The Palestine Chronology

Thousands of Palestinians gather along Gaza’s border to continue the Great March of Return for a 4th straight Friday. IDF troops violently disperse the demonstrations near Khan Yunis, Rafah, and Jabaliya refugee camp; 4 Palestinians are killed, including 1 minor, and at least 40 are injured. The protesters killed today bring the death toll stemming from the Great March of Return to 34. In the West Bank, IDF troops violently disperse Friday protests against Israel’s settlements, occupation, and separation wall in al-Bireh, Qalqilya, and nearby Kafr Qaddum; 5 Palestinians are injured and 1 is arrested. They also patrol near Hebron and Nablus. Israeli settlers slash the tires of 30 Palestinian vehicles and spray-paint racist graffiti on walls in Burqa village near Ramallah overnight, chop down approximately 100 Palestinian olive trees outside Nablus, and throw stones at a Palestinian school bus near Hebron (1 Palestinian minor is injured). In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces issue 1 arrest summons during a raid in Qalandia refugee camp. (EI, HA, JP, MNA, NYT, TOI, WAFA, YA 4/20; MNA 4/21; PCHR 4/26)

After the release of a video depicting the killing of a minor along Gaza’s border today, the EU demands a “full investigation” and UN Special Coordinator Nickolay Mladenov calls on Israel to “stop killing children.” The IDF then announces that it will investigate the killing. (The IDF initially stated that there would be no investigation, and that the boy was shot after breaching the border area.) (HA, JP 4/21)

Palestinians, Israelis, and international activists gather across the West Bank to mark a “Day Of Rage” in solidarity with the 1,500-plus Palestinian prisoners who have been on hunger strike since 4/16. IDF troops violently disperse protests outside Ofer Prison nr. Nablus, at the Qalandia checkpoint, and in and around Hebron; tens of Palestinians are injured. Unidentified assailants throw stones at Israeli settlers’ vehicles outside Sinjil village nr. Ramallah, causing minor damage. The IDF then detains a number of Palestinians and confiscates 12 vehicles in the village. IDF troops patrol nr. Qalqilya, sparking clashes with stone-throwing youths; 1 Palestinian is injured. They also arrest 3 Palestinians on late-night raids nr. Tulkarm, and patrol nr. Nablus and Hebron during the day. (HA, JP, MNA, TOI, WAFA 4/28; PCHR 5/4)

Israel’s Construction Minister Yoav Galant says that plans to build 25,000 new homes in Jerusalem, including 15,000 outside the pre1967 armistice lines, are back on the table. The plans were suspended while Obama was U.S. pres., and some Israeli officials say that a formal announcement may coincide with U.S. pres. Trump’s proposed visit to Israel in late 5/2017. (JP, TOI 4/28)

The U.S. Defense Security Cooperation Agency announces that the State Dept. has approved a “possible foreign military sale” of 13 76mm naval guns and a variety of naval maintenance tools to Israel for an estimated price of $440 m. “This proposed sale will contribute to the foreign policy and national security of the United States by helping to improve the security of a strategic regional partner that has been, and continues to be, an important force for political stability and economic progress in the Middle East,” the press release reads. (JP 4/29)

An explosive device detonates on a bus in s. Jerusalem, injuring at least 20 Israelis (2 seriously). A Palestinian injured in the blast will succumb to his wounds on 4/20. Israeli officials treat it as a terrorist attack, and the Israeli police and security services begin investigations. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces arrest 3 Palestinian youths after they allegedly assault an Israeli youth in the Old City; arrest 7 Palestinian youths and confiscate some property during raids in Shu‘fat r.c., Qalandia r.c., Ras al-Amud, and the Old City; and shoot tear gas canisters at Palestinian schoolchildren in Ras al-Amud, causing no serious injuries. Israeli forces also raid and search a newspaper company’s offices. In the West Bank, IDF troops shoot tear gas canisters at a school nr. Hebron, causing minor injuries; conduct raids and house searches nr. Bethlehem, Ramallah, Qalqilya, and in and around Hebron, arresting 10 Palestinians, issuing arrest summons to 4, and confiscating some property; patrol nr. Ramallah and Jericho. Along Gaza’s border, Egyptian forces flood and partially destroy a smuggling tunnel leading into the n. Sinai Peninsula. A military court in Gaza sentences 5 Palestinians to death on charges related to collaborating with Israel. A Palestinian woman is injured when she accidentally detonates a piece of unexploded Israeli ordnance in Gaza City. (HA, JP, MNA, TOI, WAFA, YA 4/18; JP, MNA, TOI 4/19; HA, MNA 4/20; PCHR 4/21)

The IDF lifts a gag order on the news that it discovered a tunnel leading from s. Gaza into Israel earlier this week (they will demolish it on 4/19). Hamas’s military wing says “this tunnel is just a drop in the ocean of what the resistance has prepared for the defense of its people and the liberation of holy places, land, and prisoners.” (HA, JP, MNA, TOI, YA 4/18; JP 4/19)

Citing Palestinian complaints and reservations, Jordan’s PM Abdullah Ensour says that Jordan has decided to halt the process of installing cameras at Haram al-Sharif following mos. of stalled negotiations with Israeli officials. (JP, MNA, TOI, YA 4/18; HA 4/19, 4/27)

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: E. Jerusalem merchants strike in reaction to 4/23 killing of Arab taxi driver [JP 4/26].

Arab World: In Damascus, Pres. Assad urges support be given to S. Lebanese resistance until IDF is driven from all Lebanese territory [FT 4/26].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Bomb explodes in Kiryat Malachi; one police sapper injured. Israeli stabbed in Khan Yunis; 3-day curfew imposed [JP 4/26, FJ 5/3]. IDF impose curfew in 20 W. Bank villages as hundreds of Gush Emunim settlers stage Israeli independence day march from Salfit to Qalqiliya; Peace Now stages counter-demonstration [FJ 4/26]. Stones thrown at IDF vehicles in al-Am'ari camp, Jalazoun camp, Qalandiya camp, Balata camp [FJ 5/3].

Arab World: Action in S. Lebanon: Palestinian, Muslim forces attack, burn Christian village of Darb al-Sim after fighting there [PI 4/26]. Lebanese Air Force planes strafe Mieh Mieh camp; 1 killed, 17 wounded [LAT 4/28].

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: DM Rabin announces Cabinet decision to withdraw completely from Lebanon by early June; also indicates possible continued IDF presence in S. Lebanon, even outside proposed security zone, if "necessary" [NYT 4/22].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: IDF impose restrictions against travel to Jordan for residents of Beit Hanina, Jerusalem, Ramallah, Qalandiya, Shu'fat; measure is apparently collective punishment for 4/19 slaying of Israeli taxi driver [FJ 5/3].

Arab World: Action in S. Lebanon: IDF kill 2 civilians trying to cross Litani River into Israeli-held territory [JP 4/22].