The Palestine Chronology

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)

Palestinians fire a mortar fr. Gaza into Israel, causing no damage or injuries. The IDF retaliates with at least 5 air strikes on Hamas and Islamic Jihad targets in Khan Yunis and Rafah, wounding 4 Palestinian civilians (including a baby); in 1 instance, Israeli intelligence units phone the targeted site to warn residents to evacuate, calling a 2d time before the strike to make sure the house is clear (no one is injured in that strike). IDF troops on the n. Gaza border fire warning shots at Palestinians scavenging for construction materials in the fmr. settlement sites, wounding 1 Palestinian. In the West Bank, the IDF patrols in Qalqilya and 4 surrounding villages; conducts late-night arrest raids, house searches in Nabi Salih. (JP 2/26; AFP, IsRN 2/27; WP 2/28; PCHR 3/3; OCHA 3/4)

With daily antigovernment protests continuing, the head of Bahrain’s banned al-Haq party, seen as the hard-line leader of Bahrain’s oppressed Shi‘i majority, returns fr. exile and is greeted by throngs of supporters, in what is seen as an escalation against the regime. (WP 2/28)