The Palestine Chronology

In the West Bank, Israeli forces set up a metal gate, shutting the main entrance to Nabi Salih. Israeli forces also handed a demolition notice for the family home of a Palestinian prisoner in Kubar and handed a stop-work order for 4 structures in the Jordan Valley. Elsewhere, Israeli forces entered al-Ibrahimi Mosque and forced worshippers and staff to leave the mosque. Israeli forces also violently suppressed a protest in al-Bireh; 2 Palestinians were injured by live ammunition, 3 by rubber-coated bullets, and others suffered tear-gas related injuries. 7 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in and around Hebron, Bethlehem, Ramallah, and Nablus. In East Jerusalem, 1 Palestinian was arrested during a late-night raid in Issawiyya. Off the coast of Gaza, Israeli naval forces opened fire and used water hoses on Palestinian fishermen 3 nautical miles off the coast of Gaza City, causing damage to boats. In Gaza, Israeli forces opened fire on Palestinian farmland east of Rafah; no injuries were reported. In Israel, more than 150 vehicles were vandalized and racist graffiti in Hebrew, such as “Jews wake up” and “Enough with the assimilation,” was sprayed on several buildings in the Christian Palestinian village of Jish. (HA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 2/11; PCHR 2/13)

At a UN Security Council meeting, PA president Mahmoud Abbas sharply rejected the U.S. administration’s peace plan, saying “[t]his is an Israeli-American pre-emptive plan in order to put an end to the question of Palestine.” While President Abbas was speaking in New York, Palestinian protesters in Ramallah demonstrated against the U.S. peace plan. After the protest, Palestinians and Israeli forces clashed at a checkpoint north of Ramallah; 2 Palestinians were injured by rubber-coated bullets and others needing treatment for tear-gas related injuries. (AJ, HA, HA, HA, NYT, WAFA, WAFA 2/11)

A Palestinian prisoner named Aziz Awaisat dies following a drastic deterioration in his health. Awaisat was arrested on 3/8/14 and suffered a severe hemorrhage and heart attack after he was assaulted by Israeli prison guards on 5/2/18. (WAFA 5/20; EI 5/21; WAFA 5/22; PCHR 5/24)

Off Gaza’s coast, Israeli naval forces open fire on Palestinian fishing boats near Bayt Lahiya, causing no damage or injuries. Along Gaza’s border, IDF troops open fire on Palestinian farmland near Bayt Hanun, causing no major damage. In the West Bank, IDF troops assault and arrest 4 Palestinians during raids in Nabi Salih near Ramallah and Jenin, arrest 1 Palestinian during a late-night raid near Bethlehem, and patrol near Hebron. In East Jerusalem, dozens of Palestinians gather outside the Old City to protest the Israeli treatment of Awaisat, the Palestinian prisoner who died earlier today. Israeli forces violently disperse them; there are no serious injuries. Separately, Israeli forces arrest 1 Palestinian during a raid in Silwan. (WAFA 5/20; PCHR 5/24)

IDF troops violently disperse Palestinians, Israelis, and international activists at Friday protests against the settler killing of a Palestinian nr. Nablus on 5/18, and in solidarity with Palestinian prisoners on hunger strike in 5 areas nr. Ramallah (Qalandia checkpoint, Abud, Nabi Salih, Bil‘in, and Ni‘lin), 2 nr. Nablus (Beita and Bayt Dajan), Kafr Qaddum nr. Qalqilya, Hebron and nearby Bayt Umar, Bethlehem, Dayr Istya nr. Salfit, along Gaza’s border nr. Jabaliya r.c., and Gaza City; at least 11 Palestinians are injured and 12 are arrested. The IDF also arrests 5 Palestinians during raids nr. Tulkarm, Bethlehem, and Ramallah; and patrols nr. Qalqilya and Hebron. (HA, MNA, WAFA 5/19; PCHR 5/25)

Two Palestinian children are killed when they accidentally trigger a piece of unexploded Israeli ordnance in al-Zarnuq village nr. Beersheba. Elsewhere in Israel, Israeli forces demolish the Bedouin village al-‘Araqib for the 112th time since 2010. In the West Bank, the IDF violently disperses Palestinians gathering outside Qalandia r.c. in solidarity with the 1,500-plus Palestinian prisoners on hunger strike since 4/17 (the Dignity Strike); 4 Palestinians are injured. IDF troops shoot and critically injure a Palestinian outside Huwwara village nr. Nablus after he allegedly attempts to stab 1 of them. They also conduct raids in Rumana nr. Jenin and Nabi Salih nr. Ramallah, sparking minor clashes with stone-throwing Palestinians in each; there are no serious injuries. The IDF arrests 2 Palestinians during further raids nr. Nablus and Hebron, and patrols nr. Qalqilya and Hebron. Israeli forces demolish several structures in the Jenin-area village of ‘Araba and 6 food stands in Ni‘lin nr. Ramallah. Israeli settlers set 100 Palestinian olive trees on fire outside Bayt Tamir nr. Bethlehem. Off Gaza’s coast, Israeli naval forces open fire on Palestinian fishing boats nr. Bayt Lahiya, causing no damage or injuries. (HA, JP, MNA, TOI, WAFA 4/25; PCHR 4/27)

Israel’s Housing Ministry has revived plans for the construction of 10,000 housing units in a Jewish settlement in the West Bank nr. Qalandia, according to a report today in Haaretz. The Israeli press says that the construction was approved years ago, but later frozen because of pressure from former U.S. pres. Barack Obama. The plans are reportedly to be unveiled in 5/2017. (HA, TOI 4/25; WAFA 4/26)

IDF troops violently disperse Palestinians, Israelis, and international activists at Friday demonstrations against Israel’s occupation, separation wall, and settlements, and in solidarity with the 1,500-plus Palestinian prisoners on hunger strike in 3 villages nr. Ramallah (Nabi Salih, Bil‘in, and Ni‘lin), Kafr Qaddum nr. Qalqilya, and in al-Azza r.c. nr. Bethlehem; at least 9 Palestinians and 1 Israeli activist are injured. Elsewhere in the West Bank, IDF troops issue 1 Palestinian an arrest summons during a late-night raid in Beit Sahour, and patrol nr. Hebron and Nablus during the day. Israeli settlers assault a group of international solidarity activists accompanying Palestinian shepherds nr. Ramallah, causing no serious injuries. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces arrest 2 Palestinians during raids in Issawiyya. Along Gaza’s border, IDF troops open fire on Palestinian shepherds working nr. Juhur al-Dik, causing no injuries, and on Palestinian agricultural land nr. Khan Yunis, causing no damage. (HA, JP, MNA, WAFA 4/21; PCHR 4/27)

The Israeli authorities re-open the Taba border crossing, allowing Israeli citizens to cross into Egypt by land for the first time since 4/10. However, Israel’s counterterrorism bureau warns, “the threat to Israelis in Sinai remains serious, concrete, and imminent.” (HA, JP, TOI 4/21)

Three projectiles fired from inside Syria land in the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights, causing no serious damage or injuries. The IDF “target[s]” the source of the attacks, but a spokesperson does not say how and it is not reported in the media. (JP, MNA 4/21; HA 4/22)

In Gaza, a small group claiming affiliation with ISIS fires 3 rockets toward Israel, with 1 landing in an open area nr. the Kissufim kibbutz on the Israeli side of the border, causing no injuries or damage. The IAF launches air strikes on a Hamas military site in c. Gaza in response; 4 Palestinians are injured. IDF troops on the Gaza border e. of Bayt Hanun shoot and injure a Palestinian teenager approaching the border fence. They also fire warning shots at Palestinian farmers nearby, causing no injuries. Off the coast nr. Bayt Lahiya, Israeli naval forces fire warning shots at Palestinian fishing boats, causing no damage. In the West Bank, IDF troops violently disperse Palestinian, Israeli, and international protesters at weekly demonstrations against the Israeli occupation in 4 villages nr. Ramallah (Bil‘in, Ni‘lin, Silwad, and Nabi Salih), and Kafr Qaddum nr. Qalqilya; 1 Palestinian is seriously injured. The IDF also patrols in a village nr. Bethlehem, sparking minor clashes with stone-throwing Palestinian youths (3 are arrested), as well as in 2 villages nr. Hebron and 1 each nr. Ramallah and Jenin. (HA, JP, MNA, REU, TOI, YA 8/7; MNA, WAFA 8/8; AFP 8/9; PCHR 8/13)

PA Prisoners’ Affairs Comm. head Qaraqe says that the IDF prosecutor intends to request permission from the courts to begin forcefeeding Muhammad Allan, a Palestinian prisoner who has been on hunger strike since 6/16. The International Comm. of the Red Cross says that Allan’s life is“at immediate risk” and calls for the Israeli authorities to allow his family to visit him. (EI 8/7; AFP, HA, WAFA 8/8)

The IDF opens fire on Palestinians demonstrating against continued settler violations in Bayt Ummar village nr. Hebron, injuring 20 with rubber-coated steel bullets, including 1 man shot in the head. The IDF also shoots Palestinian protesters demonstrating against the IDF’s closure of the main entrance of Silwad village nr. Ramallah, injuring 14, while in al-‘Arub r.c. nr. Hebron, 2 Israeli soldiers are wounded by Palestinians during confrontations in the camp. There are also clashes between Paletinains and the IDF at Huwara checkpoint nr. Nablus as Palestinians protest recent violence in the al Aqsa Mosque compound, with no serious injuries. Separately, IDF soldiers violently disperse Palestinians, Israelis, and internationals taking part in nonviolent demonstrations in multiple villages against the Israeli occupation in solidarity with Palestinian prisoners. Demonstrations are held in 3 villages nr. Ramallah (Bil‘in, al-Nabi Salih, Nilin), 1 village nr. Qalqilya (Kafr Qaddum), 1 village nr. Bethlehem (al-Ma’sara), and al-Shakara area nr. Ramallah. There is 1 serious injury in al-Shakara, 1 in Bil‘in, and 2 in al-Nabi Salih. The IDF patrols in 1 village nr. Qalqilya and 2 villages nr. Ramallah in the morning, in 2 villages nr. Hebron (injuring 3 during clashes) and 1 village nr. Jenin in the afternoon. Then at night, IDF soldiers patrol in al-‘Arub r.c. nr. Hebron, 1 village nr. Jenin and 2 villages nr. Ramallah; conduct house searches and arrest raids in Hebron, 3 villages nr. Hebron and 1 village nr. Qalqilya. Meanwhile, Jewish settlers uproot around 70 olive trees in al-Tawani village nr. Hebron. (MNA 5/10; PCHR 5/16)

The Israeli Air Force makes an airstrike in Syria. U.S. officials say that the target was weapons, rather than a building or installation. An anonymous Israeli official subsequently says that the target was a shipment of missiles intended for Hizballah, believed to include a Syrianproduced surface-to-surface guided weapon. Meanwhile, Lebanese sources report several sorties by Israeli air force planes in Lebanese airspace, breaches of sovereignty which are condemned by Pres. Michel Suleiman. (HA 5/3; AP, REU 5/4)

In the Gaza Strip, IDF forces open fire on Palestinians picnicking close to the border fence nr. Jabaliya, causing no injuries. In the West Bank, the IDF patrols in 1 village nr. Jenin and 1 village nr. Ramallah in the morning, in 2 villages nr. Hebron in the afternoon (injuring 4 Palestinians in clashes), and in 1 village each nr. Hebron, nr. Jenin, nr. Qalqilya, nr. Ramallah and 3 villages nr. Salfit at night. Also at night, IDF troops conduct house searches and arrest raids in 1 village nr. Qalqilya in the afternoon and 1 village nr. Salfit. IDF soldiers violently disperse Palestinians, Israelis, and internationals taking part in weekly nonviolent demonstrations against the Israeli occupation and in solidarity with Palestinian prisoners. Demonstrations are held in 4 villages nr. Ramallah (Budrus, Bil‘in, al-Nabi Salih, Ni‘lin), 1 village nr. Qalqilya (Kafr Qaddum), 2 villages nr. Bethlehem (al-Khader, al-Ma’sara), and al-Shakara area nr. Ramallah. There are no serious injuries, except 1 in in Budrus and 2 in al-Nabi Salih. (PCHR 5/9)

In the West Bank, the IDF patrols in 1 village nr. Ramallah in the morning, 1 village nr. Tulkarm in the afternoon, and in 3 villages each nr. Jenin, and nr. Ramallah, 1 village each nr. Jericho, and nr. Tulkarm at night; conducts house searches and arrest raids in 1 village nr. Hebron in the afternoon, and in Nablus, 2 villages nr. Nablus and 1 nr. Bethlehem at night. During nonviolent demonstrations against the Israeli occupation and in solidarity with Palestinian prisoners, Palestinians, Israelis, and internationals are violently dispersed by IDF soldiers in 4 villages nr. Ramallah (Bil‘in, al-Nabi Salih, Ni‘lin, Silwad), 2 villages nr. Bethlehem (al-Khader, al-Ma’sara), and in al-Jalazun r.c. nr. Ramallah. There are no serious injuries, except in Silwad (3) and al-Jalazun (3). (PCHR 4/25)

Newly re-elected Hamas leader Khalid Mishal convenes senior Hamas officials in Qatar to discuss, among other issues, prospects for forming a national unity government in the wake of PA PM Salam Fayyad’s 4/13 resignation, and ways of pressuring Israel to free Palestinian prisoners. Meanwhile, Pres. Mahmud Abbas says he will launch talks in the near future on forming a new cabinet. (AFP, MNA 4/19)

In the West Bank, the IDF patrols in in al-‘Arub r.c. and 1 village nr. Hebron, and in 1 village nr. Jericho in the afternoon, and in 3 villages nr. Jenin and 1 nr. Ramallah at night; conducts house searches and arrest raids in 1 village nr. Hebron in the afternoon, and in 1 nr. Ramallah at night. IDF soldiers violently disperse Palestinians, Israelis, and internationals taking part in nonviolent demonstrations against both the Israeli occupation as well as in solidarity with Palestinian prisoners. Demonstrations are held in 4 villages nr. Ramallah (Bil‘in, al-Nabi Salih, Ni‘lin, Abud), al-Haraiek nr. Hebron, 1 village nr. Qalqilya (Kafr Qaddum), 2 villages nr. Bethlehem (al-Khader, al-Ma’sara), and in Hebron. There are no serious injuries, except 2 in Bil‘in (hit by tear gas canisters) and 1 in al-Khader (rubber-coated metal bullet). (PCHR 4/18)

The IDF fires artillery into Syria after shots were fired at Israeli troops in the occupied Golan Heights causing no damage or injuries. According to the Israeli military, the return fire scored a ‘‘direct hit.’’ (REU 4/12)

IDF soldiers shoot and seriously injure a Palestinian teenager during a protest at al-Jalazun r.c. nr. Ramallah. IDF forces shoot and injure 5 Palestinians during clashes in Hebron, with another 15 injured in confrontations in the wider Hebron area as demonstrations continue following the death of a Palestinian prisoner in Israeli custody, and the IDF also shoots and injures 1 Palestinian in protests in al-Khader nr. Bethlehem. IDF soldiers violently disperse Palestinians, Israelis, and internationals taking part in nonviolent demonstrations in multiple villages against the Israeli occupation in solidarity with Palestinian prisoners. Demonstrations are held in 4 villages nr. Ramallah (Bayt Laqiya, Bil‘in, al-Nabi Salih, Ni‘lin), al-Haraiek nr. Hebron, 1 village nr. Qalqilya (Kafr Qaddum), 2 villages nr. Bethlehem (al-Khader, al-Ma‘sara), and at Hawara checkpoint nr. Nablus. There are no serious injuries. The IDF also patrols in al-‘Arub r.c. and 1 village nr. Hebron, and 1 village nr. Salfit in the afternoon; patrols in 2 villages nr. Jericho, and 1 each nr. Jenin, Ramallah, and nr. Salfit at night; conducts house searches and arrest raids in Aida r.c. in Bethlehem at night. (MNA 4/5; PCHR 4/11)

Hundreds of Palestinians clash with IDF forces in Hebron, with Israel increasing the presence of security forces in the city ahead of a day of demonstrations commemorating Land Day and in support of Palestinian prisoners. Land Day is an annual event remembering the killing of Palestinian citizens of Israel by Israeli security forces in 1976 during protests against land expropriation. In the clashes, IDF soldiers open fire and injure 2 Palestinians. Elsewhere in the West Bank, the IDF patrols in 1 village nr. Ramallah in the morning, in Hebron (2 seriously wounded by bullets), 1 village nr. Hebron, and al-‘Arub r.c. nr. Hebron in the afternoon, and in 1 village nr. Hebron, 1 village nr. Jericho and 1 village nr. Ramallah at night; conducts house searches and arrest raids in Jenin in the afternoon. IDF soldiers violently disperse Palestinians, Israelis, and internationals taking part in nonviolent demonstrations in multiple villages across the West Bank against the Israeli occupation in solidarity with Palestinian prisoners. Demonstrations are held in 4 villages nr. Ramallah (Bil‘in, Ni‘lin, al-Nabi Salih, Bayt Laqiya), 1 village nr. Salfit (Burqin), 1 village nr. Bethlehem (al-Ma’sara), al-Haraiek nr. Hebron, and 1 village nr. Qalqilya (Kafr Qaddum). (MNA 3/29; PCHR 4/4)

Israel approves formal plans to build an entirely new 2,610-unit Jewish settlement, Givat Hamatos, in southern East Jerusalem with the aim of completely dividing Jerusalem from Bethlehem. The IDF conducts synchronized afternoon patrols in the same 2 villages northeast of Jenin they patrolled on 10/13, synchronized late-night patrols in 6 villages btwn. Jenin and Tulkarm, and separate late-night patrols in Jenin (shooting in the air to intimidate residents). The weekly demonstrations by Palestinians and international activists in Bil‘in express solidarity with Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails, calling for the release of Fatah’s Barghouti and the PFLP’s Sa‘adat. In Ni‘lin and al-Nabi Salih, Palestinians and international activists rally in support of the Palestinian statehood bid at the UN. In all 4 cases, IDF soldiers beat and fire rubber-coated steel bullets, tear gas, and stun grenades at the protesters, but no significant injuries are reported. Jewish settlers fr. Gil’ad settlement nr. Qalqilya escorted by IDF troops stop a Palestinian family fr. harvesting olives on their land, saying they had exceeded the time allocated by the IDF for the harvesting. (NYT 10/15; PCHR, WJW 10/20; OCHA 10/21; PCHR 10/27; WJW 11/6)