The Palestine Chronology

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers threw stones at Palestinian vehicles near the Beit El settlement, causing damage. Israeli settlers also attacked Palestinians employed by the Land Settlement Authority with stones and clubs in al-Shuyukh, injuring 1 with injuries to his head. Elsewhere, Israeli settlers clashed with Israeli forces as the latter evacuated the Geulat Zion settlement outpost near the Shiloh settlement. Israeli forces fired tear gas at Palestinian pupils heading to a school in al-Lubban ash-Sharqiya for the 2d day in a row, injuring dozens with tear gas. Israeli forces also seized 2 residential structures and 5 agricultural structures in az-Za‘ayyem. 11 Palestinians were arrested during raids in Bil‘in, Jaba‘, Tulkarm, Sanniriya, Nablus, al-Ibayyat, and Deir Sammit. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces shot and killed 1 Palestinian minor after he allegedly stabbed and wounded 2 Israeli soldiers in the Old City. Israeli forces also delivered demolition notices for 2 agricultural structures in Isawiya. 3 Palestinians were arrested during raids in Isawiya and Silwan. Off the coast of Gaza, Israeli naval forces opened fire at Palestinian fishermen 2-5 nautical miles west of al-Sudaniyya; no injuries were reported. (AP, HA, JP, MEMO, REU, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 11/17; PCHR 11/18)

1 39-year-old Palestinian prisoner died in an Israeli hospital of issues related to a heart condition. Palestinian Prisoners Center for Studies said he died due to medical neglect by Israel. (AJ, JP, MEMO, PCHR, WAFA 11/18)

B’Tselem released footage that 1 of its activists had recorded in September, showing Israeli soldiers in Hebron rounding up 13 Palestinian children in the middle of the night and taking photos of them, asking them to say “cheese” for the camera. Many of the very young children are seen crying in the video. (HA, MEMO 11/17; AP, TOI 11/18)

PA president Mahmoud Abbas met with U.S. ambassador to the UN Linda Greenfield-Thomas. Ambassador Greenfield-Thomas urged the PA to end its payments to Palestinian prisoners and their families and to respect human rights issues. (HA, TOI 11/17; TOI, WAFA 11/18)

In Syria, Israeli forces fired 2 missiles from Israeli-occupied Golan Heights at Damascus, hitting 1 empty building. 1 of the missiles was intercepted by Syrian air defense. (AJ, AP, HA 11/17)

EU high representative for foreign affairs Josep Borrell told the Ad Hoc Liaison Committee that Israel has not provided the EU with any evidence proving their accusations that 6 Palestinian rights organizations are terrorist entities. PA prime minister Mohammed Shtayyeh was also present at the meeting and criticized the new Israeli government’s approach to Palestinians and stance against a 2-state solution. He also said Israel had to stop dealing with Palestinians in Gaza differently than it does West Bank Palestinians. (WAFA, WAFA 11/16; HA, WAFA, WAFA 11/17)

Qatar and Egypt signed a deal to supply fuel and building supplies to Gaza during the Ad Hoc Liaison Committee meeting. The deal will see Qatar pay Egypt for oil and gasoline which will be given to Hamas and distributed at gas stations in Gaza and some funds will be directed at vulnerable families in Gaza and to help pay civil servants. The deal was reported to include a monthly transfer from Qatar to Egypt for distribution in Gaza of $30 million. (AJ, REU 11/17; MEMO 11/18; ALM 11/23; HA 11/27; HA 11/29; MEMO 11/30)

In the West Bank, Israeli forces prevented Palestinians from accessing a playground in Susiya because Israeli settlers were using the playground in their village. The Israeli settlers have been protesting the renovation of the playground, which reopened in September. Israeli settlers also attacked Palestinians in Burin, causing fractures to 1 and bruises to 2 others. Elsewhere, Israeli settlers raided Palestinians harvesting olives in Tuqu‘ before being repelled by local Palestinians. Israeli forces forced Palestinians harvesting olives to leave their lands in Qaryut. 3 Palestinians were arrested at flying checkpoints in Qatanna and Dayr Abu Da‘if. In Jerusalem, Israeli right-wing activists from the Lehava organization attacked Palestinians at a gas station, forcing them to barricade themselves. Israeli police removed the Israelis, but they returned 1 hour later to threaten the Palestinians at the gas station. Israeli police arrested 21 Israeli right-wing activists who partook in a protest against the Israeli forces’ decision to follow Israeli settlers who had attacked Palestinians, leading to the death of 1 Israeli settler when his car overturned on 12/21/2020. Off the coast of Gaza, Israeli naval forces opened fire at Palestinian fishermen some 2 nautical miles from the coast; no injuries were reported. (HA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 11/6; TOI 11/7; TOI 11/8; PCHR 11/11)

Israeli prime minister Naftali Bennett and foreign minister Yair Lapid both reiterated their opposition to the reopening of the U.S. consulate to Palestinians in Jerusalem during a joint press conference. Prime Minister Bennett said, “[there] is no place for an American consulate that serves the Palestinians in Jerusalem, Jerusalem is the capital of the State of Israel only.” Foreign Minister Lapid said, “if the Americans want to open a consulate in Ramallah, we have no problem with that . . . Sovereignty in Jerusalem belongs to one country alone, the State of Israel.” Lapid’s aides later clarified that Lapid did not mean a consulate in Ramallah but a liaison’s office. PA civil affairs minister Hussein al-Sheikh later said in a tweet on 11/7 that Bennett is trying to challenge the U.S. on its promise to reopen the consulate in Jerusalem. (HA 11/6; AP, CNN, HA, MEMO, WAFA, WAFA 11/7)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers attacked and injured 1 Israeli soldier and damaged 3 vehicles in the Yitzhar settlement as Israeli forces tried to remove 1 settler-erected tent. Israeli settlers also installed water pipes on Palestinian-owned land in Ein al-Sakout. 14 Palestinians were arrested, including 13 during late-night raids in Beita, al-Khader, Umm Salamuna, and Yatta; 1 was arrested at a checkpoint near Jericho. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces violently dispersed Palestinians at the Damascus Gate plaza using stun grenades and skunk water; 2 Palestinians were arrested. In Gaza, Israeli forces opened fire at Palestinian lands east of al-Qarara; no injuries were reported. Israeli forces also opened fire at municipal workers at a landfill near Juhor ad-Dik; no injuries were reported. Off the coast of Gaza, Israeli naval forces opened fire at Palestinian fishermen within 3 nautical miles west of Gaza; no injuries were reported. (JP, WAFA, WAFA 10/11; HA, TOI 10/12; PCHR 10/14)

Founder of Rawabi City Bashar Masri announced that he will begin building 400 housing units on land belonging to the Greek Orthodox Church in East Jerusalem near Bayt Hanina. Masri said it had taken him more than 10 years to get the building permits from the Israeli municipality. (WAFA 10/11)

Israel issued permits for 442 undocumented Palestinians living in the West Bank and Gaza, making them official residents. Israel controls the Palestinian population registry so people without Israeli permits cannot receive a valid PA-issued identity card. More than 10,000 Palestinians are estimated to be living in the West Bank without being registered by Israel. Israel is said to register over 5,000 Palestinians in the West Bank and Gaza as part of an agreement made between Israeli defense minister Benny Gantz and PA president Mahmoud Abbas. (HA, TOI 10/11)

The Israeli high court of justice criticized the Israeli military for not protecting Palestinian farmers by enforcing a ban on Israeli settlers in the former Homesh settlement area. Because of the lack of enforcement, Palestinian farmers are frequently attacked by Israeli settlers in the area and Israeli settlers have erected a settlement outpost and a Yeshiva on the land. (HA 10/12)

PA president Mahmoud Abbas spoke with Pope Francis on the phone. (WAFA 10/11)

Israeli prime minister Naftali Bennett said that Israel will never renounce its claim to the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights, even if Syria or its president Bashir al-Assad gains favor with the world. Prime Minister Bennett also said that his government seeks to increase the Israeli settler population in the area from 27,000 to 100,000. (MEE, MEMO, REU, TOI 10/11; ALM 10/13)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers from the Yitzhar settlement chased Palestinians harvesting olives off their land in Burin. Israeli settlers also attacked Palestinians harvesting olives with stones and sticks near Qalqilya. Elsewhere, Israeli settlers threw stones at Palestinians harvesting olives near Bidya. Israeli settlers also attacked PA land surveyors working in the Masafer Yatta area, forcing them to leave. Meanwhile, Israeli settlers vandalized Palestinian-owned vehicles near Beit Iksa. Israeli forces seized 1 excavator in Dirat. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces violently dispersed Palestinians said to have been throwing stones at Jewish people at the Damascus Gate plaza; 4 were arrested. Off the coast of Gaza, Israeli naval forces opened fire at Palestinian fishermen within 3 nautical miles west of Gaza; no injuries were reported. (WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 10/9; HA 10/11; TOI 10/12; PCHR 10/14)

The 2 main Lebanese power plants ran out of diesel fuel, stopping all state production of energy in Lebanon. The 2 power plants received some diesel fuel almost 24 hours after shutting down, providing some energy to Lebanon. (AJ, REU 10/9; AJ, MEMO 10/10; HA, REU 10/11)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers set fire to a field planted with wheat crops near al-Mughayyir, causing extensive damage. Israel deployed more forces to the West Bank, increasing the number of military forces by 50%. Israeli forces seized 1 excavator east of Yatta. 1 Palestinian was arrested at the Qalandia checkpoint. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces violently dispersed Palestinian protesters by the Damascus Gate plaza, injuring 3. Israeli forces also violently dispersed Palestinian protesters at the Hebrew University near Issawiyya, injuring 2 and arresting 3; 3 Israeli police officers were reportedly lightly injured. Earlier, Israeli settlers attacked 1 Palestinian in the area, leading to several other Palestinians coming to his defense. Elsewhere, Israeli forces closed off Shaykh Jarrah to prevent Palestinians from entering the neighborhood and violently dispersed Palestinians in the area, leading to 19 injuries, including 5 that required treatment at a hospital. 6 Palestinians were arrested during raids in and around the Haram al-Sharif compound, Bayt Hanina, Shu‘fat, and Sur Bahir. In Gaza, Israel said incendiary balloons from Gaza started several fires in Israel. 2 rockets were also reportedly fired from Gaza toward Israel; no damage was reported. Israeli forces subsequently attacked Dayr al-Balah, causing damage. Israeli forces also violently dispersed Palestinian protests against Israeli aggression in East Jerusalem near the Gaza fence east of Khan Yunis, injuring 1 protester with live ammunition and 2 with tear gas. Elsewhere, Israeli forces violently dispersed Palestinian protesters east of al-Bureij refugee camp; no injuries were reported. Off the coast of Gaza, Israeli naval forces opened fire at Palestinian fishermen within 3 nautical miles west of Bayt Lahiya; no injuries were reported. In Israel, Palestinian citizens of Israel protested Israel’s aggression against Palestinians in East Jerusalem in Haifa and Nazareth. (HA, HA, HA, HA, HA, MEMO, WAFA, WAFA 5/9; AP, HA, HA 5/10; PCHR 5/11)

The Israeli high court of justice postponed the eviction hearing for the Palestinian families in Shaykh Jarrah under the most immediate threat of eviction. The hearing, which has already been postponed a number of times, was scheduled for 5/10. The postponement was made after a request by the Israeli attorney general Avichai Mendelblit, whom the attorneys representing the Palestinian families have requested be part of the proceedings. (GDN, HA, NYT 5/9; HA, REU 5/10)

Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu said, “[w]e firmly reject pressure not to build in Jerusalem. And sadly, these pressures have been increasing recently. I say to our closest friends: Jerusalem is the capital of Israel. Just as every nation builds its capital and builds in its capital, we also reserve the right to build Jerusalem and build in Jerusalem. This is what we have done, and this is what we will continue to do.” His comments came after days of international condemnation of Israeli efforts to evict Palestinians in East Jerusalem, replacing them with Israeli settlers. (AJ, BBC, HA 5/9)

Jordan summoned the Israeli envoy to the country to express its condemnation over Israeli behavior in East Jerusalem in recent days. Jordan’s king Abdullah II also called PA president Mahmoud Abbas to express his support. Jordan called the Israeli violence against Palestinians in East Jerusalem “barbaric.” Protests outside the Israeli embassy in Amman called for Jordan to end its peace treaty with Israel. President Abbas also discussed the situation with Tunisian president Kais Saied. (HA, REU, WAFA, WAFA 5/9)

U.S. national security advisor Jake Sullivan spoke to Israeli national security advisor Meir Ben-Shabbat, expressing concern over the recent violence in East Jerusalem and the Israeli eviction threat over the Palestinian families in Shaykh Jarrah. According to Axios, Security Advisor Ben-Shabbat told U.S. security advisor Sullivan that the U.S. and the international community should stay out of Israel’s actions in East Jerusalem. The spokesperson for UN secretary-general António Guterres urged Israel to “exercise maximum restraint and respect the right to freedom of peaceful assembly” and to stop demolitions and evictions in East Jerusalem. Pope Francis also called on the parties to stop the violence. Pakistan and Switzerland were also among the countries to criticize Israel’s aggression. (AX, HA, MEMO, WAFA, WAFA 5/9; AX, HA, MEE, REU, WAFA 5/10)

Tunisia led a group of 9 nations requesting an emergency meeting at the UN security council for the violence in Jerusalem. (WAFA 5/9)

In the West Bank, Israeli forces shot and killed 1 Palestinian minor with 2 shots to his back and injured his cousin with live ammunition during a raid in Odla near Nablus; the deceased’s aunt said that the cousins were running home when they were shot in their backs. Israeli forces raided Aqraba, attacking a house where the suspect of a drive-by shooting against 3 Israeli settlers on 5/2 was allegedly hiding, leading to a firefight; the suspect was later arrested in Silwad. 11 Palestinians were arrested during raids in Aqraba, Dura, Idhna, and Hizma. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces violently dispersed Palestinians protesting the pending evictions of several Palestinian families from Shaykh Jarrah, injuring 22, including 6 from live ammunition, and 12 were arrested. Off the coast of Gaza, Israeli naval forces opened fire at Palestinian fishermen within 3 nautical miles west of al-Sudaniyya; no injuries were reported. (AP, HA, HA, MEE, WAFA, WAFA 5/5; AJ, ALM. AP, PCHR, PCHR, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 5/6; HA, HA, MEE 5/7)

1 Israeli settler victim of a drive-by shooting in the West Bank on 5/2 succumbed to his injuries. (HA 5/5; HA 5/7)

The PA said it had complained to the ICC about the pending forced eviction of Palestinian families from their homes in Shaykh Jarrah. (MEMO 5/6)

PA foreign minister Riyad al-Maliki met with Russian foreign minister Sergey Lavrov in Moscow, discussing revamping the duties of the Middle East Quartet. Foreign Minister Lavrov said that Russia has offered to mediate between the PA and Israel “to resolve all fundamental final-status issues.” Foreign Minister al-Maliki also called on Russia to pressure Israel to allow Palestinians in East Jerusalem to partake in Palestinian elections. (AP 5/5; WAFA 5/6)

Israeli fighter jets attacked several locations near Latakia in Syria, killing 1 and injuring 6. (AJ, AP, HA, JP, MEE 5/5)

Israeli president Reuven Rivlin picked Yesh Atid party leader Yair Lapid as the next candidate to try to form a government after Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s mandate expired on 5/4. (AJ, GDN, NPR, REU 5/5; HA 5/6)

The EU called on Israel to reverse its decision to build 540 settler units in Har Homa and that the EU, with concern, was following the situation in Shaykh Jarrah, Silwan, and al-Walaja. (WAFA 5/6; MEMO 5/7)

The Methodist Church of England said it had divested from the construction company Caterpillar in response to continued use of the company’s products in displacing Palestinians in the occupied Palestinian territory. (Sabeel-Kairos, WAFA 5/5)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers attacked Palestinian farmers in 2 separate incidents south of Hebron, injuring at least 1. Israeli forces seized 1 truck and 1 bulldozer near Jericho. 6 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in and around Hebron and Bethlehem. In East Jerusalem, 1 Palestinian woman from Issawiyya died of the COVID-19 virus, marking the 1st Palestinian COVID-19 fatality in East Jerusalem. Off the coast of Gaza, Israeli naval forces opened fire on Palestinian fishermen 2 nautical miles west of Bayt Lahiya and 4 nautical miles northwest of Gaza City; 1 boat was damaged by live ammunition and no injuries were reported. In Gaza, Israeli forces opened fire on agricultural lands east of Bayt Hanun and Khuza‘a; no injuries were reported. (AJ, WAFA, WAFA 4/18; PCHR 4/23)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers under quarantine due to possible COVID-19 virus infection in the Jordan Valley attacked 3 Palestinians with stones and set 2 Palestinian vehicles on fire near the Dead Sea. Israeli settlers also attacked Palestinian minors at a youth center in Hebron. 3 Palestinians were arrested by Israeli forces during raids near Jenin. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces raided a COVID-19 clinic and arrested 4 workers because the PA had donated COVID-19 test kits to the facility. The closure of the clinic happened after days of warnings by health professionals that East Jerusalem is becoming a hot spot for the virus. Off the coast of Gaza, Israeli naval forces opened fire on Palestinian fishermen 2 nautical miles west of Bayt Lahiya; no injuries were reported. In Gaza, 3 Palestinians were arrested by the Gaza fence while trying to enter Israel. (HA, HA, JP, TOI, WAFA, WAFA 4/14; HA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 4/15; PCHR 4/16)

The United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) reported that its troops had broken up a standoff near the Lebanese-Israeli border. A photo depicts Israeli and Lebanese troops with their guns drawn, separated by UNIFIL soldiers. Lebanon reported intensified Israeli drone activity over its air space and that Israel had set up a tent on Lebanese soil, retreating after 4 hours. (TOI 4/15)

The PA received 50,000 COVID-19 testing kits from the Chinese company Alibaba. (WAFA 4/14)

The EU contributed $13.6 million and Austria and Spain contributed $1.1 million each for vulnerable Palestinian families in the West Bank and Gaza. (WAFA 4/14)

In the West Bank, Israeli forces arrested 5 Palestinians during late-night raids in and around Jenin. Israeli forces also delivered punitive demolition notices to 3 families of alleged attackers in the Ramallah area. Elsewhere, Israeli forces violently dispersed the weekly anti-settlement protest in Kafr Qaddum, causing tear-gas related injuries, and clashed with Palestinians in al-‘Arub refugee camp, leading to tear-gas related injuries. Off the coast of Gaza, Israeli naval forces attacked Palestinian fishermen west of Rafah; no injuries were reported. (WAFA, WAFA 1/10; PCHR 1/16)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers attacked Palestinian farmers harvesting olives in Burin and al-Jaba‘; during the attack in Burin, 3 Palestinians were wounded and the settlers stole harvested olives. Israeli forces raided Bayt Umar, injuring Palestinians with stun grenades and tear gas. In Gaza, 1 Palestinian farmer was hospitalized after being shot by Israeli forces while working his land east of Jabalia refugee camp. Off the coast of Gaza, Israeli naval forces opened fire on Palestinian fishermen on 3 separate occasions; no injuries were reported. (HA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 10/19; PCHR 10/24)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers attacked Palestinian farmers and stole olives from the farmers in Dayr Sharaf near Nablus. Israeli forces clashed with Palestinians during a raid near Ramallah; tear-gas related injuries were reported and 1 glass door was damaged by a tear gas canister. Al-Ibrahimi Mosque was closed by Israeli authorities for Palestinians from midday. 18 Palestinians were arrested, including 17 during late-night raids in and around Tulkarm, Nablus, Jenin, and Bethlehem, and 1 Palestinian was arrested at a checkpoint near Salfit. In East Jerusalem, 1 Palestinian was arrested during a late-night raid in Silwan. Off the coast of Gaza, Israeli naval forces opened fire at Palestinian fishermen; no injuries were reported. (WAFA, WAFA 9/29; PCHR 10/3)

A Palestinian man arrested on 9/25 and still in Israeli detention was hospitalized after allegedly being severely beaten during interrogation by the Shin Bet. (HA, WAFA 9/29)

Israeli authorities imposed a closure of all entries in and out of the West Bank and Gaza for Jewish New Year celebrations. The closure will last through 10/1. (WAFA 9/29)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers attacked Palestinian farmers in Umm Safa north of Ramallah and fenced off 150 dunums (37 acres) of their land. Israeli forces arrested 11 Palestinians during late-night raids in and around Bethlehem, Jenin, Bayt Kahal, and Hebron. In East Jerusalem, 4 Palestinians were arrested in Issawiyya and Silwan. Off the coast of Gaza, Israeli naval forces opened fire on Palestinian fishermen 2 nautical miles off shore on 2 separate occasions. By the Gaza fence, Israeli forces opened fire at agricultural fields east of Rafah; no injuries were reported. (WAFA 8/20; PCHR 8/22)

U.S. president Donald Trump attacked Representative Rashida Tlaib (D-MI) on Twitter, saying “She hates Israel and all Jewish people. She is an anti-Semite.” President Trump also said during a press gaggle that “I [President Trump] think any Jewish people that vote for a Democrat—I think it shows either a total lack of knowledge or great disloyalty.” President Trump’s comments drew widespread condemnation from Jewish groups in the U.S. (HA 8/20; HA 8/21)

In the West Bank, 2 apartments in Hebron belonging to the family of a Palestinian convicted for the murder of an Israeli in February were demolished by Israeli forces. In Salfit, Israeli forces raided and took measurements for demolition of a home belonging to the family of a Palestinian alleged to have attacked Israeli settlers in the settlement of Ariel on 3/17. The alleged perpetrator was killed by Israeli forces on 3/20. Israeli forces also violently dispersed the weekly anti-settlement protests in Kafr Qaddum using live ammunition, rubber-coated bullets, and tear gas, injuring 6. One French activist was arrested during the protest. In East Jerusalem, a soccer tournament in Bayt Safafa was shut down by Israeli police, claiming that it was organized by the PA. In Gaza, Israeli forces attacked 2 Hamas posts east of al-Bureij refugee camp after shots allegedly were fired at Israeli soldiers near the Gaza fence, causing damage, but no injuries were reported. Israeli forces also fired live ammunition, tear gas, and rubber-coated bullets at protesters partaking in the weekly Great March of Return protests, injuring at least 46 Palestinians. Off the coast of Gaza, Israeli naval forces opened fire at Palestinian fishermen; no injuries were reported. According to Israeli sources, an incendiary balloon was found on a beach near Ashqelon in Israel. Israeli authorities announced that it would institute a week-long closure between 4/19 and 4/27 of entry points to Israel from Gaza and the West Bank for the celebration of Passover. (HA, HA, MNA, MNA, MNA, MNA, MNA, MNA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 4/19; HA, MNA, WAFA 4/20)

In an interview with the Atlantic, the outgoing French ambassador to the U.S. Gérard Araud, in discussing the Trump administration’s “peace plan,” called Israel an apartheid state. He said, “They [Israel] have the West Bank, but at the same time they don’t have to make the painful decision about the Palestinians, really making them really, totally stateless or making them citizens of Israel. They won’t make them citizens of Israel. So they will have to make it official, which is we know the situation, which is an apartheid. There will be officially an apartheid state. . . . They are in fact already.” Araud also recounted a conversation between French president Emmanuel Macron and U.S. president Donald Trump, in which Trump said “I have given everything to the Israelis; the Israelis will have to give me something.” (AM 4/19; HA 4/24)

The U.S. envoy to the Middle East Jason Greenblatt rebuffed in a tweet speculations that part of the Trump administration’s “peace plan” includes transferring parts of Egypt’s Sinai to the Gaza Strip. (HA 4/19)