The Palestine Chronology

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers set fire to 2 cars in Huwwara. Israeli settlers also vandalized 70 olive trees in Yasuf. Elsewhere, Israeli settlers uprooted 30 olive and grape trees and damaged water tanks and solar panels in Shaab al-Butum in the Masafer Yatta area. Israeli settlers also assaulted Palestinians in Kisan. Israeli forces carried out an airstrike from a fighter jet on al-Anasari Mosque in Jenin, killing 2 Palestinians. It was the first time since the Second Intifada that Israel has used fighter jets in the West Bank. Israeli forces shot and killed 5 others, including a minor, during raids in Qabatiya, Tammun, Zawata, and Askar refugee camp. Elsewhere, Israeli forces shot and killed a Palestinian they claimed had tried to ram Israeli soldiers at a checkpoint near al-Arroub refugee camp. Israeli forces also seized a bulldozer and arrested the driver in Qablan. 52 Palestinians were arrested during raids in and around Ramallah, al-Bireh, Hebron, Nablus, Qabatiya, Kafr Ra’i, Tubas, and Salfit, including al-Bireh mayor Islam al-Tawil. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces violently dispersed a protest in support of Gaza, arresting 6 people. In Gaza, Israeli forces killed nearly 400 Palestinians in airstrikes. Israeli forces also targeted the vicinity of al-Shifa and al-Quds hospitals. An Israeli soldier was killed and 3 wounded in anti-tank fire during a raid in near Khan Yunis. Rockets were fired at Israel causing no new fatalities. In Lebanon, Israeli forces attacked and killed militants in a missile strike that were allegedly firing anti-tank missiles at Israel. In Syria, Israeli forces fired missiles at Damascus and Aleppo international airports, killing 2 airport workers in Damascus and causing enough damage to close both airports. In Egypt, Israeli tank fire hit an Egyptian military post, injuring 7; Israeli called the incident an accident. (AP 10/20; AJ, HA 10/21; AJ, AJ, AJ, AJ, AJ, AJ, AP, AP, HA, HA, NYT, NYT, NYT, 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, WAFA, WAFA 10/22; AJ, HA, REU 10/23)

The Gaza Ministry of Health said as of 5 p.m. at least 4,651 Palestinians had been killed, including at least 1,524 children, and 14,245 had been injured in Israeli airstrikes on Gaza since 10/7, including 47 entire families consisting of 500 people. The UN said that about 70% of Palestinians killed in Gaza are children and women. It is estimated that hundreds are still trapped in rubble. In addition, Israeli media reported that 1,500 Palestinian militants have been killed near Gaza. 92 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli forces and settlers in the West Bank and East Jerusalem since 10/7, including 27 children. More than 1,734 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; 4,932 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. UNRWA said 29 of its staff members have been killed in Gaza since 10/7. AP reported that 17 aid trucks entered Gaza today, including 7 carrying fuel. The WHO said 4 trucks of medical supplies had entered Gaza to help more than 300,000 patients. The Gaza Ministry of Endowments said 31 mosques have been destroyed in Israeli airstrikes. (AJ 10/21; HA, UNOCHA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 10/22; HA 10/23)

The Palestinian Prisoners Society said 300 Palestinians have been placed in administrative detention and 1,130 have been arrested since 10/7. (AJ 10/21)

Israel evacuated 14 towns near the Blue Line. (HA 10/22)

Iranian foreign minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian spoke with Hamas political leader Ismail Haniyeh and Islamic Jihad secretary-general Ziyad al-Nakhalah. (AJ 10/21; HA 10/22; HA 10/23)

PA prime minister Mohammed Shtayyeh met with 25 ambassadors and representatives in Ramallah, urging a united front in ending the Israeli attacks on Gaza. (WAFA 10/22)

Katyusha rockets were fired at the U.S. Ain al-Asad air base in Iraq. (HA 10/22)

Israeli president Isaac Herzog claimed that Hamas militants planned to use cyanide on Israelis, showing documents he said were found on a USB drive in the possession of militants killed by Israel. The documents Herzog presented did not seem authentic as the word “Al Qaeda” was written in English in a large font. (HA 10/22)

Israel closed its Public Diplomacy Ministry, allocating the budget of the ministry to rehabilitation of Israeli towns near the Gaza fence. (HA 10/22)

The New York Times reported that the U.S. has asked Israel to suspend its ground invasion of Gaza to allow negotiations over releasing more captives held by Hamas. President Joe Biden reiterated his belief that Israel has a “right to defend itself,” but said it must operate within the laws of war. Biden also discussed the situation in Gaza with Pope Francis. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said the U.S. “expects a likelihood” of regional escalation and claimed that Hamas is preventing U.S. citizens from leaving Gaza. (AJ 10/21; AJ, HA, NYT, REU 10/22; HA 10/23)

President Biden, Canadian prime minister Justin Trudeau, French president Emmanuel Macron, UK prime minister Rishi Sunak, German chancellor Olaf Scholz, and Italian prime minister Giorgia Meloni issued a joint statement reaffirming their support for Israel’s war against Hamas, calling for the release of all captives, and calling for Israel to adhere to international law and protect Palestinian civilians. (AP 10/20; AJ, HA 10/22)

The Israeli Education Ministry removed Swedish climate activist Greta Thunberg from the Israeli curriculum because of her support for Palestinians in Gaza and calls to end Israeli attacks. (HA 10/22)

Thousands marched in solidarity with Palestine in Copenhagen, Paris, Sydney, Brussels, Sarajevo, Sao Paolo, Santiago, and elsewhere. 2 people attacked a pro-Palestine demonstration in Skokie near Chicago, 1 attempted to ram protesters, while another, wearing an Israeli flag as a cape, sprayed pepper spray at protesters. Both were arrested. (WAFA 10/22; AJ 10/23)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers raided Huwwara, injuring 6 Palestinians and damaging property, including throwing stones at an ambulance and setting a fire truck on fire. 4 Israelis and 2 Palestinians were arrested. Israeli settlers also threw stones at Palestinian homes in ‘Asira al-Qibliya, damaging 2. Israeli forces shot and injured 6 Palestinians during a raid in Aqabat Jaber refugee camp, including 4 with live ammunition and 2 with baton rounds. Israeli forces also shot and injured 1 Palestinian minor during a raid in al-Khader. In East Jerusalem, Israeli settlers toured the Haram al-Sharif compound. Israeli forces had previously raided the compound to clear it for the settlers. Elsewhere in Jerusalem, Israeli pro-government protesters assaulted Palestinians passing by the crowd, seriously beating 1 Palestinian man. 3 Israelis were later arrested. (HA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 3/27; AJ, AJ 3/28; ; PCHR, WAFA 3/30; UNOCHA 3/31)

HaMoked reported that data from the Israeli Prison Service showed that on 3/1 Israel was holding 971 people in administrative detention, 967 of whom were Palestinians and 4 of whom were Israeli Jews. (HA 3/27; HA 4/2)

Israelis protested against the Israeli government’s plans to overhaul the judicial system. The protests escalated after Israeli defense minister Yoav Gallant was fired by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on 3/26 following Gallant’s calls for a freeze on the legislation. The Israel airports trade union closed down Ben-Gurion International Airport for all incoming and outgoing flights. Later other unions followed, closing down several embassies around the world. Israeli president Isaac Herzog also issued a statement directed at Netanyahu calling on him to freeze his pursuit for control over the judicial branch of government. Later in the day Netanyahu survived 2 no-confidence votes in the Knesset, 59-53 and 60-51. In the evening Netanyahu announced a pause to his government’s plans “to give a real opportunity for real dialogue.” To appease National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir, who had threatened to resign if the legislation was paused, Netanyahu promised him that he will establish a national guard under Ben-Gvir’s command. The New York Times reported that U.S. officials had intensely pressured the Netanyahu government to pause the legislation. (HA 3/26; AJ, AJ, AJ, ALM, AP, AP, AX, BBC, GDN, HA, HA, HA, MEE, NYT, NYT, NYT, REU, REU, WAFA 3/27; ALM, AP, NYT 3/28; AX, HA, MEE, REU 3/29; NYT 3/31)

The White House banned U.S. federal agencies from using commercially available spyware that poses national security and human rights risks. The executive order follows a report that more than 50 U.S. government employees in 10 countries have been targeted by spyware. Previous hacks of the phones of U.S. government personnel in Uganda were linked to the Israeli NSO Group and its Pegasus spyware. (MEE, WP 3/27; HA 3/29)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers vandalized an agricultural structure in Khallet al-Dabe. Israeli settlers with military escort raided Burqa, leading to clashes between Palestinians and Israeli forces; 3 were injured by rubber-coated bullets and others suffered tear-gas related injuries. Israeli forces razed 40 dunams (9.9 acres) of Palestinian agricultural lands near al-Khader and a tract of land in Kafr ad-Dik. Israeli forces also violently dispersed Palestinians protesting against the administrative detention of a Palestinian who has been hunger striking for 140 days in Fawwar refugee camp, leading to tear-gas related injuries. Elsewhere, Israeli forces shot and injured 1 Palestinian with live ammunition during a raid in Beit Umar; others suffered tear-gas related injuries. Israeli forces also raided Huwwara and Tuqu’, leading to tear-gas related injuries. Meanwhile, Israeli forces violently dispersed Palestinian protesters in Abu Dis, causing tear-gas related injuries. Israeli forces also delivered demolition notices for homes in Nahalin. 13 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in Ramallah, Husan, Anabta, and Silat al-Harithiya. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces delivered a stop-work order for a mosque in Isawiya. 5 Palestinians were arrested during raids in Silwan and the Old City. Off the coast of Gaza, Israeli naval forces opened fire at Palestinian fishermen within 3 nautical miles west of the coast; no injuries were reported. (WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 1/3; MEMO 1/4; PCHR 1/6)

2 Israeli soldiers died in a helicopter crash off the coast of Haifa. (MEMO, MEMO, REU 1/4)

Israeli foreign minister Yair Lapid, who is promised to be prime minister in August 2023, said that he will not start negotiations with Palestinians about a final peace agreement. (HA 1/3)

Israeli ambassador to the UN Gilad Erdan criticized actress Emma Watson for a post on her Instagram account expressing solidarity with Palestinians. Ambassador Erdan’s criticism came shortly after his predecessor Danny Danon called Watson an anti-Semite for the post on her social media account. The criticism of Watson’s post sparked debates about the limitations to speech in support of Palestinians. Dozens of other Hollywood stars, including Susan Sarandon, Mark Ruffalo, and Viggo Mortensen, later signed a letter supporting Watson’s post and confirmed their stance in support of Palestinian rights. (GDN 1/4; MEMO 1/8; AJ, GDN, MEE, WAFA 1/13)

Israeli forces shoot and kill Fadi al-Qunbar, a Palestinian truck driver, outside the Old City after he rams a group of Israelis, killing 4 IDF soldiers and injuring at least 13 other people. Israeli forces then conduct raids on the alleged attacker’s home in Jabal Mukabir, interrogating his family for hours, threatening punitive demolition, and establishing checkpoints in the area. Their prolonged presence in the neighborhood sparks clashes with stonethrowing Palestinians; there are no serious injuries. After Israeli PM Netanyahu accuses the alleged attacker of supporting ISIS, Israel’s security cabinet decides to use administrative detention against any persons suspected of committing a crime who also identify as supporters of the group. The cabinet also decides to punitively demolish the attacker’s home as soon as possible, and to close down the attacker’s neighborhood, Jabal Mukabir. Meanwhile, the attacker’s family says he was motivated by U.S. pres.-elect Trump’s pledge to move the U.S. embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem. “He was very angry, and said transferring the embassy would lead to war,” his cousin says. (HA, MNA, NYT, TOI, YA 1/8; PCHR 1/12)

Elsewhere in East Jerusalem, Israeli settlers seize control of a residential building in Silwan. Along Gaza’s border, IDF troops open fire on Palestinian agricultural lands nr. Gaza City and later nr. Khan Yunis, causing no injuries or damage. In the West Bank, PASF troops block an IDF jeep from entering Qalqilya. Israel settlers assault and injure a number of Palestinians outside Huwwara village nr. Nablus and throw stones at Palestinian cars driving nearby. The IDF delivers stop-work orders to 11 Palestinian homes under construction nr. Bethlehem. IDF troops conduct raids nr. Nablus, sparking clashes with stone-throwing Palestinians outside Bayt Furik village; 1 Palestinian is arrested. They arrest 9 more Palestinians during late-night raids in Jenin and nr. Jericho, Hebron, and Ramallah, and patrol nr. Hebron, Salfit, and Nablus. (HA, JP, MNA, TOI, WAFA, YA 1/8; MNA, WAFA 1/9; PCHR 1/12)

Israel’s Ministerial Comm. for Legislation unanimously approves a bill that would ban representatives from the anti-occupation group Breaking the Silence and other groups that allegedly “defame Israeli soldiers” from speaking in Israeli schools. (HA, JP 1/9)