The Palestine Chronology

In the West Bank, 4 Palestinians were arrested at the Allenby border crossing for attempting to smuggle some 100 goldfinch birds to Hebron. Another 3 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in and around Jenin. 1 Palestinian was arrested in al-‘Arub refugee camp. In East Jerusalem, 1 Palestinian was arrested in the Old City. In Gaza, 39 Palestinians were injured by Israeli-fired live ammunition and rubber-coated bullets during the 86th weekly Great March of Return protest. (HA, PCHR, WAFA, WAFA 12/27; PCHR 1/2)

Israeli defense minister Naftali Bennett issued directions to start registering settlements in Area C under the Ministry of Justice rather than the Israeli Civil Administration which is responsible for Israeli activities in the West Bank. (MEMO, WAFA, WAFA 12/28)

In the West Bank, al-Ibrahimi Mosque was closed by Israeli authorities for Palestinians from midnight to 10 p.m. 5 Palestinians were arrested, including 3 during late-night raids in and around Bethlehem; 1 was arrested at a flying checkpoint near Salfit; and 1 near al-Ibrahimi Mosque for allegedly carrying a knife. In East Jerusalem, 4 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in Issawiyya. Some 400 Israeli settlers, including Israeli minister of agriculture Uri Ariel, toured the Haram al-Sharif compound; Muslim worshippers were forced to leave al-Aqsa Mosque. Off the coast of Gaza, Israeli naval forces opened fire on Palestinian fishermen; no injuries were reported. (HA, WAFA 9/30; WAFA 10/1; PCHR 10/3)

The Palestinian man who was hospitalized after allegedly being severely beaten during interrogation by the Shin Bet on 9/29 was reported to have suffered broken ribs and kidney failure after the interrogation. The Israeli ministry of justice said it had launched an investigation into whether the Shin Bet interrogators had used “excessive force.” (HA, WAFA 9/29; AJ, HA, WAFA 9/30)

Israeli authorities imposed a closure of all entries in and out of the West Bank and Gaza for Jewish New Year celebrations. The closure will last through 10/1. (WAFA 9/29)

The German city Aachen withdrew a $10,900 prize given to the artist Walid Raad because of Raad’s support for the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions movement. Aachen’s mayor said in a statement, “According to research, we have to assume that the designated prizewinner is a supporter of the BDS movement and has been involved in various measures for the cultural boycott of Israel.” (ARTnews 10/1)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers attacked Palestinian farmers and stole olives from the farmers in Dayr Sharaf near Nablus. Israeli forces clashed with Palestinians during a raid near Ramallah; tear-gas related injuries were reported and 1 glass door was damaged by a tear gas canister. Al-Ibrahimi Mosque was closed by Israeli authorities for Palestinians from midday. 18 Palestinians were arrested, including 17 during late-night raids in and around Tulkarm, Nablus, Jenin, and Bethlehem, and 1 Palestinian was arrested at a checkpoint near Salfit. In East Jerusalem, 1 Palestinian was arrested during a late-night raid in Silwan. Off the coast of Gaza, Israeli naval forces opened fire at Palestinian fishermen; no injuries were reported. (WAFA, WAFA 9/29; PCHR 10/3)

A Palestinian man arrested on 9/25 and still in Israeli detention was hospitalized after allegedly being severely beaten during interrogation by the Shin Bet. (HA, WAFA 9/29)

Israeli authorities imposed a closure of all entries in and out of the West Bank and Gaza for Jewish New Year celebrations. The closure will last through 10/1. (WAFA 9/29)

In the West Bank, Israeli authorities seized some 1,500 dunams (370 acres) of Palestinian-owned residential and agricultural land in Dura. 9 Palestinians were arrested, including 8 during late-night raids in and around Abu Dis, Qalqilya, Tulkarm, Hebron, Nablus, and Ramallah; 1 was arrested during a daytime raid. In East Jerusalem, 2 Palestinians were arrested, including 1 during a late-night raid in Silwan; 1 Palestinian child was arrested at the al-Aqsa mosque after he allegedly attempted to stab an Israeli police officer, he was reportedly heavily beaten. Off the coast of Gaza, Israeli naval forces opened fire on Palestinian fishermen; no injuries were reported. (HA, WAFA, WAFA 9/26; PCHR 10/3)

Palestinian women in the West Bank, East Jerusalem, Gaza, and Israel marched to protest violence against women. The protesters adopted the slogan “Free homeland, free women.” The protests were sparked by a number of murders of Palestinian women by members of their families. The most recent was in late August, where a 21-year-old was killed allegedly by members of her family. (HA 9/27)

Around 100 Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails ended a 15-day-long hunger strike after the Israel Prison Service agreed to limit the jamming devices installed in the prisons and to install public phones. (WAFA 9/26)

PA president Mahmoud Abbas announced at the UN general assembly that he will set a date for general elections in the West Bank, East Jerusalem, and Gaza. President Abbas asked the UN to help aid and monitor the process. (HA 9/26)

The Saudi Arabian foreign minister announced that the country will contribute $50 million to UNRWA’s core program budget. (WAFA 9/28)

In the West Bank, Israeli forces arrested 8 Palestinians, including 7 during late-night raids in and around Qalqilya, Ramallah, Halhul, and Salfit, and 1 at a flying checkpoint in Hebron; among the arrested at a late-night raid in Ramallah was 1 Palestinian instructor from Birzeit University in Ramallah. Israeli forces also conducted house raids in Zabbuba near Jenin; no arrests were reported. Israeli settlers threw stones at Palestinian-owned vehicles travelling on a road northeast of Ramallah, causing damage. In East Jerusalem, 1 Palestinian was arrested during a late-night raid in Issawiyya. 1 Palestinian demolished his store in Silwan after receiving a demolition order by Israeli authorities. (WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 9/1; PCHR 9/5)

After more than 340 Palestinians had been arrested in Issawiyya in East Jerusalem during the summer, it was reported that the Israeli police, the Jerusalem Municipality, and residents of Issawiyya had come to an agreement on limiting Israeli operations in Issawiyya. The agreement includes that residents of Issawiyya cancel a school strike on 9/2, the 1st day of the school year. (HA 9/1)

According to the Palestinian Energy Authority, Qatar will be cutting the amount of fuel it funds for Gaza by 50 percent, causing the hours of electricity available in Gaza to drop from 8 hours per day to 5 or 6. (HA 9/1)

At a visit to the Israeli settlement of Elkana, Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced that that he aspires to apply Israeli sovereignty to all Jewish settlements in the West Bank. Netanyahu’s announcement comes 2 weeks before the Israeli general election. (AJ, HA, WAFA, WAFA 9/1)

The al-Kasom Regional Council in the Negev, which presides over a large Bedouin community, announced that 17,000 students would not start the school year as planned on 9/2 as the Israeli education ministry had not given it enough money to begin the school year as planned. (HA 9/1)

Israeli forces and Hezbollah operatives exchanged missiles near the border of Israel and Lebanon. According to Hezbollah, it fired anti-tank missiles at Israeli military vehicles. The Israeli military and Prime Minister Netanyahu announced that it had hit the Hezbollah cell that fired the anti-tank missiles with “100 shells, aerial fire and various measures.” (HA 9/1; AJ, AJ, HA 9/2; HA 9/4)

In the West Bank, Israeli forces demolished a water tank for irrigation near Bardala in the Jordan Valley. 4 Palestinians were arrested by Israeli forces, 3 during late-night raids in and around Hebron, Bethlehem, and Jericho. 1 was arrested at a flying checkpoint by Ni‘lin. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces raided a stadium in the Old City where a soccer tournament was about to start. During the raid, several Palestinians sustained injuries. Israel’s Public Security Minister Gilad Erdan had signed the order to stop the tournament, stating “The event will be held on behalf of and/or is sponsored by the Palestinian Authority.” Off the coast of Gaza, Israeli naval forces opened fire on Palestinian fishermen 3 nautical miles from the coast. In Israel, 1 Palestinian from East Jerusalem was arrested shortly after being released from Naqab Prison. (WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 8/18; HA 8/20; PCHR 8/22)

Jordan’s Foreign Ministry summoned the Israeli ambassador in Amman for a reprimand over the violence at the Haram al-Sharif compound on 8/11 and warned against any attempts to change the status quo. (HA, WAFA 8/18)

U.S. president Donald Trump told reporters that the U.S. peace plan would likely be released after the September 17 elections. (AJ, HA 8/19)

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, 2 Palestinians were arrested in Bayt Kahil north of Hebron, both of whom are suspects in the killing of an Israeli settler on 8/8. During the arrest, Israeli forces confiscated a vehicle belonging to 1 of the suspects. 1 Palestinian from Bayt Fajjar was released after being arrested on 8/9 for the murder of the settler. In East Jerusalem, 4 Palestinians were arrested in Issawiyya during a late-night raid. During the raid, 1 Palestinian was injured as clashes between residents and Israeli forces erupted. In Gaza, 4 Palestinians were killed by Israeli forces in the vicinity of the Gaza fence east of Dayr al-Balah. According to media reports, they were armed and threw 1 grenade at Israeli soldiers by the fence; no Israelis were reported wounded. Later, Israeli forces bombed 2 targets east of Dayr al-Balah. (AJ, HA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 8/10; PCHR 8/22)

In the West Bank, Israeli forces arrested 33 Palestinians during daytime and late-night raids in and around Hebron, Ramallah, Bethlehem, Qalqilya, Jenin, and Nablus. Israeli forces also stopped work on a water tank in Kardala in the Jordan Valley. Israeli forces demolished a house in Bayt Umar In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces detained 2 Palestinian children and separately arrested 5 in Issawiyya. Elsewhere in East Jerusalem, Israeli settlers took over a Palestinian-owned building with 4 separate apartments in al-Suwana. The settlers were escorted by Israeli police. (WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 7/8; WAFA 7/9)

The Israeli military claimed to have found a tunnel from Gaza to Israel during construction of a barrier that is said to prevent more tunnels from being dug. The Israeli military also claimed to have shot down a drone near the Gaza fence; it did not report whether the drone was privately-owned, Israeli, or Palestinian, nor the type of drone. (HA, HA 7/8)

A court in Jerusalem found that the PA was liable for damages for 17 incidents where Palestinians killed Israelis during the 2d Intifada in the early 2000s. Several incidents were not committed by PA personnel, nor did the PA have knowledge that they would be carried out. The judge ruled that the PA was retroactively responsible for the incidents because they explicitly or implicitly endorsed them after they happened. The judge ordered the PLO, PA, and Yasir Arafat’s estate to pay $1.6 million for the cost of the trial. A different judge will determine how much the 3 entities must pay in damages. (HA 7/9)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers sprayed racist graffiti on several structures, including a mosque, and punctured the tires of 3 vehicles in Kafr Malik near Ramallah. Israeli settlers also uprooted 30 olive trees near Bani Na‘im. Israeli forces arrested 16 Palestinians during late-night raids in and around Bethlehem, Hebron, Jenin, Nablus, and Ramallah. Israeli authorities also approved cutting down around 2,000 olive trees south of Bethlehem. In Gaza, 5 Palestinians were hospitalized after suffering from tear gas inhalation east of Rafah. In the Israeli city of Afula, local Jewish Israelis, including the city’s mayor, protested the sale of a home to a Palestinian-Israeli family. (HA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 6/16; HA, WAFA, WAFA 6/17)

The Israeli Jerusalem municipality approved naming streets in the Silwan neighborhood in East Jerusalem after Jewish rabbis. (HA 6/17)

The chairman of Qatar’s National Committee for the Reconstruction of Gaza Mohammed al-Emadi met Israeli and Palestinian officials in Israel and Gaza to discuss the implementation of the cease-fire agreement reached between Israel and Hamas in May. The Qatari delegation also delivered $20 million for vulnerable Palestinians in Gaza and for humanitarian projects. Some 108,000 families will receive $400 in 4 $100 payments. (HA 6/16; HA 6/17)

Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu unveiled a sign for a planned community in the Golan Heights called Trump Heights, named after U.S. president Donald Trump. Netanyahu decided to dedicate a settlement construction project to President Trump after Trump unilaterally recognized Israel’s annexation of the Syrian Golan Heights. (HA 6/16)

U.S. special representative for international negotiations Jason Greenblatt told The Jerusalem Post that the U.S. administration may delay the unveiling of the U.S. peace plan until November 2019 because of the upcoming Israeli elections in September. In the interview, Greenblatt also said that he supports U.S. ambassador to Israel David Friedman’s statement from 6/8 that Israel has a right to annex parts of the West Bank. (AJ, HA 6/16)

In the West Bank 1 Palestinian teen was killed by Israeli forces at a checkpoint east of Bethlehem. Another Palestinian was wounded in the incident. 4 Palestinians were injured by Israeli forces using rubber-coated bullets during the weekly anti-settlement protest in Kafr Qaddum; other Palestinians suffered from tear gas inhalation. In East Jerusalem, 1 Palestinian man was killed by Israeli forces after an alleged stabbing attack in the Old City. 2 Israelis were reported to be wounded by the Palestinian. Thousands of Muslim worshippers prayed at the Haram al-Sharif compound for the last Friday of Ramadan. Males between 13 and 40 were prohibited from entering East Jerusalem from the West Bank. In Gaza, at least 7 Palestinians were injured by live ammunition and rubber-coated bullets fired by Israeli forces at protesters during the weekly Great March of Return demonstrations. (AJ, HA, HA, QUDS, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 5/31)

A Jerusalem court ordered the eviction of Israeli settlers from a Palestinian home in Hebron that was acquired by the Israeli settlers on forged documents. The Palestinian family’s home was taken over by settlers in 2005 and the legal proceedings were ongoing since 2007. The Israeli settlers appealed the court’s decision which also stipulated that the settlers must pay the Palestinian family $161,000. Elsewhere in the West Bank, Israeli forces sealed off the al-Ibrahimi Mosque for Muslim worshippers in preparation for Passover celebrations. Israeli forces also arrested 18 Palestinians during late-night raids in and around Bethlehem, Hebron, Jenin, Salfit, and Ramallah. In the raid near Jenin, Israeli forces fired tear gas, causing dozens of residents to suffer from tear gas inhalation. In East Jerusalem, 170 right-wing Israelis, led by Minister of Agriculture Uri Ariel, stormed Haram al-Sharif with Israeli police escort. In Gaza, a prosthetic hospital was inaugurated to help the many Palestinians in Gaza who have lost limbs. The hospital’s expenses are covered by the Qatar Fund for Development. A day after Israel denied access of Christian Palestinians in Gaza to the West Bank and East Jerusalem for Easter celebrations, Israeli authorities reversed its position, allowing 500 Christians to enter the West Bank and East Jerusalem. Elsewhere in Gaza, Israeli forces opened fire against Palestinian farmers near Rafah and on Palestinian fishermen off the coast of Rafah; no injuries were reported. (AJ, HA, HA, MNA, MNA, MNA, MNA, WAFA 4/22; HA, MNA, WAFA 4/23)

In the West Bank, Israeli forces arrested 13 Palestinians in late-night raids in and around Far‘un, Jenin, Bethlehem, Hebron, Tulkarm, Nablus, and Qalqilya. Elsewhere in the West Bank, Israeli forces demolished 2 greenhouses near Bethlehem and a residential structure under construction in Khirbat Jabara south of Tulkarm. Israeli forces also sealed off a road between al-Tuwwana and al-Karmel east of Yatta. In East Jerusalem, a day after the Israeli supreme court rejected local residents’ appeal to protect their East Jerusalem homes from demolition, Israeli forces began demolishing the 60 residential structures housing 500 Palestinians. Several Palestinians were wounded trying to protect their homes. Elsewhere in East Jerusalem, a Palestinian home was demolished by Israeli forces in Bayt Hanina, displacing 7 Palestinians that also were fined $11,000. Israeli forces also arrested 6 Palestinians in East Jerusalem; 2 of the arrested were Palestinian minors who reportedly had thrown Molotov cocktails at an Israeli police station. (HA, MNA, MNA, MNA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 4/17; MNA, MNA, WAFA 4/18)

The Israeli ambassador to the UN Danny Danon said that Israel would not start annexing parts of the West Bank until the Trump administration’s peace plan is unveiled. U.S. president Donald Trump’s son-in-law and senior adviser Jared Kushner told a group of ambassadors that the peace plan will not be released until after the end of Ramadan in early June. (HA 4/17; HA 4/18)

Thousands of Palestinians held rallies in Ramallah, Nablus, Jenin, Tulkarm, Qalqilya, Jericho, Tubas, Hebron, and Bethlehem in support of the over 6,000 Palestinian prisoners held in Israeli prisons for Prisoners Day. (WAFA 4/17)

In the West Bank, Israeli forces violently dispersed the weekly anti-settlement protest in Kafr Qaddum; 1 Palestinian was hospitalized after being shot in his mouth by a rubber-coated bullet. Israeli forces also violently dispersed Palestinians protesting in Ni‘lin village. Elsewhere in the West Bank, Israeli settlers threw stones at Palestinians driving on Route 60 near Burqa; no injuries were reported. Parts of Route 60 south of Bethlehem were closed for a marathon arranged by Israeli settlers. An Israeli settler critically injured a 15-year-old Palestinian by ramming into him with his car by Tuwanah near Hebron. Palestinians were detained at a flying checkpoint east of Jenin. In East Jerusalem, 3 Palestinians were arrested: 1 during a late-night raid in the Old City of Jerusalem and 2 at Haram al-Sharif. In Gaza, 1 Palestinian was critically wounded by an Israeli sniper using live ammunition during the weekly Great March of Return protest. Over 10,000 Palestinians protested and at least 80 were injured. (HA, MNA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 4/5; MNA, MNA, MNA, MNA 4/6)

A new settler bypass road in the Nablus district of the West Bank was approved for construction by the Israeli Ministry of Defense. The road will bypass the Palestinian town Huwwara and parts of the road will be built on Palestinian-owned land previously seized by Israel. (MNA 4/5)

Palestinian president Mahmoud Abbas departed for Jordan for a 3-day trip to partake in the World Economic Forum on the Middle East and North Africa by the Dead Sea. (WAFA 4/5)

The South African foreign minister Lindiwe Sisulu announced that South Africa would not reinstate its ambassador to Israel who was recalled in 2018 due to Israel’s lethal response to the Great March of Return. (HA 4/6)

IDF troops violently disperse thousands of Palestinians gathering along Gaza’s border near Jabaliya refugee camp and Gaza City to continue the Great March of Return; at least 20 Palestinians are injured. Late at night, Israeli artillery shell a Hamas post near Juhur al-Dik, causing damage. Off Gaza’s coast, Israeli naval forces open fire on Palestinian fishing boats near Rafah, causing no damage or injuries. In the West Bank, unidentified assailants throw stones at Israeli settler vehicles near Ramallah, causing minor damage to 1 vehicle. IDF troops violently disperse Palestinians, Israelis, and international activists at Kafr Qaddum near Qalqilya; no serious injuries are reported. They also clash with Palestinian minors in Beitunia near Ramallah; there are no serious injuries reported. In East Jerusalem, a Palestinian family demolishes their own home in Hizma to avoid paying Israeli demolition fees. (HA, MNA, MNA, MNA, MNA, MNA, TOI, TOI, WAFA 3/29; MNA, MNA, MNA 3/30)

Palestinian sources say that the main factions in Gaza, including Hamas, have reached agreements with the Israeli authorities ahead of the planned protests in Gaza on 3/30. In the context of the reported agreements, one source says that Israel intends to re-open the border crossings into Gaza and ease restrictions on the entry of certain goods, among other concessions. The factions, for their part, reportedly plan to limit the size of tomorrow’s protests. (HA, TOI 3/29)

After a relatively calm day in Gaza, the Israeli Air Force (IAF) conducts dozens of air strikes on Hamas sites near Rafah and Khan Yunis late at night, causing extensive damage. The IDF says that the strikes were retaliation for previously unreported incendiary balloons launched into southern Israel earlier in the day. A senior Palestinian official says that the IAF has destroyed 30 residential buildings and damaged at least 500 others since the recent campaign of air strikes began on 3/25. After the air strikes resume, unidentified Gazans fire a projectile into southern Israel, causing no damage or injuries. Meanwhile, hundreds of Palestinians gather along the border fence near al-Bureij refugee camp to set tires on fire, throw stones, and otherwise continue the Great March of Return. A number of protesters sneak across the border fence and set fire to an IDF post before returning to Gaza. IDF troops violently disperse the demonstrations, injuring 1 Palestinian minor. In the West Bank, Israeli settlers attempt to enter 2 Palestinian elementary schools in Tuqu‘ village near Bethlehem. Palestinian teachers and staff block them, but they are forced to dismiss their students early. IDF troops shoot and injure 2 Palestinians during clashes sparked by an arrest raid in Jalazun refugee camp near Ramallah; arrest 22 Palestinians and issue 4 arrest summons during further raids in and around Hebron, Jenin, Nablus, Tubas, and Ramallah; and patrol near Hebron. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces arrest 2 Palestinians during late-night raids in Issawiyya and the Old City. A Palestinian demolishes his own home in Issawiyya in order to avoid paying Israeli demolition fees. (EI, HA, MNA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 3/26; MNA, MNA, MNA, MNA, MNA, WAFA, YA 3/27; PCHR 3/28)

A senior Israeli official says that despite the reports of an Egypt- and UN-brokered cease-fire late last night, the Israeli assault on Gaza that began on 3/25 is “not over.” The official also says that the IDF struck “very harsh blows” on Hamas. “We’re ready to deal even more.” Separately, Palestinian sources in Gaza say that the Israelis are demanding an end to all resistance activities along the border fence, including the planned Great March of Return protest this Friday, in exchange for a cease-fire. (HA, TOI, TOI, YA 3/26)

For the 2d day in a row, hundreds of Palestinians gather in Gaza City to protest the high cost of living and the restrictions on imports to Gaza. Along Gaza’s border, IDF troops arrest 2 Palestinians attempting to cross into Israel near Bayt Hanun. In East Jerusalem, Muslim worshippers tear the doors off a building in the al-Rahma Gate prayer area at Haram al-Sharif, protesting the recent Israeli restrictions at the sanctuary. In the West Bank, IDF troops violently disperse Palestinians, Israelis, and international activists at Friday protests against the Israeli occupation in Kafr Qaddum near Qalqilya and Bi‘lin near Ramallah; 1 Palestinian is injured. IDF troops also shoot and injure 5 Palestinians during clashes sparked by an IDF patrol in Jalazun refugee camp near Ramallah. IDF troops also patrol near Hebron, Nablus, and Qalqilya. (MNA, MNA, WAFA 3/15; TOI 3/16; MNA 3/17)

The organizing committee behind the Great March of Return announces that today’s planned demonstrations along Gaza’s border have been cancelled in light of the extensive Israeli air strikes in Gaza last night. Meanwhile, Egyptian officials say that they and their colleagues with the UN have brokered a cease-fire to end the cross-border violence.  (HA, JP, MNA, TOI, TOI 3/15)

Thousands of Palestinians gather along Gaza’s border to continue the Great March of Return. IDF troops violently disperse them near Rafah, Khan Yunis, Gaza City, al-Bureij refugee camp, and Jabaliya refugee camp; 1 Palestinian is killed and at least 48 are injured. This brings the death toll stemming from the Great March of Return to 207. Late at night, after a projectile is fired from Gaza into southern Israel, causing no damage or injuries, the Israeli Air Force conducts air strikes on several Hamas sites across Gaza, causing extensive damage. Also along Gaza’s border, IDF troops arrest 2 Palestinians armed with knives and attempting to cross into Israel near Rafah. Off Gaza’s coast, Israeli naval forces open fire on Palestinian fishing boats near Dayr al-Balah and Gaza City, causing no damage or injuries (4 fishermen are arrested and their boat is confiscated). In the West Bank, IDF troops violently disperse Palestinians, Israelis, and international activists at Friday protests against the Israeli occupation in Kafr Qaddum near Qalqilya and Bayt Sira near Ramallah; 8 Palestinians are injured. They also patrol near Hebron, Tulkarm, and Ramallah. In East Jerusalem, after the Israeli authorities decided to re-seal al-Rahma Gate at Haram al-Sharif, approximately 40,000 Palestinians gather to pray and protest at the sanctuary. Separately, Israeli forces arrest 3 Palestinians during raids in Jabal Mukabir. A Palestinian demolishes his own home in Silwan to avoid paying Israeli demolition fees. (MNA, MNA, MNA, MNA, MNA, TOI, TOI, TOI, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 3/8; HA, MNA, MNA 3/9; PCHR 3/14)

Thousands of Palestinians gather along Gaza’s border to continue the Great March of Return. IDF troops violently disperse the demonstrations near Gaza City, Rafah, Khan Yunis, Jabaliya refugee camp, and al-Bureij refugee camp; at least 17 Palestinians are injured. In East Jerusalem, the Israeli authorities order a Palestinian restaurant in the Old City to close for 10 days as punishment for hiring a West Bank resident who did not have permission to enter East Jerusalem. In the West Bank, IDF troops shoot and injure a Palestinian minor amid clashes sparked by a raid in Balata refugee camp near Nablus. They also patrol near Hebron, Salfit, and Tulkarm. (MNA, TOI, WAFA 3/1; MNA, MNA 3/2; PCHR 3/7)

Texas comptroller of public accounts Glenn Hegar places the U.S.-based home-sharing company Airbnb on Texas’s “List of Companies that Boycott Israel,” triggering a suspension of all state dealings with the company. The move is reportedly an implementation of the law Texas passed in 2017 barring state contracts with companies that boycott Israel. (HA, JTA 3/4)

Thousands of Palestinians gather along Gaza’s border fence to continue the Great March of Return. IDF troops violently disperse them near Gaza City, Khan Yunis, Rafah, al-Bureij refugee camp, and Jabaliya refugee camp; 1 Palestinian minor is killed and at least 23 are injured. This brings the death toll stemming from the Great March of Return to 205. Also along Gaza’s border, Israeli forces conduct a limited incursion to level land along the border fence near al-Bureij refugee camp. Off Gaza’s coast, Israeli naval forces open fire on Palestinian fishing boats near Jabaliya refugee camp, causing no damage or injuries. In the West Bank, IDF troops violently disperse Palestinians gathering in central Hebron to mark the 25th anniversary of the 2/25/94 massacre at al-Ibrahimi Mosque; 1 Palestinian is injured. The also disperse Palestinians, Israelis, and international activists at Friday protests against the Israeli occupation in al-Mughayyir near Ramallah (3 Palestinians are injured); arrest 4 Palestinians during late-night raids near Qalqilya, Tulkarm, Jenin, and Jericho; and patrol near Jenin, Nablus, and Hebron. Israeli settlers uproot 200 olive tree seedlings from a Palestinian grove near Hebron. In East Jerusalem, hundreds of Palestinians gather at Haram al-Sharif to protest the recent Israeli incursions at the sanctuary. Ahead of the mid-day prayer, Muslim leaders lead the protesters into the al-Rahma Gate area of the sanctuary for the first time since 2003. Separately, Israeli forces arrest 38 Palestinians in raids across the city. (AP, HA, HA, MNA, MNA, MNA, MNA, TOI, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 2/22; MNA 2/23; PCHR 2/28)

In the West Bank, IDF troops arrest 9 Palestinians during raids near Hebron, Bethlehem, and Qalqilya; and patrol near Salfit, Nablus, and Hebron. In East Jerusalem, a Palestinian demolishes his own home in Silwan in order to avoid paying Israeli demolition fees. Along Gaza’s border, IDF troops open fire on Palestinian farmlands near Dayr al-Balah, causing no damage or injuries. Off Gaza’s coast, Israeli naval forces open fire on Palestinian fishing boats near Khan Yunis and Rafah, causing no damage. (PCHR 2/7)

The Fatah Central Committee convenes in Ramallah to discuss the prospect of forming a new PA government and the situation in Gaza. They are reportedly working to form a new government comprising representatives of the major PLO factions and several independent figures, but not any representative of Hamas. There are no reports of progress or any major decisions. (MNA, WAFA 2/3)

Approximately 10,000 Palestinians gather along Gaza’s border to continue the Great March of Return. IDF troops violently disperse them near Rafah, Jabaliya refugee camp, Gaza City, Khan Yunis, and al-Bureij refugee camp; at least 32 Palestinians are injured. Also along Gaza’s border, Israeli forces conduct a limited incursion to level land near Khan Yunis. In the West Bank, IDF troops violently disperse Palestinians, Israelis, and international activists at Friday protests against the Israeli occupation in 2 villages near Ramallah (Bil‘in and al-Mughayyir) and Kafr Qaddum near Qalqilya; 21 Palestinians are injured. They also patrol near Hebron and Qalqilya. Israeli settlers assault a group of Palestinian minors walking near Ramallah, lightly injuring 1. In East Jerusalem, a Palestinian demolishes parts of his own Jabal Mukabir home to avoid paying Israeli demolition fees. (AP, HA, MNA, MNA, MNA, MNA, TOI, WAFA, WAFA 2/1; MNA, TOI 2/2; PCHR 2/7)

In a meeting with Egyptian intelligence officials and UN special coordinator Nickolay Mladenov, Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh reportedly agrees to put a stop to the recent cross-border violence in Gaza in exchange for the Egyptian authorities permanently re-opening the Rafah border crossing in both directions. Haniyeh does not comment on the report, but later calls the meeting “unprecedented.” (TOI, YA 2/2)

A U.S. official confirms that USAID has ended all its aid programs in the West Bank and Gaza as of today. U.S. support for the PA security forces (PASF) also ends today, following the PA’s decision not to accept the new conditions on U.S. aid, which were codified in the Anti-Terrorism Clarification Act of 2018 (see *S. 2946 of 5/24/18 at congressionalmonitor.org). That law would have required that the Palestinians open themselves up to lawsuits from individual U.S. citizens in exchange for continued support for the PASF, which has in recent years amounted to approximately $60 million annually. Both Israeli and PA officials have indicated that they expect PASF-IDF security coordination to continue in some form despite the cut in U.S. aid. (JP, MNA, MNA 2/1)

An EU spokesperson criticizes the recent Israeli decision not to renew the mandate of the Temporary International Presence in Hebron (TIPH), saying that it “risks further deteriorating the already fragile situation on the ground.” Separately, the five countries who contributed members to the TIPH—Norway, Italy, Sweden, Switzerland, and Turkey—release a joint statement criticizing Israel’s decision, “strongly object[ing] to any claims that TIPH acted against Israel.” A UN spokesperson says that UN secretary-general Antonio Guterres “hopes that an agreement can be found by the parties to preserve the TIPH’s long-standing and valuable contribution to conflict prevention and the protection of Palestinians in Hebron.” (HA, TOI, WAFA 2/2; AP, MNA, TOI 2/3)

Along Gaza’s border, IDF troops shoot and injure a Palestinian minor approaching the border fence near Khan Yunis. They also open fire on Palestinian farmers and shepherds near Dayr al-Balah and al-Bureij refugee camp, causing no reported injuries. In the West Bank, Israeli settlers assault and lightly injure a number of Palestinian farmers working near Hebron. Israeli forces demolish a number of structures on Palestinian farmland near Bethlehem and seize a tractor from a farm near Tubas. IDF troops arrest 7 Palestinians during late-night raids near Tulkarm, Ramallah, Nablus, and Jenin; and patrol near Qalqilya, Hebron, and Ramallah. An unexploded piece of Israeli ordnance detonates in the northern Jordan Valley, killing 4 Palestinian-owned cows. In East Jerusalem, Israeli MK Yehuda Glick (Likud) leads a group of right-wing Jewish activists on a tour of Haram al-Sharif. Separately, Israeli forces arrest 3 Palestinians during a raid in Hizma. (JP, MNA, MNA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 1/28; MNA, MNA, TOI 1/29; PCHR 1/31)

Palestinian ambassador to the UN Riyad Mansour says that the effort to submit the State of Palestine for full membership at the UN is on hold until “obstacles” are no longer in the way, alluding to the U.S. veto at the UN Security Council. Earlier this month, PA foreign minister Riyad al-Maliki said he intended to file the paperwork for another full membership bid before the end of 1/2019. (AP, TOI 1/29)

Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu announces that his government does not intend to renew the mandate of the Temporary International Presence in Hebron (TIPH), an international civilian group that has been monitoring “efforts to maintain normal life” in Hebron since it was established as part of the Hebron Protocol in 1997. The TIPH’s mandate, which has been renewed every 6 months since then, is set to expire on 1/31. A PA spokesperson calls the move “unacceptable.” “We call on the countries sponsoring this agreement to take a clear stance from this grave Israeli position and to immediately act to pressure the Israeli government to continue implementation of the agreement as agreed and not to treat Israel as a state above the law.” (HA, JP, TOI, WAFA, WAFA 1/28; MNA, TOI 1/29; FMEP 2/1)

In East Jerusalem, Israeli settlers harass a group of Palestinian minors in Silwan, sparking a minor physical confrontation; 4 Palestinians are injured when Israeli forces intervene. Israeli forces also arrest 1 Palestinian during a late-night raid in Bayt Duqqu. In the West Bank, IDF troops arrest 1 Palestinian during late-night raids near Ramallah and Tulkarm; and patrol near Hebron and Jenin. In 4 separate incidents off Gaza’s coast, Israeli naval forces open fire on Palestinian fishing boats near Jabaliya refugee camp and Khan Yunis, causing no damage or injuries. Along Gaza’s coast, IDF troops violently disperse a few hundred Palestinians gathering near al-Bureij refugee camp to continue the Great March of Return; 1 Palestinian is injured. (WAFA 1/19; PCHR 1/24)

The Israeli and Palestinian press reports that the Israeli authorities are planning to shut down all UNRWA-run schools in East Jerusalem before the 2019–20 school year. The Israeli government reportedly decided to revoke UNRWA’s permits to operate the schools back in 12/2018. Later, an UNRWA spokesperson says that the agency has received no official notice from the Israeli authorities about a planned shutdown. “UNRWA’s existence in Jerusalem is not a gift from Israel,” he says. “There are bilateral agreements binding on Israel to respect the agency’s installations, jurisdiction and immunity in Jerusalem. In addition, Israel is a party to the 1946 Refugee Convention, and such attempts are in violation of this convention.” (TOI 1/19; MNA, MNA, WAFA 1/20)

Approximately 10,000 Palestinians gather along Gaza’s border to continue the Great March of Return. IDF troops violently disperse them near Gaza City, Rafah, Jabaliya refugee camp, Khan Yunis, and al-Bureij refugee camp; at least 14 Palestinians are injured, including 3 journalists. Also along Gaza’s border, Israeli forces conduct a limited incursion to level land near Rafah. They also arrest a Palestinian who crossed the border fence near Jabaliya refugee camp. The IDF later states that the man claims to be a member of Hamas’s military wing. Off Gaza’s coast, Israeli naval forces open fire on Palestinian fishing boats near Jabaliya refugee camp and Bayt Lahiya, causing no damage or injuries. In the West Bank, IDF troops violently disperse Palestinians, Israelis, and international activists at Friday protests against the Israeli occupation in Kafr Qaddum near Qalqilya; 3 Palestinians are injured, including 1 photojournalist, and 1 is arrested. Meanwhile, IDF troops conduct raids in Tuqu‘ village near Bethlehem, arresting 5 Palestinians and sparking clashes; there are no reported injuries. IDF troops also patrol near Hebron and Jenin. Israeli settlers chop down 23 olive trees in a Palestinian grove outside al-Mughayyir village near Ramallah. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces arrest 1 Palestinian during a late-night raid in Silwan. (HA, MNA, MNA, MNA, MNA, TOI, TOI, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 1/18; MNA 1/19; PCHR 1/24)

In the West Bank, IDF troops conduct raids in southern Ramallah, confiscating surveillance footage and sparking clashes with stone-throwing Palestinian minors (4 Palestinians are injured). Another Palestinian is injured in similar clashes in Bil‘in near Ramallah. IDF troops arrest 7 Palestinians during additional raids near Jenin and Ramallah; and patrol near Bethlehem and Hebron. Israeli settlers uproot more than 30 olive, grape, and almond trees from a Palestinian farm near Hebron. Settlers also assault and injure an elderly Palestinian in Hebron. The IDF then arrests the Palestinian for unclear reasons. In East Jerusalem, the Israeli authorities issue an eviction notice to a Palestinian residential building in Shaykh Jarrah, forcing 5 Palestinian families from their homes. In 3 separate incidents off Gaza’s coast, Israeli naval forces open fire on Palestinian fishing boats near Jabaliya refugee camp, Bayt Lahiya, and Rafah, causing 1 boat to catch fire (2 fishermen are arrested). Along Gaza’s border, IDF troops open fire at Palestinian farmers working near Gaza City, causing no injuries. (MNA, WAFA 1/10; MNA, MNA 1/11; PCHR 1/17)

The Israeli authorities open a new highway, dubbed Route 4370, northeast of Jerusalem. Critics call it the “Apartheid Road” because it features a concrete wall that divides Israeli settler traffic from Palestinian traffic. Israel’s Public Security Minister Gilad Erdan calls it “an example of the ability to create coexistence between Israelis and Palestinian while guarding [against] the existing security challenges.” (AP, HA, TOI, YA 1/10; AJ 1/11)

Senior Egyptian officials say that senior Israeli security officials have expressed concern that a sustained closure of the Rafah border crossing could spark an escalation of violence in Gaza. The Egyptians have kept the crossing mostly closed since the PA withdrew its crossing guards amid escalating tensions with Hamas on 1/7. (JP, TOI, YA 1/10; AFP 1/11)

A senior Hamas official says that Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh’s planned trip to Moscow next week has been indefinitely postponed due to Russian foreign minister Sergey Lavrov’s “busy state of affairs.” Lavrov was set to discuss a new Russian effort to facilitate the Palestinian reconciliation process. This announcement comes after a week of rising tensions between Hamas and Fatah, sparking rumors that the postponement had more to do with the Russians no longer seeing an opportunity to break the impasse. (JP, TOI 1/10)