The Palestine Chronology

PA pres. Abbas and Hamas leader Khalid Mishal hold separate meetings with Egyptian pres. Mohamed Morsi in Cairo to discuss ending the split between Fatah and Hamas. The focus of the talks is on forming a Palestinian unity government and holding overdue presidential and parliamentary elections in the West Bank and Gaza Strip. Hopes are not high that substantial progress will be made on implementing the national reconciliation deal agreed in Cairo in 2011. The developments are condemned by Israeli PM Netanyahu. (JP, REU 1/9)

PA labor min. Ahmad Majdalani says that the PA hopes that forthcoming regional meetings will result in promised aid transfers from Arab countries. Meanwhile, West Bank public transport workers go on strike following what they view as an unsatisfactory response from the Transportation Ministry to their demands for a reduction in fuel prices. (MNA 1/8; MNA, WAFA 1/9)

Israeli NGO Peace Now says that the government has legalized the status of unauthorized settlement outpost Nofei Nehemia nr. Nablus. (AFP 1/9)

Palestinian human rights group al-Haq says that the death of a Palestinian man in Hamas custody on 12/27 in the Gaza Strip must be thoroughly and transparently investigated. (MNA 1/9)

In the West Bank, the IDF conducts house searches and arrest raids in 4 villages nr. Jenin at night. (PCHR 1/17)