The Palestine Chronology

Two PIJ engineers are killed and tens of bystanders are injured in an explosion in Umm al-Nasr village near Bayt Lahiya in northern Gaza. PIJ initially accuses Israel of targeting the engineers with a drone strike. An IDF spokesperson denies any Israeli involvement, and PIJ later says that the explosion was an accident and that the 2 men mishandled explosives. Separately, unidentified parties fire 2 rockets from Gaza toward Israel late at night; 1 falls short of the border and the other lands in an open area in southern Israel, causing no damage or injuries. The IAF conducts air strikes on 2 Hamas military sites, injuring 3 Palestinians and causing major damage. (HA, MNA, TOI, WAFA 12/12; HA, MNA, WAFA 12/13)

For a 6th day in a row, Palestinians across the oPt and Israel gather to protest U.S. pres. Trump’s 12/6 recognition of Jerusalem as Israel’s capital (protests have steadily declined in size since 12/8). IDF troops violently disperse them in Tulkarm, Bethlehem and nearby al-‘Arub refugee camp, and along Gaza’s border near Gaza City, Khan Yunis, and Rafah; 14 Palestinians are injured. Meanwhile, an elderly Palestinian woman suffers a fatal heart attack late at night when Israeli soldiers raid her home near Jericho. They also shoot and seriously injure a Palestinian they claim was attempting to stab Israeli soldiers outside the Ariel settlement. An IDF spokesperson later states that the Palestinian was not carrying a knife, but was among a group that was “suspected of an attempt to attack on the border.” Meanwhile, IDF troops arrest a Palestinian youth in central Hebron, allegedly after he is found to be carrying a knife; arrest 34 Palestinians during late-night raids in and around Ramallah, Hebron, Nablus, Tubas, Jenin, and Tulkarm; and patrol near Tulkarm, Salfit, and Nablus. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces arrest 19 Palestinians during late-night raids in Issawiyya and Silwan. Along Gaza’s border, IDF troops open fire on Palestinian agricultural areas near Bayt Hanun, causing no damage. (HA, MNA, TOI, WAFA 12/12; MNA, WAFA 12/13; PCHR 12/14)

In the West Bank, IDF troops evacuate a small Israeli settlement outpost near Nablus, sparking minor clashes with the residents; 1 settler is arrested after turning his dog loose on the soldiers. Israeli settlers then torch a number of Palestinian olive trees in the area. Elsewhere, Israeli forces confiscate 3 Palestinian cars and 2 tractors from residents of Ras al-Ahmar near Tubas. IDF troops conduct raids in Dahaysha refugee camp near Bethlehem late at night, ordering a bookstore to close for 3 weeks and sparking clashes with stone-throwing youths; 1 Palestinian is injured. They arrest 13 Palestinians and issue 2 arrest summons during further raids in and around Qalqilya, Hebron, Jericho, Jenin, and Bethlehem, and patrol near Hebron during the day. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces level Palestinian land outside Hizma in preparation for the construction of a new road in the area. Along Gaza’s border, Israeli forces conduct a limited incursion to level land near Khan Yunis. Off Gaza’s coast, Israeli naval forces open fire on Palestinian fishing boats near Jabaliya refugee camp and Bayt Lahiya, causing no damage or injuries. (MNA, TOI, WAFA 9/24; MNA, WAFA 9/25; PCHR 9/28)

IDF troops shoot and injure a Palestinian youth at a bus stop outside the Kiryat Arba settlement near Hebron, allegedly after he attempts to stab a settler. They leave the injured youth lying on the ground without receiving treatment before arresting him and taking him to a hospital in Israel. In a video released later, the youth can be heard pleading for water and explaining that he was attempting to commit suicide. Israeli forces demolish 8 homes and 6 retaining walls in Steih Dyouk village near Jericho. They also arrest a Palestinian living outside Yatta near Hebron before demolishing his home. The IDF arrests 7 Palestinians and issue 1 arrest summons during late-night raids in and around Nablus, Hebron, Tulkarm, and Salfit, and patrols near Jenin and Hebron. Israeli settlers uproot 27 olive trees on Palestinian land outside Burin village near Nablus. Meanwhile, PASF troops conduct a raid in Yatta overnight, sparking a brief firefight with the wanted Palestinians and their affiliates; 1 Palestinian is killed and another is seriously injured. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces demolish a building in Silwan and a 2-story apartment building in Ras al-Amud, and arrest 1 Palestinian during a late-night raid in Qalandia refugee camp. (MNA, TOI, WAFA 9/13; PCHR 9/14; PCHR 9/21; EI 9/22)

The Egyptian authorities partially open the Rafah border crossing for a 3d day in a row, allowing Muslim worshippers to return from their pilgrimage to Saudi Arabia. (OCHA 9/29)

The UN’s World Tourism Organization announces that the Palestinian bid for membership has been postponed until the body’s next meeting in 2019. The PA reportedly decided to suspend its bid following heavy U.S. pressure, according to a senior Israeli official. (HA, TOI 9/13)

After yet another day of heightened tensions at Haram al-Sharif, the Israeli security cabinet decides to remove the metal detectors installed at the entrances to the sanctuary after the deadly attack, on 7/14 in the evening. A senior Israeli official says that some cameras installed on 7/23 will be removed as well. In a statement, the cabinet says it has “accepted the recommendation of all of the security bodies to incorporate security measures based on advanced technologies and other measures instead of metal detectors to ensure the security of visitors and worshippers in the Old City and [at Haram al-Sharif].” According to the Israeli press, the new measures include heat-sensing “smart cameras” with facial recognition technology, and that their installation will be part of a NIS 100 m. (approx. $28 m.) plan that could take as long as 6 mos. to implement. (MNA, WAFA, YA 7/24; TOI 7/25)

Elsewhere in East Jerusalem, Israeli forces clash with Palestinians in Hizma n. of Jerusalem; 1 Palestinian is seriously injured (he will succumb to his injuries on 7/27). In the West Bank, Birzeit University students march toward a checkpoint outside the Beit El settlement nr. Ramallah to protest the 7/21 killings. IDF troops violently disperse them, injuring 4. IDF troops also patrol in Nablus, Sa‘ir nr. Hebron, and al-Khadir nr. Bethlehem, sparking clashes with stone-throwing Palestinians; 2 Palestinians are injured. The IDF arrests 19 Palestinians during late-night raids in and around Bethlehem, Nablus, Jenin, Qalqilya, Jericho, and Ramallah; and conducts further patrols nr. Hebron and Nablus. Along Gaza’s border, IDF troops arrest a Palestinian allegedly attempting to sneak into Israel armed with a knife. Off Gaza’s coast, Israeli naval forces open fire on Palestinian fishing boats nr. Bayt Lahiya twice, causing no damage or injuries. (MNA, TOI, WAFA 7/24; MNA 7/25; PCHR 7/27)

Following a day of Israeli-Jordanian tensions and negotiations over the deadly attack in Amman on 7/23, the Jordanian authorities allow the staff of the Israeli Embassy in Jordan, including the security guard who killed the 2 Jordanians, to return to Israel. The Israeli authorities first allow Jordanian police to hear the guard’s description of the incident. With rumors to the contrary circulating on social media, the Israeli press reports that Jordan did not condition the release of the guard on the removal of the metal detectors at Haram al-Sharif. (HA, MNA, TOI 7/24; MNA 7/25)

U.S. rep. Greenblatt arrives in Israel to “support efforts to reduce tensions in the region,” according to a senior Trump admin. official. “Pres. Trump and his administration are closely following unfolding events in the region,” the official adds. “We are engaged in discussions with the relevant parties and are committed to finding a res. to the ongoing security issues.” Meanwhile, the UNSC holds a closed-door meeting on the Haram al-Sharif crisis. No details of the discussion are reported. (HA, TOI 7/24)

Palestinians in the West Bank, Israel, and across the world join in a general strike in solidarity with the 1,500-plus Palestinian prisoners’ Dignity Strike. IDF troops violently disperse protesters at the Qalandia checkpoint, Nabi Salih nr. Ramallah, ‘Azun nr. Qalqilya, outside Dayr Sharaf nr. Nablus, and along Gaza’s border nr. al-Bureij r.c.; at least 10 Palestinians are injured. Meanwhile, IDF troops shoot and kill a Palestinian at a checkpoint nr. Bethlehem. No Israelis are injured. They also arrest 5 Palestinian youths throwing stones at an Israeli settlement nr. Jericho; and patrol nr. Hebron during the day. Approximately 4,000 Jewish settlers, as well as former Arkansas gov. Mike Huckabee, visit Joseph’s Tomb nr. Nablus overnight, sparking clashes between their IDF escort and stone-throwing Palestinians; 2 Palestinians are arrested. IDF troops also conduct raids in Bayt Umar nr. Hebron, sparking clashes with stone-throwing Palestinians; there are no serious injuries. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces arrest 7 Palestinians during late-night raids nr. Jabal Mukabir, Silwan, and Ras al-Amud. Along Gaza’s border, IDF troops open fire on Palestinian farmers working nr. Khan Yunis and agricultural areas nr. al-Maghazi r.c. Off Gaza’s coast, Israeli naval forces open fire on Palestinian fishing boats nr. Rafah twice, causing no damage or injuries. (HA, JP, MNA, TOI, WAFA 5/22; PCHR 5/25)

Upon his arrival in Israel, U.S. pres. Trump gives a short speech on the tarmac at Ben Gurion Airport to a crowd of Israeli leaders, including PM Netanyahu. (The Israeli PM reportedly orders his ministers to greet Trump on the tarmac after many, including several party heads, said they were not planning to attend). “We have before us a rare opportunity to bring security and stability and peace to this region and to its people, defeating terrorism and creating a future of harmony, prosperity, and peace,” Trump says, referencing the peace initiative he hopes to advance during his visit to Israel. “But we can only get there working together. There is no other way.” Trump then meets with Israeli pres. Reuven Rivlin and visits the Western Wall, the first time a sitting U.S. pres. has done so. In his major policy speech of the day, Trump links the fight against Iran with Israeli-Palestinian peace, saying that the Arab states are willing to work with Israel to normalize relations, if Israel ends its occupation of Palestinian lands. (HA, NYT, TOI 5/22; HA 5/23)

IDF troops raid a protest camp nr. Hebron where approx. 175 Palestinian and Israeli activists are protesting the eviction of an entire Palestinian community in the area. The IDF tears down the activists’ tents and confiscates their generator and sound system; there are no serious injuries. IDF troops also violently disperse Palestinians nr. Ramallah (Silwad and Nabi Salih) and Jericho rallying in solidarity with the hunger-striking prisoners; at least 11 Palestinians are injured. Elsewhere in the West Bank, IDF troops shoot stun grenades and tear gas at Palestinian students in al-Khadir nr. Bethlehem, seriously injuring 1. They also arrest 5 Palestinians during late-night raids nr. Bethlehem and Nablus, and patrol nr. Hebron and Nablus. Israeli settlers attempt to cut the power supply to Burin village nr. Nablus, sparking clashes with stone-throwing Palestinians; 1 Palestinian is injured. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces arrest 2 Palestinians during late-night raids in al-Thawri. Off Gaza’s coast, Israeli naval forces open fire on Palestinian fishing boats nr. Gaza City, causing no damage or injuries. (MNA, WAFA 5/21; PCHR 5/25)

A Gaza court sentences 3 men to death for the 3/24 killing of senior Hamas military cmdr. Mazen Fuqaha (see JPS 46 [4]). (TOI 5/21; MNA 5/22)

Israel’s security cabinet approves a package of measures designed to facilitate economic growth in Area C of the West Bank. The package is explicitly meant as a confidence-building gesture of good faith ahead of U.S. pres. Trump’s visit to Israel and the occupied Palestinian territories (oPt) on 5/22–23. (HA, JP, MNA, NYT 5/21; TOI 5/22)

Israel’s security cabinet creates a comm. to address unregulated settlement outposts and the implementation of the so-called regulations law that the Knesset passed in 12/2016 (see JPS 46 [3]). The comm. is set to work on the issue for 3 years, with PM Benjamin Netanyahu and DM Avigdor Lieberman receiving updates every 3 mos. (JP 5/21)

Off Gaza’s coast, Israeli naval forces open fire on Palestinian fishing boats nr. Bayt Lahiya on 2 separate occasions and later nr. Jabaliya r. c., causing no injuries. Along Gaza’s border, Israeli forces spray Palestinian farmlands nr. Rafah with herbicides overnight and conduct a limited incursion to level land nr. Khan Yunis late at night. In East Jerusalem, Israeli settlers spray price-tag graffiti and slash the tires of at least 17 Palestinian vehicles overnight in Shu‘fat. In the West Bank, Israeli forces demolish 4 Palestinian structures in Jiftlik nr. Jericho. IDF troops arrest 3 Birzeit University students during late-night raids nr. Ramallah. The arrests come hours before student elections are set to take place on 5/10. They also arrest 2 Palestinians during further raids nr. Ramallah; and patrol in Qalqilya, and nr. Salfit and Hebron. (HA, MNA, WAFA 5/9; MNA 5/10; PCHR 5/11)

The Egyptian authorities open the Rafah border crossing for the 4th and final day in a row. (MNA 5/9)

In the West Bank, IDF troops violently disperse Palestinians gathering outside Ofer Prison in solidarity with the 1,500-plus Palestinian prisoners on hunger strike; 1 protester is injured. Later, a number of Israeli settlers hold a barbeque outside the prison to taunt the hunger strikers. Elsewhere, IDF troops arrest 3 Palestinians during raids nr. Jericho and in Hebron, and patrol nr. Ramallah during the day. An Israeli settler driver allegedly rams a Palestinian youth nr. Bethlehem, moderately injuring her. Late at night, hundreds of settlers visit a Jewish holy site nr. Salfit. Their IDF escort had established checkpoints prior to the visit, blocking Palestinian traffic in the area. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces conduct raids in Abu Dis, sparking clashes with stone-throwing Palestinian students; there are no serious injuries. Along Gaza’s border, Israeli forces conduct a limited incursion to level land nr. al-Bureij r.c. Off Gaza’s coast, Israeli naval forces open fire on Palestinian fishing boats nr. Jabaliya r.c., causing no damage or injuries. In Israel, Israeli forces demolish a home under construction in the Bedouin village al-Sayyid. (MNA, WAFA 4/20; JP, MNA 4/21)

Israeli forces positioned along Gaza’s border fire artillery shells at 3 Palestinians nr. Rafah; 1 is killed and the other 2 are injured. The IDF says the soldiers fired after “detect[ing] 2 suspects.” The incident comes hours after the IDF carried out a major military exercise in the area. Elsewhere along Gaza’s border, Israeli forces conduct a limited incursion to level land nr. Khan Yunis. Off Gaza’s coast, Israeli naval forces open fire on Palestinian fishing boats nr. Bayt Lahiya, causing no damage or injuries. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces punitively seal with concrete the Jabal Mukabir home of the Palestinian killed in a confrontation with Israeli soldiers on 1/7. In the West Bank, Israeli forces demolish 2 agricultural sheds outside Jericho and uproot a number of trees in Aida r.c. nr. Bethlehem. IDF troops arrest a Palestinian in s. Hebron when he is found with to be carrying a knife, and arrest 3 more Palestinians during late-night raids nr. Ramallah and Tulkarm. Israeli settlers assault Palestinian farmers working outside Burin nr. Nablus, lightly injuring 1. (EI, JP, MNA, WAFA 3/22; MNA, PCHR 3/23; PCHR 3/30)

Israeli PM Netanyahu says that “there has been significant progress” in the ongoing talks between Israeli and U.S. officials in Washington this week. They are reportedly working toward a mutual understanding on Israeli settlement growth. (HA, JP, TOI 3/22)

Off Gaza’s coast, Israeli naval forces open fire on Palestinian fishing boats, causing no damage or injuries. In the West Bank, an Israeli settler driver rams an elderly Palestinian nr. Nablus, causing moderate injuries. The IDF delivers confiscation orders to the Palestinian owners of 169 dunams (42 acres) of farmland nr. Qalqilya and stop-work orders to 7 Palestinian homes under construction in Kafr al-Dik nr. Salfit. IDF troops arrest 6 Palestinians and confiscate a tractor during raids nr. Ramallah, Jericho, and Tubas; and patrol nr. Hebron during the day. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces demolish 2 residential buildings in Jabal Mukabir. (MNA, WAFA 3/ 20; MNA, WAFA 3/21; PCHR 3/23)

PA pres. Abbas meets with Egyptian pres. Abdel Fattah al-Sisi in Cairo to discuss regional affairs and the prospect of holding a regional peace conference to kick off a new round of peace talks. Al-Sisi reportedly tells Abbas that the Palestinian question will remain a high priority in Cairo. (TOI, WAFA 3/ 20; MNA, WAFA 3/21)

The U.S. State Dept. announces that the U.S. will be boycotting the UNHRC’s discussion of Israel at its 34th session this week, also known as Agenda Item 7. “The U.S. strongly and unequivocally opposes the existence of the UNHRC’s Agenda Item 7,” the State Dept. statement reads. (JP, TOI, USSD 3/20)

IDF troops open fire on 2 Palestinian youths, killing 1 and moderately injuring the other, in al-‘Arub r.c. nr. Hebron after they allegedly throw firebombs at Israeli settlers’ cars nearby. Elsewhere in the West Bank, IDF troops violently disperse Palestinians, Israelis, and international activists at Friday demonstrations against Israel’s occupation, separation wall, and settlements in 3 villages nr. Ramallah (Nabi Salih, Bil‘in, and Ni‘lin) and Kafr Qaddum nr. Qalqilya; 2 Israeli activists are injured. They also patrol nr. Nablus, sparking clashes with stone-throwing Palestinians; 1 Palestinian is moderately injured. The IDF conducts further patrols in and around Qalqilya, Jericho, and Ramallah. Israeli settlers uproot around 75 olive tree seedlings nr. Nablus. Palestinian youths throw stones at 3 Israeli settlers who enter Qalandia r.c.; the IDF then escorts the settlers out of the camp. Along Gaza’s border, IDF troops arrest a Palestinian attempting to cross into Israel. Off Gaza’s coast, Israeli naval forces open fire on Palestinian fishing boats nr. Rafah, causing no damage or injuries. (HA, JP, MNA 3/17; PCHR 3/23)

IDF troops shoot and kill a Palestinian driver after he allegedly rams his vehicle into a bus stop outside a settlement nr. Ramallah. The IDF later claims a knife was found on the driver. Elsewhere in the West Bank, Israeli forces exchange fire with a group of Palestinians nr. Ramallah; 1 Palestinian is injured. It’s unclear how the exchange started. They also demolish Palestinian sheds and an animal barn nr. Jericho. IDF troops patrol in ‘Askar r.c. nr. Nablus late at night, sparking minor clashes with stone-throwing Palestinians; 2 Palestinians are injured. They also arrest 6 Palestinians and confiscate 1 computer during late-night raids nr. Jenin, Ramallah, and in Nablus, and patrol nr. Ramallah and Hebron during the day. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces demolish 2 stores, fences, a parking area, and a garage in Silwan and Shu‘fat; and deliver demolition orders to 5 Palestinian homes in Biddu and Qatanna, sparking clashes with stone-throwing residents. There are no serious injuries. They arrest 1 Palestinian during further raids in the Old City. Meanwhile, around 100 right-wing Jewish activists tour Haram al-Sharif in the morning. Along Gaza’s border, Israeli forces conduct a limited incursion nr. Rafah to level land. Off Gaza’s coast, Israeli naval forces open fire on Palestinian fishing boats nr. Bayt Lahiya, causing no injuries. (HA, MNA, TOI, WAFA 1/25; PCHR 1/26; PCHR 2/2)

Israeli forces shoot and kill Fadi al-Qunbar, a Palestinian truck driver, outside the Old City after he rams a group of Israelis, killing 4 IDF soldiers and injuring at least 13 other people. Israeli forces then conduct raids on the alleged attacker’s home in Jabal Mukabir, interrogating his family for hours, threatening punitive demolition, and establishing checkpoints in the area. Their prolonged presence in the neighborhood sparks clashes with stonethrowing Palestinians; there are no serious injuries. After Israeli PM Netanyahu accuses the alleged attacker of supporting ISIS, Israel’s security cabinet decides to use administrative detention against any persons suspected of committing a crime who also identify as supporters of the group. The cabinet also decides to punitively demolish the attacker’s home as soon as possible, and to close down the attacker’s neighborhood, Jabal Mukabir. Meanwhile, the attacker’s family says he was motivated by U.S. pres.-elect Trump’s pledge to move the U.S. embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem. “He was very angry, and said transferring the embassy would lead to war,” his cousin says. (HA, MNA, NYT, TOI, YA 1/8; PCHR 1/12)

Elsewhere in East Jerusalem, Israeli settlers seize control of a residential building in Silwan. Along Gaza’s border, IDF troops open fire on Palestinian agricultural lands nr. Gaza City and later nr. Khan Yunis, causing no injuries or damage. In the West Bank, PASF troops block an IDF jeep from entering Qalqilya. Israel settlers assault and injure a number of Palestinians outside Huwwara village nr. Nablus and throw stones at Palestinian cars driving nearby. The IDF delivers stop-work orders to 11 Palestinian homes under construction nr. Bethlehem. IDF troops conduct raids nr. Nablus, sparking clashes with stone-throwing Palestinians outside Bayt Furik village; 1 Palestinian is arrested. They arrest 9 more Palestinians during late-night raids in Jenin and nr. Jericho, Hebron, and Ramallah, and patrol nr. Hebron, Salfit, and Nablus. (HA, JP, MNA, TOI, WAFA, YA 1/8; MNA, WAFA 1/9; PCHR 1/12)

Israel’s Ministerial Comm. for Legislation unanimously approves a bill that would ban representatives from the anti-occupation group Breaking the Silence and other groups that allegedly “defame Israeli soldiers” from speaking in Israeli schools. (HA, JP 1/9)

For the 2d day in a row, Israeli forces conduct major demolitions in a bedouin community in the West Bank. They destroy 15 structures, including several homes and the only school, in Khirbat Tana nr. Jericho. Elsewhere, 2 Israeli border police officers are injured in a suspected car-ramming attack nr. Jenin. The alleged assailant flees the scene without being identified. IDF troops arrest 18 Palestinians and assault 1 during late-night raids nr. Nablus, Hebron, Jenin, and in Tulkarm, sparking minor clashes in Burin village nr. Hebron (there are no serious injuries). They also patrol during the day nr. Hebron. Israeli settlers pray at a holy site outside Kifl Haris village nr. Salfit, sparking clashes with stone-throwing Palestinian youths; there are no serious injuries. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces conduct raids in Issawiyya for the 2d day in a row, arresting 2 Palestinians. Off Gaza’s coast, Israeli naval forces open fire on Palestinian fishing boats nr. Bayt Lahiya, causing no serious damage or injuries. Along Gaza’s border, IDF troops open fire on Palestinian agricultural lands nr. Rafah, causing no damage. (HA, JP, MNA, WAFA 1/3; MNA, PCHR 1/5)