The Palestine Chronology

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers attacked 2 Palestinians in Ma’in, causing light injuries. Israeli settlers also set fire to a Palestinian-owned vehicle in Rujeib. Elsewhere, Israeli settlers threw stones at Palestinian vehicles traveling between Jenin and Nablus. Israeli settlers also attacked Palestinians in Burin, demolished parts of a house, and set fields on fire. Israeli forces shot and killed 1 Palestinian child during a late-night raid in Tubas and injured 1 other by running him over. Israeli forces also shot and killed 1 Palestinian during a late-night raid in al-Fawar refugee camp. Elsewhere, Israeli forces shot and killed 1 Palestinian at a checkpoint near Huwwara, claiming he had tried to attack 2 Israeli soldiers. Israeli forces also violently dispersed Palestinian protesters in Hebron, injuring 2, including 1 with live ammunition. Separately, Israeli forces violently dispersed Palestinian protesters in Yatta, injuring 1 with live ammunition and 2 with rubber-coated bullets. Israeli forces also violently dispersed Palestinian protesters in Bayt Umar, injuring 1 minor with live ammunition and 3 others with rubber-coated bullets. Meanwhile, Israeli forces violently dispersed Palestinians protesting in Bethlehem, Harmala, al-Khadir, and Dayr Sharif, resulting in tear-gas related injuries. Israeli forces also violently dispersed Palestinian protesters in Beita, injuring 3 using rubber-coated bullets. Elsewhere, Israeli forces violently dispersed Palestinian protesters in Tulkarm, injuring 3 with live ammunition. 40 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in and around Hebron, al-Fawar refugee camp, Nablus, Tulkarm, Tubas, and Qalqilya. In East Jerusalem, 2 Israeli settlers attacked 1 Palestinian with a sharp tool, slicing her face as she was leaving the Haram al-Sharif compound. Israeli forces violently dispersed Palestinian protesters in al-Tur, injuring 1 with a rubber-coated bullet; others suffered tear-gas related injuries and 2 were arrested. 6 other Palestinians were arrested during house raids in the Old City, Jabal Mukabir, Silwan, and Shu‘fat. In Gaza, 34 Palestinians were killed, including 6 children, and dozens injured, raising the comprehensive death toll since 5/10 from 30 to 64, including 16 children. The casualties included: 4 in a drone strike on a car east of Bayt Lahiya; 8, including 3 children, in 3 air strikes on apartment buildings in Gaza City; 1 child in an air strike on a butcher in Gaza City; 6 in a drone strike on a car in Gaza city, including 3 inside the car and 3 passersby; 1, and 1 wounded, in another air strike on a vehicle in Gaza City; 1 in an air strike in Khan Yunis; 1 in an air strike on agricultural lands near Khuza‘a; 4, and 2 injured, in a drone strike on Nuseirat refugee camp; 2, and 1 child injured, in an air strike on a liquefied petroleum gas distribution vehicle in Khan Yunis; 2, and 3 wounded, including 1 child, in an air strike on a house in Khan Yunis; 2, and 2 wounded, all children, after a helicopter fired missiles at a gas station in al-Fukhari; and the body of 1 Palestinian was found in rubble near Bayt Hanun, it was assessed that he was killed in an air strike on 5/10; the body of 1 Palestinian was found near a mosque in Rafah, the Palestinian Centre for Human Rights said it was unclear if he had been killed by debris from an intercepted rocket or in an Israeli air strike. Hamas reported that the interior ministry and the passport office along with other government buildings had been hit by Israeli air strikes. Israeli air strikes also demolished 2 high-rise buildings, the 10-story al-Jawhara building, and the 14-story al-Shorouq building, which housed news outlets and other offices, and the headquarters of the interior ministry and UNRWA schools. In Israel, 1 Israeli soldier was killed and 2 injured from an anti-tank missile fired from Gaza and 1 child succumbed to injuries sustained in Sderot, raising the Israeli death toll to 7. Dozens of rockets were also fired at Israel from Gaza, most of them intercepted. A mob of Jewish-Israelis pulled 1 Palestinian-Israeli out of his car and beat him while tv cameras were rolling in Bat Yam; the man was said to be in serious condition. A mob of Jewish-Israelis also raided a number of Palestinian-owned businesses in Tel Aviv, causing severe damage. 1 Jewish-Israeli man was attacked by 5 Palestinian-Israelis in ‘Akka; he was said to be in serious condition. Jewish-Israelis also attacked a tent set up to mourn the death of 1 Palestinian-Israeli who was shot by a Jewish-Israeli on 5/10 in Lydda, throwing stones at the mourners. Elsewhere in Lydda, 1 Jewish-Israeli was shot and injured and 2 more were injured in stabbings, 21 Palestinian-Israelis were injured, including 1 by gunshot. Israeli police announced a nighttime curfew in Lydda from 8 p.m. to 4 a.m. 1 Palestinian-Israeli man was injured when rammed by a car­ and beaten near Or Akiva. 1 Palestinian-Israeli was lightly injured by a mob of Jewish-Israelis while driving in Tiberias. 1 Jewish-Israeli was injured in a stabbing incident in Tamra. A mob of Jewish-Israelis also attacked 1 Palestinian-Israeli in Haifa. (AJ, NYT 5/11; AJ, AJ, AJ, AJ, AP, AP, AP, AP, BBC, CNN, HA, HA, HA, NYT, NYT, PCHR, REU, REU, TOI, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 5/12; AP, CNN, HA, PCHR, WAFA, WAFA 5/13; PCHR 5/14; TOI 5/16; HA 5/18; WAFA 5/19; PCHR 5/20; MEE 5/21; HA, NYT 5/26; HA 5/27)

1 Palestinian prisoner suspended a 56-day-long hunger strike as Israel promised not to renew his administrative detention after 7/17. (WAFA 5/12)

PA president Mahmoud Abbas discussed the current situation with EU high representative Josep Borrell, King Abdullah II of Jordan, and Iraqi president Barham Salih. A White House statement also said that U.S. secretary of state Antony Blinken spoke with President Abbas and they discussed “the violence in Jerusalem, the West Bank and Gaza, and the Secretary expressed his condolences for the lives lost as a result. The Secretary condemned the rocket attacks and emphasized the need to de-escalate tensions and bring the current violence to an end.” (HA, WAFA 5/12)

At a security cabinet meeting, Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu and other ministers decided not to accept a potential ceasefire and continue its attack on Gaza for the time being. (HA 5/13)

Israeli president Reuven Rivlin condemned what he called a “pogrom” by “an Arab mob” on 5/11, despite the majority of the violence in Israel being perpetrated against Palestinian-Israelis. (HA 5/12)

Turkey said that its president Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and Russia’s president Vladimir Putin had discussed the situation in Jerusalem and Gaza, and that Turkey had called for international action against Israel. (AJ, AP, REU 5/12)

U.S. president Joe Biden said, during a press conference, that he believes that “Israel has a right to defend itself when you have thousands of rockets flying in your territory,” and that his “hope is that we’ll see this coming to conclusions sooner than later.” President Biden also spoke with Prime Minister Netanyahu, where he gave his “unwavering support for Israel’s security and for Israel’s legitimate right to defend itself and its people, while protecting civilians,” according to the readout. The Biden administration also dispatched deputy assistant secretary of state for Israel and Palestine Hady Amr to Israel for talks with Palestinian and Israeli officials. The White House said that senior officials have had more than 25 calls with officials from Israel, the PA, Qatar, Tunisia, Jordan, and Egypt about the situation. (HA 5/12; NYT 5/13)

25 house democrats signed a letter circulated by Marie Newman (D-IL) and Mark Pocan (D-WI) urging secretary of state Antony Blinken to condemn the planned evictions of Palestinian families from Shaykh Jarrah. (HA 5/13)

ICC prosecutor Fatou Bensouda said that she was following the situation in Gaza and Jerusalem with concern. (MEE, REU, WAFA 5/12)

The UN security council held a 2d meeting in 3 days to discuss the escalation of the conflict between Palestine and Israel. (TOI 5/12)

The Jerusalem Post reports that PLO chief negotiator Saeb Erakat met with EU mission heads in Jerusalem last month to ask for help in drafting the resolution for the UNGA on the Palestinian non-member state upgrade. (JP 10/3)

The Danish FM urges the EU to force stores to label products from Israeli settlements in the West Bank, an initiative relating to a decision taken by EU foreign ministers in 5/2012 to enforce existing legislation regarding settlement produce. (HA 10/3)

In the West Bank, the IDF confiscates Palestinian farmland in the Fukin valley nr. Bethlehem; photographs Palestinian houses in the Umm Rokba area s. of al-Khadir village nr. Bethlehem, an area nr. a settlement outpost where many homes have been served demolition orders. The IDF also raids a school near the al-Ibrahimi Mosque/Tomb of the Patriarchs in Hebron in the morning and patrols in 1 village nr. Hebron (firing sound bombs and rubber-coated bullets, wounding 1 child); patrols in Tulkarm at night, using stun grenades and tear-gas bombs in response to Palestinian stonethrowing, and in 2 villages nr. Hebron; conducts an arrest raid in 1 village nr. Hebron. (PCHR 10/4)

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: During weekly inner cabinet meeting, P.M. Shamir refuses to hold vote on U.S. peace proposal and rejects Sec. of State Shultz's 3/16 deadline for responding to plan [NYT, WP 3/7]. At military court in Jaffa, captain and 2 soldiers involved in beating detained Palestinians are charged with brutality and assault [NYT, WP 3/7]. Gazan dies from gunshot wounds suffered 3/4 [NYT 3/7]. General strike continues in occupied territories [Fl 3/13]. Al-Quds daily resumes distribution in Gaza Strip and W. Bank following 45-day Israeli-ordered ban [FJ 3/13]. Israel announces all print shops must obtain special permits from Office of the Interior in Beit El [FJ 3/13].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: In Nablus' 'Askar refugee camp, soldiers shoot dead Palestinian youth; army says Palestinians may have opened fire. In Mazra'ah al-Sharqiyyah, near Ramallah, soldiers use live ammunition in effort to quell violent demonstrations, killing 1 and wounding another [WP, NYT 3/7]. Police use tear gas to disperse youths blockading streets in E. Jerusalem. Demonstrations break out in Ramallah, Bayt Sahur, and Bayt Jala following Sunday services [FJ 3/13]. Curfews continue in villages of Khadir, Bidiyyah, and Bani Na'im and 'Arrub camp [FJ 3/13]. In Gaza Strip, Beach camp residents defy curfew, clash with Israeli troops; soldiers respond with tear gas. Demonstrators in Burayj moum death of camp resident wounded by Israeli soldiers 3/4. Violent clashes are also reported in W. Bank's Am'ari, Qadduri, and 'Azzah refugee camps [FJ 3/13].

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Palestinian shot, wounded when he allegedly tried to attack Israeli soldier in al-Burayj camp 3/4 dies in Gaza hospital [WP 3/6].

Other Countries: Sec. of State Shultz retums to U.S. from Middle East trip [NYT 3/6]. New York Times reports former Sec. of State Henry Kissinger urged Am. Jewish leaders to withhold criticism of Israel and voiced support for media ban in W. Bank and Gaza Strip and Israeli use of force [NYT 3/5]. Reagan administration endorses letter signed by 30 senators criticizing P.M. Shamir for rejection of land for peace formula [WP 3/8].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: IDF troops fire on demonstrators in Dahariyyah near Hebron, killing 2 Palestinians. In northem Israel, 4 Israelis are wounded by Katyusha rocket fired from S. Lebanon. Soldiers raid Jalazun refugee camp near Ramallah and arrest about 50 Palestinians [WP 3/6]. Troops conduct mass nighttime arrests in several W. Bank camps [FJ 3/13]. Palestinian youth is shot dead by Israeli troops during clash in Mazra'ah al-Sharqiyyah village [WQP 3/28]. In Qalandiya refugee camp, near Jerusalem, protesters attack IDF patrol with stones, Molotov cocktails [Fl 3/13]. Students demonstrate in Ramallah after failed attempt to enter Birzeit U. [Fl 3/13]. Clashes between Israeli troops and tire-burning Palestinians are reported in Ramallah, Qalqiliyyah, and Abu Dis village. At least 3 are injured by army gunfire in Jenin. Curfews are in force in Burayj, Dayr al-Balah, and 'Arrub camps, Khadir village, and Bani Na'im village [Fl 3/13].

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Authorities extend Bethlehem U. closure order to 4/4. Boys' school in al-Khadr village, near Bethlehem, and secondary school in Bayt Sahur are also ordered closed for a week [FJ 4/3]. In letter to Jerusalem Electricity Co. (JEC) board of directors, Minister of Energy Moshe Shahal demands board prepare to cede company to ministry at the end of December [FJ 4/3]

Other Countries: U.S. State Dept. report cites Israel as 1 of 7 states which has sold arms to S. Africa in violation of a decadeold embargo [PI 4/2; NYT 4/3].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Balatah refugee camp youths clash with Israeli troops for third straight day [FJ 4/3].

Arab World: Palestine National Salvation Front reports Amal snipers fired on women trying to leave Burj al-Barajinah camp to shop for food; 1 is killed, 3 wounded [LAT 4/2].

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: During a visit to Jerusalem, Australian P. M. Hawke indicates he is willing to mediate between Israel and the PLO, calls for mutual recognition [FJ 1/30]. Landowners from Bayt 'Ula village hold news conference, allege Israeli authorities are threatening to confiscate all their agricultural and grazing lands [FJ 1/30]. Near Bethlehem, Neve Daniel settlers and soldiers uproot 200 olive trees and grape vines in ongoing land dispute with Arab residents of al-Khadir village [FJ 2/6]. Jewish extremists vandalize 25 cars in Silwan village, near Jerusalem [FJ 2/6]. Military officials close Gaza City's al-Azhar school for one week in connection with anti-occupation protests [FJ 2/6].

Arab World: Nayaf Khalil al-Bayad is hanged in Jordan for the murder of PLO Executive Com. member Fahd al-Qawasmi [Fl 2/13].

Other Countries: U.S. Senate Intelligence Committee releases report on Iran-contra affair, indicating Israel played major role in deal and Israeli official may have used some profits from the arms sales for "other projects" [NYT 2/2; WP 1/31].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Israeli soldiers shoot and wound 3 demonstrators and arrest hundreds more during protest in Khan Yunis mosque against deportation of Muhammad Dahlan [WP 1/30; FJ 2/6]. Army uses tear gas to break up demonstration at Balatta refugee camp [FJ 2/6].

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: In Jerusalem press conference, staff and student representatives of West Bank universities condemn closure of Najah Nat'l. U. (since 7/30/84). Military orders ban Gaza table tennis tournament (scheduled for 9/21).

Arab World: Portuguese & Eritrean labor delegations visit Chrmn. Arafat at Tunis HQ. PDR Yemen leader Ali Nasser Mohammed arrives in Damascus for talks with officials on PLO-Syria reconciliation.

Other Countries: Israel announces appointment of Benjamin Netanyahu as its amb. to UN.

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: 2nd anniversay of massacres at Sabra and Shatila camps; Israeli troops respond with tear gas to demonstrations in Jalazoun and Dheisheh camps. Israeli bus ambushed near Bethlehem, 5 Israelis, 2 Palestinians in nearby car injured; police search, impose curfew on Dheisheh camp & al-Khidr village. Arab World: IDF position near Jezzine shelled by Katyushas fired from south of Awali River.