The Palestine Chronology

In the West Bank, IDF troops conduct raids in Bayt Umar nr. Hebron overnight, sparking minor clashes with stone-throwing Palestinians; there are no serious injuries. They also arrest 5 Palestinians and confiscate a drone during raids nr. Hebron, Jenin, and Tulkarm; and patrol in and around Hebron. In East Jerusalem, a Palestinian tears down the roof of his own home to avoid paying Israeli demolition fees. Israeli forces arrest 2 Palestinians during raids in Ras al-Amud and al-Sawana. Off Gaza’s coast, Israeli naval forces open fire on Palestinian fishing boats nr. Bayt Lahiya, causing no damage or injuries. (MNA, WAFA 3/25; PCHR 3/30)

At the funeral of Hamas cmdr. Fuqaha in Gaza City, thousands of Hamas mbrs. and supporters call for revenge against Israel for its alleged role in his killing on 3/24. Senior Hamas official Khalil al-Hayya says that “Fuqaha didn’t have enemies, and Israel is the only beneficiary in his assassination.” Also, Hamas’s military wing, Izzeddin al-Qassam Brigades, releases a statement threatening to “respond in a manner that befits [Fuqaha’s] position.” (HA, YA 3/25)

In the West Bank, IDF troops violently disperse tens of Palestinians protesting settlement expansion nr. Tubas; 1 Palestinian photojournalist is assaulted and injured. They also conduct raids in Bayt Umar village nr. Hebron, sparking minor clashes with stonethrowing Palestinians; there are no serious injuries. The IDF issues 1 Palestinian an arrest summons during a late-night raid nr. Hebron, and patrols nr. Hebron during the day. Israeli forces deliver stop-work orders to a Palestinian building a home nr. Hebron. Along Gaza’s border, IDF troops open fire on Palestinian farmers working nr. Gaza City, causing no damage or injuries. In Israel, an Israeli stabs and injures a bedouin shopkeeper on a street in Ashdod. (MNA, WAFA, YA 1/5; PCHR 1/12)

Hamas and Fatah officials meet in Doha to discuss Palestinian national reconciliation. They also discuss preparations for a follow-up meeting in Beirut on 1/10. (MNA 1/5)

IDF troops violently disperse Palestinians, Israelis, and international activists at Friday demonstrations against Israel’s separation wall, settlements, and occupation in 3 villages nr. Ramallah (Bil‘in, Ni‘lin, and Nabi Salih), Bayt Umar nr. Hebron, and Kafr Qaddum nr. Qalqilya. Elsewhere in the West Bank, IDF troops raid several areas nr. Tubas, confiscating a garbage truck and tractors, and delivering several stop-work orders to Palestinians constructing a power line. They also arrest 1 Palestinian and issue 1 arrest summons during late-night raids nr. Hebron, and patrol nr. Nablus and Hebron. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces raid a children’s center in Silwan following reports of stone throwing in the area; they make no arrests. Late at night, they arrest 5 Palestinians during raids in the Old City. Along Gaza’s border, IDF troops arrest a Palestinian man as he attempts to cross into Israel. (IMEMC, MNA, TOI 12/9; PCHR 12/15)

The Israeli govt. informs the High Court of Justice that it has decided to return 7 corpses of Palestinians killed in violent attacks against Israelis in recent mos., but only if the families agree to certain conditions. The decision comes in response to the families’ petitions. The Israeli authorities say that the cases of 3 other corpses must be studied further because of their relation with Hamas and the security cabinet’s 12/8 ruling on the matter. (HA, MNA, YA 12/9)

In the West Bank, IDF troops conduct raids in Bayt Umar nr. Hebron, sparking clashes with stone-throwing youths; there are no serious injuries. They also raid the Ramallah-area home of the Palestinian killed during an alleged stabbing attack on 11/3, and interrogate and detain his family. The IDF arrests 7 Palestinians and confiscates personal property during late-night raids nr. Bethlehem, Hebron, Jenin, and Ramallah; and patrol nr. Hebron and Salfit during the day. Around 20 Israeli settlers throw stones at Palestinians picking olives nr. Ramallah, injuring 3 (1 critically). In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces arrest 4 Palestinians during raids in Hizma and nr. the Old City. Off Gaza’s coast, Israeli naval forces open fire on Palestinian fishing boats nr. Bayt Lahiya, causing no damage or injuries. (MNA 11/5; HA 11/6; PCHR 11/10)

Amid the ongoing conflict in Syria, Hamas closes its office in Damascus in a symbolic effort to distance the group from Syrian pres. Bashar al-Asad. (PIC 11/6)

In West Jerusalem, Israeli police shoot and kill a Palestinian nr. the Old City after he allegedly hits 1 Israeli with his car and stabs another, lightly injuring both. On Gaza’s s. border, unknown assailants open fire on IDF vehicles patrolling along the border fence, causing minor damage, according to the IDF. Late at night, IAF jets launch air strikes on a Hamas military site in n. Gaza, causing damage. During the day, IDF troops stationed along the border e. of al-Bureij r.c. violently disperse Palestinian stone-throwers, injuring 1. In the West Bank, IDF troops patrol in 1 village each nr. Tulkarm and Nablus, sparking clashes with stone-throwers in each; 2 Palestinians are injured and 3 are arrested. There are several incidents in the Hebron area today as Israeli forces raid a medical center, assaulting a 14-year-old Palestinian patient; deliver stop-work orders to 3 homes under construction e. of Bayt Umar; and remove the doors and windows from several residences and confiscate drilling equipment in a village nr. Hebron. IDF troops violently clash with Palestinian protesters in 1 village nr. Ramallah and at Palestine Technical University in Tulkarm; 12 Palestinians are injured. They also conduct late-night raids and house searches in Jenin and Jenin r.c., Qalqilya, 1 village nr. Salfit, 2 nr. Nablus, and 3 each nr. Hebron and Ramallah, arresting 15 Palestinians; patrol in 5 villages nr. Hebron and 1 nr. Tulkarm. In East Jerusalem, a number of right-wing Jewish activists tour Haram al-Sharif in the morning. Israeli forces arrest a Palestinian youth in Silwan claiming she had a knife; raid the home of a PA security forces (PASF) officer in Abu Dis, sparking clashes with stone-throwers (there are no injuries). They also arrest 7 Palestinians on late-night raids in Jabal Mukabir, Issawiyya, and the Old City. (MNA, TOI, WAFA, YA 12/6; HA, JP, MNA, TOI, WAFA 12/7; PCHR 12/10)

In the Gaza Strip, unknown assailants destroy the car of a senior Hamas official with explosives in Nussayrat r.c. Off the coast nr. Bayt Lahiya, Israeli naval forces open fire on Palestinian fishing boats, causing no damage or injuries. In the West Bank, after Palestinian and international activists rebuild the “Gate of Jerusalem” tent camp in Abu Dis, Israeli forces return to the area and deliver a 24-hour eviction notice. Hours later, they demolish and evacuate the camp for a 3d time. IDF troops violently disperse Palestinian, Israeli, and international protesters at demonstrations against Israel’s separation wall, settlements, and occupation in Jalazun r.c. and 4 villages nr. Ramallah (Bil‘in, Nabi Salih, Silwad, and Ni‘lin), and 1 village nr. Qalqilya (Kafr Qaddum), injuring 3 Palestinians with rubber-coated metal bullets and 1 with a tear gas canister. IDF troops also arrest 2 Palestinian boys tending sheep nr. Hebron and 3 others tending their land nr. Qalqilya. The IDF patrols nr. Ramallah, Jenin, Hebron, as well as in al-‘Arub r.c. and Salfit. Israeli settlers open fire with live ammunition on Palestinians peacefully protesting nr. Bayt Umar, causing no injuries. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces conduct a house search in Ras al-Amud, arresting 1 Palestinian. (IMEMC, MNA 2/6; TOI 2/7; PCHR 2/12)

Israeli PM Netanyahu orders the implementation of a plan that will include the destruction of around 400 Palestinian-owned and EU-funded structures in the West Bank. The order follows the 2/5 publication of a report in the Daily Mail on EU funding of Palestinian projects that do not have the correct licenses under Israeli law. (DM 2/5; TOI 2/6; WAFA 2/8)

U.S. VP Joseph R. Biden announces that he will not attend Netanyahu’s speech to Congress on 3/3. (AP, JDF 2/6)

On the sidelines of a security conference in Munich, reps. of the P5+1 and Iran discuss Iran’s disputed nuclear program ahead of their end of 3/2015 political accord deadline. U.S. Secy. of State Kerry and Iranian FM Zarif also meet to discuss how sanctions would be lifted under a possible deal and how many centrifuges Iran would be permitted to keep operational. (REU 2/6; JP, TOI 2/7; AFP 2/8)

In the Gaza Strip, unknown assailants throw a grenade into the home of Fatah Asst. Dep. of the Palestinian Civil Affairs Ministry Nasser al-Sarraj. The grenade does not explode and no one is injured. In 2 separate incidents off the coast nr. Gaza City and Jabaliya, Israeli naval forces open fire on Palestinian fishing boats, causing damage to 1 boat. IDF troops e. of Rafah detain 2 armed Palestinians as they attempt to cross the border fence into Israel. In the West Bank, Israeli forces demolish a water distribution network that services the n. Jordan Valley, as well as a house and a barn nr. Hebron. Sparked by an IDF raid in c. Bayt Umar nr. Hebron, Palestinian residents clash with the Israeli troops, lightly injuring 1 soldier. Nearby, IDF troops shoot tear gas canisters at Palestinian youth as they leave an UNRWA school. The IDF also conducts arrest raids and house searches nr. Hebron and Ramallah; patrols nr. Hebron, Jenin, Qalqilya, Ramallah, and Tulkarm. In East Jerusalem, an Israeli settler attempts to kidnap a Palestinian child in Jabal Mukabir. The IDF conducts arrest raids and house searches in al-Tur, Ras al-Amud, and Ras Khamis. (MNA, WAFA 1/29; JTA 1/30; PCHR 2/5)

UN Special Coordinator Serry’s office (UNSCO) releases a statement announcing that the UN is going to review its operations in Gaza after the violent, Hamas-organized protest outside its headquarters on 1/28. The statement also blames Hamas for not adequately providing security for the protest. The UNSCO has been principally in charge of facilitating the UNadministered reconstruction procedure and mediating between the Israeli authorities, Hamas, and Palestinians in need of support after OPE. (HA 1/30)

The Israel Electric Corporation announces that it will begin intermittently cutting power to the West Bank at the end of the mo. due to the PA’s outstanding debts, which total around NIS 1.8 m. (around $458 m.). (MEMO, YA 1/29) 

Yisrael Beytenu delivers a petition to the Central Elections Comm. (CEC) calling for the disqualification of MK Haneen Zoabi from the 3/17 elections on the basis of her support for boycott and armed resistance against Israel. (HA, JP 1/29)

The U.S. Senate Banking Comm. votes, 18–4, to pass the Nuclear Weapon Free Iran Act of 2015, which Sens. Menendez (D-NJ) and Kirk (R-IL) introduced on 1/27. A White House spokesperson consequently reaffirms Pres. Obama’s pledge to veto the bill. (AFP, REU 1/28; AP, YA 1/29)

Seventy-five U.S. sens. sign on to a letter, initiated by Sens. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) and Marco Rubio (R-FL), to U.S. Secy. of State Kerry calling for a suspension of aid to the PA while the Obama admin. reviews the Palestinians’ accession to the ICC. (JTA 1/30)

In the Gaza Strip, IDF troops e. of Khan Yunis open fire on Palestinians as they approach the border fence, causing no injuries. Meanwhile, 100s of civil servants hired by the Hamas-run govt. protest the fact that they have not been paid since 6/2/2014. In the West Bank, the IDF conducts house searches and arrest raids in Bayt Umar nr. Hebron, sparking clashes with residents; 5 Palestinians are injured with rubber-coated metal bullets. The IDF also patrols nr. Hebron, Ramallah, and Jenin. Israeli settlers vandalize Palestinian property in Turmus ‘Ayya village nr. Ramallah. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces conduct house searches and arrest raids in al-Tur. (MNA 1/13, 1/14; PCHR 1/15; OCHA 1/23)

Before departing Ankara for Cairo, PA Pres. Abbas confirms that the Palestinian leadership would like to resubmit their draft res. to the UNSC after they refer the issue to the Arab Peace Initiative for approval. (JP, WAFA 1/14)

An official in the former Hamas-run govt. in Gaza says that some security personnel hired after 2007 will receive NIS 1,000 (around $250) on 1/15, their 1st payment since 6/2. Civil servants employed by the Hamas-run govt. were paid a partial salary of around NIS 4,800 (around $1,245) on 10/29. (AFP, MNA 1/13)

The U.S. State Dept. announces that any bill Congress passes regarding new sanctions on Iran will be vetoed by the pres. Meanwhile, Pres. Obama calls Israeli PM Netanyahu to brief him on the negotiations with Iran, ahead of the meeting between reps. of Iran and the P5+1 in Geneva set for 1/15. (JP 1/14)

In the Gaza Strip, Hamas arrests several mbrs. of a small jihadist organization, saying they were responsible for the 12/19 rocket fire into Israel. In the West Bank, Israeli soldiers in Bayt Umar nr. Hebron clash with stonethrowing Palestinians and arrest 1. The IDF conducts a late-night house search and raid in n. Hebron; patrols nr. Ramallah, Hebron, and Jericho. (IMEMC 12/20; JP 12/21; PCHR 12/25)

In the Gaza Strip, IDF troopsstationed along the n. border open fire on a group of stonethrowing Palestinians, injuring 4. A Palestinian is injured in an explosion nr. the French Cultural Center in Gaza City. (A small armed group takes responsibility for the attack on 12/18.) In the West Bank, IDF troops violently disperse Palestinian, Israeli, and international protesters at weekly demonstrations against Israel’s separation wall, settlements, and occupation, as well as the recent death of a senior PA official on 12/10 nr. Ramallah, Nablus, Hebron, and 1 village nearby (Bayt Umar), and 1 village nr. Qalqilya (Kafr Qaddum). Two Palestinians are hit by tear gas canisters in Bil‘in and 7 are shot with rubbercoated metal bullets elsewhere. Meanwhile, a Palestinian man throws vinegar at a family of 5 Israeli settlers nr. Bethlehem, lightly injuring all of them. (The Israeli press 1st reported the story as an acid attack.) Another Israeli settler hits the Palestinian man with his car and shoots him in the leg, moderately injuring him. Shin Bet officers arrive soon after to detain the Palestinian man. The IDF then conducts a raid of his home. Separately, Palestinians throw stones at IDF troops on a patrol of Bayt Umar nr. Hebron, sparking clashes in which 3 Palestinians are injured with rubber-coated metal bullets. The IDF also patrols in the n. Jordan Valley, where they assault a Palestinian farmer and lightly injure him. IDF troops fire tear gas at dozens of Palestinians throwing stones at the soldiers; 1 Palestinian youth and 1 Israeli officer are injured. Israeli soldiers also conduct a raid s. of Bethlehem; patrol in Tulkarm. Following a march marking Hamas’s 27th anniversary, the IDF conducts late-night arrest raids nr. Hebron. In East Jerusalem, the Israeli police increase their patrols and deploy additional officers around Haram al-Sharif. (HA, JP, MNA, TOI, WP, YA 12/12; MNA, TOI 12/13; IMEMC 12/14; AFP, PCHR 12/18; EI 12/22)

The Israel Prison Service threatens to move the 70 Palestinian prisoners on hunger strike since 12/9 to criminal sections of their prisons, which would decrease their quality of life, if they continue their strike. (MNA 12/12)

U.S. Secy. of State Kerry phones Russian FM Sergey Lavrov and PA Pres. Abbas separately to discuss the French and Palestinian draft UNSC res. Kerry pressures Abbas not to end security coordination with Israel in response to the 12/10 death of senior PA official Ziad Abu Ein. Following the call, senior PLO and Fatah officials postpone their meeting to discuss a response until 12/14. (JP, MNA 12/13)

The Portuguese parliament adopts a recommendation calling on the govt. to recognize Palestinian statehood “in coordination with the EU.” (AFP, TOI 12/12; HA, IMEMC, WAFA 12/13)

In the Gaza Strip, Egyptian authorities open the Rafah border crossing for 9 hours, only allowing Palestinians in Egypt to enter Gaza. Off the coast nr. Rafah on 2 occasions, Israeli naval forces open fire on Palestinian fishing boats, causing no damage or injuries. IDF troops along the n. border of Gaza arrest a Palestinian youth attempting to enter Israel, his father, and 1 other family mbr. E. of Khan Yunis, IDF troops open fire on agricultural land nr. the border fence, causing no injuries. In the West Bank, Israeli troops deliver stop-work orders to 2 Palestinians in Bayt Umar. The IDF conducts house searches and arrest raids nr. Ramallah, Salfit, Hebron, and Nablus; patrols nr. Ramallah, Jenin, Tulkarm, and Qalqilya. In East Jerusalem, around 50 right-wing Jewish activists, accompanied by dozens of Israeli security troops, tour Haram al-Sharif. Separately, Israeli soldiers detain a Palestinian woman nr. the Old City and arrest 1 Palestinian on a raid of his home in Jabal Mukabir. In West Jerusalem, a small group of Jewish Israelis assaults a Palestinian man nr. the Old City, leaving him moderately injured. (IMEMC, MNA, WAFA 11/30; MEMO, MNA 12/1; PCHR 12/4)

Israeli authorities decide to hold the Fatah secy.-gen. in Jerusalem in administrative detention for 5 mos. He and his brother were arrested on 11/24. (MNA 11/30)

At a press conference in Gaza City, Hamas spokesperson Sami Abu Zuhri says that the PA unity govt.’s 6-mo. interim term has expired and that a national dialogue should resume to determine the future of national unity. Senior Fatah official Faisal Abu Shahla disputes Abu Zuhri, saying that there never was an agreement that the unity govt. would only last 6 mos. (MNA 11/30; IMEMC 12/1)

In the West Bank, IDF troops shoot and wound a Palestinian with a rubber-coated metal bullet in al-Fara‘a r.c. nr. Tubas during clashes sparked by a raid in the camp. Separately, 3 Palestinian children nr. Bayt Umar n. of Hebron are wounded by an unexploded Israeli sound bomb. Meanwhile, an Israeli border police officer is lightly injured when Palestinians throw a Molotov cocktail at an army post in n. Bethlehem. The IDF conducts house searches and arrest raids in 1 village nr. Jenin; patrols in 3 villages nr. Jenin and 2 villages nr. Ramallah. Israeli settlers torch a mosque in Aqraba village nr. Nablus and leave “price tag” graffiti. In East Jerusalem, hundreds of Israelis tour Haram al-Sharif for the festival of Sukkoth, while Palestinians under 50 and all women are prevented from entering for morning prayers. (JP, MNA, REU 10/14; PCHR 10/16)

UN Secy.-Gen. Ban makes a brief visit to the Gaza Strip, meeting mbrs. of the PA unity govt. and seeing some of the devastation firsthand. Hamas spokesperson Sami Abu Zuhri issues a statement calling on Ban to take “serious actions” to end the suffering of Palestinians in Gaza, and claiming that the UN official “took part in providing cover for the Israeli massacres in Rafah.” Meanwhile, truckloads of cement and steel enter Gaza for the 1st time in a year (600 tons of cement, 50 trucks of construction materials, and 10 trucks of metal), while Israeli authorities allow 15 tons of produce, mainly dates and sweet potatoes, to be sent for sale in the West Bank. (MNA, JP 10/14)

The IDF conducts approximately 100 strikes on targets across the Gaza Strip, killing 14 Palestinians in Bayt Hanun, Rafah, Khan Yunis and Dayr al-Balah. Hospitals in Gaza report a serious shortage of medicines and equipment, particularly for trauma injuries. Palestinians fire around 100 rockets and mortar shells into Israel, causing damage and seriously wounding 2 children in the bedouin village of Lakia. Iron Dome batteries intercept 15 of the projectiles. In addition, al-Qassam Brigades fly a drone into s. Israel along the coast nr. Ashdod, and the Israeli Air Force (IAF) shoots it down. In the West Bank, IDF troops shoot and kill a 22-year-old Palestinian civilian in clashes nr. Hebron. In Bayt Umar nr. Hebron, IDF troops shoot and injure 2 Palestinians in another confrontation. Separately, IDF troops detain 11 Hamas parliamentarians in Nablus, Jenin, and Salfit. (AFP, AP, HA, JP, MNA, REU 7/14; PCHR 7/15)

Following a meeting of Arab League FMs in the evening, Egypt’s Foreign Ministry proposes a cease-fire to start the next day, followed by talks in Cairo. The Arab League welcomes the proposal. An Israeli official says that PM Netanyahu will discuss the proposal the following day with his security cabinet. (AFP, AP, HA, JP, MNA, REU 7/14)

A rocket launched from inside Lebanon hits n. Israel, causing no damage or injuries, the 4th such attack in recent days. IDF troops respond with artillery shells. (REU 7/14)

In the West Bank, IDF troops shoot and kill 1 Palestinian in al-Jalazun r.c. nr. Ramallah, in clashes with residents during an arrest raid. IDF troops also shoot and wound 1 Palestinian during a raid in Jenin, and wound 3 with rubbercoated metal bullets during clashes with Bayt Umar residents nr. Hebron. At Qalandia checkpoint, Israeli troops violently disperse demonstrators, wounding 6, including 1 critically, with live ammunition. The IDF conducts house searches and arrest raids in Hebron and 3 nearby villages, Balata r.c. and 1 village nr. Nablus, and 2 villages nr. Qalqilya, 1 village nr. Ramallah, Bethlehem, and Jenin at night; patrols in Hebron in the afternoon, and in 4 villages nr. Ramallah, 3 villages nr. Hebron, and 1 village each nr. Qalqilya, and Salfit, and al-Bireh at night. Israeli settlers open fire on a Palestinian car nr. Ramallah, causing no injuries. In the Gaza Strip, IDF troops open fire from the border fence nr. Jabaliya, causing no damage or injuries. Israeli authorities briefly open the Kerem Shalom crossing, which was closed on 6/12. (MNA, WAFA 6/16; PCHR 6/19)

Israeli PM Netanyahu delivers a televised statement and says that the military is “in the middle of a complex operation” in the search for the missing teens. Netanyahu also calls PA Pres. Abbas and tells him he expects help in ensuring the safe return of the youth, their 1st telephone conversation in almost a year. Subsequently, Abbas releases a statement condemning the kidnapping as well as the Israeli crackdown that has followed. Meanwhile, Hamas releases a statement condemning the Israeli operation in the West Bank, and also calls on the PA to stop security coordination with Israel. (AFP, HA, JP, MNA 6/16)

Talks between reps. of Iran and the P5+1 powers on the disputed Iranian nuclear program resume in Vienna, with discussions scheduled to last until 6/20. The 2 sides aim to resolve final differences, including the number of centrifuges Iran will operate, and begin drafting a final deal. (REU 6/17; AA 6/17)

In the Gaza Strip, an Egyptian-brokered truce between Israel and Islamic Jihad is secured. A leader of the Palestinian group, Khaled al-Batsh, writes on Facebook that “intensive Egyptian contacts and efforts” mean a restoration of “the agreement for calm . . . in accordance with understandings reached [on 11/21/12] in Cairo,” a reference to the end of Operation Pillar of Defense. Hamas Dep. FM Ghazi Hamad says that Egypt deliberately ignored the govt. in Gaza and communicated directly with Islamic Jihad, a claim corroborated by an anonymous Egyptian security official. Following the cease-fire, the Popular Resistance Cmte. (PRC) fires 8 rockets into s. Israel, causing no damage or injuries. In response, the Israeli air force conducts air strikes against 4 sites in Rafah and Jabaliya, targeting a PRC training camp and Izzeddin alQassam Brigades sites, causing damage but no injuries, except in Rafah, where 3 civilians are injured. In the West Bank, IDF troops wound 2 Palestinians during a clash with mourners at a funeral in Bayt Umar nr. Hebron. The IDF conducts house searches and arrest raids in 1 village nr. Qalqilya in the afternoon; patrols in 3 villages, al-‘Arub r.c. and al-Fawar r.c. nr. Hebron at night. (AFP, HA, MNA, REU, WAFA 13/3; PCHR 3/20)

Israeli science minister Yaakov Peri says that unless Palestinians agree to an extension of peace talks, it would be difficult for Israel to go ahead with a scheduled 4th prisoner release. Israeli FM Lieberman says that “negotiations should be extended to the end of the year at least.” Separately, Israeli authorities approve construction permits for 387 housing units in Ramat Shlomo settlement in East Jerusalem, part of the 1,500 unit-plan approved in 2/2012 by the Jerusalem municipality. Meanwhile, U.S. Secy. of State Kerry tells the House Foreign Relations Cmte. that PM Netanyahu’s insistence on a public statement of recognition from the Palestinians of Israel as a Jewish state is “a mistake.” (AIC, AFP 3/13; JP 3/14)

Members of the Knesset vote to dissolve the parliament, officially paving the way for early elections, expected in 1/2013. (HA 10/15)

U.S. amb. to the UN Susan Rice says that the Palestinian bid for non-member state observer status would ‘‘jeopardize’’ the peace process and complicate efforts to resume negotiations. Rice also emphasizes the illegitimacy of Israeli settlement activity. (REU 10/15; JP 10/16)

PA pres. Mahmud Abbas holds a meeting in Ramallah with an Israeli delegation involved with the Geneva Initiative, including 6 Knesset mbrs. (IMEMC 10/16)

Hamas reports that 10 of its mbrs. were arrested by PA security forces in the West Bank over the previous 24 hrs., with an additional 3 summoned for questioning. (MNA 10/15)

In the West Bank, the IDF raids a school nr. Yalla village in the south Hebron Hills area, detaining students, teachers, and international activists. The IDF also raids Bayt Umar village nr. Hebron in the afternoon, firing tear gas at stone-throwing Palestinians; at night, the IDF raids and imposes a curfew on Azun village nr. Qalqilya that lasts until the next day, and conducts house searches and arrest raids in 2 villages nr. Nablus and Balata r.c. The UK newspaper the Guardian cites reports by the UN and a coalition of Israeli human rights groups on settler violence during the olive harvest that notes that 850 trees were vandalized in the harvest’s 1st week. (Guardian 10/15; AIC 10/16; PCHR 10/18)

A PA spokesperson tells the Independent (UK) that international donors have provided only 40% of pledged aid for 2012, meaning that 150,000 PA employees have been warned that it is not known when they will receive their 9/2012 salaries. (Independent 10/10)

Hamas official Mahmoud Zahar says that the group is coordinating with other Palestinian factions to respond to Israeli attacks on the Gaza Strip. (MNA 10/10)

Israeli naval vessels open fire on Palestinian fishermen off the coast of the Gaza Strip nr. Bayt Lahiya, causing no injuries; the IDF fires a missile at a training site for the IQB at night, causing no injuries. In the West Bank, the IDF fires tear gas at Palestinians throwing stones after the soldiers appear at a funeral in Bayt Umar village nr. Hebron. The IDF patrols in Hebron and 9 villages nr. Hebron at night; conducts house searches and arrest raids in 5 villages nr. Hebron at night. A Palestinian teenager attacks a Jewish settler nr. Beitar Ilit settlement, injuring him. Jewish settlers from Shilo settlement destroy 250 olive trees in a village nr. Ramallah. (MNA, ToI 10/10; PCHR 10/11, 10/18)

An Israeli government-appointed commission headed by former Israeli supreme court justice Ephraim Levy issues a nonbinding legal judgment that Israel’s presence in the West Bank is not occupation and that the government should grant retroactive approval to unauthorized settlement outposts. The commission states that unauthorized outposts were established with the knowledge and encouragement of senior government officials that amounted to ‘‘implied agreement’’ by the government. (NYT 7/10) (see Doc. C1 in JPS 165)

During the day, unidentified Palestinians fire 1 Qassam rocket fr. Gaza into Israel, causing no damage or injuries. In the evening, Palestinian gunmen inside Gaza fire into Israel, hitting a parked civilian vehicle, but causing no injuries. Late at night, Israeli warplanes and helicopters carry out 3 air strikes on Khan Yunis and Rafah in s. Gaza, causing no reported casualties. The targets include a training site used by the al-Ansar Brigades (military wing of a small faction called al-Ahrar Movement, which was formed shortly after Hamas’s 2007 takeover of Gaza by disaffected Fatah members who aligned themselves with Hamas), and 2 open areas used by rocket-launching teams. In the West Bank, the IDF patrols in 2 villages nr. Ramallah in the morning; in Tulkarm in the afternoon; and in Qalqilya, 1 nearby village, and 1 village nr. Jenin late at night. The IDF also bulldozes a plot of Palestinian agricultural land outside Qalqilya and conducts late-night arrest raids, house searches in Bayt Umar. Jewish settlers stone Palestinian cars driving nr. Hebron. Jewish settlers also enter a Palestinian area (exact location not reported) to pray at a local religious site without proper coordination with the IDF; the IDF intervenes to remove the settlers. (TOI 7/9; WT 7/11; PCHR 7/12; OCHA 7/13; JPI 7/20)

Cross-border violence continues in Gaza. During the day, Palestinians fire some 20 rockets into Israel, causing damage in 1 instance but no injuries. Israel warplanes and drones carry out at least 3 air strikes on groups of armed Palestinians in Gaza City and n. Gaza, killing 2 Palestinians (1 civilian, 1 Popular Resistance Comm. [PRCs] mbr.) and wounding 9 (2 armed and 7 civilian, including 1 woman). Late in the evening, Hamas authorities in Gaza announce that another cease-fire with Israel has been brokered by Egypt, effective immediately. After the announcement, Palestinians fire at least 5 more rockets (no damage or injuries), but Israel does not respond. In total across 6/17–23, 11 Palestinians (7 armed; 4 civilians, including 2 children) were killed, and 49 Palestinians (7 armed; 6 PASF; and 36 civilians, including 2 women and 1 child) and 3 Israelis (2 police, 1 civilian) were injured. Palestinians fired around 155 rockets (including at least 10 Grads) and mortars; Israel carried out at least 25 air strikes. In addition, OCHA reports that during the period, several Palestinian rockets fired toward Israel fell short or exploded prematurely, killing 2 Palestinian children (a baby and a 5-yr.-old) and injuring 19 Palestinians (including 4 children ages 3–12). Furthermore, 2 armed Palestinians were killed and 26 were injured when a building that had been hit by the IDF collapsed while they were inspecting the damage. Meanwhile, in the West Bank, the IDF patrols in 2 villages nr. Ramallah in the morning; 1 village each nr. Jericho and Ramallah in the afternoon; and Ni‘lin and 1 village nr. Salfit late at night. The IDF also conducts late-night arrest raids, house searches nr. Hebron, Salfit. Palestinian, Israeli, and international activists take part in a nonviolent demonstration against Israeli land confiscations and settlement expansion in Bayt Umar nr. Hebron; the IDF fires tear gas and percussion grenades to disperse them, causing no injuries; 3 Palestinians are arrested. Jewish settlers seize several water wells on Palestinian farmland nr. al-Khadir village nr. Bethlehem. (HA 6/23; WP 6/24; PCHR 6/28; OCHA 6/29; see also OCHA 6/22)

In light of Jewish settler violence against the IDF on 12/12, the Israeli cabinet approves several measures against right-wing Jewish extremists, including permitting their detention without trial (administrative detention) and trial in military courts, allowing soldiers in the West Bank to arrest them, and banning them fr. entering the West Bank; it does not label them “terrorists,” which would have allowed security forces even greater leeway to act against them. Hrs. later, Israeli police raid a Jerusalem apartment and arrest 6 Israelis for involvement in “recent events” targeting Palestinians and the IDF. In apparent “price-tag” attacks to protest the government moves: Jewish extremists set fire to the Nabi Ukasha mosque in West Jerusalem (Israeli authorities have barred Palestinians fr. using the mosque but have allowed Jewish settlers affiliated with the extremist Kach party to use the courtyard as a playground); Jewish settlers fr. Burkan settlement set fire to 2 Palestinian cars in nearby Salfit; and Jewish settlers fr. Yitzhar set fire to 2 Palestinian cars in nearby Douma village nr. Nablus. (NYT, PCHR, WP, WT 12/15; PCHR 12/22; OCHA 12/23)

Under pressure fr. PA and Jordanian officials, Israel reopens the Mughrabi footbridge to the Haram al-Sharif/Temple Mount (closed on 12/12/11), saying it will reinforce rather than rebuild it. Meanwhile, IDF troops on the Gaza border e. of Gaza City fire on a Palestinian who strays too nr. the border fence while hunting birds, moderately wounding him. IDF troops in the West Bank conduct late-night arrest raids, house searches in al-Fawar r.c. and Bayt Umar, both nr. Hebron. (NYT, PCHR, WP, WT 12/15; PCHR 12/22; OCHA 12/23)

Addressing 10,000s of Hamas supporters in Gaza City to mark Hamas’s 24th anniversary, Hamas acting PM Ismail Haniyeh says that “Today we say it clearly: Armed resistance and armed struggle are the strategic way to liberate the Palestinian land from the sea to the river,” but that if Israel were to turn over the occupied territories, including East Jerusalem, Hamas could take a “temporary” respite “without Israel being recognized and without any concession being made.” Of note: at the rally, the flags of the Arab states are displayed except for Syria’s. (NYT 12/15)

The New York Times runs a long special report on a 6-yr. U.S. investigation of Lebanese Canadian Bank and its suspected role providing financial support to “terrorists.” U.S. officials allege—but refuse to release their evidence—that the investigation revealed that the bank laundered hundreds of millions of dollars fr. Hizballah criminal enterprises and that Hizballah had significant ties to Latin American drug cartels. U.S. investigators say the transactions also revealed a pattern “in which entities tied to Hezbollah have been buying up militarily strategic pieces of property in largely Christian areas” of Lebanon. Hizballah calls the claims “politically motivated propaganda.” U.S. admin. sources say that when the connections first came to their attention in fall 2010, some argued that the Hizballah link should be left unstated, but the admin. changed course (1) after Hizballah forced out Saad Hariri as PM and secured appointment of an ally in his place and (2) when the UN tribunal accused Hizballah of involvement in Rafiq Hariri’s assassination. (NYT 12/14)

After meeting with the PLO Exec. Comm. in Ramallah, Abbas says that the 9/23 Quartet proposal for resuming talks has “encouraging elements,” but can only be viable if Israel “clearly commits” to 1967 lines with agreed swaps as the basis of talks and imposes a settlement freeze (which Netanyahu has repeatedly rejected). (WP 9/30)

Unidentified Palestinians fire a rocket fr. Gaza into Israel, damaging an empty building; the IDF responds with 2 late-night air strikes on a Hamas training site nr. al-Maghazi r.c. in c. Gaza, causing heavy damage but no injuries. In the West Bank, the IDF patrols in 1 village nr. Qalqilya in the afternoon; conducts synchronized late-night patrols in Jenin town and r.c. and 5 nearby villages. The IDF also announces plans to confiscate 800 d. of Palestinian land in Bayt Umar for a new settler-only bypass road linking Hebron and Bethlehem. Jewish settlers fr. Hebron uproot 50 olive trees and spray paint Stars of David on rocks on Palestinian agricultural land in nearby al-Zahiriyya village. (IDFS 9/30; PCHR 10/6; OCHA 10/7)

After meetings with the U.S. and EU envoys and Arab FMs, Abbas declares in a televised address that the Palestinians will ask for full member-state status at the UN, not simply observerstate status. Insiders say Abbas was debating which tack to take until he met again with Ross and Hale who offered no incentives and only threats to get him to drop the plan; outraged by the U.S. posturing, he decided to go for full membership. (NYT 9/17)

The IDF patrols in 9 villages between morning and late evening (4 nr. Ramallah, 2 nr. Tulkarm, 1 each nr. Jenin, Jericho, and Salfit). A Hamas mbr. dies of injuries received in a 1/8/09 IDF drone missile strike on his vehicle in Khan Yunis, during Operation Cast Lead. Palestinians (sometimes accompanied by Israeli and international activists) hold weekly nonviolent demonstrations against the separation wall, land confiscations, and settlement expansion in Bayt Umar, Bil‘in, Ni‘lin, and al-Nabi Salih. IDF soldiers beat and fire rubbercoated steel bullets, tear gas, and stun grenades at the protesters, moderately injuring 1 Palestinian; 1 Palestinian is arrested and 2 Palestinian journalists are forcibly removed. Armed Jewish settlers fr. Esh Kodesh outpost nr. Nablus attempt to swim in a pond on nearby Palestinian land in Qusra-Jaloud village and open fire on villagers who confront them, wounding 1 before the IDF intervenes, firing tear gas at the Palestinians to disperse them. (PCHR 9/22; OCHA 9/23)

IDF troops on the c. Gaza border e. of Juhur al-Dik fire on a Palestinian shepherd who strays nr. the border fence, wounding her and killing 8 sheep. Israeli bulldozers working nr. the fmr. Nahal Oz crossing sever fiber-optic lines providing all mobile, landline, and Internet service to Gaza; Hamas authorities blame the IDF, but the IDF says it was not responsible. In the West Bank, the IDF conducts late-night arrest raids, house searches in al-‘Arub r.c. and Bayt Umar. Jewish settlers escorted by the IDF enter Palestinian areas nr. Bethlehem and in Hebron to hold religious services. (Press TV [Tehran] 8/10; PCHR 8/11; OCHA 8/12)

The U.S. says it is “deeply concerned” by Israel’s 8/4 approval of 930 new settlement housing units in Har Homa/Jabal Abu Ghunaym in East Jerusalem, stating “such unilateral actions work against efforts to resume direct negotiations.” (WT 8/10)

In the West Bank, the IDF patrols in Tulkarm and several nearby villages repeatedly during the day; patrols in a major show of force in Nabi Salih late at night, firing live ammunition, rubber-coated steel bullets, tear gas, and stun grenades in the streets to harass residents and temporarily occupying the local council headquarters as an observation post. Palestinians and international activists demonstrate in Bayt Umar against settlement expansion; the IDF fires stun grenades and beats several demonstrators, injuring 4 Palestinians (including 1 child). In Gaza City, Hamas authorities break up a demonstration by 10s of Salafists protesting the U.S. assassination of Osama Bin Laden. (WP 5/8; OCHA, PCHR 5/12)

In Syria, troops and tanks surround, cut off, and raid Baniyas and Zabadani village outside Damascus. (NYT, WP 5/8)

Early in the morning, Hamas authorities in Gaza storm a house in Gaza City where they believe Italian peace activist Vittorio Arrigoni is being held by Tawhid and Jihad, only to find that he had already been hung; 5 suspects are arrested in the raid. During the day, Palestinians fire 2 Grad rockets fr. Gaza into Israel, causing no damage or injuries. Hamas sends a message to Israel stating that it is doing everything possible to prevent rocket fire. The IDF makes 2 latenight air strikes on empty Hamas training sites in Gaza City and Shati’ r.c., causing no injuries. In the West Bank, the IDF patrols in 3 villages nr. Ramallah; makes a latenight raid into Bayt Umar, harassing and beating the family of an organizer of the weekly demonstrations against the separation wall for 2 hrs. before leaving; conducts late-night arrest raids, house searches in and around Hebron and nr. Qalqilya. Palestinians (sometimes accompanied by Israeli and international activists) hold weekly nonviolent demonstrations against the separation wall, land confiscations, and settlement expansion in Bil‘in, Ni‘lin, and Nabi Salih. IDF soldiers fire rubber-coated steel bullets, tear gas, and stun grenades at the protesters, injuring 2 Palestinians (including a child). (IsRN, NYT 4/15; JP, NYT, WP 4/16; PCHR 4/21; OCHA 4/29)

An IDF drone makes an air strike on a motorcycle in Rafah, assassinating Islamic Jihad mbr. Muhammad Abu Mu‘ammar and seriously wounding Islamic Jihad’s ‘Abdullah al-Ghalban; Israel alleges the men were responsible for the 3/29 rocket fire toward Israel. The IDF also makes a brief incursion into n. Gaza nr. Bayt Lahiya, firing warning shots at farmers to force them to leave the area, then leveling land to clear lines of sight. In the West Bank, the IDF conducts late-night arrest raids, house searches in Bayt Umar (first blocking off all entrances to the village), Dahaysha r.c., and Hebron. Hamas authorities in Gaza break up a small national unity rally. (JP 3/30; NYT, PCHR 3/31; PCHR 4/7; OCHA 4/15)

Early in the morning Palestinians fire 2 rockets fr. Gaza into Israel, causing no damage or injuries. Later in the day, Hamas announces it has secured the agreement of other factions to renew observance of a cease-fire against Israel except in cases in which Israeli forces initiate aggression or cross into Gaza. In the evening, however, unidentified Palestinians fire a 3d rocket that lands harmlessly in Israel, but raises questions over whether the cease-fire is secure. In the West Bank, the IDF patrols in 3 villages nr. Qalqilya and 1 nr. Ramallah. Palestinians, with Israeli and international activists, conduct a nonviolent march through Bayt Umar to protest recent IDF raids on the town; the IDF fires tear gas and stun grenades at them, causing no serious injuries; 1 Palestinian, 1 Israeli, and 1 international activist are arrested. (AFP, IsRN, JP 3/26; NYT 3/27; PCHR 3/31; OCHA 4/1)

Abbas holds talks with 7 West Bank Hamas officials in Ramallah, proposing creation of a temporary unity govt. with the sole mandate of organizing legislative and presidential elections within 6 mos., after which the 1st priority would be to rebuild Gaza. The meeting marks the 1st of a series of Fatah-Hamas reconciliation talks that take place over the next month in the West Bank, Gaza, Egypt, and Syria. (MNA, NYT, WP 3/27)

Palestinians fire a rocket fr. Gaza into Israel, causing no damage or injuries. Israel responds with at least 3 air strikes on Hamas training sites in Dayr al-Balah, Gaza City, and Khan Yunis, causing collateral damage to 6 homes but no reported injuries. In the West Bank, the IDF conducts patrols in Jericho and 3 villages nr. Qalqilya and Tulkarm; conducts late-night arrest raids, house searches in Nabi Salih, arresting an organizer of the weekly demonstrations against the separation wall. Palestinians and international activists demonstrate against construction of settlements and the separation wall at the Qalandia crossing and in Bayt Umar. IDF soldiers fire rubber-coated steel bullets, tear gas, and stun grenades at the protesters, injuring 4 Palestinians (including 2 journalists) and 1 international activist. Jewish settlers fr. Taffuh settlement s. of Nablus attempt to seize Palestinian agricultural lands e. of Salfit but are removed by the IDF. Jewish settlers fr. Karnei Shomron settlement nr. Qalqilya stone Palestinian vehicles. (AFP 3/5; IsRN 3/6; PCHR 3/10; OCHA 3/18)

Abbas convenes the PLO Exec. Comm. along with the Fatah Central Comm. in Ramallah to discuss the lapsed settlement freeze, issuing a statement afterward that the Palestinian leadership is in agreement that direct negotations should not resume without a halt to Israeli settlement construction. The statement is welcomed by Hamas. Abbas then leaves for Jordan and Egypt to urge Arab support for the Palestinian decision. (AP, HA, NYT, REU, WP 10/3; XIN 10/4; MNA 10/5)

Unidentified Palestinians fire a mortar fr. Gaza into Israel, causing no damage or injuries. In the West Bank, the IDF fires rubber-coated steel bullets, tear gas, and stun grenades at Palestinian, Israeli, and international activists conducting a nonviolent march from Bayt Umar village to Karme Tzur settlement outside Hebron to protest land confiscations and settlement expansion; 10s suffer tear gas inhalation and a 14-yr.-old Palestinian is lightly injured. (JP 10/2; PCHR 10/7; OCHA 10/8)

Secy. of State Clinton races to broker a deal with Israeli officials to extend the settlement freeze 1 day before it is scheduled to expire, while Mitchell meets with Abbas in New York to urge him not to walk away from peace talks immediately if Netanyahu allows the freeze to expire. On the ground Jewish settlers begin positioning construction equipment in some settlements. In addition, Jewish settlers in Revava settlement nr. Salfit seize 30 d. of Palestinian agricultural land, raze crops, and install 2 mobile homes as a “new quarter” of the settlement. Jewish settlers fr. Nokdim settlement nr. Bethlehem place 3 mobile homes on nearby Palestinian land. Jewish settlers fr. Barqan settlement nr. Salfit raze adjacent Palestinian land to expand the settlement’s industrial zone. Jewish settlers fr. Givat Ze’ev settlement enter Beitunia town nr. Ramallah and make preparations to celebrate the Sukkoth holiday; the IDF removes them. (NYT, WP 9/26)

Meanwhile, Israeli-Palestinian clashes in Issawiyya, which began on 9/22, taper off by the end of the day, leaving a total of 99 Palestinians (including 17 children) and 9 Israelis injured (7 lightly, 2 moderately), and 70 Palestinians under arrest; during the rioting, Palestinians set fire to or damage 8 Israeli cars and vandalize an Israeli tourist information center. In the West Bank, the IDF patrols in Iraq Burin village nr. Nablus in the afternoon, firing tear gas and stun grenades at stone-throwing Palestinian youths who confront them, causing no serious injuries; fires rubber-coated steel bullets, tear gas, and stun grenades at Palestinian, Israeli, and international activists conducting a nonviolent march from Bayt Umar village to Karme Tzur settlement outside Hebron to protest land confiscations and settlement expansion; 10s suffer tear gas inhalation and 2 Palestinians and 3 Americans are injured. An Egyptian hospital reports that an armed Palestinian transported to Egypt for treatment has died of injures sustained in the 9/14 IDF shelling nr. Gaza Valley village. (NYT, WP 9/26; PCHR 9/30; OCHA 10/1)

Delegations headed by Hamas Political Bureau chief Khalid Mishal and senior Fatah official Azzam al-Ahmad meet for 3 hours in Damascus, afterward issuing a statement confirming a restart of national unity talks. (AP 9/24; AP, REU 9/25; JP 9/27; MNA 11/1)