The Palestine Chronology

In the Gaza Strip, health officials say that the death toll is rising as dozens of Palestinians die from injuries sustained during the Israeli assault and more bodies are recovered from the rubble of homes. (66 Palestinians die during the 5-day cease-fire, succumbing to injuries sustained in earlier attacks.) In the West Bank, IDF troops shoot and injure 8 Palestinians with rubbercoated metal bullets in n. Bethlehem during clashes outside Rachel’s Tomb. In the afternoon, the IDF enters Qalqilya, where a group of Palestinian children throw stones at them. The soldiers detain 2 children. The IDF conducts 5 patrols in various areas of the West Bank during the day. After the Friday afternoon prayer, hundreds of Palestinians attend protests nr. Bayt Furik and Qalandia against the Israeli assault on Gaza. Clashes break out with IDF troops in both places and 9 Palestinians are wounded (6 nr. Bayt Furik and 3 at Qalandia). In the evening, more clashes break out during demonstrations in Silwad village and at Ofer Prison. Two Palestinians are wounded by rubber-coated metal bullets at each demonstration. (AFP, AP, HA, JP, MNA, REU, YA 8/15; PCHR 8/21)

Israeli authorities release 3 Palestinian men that IDF troops captured during the ground invasion of Gaza. (MNA 8/16)

The Egyptian press reports that mediators in Cairo have offered a “final proposal” for a longterm agreement to extend the 5-day cease-fire. The agreement will reportedly end Israel’s military offensive, ease the siege, expand the fishing zone, and increase imports into Gaza. In addition, subsequent talks will deal with other issues such as prisoner swaps and establishing an airport and seaport for Gaza. Islamic Jihad spokesperson Yousef al-Hasayneh says that a truce agreement will be signed with Israel once the 5-day cease-fire ends. Israel’s security cabinet meets in Tel Aviv to discuss the ceasefire agreement and ongoing negotiations, their 2d such meeting in 24 hours. (AFP, AP, HA, JP, MNA, REU, YA 8/15)

IDF air strikes and shelling of the Gaza Strip continues for a 4th day, killing 16 Palestinians as 230 targets are hit. The attacks cause widespread damage to houses, infrastructure, and public buildings. There are fatal strikes in al-Shuja‘iya, elsewhere in Gaza City, Jabaliya, and Rafah, among others. Palestinians fire 90 rockets into Israel, causing damage and injuring 10 in Beersheba and Ashdod, including 1 seriously. Iron Dome batteries intercept 25 of the rockets. Two IDF soldiers are lightly injured by an antitank missile nr. the Gaza border, damaging their jeep. In the West Bank, IDF troops shoot and injure 9 Palestinians with live fire and rubber-coated metal bullets during clashes nr. Rachel’s Tomb in n. Bethlehem. In Kafr Qaddum, Israeli soldiers shoot and injure 5 Palestinians with live ammunition during clashes, and there are less intense confrontations after Friday prayers in Hebron and nearby al-Fawar r.c. In East Jerusalem, Israeli authorities prevent Palestinian men under 50 years old from entering Haram al-Sharif, and 20 Palestinians are injured by stun grenades and rubber-coated metal bullets during clashes in Issawiyya. (AP, HA, MNA, REU, YA 7/11; PCHR 7/12)

Israeli PM Netanyahu says that “no amount of international pressure will prevent Israel from continuing its operation in the Gaza Strip,” and that he has held phone calls with leaders of the U.S., Germany, Britain, France, Canada, and Russia. Israeli DM Ya’alon speaks with U.S. Defense Secy. Hagel, with the latter expressing concern about the risk of further escalation. The U.S. House of Reps. agrees to a nonbinding res. in support of Israel’s right to defend itself against rocket fire from the Gaza Strip. Meanwhile, Egyptian authorities close the Rafah crossing after opening it briefly to allow 11 wounded Palestinians to leave for treatment. (AP, HA, MNA, REU, YA 7/11)

Unknown persons fire 2 rockets into n. Israel from Lebanon, causing no damage or injuries. IDF troops respond with artillery fire, also causing no reported casualties. (REU 7/11)

IDF troops on the n. Gaza border fire 2 artillery shells at open areas nr. al-Nada housing project, causing no damage or injuries. Later, IDF troops on the n. Gaza border nr. Bayt Lahiya fire 4 flechette rounds at armed Palestinians operating 700 m fr. the border, killing 1 armed Palestinian, wounding 1. IDF troops at the Erez crossing fire into Gaza at Palestinians demonstrating against Israel’s imposition of a 300-m no-go zone along the length of the Gaza border, causing no injuries. Hamas authorities in Gaza extend for 15 days the detention of British journalist Paul Martin, detained (2/14) on suspicion of security offenses based on his testimony in a trial in Gaza on behalf of a Palestinian accused of collaboration with Israel. In the West Bank, the IDF conducts late-night arrest raids, house searches nr. Hebron, Jericho. PA Pres. Mahmud Abbas holds his weekly cabinet session in Hebron instead of Ramallah to protest Israel’s decision to include the Tomb of the Patriarchs/ al-Ibrahimi Mosque (located in Hebron) and Rachel’s Tomb in Bethlehem as Israeli national heritage sites, calling the move contrary to international law. (NYT 3/2; OCHA, PCHR 3/4)

IDF troops on the n. Gaza border fire on Palestinians scavenging material from destroyed buildings 400 m fr. the border, forcing them to flee; no injuries are reported. Shortly after, the same IDF unit shells the area where the Palestinians had been scavenging as well as a Palestinian home in Bayt Lahiya, causing damage but no injuries. In the West Bank, the IDF patrols in Bayt Rima nr. Ramallah during the day; conducts late-night arrest raids, house searches nr. Hebron. Some 50 Jewish settlers break into the ancient Na’aran synagogue in Palestinian-controlled area A in Jericho to hold religious services, declaring their hopes of “renewing Jewish settlement in Jericho”; the IDF removes the settlers, arresting at least 35. Jewish settlers escorted by IDF troops enter Kafr Haris village n. of Salfit to perform Jewish prayers at monuments in the village. (HA 2/22; PCHR 2/24; OCHA 2/25)

Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu adds 2 key West Bank Jewish shrines, the Tomb of the Patriarchs (known as alIbrahimi Mosque to Palestinians) in the center of Hebron and Rachel’s Tomb just inside Bethlehem, to Israel’s national heritage sites, allocating $1 m. for their maintenance and repair as part of a $100 m. project to refurbish and link 150 national heritage sites, creating a “historical biblical trail [to] educate the next generation about Jewish and Zionist history.” The PA condemns the action. (IFM 2/21; PCHR, WT 2/22; NYT 2/23; JPI 3/4)

Israeli-Palestinian clashes continue, leaving 5 Palestinians, 1 Israeli Arab, 1 IDF soldier dead, 300 Palestinians injured. Following the funeral for Fatah cmdr. Ubayyat (attended by 10,000 Palestinians), a Palestinian sniper fires on IDF troops outside Rachel's Tomb nearby, killing 1 soldier, wounding another. A small bomb explodes in East Jerusalem, slightly injuring an Israeli border policeman. More than 50 IDF shells fall in the Ramallah area, hitting the PA civil administration building, the PA Central Bureau of Statistics headquarters, the Islamic Elementary School, several apartment complexes and homes. IDF tank, heavy machine gun fire are reported in and around Hebron, Jinin, Khan Yunis, Nablus, Qalqilya, Salfit. The IDF also bulldozes agricultural lands nr. Qalqilya. Jewish settlers uproot Palestinian olive trees nr. Ramallah, assault Palestinians in several locations around Nablus. Israel again restricts Palestinian access to al-Aqsa Mosque for Friday prayers. Egypt reports that Israel is barring medical goods, 30 ambulances donated by Saudi Arabia fr. entering Gaza via the Rafah crossing. (ADM, LAW 11/10; MENA 11/10 in WNC 11/13; NYT, PCHR, WP 11/11; HJ 11/15 in WNC 11/27)

UNSC resumes talks on an international buffer force for the West Bank, Gaza. Arafat lobbies for the UN to send 2,000 troops to the West Bank, Gaza, Jerusalem. The UK, U.S. vow to block the proposal as long as Israel disapproves. (XIN 11/10 in WNC 11/13; NYT, WP, WT 11/11; HJ 11/13 in WNC 11/15)

In Amman, Jordanian security forces peacefully disperse 1,000 Jordanians attempting to march to the Israeli emb. 100s of Lebanese, Palestinian refugees demonstrate at Fatima Gate on the blue line. The IDF shoots across the border, wounding a Lebanese truck driver approaching the border with a load of stones. (AFP [Internet] 11/10; DUS 11/10 in WNC 11/13; MEI 11/24)

Barak names Amb. to Jordan Oded Eran, to head final status negotiations with the PA. The PA reportedly does not think Eran is a senior enough figure, thinks his appointment is proof that Barak wants to conduct real negotiations in a back channel. (MM 10/26; NYT 10/27; AYM 10/27 in WNC 10/28; AYM 10/30, 11/1 in WNC 11/3; NYT 10/31; JP 11/5) (see 9/16)

Israel also announces that David Ivri, a fmr. air force cmdr. and DMin. dir. gen. who is now on Israel's national security adviser, will replace Zalman Shoval as amb. to the U.S. Washington reportedly asked for Ivri's appointment, just as Barak asked for Indyk to return as U.S. amb. to Israel (see 10/20). (MM, WP, WT 10/27; MM 10/28; JP 11/5)

U.S. special envoy Ross arrives in Israel for talks with Arafat, Barak in advance of the 11/2 Oslo summit.  During their meeting in Gaza, Ross, Arafat also discuss Israeli settlement activity, land confiscations, house demolitions. (AYM 10/26 in WNC 10/28; WT 10/27; AYM 10/30, 11/1 in WNC 11/3) (see 10/20)

In Israel, U.S. Defense Secy. William Cohen assures PM Barak, that the Clinton administration will press Congress to approve $1.2 b. in aid to help Israel implement the Wye accords; expresses concerns over Israel's proposed sale to India of Popeye air-to-surface missiles, which was jointly developed by Israel, the U.S. (WT 10/26; NYT, WP 10/27)

British FM Cook meets with the PA Jerusalem Affairs M Husseini at the American Colony Hotel in East Jerusalem for talks on Jerusalem's contested identity. Israeli, Palestinian security officials scuffle over who should guard Cook. (MM, NYT, WT 10/27; JP 11/5)

In Bethlehem, Palestinians, IDF troops clash for 2d day. Although the city is under PA security control, IDF troops are deployed to guard Rachel's Tomb, a Jewish religious site. A total of 30 Palestinians, 2 Israelis have been injured since 10/25. (MM, WP 10/27)

The IDF demolishes 2d Palestinian home in East Jerusalem in a 24-hr. period. (LAW 10/26)

In s. Lebanon, IDF shelling injures 4 civilians, damages 30 homes, an electricity station, and a water network. (RL 10/26 in WNC 10/27; RL 10/28 in WNC 10/29)

On the 5th anniversary of the assassination of its leader Fathi Shiqaqi by Mossad, the Palestinian Islamic Jihad, aided by Hizballah, detonates a roadside mine in s. Lebanon, targeting IDF and SLA forces. This is the 1st time Islamic Jihad has staged an attack in Lebanon. No injuries are reported. (NYT 10/28; MEI 11/12)