The Palestine Chronology

In the Gaza Strip, IDF troops e. of Khan Yunis open fire on Palestinian farmers nr. the border fence, causing damage. In the West Bank, dozens of Palestinian and international activists rebuild the “Gate of Jerusalem” tent camp in Abu Dis, and the IDF tears it down hours later for the 2d time in 2 days. Meanwhile, 100s of Palestinians march through Ramallah to the home of the Jordanian amb. following ISIS’s 2/3 video depicting its fighters killing a Jordanian hostage. In the morning, IDF troops raid a Palestinian high school in Nablus, evacuating it and detaining its principal and asst. principal. The IDF arrests a Palestinian child at the Allenby border crossing with Jordan; conducts house searches and arrest raids nr. Hebron, Ramallah, Salfit, and in Tulkarm. Israeli forces also deliver demolition orders to Palestinians in Silwan nr. Ramallah for several wells. In East Jerusalem, Israeli police arrest a 10-year-old Palestinian outside his home in al-Tur. In the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights, an IDF soldier is moderately injured by a landmine nr. the border. (HA, MNA, WAFA 2/4; MNA, WAFA 2/5; PCHR 2/12)

The Israeli govt. continues freezing transfers of tax revenues to the PA in response to the Palestinians’ accession to the ICC. Following the 1/2 freeze of NIS 500 m. (around $127.6 m.) of revenues collected in 12/2014, Israel collected around $100 m. worth of revenues in 1/2015. A senior Israeli official says that the freeze will continue until the govt. “finishes formulating its response to the PA’s unilateral move to the ICC, a step that runs contrary to all previous agreements.” (JP 2/4; MNA 2/11)

Israeli amb. to the U.S. Ron Dermer meets with 7 Jewish Democrats from the House of Reps. to discuss PM Netanyahu’s 3/3 speech to Congress. The mbrs. criticize the timing of the speech. (AP, POL 2/4)

In the Gaza Strip, Egyptian authorities keep the Rafah border crossing open for a 2d day. Off the n. coast, Israeli naval forces open fire with live ammunition on Palestinian fishing boats, moderately injuring 1 fisherman. Also, the Gaza power plant shuts down 1 of its 3 currently operating turbines due to lack of fuel imports, increasing the planned power outages from 12 to 18 hours per day. In the West Bank, the municipal govt. of the Kiryat Arba settlement delivers a notice of unpaid property taxes to a Palestinian on whose lands the settlement was built, which will reportedly force him and his family to leave their land. Separately, Israeli forces demolish 2 homes and 2 animal shelters in a village in the s. Hebron hills. The IDF conducts house searches and arrest raids nr. Nablus, Hebron, Jenin, as well as Tulkarm r.c.; patrols nr. Hebron and Tulkarm. They also arrest 1 Palestinian at a military checkpoint nr. Bethlehem. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces demolish a home in Jabal Mukabir and a building in Shu‘fat; conduct house searches and arrest raids in Silwan. Meanwhile, security guards deny a group of right-wing Jewish activists entry to Haram al-Sharif. In Israel, a Palestinian man from Tulkarm attacks Jewish Israelis on a bus in Tel Aviv, injuring 13 with a knife, before police shoot him in the leg and detain him. (AFP, HA, MDW, MNA, NPR, WAFA 1/21; MNA, PCHR 1/22; MNA 1/23; PCHR 1/29; OCHA 1/30)

The PLO Exec. Comm. meets in Ramallah to discuss the submission of a new draft res. to the UNSC. It would call for 1 year of negotiations sponsored by the UNSC’s permanent mbrs., and a 2-year timetable for the end of the Israeli occupation. (MNA 1/20)

U.S. Speaker of the House of Reps. John Boehner (R-OH) announces that Israeli PM Netanyahu has accepted his invitation to come to Washington and address a special meeting of Congress on Iran. The Obama admin. criticizes Boehner and Netanyahu for not informing the White House before today. Netanyahu will address Congress on 3/3. (HA, POL, REU, TOI 1/21; MDW 1/22)

Near Ramallah, Shin Bet arrests 3 members of Hamas-'Izz al-Din al-Qassim faction, believed to be responsible for deaths of 3 Israelis, 20 Gaza Palestinians. (Qol Yisra'el, ITV 8/8 in FBIS 8/10; WP 8/9; JP 8/15)

Palestinian man stabs 2 Israeli policemen in Jerusalem, killing 1, and is shot and killed by a passerby and police. (WP 7/31)

Body of Mahmud Abu Hasan al-Zarini is returned, buried by family in Janin under tight Israeli security. Seven-day commercial strike ends (see 7/22, 27). (MM 7/30)

Jordanian house of reps. issues statement supporting Palestinian national rights and intifada, criticizing all settlements and deportations, and calling for inter-Arab solidarity. (Radio Jordan Network 7/30 in FBIS 7/31)

With Hizballah consent, Syrian-backed Lebanese army force takes over barracks in Ba'labakk, Biqa' Valley, which have been under Hizballah control since 1982. (AFP, Radio Lebanon 7/30 in FBIS 7/31)

Israeli air force raids Jabal Safi, Iqlim al-Tuffah regions, S. Lebanon. Casualties this year from 27 Israeli raids total 44 dead, 100 wounded, mostly civilians. (AFP, Qol Yisra'el 7/30 in FBIS 7/30)

Social/Economic/Political

Other Countries: 23 members of House of Reps. send letter to Baker expressing "concem over reports that approximately 40 schools have been closed" in the W. Bank [Oct. MEPARC].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: 2 Palestinians accused of collaboration are killed in Burayj camp, another is severely beaten [FBIS 10/25; MET 10/31]. Troops shoot, wound Palestinian in Khan Yunis. At least 15 Palestinians are wounded in clashes [FBIS 10/25].

Social/Economic/Political

Other Countries: 36 members of the House of Reps. send letter to Sec. of State Baker saying they have "specific questions" about the sale of U.S. M- 1 tanks to Saudi Arabia [WP 10/22; Oct. MEPARC].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Army declares Bethlehem and Bayt Sahur closed military zones; IDF distributes leaflet in Bayt Sahur waming residents they will "go hungry" when media interest wanes [FBIS 10/23]. Khan Yunis school is closed indefinitely; 12-year-old Palestinian shot by IDF gunfire [FBIS 10/25].