The Palestine Chronology

Off Gaza’s coast, Israeli naval forces open fire on Palestinian fishing boats nr. Rafah, causing no damage or injuries. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces prevent mourning Palestinians from burying a recently deceased woman in the Bab al-Rahma cemetery nr. the Old City. In the West Bank, IDF troops arrest 11 Palestinians and issue 1 arrest summons during late-night raids in and around Nablus, Bethlehem, Qalqilya, and Hebron; and patrol nr. Jenin, Hebron, and Qalqilya during the day. (MNA 12/5; MNA 12/6; PCHR 12/8)

The Israeli police decide to extend, by 1 hour, the time allotted every day for non-Muslims to visit Haram al-Sharif. They are now allowed to access the site from 7:30 A.M. to 11 A.M. (MNA 12/5)

Israel’s Knesset passes a preliminary reading of a new draft of the so-called regulations bill that would retroactively authorize many Israeli settlement outposts, except Amona, which is still scheduled to be evacuated and demolished by 12/25. The bill is expected to receive a 1st reading on 12/7. (HA, JP, MNA, TOI, YA 12/5)

The IDF keeps al-Ibrahimi Mosque in Hebron closed to non-Jews and maintains the general closure of the oPt during Rosh Hashanah. Elsewhere in the West Bank, IDF troops arrest 7 Palestinians during late-night raids nr. Hebron, Bethlehem, and Nablus; and patrol nr. Nablus, Salfit, and Hebron during the day. In East Jerusalem, 73 right-wing Jewish activists tour Haram al-Sharif. Israeli forces arrest 1 Palestinian during a late-night raid in Silwan. (MNA 10/4; HA 10/5; PCHR 10/6)

PA FM Riyad al-Maliki says that Arab states have agreed to begin consultations in New York in support of a UNSC res. condemning Israeli settlements. He says, “We agreed that Arab ambs. to the UN would start consultations on the draft res. before the end of [10/2016].” (WAFA 10/4)

After a cabinet meeting, PA PM Rami Hamdallah announces that the PA has decided to postpone municipal elections by 4 mos., to 2/2017. Earlier in the day, the Central Elections Commission criticized the High Court’s 10/3 decision to cancel the vote in Gaza, saying that excluding Gaza would only compromise the political situation further and recommending a postponement. Hamas spokesperson Sami Abu Zuhri criticizes the postponement, saying, “We consider the govt.’s decision to postpone the election as an attempt to evade the election to serve Fatah’s interests.” (HA, MEE, MNA, TOI, WAFA 10/4)

The ship Zaytouna approaches Gaza with an all-female crew of 13 solidarity activists. They plan to test the Israeli blockade of Gaza on either 10/5 or 10/6 to focus international attention on the deteriorating humanitarian situation in Gaza. The International Comm. for Breaking the Siege of Gaza releases a statement supporting the women’s mission and calling on Israel to guarantee their safe arrival. Meanwhile, the Israeli navy is preparing to intercept the ship. (MNA 10/4; JP, TOI 10/5)

In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces arrest a Palestinian youth allegedly carrying a knife and planning a stabbing attack in Shu‘fat r.c., and arrest another Palestinian on a late-night raid in Ras al-Amud. In the West Bank, IDF troops arrest 3 Palestinians during raids nr. Nablus, Ramallah, and Jenin; and patrol in 2 villages nr. Nablus, and 3 villages and al-‘Arub r.c. nr. Hebron. Around 12,000 Palestinians attend a funeral for the Palestinian killed by PASF troops in Nablus on 8/23. After the funeral, hundreds of mourners break off from the procession, chant anti-Palestinian Authority (PA) slogans, and clash with PASF troops (there are no serious injuries). Off Gaza’s coast, Israeli naval forces open fire on Palestinian fishing boats nr. Bayt Lahiya, causing no damage or injuries. (JP, MNA, TOI 8/28; PCHR 9/1)

Palestinian officials announce the beginning of preliminary discussions about a possible summit meeting in Moscow between PM Netanyahu and Pres. Abbas, to be mediated by Russian pres. Putin. Separately, a senior PLO official says that the Palestinians recently rejected a U.S. offer for a trilateral peace summit with Israel, and that the Palestinians instead insisted on 2 central preconditions for any meetings: release of the 4th tranche of prisoners that were set to go free in connection with the last round of talks in 3–4/2014 and a settlement freeze. (HA, JP, TOI 8/28)

As the Palestinian school year begins, the PA Education Ministry accuses Israel of withholding the delivery of around 300,000 textbooks to schools in Gaza. Israel’s Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories (COGAT) says the books must be examined and approved before being released. (HA 8/28)

In the West Bank, IDF troops conduct raids in al-Fara‘a r.c. nr. Tubas, arresting 1 Palestinian and sparking clashes with stone-throwing youths; 1 Palestinian is injured. They conduct further raids nr. Jenin, Bethlehem, and Hebron, arresting 3 Palestinians; and patrol nr. Nablus, Hebron, and Tulkarm. At a flying checkpoint nr. Jenin, Israeli soldiers stop a group of Palestinians on motorcycles, arrest 1 and assault another, causing moderate injuries. They also confiscate 3 of the motorcycles. Off Gaza’s coast, Israeli naval forces open fire on Palestinian fishing boats nr. Bayt Lahiya, causing no damage or injuries. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces arrest 2 Palestinians and issue arrest summons to 6 during raids in Jabal Mukabir and Hizma. (PCHR 8/25)

The Israel Land Authority and Ma’ale Adumim Economic Development Company open 4 tenders for leasing land, establishing a hotel, and constructing a new park in the settlement. (MNA 8/20)

In the West Bank, IDF troops shoot and injure a Palestinian man and arrest 2 others on a raid in Dahaysha r.c. nr. Bethlehem overnight, and arrest a youth outside a settlement nr. Bethlehem for allegedly planning a stabbing attack in the evening. They also arrest 5 Palestinians during raids and house searches nr. Jenin, Tulkarm, Hebron, Bethlehem, and Ramallah, sparking minor clashes nr. Ramallah (there are no serious injuries). Meanwhile, Israeli forces level a 150-m fence in al-Aghwar. Mekorot, Israel’s national water company, justifies the demolition by citing plans for new pipes to supply a nearby settlement. Late at night in East Jerusalem, Israeli forces demolish a car showroom and 2 stores in Sur al-Bahir, and arrest 4 Palestinians during raids in Shu‘fat r.c. Along Gaza’s border, IDF troops open fire on Palestinian farmlands nr. Khan Yunis, causing no damage. Off the coast, Israeli naval forces open fire on Palestinian fishing boats nr. Khan Yunis, causing no injuries or damage. (MNA 8/1; MNA, WAFA 8/2; PCHR 8/4)

The IDF continues targeting Yatta in the aftermath of the 6/8 killings in Tel Aviv, raiding homes in the village late at night and taking new photographs and measurements of 1 of the attackers’ homes, threatening punitive demolition. Elsewhere in the West Bank, IDF troops arrest 5 Palestinians during raids nr. Hebron, Tulkarm, Salfit, and Ramallah; and patrol nr. Ramallah and Salfit. An IDF jeep rams and injures a Palestinian youth nr. Qalqilya. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces arrest 2 Palestinians during late-night raids in al-‘Izzariya. Along Gaza’s border, IDF troops open fire on Palestinian farmers working nr. Khan Yunis. Off the coast, Israeli naval forces open fire on Palestinian fishing boats nr. Rafah. There are no injuries in either incident. Meanwhile, a Palestinian is injured when he accidentally detonates a piece of unexploded Israeli ordnance in Gaza City. (MNA, WAFA 6/18; PCHR 6/23)

Palestinian national reconciliation talks in Doha break down halfway through their last scheduled day. Hamas spokesperson Sami Abu Zuhri says that Fatah officials reneged on agreements made in previous rounds of negotiations and that Fatah withdrew during the 2d session of talks today. A Fatah spokesperson says that Hamas is “not ready yet for national unity and political partnership.” (MNA 6/18)

Two Palestinians open fire on a crowd of Israelis in an open-air shopping area in c. Tel Aviv, killing 4 and injuring 10. Israeli forces shoot the 2 men, critically injuring 1 and mildly injuring the other. IDF troops raid the attackers’ home village of Yatta nr. Hebron late at night, detaining several Palestinians and barring all entrances and exits, except for humanitarian cases. They declare the village a closed military zone and take measurements and photographs of the attackers’ home, threatening punitive demolition. (HA, MNA, TOI, YA 6/8; JP, MNA, PCHR, TOI 6/9)

Off Gaza’s coast, Israeli naval forces open fire on Palestinian fishing boats nr. Gaza City overnight, sinking 1; 3 of the fishermen are arrested (they are released later in the day). Along Gaza’s border, Israeli forces conduct a limited incursion to level land nr. Rafah. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces arrest 4 Palestinians during raids in the Old City. In the West Bank, Israeli forces confiscate a Palestinian truck from Khirbat al-Hadidiya in the Jordan Valley. Israeli settlers raze some Palestinian land nr. Bethlehem. IDF troops arrest 10 Palestinians during late-night raids in Hebron, Bethlehem, Tubas, 3 villages nr. Nablus, and 1 nr. Tulkarm. (MNA, WAFA, PCHR 6/9; PCHR 6/16)

The Israeli police decide that Palestinians killed after committing serious crimes against Israelis will be denied funeral processions and burials in their home neighborhoods or villages. Instead, the police will select the cemeteries in which to bury them. (HA, MNA, TOI, YA 6/8)

The IDF maintains, for a 2d day, the closure of Araqa where 2 Palestinians were killed on 2/14; declares it a closed military zone. They conduct raids in the village, arresting 2 Palestinians. Meanwhile, IDF troops conduct raids in al-Am‘ari r.c. nr. Ramallah, arresting 2 Palestinians and sparking clashes with stonethrowing and armed youths; 42 Palestinians and 1 Israeli soldier are injured. Late at night, they escort 17 busloads of Israelis to Joseph’s Tomb outside Nablus to perform religious rites, sparking more clashes with stone-throwers; there are no serious injuries. Israeli forces demolish 20 residential structures in a village nr. Nablus; deliver stop-work orders to 2 homes under construction in Qalqilya. Throughout the day, the IDF conducts raids and house searches in 2 villages each nr. Jenin and Salfit and 1 nr. Bethlehem, as well as in Qalqilya and Hebron, arresting 11 Palestinians and issuing an arrest summons to 1; patrols in 3 villages nr. Hebron and 1 nr. Tulkarm. Off Gaza’s coast, Israeli naval forces open fire on Palestinian fishing boats nr. Gaza City, causing no damage. Along Gaza’s border, IDF troops open fire on Palestinian farmers nr. Khan Yunis, causing no injuries. Meanwhile, the Egyptian authorities keep the Rafah border crossing open for a 3d and final day. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces assault and arrest a Palestinian youth outside the Old City after they search and find a knife on her person. They also arrest 1 Palestinian on a raid in Issawiyya. (HA, JP, MNA, TOI, WAFA 2/15; TOI 2/16; OCHA, PCHR 2/18)

Palestinian hunger striker al-Qiq refuses an Israeli court offer to transfer him from Emek Medical Center in Afula to a hospital in East Jerusalem, demanding to be treated at a Palestinian hospital in the West Bank. Al-Qiq has been on hunger strike since 11/24, days after he was captured from his Ramallah home and held under administrative detention. (MNA 2/16)

Across the oPt, IDF troops injure 16 Palestinians when they disperse Palestinian, Israeli, and international activists at Friday demonstrations against the Israeli occupation in 6 areas nr. Ramallah (Bil‘in, Ni‘lin, Silwad, Nabi Salih, Jalazun r.c., and outside Ofer Prison), 1 village each nr. Nablus and Qalqilya, and 3 areas along Gaza’s border. Meanwhile, IDF troops evict the 80-some Israeli settlers from the 2 homes they broke into in c. Hebron on 1/21. The IDF then seals and closes off the homes. IDF troops patrol in Qalqilya, sparking clashes with stone-throwers in which 1 Palestinian is injured. They also conduct a latenight raid in 1 village nr. Bethlehem, issuing 2 Palestinians arrest summons; further patrol in 1 village nr. Qalqilya, 4 nr. Ramallah, 7 villages and al-‘Arub r.c. nr. Hebron. Off Gaza’s coast, Israeli naval forces open fire on Palestinian fishing boats nr. Bayt Lahiya, causing no damage or injuries. In East Jerusalem, a Palestinian family demolishes their own home in Sur al-Bahir to avoid Israeli fines. (HA, MNA, TOI 1/22; MNA, WAFA 1/23; PCHR 1/28)

Nr. Bethlehem, IDF troops shoot and kill a Palestinian after he stabs and lightly injures an Israeli soldier at the Gush Etzion junction. Meanwhile, Israeli forces confiscate construction materials and equipment and deliver a stop-work order at a construction site outside Hebron; seize a tractor from another village nr. Hebron. After unknown persons throw a small IED at the separation wall outside a village nr. Bethlehem, the IDF raids a nearby village and clashes with stone-throwers, causing injuries. The IDF conducts additional raids and house searches in 4 villages nr. Hebron, 1 nr. Bethlehem, Tulkarm, and Jenin, arresting 8 Palestinians and issuing arrest summons to 3; patrols in 5 villages and al-‘Arub r.c. nr. Hebron and 1 village nr. Qalqilya. Off Gaza’s coast, Israeli naval forces open fire on Palestinian fishermen, setting 1 boat on fire and causing no injuries. (HA, JP, MNA, TOI, WAFA 1/5; MNA, TOI 1/6; PCHR 1/7)