The Palestine Chronology

In East Jerusalem, approximately 35 right-wing Jewish activists tour Haram al-Sharif. In the West Bank, IDF troops arrest 7 Palestinians and confiscate NIS 500,000 (approximately $134,731) during raids near Jenin, Tulkarm, Hebron, and Nablus; and patrol near Hebron, Tulkarm, and Salfit. Along Gaza’s border, Israeli forces conduct a limited incursion to level land near Khan Yunis and open fire on Palestinian shepherds and agricultural lands near Dayr al-Balah, causing no damage or injuries. (MNA, MNA, WAFA, WAFA 11/15; PCHR 11/22)

PA president Mahmoud Abbas signs accession papers for the State of Palestine to join 11 international organizations and conventions, including the Universal Postal Union, Convention on the Nationality of Married Women, Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Rights of the Child, Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, Optional Protocol to the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women, Basel Protocol on Liability and Compensation for Damage Resulting from Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and their Disposal, Vienna Convention of Road Traffic, Protocol concerning countries or territories at present occupied, Convention on Consent to Marriage, Minimum Age for Marriage and Registration of Marriages, Agreement Establishing the Common Fund for Commodities, and the International Convention on the Arrest of Ships. (MNA, TOI, WAFA 11/15)

One day after Israeli defense minister Avigdor Lieberman resigned in protest of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s decision to reach a cease-fire with the armed Palestinian groups in Gaza, both Finance Minister Moshe Kahlon and Interior Minister Aryeh Deri call for snap elections to be held as soon as possible. Meanwhile, hundreds of Israelis from communities near Gaza gather in central Tel Aviv to protest the government’s response to the recent rocket fire from Gaza. Many call for Netanyahu to resign. Netanyahu, for his part, presents to a group of leaders from the border communities a NIS 500 million (approximately $135 million) plan to support them over the next 2 years. (HA, HA, JP, YA 11/15; HA, MNA, TOI 11/16)

UNRWA commissioner general Pierre Krähenbühl says that the agency has almost entirely made up for the budget shortfall caused by U.S. president Trump’s decision to slash U.S. support for UNRWA earlier this year. He says that UNRWA has raised an addition $382 million, bringing the deficit to just $64 million. “I’ll be very honest in saying, I don’t think many people believed that we would be able to overcome a $446 million shortfall at the beginning of the year,” he says, crediting the EU, Kuwait, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE for each upping their pledges of support this year. (AFP, TOI 11/15)

Approximately 3,000 Palestinians gather along Gaza’s northern border to continue the Great March of Return and to cheer on approximately 15 Palestinian boats setting sail in a symbolic protest of the Israeli blockade. Israeli naval forces fire warning shots at the boats, forcing them to turn back to shore, and IDF troops along the border fence open fire on the other protesters; 1 Palestinian is killed and 34 are injured, including 3 paramedics. This brings the death toll stemming from the Great March of Return to 186. Also along Gaza’s border, Israeli forces conduct a limited incursion to level land near Bayt Lahiya. In the West Bank, Israeli forces demolish a Palestinian home under construction in Atana refugee camp near Ramallah and uproot approximately 550 Palestinian trees outside Bayt Ula near Hebron. IDF troops arrest 14 Palestinians during late-night raids near Jenin, Nablus, Qalqilya, and Tulkarm; and patrol in and around Nablus and Hebron. (EI, MNA, MNA, MNA, MNA, TOI, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, YA 10/29; MNA 10/30; PCHR 11/1)

The PLO Central Council (PCC) convenes for a 2d day of meetings in Ramallah and reaches a non-binding decision to suspend all PLO and PA agreements with Israel, including those that govern the PA’s security coordination with the IDF, until the Israeli government recognizes the State of Palestine. PA president Mahmoud Abbas vows to implement the decision, a move he has not taken in response to similar PCC decisions in the past. (HA, JP, MNA, WAFA, YA 10/30)

Senior Israeli security officials speculate that the uptick in violence along Gaza’s border fence this weekend stemmed from a power struggle in Gaza between PIJ and Hamas over the ongoing Great March of Return and the potential benefits to come from a cease-fire agreement with Israel. Separately, a senior Israeli political source says that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is focused on the ongoing negotiations on a cease-fire, rather than preparations for another assault on Gaza. “We can reoccupy Gaza and remove Hamas from power, but there are no volunteers to take Gaza off our hands,” the source says. “If there was someone willing to take responsibility for the strip, we would have taken over it tomorrow.” (HA, YA 10/29)

An Israeli aircraft conducts an air strike along Gaza’s border fence near Khan Yunis, killing 3 Palestinian minors. An IDF spokesperson says that the Palestinians were attempting to place a suspicious object along the border fence. Hours after the strike, hundreds of Palestinians march to the homes of senior Hamas and Islamic Jihad in Palestine (PIJ) leaders demanding that they retaliate against Israel. PIJ then puts out a statement threatening to respond and rejecting the Israeli narrative about what the 3 minors were doing. Meanwhile, IDF troops stationed along the border fence open fire on Palestinian bird-hunters working near Bayt Hanun; 1 Palestinian is injured. In the West Bank, Israeli forces chase a Palestinian shepherd off his land in the northern Jordan Valley. IDF troops assault and injure a Palestinian, arrest 9 other Palestinians, issue 1 arrest summons, and confiscate a Palestinian vehicle during late-night raids near Bethlehem, Hebron, Jenin, Tulkarm, and Qalqilya; and patrol near Nablus, Hebron, and Qalqilya. Israeli settlement security guards assault 2 Palestinians near Nablus. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces arrest 5 Palestinians during late-night raids in Qalandia refugee camp, Anata refugee camp, and Shu‘fat. (HA, JP, JP, MNA, TOI, WAFA, WAFA, YA 10/28; MNA 10/29; PCHR 11/1)

A Palestinian succumbs to injuries sustained when IDF troops opened fire on Palestinian protesters along Gaza’s border fence on 10/26. This brings the death toll stemming from the Great March of Return to 185. (HA, MNA, TOI, WAFA 10/28)

The PLO Central Council convenes in Ramallah for the first of 2 days of meetings on a variety of issues facing the Palestinian people. Opening the meetings, PA president Mahmoud Abbas says, “We are facing a historical moment; either to be or not to be.” He calls for the Palestinian people to support the PLO and reaffirms that there can be no Palestinian state without Gaza or a capital in Jerusalem. (HA, MNA, WAFA, WAFA, YA 10/28)

Approximately 1,500 right-wing Jewish activists visit Joseph’s Tomb near Nablus overnight, sparking clashes between their IDF escort and Palestinian residents of the area; 20 Palestinians are injured, including 2 journalists. Elsewhere in the West Bank, IDF troops raid a Palestinian boys school near Nablus, sparking minor clashes; there are no reported injuries. They also arrest 3 Palestinians during raids in Qalqilya; and patrol near Hebron and Tulkarm. Separately, PA security forces arrest dozens of Hamas affiliates during raids across the West Bank. The raids come one day after Hamas security forces summoned dozens of Fatah members for interrogation in Gaza. In East Jerusalem, approximately 1135 right-wing Jewish activists tour Haram al-Sharif to commemorate Sukkot, sparking minor confrontations between their Israeli security escort and Palestinian worshippers; there are no reported injuries or arrests. Israeli forces arrest 8 Palestinians during raids in Qalandia refugee camp, Biddu, and the Old City. Along Gaza’s border, Israeli forces conduct limited incursions to level land near Khan Yunis and Bayt Lahiya. Off Gaza’s coast, Israeli naval forces open fire on Palestinian fishing boats near Jabaliya refugee camp, causing no damage or injuries. (MNA, MNA, MNA, MNA, TOI, TOI, WAFA, WAFA 9/27; PCHR 10/4)

PA president Mahmoud Abbas addresses the UN General Assembly in New York City, calling on the Trump administration to reverse its recognition of Jerusalem as Israel’s capital, reinstate aid to UNRWA, and oppose Israel’s settlement enterprise. “It is ironic that the [Trump] administration still talks about what they call the ‘Deal of the Century,’” he says. “But what is left for this administration to give to the Palestinian people?" He also calls on Hamas to implement their 12/7/17 reconciliation agreement and give up control of Gaza to the PA. In response, Hamas releases a statement calling Abbas’s speech a “declaration of failure” on the stalled Palestinian reconciliation process. (HA, TOI, YA 9/27; DPA, HA, HA, JP, MNA, MNA, TOI, YA, YA 9/28)

Jordan’s Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi says that Germany, Sweden, the EU, Japan, and Turkey, as well as a number of other countries, collectively pledged $118 million to UNRWA at a meeting on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in New York City this week. Meanwhile, the Ad Hoc Liaison Committee, the main policy-level fundraising body for the Palestinians, meets in New York to discuss an proposed humanitarian aid package for Gaza. (HA, JP, MNA 9/28; TOI 9/29)

After meeting with Rwandan president Paul Kagame, Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu announces that Israel and Rwanda will soon open embassies in each other’s countries. Netanyahu also says Kagame wants to start a direct flight between Kigali and Tel Aviv. (TOI 9/29)

Along Gaza’s border, IDF troops violently disperse dozens of Palestinians gathering near Rafah, Khan Yunis and Jabaliya refugee camp to continue the Great March of Return; 5 Palestinians are injured. Amid the demonstrations, an Israeli aircraft conducts an air strike on a protest camp near Rafah, causing damage. Separately, Israeli forces conduct a limited incursion to level land near Jabaliya refugee camp. On the other side of the border fence, Israeli firefighters put out 7 fires that were reportedly sparked by incendiary balloons and kites flown from Gaza. In the West Bank, IDF troops conduct raids in Rumana village near Jenin overnight, sparking minor clashes; several Palestinians are injured. They also arrest 5 Palestinians during further raids in and around Hebron, Qalqilya, and Nablus; and patrol near Hebron throughout the day. In East Jerusalem, approximately 362 right-wing Jewish activists tour Haram al-Sharif to commemorate Sukkot. Late at night, Israeli forces assault and arrest 2 Palestinians in Silwan. (MNA, MNA, MNA, WAFA, WAFA 9/26; MNA, PCHR 9/27)

On the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in New York City, U.S. president Donald Trump meets with Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu. At a joint press conference, Trump says he thinks a “2-state solution will work best.” His statement marks the first time he has publicly expressed a preference for the 2-state solution while in office. Later in the day, Trump says that Netanyahu was “very nice” to him and that a 2-state solution is “more likely,” but that he would be “OK with 1 state, 2 states, whatever they want.” Netanyahu, for his part, tells Israeli reporters that Trump accepts that Israel should retain a military presence in the West Bank even if a 2-state solution is agreed upon. (HA, TOI, WAFA, YA 9/26; HA, HA, JP, WAFA, YA, YA 9/27)

Ahead of PA president Mahmoud Abbas’s planned address to the UN General Assembly on 9/27, Hamas denounces Abbas as an illegitimate representative of the Palestinian people. According to sources close to Hamas’s leadership, the statement stems from the Egyptian delegation’s visit to Gaza last week for talks on the stalled Palestinian reconciliation process. The Egyptians reportedly backed Abbas’s position that there could be no long-term cease-fire with Israel until Hamas and Fatah reconcile and the PA resumes control of Gaza. “Most of the donor countries, including the Arab countries, have adopted this line,” the source says. “So it looks like Hamas is losing the momentum to advance calm on a separate track from reconciliation, and the situation in Gaza is getting worse.” Meanwhile, Hamas security forces summon dozens of Fatah members for interrogation in Gaza. According to some reports from Gaza, they also threaten at least 1 print shop owner with “arrests and beatings” should he print any materials in support of PA president Abbas’s planned speech to the UN General Assembly on 9/27. (HA 9/26; TOI 9/27)

One day after the UK Labour Party endorsed a freeze on UK arms sales to Israel, Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn says that he intends to recognize the State of Palestine if he is elected to lead the UK. (TOI, YA 9/26)

After 26 fires break out in Israeli farmland near Gaza, the IAF conducts air strikes on 2 sites allegedly used as staging areas for incendiary kite and balloon attacks in Gaza City and 2 in al-Bureij refugee camp, destroying a vehicle and injuring 3 Palestinians (1 critically). In the West Bank, IDF troops arrest 15 Palestinians during raids near Tulkarm, Nablus, Jenin, and Tubas; and patrol in and around Tulkarm and Hebron. Israeli settlers torch approximately 300 olive trees in Palestinian farmland near Nablus. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces arrest 16 Palestinians during raids in Ras al-Amud, al-‘Izzariya, al-Ram, Shu‘fat refugee camp, and al-Suwana. (HA, YA 6/24; MNA 6/25; PCHR 6/28)

A Palestinian succumbs to injuries sustained when IDF troops violently dispersed Palestinian protesters along Gaza’s border on 6/22. This brings the death toll stemming from the Great March of Return to 125. (HA, TOI, WAFA 6/24)

In an interview with the Palestinian newspaper Al-Quds, U.S. president Trump’s son-in-law and senior advisor Kushner says that he is ready to work with PA president Abbas, but questions Abbas’s commitment and ability to reach a peace agreement with Israel. “He has his talking points which have not changed in the last 25 years. There has been no peace deal achieved in that time.” The interview is seen as an attempt by Kushner to speak directly to the Palestinian people and to pressure Abbas into reengaging with the Trump administration’s peace efforts. PLO secretary-general Erakat says that Kushner’s comments highlight the Trump administration’s “refusal to talk substance, to mention Palestinian rights or a Palestinian state.” (AJ HA, JP, NYT, REU 6/24)

IDF troops shoot and kill a Palestinian during clashes sparked by an arrest raid in Nabi Salih near Ramallah. A second Palestinian is injured during the clashes. IDF troops injure another Palestinian during clashes sparked by raids in nearby Bayt Rima village. They also arrest 5 Palestinians during late-night raids in and around Bethlehem, Qalqilya, and Hebron; and patrol near Hebron. Along Gaza’s border fence, IDF troops open fire on Palestinian minors who cut through the fence near Gaza City; 1 Palestinian is injured. They also open fire on the Great March of Return tent camp near Rafah, injuring 2 laborers doing maintenance work. (HA, JP, MNA, TOI, WAFA, YA 6/6; PCHR 6/7; PCHR 6/14)

PA president Mahmoud Abbas signs documents of accession for the State of Palestine to join seven new international treaties and conventions, including the Second Optional Protocol to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, which aims to abolish the death penalty. He instructs PA FM al-Maliki to put procedures in place to fully implement the agreements. (WAFA 6/7)

IDF troops shoot and kill a Palestinian amid clashes sparked by an IDF raid in Dayr Nizam village near Ramallah (3 other Palestinians are injured). Meanwhile, the IDF arrests 7 Palestinians and issues 1 arrest summons during late-night raids in and around Hebron, Jenin, and Nablus; and patrols near Hebron and Nablus. In East Jerusalem, Israeli settlers perform a marriage ceremony at Haram al-Sharif, violating long-standing agreements barring non-Muslim religious rites at the sanctuary. Israeli forces arrest 3 Palestinians during late-night raids in Jabal Mukabir. (HA, MNA, TOI, WAFA 1/3; PCHR 1/4; PCHR 1/11)

Unidentified parties fire 2 rockets from Gaza into southern Israel. They land in open areas, causing no damage or injuries. Late at night, the Israeli Air Force launches air strikes and artillery shelling in Gaza. (HA, JP, TOI 1/3; HA, JP, MNA, WAFA, YA 1/4; PCHR 1/11)

Responding to the U.S. threats to suspend economic aid on 1/2, a PA spokesperson says that the Palestinians will not back down from their decision to abandon the U.S. peace initiative. “Jerusalem is the eternal capital of the state of Palestine and it is not for sale for gold or billions,” he says. Fatah Central Committee member al-Ahmad says that the Palestinians will not accept the U.S. as a “partner in the peace process” unless it reverses Pres. Trump’s 12/6 recognition of Jerusalem as Israel’s capital. (AFP, TOI, WAFA 1/3)

PA minister of civil affairs Hussein al-Sheikh announces that Pres. Abbas instructed him to ask Israel to resume supplying 120 megawatts of electricity to Gaza, which would bring Israeli-supplied power back to the same levels as before the PA partially suspended electricity payments in 4/2017. (JP, WAFA 1/3; HA 1/4)