The Palestine Chronology

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers attacked Palestinians harvesting olives in Aqraba, forcing them to flee. Israeli forces raided Jenin, killing 5 people, including a child, and injuring 14, with 1 death and 11 injuries resulting from an airstrike. Israeli forces prevented the Palestinian Red Crescent from reaching the injured and put the Jenin Governmental Hospital and the Ibn Sina Hospital under siege. Israeli forces also shot and killed 2 Palestinians, including a child, near al-Bireh and in Qabatiya. Israeli forces also shot and injured 6 Palestinians, including 2 children, during raids in Qarawat Bani Hassan, Burqa, al-Arroub refugee camp, Qabatiya, and Beit Umar. Elsewhere, Israeli forces also violently dispersed Palestinians gathered near the Ofer Prison, dropping tear gas from drones, shooting 3, including a child, with live ammunition, and opened fire at a Palestinian Red Crescent ambulance near the Ofer Prison, causing damage. Israeli forces also razed 100 dunams (25 acres) of land east of Qalqilya, uprooting 150 olive trees. 17 Palestinians were arrested during raids in and around Askar refugee camp, Jenin, Hebron, Qalqilya, and Jericho. In East Jerusalem, Israel forced a Palestinian family to demolish their own home in Jabel Mukaber, displacing 4 people. In Lebanon, Israeli forces opened fire at a UNIFIL vehicle; no injuries were reported. Israel also said it had shot down a surface-to-air missile launched from Lebanon. In the Red Sea, Israel said it had intercepted a drone. (AJ, AJ, AJ, HA, REU, REU, REU, UNOCHA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 11/25; AJ 11/26)

The Gaza Media Office did not update the casualty numbers, leaving the comprehensive death toll as of 11/23 at around 14,800 Palestinians, including 6,000 children and 4,000 women, and around 35,000 injured in Israeli airstrikes on Gaza since 10/7. At least 7,000 people were missing in rubble, including 1,700 children. 229 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli forces and settlers in the West Bank and East Jerusalem since 10/7, including 56 children. More than 2,885 people have been injured. Israel reported that 1,200 Israelis and foreign nationals have been killed and 5,431 have been injured since 10/7. 75 Israeli soldiers have been killed in Gaza since the ground invasion began on 10/27. Over 1.7 million Palestinians, more than 70% of the population of Gaza, have been displaced since 10/7. There has been a complete electricity blackout in Gaza since 10/12 due to the Israel blockade. As of 11/18, at least 45,000 housing units had been destroyed and 233,000 had been damaged in Israeli airstrikes since 10/7, constituting 60% of all housing units. 187 trucks carrying aid, 4 trucks carrying diesel, and 4 trucks carrying cooking oil entered Gaza via the Rafah crossing. 61 trucks carrying aid entered northern Gaza. The Committee to Protect Journalists said 57 journalists have been killed since 10/7, including 50 Palestinians, 3 Lebanese, and 4 Israelis. Gaza’s Media Office said the number of Palestinian journalists killed in Gaza was 67. The Palestinian Prisoners’ Club said Israel has arrested 3,160 Palestinians since 10/7. Around 400 people fled northern Gaza to the south. 17 wounded Palestinians and their companions and 25 foreign nationals were evacuated to Egypt (AJ, HA, NYT, UNOCHA, UNOCHA, WAFA 11/25)

39 Palestinian prisoners were released from the Damon, Megiddo, and Ofer prisons on the second day of the prisoner exchange. 13 Israelis and 4 Thai nationals were released. The exchange was delayed by 7 hours as Hamas said Israel had violated the agreement by only allowing half the agreed number of aid trucks to enter northern Gaza and not releasing Palestinians who had been imprisoned for a longer period than 2 years. Israel said the UN was responsible for the lack of aid deliveries. Before the exchange took place, Israel threatened that it would start bombing Gaza at midnight if the issues were not resolved. Egypt said it had received positive signals from both sides that the ceasefire could be extended beyond the initial 4-day period. A delegation of Qatari intelligence officers arrived in Israel to ensure the exchange process continues “smoothly” and to discuss a possible extension of the ceasefire. (AJ, AJ, AJ, AX, HA, NYT, NYT, REU, REU, REU, REU, UNOCHA 11/25; AJ, AJ, AP, HA, HA, HA, HA, HA, HA, NYT, NYT, NYT, REU, REU 11/26)

The Tulkarm Brigades said it had executed 2 Palestinian men, saying they were collaborators with Israel giving information that led to the killing of 3 Palestinians by Israeli forces on 11/6. The group released a video on Telegram that purportedly showed the 2 men confessing to working with Israeli intelligence. The group also said that anyone who had been working with Israel had until 12/5 to come forward. The bodies of the executed men were reportedly hung from an electric pole. (AP, HA, REU 11/25)

Israeli defense minister Yoav Gallant visited Israeli soldiers in Gaza. (HA 11/25)

The New York Times said that in the first 2 weeks of the Israeli attacks on Gaza 90% of the bombs Israel stuck Gaza with were 1,000-2,000-pound U.S. made satellite-guided bombs, citing a senior U.S. military official. U.S. military officials said that 500-pound bombs were too large to target urban areas. The Times also said that Israeli attacks on Gaza have killed more Palestinians faster than in any other conflict in the 21st century. A former U.S. intelligence analyst said the Israeli attacks were comparable to those in the Vietnam War and World War II. (NYT 11/25)

3 Palestinian university students wearing kaffiyehs were shot and seriously wounded in Burlington, Vermont. A 48-year-old man was later arrested for the attack. (AJ 11/25; AJ, HA, REU 11/26; AJ, AJ, REU 11/27)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers shot and killed a Palestinian man harvesting olives during a raid in al-Zawiya. Israeli settlers also attacked Palestinians harvesting olives in Qusra, Kafr ad-Dik, Deir Istiya, Haris, and Shaab al-Butum, injuring 1. Elsewhere, Israeli settlers vandalized 10 Palestinian-owned vehicles in Beit Iksa. Israeli settlers also raided at-Tuba in the Masafer Yatta area, attacking homes and stealing property. Israeli forces shot and injured a Palestinian child during a raid in al-Arroub refugee camp. Israeli forces also demolished the family home in Jalazone refugee camp of Hamas activist Bajis Nakhleh, who was arrested on 10/9, displacing 7. Elsewhere, Israeli forces placed cement barriers at the main entrance to Burqa. 25 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in and around Jalazone refugee camp, Bethlehem, Hebron, Nablus, and Tulkarm. In East Jerusalem, Israel forced 3 Palestinian families to demolish their own homes in Bayt Hanina, displacing 18. In Gaza, all telecommunications were cut off for the second day in a row as Israel’s ground invasion continued overnight. Israeli airstrikes killed at least 377 Palestinians; the death toll could be much higher as the breakdown in telecommunications made delivering news from Gaza extremely difficult. Israel said it had hit 150 underground facilities and infrastructure in Gaza. Israel also said it assassinated Hamas members Asem Abu Rakaba and Ratab Abu-Tsahiban. Rockets were fired from Gaza, causing damage. Palestinian students at Netanya Academic College were attacked by Jewish Israelis chanting “Death to Arabs” at the dormitory. In Lebanon, Israel said it had attacked Hezbollah positions overnight. A surface-to-air missile was fired at an Israeli drone. A shell hit the UNIFIL headquarters in South Lebanon without exploding; it was unclear who fired the shell. UNIFIL also said 1 of its peacekeepers had been injured after a shell hit a UNIFIL base in Houla and called for a ceasefire. (HA 10/27; AJ, AJ, AJ, AJ, AJ, AP, AP, AP, HA, HA, NYT, REU, REU, UNOCHA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 10/28; AP, HA, HA, HA, NYT 10/29)

The Gaza Ministry of Health said at least 7,703 Palestinians have been killed, including around 5,000 women and children, and 19,743 have been injured in Israeli airstrikes on Gaza since 10/7. Hundreds of others are feared dead, trapped under rubble. In addition, Israeli media reported that 1,500 Palestinian militants have been killed near Gaza. 109 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli forces and settlers in the West Bank and East Jerusalem since 10/7, including 30 children. More than 2,011 have been injured. Israeli officials recorded no new fatalities, leaving the Israeli death toll at around 1,400 Israelis and foreign nationals; 5,431 have been injured since 10/7. The UN reported that over 1.4 million Palestinians, more than half the population in Gaza, have been displaced since 10/7 and that since 11 p.m. on 10/12 there has been a complete electricity blackout due to the Israeli blockade. As of 10/23, at least 27,781 housing units had been destroyed and 150,000 had been damaged in Israeli airstrikes since 10/7. At least 45% of all housing units have been either destroyed or damaged in Israeli airstrikes. The Gaza Ministry of Health also reported that Israeli attacks have killed 110 medical staff injured more than 100, that 50 ambulances have been targeted since 10/7, and that 12 hospitals and 46 healthcare facilities have been shut due to bombing or lack of fuel. The Egyptian Foreign Ministry said “Israeli obstacles” impede the delivery of aid to Gaza. (AJ, HA, REU, UNOCHA, WAFA 10/28)

Sustained Israeli settler attacks forced 141 Palestinians in Khirbet Zanuta to flee their homes. (WAFA 10/28; UNOCHA 10/29; UNOCHA, WAFA 11/1)

Amid a total communications blackout in Gaza, the Israeli military said in an English language video that Palestinians should evacuate northern Gaza. (HA 10/28; REU 10/29)

Hamas leader in Gaza Yahya Sinwar said Hamas is ready for “an immediate prisoner exchange deal, all the captives in exchange for all the prisoners.” Hamas military spokesperson Abu Obeida said Israel has not been serious about a prisoner exchange and criticized Arab nations for not doing more to get humanitarian aid to Gaza. (HA 10/28)

PA president Mahmoud Abbas called for an emergency meeting of the Arab League to address the “genocide in the Gaza Strip.” PA health minister Mai al-Kaila also called the Israeli attacks genocide, saying 7,300 civilians had been killed, 70% of them women, children, and elderly. The PLO Executive Committee held a meeting in Ramallah, issuing 3 top priorities, including an immediate ceasefire, lifting of the blockade of Gaza, and halting forced displacement of Palestinians inside and outside of Gaza. (AJ, HA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 10/28)

Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the ground invasion of Gaza was approved unanimously by the government. (AJ, AJ, AP, HA, NYT, REU, WAFA 10/28; AJ, AJ 10/29)

The U.S. told Israel that it would stop supplying weapons to Israel if they are used to arm civilians and handed out at political events. The warning followed Israeli national security minister Itamar Ben-Gvir’s tour of Israel handing out guns to Israelis. (HA 10/28)

The U.S. aircraft carrier USS Eisenhower arrived in the Mediterranean, joining the USS Gerald Ford. (AJ, HA 10/28)

Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdoğan hosted a massive rally in Istanbul in support of Palestinians. Erdoğan told the rallygoers that that Israel is an occupier, and that Hamas is not a terrorist organization. Israeli UN ambassador Gilad Erdan called Erdoğan a “snake” and Israel recalled all of its diplomats in Turkey. The UAE and Saudi Arabia condemned the Israeli ground operation in Gaza and the UAE called for a UN Security Council meeting on the situation. (AJ, AJ, HA, HA, REU, REU, WAFA 10/28)

X and SpaceX owner Elon Musk said his Starlink satellite internet would be made available to humanitarian organizations in Gaza if the organizations are approved by both Israel and the U.S. Israel said it would not allow Starlink to be used in Gaza. (AJ, AJ, HA, HA, REU 10/28)

More than 100,000 pro-Palestinian protesters marched in London. Thousands of pro-Palestinians protesters defied a ban by Paris police on their demonstration and marched in the city. 100,000 people also rallied in support of Palestine in Kerala, India. (AJ, AJ, HA, NYT, REU, WAFA, WAFA 10/28; AJ 10/29)

Former U.S. president and current republican front-runner for the upcoming U.S. elections Donald Trump said at a convention for the Republican Jewish Coalition that he would cancel the visas of pro-Palestinian protestors if he is elected president. Florida governor and presidential candidate Ron DeSantis again claimed that Students for Justice in Palestine “provided material support to terrorists.” Newly elected House of Representatives speaker Mike Johnson pledged support for Israel, saying “God is not done with Israel.” (HA, HA 10/28; HA 10/29)

American Muslims for Palestine said it has been forced to move its annual convention in Chicago in November after the original venue Hyatt Regency O’Hare received threats over its planned hosting of the convention. (HA 10/28)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers assaulted Palestinians with pepper-spray near Huwwara. Israeli forces violently dispersed Palestinian protesters in Salem during an arrest raid, causing tear-gas related injuries; 1 Palestinian was arrested. Israeli forces also demolished 1 commercial structure near Ya‘bad and assaulted the owner who tried to prevent the demolition. Elsewhere, Israeli forces demolished 1 agricultural structure in Ein al-Balad. 22 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in al-Mughayyir, Biddu, Hebron, Dura, Sa‘ir, Zawata, Nablus, Rujeib, Beita, Tulkarm, Nur Shams refugee camp, Qalqilya, Kafr Ra’i, and Tura. (WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 12/14; PCHR 12/15; UNOCHA 12/22)

A poll conducted by the Palestinian Center for Policy and Survey Research found that 72% of the 1,200 Palestinians surveyed in the West Bank and Gaza supported forming armed resistance groups in the West Bank. 32% of the respondents supported a diplomatic solution to the occupation, based on the 2-state framework. (HA 12/15)

Turkish media reported that 7 people in Turkey had been arrested by Turkish police in coordination with the National Intelligence Organization for spying on Palestinians in the country on behalf of the Mossad. (HA, MEE 12/14)

In Lebanon, 1 Irish UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) soldier was killed and another injured during a routine patrol in al-Aqbieh in southern Lebanon. It was reported that UNIFIL vehicles had hit a resident of the town before the convoy was hit by small arms fire. Hezbollah said it was not involved in the incident. (AJ, AP, HA, MEE, NYT, REU, REU 12/15; AP 12/18; AP 12/21)

The UN General Assembly adopted the resolution, “Permanent sovereignty of the Palestinian people in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem, and of the Arab population in the occupied Syrian Golan over their natural resources,” calling on Israel to end its exploitation of the natural resources of the lands it occupies. The resolution passed with 159 votes in favor, 8 against, and 10 abstentions. (UN 12/14; MEMO, WAFA 12/15)

The European Parliament passed a resolution calling for an international conference to facilitate a 2-state solution to the Israeli occupation. The PA expressed dissatisfaction with the resolution not calling for the recognition of the State of Palestine, labeling of settlement products, and accountability for Israeli crimes against Palestinians. (WAFA, WAFA 12/15)

Norway donated $15 million through the World Bank Trust Fund to the Palestinian Umbrella for Resilience Support to the Economy in support of PA transparency, inclusivity, and the economy. (WAFA 12/14)

In the West Bank, 1 Palestinian was shot and injured by Israeli forces near the separation wall adjacent to Jenin. Israeli forces handed demolition notices for 3 houses and 2 houses under construction, and 5 others received stop-work orders for the houses in Nahalin. 17 Palestinians were arrested during raids in and around Ramallah, Burin, Madama, Tulkarm, and Jenin; tear-gas related injuries were reported during a raid in Hebron. In East Jerusalem, 1 Palestinian family demolished their own home to avoid exorbitant Israeli demolition fees in Sur Bahir, displacing 11 people. 7 Palestinians were arrested during raids. In Gaza, Israeli forces attacked buildings and infrastructure east of Khan Yunis, causing damage. Hamas authorities extended the COVID-19-related lockdown until 8/29. According to Gaza health officials, 26 people have tested positive and 2 people have died of the virus. In Israel, 1 Israeli was stabbed to death in Petah Tikva; Israeli police arrested 1 Palestinian from Nablus who they investigated as the perpetrator. (HA 8/25; BBC, HA, REU, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 8/26; HA, PCHR 8/27)

The Prisoner’s Affairs Commission reported that several Palestinians in Ofer prison have tested positive for COVID-19. (WAFA 8/26)

Israeli forces attacked Hezbollah infrastructure in Lebanon, claiming that shots were fired from Lebanon toward Israeli troops the day before. Lebanon’s supreme defense council said it would file a complaint to the UN. Earlier in the day, Israel had proposed changes to the UNIFIL mandate, which Lebanon rejected. (HA, REU 8/25; HA, HA 8/26; LT 8/27)

U.S. secretary of state Mike Pompeo met with senior members of the royal family in Bahrain to discuss “the importance of building regional peace and stability,” including normalizing ties between Bahrain and Israel. According to Bahrain state news, King Hamad bin Isa al-Khalifa told Pompeo that Bahrain is committed to the Arab Peace Initiative and the creation of a Palestinian state before normalizing relations with Israel. Later, Secretary Pompeo met with senior officials in the UAE to discuss, among other subjects, the sale of F-35 fighter jets to the UAE. (AJ, HA, HA, REU 8/26)

China donated personal protective equipment to UNRWA to help fight against the spread of COVID-19. (WAFA 8/26)

In the Gaza Strip, IDF troops open fire on Palestinian farmers close to the border fence nr. Jabaliya r.c., wounding 1. Off the coast nr. Bayt Lahiya, Israeli naval vessels open fire on Palestinian fishermen, causing no damage or injuries. In the West Bank, the IDF conducts house searches and arrest raids in Tulkarm in the morning, and in Tubas and in 1 village each nr. Jenin and Salfit at night; patrols in 1 village nr. Jenin and in Qalqilya and 1 nearby village at night. Separately, Israeli forces notify Bedouin families nr. Bethlehem that they must evacuate their homes before military exercises are conducted. (MNA 12/16; PCHR 12/19)

Israel opens Kerem Shalom crossing with Gaza to allow for entry of fuel and goods, and exit for 7 truckloads of strawberries and flowers bound for Europe. Israel also allows cement and gravel for UN projects to enter. (WAFA 12/16)

The EU’s Foreign Affairs Council announces that Israelis and Palestinians will be offered an unprecedented assistance package in the event of a final status peace deal. The incentives, under the bracket of “Special Privileged Partnership,” include political, economic, and security support. The EU also says that it is ready to contribute to post-conflict arrangements as part of ensuring any deal’s long-term viability. (HA 12/13; WAFA 12/16)

Israeli, Lebanese, and UN military officers meet to defuse tension following fatal crossborder gunfire the previous day. A statement from the UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) says that the Lebanese soldier who killed an Israeli soldier was acting alone. Israeli DM Ya’alon says that the Lebanese authorities promised to punish the shooter. (AFP, AP, REU 12/16)

UN emergency relief coordinator Valerie Amos issues an appeal at a meeting of donor countries in Geneva for $6.5 billion for Syria and its neighbors, including Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, and Turkey, each of which host significant populations of Syrian refugees. Separately, UN High Commissioner for Refugees António Guterres cites Turkish officials’ estimate that the number of Syrian refugees in the country will reach 1.5 m. by the end of 2014. (REU 12/16)

The Muslim Brotherhood-led Anti-Coup Alliance in Egypt announces that it will call for a boycott of the constitutional referendum scheduled for 1/2014. Spokesperson Hamza alFarawy says that the group rejects “any vote under military rule.” (AFP 12/16)

EU foreign ministers release a statement pledging to suspend some sanctions on Iran as soon as the IAEA verifies that Tehran has begun limiting its nuclear activities, in accordance with the 6-mo. interim agreement signed in 11/2013. Meanwhile, Iranian FM Zarif calls U.S. Secy. of State Kerry to protest the expansion of sanctions on 12/12. (AP, REU 12/16)

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Israel lifts curfew on part of Gaza Strip, refuses to allow Gazans to reporto work inside green line. Palestinians report that Israeli authorities have ordered them to stop exporting citrus from Gaza. Tel Aviv mayor Shlomo Lahat says that the city will no longer employ Palestinians for street cleaning, garbage collecting, sanitation work: "I don't want to discriminate and make them take only this kind of job, which has been the case up until now" [NYT 5/19]. Israel bans Druze leader from Galilee from entering O.T. for 1 year [FBIS 5/18].

Arab World: Jordan's king Hussein calls Israel's election proposal an attempt to "waste time" [LAT 5/19]. PLO calls on UN to take "practical measures to protect the residents of the West Bank and Gaza" [FBIS 5/19].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: In E. Jerusalem 20-year-old Palestinian from Duhayshah dies from wounds received 2 weeks earlier. In Jamma'in troops open fire, kill Palestinian [FBIS 5/18]. IDF troops shoot, kill Palestinian youth from Nusayrat camp [FBIS 5/19]. At least 3 Palestinians are shot, injured in Tulkarm camp [FBIS 5/18].

Arab World: Soldiers of the Israeli-backed South Lebanese Army (SLA) wound 2 Irish UNIFIL troops in the Israeli-imposed "security zone" [FBIS 5/19].