The Palestine Chronology

Unidentified Palestinians fire a mortar fr. Gaza into Israel, causing no damage or injuries, marking the 1st cross-border Palestinian fire since 12/16. In the West Bank, the IDF patrols in PA-controlled areas just n. of Ramallah at midday, making no arrests; conducts late-night arrest raids, house searches in al-Fara‘a r.c. and nr. Nablus. (JP, YA 12/30; OCHA, PCHR 1/6)

In the West Bank, the IDF stages synchronized late-night house searches in and around Jenin town and r.c., arresting 1 Palestinian; conducts late-night arrest raids, house searches in al-Fara‘a r.c. nr. Tubas and nr. Hebron, Ramallah. A Jewish settler is fatally shot while driving nr. Nablus; a caller to a Palestinian radio station claims the attack was carried out by the Fatah-offshoot al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigades (AMB). Jewish settlers, implementing their “price-tag doctrine” of retaliation, vandalize Palestinian homes and block Palestinian traffic nr. Yitzhar settlement s. of Nablus; bar Palestinian traffic, stone and vandalize Palestinian vehicles, and uproot 100s of Palestinian trees nr. Shavei Shomron settlement, home to the deceased settler; attempt to prevent a Palestinian bus fr. passing through the Einav checkpoint nr. Tulkarm. (NYT 12/25; PCHR 12/30; OCHA 1/6)

In the West Bank, the IDF demolishes a gas station and grocery store in Qusra village nr. Nablus, saying Palestinian youths had used the buildings as cover to throw stones at passing IDF troops; conducts late-night house searches nr. Hebron and Jenin, and in Balata r.c. and Jalazun r.c. nr. Ramallah, but makes only 2 arrests. (PCHR 12/30; OCHA 1/6)

In the West Bank, the IDF conducts late-night house searches in Bil‘in, arresting 2 Palestinians involved in the weekly demonstrations against the separation wall, including artist Ibrahim Bernat (who makes portraits from rubber bullets, tear gas, and stun grenade canisters fired by IDF troops against demonstrators), confiscating his portrait collection. A Jewish settler fr. Gush Etzion nr. Bethlehem fires on 5 Palestinian farmers working land in Safa village nr. Hebron that settlers have previously tried to seize; no injuries are reported; the IDF observes but does not intervene. Jewish settlers fr. Shilo stone Palestinian vehicles driving on the Ramallah– Nablus road nr. the settlement, causing no injuries; the IDF observes but does not intervene. (OCHA, PCHR 12/23)

For the 1st time since 11/23, Palestinians fire 2 rockets fr. Gaza into Israel, causing no damage or injuries; the IDF does not retaliate—an indication that Israel believes the cease-fire pledge that Hamas secured fr. the other Gaza factions on 11/21 is generally holding. In the West Bank, the IDF conducts late-night house searches in Dahaysha r.c. nr. Bethlehem and nr. Qalqilya, making no arrests. Jewish settlers fr. Shilo nr. Ramallah, escorted by IDF troops, attack Palestinian farmers working their fields nearby; the soldiers order the farmers to leave the area. (OCHA, PCHR 12/23; YA 12/30)

Some 10,000 Jewish settlers protest the 10-mo. settlement freeze outside Netanyahu’s Jerusalem residence. Also in Jerusalem, Palestinians in Shaykh Jarrah report that in the previous wk., Jewish settlers have slashed the tires of 19 Palestinian vehicles in the neighborhood. In the West Bank, the IDF conducts late-night arrest raids, house searches in Balata r.c. nr. Nablus and Ramallah. The Israeli High Court rejects a petition by a Palestinian student at Bethlehem University that challenged her deportation from the West Bank to Gaza in 10/09 because her legal address was in Gaza and she did not have an Israeli permit to live in the West Bank. (NYT, PCHR, WP 12/10; OCHA, PCHR 12/16)

In the West Bank, the IDF makes a late-night incursion into Bayt Liqiya nr. Ramallah, patrolling the streets and firing rubber-coated steel bullets at stone-throwing youths who confront them, causing no reported injuries; conducts late-night arrest raids, house searches nr. Jenin, Qalqilya. (OCHA, PCHR 11/25)

As the quarter opens, Israel’s siege of Gaza continues, with Israel barring all exports, all but limited humanitarian imports, and most cross-border transit by individuals (with very limited exceptions for extreme medical cases, VIPs, and international NGO workers). Violence in the West Bank is low and restrictions on Palestinian movement between major population centers have eased noticeably. Israeli-Palestinian peace talks are on hold as Palestinian Authority (PA) Pres. Mahmud Abbas refuses to resume negotiations until Israel implements a comprehensive settlement freeze (which Israel rejects).Today in Gaza, 4 Palestinians are injured when a smuggling tunnel under the Rafah border collapses. In the West Bank, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) conducts late-night arrest raids, house searches in and around Tubas, in Bayt Fajjar nr. Bethlehem, and in Qalandia refugee camp (r.c.) nr. Ramallah. Of note, 6 IDF soldiers refuse orders to dismantle structures at an unauthorized settlement outpost; they are relieved of duty pending a court-martial hearing. (NYT 11/17; OCHA, WP 11/18; PCHR 11/19)

In the West Bank, the IDF patrols Kafr Haris village nr. Salfit and imposes a curfew, disrupting all daily activities in the village; conducts late-night raids, house searches in Qalandia r.c. s. of Ramallah, ‘Aqabat r.c. s. of Jericho, Hebron, Qalqilya, and nr. Nablus, arresting 7 Palestinians (including 2 teenagers). (PCHR 11/12, 11/19)

To mark the Muslim holiday ‘Id al-Adha, Israeli officials allow the import of 3,000 cattle to Gaza. (WJW 11/12; JPI 11/19)

In the West Bank, the IDF conducts late-night raids, house searches in and around Hebron, in Jericho and Tubas, and nr. Ramallah, arresting 11 Palestinians (including 1 teenager). (PCHR 11/12)

In East Jerusalem, Israeli authorities paste demolition orders on the walls of 15 Palestinian homes in the ‘Ayn al-Luza, alBustan (in Silwan), and Yemen quarters of the Old City. Although residents of the houses are given 20 days to appeal the demolitions, the notices are back-dated 18 days. Elsewhere in Silwan, Israeli forces demolish 1 Palestinian home and deliver a demolition order to the Old Town Women Society, which provides aid to at least 70 Palestinian families. (OCHA, PCHR 11/12; PCHR 11/19)

An ailing Palestinian dies while waiting to exit Gaza to receive medical treatment in Egypt. (OCHA 11/09)

In the West Bank, IDF troops raid a café in Tubas and question a number of the customers; conduct late-night raids, house searches in and around Jenin and in Qalandia r.c. s. of Ramallah, arresting 2 Palestinians. Israeli security forces arrest Jewish settler Yosef Spinoza of Shvut Rachel settlement on charges of collaborating with Yaakov Teitel (arrested on 10/7). (PCHR 11/5; JPI 11/12)

Late at night, the Israeli navy intercepts a ship nr. Cyprus carrying 600 tons of weapons allegedly en route fr. Iran to Hizballah. Israel claims the containers of rockets, guns, and other ammunition, bearing Iranian insignia and carrying Iranian export documentation, were loaded in Egypt and headed to Syria for land transport to Lebanon, but says that neither the ship’s crew nor the Egyptians who loaded the cargo knew that the containers held arms. Iran and Syria officially deny the claims. (NYT, WP, WT 11/5; JPI, WJW 11/12)

In the West Bank, the IDF fires rubbercoated steel bullets, sound bombs, tear gas at Palestinian and international activists taking part in a nonviolent demonstration against the separation wall in Ni‘lin (10s suffer fr. tear gas inhalation) and at Palestinian activists, some of whom throw stones at IDF troops, taking part in a demonstration against the separation wall in Bil‘in (10s suffer fr. tear gas inhalation); closes the entrance to al-Ma‘sara and fires sound bombs, tear gas at Palestinian and international activists taking part in a demonstration against the separation wall there, beating a number of them (injuring 4 Palestinians, including 1 teenager); patrols Saffa village nr. Ramallah, firing rubber-coated steel bullets, tear gas, sound bombs at stone-throwing Palestinian youths who confront them (10s suffer fr. tear gas inhalation) and arresting 1 Palestinian. IDF troops also detain a Palestinian worker attempting to install power networks in al-Taqani nr. Hebron and confiscate his equipment. (Israeli efforts to prevent the construction and infrastructure projects in the village, which is close to Ma’on settlement, have been ongoing since 5/09.) (PCHR 11/5)

Armed Jewish settlers in the Bayt Safafa neighborhood of East Jerusalem attack a Palestinian family over a land ownership dispute, injuring 4 Palestinians. (OCHA Humanitarian Monitor 10/09; OCHA 11/5)

In the West Bank, the IDF raids a house in Bayt Fajjar nr. Bethlehem and another in Jericho, arresting 2 Palestinians (including 1 teenager). (PCHR 10/29)

New Israeli-Palestinian clashes erupt in East Jerusalem after Israel’s Islamic Movement and extremist Jewish groups call on their followers to rally in defense of the al-Aqsa Mosque and Temple Mount respectively. Israeli security forces deploy across the city to contain and prevent clashes, entering the al-Aqsa Mosque compound twice during the day with the stated aim of removing Palestinian demonstrators hiding among the approximately 200 worshippers at the site (temporarily locking worshippers inside the Dome of the Rock and the Southern Mosque), beating many Palestinians, firing tear gas and sound bombs, and arresting 10s of Palestinians (including PLC mbr. ‘Abd al-Qadir, who is ordered on 10/26 to stay out of Jerusalem for 21 days; see 10/4); as many as 25 Palestinians (including around 4 children, 7 women) and 5 journalists are injured. In a possibly related incident, Israeli security forces at Qalandia checkpoint arrest a Palestinian woman for allegedly attempting to stab an Israeli soldier; the IDF later raids her family’s house in Saffa nr. Ramallah. (NYT, WP, WT 10/26; OCHA, PCHR, WJW 10/29; PCHR 11/5)

An Israeli military court sentences 2 IDF soldiers to 20 days in a military prison, expels them fr. their unit, and prohibits them fr. serving as combat soldiers for having demonstrated in support of West Bank settlements during their swearing-in ceremony. (WJW 10/29)

In the West Bank, the IDF prevents Palestinian farmers and international activists fr. reaching agricultural lands nr. Bayt Umar n. of Hebron to cultivate olives, beating 1 Spanish and 1 Israeli activist, and forcing the farmers to leave the area. The IDF also conducts late-night raids, house searches in and around Jenin town and r.c., in ‘Aqabat Jabir r.c., nr Tulkarm and Jericho, arresting 4 Palestinians and summoning a number of others for questioning (violently beating the father of 1 suspect when he takes too long to open the door). Palestinian sources report that in the previous wk., at least 50 Jewish settlers fr. Ma’ale Levona attacked Palestinian farmers fr. Sinjil nr. Ramallah headed to their olive fields and were removed fr. the area by the IDF; Jewish settlers fr. the unauthorized settlement outpost of Adei Ad nr. Ramallah cut down 55 Palestinian olive trees in protest at the arrest of 2 other settlers for stealing Palestinian olives. (OCHA 10/22; PCHR 10/29; OCHA Humanitarian Monitor 10/09)

After unidentified Palestinians fire 1 rocket fr. Gaza into Israel (causing no damage or injuries), the IDF carries out air strikes on smuggling tunnels along the Rafah border and on a warehouse in Gaza City; no casualties are reported. (OCHA, PCHR 10/29)

In the West Bank, the IDF conducts late-night raids, house searches in and around Nablus and nearby ‘Askar r.c., in and around Tubas, nr. Jenin and Ramallah, arresting 8 Palestinians (including 4 teenagers). (PCHR 10/29)

In the West Bank, the IDF announces a high security alert and closes the Hawara checkpoint controlling access into Nablus for several hrs.; conducts late-night raids, house searches nr. Ramallah, arresting 1 Palestinian. (OCHA, PCHR 10/22)

In the West Bank, the IDF conducts late-night raids, house searches nr. Ramallah and Hebron, arresting 11 Palestinians (including 3 teenagers and 1 journalist). A Jewish settler fr. Eli nr. Nablus harasses Palestinian farmers working in their olive fields and is detained by the IDF. (PCHR 10/15; PCHR 10/22).

In the West Bank, IDF troops arrest 3 Palestinians teenagers at Hawara checkpoint nr. Nablus, claiming they are in possession of a knife and metal tools; raid a fuel station in Hebron and check the Palestinian workers’ ID cards, arresting 1. The IDF also raids and searches a number of houses nr. Hebron, arresting 1 Palestinian; conducts late-night raids, house searches nr. Ramallah, arresting 1 Palestinian; enters the Zif area of Hebron, where troops open fire and conduct raids, house-searches, transform the roofs of a number of houses into military outposts. As the Palestinian olive harvest officially begins, the IDF bars Jewish settler access and deploys additional border police to certain areas of the West Bank to prevent clashes. A 17- yr.-old Palestinian shot in the head by IDF troops in Bayt Umar nr. Hebron on 3/4 dies fr. his wounds. (OCHA, PCHR 10/15; OCHA Humanitarian Monitor 10/09)

The IDF conducts arrest raids, house searches nr. Hebron, Ramallah. (OCHA, PCHR 10/15)

The IDF fires rubber-coated steel bullets, sound bombs, tear gas at Palestinian and international activists taking part in a nonviolent demonstration against the separation wall in Ni‘lin (10s suffer fr. tear gas inhalation) and at Palestinian activists, some of whom throw stones at IDF troops, demonstrating against the separation wall in Bil‘in (10s suffer fr. tear gas inhalation). (PCHR 10/15)

Following a week of tensions, Israel declares a state of high alert in East Jerusalem, deploys additional security forces, and sets up additional checkpoints across the city. In the only serious incident reported, IDF troops fire rubber-coated steel bullets, sound bombs, tear gas at Palestinian protesters in Ras al-Amud, slightly injuring at least 10; 3 others are arrested and beaten by undercover security forces in front of TV cameras. (PCHR 10/15; PCHR 10/22)

U.S. special envoy Mitchell begins 2 days of mtgs. with Netanyahu in Jerusalem and Abbas in Ramallah. (WP 10/10, 10/12)

In the West Bank, the IDF patrols in Ramallah and al-Bireh for several hrs. beginning at midday but makes no arrests. Palestinian sources report that in the previous wk., Jewish settlers fr. Nahan’il settlement nr. Ramallah uprooted at least 50 olive trees belonging to a Palestinian family. (PCHR 10/8; PCHR 10/15)

The IDF makes air strikes on smuggling tunnels along the Rafah border, killing 2 Palestinians and trapping at least 11 others (who are freed and hospitalized). IDF tanks on the s. Gaza border nr. the Dahaniyya airport site fire on and injure a Popular Resistance Comm. mbr. monitoring IDF movements along the border. Meanwhile, Israeli DM Barak authorizes the export of palm fronds fr. Gaza for use in Jewish Sukkoth celebrations because Egyptian suppliers are overcharging (JP 9/30; PCHR 10/1; OCHA 10/2; JPI, OCHA 10/8)

In the West Bank, the IDF conducts late-night raids, house searches nr. Ramallah, Qalqilya, Jenin, and in Tulkarm, arresting 8 Palestinians (including 1 teenager) and summoning 1 mbr. of the Bil‘in Public Committee Against the Wall and Settlement for interrogation; issues demolition orders for 6 Palestinian homes in Azun that allegedly provided cover for stone-throwing Palestinian youths. Unidentified Palestinians shoot at a Jewish settler vehicle outside Kida settlement n. of Jerusalem, wounding the driver, who is airlifted to a hospital in Jerusalem; stone Israeli vehicles traveling nr. Bethlehem, damaging at least 1 car. (PCHR 10/1; JPI 10/8)

In Jerusalem’s Old City, Israeli security forces arrest at least 50 Palestinians in search and arrest operations targeting those who participated in riots on 9/27. (OCHA 10/2)

In Gaza, the bodies of 2 Palestinians, an IQB mbr. and a mbr. of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine’s (PFLP) armed wing, are found nr. the Gaza border nr. Jabaliya, possibly the victims of an IDF flechette shell; the IDF does not comment. The IDF carries out air strikes on smuggling tunnels on the Rafah border, causing no reported injuries. (PCHR 10/1; OCHA 10/2)

In the West Bank, a fire in a field nr. the unauthorized settlement outpost of Gil’ad Farm nr. Nablus destroys Palestinian olive trees, 2 settler homes, utility lines and injures 6 settlers. Palestinians claim the fire was started by settlers, while settlers accuse the Palestinians; the IDF arrests 4 Palestinian farmers. IDF troops violently beat a Palestinian at Jibara checkpoint nr. Tulkarm; carry out late-night raids, house searches nr. Bethlehem and Ramallah, arresting 4 Palestinians and summoning 3 more for interrogation; patrol and open fire in Jenin town and r.c., causing no injuries and making no arrests. (JPI, PCHR 10/1; OCHA 10/2)

In the West Bank, IDF undercover units raid a village in the Hebron hills, arrest wanted IQB Tulkarm head Muhammad Harwish and his aide Adnan Samara. The IDF conducts late-night raids, house searches nr. Ramallah, arresting 3 Palestinians. In Bil‘in, the IDF raids the home of ‘Abdallah Abu Rahma, the Bil‘in Coordinator of the Public Committee against the Wall and Settlement, violently beating him and attacking a number of international activists. Jewish settlers fr. Yitzhar beat a Palestinian shepherd and shoot another Palestinian who attempts to phone Israeli authorities for help. (PCHR 9/17; JPI 9/24)

In East Jerusalem, the IDF conducts raids, house searches in Silwan, arresting 4 Palestinians (including 1 teenager). (PCHR 9/17)

U.S. special envoy Mitchell begins a 2-day trip to Israel and Ramallah to discuss settlement construction with Netanyahu and PA pres. Mahmud Abbas. (WP 9/16; WJW 9/17)

The UN’s Goldstone mission, which investigated Israeli and Palestinian actions during Operation Cast Lead (OCL), issues its advance report accusing both Israel and Hamas of extensive war crimes and possible crimes against humanity, giving them until 2/5/10 to respond. (NYT, WP 9/16) 

The IDF makes an incursion into c. Gaza and searches farmland nr. al-Bureij r.c., arresting 3 Palestinians. (PCHR 9/17)

In the West Bank, the IDF arrests a Palestinian nr. Pdu’el settlement; conducts latenight raids, house searches nr. Ramallah and Jenin, arresting 3 Palestinians (including a woman). More than 30 Jewish settlers fr. Yitzhar settlement set fire to a field in Far‘ata village nr. Nablus. In a separate incident, Jewish settlers fr. Yitzhar shoot at 2 Palestinian shepherds nr. the settlement, wounding 1. (OCHA, PCHR 9/17)

In the West Bank, the IDF conducts late-night raids, house searches in Jericho and Tulkarm town and r.c., making no arrests; patrols and opens fire in Qabatya but makes no arrests and causes no injuries. Jewish settlers block the main entrance to Ras Karkar nr. Ramallah, throw stones, empty bottles at Palestinians, and violently beat a Palestinian. (PCHR 9/17)

A Palestinian wounded by the IDF on 8/26 dies in an Israeli hospital. (OCHA, PCHR 9/17)

The IDF makes an incursion into al-Bureij r.c. in central Gaza, detaining a Palestinian (who is released on 9/12). (PCHR 9/17)

In the West Bank, the IDF patrols Qalandia r.c. nr. Ramallah, firing rubbercoated steel bullets, sound bombs, tear gas at stone-throwing Palestinians who confront them, wounding 1 (possibly a bystander); fires rubber-coated steel bullets, sound bombs, tear gas at Palestinian and international activists taking part in a nonviolent demonstration against the separation wall in Ni‘lin (10s suffer fr. tear gas inhalation) and at Palestinian activists, some of whom throw stones at IDF troops, taking part in a demonstration against the separation wall in Bil‘in (injuring 2); conducts late-night raids, house searches nr. Nablus, Jenin, and Salfit, arresting 5 Palestinians. (PCHR 9/17)

On the 3rd Friday of Ramadan, the IDF continues to enforce age restrictions announced on 8/23 limiting Palestinian access to Jerusalem for prayers; an estimated 190,000 Palestinians enter the city, but as a result of intense crowding at Qalandia checkpoint, many other “qualified” Palestinians are prevented fr. entering, and 80 people (primarily women and children, and 20 of whom are hospitalized) are injured. (PCHR 9/17; OCHA Humanitarian Monitor 9/09)

Unidentified assailants fire 2 Katyusha rockets (the 1st in 6 mos.) fr. Lebanon into Israel, causing no reported damage or injuries. In retaliation, the IDF fires at least 14 missiles toward the port of Tyre and sends fighter jets across the border; no casualties are reported in either attack. (NYT, WP 9/12; JPI 9/24)

In the West Bank, the IDF seals Attara nr. Ramallah for 3 hrs. after troops discover a suspicious object during vehicle checks at the entrance to the village. The IDF conducts late-night raids, house searches nr. Qalqilya and Salfit and in Jenin town and r.c., but makes no arrests; a Palestinian whose house is raided reports money missing. The IDF also patrols and opens fire in Qabatya but makes no arrests and causes no injuries. Jewish settlers fr. Susia, escorted by the IDF, erect tents and set up electricity generators on an unauthorized settlement outpost site nr. Hebron that was dismantled by the IDF on 9/9. The Israeli High Court, ruling on a petition filed in 2003, orders the IDF to dismantle sections of the separation wall in Khirbat Jibara and Jayyus n. of Qalqilya, reinstating Palestinian access to 2,488 dunams (d.; 4 d. = 1 acre) of land. (OCHA 9/11; OCHA, PCHR 9/17; OCHA Humanitarian Monitor 9/09)

In Silwan in East Jerusalem, a Jewish settler shoots, wounds 1 Palestinian, also hitting 1 Palestinian teenager with shrapnel; the settler is arrested by Israeli police. The al-Aqsa Association reports that the Israeli authorities are digging a new tunnel under Silwan. (NYT 9/12; OCHA , PCHR 9/17; OCHA Humanitarian Monitor 9/09)

The IDF shoots and wounds a Palestinian who strays nr. the n. Gaza border nr. Bayt Hanun; makes a brief incursion into Bayt Hanun, firing on residential and surrounding agricultural areas but causing no further injuries; makes an incursion into al-Maghazi r.c., leveling areas of land and firing indiscriminately but causing no injuries. (PCHR 9/10; OCHA, PCHR 9/17)

In the West Bank, the IDF dismantles an unauthorized settlement outpost nr. Hebron. In retaliation, Jewish settlers fr. Susia attack a group of Palestinians fr. a nearby village, injuring 15. The IDF also conducts late-night raids, house searches in al-Bireh, nr. Hebron, Ramallah, and Tulkarm, and in ‘Aqabat Jabir r.c. nr. Jericho, arresting 9 Palestinians. (OCHA 9/11; OCHA, PCHR 9/17)

A Palestinian who fell ill at an IDF crossing on 9/4 while waiting to enter East Jerusalem for prayers on the 2d Friday of Ramadan dies of a heart attack; the UN cites IDF checkpoint restrictions and conditions as a factor contributing to his death. (OCHA 9/11)

In the West Bank, the IDF conducts late-night raids, house searches nr. Hebron, Tulkarm, Jenin, and in al-Fara‘a r.c. nr. Tubas and Jalazun r.c. n. of Ramallah, arresting 7 Palestinians. (PCHR 9/10)

Israeli police extend the closure (imposed on 7/07 and extended every six mos. thereafter) of the Nidal Center for Community Development in East Jerusalem. Jewish settlers celebrate the groundbreaking of a new East Jerusalem settlement called Mafsirit Adumim. (PCHR 9/10)

Israeli DM Barak authorizes construction of 455 additional housing units in West Bank settlements, most nr. the 1967 border. (NYT, WP 9/8; WT 9/9; PCHR, WJW 9/10; JR 9/29)