The Palestine Chronology

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers shoot and injure a Palestinian man during a raid in Qibya. Israeli settlers also assault and pepper spray 2 Palestinians before stealing their car in Susiya. Elsewhere, Israeli settlers open fire at a vehicle traveling near Yanun, causing it to crash; no serious injuries are reported. Israeli settlers also throw stones at vehicles traveling near an-Nassariya, causing damage. Meanwhile, Israeli settlers set fire to a vehicle during a raid in Burin. Israeli forces shoot and injure 2 Palestinians during a riad in Jalazone refugee camp. Israeli forces also shoot and injure a Palestinian child during a raid in Jayyus. Elsewhere, Israeli forces shoot and injure a Palestinian during a raid in Tell. Israeli forces also issue demolition notices for 2 homes and a water well in Khallet al-Fara. Meanwhile, Israeli forces arrest 11 Palestinians during raids in Dheisheh refugee camp, Nahalin, Beit Fajjar, Za’atra, and Irtah. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces assault Palestinians while preventing them from reaching the Haram al-Sharif compound for Friday prayers in the Old City and Wadi al-Juz. In Gaza, Israeli forces bomb Rafah, Dayr al-Balah, Khan Yunis, and Gaza City, killing at least 104 people, including at least 24 in a home in Dayr al-Balah. A 2-year-old Palestinian dies at al-Shifa Hospital due to hunger. In Lebanon, Israeli forces bomb Bint Jbeil, killing 2 paramedics. Israeli forces also bomb Kafr Kila and Labbouneh. In the Red Sea, the U.S. military says it shot down 3 suicide drones launched from Yemen. In Yemen, U.S. and UK forces attack 3 sites in Ras Issa. (AJ, AJ, HA, UNOCHA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 2/23; AJ, AJ 2/25)

More than 29,514 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli forces in Gaza, including at least 12,000 children and 7,200 women, and around 69,616 have been injured since 10/7/2023. At least 8,000 people are missing in rubble, including 1,700 children. 399 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli forces and settlers in the West Bank and East Jerusalem since 10/7/2023, including 102 children. More than 4,545 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 10/7/2023, including Israeli soldiers. In addition, 235 Israeli soldiers have been killed and 1,396 injured in Gaza since the ground invasion began on 10/27/2023. Over 1.93 million Palestinians, nearly 85% of the population of Gaza, have been displaced since 10/7/2023. There has been a complete electricity blackout in Gaza since 10/12/2023 due to the Israeli blockade. At least 70,000 housing units have been destroyed and 290,000 have been damaged in Israeli airstrikes since 10/7/2023, constituting over 60% of all housing units. 50 trucks carrying aid enter Gaza. (UNOCHA, UNOCHA, WAFA 2/23; UNOCHA 2/26)

It is revealed that Izz al-Din Ziyad al-Banna died in Ramla Prison on 2/20, becoming the 10^th Palestinian prisoner to die in Israel custody since 10/7. (AJ, WAFA 2/23; WAFA 2/24)

UNRWA says it no longer is able to operate in northern Gaza and only has “a few staff” left in the area. (AJ, WAFA 2/23)

Israel bans Palestinian vehicles from traveling on Road 417 in the West Bank between 6 a.m. and 9 a.m. for 15 days, citing the attack that killed an Israeli on 2/22. (AJ, HA 2/23; UNOCHA 2/26)

Hamas releases a statement saying its delegation to Egypt for ceasefire negotiations, led by political leader Ismail Haniyeh, has left the country after 3 days of meetings with Egyptian officials, including intelligence chief Abbas Kamel. Osama Hamdan later gives a briefing calling on Palestinians in the West Bank and Jerusalem to mobilize in defense of the Haram al-Sharif compound as Israel is planning to limit the number of people allowed to enter the compound for Ramadan. Hamdan also says Israel is not serious about reaching a ceasefire deal. (AJ, HA 2/23)

The UN Human Rights Office calls for a review of human rights violations in Palestinian territories and in Israel and for an arms embargo against Israel. (WAFA, WAFA 2/23; HA, HA, NYT 2/24)

Israeli foreign minister Israel Katz calls on the UN Security Council to pressure Lebanon to take action against Hezbollah and ensure that the area south of the Litani River is demilitarized, warning that Israel will take action. (AJ 2/23)

7 Israeli human rights organizations, including B’Tselem, Doctors for Human Rights, Breaking the Silence, and Gisha, call on countries to restore funding for UNRWA, saying the Israeli allegations do “not justify the punitive freeze on the Agency’s funding.” (AJ 2/23)

During the fifth day of the ICJ hearings on the legality of the Israeli occupation of Palestinian territories, the UK argues against the ICJ providing an advisory opinion on the issue, calling the occupation a bilateral dispute. Norway, Namibia, Oman, Pakistan, Indonesia, Qatar, Syria, Tunisia, Slovenia, Switzerland, and Sudan criticize the Israeli occupation. (AJ, AJ, WAFA 2/23)

U.S. secretary of state Antony Blinken calls Israeli settlements “inconsistent with international law,” reversing what is dubbed the Pompeo Doctrine, when in 2019 the Trump administration reversed U.S. policy to declare Israeli settlements “not per se inconsistent with international law.” Blinken also calls the Israeli settlement expansion announcement from 2/22 disappointing. Germany condemns the Israeli settlement expansion announcement. The UK calls the announcement “deeply concerning.” (AJ, AP, AX, HA, HA, REU 2/23; AJ, NYT, NYT 2/24)

The American Civil Liberties Union’s (ACLU) New York branch informs Columbia University that if the university does not reinstate the local chapters of Students for Justice in Palestine and Jewish Voice for Peace by 3/1 the school will be sued by the ACLU. (AJ 2/23)

The U.S. strongly condemns Israel's recent incursions into Palestinian towns, calls for Israel's immediate withdrawal. The EU, Russia, UN, and U.S. send a delegation of senior envoys to meet with Arafat to urge him to "address Israel's security concerns," to make "absolutely certain" that the PA arrests those responsible for the Ze'evi assassination. (NYT, WP, WT 10/23; MA, QA 10/23 in WNC 10/24; AYM 10/23, MA, al-Quds 10/24 in WNC 10/25; MM 10/24; NYT 10/27)

Peres arrives in Washington for 2 days of consultations with senior U.S. admin. officials. Peres is accompanied by a dozen senior Israeli officials, IDF officers, who plan to brief U.S. officials, Jewish leaders on the Israeli-Palestinian situation. (NYT, WP 10/23; HA 10/26)

Meanwhile, the IDF has entered or surrounded and cut off every major Palestinian population center in the West Bank. Fighting is especially heavy in Bethlehem. In East Jerusalem, a Palestinian opens fire on Jewish settlers in Talpiot settlement, wounding 4 before being shot dead by the IDF. In an apparent assassination, wanted Izzeddine al-Qassam mbr. Ayman Abu Halawih is killed, his 3 passengers are injured when his car explodes in Nablus. A 3d Palestinian is fatally shot by IDF troops nr. Tulkarm. A 4th Palestinian dies of injuries received on 10/21. A Palestinian woman in labor is denied passage through an IDF checkpoint to a Bethlehem hospital; she gives birth at the crossing, the baby dies. A Palestinian, detained since 10/18, dies in PA General Intelligence custody; the PA claims he committed suicide. The IDF bulldozes land in Rafah, demolishing 4 Palestinian homes, at least 9 stores. Israeli authorities also demolish 3 Palestinian homes in Jerusalem. (LAW, MEZ, NYT, WP, WT 10/23; PCHR 10/24)

In Jerusalem, nearly 100,000 Israelis demonstrate in favor of increased military attacks on the Palestinians, equating Arafat to Bin Laden, calling for the removal of Arafat and the PA. (NYT, WP 10/23; MM 10/24; JP 11/9)

Hizballah fires rockets at IDF positions in Shaba` Farms. Israeli warplanes, artillery strike Hizballah positions in response. No injuries are reported. The U.S. warns Hizballah, Israel against escalating tensions. (NYT, WP, WT 10/23; SAF 10/23 in WNC 10/24; SAF 10/24 in WNC 10/25; MM, WJW 10/25)

Current round of Israel-PLO talks in Taba ends, both sides reporting progress.  PM Rabin says talks held in a "good atmosphere."  Security comm. divides into subcomms. on police, prisoners.  PLO negotiator Nabil Shaath says draft agreement on Palestinian police force reached.  (MENA, IDF Radio 2/17 in FBIS 2/18; MM 2/17)

During 2d day of bilateral Arab-Israeli talks in Washington, Israeli negotiators Uri Lubrani, Itamar Rabinovich complain to Lebanese delegate Suhail Shammas, Syrian amb. Muwaffaq al-Allaf over 2/16 katyusha incident.  Meanwhile, Lebanese Pres. al-Hirawi, Syrian Pres. al-Asad meet in Damascus to discuss tensions in southern Lebanon.  (Qol Yisra'el 2/17 in FBIS 2/17; MM 2/17; SARR 2/17 in FBIS 2/18)

Israel-Jordan-U.S. economic talks in Washington end, Jordanian side expressing reluctance to pursue joint projects with Israel until Israel-Syrian talks achieve progress, Israeli-Jordanian disputes over refugees, water, Arava region resolved.  (Qol Yisra'el 2/18 in FBIS 2/18).

Israeli PM Rabin blames 2/16 katyusha attack on "Black September 13" group, notes "our understandings with Syria regarding Hizballah remain in effect."  (Qol Yisra'el 2/17 in FBIS 2/18; MM 2/18)

Anwar Rashid Tahir Qtait, 24, killed by IDF at checkpoint in Saris [Misilyah??] village, nr. Janin in West Bank, when he makes a "threatening gesture."  In Halhul, IDF shoots and seriously wounds at least 4 Palestinians protesting 2/16 killing of Najwan al-`Izza.  (MM 2/17; IDF Radio 2/17 in FBIS 2/17)

Israeli Yuval Golan, stabbed in Hebron 12/29/93 by Palestinian, dies of wounds, becoming 201st Israeli killed by Palestinians during intifada according to AFP figures.  1,179 Palestinians killed by Israeli gunfire in same period.  (AFP 2/17 in FBIS 2/18)

Hamas's `Izz al-Din al-Qassam Brigade issues statement offering "protection and weapons" to Palestinian collaborators who kill their Shin Bet control officers.  (AFP 2/17 in FBIS 2/18)

MK `Abd al-Wahab Darawsha (Arab Democratic party) announces Syrian govt. has allowed him to visit Damascus at head of 31-mbr. delegation to pay condolences on death of Basil al-Asad.  Visit will be 1st official trip by Israeli Arab allowed by Syria.  PM Rabin calls trip a "positive step." (MM, WP 2/18; WT 2/19; NYT 2/20)

Congolese Int. M Martin Mberri confirms Brazzaville has signed $50 m. contract with Israeli company for training, equipping Congolese army.  Officials say 40 Israelis training presidential guard unit, 20 more to come.  Mberri says France will train regular army and police.  Congo armed forces fighting guerrillas loyal to frmr. dictator Denis Sassou-Nguesso for 8 mos.  (WP 2/18)

Unknown gunmen wound 3 Israelis in Hebron, West Bank. Leaflet found nearby claims responsibility for 'Izz al-Din Qassam brigades of Hamas. Palestinian residents of Hebron placed under strict curfew by IDF. (MM 2/2; WT 2/6)

UN Special Rapporteur Rene Felber tells Geneva mtg. of UN Human Rights Commission killings, torture, and land confiscation in o.t. have continued since 9/13 DoP, says both PLO and Israel should "contain violence." Felber also calls for independent investigation of torture allegations, release of Palestinian prisoners. (WT 2/5)

3 Tsomet MKs leave right-wing party to form "Independent and Democratic Israel," known by acronym of "Yi'ud." 3 charge party leadership with financial mismanagement. (Qol Yisra'el 2/2 in FBIS 2/3; MM 2/3; NYT 2/9; JP 2/12, 2/19)