The Palestine Chronology

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers graze their sheep on Palestinian land in al-‘Awja, damaging wheat and barley crops. Israeli settlers also throw stones at Palestinian vehicles and block the road leading to the Huwwara checkpoint. Elsewhere, Israeli settlers throw stones at Palestinian vehicles traveling near al-Lubban ash-Sharqiya, causing damage. Israeli settlers also attack a Palestinian home in Khalayl al-Louz. Israeli forces violently disperse Palestinians in Huwwara, causing tear-gas related injuries. Israeli forces also demolish 6 commercial structures in al-‘Awja and issue a stop-work notice for a home in Deir Balut. Elsewhere, Israeli forces seize a tractor in Qarawat Bani Hassan. Israeli forces also close the entrance to Husan. Meanwhile, Israeli forces arrest 25 Palestinians during late-night raids in and around Ramallah, Jenin, Tubas, Tulkarm, Aqraba, Hebron, and Bethlehem. In Gaza, Israeli forces bomb Dayr al-Balah, Rafah, Khan Yunis, and Nuseirat refugee camp, killing at least 63 people, including 7 aid workers of Palestinian, Polish, American, British, and Australian nationality from World Central Kitchen in Dayr al-Balah. Israeli forces also withdraw from al-Shifa Hospital after a 14-day siege, leaving it completely destroyed; witnesses say that hundreds of bodies are found in and around the hospital. The Gaza Media Office says that 400 Palestinians were killed during the attack on al-Shifa. In the Naqab, Israeli police arrest the sister of Hamas political leader Ismail Haniyeh, who is an Israeli citizen, in Tel as-Sabi. A drone launched from Iraq damages an Israeli military building in Eliat; no injuries are reported. The Islamic Resistance in Iraq takes responsibility. In Lebanon, Israeli forces bomb Rachaya Al Foukhar. In Jordan, protesters demonstrate near the Israeli embassy in Amman for the ninth day in a row. In Syria, Israeli forces target an Iranian consulate building in Damascus with airstrikes, assassinating Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corp senior commander Mohammad Reza Zahedi and killing 11 others. (AJ, AJ, AJ, AP, AP, AX, HA, HA, HA, HA, HA, HA, NYT, NYT, NYT, REU, REU, REU, REU, REU, REU, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 4/1; AJ, AP, AP, AP, AP, AX, HA, HA, HA, NYT, NYT, NYT, NYT, NYT, NYT, REU, REU, WAFA 4/2; AP, UNOCHA 4/3; NYT 4/4)

More than 32,845 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli forces in Gaza, including at least 13,750 children and 8,900 women, and around 75,392 have been injured since 10/7/2023. At least 7,000 people are missing in rubble, including 1,700 children. 445 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli forces and settlers in the West Bank and East Jerusalem since 10/7/2023, including 112 children. More than 4,700 people have been injured. Israel reports that 1,139 Israelis and foreign nationals have been killed and 5,400 have been injured in Israel since 10/7/2023, including Israeli soldiers. In addition, 254 Israeli soldiers have been killed and 1,520 injured in Gaza since the ground invasion began on 10/27/2023. Over 1.93 million Palestinians, nearly 85% of the population of Gaza, have been displaced since 10/7/2023. There has been a complete electricity blackout in Gaza since 10/12/2023 due to the Israeli blockade. At least 70,000 housing units have been destroyed and 290,000 have been damaged in Israeli airstrikes since 10/7/2023, constituting over 60% of all housing units. 190 trucks carrying aid enter Gaza. (AJ, HA, WAFA 4/1; AP, AP, NYT 4/2; UNOCHA, UNOCHA 4/3)

World Central Kitchen (WCK) suspends all operations in Gaza after 7 of its workers are killed in an Israeli airstrike (see above), returning 3 ships docked off the coast of Gaza carrying 240 tons of aid to Cyprus. The organization runs 68 community kitchens in Gaza and has sent some 1,700 truckloads of aid into Gaza. Several investigations into the Israeli bombing of the WCK aid convoy reveal that the 3 vehicles the aid workers were in were targeted in 3 strikes 1.5 miles apart. The 3 vehicles were clearly marked with WCK’s logo on the top of the cars. The Israeli narrative changes several times during the period after the attack, from saying an armed person was traveling with the vehicles to saying the clearly marked vehicles were misidentified. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu calls the attack “unintended” and “tragic” and says “[t]hese things happen in wartime.” UN special rapporteur on the occupied Palestinian territories Francesca Albanese says the Israeli attack was a deliberate effort to starve the population of Gaza. Australian prime minister Anthony Albanese calls Netanyahu, expressing “anger and concern” at the killing of the Australian aid worker. U.S. president Joe Biden says he is “outraged and heartbroken,” adding Israel is not doing enough to protect aid workers. The White House claims that there is no evidence that the aid workers were killed deliberately. UN secretary-general Antonio Guterres says 196 aid workers have been killed in Gaza since 10/7/2023. Refugees International president Jeremy Konyndyk calls the attack “a clear war crime.” Hamas labels the attack terrorism. (REU 4/1; AJ, AJ, AJ, AJ, AJ, AP, AX, AX, BC, HA, HA, HA, HA, NYT, REU, REU, REU, REU, REU, REU, REU, REU, REU, REU, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 4/2; AJ, AJ, AP, AP, AX, AX, HA, HA, HA, NYT, REU, REU, REU, UNOCHA, WAFA, WAFA 4/3; NYT 4/4)

The Israeli Civil Administration announces that it will seize 206.3 dunams (51 acres) of land in Jiftlik, adding it to the settlement council in the Jordan Valley and declare 170 dunams (42 acres) of Palestinian land south of Furaydis near the Etzion settlement bloc as state land. (AJ, PCN, WAFA 4/1; PCN 4/2)

The Knesset passes a law allowing the Israeli government to ban Al Jazeera in Israel in a 71-10 vote. Al Jazeera says Prime Minister Netanyahu, who called it a “terror channel,” is lying about the news organization to justify the killing of its employees. Minister for the development of the Negev (Naqab) and Galilee Yitzhak Wasserlauf calls for the resettlement of Gaza. (AJ, AP, AP, HA, NYT, REU 4/1; AJ 4/2)

PA president Mahmoud Abbas speaks with U.S. secretary of state Antony Blinken in a phone call, calling on the U.S. to stop the Israeli attacks on Gaza. The 2 also discuss the new PA government. PA ambassador to the UN Riyad Mansour calls on the UN Security Council to schedule a vote on full Palestinian membership of the UN in April. The UN General Assembly voted to grant Palestine full membership in 2011 but the decision was never discussed at the Security Council. (AJ, HA, REU, WAFA 4/1; AP 4/2)

U.S. national security advisor Jake Sullivan and Secretary Blinken hold a virtual meeting with Israeli national security advisor Tzachi Hanegbi and Minister for Strategic Affairs Ron Dermer, discussing Israel’s planned invasion of Rafah. A joint statement says Israel has agreed to take U.S. concerns into account. Reuters reports that the U.S. considering approving an arms transfer to Israel worth $18 billion, including 25 F-15 fighter jets. White House spokesperson Karine Jean-Pierre says the Biden administration is seeking more information from Israel about footage of executions at al-Shifa Hospital. Jean-Pierre also express concern over Israel’s push to ban Al Jazeera. (AJ, AP, HA, REU 4/1; AJ, AP, HA, NYT 4/2; AX 4/3)

At the UN Security Council, France circulates a draft resolution calling for a permanent ceasefire in Gaza, condemning Hamas’ attack on Israel on 10/7/2023, and demanding immediate access for aid into Gaza. (AP 4/2)

Iranian foreign minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian says Israeli failures in Gaza have led to Israel targeting the Iranian consulate in Damascus, calling for a serious international response. Iranian president Ebrahim Raisi says the attack will not go unanswered. Pakistan and Syria condemn Israel’s attack. Russia requests that the UN Security Council convene on 4/2 to discuss the attack. Axios reports that the U.S. tells Iran that it did not have any involvement in the attack. (AJ, HA, HA, NYT 4/1; AP, AX, HA, REU 4/2; AP, REU 4/3)

Spanish prime minister Pedro Sanchez tells reporters in Amman that he expects Spain will recognize the State of Palestine by July and that many other countries in the EU would do the same. (AJ, HA, HA, REU 4/2)

Sri Lanka donates $1 million to UNRWA. (WAFA 4/1)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers blocked a road leading to Umm Safa with sand berms. Israeli forces raided Luban al-Sharqiyya, leading to clashes with Palestinians; 3 were injured by rubber-coated bullets. Israeli forces also clashed with Palestinians in al-Fawar refugee camp, leading to tear-gas related injuries. 3 Palestinians were arrested during a late-night raid in Bethlehem. In East Jerusalem, Israeli police removed barriers at the Damascus Gate plaza, allowing Palestinians to gather there; the closure of the plaza had been 1 of the major points of tension as Israel restricted Ramadan activity in the Old City; large crowds of Palestinians celebrated the reopening of the plaza, which was seen as a victory for those protesting the Israeli-imposed restrictions. Israeli forces later briefly raided the plaza, confiscating Palestinian flags and arresting 2 Palestinians. 3 others were arrested during raids in and around the Old City. In Gaza, Palestinians protested, for the 2d day in a row, against Israeli violence in East Jerusalem by the Gaza fence. (HA, JP, REU, WAFA, WAFA 4/25; AJ 4/26; PCHR 4/29)

The Israeli Settlements Council delivered orders to remove 7 Palestinian-owned vegetable stalls in the Jordan Valley. According to WAFA, this is the 1st time that the Israeli Settlements Council delivered such orders, as the Civil Administration is usually in charge of such decisions. (WAFA 4/26)

PA president Mahmoud Abbas reiterated at a Fatah Central Committee meeting that Palestinian elections cannot take place without the participation of Palestinians in East Jerusalem. (WAFA 4/26)

Israeli army chief of staff Aviv Kochavi canceled a trip to the U.S. for talks about the Iran nuclear deal, citing recent rocket fire from Gaza. (HA 4/25)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers attacked Palestinian herders, forcing them to leave the land where their livestock was grazing. Palestinians threw stones at 1 Israeli settler near Dayr Abu Mash‘al. Israeli forces subsequently raided Dayr Abu Mash‘al, leading to clashes. 2 Palestinians were shot and injured with live ammunition and others suffered tear-gas related injuries; 25 were arrested. 1 Palestinian man died after inhaling tear gas fired at him as he was trying to enter Israel for work near the separation barrier in Far‘un. Israeli forces delivered demolition notices for 2 Palestinian-owned agricultural structures in the Jordan Valley, notified Palestinians in Dayr Istya that it will seize 600 dunams (148 acres) of agricultural land for settlement expansion, and demolished 1 agricultural structure and 1 water tank in al-Khadir. 4 Palestinians were arrested in Biddu and Bayt Ijza. In East Jerusalem, 1 Palestinian minor was arrested in Silwan. In Israel, Israeli police conducted a large-scale raid campaign in the predominantly Palestinian-Israeli city Tur’an, arresting 145 people; Israeli authorities said the raids were conducted to combat a rise in violence in the city. (WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 1/24; WAFA 1/25; PCHR 1/28)

The chairman of the Palestinian central elections commission Hanna Nasser formally invited the EU to send election monitors to the upcoming Palestinian elections. (WAFA 1/24)

The Israeli attorney general Avichai Mendelblit said that he has closed the investigation of the torture of 1 Palestinian prisoner accused of planting explosives that killed 1 Israeli settler on 8/23/2019 near the Dolev settlement. Israel had been investigating Shin Bet officers who left the accused in critical condition after torturing him until he had a heart attack. Attorney General Mendelblit said his offices lacked evidence to conclude a crime had been committed. (HA 1/24)

The UAE government approved the opening of an Israeli embassy in the UAE as part of the UAE-Israel-U.S. normalization deal. Israel later in the day said it had officially opened its embassy in the UAE at a temporary location in Abu Dhabi. (AJ, AP, HA, HA 1/24; MEE 1/25)

Israel announced it would ban all flights in and out of the country from 1/26-1/31 due to the COVID-19 virus. (HA, HILL, REU, WP 1/24; AJ 1/25)

Lebanese cow herders said Israeli forces crossed into Lebanon and seized 7 cows in Wazzani. A spokesperson for the Israeli forces said the 7 cows had crossed the fence between the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights and Lebanon. (HA, REU 1/26)

In the Gaza Strip, IDF troopsstationed along the n. border open fire on a group of stonethrowing Palestinians, injuring 4. A Palestinian is injured in an explosion nr. the French Cultural Center in Gaza City. (A small armed group takes responsibility for the attack on 12/18.) In the West Bank, IDF troops violently disperse Palestinian, Israeli, and international protesters at weekly demonstrations against Israel’s separation wall, settlements, and occupation, as well as the recent death of a senior PA official on 12/10 nr. Ramallah, Nablus, Hebron, and 1 village nearby (Bayt Umar), and 1 village nr. Qalqilya (Kafr Qaddum). Two Palestinians are hit by tear gas canisters in Bil‘in and 7 are shot with rubbercoated metal bullets elsewhere. Meanwhile, a Palestinian man throws vinegar at a family of 5 Israeli settlers nr. Bethlehem, lightly injuring all of them. (The Israeli press 1st reported the story as an acid attack.) Another Israeli settler hits the Palestinian man with his car and shoots him in the leg, moderately injuring him. Shin Bet officers arrive soon after to detain the Palestinian man. The IDF then conducts a raid of his home. Separately, Palestinians throw stones at IDF troops on a patrol of Bayt Umar nr. Hebron, sparking clashes in which 3 Palestinians are injured with rubber-coated metal bullets. The IDF also patrols in the n. Jordan Valley, where they assault a Palestinian farmer and lightly injure him. IDF troops fire tear gas at dozens of Palestinians throwing stones at the soldiers; 1 Palestinian youth and 1 Israeli officer are injured. Israeli soldiers also conduct a raid s. of Bethlehem; patrol in Tulkarm. Following a march marking Hamas’s 27th anniversary, the IDF conducts late-night arrest raids nr. Hebron. In East Jerusalem, the Israeli police increase their patrols and deploy additional officers around Haram al-Sharif. (HA, JP, MNA, TOI, WP, YA 12/12; MNA, TOI 12/13; IMEMC 12/14; AFP, PCHR 12/18; EI 12/22)

The Israel Prison Service threatens to move the 70 Palestinian prisoners on hunger strike since 12/9 to criminal sections of their prisons, which would decrease their quality of life, if they continue their strike. (MNA 12/12)

U.S. Secy. of State Kerry phones Russian FM Sergey Lavrov and PA Pres. Abbas separately to discuss the French and Palestinian draft UNSC res. Kerry pressures Abbas not to end security coordination with Israel in response to the 12/10 death of senior PA official Ziad Abu Ein. Following the call, senior PLO and Fatah officials postpone their meeting to discuss a response until 12/14. (JP, MNA 12/13)

The Portuguese parliament adopts a recommendation calling on the govt. to recognize Palestinian statehood “in coordination with the EU.” (AFP, TOI 12/12; HA, IMEMC, WAFA 12/13)

In the West Bank, senior PA official Ziad Abu Ein dies hours after sustaining injuries in a confrontation with IDF soldiers at a nonviolent demonstration in Turmus ‘Ayya village nr. Ramallah. Palestinians gather to protest Abu Ein’s death, sparking further clashes with IDF troops; 1 Palestinian is seriously injured, several others are moderately injured from live ammunition, tear gas, and rubber-coated metal bullets, and 3 are arrested. Separately, Israeli authorities declare approximately 10,000 dunams of Palestinian land in the n. Jordan Valley to be a closed military zone. In the morning, a unit of Israeli soldiers conducts military drills nr. a school in c. Hebron, then fires tear gas canisters at the school, injuring dozens of Palestinian students and teachers. Israeli settlers attack several Palestinians nr. Bethlehem, causing no injuries. Then, s. of Nablus, Israeli settlers set fire to a Palestinian factory. In East Jerusalem, Israeli settlers set fire to a Palestinian’s car in Silwan, completely destroying it. Israeli settlers attack an Egged bus driven by a Palestinian, breaking his windshield with a rock. Israeli police escort a group of right-wing Jewish activists into Haram al-Sharif. They also detain 1 Palestinian woman at a gate to the compound. Separately, IDF troops detain an 8-year-old Palestinian on his way home from school in Silwan and 4 Palestinians late at night during house searches and raids in al-Thawri. (AJ, HA, JP, MEMO, MNA, PCHR, WAFA 12/10; HA 12/11, 12/13; PCHR 12/18)

Labor Party leader Isaac Herzog and Hatnua Party leader Livni agree to run on a joint list in the 3/17/2015 election. Their agreement stipulates that, should they win, Herzog will serve as PM for 2 years, then Livni will take over for the next 2. (HA, JP 12/10)

The White House announces that U.S. special envoy George Mitchell has submitted his resignation, effective 5/20 (the day Obama is to meet with Netanyahu at the White House). Secy. of State Clinton appoints Mitchell aide David Hale as interim special envoy. (NYT, WP 5/14)

In Jerusalem, Israeli police and settlement security guards outside Beit Yonatan in Silwan fire on stone-throwing Palestinian youths, seriously wounding a Palestinian teenager walking some distance away. Numerous clashes are also reported, particularly around East Jerusalem, as Palestinians demonstrate in commemoration of the Nakba. In the Jordan Valley, a Palestinian boy is injured when he accidentally triggers IDF UXO. Palestinians (sometimes accompanied by Israeli and international activists) hold weekly nonviolent demonstrations against the separation wall, land confiscations, and settlement expansion in Bil‘in, Ni‘lin, and Nabi Salih. IDF soldiers fire rubber-coated steel bullets, tear gas, and stun grenades at the protesters, injuring 2 Palestinians (including 1 child) and 1 international activist; 2 Palestinians and 2 Israeli activists are arrested. (WP 5/15; PCHR 5/19; OCHA 5/20)

Heeding calls fr. Palestinian organizers on Facebook, 100s of Jordanians in Amman and 1,000s of Egyptians in Cairo rally after Friday prayers in support of Palestinian rights. (AP, DPA, Huffington Post 5/13)