The Palestine Chronology

In the West Bank, a Palestinian teenager dies on her way to hospital after being delayed by a closed Israeli checkpoint en route to Bethlehem. Separately, Palestinians and Israeli soldiers clash at the entrance to Aida r.c. in Bethlehem, with 3 Palestinians injured, including 1 by live ammunition. An Israeli toddleris injured when unknown attackers stone the car she was traveling in, nr. Sur al-Bahir. Meanwhile, around 150 Jewish settlers throw stones at Palestinian vehicles nr. Bethlehem, causing damage but no injuries. The IDF conducts house searches and arrest raids in 1 village each nr. Jenin and Ramallah at night; patrols in Hebron and nearby al-‘Arub r.c. and 2 villages (clashes in all of the above), and 1 village nr. Jenin in the afternoon, and in 1 village each nr. Hebron, Jenin and Tulkarm at night. (HA, MNA 11/28; PCHR 12/5)

Israel’s Central Bureau of Statistics publishes data revealing that the number of West Bank settler housing starts grew by 132% in the 1st 9 mos. of 2013, compared with the same time period in 2012. (JP 11/28)

Yukiya Amano, head of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), says that Iran has invited the agency to inspect the Arak heavy-water production plan on 12/8, as part of the new 6-mo. interim deal. Amano also says that the IAEA will need more money to verify the implementation of the deal. (AP, REU 11/28)

In the Gaza Strip, IDF troops open fire from the border and wound a Palestinian farmer working close to the fence nr. Jabaliya r.c. In the West Bank, the IDF patrols in 1 village nr. Tulkarm in the afternoon, and in 1 village nr. Hebron at night. 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), 1 village nr. Qalqilya (Kafr Qaddum), and 1 village nr. Bethlehem (al-Ma‘sara). There are no serious injuries, except in Bil‘in, where 2 are struck by tear gas canisters. (MNA 8/30; PCHR 9/5)

Israel’s Central Bureau of Statistics publishes data showing that the number of settler housing starts in the West Bank rose by 141.5% in the 1st half of 2013, compared to the same period in 2012. (JP 8/30)

The Obama administration intensifies its public case for military action against Syria with the release of what it presents as evidence that the Syrian govt. has used chemical weapons against civilians on a number of occasions, including the attack last week. Pres. Obama and Secy. of State Kerry make separate statements condemning the Asad regime but committing the U.S. to only a limited retaliatory action. Meanwhile, according to an unnamed State Dept. official, Kerry speaks with the FMs of Britain, Egypt, Germany, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates. (AP, REU 8/30)

Thousands of supporters of ousted pres. Morsi march in Cairo and other cities across Egypt in protest at the military coup. According to a security source, the day’s protests leave 6 dead and more than 50 injured. (REU 8/30)