The Palestine Chronology

In the West Bank, for the 2d day in a row, Israeli settlers from the Yitzhar settlement clashed with Israeli forces. Israeli settlers also damaged a Palestinian-owned home near Jalud. Israeli forces shot and injured a Palestinian minor who allegedly was throwing stones near Qalqilya. Israeli forces handed out notices in Qaryut informing residents of plans to seize 700 dunams (173 acres) of Palestinian-owned land. Elsewhere, in ‘Azun, Israeli forces closed a metal gate on an eastern entrance and put up a flying checkpoint on the western entrance to the town. 2 Palestinians were arrested, including 1 at a checkpoint in Qalqilya; and 1 during a house raid in Hebron. In East Jerusalem, Israeli settlers toured the Haram al-Sharif compound; at the same time, Israeli forces arrested 5 Palestinians in the area. In Gaza, the Erez border crossing was closed by Israel. (HA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 10/21; PCHR 10/24)

In Israel, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told President Reuven Rivlin that he was not able to form a government, handing the coalition building efforts to his rival Benny Gantz. (HA 10/21)

After 5 days of protests in Lebanon, the Lebanese cabinet approved new measures to deal with the country’s economic crisis, including cutting the salaries of top officials in half. Prime Minister Sa’d Hariri said that the measures would reduce the country’s deficit by $3.4 billion in 2020. (HA 10/21)

In the West Bank, Israeli forces demolished a Palestinian house under construction east of Jericho. Israeli forces also razed tracts of Palestinian-owned farmland west of Bethlehem, in Madama, and Burin near Nablus. In Tarqumiyya, Israeli forces demolished a greenhouse and razed land belonging to 2 Palestinian families. In Kafr Haris near Salfit, Israeli settlers injured a Palestinian while throwing stones at his house. In a separate incident, Israeli settlers ignited 2 Palestinian-owned olive groves in Madama. 8 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in and around Ramallah, Nablus, Bethlehem, and Qalqilya. In East Jerusalem, 3 Palestinians were wounded and 1 arrested during an Israeli raid in Issawiyya. A 60-year-old man died of wounds sustained after being beaten by Israeli forces earlier in June. (WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 6/19; HA, WAFA 6/20)

In the West Bank, a Palestinian minor arrested for allegedly throwing stones was shot by Israeli soldiers after he attempted to flee blindfolded and handcuffed near Tuqu‘. After Palestinians argued with the Israeli soldiers, they brought the minor to a hospital for treatment. Elsewhere, Israeli forces demolished a house in Hebron belonging to a Palestinian convicted of killing an Israeli settler. Clashes between Israeli soldiers and Palestinians ensued during the demolition; no injuries were reported. Also in Hebron, a group of Israeli settlers broke into a Palestinian family’s home and attacked family members with pepper spray; once they left the home, they attacked a Palestinian bystander. In Qalandia, Israeli forces raided several shops and street vendors, leading to clashes with Palestinians. Israeli forces also patrolled in and around Sabastiyya, warning Palestinians not to obstruct Jewish celebrations in the village scheduled for 4/23. For the 2d time this week, Israeli forces dismantled a residential tent in Susiya, confiscating equipment to raise the tent and leaving a family of 10 homeless. In Gaza, Israeli forces opened fire on Palestinian fishermen in several separate instances and opened fire on Palestinian farmers working their land in Khuza‘a near Khan Yunis. No injuries were reported. (MNA, MNA, MNA, MNA, MNA, WAFA 4/18; MNA, MNA 4/19; HA 4/21; HA 4/23)  

The long-awaited “Mueller Report” was released and showed that the Trump transition team, in this effort led by Jared Kushner, lobbied foreign governments to delay or defeat a UN Security Council resolution condemning the Israeli settlements in the West Bank (UNSC Res. 2334) in December 2016. (MDW 4/18)

In the West Bank, an Israeli soldier assaulted a Palestinian shepherd in Hadidiya in the Jordan Valley. Elsewhere in the West Bank, a 17-year-old Palestinian was injured after being hit in the head by an Israeli fired rubber-coated bullet. The attack happened as Israeli forces raided Muthalath al-Shuhada south of Jenin; Palestinians in the village responded to the raid by throwing stones at the soldiers. At least 4 Palestinians were detained in late-night raids in and around Hebron, Hizma, and Tulkarm. In East Jerusalem, a Palestinian family demolished their own home to avoid the excessive Israeli demolition fees. Along the coast of Gaza, Israeli naval forces opened fire at Palestinian fishermen. (MNA, MNA, WAFA, WAFA 4/6; MNA 4/7)

The Israeli Higher Planning Committee approved the construction of 770 new housing units in the Bitar Elit settlement west of Bethlehem. (WAFA 4/6)

Hamas political leader Yahya Sinwar said Israel and Hamas had reached an agreement through Egyptian mediators that included expanding the list of items allowed into Gaza and easing restrictions on import and export and passage of traders. (HA 4/6)

In a controversial interview with Israeli Channel 12, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that if he wins the upcoming Israeli elections, he “will extend sovereignty but I don’t distinguish between the settlement blocs and the isolated ones, because each settlement is Israeli and I will not hand it over to Palestinian sovereignty.” Netanyahu further stated, “I will not divide Jerusalem, I will not evacuate any community and I will make sure we control the territory west of Jordan.” Netanyahu also said that the evacuation of Khan al-Ahmar “it will happen, I promised and it will happen at the soonest opportunity.” Netanyahu’s statements were largely understood as a pledge to annex the West Bank. Palestinian foreign minister Riyad al-Maliki responded that Netanyahu would face a “real problem” if he is serious, adding that Palestinians would resist such policy. (WAFA 4/6; AJ, HA, HA 4/7)

At the World Economic Forum on the Middle East and North Africa in Jordan, the Omani foreign minister Yusuf bin Alawi bin Abdullah said at a panel that Palestinians should reassure Israel that it is not under threat in the Middle East. Yusuf bin Alawi’s comment was quickly rebuked by Jordanian foreign minister Ayman Safadi, stating that the Arab Peace Initiative stipulates that normalization with Israel is based on Israeli withdrawal of occupied Palestine. Palestinian president Mahmoud Abbas discussed the situation in Palestine with representatives from around the Middle East, including Yusuf bin Alawi. (HA, WAFA 4/6; AJ, MNA 4/7)

In a speech to the Republican Jewish Coalition in Las Vegas, NV, President Donald Trump told the audience that in the lead-up to announcing that U.S. was moving its embassy to Jerusalem, he ignored calls from world leaders. Trump further referred to Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu as “your prime minister” to the largely Jewish-American audience. (MDW, 4/7)

Unidentified Gazans fly a number of incendiary devices strapped to balloons into southern Israel. They land in open areas and no damage is reported. Also along Gaza’s border, hundreds of Palestinians gather along Gaza’s northern shore to continue the Great March of Return and to cheer on a number of Palestinian boats sailing in a symbolic challenge of Israel’s blockade. IDF troops and Israeli naval forces violently disperse the demonstrations; at least 35 Palestinians are injured. Four more Palestinians are injured when IDF troops violently disperse a late-night protest along the border fence near al-Bureij refugee camp. Meanwhile, Israeli forces conduct a limited incursion to level land near Khan Yunis. In the West Bank, the Israeli authorities order approximately 50 Palestinian families to temporarily leave their homes near Tubas to clear the area for IDF training. Also near Tubas, Israeli settlers assault and injure a Palestinian shepherd. Settlers also chant racist slogans and march through central Hebron, causing minor damage when they throw stones at Palestinian homes. Meanwhile, IDF troops arrest 12 Palestinians during late-night raids in and around Ramallah, Hebron, Jenin, Tubas, and Salfit; and patrol near Nablus. The raid in Tubas sparks clashes with stone-throwing Palestinians; 1 Palestinian is injured. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces conduct raids at al-Quds University in Abu Dis, sparking minor clashes with students; 17 Palestinian students suffer from tear gas inhalation. They also demolish 4 Palestinian homes and a warehouse in Silwan and Jabal Mukabir. (MNA, MNA, MNA, MNA, MNA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 2/12; MNA, MNA, MNA 2/13; PCHR 2/14)

A Palestinian succumbs to injuries sustained when IDF troops violently disperse protests along Gaza’s border fence on 2/8. This brings the death toll stemming from the Great March of Return to 204. (TOI, WAFA 2/12; MNA 2/13; EI, PCHR 2/14)

After reports of an Israeli strike in Syria on 2/11, Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu says that Israel is “constantly operating” against “Iran and its satellites” in Syria. “We do whatever is necessary.” His statements today are taken as a confirmation that Israel was responsible for the 2/11 strikes in Syria. (HA, TOI 2/12)