The Palestine Chronology

In the West Bank, 1 Israeli settler was injured when her car was hit with stones; Israeli forces subsequently arrested 20 Palestinians in nearby Dayr Nidham, claiming they were connected to the stone-throwing, and closed all exits and entrances to the city. Israeli settlers raided the Nahalin area, attempting to uproot trees before they were stopped by Palestinians protecting their land. Israeli settlers also threw stones at Palestinian vehicles traveling near Luban al-Sharqiyya, causing damage. Israeli forces pushed and injured 1 Palestinian child in Sinjil. 3 Palestinians were arrested during raids in Jaba‘ and Ya‘bad. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces handed 1 Palestinian family an eviction order in Silwan and told them to pay $2,200 in legal fees. 1 Palestinian was arrested in Issawiyya. In Gaza, Israeli forces opened fire on Palestinian agricultural lands east of Khuza‘a; no injuries were reported. Off the coast of Gaza, Israeli naval forces opened fire on Palestinian fishermen within 2 nautical miles of Bayt Lahiya and al-Sudaniyya; no injuries were reported. (HA, WAFA 1/3; WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 1/4; PCHR 1/7)

The Israeli high planning committee approved the land seizure of dozens of dunams of Palestinian-owned land near Artas and al-Khadir for Israeli settlement expansion. (WAFA 1/3; MEMO 1/4; PCHR 1/7)

The Palestinian Prisoner's Society said in a statement that 30 new cases of the COVID-19 virus had been registered among Palestinian prisoners at the Ktzi’ot prison in Israel. These bring the total COVID cases among Palestinian prisoners to 171 since the start of the pandemic. (WAFA, WAFA 1/3)

Israeli prosecutors said that Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu had requested that the news site Walla, in 315 incidents, cover Netanyahu and his family positively and his political opponents negatively. The allegations are part of the corruption cases against Netanyahu, who in 1 of the cases is accused of promoting regulations favorable to the owner of Bezeq telecom company in exchange for positive coverage on the Walla news site. (ABC, HA, TOI 1/3; AJ 1/4)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers attacked Palestinian vehicles traveling near Sinjil. Israeli forces violently dispersed a protest in Kafr Qaddum, causing tear-gas related injuries. Israeli forces also clashed with Palestinians in Jaba‘, causing tear-gas related injuries. PA forces arrested a number of attendants at a party held in the Nabi Musa mosque near Jericho; it was later revealed that the PA had approved the party as part of a promotional video intended to increase tourism. However, several attendees, including famous Palestinian DJ Sama Abdulhadi, were still detained days later. 1 Palestinian was arrested at a checkpoint near Tubas. In East Jerusalem, Israeli settlers clashed with Israeli police and attacked Palestinian passersby during a demonstration against the police because of the death of an Israeli settler during a police pursuit on 12/21; chants of “Death to Arabs” were filmed during the protest. In Gaza, 3 Palestinians, including a minor, were wounded by Israeli forces during air attacks in Gaza City and substantial damage was reported in al-Bureij refugee camp and Dayr al-Balah, including to a mosque, a children’s hospital, a sports club, and a warehouse; Israel said it had intercepted 1 missile from Gaza prior to its attack. Israeli forces also opened fire at agricultural lands east of Dayr al-Balah and al-Bureij refugee camp; no injuries were reported. In Israel, 2 Christmas trees belonging to Catholic and Orthodox churches in Sakhnin were set on fire. (AJ, GDN, HA, HA, HA, MEMO, TOI, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 12/26; PCHR, WAFA 12/27; HA 12/28; ALM 12/30; PCHR 12/31)

Israeli protesters demonstrated against Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu for the 27th Saturday in a row in Jerusalem and Tel Aviv. The protesters are demanding that Prime Minister Netanyahu resign due to his COVID-19 response, the Israeli economy, and the corruption cases against him. (HA 12/26; WAFA 12/27)

According to reports in Le Monde, UAE and Israeli officials are working to eliminate the UNRWA and have been working toward that goal since the 2 countries’ normalization agreement in August. (JP, MEE, YNET 12/27)

In the West Bank, clashes between Palestinians and Israeli forces erupted in Halhul and Hebron during protests against the Bahrain workshop scheduled to start on 6/25. Protests against the workshop were also held in Ramallah, Tulkarm, Yatta, Nablus, Jenin, and Bethlehem. Israeli setters slashed tires and sprayed racist graffiti on 10 Palestinian-owned vehicles and on homes in Sinjil. Israel forces arrested 8 Palestinians during late-night raids in and around Nablus, Jenin, Ramallah, and Bethlehem. (WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 6/24; WAFA 6/25)

Along Gaza’s border, Israeli firefighters put out 5 fires allegedly sparked by incendiary kites or balloons flown from Gaza. Separately, IDF troops open fire on Palestinian farmlands along the border fence near Dayr al-Balah, causing no damage or injuries. In the West Bank, IDF troops arrest 6 Palestinians during late-night raids in and around Bethlehem, Qalqilya, Jenin, and Hebron. One raid in Dahaysha refugee camp sparks minor clashes; there are no reported injuries. Israeli settlers throw stones at a Palestinian home near Nablus, causing minor damage; puncture the tires of 15 Palestinian vehicles and leave racist graffiti in Sinjil village near Ramallah. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces uproot a number of trees on Palestinian land in Shaykh Jarrah. They are reportedly clearing the area for the construction of a new settler residence. (MNA 8/28; PCHR 8/30)

The Israeli authorities re-open the Erez border crossing for the first time since 8/19. Israeli defense minister Avigdor Lieberman reportedly cited sufficient calm in Gaza in recent days as the reason for the re-opening. (HA, MNA, TOI, TOI, YA 8/27)

Palestinians, Israelis, and international activists gather across the West Bank to mark a “Day Of Rage” in solidarity with the 1,500-plus Palestinian prisoners who have been on hunger strike since 4/16. IDF troops violently disperse protests outside Ofer Prison nr. Nablus, at the Qalandia checkpoint, and in and around Hebron; tens of Palestinians are injured. Unidentified assailants throw stones at Israeli settlers’ vehicles outside Sinjil village nr. Ramallah, causing minor damage. The IDF then detains a number of Palestinians and confiscates 12 vehicles in the village. IDF troops patrol nr. Qalqilya, sparking clashes with stone-throwing youths; 1 Palestinian is injured. They also arrest 3 Palestinians on late-night raids nr. Tulkarm, and patrol nr. Nablus and Hebron during the day. (HA, JP, MNA, TOI, WAFA 4/28; PCHR 5/4)

Israel’s Construction Minister Yoav Galant says that plans to build 25,000 new homes in Jerusalem, including 15,000 outside the pre1967 armistice lines, are back on the table. The plans were suspended while Obama was U.S. pres., and some Israeli officials say that a formal announcement may coincide with U.S. pres. Trump’s proposed visit to Israel in late 5/2017. (JP, TOI 4/28)

The U.S. Defense Security Cooperation Agency announces that the State Dept. has approved a “possible foreign military sale” of 13 76mm naval guns and a variety of naval maintenance tools to Israel for an estimated price of $440 m. “This proposed sale will contribute to the foreign policy and national security of the United States by helping to improve the security of a strategic regional partner that has been, and continues to be, an important force for political stability and economic progress in the Middle East,” the press release reads. (JP 4/29)

In the Gaza Strip, employees of the ministries of public works, labor, justice, and women’s affairs—those led by Gaza-based ministers of the PA unity govt.—go on strike, protesting unpaid salaries since 6/2. In the West Bank, Palestinians throw stones at Israeli settlers’ vehicles nr. Sinjil, injuring 2 women. Israeli police arrest a settler in connection with the shooting of a Palestinian nr. Hebron on 1/10. The IDF conducts house searches and arrest raids nr. Jenin, Hebron, and Bethlehem; patrols nr. Jericho, Qalqilya, Tulkarm, Hebron, and Jenin. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces arrest 6 Palestinians. (MNA 1/12; OCHA, PCHR 1/15)

Following up on the 1/11 meeting between political factions in Gaza, a Hamas spokesperson says that the group will make a political decision to quit the PA unity govt. if the crisis facing civil employees is not resolved. (MEMO 1/12; JP 1/13)

Egyptian authorities announce that they will not open the Rafah border crossing this week, reversing their 1/11 announcement. The decision comes after the Sinai Province of the Islamic State captures an Egyptian security officer nr. Shaykh Zuwayd. (MNA 1/12)

Israeli security forces shut down 3 Nazarethbased Muslim charities—Muslim Women for al-Aqsa, al-Fajr, and Ruad al-Aqsa—suspected of channeling funds to Hamas and inciting violence at Haram al-Sharif. (HA 1/12; AFP 1/13)

In the Gaza Strip, Israeli soldiers shoot and injure 2 Palestinians close to the border fence nr. Jabaliya r.c. In the West Bank, Israeli soldiers shoot and injure 20 Palestinians with rubber-coated metal bullets during clashes that break out in al-Ram, Sinjil nr. Ramallah, and Hebron. IDF troops confront 2 Palestinians nr. Hawara village, s. of Nablus, search their car, then injure 1 by beating him with the butt of a gun. The IDF conducts house searches and arrest raids in 1 village nr. Hebron; patrols in 3 villages nr. Jericho and 2 villages nr. Hebron. Also, IDF troops violently disperse Palestinian, Israeli, and international protesters at weekly demonstrations against Israel’s separation wall, settlements, and occupation in 3 villages nr. Ramallah (Bil‘in, Nabi Salih, and Nil‘in), and 1 village nr. Qalqilya (Kafr Qaddum). There are no serious injuries, except in Bil‘in, where 1 person is struck by a tear gas canister. Israeli forces also violently disperse a demonstration against land confiscation in a village nr. Hebron, causing no serious injuries. Israeli settlers attack a village nr. Ramallah, shooting live ammunition and damaging property, but causing no serious injuries. In East Jerusalem, Palestinians clash with Israeli security forces in Silwan, injuring 1 border police officer. Israeli forces conduct house searches and arrest raids in Jabal Mukabir and al-Tur neighborhoods overnight. Palestinians conduct Friday prayers at Haram al-Sharif without Israeli-imposed age restrictions. Israeli forces shoot and seriously injure a Palestinian child nr. Shu‘fat r.c. (HA, MNA 11/14; PCHR 11/20)

In the West Bank, an Israeli settler hits a 5-year-old Palestinian girl with his car nr. Sinjil, and she later dies of her injuries at a nearby hospital. IDF troops shoot and wound 1 Palestinian during a patrol in Salfit. The IDF conducts house searches and arrest raids in 1 village nr. Ramallah and al-Fawar r.c. nr. Hebron; patrols in 2 villages each nr. Hebron, Jericho and Ramallah, and in al-Bireh. (MNA 10/19; PCHR 10/23)

Israel’s DM Moshe Ya’alon departs for Washington for a 5-day visit. In a predeparture statement, Ya’alon says that no dispute should “cast a shadow” over the U.S.-Israel relationship, one “based on shared interests and values.” However, Ya’alon’s requests for meetings with VP Joe Biden, Secy. of State Kerry and National Security Adviser Susan Rice are denied. (AFP 10/19; JP 10/24)

Off the coast of the Gaza Strip nr. Bayt Lahiya, Israeli naval vessels open fire on Palestinian fishermen, causing no damage or injuries. In the West Bank, Israeli forces clash with residents in Nabi Salih village nr. Ramallah during a patrol, wounding 2 (1 with rubber-coated metal bullets, 1 struck by a tear gas canister). The IDF conducts house searches and arrest raids in 1 village nr. Qalqilya in the morning, and in al-‘Arub r.c. and 1 village nr. Hebron, Qalqilya, Jenin, and Jalazun r.c. n. Ramallah at night; patrols in 1 village nr. Hebron in the afternoon, and in 3 villages and al-‘Arub r.c. nr. Hebron at night. Jewish settlers uproot around 1,200 olive and almond tree seedlings in Sinjil village nr. Ramallah. Meanwhile, activists establish a new protest encampment, named “al-Awda,” in the Jordan Valley 2 days after activists set up something similar at ‘Ayn Hiljeh. (MNA 2/2; PCHR 2/6)

U.S. Secy. of State Kerry and Israeli PM Netanyahu talk on the phone about the ongoing negotiations, especially in light of controversy surrounding Kerry’s reference to boycotts at the Munich Security Conference on 2/1. Still in Munich, Kerry meets with Israel’s Justice Minister Livni and Special Envoy Molcho to discuss his framework deal. Meanwhile, PA Pres. Abbas calls for a U.S.-led NATO presence in a future Palestinian state to secure the borders. (HA, NYT 2/2)

U.S. Secy. of State Kerry holds a meeting with Iranian FM Zarif on the sidelines of the Munich conference, a rare face-to-face encounter that focuses on the ongoing nuclear talks. No details are released about the contents of the discussions. (AFP, AP 2/2)

In the morning, Netanyahu tours Capitol Hill, where he is greeted warmly. He then meets for 2 hrs. at the White House with Pres. Obama, who reportedly makes tough demands of Israel to put the peace process back on track. After a 90-min. sidebar with his advisors, Netanyahu makes a counterproposal that is rejected by Obama. (NYT, WP, WT 3/24; NYT, WP 3/25; JPI, NYT 3/26)

Unidentified Palestinians fire a Qassam rocket fr. Gaza into Israel, causing no damage or injuries. In retaliation, the IDF carries out an air strike on a suspected weapons depot nr. Jabaliya r.c., damaging a nearby home but causing no injuries. The IDF makes a brief incursion into the Erez industrial zone to level land and clear lines of sight. In the West Bank, the IDF conducts late-night arrest raids, house searches nr. Hebron. Jewish settlers fr. several settlements beat Palestinian farmers working their land in Sinjil village n. of Ramallah; the IDF intervenes, declaring the area a closed military zone and forcing settlers and Palestinians to leave. (JP, YA 3/23; JP 3/24; OCHA, PCHR 3/25)

In the West Bank, the IDF prevents Palestinian farmers and international activists fr. reaching agricultural lands nr. Bayt Umar n. of Hebron to cultivate olives, beating 1 Spanish and 1 Israeli activist, and forcing the farmers to leave the area. The IDF also conducts late-night raids, house searches in and around Jenin town and r.c., in ‘Aqabat Jabir r.c., nr Tulkarm and Jericho, arresting 4 Palestinians and summoning a number of others for questioning (violently beating the father of 1 suspect when he takes too long to open the door). Palestinian sources report that in the previous wk., at least 50 Jewish settlers fr. Ma’ale Levona attacked Palestinian farmers fr. Sinjil nr. Ramallah headed to their olive fields and were removed fr. the area by the IDF; Jewish settlers fr. the unauthorized settlement outpost of Adei Ad nr. Ramallah cut down 55 Palestinian olive trees in protest at the arrest of 2 other settlers for stealing Palestinian olives. (OCHA 10/22; PCHR 10/29; OCHA Humanitarian Monitor 10/09)

The Israeli navy turns back a Libyan freighter carrying 3,000 tons of humanitarian aid attempting to breach Israel’s blockade of Gaza. In the West Bank, the IDF sends an undercover unit into Nablus to ambush and assassinate al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigade (AMB) mbr. Muhammad Abu Thira’ while he is in PA security force (PASF) custody in a PASF vehicle being transported fr. his home to a PASF facility where he would stay overnight, as part of the process to be granted amnesty by Israel. IDF also conducts late-night arrest raids, house searches in and around Jenin town and r.c., nr. Bethlehem; conducts separate, synchronized late-night house searches in 4 villages nr. Jenin, without making any arrests. The IDF guards buses bringing 100s of Jewish settlers to Hebron to “defend” Beit Shalom. After dark, settlers rampage through Palestinian neighborhoods, attempt to seize a Palestinian home, heavily damage others. Jewish settlers fr. Shilo nr. Ramallah protesting the government order to evacuate Beit Shalom rampage through the villages of Turmusayya and Sinjil, slashing tires, vandalizing homes and a mosque, spraying graffitti saying “Death to Arabs” and “Muhammad is a Pig.” (NYT, WT 12/2; WJW, PCHR 12/4)

In the West Bank, the IDF patrols in, fires on residential areas of al-Bireh, Dayr al-Sudan, al-Mazara’, and Sinjil nr. Ramallah and Kafr Ra’i nr. Jenin; no injuries are reported. The IDF also fires rubber-coated steel bullets, tear gas at Palestinian, Israeli, international activists taking part in the weekly nonviolent demonstration against the separation wall in Bil‘in and Ni‘lin (10s suffer tear gas inhalation at both locations). (NYT 7/19; OCHA 7/23; PCHR 7/24)

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) shuts the Hebron–Bethlehem road to Palestinian traffic; demolishes 3 Palestinian homes northwest of Jerusalem for construction of the separation wall; conducts arrest raids, house searches in and around Ramallah, in Tulkarm, nr. Bethlehem, Hebron. 10 Jewish settler girls fr. Binyamina settlement cut open sacks of olives harvested by Palestinians in nearby Sinjil; more than 10 IDF soldiers observe but do not intervene until after the damage is done, detaining 6 of the girls. (YA 11/16; PCHR 11/17, 11/24)

The IDF attempts to assassinate senior Islamic Jihad mbr. Muhammad Sidir by firing missiles at his car in Hebron; Sidir is injured, 2 Palestinian children are killed, 6 others are injured. (1 of the dead, 5 of the injured are bystanders.) A 3d Palestinian is killed in al-Bireh by an IDF tank shell. The IDF also shells, destroys a PSF headquarters in n. Gaza; enters Rafah to bulldoze 3 Palestinian homes; uproots 200 olive trees in Sinjil. Palestinians fire a mortar at a Jewish settlement in Gaza, lightly injuring 1 Jewish settler. Jewish settlers in Hebron severely beat 2 Palestinian girls. Palestinians, Israeli peace activists stage a nonviolent protest at an IDF roadblock in Qalandia. (HP, LAW, MM 12/10; AP, MM, NYT, WP, WT 12/11; WT 12/12; AYM 12/12 in WNC 12/13; HA, LAW 12/13)

Arafat, Sharon meet separately with Zinni, urge him not to cut his trip short. Powell says that Zinni will indeed stay, that he never really intended to leave but just wanted to pressure the sides to act. (AP, MM, NYT, WT 12/11) (see 12/9)

In Washington, Bush hosts the White House's 1st menorah-lighting and Hanukkah party. Speaking privately with American Jewish leaders, Bush reportedly assails Arafat and the State Dept., identifies with Sharon, says that winning the war on terror means getting rid of groups like Hamas, Hizballah. (MM 12/12; MM, WJW 12/13; NYT 12/14; AYM 12/14 in WNC 12/17; WP 12/15; JT [Internet] 12/19; JP 2/1)

In Brussels, EU FMs call on Arafat to dismantle the "terrorist networks" of Hamas and Islamic Jihad; to declare, in Arabic, the end to the "armed intifada." Also call on Israel to halt assassinations, settlement expansion, attacks on the Palestinian infrastructure. (AFP 12/10; NYT, WT 12/11; IRNA, MA, SA 12/11 in WNC 12/12; AFP, MM, WT 12/12; Le Monde 12/12 in WNC 12/13; DUS 12/12 in WNC 12/14; MEI 12/21)

The IDF demolishes at least 14 Palestinian homes in Shu`fat refugee camp in East Jerusalem in the largest demolition campaign in the city in recent yrs., leaving 150 Palestinians homeless, injuring 20. Israeli police scuffle with Palestinian residents, injuring 5, arresting several. Later, the IDF demolishes 10 Palestinian homes in Gaza, sparking an exchange gunfire that leaves 5 Palestinians wounded. A Hamas suicide bomber detonates a car bomb nr. and IDF post nr. Gush Katif settlement in Gaza, killing himself, causing no other injuries. A critically ill Palestinian man dies of a heart attack when the IDF delays his ambulance passage through a checkpoint. An IDF soldier dies of injuries received on 7/8. The IDF also directs shells/heavy machine gun fire at residential areas of Bayt Sahur (hitting a PSF post); tightens access to Jerusalem and the closure on Jinin, Tulkarm; places a curfew on Sinjil, fires percussion grenades for no apparent reason. Jewish settlers place caravans on confiscated Palestinian land in Ramin to expand Annab settlement; stage a 4-hr. assault on Palestinians, their property in Hebron, also attacking journalists who come to cover the incident. Palestinians fire mortars at 2 Gaza settlements, causing no damage. (HP, LAW, MM 7/9; HA, MM, NYT, WP, WT 7/10; PMC, WT 7/11; JT, al-Quds 7/11 in WNC 7/12; HJ, JT 7/12 in WNC 7/13; ATL 7/12 in WNC 7/16; MEI 7/13; HA 7/24)