The Palestine Chronology

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers raided al-Twana and near Yatta. Israeli forces violently dispersed Palestinian protesters near Huwwara, al-Jalama checkpoint, and in Beita, causing tear-gas related injuries. 2 Palestinians were arrested at a checkpoint near Jericho. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces attacked Palestinian worshipers at the Haram al-Sharif compound, including inside al-Aqsa Mosque, injuring more than 100 with tear gas, stun grenades, and rubber-coated bullets; the Palestinian Red Crescent had set up a makeshift field office at the compound, but said that Israeli forces prevented the organization from evacuating injured Palestinians; around 30 were hospitalized. Israeli forces also dispersed Palestinians gathered around the Damascus Gate plaza using skunk water and stun grenades. Elsewhere, Israeli forces physically assaulted Palestinians in Shaykh Jarrah and arrested 5 protesters. Palestinians reportedly threw stones at Israeli settler vehicles in Shaykh Jarrah. 29 Palestinians were arrested in house raids throughout East Jerusalem. In Gaza, Israel said incendiary balloons from Gaza had sparked 10 fires in Israel. Israeli forces violently dispersed Palestinians by the Gaza fence near al-Bureij, protesting in solidarity with Palestinians in East Jerusalem, injuring 3. In Israel, Israeli forces blocked several buses carrying Palestinian citizens of Israeli to East Jerusalem where they were going to pray at the Haram al-Sharif compound; hundreds of the worshipers subsequently marched on the highway toward East Jerusalem, blocking the highway between Tel Aviv and Jerusalem. (AJ, HA, MEE, MEE, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 5/8; AJ, AP, BBC, HA, HA, HA, NPR, WAFA, WAFA 5/9; HA 5/10; PCHR 5/11)

The Jordanian foreign ministry called on the international community to pressure Israel to cease the attack on Palestinian worshipers at the Haram al-Sharif compound. Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdoğan also tweeted in Hebrew that Turkey “will continue to stand by our Palestinian brothers and sisters under any circumstances.” President Erdoğan also called Israel a “terror state.” Egypt, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Belgium, the EU, and the UAE also condemned the Israeli violence and threats of evicting Palestinian families in Shaykh Jarrah. (HA, REU, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 5/8)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers threw stones at cars traveling near Burqa, leading to clashes between Israeli forces and Palestinians confronting the Israeli settlers. Israeli settlers also physically assaulted 2 Palestinians near al-Ibrahimi Mosque. Israeli forces razed Palestinian-owned land planted with almond trees west of Ramallah. Israeli forces also razed land in Bruqin and Nil‘in. 6 Palestinians were arrested, including 3 during raids in Jenin refugee camp and Hebron, and 3 at a checkpoint near Jit. In East Jerusalem, Israeli settlers attacked 2 Palestinian minors in Issawiyya; no serious physical injuries were reported. Israeli forces violently dispersed protests in Bayt Hanina, leading to clashes, and arrested 4 Palestinians. Israeli forces also briefly dispersed Palestinians celebrating by the Damascus Gate but allowed the celebrations to carry on shortly after. 2 Palestinians were charged with hate crimes after throwing coffee on an Israeli settler and putting a video of the incident on social media on 4/22. In Gaza, Israel closed the Gaza fishing zone, citing 3 days of rocket fire toward Israel; Israel claimed that 4 Israelis were injured due to the rocket fire, all from tripping while seeking shelter. Israeli forces violently dispersed Palestinians protesting at the Gaza fence for the 3d day in a row, leading to tear-gas related injuries. 2 Palestinians were arrested for crossing into Israel. Israeli forces also opened fire at agricultural lands east of al-Bureij; no injuries were reported. (HA 4/25; HA, PCHR, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 4/26; HA, WAFA 4/27; HA 4/28; PCHR 4/29)

The PA announced it will build a new city near Jericho, to be named Sama Qarantal. The city will accommodate between 15,000 and 20,000 people. (WAFA 4/26)

2 Egyptian officials said they had been briefed that PA president Mahmoud Abbas will postpone the Palestinian elections this week, citing Israeli unwillingness to let Palestinians in East Jerusalem partake in the elections. A Palestinian source said that a final decision will be made on 4/29, after a meeting between all Palestinian parties. (AJ, AP, HA 4/27)

Israeli member of Knesset, former minister, and leader of HaTzionut HaDatit (Religious Zionist Party) Bezalel Smotrich threatened that “Arabs are citizens of Israel, for now at least, and they have representatives at the Knesset, for now at least” during a party meeting. Smotrich further said that Palestinian-Israelis can only be “legitimate partners” if they accept Israel as a Jewish state. (HA 4/26)

The U.S. said it fired warning shots at an Iranian navy ship for being too close to 2 U.S. military vessels in the Persian Gulf. (AJ 4/27; AP 4/28)

In the West Bank, Israeli forces fired tear gas and live ammunition at Palestinians during a raid in Bayt Umar, causing tear-gas related injuries. Israeli forces also demolished a mobile home and a barn, seized 5 mobile homes, and dismantled and seized 9 residential structures near Jericho. 18 Palestinians were arrested, including 13 during late-night raids in and around Bayt Fajjar, al-Bireh, ‘Urif, Nablus, and Qalqilya; and 5 at checkpoints near ‘Azun and Nablus. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces arrested 7 Palestinians, including 6 during late-night raids in Issawiyya and 1 at the Haram al-Sharif compound. In Gaza, Israeli forces opened fire northeast of al-Bureij; no injuries were reported. (WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 1/6; PCHR 1/9)

Israel’s Civil Administration gave its final approval for 786 settlement housing units and approved another 1,150 housing units for deposit, the 1st stage in the planning process. (AJ, PeaceNow 1/6)

IDF troops shoot and kill a Palestinian driver at a checkpoint near Jericho. The IDF claims that he refused to pull over when border security ordered him to and that he attempted to ram his vehicle into several Israeli soldiers. Elsewhere in the West Bank, Israeli settlers chase Palestinians shepherds off their land near Jericho, sparking a minor confrontation between the settlers and Palestinian activists; IDF troops arrest 4 shepherds and 2 activists. Meanwhile, IDF troops arrest 6 Palestinians during late-night raids in and around Jenin, Qalqilya, Bethlehem, and Hebron; and patrol near Hebron, Jenin, and Qalqilya. Along Gaza’s border, IDF troops shoot and kill a Palestinian minor approaching the border fence near al-Bureij refugee camp. It’s unclear why they opened fire. Late at night, after unidentified Palestinians launch a rocket and fly an incendiary balloon into southern Gaza, causing no damage or injuries, the Israeli Air Force conducts air strikes on several Hamas sites in northern Gaza and Dayr al-Balah, causing extensive damage. Off Gaza’s coast, Israeli naval forces open fire on Palestinian fishing boats near Gaza City, causing no damage or injuries. In East Jerusalem, a Palestinian family demolishes their own home in Jabal Mukabir to avoid paying Israeli demolition fees. (HA, MNA, MNA, MNA, MNA, TOI, WAFA 3/9; HA, MNA, MNA, MNA, MNA, TOI, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, YA 3/10; PCHR 3/14)

Approximately 20 Grad and Fajr-5 rockets are fired from Syria toward northern Israel. Four of them are intercepted by Israel’s Iron Dome missile defense system, and the rest explode over Syrian territory, causing no major damage or injury. The IDF accuses Iran of being behind the attack and retaliates, bombing dozens of alleged Iranian weapons storage, logistics, and intelligence sites in Syria; 27 people are killed, including 19 Iranians, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. (JP 5/9; CNN, HA, JP, MEMO, NYT, TOI, YA 5/10; HA 5/11; AP 5/12)

Along Gaza’s border, Israeli forces conduct a limited incursion to level land and repair the border fence near Khan Yunis. Later, they open fire on Palestinian farmers working near Gaza City and al-Bureij refugee camp and Great March of Return protesters near Khan Yunis, Gaza City, Jabaliya refugee camp, and al-Bureij refugee camp; 6 Palestinians are injured. Off Gaza’s coast, Israeli naval forces open fire on Palestinian fishing boats near Bayt Lahiya and Khan Yunis, causing no damage or injuries. In the West Bank, Israeli forces demolish a makeshift Palestinian home near Nablus. IDF troops arrest 8 Palestinians during late-night raids near Jericho, Tubas, Bethlehem, Ramallah, and Jenin; and patrol near Hebron and Nablus. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces establish a checkpoint in Abu Dis, sparking minor clashes with Palestinian minors; 1 Israeli border police officer and 7 Palestinians are injured (3 Palestinians are arrested as well). (JP, MNA, TOI, WAFA 5/9; PCHR 5/10)

Hundreds of Palestinians across the oPt gather at protests against U.S. pres. Trump’s 12/6 recognition of Jerusalem as Israel’s capital. IDF troops violently disperse them at the Qalandia checkpoint, central Jerusalem, Abu Dis village, Bethlehem, Ramallah, Hebron, Jericho, Qalqilya, and along Gaza’s border near al-Bureij refugee camp; 11 Palestinians are injured. Meanwhile, IDF troops arrest 8 Palestinians during late-night raids near Ramallah, Hebron, and in Biddu (East Jerusalem). Off Gaza’s coast, Israeli naval forces open fire on Palestinian fishing boats near Khan Yunis, causing no damage or injuries. Along Gaza’s border, Israeli forces fire sound bombs and artillery at Palestinian lands and other property near Gaza City and Khan Yunis, causing no serious damage. (HA, TOI, WAFA, YA 12/20; PCHR 12/21; PCHR 12/28)

Palestinian diplomatic delegations discuss the future of the peace process with local officials in Moscow and Beijing. PLO executive committee member Salih Ra‘fat says that the delegations are part of the Palestinians’ efforts to gather support in the wake of U.S. pres. Trump’s 12/6 recognition of Jerusalem as Israel’s capital. Both Russia and China have expressed interest in becoming more active in the peace process, and the Palestinians are looking to replace the U.S. as sole mediator. (HA, TOI, WAFA 12/20)

U.S. pres. Trump threatens to cut economic aid to any country that votes in favor of a UNGA resolution rejecting his 12/6 recognition of Jerusalem as Israel’s capital, which is set for a vote on 12/21. “They take hundreds of millions of dollars and even billions of dollars, and then they vote against us,” he says. “Well, we’re watching those votes. Let them vote against us. We’ll save a lot. We don’t care.” (AP, HA, TOI, YA 12/20; HA 12/21)

Palestinians in the West Bank, Israel, and across the world join in a general strike in solidarity with the 1,500-plus Palestinian prisoners’ Dignity Strike. IDF troops violently disperse protesters at the Qalandia checkpoint, Nabi Salih nr. Ramallah, ‘Azun nr. Qalqilya, outside Dayr Sharaf nr. Nablus, and along Gaza’s border nr. al-Bureij r.c.; at least 10 Palestinians are injured. Meanwhile, IDF troops shoot and kill a Palestinian at a checkpoint nr. Bethlehem. No Israelis are injured. They also arrest 5 Palestinian youths throwing stones at an Israeli settlement nr. Jericho; and patrol nr. Hebron during the day. Approximately 4,000 Jewish settlers, as well as former Arkansas gov. Mike Huckabee, visit Joseph’s Tomb nr. Nablus overnight, sparking clashes between their IDF escort and stone-throwing Palestinians; 2 Palestinians are arrested. IDF troops also conduct raids in Bayt Umar nr. Hebron, sparking clashes with stone-throwing Palestinians; there are no serious injuries. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces arrest 7 Palestinians during late-night raids nr. Jabal Mukabir, Silwan, and Ras al-Amud. Along Gaza’s border, IDF troops open fire on Palestinian farmers working nr. Khan Yunis and agricultural areas nr. al-Maghazi r.c. Off Gaza’s coast, Israeli naval forces open fire on Palestinian fishing boats nr. Rafah twice, causing no damage or injuries. (HA, JP, MNA, TOI, WAFA 5/22; PCHR 5/25)

Upon his arrival in Israel, U.S. pres. Trump gives a short speech on the tarmac at Ben Gurion Airport to a crowd of Israeli leaders, including PM Netanyahu. (The Israeli PM reportedly orders his ministers to greet Trump on the tarmac after many, including several party heads, said they were not planning to attend). “We have before us a rare opportunity to bring security and stability and peace to this region and to its people, defeating terrorism and creating a future of harmony, prosperity, and peace,” Trump says, referencing the peace initiative he hopes to advance during his visit to Israel. “But we can only get there working together. There is no other way.” Trump then meets with Israeli pres. Reuven Rivlin and visits the Western Wall, the first time a sitting U.S. pres. has done so. In his major policy speech of the day, Trump links the fight against Iran with Israeli-Palestinian peace, saying that the Arab states are willing to work with Israel to normalize relations, if Israel ends its occupation of Palestinian lands. (HA, NYT, TOI 5/22; HA 5/23)

Off the coast of Gaza nr. Jabaliya and Rafah, Israeli naval forces open fire on Palestinian fishing boats, causing no damage or injuries. Hamas authorities arrest a shaykh in al-Bureij r.c. for alleged support of ISIS. In the West Bank, the IDF conducts house searches and raids in and around Hebron, 2 villages nr. Jenin, and 1 nr. Qalqilya, arresting 5 Palestinians; patrols in 2 villages each nr. Qalqilya and Jericho, and 1 each nr. Ramallah, Hebron, and Tulkarm. An Israeli soldier assaults a Palestinian at a checkpoint nr. Bethlehem. Israeli authorities close al-Ibrahimi Mosque in Hebron to all Muslim worshippers, allowing Jewish Israelis to enter in celebration of Passover through 4/6. In Balata r.c. nr. Nablus, Palestinian women gather to protest the PASF crackdown in the camp. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces confiscate a number of solar energy cells in a bedouin village. Also, a group of Israeli settlers assault a Palestinian youth at a gate to the Old City. (AFP, MNA, WAFA 4/5; AFP 4/6; MNA 4/7; PCHR 4/9)

PA Pres. Abbas announces that the Israeli govt. transferred NIS 1.37 b. (around $350 m.) of the NIS 1.8 b. ($460 m.) in previously frozen tax revenues, but that the Palestinians rejected the money in protest of unilateral deductions Israel made to pay the Palestinians’ debts to Israeli utility providers. (AFP, AP, JP, REU 4/5)

The PLO announces that it will send a delegation to Syria to meet with govt. and rebel leaders to find a resolution for the residents of Yarmouk r.c. (AFP, AJ, WAFA, YA 4/5; AFP, AJ, JP 4/6)