The Palestine Chronology

In the West Bank, IDF troops violently disperse protesters at numerous demonstrations marking the 1967 war and the beginning of military occupation. Hundreds of Palestinians attend protests at Hebron, Qalandia checkpoint nr. Ramallah, where 4 are injured by rubbercoated metal bullets, and other locations around the West Bank. The IDF conducts house searches and arrest raids in 1 village each nr. Jenin, Ramallah, and Salfit. (MNA 6/5; PCHR 6/12)

Israeli PM Netanyahu unfreezes plans for 1,800 settlement housing units and Housing Minister Uri Ariel publishes tenders for a separate 1,500 housing units in East Jerusalem and the West Bank. Ariel describes the move as an “appropriate Zionist response to the Palestinian terror govt.” Palestinian chief negotiator Saeb Erekat warns of Israeli efforts to annex areas of the West Bank and calls on the international community to boycott settlement products and hold Israel accountable. PLO official Ashrawi says the Palestinians will address the latest settlement expansion at the UNSC. State Dept. dep. spokesperson Harf says that the U.S. is “deeply disappointed” by Israel’s announcement and says “it is hard to see how these settlements contribute to peace.” The EU expresses “deep disappointment” about the moves, and calls on the Israeli authorities “to reverse this decision.” (AFP, AP, HA, MNA, REU, ToI 6/5)

Two mortar shells fired from within Syria land in the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights, causing no damage or injuries. The IDF says the fire is likely inadvertent. (ToI 6/5)

In the West Bank, the IDF conducts house searches and arrest raids in 2 villages nr. Bethlehem, 2 villages nr. Qalqilya, and 1 village nr. Hebron at night; patrols Qalqilya and in 1 village each nr. Salfit, Jenin, and Hebron at night. (PCHR 6/20)

Israel’s Economics and Trade Minister Naftali Bennett says that the idea of a Palestinian state is “dead” and urges Israel to annex Area C of the West Bank as soon as possible. In response, Palestinian chief negotiator Saeb Erakat says that the international community needs to recognize that Israel has declared the end of the two-state solution. However, separately, Israel’s Housing Minister Uri Ariel says that the govt. has frozen nearly all housing starts in settlements in the West Bank and East Jerusalem, to boost efforts to restart talks. (AFP, JP, REU, YA 6/17)

Reports in Fiji’s media suggest that the Pacific island will replace some of the UNDOF peacekeepers withdrawn by Austria (following previous withdrawals by Croatia and Japan), sending 170 troops by the end of 6/2013. (JP 6/17)

U.S. Secy. of State John Kerry welcomes the Arab League’s expression of support for reviving peace talks made the previous day, describing it as a ‘‘very big step forward.’’ An Israeli official welcomes the development, but says that the framework will not be a starting point for talks. Justice Minister Tzipi Livni says that the Arab League proposal represents encouragement for the Palestinians that they have regional support for a negotiated agreement. PLO Chief Negotiator Saeb Erekat says that the Arab League’s support for land swaps is nothing new. Meanwhile, Israel’s Construction and Housing Minister Uri Ariel says that his party, Bayit Yehudi, will not back a 2013 budget that does not include full funding for West Bank settlement construction projects. (NYT 4/29; MNA, JP 4/30)

In the Gaza Strip, the IDF makes an air strike nr. Rafah assassinating Hitham al-Mishal, whom Israel accuses of being a Salafist militant responsible for arms manufacturing. In response, Hamas urges Egypt to ensure that Israel stays committed to the truce deal signed at the end of Operation Pillar of Defense in 11/2012 (see QU 167). Israeli naval vessels open fire on Palestinian fishermen twice, once off the central Gaza coast nr. Dayr al-Balah and once off the south Gaza coast nr. Rafah, in the latter case causing damage and 1 injury. IDF forces also make a brief incursion into central Gaza nr. Juhr al-Dikto level land and clear lines of sight along the border fence. In the West Bank, a Palestinian fatally stabs a Jewish settler from Yitzhar at a Tapuach junction bus stop. In retaliation, Jewish settlers riot and attack Palestinians across the West Bank, including blocking roads and throwing stones at passing vehicles. Overall, the Palestinian civil defense report 57 fires across the West Bank caused by settlers, with damage to hundreds of olive and almond trees. In the most serious incident, Jewish settlers from Yitzhar settlement attack a mosque in Urif village and try to set it on fire; and stone a bus carrying Palestinian schoolchildren, injuring 2. The attack on Urif sparks clashes between IDF forces and Palestinians, leaving 4 Palestinians injured. Meanwhile, the IDF patrols in Hebron and 2 villages nr. Ramallah in the morning; conducts house searches and arrest raids in Tulkarm in the afternoon, and in Bethlehem and Tulkarm at night. (HA, MNA 4/30; MNA 5/1; PCHR 5/2)

UNRWA estimates that 235,000 Palestinian refugees have been displaced inside Syria during the ongoing civil war. (AP, WAFA 4/30)