The Palestine Chronology

IDF troops violently disperse Palestinians, Israelis, and international activists at Friday protests against Israel’s separation wall, occupation, and settlements, as well as U.S. president Trump’s 12/6/17 recognition of Jerusalem as Israel’s capital in Hebron, Jericho, Kafr Qaddum near Qalqilya, 2 areas near Nablus (Beita village and the Huwwara checkpoint), 5 villages near Ramallah (al-Janiya, al-Bireh, Nabi Salih, Ni‘lin, and Bil‘in), and along Gaza’s border near Gaza City, Khan Yunis, al-Bureij refugee camp, and Jabaliya refugee camp. At least 31 Palestinian are injured and 2 are arrested. In the West Bank, Israeli soldiers shoot and injure 3 Palestinian minors during clashes sparked by an IDF raid near Nablus. IDF troops also arrest 3 Palestinians and assault 1 during late-night raids near Hebron and Bethlehem, and patrol near Hebron and Tulkarm. Israeli settlers throw stones at, and open fire on, Palestinian homes in Burin village near Nablus, causing no major damage or injuries. The attack sparks minor clashes; there are no serious injuries. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces arrest a Palestinian during late-night raids in Issawiyya. In 4 separate incidents off Gaza’s coast, Israeli naval forces open fire on Palestinian fishing boats near Bayt Lahiya and Jabaliya refugee camp, causing no damage or injuries. (HA, NYT, WAFA, YA 2/23; PCHR 3/1)

The U.S. State Department announces that the new U.S. embassy in Israel will open in Jerusalem in 5/2018, implementing President Trump’s 12/6/17 pledge to move the embassy from Tel Aviv. The embassy is set to open with ambassador David Friedman and a skeleton staff working out of an existing U.S. facility in the Arnona neighborhood. “This decision will turn the 70th anniversary of Israeli independence into an even bigger celebration,” says Israeli PM Netanyahu. “Thank you, President Trump, for your leadership and your friendship.” Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) secretarygeneral Saeb Erakat says, “The U.S. decision to recognize Jerusalem as Israel’s capital and now to move its embassy on the eve of marking 70 years since the Nakba [. . .] shows the determination of the U.S. administration to violate international law, destroy the 2-state solution, and provoke the feelings of the Palestinian people, as well as of all Arabs, Muslims, and Christians around the globe.” (AP, HA, JP, TOI, WAFA 2/23)

Israeli forces shoot and kill Fadi al-Qunbar, a Palestinian truck driver, outside the Old City after he rams a group of Israelis, killing 4 IDF soldiers and injuring at least 13 other people. Israeli forces then conduct raids on the alleged attacker’s home in Jabal Mukabir, interrogating his family for hours, threatening punitive demolition, and establishing checkpoints in the area. Their prolonged presence in the neighborhood sparks clashes with stonethrowing Palestinians; there are no serious injuries. After Israeli PM Netanyahu accuses the alleged attacker of supporting ISIS, Israel’s security cabinet decides to use administrative detention against any persons suspected of committing a crime who also identify as supporters of the group. The cabinet also decides to punitively demolish the attacker’s home as soon as possible, and to close down the attacker’s neighborhood, Jabal Mukabir. Meanwhile, the attacker’s family says he was motivated by U.S. pres.-elect Trump’s pledge to move the U.S. embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem. “He was very angry, and said transferring the embassy would lead to war,” his cousin says. (HA, MNA, NYT, TOI, YA 1/8; PCHR 1/12)

Elsewhere in East Jerusalem, Israeli settlers seize control of a residential building in Silwan. Along Gaza’s border, IDF troops open fire on Palestinian agricultural lands nr. Gaza City and later nr. Khan Yunis, causing no injuries or damage. In the West Bank, PASF troops block an IDF jeep from entering Qalqilya. Israel settlers assault and injure a number of Palestinians outside Huwwara village nr. Nablus and throw stones at Palestinian cars driving nearby. The IDF delivers stop-work orders to 11 Palestinian homes under construction nr. Bethlehem. IDF troops conduct raids nr. Nablus, sparking clashes with stone-throwing Palestinians outside Bayt Furik village; 1 Palestinian is arrested. They arrest 9 more Palestinians during late-night raids in Jenin and nr. Jericho, Hebron, and Ramallah, and patrol nr. Hebron, Salfit, and Nablus. (HA, JP, MNA, TOI, WAFA, YA 1/8; MNA, WAFA 1/9; PCHR 1/12)

Israel’s Ministerial Comm. for Legislation unanimously approves a bill that would ban representatives from the anti-occupation group Breaking the Silence and other groups that allegedly “defame Israeli soldiers” from speaking in Israeli schools. (HA, JP 1/9)

Two days after the deadly attack in Tel Aviv, the IDF seals all border crossings between Israel and the West Bank and Gaza overnight, except for humanitarian and medical cases. The largescale closure will continue through midnight on 6/12. Elderly Gazans are barred from attending Friday prayers in Haram al-Sharif today. The IDF also maintains its closure of Yatta village, home of the 6/8 attackers, arresting 3 Palestinians during raids in the area throughout the day. (MNA, TOI, YA 6/10; MNA 6/13; PCHR 6/16)

In the West Bank, IDF troops violently disperse Palestinians, Israelis, and international activists at Friday demonstrations in 3 villages nr. Ramallah (Bil‘in, Ni‘lin, and Nabi Salih) and Kafr Qaddum nr. Qalqilya; there are no serious injuries. Meanwhile, IDF troops shoot and injure a mentally disabled Palestinian man after he allegedly attempts to stab Israeli soldiers at a checkpoint nr. Nablus. No Israelis are injured. The IDF arrests 4 Palestinians during raids nr. Tulkarm and Hebron, sparking minor clashes, but no serious injuries; and patrol nr. Salfit, Tulkarm, and Hebron. An Israeli settler driver rams a flock of Palestinian sheep nr. Jericho, killing 25. In East Jerusalem, the Israeli authorities only permit Palestinian men over the age of 45, as well as Palestinian women of any age, to visit Haram al-Sharif. Meanwhile, Israeli police deploy heavily across the city and assault, injure, and arrest 5 Palestinians outside the Old City. Along Gaza’s border, IDF troops open fire on Palestinian land nr. Khan Yunis, causing no serious damage. In Israel, 5 Palestinian-owned vehicles are vandalized in price-tag attacks in the Galilee. Israeli police arrest 12 Palestinians at construction sites in Petah Tikva on the grounds that they did not have the proper work permits. (JP, MNA, TOI 6/10; PCHR 6/16)

An unidentified assailant allegedly attempts to stab an Israeli soldier in Tel Aviv. He then flees the area. In the West Bank, IDF troops arrest a Palestinian youth at a checkpoint nr. Nablus on suspicion that she was planning to carry out an attack, and fire tear gas canisters at Palestinian students in a village nr. Bethlehem, causing a number of injuries. Late at night, they conduct a raid on an alleged weapons manufacturing workshop in a village nr. Bethlehem, arresting 3 Palestinians and confiscating a number of weapons. They conduct further raids nr. Tulkarm, Hebron, and Nablus, arresting 3 Palestinians and issuing arrest summons to 2; patrol in 5 villages nr. Hebron. Israeli forces demolish a motorcycle repair shop outside Qalandia r.c. Meanwhile, a Palestinian succumbs to injuries sustained in clashes with the IDF on 2/29. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces demolish 4 stores in Bayt Hanina. Along Gaza’s border, Israeli forces conduct a limited incursion to level land nr. Khan Yunis. (HA, MNA, WAFA, YA 3/15; MNA 3/16; PCHR 3/17)

Israeli nongovernmental organization Peace Now reports that the Israeli govt. has reinstated its policy of confiscating large swaths of Palestinian land, specifying that the Israeli govt. declared 2,342 dunams (580 acres) nr. Jericho “state land” on 3/10. After the report, both the UN secy.-gen. and the U.S. State Dept. criticize the Israeli govt.’s settlement expansion policy. (MNA, PCN, REU, TOI 3/15; REU, WAFA 3/16; EI 3/30)

In Gaza, a Palestinian youth dies of an electric shock in a tunnel nr. Rafah. On 3 occasions, IDF troops stationed e. of Khan Yunis and e. of Jabaliya fire warning shots at Palestinian farmers approaching the border fence, causing no injuries. Off the coast nr. Jabaliya, Israeli naval forces open fire on Palestinian fishing boats, causing no damage. In the West Bank, an Israeli military jeep hits and injures a Palestinian youth nr. Nablus. The IDF conducts house searches and raids in and around Hebron, 1 village nr. Jenin, and nr. Bethlehem, arresting 4 Palestinians and issuing summons to 2; patrols in and around Hebron, and 1 village each nr. Jenin and Jericho. Israeli forces level 18 dunams of land nr. Bethlehem. The PASF conducts raids in and around Tubas, arresting 22 Palestinians. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces arrest 3 Palestinians walking n. of the city. In Israel, an Israeli stabs a Palestinian worker at a construction site nr. Tel Aviv, moderately injuring him. In the Negev, Israeli forces demolish buildings in 2 bedouin villages nr. Beersheba. (JP, MNA, TOI, WAFA, YA 4/20; MNA, WAFA 4/21; PCHR 4/23)

The PA unity govt. delegation that arrived in Gaza on 4/19 departs for Ramallah, cutting short the planned weeklong visit that was meant to resolve ongoing issues, including the wage crisis. PA PM Hamdallah reportedly orders them to leave in response to Hamas officials’ obstructionism and makes plans to visit Gaza himself in 5/2015. (MNA, JP, YA 4/20; MNA 4/21)

The IDF continues its attacks on the Gaza Strip from land, sea and air, killing 78 Palestinians, including 25 people from a single family nr. the border with Egypt and 10 who die in Khan Yunis after shells hit their home repeatedly as they try to flee. An air strike on a tower in c. Gaza City kills 11, including 5 children. IDF troops shell al-Aqsa Hospital in c. Gaza, killing 4 and wounding 70. Palestinian fighters kill 9 Israeli soldiers during the fighting on the ground. Al-Qassam Brigades target Haifa, Tel Aviv, and Ashdod with rocket fire, with over 50 rockets fired into Israel, causing no injuries. In an al-Qassam Brigades operation, 12 Palestinian fighters enter Israel by a tunnel nr. Bayt Hanun and attack an IDF site, killing 4 and destroying a jeep with an RPG shell. Ten of the Palestinian fighters are killed in the operation and the other 2 return through the tunnel. In the West Bank, the IDF conducts house searches and arrest raids in Hebron, 1 nearby village and al-Fawar r.c., and 1 village nr. Qalqilya at night; patrols in 2 villages nr. Jericho and 1 village each nr. Hebron and Ramallah during the day. (AFP, AP, JP, MNA, REU, YA 7/21; PCHR 7/22)

Speaking in a televised address, former Hamas PM Haniyeh says that “Gaza has decided to end the blockade by its blood and its heroism,” adding, “We cannot go back to the silent death” of the siege. Israeli DM Ya’alon tells a parliamentary comm. that the operation will continue “as long as necessary until the completion of the task.” However, Ya’alon mentions that the Israeli govt. would welcome the PA unity govt. exercising authority in Gaza, in an apparent reversal of policy. In Doha, Hamas leader Mish‘al meets with Pres. Abbas for the 1st time since the war began. PA spokesperson Abu Rudayna reiterates the PA leadership’s call for an immediate cease-fire as a way of realizing “the national goals of the Palestinian people.” In Cairo, UN Secy.-Gen. Ban holds talks with Egyptian FM Shoukri aimed at pressing for an immediate truce. Secy. of State Kerry also arrives in Cairo to facilitate the cease-fire talks. Kerry announces that the U.S. will send $47 m. in humanitarian aid to Gaza. Meanwhile, the IDF requests access to the U.S. War Reserves Stockpile based in Israel to resupply its munitions. (AFP, AP, HA, JP, MNA, REU, YA 7/21)

Unidentified Palestinians fire a total of 6 Qassam rockets fr. Gaza into Israel in 3 barrages in the morning, afternoon, and evening, causing no damage or injuries. In retaliation, the IDF makes air strikes on 4 Hamas training facilities in Gaza City and Khan Yunis and on 2 smuggling tunnels on the Rafah border, causing no reported injuries. Israeli naval vessels fire on Palestinian fishing boats off the c. Gaza coast, forcing them to return to shore. In the West Bank, the IDF patrols in 3 villages nr. Ramallah and 3 nr. Salfit in the morning and in Jericho late at night. (YA 7/14; JP 7/15; PCHR 7/20; OCHA 7/22)

Inspired by the Arab Spring, 10s of young Israelis set up a tent camp on Rothschild Boulevard, Tel Aviv’s high-end shopping district, to protest high housing costs (up 20% compared to summer 2010). (Guardian, HA 7/16)

A suicide bomber detonates a device in an unlicensed gambling club in the Rishon Letzion suburb of Tel Aviv, killing 15 Israelis, injuring 57. Hamas's military wing claims responsibility, but the political wing will not confirm. The IDF conducts arrest raids in Tulkarm city, detaining about 40 Palestinians; bulldozes a Palestinian home, fatally shoots a Palestinian boy in Rafah; begins work on Jewish settler bypass roads nr. Khan Yunis, nr. Nablus. In Bethlehem, the siege of the Church of the Nativity continues, with Italy complaining it has not been consulted on the 5/6 agmt. (AFP, AP, CNN, MM 5/7; AFP, ANSA, XIN 5/7 in WNC 5/8; al-Quds 5/7 in WNC 5/9; MM, NYT, WP, WT 5/8; MA, RNE 5/8 in WNC 5/9; MM, WJW 5/9; al-Ra'i 5/9 in WNC 5/10; MM 5/10; AYM 5/12 in WNC 5/15; JP 5/16; MEI 5/17; HA 5/24)

The IDF announces plans to divide the West Bank into 8 isolated zones (Bethlehem, Hebron, Jericho, Jenin, Nablus, Qalqilya, Ramallah, Tulkarm); to impose severe new restrictions on the movement of Palestinians, goods btwn. zones. (UNRWA press release 5/14; al-Quds 5/16 in WNC 5/17; HA, JT [Internet] 5/17; HA 5/18; AYM 5/28 in WNC 5/20; PMC 5/19; HA 5/22; NYT 5/24)

In Washington, Sharon, Bush hold talks on PA reform, barely touch on the idea of a peace conference. They agree that the priority should be halting Palestinian violence, restructuring the PA, unifying the PA security services. Sharon also says that it is "premature" to discuss a Palestinian state, Israel will never agree to withdraw to 1967 lines; suggests Israel will not resume political talks until Arafat has been removed fr. power. Bush say he will send CIA dir. Tenet to the region to help rebuild the PA security forces. Sharon returns to Israel in light of the Rishon Letzion bombing. (AP, CNN, MM 5/7; MENA, al-Quds 5/7 in WNC 5/8; AYM 5/7, MA 5/8 in WNC 5/9; HA, JP [Internet], MM, NYT, WP, WT 5/8; MM, WJW, WP 5/9; QA, al-Ra'i 5/9 in WNC 5/10; MM 5/10; AYM 5/10 in WNC 5/13; JP [Internet] 5/10; JP 5/16)

Peres meets with PA Local Government M Erakat, PC speaker Qurai` in Tel Aviv to discuss the cease-fire implementation. Each side accuses the other of failing to fulfill agmts. PA, Israeli regional cmdrs. for Jericho, Qalqilya, Tulkarm also meet on security cooperation. (MENA 9/30 in WNC 10/1; JP [Internet] 10/1)

The IDF fatally shoots 3 Palestinians. The PSF uses tear gas to disperse Palestinian demonstrators in Gaza. Late this evening, the IDF sends troops into Khan Yunis, responding to reports (denied by the PA) that mortars were fired fr. the camp toward Netzarim. (HP, LAW, MM, WT 10/1; LAW 10/10)

2 Palestinians die of injuries received earlier, including senior Fatah mbr. Bardawil who was wounded on 6/5 in a possible assassination attempt. The IDF directs shells, heavy machine gun fire at residential areas of Khan Yunis, Rafah; raids 3 PA-controlled areas in Gaza, 1 in Hebron; occupies an uninhabited building in Nablus for use as an IDF post. Palestinians fire mortars at 2 Gaza settlements, causing no damage. Jewish settlers attempt to set up a new enclave nr. Nablus, where a settler was killed a wk. ago, but the IDF intervenes, declares the area a closed military zone. IDF troops bar an ambulance carrying a Palestinian man suffering a heart attack fr. crossing a checkpoint to reach a hospital; the man dies en route to the hospital via a 2d, longer path. Troops also bar a Palestinian woman in labor from crossing a checkpoint to reach Jericho hospital 40 m. away; after she gives birth, the soldiers allow her to walk through the crossing with her newborn. Israeli security forces arrest a number of Palestinian fr. Hebron working illegally inside the Green Line; escort them to Gaza, where they are barred fr. returning to Hebron. (HA, HP 6/8; HA 6/11)

CIA Dir. Tenet holds preliminary mtgs. with Sharon in Tel Aviv, Arafat in Ramallah. Israel presents two lists of Palestinians it wants arrested immediately: 34 Palestinians who committed anti-Israeli attacks and were released fr. PA prisons since the intifada began; some 300 Palestinians that "participated in the recent violence against military and civilian targets." The PA says it will coordinate with Israel and act on tips to prevent attacks, noting that it has already passed information to Israel regarding 2 possible suicide bombings since 6/1, but will not make preventive arrests without probable cause. (HA, MM 6/7; HJ, MENA, al-Quds, SA 6/7 in WNC 6/8/; MM, NYT, WP 6/8; DUS 6/8 in WNC 6/11; NYT 6/9)

In Ramallah, reps of the nationalist and Islamist groups give PLO Exec. Comm. secy. Mahmud Abbas a memorandum calling on Arafat to open a "national dialogue" to discuss forming an emergency government that includes all Palestinian factions. (AYM 6/8 in WNC 6/11; HJ 6/10 in WNC 6/12; AYM 6/12 in WNC 6/14)