The Palestine Chronology

In the West Bank, a Palestinian man shot by Israeli forces on 1/8 in Beitunia succumbs to his wounds. Israeli settlers set olive trees and an agriculture structure on fire near Kafr ad-Dik. Israeli forces raid Nablus and Abud, injuring 8 people with live ammunition, including a child, and cause widespread destruction in Nablus. Israeli forces also demolish a car wash and a nursery in Kafl Haris. Elsewhere, Israeli forces raze 6 dunams (1.5 acres) of Palestinian-owned land planted with 50 olive trees in Hebron and 2 dunams (.5 acres) of Palestinian-owned land near Bethlehem. Israeli forces also raid a medical clinic near Bethlehem, causing damage. Israeli forces arrest 26 Palestinians during late-night raids in and around Bethlehem, Ramallah, Tulkarm, Tubas, Hebron, Jenin, and Nablus. In East Jerusalem, Israeli authorities demolish a Palestinian home in Sur Baher, displacing 8 people. In Gaza, Israel bombs Dayr al-Balah, Rafah, Gaza City, Khan Yunis, Maghazi, al-Bureij refugee camp, and Jabalia refugee camp, killing at least 147 people, including 4 crew members and 2 injured Palestinians being transported an ambulance, killing 40 people in a home at the entrance of al-Aqsa Hospital in Dayr al-Balah, and 15 people in an apartment building in Rafah. In the Naqab, Israeli forces demolish the al-Za’arura and Bir Hadaj Bedouin villages. In Lebanon, Israeli forces attack the home of a Hezbollah member in Kfarchouba, killing him. (AJ, AJ, AP, HA, HA, UNOCHA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 1/10; AJ 1/11)

More than 23,357 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli forces in Gaza, including at least 16,350 women and children, and around 59,410 have been injured since 10/7. At least 7,000 people are missing in rubble, including 1,700 children. 335 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli forces and settlers in the West Bank and East Jerusalem since 10/7, including 84 children. More than 4,148 people have been injured. Israel reports that 1,139 Israelis and foreign nationals have been killed and 5,400 have been injured in Israel since 10/7, including Israeli soldiers. In addition, 184 Israeli soldiers have been killed and 1,076 injured in Gaza since the ground invasion began on 10/27. Over 1.93 million Palestinians, nearly 85% of the population of Gaza, have been displaced since 10/7. There has been a complete electricity blackout in Gaza since 10/12 due to the Israeli blockade. At least 69,000 housing units have been destroyed and 290,000 have been damaged in Israeli airstrikes since 10/7, constituting over 60% of all housing units. 193 trucks carrying aid enter Gaza via the Rafah and Karem Abu Salem (Kerem Shalom) crossings. (WAFA, UNOCHA, UNOCHA 1/10)

Israel places Khalida Jarrar in administrative detention for an initial period of 6 months. (AJ 1/10)

Haaretz reports that Israel demolished 140 Palestinian homes and 84 other structures in East Jerusalem in 2023, marking a 60% increase in home demolitions compared to 2022. The newspaper notes that during the first 9 months of 2023 10 housing units were demolished per month and after 10/7 the figure rose to 17 a month. (HA 1/10)

Hamas official Osama Hamdan says there are no talks about a prisoner exchange, adding Israel is defrauding the Israeli public by circulating reports about talks. Hamdan maintains the Hamas position that it will not engage until Israel stops its attacks on Gaza. Hamdan also calls on the ICJ not to be pressured by the U.S. (AJ, HA, NYT 1/10)

PA president Mahmoud Abbas meets with U.S. secretary of state Antony Blinken in Ramallah, discussing the situation in Gaza and the West Bank. Reports describe the meeting as intense, with Abbas pressing Blinken on Israel’s freezing of the PA’s tax revenue and Israel’s attacks on Gaza. Palestinians protest Blinken’s visit, saying he is not welcome. Blinken later tells the press in Bahrain that Abbas agreed to reform the PA in preparation to take control of Gaza. Abbas flies to Aqaba in Jordan after the meeting with Blinken where he meets Jordanian king Abdullah II and Egyptian president Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, discussing ways to end Israel’s war in Gaza and prevent the displacement of Palestinians. PA prime minister Mohammad Shtayyeh meets with U.S. deputy assistant secretary for Palestinian affairs Hady Amr in Ramallah. (AJ, AJ, AP, AP, HA, NYT, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 1/10; AJ, AJ, HA, NYT 1/11)

In an English language post on X Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu says, “Israel has no intention of permanently occupying Gaza or displacing its civilian population,” contradicting statements by several of his coalition members. Israeli war cabinet member Benny Gantz says Hamas no longer has ruling capabilities in Gaza and that Israel will continue its war to prevent Hamas from regaining control. Gantz also says that security in Gaza will remain “in our hands.” Likud member and deputy speaker of the Knesset Nissim Vatur tells the Kol Barama radio station that “Gaza and its people must be burned.” (AJ, AP, HA, HA 1/10)

Colombia and Brazil issue statements in support of the South African case against Israel at the ICJ. Palestinians rally in Ramallah in support of the case. (AJ 1/10; AJ 1/11)

The UN Security Council passes a resolution demanding that Yemen’s Houthi government ends its attacks on ships in the Red Sea and frees the ship Galaxy Leader and its crew. Russia, China, Mozambique, and Algeria abstain. 3 Russian amendments to the resolution fail. The Houthis call the resolution a “political game.”  (AJ, AP, AP, HA 1/10; AJ, AJ, HA 1/11)

The ICC sets up a portal for submission of evidence of Israeli war crimes, crimes against humanity, genocide, or aggression. (AJ, WAFA 1/10)

The Chinese Foreign Ministry calls for an immediate ceasefire and for Israel to stop “collective punishment” of the people of Gaza. (AJ 1/10)

U.S. Republican presidential candidate Ron DeSantis suggests at a presidential primary debate that Egypt or Saudi Arabia should resettle some Palestinians from Gaza if Israel “makes the calculation that [it is needed] to avert a second Holocaust.” Another candidate, Nikki Haley, says the U.S. should give Israel “whatever it wants.” (AJ, HA 1/11)

A poll conducted for the Washington Institute for Near East Policy finds that 96% of Saudis believe all Arab states should sever all ties with Israel. A YouGov poll commissioned by Medical Aid for Palestinians and the Council for Arab-British Understanding shows that 71% of people in the UK support an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, while 17% approve of the UK government’s handling of the war on Gaza. (AJ 1/10)

The Jewish Forward reports that the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) has started including pro-Palestine rallies in its tally of anti-Semitic incidents. The report also says that the ADL now deems all anti-Zionist chants and slogans anti-Semitic, leading to pro-Palestine rallies where anti-Zionist slogan were chanted constituting 40% of incidents of anti-Semitism counted in a recent ADL report. (AJ, HA 1/10)

The International Ice Hockey Federation bars Israel from participating in world championship events, citing security concerns. Israel calls the ban “anti-Semitic.” The decision prevents the U20 Israeli hockey team from participating in a Division III world championship tournament later this month. (HA, TOI 1/11)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers shot and injured 1 Palestinian shepherd near Madama. Israeli forces shot and injured 1 Palestinian minor near the separation wall southwest of Jenin. Israeli forces also razed land in Deir al-Hatab to expand the Elon More settlement and notified Palestinians in Shufa that Israeli will seize 5 dunams (1.25 acres) of land. In East Jerusalem, Israeli settlers with a police escort marched and assaulted Palestinians in the Old City, Ras al-Amud, and al-Tur, causing injuries and damage to property. Israeli settlers also gathered at the entrances to the Haram al-Sharif compound, chanting provocations at Muslim worshippers for the third day in a row. Off the coast of Gaza, Israeli naval forces opened fire at Palestinian fishermen 3 nautical miles west of Gaza City and 5 nautical miles northwest of Khan Yunis; no injuries were reported. In Tel Aviv, Israelis protested for the twentieth week in a row against the government’s planned judicial reform. (AP, HA, MEE, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 5/20; HA 5/21; PCHR 5/25; UNOCHA 6/2)

Police in Berlin arrested 12 people participating in a Nakba Day rally for chanting “From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free.” The demonstration was a small rally of 400 people arranged by Jewish organizations in Berlin because a larger Nakba Day rally was banned by Berlin police, claiming it could lead to “anti-Semitic incitement.” The ban was upheld by a regional court in Germany. (HA 5/20; HA 5/24; MDW 5/25)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers attacked Palestinian shepherds and international activists using stones and batons near Yatta, damaging 1 vehicle. Israeli settlers also threw stones at Palestinian vehicles traveling near Umm Safa and Ya‘bad. Elsewhere, Israeli settlers with military protection raided al-Twana; 1 Palestinian was shot by Israeli forces using live ammunition and 7 others were shot by rubber-coated bullets. Israeli forces shot and killed 1 Palestinian who allegedly shot and injured 2 soldiers at a checkpoint near Madama. 6 Palestinians were arrested, including 5 during house raids in and around Bethlehem, Surayf, Abu Dis, and al-Khadir, and 1 at a checkpoint near Jenin. In East Jerusalem, 11 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in Issawiyya and the Old City. In Gaza, 50 Palestinians were killed, including 11 children and 2 pregnant women, and dozens were injured, raising the comprehensive death toll since 5/10 from 64 to 114, including 27 children and 2 pregnant women. The casualties included: 6, including 2 children, and 25 wounded, including 7 children, in artillery fire at Um al-Nasar village near Bayt Lahiya; 10, including 4 children and 1 pregnant woman, and 52 wounded, in air strikes on apartment buildings in Bayt Lahiya; 2 in air strikes on al-Bureij refugee camp; 1 in al-Turkman in an airstrike; 1 child, and 8 others injured, in an air strike on an apartment building in Bayt Hanun; 2 in an air strike near a hospital in Bayt Hanun; 2 in air strikes on Tal al-Hawa; 4, including 2 children, and 5 wounded, in air strikes on a residential building in al-Bureij refugee camp; 6, including 2 children and 1 pregnant woman, and 22 wounded, including 10 children, in air strikes on 2 houses in Rafah; the bodies of 14 Palestinians were found at a military site; Hamas claimed that the 14 had died of toxic gases from Israeli weapons. Additionally, the headquarters of the interior ministry’s security division was destroyed near Bayt Lahiya and Khan Yunis, as well as 1 ministry of transportation building in Bayt Lahiya. In Israel, 1 Jewish-Israeli man was injured in a stabbing in Lydda. 1 Muslim cemetery and 1 synagogue were vandalized in Lydda. Israeli forces shot and injured 1 Palestinian-Israeli man with a rubber-coated bullet as he was filming the soldiers from the inside of his house in Jaffa. Israeli right-wingers attacked Palestinian-Israelis and Israeli journalists in the Hatikva neighborhood of Tel Aviv. Israeli forces violently dispersed Palestinian protesters in ‘Akka and Israeli right-wingers attacked 1 Palestinian-owned grocery store. 3 rockets were fired at Israel from Lebanon; all 3 landed in the sea. Dozens of rockets were fired at Israel from Gaza, most of them intercepted. 1 Israeli woman died after falling while running to a shelter near Ashdod, raising the Israeli death toll to 8. Israel said it had sent 9,000 troops to the vicinity of Gaza (AJ, AJ, AJ, AJ, HA, HA, HA, HA, PCHR, REU, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 5/13; AP, HA, PCHR, PCHR, WAFA, WAFA 5/14; GDN 5/15; TOI 5/16; PCHR 5/20; MEE 5/21; NYT 5/26)

PA president Mahmoud Abbas spoke with French president Emmanuel Macron about the escalation of violence in Gaza and eviction of Palestinians in Shaykh Jarrah. (WAFA 5/13)

Israeli defense minister Benny Gantz ordered 10 reserve border police companies to cities in Israel where violence has been rising. Several Israeli media outlets also reported that Israeli military officials were preparing to approve plans for a ground invasion of Gaza. Defense Minister Gantz also spoke with senior executives of social media companies Facebook and TikTok to convince them to prevent content critical of Israel on their platforms. (HA, JP, TOI 5/13; AS 5/14)

U.S. president Joe Biden said that he did not believe that the Israeli bombardment of Gaza is a “significant overreaction.” The Biden administration also rejected a publicly held UN security council (UNSC) meeting on 5/14 discussing the situation in Israel and Palestine. The U.S. has prevented any statements from the UN security council on the matter from 2 other UNSC meetings held in the past week. The Biden administration also notified Congress that it will be sending $10 million to Palestinian groups in the West Bank and Gaza to support exchange and reconciliation projects with Israelis. (HA, HA, REU 5/13; AP 5/14)

As pro-Palestine demonstrations were happening in many countries all over the world, the French interior ministry asked the French police to ban a pro-Palestine protest in Paris. (AJ 5/13)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers assaulted 2 Palestinian farmers in Khirbet al-Tawil, leading to their hospitalization. Israeli settlers also threw stones at Palestinian vehicles traveling near Turmus ‘Ayya, causing damage. Israeli forces shot and injured 1 Palestinian at al-Ibrahimi Mosque in Hebron; Israeli authorities say the man had pulled a knife on the soldiers, but no injuries were reported among the Israeli forces. Israeli forces also razed farmland and uprooted some 80 olive trees in Bayt Umar. For the 2d time in less than 7 days, 1 Palestinian was injured by an unexploded ordnance left behind by Israeli forces near Hebron; the 1st time was on 1/8. 21 Palestinians were arrested during raids in and around Jenin refugee camp, Qabatiya, Ya‘bad, Tubas, Ramallah, Bethlehem, Bayt Umar, and Qalqilya; clashes erupted during the raids in Ramallah, leading to tear-gas related injuries. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces raided al-Tur, leading to tear-gas related injuries; 4 Palestinians were arrested. In Gaza, Israeli forces made incursions and leveled farmland east of Khan Yunis. Israeli forces also shelled several places in the northern part of Gaza after claiming that an Israeli vehicle had been shot at; no injuries were reported. (HA, HA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 1/13; PCHR, WAFA 1/14)

Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu spoke at a campaign rally in Nazareth to try to reach out to Palestinian citizens of Israel after demonizing that part of the Israeli population for decades. At the rally, Netanyahu shared the stage with Nazareth mayor Ali Salam, who spoke in favor of the prime minister. 19 people were arrested during a demonstration against Netanyahu and several people were injured by police, including Palestinian-Israeli members of Knesset. (HA 1/13; HA, MEE 1/14; HA 1/15)

The Jerusalem planning commission approved plans to build a permanent U.S. embassy in Jerusalem. Haaretz reported that Prime Minister Netanyahu had been pressuring the city to accelerate the approving process before U.S. president-elect Joe Biden’s inauguration. (HA 1/13)

IDF troops shoot and injure 4 Palestinians during clashes sparked by an overnight arrest raid in Dahaysha refugee camp near Bethlehem. One of the injured Palestinians, a paramedic, succumbs to his wounds later in the day. Elsewhere in the West Bank, IDF troops violently disperse Palestinians gathering at Birzeit University to protest the recent killing in the West Bank and the recent violence in Israeli prisons; 8 protesters are injured. Israeli forces deliver stop-work orders to 5 Palestinian water wells under construction near Salfit. Along Gaza’s border, IDF troops shoot and injure a Palestinian approaching the border fence near al-Bureij refugee camp. They also violently disperse Palestinians gathering near Khan Yunis in the evening to set tires on fire, throw stones, and otherwise continue the Great March of Return; 3 Palestinians are injured. (HA, MNA, MNA, MNA, TOI, WAFA, WAFA 3/27; MNA, MNA, MNA, PCHR 3/28)

A delegation of Egyptian officials arrives in Gaza to continue the ongoing talks with Hamas on the situation in Gaza. The Egyptians reportedly caution restraint ahead of the planned protests on 3/29 and 3/30, which will mark the 1-year anniversary of the first Great March of Return demonstration. They also present new terms for a possible cease-fire with Israel. (AP, TOI 3/27; HA, YA 3/28)  

The UN Security Council convenes to discuss the U.S. recognition of Israeli sovereignty over the Golan Heights, which President Donald Trump formally conveyed on 3/25. The other 14 members of the council all condemn the move as detrimental to the long-term chances for peace in the region. During the meeting, a senior U.S. representative says that the U.S. would like for the UN Disengagement Observer Force to stay in the Golan Heights, where it has monitored the buffer zone between Israel and Syria since 1974. (TOI 3/27; TOI 3/28)

The Israeli Air Force conducts air strikes on ammunition depots outside the Aleppo International Airport late at night. According to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, 7 Iranian troops are killed in the strike. The Syrian army reports that the strike causes only material damage. (HA, JP, REU, YA 3/28)

Thousands of Palestinians gather at protests, sit-ins, and other demonstrations across the oPt in commemoration of the Naksa (the anniversary of the June War of 1967). Palestinian officials declare 6/8 a “day of rage,” encouraging the public to protest the Israeli occupation at Haram al-Sharif. In the West Bank, IDF troops arrest 3 Palestinians and issue 3 arrest summons during late-night raids near Qalqilya, Jenin, and Hebron; and patrol near Tulkarm, Qalqilya, and Hebron. In East Jerusalem, approximately 50 right-wing Israeli settlers tour Haram al-Sharif in the morning. Meanwhile, Israeli police confront a group of Muslim worshippers praying at the sanctuary; 12 Palestinians are arrested. Along Gaza’s border fence, unidentified Palestinians fly incendiary kites and balloons into Israel, sparking fires in the Sha’ar HaNegev Regional Council and near Moshav Netiv Ha‘asara and Kibbutz Nir Am. Israeli forces arrest a Palestinian attempting to cross the border near Khan Yunis and violently disperse Great March of Return protesters gathering near Khan Yunis and Bayt Hanun (7 Palestinians are injured). Off Gaza’s coast, Israeli naval forces open fire on Palestinian fishing boats near Bayt Lahiya, causing no damage or injuries. (MNA, TOI, YA 6/5; PCHR 6/7)

Along Gaza’s border, IDF troops violently disperse Great March of Return protesters gathering near Jabaliya refugee camp and Gaza City; 7 Palestinians are injured. Israeli forces conduct 3 limited incursions to level land near Gaza City, Khan Yunis, and Jabaliya refugee camp. During the late-night incursion near Khan Yunis, they also open fire on Palestinians in the area; 3 Palestinians are injured. Meanwhile, the IAF drops leaflets across Gaza warning protesters not to approach the border fence during the planned demonstrations on 5/ 14. In East Jerusalem, approximately 1,000 right-wing Jewish activists visit Haram alSharif in the morning, commemorating the Israeli conquest of Jerusalem and sparking minor confrontations between the Israeli police and Islamic Waqf guards; there are no serious injuries. Outside the sanctuary, Israeli police arrest 6 Palestinians gathering at an Islamic cemetery in the Old City to protest ongoing Israeli excavations at the site. In the afternoon, tens of thousands of right-wing Jewish activists march through the Old City in the annual Flags March, commemorating the Israeli conquest of Jerusalem in 1967; a number of Palestinians are arrested when they throw stones at the demonstrators at the Damascus Gate. Late at night, Israeli settlers vandalize 28 Palestinian-owned cars and spray-paint racist graffiti on nearby walls in Shu‘fat. Israeli forces arrest 1 Palestinian during a late-night raid in Silwan. In the West Bank, IDF troops arrest 9 Palestinians during late-night raids near Tulkarm, Jenin, Hebron, and Nablus; and patrol near Hebron and Tulkarm. (HA, JP, WAFA, YA 5/13; HA, WAFA 5/14; PCHR 5/17)

The Egyptian authorities open the Rafah border crossing in both directions for a 2d day. (AHR 5/14)

A Palestinian child succumbs to injuries sustained on 8/8/2014 during Israel’s summer 2014 assault on Gaza. Four members of the boy’s family were killed that day when an Israeli air strike targeted his family home. Meanwhile, thousands of Palestinians march through Gaza City in protest of U.S. pres. Trump’s reported decision to move the U.S. embassy in Israel to Jerusalem. IDF troops violently disperse dozens of Palestinians protesting along the border near Khan Yunis (there are no serious injuries). In the West Bank, the IDF temporarily closes the entrance to nearby Ya‘bad village after reports of shots fired at an Israeli settler bus near Jenin. IDF troops clash with stonethrowing Palestinians in al-‘Arub refugee camp near Hebron; there are no serious injuries. They also arrest 27 Palestinians during late-night raids near Nablus, Jenin, and Bethlehem; and patrol near Hebron and Bethlehem. In the Negev, Israeli forces demolish the Palestinian Bedouin village al-Araqib for the 122d time since 2010. (MNA, WAFA 12/6; PCHR 12/7; PCHR 12/14)

In a speech broadcast from the White House, U.S. pres. Trump announces that the U.S. recognizes Jerusalem as the capital of Israel and that his administration will begin the process of moving the U.S. embassy in Israel from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem. “I have judged this to be in the best interest in the pursuit of peace between Israel and the Palestinians,” he says. PA pres. Abbas says that the U.S. can no longer serve as mediator between the Israelis and Palestinians. Israeli PM Netanyahu welcomes the announcement, celebrating the “historic day.” (AP, BBC, EI, HA, MNA, YA 12/6; HA, WAFA 12/7)

Stabbing and other small-scale attacks continue in Israel and Jerusalem. In East Jerusalem, 2 Palestinians attack a group of Jewish Israelis on an Israeli bus in Jabal Mukabir, killing 2 and injuring at least 10 (a 3d Israeli will succumb to injuries sustained in the attack on 10/27). Israeli police shoot the 2 Palestinians, killing 1 and seriously injuring the other. In West Jerusalem, a Palestinian driver rams an Israeli pedestrian, then gets out of his car and stabs 5 other Israelis (1 Israeli will succumb to his injuries later in the day). Israeli police shoot and critically injure the Palestinian before arresting him (the Palestinian succumbs to his injuries later in the day). In Israel, Israeli police shoot and seriously injure a Palestinian after he stabs and moderately injures an Israeli in Ra’anana, n. of Tel Aviv. Later, a Palestinian stabs and injures 4 Israelis in the same city. Several Jewish Israelis assault and detain him as he attempts to flee, including 1 Israeli driver who rams the man with his vehicle. An Israeli man attacks a Palestinian citizen of Israel in Netanya, lightly injuring him. In Kiryat Ata nr. Haifa, a Jewish Israeli stabs and moderately injures another Jewish Israeli, mistakenly identifying him as a Palestinian. Following the morning’s attacks, Israel’s security cabinet meets and decides not to return the bodies of Palestinians shot and killed by Israeli forces after carrying out attacks on Israeli citizens. Instead of returning the bodies to their families, they will bury them secretly. The cabinet also decides to revoke the residency status of Palestinian attackers, bar any homes punitively demolished from being rebuilt, and allow the police to “impose a closure on, or to surround, centers of friction and incitement in Jerusalem, in accordance with security considerations”. (HA, JP, NYT, TOI 10/13; EI, HA, MNA, NYT 10/14; HA 10/27)

For the 5th day in a row, IDF troops open fire on hundreds of Palestinians protesting along Gaza’s border fence e. of al-Bureij r.c. and nr. the Erez border crossing, injuring 51. They also disperse and drive back around 30 Palestinians who cross the s. border. The Israeli authorities close the Erez crossing shortly after the clashes. Later, Palestinians open fire on Israeli forces patrolling along the border fence e. of Khan Yunis, causing no damage. Off the coast, Israeli naval forces open fire on Palestinian fishing boats nr. Gaza City, causing no damage or injuries. (HA, JP, MNA, TOI 10/13; HA 10/14; PCHR 10/15; PCHR 10/22)

Elsewhere in the West Bank, IDF troops clash with and violently disperse Palestinians protesting and throwing stones throughout the region, killing 1 Palestinian in Bethlehem and injuring at least 33. Israeli forces raid the Jenin home of the Palestinian who allegedly stabbed and injured an Israeli soldier in Afula on 10/8, preparing for a possible punitive demolition. The IDF also conducts raids and house searches nr. Hebron, Nablus, and Tulkarm, arresting 13 Palestinians. Israeli settlers throw stones at Palestinian drivers nr. Nablus and nr. Hebron, injuring 1 Palestinian in the former and sparking minor clashes in the latter. Israeli settlers also assault and moderately injure a Palestinian youth outside a settlement e. of Jerusalem; assault 4 Palestinian farmers working nr. Ramallah. (HA, JP, MNA, TOI, WAFA, YA 10/13; PCHR 10/15; PCHR 10/22)

In Israel, many schools, public institutions, and businesses in predominantly Palestinian cities go on strike, and around 20,000 Palestinian citizens of Israel and solidarity activists march through Sakhnin protesting the recent Israeli restrictions at Haram al-Sharif and violations in the oPt. (HA, JP, MNA, TOI, WAFA, YA 10/13; EI, HA 10/14; PCHR 10/15; PCHR 10/22)

Three errant mortar shells launched from Syria land in the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights, causing no damage or injuries. In response, the IDF fires artillery shells at 2 Syrian army targets nr. the border, causing damage. (HA, JP, TOI 10/13)

Violence escalates in the West Bank as settlers and Israeli forces continue retaliating against Palestinians in the wake of the 10/1 killing of 2 settlers. Israeli settlers protest on a main road outside Nablus, and the IDF disperses the ensuing clashes with stonethrowing Palestinian youths. Meanwhile, settlers set fire to dozens of olive trees and Palestinian agricultural land nr. Nablus, and throw stones at drivers nr. Salfit, injuring 3 Palestinian medics. Late at night, IDF troops conduct raids in and around Nablus searching for the perpetrators of the killing; they arrest 10 Palestinians and deliver a demolition notice to the home of a suspect. Clashes erupt with stone-throwers, and the IDF injures 11 youths with live ammunition. Elsewhere in the West Bank, IDF troops violently disperse Palestinian, Israeli, and international protesters at demonstrations against the Israeli occupation and recent access restrictions at Haram al-Sharif in 6 areas nr. Ramallah (Bil‘in, Ni‘lin, Nabi Salih, Silwad, Jalazun r.c., and Budrus), Kafr Qaddum nr. Qalqilya, and 2 areas nr. Hebron; 6 Palestinians are injured, including 1 journalist. Israeli forces arrest 6 Palestinians in connection with clashes between Palestinian youths and Israeli settlers the day before in a village outside Bethlehem. IDF troops clash with Palestinian stonethrowers during patrols in and around Hebron, and outside Nablus Palestinian youths throw stones at 2 Israeli settlers, causing light injuries. Violence also continues in East Jerusalem, with the Israeli authorities continuing to enforce the restrictions on access at Haram al-Sharif that were announced on 9/27 for the Jewish holiday Sukkoth. Israeli forces temporarily seal the entrances to Issawiyya and shoot stun grenades at residents who approach their mobile checkpoints, sparking intermittent clashes; 1 Palestinian is seriously injured. Palestinian youths throw stones at Israeli border police in the Old City, causing minor injuries. On Gaza’s s. border, Israeli forces arrest 7 Palestinians attempting to cross into Israel for work. Israeli forces level land nr. Khan Yunis during a limited incursion along the border fence. (MNA, TOI 10/2; MNA 10/3; PCHR 10/8)

IDF troops on the Gaza border e. of Khan Yunis fire on a group of Palestinians approaching the border fence, causing 3 to suffer from tear gas inhalation. Separately, IDF troops stationed e. of Rafah open fire on agricultural lands nr. the border fence, causing damage. In 2 incidents off the coast nr. Jabaliya, Israeli naval forces open fire on Palestinian fishing boats, causing no damage or injuries. In the West Bank, IDF troops violently disperse Palestinian, Israeli, and international protesters at demonstrations to commemorate Land Day, upcoming on 3/30, and protest Israel’s occupation in 6 areas nr. Ramallah (Bil‘in, Ni‘lin, Nabi Salih, Silwad, outside Ofer Prison, and Jalazun r.c.), and Kafr Qaddum nr. Qalqilya; 10 Palestinians are moderately injured. The Israeli soldiers also cut off a main waterline into Kafr Qaddum, denying the village water for several hours. IDF troops also violently disperse Palestinian and international activists gathering in Abu Dis at the site of the “Gate of Jerusalem” protest tent camp. The IDF conducts house searches and raids in and around Hebron, arresting 1 Palestinian; conducts patrols in 2 villages nr. Hebron and 1 each nr. Jenin and Jericho. (MNA 3/27; PCHR 4/2)

The Israeli PM’s office announces that it is unfreezing tax revenue transfers to the PA that it has held as a punitive response to the Palestinian accession to the ICC since 1/2015. A statement announcing the move says that the total will be reduced by an undisclosed amount to pay portions of the PA’s debts to Israeli utility providers, such as the IEC. The PA FM criticizes the announced deductions, saying in a statement that they are “an unjustified and illegal procedure that could cause complications.” (AP, HA, JP, NYT, TOI 3/27; AFP, WAFA 3/28; JP 3/29)

French FM Fabius announces that, now that the 3/17 Israeli election has passed, he plans to explore the prospect of introducing another United Nations Security Council (UNSC) res. laying out parameters for a new round of Israeli-Palestinian peace negotiations. Meanwhile, an EU spokesperson announces that Hamas will remain a designated terrorist organization pending a decision on an appeal of the General Court’s 12/17/2014 removal of Hamas from the list. Similarly, the Holy Land Foundation for Relief and Development, which the U.S. claims funneled money to Hamas, has been removed from the list since it was last published in 7/2014. (AFP, AP, HA, REU, TOI 3/27; AFP 3/28)

The PA unity govt. delegation led by PM Hamdallah meets with Fatah and Hamas officials in the Gaza Strip, concluding its 3-day trip. (MNA 3/26) The Egyptian attorney, Samir Sabri, who filed the original motion to designate Hamas a terrorist organization in Egypt withdraws his case, saying he hopes to remove “obstacles which Egypt’s political leadership might face in serving its role in the Palestinian reconciliation.” The Court of Urgent Matters, which designated Hamas a terrorist organization 2/28, is expected to reconsider its initial ruling, though it was only in part based on Sabri’s motion. (AHR, MNA 3/27)

The 28th regular session of the UNHRC concludes today after a mo. of meetings, with the council having agreed on 3 res. on the Palestinians. They reaffirm the Palestinians’ right to self-determination, confirm Palestinian rights to sovereignty over their natural resources, and condemn ongoing settlement growth in the West Bank and East Jerusalem. (TOI 3/27; MNA 3/28)

PA Pres. Abbas arrives in Sharm al-Shaykh, Egypt, to participate in an Arab League summit on 3/28 and 3/29. Ahead of the summit, the Arab League agrees to send a delegation to Washington to lobby the U.S. Congress and promote the Arab Peace Initiative. (WAFA 2/25; MNA 3/27; HA 3/28)

In the Gaza Strip, IDF troops open fire on Palestinian farmers working close to the border fence nr. Khan Yunis r.c., causing no injuries. Separately, IDF troops open fire on stone-throwing Palestinians nr. Jabaliya r.c., wounding 1. In the West Bank, a Palestinian man dies from wounds inflicted when Israeli soldiers shot him in the head on 3/1 with a rubber-coated metal bullet during clashes at the entrance to Qalandia r.c. nr. Ramallah. Following his funeral, there are clashes at Qalandia checkpoint between stone-throwing Palestinian youth and Israeli soldiers who fire live ammunition and tear gas, with 1 Palestinian injured from a bullet to the leg. Separately, in al-‘Izzariya and Abu Dis neighborhoods of East Jerusalem, IDF troops shoot and injure 2 Palestinians with live ammunition during protests against the death of a Palestinian delayed at a checkpoint en route to hospital the previous day. The IDF patrols in 1 village nr. Ramallah in the morning, in Dura and surrounding area nr. Hebron in the afternoon, and in Hebron and al-‘Arub and 5 nearby villages, and in 2 villages nr. Ramallah at night. IDF troops violently disperse Palestinian, Israeli, and international protesters at weekly demonstrations against Israel’s separation wall, settlements, and occupation in 2 villages nr. Ramallah (Bil‘in, Nabi Salih), 1 village nr. Qalqilya (Kafr Qaddum) and 1 village nr. Bethlehem (al-Ma‘sara). There are no serious injuries except in Bil‘in, with 2 injured by rubber-coated metal bullets, and in Kafr Qaddum with 2 injured by gas canisters. (MNA 11/29; PCHR 12/5)

A senior but unnamed official within Israel’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs tells the media that Israel has been invited to join the UNHRC’s Western European and Others Group. The development was made possible by Israel ending its boycott of the UNHRC in 10/2013, as well as agreeing to participation in its Universal Periodic Human Rights Review process. On 11/6, ambassadors of the U.K., Australia, Canada, Germany, France, and the U.S. sent a letter to the UN institutions in Geneva to urge the inclusion of Israel in the regional group. (HA, ToI 11/29)

In a White House statement, the Obama administration confirms it is keeping oilrelated sanctions targeting Iran in place despite the recently-signed deal. Meanwhile, Tehran’s envoy to the IAEA tells the agency’s board in Geneva that the implementation of the deal will start by early 1/2014. Separately, Iranian pres. Ruhani says that his country will not decommission its nuclear plants. (AP, FT, REU 11/29)

The executive council of the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons in The Hague rejects a request from Syria to convert facilities used to produce chemical weapons to other activities. (NYT 11/29)

Egyptian security forces violently disperse demonstrations in various parts of Cairo with tear gas and water cannons, as supporters of ousted pres. Morsi express their opposition to a new law restricting protests. There are also similar clashes in Giza, Alexandria, and Suez. According to Interior Ministry figures, 10 are wounded and 183 arrested. (AP 11/29)

The IDF kills 3 Palestinians from a small Islamist resistance group in a morning air strike nr. Bayt Hanun. The armed wing of the Democratic Front for the Liberation of Palestine (DFLP) fires Grad rockets from Gaza into Israel, causing no injuries. The IDF also makes a brief morning incursion into s. Gaza nr. Khan Yunis to level land along the border fence. IDF troops on the Gaza border nr. Jabaliya open fire into Gaza, wounding 1 Palestinian. In the West Bank, the IDF patrols in 1 village nr. Ramallah in the morning; in Palestinian-controlled areas of Hebron, 1 village nr. Qalqilya, and 1 village nr. Tulkarm in the afternoon; and in 2 villages nr. Tulkarm and 1 village nr. Qalqilya at night. (MNA 9/6; PCHR 9/13)

Palestinians angry at rising prices and cost of living protest in West Bank cities, and taxi drivers observe a strike. One demand of demonstrators is that the PA abolish the 1994 Paris Protocol governing economic relations with Israel, claiming that it disproportionately benefits the latter. Some demonstrations call for the resignation of PA PM Salam Fayyad. (MNA 9/6)

Palestinians fire a rocket fr. Gaza into Israel, causing no damage or injuries. Israel responds with at least 3 air strikes on Hamas training sites in Dayr al-Balah, Gaza City, and Khan Yunis, causing collateral damage to 6 homes but no reported injuries. In the West Bank, the IDF conducts patrols in Jericho and 3 villages nr. Qalqilya and Tulkarm; conducts late-night arrest raids, house searches in Nabi Salih, arresting an organizer of the weekly demonstrations against the separation wall. Palestinians and international activists demonstrate against construction of settlements and the separation wall at the Qalandia crossing and in Bayt Umar. IDF soldiers fire rubber-coated steel bullets, tear gas, and stun grenades at the protesters, injuring 4 Palestinians (including 2 journalists) and 1 international activist. Jewish settlers fr. Taffuh settlement s. of Nablus attempt to seize Palestinian agricultural lands e. of Salfit but are removed by the IDF. Jewish settlers fr. Karnei Shomron settlement nr. Qalqilya stone Palestinian vehicles. (AFP 3/5; IsRN 3/6; PCHR 3/10; OCHA 3/18)

The PA sets 7/9/2011 as the start date for municipal elections in the West Bank. (WT 2/9)

In the morning, unidentified Palestinians fire 2 mortars fr. Gaza into Israel, causing light damage but no injuries. In the afternoon, Islamic Jihad mbrs. fire 2 more mortars into Israel, causing no damage or injuries. Late in the evening, the IDF retaliates with an air strike, destroying an abandoned plastics factory in Gaza City (an alleged weapons manufacturing facility), also damaging a nearby PA Health Min. warehouse used for storing medicine, a textile factory, and a school and lightly injuring 11 Palestinian civilians (including 4 children). An hr. later, the IDF makes 2 air strikes on an Islamic Jihad training site in Khan Yunis (injuring 2 Islamic Jihad mbrs.) and a smuggling tunnel on the Rafah border (no injuries). Also during the day, the IDF makes a brief incursion into s. Gaza e. of Shuka village to level lands and clear lines of sight, firing on nearby residential areas to keep Palestinians indoors, causing no injuries. UNRWA reports that it has resumed 3 stalled construction projects in Gaza after Israel allowed in 2 large shipments of construction aggregates (see 2/1). In the West Bank, the IDF conducts late-night patrols in 1 village nr. Tulkarm; conducts late-night arrest raids, house searches in and around Tubas, in Nablus, and nr. Hebron. (YA 2/9; PCHR 2/10; OCHA 2/11)

Egyptian demonstrators hold the largest rally in Tahrir Square to date and surround the parliament building, rejecting government proposals for an extended transition and demanding Mubarak’s immediate removal and dissolution of parliament. Huge demonstrations are also held in Alexandria, Suez, and other cities. Egyptian labor unions begin a nationwide general strike to observe a “Week of Steadfastness” with demonstrators. Since 2/4, Mubarak has released some activists arrested since 1/25, allowed government contact with the Muslim Brotherhood for the first time, agreed in principle to lift emergency regulations and allow a free press, formed a legal panel (all Mubarak loyalists) to explore constitutional changes demanded by protesters, announced 15% raises for civil servants and pensioners, and vowed to open corruption investigations of senior government and NDP party officials. Some opposition figures note (e.g., WP 2/7) that some of these steps were significant and might have been enough to appease protesters 2 wks. ago, but that the mood has shifted significantly since then and these steps are now seen as far too little. Another round of massive demonstrations in Tahrir Square is called for Friday 2/10. In the interim, labor strikes and demonstrations grow and spread nationwide. (NYT, WP, WT 2/8; NYT, WP, WT 2/9; NYT, WP, WT 2/10; see also NYT, WP 2/6; NYT, WP, WT 2/7)

In response to recent escalating rocket and mortar fire, IDF warplanes and helicopters carry out 7 early morning air strikes on 2 caravans nr. Khan Yunis (no injuries), a cheese factory in Gaza City (injuring 3 Palestinian children nearby), and a metal foundry in Nussayrat r.c. (no injuries) that Israel claims were weapons factories and arms depots, warning of broader retaliation if rocket attacks continue. The U.S. urges both sides to display restraint. Hrs. later, Hamas issues a statement saying it is working with Gaza factions to reimpose the cease-fire with Israel before it escalates out of control, but also condemns the Israeli air strikes for aggravating the situation and calls on the international community to press Israel to keep retaliation in check. (Salafist groups opposed to Hamas refuse to participate in the ceasefire.) In the West Bank, Palestinians stone a settler vehicle outside Hawara village nr. Nablus, causing it to crash (no word on injuries); the IDF sends troops into Hawara in pursuit of the stone throwers, arresting 1 Palestinian. The IDF also fires rubbercoated steel bullets, stun grenades, tear gas at Palestinian, Israeli, and international activists taking part in nonviolent weekly demonstrations against the separation wall and settlement expansion in Bil‘in (10s suffer tear gas inhalation; 1 Israeli is arrested), Dayr Nizam/al-Nabi Salih (3 Palestinians injured), al-Ma‘sara (where only Palestinians demonstrated; 4 injured), and Ni‘lin (10s suffer tear gas inhalation); conducts latenight arrest raids, house searches nr. Qalqilya. (AFP, JAZ, NYT, YA 4/2; NYT, WP 4/3; YA 4/7; PCHR 4/8; OCHA 4/15)

The UN reports that the IDF has tightened its open-fire rules in the West Bank, no longer allowing soldiers to fire in the air or at stone-throwing Palestinians; allowing fire only when Molotov cocktails are thrown at civilian cars or when soldiers have requested and received permission from commanders. IDF troops on the Gaza border e. of al-Maghazi r.c. fire on Palestinians staging a peaceful march to the border fence to protest Israel’s imposition of a no-go zone, wounding 1 Palestinian; 3 Palestinians are wounded in a similar incident at the border fence e. of Khan Yunis. In the West Bank, the IDF fires rubber-coated steel bullets, stun grenades, tear gas at Palestinian, Israeli, and international activists conducting a nonviolent march to the separation wall outside Budrus village nr. Ramallah, injuring 3 Palestinians; conducts an evening arrest raid into Dayr Istya village nr. Salfit; conducts late-night arrest raids, house searches in al-Azza r.c. and Dahaysha r.c., both nr. Bethlehem. (WP 3/31; OCHA, PCHR 4/1; WJW 4/8; JPI 4/16)

The 6-mo. Hamas-Israel truce in Gaza officially expires. Palestinians fire 4 rockets fr. Gaza into Israel and direct sniper fire across the border at IDF troops, causing no damage or injuries. In the West Bank, the IDF conducts nearly simultaneous house searches in 7 villages around Jenin but makes no arrests; fires rubber-coated steel bullets, tear gas, percussion grenades at Palestinian, Israeli, international peace activists taking part in nonviolent demonstrations against the separation wall in Bil‘in (injuring 6 Palestinians and 1 Israeli, including a Palestinian and an Israeli journalist); fires tear gas at 2 Palestinian Red Crescent ambulances treating injuries at a wall protest in Ni‘lin, damaging 1. A Palestinian bystander seriously injured in the 10/20/08 IDF assassination of 2 Hamas mbrs. in Khan Yunis dies of his injuries. (NYT 12/19; NYT, WP 12/20; PCHR 12/24)

A Hamas mbr. dies nr. the Gaza border n. of Bayt Hanun when explosives he is handling detonate prematurely. In the West Bank, the IDF conducts arrest raids, house searches nr. Bethlehem; shoots, wounds a Palestinian farmer working his land nr. the separation wall s. of Hebron; fires rubber-coated steel bullets, percussion grenades, tear gas at Palestinian, Israeli, international activists taking part in nonviolent demonstrations against the separation wall in Bil‘in (injuring 4) and Ma‘sara (injuring 2). Jewish settlers vandalize Palestinian homes, cars in Burkin nr. Salfit; the IDF disperses them. In Gaza City, the Hamas-affiliated security forces detain without charge Omar al-Ghul, a senior associate of PA PM Salam Fayyad, prominent journalist, and frequent critic of Hamas; Abbas denounces the “kidnapping.” Also in Gaza City, 3 Fatah supporters are killed, 35 are wounded by an explosion during a funeral for an AMB mbr. killed in an IDF air strike on 12/13; police say a Fatah mbr. accidentally discharged a hand grenade; Abbas accuses Hamas of causing the explosion, calling it an “assault against all our people.” In Khan Yunis, Fatah mbrs. stone a Hamas vehicle promoting a 20th anniversary rally in Gaza City, sparking a fight, gunfire by the police that leaves 17 injured. (NYT, WP, WT 12/15; OCHA 12/19; PCHR 12/27)

In Gaza, the IDF sends tanks, a bulldozer into the Gaza airport site, exchanging heavy fire (heavy machine guns, mortars) with Hamas mbrs., causing no reported injuries; occupies a strip of land in the al-Hawouz area northeast of Bayt Lahiya. In the West Bank, the IDF patrols in Mas’ha nr. Salfit, firing percussion grenades and live ammunition in residential areas, causing no reported injuries; conducts arrest raids, house searches in and around Jenin, Nablus; begins bulldozing confiscated land nr. Salfit for the expansion of the Burkin industrial zone; fires rubber-coated steel bullets, percussion grenades, tear gas at Palestinian, Israeli, international activists taking part in nonviolent demonstrations against the separation wall in Bil‘in (injuring 5, including a journalist covering the demonstration) and al-Ma‘sara nr. Bethlehem (lightly injuring 3). Hamas, Islamic Jihad mbrs. exchange fire in Khan Yunis’s al-Rihab Mosque, wounding 3 Palestinians, after Hamas allegedly attempts to seize control of the building. (OCHA 10/24; PCHR 10/25)

The IDF makes an air strike on a car in Rafah carrying Islamic Jihad’s al-Quds Brigade leader ‘Awad ‘Abd al-Fattah alQiq, missing the car, hitting a store, wounding 3 bystanders in an apparent assassination attempt. Armed Palestinians fire 5 mortars, machine guns at an IDF undercover unit attempting to infiltrate the Gaza border e. of al-Maghazi r.c., forcing the unit to retreat into Israel. In the West Bank, the IDF conducts arrest raids, house searches in Balata r.c. (where armed Palestinians detonate an explosive device nr. an IDF jeep, wounding a soldier), Nablus; fires rubber-coated steel bullets, percussion grenades, tear gas at Palestinian, Israeli, international activists taking part in the weekly nonviolent demonstrations against the separation wall in Bil‘in, injuring 3. In Jabaliya r.c., 7,000 Islamic Jihad supporters hold a peaceful rally to mark Jerusalem Day. In Dayr al-Balah, 300 PRC supporters hold a peaceful rally to mark the 2d anniversary of the IDF assassination of PRC leader Jamal Abu Samhadana. Suspected Fatah mbrs. detonate a bomb outside the home of a local Hamas leader in Khan Yunis, causing no injuries. In Gaza City, unidentified assailants detonate an explosive device outside the home of a local AMB leader, causing damage but no injuries. An unidentified Palestinian throws a bomb at the house of a Hamas activist in Abasan, causing no serious damage or injuries; flees to a nearby IDF border post, where he surrenders to the IDF. (OCHA 10/10; PCHR 10/11)

In the West Bank, the IDF conducts arrest raids in al-Til and neighboring ‘Allar; fires live ammunition, rubber-coated steel bullets at stone-throwing Palestinians demonstrating against Israeli excavations at the Haram al-Sharif/Temple Mount, wounding 2. In addition to the weekly nonviolent demonstration in Bil‘in, 100s of Palestinian, Israeli, and international activists take part in nonviolent demonstrations against the separation wall nr. Bethlehem, Marda, Salfit, Tulkarm; in each case, the IDF fires tear gas, percussion grenades to disperse the demonstrators, injuring several. In an evacuated settlement site nr. Khan Yunis, 1 Hamas mbr. is killed, 9 are wounded when explosives they are handling during a training exercise accidentally detonate. Nr. Rafah, 3 Palestinians are injured when they accidentally trigger an unexploded IDF shell. Jewish settlers fr. Beit Hadasah in Hebron chase, severely beat 3 Palestinians (ages 10, 40, 55); the IDF intervenes, arrests 1 Palestinian. The bedouin residents of the unrecognized village of al-Nasara in the Negev report that over the past 3 wks., Israel has issued eviction orders to around 250 residents, declaring plans to build an IDF installation on the site of the village. (NYT 3/31; OCHA 4/4; PCHR 4/5)

The IDF begins dismantling 1 of its main posts in Khan Yunis in preparation for disengagement; conducts arrest raids, house searches in Aida r.c. and Wadi al-Silqa, around Hebron, nr. Qalqilya. Major Hamas-Fatah clashes erupt in Gaza City when PA preventive security force officers outside the force’s headquarters open fire on a car driven by an Izzeddin al-Qassam Brigades mbr. Within the hr., Hamas political leaders, senior PA officials hold a press conference appealing for calm, say they are ready to put aside all differences and hold talks on improving relations. Hrs. later unidentified gunmen (some reports say Hamas mbrs.) fire on the Gaza City homes of PA police cmdr. Abu Shibak (see 6/10), Fatah Gaza head Abdallah Franji, Fatah Revolutionary Council mbr. Majid Abu Shammala, Force 17 head Faisal Abu Sharkh, PA security forces Col. Nabil Tamus, and the offices of leading Fatah mbr. Samir Masharawi and the PA preventive security forces headquarters; exchange gunfire with Abu Shibak’s and Franji’s bodyguards, leaving at least 7 Palestinians (at least 2 Franji bodyguards, 2 Abu Shibak bodyguards, 1 attacker) injured. In Jericho and Ramallah, 10s of Palestinians, including some political leaders and heads of organizations, organized by the National and Islamic Higher Committee for the Follow-up of the Intifada (NIHC) stage marches to demand that the PA take action to end lawlessness, support rule of law. A PA police officer dies of injuries received during the IDF incursion into Tulkarm on 7/13. In s. Israel, 1,000s of Israeli protesters observe a 3d and final day of demonstrations against disengagement. (AFP, IMEMC, PCHR, PR, REU, XIN 7/20; AYM 7/20 in WNC 7/21; NYT, PCHR, WP 7/21; OCHA 7/27; PCHR 7/28)

In response to an Islamic Jihad ambush of Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) and settler security officers in Hebron on 11/15, the IDF sends tanks into Hebron, bulldozes 5 Palestinian homes and a 50-dunam olive grove btwn. Kiryat Arba and the Ibrahimi Mosque/Tomb of the Patriarchs, imposes a curfew, conducts arrest raids, detaining 40 Palestinians. Right-wing MK Benny Elon holds a prayer rally of Jewish settlers at the site of the ambush; afterward Jewish settlers briefly rampage through Palestinian areas (vandalizing homes with spray-painted messages such as “vengeance” and “every Arab killed —for me it’s a holiday”) until IDF soldiers stop them. The IDF also fatally shoots a Palestinian in Hebron; fires on Palestinians in Jenin, killing 1 Palestinian; shells, fires on residential areas of Nablus, killing 1 Palestinian; bulldozes 2 dunams (4 dunams = 1 acre) of Palestinian land, an electricity generator in al-Mughraqa; shells a workshop in Khan Yunis, destroying it; detains, searches a Palestinian Red Crescent Society (PRCS) ambulance for 5 hrs., holding the driver for failure to pay a parking ticket. (PM 11/16; NYT, WP, WT 11/17; MM 11/18; AN 11/18 in WNC 11/19; PCHR 11/20; MEI 11/22; PRCS press release 11/23)

In Ramallah, the IDF continues demolition work at the PA compound, setting fire to storehouses, bulldozing the Ramallah governate building; says it now seeks the extradition of 50 Palestinians inside Arafat's offices; warns those inside the remaining building to evacuate or risk being harmed when the IDF blows it up, prompting 1,000s of Palestinians to take to the street in protest, despite the curfew. The IDF fires stun grenades, live ammunition at the crowds, killing 2 Palestinians (including a journalist with Voice of Palestine). (After al-Jazeera TV broadcasts news of the spontaneous Ramallah demonstrations, 1,000s of Palestinians violate the curfews Jenin, Nablus, Tulkarm and rally in Gaza to protest; the IDF kills 1 Palestinian protester in Nablus, a 2d Palestinian in Tulkarm and demolishes 2 Palestinian homes in Qabatya, Qalqilya.) None of the Palestinians in the Ramallah compound evacuates, the IDF does not blow up the building; unnamed Israeli officials suggest the threat was "psychological combat" aimed at making living conditions so unbearable for Arafat that he seeks refuge abroad. The IDF also conducts arrest raids in al-Fara' r.c., Jenin, Rafah; fires on residential areas of Khan Yunis, Rafah; fires on an ambulance in Nablus, damaging it, wounding 1 Palestinian bystander. (PM 9/21; MENA 9/21, ITAR-TASS, XIN 9/22 in WNC 9/23; NYT, PM, WP, WT 9/22; HA 9/23; al-Quds 9/23 in WNC 9/24; MM 9/24; LAW, PCHR, PR 9/25; MEI, MM 9/27; PRCS press release 9/27)

Palestinians fire mortars at an IDF checkpoint, detonate a bomb outside Kefar Darom settlement in Gaza, causing no damage. In response, the IDF shells the PA naval police headquarters in Dayr al-Balah, residential areas of Khan Yunis; sends tanks, troops into Khan Yunis for 3 hrs. to conduct extensive searches. The IDF also conducts arrest raids in Abu Dis, Azariyya. Some 2,000 Palestinians in Gaza City and 15,000 Palestinians in Nablus rally in support of Arafat. The PFLP announces it is suspending its membership in PLO in protest over the PSF's continued detention of Saadat. (WP 2/2; AFP 2/2 in WNC 2/4; NYT, WT 2/3; SA 2/3 in WNC 2/4; PCHR 2/4; LAW 2/6)

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: P.M. Shamir returns from U.S. [WP 3/23]. Def. Min. Rabin says 3,000 Palestinians, including at least 600 arrested in past week, are being detained in Israeli prisons; Rabin announces opening of new prison in Negev desert [NYT, WP 3/23].

Other Countries: U.S. Justice Dept. files suit seeking to force closure of PLO's observer mission to UN and to prohibit PLO from spending funds to promote PLO interests in U.S. [WP 3/23].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Plestinian is shot dead in clash with Israeli troops in W. Bank village of Tubas [NYT 3/23]. Elderly resident of Qabatiyyah dies from effects of tear gas dropped from army helicopter. Many protesters are arrested during scatteredemonstrations in W. Bank. In Khan Yunis, protester is wounded by army gunfire during violent demonstrations; military imposes curfew [FJ 3/27].

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Koteret Rashit, Israeli weekly, reports police investigators have written report on circumstances surrounding death while under custody of Salam Hamdan to enable attorney general to close case withoutrial [NYT 1/10]. Total commercial strike closes shops in E. Jerusalem, Ramallah, Nablus, and Bethlehem [FJ 1/10]. General Federation of Labor Unions in the W. Bank issues statement condemning Israeli threats to prevent striking Palestinian workers from entering Israel and to hire foreigners to replace strikers [FJ 1/31].

Arab World: PLO leaders call for UN force to protect Palestinians in Israelioccupied W. Bank and Gaza Strip [NYT 1/10].

Other Countries: Spanish officials returning from visit to occupied territories condemn military trials of Palestinians accused of demonstrating [CSM 1/11].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Israeli troops use tear gas, rubber bullets, and live ammunition to break up march from Bani Suhayla to Khan Yunis; at least 1 protester iskilled, 4 others wounded [NYT 1/10]. Numerous clashes between demonstrators and Israeli troops are reported throughout W. Bank and Gaza zones [WP 1/10].