecuadorian citizen will succumb to her injuries on 10/26.) The driver is immediately shot and killed by police. Israeli PM Netanyahu says that PA Pres. Abbas is responsible for inciting such acts. Separately, Palestinian protesters in Issawiyya and Silwan clash with Israeli security forces. (HA, JP, MNA, REU 10/22; PCHR 10/23; HA 10/26)

Unknown assailants in the Sinai Peninsula fire small arms and an antitank missile across the border into Israel at IDF troops, injuring 2. The IDF returns fire, killing 3. (AFP, HA, REU 10/22)

In the West Bank, the IDF conducts house searches and arrest raids in Nablus, Bethlehem, 3 villages and al-‘Arub r.c. nr. Hebron, and 2 villages nr. Ramallah; patrols in Hebron and 1 village nr. Hebron at night. Jewish settlers attack Palestinians and their property in the Hawara area nr. Nablus, and also in a separate incident s. of Hebron. (WAFA 7/6; PCHR 7/11)

In Egypt, violent clashes continue between supporters of ousted pres. Mohamed Morsi and his opponents and security forces. According to the Egyptian Health Ministry’s statistics, the recent clashes have left over 30 dead and more than 1,000 injured across the country. In the Sinai, unidentified assailants set off an explosion on a pipeline taking gas to Jordan. Meanwhile, the Rafah crossing on the Gaza border remains closed. U.S. Defense Secy. Chuck Hagel continues telephone conversations with the Egyptian military leadership, holding a 2-hour long discussion with Egyptian armed forces chief al-Sisi. Few details are revealed about the contents of the talk, though Pentagon spokesperson George Little says in a statement that Hagel emphasized the need for a peaceful civilian transition. (Guardian, MNA, NYT, REU, WP 7/6)

The Syrian National Coalition chooses Ahmad Jarba as its new president after a runoff vote that saw the triumph of a tribal leader from the e. province of Syria with Saudi connections. (REU 7/6)

In the West Bank, the IDF conducts house searches and arrest raids in 3 villages nr. Hebron, Tulkarm, and 1 nearby village, Nablus, Tubas, and 1 village nr. Ramallah at night; patrols in Jenin and 1 nearby village, and 1 village each in Bethlehem and Hebron. Jewish settlers attack Palestinian-owned vehicles nr. Nablus, causing damage but no injuries. Settlers also set fire to olive trees nr. Hawara village. (MNA 6/26; PCHR 6/27)

The Israeli army reopens Kerem Shalom and Erez border crossings into the Gaza Strip, closed on 6/23 as a punitive measure following rocket fire. (AFP 6/26)

The Jerusalem municipality approves construction permits for 69 new homes in East Jerusalem settlement Har Homa, a day before U.S. Secy. of State John Kerry is due to arrive for talks in Israel and the West Bank. (AFP, JP 6/26)

UNESCO’s World Heritage Cmte. in Phnom Penh passes a Jordanian-sponsored resolution in an 8–3–10 vote condemning Israeli actions in Jerusalem, such as developments of the Western Wall and Temple Mount site, and resolving to maintain the places of the Old City and Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem on its World Heritage Sites in Danger list. Israel’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs criticizes the resolution, saying it is a “dark day for UNESCO.” (ToI 6/26)

Austria completes the withdrawal of its UNDOF peacekeepers from the Golan Heights, with the remaining 70 departing via Israel. (HA 6/26)

Unidentified gunmen kidnap 2 Egyptian police officers in the s. Sinai, reportedly in revenge for an earlier assault on a Bedouin man by a police officer during a dispute at a petrol station. (Ahram 6/26)

IDF soldiers shoot and wound 2 Palestinian teenagers, 1 seriously, in clashes between the army and protesters nr. Rachel’s Tomb in Bethlehem. Palestinians throwing stones at Israeli cars on a road nr. Beitar Illit settlement lightly injure an Israeli child. Hundreds of Palestinian protesters demonstrating in solidarity with hunger-striking prisoners march to Ofer prison nr. Ramallah and clash with Israeli forces, who wound 11 with rubber-coated metal bullets. IDF soldiers shoot and wound 1 Palestinian at demonstrations in Tulkarm, and IDF soldiers open fire and wound 2 at demonstrations in Taqou’ village nr. Bethlehem. Israeli soldiers arrest 19 Palestinian schoolchildren in Til village nr. Nablus and take them to Hawara detention facility, releasing them after around 5 hours. The IDF patrols in 1 village nr. Ramallah in the morning, and in 1 village nr. Hebron, al-Fawar r.c. nr. Hebron, and in 1 village nr. Nablus in the afternoon (clashes in all three, no serious injuries), in 1 village nr. Ramallah at night. Off the coast of the Gaza Strip, Israeli naval vessels opens fire on Palestinian fishermen off the north Gaza coast, causing no injuries or damage. (MNA, 2/25; HA 2/26; PCHR 2/28)

PA Pres. Mahmud Abbas meets with his security chiefs and orders them to enforce calm in the West Bank. Meanwhile, in a press briefing U.S. deputy State Dept. spokesperson Patrick Ventrell calls on Israelis and Palestinians to ‘‘exercise maximum restraint’’ and ‘‘refrain from provocative actions that could destabilize conditions on the ground.’’ (AFP 2/25; HA 2/26)

Israel carries out a successful test of its upgraded Arrow III missile interceptor in, a joint project with the U.S. Missile Defense Agency. (HA 2/25)

Ross and Hale return to the U.S., having failed to secure a last-minute postponement of the Palestinian statehood bid. U.S. officials say they are “at a loss” for how a U.S. veto can now be avoided. Quartet efforts to broker a resumption of talks continue, however. (NYT, WP 9/9)

IDF troops on the s. Gaza border fire toward al-Qarara village, causing no damage or injuries. In the West Bank, the IDF conducts daytime patrols in 4 villages nr. Qalqilya, 3 villages northwest of Salfit, and 2 villages southwest of Ramallah; conducts synchronized late-night patrols in 4 villages nr. Tulkarm and additional late-night patrols in 1 village nr. Ramallah. In Ramallah, 10s of Palestinians hold the 1st small demonstration in support of the statehood bid, marching to the UN’s local headquarters. Jewish settlers fr. Shvut Rachel settlement nr. Nablus set fire to 2 Palestinian cars and vandalize a mosque in nearby Yatma village to protest the IDF’s 9/5 removal of structures at Migron outpost. Jewish settlers fr. Yitzhar nr. Nablus uproot 17 olive trees in nearby Hawara village. (NYT, WT 9/9; PCHR 9/15; OCHA 9/16)

In Cairo, reps. of 15 small Palestinian factions initial the national unity deal agreed by Fatah and Hamas on 4/27. Fatah and Hamas plan to sign the text on 5/4. (WP, WT 5/4)

In the West Bank, Jewish settlers illegally enter Nablus to pray at Joseph’s Tomb and refuse to leave, barricading themselves inside the tomb and sparking stone-throwing clashes with Palestinians. The IDF conducts late-night arrest raids, house searches in Hebron, arresting Hamas-affiliated fmr. PC mbr. Issa alJabari. Palestinians report the arson of a mosque in Hawara nr. Nablus, blaming Jewish settlers. OCHA reports that since 4/27, 3 Gazan children have been injured when they accidentally triggered unexploded IDF ordnance (UXO). (WP 5/4; PCHR, WJW 5/5; OCHA 5/6)

Israeli officials announce that PM Benjamin Netanyahu, in consultation with DM Ehud Barak and Israel’s atty. gen. Yehuda Weinstein, have asked Israel’s High Court to respond to 15 petitions filed by Peace Now demanding the immediate removal of Israel’s unauthorized settlement outposts by ordering the dismantling of outposts built on privately owned Palestinian land before the end of 2011 (with the exception of a house owned by a fallen IDF officer) but authorizing the legalization of those built on state land. This would mean that 6 outposts would be removed, of which 5 are inhabited (47 homes), while more than 100 others would be legalized. In the West Bank, the IDF demolishes 3 structures at the Havat Gilad unauthorized settlement outpost; Jewish settlers stone Israeli border police overseeing the demolition, who respond with tear gas and rubber bullets, leaving 15 persons lightly injured and 17 settlers under arrest. Afterward, Jewish settlers fr. Yitzhar settlement nr. Nablus exact their “price-tag doctrine” attack in nearby Hawara village, fire-bombing a house, injuring 2 children, and damaging other property. Separately, Jewish settlers fr. Halmish nr. Ramallah block a road leading to Nabi Salih and stone passing Palestinian vehicles; the IDF observes but does not intervene. Later, Jewish settlers fr. Gilad occupy a plot of Palestinian land nr. Qalqilya, setting up tents and mobile homes, but are evacuated by the IDF later in the day. The IDF also patrols in 4 villages nr. Hebron, Jenin, and Qalqilya; enters Kafr Laqif village nr. Qalqilya and fires stun grenades, claiming local youths stoned passing Jewish settler vehicles; no injuries are reported. In Gaza, the IDF shells the abandoned Dahaniyya airport site in s. Gaza, wounding 1 Hamas mbr. and destroying a nearby vacant home. IDF troops on the n. Gaza border fire warning shots at Palestinians scavenging for construction materials in the fmr. settlement sites, killing 1 Palestinian. IDF troops on the c. Gaza border shell open areas e. of Jabaliya, forcing farmers in the area to leave their plots but causing no injuries. Hamas authorities arrest 4 of 20 Palestinians responding to an online call by Palestinian student groups to rally in Gaza City for national unity. (MNA 2/28; HA 3/1; JP, WT 3/2; PCHR 3/3; OCHA 3/4; AFP 3/7; JTA 3/8; UNIS 3/22)

Israel deports to the Gaza Strip 2 Gazans found living illegally in Beersheba; the IDF sends them through the Israeli side of the Erez crossing but the men refuse to move through to the 150-m transit area to the Palestinian side, demanding they be allowed to return to Israel; IDF troops fire warning shots at them for more than 2 hrs. before forcing them to enter Gaza. Israeli naval vessels fire on Palestinian fishing boats off the Bayt Lahiya coast, forcing them to return to shore. The UN reports that since 4/28, 1 Palestinian has been killed in a tunnel collapse and 4 Palestinians have been killed and 9 injured when they were overcome by gas fumes while smuggling fuel through a tunnel. In the West Bank, the IDF demolishes 1 Palestinian home nr. the separation wall southwest of Bethlehem, leaving 8 Palestinians homeless; conducts late-night arrest raids, house searches nr. Nablus. Jewish settlers set a fire destroying a mosque in Luban al-Sharqiyya nr. Nablus, an act Abbas says may jeopardize proximity talks. Jewish settlers also set fire to a Palestinian olive grove outside Hawara. The attacks are thought to be in response to the IDF demolition of structures in Shavei Shomron settlement on 5/2—part of the settlers price-tag doctrine to retaliate against Palestinians (and occasionally the IDF) in reaction to any attempt to curb settlement activity. (NYT, WP 5/5; OCHA, PCHR 5/6)

In the West Bank, the IDF conducts late-night arrest raids, house searches nr. Salfit. Jewish settlers fr. Yitzhar escorted by IDF troops enter Hawara, vandalize 3 Palestinian homes. (OCHA, PCHR 5/6)

The IDF makes a brief incursion 250 m into Gaza e. of Jabaliya to level land along the border to clear lines of sight. In the West Bank, the IDF demolishes 1 Palestinian home nr. Bethlehem; conducts late-night arrest raids, house searches in ‘Askar r.c. nr. Nablus, al-Fara‘a r.c. nr. Tubas and nr. Bethlehem, Ramallah. Jewish settlers vandalize a Palestinian mosque, burn 3 Palestinian cars in Hawara village. (PCHR, WP 4/15; OCHA, PCHR 4/22)

In response to recent escalating rocket and mortar fire, IDF warplanes and helicopters carry out 7 early morning air strikes on 2 caravans nr. Khan Yunis (no injuries), a cheese factory in Gaza City (injuring 3 Palestinian children nearby), and a metal foundry in Nussayrat r.c. (no injuries) that Israel claims were weapons factories and arms depots, warning of broader retaliation if rocket attacks continue. The U.S. urges both sides to display restraint. Hrs. later, Hamas issues a statement saying it is working with Gaza factions to reimpose the cease-fire with Israel before it escalates out of control, but also condemns the Israeli air strikes for aggravating the situation and calls on the international community to press Israel to keep retaliation in check. (Salafist groups opposed to Hamas refuse to participate in the ceasefire.) In the West Bank, Palestinians stone a settler vehicle outside Hawara village nr. Nablus, causing it to crash (no word on injuries); the IDF sends troops into Hawara in pursuit of the stone throwers, arresting 1 Palestinian. The IDF also fires rubbercoated steel bullets, stun grenades, tear gas at Palestinian, Israeli, and international activists taking part in nonviolent weekly demonstrations against the separation wall and settlement expansion in Bil‘in (10s suffer tear gas inhalation; 1 Israeli is arrested), Dayr Nizam/al-Nabi Salih (3 Palestinians injured), al-Ma‘sara (where only Palestinians demonstrated; 4 injured), and Ni‘lin (10s suffer tear gas inhalation); conducts latenight arrest raids, house searches nr. Qalqilya. (AFP, JAZ, NYT, YA 4/2; NYT, WP 4/3; YA 4/7; PCHR 4/8; OCHA 4/15)

The Israeli security cabinet reportedly begins internal debate on opening phase 3 of OCL, which would involve deep incursions into Gaza’s built-up areas to deal a crushing blow to Hamas. Israeli military and intelligence sources warn that the new goal would require deep, sustained incursions into Gaza’s densely populated areas, likely resulting in months of combat and heavy casualties.

Combat notes: Heavy IDF aerial, naval, and ground assaults across Gaza continue. The IDF reports carrying out more than 110 air strikes, in many cases to support troops battling on the ground. Targets include 20 “terror operatives” (possibly assassinations), more than a dozen rocket-launching sites and squads, more than 20 suspected weapons depots (including homes of 3 Hamas mbrs.) and other outposts, at least 10 homes and 1 apartment building, 2 tunnels on the Rafah border, a market in Bayt Lahiya, 1 ESF post in Gaza City, a mosque in Dayr al-Balah. Target areas include Abasan, Bayt Hanun, Bayt Lahiya, al-Bureij r.c., Dayr alBalah, Gaza City (city center and al-Nasser, Shaykh Ridwan), Jabaliya town and r.c., Khan Yunis, Khuza, Nussayrat, al-Qarara, Rafah, Shati’ r.c., open areas in central Gaza.

At least 1 air strike on a residential area e. of Jabaliya involves white phosphorous munitions that cause extensive fire damage to 4 homes. Another air strike hits the rooftop of a Gaza City building housing the offices of some 20 international press agencies, destroying broadcasting equipment and wounding 1 journalist.

IDF ground forces take up new positions in Juhur al-Dik and al-Mughraqa in c. Gaza, and al-Shuka in s. Gaza (bulldozing 13 homes). Heavy tank and artillery fire are reported in Bayt Lahiya, Dayr al-Balah, Gaza City (al-Shuja‘iyya, alTuffah, al-Zaytun), Jabaliya. Heavy closequarter combat is reported in Gaza City and nr. Bayt Lahiya, with Palestinians firing antitank weapons and mortars and sniping at ground troops, moderately wounding 1 IDF soldier and lightly wounding 7.

Palestinians also fire 30 rockets and 1 mortar into Israel (including several Grads that hit Ashqelon), causing no reported damage or injuries.

At least 35 Palestinians are killed during the day, bringing the estimated Palestinian toll to around 795 dead and 3,300 wounded.

Humanitarian notes: The UN and other relief groups resume humanitarian aid transfers after receiving assurances fr. the Israeli government that they will not be targeted. During today’s 3-hr. humanitarian lull, Israel allows 41 trucks carrying food and medicine into the Strip. (Committee to Protect Journalists, Daily News, IDF, MA, MM, YA 1/9; IDF, NYT, WT, WP 1/10; NYT 1/11; PCHR 1/15)

Israel seals the West Bank through 1/10 citing unspecified security concerns. The IDF fires rubber-coated steel bullets, tear gas, percussion grenades at Palestinians demonstrating against OCL after Friday prayers in Bayt Umar nr. Hebron (injuring 2), Hawara s. of Nablus, Hebron (injuring 4), Issawiyya, Ras al-Amud in East Jerusalem; also fires rubber-coated steel bullets, tear gas, percussion grenades at Palestinian, Israeli, and international activists attending weekly nonviolent demonstrations against the separation wall in Bil‘in (injuring 3 Palestinians, arresting 5), Jayyus (injuring 9, including 2 wounded by live ammunition, which is not used at the other rallies), Ni‘lin (injuring 5 Palestinians); conducts late-night house searches in Azmut nr. Nablus. Jewish settlers fr. Shilo nr. Ramallah beat and fire on 2 Palestinians collecting water at a well nr. the settlement, wounding 1. (IDF 1/9; PCHR 1/15)

International diplomacy to end OCL clicks into gear with France proposing that Israel and Hamas impose a 48-hr. humanitarian truce to try to defuse the violence and restore the Gaza cease-fire, with humanitarian groups, Egypt, the EU, the Quartet, and the U.S. opening mediation channels (see Quarterly Update). Israel’s security cabinet meets to discuss the French proposal but does not formally respond.

Israeli actions: The IDF conducts 70 air strikes on Gaza, while the Israeli navy continues shelling from the sea, killing at least 10 Palestinians and wounding 40, bringing the death toll to about 370. The IDF reports hitting 110 individual sites, with primary targets being tunnels on the Rafah border, suspected weapons factories and rocket-launching sites, civil and naval police stations, and groups of resistance mbrs. In Gaza City, at least 20 air strikes hit Haniyeh’s offices, PA Interior Min., and main PA government complex in Gaza City, all of which had been targeted previously; 1 air strike hits an ambulance, killing 1 paramedic, seriously wounding a doctor and the driver. Part of Gaza’s main power grid is also hit, cutting all power to Gaza City. A fuel depot in Rafah is destroyed. In al-Bureij r.c., a mosque and health clinic are hit. In Khan Yunis, a money exchange is destroyed. At least 7 homes across the Strip are targeted. Target locations include Abasan, Bayt Hanun, Bayt Lahiya, al-Bureij r.c., Dayr al-Balah, Gaza City, Jabaliya town and r.c., Khan Yunis, al-Maghazi (c. Gaza), al-Mughraqa, al-Qarara, Rafah. The IDF launches a YouTube channel to broadcast declassified videos of its operations in Gaza, “other footage of interest to the international community” (JPI 1/8) and begins regular briefings for Internet bloggers worldwide.

Palestinian actions: Palestinians fire 41 rockets, 10 mortars into Israel, damaging 1 home in Sederot and causing several light injuries (excluding shock); 1 rocket lands in Beersheba, 25 mi. fr. the Gaza border, marking the farthest strike to date; 2 other long-range rockets land in Ashdod. Humanitarian notes: Israel allows 93 trucks into Gaza (50 carrying medical supplies and food donated by aid groups; 43 carrying commercial goods), but Gaza City’s Shifa Hospital says it is out of 150 kinds of medicine and 230 other medical supplies, including gloves, scissors, sterilization equipment, nitrogen for anesthesia. Fuel shipments are still cut off; Gaza’s power plant shuts down for lack of fuel. (BBC, HA, Independent 12/30; IDF, IFM, NYT, REU, UNOSAT, WP, WT 12/31; JP, PCHR 1/1; ITV 1/2; IDF 1/3; WP 1/4; IFM 1/8; NYT 1/13)

In the West Bank, a Palestinian worker in Mod’in Ilit settlement, angry over Israel’s war on Gaza, stabs, wounds 4 Jewish settlers before being shot and wounded by a paramedic who arrives on the scene. The IDF fires live ammunition, rubber-coated steel bullets, percussion grenades, tear gas at Palestinians demonstrating against OCL in al-Fawar r.c. nr. Hebron, wounding 3 (including teenagers ages 13, 14); makes simultaneous afternoon incursions into Beita and Hawara villages nr. Nablus, imposing curfews through 12/31; conducts simultaneous late-night raids, house searches on 4 villages nr. Jenin, firing on residential areas in all cases, causing no injuries and arresting only 1 teenager; conducts late-night arrest raids, house searches in Abu Dis and Jalazun r.c. nr. Ramallah, and nr. Bethlehem, Hebron, Jenin, Nablus, Tulkarm. (PCHR, WJW 1/1)

In Gaza, the IDF fatally shoots 2 armed Palestinians laying a roadside bomb nr. the border fence n. of Bayt Lahiya; makes an air strike on a group of IQB mbrs. in Khuza, wounding 2; makes a late-night air strike on and fires a surface-to-surface missile across the border at a 2d group of IQB mbrs. nr. Khuza, killing 3 Hamas mbrs. An explosion destroys Hamas field cmdr. Hasan Abu Shaqfa’s Bayt Lahiya home, killing Abu Shaqfa, 4 other Hamas mbrs., a 4-mo.-old girl, and another bystander and damaging several surrounding homes; Hamas initially says the explosion was caused by an IDF air strike and fires 21 rockets (reported by the IDF to include 3 Gradstyle rockets) and 22 mortars into Israel in response (lightly injuring 1 Israeli), but later (6/14) reports that explosives the Hamas mbrs. were handling detonated prematurely. In the West Bank, the IDF conducts late-night arrest raids, house searches in and around Jenin town and r.c., in Balata r.c. and al-Far‘a r.c. (firing on residential areas, wounding 1 Palestinian), and nr. Hebron. Nr. Nablus, 2 Jewish settlers attempt to break into a Palestinian car and shop in Hawara village, are confronted by local Palestinians, whom they then attack with knives and iron bars; the IDF arrests the settlers. (MM, NYT, WP, WT 6/13; WP 6/15; OCHA 6/18; PCHR 6/19)

In Gaza, the IDF makes an air strike on the Gaza City home of AMB cmdr. Muhammad Hijazi in what may be a failed assassination attempt, missing the building and hitting a neighboring home, injuring a Palestinian woman; bulldozes land along the border fence e. of Dayr al-Balah, Jabaliya r.c. Also in Jabaliya r.c., 2 Hamas mbrs. are seriously injured, 1 Palestinian teenager is killed when explosives they are handling detonate prematurely. In the West Bank, the IDF imposes a curfew on, patrols in Hawara nr. Nablus, withdrawing in the evening but not lifting the curfew. During the curfew, local Jewish settlers enter the village and vandalize Palestinian homes. The IDF also raids, searches the Hebron home of PC mbr. Nayif al-Rajub (among those Hamas-affiliated PC mbrs. detained by Israel as well as the religious affairs minister in Haniyeh’s original cabinet); conducts late-night arrest raids, house searches in and around Jenin town and r.c., and in Tulkarm. Jewish settlers fr. Gilad nr. Qalqilya stone Palestinian cars driving past the settlement, causing damage to several but no injuries. (OCHA 3/16; PCHR 4/17)

Israel announces plans to build 750 new houses in East Jerusalem’s Pisgat Ze’ev settlement and 350 homes in Givat Ze’ev settlement just n. of Jerusalem, stating that the construction “is consistent with our long-standing position that building within the large settlement blocs, which will stay part of Israel in any final status agreement.” Israel’s Jerusalem Municipality approves construction of a new settlement neighborhood of 400 housing units in the Nabi Yaqub neighborhood n. of East Jerusalem. The Israeli DMin. reaches a deal with Jewish settler leaders for the removal of several unauthorized settlement outposts in exchange for approval of new construction in approved settlements. Jewish settlers fr. Hebron rally in East Jerusalem, calling for revenge against Palestinians for the 3/6 Mercaz Harav attack and threatening to raid Jabal Mukabir, where the gunman lived; Israeli police intervene to prevent a rampage. Meanwhile, the IDF raids a Palestinian elementary school in Hawara, nr. Nablus, while classes are in session, claiming that students threw stones at an IDF patrol; raids the PA civil defense headquarters in Ramallah, arresting an AMB mbr. staying there overnight as part of the 7/07 amnesty deal btwn. Israel and the AMB; conducts latenight arrest raids in and around Bethlehem, in Nablus town and r.c., nr. Tulkarm. An IDF soldier dies of injuries sustained in a 3/6 roadside bombing inside Gaza. (NYT, WT 3/10; OCHA 3/12; PCHR 3/13)

In Gaza, 2,000 Palestinians hold a peaceful demonstration at a sealed breach in the Rafah border to urge Egypt to keep the border open. Outside Rafah, 2 Palestinian teenagers are injured when they accidentally trigger unexploded IDF ordnance. In the West Bank, the IDF sets up a checkpoint outside a Bayt Umar cemetery to check the IDs of mourners attending the funeral of the 2d Kefar Etzion attacker (see 1/24); later fires percussion grenades, rubber-coated steel bullets at mourners, wounding 6; fires on residential areas of al-Khadir nr. Bethlehem, causing no injuries; conducts arrest raids, house searches in Jenin, northwest of Jerusalem; fires rubber-coated steel bullets, percussion grenades, tear gas at Palestinian, Israeli, international activists taking part in nonviolent demonstrations against the separation wall in Bil‘in (injuring 2). Palestinian children throw stones at Jewish settler vehicles traveling on Route 55 nr. Azun and Route 60 nr. Hawara, damaging 2 but causing no injuries. Inside Israel, 20,000 Israeli Palestinians march in Sakhnin to protest a 1/27 government decision not to try police officers who fatally shot 13 Israeli Palestinians during 10/00 antigovernment demonstrations in Um al-Fahm in solidarity with the intifada. In Gaza City, Hamas-affiliated police release Fayyad adviser Ghul, arrested on 12/14. (AFP 2/1; NYT, WP 2/2; OCHA 2/6; PCHR 2/7)

In the West Bank, the IDF imposes restrictions barring Palestinians ages 16–25 from traveling southward through 8 major northern checkpoints (Anabta-Kifriyat tunnel, al-Ras in Tulkarm; Awarta, Hawara, Yitzhar in Nablus; Jit in Qalqilya; Dayr Ballut, Za‘atara in Salfit); fatally shoots a Palestinian teenager in Hebron, mistaking his toy gun for a real one; raids 3 mosques and a rehabilitation center in Hebron, confiscating documents, books; raids, searches the Palestinian General Federation of Trade Unions offices in Ramallah; conducts arrest raids, house searches nr. Hebron and in Balata r.c., Nablus, Tulkarm town and r.c. A Palestinian dies nr. Um Salamuna when he is run over by a Jewish settler bus. In Gaza, the ESF deploys heavily in Gaza City’s Sabra neighborhood, where Hamas believes BBC reporter Johnston is being held; detains a number of mbrs. of the Daghmash clan thought to be behind the Army of Islam; exchanges fire with Daghmash family mbrs. who refuse to stop at an ESF checkpoint, wounding 1 Palestinian bystander. (The ESF says that since 7/2, it has detained 20 Daghmash mbrs.; that the Daghmash clan has kidnapped 10 Hamas mbrs. in retaliation.) Palestinians fire 3 mortars fr. Gaza into Israel, causing no damage or injuries. (HA 7/3; OCHA, WP 7/4; PCHR 7/5)

The IDF makes an air strike on a car nr. Jabaliya r.c. carrying Islamic Jihad mbrs. who had fired rockets toward Israel (causing no damage), missing the vehicle and causing no damage; within the hr., the IDF makes a 2d air strike on a car in the same area, killing 1 Palestinian with no known resistance connections. Citing 9 killings in 2 days, Hamas’s Izzeddin al-Qassam Brigades declares an end to its observance of the 11/26/06 cease-fire, though PM Haniyeh says that the PA still has every intention of making it work. During the day, Palestinians fire 5 rockets fr. Gaza into Israel, causing no damage or injuries. In the West Bank, the IDF fires on stone-throwing Palestinians in Ramallah, killing a 15-yr.-old Palestinian boy; evicts some 80 Palestinians fr. Hadidiyya in the n. Jordan Valley (the Israeli High Court ruled on 1/3 that they posed a security threat to Jewish settlers in nearby Ro’i settlement; see Quarterly Update in JPS 143); confiscates 169 d. of Palestinian land nr. Tulkarm for construction of the separation wall; imposes a curfew on Hawara nr. Nablus; conducts late-night arrest raids, house searches in Balata r.c., Nablus. A Palestinian gunmanfires on a Jewish settler vehicle nr. Hizma checkpoint into Jerusalem, injuring a settler and a Palestinian bystander. In Jabaliya r.c., PRC mbrs. abduct 5 Palestinians, including 2 ESF mbrs., exchanging fire with the ESF that leaves 1 of the abductees dead and sparks local demonstrations. In Gaza City, armed mbrs. of a local clan attack an ESF base, injuring 1 ESF mbr., kidnapping another (who is released later in the day after the PA intervenes). In Khan Yunis, a PA security officer is carjacked, wounded by unidentified assailants. (WP 4/23; BBC, MM, WT 4/24; OCHA 4/25; PCHR 4/26)

In Gaza, the IDF sends tanks, troops into Jabaliya r.c., clashing with Palestinian gunmen, killing 1 Hamas mbr., 1 Palestinian civilian; expands operations on the Rafah border, taking up positions nr. Rafah crossing, exchanging fire with Palestinian gunmen (killing 2 Palestinian militants), ordering male residents in some neighborhoods to surrender for interrogation (handcuffing and blindfolding them), reportedly finding a smugglers tunnel (the 13th it says it has found in the past 3 mos.); simultaneously sends troops into al-Shuka, conducting arrest raids, house searches. Overnight, the IDF sends troops into Qabatya, conducts arrest raids and house searches, exchanges fire with Palestinian gunmen (killing 1 Palestinian gunman, wounding 3), fires on stone-throwing youths who confront them (killing 1 Palestinian, wounding 7). Also in the West Bank, the IDF sends undercover units in vehicles with Palestinian license plates into ‘Ayn Bayt al-Ma’ r.c. nr. Nablus, opening fire on a taxi, assassinating wanted AMB mbr. ‘Adil Abu al-Rish, killing his cousin, who was not wanted; raids offices of Change and Reform PC mbrs. in Ramallah, arresting the office director; raids al-Quds University campus of religious studies in Abu Dis, arresting 2 Palestinians; makes arrest raids in Qalqilya (exchanging fire with Palestinian gunmen, killing an Islamic Jihad mbr., wounding 13 Palestinians), nr. Nablus, Tulkarm; later makes a 2d raid into Qalqilya, firing on stone-throwing Palestinians, fatally shooting a Palestinian civilian. Jewish settlers fr. Yitzhar nr. Nablus detain 2 Palestinian workers in the nearby Hawara cemetery, releasing them after the IDF intervenes. In Khan Yunis, unidentified gunmen fire on the home of a Fatah mbr., wounding him. A Fatah mbr. dies of injuries received in clashes with Hamas on 10/1. (NYT, WP, WT 10/8; OCHA 10/18; PCHR 10/19; OCHA 11/1)

The IDF reopens the Sufa commercial crossing into Gaza; imposes a curfew on Hawara nr. Nablus, forces stores to close, and surrounds 2 mosques, barring worshipers fr. praying; conducts arrest raids, house searches in and around Jenin and in Askar r.c., Hebron, Tulkarm town and r.c.; occupies the top floor of a Palestinian home in Hebron as an observation post. Jewish settlers fr. Neve Daniel fence off 18 d. of Palestinian land in al-Khadir for construction of an unauthorized settlement outpost. (IMEMC 10/10; PCHR 10/13)

The IDF conducts arrest raids, house searches nr. Jenin and in Hawara nr. Nablus, Hebron; raids, searches, questions the employees of a flour mill in al-Qarara (a different one than raided on 4/27), occupies 1 floor as an observation post; sets up checkpoints in Dura, searches Palestinian vehicles, occupies 2 Palestinian homes as observation posts; raids, temporarily occupies 3 Palestinian homes in Hebron. 4 Jewish settlers fr. Elon Moreh nr. Nablus bar a 70-yr.-old Palestinian farmer fr. reaching his fields in nearby Salim, severely beat him, set fire to 10s of d. of olive trees. Jewish settlers fr. Beit Hadassah, Ramat Yishai rampage through Palestinian areas of Hebron, throwing stones, bottles at houses, shops; the IDF observes but does not intervene. Jewish settlers fr. Avraham Avino attempt to break into a Palestinian home that they have tried to annex to the settlement on several previous occasions. A Palestinian woman injured during an IDF arrest raid on 5/11 dies of her injuries. (IMEMC 5/13; OCHA, PR 5/18; PCHR 5/19)

The IDF lifts the curfew on Hawara, imposed on 12/2; for no apparent reason fires on Palestinians waiting to cross the Tuffah checkpoint in s. Gaza, wounding 1; conducts arrest raids and house searches, bulldozes 30 d. of land in al-Qarara; fires on residential areas of Rafah; beats several Israeli, Palestinian, international peace activists demonstrating against the separation wall nr. Hebron as well as a Palestinian journalist covering the incident. Palestinians fire 2 mortars, 1 Qassam rocket at Jewish settlements in s. Gaza, causing no damage or injuries. Jewish settlers vandalize Palestinian agricultural land in the al-Mawasi area of s. Gaza. (VOI 12/5 in WNC 12/7; PCHR 12/9)

U.S. Pres. George W. Bush narrowly wins reelection. (MM 11/2; HA, MM, NYT, WP, WT 11/3; VOP 11/3 in WNC 11/5; MM 11/4; Globes, HA, JAZ, JP, JT, MA, MENA, YA 11/4 in WNC 11/6; al-Safir 11/4, al-Dustur, MNR, al-Ra’i 11/5, al-Dustur 11/6 in WNC 11/9; SA 11/6 in WNC 11/10; MM 11/5; HA 11/9; JPI 11/12)

The IDF blows up 3 Palestinian homes in and nr. Askar r.c. belonging to the family of the 11/1 suicide bomber, 2 senior PFLP mbrs.; raids a clinic in Nablus, searches ambulances, interrogates paramedics; conducts arrest raids and house searches, bulldozes 50 d., demolishes 2 poultry farms and several wells nr. Kefar Darom. AMB mbr. Fadi Qaffisha dies of injuries received in the IDF assassination of Mari on 11/1. Palestinians fire several mortars at Neve Dekalim, causing no damage or injuries. A Jewish settler injures a 7-yr.-old Palestinian girl in a hit-andrun incident nr. Hawara south of Nablus. (PRCS 11/2; VOI 11/2 in WNC 11/4; NYT, WP 11/3; VOI 11/3 in WNC 11/5; PCHR, WJW 11/4)

The IDF shells residential areas of Rafah while Palestinians are going to dawn prayers, killing 1 Palestinian; fatally shoots a 2d Palestinian in Rafah who attempts to attack an IDF post; fires on residential areas of Khan Yunis; conducts arrest raids in Nablus. In al-Hatab nr. Nablus, 18 internationals escort Palestinian farmers who have obtained IDF permits to harvest their olive groves; within minutes of starting work, IDF soldiers order the group to leave the area, take the ID card of 1 Palestinian, attempt to arrest him; when the internationals intervene, the soldiers beat several, throw 1 Swedish peace activist to the ground, put a gun to his head, threaten to pull the trigger. Israel also reportedly expels 2 Palestinian prisoners (1 fr. Bayt Rima, 1 fr. Nablus) to Jordan; no explanation is given. A Jewish settler seriously injures 3 Palestinian girls (ages 13–15) in a hit-and-run incident nr. Hawara. A Palestinian dies of injuries received in Jabaliya on 10/5. (International Solidarity Movement press release, PRCS 10/20; JAZ, MA, VOP 10/20 in WNC 10/22; PCHR 10/21; PR 10/27; PCHR 10/28)