The Palestine Chronology

In the West Bank, the IDF conducts synchronized late-night house searches in 4 villages south and west of Jenin, arresting only 1 Palestinian; conducts other late-night arrest raids, house searches nr. Bethlehem, Qalqilya. Palestinians in Yasuf receive Israel’s chief rabbi Yona Metzger, who requested permission to make an official visit to condemn the 12/11 arson and vandalism attack on the village mosque by Jewish settlers. In Gaza, 10,000s of Palestinians rally to mark Hamas’s 22d anniversary. In the West Bank, the PA security forces (PASF) begin rounding up Hamas mbrs. to prevent anniversary rallies there. (NYT, WP, WT 12/15; OCHA, PCHR 12/16; WJW 12/17)

The IDF conducts military exercises in the Golan Heights. Meanwhile, IDF troops on the n. Gaza border make a brief incursion to detain 2 Palestinian teenagers scavenging for scrap metal from destroyed buildings nr. the border fence n. of Bayt Hanun, holding them for 12 hrs. of interrogation before releasing them. Israel allows Gazans to export 1 truckload of carnations (30,000 flowers), marking the first exports permitted since 4/27/09. In the West Bank, the IDF raids Khirbat Tana village, located in area C northeast of Nablus and w. of Mehola settlement, early in the morning, searching several homes and confiscating 4 tractors, stating the area is a closed military zone (see Quarterly Update for details). The IDF also shuts the Shavei Shomron checkpoint on the Jenin–Nablus route for road repair work that is expected to take 9 mos.; the closure creates long delays for Palestinians traveling between Jenin and the s. West Bank. Jewish settlers fr. Revava northwest of Salfit brutally beat a 13-yr.-old Palestinian child; the IDF evacuates the child to an Israeli hospital. (NYT 12/11; OCHA, PCHR 12/16)

In response to escalating tensions in East Jerusalem, 1,000s of Palestinians attend a rally in Gaza organized by Hamas calling for another intifada. (WT 10/6)

In the West Bank, the IDF arrests a Palestinian by the separation wall nr. Azun Atma; conducts late-night raids, house searches in and around Nablus and nr. Jenin, arresting 2 Palestinians. (PCHR 10/8)

Israeli-Palestinian tensions in Jerusalem remain high following the 10/4 clashes. Although Israel deploys 1,000s of additional police in and around the Old City and IDF helicopters and drones monitor fr. above, some significant clashes are reported in and around the city. At a checkpoint at the entrance of Shu‘fat r.c., Israeli security forces arrest a Palestinian who stabbed an Israeli soldier in the neck; IDF troops then enter Shu‘fat r.c., fire sound bombs and tear gas, and arrest 8 more Palestinians (all under the age of 18, 2 under the age of 13). At Qalandia checkpoint, Israeli security forces fire rubbercoated steel bullets, tear gas, sound bombs at 10s of Palestinian protesters. In Ras alAmud neighborhood, Israeli security forces arrest 13 Palestinians for stone-throwing. Israeli authorities also seal off 2 Arab neighborhoods adjacent to the Old City and bar men under the age of 50 fr. entering alAqsa Mosque. At least 7 Palestinians are wounded in clashes during the day. Israel releases 2 Palestinians detained at crossings into Jerusalem on 10/4 but bars them fr. entering Jerusalem for 90 days. (WT 10/6, PCHR 10/8)

A complaint filed by Israeli human rights organization Yesh Din results in the arrest of an IDF soldier on charges of beating the Bil‘in Coordinator of the Public Committee against the Wall and Settlement during a late-night raid on 9/15. (OCHA Humanitarian Monitor 10/09)

The IDF makes a brief incursion into Gaza n. of Bayt Hanun to level land along the border fence. (PCHR 10/1)

In the West Bank, the IDF conducts late-night raids, house searches nr. Qalqilya and Jenin and in Hebron, arresting 15 Palestinians (including 4 teenagers). Jewish settlers fr. Ma’on settlement nr. Hebron destroy a Palestinian agricultural facility marked for destruction by the IDF; the IDF observes but does not intervene. (PCHR 10/1; OCHA 10/2)

On the sidelines of the convening of the UN General Assembly (UNGA) in New York, U.S. pres. Barack Obama moderates a meeting between Netanyahu and Abbas, encouraging them to resume peace negotiations promptly. (WP 9/23; WJW 9/24; JPI 10/1)

IDF troops on the n. Gaza border nr. Bayt Hanun fire on Palestinian farmers approaching their land some 600 m fr. the border fence, killing 1 Palestinian teenager. The IDF also makes a brief incursion into s. Gaza to level land in Khuza village nr. Khan Yunis. (PCHR 9/10; OCHA 9/11; OCHA Humanitarian Report 9/09)

In the West Bank, the IDF fires rubbercoated steel bullets, sound bombs, tear gas at Palestinian and international human rights activists taking part in a nonviolent demonstration against the separation wall in Ni‘lin (injuring 3, including an Israeli and a Palestinian journalist) 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, including 1 teenager); conducts latenight raids, house searches in and around Tulkarm town and r.c., in al-Fara‘a r.c. nr. Tubas, and nr. Jenin, Ramallah, and Hebron, making no arrests but summoning at least 1 Palestinian for questioning; patrols Qabatya but makes no arrests. (PCHR 9/10)

On the 2d Friday of Ramadan, the IDF continues to enforce age restrictions announced on 8/23 limiting Palestinian access to Jerusalem for prayers; an estimated 130,000 Palestinians enter the city, but as a result of intense crowding at Qalandia checkpoint, many other “qualified” Palestinians are prevented fr. entering and 19 people (primarily women and children) are injured in the crush of worshipers awaiting entry at IDF checkpoints around the city. (PCHR 9/10; OCHA 9/11; OCHA Humanitarian Report 9/09)

In retaliation for Palestinian rocket fire on 8/24, the IDF carries out an early morning air strike on smuggling tunnels on the Rafah border, collapsing a tunnel, killing 2 Palestinians and injuring at least 6 others; 1 person is reported missing. (OCHA 8/25; NYT 8/26; PCHR 8/27; OCHA Humanitarian Report 8/09; JPI 9/4)

In the West Bank, the IDF storms the Bayt Jala offices of Bethlehem 2000 Radio, confiscating $150,000 worth of equipment; conducts raids, house searches nr. Ramallah, and Jericho, in Hebron and al- ‘Arub r.c. nr. Hebron, arresting 5 Palestinians (including 2 teenagers); patrols and opens fire in Qabatya village nr. Jenin, causing no reported injuries. (PCHR 8/27)

Palestinian Authority (PA) PM Salam Fayyad publicizes a 65-page plan to unilaterally build a de facto Palestinian state comprising both the West Bank and Gaza by 2011. (NYT, WP, WT 8/26; WJW 8/27; JPI 9/4)(See Doc. B4 in JPS 153)

To mark captured IDF soldier Cpl. Gilad Shalit’s upcoming 23d birthday on 8/28, 100s of Israeli activists demonstrate outside Israeli security prisons where Palestinians are detained to prevent prisoners’ families fr. visiting them; Israeli police arrest 4 demonstrators. Israel consequently suspends family visits for West Bank prisoners in the Hadarim and Shikma prisons allegedly to reduce the likelihood of clashes. (OCHA 8/25; JPI 9/4)

Israeli naval boats fire on Palestinian fishing boats off the Rafah coast to force them back to shore, seriously wounding a 12-yr.-old Palestinian boy on the beach with a gunshot to the head. In the West Bank, the IDF fires rubber-coated steel bullets, tear gas, stun grenades, skunk at stone-throwing Palestinians protesting the separation wall in Bil‘in; fires rubbercoated steel bullets, tear gas, percussion grenades at Palestinian and international activists holding nonviolent demonstrations against the separation wall in al-Ma‘sara and Ni‘lin, causing no major injuries; conducts late-night house searches in and around Jenin, making no arrests. In Rafah, Hamas police and Izzeddin al-Qassam Brigades (IQB) mbrs. attempt to arrest SCG leader Shaykh ‘Abd al-Latif Musa, surrounding his mosque during Friday prayers, sparking a 7-hr. battle that leaves 24 Palestinians dead (12 SCG, 6 Hamas, 6 bystanders), 130 injured (including a boy inside Egyptian Rafah), and 95 SCG supporters under arrest. The dead include Shaykh Musa, who reportedly commits suicide by detonating an explosives belt, killing s. Gaza IQB cmdr. Muhammad Jibril Shamali, who led the raid. (Agence France-Presse 8/14; MNA, NYT, WP, WT 8/16; Jerusalem Post, OCHA, PCHR 8/20)

The IDF makes a brief incursion into n. Gaza to bulldoze land along the border fence nr. Bayt Hanun. In the West Bank, the IDF conducts synchronized late-night house searches in Jenin town, r.c., and nearby Qabatya, making no arrests. Later at night, the IDF stages arrest raids and house searches in Barta‘a village nr. Jenin. Armed Jewish settlers fr. Suissa settlement nr. Hebron beat a Palestinian shepherd grazing her flock nearby and attempt to steal her sheep; another Palestinian intervenes and is also beaten, but the settlers leave without the sheep. Around 10 Jewish settlers ambush a Palestinian car driving on the Ramallah–Nablus road, smash its front window, injuring the driver, who is given medical attention by the IDF. A Hamas-affiliated PA prisoner dies in custody in Nablus; the PASF claims the man committed suicide, but the family and human rights organizations demand an independent investigation. (OCHA, PCHR 8/13)

Israel allows 2,631 Palestinians to transit through the Rafah crossing (880 going into Egypt, 1,751 returning to Gaza). The UN reports that in the preceding wk., 2 Gazan boys (ages 8, 10) in al-Bureij r.c. were injured by UXO fr. OCL; 4 Palestinians were killed, 5 injured in tunnel collapses along the Rafah border. In the West Bank, the IDF conducts late-night house searches in villages s. of Jenin, making no arrests; stages late-night arrest raids, house searches in Fasayil village n. of Jericho. A Hamas-affiliated PA prisoner dies in a Jordanian hospital, where he was transferred by the PASF on 6/30 with severe injuries apparently resulting fr. torture. (OCHA, PCHR 8/6, 8/13)

In Bethlehem, 2,325 delegates fr. the West Bank and 80 countries around the world open Fatah’s 6th General Conference in Bethlehem to vote on a new party platform and hold elections for party institutions for the 1st time in 20 yrs. (MM, alSharq al-Awsat 8/4; al-Ayyam, MM, MNA, NYT, WP 8/5; MNA 8/8; JPI 8/14)

Israel allows 350 Palestinians to travel through the Rafah crossing into Egypt, and 1,770 others (mostly returning patients) to travel into Gaza. In the West Bank, the IDF fires tear gas, stun grenades at Palestinian, Israeli, and international activists protesting new restrictions on Palestinian movement in Wadi Abu al-Rish nr. Bet Ayn settlement (see Quarterly Update in JPS 152), also violently beating 6 protesters (5 Palestinian, 1 Israeli) and a Reuters cameraman, and arresting 15 individuals for “provoking security forces”; conducts late-night house searches nr. Jenin, but makes no arrests. Jewish settlers vandalize several Palestinian houses in Hebron. In Silwan village on the outskirts of Jerusalem, several Jewish settlers attempt to prevent a Palestinian woman fr. parking nr. several houses they have occupied; when the woman’s family intervenes, settlement guards violently beat them with sticks and gun butts, and fire in the air, injuring 10 Palestinians, 4 of them requiring hospitalization. The UN reports that for the 4th wk. this quarter, the PASF arrested more West Bank Palestinians (69) than the IDF (46). (OCHA, PCHR 7/2)

Netanyahu gives a major policy speech on Israeli peace and security, drafted as a rebuttal to Obama’s 6/4 Cairo address and intended to inject a Zionist narrative (see Doc. C1). In an effort to appease Obama, he for the 1st time agrees to support the creation of a Palestinian state, but only under a host of conditions that would essentially redefine Palestinian sovereignty. (IFM 6/14; NYT, WP, WT 6/15; WJW 6/18; JPI 6/26)

The badly decomposed body of a Palestinian shepherd missing since 4/21/09 is found 50 m fr. the n. Gaza border fence nr. Bayt Hanun, raising speculation that he was fatally shot by the IDF when he strayed nr. the border. In the West Bank, the IDF conducts late-night arrest raids, house searches nr. Jenin (firing on residential areas, causing no injuries), Jerusalem. Jewish settlers attack a 10-yr.-old Palestinian boy in Silwan nr. Jerusalem; when the boy’s family intervenes, 30 settlement guards fr. settlements in the area join in the attack, beating another 4 Palestinians. A Palestinian dies in an Egyptian hospital of injuries received in an IDF drone strike on Jabaliya r.c. during OCL. (OCHA, PCHR 6/18)

Israeli warplanes drop boxes of leaflets across Gaza announcing that the IDF is expanding its self-declared “buffer zone” fr. 150 to 300 meters along most of the Gaza border, making more agricultural land inaccessible; 1 box hits a house, injuring a child. In the West Bank, the IDF shoots, seriously wounds an unarmed Palestinian teenager who strays nr. Shavei Shomron settlement nr. Nablus; patrols in Nur Shams r.c. nr. Tulkarm, firing on stone-throwing youths who confront them, wounding 3; conducts late-night arrest raids, house searches nr. Hebron, Jenin. Jewish settlers fr. Elkana settlement nr. Salfit vandalize a Palestinian home and intimidate the residents. (OCHA, PCHR 5/28; OCHA 6/1)

Overnight, the IDF sends troops into Gaza to engage a group of armed Palestinians laying a roadside bomb nr. the border fence, fatally shooting 2 Islamic Jihad mbrs.; the deaths bring to 22 the number of Gazans killed by the IDF since the 1/18/09 cease-fire. Later in the day, the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine detonates a roadside bomb on the Gaza border fence as an IDF patrol passes, causing no damage or injuries. In the West Bank, the IDF conducts late-night arrest raids, house searches nr. Jenin (firing live ammunition and stun grenades at homes, injuring a Palestinian woman); fires tear gas at stone-throwing Palestinians demonstrating against the separation wall construction in Bil‘in; fires live ammunition, rubbercoated steel bullets, tear gas at Palestinian, Israeli, and international activists taking part in weekly nonviolent protests against the separation wall in Ni‘lin (injuring 10 Palestinians, 2 with live ammunition). Jewish settlers burn 10s of d. of Palestinian crops nr. Yitzhar settlement nr. Nablus, block firefighters fr. reaching the scene. A Jewish settler is found dead nr. Eli settlement btwn. Ramallah and Nablus; the circumstances of his death are unclear. (NYT, WP 5/23; OCHA, PCHR 5/28)

The UN reports that in the previous wk., Palestinians and the IDF exchanged gunfire across the border nr. the Nahal Oz crossing (causing no injuries) and that the IDF fired “randomly” into Gaza nr. the Qarni and Sufa crossings (causing no injuries). In the West Bank, the IDF makes synchronized daytime raids on 4 villages s. of Jenin, patrolling in the streets, firing live ammunition and percussion grenades at residential areas, causing no injuries and making no arrests. The UN reports that over the previous wk. Jewish settlers have razed 200 d. of Palestinian land (including 50 d. of olive groves) w. of Salfit to expand Burkan settlement. A PA court sentences Hebron resident Anwar Breghit to death by hanging, convicting him of selling private Palestinian land to Israelis when he sold a plot in Bayt Umar village to Karme Tzur settlement; the sentence must be approved by PA Pres. Mahmud Abbas. (NYT, OCHA, PCHR 4/29; PCHR 5/7)

IDF troops fire on armed Palestinians laying a roadside bomb nr. the Israel-Gaza border, sparking a cross-border exchange of gunfire and calling in an air strike, leaving 2 armed Palestinians dead and 3 armed Palestinians and 1 IDF soldier wounded; the IDF enters Gaza to clear the area, claiming to find a cache of grenades and an antitank missile. Palestinians also fire 2 rockets fr. Gaza into Israel, causing no damage or injuries. The UN reports that in 3/09, a total of 10 Palestinians were killed in tunnel incidents (7 collapses, 2 electrocutions, 1 fall) and 12 were rescued fr. tunnels experiencing unexplained breathing difficulties. In the West Bank, the IDF conducts late-night arrest raids, house searches nr. Hebron, Jenin, Tubas. The UN reports that over the previous wk., the IDF has installed a guardrail along 7 km of Road 317 (used by Jewish settlers) nr. Hebron to prevent Palestinian herders fr. crossing the road to access grazing areas. (OCHA, WP 4/1; PCHR 4/2)

The Knesset approves (69–45, with 5 Labor MKs who had opposed joining the coalition abstaining, 1 Israeli Palestinian MK absent) Netanyahu’s coalition government, which bills itself as representing Israelis who are unhappy with the peace process, worn down by Palestinian rocket fire fr. Gaza, and increasingly worried about the growing regional influence of Iran. (IFM, NYT, WP, WT 4/1; WJW 4/2)

Gaza’s power plant is forced to shut 1 turbine for lack of spare parts, increasing rolling power outages across the Strip fr. 4–6 hrs./day to 8–12 hrs./day for 3 days until parts are allowed in for the repair. In the West Bank, the IDF conducts synchronized late-night arrest raids, house searches in villages around Hebron and Jenin; conducts additional late-night arrest raids, house searches in Silwad nr. Ramallah, nr. Tulkarm. Jewish settlers fr. Kiryat Arba settlement seriously beat a Palestinian woman walking nearby; the IDF observes but does not intervene. A Palestinian prisoner dies of apparent torture in Hamas police custody in Gaza. (OCHA 3/17, 3/18; PCHR 3/19; OCHA 4/1)

In the West Bank, the IDF begins work on a new electricity network on Palestinian land to supply Jewish settlements n. and s. of Hebron; enters Thinnaba and Izbat al-Jarad villages nr. Tulkarm in the evening, patrolling the streets and firing percussion grenades; conducts late-night arrest raids, house searches in and around Ramallah, in Nablus, nr. Jenin. The IDF also demolishes 2 Palestinian homes in Silwan and Sur Bahir in East Jerusalem, displacing 21 Palestinians. (OCHA 3/4; PCHR 3/5; OCHA 3/10)

In Sharm al-Shaykh, Egypt and Norway host an international donor conference to raise $2 b. for the reconstruction of Gaza. In total, 75 states pledge more than $4 b. (WP 3/2; HA, WP, WT 3/3; see also VOA 2/27, WP 3/1)

After attending the donor conference, U.S. Secy. of State Hillary Clinton arrives in Israel for 3 days of talks with Israeli and Palestinian leaders. (IFM 3/3; NYT, WP, WTW 3/4; NYT, WP 3/5; WT 3/11)

In the West Bank, Israel reopens a main road to Bani Na‘im nr. Hebron (closed since 2001); authorizes the Palestinian Authority (PA) to build an additional 12 police stations across the West Bank (Israel previously approved 20 and the PA has built 19); issues VIP travel permits to 120 high-ranking PA security officers and Palestinian personalities (bringing to about 390 the number of VIP permits issued to date); increases the number of Palestinian workers allowed into Israel (no figures given); allows Israeli Palestinians to visit Nablus and Jenin on weekends (intended to boost those local economies). The IDF also levels Palestinian land to expand an IDF checkpoint nr. Einav settlement nr. Tulkarm; conducts late-night arrest raids, house searches in and around Bethlehem, in Hebron, nr. Jenin and Ramallah. In Gaza,IDF troops on the s. Gaza border fire on unarmed Palestinians inspecting damaged homes e. of Khuza nr. the border fence, wounding a Palestinian teenager. The UN reports that Palestinians have fired 21 rockets and mortars into Israel since 2/18, causing no damage or injuries. A Palestinian teenager dies of injuries sustained during the 1/15 IDF air strikes that assassinated Gaza’s acting interior minister Sa‘id Siyam during OCL. (IFM 2/24; OCHA 2/25; PCHR 2/26)

Israel’s new parliament, elected on 2/10/09, is sworn in. (WP 2/25)

In Gaza, Palestinians detonate a roadside bomb nr. the Gaza border fence e. of al-Musaddar village in c. Gaza, causing no reported damage or injuries. The IDF sends troops into al-Musaddar in pursuit, exchanging gunfire with the armed Palestinians, calling in 3 air strikes on the area, injuring 2 armed Palestinians, heavily damaging 3 Palestinian homes before withdrawing 90 mins. later. Palestinians also fire 2 Qassam rockets fr. Gaza into Israel, causing no reported damage or injuries. In the West Bank, the IDF makes a large late-night incursion into Nablus to raid and search a home for weapons, blowing up part of the home, detaining 2 Palestinians for questioning, but finding no weapons; occupying and searching Asia Television offices; blowing the doors off several shops in the old city. The IDF also conducts late-night arrest raids, house searches in and around Jenin town and r.c., nr. Bethlehem and Hebron. Jewish settlers escorted by IDF troops enter Nablus to pray for several hours at the shrine of Prophet Joseph. In the evening, Jewish settlers in Hebron cut electricity to Palestinian houses in the center and s. of town, then rampage through the areas, damaging several homes; the IDF observes but does not intervene. (OCHA 2/24, 2/25; PCHR 2/26)

Palestinians detonate a roadside bomb nr. the Gaza border fence, sparking an exchange of gunfire with the IDF that leaves 2 armed Palestinians dead. In the West Bank, the IDF sends undercover units in a car with Palestinian license plates into Qabatya nr. Jenin to arrest a Palestinian; enters Bayt Umar village nr. Hebron to chase several stone-throwing youths, raiding 2 homes and a store, occupying rooftops, and firing on residential areas, wounding 1 Palestinian, arresting 2; fires live ammunition, rubbercoated steel bullets, tear gas at Palestinian, Israeli, and international activists taking part in a nonviolent demonstration against the separation wall in Ni‘lin (injuring 9); fires live ammunition, rubber-coated steel bullets, tear gas, percussion grenades at Palestinian, Israeli, and international activists, some of whom throw stones at IDF troops, taking part in a demonstration against the separation wall in Bil‘in (10s suffer tear gas inhalation); uproots 70 olive seedlings on a Palestinian plot nr. Efrat settlement nr. Bethlehem; conducts late-night arrest raids, house searches in al-Fara‘a r.c. nr. Tubas, nr. Bethlehem and Jenin. (OCHA 2/24, 2/25; PCHR 2/26)

After nearly 2 wks. of consultations with top 2/10/08 election vote-getters Tzipi Livni (Kadima) and Benjamin Netanyahu (Likud), Israeli pres. Shimon Peres taps Netanyahu to form a government. Netanyahu quickly opens coalition talks with various parties. (IFM 2/20; NYT, WP 2/21; WP 2/23; NYT 2/24)

In Gaza, UN and Hamas officials report the theft of a cache of IDF UXO fr. OCL that was being held at a storage site guarded by Hamas police; police say unknown individuals stole the explosives when police fled the site fearing an attack by IDF drones operating in the area; the UXO had been collected by Hamas police and turned over to the UN for safe disposal. IDF troops on the s. Gaza border fire on Palestinians and international activists working their land nr. the border fence, wounding 1 Palestinian farmer. In the West Bank, the IDF conducts late-night arrest raids, house searches in and around Nablus, and nr. Hebron, Jenin, Salfit. Jewish settlers accompanied by IDF troops level land nr. Yatta village s. of Hebron for construction of a settler-only bypass road. (NYT, PCHR 2/19; OCHA 2/24; PCHR 2/26)

In Gaza, the IDF makes an air strike on a Hamas-affiliated police station in Khan Yunis, which has been bombed repeatedly, causing no reported injuries. Israel allows 94 truckloads of humanitarian aid and commercial goods into Gaza, as well a limited amount of fuel for Gaza’s power plant. In the West Bank, the IDF enters Jayyus in the afternoon, imposes a curfew; conducts late-night arrest raids, house searches in and around Ramallah, and nr. Jenin, Salfit, Tulkarm. Palestinians in Yassuf village nr. Salfit report that over the past several days, Jewish settlers escorted by IDF troops have bulldozed at least 250 d. of village land and replanted 200 d. with their own crops. (PCHR 2/12, 2/19)

Palestinians fire 2 rockets into Israel, causing no damage or injuries. The IDF responds with 10 air strikes on tunnels on the Rafah border, also destroying an evacuated house and a farm, killing many animals. Israeli naval vessels fire on Palestinian fishing boats off the Rafah coast, wounding 1 Palestinian. UNRWA halts aid transfers to Gaza, accusing Hamas of confiscating UN stocks for a 2d time, commandeering 10 truckloads of rice, flour. UN Secy. Gen. Ban Ki-moon warns Hamas that the suspension will remain in place until the stolen goods are returned and UNRWA is given credible assurances that thefts would not be repeated. Some Fatah-affiliated charities in Gaza also accuse Hamas of confiscating their supplies. Israel allows 82 truckloads of humanitarian aid and commercial goods into Gaza today. In the West Bank, the IDF fires live ammunition, tear gas to disperse Palestinians holding a nonviolent demonstration against OCL in Hebron, wounding 1 Palestinian; fires rubber-coated steel bullets at Palestinian and international activists taking part in nonviolent demonstrations against the separation wall in Jayyus (injuring 3 Palestinians); fires tear gas at a similar demonstration in al-Ma‘sara s. of Bethlehem (injuring 5 Palestinians); conducts latenight arrest raids, house searches in Bil‘in and nr. Jenin, Nablus; makes a late-night incursion into Dayr Abu Da’if nr. Jenin, rousts 3 shop owners fr. their homes and has them open their stores, photographing and confiscating some goods. Jewish settlers fr. Ramat Yishai in Hebron vandalize nearby Palestinian houses. Separately, the IDF tells Palestinians in the Ramat Yishai vicinity that they may not receive visitors to their homes without IDF permission. (MM, NYT, WP, YA 2/7; WP, WT 2/8; PCHR 2/12)

IDF troops on the s. Gaza border fatally shoot a Palestinian nr. the border, claiming that he attempted to fire on them. The Israeli navy diverts a Lebanese cargo ship (organized by Lebanese politicians and human rights groups) en route to Gaza to an Israeli port and detains the crew of 20, including an al-Jazeera reporter. After confirming that the cargo contained only food, medicine, bedding, and toys, Israel agrees to transport the aid to Gaza. Israel, which has been allowing only very limited amounts of cooking gas and fuel for Gaza’s electricity plant into Gaza, cuts off fuel deliveries without comment but allows 114 truckloads of humanitarian aid and commercial goods into Gaza. In the West Bank, IDF undercover units make an early morning raid on a home in Qabatya, fatally shooting Islamic Jihad mbr. Ala’ Abu al-Rub in an apparent assassination. The IDF also conducts late-night arrest raids, house searches in and around Jenin town and r.c., in Qabatya, and nr. Nablus. (MM 2/5; MM, NYT, SFR, WT 2/6; PCHR 2/12)

An IDF drone fires on a car e. of Rafah, assassinating PRC mbr. Ayman Shihada, wounding 2 teenagers nearby. Palestinians fire at least 2 mortars fr. Gaza into Israel, causing no damage or injuries. Israel allows 180 truckloads of goods (much of it seed and fodder) and 10 tons of medicine and medical equipment into Gaza. In the West Bank, armed Palestinians fire on an IDF patrol nr. Beit Yatir settlement nr. Hebron from a moving vehicle, causing no reported injuries; the soldiers return fire on the car, killing 1 armed Palestinian. The IDF patrols in Bil‘in, fires on stone-throwing youths who confront them, wounding 1 teenager; conducts late-night arrest raids, house searches in and around Jenin, nr. Bethlehem. In East Jerusalem, Israeli authorities demolish 2 Palestinian homes in Shu‘fat for being close to the separation wall. (MM 2/2; NYT, WP 2/3; PCHR 2/5)

Palestinians fire at least 4 rockets and several mortars fr. Gaza into Israel, lightly injuring 2 IDF soldiers and 1 Israeli civilian nr. Nahal Oz. For a 3d day, the IDF relays automated phone messages to Rafah residents ordering them to evacuate houses nr. the border. The Israeli cabinet discusses the recent rocket fire at its regular weekly session, stating afterward that while Israel believes small Palestinian factions (including the AMB) are responsible for the fire, Israel would hold Hamas responsible and would respond “disproportionately” to each attack. After the cabinet session, Israeli warplanes fly over Gaza, setting off sonic bombs as a warning. Soon after, the IDF makes massive air strikes (apparently using GBU-39 bunker-busting munitions) on 6 smuggling tunnels on the Rafah border, and a smaller air strike on a Hamas-affiliated police station in c. Gaza (targeted previously); no injuries were reported. During the day, Israel allows 193 truckloads of goods (much of it seed and fodder) and 45 tons of medicine and medical equipment into Gaza during the day. In the West Bank, the IDF conducts late-night house searches in ‘Askar r.c. nr. Nablus, Bayt Sahur, Tulkarm r.c. and nr. Jenin, making no arrests. (AP 2/1; HA, IDF Radio, MM, NYT, WP 2/2; MM, YA 2/3; NYT 2/4; PCHR 2/5)

The IDF relays automated phone messages to Rafah residents ordering them to evacuate houses nr. the border, prompting 1,000s to flee; no strikes are reported. Israel allows 66 truckloads of goods (much of it seed and fodder) and 27 tons of medicine into Gaza. In Gaza, 5,000 Hamas supporters rally to celebrate Palestinian Council mbr. Khalil al-Haya’s emergence fr. hiding after OCL. In the West Bank, the IDF fires live ammunition, tear gas at Palestinians holding a nonviolent demonstration against OCL in Hebron, sparking clashes that last for several hrs., leaving a total of 9 Palestinians wounded by live fire; fires live ammunition, rubber-coated steel bullets, tear gas, percussion grenades at Palestinian, Israeli, and international activists taking part in the weekly nonviolent demonstrations against the separation wall in Bil‘in (injuring 2 Palestinian, 2 foreign journalists), Ni‘lin (injuring 10 Palestinians, 1 Swede; 3 of the injuries are caused by live ammunition); conducts late-night house searches nr. Jenin but makes no arrests. (WP 1/31; PCHR 2/5)

Gaza remains relatively quiet. IDF troops on the s. Gaza border fire on Palestinians inspecting damaged homes in Khuza, wounding 1 Palestinian. Palestinian smugglers work to clear and repair tunnels on the Rafah border, estimating their operations will be “back to normal” within a month. Israel allows 204 truckloads of humanitarian aid and commercial goods into Gaza and lifts the ban on foreign journalists entering Gaza, though they must sign a document saying they will not sue Israel should they be injured. The UN estimates 15,000 Gazans are still seeking refuge in UN shelters. In the West Bank, the IDF conducts late-night arrest raids, house searches in Issawiyya (arresting 16 teenagers and a 20-yr.-old) and nr. Jenin, Nablus. (PCHR 1/29)

Israel announces the complete withdrawal of ground forces from Gaza. Israeli naval vessels direct heavy machine gun fire at beaches in n. Gaza, causing no reported injuries. Israel allows 118 truckloads of goods into Gaza. Hamas mbrs. reportedly begin rounding up alleged collaborators with Israel, including Fatah mbrs. In the West Bank, the IDF sends undercover units into Qabatya to ambush and arrest local Islamic Jihad leader Salah Kmail, and into Qiffin nr. Tulkarm to raid a carpentry shop, arresting Islamic Jihad mbr. Omar Daoud; conducts late-night arrest raids, house searches in and around Bethlehem, Jenin and nr. Salfit, Tulkarm; fires on Palestinians demonstrating against OCL in Bayt Umar nr. Hebron, wounding 2; fires rubber-coated steel bullets, tear gas, percussion grenades at Palestinian, Israeli, international activists taking part in a nonviolent demonstration against the separation wall in Ni‘lin (injuring 11 Palestinians, including 5 children). (AP, HA, MM, REU 1/21; IDF Radio, IHY, MM, NYT, PCHR, WP, WT, YA 1/22; NYT 1/23; JP, MM 1/26; PCHR 1/29)

The Gaza cease-fire holds, with no Israeli or Palestinian violence reported. Israeli officials say the IDF has accelerated its withdrawal fr. Gaza in hopes that it will be completed by the time U.S. pres.-elect Barack Obama is sworn in on 1/20. Across Gaza, some stores reopen, and traffic along the main north–south route (occupied by the IDF during the war) resumes, though observers say (WP 1/20) that “much of the main highway was nearly impassable from the dirt and debris plowed up by Israel’s military”; Hamas-led police provide traffic control in damaged areas and generally try to assert a presence. Israel allows a small group of foreign reporters into Gaza and permits them to interview Palestinians, but requires them to team report as a pool and runs their coverage through IDF censors, given the continued presence of Israeli soldiers in the field. Israel for the first time since 12/27 allows a few truckloads of commercial goods into Gaza in addition to humanitarian aid; in total, 208 truckloads are allowed entry. Rescue workers continue searching for survivors and uncovering bodies (at least 14 today), particularly in al-Zaytun. (AY, DUS, MM, YA 1/19; NYT, WP, WT 1/20; DUS, al-Hayat, JP, MM, QA 1/21; NYT, PCHR, UNICEF press release, WT 1/22; PCHR 1/29; AP 1/30; WT 2/4; WP 2/8; Electronic Intifada 2/24)

The IDF conducts late-night arrest raids, house searches nr. Hebron, Jenin, Nablus; issues military orders confiscating 3,000 dunams (d.; 4 d. = 1 acre) of land in Yatta s. of Hebron and 13 d. nr. Bethlehem for settlement expansion, and 500 d. of land in Abu Dis for construction of the separation wall around Jerusalem. A Jewish settler driving nr. Ramallah is shot, seriously wounded fr. a passing car. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces evict a family (18 mbrs.) and seal their home in Jabal al-Mukabir, where Israelis are expanding a Jewish settlement. (HA, NYT 1/20; MM 1/21; PCHR 1/22)