The Palestine Chronology

In the West Bank, Israeli forces shot and killed 1 Palestinian minor and injured 2 others with live ammunition during a raid in Jenin. Israeli forces also violently dispersed Palestinian protesters in Abu Dis, injuring 4 with baton rounds and 71 with tear gas. Elsewhere, Israeli forces issued stop work orders for agricultural projects and seized 3 trucks near Jericho and issued stop-work orders for 2 agricultural structures in Jayyus. In East Jerusalem, Israeli settlers toured the Haram al-Sharif compound. Israeli forces sealed the family home in al-Tur of 1 Palestinian man who rammed a car into 3 Israeli settlers on 2/10. (ABC, ALM, AP, HA, HA, MDW, MEE, REU, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 2/12; PCHR 2/13; PCHR 2/16; UNOCHA 2/21)

The Israeli security cabinet approved the legalization of the 9 settlement outposts Avigail, Asael, Shacharit, Givat Arnon, Givat Harel, Givat Haro’eh, Malachei Hashalom, Mitzpe Yehuda, Beit Hogla, and Sde Boaz. The security cabinet also approved the connection of other settlement outposts to Israeli infrastructure. In addition, finance minister Bezalel Smotrich said that the cabinet approved building permits for nearly 10,000 new Israeli settlement units, with the final number to be decided by the civil administration planning and zoning committee. The PA condemned the decisions and called on the international community to intervene. U.S. secretary of state Antony Blinken called the decisions “deeply troubling.” (AX, MEE, REU, WAFA, WAFA 2/12; AJ, AN, AP, BBC, GDN, HA, HA, TOI, WAFA, WAFA 2/13; WAFA 2/14; AX, HA, REU, WAFA 2/15; WAFA, WAFA 2/16; WAFA 2/17)

Israel’s ministerial committee for legislative affairs voted to repeal parts of the 2005 Disengagement Law, allowing Israeli settlers to enter settlement outposts evacuated in 2005, including the Homesh settlement outpost. The bill to repeal parts of the law will have to pass 3 readings in the Knesset. (HA, WAFA 2/12)

The Israeli Civil Administration issued a new directive prohibiting Palestinians from the West Bank under the age of 22 from participating in organized peace-building activities in Israel. Married Palestinians over the age of 22 will be allowed to participate as will single Palestinians over the age of 27. The civil administration also limited the number of permits for peace-building activities to 500. (HA 2/12)

Arab leaders met at the Arab League Conference in Support of Jerusalem in Cairo. The conference was attended by Egyptian president Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, PA president Mahmoud Abbas, Jordanian king Abdullah II, and foreign ministers from other Arab League members. The final communique condemned Israeli actions at the Haram al-Sharif compound and urged the ICC to investigate Israeli war crimes. (AJ, AJ, AP, F24, HA, TOI, TOI, WAFA, WAFA 2/12)

Israeli president Isaac Herzog gave a televised address urging the Benjamin Netanyahu-led government not to continue with its plans to change the balance of powers by overhauling the judicial system and proposed a compromise instead. Justice minister Yariv Levin said that he and the government coalition will not delay its plans. (AP, AX, HA, HA, REU 2/12; HA 2/13)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers attacked 2 Palestinian vehicles traveling near a checkpoint in Tayasir, causing damage to both. Israeli settlers also assaulted 1 Palestinian man near Bayt Dajan, causing the man to be hospitalized. Israeli forces violently dispersed Palestinian protesters in Beita, injuring 1 with a rubber-coated bullet, 4 with tear gas canisters, and 50 with tear gas. 4 Palestinians were arrested, including 2 during late-night raids in Bayt Jala and Yatta, and 2 in the vicinity of Beit Fajjar. In Israel, Israeli prison forces raided a section of the Ktzi’ot prison, assaulting Palestinian prisoners. (WAFA, WAFA 8/8; MEE, WAFA, WAFA 8/9; PCHR 8/12)

Peace Now reported that the Israeli government is moving ahead with a plan to create a new settlement with 9,000 housing units at the Atarot airport between Jerusalem and Ramallah. The plans are set to be discussed on 12/6/2021. Peace Now called on the government to shelve the plans for the new settlement immediately. (TOI 8/2; PCN 8/8; AJ 8/17)

Israeli national security officials met with Egyptian security officials in Cairo to discuss the details for a long-term ceasefire with Hamas. (MEMO 8/9)

According to Haaretz, IDF chief of staff Aviv Kochavi met with IDF central command officials, asking them to take steps to reduce lethal shootings of Palestinians in the West Bank as the death toll of Palestinians in the West Bank since May had risen to 40 on 8/6. Haaretz called on Chief of Staff Kochavi in an editorial to dismiss head of IDF central command Tomer Yadai in response to the many killings. (HA, HA 8/10)

Bahrain’s undersecretary for political affairs Shaykh Abdullah bin Ahmed al-Khalifa met with Israel’s president Isaac Herzog and foreign minister Yair Lapid in Jerusalem, where he announced plans to start direct flights between the 2 countries. Foreign Minister Lapid also said he would be visiting Bahrain soon. The 2 countries formalized a normalization deal in September 2020. (HA 8/8; ALM 8/10)

A Saudi Arabian court handed sentences of up to 22 to years in prison to a large number of Palestinian and Jordanian residents of the country who were charged with being linked to unnamed terrorist organizations. A total of 69 Palestinians and Jordanians received either prison sentences or were acquitted. It was unclear how many of the 69 were acquitted; all were detained in March 2018. Among the Palestinians to receive prison sentences was Hamas representative to Saudi Arabia Mohammed al-Khodari, who was sentenced to 15 years in prison. Hamas condemned the rulings, calling the sentences “harsh and undeserved.” (AJ, MEMO, MEMO 8/9; ALM, MEMO 8/12)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers with military escort raided Luban al-Sharqiyya, during which 1 Israeli settler pushed 1 Palestinian off a 4-meter wall, causing him to be hospitalized. Israeli settlers also uprooted some 50 olive trees near al-Twana. Elsewhere, Israeli settlers and military escort raided Kafr Ni‘ma, leading to confrontations; no injuries were reported. Israeli forces shot and injured 1 Palestinian man trying to enter Israel for work at the separation barrier near Barta‘a. Israeli forces also clashed with Palestinians during a raid in Tuqu‘, injuring 1 child who was hit by a tear gas canister, others suffered tear-gas related injuries. 7 Palestinians were arrested during raids in and around Kaubar, Dura, Hebron, Dheisheh refugee camp, and al-Khadir; during the raid in Dheisheh refugee camp, 1 Palestinian was injured by Israeli forces using live ammunition and others suffered tear-gas related injuries. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces demolished 1 Palestinian-owned home in Shaykh Jarrah. Palestinians protested the pending eviction of 4 Palestinian families in Shaykh Jarrah whose homes are expected to be taken over by Israeli settlers. Israeli authorities also banned the Old City’s caretaker of Islamic cemeteries from entering the city for 15 days. 5 Palestinians were arrested, including 4 during late-night raids in al-Tur and 1 at the Haram al-Sharif compound. Off the coast of Gaza, Israeli naval forces opened fire on Palestinian fishermen within 6 nautical miles west of Gaza City, causing damage to 3 boats. In Gaza, Israeli forces made incursions and leveled farmland north of Bayt Lahiya. In Israel, 1 Palestinian from the West Bank was arrested at his workplace in Umm al-Fahm. (WAFA, WAFA 2/8; WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 2/9; PCHR 2/11)

Egypt announced that it would open the Rafah crossing “indefinitely.” It was reported that the decision was tied to the Fatah and Hamas reconciliation efforts and Palestinian plans to hold elections. (ALM, REU, WAFA 2/9; AJ 2/10)

14 Palestinian factions, including Fatah and Hamas, released a joint statement following 2 days of meetings in Cairo confirming the Palestinian elections to be held in May, July, and August. Islamic Jihad said the group would not run in the elections but that they would not interfere with them. (AJ, AP, HA, WAFA 2/9; HA, AP 2/10)

German foreign minister Heiko Maas tweeted that Germany does not agree with the ICC on the issue of the ICC’s territorial jurisdiction in the West Bank, East Jerusalem, and Gaza, saying that the State of Palestine is not recognized in international law. Foreign Minister Maas’s tweet came 1 day after he spoke with Israeli foreign minister Gabi Ashkenazi, who has been reaching out to allies to have them publicly side with Israel in the matter of the ICC investigation. Unlike the U.S. and Israel, Germany is part of the ICC. The EU has said it supports the independence of the ICC. Canada and Australia, also members of the ICC, have also expressed dismay about the territorial jurisdiction ruling. The PA foreign ministry said it regretted that Israel had been successful in convincing Germany, Canada, Australia, Austria, Brazil, and others in opposing the ICC investigation. (HA, HA 2/9; WAFA 2/10)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers attacked a Palestinian family in Hebron, causing light injuries. Israeli forces and Palestinians clashed at the entrance to al-Bireh, where Palestinians threw stones and burned tires; Israeli forces injured 3 Palestinians with rubber-coated bullets while others suffered tear-gas related injuries. 2 Palestinians were arrested at different flying checkpoints near Qalqilya and Ramallah. In East Jerusalem, 2 Palestinians were arrested during raids in Silwan and Issawiyya. In Gaza, Israel hit several targets in Gaza on 2 separate occasions causing damage; no injuries were reported. A rocket was also fired from Gaza toward Israel, causing no damage or injuries. Israel also announced collective punishment measures against Palestinians in Gaza, including banning imports of cement and suspending 500 merchant entry permits. Israeli forces also opened fire on Palestinian farmers west of Jabalia; 1 Palestinian was injured by live ammunition. (HA, WAFA 2/1; HA, WAFA 2/2; PCHR 2/6)

PA president Mahmoud Abbas said during an emergency meeting at the Arab League in Cairo that he had informed Israel that the PA had cut all ties, including security coordination, with Israel and the U.S., in response to the U.S. administration’s peace plan. At the meeting, the members of the Arab League issued a statement rejecting the U.S. peace plan as “it does not meet the minimum rights and aspirations of Palestinian people.” (AJ, HA, REU 2/1)

In the Gaza Strip, IDF troops e. of Khan Yunis detain 3 Palestinians as they attempt to cross the border fence into Israel. In the West Bank, Israeli forces conduct house searches and arrest raids nr. Ramallah and Jenin; patrol nr. Hebron and Salfit; demolish 30 dunams (around 7.4 acres) of wheat fields nr. Bethlehem; and deliver eviction orders to several Palestinian bedouin families in a village nr. Jericho. Israeli settlers level land so they can establish a road leading to an outpost s. of Bethlehem. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces fire sound bombs and tear gas at Palestinian students as they exit their elementary school in al-Tur, then arrest 1 of their parents. (MNA, WAFA 1/15; PCHR 1/22; OCHA 1/23)

In Cairo, the Arab League agrees to make the “necessary communications and consultations” with international partners to submit a new proposal on behalf of the Palestinians to the UNSC. Diplomats from 5 Arab countries will form a joint comm. to organize the resubmission, and PA Pres. Abbas agrees to respect the comm.’s decisions regarding timing. (AP, HA, JP, MNA, WAFA 1/15; TOI 1/17)

After meeting with the U.S. Consul Gen. to Israel and Palestine Michael Ratney in Ramallah, PA PM Hamdallah calls on the international community to pressure Israel into unfreezing its tax revenue transfers to the PA. (AJ, REU, WAFA, YA 1/15) 

Iranian FM Zarif meets with German FM Steinmeier in Berlin, then with EU foreign affairs chief Mogherini, to discuss the ongoing negotiations over Iran’s disputed nuclear program. In Geneva, reps. of Iran and the U.S. discuss the negotiations. (AFP 1/16; MNA 1/17)

In the Gaza Strip, IDF troops along the n. border open fire on a group of Palestinian youth playing nr. the fence, seriously injuring 1. Later, a separate group of Israeli soldiers nearby opens fire on a group of Palestinian men approaching the border to throw stones at the soldiers, causing no injuries. Off the coast, Israeli naval forces open fire on Palestinian fishing boats. In the West Bank, IDF troops violently disperse Palestinians gathered for a sitin protest nr. al-Shuhada Street nr. Hebron; dozens suffer from tear gas inhalation. The Shuhada checkpoint has been closed since 11/22. The IDF conducts house searches and arrest raids nr. Nablus, Hebron, and Ramallah. In East Jerusalem late at night, IDF troops conduct raids and house searches in Ras al-Amud and Wadi al-Juz. In West Jerusalem, 3 mbrs. of the anti-Arab group Lehava torch 2 classrooms in a school where Arab and Jewish students study together and leave racist graffiti on the walls. (IMEMC, JP, MNA 11/29; HA, IMEMC, MEMO, REU 11/30; PCHR 12/4; HA 12/11)

In Cairo, the Arab League agrees to politically and financially back the Palestinians’ draft UNSC res. The financial backing would come in the form of monthly $100 m. cash donations to replace transfers of any tax revenues that Israel may punitively withhold. (AFP, HA 11/29; HA, WAFA 11/30; TOI 12/1; MDW 1/9)

In the Gaza Strip, the IDF continues its assault with air strikes on over 50 targets, killing 18 Palestinians and injuring dozens more. Also,IDF troops stationed nr. the border shell areas across the fence with artillery in 3 incidents. The armed Palestinian groups launch approximately 135 projectiles into Israel; of which, 125 land in open areas, 5 in urban areas, and 10 are intercepted by Iron Dome batteries. Israeli authorities temporarily close the Erez border crossing, except for humanitarian cases, in response to a mortar shell wounding 3 Israelis nearby, which is claimed by al-Qassam Brigades. In the West Bank, approximately 400 Israeli settlers, escorted by IDF troops, enter a village nr. Salfit to visit religious monuments. In a village w. of Ramallah, IDF troops open fire with live ammunition and tear gas on a group of stone-throwing Palestinian youth, injuring 1. Separately, IDF troops fire tear gas at Palestinian children on their way to school in a village s. of Hebron; establish 5 mobile checkpoints around Ramallah; and conduct patrols in Hebron and 2 villages nr. Jericho. Late at night, the IDF conducts 1 house search and arrest raid in a village nr. Hebron. In East Jerusalem, Israeli security forces enter Wadi al-Juz to set up a mobile checkpoint and raid 2 houses. (JP, JTA, YA 8/24; HA 8/25; PCHR 8/28) 

Israeli PM Netanyahu says that OPE will continue until its goals are reached, in comments to the press ahead of a special cabinet meeting at the Israeli Defense Ministry. Also, the Israeli govt. calls up 10,000 additional reserve troops. (AP, HA 8/24; AFP, HA 8/25)

After meetings with Arab League secy.-gen. Nabil al-‘Arabi and reps. of several Palestinian factions, PA Pres. Abbas returns to Ramallah from Cairo. Abbas will meet with senior Palestinian officials to further develop his new diplomatic initiative before U.S. Secy. of State Kerry visits in the coming days. Meanwhile, Hamas leader Khalid Mishal says in an interview with Iranian TV that Hamas would not return to negotiations in Cairo. (JP 8/24; HA, ToI 8/25)

PA pres. Abbas circulates a draft resolution to UN member states, ahead of an expected vote later in the month on upgrading the Palestinian status to that of non-member observer state. The draft text includes the Palestinian commitment to the two-state solution. An anonymous Palestinian official says that Arab League foreign ministers will discuss the draft and the timing of the vote in a meeting in Cairo on 11/12–13. Israeli FM Lieberman warns of ‘‘far-reaching implications’’ to the UN bid, but Palestinian officials respond with their own threats, such as cancelling the 1994 Paris Protocol, should Israel impose sanctions on the PA after the vote. In meetings with Quartet envoy Tony Blair and the U.S. and French consuls, PLO chief negotiator Saeb Erakat says the UN bid does not contradict the two-state solution. (AP, REU 11/8; JP, MNA 11/9)

The IDF makes a brief incursion into the Gaza Strip nr. Khan Yunis, where troops are engaged by armed PRC mbrs.; the IDF fatally shoots a Palestinian boy during the gun battle. In response, IQB mbrs. detonate a bomb near the border fence, damaging an IDF jeep and wounding 1 soldier. In the West Bank, the IDF uproots trees on land belonging to Nahalin village nr. Bethlehem; patrols in 2 villages nr. Ramallah, 2 villages nr. Qalqilya, and 4 villages nr. Jenin in the morning; patrols in 1 village nr. Qalqilya, 1 nr. Jenin, and 1 nr. Ramallah (firing rubber bullets and tear gas at stone-throwing Palestinians) at night; conducts late-night house searches and arrest raids in 1 village nr. Ramallah. (MNA, REU, YA 11/8; MNA 11/9; PCHR 11/14)

Three mortar shells fired from inside Syria land inside the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights, causing no injuries. (HA 11/8)

Unidentified Palestinians fire 2 rockets or mortars fr. Gaza into Israel, causing no damage or injuries. In the West Bank, the IDF patrols in 3 villages nr. Ramallah (2 synchronized) in the evening; conducts late-night patrols in 2 villages nr. Jenin and Jericho; and conducts late-night arrest raids, house searches in Hebron and Nablus, firing tear gas and stun grenades at stonethrowing youths who confront them in Nablus (causing no serious injuries). Palestinians (accompanied by Israeli and international activists) hold weekly nonviolent demonstrations against the separation wall, land confiscations, and settlement expansion in Bil‘in, Kafr Qaddum, al-Nabi Salih, and Ni‘lin. IDF soldiers fire live ammunition (al-Nabi Salih only), rubber-coated steel bullets, tear gas, and stun grenades at the protesters; a Palestinian child (al-Nabi Salih) and 1 Swedish activist (Kafr Qaddum) are moderately injured by tear gas canisters, and 1 Palestinian (Kafr Qaddum) is moderately injured by a rubber-coated steel bullet. (YA 7/28; 8/2; OCHA 8/3)

Pres. Obama signs into law the U.S.-Israel Enhanced Security Cooperation Act, which calls for an unprecedented strengthening of military, intelligence, and technology cooperation intended to preserve Israel’s qualitative military edge. Experts describe the act as prescribing a ‘‘laundry list of security enhancements’’ for Israel (see QU in JPS 165 for details). (JTA, White House press release 7/27; WP 7/28, 7/30; Defense News 8/1)

Hamas acting PM in Gaza Ismail Haniyeh meets with Egyptian pres. Morsi in Cairo to discuss Fatah-Hamas reconciliation prospects and ways of further easing the siege of Gaza. (WP 7/28)

PA Pres. Abbas meets with Quartet special envoy Blair in Jordan before leaving for Cairo to meet with Arab League FMs. Blair urges Abbas to continue low-level talks on borders; says he has urged Israel to make goodwill gestures to revive talks, including easing security restrictions in the West Bank and releasing prisoners. (UPI, WAFA 2/11; YA 2/12)

Unidentified Palestinians fire a Qassam rocket fr. Gaza into Israel, causing no damage or injuries. In response, Israeli warplanes make 4 late-night air strikes on s. Gaza, targeting an open area nr. al-Shuka and 3 Palestinian homes in Gaza City, al-Qarara, and Rafah (suspected weapons depots and entrances to smuggling tunnels), killing 1 Palestinian civilian, wounding another, and causing heavy damage. The IDF patrols in Tulkarm and 2 villages nr. Jenin in the morning; patrols in another 2 villages nr. Jenin in the afternoon (in 1 instance firing tear gas and stun grenades at stone-throwing youths who confront them); conducts late-night patrols in 1 village each nr. Jenin, Jericho, Qalqilya, Ramallah, and Tulkarm; conducts late-night arrest raids, house searches nr. Qalqilya and Ramallah. Palestinian students at Birzeit University hold a nonviolent march to Israel’s Ofer prison nr. Ramallah to show support for hunger-striking Islamic Jihad prisoner Khader Adnan; IDF troops outside the prison fire rubber-coated steel bullets, tear gas, stun grenades at the protesters who reply with stones; 4 journalists and several protesters are lightly injured. Jewish settlers fr. Susia settlement in Hebron attack 6 Palestinians planting almond trees on a 20-d. plot nearby (moderately injuring them) and uproot the newly planted seedlings; the IDF observes but does not intervene. (JP 2/11, 2/12; PCHR 2/16; OCHA 2/17)

Egypt reopens the Rafah crossing as planned, permitting most Palestinians to cross freely for the first time in 4 yrs. (men ages 18–40 are the only group required to secure visas to enter Egypt). Unidentified Palestinians fire a homemade Qassam rocket fr. Gaza into Israel for the 1st time since 4/18, causing no damage or injuries. In the West Bank, the IDF bars Palestinian farmers fr. working their land nr. Bet Ayn settlement nr. Hebron; conducts late-night patrols in Bil‘in, sounding sirens and firing stun and flash grenades to intimidate residents; conducts late-night patrols without incident in Qalqilya; makes late-night arrest raids, house searches in ‘Aqabat Jabir r.c. nr. Jericho and Nur Shams r.c. nr. Tulkarm. The IDF also fires tear gas, stun grenades at Palestinian, Israeli, and international activists staging a nonviolent march through Iraq Burin village nr. Nablus to nearby Brakha settlement to protest the settlers’ seizure of village lands to expand the settlement; 3 internationals are arrested. (AFP 5/28; MNA, NYT, WP 5/29; PCHR 6/2; OCHA 6/3)

In Qatar, Abbas briefs Arab League FMs on the recent speeches by Obama and Netanyahu. The FMs agree to support the Palestinians’ UN statehood bid in absence of a viable alterative. Abbas then goes to Cairo to brief Egypt’s acting government. (REU, WAFA 5/28; MENA 5/30)

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Palestinian youth from Beach camp wounded in 12/11 clash with Israeli troops dies in Gaza hospital [NYT 12/22; FJ 12/27]. Def. Min. Rabin returns from U.S. visit [NYT 12/23]. Al-Fajr Arabic daily resumes publication after 10-day closure [FJ 12/27]. Arab and Israeli Hebrew U. students demonstrate outside Knesset in solidarity with Palestinians in W. Bank and Gaza Strip [FJ 12/27]. Military extends closure of Gaza's Islamic U. and Palestine Religious Institute until 12/27 [FJ 12/27]. Israel releases 60 Gazans arrested during recent demonstrations [FJ 12/27].

Arab World: In Cairo, 'Ayn Shams U. students demonstrate in support of Palestinian uprising in the occupied territories [FBIS 12/29].

Other Countries: UN Security Council meeting on recent violence in the Israeli-occupied Gaza Strip, W. Bank adjourns after PLO and some Arab governments push for more strongly worded resolution against Israel [NYT 12/22]. Midhat Hilali, Arab League official, is shot, wounded by unknown assailant in Athens [FJ 12/27]. Ibrahim Khalid, Palestinian gunman who survived December 1985 attack on Leonardo da Vinci airport, refuses to attend his trial [FJ 12/27].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Inside the green line, hundreds of thousands of Arabs join general strike in solidarity with Palestinians in occupied territories. Israeli police, border guards respond to large demonstrations with tear gas, water cannons. About 200 Palestinians are arrested; 17 Israeli police, border guards injured [WP 12/22; FJ 12/27]. Stone-throwing, tire-burning crowds of demonstrators are reported in Jaffa, Nazareth, Lydda, Ramlah, and Abu Ghawsh. IDF troops fire on West Bank Palestinian crowds throwing Molotov cocktails, killing at least 2 in Jenin-area town of Tubas and 1 in Jenin. At least 22 are wounded by gunfire [NYT, WP 12/22]. Official Israeli death toll of Palestinians killed since 12/9 is now at 19 [CSM 12/22].

Arab World: Israeli and SLA forces raid Hizballah-held villages in S. Lebanon [FJ 12/27].