The Palestine Chronology

In the West Bank, more than 50 Palestinians were injured, including 10 by live ammunition and 13 by rubber-coated bullets, when Israeli forces raided al-Amari refugee camp, leading to clashes. Israeli forces also raided Iraq Burin south of Nablus, and in Tulkarm, leading to clashes; tear-gas related injuries were reported. Elsewhere, Israeli forces prevented farmers from harvesting their olive crops in several villages near Bethlehem. Israeli forces also seized 1 bulldozer and 2 containers near Ramallah. 3 Palestinians were arrested during raids in and around Anata, Qalqilya, and Rafat. Off the coast of Gaza, Israeli naval forces opened fire on Palestinian fishermen within 3 nautical miles west of Gaza City. (HA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 10/11; PCHR 10/15)

In the West Bank, Israeli forces shot and killed 1 Palestinian at a checkpoint east of Tulkarm; the man was allegedly throwing a Molotov cocktail at the Israeli forces. Israeli forces also clashed with Palestinians during a late-night raid in Jenin; 1 Palestinian was shot and injured in the stomach. Elsewhere, Israeli forces seized 1 bulldozer in Bayt Dajan. 7 Palestinians were arrested, including 6 during raids in Bayt Fajjar, Jenin, and Nablus, and 1 was arrested after he allegedly tried to stab 1 Israeli soldier at a checkpoint near Hebron. In East Jerusalem, 2 Palestinians were arrested in Issawiyya. In Gaza, 1 rocket was fired at Israel, landing in an open area, and Israel fired 1 missile at Gaza, causing damage near Rafah. Israeli forces also opened fire on agricultural lands east of al-Qarara; no injuries were reported. Off the coast of Gaza, Israeli naval forces opened fire on Palestinian fishermen west of al-Sudaniyya refugee camp within the allowed fishing area; no injuries were reported. (HA, HA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 10/5; WAFA 10/6; PCHR 10/8)

In the 1st installment of a 3-part interview with al-Arabiya TV, Saudi prince Bandar bin Sultan bin Abdulaziz, a former ambassador to the U.S., criticized the Palestinian leadership for its response to the UAE-Israel normalization deal which Prince Bandar called a “transgression” and “reprehensible.” He also said that “[t]he Palestinian cause is a just cause but its advocates are failures, and the Israeli cause is unjust but its advocates have proven to be successful. That sums up the events of the last 70 or 75 years . . . There is something that successive Palestinian leadership historically share in common: they always bet on the losing side, and that comes at a price.” (REU 10/5; HA 10/6)

Saudi Arabia donated $25 million to UNRWA projects. (WAFA 10/5)

In the West Bank, Israeli forces seized 1 bulldozer north of Tubas. 12 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in and around Bethlehem, Nablus, Jenin, Ramallah, and Jericho. In East Jerusalem, the Islamic Waqf announced that the Haram al-Sharif compound will be closed for prayers for 3 weeks due to a rise in COVID-19 cases. In Gaza, Israeli forces fired missiles at Khan Yunis, Dayr al-Balah, and Bayt Lahiya, causing damage; no injuries were reported. According to Israeli authorities, 13 rockets were launched at Israel, 8 of which were intercepted; neither damage nor injuries were reported. Off the coast of Gaza, Israeli naval forces opened fire at Palestinian fishermen west of Bayt Lahiya; no injuries were reported. In Israel, 1 Palestinian construction worker from the West Bank was stabbed by 1 Israeli at his workplace near Ashdod. (AJ, BBC, HA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 9/16; PCHR 9/17)

In the West Bank, 2 Israeli settlers were wounded by an unknown assailant attacking them with a knife in ‘Azun; ‘Azun village was subsequently sealed off by Israeli forces. Israeli forces delivered a stop-work order on a road near Nablus and confiscated a bulldozer. 2 Palestinians were arrested, including 1 during a late-night raid near Ramallah and 1 in Hebron. In East Jerusalem, 1 Palestinian was injured after being shot by Israeli forces during clashes in Issawiyya. In Gaza, after 2 Palestinians were killed during the Great March of Return protest on 9/6, Israeli forces reported that a drone had dropped explosives in Israel, causing no injuries but damaging a military vehicle. Israeli forces then fired at targets in Gaza, causing damage, but no injuries were reported. 3 Palestinians were arrested after they reportedly crossed into Israel. Off the coast of Gaza, Israeli naval forces opened fire at Palestinian fishermen; no injuries or arrests were reported. (HA, HA, HA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 9/7; HA, HA, WAFA 9/8 PCHR 9/12)

In the West Bank, IDF troops arrest 12 Palestinians during raids in and around Ramallah, Qalqilya, Jenin, Hebron, and Nablus; and patrol near Nablus, Jenin, Salfit, Qalqilya, and Hebron. Israeli forces bulldoze 70 dunams (approximately 17.3 acres) of Palestinian land near Qalqilya, apparently clearing the area for the expansion of a nearby settlement. They also confiscate a tractor from a Palestinian farm near Hebron. Israeli settlers throw stones at Palestinian vehicles outside Burqa village near Nablus, damaging 1 windshield; and destroy the door to a nearby pharmacy, damage traffic signs, and uproot a number of trees in the area. They also uproot approximately 200 olive saplings from a Palestinian grove near Hebron. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces arrest 3 Palestinians during raids in Silwan. Off Gaza’s coast, Israeli naval forces open fire on Palestinian fishing boats near Jabaliya refugee camp and Rafah, causing 2 fishing boats to drown. Along Gaza’s border, Israeli forces conduct a limited incursion to level land near Bayt Lahiya. (WAFA, WAFA 12/25; WAFA 12/26; PCHR 12/27)

Touring the Israel-Lebanon border area, Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu says that the IDF has done “extraordinary work” in detecting and demolishing tunnels built by Hezbollah into northern Israel since the launch of Operation Northern Shield. He also says that the operation is nearly complete. (HA, JP, TOI, YA 12/25; JP 12/26)

One day after the Israeli ruling coalition announced that early elections would be held on 4/9/19, the main Israeli television stations publish polls projecting that Prime Minister Netanyahu’s Likud Party will win the most votes. According to one poll, 52% of the Israeli public wants Netanyahu to continue as prime minister. (HA, JP, TOI 12/26)

The High Planning Committee of Israel’s Civil Administration convenes for the first of 2 days of meetings to discuss new West Bank settlement expansion plans. (TOI 12/25; PCN, TOI 12/26)

Thousands of Palestinians gather along Gaza’s border fence to continue the Great March of Return. Hamas reportedly orders the protesters to stay away from the fence so as not to provoke any escalation of violence. Nevertheless, IDF troops violently disperse the demonstrations near Gaza City, Khan Yunis, and Jabaliya refugee camp; 60 Palestinians are injured. Also along Gaza’s border fence, Israeli forces conduct a limited incursion to level land near Khan Yunis and open fire on Palestinian youths approaching the border fence near Bayt Lahiya, causing no damage or injuries. Off Gaza’s coast, Israeli naval forces open fire on Palestinian fishing boats near Bayt Lahiya, causing no damage or injuries. In the West Bank, IDF troops violently disperse Palestinians at a Friday protest against the Israeli occupation in 3 villages near Ramallah (Ras Karkar, al-Mughayyir, and Bil‘in) and Kafr Qaddum near Qalqilya; 4 Palestinians are injured. They also arrest 2 Palestinians during raids in and around Bethlehem; and patrol near Nablus, Hebron, Tulkarm, and Qalqilya. Israeli forces confiscate a bulldozer from a Palestinian construction site near Salfit. Israeli settlers puncture the tires of several Palestinian-owned vehicles and spray racist graffiti on nearby walls in al-Jaba‘ village near Bethlehem. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces arrest 1 Palestinian during a late-night raid in al-Salam. (JP, MNA, MNA, MNA, MNA, MNA, TOI, TOI, WAFA, WAFA 11/30; JP 12/1; PCHR 12/6)

A Jordanian laborer assaults and moderately injures 2 Israelis in Eilat. The Israeli police say they suspect the attacker of having political motivations. The Jordanian was in Israel with a work visa. His first day of work in Israel was 11/29. (HA 11/30)

Off Gaza’s coast, Israeli naval forces open fire on Palestinian fishing boats near Gaza City and later near Jabaliya refugee camp, causing no damage or injuries (6 fishermen are arrested). In the West Bank, Israeli settlers throw stones at a Palestinian vehicle driving near Nablus, lightly injuring the 4 Palestinians riding inside. Late at night, settlers slash the tires of a number of Palestinian cars and leave racist graffiti in nearby Beita village. Israeli forces arrest a Palestinian outside the Tekoa settlement after he allegedly attempts to assault an Israeli settler with a metal bar. They also confiscate a Palestinian bulldozer from a construction site near Bethlehem. After reports of Palestinians throwing stones at Israeli settler vehicles near Bethlehem, Israeli forces set up mobile checkpoints and shut down roads in the area for hours. (MNA, MNA, TOI, WAFA 9/2; MNA 9/3)

Late at night, the IAF conducts 3 waves of air strikes targeting 25 Hamas sites across Gaza; the strikes cause massive damage and injure 3 Palestinians (2 near Rafah and 1 near Khan Yunis). The strikes reportedly come in response to the spate of incendiary kite and balloon attacks emanating from Gaza in recent weeks. Off Gaza’s coast, Israeli naval forces open fire on Palestinian fishing boats near Rafah, causing no damage or injuries. In the West Bank, Israeli settlers bulldoze several dunams of Palestinian land near Hebron, with the intent to expand neighboring settlements. They also level approximately 40 dunams (approximately 10 acres) of Palestinian land near Jericho. IDF troops conduct raids in al-Mazra‘a near Ramallah, sparking clashes with stone-throwing residents of the village; 1 Palestinian is injured. They arrest 18 Palestinians during late-night raids in and around Hebron, Tulkarm, Jenin, Nablus, and Bethlehem; and patrol near Nablus, Jenin, Qalqilya, and Salfit. (WAFA 6/19; HA, MNA, WAFA 6/20; PCHR 6/21)

An ailing Palestinian dies at the Erez border crossing. The Israeli authorities summoned him for an interview that could have led to him being granted a permit to travel to Israel for medical attention. The deceased submitted two previous applications for an interview, but both were rejected, with the Israeli authorities citing security concerns. (PCHR 6/21)

Egyptian security sources say that Egyptian president al-Sisi has decided to keep the Rafah border crossing open for another two months, until after the Muslim holiday Eid al-Adha in late 8/2018, for “humanitarian reasons.” The crossing has already been open for 1 month, far longer than any opening since 2014. (TOI 6/19; YA 6/20)

U.S. ambassador to the UN Haley announces that the U.S. has formally withdrawn from the UNHRC, reiterating the Trump administration’s complaints about the council’s chronic anti-Israel bias. She says the move is “not a retreat” and that the Trump administration would still like to help reform the UNHRC. Israeli PM Netanyahu welcomes the move, condemning the “biased” and “hostile” UNHRC. (HA, JP, TOI 6/19)

After Netanyahu decides again to postpone the planned evacuation and demolition of 7 buildings in the Palestinian village of Susiya near Hebron, Israeli settlers accuse him of succumbing to U.S. pressure. “The Israeli government’s folly is indescribable,” one settler leader says, pointing to the upcoming visit from U.S. president Trump’s son-in-law Kushner and U.S. special representative Greenblatt. (JP, TOI, YA 6/19)

In Amman, Jordan’s King Abdullah II meets with Kushner and Greenblatt, who are on a tour of the region to promote their Palestinian-Israeli peace efforts. (HA, TOI 6/20)

In the West Bank, the IDF seals all the entrances to Beita nr. Nablus, sparking clashes in the village for a 2d day in a row; 1 Palestinian is injured. Residents of Beita later gather for more demonstrations in solidarity with the 1,500-plus prisoners on hunger strike since 4/ 17. The IDF violently disperses them again, as well as breaking up a similar protest in c. Bethlehem; there are no serious injuries. IDF troops confiscate a bulldozer nr. Jericho; arrest 3 Palestinians and issue 2 arrest summons during late-night raids nr. Bethlehem and Hebron; and patrol nr. Hebron, Qalqilya, and Ramallah. The IDF violently disperses Palestinian protesters demonstrating against the occupation and in solidarity with the prisoners on hunger strike in Kafr Qaddum nr. Qalqilya and s. of Bethlehem (1 Palestinian is injured and 2 are arrested). In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces arrest 1 Palestinian during a late-night raid nr. the Old City. Off Gaza’s coast, Israeli naval forces open fire on Palestinian fishing boats nr. Jabaliya refugee camp and Khan Yunis, causing no damage or injuries. (MNA 5/6; PCHR 5/11)

The Egyptian authorities open the Rafah border crossing for the first of 3 planned days. (MNA 5/6)

Hamas elects senior official Ismail Haniyeh to replace Khalid Mishal as the head of its political bureau. “We are all certain that the new leadership will lead the organization wisely for the benefit of the Palestinian people,” Mishal says. Haniyeh was widely seen as the frontrunner to replace Mishal after it became clear earlier this year that Mishal intended to step down. (HA, MNA, NYT, TOI 5/6)

IDF troops kill 4 Palestinians in alleged stabbing attacks in the s. West Bank. First, IDF troops shoot and kill 3 Palestinians after they allegedly attempt to stab Israeli soldiers at the Gush Etzion junction nr. Bethlehem, where a similar incident took place on 1/5. IDF troops shoot and kill a 4th Palestinian n. of Hebron after he allegedly attempts to stab an Israeli soldier. No Israelis are injured in any of the day’s incidents. Meanwhile, Israeli forces confiscate a bulldozer from a Palestinian agricultural project nr. Nablus. Late at night, IDF troops conduct raids and house searches in 1 village each nr. Ramallah and Jenin, arresting 2 Palestinians. Off Gaza’s coast, Israeli naval forces open fire on Palestinian fishing boats nr. Gaza City, causing no damage or injuries. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces shoot and injure a Palestinian youth amid clashes with stonethrowing Palestinians in Issawiyya; demolish a 2-story building and part of an apartment in Silwan, and part of a restaurant in Bayt Safafa; arrest a Palestinian youth in Shu‘fat r.c. for allegedly planning to attack Israelis and 2 Palestinians on late-night raids nr. Qalandia r.c. and in Jabal Mukabir. (HA, JP, MNA, NYT, TOI, WAFA 1/7; JP 1/8; PCHR 1/14)

Israeli security officials praise the PA’s efforts to address violence since early 12/2015, saying that security coordination between the IDF and PASF has been “exceptionally good” in recent weeks and that PA pres. Abbas has stopped mbrs. of Fatah’s military wing from participating in demonstrations and protests. (HA, MNA 1/7; TOI 1/8)

Off the coast of Gaza nr. al-Sudaniyya, Israeli naval forces open fire on Palestinian fishing boats, causing no injuries. In the West Bank, Israeli forces confiscate a bulldozer in e. Nablus that Palestinians were using to open a road in the area. Elsewhere, IDF troops injure a Palestinian child and confiscate several solar panels in a raid in a bedouin village nr. Abu Dis. The IDF conducts house searches and raids in 1 village nr. Ramallah, ‘Askar r.c. nr. Nablus, and al-Fara‘a r.c. nr. Tubas, arresting 8 Palestinians and sparking clashes in which 2 more are injured; patrols in 3 villages nr. Hebron during the day. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces conduct a raid in the Old City, arresting 1 Palestinian. (MNA, WAFA 4/1; MNA, PCHR 4/2; PCHR 4/9)

In The Hague, Palestinian FM Riyad al-Maliki attends an induction ceremony at the ICC, marking the Palestine’s official membership at the court. Meanwhile, a German delegation is in Gaza to meet with reps. of Hamas and to discuss the possibility of a long-term cease-fire with Israel. (AFP, HA, JP, MNA, NYT, WAFA 4/1; ALM 4/14)

PA Finance Min. Shukri Bishara announces that PA employees earning more than NIS 2,000 ($515) per mo. will only receive 60% of their salaries for 3/2015 on 4/2, despite the Israeli govt.’s 3/27 pledge to unfreeze the transfers of tax revenues collected on behalf of the PA. This will be the 4th mo. in a row that PA employees have received reduced salaries. (REU, WAFA 4/1)

In Syria, fighters affiliated with ISIS conduct an assault on Yarmouk r.c. outside Damascus. During a day of intense fighting, they take control of large areas of the camp, casting further uncertainty over the fate of the approximately 18,000 Palestinian refugees and other civilian residents. (AFP, MNA 4/1; WAFA 4/2)

Egypt’s cabinet approves a new res. designed to crack down on smuggling tunnels from Gaza into Egypt, which would make tunnel digging, or knowledge of tunnel digging, punishable by life imprisonment and home confiscation. The res. will be passed by presidential decree on 4/12. (HA, MNA 4/3; EN 4/12; TOI 4/13)

In a letter to U.S. Pres. Obama, 79 Democratic mbrs. of Congress encourage the continued pursuit of a 2-state solution despite Israeli PM Netanyahu’s controversial campaign rhetoric. (AFP, JTA, TOI 4/1; POL 4/2)

After a 1-day extension to their 3/31 political framework agreement deadline, reps. of the P5 +1 and Iran agree to another extension until 4/2. (HA, REU, TOI, YA 4/1; HA, REU 4/2)

Overnight, the IDF escalates operations in Gaza allegedly targeting rocket-launching sites, sending tanks, bulldozers, undercover units into areas of central Gaza, demolishing 14 Palestinian homes, leveling 90 d. of olive groves, killing 4 Palestinians (1 armed man and 2 civilians, including 1 teenager who is hit by shrapnel from a tank, then run over by an IDF bulldozer), arresting 20. The IDF continues operations in al-Shuka, arresting 20 Palestinians, partially demolishing 3 Palestinian homes, and bulldozing 11 d. of agricultural land before withdrawing in the evening. The Israeli navy fires on Palestinian fishing boats off the Rafah coast, forcing them back to shore. In Nussayrat r.c., IDF UXO explodes, causing no damage or injuries. In the West Bank, the IDF continues operations in ‘Ayn Bayt al-Ma’a r.c., demolishing 2 Palestinian homes and 1 other building, firing on stone-throwing Palestinians who confront them, wounding 12; conducts arrest raids, house searches in Qalqilya, nr. Nablus. Meanwhile, in Gaza, Haniyeh meets again (see 9/18) with Islamic Jihad and other faction leaders to urge a halt to rocket fire on Israel; no agmt. is reached. (NYT, WP 9/21; OCHA 9/26; PCHR 9/27)