The Palestine Chronology

In East Jerusalem at night, Israeli settlers kidnap 16-year-old Mohammed Abu Khdeir from Shu‘fat, burn him alive, and leave his body in the Jerusalem Forest. PA Pres. Abbas states that Israel “bears full responsibility for this incident” and “must bring those responsible to justice.” Israeli PM Netanyahu urges police “to swiftly investigate who was behind the loathsome murder” and calls on all sides “not to take the law into their own hands.” In a statement, Secy. of State Kerry condemns the killing as a “sickening” act of “vengeance,” adding that the U.S. looks “to both the govt. of Israel and the PA to take all necessary steps to prevent acts of violence and bring their perpetrators to justice.” UN Middle East envoy Robert Serry also condemns the killing. During the day, there are protests and clashes in Jerusalem, especially in Shu‘fat, and 170 Palestinians are wounded. Meanwhile, Jewish settlers attack Palestinian-owned vehicles in Jaba‘, causing damage to dozens. In the Gaza Strip, Palestinians fire 9 mortars into s. Israel, causing no damage or injuries. The IDF attacks 15 targets across Gaza, injuring 11, including at least 3 civilians. Targets include a number of al-Qassam Brigades training camps. Palestinians fire 2 rockets at Ashqelon, with 1 intercepted by an Iron Dome battery and 1 falling in an open area. Later, 10 rockets are fired into s. Israel, causing no damage or injuries (1 is shot down). Meanwhile, off the coast nr. al-Sudaniyya IDF naval forces open fire on Palestinian fishermen, causing no damage or injuries. In the West Bank, IDF troops destroy a house nr. Hebron. It belonged to Ziad Awad, who is charged by Israeli authorities with the killing of an Israeli police officer in 4/2014. The IDF says that the demolition is intended to serve as a deterrent. During the demolition, IDF troops clash with residents and wound 6 with live ammunition. The IDF also conducts house searches and arrest raids in Hebron at night. Israeli settlers set fire to a sheep farm nr. Nablus, causing damage, and leaving “price tag” graffiti. (AFP, HA, JP, MNA, REU, YA, WAFA 7/2)

Reps. of Iran and the P5+1 group begin the 6th and final scheduled round of talks ahead of the 7/20 deadline for agreeing to a deal on Iran’s disputed nuclear program. Talks are scheduled to take place between 7/3 and 7/15, but may continue up to the deadline. Both sides say that progress has been made, but major differences remain. (BBC 7/3)

In the West Bank, the IDF opens a major road fr. Hebron to Bayt ‘Awwa that passes by Kiryat Arba settlement to Palestinian traffic for the 1st time in 8 yrs. after the High Court rules that closing the road is not necessary to protect the safety of local Jewish settlers; however, 2 road blocks at either end of the road are replaced with permanently staffed IDF checkpoints, and Palestinians wishing to use the road must apply for special IDF permits (as of 8/31 only 22 vehicles and 44 drivers were on the list). The IDF also conducts late-night arrest raids, house searches nr. Bethlehem and in ‘Askar r.c., Balata r.c., and Bil‘in. Israeli police carry out a predawn eviction of 2 Palestinian families (52 people, including 20 children) fr. the Ghawi and Hanun residences in Shaykh Jarrah (see 7/28), where they have lived for more than 50 yrs., after the High Court rules that the Jewish settlers who claim ownership can move in even while the authenticity of their deeds remains disputed; Jewish settlers move in immediately; Britain, the U.S. State Dept., and UN special coordinator for the Middle East Robert Serry issue statements denouncing the action, which in Serry’s words, “heighten[s] tensions and undermine[s] international efforts to create conditions for . . . achiev[ing] peace.” Jewish settlers fr. Harsina settlement nr. Hebron set fire to 10 d. of Palestinian agricultural land nearby in an effort to create territorial linkage btwn. the settlement and a 200 d. plot of land nearby fenced off by the IDF as a closed military zone. (NYT, WP, WT 8/3; OCHA, PCHR, WJW 8/6; OCHA 8/18; OCHA Humanitarian Monitor 8/09)