The Palestine Chronology

In the West Bank, Israeli forces set up a metal gate, shutting the main entrance to Nabi Salih. Israeli forces also handed a demolition notice for the family home of a Palestinian prisoner in Kubar and handed a stop-work order for 4 structures in the Jordan Valley. Elsewhere, Israeli forces entered al-Ibrahimi Mosque and forced worshippers and staff to leave the mosque. Israeli forces also violently suppressed a protest in al-Bireh; 2 Palestinians were injured by live ammunition, 3 by rubber-coated bullets, and others suffered tear-gas related injuries. 7 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in and around Hebron, Bethlehem, Ramallah, and Nablus. In East Jerusalem, 1 Palestinian was arrested during a late-night raid in Issawiyya. Off the coast of Gaza, Israeli naval forces opened fire and used water hoses on Palestinian fishermen 3 nautical miles off the coast of Gaza City, causing damage to boats. In Gaza, Israeli forces opened fire on Palestinian farmland east of Rafah; no injuries were reported. In Israel, more than 150 vehicles were vandalized and racist graffiti in Hebrew, such as “Jews wake up” and “Enough with the assimilation,” was sprayed on several buildings in the Christian Palestinian village of Jish. (HA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 2/11; PCHR 2/13)

At a UN Security Council meeting, PA president Mahmoud Abbas sharply rejected the U.S. administration’s peace plan, saying “[t]his is an Israeli-American pre-emptive plan in order to put an end to the question of Palestine.” While President Abbas was speaking in New York, Palestinian protesters in Ramallah demonstrated against the U.S. peace plan. After the protest, Palestinians and Israeli forces clashed at a checkpoint north of Ramallah; 2 Palestinians were injured by rubber-coated bullets and others needing treatment for tear-gas related injuries. (AJ, HA, HA, HA, NYT, WAFA, WAFA 2/11)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers uprooted 300 olive trees in al-Khadir. Settlers also wrote racist graffiti on walls of buildings and slashed the tires of 25 vehicles in al-Jib. Israeli forces clashed with Palestinians in al-‘Arub, causing tear-gas related injuries. 12 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in and around Ramallah, Qalqilya, Jenin, and Hebron. In East Jerusalem, 1 Palestinian was arrested during a late-night raid in Issawiyya. In Gaza, Israel struck targets in Gaza after a rocket was fired from Gaza toward Israel. No injuries were reported, but damage was reported. Israeli forces fired tear gas at Palestinian agricultural lands east of Khan Yunis, forcing farmers to leave. Israeli naval forces fired a water cannon at a Palestinian fisherman, causing damage to his boat. Israel also reduced the fishing zone to 6 nautical miles. 3 Palestinians were arrested after trying to enter Israel by the Gaza fence; all 3 were released on 12/20. (AJ, HA, HA WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 12/19; PCHR 12/26)

The Israeli high court of justice criticized Israeli police handling Palestinian complaints of destruction of their property. The court said the police’s handling of such complaints “is troubling, to say the least” and that in 1 case, “except for taking the Palestinian plaintiff’s statement, the police did virtually nothing.” (HA 12/20)

The United Arab Emirates announced a $25 million contribution to the UNRWA. (WAFA 12/19)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers vandalized 3 vehicles and wrote racist graffiti in Hebrew on several buildings in Qabalan. 11 Palestinians were arrested during raids in and around Tulkarm, Bethlehem, Nablus, Jenin, and Halhul. Israeli forces also took measurements of the family home of an accused Palestinian attacker for punitive demolition in Kobar. In East Jerusalem, 1 Palestinian woman was shot in the head by Israeli forces using rubber-coated bullets in Issawiyya; 1 Palestinian was arrested during the raid. Off the coast of Gaza, Israeli naval forces opened fire and used water hoses against Palestinian fishermen near Rafah; 2 Palestinians were arrested and 1 boat was seized. (HA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 11/7; WAFA 11/8; PCHR 11/14)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers assaulted a Palestinian man trying to prevent them from stealing his olive harvest in al-Jaba‘; the man was taken to a hospital in Bayt Jala. Elsewhere, Israeli settlers vandalized Palestinian-owned vehicles and sprayed racist graffiti on buildings in Marda. 5 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in and around Hebron, Ramallah, and Tulkarm. In East Jerusalem, 12 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in Issawiyya and al-Tur. Off the coast of Gaza, Israeli naval forces opened fire on Palestinian fishermen 3 nautical miles from Bayt Lahiya; no injuries were reported. In Gaza, Israeli forces opened fire on Palestinian workers at a landfill east of Jabalia on 2 separate occasions; no injuries were reported but damage to equipment was. In Israel, hundreds of Palestinian citizens of Israel demonstrated against Israeli police’s failure to address violence and illegal gun possession in their communities. (HA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 10/13; PCHR 10/17)

In the West Bank, 13 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in and around Hebron, Tulkarm, Nablus, Jenin, and Ramallah. In East Jerusalem, a Fatah official was arrested in Issawiyya during a late-night raid. Israeli forces also summoned a 6-year-old boy and his father for interrogation after the boy allegedly threw a juice box toward an Israeli police vehicle. Off the coast of Gaza, Israeli naval forces opened fire and used water cannons on Palestinian fishermen. In Israel, the Palestinian town Jisr al-Zarqa was raided by Jewish extremists who wrote hate graffiti on a house and punctured tires on 21 vehicles. (HA, WAFA 7/31; PCHR 8/1)

Israel’s security cabinet approved construction permits for 715 housing units for Palestinians in Area C for the first time since 2016 and approved 6,000 Israeli settlement units. (HA, 7/30; AJ, NYT 7/31)

After a confidential report was leaked alleging misconduct by the top management of the UNRWA on 7/29, Switzerland and the Netherlands suspended their funding to the UNRWA. (HA 8/1)

In the West Bank, hundreds of armed Israeli settlers visit the Saint Saba Monastery outside Bethlehem overnight, sparking a tense confrontation between their IDF escort and Palestinians in the area; there are no clashes or injuries reported. Separately, Israeli settlers puncture the tires of several Palestinian vehicles and spray racist graffiti on nearby walls in Yasuf village near Salfit overnight; uproot approximately 100 trees on a Palestinian farm near Hebron; and damage a Palestinian vehicle’s windshield near Nablus. Israeli forces uproot approximately 200 cactus seedlings from a Palestinian farm near Nablus. IDF troops arrest 9 Palestinians during raids near Bethlehem, Ramallah, Hebron, Tubas, Jenin, and Tulkarm; and patrol near Nablus, Hebron, and Ramallah. An IDF raid in Dahaysha refugee camp sparks minor clashes; 1 Palestinian is injured. Unidentified assailants throw stones at an Israeli settler family driving near Hebron, lightly injuring a settler infant. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces arrest 7 Palestinians at a checkpoint at the entrance to Issawiyya and 15 more Palestinians during raids in the neighborhood. They also demolish 2 Palestinian homes in Jabal Mukabir. Along Gaza’s border, IDF troops shoot and injure a Palestinian bird-hinter approaching the border fence near Gaza City. Off Gaza’s coast, Israeli naval forces open fire on Palestinian fishing boats near Jabaliya refugee camp, causing no damage or injuries. (HA, MNA, MNA 12/18; MNA, MNA, WAFA 12/19; PCHR 12/20)

UN Special Coordinator Nickolay Mladenov reports to the UN Security Council (UNSC) that the Israeli authorities approved or advanced approximately 2,200 new housing units in West Bank and East Jerusalem settlements between 9/13 and 12/14, marking a record low since the UNSC established its current monitoring system with Resolution 2334 of 12/2016. (HA, TOI, YA 12/19)

The Wall Street Journal reports that the secret U.S.-backed effort to build a relationship between Israel and Saudi Arabia has ground to a halt recently following the Saudi government’s removal of 2 top officials involved in the killing of a dissident journalist in Istanbul on 10/2. The killing and the ensuing international outcry have reportedly restricted Saudi crown prince Mohammed bin Salman’s “room to maneuver” and “dampened [his] appetite for risky foreign policy endeavors.” Israeli prime minister Netanyahu said as recently as last week that the killing of the journalist was “horrific,” but that it did not overshadow the value of a strategic relationship with Saudi Arabia. (HA, TOI, WSJ 12/18)

Off Gaza’s coast, Israeli naval forces open fire on 40 small Palestinian boats sailing from a port near Jabaliya refugee camp in a symbolic effort to break the Israeli blockade; there are no reported injuries. The ships return to shore after shots are fired. In East Jerusalem, the Israeli authorities re-open Haram al-Sharif, having kept the sanctuary closed for 15 hours in the wake of the shooting of a Palestinian minor in the Old City on 8/17. Israeli settlers puncture the tires of 15 Palestinian-owned vehicles and leave racist graffiti on nearby walls in Issawiyya. In the West Bank, Israeli settlers uproot approximately 350 olive trees in a Palestinian grove near Jenin. IDF troops violently disperse Palestinians and international activists protesting the Israeli occupation in Kafr Qaddum near Qalqilya; 1 Norwegian activist is injured. They also arrest 3 Palestinians during a late night raid near Bethlehem and patrol near Tulkarm, Qalqilya, and Jenin. (MNA, MNA, MNA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 5/18; MNA, MNA, MNA 8/19; PCHR 8/30)

Along Gaza’s border fence, IDF troops open fire on a group of Palestinians congregating near the Great March of Return tent camps outside Gaza City; 2 Palestinians are injured. Later, an incendiary balloon reportedly flown from Gaza lands on a street in Beersheba, causing no damage. Israeli firefighters put out 6 small fires allegedly sparked by similar devices closer to the border fence throughout the day. In two separate incidents off Gaza’s coast, Israeli naval forces open fire on Palestinian fishing boats near Bayt Lahiya, causing no damage or injuries. In the West Bank, IDF troops arrest 12 Palestinians and issue 4 arrest summons during late-night raids in and around Qalqilya, Jenin, Ramallah, and Bethlehem; and patrol near Hebron and Nablus. Israeli settlers slash the tires of 8 Palestinian cars and leave racist graffiti on nearby walls in al-Mughayyir village near Ramallah. Separately, Israeli settlers assault and injure a Palestinian in central Hebron. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces arrest 7 Palestinians during raids in Silwan and Issawiyya. (MNA, WAFA, YA 7/30; MNA 7/31; PCHR 8/2)

Thousands of Jewish and Palestinian citizens of Israel attend a massive Arabic language lesson in the streets of Tel Aviv in protest of the new Nation-State Law, which the Knesset passed on 7/19 and which downgraded Arabic from an official language to one with “special status." (HA, JP 7/30)

Marking Palestinian Prisoners Day, thousands of Palestinians gather across the oPt for rallies and marches in solidarity with the thousands of Palestinians imprisoned by Israel. IDF troops violently disperse them along Gaza’s border near Gaza City, al-Bureij refugee camp, and Khan Yunis; 9 Palestinians are injured. Hours after the protests along Gaza’s border dissipate, IDF troops open fire on 5 Palestinians allegedly attempting to cross the border or, according to some reports, to plant an explosive along the border fence near Khan Yunis, injuring all 5 (1 seriously). Separately, Israeli artillery shell a Hamas site near Khan Yunis, causing damage. Israeli forces conduct a limited incursion to level land along the border near Khan Yunis. Off Gaza’s coast, Israeli naval forces open fire on Palestinian fishing boats near Jabaliya refugee camp, causing no damage or injuries. In the West Bank, IDF troops conduct a raid in Nablus, arresting 1 Palestinian and sparking minor clashes; 1 Palestinian is shot and injured. They also patrol near Hebron. In East Jerusalem, unidentified Israelisslash a number of tires and leave price-tag graffiti on nearby walls in Issawiyya and Luban al-Sharqiyya. (HA, TOI, WAFA 4/17; MNA, TOI, YA 4/18; PCHR 4/19)

Along Gaza’s border, Israeli forces bomb Hamas military sites in Jabaliya refugee camp and Bayt Lahiya overnight, causing an unclear amount of damage. The IDF later says the attack was in retaliation for a previously unreported Hamas attempt to plant an IED along the border fence on 4/8. Later, IDF troops open fire on Palestinian agricultural lands near al-Maghazi refugee camp, Gaza City, and al-Bureij refugee camp, causing no damage or injuries. Meanwhile, IDF troops violently disperse Palestinians protesting along the border fence near Gaza City, Jabaliya refugee camp, and Khan Yunis; 8 Palestinians are injured. Off Gaza’s coast, Israeli naval forces open fire on Palestinian fishing boats near Jabaliya refugee camp, causing no damage or injuries. In the West Bank, Israeli settlers spray-paint racist graffiti on road signs near Hebron. IDF troops shoot and injure a Palestinian minor amid minor clashes in Nablus, arrest 4 Palestinians, and issue 3 arrest summons during late-night raids near Ramallah, Bethlehem, and Hebron; and patrol in and around Hebron. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces arrest 8 Palestinians during latenight raids in Sur Bahir, Hizma, and Issawiyya. (HA, JP, TOI, WAFA, YA 4/9; MNA 4/10; PCHR 4/12)

A Palestinian succumbs to injuries sustained when the IDF violently dispersed peaceful protesters along Gaza’s border on 3/30, bringing the death toll stemming from the Great March of Return to 29. (TOI, WAFA 4/9)

The Palestinian who was stabbed by an Israeli settler near Jerusalem on 4/8 succumbs to his injuries. (PCHR 4/12)

The IAF conducts air strikes on the Syrian T-4 base near Homs, targeting drone deployment and air-defense systems, and killing 14 people, including at least 7 Iranian citizens. (HA, JP 4/9)

Along Gaza’s border, an IDF drone fires on a Palestinian approaching the border fence near Gaza City, fatally injuring him (the man’s corpse will not be found until 4/5). Earlier, IDF troops violently disperse a small group of Palestinians approaching the border fence near Gaza City, lightly injuring 2. Off Gaza’s coast, Israeli naval forces open fire on Palestinian fishing boats near Jabaliya refugee camp, causing no damage or injuries. In the West Bank, Israeli settlers puncture the tires of 5 Palestinian cars and spray-paint racist graffiti on walls outside Qalqilya. IDF troops arrest 4 Palestinians during late-night raids in and around Jenin and Hebron. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces arrest 1 Palestinian during latenight raids in Issawiyya. (HA, MNA, TOI, WAFA 4/4; HA, MNA, PCHR, TOI, WAFA 4/5; PCHR 4/12)

Israel’s Shin Bet announces that 10 Palestinians, including 1 PIJ member, have been arrested in connection with a suspected plot to fire a projectile at an Israeli naval vessel and kidnap the sailors on board. The Palestinians were allegedly seeking revenge for the demolition of a PIJ tunnel in 2017 (see JPS 47 [2]). (HA, JP, TOI 4/4)

Israeli forces shoot and kill a Palestinian in the Old City of East Jerusalem after he stabs and kills an Israeli civilian. IDF troops then raid the alleged attacker’s home in the Nablus-area village of Aqraba, interrogate his relatives, and take measurements ahead of a possible punitive demolition. Separately, Israeli forces arrest 5 Palestinians during latenight raids in Issawiyya and Hizma. Israeli settlers vandalize Palestinian vehicles and spray price-tag graffiti on nearby walls in Hizma as well. In the West Bank, IDF troops arrest 7 Palestinians during late-night raids near Ramallah, Bethlehem, and Jenin; and patrol near Salfit and Tulkarm. Along Gaza’s border, Israeli forces conduct a limited incursion to level land near Khan Yunis. Off Gaza’s coast, Israeli naval forces open fire on Palestinian fishing boats near Bayt Lahiya on 2 separate occasions, causing no damage or injuries. (HA, WAFA 3/18; HA, JP, MNA, TOI, WAFA 3/19; PCHR 3/22)

Israeli PM Netanyahu announces that the IDF demolished 2 underground tunnels in Gaza overnight. One of the tunnels was old and being refurbished; the other had not yet entered Israel. “Our policy is to act with determination against every attempt to harm us, and to systematically destroy the terror tunnel infrastructure, and so shall we continue,” he says, adding that “it is time for the international community to recognize that the financial aid going to Gaza is buried underground.” Hamas responds by dismissing 1 of the tunnels as “old” and “unused.” (HA, JP, TOI 3/18)

Unidentified parties fire a rocket from Gaza into southern Israel for a 2d day in a row. It lands in an open area, causing no damage or injuries. The IAF again conducts air strikes on Hamas military sites in Rafah, causing major damage to 2. (HA, TOI, WAFA, YA 2/3)

For the 9th consecutive Friday, Palestinians across the oPt gather to protest U.S. pres. Trump’s 12/6 recognition of Jerusalem as Israel’s capital. Israeli forces violently disperse them in East Jerusalem (Issawiyya and Abu Dis), Nablus, 4 villages near Ramallah (Bil‘in, Ni‘lin, Budrus, and Nabi Salih), al-Bireh, Kafr Qaddum near Qalqilya, and along Gaza’s border near Jabaliya refugee camp, Bayt Lahiya, and Khan Yunis. 30 Palestinians are injured. Later, when an Israeli drives into Abu Dis, approximately 200 Palestinian minors torch his car and throw stones at him, causing minor injuries. Israeli forces escort the man from the village and clash with the stone-throwers; 9 Palestinians are injured. Elsewhere in East Jerusalem, Israeli forces arrest 1 Palestinian during a raid in Biddu. In the West Bank, Israeli settlers spray racist graffiti on walls in Nabi Salih village near Ramallah, the hometown of imprisoned Palestinian activist Ahed Tamimi. IDF troops arrest 4 Palestinians during raids near Jenin; and patrol near Hebron throughout the day. Off Gaza’s coast, Israeli naval forces open fire on Palestinian fishing boats near Gaza City, causing no damage or injuries. (HA, TOI, WAFA, YA 2/2; PCHR 2/8)

In Gaza, IDF troops e. of Khan Yunis fire warning shots at Palestinian farmers nr. the border fence, causing no injuries or damage. Off the coast nr. al-Sudaniyya, Israeli naval forces fire on Palestinian fishing boats, causing no damage or injuries. In the West Bank, thousands of Palestinians attend the funeral of the Palestinian who was killed in Dahaysha r.c. nr. Bethlehem on 2/23. Nr. Hebron, Israeli forces demolish a Palestinian’s home under construction; bar Palestinian shepherds from grazing their livestock outside another village. Also nr. Hebron, the IDF conducts house searches in 1 village, arresting 1 Palestinian; patrols in 2 villages. Nearby, an Israeli settler hits a Palestinian with his car, moderately injuring him. Israeli settlers set fire to a mosque nr. Bethlehem late at night, leaving racist “pricetag” graffiti. In s. Israel, Israeli forces demolish 4 homes belonging to a bedouin Palestinian family. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces conduct house searches and raids in Issawiyya and the Old City, arresting 4 Palestinians; they detain 5 Palestinian women as they exit Haram al-Sharif. (MNA, WAFA 2/24; HA, MNA, TOI, WAFA, YA 2/25; PCHR 2/26)

PA Dep. PM and National Economy Min. Mustafa Mohammed Mustafa announces that PA ministers have agreed to nullify the preliminary agreement signed by the private firm Palestine Power Generation Company (PPGC) on 1/5/2014 to import $1.2 b. worth of natural gas from Israel over 20 years. A PPGC source tells news site al-Araby al-Jadeed that the deal was suspended last summer due to disagreements over certain terms with the consortium formed by Noble Energy and the Delek Group. Mustafa adds that the PA will instead focus efforts on developing natural gas fields off the coast of the Gaza Strip. (AJD 2/25; MEE 2/27; EI 3/8)

The boycott of 6 Israeli consumer products companies in the West Bank goes into effect, with enforcement teams visiting shops in Ramallah. Senior Fatah official and chair of the National Comm. against Israeli Punitive Measures Mahmoud al-Aloul says that any seized products will be destroyed on 2/25. Al-Aloul announced the boycott on 2/9. It is not sanctioned by the PA. (WAFA 2/25; HA 3/9)