The Palestine Chronology

In the West Bank, Israeli forces seized 2 Palestinian-owned tractors in Bidya. 2 Palestinians were arrested at the Qalandia and Huwwara checkpoints In Gaza, 2 Palestinian minors were hospitalized after Israeli naval forces opened fire at them while on a beach near Rafah. Israeli naval forces also opened fire at Palestinian fishermen some 6 nautical miles northwest of Rafah and 3 nautical miles west of Bayt Lahiya; no injuries were reported. (WAFA, WAFA 2/27; PCHR 3/4)

All checkpoints to Gaza and the West Bank were closed by Israel for the Purim holiday. Closures are expected to last until the evening of 2/28. (HA 2/25)

The PA announced new COVID-19 restriction measures, including nighttime curfews starting at 7 p.m. and the closure of kindergartens and schools. PA prime minister Mohammed Shtayyeh also complained that restrictions on movement between districts were not being followed. The new restrictions were imposed as the PA health ministry has found that the British and South African COVID-19 mutations were more prevalent in the West Bank than previously thought. Both mutations spread the virus faster and cause more severe illness, including in children. As the new restrictions were announced, the PA health ministry said that the intensive care units in the West Bank were at 95 percent occupancy. A total of 2,236 Palestinians have died of the COVID-19 virus in the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, and Gaza since the beginning of the outbreak. (AJ, HA, WAFA, WAFA 2/27)

The secretary general of the central committee of Fatah Jibril Rajoub said that Fatah is trying to get all Palestinian parties to run under 1 joint list for the upcoming Palestinian elections. (WAFA 2/27)

In Israel, Israeli protesters demonstrated against Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu for the 36th Saturday in a row. The protesters are demanding Prime Minister Netanyahu’s resignation for the government’s handling of the Israeli economy, his corruption cases, and the COVID-19 crisis. (HA 2/27)

In the West Bank, Palestinians protested the U.S. administration’s peace plan in several places throughout the West Bank, leading to clashes with Israeli forces, causing 41 injuries, including 3 Palestinians shot by live ammunition in Ramallah and others suffering injuries from rubber-coated bullets and tear gas. 5 Palestinians were arrested, including 4 during late-night raids in and around Bayt Umar and Dura; and 1 was arrested at a checkpoint near Qalandia. In East Jerusalem, the gates to the Haram al-Sharif compound were closed by Israel temporarily after 2 Palestinians were arrested at the compound. Another 4 Palestinians were arrested in the vicinity of the compound, including a Waqf guard. In Gaza, Palestinians observed a general strike in protest over the U.S. administration’s peace plan. Israeli forces struck targets in Dayr al-Balah and Khan Yunis, causing damage and minor injuries to 2 Palestinian minors. Israeli officials claimed that the attacks were in response to incendiary balloons sent toward Israel. (HA, HA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 1/29; PCHR, WAFA 1/30)

Israel’s Central Elections Committee voted to prevent the Palestinian-Israeli politician Heba Yazbak from the Joint List from running during the Israeli elections in March. The committee claimed that she had expressed support for terrorists. Yazbak called the campaign against her a plot of the right wing in “trying to hide the real injustice of the occupation and the blockade.” The Israeli high court of justice will issue a final ruling. (HA 1/29)

Today, Great March of Return demonstrations see tens of thousands of Palestinians in Gaza gathering along the border fence to commemorate the 70th anniversary of the Nakba, to protest the opening of the U.S. embassy in Jerusalem today, and to call for the Palestinian refugees’ right to return to their homes. IDF troops violently disperse demonstrations near Khan Yunis, Rafah, Gaza City, al-Bureij refugee camp, and Jabaliya refugee camp; 58 Palestinians are killed, including 3 who allegedly attempted to plant an explosive along the border near Rafah, and more than 1,300 are injured. After unidentified assailants open fire on IDF patrols along the border near Jabaliya refugee camp, the IAF conducts air strikes on Hamas posts near Jabaliya refugee camp, al-Bureij refugee camp, and Gaza City, causing moderate damage. The killings today bring the death toll related to the Great March of Return to 102. Elsewhere in the oPt, thousands of Palestinians gather across the West Bank and Jerusalem to protest the official opening of the U.S. embassy in Jerusalem today. They also release 70 black balloons in Ramallah, marking the 70th anniversary of the Nakba. IDF troops violently disperse the protests at Qalandia checkpoint, Bethlehem, and Hebron; at least 2 Palestinians are injured. Meanwhile, IDF troops arrest 19 Palestinians during latenight raids in and around Bethlehem, Jenin, Nablus, and Hebron; and patrol near Jenin and Hebron. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces arrest 7 Palestinians during late-night raids in Issawiyya and the Old City. (AJ, EI, HA, JP, MEE, MNA, TOI, WAFA, YA 5/14; PCHR 5/17)

Hours after Israeli troops open fire on peaceful Palestinian protesters along the border fence in Gaza, senior U.S. and Israeli officials gather for a ribbon-cutting ceremony at the new U.S. embassy in Jerusalem. In a recorded video, U.S. president Trump celebrates the opening and says the U.S. “remains fully committed to facilitating a lasting peace agreement” between Israel and the Palestinians. Outside the ceremony, Israeli police violently disperse approximately 200 protesters, including Joint List MKs Ahmad Tibi, Dov Khenin, Jamal Zahalka, Yousef Jabareen, and Masud Ganaim; 12 Palestinians are arrested. (AJ, BBC, JP, MEE, NYT, TOI 5/14; EI 5/15)

In the evening, the Palestinian leadership convenes in Ramallah to discuss the opening of the U.S. embassy in Jerusalem and the violence in Gaza. PA president Abbas calls the new U.S. embassy in Jerusalem a “settlement outpost” and reiterates that he has no plans to engage in any U.S.-mediated peace talks “in any way, shape, or form.” The assembled officials decide to file a war crimes complaint against Israel to the International Criminal Court (ICC) at The Hague over settlement construction in the West Bank. According to PLO secretary-general Erakat, they also agree to a number of other unspecified responses. (TOI 5/14; AP, YA 5/15)

The South African government recalls its ambassador to Israel and Turkey recalls its ambassadors from Israel and the U.S. in protest of the killings in Gaza today. “The victims were taking part in peaceful protests against the provocative inauguration of the U.S. Embassy in Jerusalem,” a South African statement reads. Meanwhile, the U.S. blocks the UNSC from adopting a Kuwait-backed statement condemning the deadly violence in Gaza and calling for an “independent and transparent investigation” into Israel’s actions. (ANA, TOI, WAFA 5/14; HA, TOI 5/15)

The Egyptian authorities open the Rafah border crossing in both directions for the 3d consecutive day. (AHR 5/14; OCHA 5/24)

In the West Bank, IDF troops violently disperse Palestinian youths throwing stones at an IDF post nr. Ramallah; 1 Palestinian is injured. They also arrest a Palestinian girl at the Qalandia checkpoint allegedly found to be carrying a knife. They arrest 3 more Palestinians during late-night raids in Ramallah and nr. Hebron and Bethlehem, and patrol nr. Hebron and Nablus. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces escort Joint List member of Knesset (MK) Masud Ganaim from Haram al-Sharif after he violates the ban on Israeli MKs and ministers visiting the sanctuary. (MNA, TOI, WAFA 5/20; PCHR 5/25)

A Palestinian youth succumbs to injuries sustained in a confrontation with IDF troops on 3/15 nr. Bethlehem. (MNA, TOI 5/21; PCHR 5/25)

U.S. pres. Donald Trump meets with Saudi king Salman bin Abdulaziz in Riyadh on the first day of his first international trip as president. They discuss the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, among other regional issues, and sign a joint “strategic vision,” including $110 b. in U.S. arms sales to Saudi Arabia over 10 years. (AP, REU 5/20)

Joint List members of the Knesset (MKs) Basel Ghattas and Ayman Odeh join hundreds of Palestinians in the bedouin village of Umm al-Hiran nr. Beersheba, protesting the Israeli authorities’ order to evacuate and demolish the village. The Israeli police ultimately delay the day’s demolitions, but do not offer a new date (demolitions will take place on 1/18). (HA 11/22; EI 11/23)

Following 2 mos. of drought, a series of large fires breaks out nr. Jerusalem, burning 30 homes and causing massive damage. (HA, MNA 11/24)

IDF troops shoot and kill a Palestinian at Qalandia checkpoint after he allegedly attempts to stab them. Elsewhere in the West Bank, Israeli settlers throw Molotov cocktails at a Palestinian home s. of Hebron, causing moderate damage. IDF troops arrest 8 Palestinians during late-night raids in and around Tulkarm, Hebron, and nr. Nablus; and patrol nr. Hebron and Ramallah. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces complete the demolition of a Palestinian home under construction in al-Tur. They had begun the demolition on 11/10, but stopped when their bulldozer broke down. (HA, JP, MNA, TOI, WAFA, YA 11/22; EI 11/23; PCHR 11/24)

Israeli soldiers shoot and kill a Palestinian at the Qalandia checkpoint n. of Jerusalem after he allegedly stabs an Israeli border guard, causing moderate injuries. The IDF then violently disperses around 200 Palestinians gathering to throw stones in protest of the killing. Meanwhile, IDF troops violently disperse Palestinians, Israelis, and international activists at Friday demonstrations against Israel’s occupation, settlements, and separation wall in 3 villages nr. Ramallah (Bil‘in, Ni‘lin, and Nabi Salih), Kafr Qaddum nr. Qalqilya, and along Gaza’s border nr. al-Bureij r.c. and Shuja‘iya; at least 6 Palestinians are injured and 2 are arrested. They also patrol during the day nr. Qalqilya, Salfit, and Hebron. (HA, MNA, TOI, YA 9/30; MNA 10/1; PCHR 10/6)

PA pres. Abbas attends the funeral of former Israeli pres. Peres and shakes hands with Israeli PM Netanyahu. Responding to criticism from Hamas and many other Palestinians, a senior Hamas official says that Abbas’s attendance disproves Israeli claims of Palestinian dedication to violence and that it sent a “strong message of Palestinian peace” to the world. MK and Joint List chair Ayman Odeh refuses to attend, along with the rest of the Joint List, citing Peres’s treatment of the Palestinians. The Joint List and PA reportedly agree to refrain from publicly criticizing one another over their different views on this matter. (HA, JP, MNA, NYT, YA 9/30; HA 10/1)

In an unusual incident in Ramallah, 9 Israelis try to visit a Palestinian’s home for a fastbreaking meal, but stone-throwing Palestinian youths block them and set their vehicle on fire. PASF and IDF troops secure the group’s departure from the oPt. Meanwhile, the IDF arrests 3 Palestinians during late-night raids nr. Bethlehem and Tulkarm and patrols nr. Hebron and Ramallah throughout the day. Israeli forces deliver stop-work orders to 2 residential buildings under construction and demolition notices to 4 structures nr. Hebron. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces arrest 15 Palestinians during late-night raids in Ras al-Amud, Silwan, Qalandia r.c., and Wadi al-Juz. In Israel, Israeli forces demolish the bedouin village of al-Araqib for the 100th time in 6 years. (MNA, TOI 6/29; JP, PCHR 6/30; PCHR 7/14)

The Egyptian authorities open the Rafah border crossing for the 1st of 5 planned days over the course of the next week. (OCHA 7/5)

Israel’s security cabinet approves the reconciliation deal with Turkey announced officially on 6/27. Only 3 ministers vote against it: DM Lieberman, Education Minister Naftali Bennett, and Justice Minister Ayelet Shaked. During a debate over the deal in the Knesset, MK Haneen Zoabi (Joint List) calls the IDF soldiers who raided the Mavi Marmara in 5/2010 “murderers,” sparking a heated confrontation with several right-wing MKs. Later, PM Netanyahu pledges to expel Zoabi from the Knesset. (HA, JP, YA 6/29).

Following pressure from the Israeli NGO Adalah, Israeli police make public portions of their new rules of engagement, approved by Israel’s atty.-gen. in 9/2015 amid the surge of violence. The new rules authorize the police to respond to stone- or firecracker-throwing with live fire. (JP 7/4; HA 7/5)

IDF activity centers on Qalandia r.c. nr. Ramallah. After Palestinians throw stones and a firebomb at an IDF vehicle in the camp (the IDF says 2 soldiers drove into the camp by accident), the Israeli army implements its Hannibal Directive, an order authorizing overwhelming force to stop a soldier from being taken captive. The ensuing major IDF operation sparks clashes and a brief firefight with armed Palestinians; 1 Palestinian is killed and at least 12 are injured; a 2d Palestinian will succumb to his injuries on 3/15 (at least 10 Israeli soldiers are injured). Earlier, IDF troops conduct raids and house searches in Qalqilya and 2 villages nr. Jenin, arresting 5 Palestinians and sparking minor clashes (there are no injuries); patrols in 5 villages nr. Hebron. In East Jerusalem, the Israeli authorities return to his family the body of a Palestinian killed in a confrontation with Israeli forces in 12/2015. It is the 2d body they have returned to East Jerusalem since the wave of violence began in 10/2015. Israeli forces conduct a raid in Abu Dis, sparking minor clashes with stone-throwing Palestinian youths; there are no serious injuries. Off Gaza’s coast, Israeli naval forces arrest 9 Palestinian fishermen and confiscate 2 boats nr. Gaza City. Along Gaza’s border, IDF troops shoot and injure a Palestinian gravel worker nr. Bayt Hanun. (JP, MNA, WAFA 2/29; EI, HA, JP, MNA, NYT, TOI, YA 3/1; MNA 3/15)

Over the complaints of the Joint List, the Knesset’s Law, Constitution, and Justice Comm. approves, with 7 of 15 mbrs. in favor, the “Suspension Bill,” which would allow a member of Knesset (MK) to be suspended by a 3/4ths vote from his or her colleagues. Joint List chair Ayman Odeh says he may resign from the Knesset if the bill is passed into law. The bill goes to a 1st reading in the full plenum, where it will pass on 3/28. Israeli atty.-gen. Avichai Mandelblit tentatively approves the bill as well, though he expresses reservations about its potential to facilitate discrimination. (JP, MNA 2/29; HA, YA 3/1)