The Palestine Chronology

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers with a military escort raided Deir Dibwan, setting fire to trees; 1 Palestinian was injured by live ammunition fired by Israeli forces during the raid. Israeli settlers also threw stones at Palestinian vehicles near Beitin and Hebron. Israeli forces shot and killed 1 Palestinian man during a raid in Nablus. Israeli forces also shot a 5-year-old Palestinian boy in the eye with a rubber-coated bullet in Bizarya; the boy’s eye was later removed at a hospital. Elsewhere, Israeli forces violently dispersed Palestinian protesters in Kafr Qaddum, injuring 4 with baton rounds and others with tear gas. Israeli forces also violently dispersed Palestinian protesters in Bayt Dajan, causing tear-gas related injuries. Meanwhile, Israeli forces seized 1 excavator in Dahariya. 11 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in Askar refugee camp, Bethlehem, Abu Nuyaim, Beit Umar, Dura, and Tulkarm; 2 Palestinians were injured by Israeli live ammunition during the raid in Askar refugee camp. (WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 6/23; WAFA, WAFA 6/24; HA 6/27; PCHR 7/6; UNOCHA 7/8)

The Shin Bet said it had arrested 3 Israeli settlers following several Israeli settler attacks on Palestinian towns and villages in the past week. (AP 6/23)

Representatives from 20 EU countries visited Turmus ‘Ayya to express condolences to the victims of the Israeli settler attack on 6/21. In a statement the countries said as the occupier Israel is obligated to protect Palestinians and prosecute the violent settlers. (WAFA 6/23; HA 6/24)

Israeli national security minister Itamar Ben-Gvir told Israeli settlers at the partly resettled Evyatar settlement outpost that the settlers should “[r]un to the hilltops” and build settlements “in all the hills around.” Ben-Gvir also called for the Israeli military to “launch a military operation, take down buildings and eliminate terrorists. Not just one or two, but dozens and hundreds and if needed, thousands.” Later on 6/25, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said such calls to grab land are “unacceptable to me.” (HA, WAFA, WAFA 6/23; WAFA 6/24; CNN 6/25)

U.S. national security adviser Jake Sullivan spoke with his Israeli counterpart Tzachi Hanegbi, expressing concern about Israeli settler attacks on Palestinian villages. Several Democratic members of the U.S. House of Representatives, including pro-Israel representatives, condemned the settler attacks, as did the Anti-Defamation League and the American Jewish Committee. Morocco also officially canceled the second summit of the normalization organization the Negev Forum, citing “uncomfortable diplomatic relations.” The summit, scheduled to be held in Rabat, has been postponed since March. (HA, REU 6/23; HA, HA 6/24; HA, WAFA, WAFA 6/25)

U.S. national security spokesperson John Kirby said that U.S. officials had met with victims of the Israeli settler attacks on Turmus ‘Ayya on 6/21 and that U.S. citizens were among the victims. (AJ 6/23)

UN human rights commissioner Volker Türk criticized the Israeli usage of “advanced weapons” in the West Bank this week, saying it was adding to volatility of the situation. For the first time since the Second Intifada, Israel used drones and helicopters to attack Palestinians in the West Bank. (AJ, WAFA 6/23)

In the West Bank, thousands of Israeli settlers, including 7 cabinet ministers, National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich among them, and several MKs marched to the Evyatar settlement outpost. 22 Palestinians protesting the march were injured by baton rounds fired by Israeli forces, while more than 100 suffered tear-gas related injuries. Israeli settlers also threw stones at vehicles near al-Khader, Bethlehem, and al-Bireh and threw stones at commercial structures in al-Khader. Israeli forces shot and killed 1 Palestinian minor during a raid in Aqabat Jaber refugee camp, 3 were injured, including 2 by live ammunition, and 5 were arrested. A video of the incident showed the minor running away from Israeli soldiers when he was shot in the back. Elsewhere, Israeli forces raided al-Ein refugee camp, injuring 2 with live ammunition and 10 with tear gas. Israeli forces also violently dispersed Palestinians in Beit Umar, causing tear-gas related injuries and damage to 1 vehicle. In East Jerusalem, some 1,500 Israeli settlers toured the Haram al-Sharif compound. (AJ, ALM, GDN, HA, HA, MEE, MEE, REU, REU, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 4/10; AJ, AP, PCHR, WAFA, WAFA 4/11; PCHR 4/13 MDW 4/14; UNOCHA 4/20)

Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu said in a press conference that he had rescinded his firing of Defense Minister Yoav Gallant on 3/26. Gallant had continued to act as the defense minister despite his dismissal. Netanyahu also criticized the former Israeli government for its deal with Lebanon to demark the maritime borders between the 2 countries. (AP, AX, MEE, REU 4/10; HA 4/11)

In the West Bank, Israeli forces violently dispersed Palestinian protesters in Hebron, injuring 1 child with live ammunition. Israeli forces also violently dispersed Palestinian protesters in Taqqua, causing tear-gas related injuries. Elsewhere, Israeli forces delivered a demolition notice for an EU-funded school in al-Samiya. Israeli forces also demolished 1 house and 1 agricultural structure in al-‘Awja and 1 carpentry shop in Husan, and delivered 4 demolition orders for houses in Fasayil. 11 Palestinians were arrested in al-Mughayyir, Deir Jarir, Abud, Jaba‘, al-Khader, and Bethlehem. In East Jerusalem, 1 Palestinian family demolished their own home in Bayt Hanina, displacing 6, including 4 children. 3 Palestinians were arrested at the Mount of Olives. (WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 8/10; MEMO, PCHR 8/11; AN 8/15; UNOCHA 8/19)

The Israeli government told the supreme court that the Homesh settlement outpost will be evacuated, but that no time frame has been set. (HA 8/10)

PA prime minister Mohammed Shtayyeh met with Türkiye president Recep Tayyip Erdoğan in Konya. Prime minister Shtayyeh also met with president of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev. (WAFA 8/10)

U.S. ambassador to Israel Tom Nides said in an interview that the U.S. fully backed Israel’s attack on Gaza over the weekend, calling Islamic Jihad “bad guys.” Ambassador Nides further said that the U.S. was not informed about Israel’s Operation Breaking Dawn beforehand but was not surprised. (TOI 8/11)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers with military escort raided Nabi Salih and attempted to steal a Palestinian flag, leading to a confrontation between Israeli forces and Palestinians; 1 was injured by a baton round and others suffered tear-gas related injuries. Israeli settlers also set up a settlement outpost near Khirbet al-Farisiyya. Elsewhere, Israeli settlers threw stones at Palestinian vehicles south of Bethlehem. Israeli forces violently dispersed Palestinian protesters in Kafr Qaddum, injuring 3 with baton rounds and others with tear gas. Israeli forces also violently dispersed Palestinian protesters in Bayt Dajan, injuring 1 with baton rounds, 1 with burns from a tear gas canister, and others with tear gas. Elsewhere, Israeli forces raided Beit Umar and Qaryut, causing tear-gas related injuries. Israeli forces also seized 1 excavator near Yatta. 2 Palestinians were arrested at a checkpoint near Nablus. In Gaza, 3 Palestinians were arrested near the Gaza fence east of Khan Yunis. (WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 6/3; WAFA 6/4; PCHR 6/9; UNOCHA 6/17)

Israel released the director of Health Work Committees, Shatha Odeh, after arresting her on 7/7/2021. (WAFA 6/3)

The White House postponed president Joe Biden’s trip to Israel from later this month to July, saying it will be part of a broader trip to the Middle East that will include Saudi Arabia. (HA 6/1; AJ, AP, NBC 6/3; AX, HA 6/4)

80 Democrats in the U.S. Congress, led by David Price (D-NC), Barbara Lee (D-CA), Jennifer Wexton (D-VA), and Joaquin Castro (D-TX), wrote a letter to secretary of state Antony Blinken urging the Biden administration to take action against efforts to undermine the 2-state solution. The Democrats mentioned 5 issues of concern, including settler violence and non-intervention by Israeli forces, settlement expansion, demolitions, increased funding for West Bank settlements, and the PA program for paying stipends to Palestinian prisoners. (HA 6/3)

In Iran, colonel Ali Esmailzadeh of the Quds Force died in an incident at his home in Karaj. Iran denied that Esmailzadeh was assassinated. Local reporting said Esmailzadeh fell from the roof or a balcony at his home. Esmailzadeh’s death follows an incident on 5/22 in which another Iranian colonel was assassinated and an incident on 5/25 in which an Iranian scientist was killed in a drone strike. Both of those incidents were reportedly linked to Israel. Israeli prime minister Naftali Bennett told International Atomic Energy Agency director Rafael Grossi in a meeting that “Israel reserves the right to self-defense and action against Iran to stop its nuclear program.” (AJ, AP, AP, HA, HA 6/3; NYT, TOI 6/4; REU 6/7)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers threw stones at 4 Palestinian-owned vehicles in Marda. Israeli settlers also attacked 1 Palestinian man near Burqa; the man was treated at a hospital for fractures to his hand. Elsewhere, Israeli settlers set up a settlement outpost in al-Muarrajat between Ramallah and Jericho. Israeli settlers also vandalized 2 solar panels in Burin. Israeli forces closed the Shufa and al-Kafiyat checkpoints. Israeli forces also violently dispersed Palestinian farmers trying to work their lands near Qusra, causing tear-gas related injuries. Elsewhere, Israeli forces delivered stop-work orders for 6 residential and commercial structures in al-Khalediya. 13 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in Qabatiya, al-Lubban ash-Sharqiya, Beita, ‘Urif, Tammun, Tubas, Bethlehem, and Hebron. In East Jerusalem, 1 Israeli settler rammed 1 Palestinian minor with their car in Silwan. In Israel, 1 Palestinian man shot and killed 5 people in Bnei Brak, including 2 Ukrainian nationals, 1 police officer, and 2 Israeli civilians, before he was shot and killed. The Palestinian man was from the West Bank town of Ya‘bad and was in Israel without a permit working nearby. PA president Mahmoud Abbas condemned the attack. (AX, HA, NYT, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 3/29; AJ, AX, HA, HA, HA, NYT, REU, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 3/30; HA, HA, PCHR 3/31; ALM, HA 4/1; HA 4/3; UNOCHA 4/10)

Israeli defense minister Benny Gantz met with Jordan’s king Abdullah II in Amman. King Abdullah called on Israel to respect Palestinian access to the holy places in Jerusalem during the month of Ramadan. (AJ, HA 3/29)

The PA and Agence Française de Développement signed agreements worth $32 million for the restoration of the Saint Hilarion Monastery in Gaza and construction of a water reservoir west of Ramallah and a seawater desalination plant in Gaza. (WAFA 3/29)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers from the evacuated Homesh settlement outpost attacked 3 Palestinian farmers working their lands near Burqa with stones, sticks, and physical assault. Israeli settlers also threw stones at Palestinian vehicles driving on the Jenin-Nablus road, damaging 4 cars. Elsewhere, Israeli settlers set fire to Palestinian-owned olive trees in al-Shuyukh, damaging 50. Israeli forces violently dispersed Palestinians during a raid in Nablus, injuring 1 with live ammunition and others with tear gas. Israeli forces also demolished an agricultural structure in Yatta and uprooted 250 olive trees in al-Ras. 3 Palestinians were arrested during raids in Bethlehem and Yatta. In East Jerusalem, 85 Israeli settlers toured the Haram al-Sharif compound. 4 Palestinians were arrested during a raid in Isawiya. In Gaza, Israeli forces opened fire at agricultural lands north of Beit Hanun; no injuries were reported. (HA, MEE, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 11/15; PCHR 11/18)

The Israeli state prosecutor’s office urged the Jerusalem district court to uphold a ban barring Palestinian applicants for family reunification, despite the law having expired in July. The state prosecutor’s office said that the expiration of the ban is only temporary. (HA 11/15)

It was reported that Israel’s defense minister Benny Gantz had asked the U.S. to pressure European and Arab countries to increase their aid to the PA, fearing that the PA might financially collapse soon. The request was reportedly made ahead of the Ad Hoc Liaison Committee on 11/17. (HA 11/15)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers threw stones at Palestinians in al-Tuba, causing 1 injury. Israeli forces violently dispersed Palestinian protesters demonstrating against the Evyatar settlement outpost near Qusra, injuring 50. 2 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in Hebron and Bethlehem. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces violently dispersed Palestinian protesters in Silwan, injuring 1 with live ammunition; others suffered tear-gas related injuries. In Israel, 4 Palestinians from Gaza were arrested after crossing into Israel. (TOI, WAFA, WAFA 7/10; WAFA 7/11; PCHR 7/15)

PA president Mahmoud Abbas met with Turkey’s president Recep Tayyip Erdoğan in Ankara as part of a 3-day visit to the country. (WAFA 7/9; WAFA 7/10)

In the West Bank, Israeli forces sealed off several roads, including 4 to Ramallah-area villages and to 1 village near Nablus. Israeli forces fired tear gas at students and teachers in Abu Dis, causing tear-gas related injuries. Israeli forces also fired tear gas and rubber-coated bullets during a raid in al-‘Arub refugee camp. Israeli settlers and military escort toured an evacuated settlement outpost near Jenin. 10 Palestinians were arrested during raids in and around Hebron, Ramallah, Bethlehem, Nablus, Qalqilya, Jenin, and Tulkarm. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces arrested 6 Palestinians during raids in Silwan, Abu Tor, and the Old City. (WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 2/10; PCHR 2/13)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers set up a new settlement outpost on Palestinian-owned land east of Nablus. 5 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in and around Hebron, Bethlehem, and Jenin. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces evicted Muslim worshippers from al-Aqsa Mosque following midnight prayers. The eviction led to confrontations between Israeli forces and Palestinians, at least 1 Palestinian was arrested and others suffered from tear gas inhalation. Off the coast of Gaza, Israeli naval forces opened fire on Palestinian fishermen, arresting 3 of them and confiscating 1 boat. (WAFA 5/11; MNA, MNA, MNA, WAFA 5/12; WAFA 5/13)

Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s party Likud said that Netanyahu will ask Israeli president Reuven Rivlin for an extension to form the next government. Likud cited Israeli holidays and the attack on Gaza as reasons for the delay. (HA 5/11)

Israel issues tenders for construction of 294 new settlement housing units in Beitar Ilit nr. Jerusalem and Karnei Shomron nr. Nablus (see 5/21). The IDF fires rubber-coated steel bullets, tear gas, and stun grenades at mourners attending a funeral in Bayt Umar, sparking stone-throwing clashes that leave 3 Palestinians injured; patrols in al-Til nr. Tulkarm, randomly stopping and searching Palestinian cars; conducts late-night patrols in Tulkarm and late-night arrest raids, house searches nr. Bethlehem and in Jenin. Jewish settlers fr. Migron settlement outpost nr. Ramallah stone and beat 3 Palestinian shepherds. (HA 7/18; PCHR 7/20; OCHA 7/22)

Egyptian border police discover, demolish 20 smuggling tunnels on the Rafah border; smugglers exchange fire with police, leaving 2 unidentified individuals dead and 4 wounded inside Egyptian territory. In the West Bank, the IDF fires rubber-coated steel bullets, tear gas, percussion grenades at Palestinian, Israeli, and international peace activists taking part in a nonviolent demonstration against the separation wall in Ni‘lin, wounding 7. For a 2d day, armed Jewish settlers attempt to enter Shu‘fat r.c. to establish an unauthorized outpost; the IDF bars their entry. Jewish settlers fr. Kiryat Arba dump trash in front of the entrance of Hebron’s al-Ras Mosque. Jewish settlers fr. Givat Ha’avot settlement in Hebron vandalize 5 nearby Palestinian homes. The Israeli Interior Min. approves construction of 400 new settler housing units in Neve Ya’acov settlement n. of Jerusalem, and authorizes tenders to be issued for construction of 286 housing units in Beitar Ilit nr. Bethlehem (approved by the Housing Min. on 5/21) and 130 units in Har Homa in East Jerusalem (some of which may have been approved by the Interior Min. on 7/9). Israel also reportedly agrees to transfer settlers living in the unauthorized outpost of Migron nr. Ramallah to another settlement (as yet undecided) where 40 new units would be built to accommodate them. (OCHA 8/13; PCHR 8/14)

The IDF demolishes an illegal outpost nr. Kiryat Arba comprising only a makeshift synagogue; the site has been demolished and rebuilt by Jewish settlers on 24 previous occasions. The IDF demolishes 2 Palestinian homes in Anata in Jerusalem, evacuates another 30 bedouin families fr. tents in the area, saying they are too close to the Anatot IDF base and that some land is needed for construction of the separation wall; conducts arrest raids, house searches in Balata r.c. and Nablus, exchanging gunfire with armed Palestinians, wounding 2. An IDF jeep on patrol in Bethlehem accidentally overturns, trapping 4 lightly injured soldiers inside; when 10s of Palestinians surround, throw stones at the jeep, the soldiers fire live ammunition, rubber-coated steel bullets, tear gas at the crowd, injuring 4. The Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP) fires 2 rockets at an IDF post in Gaza, causing no damage or injuries. Jewish settlers fr. Keddumim, guarded by IDF soldiers, bulldoze 30 d. of Palestinian agricultural land for expansion of the settlement. Unidentified gunmen fire on the Bir Nabala home, car of proreform PC mbr. Ahmad Batsh (Fatah-Jerusalem) causing damage but no injuries. (AP, HA, REU, XIN 4/13; VOI, VOP 4/13 in WNC 4/14; HA, PCHR 4/14; PR 4/20; PCHR 4/21)

The IDF fires rubber-coated steel bullets, tear gas at Palestinians demonstrating against the separation wall nr. Biddu, wounding 12; blows up 2 Palestinian homes in Bethlehem, 1 in Nablus; conducts arrest raids in and around Bethlehem and in a-lArub r.c., East Jerusalem, Hebron, Jenin, Nablus; demolishes a PSF post, bulldozes 1.5 dunams of agricultural land nr. Dayr al-Balah. In Gaza City, 3,000 Palestinians demonstrate for the release of jailed Fatah tanzim leader Marwan Barghouti, other Palestinian prisoners. Jewish settlers attempting to rebuild the illegal outpost in Hebron removed on 4/13 scuffle with IDF troops; 2 settlers are injured. Late in the evening, the IDF begins sending troops into Rafah allegedly to search for smugglers’ tunnels, firing on residential areas. (HA 4/14; VOP 4 /14 in WNC 4/16; PCHR 4/15, 4/22)

Meanwhile in Washington, Bush meets with Sharon, formally endorses Sharon’s unilateral disengagement plan, marking a dramatic shift in U.S. policy toward the peace process (HA, MM, REU 4/14; JP, VOP 4/14 in WNC 4/16; al-Ra’i 4/14, AFP, DUS, THWR, TSHR, VOP, XIN 4 /15 in WNC 4/17; HA, JP, MM, NYT, REU, WP, WT 4/15; CSM, HA, FT, JT, MEI, MM 4/16; AFP, DUS, ITARTASS, MENA, NHR, al-Ra’i 4/16 in WNC 4/20; NHR 4/16 in WNC 4/27; WP 4/17; JTA 4/19; PR 4/21; MEI 4/30)

The IDF sends troops into Rafah to search for smugglers’ tunnels, completely demolishes 22 Palestinian homes, a mosque along the Rafah border with Egypt, heavily damages another 16 homes, leaving 400 Palestinians homeless; raids 2 Palestinian charities in Ramallah, confiscating computers, files; fires stun grenades, tear gas into a high school in Nablus; fires on residential areas of Rafah, wounding 3. The IDF also expels a West Bank Palestinian administrative detainee to Gaza; conducts arrest raids, house searches in and around Askar r.c., Bethlehem, Hebron, Nablus, Salfit, Ramallah; bulldozes 5 dunams of land in Bayt Lahia, 2 dunams nr. Kefar Darom; arrests 4 herders nr. Bayt Hanun. IDF soldiers scuffle with Jewish settlers who protest the removal of a synagogue built by supporters of deceased right-wing Rabbi Meir Kahane, the only permanent structure at the unauthorized settlement outpost of West Tapuach; soldiers do not attempt to remove trailer homes at the site. Palestinians fire 3 mortars at a Jewish settlement in Gaza, causing no damage or injuries. (AP, HA, MM, PCHR, PRCS 1/20; NYT, PR, WP 1/21; LAW, MM, PCHR 1/22; JPI 1/30)

Israel retaliates for Hizballah’s 1/19 shelling of an IDF bulldozer inside s. Lebanon by sending warplanes to strike Hizballah targets in s. Lebanon. In Washington, U.S. Secy. of State Colin Powell accuses Hizballah of deliberately taking action to escalate hostilities with Israel. (HA 1/20; LBC, MNR 1/20 in WNC 1/22; NYT, PR, WP, WT 1/21; WJW 1/22; MNR 1/22 in WNC 1/24)