The Palestine Chronology

Under continued pressure fr. Obama and Quartet special envoy Tony Blair, Israel’s security cabinet agrees in principle to switch fr. a blanket ban on entry of goods to Gaza to a prohibited list of items considered “weapons and war-supporting materiel” and to allow “a significantly greater volume of goods” into the Strip. The easing would affect overland transportation only. The naval blockade and all restrictions on exports and the entry and exit of individuals remain. Separately, the U.S. and Israel announce that the Obama-Netanyahu meeting originally set for 6/1 will be held at the White House on 7/6. In addition, Mitchell, who has just returned fr. meetings with the Palestinian (6/18) and Israeli (6/19) peace teams, reports that the sides are ready to consider renewing proximity talks. (NYT, WP 6/21; WP 6/23; JPI 7/9)

The IDF makes a brief incursion into the no-go zone in n. Gaza to investigate a heavy explosion, searching the area and pulling back into Israel without incident. In the West Bank, the IDF fires rubber-coated steel bullets, tear gas at Palestinians staging a nonviolent demonstration against the separation wall nr. Bethlehem, also violently beating 3 Palestinian cameramen for Palestinian and foreign news outlets; conducts synchronized late-night patrols in villages w. of Jenin, making no arrests. Israeli police in Jerusalem seal the Ilaf Association for Education Support, which provides student loans for some 160 college students, for allegedly hosting Hamas meetings and thereby supporting a “terrorist organization.” (PCHR 6/24; OCHA 6/25)

After 2 days of heated debate, Netanyahu’s security cabinet, under heavy international pressure to ease restrictions on Gaza, agrees to increase the amounts of goods already allowed for import and to add some new items to the permitted import list, including allowing import of all foodstuffs and increasing imports of building materials for construction overseen by credible third parties, such as the UN. The strict naval blockade would remain in place. (IFM 6/17; NYT, OCHA, WP 6/18)

IDF troops on the s. Gaza border fire on armed Palestinians operating nr. the border fence, wounding 1. In 2 separate incidents (in the fmr. n. Gaza settlement sites and the Erez industrial zone), IDF troops on the n. Gaza border fire warning shots at Palestinians scavenging for construction goods nr. the border, causing no injuries. In a 3d incident later in the day, IDF troops make an incursion into n. Gaza nr. Bayt Lahiya and stay there most of the day to prevent Palestinians fr. entering the area to look for construction materials. In the West Bank, the IDF conducts synchronized late-night house searches in villages s. and w. of Jenin, making no arrests; conducts late-night arrest raids, house searches nr. Ramallah. (PCHR 6/24; OCHA 6/25)