The Palestine Chronology

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers destroyed a Palestinian-owned fence in Qaryut. Israeli forces shot and injured 2 Palestinians and arrested 1 other in Jalazun refugee camp near the Beit El settlement; Israeli forces claimed the 3 men were planning to throw Molotov cocktails at settler homes. Israeli forces also raided Bayt Dajan, leading to clashes; no injuries were reported. Elsewhere, Israeli forces demolished 3 agricultural structures in Bayt Ta‘mir. Israeli forces also seized some 100 Palestinian-owned sheep near Yatta, claiming they had entered a restricted area. Palestinian farmers were stuck in the “seam zone” for 3 hours waiting for Israeli forces to open a gate after they had tended their land, on the other side of the separation barrier from their homes near Salfit. 13 Palestinians were arrested during raids in and around Yatta, Bayt Umar, Birzeit, Tulkarm, Anabta, and Ya‘bad. In East Jerusalem, 1 Palestinian family demolished their own home in Silwan and 1 Palestinian demolished his own restaurant in Jabal Mukabir. 4 Palestinians were arrested during raids in Silwan and Shu‘fat refugee camp. Off the coast of Gaza, Israeli naval forces opened fire at Palestinian fishermen within 3 nautical miles west of Bayt Lahiya; no injuries were reported. In Gaza, Israeli forces opened fire at agricultural lands east of Khuza‘a; no injuries were reported. (WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 3/15; JP, TOI, WAFA 3/16; PCHR 3/18)

19 Democrats in the U.S. house of representatives sent a letter to U.S. secretary of state Antony Blinken urging him to pressure Israel to provide vaccines for all Palestinians in the occupied territories, citing international law. The letter was written by Mark Pocan (D-WI) and André Carson (D-IN). 5 senators wrote a similar letter to Secretary Blinken on 3/12. (HILL 3/15)

In the West Bank, Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu, accompanied by Israeli settlers, toured Susiya, closing off the town and surrounding area to Palestinians. Israeli authorities approved seizure of a tract of Palestinian-owned land in Husan and Nahalin for settlement expansion. Israeli forces shot and injured 1 Palestinian during a raid in Hizma. Israeli forces also assaulted 1 Palestinian in Kafr Haris; Israeli forces said they thought the man intended to stab someone in a nearby settlement but did not arrest him after talking to his employer who confirmed he was waiting to get picked up. Elsewhere, Israeli forces raided Qaryut, leading to tear-gas related injuries and 1 Palestinian Red Crescent vehicle was vandalized by Israeli forces. 11 Palestinians were arrested, including 10 during raids in and around Yatta, Bayt Umar, Tuqu‘, Marda, and Hizma; 1 was arrested at a checkpoint south of Jenin. In East Jerusalem, 11 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in al-Tur, Silwan, Shu‘fat, and Issawiyya. Off the coast of Gaza, Israeli naval forces opened fire at Palestinian fishermen within 3 nautical miles west of Bayt Lahiya; no injuries were reported. In Gaza, Israeli forces opened fire at agricultural lands east of al-Qarara and north of Bayt Hanun; no injuries were reported. (WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 3/14; PCHR 3/18)

Jamila al-Shanti became the 1st woman to gain a seat on the 15-member Hamas politburo. (ALM 3/14)

Palestinian refugees in ‘Ayn al-Hilweh refugee camp in Lebanon protested outside UNRWA offices against unaffordable food prices. (MEMO 3/15)

Kosovo opened its embassy to Israel in Jerusalem. Kosovo promised to open an embassy in Jerusalem as part of a normalization agreement between the U.S., Israel, and Kosovo on 9/4/2020, where the latter received financial incentives and recognition of the country. The PA and the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation denounced Kosovo’s decision. (AJ, AP, HA, HILL, REU 3/14; ALM, WAFA, WAFA 3/15; WAFA 3/18)