The Palestine Chronology

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers raided Burqa, vandalizing 3 vehicles and leading to confrontations between Israeli forces and Palestinian; tear-gas related injuries were reported. Israeli settlers also assaulted 1 Palestinian family in the Masafer Yatta area, injuring 1 minor. Elsewhere, Israeli settlers set up tents in Deir Balut. Israeli settlers also toured a religious site in Kifl Haris. Israeli forces hit 1 Palestinian minor with a military vehicle during a raid in Beit Furik, causing injuries. Israeli forces also issued a notification that Israel will seize 2 dunams (.5 acre) of land in al-Khader. Elsewhere, Israeli forces shot and injured 1 Palestinian man trying to enter Israel for work at the separation wall near Qalqilya. In East Jerusalem, Israeli settlers led by former MK Yehuda Glick toured the Haram al-Sharif compound. (WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 6/4; WAFA 6/5; PCHR 6/8; UNOCHA 6/18)

The Israeli cabinet decided to expand a law allowing Israeli residential communities to choose who can live in the communities and to subsidize land prices in communities with “demographic and security hardships,” as part of the larger policy of Judaizing the Galilee. (HA 6/5; MEE 6/6; WAFA 6/7)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers threw stones at Palestinian vehicles parked near Kifl Haris, causing damage. Israeli forces shot and killed 2 Palestinians, including 1 minor, and injured 3 others during a demolition raid in Kafr Dan. 2 homes belonging to families of Palestinians accused of killing an Israeli soldier on 9/14/2022 were punitively demolished during the raid. Israeli forces also shot and killed 1 Palestinian minor during a raid in Dheisheh refugee camp, 1 other Palestinian was injured by live ammunition. Elsewhere, Israeli forces issued stop-work orders for 8 houses, 1 agricultural structure, and 1 events hall in Deir Balut and 1 house under construction in Maeen in the Masafer Yatta area. Israeli forces also shot and injured 7 Palestinians with live ammunition during a raid in Bayt Rima. Meanwhile, Israeli forces fired tear gas at a funeral procession in Beit Umar, causing tear-gas related injuries. Israeli forces also seized 1 excavator in at-Tuwani in the Masafer Yatta area. 24 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in Bayt Rima, Ein ad-Duyuk al-Foqa, Hebron, Bethlehem, Za‘atra, Aida refugee camp, al-Am‘ari refugee camp, Turmus ‘Ayya, Nablus, Salfit, Iskaka, and ‘Azzun. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces raided the homes of PA Jerusalem governor Adnan Ghaith and al-Aqsa imam Sheikh Ikrima Sabri, extending Governor Ghaith’s ban from entering the West Bank and meeting PA officials and banning Sheikh Sabri from entering the Haram al-Sharif compound and leaving East Jerusalem. In Gaza, Israeli forces made incursions and leveled land east of Khan Yunis. (AJ, AN, AP, HA, MDW, MEE, PCHR, REU, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 1/2; AJ, HA, MDW, MEE, MEMO, MEMO, MEMO, WAFA 1/3; PCHR 1/4; PCHR 1/5; HA 1/14; UNOCHA 2/16)

Israel informed the PA that about 1,000 Palestinians living in the Masafer Yatta area will receive eviction notices in the coming days and that they will be forcibly transferred to a different location. In May 2022, the Israeli Supreme Court ruled that Israel can forcefully transfer Palestinians living in Firing Zone 918 in the Masafer Yatta area. (BTselem 1/2; MEMO 1/3; AJ 1/4; WAFA 1/5)

Israel Hayom reported that the Israeli police officer charged with the killing of autistic Palestinian man Eyad al-Hallaq in East Jerusalem in May 2020 had signed up for 6 months of service in the police force after finishing his compulsory service. The trial against the police officer is still ongoing. (HA 1/2; HA, MEE 1/3)

The Syrian military said that Israeli airstrikes had killed 2 Syrian soldiers and forced the country to temporarily suspend flights to and from Damascus International Airport. (AJ, AP, DT, F24, HA, MEE, REU 1/2)

Israel’s foreign minister Eli Cohen said that the new Israeli government would “speak less publicly” about the Russian invasion of Ukraine and that he would speak with his Russian counterpart Sergey Lavrov on 1/3. (HA, TOI 1/2 HA, MEE, MEMO 1/3; AX 1/4)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers uprooted 110 olive saplings from 2 different groves in Burqin. Israeli settlers with military escort also toured Sabastia, closing parts of the town for Palestinians. Elsewhere, Israeli settlers vandalized 3 Palestinian vehicles in Kifl Haris. Israeli forces damaged agricultural lands planted with onions and garlic and a water pipeline during a military drill in Bardala. 11 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in Ramallah, Silwad, Kafr Ni’ma, Qaddura refugee camp, Nablus, ‘Anata, Burqa, Kafr Qud, and al-Khader. In East Jerusalem, 1 Palestinian was arrested during a late-night raid in Ras al-Amud. (MEMO, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 2/10; PCHR 2/17; UNOCHA 2/28)

The Palestinian Prisoners’ Society said in a statement that Palestinian prisoners held by Israel refuse to leave their cells in protest over the Israeli prison service’s decision to decrease the time prisoners have in the prison yards by more than half. (MEE, WAFA 2/10; AJ 2/13)

Israel indicted the mother of 1 Palestinian charged with killing an Israeli settler on 12/16/2021 for not having prevented the attack on the settler. (HA 2/10)

PA president Mahmoud Abbas and PA prime minister Mohammed Shtayyeh met with German foreign minister Annalena Baerbock in Ramallah. Prime Minister Shtayyeh called on Germany to recognize the state of Palestine and to pressure Israel to respect agreements made with the PA. (WAFA, WAFA 2/11)

Israel’s foreign minister Yair Lapid and Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock said at a joint press conference that the 2 countries will cooperate to find ways for Germany to fund projects in the West Bank without allowing funds to go to the 6 Palestinian rights organizations deemed terror organizations by Israel. The 6 organizations outlawed by Israel’s defense ministry in October 2021 are al-Haq, Addameer, Defense for Children International-Palestine, Bisan Center for Research and Development, the Union of Palestinian Women’s Committees, and the Union of Agricultural Work Committees. (HA 2/11)

IDF troops shoot and critically injure a Palestinian youth at the Huwwara checkpoint nr. Nablus after he allegedly attempts to stab 1 of them. Meanwhile, a Palestinian vehicle is found burned and vandalized outside nearby Huwwara village. It was presumably the target of an overnight price-tag attack. Elsewhere in the West Bank, IDF troops set up mobile checkpoints and fire stun grenades in Kifl Haris village nr. Salfit to clear the way for Israeli settlers to visit a Jewish holy site in the area. They also arrest a Palestinian at a checkpoint in c. Hebron when she is allegedly found to be carrying a knife, arrest 11 Palestinians during late-night raids in and around Nablus, Tubas, Hebron, Bethlehem, and Qalqilya; and patrol nr. Nablus and Hebron during the day. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces patrol in Shu‘fat r.c., sparking clashes with stone-throwing Palestinians; 3 Palestinians are injured. They also arrest 1 Palestinian during a late-night raid in Issawiyya. The Israeli authorities shut down an event entitled “Palestine under the Israeli Culture of Incitement,” because to the planned participation of some low-level PA officials. Off Gaza’s coast, Israeli naval forces open fire on Palestinian fishing boats nr. Bayt Lahiya, causing no damage or injuries. Along Gaza’s border, IDF troops open fire on Palestinian farmers and shepherds working nr. Bayt Hanun, causing no injuries. In Gaza, 2 PIJ fighters are injured in an accident at a “resistance post,” according to the Gaza-based Health Ministry (1 critically). (HA, JP, MNA, TOI, WAFA 4/26; MNA, PCHR 4/27; PCHR 5/4)

For the 2d day in a row, Israeli forces conduct major demolitions in a bedouin community in the West Bank. They destroy 15 structures, including several homes and the only school, in Khirbat Tana nr. Jericho. Elsewhere, 2 Israeli border police officers are injured in a suspected car-ramming attack nr. Jenin. The alleged assailant flees the scene without being identified. IDF troops arrest 18 Palestinians and assault 1 during late-night raids nr. Nablus, Hebron, Jenin, and in Tulkarm, sparking minor clashes in Burin village nr. Hebron (there are no serious injuries). They also patrol during the day nr. Hebron. Israeli settlers pray at a holy site outside Kifl Haris village nr. Salfit, sparking clashes with stone-throwing Palestinian youths; there are no serious injuries. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces conduct raids in Issawiyya for the 2d day in a row, arresting 2 Palestinians. Off Gaza’s coast, Israeli naval forces open fire on Palestinian fishing boats nr. Bayt Lahiya, causing no serious damage or injuries. Along Gaza’s border, IDF troops open fire on Palestinian agricultural lands nr. Rafah, causing no damage. (HA, JP, MNA, WAFA 1/3; MNA, PCHR 1/5)

In the West Bank, the IDF closes the 2d major entrance to Shuqba village nr. Ramallah, having closed the first one in the wake of the killing in nearby Bayt Rima on 12/18. IDF troops arrest 2 Palestinians during raids nr. Hebron and Ramallah, and patrol nr. Hebron. Late at night, Israeli settlers visit Kifl Haris village nr. Salfit to pray at Jewish shrines. Their IDF escort sets up mobile checkpoints and roadblocks to facilitate their visit. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces demolish 3 agricultural containers and a steel structure, as well as parts of a store in Silwan. Approximately 176 right-wing Jewish activists tour Haram al-Sharif in the morning; Israeli forces meanwhile detain 1 Palestinian guard at the sanctuary. (MNA, WAFA 12/28; MNA, PCHR 12/29; PCHR 1/5)

U.S. secy. of state Kerry gives a speech in Washington outlining his principles for resolving the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, as he pledged to do in the wake of the UNSC’s adoption of anti-settlement Res. 2334 on 12/23. Citing the so-called regulations bill that is percolating through the Knesset, Kerry says that current trends on the ground, particularly settlement growth and the legalization of settlement outposts, are eliminating the possibility of a 2-state solution, that Jerusalem must be the shared capital of Israel and a future state of Palestine, and that a final agreement must be based on negotiated land swaps, inter alia. Israeli PM Netanyahu calls Kerry’s speech a “big disappointment” and reiterates his desire for the U.S.-Israel relationship to improve under Pres.-elect Trump. Trump himself tweets, “Stay strong, Israel, JANUARY 20 is approaching fast.” PA pres. Abbas says that he would be open to restarting peace talks with Israel as long as the Israeli govt. freezes settlement growth and upholds previous agreements. (BBC, EI, HA, JP, MNA, NYT, REU, TOI, WP, YA 12/28)

A senior PLO official says that the Palestinian leadership wants the ICC to “expedite” its preliminary examination of alleged war crimes committed during Israel’s assault on Gaza in 2014 and “proceed to opening a full investigation” into Israeli settlements in the wake of the 12/23 UNSC res. condemning them. (JP 12/28)

A small Salafi group fires a rocket from Gaza into Israel, which explodes in Sderot, causing no injuries and minor damage. Holding Hamas responsible, the IDF fires tank shells and launches at least 25 air strikes on Hamas military sites in Bayt Hanun, Khan Yunis, and Gaza City, causing substantial damage. After the air strikes, the Israeli press reports that Hamas sent a message via a 3d party pledging to try to deescalate tensions and to stop small armed groups from firing more rockets. Meanwhile, an Israeli jet crashes on its return trip from a sortie in Gaza, killing the pilot and injuring another Israeli airman. An IDF spokesperson says that the 2 men ejected from the aircraft before the crash, and that the cause of the crash was unknown. (HA, JP, MNA, TOI, WAFA, YA 10/5; PCHR, TOI 10/6)

The IDF lifts its 3-day general closure of the West Bank overnight, allowing Palestinians in the West Bank and Gaza to use border crossings into Israel again. They also lift their 1.5 mo. closure of Kifl Haris village nr. Salfit. The village was closed after reports of stonethrowing in the area. Elsewhere in the West Bank, Israeli forces level 36 dunams (9 acres) of Palestinian land nr. Hebron, destroying numerous plum and olive trees. IDF troops arrest 17 Palestinians during late-night raids and house searches nr. Ramallah, Hebron, Tulkarm, and Bethlehem. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces arrest 15 Palestinians during raids in Issawiyya and al-Tur. Off Gaza’s coast, Israeli naval forces open fire on Palestinian fishing boats nr. Gaza City and Khan Yunis, causing no damage or injuries. Along Gaza’s border, IDF troops open fire on Palestinian farmers and shepherds working nr. Gaza City, causing no injuries. (MNA, WAFA 10/5; PCHR 10/13)

A delegation of ICC officials, including chief prosecutor Bensouda, arrives in Israel for a 5-day educational visit. They will meet with both Israeli and Palestinian officials. Bensouda is still conducting the preliminary examination into alleged war crimes that she initiated in 1/2015 at the Palestinians’ request. However, the ICC officials explicitly state that they are not in Israel to “engage in evidence collection in relation to any alleged crimes” or to “assess the adequacy of the respective legal systems to deal with crimes that fall within ICC jurisdiction." (HA, JP, TOI 10/5)

Israeli naval forces intercept the ship Zaytouna around 35 naut. mi. off the coast of Gaza and peacefully arrest its all-female crew of solidarity activists. The takeover and escort to the port of Ashdod are “uneventful,” according to the IDF. The women are then detained at Givon Prison ahead of their likely deportation. PLO secy.-gen. Saeb Erekat says, “We strongly condemn the Israeli aggression today against the international flotilla that attempted to break the illegal Israeli siege over 1.8 m. people in Gaza.” (EI, HA, MNA, NYT, WAFA 10/5)