The Palestine Chronology

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers with a military escort shot and killed a Palestinian man during a raid in Dura al-Qara’. Israeli settlers also shot and injured a Palestinian in Shufa. Elsewhere, Israeli settlers threw stones at Palestinians traveling near Burqa, injuring a Palestinian woman. Israeli settlers also opened fire at a Palestinian vehicle near Bizarya, causing damage. Meanwhile, Israeli settlers vandalized olive trees near Tell. Israeli forces shot and killed 3 Palestinians, including 2 minors, during raids in Shuqba and Jamma’in. Israeli forces also violently dispersed Palestinian protesters in Huwwara, Tarqumiyah, and Dar Salah, injuring 3 with live ammunition and others with tear gas. Elsewhere, Israeli forces demolished a Palestinian home in Bayt Hanina. 65 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in and around Hebron, Bethlehem, and Nablus. Around 750 Palestinians have been arrested by Israeli forces since 10/7. In East Jerusalem, Israeli settlers toured the Haram al-Sharif compound. In Gaza, Israeli airstrikes killed around 100 Palestinians, including several people sheltering at an UNRWA school in Khan Yunis. Rockets were fired at Israel, causing damage. In Haifa, Israeli police violently dispersed anti-war protesters, arresting 4 and injuring others with batons. In Lebanon, Hezbollah fired an anti-tank missile at Israeli soldiers in Shtula, injuring 5. Israel fired artillery shells and conducted drone strikes in Lebanon. Hezbollah said 2 of its members were killed. Protesters demonstrated outside of the German and U.S. embassies in Beirut. In Syria, Israel conducted airstrikes in the Quneitra province. In Turkey, 60 people, mostly police officers, were injured after protesters in Istanbul attempted to storm the Israeli consulate. There were also demonstrations in Jordan, Yemen, Egypt, Tunisia, Morocco, Libya, Iran, and the West Bank. (AJ, AJ, AP, AP, AP, HA, HA, NYT, NYT, REU, UNOCHA WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 10/18; AJ, AJ, AJ, AP, HA, NYT, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 10/19)

The Gaza Ministry of Health said as of 5 p.m. at least 3,500 Palestinians had been killed, including at least 853 children, and 12,500 had been injured in Israeli airstrikes on Gaza since 10/7, including 47 entire families consisting of 500 people. In addition, Israeli media reported that 1,500 Palestinian militants have been killed near Gaza. 65 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli forces and settlers in the West Bank and East Jerusalem since 10/7, including 15 children. More than 1,284 have been injured, including at least 300 with live ammunition. Israeli officials recorded no new fatalities, leaving the Israeli death toll at around 1,300 Israelis and foreign nationals; 4,562 have been injured since 10/7. The UN reported that over 1 million Palestinians 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. At least 11,887 housing units have been destroyed in Israeli airstrikes since 10/7. The number is likely much higher as the latest data is from 10/14. The Palestinian civil defense team said that more than 1,000 Palestinians were under the rubble of buildings in Gaza. (AJ, AJ, HA, UNOCHA 10/18)

Palestinians in the West Bank observed a general strike in protest against the Israeli airstrike that killed 471 people at al-Ahli Arab Hospital in Gaza City on 10/17. (WAFA, WAFA 10/18)

The Israeli military again called on Palestinians in northern Gaza to evacuate south to the al-Mawasi area. (AJ 10/17; HA, UNOCHA 10/18)

The PA leadership held an emergency meeting chaired by President Mahmoud Abbas, confirming a July 2023 decision to end security coordination with Israel and reaffirming the Palestinian people’s right to self-defense. (WAFA 10/18)

The Knesset approved temporary legislation to allow Israeli prisons to admit new inmates beyond their legal capacity, allowing worsening conditions for Palestinian prisoners, including reducing living spaces and forcing prisoners to sleep on mattresses on the floor. The bill will be in effect for 3 months. Israel prisons have received 500 new Palestinian prisoners since 10/7, including 118 who crossed from Gaza to Israel in relation to Operation Al-Aqsa Flood. The Israeli High Court of Justice ruled in 2017 that prisoners must be given at least 37.7 square feet of space. The Knesset ethics panel also voted to suspend Jewish Hadash MK Ofer Cassif from the Knesset for 45 days and revoked his salary for 14 days over his anti-war stance. (AJ, HA 10/18; HA 10/19)

U.S. president Joe Biden landed in Israel for meetings with Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu, President Isaac Herzog, and the war cabinet. Biden was supposed to travel to Amman for meetings with President Abbas, Jordanian king Abdullah II, and Egyptian president Abdel-Fattah el-Sisi, but the meetings were cancelled by the 3 leaders after Israel bombed al-Ahli Arab Hospital in Gaza, killing 471 people. Biden told Netanyahu during a meeting that “it appears as though it was done by the other team, not you” in reference to the hospital bombing. Biden cautioned Israel not to be consumed by rage, saying the U.S. made mistakes after 9/11. Biden also announced $100 million in humanitarian aid to Palestinians as the Senate was working on passing a bill providing $10 billion in extra military aid to Israel. Biden said aid to Gaza could start arriving on 10/20, as Egypt needs to “patch the road” to the crossing. Senator Bernie Sanders (D-VT) blocked an attempt by Senator Rick Scott (R-FL) to prevent the Biden administration from dispersing the $100 million in aid to Palestinians. 33 Democratic senators urged Secretary of State Antony Blinken to lead efforts to provide humanitarian aid to Gaza. Around 300 Jewish Americans were arrested at the U.S. Capitol while protesting Israel’s war in Gaza. The protest was arranged by Jewish Voice for Peace. (HA 10/17; AJ, AJ, AJ, AJ, AP, HA, HA, HA, HA, HA, HA, HA, NYT, NYT, NYT, REU, REU, REU, REU, REU, REU 10/18; AJ, AP, HA, HA, REU, WAFA 10/19; AJ 10/20)

After President Biden’s meeting with Prime Minister Netanyahu, Netanyahu’s office released a statement saying that Israel will not allow aid from its territory to enter Gaza until the captives are returned. The statement also said Israel demands that the Red Cross be able to visit the captives and that Israel will not “thwart” humanitarian aid from Egypt as long as it only consists of food, water, and medicine. (AJ 10/17; AJ, HA 10/18)

President el-Sisi said during a press conference with German chancellor Olaf Schulz that Israel could allow Palestinians in Gaza to stay in the Naqab desert until Israel can “do what they wish to do with the militant operatives in the Gaza Strip.” El-Sisi also spoke with President Biden about aid coming through the Rafah crossing. Saudi foreign minister Faisal bin Farhan met with his Iranian counterpart Hossein Amir-Abdollahian in the sidelines of an OIC meeting in Jeddah, discussing the situation in Gaza. Amir-Abdollahian called on the OIC members to sanction Israel and expel Israeli ambassadors. The OIC called for an immediate ceasefire and for Israel to lift the siege of Gaza. (AP 10/16; AJ 10/17; AJ, HA, REU, REU, WAFA, WAFA 10/18; WAFA 10/19)

The U.S. blocked a UN Security Council resolution calling for humanitarian access to Gaza, protection of civilians, and condemning Hamas’ operation in Israel. The resolution, introduced by Brazil, was approved by 12 members of the Security Council, while Russia and the UK abstained. UN secretary-general Antonio Guterres called “for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire in the Middle East.” (AJ 10/17; AJ, AJ, AJ, AP, HA, NYT, REU 10/18)

U.S. State Department director of the office of public and congressional affairs Josh Paul resigned in protest over the Biden administration’s policy toward the Israeli assault on Gaza and its “impulsive reaction built on confirmation bias, political convenience, intellectual bankruptcy, and bureaucratic inertia.” (AJ, HA 10/18; AJ, NYT 10/19)

Jewish Currents reported that the Palestinian academics and analysts Noura Erakat, Yousef Munayyer, and Omar Baddar had their interviews cut from segments on CBS and CNN. MSNBC last week temporarily removed 3 Muslim hosts, Mehdi Hasan, Ali Velshi, and Ayman Mohyeldin, who is Palestinian, from their programming. (JC 10/18)

UN opens its 50th session in New York. On sidelines of the mtgs, FM Peres with local rabbis; discusses settler issue, future amendments to PLO covenant. (QY 10/2 in FBIS 10/4)

Before leaving the U.S., PM Rabin tells reporters American Jews are not giving Israel sufficient financial assistance to help absorb immigrants, criticizes "fringe groups" which lobby Congress against official Israeli policy. (MM 10/3) (see 9/28)

On his return fr. the U.S., PM Rabin meets with Pres. Weizman to discuss presidential pardons for Palestinian women prisoners. (MM 10/3)

106 more Palestinian families arrive at detention camps on the Libyan-Egyptian border, joining 300 Palestinians awaiting their deportation. United Nations Human Rights Comm. calls on Libya to halt the expulsions. (MBC, MENA, VOP 10/1, MENA 10/2 in FBIS 10/2)

Likud submits bill calling for territorial continuity in the Jordan Valley fr. Beit She'an to the Dead Sea. (QY 10/1 in FBIS 10/2; MM 10/2)

In Nablus, Palestinian nationalist, Islamist personalities (incl. PA officials) hold conference, ratify a national honor charter to build civil society, avoid militarization of the society and national institutions. (PR 10/13)

100 settlers march across Israeli border into Jordan in protest of Oslo II, ask King Hussein prevent the enlargement of the Jericho enclave, show support for Likud bill submitted 10/1. IDF does not stop them. (QY 10/1, JP, QY 10/2, JT 10/3 in FBIS 10/3; CSM 10/2; WP, WT 10/3; JP 10/7; JP 10/24)

In New York, jury convicts Egyptian cleric Shaykh Omar `Abd al-Rahman, 9 others on 48 of 50 charges of conspiring to carry out a terrorist campaign of bombings, assassinations intended to destroy the , New York landmarks and force the U.S. to abandon its support of Israel, Egypt. (MENA 10/1 in FBIS 10/2; MM, NYT, WT 10/2)

Israeli FMin. says it is having trouble planning a speaking tour of U.S. for a group of senior IDF reserve officers. PM Rabin is dispatching the delegation to encourage U.S. Jews to support the peace process, explain the Israeli government's positions, however, many Jewish conservative, reform groups are refusing to meet. (HA 9/11 in FBIS 9/12)

Reacting to the expulsion 9/8 of 350 Palestinian refugees with Lebanese laissez-passer, Lebanon closes sea routes with Libya, says Palestinians wishing to return must obtain entry visas fr. Lebanese embassy, but orders embassies not to issue new documents or visas without case-by-case approval by the Interior Min. Libya sends 10s of busses carrying 50 Palestinians each to Egypt, prompting Egypt to stop allowing in Palestinians without permits to enter Gaza, leaving 100s stranded on the border. (VOL 9/7, MENA, VOL 9/8 in FBIS 9/8; NYT, WP, WT 9/10; MBC, RL 9/8, AFP, RL, VOL 9/9, AFP, RL, VOL 9/10 in FBIS 9/11; MM 9/11; NYT 9/13)

Frmr. Israeli Islamic Movement mbrs. led by Shaykh Atif Khatib announce they will present an Islamic list for 10/96 Knesset elections that will incl. a candidate for PM. It would be the 1st time an Arab would run for PM. Shaykh Khatib says the new party, Islamic Arab Faction, will be left leaning, pro-peace process, for Arab equality. (YA 9/10 in FBIS 9/12; HA 9/18 in FBIS 9/21)

In Hebron, Jewish settlers storm Palestinian girls school, beat headmistress, injure 4 girls (aged 6-10) who took part in street protest. (MM, NYT, WP, WT 9/11; NYT 9/13)

In Nablus, armed men kidnap Fatah Hawk official Na'il Shubaytah. 25 Fatah Hawks march through city armed with grenades, pistols, machine guns in protest; accuse supporters of Issam Abu Bakr, who was suspended fr. the group 1 mo. ago. (AFP 9/10 in FBIS 9/11)

At Tel Ashqelon prison in Israel, 20 Palestinian prisoners beat to death their Hamas cell mate `Abd al-Fatah al-Rantisi, who was serving a 15-yr. sentence as a collaborator. (AFP 9/10 in FBIS 9/11)

Permanent extension of NPT is passed by consensus, without vote. Nations making critical speeches incl. Egypt, Iran, Iraq, Jordan, Libya, Malaysia, Nigeria. (MM, NYT, WP 5/12; MENA 5/12, 5/13, 5/14, RE 5/14, MENA 5/15 in FBIS 5/15)

To date, 20 Republicans, 2 Democrats have signed on to Dole bill on move embassy to Jerusalem. Administration presses Democrats to reject bill. (MM 5/11)

PA says 500 guns have been registered since 5/11 deadline was declared 4/12. (JP 5/20, NYT 5/21)

PA, Israel reach agmt. that prevents disconnection of phone service to o.t. Israel will deduct communications debt. fr. aid it is donating to PA. (QY 5/12 in FBIS 5/12) (see 4/24)

PA receives 2 helicopters fr. Egypt for flying PA mbrs. btwn. Gaza, Jericho. Flights must have Israeli approval. (VOP 5/11 in FBIS 5/15; MENA 5/11 in FBIS 5/16)

Pres. Clinton picks Jay Footlik as his "special liaison" to the Jewish community. Footlik's job is to "monitor issues of concern to American Jews, ensuring Jewish access to the president and arranging for Clinton to attend relevant Jewish community events." (WJW 5/11)

PLO issues open statement by Chmn. Arafat to the Palestinian people in which he defends peace talks, urges Palestinians to support the peace delegates. (MM 3/11)

Israeli diplomats in Cairo indicate FM Levy recently told Egyptian FM 'Amr Musa that Egypt should either charge 4 Israeli citizens held in Egypt for espionage or release them [3 Arabs of Libyan origin and 1 Jew, were detained in early February. Israel has denied spying on Egypt]. (AFP 3/10 in FBIS 3/11)

Detainee Muhammad 'Abd al-Fattah al-Hawrani, member of the steering committee of the Palestinian delegation to peace talks who was detained in February, is released from Ketziot-Ansar 3 detention camp [see 2/17]. Commander of Ketziot announces 300 prisoners will be released early during coming week to mark Islamic holy month of Ramadan. (MM 3/11; al-Nahar 3/11 in FBIS 3/12)

IDF kills Palestinian in Gaza City after he accidentally ran into army checkpoint. (MM 3/10)

Prime Min. Shamir indicates he will head Israeli delegation to the peace conference, not FM David Levy. Invitations sent to the parties by the U.S., USSR had called for talks at the "ministerial level," a diplomatic phrase usually interpreted to mean participation by officials holding rank of foreign minister or below. (NYT 10/24)

Arab foreign ministers representing Syria, Egypt, Jordan, along with representative of Lebanon's foreign ministry and head of PLO political department meet in Damascus to discuss strategies for peace conference. They were later joined by foreign ministers of Saudi Arabia, representing the Gulf states, and Morocco, representing North African states (except Libya). (MEM 10/23)

Strike called for 10/22 by three groups in o.t. partially observed in E. Jerusalem, elsewhere in West Bank, but not in Nablus, Jenin. Residents of Gaza city observe strike, but not those in the refugee camps. (MEM 10/25)

Members of the Jewish Ateret Cohanim seminary move into a house in the Muslim quarter of E. Jerusalem. Group claims the house was owned by Jews driven out by Palestinian rioting in 1929. Settlers occupying a building in Silwan seized 10/9 from Palestinian residents petition Israeli high court of justice to allow them to remain. Group also seeks permission to move into four other buildings from which they had been evicted by police. (MEM 10/24)

European Community official announces EC, Israel have reached agreement over long-standing dispute over status, place of residence of EC official who will be sent to monitor EC economic aid to Palestinians in the o.t. EC had sough to post the official in the territories; Israel objected, seeking to place the representativen Tel Aviv instead. The EC has set aside $100 million in aid for Palestinians in the o.t. (MEM 10/24)

Human rights organization Middle East Watch issues report on condition of 18,000-20,000 stateless Palestinians in Kuwait. The Palestinians, who were either born in Gaza during the British Mandate, during the period of Egyptian administration of Gaza (1948-67), or who are descendants of those born there, have lived in Kuwait for decades but do not hold citizenship in any country. They do not carry Israeli Gaza identity cards but merely hold Egyptian travel documents, and are thus unable to legally live anywhere. According to the report, Kuwait intends to expel these persons to Iraq 11/15. (MEM 20/24)

Ethiopia has reportedly stopped issuing exit visas for Jews in attempt to compel Israel to send Ethiopian gov't. more weapons. Israeli advisors, weapons, and surveillance equipment are being used by gov't. against rebel guerrilla armies [WJW, WT 7/12; NYT 7/13, 7/14]; Washington Jewish Week says classified congressional memorandum confirms that Israel has supplied Ethiopia with cluster bombs, military trainers, etc. as part of deal [MEM 7/13; JDS 7/13 in FBIS 7/13].

Israeli Labor party's 150-member leadership bureau abandons its 7/5 position of not taking sides in party leadership struggle, backs Yitzhak Rabin over Shimon Peres on major issues; Labor's 1,400-member central committee will reach final decisions at 7/22 meeting [JDS 7/12 in FBIS 7/13; NYT, WP, WT 7/13].

West Bank settlers have set up "foreign office," called Foreign Relations Forum of the Council of Jewish Communities in Judea, Samaria and Gaza, whose task is to explain to foreign and domestic gov't. and media personalities the "needs and rights" of settlers [JPD 7/12 in FBIS 7/12].

Chrmn. of U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff, Gen. Colin Powell, arrives in Israel, meets with D.M. Moshe Arens [JDS 7/ 12 in FBIS 7/13].

In Moscow, Soviet-Arab dialogue continues as Soviet officials host delegation from Algeria, Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Libya, Palestine, Syria and Tunisia [IZV 7/14]. 

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Communications Minister Amnon Rubinstein, head of Labor-aligned Shinui party, says his party is pulling out of national unity government in effort to force new elections [LAT, NYT 5/18]. Israeli cabinet votes to implement 2-tiered tuition scale charging army veterans lower tuition rate than non-veterans [FJ 5/24]. Israeli troops seal off rooms in Qalqiliyyah houses belonging to families of 3 men accused of throwing firebombs at military vehicles [FJ 5/24]. Ahmad Nasr, resident of Khan Yunis refugee camp, is arrested, served expulsion order on charges of leading Fateh youth movement in Gaza [FJ 5/24]. Town arrest orders are issued against 4 residents of W. Bank and Gaza Strip, bringing total number currently under town arrest in occupied territories to74 [FJ 5/24]. Three preparatory schools in Gaza Strip town of Rafah are ordered closed indefinitely [FJ 5/24].

Arab World: PLO Executive Com. statement indicates decision to pursue normalization of relations with Egypt. PLO delegation led by Faruq al-Qaddumi arrives in Tripoli, Libya [FJ 5/24].

Other Countries: Israeli F.M. Peres tells meeting of Am. Jewish Com. in New York that role of U.S.S.R. in proposed international peace conference needs clarification [NYT 5/18]; meets with Soviet Ambassador Yuri Dubinin in Washington [WP, CSM 5/19]; in speech at AIPAC conference, says talks with Jordan might deny PLO role in peace process [BG, LAT 5/18]. Also speaking before AIPAC, U.S. Sec. of State Shultz officially endorses negotiations in preparation for international peace conference on the Middle East [WP 5/18]. 

SOCIAL/POLITICAL:

Occupied Palestine/lsrael: Special Cabinet session to discuss implementation of planned take-over of Hebron market postponed for members to attend Saad Haddad funeral.

Arab World: Fourth Islamic summit Conference convenes in Casablanca with 24 heads of state attending; Afghanistan, Algeria, Egypt, Iraq, Libya and Syria presidents not attending. Maj. Saad Haddad buried in Marjayoun, Lebanon; Israelis attending funderal include PM Shamir, DM Moshe Arens, Ariel Sharon, Shimon Peres, FM David Kimche.

Other Countries: Officials of the National Assoc. of Arab Americans (NAAA) meet with US Pres. Reagan in Washington; urge Marines withdraw from Lebanon. Presidents of major American Jewish organizations send cable to W. German chancellor Kohl calling for cancellation of arms sale to Saudi Arabia. 

Military Action:

Over 700 PLO guerrillas arrive by ship in Tartus including four top PLO leaders (George Habash, Nayef Hawatmeh, Ahmed Jibril, Talaat Yaqub), are greeted by Syrian Deputy Prime Minister Hamdoun; thousands of Tunisians led by Bourguiba greet 1,100 PLO fighters arriving in Tunisia aboard ferry (total evacuated in one week now estimated at 7,400); IDF reports PLO bazooka fire from West Beirut on IDF positions southeast of city, around airport; Lebanese Army reluctant to deploy along Beirut-Damascus road (Habib warns Sarkis that failure to move quickly may provide Israelis with pretext for moving into West Beirut); US forces refrain from deploying beyond port area; 147 PLO wounded arrive in Greece.

Casualties:

2 French soldiers slightly injured in mine-clearing operation.

Political Responses:

Israel/ Occupied Territories: Knesset extends emergency regulations allowing arrest of combattants/ civilians captured during the Lebanese invasion for another 6 months (would have expired in September); Shamir calls on other countries to drop recognition of PLO; Sharon attends Israel Bond dinner in US, warns Lebanon against new Syrian, PLO ties.

Palestinians/ Lebanese: Arafat receives delegation of Egyptian opposition parties; holds press conference at Saeb Salam's house; PLO spokesman Kaddoumi announces Arafat will attend Arab League summit in Morocco; Wazzan reaches agreement with Muslim leaders about deployment of troops in West Beirut.

Arab Governments: Arab foreign ministers meet in Morocco (only Libya, Mauretania absent).

US and Other Countries: US Administration hints it is about to launch new political initiative; Socialist International plans diplomatic initiative following return of study mission to Beirut; 600 US Jewish leaders pledge to raise $550 m. to help pay for war.