The Palestine Chronology

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers wrote racist graffiti and slashed tires on 5 Palestinian-owned vehicles in Haris near Salfit. Israeli forces handed demolition notices for some 20 Palestinian-owned structures in Qalandia and demolished a water well in the northern Jordan Valley. Israeli forces arrested 4 Palestinians, including a 13-year old girl, at the Allenby bridge crossing, in Qalqilya and Salfit. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces demolished a building in Bayt Hanina. Israeli forces also arrested 4 Palestinians during late-night raids in Shu‘fat refugee camp. In Gaza, rockets were fired between Gaza and Israel in the evening; there were reports of damage to structures, but no injuries were reported. (HA, WAFA, WAFA 8/21; HA, WAFA, PCHR 8/22)

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)

IDF troops shoot and kill a Palestinian suspected of shooting Israeli soldiers and settlers near Salfit on 3/17. According to Palestinian eyewitnesses, the Israeli soldiers surrounded the suspect’s home in Abwein village near Ramallah and called for him to turn himself in before opening fire at the home. The shooting sparks clashes in the village late at night; 9 Palestinians are injured. Elsewhere in the West Bank, Israeli forces deliver a stop-work order to a Palestinian equestrian facility under construction north of Jerusalem. IDF troops arrest 2 Palestinians during a raid of a Palestinian school in Hebron and 5 more during late-night raids near Hebron, Tubas, and Salfit. They also patrol near Ramallah, Hebron, and Salfit. Late at night, Israeli settlers slash the tires of 17 Palestinian vehicles and leave racist graffiti on nearby walls in Battir village near Jerusalem. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces demolish a Palestinian school building under construction in Shu‘fat refugee camp. They also deliver a stop-work order to a Palestinian building under construction in Qalandia. Along Gaza’s northern border, hundreds of Palestinians gather to continue the Great March of Return and to cheer on a number of Palestinian fishing boats sailing in a symbolic challenge to the Israeli blockade. IDF troops and Israeli naval forces violently disperse the demonstrations; at least 11 Palestinians are injured. (HA, MNA, MNA, WAFA 3/19; HA, MNA, MNA 3/20)

The Israeli authorities announce a 4-day closure of the West Bank and Gaza, starting tonight and ending at midnight on 3/23. The closure surrounds the Jewish holiday Purim. All border crossings in and out of the occupied Palestinian territories are to be suspended, with an exception for humanitarian cases. (JP, MNA, TOI 3/19)

Hundreds of Palestinians gather along Gaza’s border near Rafah to light tires on fire and otherwise continue the Great March of Return. IDF troops violently disperse them, causing no serious injuries. Also along Gaza’s border, IDF troops open fire on Palestinian shepherds working near Gaza City, causing no damage or injuries. Off Gaza’s coast, Israeli naval forces open fire on Palestinian fishing boats near Jabaliya refugee camp and Gaza City, causing no damage or injuries. In the West Bank, IDF troops shoot and injure a Palestinian minor during clashes sparked by an arrest raid in al-‘Arub refugee camp. They also assault and injure a Palestinian journalist in Hebron; arrest 7 Palestinians during late-night raids near Ramallah, Bethlehem, and Qalqilya; and patrol near Hebron and Salfit. Israeli settlers throw stones at Palestinian vehicles outside Huwara village near Nablus. Settlers also assault and injure a Palestinian in central Hebron. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces shoot and injure a Palestinian teacher during a raid in Issawiyya. They also arrest 4 Palestinians accused of organizing at the recent protests at Haram al-Sharif. (MNA, WAFA 2/23; MNA, MNA, MNA 2/24; PCHR 2/28)