The Palestine Chronology

In the Gaza Strip, the IDF continues its assault, launching air strikes on approximately 47 targets, killing 38 Palestinians and injuring dozens. Among the 38 are 3 high-ranking commanders in al-Qassam Brigades, who are killed overnight by Israeli fighter jets in Rafah. Five Palestinian civilians are also killed in the strike and at least 40 are injured. The armed Palestinian groups fire 109 rockets and mortars into Israel, with 7 landing in built-up areas and 13 intercepted by Iron Dome batteries. One Israeli man is injured with mortar shrapnel nr. Eshkol. Meanwhile, Hamas executes 3 alleged collaborators with Israel, and arrests 7 others. In the West Bank, IDF troops level land nr. Salfit to clear space for an Israeli settlement to expand. Also, the IDF conducts house searches and raids in 4 villages nr. Hebron, Dayr Istya, ‘Askar r.c., al-Bireh, and Bayt Liqya, arresting 9 and issuing summons to 2. Clashes break out with Palestinians in Bayt Liqya, and the Israeli soldiers open fire with live ammunition, tear gas canisters, and sound bombs. Separately, the IDF conducts 4 separate incursions into Hebron and 3 villages n. of Jericho. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces and municipal officials enter Silwan to hand demolition notices to the owners of 2 apartment buildings where 19 Palestinians live. (MNA 8/21; HA 8/22; PCHR 8/28)

There is no major diplomatic progress as disagreements that led to the breakdown of talks on 8/19 remain between the Palestinian factions and the Israeli negotiators. Mishal says in an interview with Turkish Anadolu News Agency that Hamas will keep fighting until Israel meets its terms for a permanent truce, while Israel’s Maj. Gen. Yoav Mordechai says that Israel will not hold cease-fire negotiations as long as rocket fire from Gaza continues. PA Pres. Abbas travels again to Doha where he will meet with Qatari emir Bin Hamad al-Thani and Hamas leader Mishal to discuss the continued Israeli assault and possible future cease-fire negotiations. Also present are head of the Palestinian delegation in Cairo Azzam al-Ahmad, PLO chief negotiator Saeb Erakat, and PA intelligence chief Majid Faraj. (AA, HA 8/21; MEMO, MNA 8/22)

Qatari Emir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani, accompanied by his wife and the Qatari PM, arrives in the Gaza Strip, becoming the 1st head of state to visit since Hamas took control of Gaza in 6/2007. The emir inaugurates reconstruction projects worth $400 mi. and calls on Hamas and Fatah to reconcile. Hamas authorities did not invite Fatah officials to meet the emir, leading some in Fatah to call for a boycott of the emir’s visit. The U.S. reacts cautiously, saying it shares Qatar’s ‘‘deep concern for the welfare of the Palestinian people.’’ (REU 10/21; MNA 10/22; AFP, BBC 10/23)

PA employees continue to strike over late and incomplete payment of salaries, as the PA cabinet calls on civil servants to go back to work. (MNA 23/10)

Armed mbrs. of the PFLP fire a mortar at an IDF patrol on the Gaza border, injuring 1 officer. The IDF kills 3 Hamas mbrs. it says were preparing to fire rockets into Israel. Unidentified Palestinians fire 7 rockets and mortars into Israel at night, causing no injuries. In the West Bank, the IDF conducts late-night house searches and arrest raids in 2 villages nr. Nablus. (AKH, REU, ToI 10/23; PCHR 11/8)