The Palestine Chronology

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers uprooted some 400 grape saplings in Turmus ‘Ayya. Israeli forces violently dispersed the weekly anti-settlement protests in Kafr Qaddum, seriously injuring 1 Palestinian minor who was hospitalized with a fractured skull after being hit by a rubber-coated bullet; 14 others were also injured by rubber-coated bullets and others suffered tear-gas related injuries during Israeli crackdowns on protests in Bayt Dajan and Kafr Malik. 10 Palestinians were arrested during raids in and around Bayt Dajan, Jenin, and Bethlehem. (WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 11/27; HA, WAFA 11/28; PCHR 12/3)

In the West Bank, a PA-issued 48-hour lockdown commenced to halt the spread of the COVID-19 virus. The lockdown will last until 11/29. (AJ, WAFA 11/27)

A top Iranian nuclear scientist, Mohsen Fakhrizadeh, was assassinated while driving his car in Absard some 40 miles east of Tehran. Iran said that there were “serious indications of Israeli responsibility.” An anonymous Israeli official confirmed to the NYT that Israel was behind the assassination. The NYT also had 3 other intelligence sources confirm Israel’s involvement. According to Iran’s Fars News Agency, Fakhrizadeh was killed by a remote-controlled machine gun attached to a deserted car. The NYT reported a different story of the events in which 12 assassins caught up to Fakhrizadeh’s car and shot him before leaving the scene unharmed. Israel has previously claimed that Fakhrizadeh was the scientist behind Iran’s nuclear program and Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu said in 2018 during a press conference that people should remember Fakhrizadeh’s name. Former CIA director John Brennan condemned the assassination, calling it “flagrant violation of international law.” The EU, UN, UAE, and Jordan also condemned the assassination. Israel assassinated at least 4 Iranian scientists between 2010 and 2012. Several Israeli public officials denied knowing who assassinated Fakhrizadeh. (AJ, AJ, HA, REU, REU 11/27; AJ, AJ, AJ, AJ, HA, HA, HA, HA, NYT, REU 11/28; AJ, GDN, HA, HA, REU 11/29; AJ, FOX, HA, HA, NBC, REU, SKY, TOI, VOA 11/30; HA 12/1)

In Israel, Israeli forces demolish the bedouin village al-‘Araqib in the Negev for the 81st time since it was 1st targeted in 2010; detain the head of the Prisoners’ Families Comm. in Jerusalem, Amjad Abu Asab, at Ben Gurion airport where he was on his way to participate in a conference in Turkey. In Gaza, 2 Palestinians are killed in separate incidents in underground tunnels: an Izzeddin al-Qassam Brigades (IQB) mbr. dies in a Hamas-operated tunnel w. of Rafah; and, a man dies of accidental electrocution in a smuggling tunnel also nr. Rafah. In the West Bank, the IDF patrols in 1 village each nr. Tulkarm, Salfit, and Hebron. Israeli settlers destroy 40 olive trees nr. Hebron and, separately, attack a Palestinian nearby, lightly injuring him. In East Jerusalem, 78 right-wing Jewish activists tour Haram al-Sharif. (MNA, PNN 2/19; PCHR 2/26)

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) delivers a report on Iran’s nuclear program, concluding that the Iranian govt. is still not fully cooperating though it has largely upheld its obligations under the Joint Plan of Action (JPOA), which governs its negotiations with the P5+1. IAEA officials will discuss these issues with Iranian officials in Tehran on 3/9. (AP, FT, HA, NYT, REU 2/19; REU 2/20)

The IDF conducts house searches and arrest raids in Nablus and Balata r.c. at night; patrols in Hebron and 3 villages and al-‘Arub r.c. nearby, and in 2 villages nr. Ramallah at night. In East Jerusalem, Palestinians demonstrate at Haram al-Sharif against Israeli restrictions on worshippers’ access. (MNA 6/10; PCHR 6/12)

Reuven Rivlin is elected pres. of Israel by a vote in the Knesset of 63–53, defeating Meir Sheetrit. The 74-year-old mbr. of Likud replaces Peres. (REU 6/10)

Iranian pres. Rouhani says that Tehran will “do its best” to secure a deal over its disputed nuclear program. After further U.S.-Iranian discussions in Geneva on 6/9, Iran’s chief negotiator and dep. FM Araghchi says that the talks were “fruitful” but that “divergences remain and the consultations are going to continue.” (AFP, REU 6/10)

In the West Bank, Israeli forces open fire with live ammunition during a raid of Silwad village nr. Ramallah, wounding 4. The IDF conducts house searches and arrest raids in Bethlehem at night; patrols in 3 villages nr. Hebron at night. Jewish settlers nr. Hebron cut down or vandalize around 40 Palestinianowned olive trees. 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 Ni‘lin). There are no serious injuries, except in Bil‘in where 1 is wounded by a bullet and Nabi Salih where 2 are wounded by rubber-coated metal bullets. (MNA 12/27; PCHR 1/2)

U.S. State Dept. spokesperson Jen Psaki says that Israel has informed the U.S. that the release of 26 Palestinian prisoners will be postponed 1 day, to 12/30. (MNA 12/27)

A car bomb in Beirut kills 7 people and wounds more than 50, including Mohammad Chatah, former minister and mbr. of the March 14 coalition. Former PM Saad Hariri hints that Hizballah is behind the attack and Fares Souaid, secy.-gen. of March 14, calls for the creation of a govt. that excludes Hizballah. (AFP, DS, REU 12/27)

Clashes break out across Egypt between supporters of the Muslim Brotherhood and security forces, 3 are killed and 87 wounded, with more than 250 arrested. The group’s supporters had gathered to protest the govt.’s classification of the Brotherhood as a terrorist organization on 12/24. (AFP, AP, REU 12/27)

Ali Akbar Velayati, senior adviser to Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, calls for new direct talks with the U.S. over Tehran’s nuclear program. Separately, the head of Iran’s Atomic Energy Organization, Ali Akbar Salehi, says that the country is building a new generation of centrifuges for uranium enrichment, in what is seen as a gesture toward hard-liners unhappy with the ongoing negotiations with reps. of the P5+1 in Geneva. (AP 12/27)

In the West Bank, the IDF conducts house searches and arrest raids in 1 village nr. Jenin in the morning, and in 2 villages nr. Jenin and al-Fawar and al-‘Arub r.c. nr. Hebron at night; patrols in Nablus, 3 villages nr. Tulkarm and 1 village nr. Hebron at night. In Bayt Umar village nr. Hebron, the IDF attacks a funeral procession, sparking clashes where 2 Palestinians are injured by rubber-coated metal bullets. In East Jerusalem, Israeli troops demolish residential and agricultural structures in al-Za’ayem village, displacing around 35 people. In addition, Israel’s Housing Minister Uri Ariel visits the al-Aqsa mosque compound under police protection, heading a tour group of around 100 rightist Jewish activists. (MNA, WAFA 9/11; PCHR 9/12)

The 5 permanent mbrs. of the UNSC meet at Russia’s UN mission to discuss the contents of a new res. on the securing and dismantling of Syria’s chemical weapons. Meanwhile, U.S. Secy. of State John Kerry and Russian FM Sergey Lavrov speak by phone the day before heading to Geneva for talks with experts about the practicalities of the Russian proposal. France, for its part, aligns itself with the U.S. position of insisting that a military option remains on the table but that the diplomatic process will be prioritized. (AFP, AP, REU 9/11)

Three attacks including 2 car bombs kill 11 people and injure more than 15 in the Sinai, as the army continues its offensive against Islamist militants, including Ansar Bayt al-Maqdis. The dead include 9 Egyptian officers targeted at the intelligence headquarters in Rafah. Meanwhile, Israeli officials arrive in Cairo on a private jet for discussions with Egyptians security officials expected to focus on events in the Sinai. (MNA, REU 9/11)

U.S. Amb. Joseph Macmanus tells a meeting of the IAEA that there are “troubling developments” in Iran’s nuclear program amid concerns that Tehran is stalling on achieving any progress in negotiations with the international community. Iran’s FM Mohammad Javad Zarif says that Iran’s nuclear work could take place under international safeguards but would not just go away. (REU 9/11)

In the Gaza Strip, a mbr. of Hamas’s military wing Izzeddin al-Qassam Brigades dies in circumstances that were not disclosed, but suggest an accident during training or preparation for a mission. In the West Bank, the IDF conducts house searches and arrest raids in 1 village nr. Hebron at night, and patrols in 2 villages nr. Hebron and 1 village nr. Salfit in the afternoon. (MNA 5/9; PCHR 9/12)

Fatah Central Cmte. mbr. Nabil Shaath tells Palestinian media that the leadership will not accept proposed temporary solutions in the West Bank, and claims Israel has yet to put any offers on the table in negotiations. Shaath says the 2 sides have spent almost 6 weeks presenting issues like borders and security, and that Israel insists on maintaining control of the Jordan River. Israel’s Prime Minister’s Office refuses to comment on leaks in the press, including suggestions that Israel suggested the establishment of a temporary Palestinian state in 60% of the West Bank. (HA, MNA 9/5)

U.S. Pres. Obama meets Russian pres. Putin at the G20 summit in St. Petersburg, where they are due to discuss pressing issues such as Syria and the global economy. (REU 9/5)

Iran’s Pres. Hassan Ruhani says that the Foreign Ministry will take over the running of talks with the international community over the nuclear program, but without specifying a chief negotiator. Meanwhile, State Dept. spokesperson Jen Psaki says that Washington hopes Tehran will “engage substantively” with global powers to find a solution to the crisis and issues with IAEA inspections. (AFP, REU 9/5)

In the Gaza Strip, IDF troops open fire on Palestinian children close to the border fence nr. Jabaliya r.c., wounding 2. The IDF also opens fire on Palestinian fishermen working nr. Gaza City, injuring none but causing damage to their boats. In the West Bank, the IDF shoots and kills 1 Palestinian and wounds 2 others in Jenin r.c. after opening fire in clashes sparked by an arrest raid. The IDF conducts house searches and arrest raids in 1 village nr. Bethlehem at night; patrols in 2 villages nr. Jenin, 1 village nr. Nablus, and in Dahaysha r.c. nr. Bethlehem. During clashes in Dahaysha, the IDF wounds 1 Palestinian with a rubber-coated metal bullet. IDF troops also demolish 15 structures of Bedouin residents in the n. Jordan Valley, including residential sheds and animal barns. (MNA, REU, WAFA 8/20; PCHR 8/22)

Israeli and Palestinian negotiating teams meet in Jerusalem to continue discussions taking place following the resumption of official peace talks. U.S. envoy to the peace process Martin Indyk joins the teams, following the previous session that lacked a U.S. presence. The Israeli delegation is headed by Tzipi Livni and Yitzhak Molcho, while the Palestinian side is led by Saeb Erakat and Mohammed Shtayyeh. Livni tells Israeli media that both sides have agreed on not sharing details of their discussions to build trust. (AFP, AP, HA 8/20)

Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Abbas Araqchi hints that Tehran’s FM Mohammad Javad Zarif is poised to take over as negotiator in talks over the country’s nuclear program. Previous negotiator Saeed Jalili was one of the more conservative candidates defeated in the June 14 presidential election. (AP, NYT 8/20)

Turkish PM Recep Tayyip Erdogan accuses Israel of being involved in the military coup that removed Pres. Morsi in Egypt, though offers only a reference to a meeting between French intellectual Bernard-Henri Levy and Tzipi Livni as evidence of his claim. The Egyptian cabinet rejects the comments as baseless, and Erdogan’s remarks are also condemned by White House spokesperson Josh Earnest as “offensive.” (AP, REU 8/20)