The Palestine Chronology

IDF troops shoot and injure a Palestinian driver after halting his car at a mobile checkpoint near Jenin. They also patrol near Qalqilya and Hebron; raid al-Hurriya Media Company in Hebron overnight, damaging and destroying equipment and ordering the company’s radio station to shut down for 6 months on charges related to incitement. (PCHR 9/14)

Leader of the messianic Temple Mount movement and ultranationalist MK Yehuda Glick (Likud) and MK Shuli Moalem-Refaeli (Jewish Home) visit Haram al-Sharif under heavy police protection. Their visit follows Israeli PM Netanyahu’s decision to temporarily lift his ban on MKs and ministers visiting the sanctuary for 1 day only (Netanyahu initially imposed the ban in 10/2015 amid escalating violence across the oPt; see JPS 45 [2, 3]). Israeli forces plan to assess today’s visit and to make a recommendation about the ban’s future. A spokesperson for the Islamic Waqf says the decision to lift the ban is “unacceptable” and shows that “extremist right-wing entities are in control of the Israeli occupation’s government.” Elsewhere in East Jerusalem, Israeli forces arrest 1 Palestinian in the Old City and another during a raid in Abu Dis. In the West Bank, IDF troops escort hundreds of Israeli settlers to visit Joseph’s Tomb near Nablus overnight, sparking clashes with stone-throwing Palestinian youths from nearby Balata refugee camp; 2 Palestinians are injured. IDF troops also arrest 8 Palestinians during late-night raids near Hebron and Bethlehem, and patrol in and around Qalqilya and Hebron. Israeli settlers throw stones at Palestinian Bedouin homes near Hebron, causing minor damage. Off Gaza’s coast, Israeli naval forces open fire on Palestinian fishing boats near Bayt Lahiya, causing no damage or injuries. (HA, MNA, TOI, WAFA, YA 8/29; TOI 8/30; PCHR 9/1; PCHR 9/14)

Israeli ambassador to Egypt Govrin flies to Cairo to resume his post. Along with 8 staffers, he will work out of his home rather than in the Israeli embassy, which was evacuated due to security concerns in 12/2016. (AP, TOI 8/29)

An IDF vehicle strikes and kills a Palestinian girl in the Jordan Valley near Nablus. Elsewhere in the West Bank, IDF troops arrest 9 Palestinians during late-night raids near Hebron, Bethlehem, and Jericho, and patrol near Qalqilya, Hebron, and Salfit. Off Gaza’s coast, Israeli naval forces open fire on Palestinian fishing boats near Bayt Lahiya and Jabaliya refugee camp, causing no damage or injuries. (MNA, TOI 8/26; PCHR 9/1)

PA PM Rami Hamdallah announces that the PA will re-hire the 6,145 Gazan civil servants it forced into early retirement on 7/4 (see JPS 47 [1]). “The government decided with approval from [PA pres.] Abbas to allow employees of the ministries of health and education from the Gaza Strip, who were pensioned, to return to their work and serve our brothers in the Gaza Strip,” Hamdallah says, without offering further details. (HA, MNA, TOI 8/26)

IDF troops violently disperse Palestinians, Israelis, and international activists at Friday protests against Israel’s occupation, settlements, and separation wall in 3 villages near Ramallah (Nabi Salih, Bil‘in, and Ni‘lin), Kafr Qaddum near Qalqilya, and along Gaza’s border near Jabaliya refugee camp, al-Bureij refugee camp, and Gaza City; at least 11 Palestinians are injured. Meanwhile, IDF troops conduct raids in the Burham and Jibiya villages near Ramallah overnight, sparking clashes with stone-throwing Palestinians; there are no serious injuries. They also arrest 1 Palestinian and issue 1 arrest summons during late-night raids in Jenin and Hebron, and patrol near Hebron during the day. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces arrest 2 Palestinians and issue 1 arrest summons during a raid in Shu‘fat refugee camp. (MNA 8/25; MNA 8/26; PCHR 9/1)

In the West Bank, Israeli forces raze Palestinian land near Hebron to make space for the expansion of a nearby settlement. The IDF arrest 1 Palestinian during a late-night raid near Bethlehem, and patrol near Hebron and Qalqilya during the day. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces arrest 4 Palestinians during raids in the Old City. Approximately 300 Israeli settlers, accompanied by several members of Knesset (MKs), establish a synagogue in Silwan, while Israeli forces cordon off the area, restricting Palestinian movement. (MNA, WAFA 8/24; PCHR 9/1)

U.S. pres. Donald Trump’s senior advisor and son-in-law Jared Kushner meets with Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu in the morning in Tel Aviv. He says that Trump is “committed to finding a solution that will bring prosperity and peace” to the region. Netanyahu’s office later says that the meeting was “effective and significant.” No further details are made public. Kushner later discusses the Trump administration’s peace efforts with Palestinian Authority (PA) pres. Mahmoud Abbas in Ramallah. He reportedly says that the Trump administration is planning to present a peace plan to the Palestinians and Israelis within 3–4 months, and asks Abbas to refrain from unilateral moves in international fora in the meantime. After the meeting, the PA releases a statement: “The PA and the U.S. delegation had a productive meeting focused on how to begin substantive Israeli-Palestinian peace talks. Both sides agreed to continue with the U.S.-led conversations as the best way to reach a comprehensive peace deal.” (HA, REU, TOI, WAFA 8/24; MNA, NYT 8/25)

In the West Bank, Israeli forces confiscate a number of mobile homes that were to serve as classrooms in Jubbet al-Dhib, a Palestinian Bedouin village near Jerusalem. Sources in the village say they have to delay the start of the school year from 8/23 to 8/27 as a result. IDF troops patrol near Qalqilya and Hebron during the day. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces demolish a makeshift home in Silwan, having demolished it on 8/15. (The Palestinian owner rebuilt it.) They also prevent the delivery of Palestinian textbooks to schools at Haram al-Sharif, assault a number of Palestinians, and arrest 6 Palestinians during raids in Silwan. Off Gaza’s coast, Israeli naval forces open fire on Palestinian fishing boats near Bayt Lahiya for the 3d and 4th time in 24 hours, causing no damage or injuries. In the Negev, Israeli forces demolish a home in the Palestinian Bedouin village Wadi al-Na‘am near Beersheba. (MNA, WAFA 8/22; HA 8/23; PCHR 8/24)

Two U.S. sources say that the Trump administration has decided to withhold approximately $290 million in aid to Egypt because of the government’s failure to make adequate progress on democratic reforms ($95.7 million will be cut entirely and $195 million will be delayed). (REU, TOI, YA 8/22; CNN 8/23)

In the West Bank, IDF troops arrest a Palestinian youth at a checkpoint near Nablus, allegedly for carrying a knife. They also arrest 1 Palestinian during a raid in Hebron and patrol near Nablus, Jenin, Qalqilya, and Hebron. Israeli forces raze a swathe of Palestinian land south of Bethlehem to clear space for a new IDF training base, demolish a kindergarten in a Palestinian Bedouin community east of Jerusalem, and remove 6 prefab trailer homes near the Yitzhar settlement, sparking minor clashes with the Israeli settlers living in them (there are no serious injuries). Along Gaza’s border, Israeli forces conduct a limited incursion to level land near Khan Yunis. Off Gaza’s coast, Israeli naval forces open fire on Palestinian fishing boats near Bayt Lahiya on 2 separate occasions, causing no damage or injuries. In Gaza, unidentified armed men open fire on a Hamas post in Rafah, causing no serious injuries. (MNA, WAFA 8/21; TOI 8/22; PCHR 8/24)

IDF troops shoot and kill a Palestinian at a checkpoint near Nablus, allegedly after he draws a knife and prepares to stab 1 of them. An Israeli soldier is injured by friendly fire. IDF troops shoot and injure 3 Palestinians during clashes sparked by an overnight raid in Jenin refugee camp, arrest 2 Palestinians, and issue 3 arrest summons during further raids near Qalqilya. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces arrest 8 Palestinians and issue 1 arrest summons during raids in Issawiyya and Hizma. Along Gaza’s border, IDF troops arrest a Palestinian attempting to cross into Israel. (HA, MNA, TOI, WAFA 8/19; MNA 8/20; PCHR 8/24)

IDF troops violently disperse Palestinians, Israelis, and international activists at Friday protests against the Israeli occupation, separation wall, and settlements in 3 villages near Ramallah (Bil‘in, Ni‘lin, and Nabi Salih), central Qalqilya, and along Gaza’s border near al-Bureij refugee camp, Khan Yunis, Rafah, and Jabaliya refugee camp; at least 5 Palestinians are injured and 2 are arrested. IDF troops also open fire on Palestinian youths near Jabaliya refugee camp along Gaza’s border, injuring 1. Meanwhile, IDF troops issue arrest summons to 4 Palestinians during late-night raids near Bethlehem, and patrol near Hebron and Nablus. Israeli settlers throw stones at Palestinian homes in central Hebron, causing no serious damage. (MNA, WAFA 8/18; MNA 8/19; PCHR 8/24)

IDF troops shoot and injure a Palestinian as he attempts to cross the separation wall into Israel nr. Bethlehem. Elsewhere in the West Bank, the IDF arrests 14 Palestinians during late-night raids in and around Hebron, Nablus, Tulkarm, and Qalqilya; and patrols nr. Hebron. Israeli soldiers also assault and arrest a Palestinian attempting to stop them from arresting his mentally handicapped daughter. Israeli forces demolish 3 homes and a livestock barn in a small Bedouin village nr. Hebron. In East Jerusalem, dozens of Jewish settlers tour Haram al-Sharif. Israeli forces arrest 2 Palestinians and issue 1 arrest summons during raids in Silwan and the Old City. Along Gaza’s border, Israeli forces conduct a limited incursion to level land nr. al-Bureij r.c. (MNA, WAFA 8/14; PCHR 8/17)

The Egyptian authorities open the Rafah border crossing for a limited period, allowing 800 Palestinians from Gaza to embark on the pilgrimage to Mecca. (WAFA 8/14; OCHA 8/17)

Israeli settlers set up 29 mobile homes in and around settlements nr. Nablus and Tulkarm. Elsewhere in the West Bank, IDF troops arrest 2 Palestinians during late-night raids nr. Ramallah and Bethlehem, and patrol nr. Hebron and Qalqilya during the day. Israeli forces violently disperse Palestinians at protests against the occupation in Kafr Qaddum nr. Qalqilya; 2 Palestinians are injured. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces arrest a Palestinian woman outside the Old City after she allegedly stabs and injures an Israeli security guard. (HA, MNA, WAFA, YA 8/12; MNA 8/13; PCHR 8/17)

Israeli forces impose an overnight curfew and punitively demolish 2 homes and seal a 3d in Dayr Abu Mash‘al nr. Ramallah. (The homes belong to the families of the Palestinians allegedly responsible for the deadly 6/16 attack in East Jerusalem.) Clashes break out despite the curfew; 3 Palestinians are injured. Meanwhile, Israeli forces also carry out the punitive demolition of a home in Silwad nr. Ramallah, which belongs to the family of the man allegedly responsible for the car ramming attack nr. Ramallah on 4/6. Elsewhere in the West Bank, IDF troops interrogate several PA employees during a raid on a govt. office in Hebron. Another IDF raid in Bayt Rima nr. Ramallah sparks clashes with Palestinian youths; 5 Palestinians are injured. IDF troops also patrol nr. Hebron and Qalqilya during the day. In East Jerusalem, Israeli police arrest 5 Palestinians in al-‘Izzariya allegedly on their way to carry out an attack on Israelis; and arrest 3 more Palestinians during late-night raids in Shu‘fat r.c. and Qatanna. Undercover Israeli police assault and arrest a number of Palestinian youths in Bayt Hanina. (HA, MNA, TOI 8/10; MNA 8/11; PCHR 8/17)

In the West Bank, IDF troops arrest 19 Palestinians and issue 1 arrest summons during late-night raids in and around Nablus, Jenin, and Qalqilya; and patrol nr. Hebron and Nablus. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces arrest 4 Palestinians during raids in Wadi al-Juz and Jabal Mukabir. Off Gaza’s coast, Israeli naval forces open fire on Palestinian fishing boats nr. Bayt Lahiya 4 times, causing no damage or injuries. (PCHR 8/10)

Jordan’s King Abdullah meets with PA pres. Abbas in Ramallah to discuss the recent tension at Haram al-Sharif, the U.S.-led peace efforts, and regional developments. (HA, MNA, TOI, WAFA, YA 8/7)

In the West Bank, IDF troops arrest 11 Palestinians and issue 1 arrest summons during raids in and around Bethlehem, Hebron, Salfit, and Qalqilya; and patrol nr. Hebron and Nablus during the day. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces assault and arrest 9 Muslim worshippers at Haram al-Sharif; arrest 11 Palestinians during raids in the Old City, Wadi al-Juz, and Silwan. Along Gaza’s border, IDF troops arrest a Palestinian attempting to cross into Israel nr. Jabaliya r.c. (MNA, TOI, WAFA 8/6; MNA 8/7; PCHR 8/10)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers throw stones at Palestinian homes in c. Hebron for the 2d night in a row, causing no damage or injuries. Late at night, hundreds of Jewish settlers visit Joseph’s Tomb nr. Nablus, sparking minor clashes between their IDF escort and Palestinians from nearby Balata r.c.; there are no serious injuries. IDF troops conduct a raid in Yabad village nr. Jenin, arresting 5 Palestinians and sparking clashes with stone-throwing youths; there are no serious injuries. They arrest 6 more Palestinians during late-night raids nr. Bethlehem, Ramallah, and Hebron; and patrol nr. Hebron. The IDF violently disperses Palestinians demonstrating against the Israeli occupation in Kafr Qaddum nr. Qalqilya; 2 Palestinians are injured. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces arrest 1 Palestinian during a raid in 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, WAFA 8/5; MNA 8/6; PCHR 8/10)

Late at night, Israeli settlers enter Kobar, the Ramallah-area hometown of the Palestinian who stabbed 4 Israeli settlers at the Halamish settlement on 7/21. When Palestinians throw stones at the group, IDF troops escort the settlers out of the village and violently disperse the Palestinians, injuring 1. IDF troops also arrest 1 Palestinian during a raid in Qalqilya, and patrol nr. Hebron and Nablus during the day. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces arrest 1 Palestinian during a late-night raid in Qalandia r.c., sparking clashes with residents; 1 Palestinian is injured. They arrest 5 more Palestinians during raids in Silwan and the Old City. Along Gaza’s border, Israeli forces conduct a limited incursion to level land nr. Khan Yunis. In Israel, Israeli police clash with Palestinians in Jaffa protesting the police killing of a Palestinian in the area on 7/29; 2 protesters are arrested. (MNA 8/3; MNA, TOI, YA 8/4; PCHR 8/10)

In c. Israel, Israeli police arrest a West Bank Palestinian after he allegedly stabs and seriously injures an Israeli in Yavne. The IDF then raids the alleged attacker’s Yatta home and imposes a lockdown on the village, blocking all entrances and exits. Elsewhere in the West Bank, Israeli forces raid a civil investigations office in c. Hebron, confiscating equipment and detaining the 30-odd employees. The office reportedly opened following a recent agreement between local Palestinian and Israeli authorities. IDF troops arrest a Palestinian allegedly armed with a knife at the Gush Etzion junction; arrest 8 more Palestinians, and issue 1 arrest summons during late-night raids in and around Hebron, Ramallah, Nablus, Bethlehem, Qalqilya, and Tubas. During raids in Wadi al-Juz, Ras al-Amud, Bayt Hanina, and al-Tur in East Jerusalem, Israeli forces arrest 15 Palestinians in connection with the violence at the sanctuary (48 Palestinians are still reportedly being held in connection with the clashes). They also ban an Islamic Waqf employee from Haram al-Sharif. Palestinian youths throw stones at an Israeli police officer outside Damascus Gate, lightly injuring him. Meanwhile, approximately 1,000 Jewish settlers tour the sanctuary. Off Gaza’s coast, Israeli naval forces open fire on Palestinian fishing boats nr. Bayt Lahiya, causing no damage or injuries. (HA, MNA, TOI, WAFA, YA 8/2; HA, MNA, PCHR, TOI 8/3; PCHR 8/10)

The Israeli press reports that the IDF has completed construction of a 26-mile segment of the separation wall nr. Hebron, which they had resumed in 2/2017 after Palestinians from nearby Yatta village carried out a deadly shooting in 6/2016 in Tel Aviv. (MNA 8/3)