The Palestine Chronology

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers with military a escort stole an olive harvest and vandalized olive trees in Awarta. Israeli settlers also opened fire at Palestinians harvesting olives in Aqraba; no injuries were reported. Elsewhere, Israeli settlers stole around 40 sheep in Khallet Hamad. Israeli settlers also raided Qaryut, opening fire at Palestinians in the area; no injuries were reported. Meanwhile, Israeli settlers razed farmland near Qasra. Israeli forces shot and injured a Palestinian child in Husan. Israeli soldiers also assaulted a Palestinian man in Dheisheh refugee camp. Elsewhere, Israeli forces demolished a Palestinian home in Bani Na’im. Israeli forces also razed land in Artas. Meanwhile, Israeli forces notified Palestinian families in Deir Qala that Israel will seize 18 dunams (4.4 acres) of land. 28 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in and around Jericho, Balata refugee camp, Bayt Awa, Hebron, Tarqumiyah, Bethlehem, Abu Dis, al-Eizariya, Ramallah, Jenin, and Qalqilya. In Gaza, Israeli forces bombed Rafah, Khan Yunis, Nuseirat refugee camp, Dayr al-Balah, Maghazi, and Jabalia refugee camp, killing at least 208 Palestinians and injuring 416. Israeli forces also shot and injured a surgeon inside al-Awda Hosptial, which has been under Israeli siege for 6 days, and hit the Kamal Adwan hospital with an airstrike. Rockets were fired at Israel, injuring 1. In Lebanon, Israeli forces killed a Lebanese official in Taybeh, Hezbollah said it had attacked Israeli soldiers in Shtula and Metula. In the Red Sea, a Norwegian commercial ship, The Strinda, was hit by a cruise missile launched by Yemen according to the U.S. military. (AJ, AJ, AJ, AP, AP, HA, HA, NYT, UNOCHA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 12/11; HA, HA, REU 12/12; AP 12/13)

More than 18,205 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli forces in Gaza, including at least 7,729 children and 5,153 women, and around 49,645 have been injured since 10/7. At least 8,000 people were missing in rubble, including 1,700 children. 267 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli forces and settlers in the West Bank and East Jerusalem since 10/7, including 69 children. More than 3,387 people have been injured. Israel reported that 1,200 Israelis and foreign nationals have been killed and 5,400 have been injured since 10/7. 101 Israeli soldiers have been killed in Gaza since the ground invasion began on 10/27. Over 1.93 million Palestinians, nearly 85% of the population of Gaza, have been displaced since 10/7. There has been a complete electricity blackout in Gaza since 10/12 due to the Israeli blockade. As of 12/3, at least 52,000 housing units had been destroyed and 253,000 had been damaged in Israeli airstrikes since 10/7, constituting 60% of all housing units. 100 trucks carrying aid, including fuel, entered Gaza via the Rafah crossing. 33 injured Palestinians and 461 dual nationals were evacuated to Egypt. (AJ, HA, UNOCHA, UNOCHA 12/11; AJ 12/13)

Al Jazeera said Israel had killed the father of its journalist Anas al-Sharif in his family’s home in Jabalia refugee camp, saying Israel deliberately targets its journalists in Gaza. (AJ, AJ, AP, WAFA, WAFA 12/11)

Palestinians in the West Bank and East Jerusalem were on strike over Israel’s bombing of Gaza. People outside of Palestinian also participated in the strike; most noteworthy was the Lebanese government’s decision to close government offices and institutions in solidarity with Gaza. (AJ, HA, WAFA, WAFA 12/11)

The PA called on the U.S. to “oblige Israel” to stop the policy of deducting funds from the PA’s tax revenue, calling it piracy and collective punishment. (WAFA 12/11)

Israel started allowing Palestinian Americans living in the West Bank access to Israel for the first time since 10/7 after the U.S. threatened to suspend Israel’s membership in the U.S. Visa Waiver Program. (AX 12/11)

Comments by Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu to the Knesset foreign affairs and defense committees were leaked to the press. Netanyahu said the “difference between Hamas and the PA is only that Hamas wants to destroy us here and now, and the PA wants to do it in stages.” Netanyahu also said Gaza will be under Israeli military control and that Gulf states will rehabilitate the area. (AJ 12/11; HA, WAFA, WAFA 12/12)

U.S. National Security Council spokesperson John Kirby said the U.S. was “asking questions” in relation to reporting from Amnesty International and the Washington Post that Israel had used U.S.-supplied white phosphorus in Lebanon. The Post said a journalist had found remnants of 3 artillery shells that indicated that they were U.S.-made white phosphorous shells. Secretary of State Antony Blinken spoke with Israeli war cabinet member Benny Gantz, calling on Israel to take steps to avoid civilian harm and increase aid. State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller called images of Palestinians stripped to their underwear while in Israeli custody in Gaza “deeply disturbing”  (AJ, AP, HA, HA, NYT, WP 12/11; AJ 12/12)

EU high representative for foreign affairs Josep Borell called the destruction in Gaza “even greater than destruction suffered by the German cities during the Second World War,” noting that 60-70% of the casualties are civilians and 85% of the population have been internally displaced. Borell also said the EU will propose sanctions on violent Israeli settlers. France, Germany, and Italy also called on the EU to set up a special sanctions scheme to target Hamas. (AJ, AJ, AJ, AP, HA, HA 12/11)

Sky News Arabia reported that Israel had asked Egypt and Qatar to mediate another ceasefire, citing Egyptian sources. (HA 12/11; HA 12/12)

Rutgers University in New Jersey notified Students for Justice in Palestine that it had suspended its chapter at the university, citing complaints about the group. (HA 12/12; HA, HA 12/13)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers attacked Palestinians harvesting olives in Yamun and damaged their vehicle. Israeli settlers also threw stones at Palestinian vehicles in Awarta, causing damage. Elsewhere, Israeli settlers set fire to a school in Zanuta, causing extensive damage. Israeli forces shot and killed a Palestinian during a raid in Balata refugee camp. Israeli forces also shot and injured 6 Palestinians, including a child, during raids in ad-Doha, ‘Asira al-Qibliya, Jenin, and Balata refugee camp. 45 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in and around Jenin, Ramallah, Jericho, Nablus, Bethlehem, and Hebron. In East Jerusalem, Israeli settlers toured the Haram al-Sharif compound. Israeli forces demolished a Palestinian-owned home in Isawiya, displacing 6, and a structure in Silwan. In Gaza, the Israeli military said it had encircled Jabalia refugee camp. Israeli soldiers continued their sieges of the Indonesian and al-Shifa hospitals; around 500 patients and staff were evacuated from the Indonesian Hospital to a hospital in Khan Yunis later in the day. At least 120 Palestinians were killed in Israeli airstrikes on Nuseirat refugee camp, Gaza City, Jabalia refugee camp, Beit Lahiya al-Bureij, and Khan Yunis. Israel also attacked al-Awda Hospital, killing 3 doctors and a patient. The number of fatalities was likely much higher since the Gaza Ministry of Health was unable to communicate with hospitals and civil defense members in northern Gaza. 2 Israeli soldiers were killed. 10 rockets were fired at Israel with 1 hitting Ness Ziona; no injuries were reported. In Lebanon, Israeli forces attacked several areas of South Lebanon, saying anti-tank missiles were fired by Hezbollah at Israel. 4 people, including an elderly woman and 2 journalists working for Al-Mayadeen television network, were killed in Israeli attacks in Kfar Kila and Tair Harfa. 4 Hamas members were killed in a drone strike on Chaatiyeh, reportedly including deputy chief of the Qassem Brigades in Lebanon Khalil Kharraz. Hezbollah later said it attacked Israeli tanks and soldiers, a military base in Beit Hilal, and a missile factory in Shlomi. (AJ, AJ, AJ, AP, HA, REU, REU, REU, REU, REU, UNOCHA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 11/21)

The Gaza Ministry of Health was not able to fully update the casualty figures due to a collapse in services and communications at hospitals in northern Gaza, leaving the casualty numbers at around 13,000 Palestinians killed, including 5,500 children and 3,500 women, and around 32,000 injured in Israeli airstrikes on Gaza since 10/7. At least 3,250 people were missing in rubble, including 1,700 children. 209 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli forces and settlers in the West Bank and East Jerusalem since 10/7, including 52 children. More than 2,885 people have been injured. Israel reported that 1,200 Israelis and foreign nationals have been killed and 5,431 have been injured since 10/7. 73 Israeli soldiers have been killed in Gaza since the ground invasion began on 10/27. Over 1.61 million Palestinians, around 70% of the population of Gaza, have been displaced since 10/7. There has been a complete electricity blackout in Gaza since 10/12 due to the Israel blockade. As of 11/6, at least 40,000 housing units had been destroyed and 220,000 had been damaged in Israeli airstrikes since 10/7, constituting 45% of all housing units. 2 trucks carrying 17,000 gallons of fuel and 79 trucks carrying aid entered Gaza via the Rafah crossing. UNRWA said 108 members of its staff have been killed in Israeli airstrikes since 10/7. (AJ, AP, HA, UNOCHA 11/21)

Palestinian poet Mosab Abu Toha was released after being arrested on 11/18 by Israeli forces in Gaza. Abu Toha was reportedly beaten while detained. (AJ, HA, NYT 11/21)

The Ministry of National Economy in the Nablus governorate said Israel had only allowed 45 Palestinian businesses to operate in Huwwara since 10/7, forcing 255 business to close. (AJ 11/21)

Jordan said Israel had ordered the evacuation of its field hospital in Gaza, saying it would not heed the order. (AJ, HA 11/21)

Hamas said it had agreed to the terms of the first prisoner exchange and temporary ceasefire. Islamic Jihad said it was coordinating with Hamas on the prisoner exchange deal. The Israeli war, security, and government cabinets convened in separate meetings in the evening to discuss the deal. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the deal was likely to happen, despite opposition from National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, and that Israel would continue its war on Gaza after the temporary ceasefire. The meeting of the government cabinet was still ongoing at the end of the day. It was reported by Haaretz that the Israeli public would have 24 hours to appeal to the Israeli High Court of Justice if the government decides to approve the deal. Islamic Jihad said an Israeli captive it had tried to release earlier for humanitarian reasons had died. (AJ, AJ, HA, HA, HA, HA, REU, REU, REU 11/21; AJ, HA 11/22)

Jordanian prime minister Bisher Khasawneh said “[a]ny displacement [of Palestinians in the West Bank] or creating the conditions that would lead to it, Jordan will consider it a declaration of war and constitute a material breach of the peace treaty.” (AJ, HA, REU 11/21)

Lebanese caretaker prime minister Najib Mikati condemned the Israeli killing of 2 Lebanese journalists, saying Israel’s “goal is to silence the media that exposes its crimes and attacks.” (AJ, AP 11/21)

U.S. national security council spokesperson John Kirby said the U.S. would not support Israeli military action in southern Gaza unless it “clearly articulated [a] plan for how they are going to protect the lives of the hundreds of thousands of people that have now added to the population because they were asked to leave by the Israelis.” Kirby also said that the Biden administration was considering redesignating the Yemeni Houthi government a terrorist organization, citing its attacks on Israel and the seizure of an alleged Israeli-linked vessel on 11/19. Pentagon deputy press secretary Sabrina Singh said the U.S. continued to supply Israel with “155 mm rounds, precision-guided munitions, and air defense systems.” Politico reported that the U.S. had sent Israel the coordinates for humanitarian sites, including hospitals, and gave Israel information about the movement of aid groups to avoid Israeli attacks on protected groups. However, Israel reportedly continued attacking those sites. (AJ, AJ, HA, REU 11/21; AJ 11/22)

A survey by the organization Arab World for Research and Development found that 98% of Palestinians in the West Bank and Gaza said they could not “forgive nor forget” Israel’s attacks on Gaza, with 65% saying the attacks were targeting all Palestinians. 75% said they supported Operation Al-Aqsa Flood to some extent. 22% said they expected the PA to return to power in Gaza. (AJ 11/21)

The European Commission said its review of its aid to Palestine did not find evidence that funds were used for Hamas. (AJ, HA, REU 11/21)

Representatives from the OIC and Arab League and the foreign ministers of the PA, Saudi Arabia, Indonesia, and Jordan met with Russian foreign minister Sergey Lavrov in Moscow. Egyptian foreign minister Sameh Shoukry said Israel’s goal with bombing southern Gaza was to force Palestinians to flee Gaza. (AJ, HA, WAFA 11/21)

Leaders of the BRICS countries met virtually to discuss the situation in Gaza, demanding a ceasefire and condemning attacks on civilians in Gaza and Israel. Representatives of Saudi Arabia, Argentina, Egypt, Ethiopia, Iran, and the UAE, all countries that will join BRICS in 2024, also attended the meeting. Saudi crown prince Mohammad bin Salman called for a global ban on exports of arms to Israel. (AJ, AJ, AP, HA, NYT, REU, REU 11/21)

The South African parliament voted 248-91 to close the Israeli embassy and suspend ties with Israel. The motion was non-binding, leaving President Cyril Ramaphosa to implement it. (AJ, AJ, HA, WAFA 11/21)

The Scottish parliament voted 90-28 in favor of a ceasefire. All parties except for the Scottish Conservatives supported the motion. (AJ 11/21)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers opened fire at a Palestinian car traveling near Marda, causing damage. Israeli settlers also vandalized 40 olive trees in Kafr ad-Dik and stole an olive harvest in Awarta. Israeli forces shot and killed 2 Palestinians and injured 14 others during a raid in Jalazone refugee camp. Israeli forces also prevented Palestinians from harvesting olives in Iskaka. More than 120 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in and around Hebron, Jalazone refugee camp, Bayt Rima, Jericho, Bethlehem, Jenin, Tulkarm, and Nablus. In East Jerusalem, Israeli settlers toured the Haram al-Sharif compound, preventing Palestinian students from attending classes. In Gaza, Israeli airstrikes killed at least 400 Palestinians. Israel said it had attacked 320 targets in Gaza overnight, including 2 mosques. Rockets were fired at Israel, causing damage. In Lebanon, Israeli forces attacked 2 Hezbollah positions, killing 1 person near Aitaroun. Israel shot down 2 drones that entered Israeli airspace from Lebanon. (AP 10/20; AJ, AJ, HA 10/22; AJ, AJ, AJ, AP, HA, NYT, REU, REU, REU, UNOCHA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 10/23; WAFA 10/24)

The Gaza Ministry of Health said as of 5 p.m. at least 5,087 Palestinians had been killed, including at least 3,100 women and children, and 15,273 had been injured in Israeli airstrikes on Gaza since 10/7. It is estimated that 1,500 were trapped in rubble. In addition, Israeli media reported that 1,500 Palestinian militants have been killed near Gaza. 94 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli forces and settlers in the West Bank and East Jerusalem since 10/7, including 27 children. More than 1,738 have been injured, including at least 360 with live ammunition. Israeli officials recorded no new fatalities, leaving the Israeli death toll at around 1,400 Israelis and foreign nationals; 5,431 have been injured since 10/7. The UN reported that over 1.4 million Palestinians, more than half the population in Gaza, 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 26,756 housing units have been destroyed and 139,000 have been damaged in Israeli airstrikes since 10/7. At least 42% of all housing units have been either destroyed or damaged in Israeli airstrikes. Israel said it allowed 14 trucks of aid to enter Gaza after having its forces inspect the contents. A total of 20 trucks carrying food, water, and medicine entered Gaza. The International Organization for Migration said 19,646 people in Lebanon have been displaced due to fighting near the Blue Line. (AJ, AJ, HA, REU, UNOCHA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 10/23)

Palestinian prisoner and Hamas member, Omar Daraghmeh, died in the Megiddo Prison. Hamas called the 58-year-old’s death an assassination. Daraghmeh was arrested in his home in Tubas and placed in administrative detention on 10/9. (AJ 10/22; WAFA 10/23)

2 elderly Israeli Hamas-held captives were released to the Red Cross and transferred to Israel via Egypt’s Rafah crossing. 1 of the captives was filmed shaking the hand of 1 of the Hamas members handing them over to the Red Cross. 4 captives have been released since 10/20. Hamas said the 2 were released for humanitarian reasons. Later 1 of the released Israelis said she was treated with care while being kept but was beaten when she was taken to Gaza. (AJ 10/22; AJ, AJ, HA, HA 10/23; AJ, HA, HA, NYT, REU 10/24)

PA president Mahmoud Abbas met with Dutch prime minister Mark Rutte in Ramallah. Rutte had met Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Israel before traveling to Ramallah. Abbas also spoke with EU Commission president Ursula von der Leyen. (WAFA, WAFA 10/23)

EU high commissioner for foreign affairs Josep Borell called for a temporary ceasefire to allow more aid to reach Gaza. (AP 10/20; AJ 10/22; AJ, HA, REU 10/23)

Amnesty International said UK prime minister Rishi Sunak and Labor shadow secretary for international development Lisa Nandy “are diminishing the gravity of Israel’s actions” by refusing to condemn clear breaches of international law. Sunak said the UK will donate $25 million in aid to Gaza and said the UK believed it was a misfired rocket from Gaza that hit al-Ahli Arab Hospital on 10/17. (AJ 10/22; HA 10/23)

U.S. National Security Council spokesperson John Kirby said it is still not time for the U.S. to call for a ceasefire. The U.S. also sent 3-star general James Glynn to advise Israel. Glynn is reported to be an expert in urban warfare. (AJ 10/22; AP 10/24)

China’s special envoy on the Middle East Zhai Jun said China is willing to do “whatever is conducive” to promote a ceasefire and retore peace, calling the situation in Gaza “very serious.” (AJ, REU 10/23)

The ICC announced that it would begin hearings on the request for an advisory opinion on the legal consequences of the Israeli occupation on 2/19/2024. (HA 10/23; WAFA 10/25)

In the 2d such incident in as many days, Israeli forces arrest several Islamic Waqf employees accused of planning maintenance work at Haram al-Sharif without permission from the Israel Antiquities Authority. Elsewhere in East Jerusalem, Israeli forces arrest a Palestinian youth, accusing him of planning an attack on Jerusalem’s Light Rail after finding a knife in his possession. In the West Bank, IDF troops clash with stonethrowing Palestinians during raids in 2 villages nr. Ramallah; 1 Palestinian is injured. IDF troops arrest 1 Palestinian during further raids and house searches nr. Jenin, Qalqilya, and Ramallah; and patrol nr. Hebron throughout the day. Meanwhile, Israeli forces demolish several residential structures, 2 offices, and 3 water tanks nr. Jericho and 2 agricultural structures nr. Hebron. Israeli settlers attack a Palestinian shepherd nr. Ramallah, injuring her and killing several of her goats. Late at night, around 400 settlers enter Awarta village nr. Nablus to perform religious rituals, sparking minor clashes between their IDF escort and Palestinian residents of the area (there are no serious injuries). (JP, MNA, TOI 8/4; MNA 8/5; PCHR 8/11; +972 8/13)

Israel’s Shin Bet accuses the Palestinian manager of the Gaza branch of World Vision, a Christian aid group, with redirecting around $43 m. of the group’s money to Hamas over the past 6 years. The manager, Mohammad Halabi, was arrested at the Erez border crossing on 6/15. Hours later, the Australian govt. suspends its funding of World Vision. The charity responds, saying that programs in Gaza “have been subject to regular internal and independent audits, independent evaluations, and a broad range of internal controls,” and that they “have no reason to believe the allegations are true.” (NYT, TOI 8/4; TOI 8/5; AJ 8/9)

Egypt’s military announces that it has killed the leader of the Sinai Province of the Islamic State (SPIS) with a recent air strike nr. al-Arish in n. Sinai. The strike was one of many that reportedly killed 45 other SPIS fighters and destroyed a lot of their supplies and munitions. (HA, REU 8/4)

Israeli PM Netanyahu says that since the 11/24 Abbas-Mishal meeting seemed more symbolic than substantive and the PLO/PA has not made moves since the 11/1/11 UNESCO vote to gain membership in other UN organizations, he is considering releasing VAT taxes. (NYT 11/29) (see 11/23/11)

King Abdallah of Jordan hosts Israeli pres. Shimon Peres in Amman to discuss reviving Israeli-Palestinian talks. (NYT 11/29; JPI 12/9)

Israeli naval vessels fire warning shots at Palestinian fishing boats off the n. Gaza coast, detaining and confiscating the boat, arresting 1 fisherman, and returning another fisherman to Gaza through the Erez crossing. Late at night, IDF troops on the n. Gaza border responding to 2 loud explosions inside Gaza in an open area n. of Bayt Lahiya fire into Gaza for 20 mins., causing no reported damage or injuries. In the West Bank, the IDF patrols in 3 villages each nr. Qalqilya and Ramallah and 1 nr. Salfit during the day; conducts late-night patrols in Jericho. An Israeli military court convicts a 2d Palestinian teenager fr. Awarta in the murder of 5 Jewish settlers in Itamar on 3/11/11; another Palestinian teen was convicted on 9/13/11. (PCHR 12/1; OCHA 12/2; JPI 12/9)

In the 1st Lebanese-Israeli crossborder attack since 10/2009, unidentified assailants fire 3 rockets fr. s. Lebanon into n. Israel, damaging 2 buildings in the western Galilee, but causing no injuries. Israel responds with artillery fire, causing no reported damage or injuries. UNIFIL calls for “maximum restraint.” (DS, NYT 11/29; NYT, WP, WT 11/30)

Israeli pres. Shimon Peres arrives in Washington for a 3-day visit. He meets today with Secy. of State Clinton; no details are released. (WJW 4/7)

Israel’s Jerusalem planning comm. gives preliminary approval for 942 new settlement housing units in Gilo and the Israeli DMin. announces that it has finished new zoning plans for several West Bank Jewish settlements, retroactively legalizing construction already underway. The State Dept. expresses “deep concern,” stating that the “Israeli settlements [are] illegitimate” and “Israel’s actions run counter to efforts to resume direct negotiations.” Israel charges Gazan engineer Abu Sisi (see 3/10) with developing rockets for Hamas and establishing a “military academy” in Gaza to train Hamas commanders. Hamas and Abu Sisi deny the charges. In Jenin r.c., unidentified assailants fatally shoot Israeli actor Juliano Mer-Khamis (half Jewish and half Palestinian) who runs a theater troop for Palestinian children in the camp (see Quarterly Update for details). Meanwhile, the IDF patrols in ‘Ayn al-Sultan r.c. nr. Jericho in the morning and in 4 villages nr. Jenin and Qalqilya in the afternoon; conducts late-night arrest raids, house searches in Awarta (possibly in connection with the 3/11 Itamar murders). Jewish settlers fr. Taffuh settlement attempt to fence off a nearby plot of Palestinian land; the PA district liaison intervenes with the IDF, which removes the settlers but leaves the fencing marking off the land in place. (AFP, HA, MNA, YA 4/4; NYT, WP, WT 4/5; WP 4/6; NYT, PCHR 4/7; OCHA 4/15)

Palestinians fire several Qassam rockets toward Israel, but all land harmlessly in Gaza. The IDF makes a brief incursion into c. Gaza to level land and clear lines of sight along the border e. of al-Musaddar. In the West Bank, the IDF arrests more than 40 Palestinians in the village of Awarta and subjects them to DNA testing and fingerprinting in connection with the 3/11 Itamar murders. The IDF also makes a predawn incursion into Jericho, patrolling streets and photographing PA Presidential Guard and PASF training sites and buildings; patrols in al-Bireh, Birzeit, Tulkarm, Nur al-Shams r.c. and 2 nearby village, and 4 villages nr. Jenin; conducts late-night arrest raids, house searches nr. Qalqilya. A Gaza court sentences 1 Palestinian to death and another to 15 yrs. in prison for collaborating with Israel. (HA, MNA 3/29; JP 3/30; JTA, NYT, PCHR 3/31; OCHA 4/1)

An IDF drone fires on 4 PRC mbrs. launching rockets nr. Rafah towards the Kerem Shalom crossing into Israel; all 4 are wounded; the rockets cause no damage or injuries. The IDF extends the seal on the West Bank and Gaza (imposed on 3/11) through 3/19; fatally shoots 1 Palestinian, wounds 3 who stray close to the separation wall west of Ramallah; patrols in Tulkarm; conducts arrest raids, house searches in Balata r.c., in and around Hebron, and nr. Bethlehem (also raiding the offices of the Women’s Purity Association, destroying furniture, computers), Qalqilya. Jewish settlers fire on, toss hand grenades at a group of Palestinians in Awarta nr. Nablus, wounding 3. Palestinians across the West Bank, Gaza observe a general strike to protest the IDF’s 3/14 raid on Jericho; those protesting in Ramallah clash with IDF soldiers who fatally shoot 1 Palestinian. Palestinian gunmen release the last 4 foreigners kidnapped on 3/14. Palestinians fire rockets fr. n. Gaza into Israel, causing no damage or injuries. (AFP, JAZ, MM 3/15; IMEMC, NYT, PCHR, WP, WT 3/16; PCHR 3/23)