The Palestine Chronology

In the West Bank, Israeli forces demolished 1 car wash under construction and a plant nursery near Bethlehem. Israeli forces also shot and injured 1 Palestinian near Tulkarm by the separation wall before arresting him. Another 6 Palestinians were arrested in raids in and around Tulkarm, Jenin, Bethlehem, Ramallah, and Jericho. Israeli settlers vandalized 14 Palestinian-owned vehicles and wrote graffiti on walls near Nablus. Elsewhere, Israeli settlers destroyed 24 olive trees north of Qalqilya. In East Jerusalem, 3 Palestinian minors were arrested and beaten in the Old City. Off the coast of Gaza, Israeli naval forces attacked Palestinian fishermen 3 nautical miles west of Bayt Lahiya; no injuries were reported. (WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 4/30; PCHR 5/7)

Members of the Arab League condemned Israel’s plan to annex parts of the West Bank, calling it a new war crime against Palestinians. (REU 4/30)

The chief prosecutor for the International Criminal Court (ICC) Fatou Bensouda reiterated her position that Palestine is a state under the court’s jurisdiction, which would allow investigations of alleged war crimes committed in the West Bank, East Jerusalem, Gaza. 3 ICC judges must now decide on the matter. (ICC, JP, TOI 4/30; WAFA 5/1)

In the West Bank, Israeli forces razed several dunams of land near Burin for settlement expansion. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces prevented a musaharati in Wadi al-Juz from doing his job of waking up Muslims before the daily fast for Ramadan begins, and threatened him with arrest and fines. The PA foreign ministry said the action was part of Israel trying to erase Palestinian identity in East Jerusalem. (WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 4/29; PCHR 4/30)

In the West Bank, Israeli forces delivered 1 stop-work order for a house in Bardala and handed demolition orders for 2 structures in Bayt Jala. Israeli settlers closed off an area on Palestinian-owned land in Hebron to celebrate Israel’s Independence Day; Israeli forces refused to remove the settlers despite complains. In East Jerusalem, 5 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in Issawiyya. In Gaza, Israeli forces opened fire on agricultural lands east of al-Maghazi and Dayr al-Balah; no injuries were reported but several sheep and donkeys were killed by indiscriminate shooting near Dayr al-Balah. In Israel, 1 Palestinian teen from the West Bank was shot and injured by Israeli forces after allegedly stabbing 1 Israeli woman in Kfar Saba. (HA, HA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 4/28; PCHR 4/30)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers chopped down 40 olive trees in al-Sawiya. 1 Palestinian was arrested at a checkpoint near Ramallah. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces raided Issawiyya; during the raid, clashes erupted between Palestinians and Israeli forces. 1 Palestinian was arrested during a late-night raid in Issawiyya. In Gaza, Israeli forces opened fire on agricultural lands east of al-Maghazi and Dayr al-Balah; no injuries were reported. (WAFA 4/27; WAFA 4/28; PCHR 4/30)

Israel conducted air strikes on Syria in a Damascus suburb from Lebanese air space. Sources differed on the number of people killed, ranging from 3-7 and at least another 4 injured. (AJ, HA, TOI 4/27; JP 4/28)

A U.S. state department spokesperson said that “we are prepared to recognize Israeli actions to extend Israeli sovereignty and the application of Israeli law to areas of the West Bank that the vision foresees as part of the State of Israel.” (AJ, WAFA 4/28)

In the West Bank, Israeli forces and Palestinians clashed at al-Fawar refugee camp, leading to 6 Palestinians suffering tear-gas related injuries. Israeli forces also delivered stop-work orders for 22 structures in the Salfit area. In East Jerusalem, 5 Palestinians were arrested, including 4 during late-night raids in Issawiyya and the Old City; 1 was arrested during a daytime raid in the Old City. In Gaza, Israeli forces opened fire on agricultural lands east of al-Maghazi; no injuries were reported. (WAFA 4/27; PCHR 4/30)

A court in Jerusalem ruled to seize $128 million in PA tax revenue for payments to families of Israelis killed by Palestinians. (WAFA 4/26)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers chopped down 33 olive trees in al-Sawiya. Israeli forces shot and injured 1 Palestinian using live ammunition and detained 1 other at the separation wall west of Jenin. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces arrested 1 Palestinian minor, alleging he threw stones at them. In Gaza, Israeli forces opened fire on agricultural lands east of Dayr al-Balah; no injuries were reported. (WAFA 4/24; WAFA 4/25; PCHR 4/30)

In the West Bank, Israeli forces seized a mobile home displacing a Palestinian family near Jericho. 1 Israeli settler shot a gun in the air as he passed Palestinians managing a COVID-19 test post near Husan. 14 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in and around Bethlehem, Taqqua, Hebron, Tulkarm, ‘Araba, ‘Azun, and Ramallah. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces raided Silwan and Issawiyya leading to clashes with Palestinians; tear-gas related injuries were reported. In Gaza, Israeli forces made incursions to level land east of al-Zaytun. Israeli forces also opened fire on Palestinian shepherds and agricultural land east of al-Maghazi and Khan Yunis; no injuries were reported. (WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 4/23; HA 4/27; PCHR 4/30)

The International Committee of the Red Cross donated a ventilator, monitors, defibrillators, suction devices, and pumps to Palestinian hospitals in Gaza. (REU 4/23)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers attacked 1 Palestinian shepherd and stole 2 sheep south of Hebron. Israeli forces injured 1 Palestinian man with live ammunition by the separation wall north of Qalqilya. Israeli forces also delivered 1 demolition order for a house under construction in al-Khadir. 9 Palestinians were arrested, including 8 during late-night raids in and around Nahalin, Ya‘bad, Far‘un, and Hebron; 1 was shot and injured before being arrested near Taqqua after allegedly throwing stones at settler vehicles. During a separate raid in Kobar, 1 Palestinian was injured by live ammunition. In East Jerusalem, 1 Palestinian woman from Silwan died of the COVID-19 virus; she is the 2d Palestinian to succumb to the virus in East Jerusalem. Israel ordered PA police not to enter Kafr ‘Aqab, which is located within East Jerusalem but on the West Bank side of the separation wall, after local activists requested the PA police to help enforce a lockdown. Israel has not been helping local authorities impose the lockdown. Off the coast of Gaza, Israeli naval forces opened fire on Palestinian fishermen, injuring 1 with a rubber-coated bullet to his head and damaging 1 boat. In Gaza, Israeli forces opened fire on Palestinian farmers near Khuza‘a and made incursions to level land east of Jabalia. Hamas authorities sentenced a man who escaped a COVID-19 quarantine facility to 6 months in prison and a fine of $700. (WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 4/21; HA 4/22; PCHR, REU 4/23)

In the West Bank, Israeli forces raided Kafr Qaddum, leading to clashes with Palestinians; 3 were injured by live ammunition and others suffered tear-gas related injuries. 2 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in and around Hebron. In East Jerusalem, 1 was arrested during a late-night raid in Silwan. Off the coast of Gaza, Israeli naval forces opened fire on Palestinian fishermen west of Gaza City, causing damage to a boat, but no injuries were reported. In Gaza, Israeli forces opened fire on Palestinian farmers working their lands east of Khan Yunis; no injuries were reported. (WAFA, WAFA 4/19; PCHR 4/23)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers attacked Palestinian farmers in 2 separate incidents south of Hebron, injuring at least 1. Israeli forces seized 1 truck and 1 bulldozer near Jericho. 6 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in and around Hebron and Bethlehem. In East Jerusalem, 1 Palestinian woman from Issawiyya died of the COVID-19 virus, marking the 1st Palestinian COVID-19 fatality in East Jerusalem. Off the coast of Gaza, Israeli naval forces opened fire on Palestinian fishermen 2 nautical miles west of Bayt Lahiya and 4 nautical miles northwest of Gaza City; 1 boat was damaged by live ammunition and no injuries were reported. In Gaza, Israeli forces opened fire on agricultural lands east of Bayt Hanun and Khuza‘a; no injuries were reported. (AJ, WAFA, WAFA 4/18; PCHR 4/23)

In the West Bank, Israeli forces delivered demolition orders for agricultural structures in Jiftlik and Bayt Dajan. Elsewhere, Israeli forces violently dispersed protests in Kafr Qaddum; 3 Palestinians were hit by rubber-coated bullets. Israeli settlers attacked Palestinian herders in al-Twana, injuring 1. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces beat and arrested 4 Palestinians in the Old City. In Gaza, Israeli forces opened fire on agricultural lands east of Rafah and Khan Yunis; no injuries were reported. (WAFA, WAFA 4/17; PCHR 4/23)

In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces summoned a Palestinian journalist from Palestine TV for interrogation. Israel barred Palestine TV from working in East Jerusalem on 12/6/19. Israeli forces also summoned the director of the al-Aqsa Mosque. In Gaza, Israeli forces opened fire on agricultural lands east of Khuza‘a and Juhur al-Dik; no injuries were reported. (WAFA, WAFA 4/16; PCHR 4/23)

The Islamic Waqf in charge of the Haram al-Sharif compound said in a statement that the al-Aqsa Mosque would remain closed throughout the month of Ramadan due to the COVID-19 virus. (AJ, REU 4/16; WAFA 4/17)

The U.S. Trump administration provided a $5 million grant to Palestinian hospitals in the West Bank despite freezing all aid to the PA in 2018. U.S. congress allocated $75 million in aid to Palestinians in its 2020 fiscal year budget, but the allocation has not been spent on programming directed at Palestinian people. (HA 4/16; HA 4/17)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers under quarantine due to possible COVID-19 virus infection in the Jordan Valley attacked 3 Palestinians with stones and set 2 Palestinian vehicles on fire near the Dead Sea. Israeli settlers also attacked Palestinian minors at a youth center in Hebron. 3 Palestinians were arrested by Israeli forces during raids near Jenin. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces raided a COVID-19 clinic and arrested 4 workers because the PA had donated COVID-19 test kits to the facility. The closure of the clinic happened after days of warnings by health professionals that East Jerusalem is becoming a hot spot for the virus. Off the coast of Gaza, Israeli naval forces opened fire on Palestinian fishermen 2 nautical miles west of Bayt Lahiya; no injuries were reported. In Gaza, 3 Palestinians were arrested by the Gaza fence while trying to enter Israel. (HA, HA, JP, TOI, WAFA, WAFA 4/14; HA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 4/15; PCHR 4/16)

The United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) reported that its troops had broken up a standoff near the Lebanese-Israeli border. A photo depicts Israeli and Lebanese troops with their guns drawn, separated by UNIFIL soldiers. Lebanon reported intensified Israeli drone activity over its air space and that Israel had set up a tent on Lebanese soil, retreating after 4 hours. (TOI 4/15)

The PA received 50,000 COVID-19 testing kits from the Chinese company Alibaba. (WAFA 4/14)

The EU contributed $13.6 million and Austria and Spain contributed $1.1 million each for vulnerable Palestinian families in the West Bank and Gaza. (WAFA 4/14)

In the West Bank, 5 Palestinians, including 1 former lawmaker, were arrested during a late-night raid in Ramallah, Bethlehem, ‘Azun, and Nablus. Israeli settlers from the Gush Etzion settlement flooded Palestinian farmland near Bayt Umar with wastewater. 3 Palestinian minors tending to sheep were injured when a device left by Israeli forces near Hebron exploded. In East Jerusalem, 2 Palestinian minors were arrested in Silwan. Separately, Israeli forces fired tear gas at Palestinians in Silwan, causing tear-gas related injuries. Off the coast of Gaza, Israeli naval forces opened fire on Palestinian fishermen 3 nautical miles west of Bayt Lahiya; no injuries were reported. In Gaza, Israeli forces opened fire on agricultural lands east of al-Qarara and Khuza‘a, no injuries were reported. Egypt opened the Rafah border crossing, allowing Palestinians to return from abroad. The crossing was scheduled to remain open until 4/16. (WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 4/13; PCHR 4/16)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers attacked 2 Palestinians in Hebron with pepper spray. Israeli settlers also uprooted some 400 olive tree saplings in al-Khadir during 2 separate raids. Israeli forces shot and injured 1 Palestinian trying to enter Israel near Qalqilya; he was hit with 3 rubber-coated bullets. 6 Palestinians were arrested, including 3 during late-night raids in and around Qalqilya and Bayt Umar, and 3 were arrested during raids in and around ‘Azun and Ramallah. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces and Palestinians clashed during a raid in Issawiyya, leading to tear-gas related injuries. In Gaza, Israeli forces opened fire on Palestinian agricultural lands east of Khuza‘a, Bayt Hanun, al-Maghazi, and Abasan; no injuries were reported. Off the coast of Gaza, Israeli naval forces opened fire on Palestinian fishermen on 2 separate occasions 3 nautical miles from Bayt Lahiya; no injuries were reported. (WAFA, WAFA 4/12; WAFA 4/13; PCHR 4/16)

In the West Bank, Israeli forces arrested 2 Palestinians, including 1 minor during a late-night raid in Bayt Umar and 1 at a checkpoint in Hebron. In East Jerusalem, 1 Palestinian was arrested during a raid in Issawiyya. In Gaza, Israeli forces opened fire on agricultural lands east of Dayr al-Balah, Khuza‘a, and al-Maghazi; no injuries were reported.(WAFA 4/12; PCHR 4/16)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers vandalized tombstones at a cemetery in Burqa. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces raided stores in Silwan, beating up the owner of 1 store and leading to clashes with Palestinians; 4 Palestinians were arrested. Off the coast of Gaza, Israeli naval forces opened fire on Palestinian fishermen, injuring 2 with rubber-coated bullets. In Gaza, at least 1 Palestinian was arrested by Hamas for partaking in a Zoom meeting with an Israeli activist. (MEMO, PCHR, WAFA, WAFA 4/9; HA 4/10; PCHR 4/16)

The EU announced a $78 million aid package for the West Bank, East Jerusalem, and Gaza to help combat the spread of the COVID-19 virus. (WAFA 4/9)

In the West Bank, armed Israeli settlers attacked 3 Palestinian farmers near Kobar. Israeli settlers with military escort also raided al-Shuyukh, leading to clashes with Palestinians; tear-gas related injuries were reported. Israeli forces also demolished 1 agricultural structure near Tarqumiyya. 2 Palestinians were arrested during house raids in Abu Dis. In Gaza, Israeli forces opened fire on agricultural lands east of Juhur al-Dik; no injuries were reported. Israeli forces also made incursions to level land near Bayt Lahiya. (WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 4/7; PCHR 4/9)

The Israeli major of Jerusalem wrote a letter to the Health Ministry Director General warning him about shortages in medical equipment and COVID-19 virus testing devices in East Jerusalem hospitals, despite the ministry’s repeated promises to help. The Red Crescent Society is providing COVID-19 testing in the East Jerusalem neighborhoods on the West Bank side of the separation barrier. (HA 4/8)

In the West Bank, Israeli forces seized a shipping container and a vending stall south in Qalqas; and delivered stop-work orders for several residential and agricultural structures near Tubas and in Jiftlik. 3 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in and around Jenin, Ya‘bad, and ‘Araba. Israeli settlers attacked a Palestinian-owned house in Hebron, damaging a water tank and erecting an Israeli flag on the roof. Elsewhere, Israeli settlers with military escort raided Qusra, leading to confrontations with Palestinians; no injuries were reported. In East Jerusalem, Israeli authorities extended the detention of PA governor Adnan Ghaith. In Gaza, Israeli forces opened fire on agricultural lands east of Dayr al-Balah and Bayt Hanun; no injuries were reported. Israeli forces also made incursions to level land east of Khuza‘a. (WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 4/6; PCHR 4/9)

PA Jerusalem affairs minister Fadi Hidmi filed a complaint to the Israeli justice department for his arrest on 4/3. Minister Hidmi said that he was beaten and repeatedly forced to wear a dirty mask with blood on it. The complaint further said that Israeli police blasted down his front door without trying to knock on it and that the police seized $2,800. Hidmi was ultimately released 6 hours after his arrest without any charges. (HA 4/6)

Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Kahol Lavan leader Benny Gantz agreed on preliminary terms for a unity government, which includes that Netanyahu can propose to the Israeli cabinet a West Bank annexation plan if it’s backed by the U.S. (HA, JP 4/6)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers emptied sewage on Palestinian farmland near Bayt Umar. Israeli settlers with military escort toured the area around Tuqu‘, preventing Palestinian farmers from accessing their land. Israeli forces delivered a stop-work order for a house in Ya‘bad. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces arrested PA governor Adnan Ghaith during a house raid in Silwan. Israeli forces also arrested 3 others during raids in Wadi al-Juz and Silwan. Off the coast of Gaza, Israeli naval forces opened fire on Palestinian fishermen 3 nautical miles west of Bayt Lahiya; no injuries were reported. In Gaza, Israeli forces opened fire on farmers east of Khuza‘a; no injuries were reported. Israeli forces also sprayed pesticides near the Gaza fence, affecting Palestinian farmland. In Israel, 1 Palestinian worker from East Jerusalem was hospitalized after he was attacked with tools and pepper spray by Israelis while at a construction site. (AJ, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 4/5; PCHR 4/9)

In the West Bank, Israeli forces violently dispersed protests in Kafr Qaddum and near Tulkarm; 1 Palestinian was injured by a rubber-coated bullet, others suffered tear-gas related injuries. Israeli forces also forced Palestinian workers checking Palestinians arriving from Israel for COVID-19 to leave in Atil. Israeli forces arrested 5 Palestinians during late-night raids in and around Jenin and Nablus. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces arrested PA minister of Jerusalem affairs Fadi Hidmi during a late-night raid in al-Suwana and seized $2,800 from his house; he was released after hours of interrogation. Off the coast of Gaza, Israeli naval forces opened fire on Palestinian fishermen west of Bayt Lahiya on 2 separate occasions; no injuries were reported. In Gaza, Israeli forces opened fire on Palestinian farmers east of Dayr al-Balah and Bayt Hanun; no injuries were reported.(WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 4/3; PCHR 4/9)

PA president Mahmoud Abbas issued a decree extending the state of emergency for another 30 days. The PA also introduced new measures to curb the spread of the COVID-19 virus, including restricting movement in West Bank cities between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. and forcing shops to close after 5 p.m. The extended state of emergency and new measures were introduced as 171 Palestinians had tested positive for COVID-19. (WAFA, WAFA 4/3)

In the West Bank, 3 Palestinians from Halhul were sentenced to 1 year in prison by the PA for violating COVID-19 emergency measures. Israeli forces delivered stop-work orders for 2 houses under construction near Bethlehem. Israeli forces also clashed with Palestinians during raids in Hebron and Tulkarm; tear-gas related injuries were reported. Elsewhere, Israeli forces demolished 1 agricultural structure east of Tarqumiyya. Israeli forces arrested 4 Palestinians during late-night raids in Ya‘bad, including 3 minors. In East Jerusalem, 4 Palestinians were arrested, including 2 during late-night raids in Silwan, 1 was arrested during a raid in Issawiyya, and 1 was beaten and arrested on a street in Silwan. Off the coast of Gaza, Israeli naval forces opened fire on Palestinian fishermen 4 nautical miles west of Gaza City, causing damage to 1 boat. Israeli forces opened fire on agricultural lands east of Dayr al-Balah; no injuries were reported. (WAFA, WAFA 4/2; PCHR 4/9)

10 Palestinian prisoners in Ofer prison started an open-ended hunger strike protesting Israel’s failure to prevent Palestinian prisoners from contracting the COVID-19 virus. (WAFA 4/2)

In the West Bank, Israeli forces demolished 3 Palestinian-owned buildings in Rumana; during the demolitions, clashes broke out with Palestinians, leading to tear-gas related injuries. Elsewhere, in Jiftlik, Israeli forces seized a residential caravan. 1 Palestinian shot by Israeli forces using rubber-coated bullets during a demonstration against settler encroachment near Nablus on 3/11 succumbed to his injuries. In East Jerusalem, 7 Palestinians were arrested, including 5 during late-night raids in Issawiyya and Silwan; 2 others were arrested during the day in Issawiyya and the Old City. In Gaza, Israeli forces opened fire on agricultural lands east of Khuza‘a; no injuries were reported. Israeli forces also made incursions to level land near Bayt Hanun. (AJ, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 4/1; PCHR 4/2)

Israel’s defense minister Naftali Bennett said that any aid provided to Gaza to help deal with the COVID-19 virus would be linked to Israel recovering the bodies of 2 Israeli soldiers killed during Operation Protective Edge in 2014. A Hamas spokesperson said in response that Israel is responsible for the consequences of the spread of the virus due to its blockade. The PA also donated 1,500 testing kits to Gaza via the World Health Organization. (REU, WAFA 4/1; PCHR 4/5)