The Palestine Chronology

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers with a military escort assaulted Palestinians in Umm al-Akhouas in the Masafer Yatta area, injuring 10. Israeli settlers also assaulted 1 Palestinian man with a riffle in Umm Laikhous in the Masafer Yatta area when the man and others in the community confronted armed settlers who had set up tents on their land; 4 Palestinians were arrested when Israeli forces arrived. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces raided the Haram al-Sharif compound after the morning Eid al-Adha prayer, arresting 18 Palestinians. Around 100,000 worshippers attended the prayer. (WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 6/28; PCHR 7/6; HA 7/8; UNOCHA 7/8)

Israeli defense minister Yoav Gallant signed 4 administrative detention orders for Israeli settlers accused of attacking Palestinians in the West Bank. More than 1,000 Palestinians are imprisoned on administrative detention. (HA, TOI 6/28)

Axios reported that Somalia and Comoros will send officials to attend the next Negev Forum normalization summit as observers. (AX 6/28)

U.S. secretary of state Antony Blinken told the Council of Foreign Relations that rising violence in the West Bank is making it “a lot tougher, if not impossible” to make a normalization deal between Israel and Saudi Arabia. Blinken referred to the West Bank as Israel’s “backyard.” (AJ, ALM, HA, MEE, REU 6/28; HA 6/29)

In the West Bank, armed Israeli settlers attacked 3 Palestinian shepherds near Jericho. Israeli forces shot and injured 2 Palestinians with live ammunition and arrested 6 others during a late-night raid in Nablus. (WAFA, WAFA 6/27; PCHR 7/6; UNOCHA 7/8)

PA president Mahmoud Abbas spoke with Israeli president Isaac Herzog, who congratulated Abbas on the occasion of Eid al-Adha. Herzog also condemned recent Israeli settler violence in the call with Abbas. Israeli defense minister Yoav Gallant also spoke with PA civil affairs minster Hussein al-Sheikh. (ALM, HA, REU 6/27; AJ 6/28)

1 Israeli soldier was killed during a training exercise in the Naqab. (HA 6/27)

The U.S. State Department said in its annual fiscal transparency report that the PA is still short of the minimum requirements for fiscal transparency, however, it also noted that the PA has made significant progress. (HA 6/27)

U.S. secretary of state Antony Blinken told Israeli foreign minister Eli Cohen that the U.S. was concerned with the rise in violence in the West Bank. The 2 also discussed potential normalization deals. (REU 6/27; HA, MEE 6/28)

In a statement, the UN Security Council urged Israel and the PA to avoid actions that could inflame tensions in the West Bank. PA ambassador to the UN Riyad Mansour called on council members to protect Palestinians from settler violence. (WAFA 6/27; AJ, HA 6/28)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers assaulted 1 Palestinian man near Turmus ‘Ayya. In East Jerusalem, some 150,000 Palestinian worshippers performed prayers at the Haram al-Sharif compound for Eid al-Adha. 2 Palestinians were arrested, including 1 at the Haram al-Sharif compound and 1 at the Damascus Gate plaza. (WAFA, WAFA 7/9; PCHR 7/21; UNOCHA 7/22)

Israeli prime minister Yair Lapid spoke to Jordanian king Abdullah II. (HA 7/9)

U.S. president Joe Biden published an op-ed in the Washington Post defending his decision to visit Saudi crown prince Mohammed bin Salman in Jeddah next week. Among President Biden’s arguments was working toward normalization between Israel and Saudi Arabia. (WP 7/9; AP, MEE 7/10; HA 7/11)

The UAE announced it will donate $25 million to the Makassed hospital in East Jerusalem. According to Axios reporting, the Biden administration had asked the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Qatar to donate $100 million in total to Palestinian hospitals in East Jerusalem ahead of Biden’s visit where he is expected to announce a U.S. donation of $100 million to hospitals serving Palestinians in East Jerusalem. (AX 7/10)

In the West Bank, Israeli forces violently dispersed Palestinian protesters in Beita and Bayt Dajan, injuring 16 with tear gas. Israeli forces also violently dispersed Palestinian protesters in Kafr Qaddum, injuring 8 with baton rounds. 1 Palestinian was arrested at the Qalandia checkpoint. (WAFA 7/8; WAFA 7/9; PCHR 7/21; UNOCHA 7/22)

PA president Mahmoud Abbas spoke to Israeli prime minister Yair Lapid and Israeli president Isaac Herzog in phone calls. The phone calls come 1 day after defense minister Benny Gantz visited President Abbas in Ramallah and 1 week ahead of U.S. president Joe Biden’s visit to Palestine and Israel. It was the 1st direct call between Abbas and an Israeli prime minister since 2017. The PA said that Prime Minister Lapid extended his wishes for Eid al-Adha and that Abbas congratulated Lapid on becoming Israel’s new prime minister. (AP, AX, HA, MEE, REU, WAFA 7/8; ALM 7/11)

Middle East Eye reported that Israeli military officials have been traveling to the U.S. air base al-Udeid in Qatar as part of the U.S. defense department 2021 decision to transfer Israel to the Central Command. (MEE 7/8)

The Presbyterian Church in the U.S. voted 266-166 on a resolution declaring that Israel practices apartheid against the Palestinian people and voted to add May 15 as a day to commemorate the Nakba. (WP 7/15)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers assaulted 1 Palestinian man working his land near Kafr al-Labad; the man was hospitalized for treatment of his injuries. Israeli forces shot and injured 1 Palestinian at the al-Hamra checkpoint in Jericho. Israeli forces also delivered stop-work notices for 2 houses under construction near Yatta. 11 Palestinians were arrested, including 10 during late-night raids in Silwad, Yabrud, and Nabi Salih; 1 was arrested after returning from Jordan at the Allenby Bridge crossing. In Gaza, Israeli forces arrested 2 Palestinians for attempting to cross into Israel via the Gaza fence. Off the coast of Gaza, Israeli naval forces opened fire at Palestinian fishermen within 3 nautical miles west of al-Sudaniyya; no injuries were reported. (MEMO, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 7/3; PCHR 7/7; UNOCHA 7/22)

Israel announced that it will allow 400 Palestinians living in Gaza—only men over the age of 55 and women over 50—to visit Jerusalem for the celebration of Eid al-Adha, and 500 Palestinians in the West Bank will be given permits to travel through Ben-Gurion airport. (HA 7/3)

In the West Bank, Israeli forces shot and injured 5 Palestinians during a raid in Jalazun refugee camp, including 1 with live ammunition and 4 using baton rounds; others suffered tear-gas related injuries. 3 were arrested. Elsewhere, Israeli forces shot and injured 1 Palestinian during a raid in Meithalun. 4 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in Sanur and Jaba‘. (MEMO, WAFA, WAFA 5/1; PCHR 5/12; UNOCHA 5/13)

Israel announced that it will close all crossings between Gaza, the West Bank, and Israel from 3pm on 5/3 to midnight on 5/5 for the Israeli celebrations of Memorial Day and Independence Day. (HA 5/1)

Israeli president Isaac Herzog spoke with PA president Mahmoud Abbas, wishing him a happy Eid. (HA 5/1)

Israeli military judge Dov Gilboa attended a conference of the Kahanist party Otzma Yehudit (Jewish Power). At the conference, Otzma Yehudit leader Itamar Ben-Gvir celebrated Gilboa for a 2018 opinion imposing the death penalty on a Palestinian man. (HA 5/4)

In the West Bank, 3 Israeli settlers set fire to a Palestinian marble factory in Jamma’in near Huwwara, causing damage of around $920,000. 6 Palestinians were arrested during raids in Zabbuba and al-Walaja. In East Jerusalem, 4 Palestinians were arrested in the Old City. In Gaza, an explosion at the Zawiya market killed 1, injured 14, and caused damage. According to the Palestinian Centre for Human Rights (PCHR), the explosion was caused by explosives stored in a residential building at the market. After the PCHR reported its findings, it was smeared and threatened by the National and Islamic Factions’ Follow-up Committee in the Gaza Strip. In Israel, Israeli forces arrested 2 people who had crossed into Israel from Lebanon. (AJ, AP, HA, HA, MEMO, WAFA 7/22; PCHR 7/23; PCHR 7/25; AQ 7/26; PCHR 7/29)

Israel’s public security minister Omer Bar-Lev called PA president Mahmoud Abbas to wish him well on Eid al-Adha and said he used the oppounity to discuss more communications between the 2. (ALM, WAFA 7/22 HA 7/23)

Haaretz reported that although the ban on family reunifications for Israeli citizens married to Palestinians expired on 7/6, it has not been possible to make an appointment to process an application. According to Haaretz, interior minister Ayelet Shaked has ordered her ministry not to handle any of the requests until a new policy has been formulated. (HA, MEMO 7/22)

The Israeli government told the Israeli high court of justice that it would not grant work permits to Palestinians seeking asylum in Israel based on anti-LGBTQ persecution or domestic violence, saying that the PA “does not systematically persecute people because of their sexual orientation.” (HA 7/23)

In Syria, Israeli forces conducted air strikes for the 2d time in 1 week, this time in the Quseir region. It was unclear if there were any casualties. Syria’s military said its air defenses had intercepted most of the missiles. Russian officials later claimed that it was its air defenses in Syria that had intercepted the Israeli missiles. (AJ, AP, HA, REU 7/22; MEMO 7/23; HA 7/25)

French president Emmanuel Macron called Israeli prime minister Naftali Bennett for clarification about Macron being a target of Pegasus spyware exported from the Israeli company NSO Group with Israeli government approval. (HA 7/24; MEMO 7/25)

The African Union (AU) said it would readmit Israel as an observer country. Israel was ejected as an observer 19 years ago after pressure from then brotherly leader of Libya Muammar Gaddafi. The Israeli foreign ministry had prior to the readmission sent a senior official to Addis Ababa in Ethiopia to meet with 30 ambassadors to the AU. Hamas later issued a statement calling the AU decision “shocking and reprehensible.” The South African government called the AU decision appalling, “unjust and unwarranted.” Algeria, Egypt, Comoros, Tunisia, Djibouti, Mauritania, and Libya later voiced opposition to Israel’s readmission, saying that the decision could divide the AU nations. (HA, TOI 7/22; AJ, ALM, MEMO 7/23; MEMO, MEMO 7/26; AA, AJ 7/28; WAFA 8/1; MEMO, MEMO, MEMO 8/2; AJ, MEMO, MEMO 8/4; MEMO 8/9; MEE 8/11; AA 8/17; WAFA, WAFA 8/19)

In the West Bank, Israeli forces sealed off Ya‘bad, preventing Palestinians from entering and leaving the town. In East Jerusalem, Wafa reported that 100,000 Palestinians attended prayers at the Haram al-Sharif compound for the Eid al-Adha Maghrib (sunset) prayer. 3 Palestinians were arrested during raids in Silwan and al-Tur. In Gaza, Israeli forces made incursions to level land east of Rafah. In Israel, 2 rockets were fired at Israel from Lebanon hours after Israeli forces attacked south of Aleppo in Syria on 7/19; there were no reports of damage or casualties. The Lebanese army said it had located 3 improvised rocket launchers on a beach near Tyre and neutralized them. Israel subsequently fired 12 artillery shells at the Wadi Hammoul area in Lebanon, causing neither damage nor injuries. (AJ, AP, HA, HA, HA, JP, REU, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 7/20; PCHR 7/29)

Chairman of former president Donald Trump’s inaugural committee Tom Barrack was arrested for not disclosing that he was a foreign agent paid by the UAE. During the Trump administration, Barrack tried to get a senior position so that he could further the UAE’s interest in the U.S. government. Barrack remained an informal advisor to several U.S. officials during the Trump administration. (AJ, AP 7/20; MEMO 7/21)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers planted trees near al-Farisya and ‘Ain al-Hilweh. Israeli forces delivered a stop-work order to 1 Palestinian for his agricultural fields and seized 1 bulldozer. 9 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in and around Tulkarm, Qalqilya, Beit Fajjar, al-Bireh, Dura, Bayt Liqya, Bayt Rima, and Jaba‘. In East Jerusalem, around 100 Israeli settlers toured the Haram al-Sharif compound for the 2d day in a row. 2 Palestinians were arrested during raids in Isawiya and Shu‘fat. (WAFA, WAFA 7/19; PCHR 7/29)

PA president Mahmoud Abbas and Israeli defense minister Benny Gantz spoke on the phone. According to Gantz’s office, the 2 discussed trust-building steps between Israel and the PA and Gantz gave Abbas best wishes on the occasion of Eid al-Adha. Their conversation was the 1st between Abbas and an Israeli minister since 2017, when Abbas spoke to then prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu. The Israeli president Isaac Herzog also called President Abbas to wish him a happy Eid al-Adha. (JP, REU, TOI, TOI, WAFA 7/19; ALM 7/22)

In Syria, Israeli forces conducted air strikes in as-Safira, south of Aleppo, killing 5 people. (AJ, AP, HA, HA, HA 7/20)

A freedom of information request revealed that the director general of the Israeli interior ministry lives in a house in the illegal settlement outpost Keida, which has had a demolition order against it since 2008. The interior ministry said in a statement that its minister Ayelet Shaked “is pleased that the director-general of her ministry lives in Keida.” (HA 7/20)

King Abdullah II of Jordan met with U.S. president Joe Biden in the White House. King Abdullah II was the 1st Middle Eastern leader to visit President Biden in Washington, as the U.S.-Jordanian relationship was tarnished during the Donald Trump administration due to the 1-sided peace proposal made by the administration. A read-out of the meeting said that the 2 discussed the Palestinian-Israeli conflict and Jordan’s relationship to Israel. (AJ, HA, JP, JP, MEE, NBC, NYT, REU, TOI, TOI 7/19; MEMO, WAFA 7/20)

The ice cream company Ben & Jerry’s issued a statement declaring it will end sales of its ice cream in Israeli settlements, saying that selling its ice cream in the occupied Palestinian territory “is inconsistent with our values.” Ben & Jerry’s also announced it would not renew its licensing agreement with manufacturers of Ben & Jerry’s ice cream in Israel but that the ice cream will still be available in Israel. Israel’s prime minister Naftali Bennett said that Ben & Jerry’s had decided to brand itself as an “antisemitic ice cream.” Foreign minister Yair Lapid, who weeks ago said his government would not call all criticism of Israel anti-Semitic, said the company was surrendering to BDS and anti-Semitism and that he would ask 35 U.S. states with anti-BDS laws to enforce them against the U.S. company. On 7/20, Prime Minister Bennett called the CEO of Unilever, the parent company of Ben & Jerry’s, to criticize the decision and Israel’s ambassador to the U.S. Gilad Erdan urged states with anti-BDS laws to take legal action against Ben & Jerry’s. The Israeli president Isaac Herzog likened the Ben & Jerry’s decision to terrorism. Ben & Jerry’s is known to engage publicly on progressive issues. Both founders of the company are Jewish-Americans. (AJ, ALM, AX, BenJerry, FOX, GDN, HA, HA, MEE, MEMO, NBC, REU, TOI, TOI, TOI, TOI, Twitter 7/19; AJ, AP, BBC, CNN, HA, HA, JP, JP, JP, MEE, MEE, REU, TOI, WAFA 7/20; HA, MEMO 7/21; AJ, AP, MEMO 7/22; GDN 7/23; HA 7/26; AX 7/27)

In the West Bank, Israeli forces violently dispersed Palestinian protesters during the weekly anti-settlement in Kafr Qaddum, 7 Palestinians were injured by rubber-coated bullets. Israeli forces also clashed with Palestinians during a night raid in Zubbuba near Jenin; tear-gas related injuries were reported. In East Jerusalem, some 27,000 Muslim worshippers attended the Eid al-Adha prayers at the Haram al-Sharif compound. (WAFA 7/30; WAFA 8/1; PCHR 8/13)

In the West Bank, Israeli forces took measurements for possible demolition of the houses in Bayt Kahil belonging to the 2 Palestinian suspects for the killing of the Israeli settler on 8/8. They also arrested 1 Palestinian in Hebron during a late-night raid. In East Jerusalem, clashes between Muslim worshippers and Israeli forces erupted after morning prayers at the Haram al-Sharif compound on Eid al-Adha. 61 Palestinians were wounded, including 15 who were taken to nearby hospitals. 4 Israeli officers were lightly wounded, and 7 Palestinians were arrested. 1 Palestinian woman was also attacked by an Israeli man after leaving the compound; the Israeli man was then beaten by a Palestinian bystander. Following the clashes, hundreds of Israeli Jews entered the Haram al-Sharif compound with police escort. In Gaza, 1 Palestinian man was killed by Israeli forces in the vicinity of the Gaza fence; according to media reports, the man was armed. Israeli forces also bombed targets near Bayt Hanun. (AJ, HA, HA, HA 8/11; HA, WAFA 8/12; PCHR 8/22)

In the West Bank, Israeli forces violently dispersed the weekly anti-settlement demonstrations in Kufr Qaddum and Qalqilya; no injuries were reported. In Halhul north of Hebron, clashes erupted between Israeli forces and Palestinian residents during a raid; 3 Palestinians were injured by rubber-coated bullets. At the Allenby Bridge, 1 Palestinian returning from Jordan was arrested. Israeli forces also arrested 1 Palestinian during a daytime raid in Bayt Fajjar. Israeli settlers attacked Palestinians and Palestinian-owned property around Hebron. East of Yatta, settlers sprayed racist graffiti and set fire to hay bales. Settlers also threw stones and glass bottles at Palestinian-owned vehicles on a road east of Hebron. They also threw stones at 2 Palestinian-owned homes in Tuqu‘ and Nahalin near Bethlehem; in the incident in Tuqu‘, 1 vehicle also sustained damage. In Gaza, 2 Palestinians were injured by live ammunition east of Khan Yunis by the Gaza fence. (WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 8/9; PCHR 8/22)

In protest over the possibility that Israeli police would allow Israeli Jews to commemorate Tisha B’Av on the Haram al-Sharif compound on the same day as Eid al-Adha, the Islamic Waqf called on Muslims to attend a mass service on the compound on 8/11—the day of Eid al-Adha—and announced that all mosques in the Old City would be closed except Al-Aqsa Mosque. (HA, WAFA 8/9)

Late at night, the IAF conducts 3 waves of air strikes targeting 25 Hamas sites across Gaza; the strikes cause massive damage and injure 3 Palestinians (2 near Rafah and 1 near Khan Yunis). The strikes reportedly come in response to the spate of incendiary kite and balloon attacks emanating from Gaza in recent weeks. Off Gaza’s coast, Israeli naval forces open fire on Palestinian fishing boats near Rafah, causing no damage or injuries. In the West Bank, Israeli settlers bulldoze several dunams of Palestinian land near Hebron, with the intent to expand neighboring settlements. They also level approximately 40 dunams (approximately 10 acres) of Palestinian land near Jericho. IDF troops conduct raids in al-Mazra‘a near Ramallah, sparking clashes with stone-throwing residents of the village; 1 Palestinian is injured. They arrest 18 Palestinians during late-night raids in and around Hebron, Tulkarm, Jenin, Nablus, and Bethlehem; and patrol near Nablus, Jenin, Qalqilya, and Salfit. (WAFA 6/19; HA, MNA, WAFA 6/20; PCHR 6/21)

An ailing Palestinian dies at the Erez border crossing. The Israeli authorities summoned him for an interview that could have led to him being granted a permit to travel to Israel for medical attention. The deceased submitted two previous applications for an interview, but both were rejected, with the Israeli authorities citing security concerns. (PCHR 6/21)

Egyptian security sources say that Egyptian president al-Sisi has decided to keep the Rafah border crossing open for another two months, until after the Muslim holiday Eid al-Adha in late 8/2018, for “humanitarian reasons.” The crossing has already been open for 1 month, far longer than any opening since 2014. (TOI 6/19; YA 6/20)

U.S. ambassador to the UN Haley announces that the U.S. has formally withdrawn from the UNHRC, reiterating the Trump administration’s complaints about the council’s chronic anti-Israel bias. She says the move is “not a retreat” and that the Trump administration would still like to help reform the UNHRC. Israeli PM Netanyahu welcomes the move, condemning the “biased” and “hostile” UNHRC. (HA, JP, TOI 6/19)

After Netanyahu decides again to postpone the planned evacuation and demolition of 7 buildings in the Palestinian village of Susiya near Hebron, Israeli settlers accuse him of succumbing to U.S. pressure. “The Israeli government’s folly is indescribable,” one settler leader says, pointing to the upcoming visit from U.S. president Trump’s son-in-law Kushner and U.S. special representative Greenblatt. (JP, TOI, YA 6/19)

In Amman, Jordan’s King Abdullah II meets with Kushner and Greenblatt, who are on a tour of the region to promote their Palestinian-Israeli peace efforts. (HA, TOI 6/20)

IDF troops violently disperse Palestinians, Israelis, and international activists at Friday protests against Israel’s occupation, settlements, and separation wall in 3 villages near Ramallah (Nabi Salih, Bil‘in, and Ni‘lin) and Kafr Qaddum near Qalqilya; at least 1 Palestinian is injured. They also patrol near Jenin and Nablus during the day. In East Jerusalem, thousands of Muslims gather at Haram al-Sharif to pray on the first day of Eid al-Adha. In Israel, Lydda mayor Yair Revivo, accompanied by a police escort, enters a mosque in the city and asks the worshippers to turn down the volume of their call to prayer, citing noise violations. A confrontation ensues, and the police summon the imam for questioning. (MNA 9/1; HA 9/2; PCHR 9/14)

On the final day of ‘Id al-Adha in East Jerusalem, Israeli police officers enter Haram al-Sharif in the morning, sparking brief clashes with stone-throwing Palestinian youths. After the clashes, the Israeli police announce restrictions on Palestinian access to the sanctuary during the 8-day Jewish holiday Sukkoth, which starts this evening and will run through 10/4: all Palestinian men under the age of 50 will be barred and all other men will have to leave their IDs at the entrances. Meanwhile, Palestinians reportedly begin stockpiling stones at the sanctuary. Throughout the day, Israeli forces conduct raids across East Jerusalem, banning 14 Palestinians from Haram al-Sharif for varying periods of time; arrest 4 Palestinian youths on late-night raids in al-Tur. (HA, JP, MNA, TOI, WAFA, YA 9/27; PCHR 10/1)

On Gaza’s border, Israeli forces arrest 1 Palestinian attempting to cross into Israel. In the West Bank, IDF troops patrol in 2 villages nr. Ramallah during the day. (HA, JP, MNA 9/27; PCHR 10/1)

For the 2d day in a row, a rocket fired from Syria lands in an open field in the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights, causing no damage or injuries. Although the IDF reports that it was errant fire from the Syrian conflict (like the rocket fire on 9/26), Israel holds the Syrian govt. responsible and fires at 2 Syrian army positions in the Syrian Golan Heights, causing damage. (AFP, HA, JP, TOI, YA 9/27; AFP 9/28)

In East Jerusalem, around 50,000 Palestinians pray at Haram al-Sharif for ‘Id al-Adha. Non-Muslim visitors are barred from the sanctuary, pursuant to the Israeli authorities’ 9/21 order. In the early morning, Israeli forces arrest 1 Islamic Waqf guard at the sanctuary. Late at night, Israeli forces arrest 5 Palestinians on raids in Silwan and Sur al-Bahir. On Gaza’s border e. of Khan Yunis, Israeli forces arrest 3 Palestinians attempting to cross into Israel for work. Additionally, a Palestinian man who was shot by Israeli forces on 9/17 after throwing a firebomb at an IDF vehicle nr. Nablus succumbs to his injuries. (JP, MNA 9/24; PCHR 10/1)

Israel’s security cabinet unanimously approves a series of measures proposed by Israeli PM Netanyahu to deter stone-throwing attacks. (HA, JP, MDW, NYT, TOI, YA 9/24; AFP 9/25)

On the 2d day of Yom Kippur, Israeli forces escort a number of right-wing Jewish activists around Haram al-Sharif. The group attempts to perform Jewish rites in commemoration of the holiday, but they are blocked by Islamic Waqf guards. All Palestinian men under the age of 40 are barred from the sanctuary and all but 3 entrances are closed for the 2d day in a row. (HA, MNA, WAFA 9/23; PCHR 10/1)

In the West Bank, thousands of Palestinians march through c. Hebron for the funeral of the Palestinian woman who was killed by the IDF on 9/22, and clashes ensue between stone-throwing youths and Israeli forces. Late at night, Palestinians throw firebombs at an Israeli settlement nr. Ramallah, causing minor damage. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces arrest 12 Palestinians on late-night raids in Sur al-Bahir and Ras al-Amud. Meanwhile, Jewish Israeli youths throw stones at a Palestinian boy, causing minor injuries, and separately at Palestinian cars in s. Jerusalem. Unknown assailants throw a firebomb at a Jewish family’s home in Abu Tor, causing damage. On Gaza’s border e. of Jabaliya r.c., Israeli forces arrest 1 Palestinian attempting to cross into Israel for work. (HA, MNA, TOI, WAFA 9/23; MNA, TOI 9/24; PCHR 10/1)

Israel’s Defense Ministry announces the easing of additional restrictions on Palestinian movement and access during the Muslim holiday ‘Id al-Adha, supplementing the restrictions announced on 9/21: border crossings hours will be extended; married men older than 45 and married women older than 30 from the West Bank will be allowed to pray at Haram al-Sharif on 9/24 and 9/25. (HA, JP, MNA, TOI 9/24)

Violence and protests over recent access restrictions at Haram al-Sharif continue through the day in Israel, the West Bank, and East Jerusalem. A day before Yom Kippur, Israeli forces clear all Muslim worshippers from Haram al-Sharif and close all but 3 of the sanctuary’s entrances. Throughout the day, forces arrest 4 Palestinian youths accused of stone-throwing on their way home from school in the Old City, demolish a Palestinian home under construction in Silwan, and level Palestinian farmland in Issawiyya. The IDF conducts an arrest raid nr. Hebron, and a Palestinian is killed in the ensuing clashes, leading to conflicting accounts of his death. While the IDF says that an explosive device he intended to throw detonated prematurely and soldiers nearby fired shots in the direction of the explosion, Palestinian witnesses say Israeli soldiers shot him and left him bleeding on the ground while blocking paramedics from providing aid. During separate IDF house searches and raids nr. Hebron and Nablus, clashes erupt between stone-throwing Palestinians and Israeli forces, injuring 2 Palestinians and arresting 1. IDF troops violently disperse Palestinians protesting nr. Bethlehem, Hebron, and Ramallah, injuring 3; patrol throughout the West Bank. Thousands of Palestinian citizens of Israel gather in Sakhnin to protest Israeli restrictions at Haram al-Sharif. On Gaza’s n. and e. borders, Israeli forces level land during limited incursions across the border fence. (MNA, WAFA 9/21; JP, MNA, TOI, WAFA 9/22; PCHR 10/1)

The Israeli authorities announce a series of security measures to coincide with the Jewish holiday Yom Kippur on 9/22–23 and the Muslim holiday ‘Id al-Adha on 9/24–27. Meanwhile, the Israeli police temporarily suspend the use of Ruger sniper rifles, which was approved on 9/17, to allow administrators to systematically train officers in their use. (JP, TOI 9/21; HA, TOI 9/22)

Israel’s COGAT announces that, for the 1st time since 2007, it will allow ironware, furniture, and textiles to be imported from Gaza to Israel, starting on 10/7. (HA, TOI 9/22)

In the West Bank, IDF troops shoot and kill a 13-year-old Palestinian in Bayt Liqya village nr. Ramallah during a patrol. Meanwhile, PA security forces kill a man in Hebron during a raid. The IDF conducts house searches and arrest raids in 1 village nr. Hebron at night; patrols in 2 villages nr. Hebron during the day. Off the coast of the Gaza Strip nr. Gaza City, Israeli naval forces open fire on Palestinian fishermen, sinking 1 boat. (MNA, REU 10/16; PCHR 10/23)

Senior Hamas official Musa Abu Marzuq confirms that indirect cease-fire talks with Israel will resume at the end of 10/2014 in Cairo. Meanwhile, U.S. Secy. of State Kerry calls for a resumption of the peace negotiations during remarks at a State Dept. event for ‘Id al-Adha. (AFP, REU, YA 10/16)

EU foreign affairs chief Ashton and Iranian FM Zarif hold a 2d day of talks in Vienna, and also meet with senior diplomats from the P5+1 group. The focus of the talks are remaining differences related to lifting sanctions and Iran’s uranium enrichment levels. (REU 10/17)

In retaliation for the Israeli air strikes on 11/5, unidentified Palestinians fire 2 rockets fr. Gaza into Israel, injuring a Thai laborer. On the 1st day of ‘Id alAdha, Jewish settlers fr. Yitzhar settlement nr. Nablus uproot 25 olive trees on nearby Palestinian land, spray painting on the branches “Happy‘Id” and “revenge.” (HA, YA 11/6; PCHR 11/17; OCHA 11/18)

The Arab League postpones its planned 11/9 meeting until after the 11/16–20 Eid al-Adha holiday to give ongoing U.S.-Israeli talks a final chance to reach an arrangement that would allow continuation of Israeli-Palestinian direct talks. (MNA 11/7; Foreign Policy 11/9)

Netanyahu arrives in the U.S. on a 5-day visit to attend the Jewish Federations of North America (JFNA) general assembly in New Orleans and consult with U.S. officials (excluding Obama, who left on 11/5 for a 10-day trip to South East Asia). On the sidelines of the JFNA assembly today, he meets with VP Joe Biden for talks that focus primarily on Iran (WP 11/9; WJW 11/11)

IDF troops on the Israeli side of the Erez crossing fire warning shots at Palestinians scavenging for construction materials inside the industrial zone, wounding 1. IDF troops make a brief incursion into c. Gaza to level lands along the border fence e. of Gaza Valley village. In the West Bank, the IDF conducts a rare daytime house search nr. Jenin; patrols without incident 2 villages nr. Jenin during the day; conducts late-night arrest raids, house searches nr. Qalqilya (also detonating explosives in a store on the 1st floor of a Palestinian building, causing heavy damage), Ramallah. (OCHA, PCHR 11/11)

To mark the Muslim holiday ‘Id al-Adha, Israeli officials allow the import of 3,000 cattle to Gaza. (WJW 11/12; JPI 11/19)

In the West Bank, the IDF conducts late-night raids, house searches in and around Hebron, in Jericho and Tubas, and nr. Ramallah, arresting 11 Palestinians (including 1 teenager). (PCHR 11/12)

In East Jerusalem, Israeli authorities paste demolition orders on the walls of 15 Palestinian homes in the ‘Ayn al-Luza, alBustan (in Silwan), and Yemen quarters of the Old City. Although residents of the houses are given 20 days to appeal the demolitions, the notices are back-dated 18 days. Elsewhere in Silwan, Israeli forces demolish 1 Palestinian home and deliver a demolition order to the Old Town Women Society, which provides aid to at least 70 Palestinian families. (OCHA, PCHR 11/12; PCHR 11/19)

The Israeli cabinet approves the release of some 250 Palestinian prisoners as a gesture to Abbas, marking the ‘Id al-Adha holiday; no specific release date is set. IDF troops bulldoze land in s. Gaza to clear lines of sight along the border e. of Abasan. Gaza’s power plant shuts down after 4 days of operation for lack of fuel (see 11/26). In the West Bank, the IDF conducts late-night arrest raids, house searches nr. Ramallah, Tulkarm. (IFM 11/30; OCHA 12/3; PCHR 12/4)

Israel allows 487 Gazans to leave Gaza via the Erez crossing for the Hajj; makes an “exceptional” opening of Sufa crossing (closed since 10/28/07) to allow entry of livestock for the upcoming Id al-Adha holiday. Palestinians fire a rocket fr. Gaza into Israel, lightly injuring an Israeli child inside a home. In Khan Yunis, a Palestinian teenager is injured when he accidently triggers a homemade bomb. In the West Bank, the IDF conducts arrest raids, house searches in alFara‘a r.c., nr. Bethlehem. A bomb explodes underneath the empty car of a Hamas mbr. in Gaza City, causing no injuries. A dispute erupts btwn. a Fatah-affiliated family and Hamas mbrs. flying party flags in the family’s neighborhood; police intervene to resolve the situation peacefully. (NYT 12/17; OCHA 12/19; PCHR 12/27)

Sharon suffers a massive stroke. Sharon, who was expected to win a 3d term in the 3/06 elections at the head of his new Kadima party, is not expected to return to politics, throwing the elections into question. Political powers are transferred to Vice PM Ehud Olmert, Sharon’s close ally. (BBC, JTA 1/4; CSM, NYT, WP, WT 1/5; DS 1/6; CSM 1/9)

The IDF seals the West Bank, Gaza for the 4-day Muslim holiday of Id al-Adha; conducts predawn mock air raids over Gaza, breaking the sound barrier; raids a house in East Jerusalem, breaks up a mtg. being held by Change and Reform candidate Ahmad Attoun; bulldozes a Palestinian home nr. Bethlehem; conducts arrest raids, house searches in Jenin town and r.c. (firing on stone-throwing Palestinians who confront the troops, wounding 9), in and around Bethlehem, Ramallah, Tulkarm. In continued retaliation for the 1/2 killings (see 1/3), Islamic Jihad, the AMB fire 8 rockets fr. Gaza towards Ashkelon, Sederot, and the IDF base at the Erez crossing, causing no damage or injuries. IDF soldiers, Israeli police scuffle with Jewish settlers when serving them with notices that they must evacuate by 1/15 Palestinian-owned buildings they have occupied in the Hebron central market; 4 policemen are injured. Jewish settlers fr. Kiryat Arba vandalize Palestinian homes in Hebron, bar Palestinians fr. using a road linking the settlement to the Ibrahimi Mosque/Tomb of the Patriarchs; the IDF observes but does not intervene. About 40 armed AMB mbrs. occupy 4 PA government buildings in Gaza, fire on a police station to protest the 1/3 arrest of AMB leader Hams; other AMB mbrs. set burning barricades on the road to the Rafah crossing (barring all but medical cases fr. reaching the border), detonate an explosive device under the Rafah border wall (causing only minor damage). AMB mbrs. later steal 2 bulldozers, tear down a 15-ft stretch of the concrete Gaza border wall; as many as 1,000 Palestinians, some armed, overrun the Egyptian border guards, who fire in the air, call in reinforcements, declare the area a closed military zone, arrest around 100 Palestinians and injure 3; during the skirmish, some Palestinians set fire to an Egyptian armored vehicle, throw hand grenades and fire at the Egyptian contingent, leaving 2 Egyptian border guards dead and around 30 injured; Egypt closes the Rafah border until further notice. The PA says it will release Hams on 1/5 in response to the protests. PA police in Gaza City, fatally shoot a Hamas mbr. hanging campaign posters. Meanwhile, 5 armed Palestinians raid a Gaza house, attempt to kidnap the parents of Rachel Corrie, an American college student who was killed by the IDF in Gaza in 2003; the gunmen back off when the owners of the home explain who the Corries are. (IMEMC, JAZ, YA 1/4; AP, HA, IMEMC, NYT, PCHR, WP, WT 1/5; HA, NYT 1/9; al-Ahram Weekly 1/10; PCHR 1/19; PLO Negotiation Affairs Dept. press release 1/23)

Despite Israel’s pledge (1/29) not to seal the occupied territories in the wake of the Jerusalem bombing, Israeli-Arabs seeking to enter Gaza with pre-arranged permits to celebrate Id al-Adha with relatives report that the IDF is blocking all entry to the Strip. The IDF assassinates senior Islamic Jihad mbr. Yasir Abu Aysh, firing missiles at his family’s home in Rafah, also killing Islamic Jihad mbr. Hussein Abu Aysh (Yasir’s brother), AMB Rafah leader Majdi Khatib, Hamas mbr. Baha’ Judah, wounding 3; Yasir Abu Aysh, who reportedly has been in hiding since he lost both legs and an arm in a mysterious explosion in 2002, had come out of seclusion to visit his family for Id al-Adha. The IDF also raids ‘Aida r.c. in search of Bethlehem Izzeddin al-Qassam Brigades head Muhammad Abu Odeh, who fires on IDF soldiers, wounding 4, before being shot dead; the IDF then blows up his familyhome. In Ramallah, 2–3 armed AMB mbrs. reportedly storm the offices of al-Dar newspaper and al-Quds TV, destroying equipment, computers, archives. (HA, NYT, WP, WT 2/3; JP 2/8 in WNC 2/10; Independent 2/9; PCHR 2/12)

Sharon says that he has given orders to plan for the “relocation” of 17 of 20 Jewish settlements in Gaza and 3 Jewish settlements in the West Bank over the next 2 yrs., with “the assumption that in the future there will be no Jews in Gaza.” (BBC, HA, MM 2/2; AP, MM, NYT, WP, WT 2/3; VOP 2/3 in WNC 2/5; NYT 2/4; WJW 2/5; JT, al-Ra’i 2/8 in WNC 2/10; AYM 2/8 in WNC 2/19; PR 2/11; CSM 2/12; JPI 2/13; AYM 2/17 in WNC 2/20; MEI 2/20) (see 11/23)

The IDF assassinates wanted PFLP mbr. Imad Mabruk in al-`Ayn r.c.; fatally shoots an armed Palestinian nr. a Jewish settlement in Gaza; arrests 3 Hamas mbrs. nr. Ramallah carrying 44 lbs. of explosives, allegedly en route to stage a suicide bombing; demolishes 1 Palestinian home in Rafah, 1 in Sawahara; conducts arrest raids in Kefar Darom, Nablus. A Palestinian wounded in Tulkarm on 2/9 dies of his injuries. A roadside bomb explodes nr. an IDF patrol in Rafah, causing no injuries. Late in the evening, the IDF seals the West Bank, Gaza for 3 days, citing concerns there will be anti-Israeli attacks during the Id al-Adha holiday. (AP, HA 2/10; VOI 2/10 in WNC 2/11; HA, NYT, WT 2/11; VOI 2/11 in WNC 2/12; PR 2/12; PCHR 2/20)

Israel, the PA agree on areas to be transferred in the 3d stage of the 2d FRD. Israel's security cabinet approves the maps and a list of 15 Palestinian prisoners to be released for Id al-Adha. Jewish settlers hold 3 demonstrations against the FRD plans. (MM 3/15; NYT, WT 3/16; JP 3/31)

As fighting in s. Lebanon continues, some Hizballah fires rockets into n. Israel in retaliation for IDF attacks 3/13-14 that killed, wounded civilians. Rockets cause no damage, injuries. (NYT 3/16)

After another mtg. btwn. Arafat and Barak in Ramallah, this time attended by U.S. special envoy Ross, Ross announces that Israel, the PA will resume negotiations in the U.S. after Id al-Adha holiday ends on 3/20. The sides still aim to conclude a full final status agmt. by 9/13. Ross says there have been "constructive" talks on interim issues. (MM 3/8; NYT, WP, WT 3/9; ITAR-TASS 3/9 in WNC 3/14; al-Quds 3/9, DUS 3/11 in WNC 3/13; CSM 3/10)

Lebanese pres. Lahoud says Lebanon would guarantee security along the s. border after the IDF withdraws, but only as part of an overall Middle East settlement; warns that Palestinian guerrillas opposed to Arafat might attack n. Israel fr. s. Lebanon if the refugee issue is not solved. (XIN 3/8 in WNC 3/9; CSM, WP 3/9; NYT 3/12; Le Monde 3/17 in WNC 3/20)

Israel's High Court rules (4-1) that an Israeli Arab family cannot be barred fr. living in a cooperative Jewish community. Although the decision affects the 1 family only, the court's determination that separate Arab and Jewish communities are "inherently unequal" and discriminate against Arabs sets legal precedent that may be used in future cases. (NYT, WP 3/9; WJW 3/16; JP 3/17)

In s. Lebanon, 2 SLA mbrs. are killed in a clash with Hizballah. (MEI 3/10)

Israel claims that during his international tour, Arafat has been urging nations to support UN Res. 181 as the basis of a peace agreement; says that the 1947 res., calling for partitioning Palestine into Jewish and Arab states, was nullified by the Arab side and cannot be invoked now by Palestinians. (WT 4/1; MENA 4/2, 4/4 in WNC 4/5; al-Quds 4/2, al-Ahram 4/4, MENA 4/6 in WNC 4/7; JP, PR 4/9)

Israel celebrates passover, leaving borders with occupied territories open rather than sealing them as it usually does on Jewish holidays. (WT 4/1)

PA releases 11 political detainees, all mbrs. of Hamas or Islamic Jihad, to mark Id al-Adha. (PR 4/9)

The IDF places a blockade on the West Bank village of Dayr Abu Mishal, nr. Ramallah, after a Jewish settler claims that Palestinians threw stones at him fr. the direction of the village. Israeli soldiers arrest 21 teenagers. (LAW 4/5)

2 mbrs. of the Democratic Front for the Liberation of Palestine are wounded in a clash with mbrs. of Fatah Uprising in al-Baddawi refugee camp in s. Lebanon. (VOL 4/1 in WNC 4/2; SA 4/2 in WNC 4/5)