The Palestine Chronology

The Higher Planning Council of the IDF’s Civil Admin. meets to advance plans for 3,400 new settlement homes in the E1 area between Ma’ale Adumim and Jerusalem. Construction is expected to begin in 1–2 years. (HA, JP 12/5)

In Berlin, Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu meets German chancellor Angela Merkel, who expresses dismay at settlement expansion. Israeli media reports say that Merkel’s message is that Netanyahu must choose between the peace process and establishing a Palestinian state on the one hand, and continued settlement growth and international isolation on the other. Meanwhile, the E.U. summons Israel’s amb. for a meeting, following similar moves by Britain, Denmark, France, Spain, and Sweden on 12/3. Palestinian pres. Abbas says he is determined to block the proposed settlement construction E1 with all legal and diplomatic means. Islamic Jihad issues a warning Israel to expect recent actions, such as settlement expansion and demolitions, to provoke a response. (REU 12/4; AP, HA, MNA, REU 12/5)

Hamas-affiliated Reform and Change mbr. Nasser al-Shaer tells Palestinian media that national reconciliation is the PA’s top priority following the successful UN bid. Senior Hamas official Ahmad Yousef cautions, however, that political instability in Egypt could delay unity talks mediated by Egyptian officials. (MNA 12/5)

In the West Bank, Jewish settlers uproot around 200 Palestinian-owned olive trees in a village nr. Bethlehem. The IDF patrols in 1 village nr. Jericho, and 6 villages nr. Hebron at night; conducts house searches and arrest raids in Tubas, 2 villages nr. Jenin, and 1 village each nr. Nablus, Tulkarm, and Tubas at night. (IMEMC 12/5; PCHR 12/13)

A mortar shell fired during an exchange inside Syria accidentally lands inside the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights, nr. an IDF base, causing no damage or injuries. Israel lodges a formal complaint with the UN. Meanwhile, the UN Disengagement Observer Force, deployed in the Golan since 1974 to monitor the Israel-Syria cease-fire, announces that it will reinforce its security due to threats of cross-border violence posed by Syrian rebels. (JP 12/5)

Armed clashes take place in Tripoli as Syria’s civil war continues to spill over into Lebanon, with gunmen loyal to opposing sides in the Syrian fighting clashing in the city. The fighting has killed 6 people and wounded around 60 since the beginning of the week, sparked by the deaths on 11/30 of over a dozen Lebanese fighting with the rebels. (AP 12/5)

PA pres. Mahmud Abbas confirms that the bid for non-member observer state at the UN will be presented on 11/29. (BBC 11/12)

The EU, the Netherlands, and Sweden donate $24 mi. to the PA to help pay 10/2011 salaries and pensions. (MNA 11/12)

Hamas and Islamic Jihad declare a cease-fire in Gaza, after reported mediation by Egyptian intelligence officials. Despite the cease-fire, Palestinian fighters fire 6 rockets from Gaza into Israel, causing no injuries—but this marks a huge reduction from the estimated 100 projectiles the previous day. The attacks are claimed by the PFLP, the DFLP, and the PRCs. Israel does not acknowledge the statement by the Palestinian factions. The IDF makes air strikes on 3 targets in Gaza, causing no injuries. (JP, REU 11/12; Daily Star [Beirut], REU 11/13)

The Israeli newspaper Ha’Aretz reports that Israeli DM Barak has approved a plan to expand the Itamar settlement to 5 times its size by adding 538 homes. Meanwhile, Israeli authorities demolish a home in the East Jerusalem neighborhood of the Mount of Olives, making 8 people homeless. In the West Bank, the IDF patrols in 1 village nr. Ramallah in the morning and 1 village nr. Ramallah at night; conducts house searches and arrest raids in 2 villages nr. Hebron, 1 village nr. Tulkarm, and 1 village nr. Jenin at night. (HA 11/12; AIC 11/13; PCHR 11/14)

The IDF fires tank shells into Syria and hits a Syrian military mobile artillery unit, in response to a Syrian mortar shell that struck the occupied Golan Heights earlier in the day. (REU 11/12)

The IDF issues a military order confiscating 29 dunams (d.; 4 d. = 1 acre) of Palestinian land in Dayr Istya village nr. Salfit for ‘‘security and military purposes and to combat terrorist attacks.’’ The IDF patrols in Tulkarm and 2 villages nr. Qalqilya in the morning; stages synchronized patrols in 3 villages nr. Qalqilya in the afternoon; conducts other patrols in 2 villages nr. Jenin and Salfit in the afternoon; and undertakes late-night patrols in Tulkarm and neighboring Nur Shams r.c. Jewish settlers fr. Yitzhar settlement nr. Nablus set fire to a small plot of crop land and attack Palestinians in nearby Madama village. (PCHR 5/31; OCHA 6/1)

Washington Jewish Week reports that in the previous wk., a U.S. court awarded the family of an American teenager killed in a 2006 Islamic Jihad suicide bombing in Tel Aviv (his father was seriously injured in the attack) $332 m. in damages from Iran and Syria. The family’s lawyers argued that Islamic Jihad was sheltered by Syria and funded by Iran. The family is unlikely to collect the money. (WJW 5/24)

After a 2d day of P5+1 talks with Iran, EU foreign policy chief Ashton announces that ‘‘significant differences’’ remain, but enough ‘‘common ground’’ existed to schedule a 3d round of meetings in Moscow on 6/18–19. (NYT, WP, WT 5/25)

The New York Times runs a special report on a congressional race for a House seat representing Queens, NY, that has been dubbed ‘‘Israelapalooza’’ for the way in which the candidates have touted their pro-Israel credentials in effort to win the endorsement of Ed Koch, former Democratic mayor of New York City, and the votes of Jewish constituents who make up 20% of the district’s population. For example, candidate Grace Meng, who built her political career as an advocate for Chinese Americans and yet has never visited China, made a recent trip to Israel that she has highlighted during her campaign. (NYT 5/24)

Israeli drones makes an air strike on a car in Gaza City, assassinating Zuhair al-Qaissi, top military cmdr. the Popular Resistance Comms. (PRCs) and senior PRC mbr. Mahmoud Hanani, and seriously wounding 1 civilian bystander. Israel accuses Qaissi of plotting a cross-border attack similar to the 8/2011 Elat attack from Egypt. In response, Islamic Jihad and the PRCs fire at least 6 Qassam rockets, 4 Grads, and 2 mortars fr. Gaza into Israel, causing no damage or injuries. Later, Israel carries out 2 more air strikes on a rocket-launching team e. of Gaza City, killing 3 Islamic Jihad mbrs. Late in the evening Israeli warplanes make 3 air strikes on separate targets nr. Gaza City, striking a residential area (lightly injuring 2 civilians inside their home), targeting a garage under an apartment building (injuring 3 civilians, including a child), and targeting a group of armed Palestinians, killing 1 Islamic Jihad mbr. In the West Bank, the IDF patrols in 6 villages nr. Ramallah in the morning; 3 villages nr. Jenin in the evening (firing tear gas and stun grenades at stone-throwing youths who confront them in 1 instance, causing no injuries); and 1 village nr. Tulkarm late at night. Palestinians (accompanied by Israeli and international activists) hold weekly nonviolent demonstrations against the separation wall, land confiscations, and settlement expansion in Bil’in, Nabi Salih, and Ni’lin; demonstrations in Bil’in and Nabi Salih also call for solidarity with Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails. Similar protests area also held in Bayt Dajan nr. Nablus and Kafr Qaddum nr. Qalqilya. IDF soldiers fire live (Nabi Salih only) and rubber-coated steel bullets, tear gas, and stun grenades at the protesters, causing no reported injuries; 1 American activist is arrested. Jewish settlers fr. Eli settlement nr. Nablus uproot 40 nearby Palestinian olive trees. Jewish settlers fr. Metzad settlement nr. Hebron uproot 240 newly planted Palestinian olive and fruit trees nearby. (JP 3/9; NYT, WP, YA 3/10; PCHR 3/15; OCHA 3/16)

As the armed conflict in Syria escalates, Hamas officials in Lebanon meet with Hizballah leaders to urge them to back away from supporting the Asad regime, warning that continued support for a regime that kills innocent civilians would undermine Hizballah’s reputation. (NYT 4/6)

Israeli naval vessels fire on Palestinian fishing boats off the Gaza coast, forcing them to return to shore. In the West Bank, the IDF makes a major raid into Jenin r.c., surrounding the homes of local Islamic Jihad leader Mahmoud Sa’adi, 4 other Islamic Jihad mbrs., and 1 Fatah member, detaining all 6; the 5 Islamic Jihad members are released later in the day. The IDF also conducts latenight arrest raids, house searches, and patrols in 2 villages nr. Qalqilya. A Jewish settler fires at Palestinians grazing their sheep nr. Hebron and attempts to steal several sheep. (PCHR 3/1; OCHA 3/2)

Israeli PM Netanyahu receives a delegation of senior executives of the Jewish Federation of North American, an umbrella group representing a network of Jewish donors across Canada and the U.S., who say they would provide financial and political support to Israel if tension with Iran escalate. (JPI 3/9)

Unidentified Palestinians fire 1 Qassam rocket fr. Gaza into Israel, causing no damage or injuries. The IDF patrols in 2 villages nr. Ramallah, 2 nr. Tulkarm, 1 n r. Jenin in the morning; patrols in 2 villages nr. Jenin (firing tear gas and percussion grenades at stone-throwing youths in 1 instance), 2 nr. Qalqilya, and 1 nr. Tulkarm in the afternoon; and patrols in 1 village nr. Jenin late in the evening; and conducts arrest raids, house searches in Tulkarm (targeting Islamic Jihad mbrs.) and 1 nr. Jenin late in the evening. Jewish settlers vandalize a Baptist church and 3 cars in East Jerusalem. (JP 2/20; PCHR 2/23; OCHA 2/24; JPI 3/2)

U.S. National Security Adviser Thomas Donilon, Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) chmn. Gen. Michael Dempsey, and British FM William Hague are in Israel for talks on Iran and Syria, specifically urging Israel not to launch a preemptive attack on Iran. (WP, WT 2/20; WT 2/29)

IDF troops on the c. Gaza border fire 2 artillery shells at a Palestinian Authority security forces (PASF) building e. of al-Bureij refugee camp (r.c.), causing no injuries. Unidentified Palestinians fire 3 homemade Qassam rockets fr. Gaza into Israel, causing no damage or injuries. In the West Bank, the IDF patrols in 5 villages nr. Ramallah, 1 nr. Qalqilya in the morning; patrols in 1 village nr. Jenin in the afternoon; patrols in 2 villages nr. Salfit, 1 nr. Ramallah late at night; conducts arrest raids, house searches nr. Jenin in the morning and in Aqabat Jabir r.c. late at night. Palestinians (sometimes accompanied by Israeli and international activists) hold weekly nonviolent demonstrations against the separation wall, land confiscations, and settlement expansion in Bil’in, Nabi Salih, and Ni`lin nr. Ramallah and in Kafr Qaddum nr. Qalqilya; all demonstrations except those in Kafr Qaddum also call for solidarity with hunger-striking Islamic Jihad prisoner Khader Adnan, who is on the 63d day of a fast to protest Israel’s administrative detention policy. IDF soldiers fire live ammunition (Nabi Salih only), rubber-coated steel bullets, tear gas, and stun grenades at the protesters; a total of 7 Palestinians are injured. (YA 2/17, JP 2/18; PCHR 2/23; OCHA 2/24)

Unidentified Palestinians fire 5 Qassam rockets fr. Gaza into Israel during the day, causing no damage or injuries. Late at night, IDF warplanes carry out 2 air strikes on a Hamas training base in Gaza City, damaging several surrounding homes and injuring 10 Palestinians (including 2 children); and 3 air strikes on an Islamic Jihad training camp nr. Nussayrat r.c., causing no injuries. In the West Bank, the IDF stages synchronized late-night raids on the homes of 3 Hamas-affiliated PC mbrs. (Ibrahim Dahbour, Khalid Abu Hassan, Khalid Yahya) and the Reform and Change party headquarters in Jenin, confiscating computers, documents, cell phones, and videotapes but making no arrests; separately, the IDF makes a late-night raid on the Jenin home of former Palestinian prisoner Hanaa Shalibi, who was released in the recent prisoner swap that freed IDF Cpl. Gilad Shalit, rearresting him; conducts late-night arrest raids, house searches nr. Hebron; bars Palestinian access to 300 d. of agricultural land adjacent to Shilo settlement nr. Ramallah and bulldozes more than 280 olive and fig trees. Palestinians organized by Birzeit students stage a 3d nonviolent march to Ofer prison (see 2/11/12, 2/13/12) to show solidarity with hunger-striking Islamic Jihad prisoner Khader Adnan; the IDF fires rubbercoated steel bullets, tear gas, and stun grenades to disperse them, lightly injuring 2 Palestinians (including PC mbr. Mustafa Barghouti). (IDFS, JP, PCHR 2/16; MNA 2/18)

PA Pres. Abbas meets with Quartet special envoy Blair in Jordan before leaving for Cairo to meet with Arab League FMs. Blair urges Abbas to continue low-level talks on borders; says he has urged Israel to make goodwill gestures to revive talks, including easing security restrictions in the West Bank and releasing prisoners. (UPI, WAFA 2/11; YA 2/12)

Unidentified Palestinians fire a Qassam rocket fr. Gaza into Israel, causing no damage or injuries. In response, Israeli warplanes make 4 late-night air strikes on s. Gaza, targeting an open area nr. al-Shuka and 3 Palestinian homes in Gaza City, al-Qarara, and Rafah (suspected weapons depots and entrances to smuggling tunnels), killing 1 Palestinian civilian, wounding another, and causing heavy damage. The IDF patrols in Tulkarm and 2 villages nr. Jenin in the morning; patrols in another 2 villages nr. Jenin in the afternoon (in 1 instance firing tear gas and stun grenades at stone-throwing youths who confront them); conducts late-night patrols in 1 village each nr. Jenin, Jericho, Qalqilya, Ramallah, and Tulkarm; conducts late-night arrest raids, house searches nr. Qalqilya and Ramallah. Palestinian students at Birzeit University hold a nonviolent march to Israel’s Ofer prison nr. Ramallah to show support for hunger-striking Islamic Jihad prisoner Khader Adnan; IDF troops outside the prison fire rubber-coated steel bullets, tear gas, stun grenades at the protesters who reply with stones; 4 journalists and several protesters are lightly injured. Jewish settlers fr. Susia settlement in Hebron attack 6 Palestinians planting almond trees on a 20-d. plot nearby (moderately injuring them) and uproot the newly planted seedlings; the IDF observes but does not intervene. (JP 2/11, 2/12; PCHR 2/16; OCHA 2/17)

In the evening, unidentified Palestinians fire a Qassam rocket fr. Gaza into Israel, damaging 2 houses but causing no injuries. In the West Bank, the IDF patrols in 2 villages nr. Ramallah in the morning, in Tulkarm in the afternoon, and in 2 villages nr. Jenin (firing stun grenades at stone-throwing Palestinians who confront them in 1 instance) and 1 nr. Qalqilya late at night. In the afternoon, the IDF raids and searches stores nr. Qalqilya and enters al-Zira village nr. Bethlehem in search of Palestinian youths who had stoned a patrol earlier (questioning youths at random, arresting 4). Late at night, the IDF patrols in Aqabat Jabir r.c. nr. Jericho, firing live ammunition, rubbercoated steel bullets, tear gas, and stun grenades at stone-throwing Palestinians who confront them, wounding 3 Palestinians with live ammunition (2 seriously); enters Jericho and 1 nearby village to serve 3 Palestinians with papers summoning them for questioning. The IDF also makes a late-night raid on and search of the Nablus-area home of a Palestinian released in the recent prisoner swap that freed IDF Cpl. Gilad Shalit, serving him with orders to appear for questioning; during the raid, a pregnant woman in the home complains of pain and is taken to the hospital, where she miscarries. Palestinians (sometimes accompanied by Israeli and international activists) hold weekly nonviolent demonstrations against the separation wall, land confiscations, and settlement expansion in Bil’in, Kafr Qaddum, Nabi Salih, and Ni’lin; demonstrations in Bil’in, Nabi Salih, and Ni’lin also call for solidarity with hungerstriking Islamic Jihad prisoner Khader Adnan. IDF soldiers fire live ammunition (Nabi Salih only), rubber-coated steel bullets, tear gas, and stun grenades at the protesters; 3 Palestinian protesters, 1 Palestinian journalist, and 1 New York Times reporter are injured. Palestinians in Kafr al-Dik village nr. Salfit hold their first nonviolent protest against recent IDF actions in the nearby Dayr Sam’an archeological area that have been interpreted as preliminary steps to annex the area; IDF troops fire tear gas and percussion grenades to disperse them, causing no injuries. Jewish settlers fr. Carmiel settlement nr. Hebron escorted by IDF troops plant trees on 40 d. of nearby Palestinian agricultural land along a new settleronly bypass road. (JP 2/11; PCHR 2/16; OCHA 2/17)

Hamas’s Haniyeh arrives in Iran. Neither side discusses the visit, hoping to keep a low profile. Arab media reports (see NYT 2/11) say Hamas is resisting pressure fr. Iran to demonstrate support for Syria’s Asad. Gulf leaders urged Haniyeh against visiting Iran, but he demurred. (NYT 2/11)

The IDF patrols in 4 villages nr. Ramallah, 3 nr. Jenin, and 1 nr. Qalqilya in the morning; in 2 villages nr. Jericho in the afternoon; and in 3 villages nr. Tulkarm, 2 nr. Salfit (synchronized), and 1 each nr. Jenin and Jericho late at night. Jewish settlers fr. Keddumim settlement nr. Qalqilya escorted by IDF troops plant trees on 15 d. of nearby Palestinian land. Jewish settlers fr. Kfar Taffuh settlement nr. Salfit start to fence off 10s of dunams of adjacent Palestinian agricultural land to expand the settlement eastward and southward. Jewish settlers fr. Brakha settlement nr. Nablus enter Burin village and stone 4 houses; the IDF enters the village to extract the settlers, firing tear gas and stun grenades at Palestinians gathering to defend the houses. (PCHR 2/16; OCHA 2/17)

Islamic Jihad spokesman Khader Adnan, held in administrative detention by Israel since 12/17/11, enters his 55th day of a hunger strike intended to draw attention to Israel’s discriminatory criminal justice system, making his hunger strike the longest by a Palestinian prisoner ever recorded. The 33-yr.- old Adnan has lost 60 lbs. and Israeli authorities have hospitalized him, saying his condition is rapidly deteriorating. (WT 2/10)

IDF troops on the Gaza border e. of al-Bureij r.c. arrest 3 Palestinian laborers who attempt to sneak into Israel to find work. The IDF enters Araba village nr. Jenin, raids and confiscates materials fr. a protest tent set up in solidarity with jailed Islamic Jihad spokesman Khader Adnan, who has been on hunger strike since 12/17/11 to protest his detention without charge; the homes of several protest organizers and participants are also raided and searched. The IDF also patrols in 3 villages n. of Ramallah in the morning, in 1 village nr. Qalqilya in the afternoon, and in 2 villages nr. Salfit and 1 nr. Qalqilya late in the evening. The IDF also conducts late-night house searches nr. Salfit. Jewish settlers fr. Halamish settlement enter nearby Nabi Saleh and set fire to a mosque; the fire is quickly extinguished. (PCHR 2/9; OCHA 2/10)

Unidentified assailants blow up Egypt’s natural gas pipeline to Israel for the 12th time in the past yr. No group takes responsibility. Israel generates 40% of its electricity fr. natural gas, and 43% of that natural gas is supplied by Egypt. (NYT 2/5)