The Palestine Chronology

In the Gaza Strip, IDF troops open fire on Palestinian fishermen nr. Bayt Lahiya, causing no damage or injuries. In the West Bank, the IDF conducts house searches and arrest raids in Hebron and 3 nearby villages, in Ramallah and 1 nearby village at night; patrols in 1 village nr. Hebron in the afternoon, and in 4 villages nr. Hebron at night. (PCHR 11/7)

Anonymous Palestinian officials tell Israeli newspaper Ha’aretz that they are deeply disappointed with the lack of active U.S. involvement in the negotiations, a state of affairs they claim allows to Israel to be “acting freely.” (HA 11/2)

Egyptian authorities reopen the border crossing with Gaza at Rafah, in both directions. (MNA 11/2)

In the Gaza Strip, IDF troops open fire on Palestinian fishermen nr. Bayt Lahiya, causing no damage or injuries. IDF troops also conduct a limited incursion nr. al-Maghazi in c. Gaza to level land, before withdrawing. In the West Bank, the IDF patrols in 1 village each nr. Jericho and Qalqilya in the afternoon, and in Tulkarm and 1 nearby village, and 1 village each nr. Hebron, Jenin and Ramallah at night. Jewish settlers attack farmers in Burin village nr. Nablus, injuring 1. In East Jerusalem, Jewish right-wing extremists escorted by Israeli police tour the al-Aqsa compound. (MNA 10/24; PCHR 10/31)

An unnamed Israeli official confirms that the govt. will press ahead with plans to build in the so-called settlement blocs and East Jerusalem, claiming that such construction is in accordance with agreements reached as talks recommended. Meanwhile, the Financial Times reports that the PA has sent letters to 50 countries urging them to clamp down on companies doing business with West Bank settlements, citing an unnamed Palestinian official. (HA, FT, REU 10/24)

The White House hosts a meeting of Senate cmte. leaders’ aides as part of a drive to get new sanctions targeting Iran delayed. At the same time, dep. national security adviser to Pres. Obama Ben Rhodes tells a conference in Washington that the U.S. will not be easing sanctions until Tehran takes “concrete steps.” (REU 10/24)

Gunmen kill an Egyptian policeman in al-Arish, while separately, an explosive device injures 2 border guards nr. Rafah. (MNA 10/24)

Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu says that Israel will only accept a peace agreement with the Palestinians ‘‘that will prevent Israel from becoming a binational state, but will provide stability and security.’’ Meanwhile, Palestinian FM Riyad al-Maliki confirms that the PA has promised the U.S. that it will freeze efforts to join United Nations agencies or turn to the International Criminal Court as a ‘‘gesture’’ for the peace process. (HA, JP 5/1)

The IDF makes a brief incursion into southern Gaza to level land and clear lines of site along the border fence nr. Khan Yunis. Israeli naval vessels twice open fire on Palestinian fishermen off the Gaza coast, once nr. Rafah and once nr. Dayr al-Balah, causing no damage or injuries. In the West Bank, the IDF patrols in Hebron in the morning, and in 1 village nr. Hebron in the afternoon. At night, IDF troops conduct house searches and arrest raids in 3 villages nr. Hebron, 1 village nr. Jericho, and 1 village nr. Salfit. (MNA 5/1; PCHR 5/2)

Hamas reports that PA security forces have arrested 5 Hamas members in Hebron, Ramallah and Qalqilya. (MNA 5/1)

U.S. Secy. of State John Kerry welcomes the Arab League’s expression of support for reviving peace talks made the previous day, describing it as a ‘‘very big step forward.’’ An Israeli official welcomes the development, but says that the framework will not be a starting point for talks. Justice Minister Tzipi Livni says that the Arab League proposal represents encouragement for the Palestinians that they have regional support for a negotiated agreement. PLO Chief Negotiator Saeb Erekat says that the Arab League’s support for land swaps is nothing new. Meanwhile, Israel’s Construction and Housing Minister Uri Ariel says that his party, Bayit Yehudi, will not back a 2013 budget that does not include full funding for West Bank settlement construction projects. (NYT 4/29; MNA, JP 4/30)

In the Gaza Strip, the IDF makes an air strike nr. Rafah assassinating Hitham al-Mishal, whom Israel accuses of being a Salafist militant responsible for arms manufacturing. In response, Hamas urges Egypt to ensure that Israel stays committed to the truce deal signed at the end of Operation Pillar of Defense in 11/2012 (see QU 167). Israeli naval vessels open fire on Palestinian fishermen twice, once off the central Gaza coast nr. Dayr al-Balah and once off the south Gaza coast nr. Rafah, in the latter case causing damage and 1 injury. IDF forces also make a brief incursion into central Gaza nr. Juhr al-Dikto level land and clear lines of sight along the border fence. In the West Bank, a Palestinian fatally stabs a Jewish settler from Yitzhar at a Tapuach junction bus stop. In retaliation, Jewish settlers riot and attack Palestinians across the West Bank, including blocking roads and throwing stones at passing vehicles. Overall, the Palestinian civil defense report 57 fires across the West Bank caused by settlers, with damage to hundreds of olive and almond trees. In the most serious incident, Jewish settlers from Yitzhar settlement attack a mosque in Urif village and try to set it on fire; and stone a bus carrying Palestinian schoolchildren, injuring 2. The attack on Urif sparks clashes between IDF forces and Palestinians, leaving 4 Palestinians injured. Meanwhile, the IDF patrols in Hebron and 2 villages nr. Ramallah in the morning; conducts house searches and arrest raids in Tulkarm in the afternoon, and in Bethlehem and Tulkarm at night. (HA, MNA 4/30; MNA 5/1; PCHR 5/2)

UNRWA estimates that 235,000 Palestinian refugees have been displaced inside Syria during the ongoing civil war. (AP, WAFA 4/30)

In Washington, U.S. Secy. of State John Kerry and VP Joe Biden meet with senior Arab officials including the Bahraini, Egyptian, Jordanian and Qatari FMs, and representatives from the PA, Arab League, Lebanon, and Saudi Arabia for talks on the peace process. Qatari PM Shaykh Hamad Bin Jassem al-Thani, speaking on behalf of the Arab League delegation, cites the possibility of a border agreement that includes mutually agree and minor land swaps between the Israelis and the Palestinians. Kerry affirms the importance of the 2002 Arab Peace Initiative that promised full normalization for Israel’s complete withdrawal from the occupied territories (including the Golan). (AP, REU 29/4)

Unidentified Palestinians fire 1 rocket from Gaza into Israel, causing no damage or injuries. In response to recent rocket fire (see also 4/27), Israel closes the Kerem Shalom commercial crossing, further restricts movement through the Erez crossing to ‘‘humanitarian cases,’’ though it cancels visits for Gazan families of Palestinians jailed in Israel (VIPs were the only others allowed to cross Gaza). Israeli naval vessels fire on Palestinian fishermen off the south Gaza coast east of Rafah, causing no damage or injuries. In the West Bank, IDF soldiers evict several hundred Bedouin from Wadi al-Malih village in the Jordan Valley after declaring the area a live fire training zone (see 4/24). Meanwhile, Israel demolishes 4 Palestinian apartments in the al-Tur neighborhood of East Jerusalem, as well as a water well and utility room in the al-Fawar r.c. in Hebron. The IDF patrols in 3 villages nr. Tulkarm in the morning, in 2 villages nr. Jenin in the afternoon. At night, IDF troops conduct house searches and arrest raids in Dahaysha r.c. in Bethlehem, in Hebron, in 5 villages nr. Hebron, in Nablus, and in 1 village nr. Ramallah. Jewish settlers attack Palestinians in Bayt Furik village nr. Nablus, injuring 2. (AFP, MNA REU 4/29; PCHR 5/2)

UN Secy.-Gen. Ban Ki-moon urges the Syrian government to allow experts into the country to investigate reports of alleged use of chemical weapons. Damascus wants any investigation limited to a 3/2013 incident nr. Aleppo while Ban wants to also include a 12/2012 incident in Homs. (see 4/24) (AP 4/29)

There are violent clashes between IDF soldiers and Palestinian demonstrators across the West Bank. After the funeral of a man killed by the IDF in Abud village nr. Ramallah, demonstrators clash with IDF soldiers, who fire tear gas canisters and rubber-coated metal bullets, causing no serious injuries.

In Jerusalem, Israeli police and Palestinians clash after Friday prayers at the al-Aqsa Mosque compound, with no serious injuries.

In Hebron, IDF soldiers clash with stone-throwing youths, and seriously injure 3 civilians. In al-Mazra’a al-Qibliya village nr. Ramallah, an IDF patrol fires on stone-throwing youths with live ammunition, wounding 3. Meanwhile, Jewish settlers attack a Palestinian shepherd close to alMughayyir village nr. Ramallah, killing 5 of his sheep. In ensuing clashes, IDF soldiers injure 4 Palestinian civilians. Also, Jewish settlers uproot around 100 olive trees south of Nablus and leave ‘‘price tag’’ graffiti in Issawiyya village. In the West Bank, the IDF patrols in al- ‘Arub r.c. nr. Hebron and 1 village nr. Tulkarm in the afternoon, and in 2 villages nr. Hebron, 1 village nr. Jenin, 1 village nr. Jericho and 2 villages nr. Ramallah at night. IDF soldiers conduct house searches and arrest raids in 1 village nr. Bethlehem at night. IDF soldiers violently disperse Palestinians, Israelis, and international activists taking part in weekly nonviolent demonstrations against the Israeli occupation and land confiscations held in 2 villages nr. Ramallah (Bil‘in, Ni‘lin), 1 village nr. Bethlehem (al-Ma’sara), al-Haraiek area nr. Hebron, and 1 village nr. Qalqilya (Jayyous). There are no serious injuries except in Bil‘in, where 3 Palestinians are injured by rubber-coated metal bullets and tear gas canisters. IDF soldiers also clash with protesters at various locations who are demonstrating in solidarity with Palestinian prisoners, including in Bayt Ummar nr. Hebron, Bayt Laqiya nr. Ramallah, al-Khader and Taqq’a nr. Bethlehem, and Qalqilya; no serious injuries are reported. Israeli naval vessels off the Gaza coast open fire on Palestinian fishermen nr. Rafah, causing no damage or casualties. IDF forces open fire on Palestinians picnicking close to the Gaza border fence nr. Jabaliya, seriously wounding 1. (MNA, REU 3/8; PCHR 3/14)

Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu signs a coalition agreement with Tzipi Livni’s Hatnua party, under which Livni will become Justice Minister as well as heading the government’s negotiations team with the Palestinians. (HA, ToI 2/20)

Palestinians hold demonstrations in the West Bank, as an estimated 800 Palestinian prisoners declare a one-day fast in solidarity with long-term hunger striking prisoners being held as administrative detainees. Some 200 protesters clash with Israeli soldiers in the northern West Bank city, Hawara, causing no serious injuries. Meanwhile, UN Secy.- Gen. Ban Ki-moon expresses concern at the ongoing Palestinian hunger strike, saying that ‘‘those detained should be charged and face trial with judicial guarantees in accordance with international standards, or be promptly released. In the West Bank, the IDF patrols in 1 village each nr. Jenin and nr. Tulkarm in the morning, and in 1 village nr. Hebron in the afternoon; conducts house searches and arrest raids in Tulkarm, al-‘Arub r.c. nr. Hebron, 1 village nr. Hebron, Aida r.c. and al-Dheisha r.c. in Bethlehem at night. The Israeli navy arrests 2 Palestinian fishermen off the coast of the Gaza Strip, nr. Bayt Lahiya. The IDF also conducts 2 incursions into the Gaza Strip, nr. Jabaliya and nr. Khan Yunis, levelling land in both cases. (AP, MNA, REU 2/19; PCHR 2/21)

Head of the PA’s borders and crossing department Nathmi Muhanna announces that the European Union will fund expansion of the Kerem Shalom crossing into Gaza in order to increase its capacity to 500 truckloads per day (up from its current 300). Muhanna also says that Israel has informed his department of their intention to allow entry of new empty domestic gas cylinders into the Gaza Strip, as well as new fuel trucks, and the installation of a new phone and Internet line from Israel to the Gaza Strip. Meanwhile, Yousef Rizka, adviser to Hamas PM Ismail Haniyeh, says that the Egyptian authorities are flooding smuggling tunnels on the Rafah border with sewage water. (MNA 2/19)

Israeli security officials visit Cairo for the second time in a week to discuss the Gaza cease-fire with their Egyptian counterparts. An unnamed Hamas official says that the talks are focused on ‘‘humanitarian issues,’’ not politics. (MNA 2/19)

White House spokesperson Jay Carney says that Pres. Obama will visit Israel, the West Bank, and Jordan in the spring, but states that Obama will not present a new peace initiative on the trip. (NYT 2/5, HA 2/6)

Israeli security forces demolish a Palestinian-owned home in the Bayt Hanina neighborhood of East Jerusalem, leaving 4 families (30 people) homeless. IDF troops make 2 brief incursions into Gaza nr. Rafah and an area in c. Gaza to level lands and clear lines of sight along the border fence. The IDF opens fire on Palestinians gathered close to the border fence nr. Bayt Hanun and on Palestinians collecting gravel close to the border fence nr. Jabaliya, causing no injuries in either incident. In the West Bank, the IDF patrols in 1 village each nr. Ramallah and Tulkarm in the morning, in 2 villages nr. Tulkarm and 1 village nr. Jenin in the afternoon, and in 1 village nr. Ramallah at night; conducts house searches and arrest raids in 2 villages nr. Hebron, 1 village nr. Bethlehem, al-‘Arub r.c. nr. Hebron, and Aida r.c. in Bethlehem at night. Jewish settlers set fire to 2 cars in a village nr. Ramallah and leave ‘‘price-tag’’ slogans. (WAFA 2/5; MNA 2/6; PCHR 2/7)

Bulgarian interior min. Tsvetan Tsvetanov accuses Hizballah of being behind a bomb attack on a bus of Israeli tourists in Burgas on 7/18/12. In response, U.S. secy. of state John Kerry and White House counterterrorism adviser John Brennan say that the EU must take ‘‘proactive action’’ in opposing the Lebanese organization. (AP, REU 2/5)