The Palestine Chronology

In the West Bank, Israeli forces demolish 2 residential buildings in the Beit El settlement, despite the govt.-backed petition from the developer. Around 200 Israeli settlers gather in Beit El to protest the demolition, throwing stones at the Israeli troops and setting small fires. For the 2d day in a row, settlers also gather in the Sa-Nur settlement outpost that was evacuated in 2005, and they verbally assault Palestinians in the area. Late at night, IDF troops evacuate the outpost and the surrounding area; no violence is reported. Meanwhile, IDF troops conduct late-night raids in Aida r.c. nr. Bethlehem, arresting 3 Palestinians. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces demolish a wedding hall and several other Palestinian buildings in Bayt Hanina. They also patrol in Issawiyya, sparking minor clashes with stone-throwing Palestinian youths; 3 Palestinians are arrested. (HA, JP, MNA, TOI, WAFA 7/29; HA, JP, PCHR, YA 7/30; PCHR 8/6)

Israeli PM Netanyahu approves the “immediate” construction of 296 settler residences in Beit El, and 500 in East Jerusalem. Israel’s COGAT Mordechai signs a permit to immediately sell land for the construction, and the municipality will be allowed to issue construction permits within 15 days. The UN, EU, U.S. State Dept., Egyptian Foreign Ministry, and PLO all criticize the settlement announcement. (HA, MNA, TOI, WAFA, YA 7/29; MNA, WAFA, YA 7/30)

In Syria, an IAF drone launches an air strike nr. the border with Israel, killing 2 Hizballah fighters and 3 Syrian soldiers. The IDF does not comment on the incident, and reports differ on the nature of the attack. Separately, according to the PFLP-Gen. Command, an ally of the Syrian govt., Israeli jets strike an arms depot used by the group in Lebanon nr. the border with Syria, injuring 6. (HA, JP, YA 7/29; HA 7/30)

Off the n. Gaza coast, Israeli naval forces open fire on Palestinian fishing boats, causing no injuries. In the West Bank, Israeli forces violently disperse around 300 Israeli settlers in the Beit El settlement protesting the High Court’s 7/26 injunction on building in the settlement and its order for 2 residential buildings to be demolished by 7/30; 2 settlers are arrested. The settlers throw stones at empty Palestinian vehicles in the area. A separate group of over 200 Israeli settlers reoccupies the Sa-Nur settlement outpost nr. Jenin that was evacuated in 2005, calling for the govt. to approve the return of settlers to the site. Overnight in East Jerusalem, Israeli forces demolish 2 Palestinian stores, 2 warehouses, and 3 residences in Silwan; assault and arrest 2 Palestinians during a raid in Ras al-Amud. Israeli settlers assault an elderly Palestinian in Ras al-Amud, lightly injuring her. (HA, MNA, TOI, WAFA 7/28; HA, PCHR 7/30)

Israeli PM Netanyahu says that his govt. is taking “legal action” against the High Court’s 7/26 demolition order for the 2 residences in the Beit El settlement. His comments follow 2 days of minor clashes between settlers and Israeli troops in and around Beit El. (HA, JP, TOI 7/28)

Netanyahu meets with Cypriot pres. Anastasiades in Cyprus and, according to PA sources, Anastasiades reportedly outlines a new European and Cypriot initiative to restart the Israeli-Palestinian peace negotiations . The PA sources say that Anastasiades discussed the initiative with PA pres. Abbas on 7/27, and it includes an invitation for Netanyahu and Abbas to separately address EU leaders in Brussels at a future summit. (JP 7/27; JP, MNA, REU, TOI 7/28)

The U.S. Parole Commission announces that imprisoned Israeli spy Jonathan Pollard’s parole has been approved and that he will be released from prison on 11/21, having completed a 30-year sentence after being convicted of passing military intelligence to Israel in 1985. Pollard will be required to stay in the U.S. for 5 years after his release. Secy. of State Kerry reiterates that Pollard’s release is not connected to the tension surrounding the nuclear deal reached by the P5+1 and Iran on 7/14. (EI, HA, MNA 7/28; HA 7/29)