The Palestine Chronology

In the West Bank, Israeli forces and Palestinians clashed for the 3d day in a row, leading to rubber-coated bullet and tear-gas related injuries, including 1 Palestinian shot by a rubber-coated bullet to his head in Kafr Qaddum, said to be in critical condition. 20 Palestinians were arrested during raids in and around Bethlehem, Ramallah, al-Bireh, Hebron, and Tulkarm. Israeli settlers destroyed water pipes providing water to Madama and broke the windows of 2 Palestinian-owned vehicles northwest of Ramallah. In East Jerusalem, 10 Palestinians were arrested during raids. In Gaza, for the 2d day in a row, Israeli forces struck targets in Gaza, causing damage near Rafah. Israeli forces also opened fire on Palestinian protesters east of Khuza‘a; no injuries were reported. (HA, HA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 1/30; PCHR 2/6)

In the West Bank, Palestinians protested the U.S. administration’s peace plan in several places throughout the West Bank, leading to clashes with Israeli forces, causing 41 injuries, including 3 Palestinians shot by live ammunition in Ramallah and others suffering injuries from rubber-coated bullets and tear gas. 5 Palestinians were arrested, including 4 during late-night raids in and around Bayt Umar and Dura; and 1 was arrested at a checkpoint near Qalandia. In East Jerusalem, the gates to the Haram al-Sharif compound were closed by Israel temporarily after 2 Palestinians were arrested at the compound. Another 4 Palestinians were arrested in the vicinity of the compound, including a Waqf guard. In Gaza, Palestinians observed a general strike in protest over the U.S. administration’s peace plan. Israeli forces struck targets in Dayr al-Balah and Khan Yunis, causing damage and minor injuries to 2 Palestinian minors. Israeli officials claimed that the attacks were in response to incendiary balloons sent toward Israel. (HA, HA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 1/29; PCHR, WAFA 1/30)

Israel’s Central Elections Committee voted to prevent the Palestinian-Israeli politician Heba Yazbak from the Joint List from running during the Israeli elections in March. The committee claimed that she had expressed support for terrorists. Yazbak called the campaign against her a plot of the right wing in “trying to hide the real injustice of the occupation and the blockade.” The Israeli high court of justice will issue a final ruling. (HA 1/29)

In the West Bank, Israeli forces seized a bulldozer and an excavator working on a school courtyard in Susiya. Israeli forces also issued demolition orders for 4 Palestinian-owned houses under construction in ‘Ayn al-Rummana and handed a stop-work order for a Palestinian house near Yatta. 19 Palestinians were arrested during raids in and around Jenin, Ramallah, Bethlehem, and Hebron. In Gaza, Israeli forces opened fire on Palestinian farmlands east of Khan Yunis; no injuries were reported. In Israel, 2 Palestinian citizens of Israel were indicted for spying on Israel on behalf of Hamas. (HA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 1/27; PCHR 1/30)

In Washington, D.C., U.S. president Donald Trump, alongside Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu, confirmed that he would be releasing his peace plan with Prime Minister Netanyahu on 1/28. President Trump said that the Palestinians “probably won’t want it initially . . . But I think in the end they will.” After Trump’s remarks, he met with Israeli Blue and White leader Benny Gantz. Gantz subsequently declared that the peace plan “is a significant and historic milestone.” According to PA officials, PA president Mahmoud Abbas refused to take a phone call from President Trump. (AJ, HA, HA, REU, WAFA 1/27; AJ 1/28; PCHR 1/30)

In the West Bank, Israeli forces violently dispersed the weekly anti-settlement protest in Kafr Qaddum; 2 Palestinians and 1 Israeli activist were shot by rubber-coated bullets, others suffered tea-gas related injuries. 1 Palestinian was shot by live ammunition during a raid northwest of Ramallah. In East Jerusalem, a mosque in Bayt Safafa was set on fire, causing significant damage, and racist graffiti in Hebrew was painted on its walls; it is unclear who the perpetrators were. 15 Palestinians were arrested while making their way to morning prayers at Haram al-Sharif. 2 Palestinians were injured at the Haram al-Sharif compound when Israeli forces fired rubber-coated bullets at worshippers outside al-Aqsa Mosque. (AJ, HA, TOI, WAFA 1/24; WAFA 1/25; PCHR 1/30)

In the West Bank, Israeli forces handed 8 Palestinian families demolition notices for 18 structures in the Hebron Hills area. 13 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in and around Hebron, Ramallah, Bethlehem, and Qalqilya. In East Jerusalem, 2 Palestinians were arrested during raids in al-Ram and Issawiyya. In Gaza, 1 Palestinian injured during the Great March of Return protest on 3/30/2018 died of his wounds. This brings the death toll stemming from the Great March of Return to 230. Off the coast of Gaza, Israeli naval forces opened fire on Palestinian fishermen west of Khan Yunis. (WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 1/20; PCHR 1/23)

The Japanese representative to Palestine signed grant contracts for several municipal projects in the West Bank for schools and hospitals amounting to $344,371. (WAFA 1/20)

In the West Bank, Israeli forces raided a school near Ramallah, claiming that students had thrown stones at Israeli settlers driving on a nearby road. Israeli settlers also clashed with Palestinians after a funeral procession in Bayt Umar, leading to tear-gas related injuries. 10 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in and around Bethlehem, Qalqilya, Ramallah, and Hebron. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces raided the home of the former mufti of Jerusalem and handed him a summons for questioning. The former mufti and current head of the Higher Islamic Council were later barred from the Haram al-Sharif compound for 1 week after meeting with Israeli police. The Israeli municipality issued eviction orders for 7 families living in the Old City; the evictions cite cracks in the buildings, which the residents claim are due to Israeli excavations under the Old City. In Gaza, Israeli forces opened fire on Palestinian farmlands on 2 separate occasions east of Khan Yunis. (WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 1/19; WAFA 1/20; AJ, PCHR 1/23)

In a ruling that could affect some 700 Palestinians living in East Jerusalem, a Jerusalem court ruled in favor of a Jewish settler organization evicting a Palestinian family on property that was owned by Jews prior to 1938. 700 Palestinians live in Batn al-Hawa, which was owned by a Jewish property trust before 1938 when British Mandate authorities evicted the Jewish residents. Israeli law allows Jews to “reclaim” property in East Jerusalem but does not allow Palestinians to do so in Israel. (HA, WAFA 1/20; JPOST 1/21)

In the West Bank, Israel issued a military order to seize 350 dunams (86.4 acres) of Palestinian farmland for expanding settlement roads south of Bethlehem. Israeli forces also seized equipment from a blacksmith shop near Salfit and a bulldozer near Nablus. 5 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in and around Ramallah, Bethlehem, Nablus, and Hebron. Israeli settlers discharged wastewater on Palestinian farmland near Jalbun and threw stones at a Palestinian home in Madama, causing damage. Settlers also threw stones at Israeli forces as they demolished Israeli-deemed illegal settlement outposts near the Yitzhar settlement. In East Jerusalem, 2 Palestinians demolished their own homes in Jabal Mukabir to avoid exorbitant Israeli demolition fees. In Gaza, 4 rockets were launched at Israel, 2 of which were intercepted. There were no reports of damage or injuries and it was unclear who fired the rockets. Israel later struck several targets in Gaza. A military spokesperson said that it had struck “Hamas sites.” Israeli forces also sprayed herbicides over Palestinian farmland for the 2d day in a row. (HA, HA, HA, REU, REU, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 1/15; WAFA, PCHR 1/16)

The Israeli defense ministry approved 7 new Israeli “nature reserves” in Area C and the expansion of 12 already-existing “nature reserves.” The approval comes 1 week after Israeli defense minister Naftali Bennet said that he had started a campaign to ensure that Area C remains under Israeli control. The PA foreign ministry called the approval of the “nature reserves” a “scheme for the appropriation and seizure of Palestinian land.” (HA, JP, WAFA 1/15)

In the West Bank, Israeli forces issued a stop-work order for a road near al-Mughayyir and seized nearby machinery. Israeli forces also distributed 8 demolition notices for Palestinian-owned homes south of Hebron. 15 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in and around Bethlehem, Bayt Umar, Abu Dis, Ramallah, Nablus, and Tulkarm. Israeli settlers threw stones at Palestinian homes in Madama, causing damage. In East Jerusalem, 2 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in the Old City and Issawiyya. Israeli Channel 13 released a video showing half a dozen Israeli policemen attacking a Palestinian near Shu‘fat refugee camp for failing to show his ID. Off the coast of Gaza, Israeli naval forces opened fire on Palestinian fishermen west of Jabalia; no injuries were reported. In Israel, 5 international activists, including a member of the Finish parliament, were arrested by Israeli forces after trying to cut through the fence to Gaza in an act of solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza. (WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 1/13; TOI 1/14; HA, PCHR 1/16)

Israel relocated 33 Palestinian minors held at Ofer Prison in the West Bank to Damoun Prison in Israel. Israel also extended the administrative detention of a women scheduled to be released on 1/15 for another 6 months. The woman has been in administrative detention since 6/15/2019. (AJ, WAFA, WAFA 1/13)

In the West Bank, Israeli forces arrested 5 Palestinians during late-night raids in and around Jenin. Israeli forces also delivered punitive demolition notices to 3 families of alleged attackers in the Ramallah area. Elsewhere, Israeli forces violently dispersed the weekly anti-settlement protest in Kafr Qaddum, causing tear-gas related injuries, and clashed with Palestinians in al-‘Arub refugee camp, leading to tear-gas related injuries. Off the coast of Gaza, Israeli naval forces attacked Palestinian fishermen west of Rafah; no injuries were reported. (WAFA, WAFA 1/10; PCHR 1/16)

In the West Bank, Israeli forces dismantled and seized a shack in Ras Karkar, and handed a punitive demolition order for a house in Jenin. 6 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in and around Ramallah, Bethlehem, ‘Azun, and Kafr Labad. Israeli forces clashed with Palestinians at a checkpoint in Hebron, causing tear-gas related injuries. Israeli settlers vandalized 80 olive trees and ignited a different olive field, burning another 30 olive trees in al-Sawiya. In East Jerusalem, 1 Palestinian was arrested during a late-night raid in Issawiyya. In Gaza, 2 Palestinians were arrested while trying to enter Israel by the Gaza fence. (WAFA, WAFA 1/9; PCHR 1/16)

Lebanese newspaper al-Mayadeen reported that Israel was behind an air strike that killed 8 people in Syria near the Iraqi border. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said that no Syrian citizens were killed and that the air strikes had targeted Iran-backed militias. (HA 1/10)

The U.S. administration rejected a request made by Iraqi prime minister Adel Abdul Mahdi for the U.S. troops to leave Iraq. The request was made during a phone call between Prime Minister Mahdi and U.S. secretary of state Mike Pompeo. (AJ 1/10)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers cut down 50 olive trees in al-Sawiya south of Nablus. 12 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in and around Bayt Awa, Bayt Fajjar, Ramallah, al-‘Arub refugee camp, and Abu Dis. During a raid in Jericho, 6 Palestinians were injured by rubber-coated bullets and others suffered tear-gas related injuries after clashes broke out between Israeli forces and Palestinians. In East Jerusalem, 1 Palestinian was arrested during a raid. (WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 1/8; PCHR 1/9)

Israeli defense minister Naftali Bennett told reporters that he had created a task force to develop plans for the future of Area C, to which he said, “[t]he State of Israel’s policy is that the land in Area C belongs to [Israel].” (HA 1/9)

U.S. secretary of state Mike Pompeo said via video during a Jerusalem policy forum that changing U.S. policy on the Israeli settlements in the West Bank was returning to a “balanced and sober” approach to the peace process and reiterated the administration’s position that Israeli “settlements don’t inherently violate international law.” (REU 1/8)

U.S. president Donald Trump responded to the Iranian strikes on U.S. bases in Iraq on 1/7 by announcing additional sanctions on Iran. (AJ 1/8)

In the West Bank, Israeli forces arrested 9 Palestinians, including 8 during late-night raids in and around al-‘Arub refugee camp, Nablus, Jenin, and Ramallah; and 1 at a military checkpoint in Hebron. During the raid in al-‘Arub refugee camp, Israeli forces confiscated 2,000 NIS ($578). Israeli forces also razed some 100 dunams of agricultural land near Hebron and delivered demolition notices for 4 homes in Yatta. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces arrested 11 Palestinians at the Haram al-Sharif compound, including 5 in the morning and 6 in the evening. The 6 arrested in the evening were taken into custody because they were chanting “nationalistic slogans” at Israeli police. A video of the incident shows Israeli forces kicking 1 of the Palestinians in the head during the arrest. In Gaza, Israeli forces opened fire northeast of al-Bureij; no injuries were reported. (WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 1/7; HA 1/8; PCHR 1/9)

An Israeli soldier who placed a snake inside a Palestinian family’s car during a search on 12/23/2019 in Bayt Furik received 18 days of prison. His continued employment for the IDF will be reevaluated by the end of his sentence. (TOI 1/7)

Iran retaliated to the U.S. assassination of Qasem Soleimani on 1/2 by striking 2 U.S. military bases in Iraq, causing damage; no injuries were reported. (AJ, AJ, AJ, CNN, FOX, HA, WP 1/8)

In the West Bank, Israeli forces seized 5 Palestinian-owned tractors in the northern part of the Jordan Valley. Israeli forces and Palestinians clashed during the weekly anti-settlement protest in Kafr Qaddum, leading to tear-gas related injuries. Separately, Israeli forces fired live ammunition, sound bombs, and tear gas at protesters near Ramallah, leading to tear-gas related injuries. 3 Palestinians were injured in al-Mughayyir by live and rubber-coated bullets after Israeli settlers and forces raided the village, leading to clashes with Palestinians. 9 Palestinians were arrested, including 5 during daytime raids in and around Jenin, Qalqilya, and al-‘Arub refugee camp; and 4 at military checkpoints near Bethlehem. In Gaza, Israeli forces opened fire east of Khan Yunis; no injuries were reported. (WAFA 1/3; PCHR 1/9)

In the West Bank, Israeli forces raided a Palestinian-owned house in Kaubar and took measures to punitively demolish it; 2 of the house’s occupants are detained by Israel. Israeli forces also arrested 11 Palestinians, including 4 during late-night raids in and around Tulkarm, Jenin, and Ramallah; 1 on a street near Nablus; and 7 during daytime raids in and around Ramallah, Nablus, ‘Ayn al-Hilwa, and Hebron. During a daytime raid in Nablus, Israeli forces confiscated a tractor, and separately during a different raid in Nablus, Israeli forces seized carpentry equipment. 1 Palestinian was shot by Israeli forces after he allegedly attempted to carry out a stabbing by the Gush Etzion junction. Israeli forces also seized and impounded a PA health ministry vehicle providing medical services to 1,500 Palestinians in rural areas south of Hebron. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces fired tear gas and arrested 3 Palestinians at Bab al-Rahma in the Haram al-Sharif compound. In Gaza, Israeli forces opened fire east of Khan Yunis; no injuries were reported. (HA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 1/2; WAFA 1/3; HA 1/7; PCHR 1/9)

9 Palestinians from Issawiyya in East Jerusalem were placed under nighttime curfew between 8 p.m. and 6 a.m. 6 of the men were told that they were facing a nighttime curfew on 12/29, but the curfew did not take effect until 1/2. The Israeli military cited a 1945 Mandate-era regulation to justify placing the 9 under nighttime curfew. (HA 1/2)

The U.S. assassinated Iranian major general in the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and commander of the IRGC’s special forces Quds Force Qasem Soleimani and the deputy chairman of the Iraqi government-sanctioned militia Popular Mobilisation Forces, Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis, along with several other Iranian and Iraqi officials at Baghdad International airport. The assassinations were carried out by an American MQ-9 drone that fired missiles at the officials’ convoy as it was leaving the airport. The Pentagon released a statement saying that the strike was directed on behest of U.S. president Donald Trump and was aimed at “deterring future Iranian attack plans.” Iran’s supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said in a statement that Iran would have 3 days of mourning followed by a retaliation. The speaker of the Iraqi parliament Mohammed al-Halbousi condemned the assassination, calling it “a flagrant breach of sovereignty and violation of international agreements.” (DOD, NYT, REU 1/2; AJ, AJ, AP, CNN, HA, WP 1/3; HA 1/4)