The Palestine Chronology

In the West Bank, a Palestinian succumbed to injuries sustained from Israeli forces during a raid in Ras Karkar last week. Israeli settlers posing as Israeli forces made 3 Palestinian families demolish their residential tents on the outskirts of Hizma. Israeli forces shot and killed 4 Palestinians during a raid in Jenin, 9 were injured, including 1 in a drone strike on a house. Israeli forces also shot and killed a Palestinian during a raid in Yatta. Elsewhere, Israeli forces shot and injured 44 Palestinians during raids in Beita, Hebron, Zawata, Safa, al-Ram, Dura al-Qara’, ‘Anata, and Dheisheh refugee camp. 60 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in and around Ramallah, Silwad, Hebron, Nablus, Bethlehem, Tulkarm, and Qalqilya. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces shot and killed a Palestinian in Shaykh Jarrah, claiming he had stabbed and injured a police officer. In Gaza, Israeli airstrikes killed at least 304 Palestinians. Israel said it had carried out 600 airstrikes in the past 24 hours. Hamas said it had repelled Israeli advances near Gaza City, forcing Israeli tanks and bulldozers to retreat. Israel hit the Turkish-Palestinian Friendship Hospital, causing extensive damage. Near Lebanon, an Israeli soldier was killed and 2 others injured when an Israeli tank rolled over them. Israel attacked several places in Lebanon; 3 mortar shells were fired at Israel. In Syria, Israeli forces carried out airstrikes, saying they had hit targets that fired rockets toward Israel. (AP 10/29; AJ, AJ, AJ, AJ, AP, HA, NYT, NYT, NYT, REU, REU, UNOCHA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 10/30; HA, NYT 10/31)

The Gaza Ministry of Health said at least 8,309 Palestinians have been killed, including around 5,000 women and children, and 21,048 have been injured in Israeli airstrikes on Gaza since 10/7. 1,800 Palestinians, including 940 children, have been reported missing. In addition, Israeli media reported that 1,500 Palestinian militants have been killed near Gaza. 122 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli forces and settlers in the West Bank and East Jerusalem since 10/7, including 33 children. More than 2,208 have been injured. Israeli officials recorded no new fatalities, leaving the Israeli death toll at around 1,400 Israelis and foreign nationals; 5,431 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. As of 10/23, at least 27,781 housing units had been destroyed and 150,000 had been damaged in Israeli airstrikes since 10/7. At least 45% of all housing units have been either destroyed or damaged in Israeli airstrikes. UNRWA said 10 of its staff have been killed in the past 3 days, bringing the total number of UNRWA staff killed by Israel to 63. 26 trucks carrying aid to Gaza entered via the Rafah crossing. The WHO said it had not been able to resupply al-Shifa and al-Quds hospitals because of the risk of Israeli airstrikes. The Palestinian Red Crescent Society said an Israeli airstrike damaged its warehouse in Gaza City. Israel closed off the water to Gaza again after reopening 2 water lines in the past week. (AJ, HA, UNOCHA, WAFA, WAFA 10/30)

Hamas released a video of 3 Israeli captives, calling on Israel to facilitate their release. Israel said it had rescued 1 captive from Hamas during an operation in Gaza. (AJ, AJ, AJ, AP, HA, NYT, REU, REU 10/30)

Al Jazeera journalist Youmna ElSayed said her family had received a phone call from Israel warning them to flee south from Gaza City. Al Jazeera condemned the threat against their journalist in a statement, saying “Israel’s actions continue with impunity as they attempt to silence the messenger.” (AJ, AJ 10/30) 

PA foreign minister Riyad al-Maliki met with Cypriot foreign minister Constantinos Kombos, discussing the need for an immediate ceasefire. (WAFA 10/30)

Israeli media reported that Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich had sent a letter to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, informing him that monthly payments to the PA delivering the PA’s tax revenue had stopped. (AJ 10/30)

A draft document written by the Israeli Ministry of Intelligence said Israel may try to forcefully displace Palestinians in Gaza to Egypt. 2 other options in the document included that Israel hands control of Gaza to the PA or that is establish “local Arab rule” by Palestinians in Gaza. Israeli sources verified the authenticity of the document but said the government is not expected to debate the proposals. (HA 10/30; AP 10/31)

The Israeli High Court of Justice denied a petition by 3 Israeli organizations to remove a temporary order allowing worsening conditions for Palestinian prisoners. The judges said “[t]he assessment of human rights violations in times of war is not comparable to such assessments in peaceful situations.” (HA 10/30)

Al-Haq, al-Mazan, and the Palestinian Centre for Human Rights urged ICC prosecutor Karim Khan to issue arrest warrants for “Israeli authorities and military personnel.” (AJ 10/30; WAFA 10/31)

At the UN Security Council, PA ambassador to the UN Riyad Mansour criticized the international community for not forcing Israel to stop its bombing of Gaza, saying “they are besieged and bombed with nowhere safe to go.” Israeli UN ambassador Gilad Erdan wore a yellow Star of David, resembling the markings forced on Jewish people by Nazi Germany, saying “Never Again.” Dani Dayan, the chairperson of the Israeli Holocaust Remembrance Center, Yad Vashem, said Erdan’s actions “disgraces both Holocaust victims and Israel.” UNRWA commissioner-general Phillippe Lazzarini told the Security Council that a ceasefire was a “matter of life and death for millions,” and charged Israel with collective punishment. (AJ, NYT, WAFA 10/30; AP, AP, HA, HA, HA, WAFA 10/31; HA 11/1)

Israeli defense minister Yoav Gallant said Hamas will “die fighting” or “surrender without any conditions.” (AJ 10/30)

U.S. National Security Council spokesperson John Kirby said the U.S. does not support a ceasefire, reiterating the White House’s position that a ceasefire would only benefit Hamas. Kirby stated the U.S. position was to support “temporary, localized humanitarian pauses for aid, and for people to get out.” The U.S. also said 4 rockets were launched at the Ain al-Asad air base, causing no injuries or damage. Saudi defense minister Khalid bin Salman said he discussed the need for a ceasefire during a meeting with National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan. (AJ, HA, REU, REU 10/30; AJ 10/31)

UK foreign secretary James Cleverly said the UK was working to facilitate a temporary ceasefire to allow more aid to enter Gaza. UK parliamentary private secretary Paul Bristow was fired from the Conservative government for writing a letter to Prime Minister Rishi Sunak calling for a ceasefire. (AJ, REU 10/30; AJ, AJ, HA 10/31)

Axios reported that Mossad director David Barnea traveled to Qatar over the weekend for meetings with Qatari officials regarding a prisoner exchange with Hamas. U.S. secretary of state Antony Blinken spoke with Qatari prime minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, discussing the humanitarian situation in Gaza and Qatari efforts to mediate a prisoner exchange. (AJ, AX, HA 10/30)

OIC secretary-general Hussein Brahim Taha condemned the Israeli attacks on Gaza, calling on the international community to intervene. (WAFA 10/30)

In the West Bank, Israeli forces arrested 3 Palestinians during a raid in Aqabat Jaber refugee camp. Israeli forces also issued stop-work orders for 8 houses in Sinjil, including for a house that was severely damaged by Israeli settlers in 2013. Elsewhere, Israeli forces uprooted 20 olive tree saplings and razed farmland in Kafr ad-Dik. In East Jerusalem, Israeli settlers toured the Haram al-Sharif compound. (WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 8/9; PCHR 8/10; UNOCHA 8/28)

The Jerusalem District Court overturned a decision by the Jerusalem Magistrate Court to release one of the Israeli settlers accused of carrying out the terrorist attack on Burqa on 8/4, releasing Elisha Yered to house arrest while keeping Yehiel Indore in custody until 8/11. The magistrate court had ordered that both suspects be released. 4 Palestinians are being held in custody by Israel in relation to the settler attack. Israeli police rejected a request by Hadash-Ta’al MK Ahmad Tibi to meet with the 4 Palestinians, despite 2 MKs from Otzma Yehudit and Likud visiting the main Israeli suspect Yehiel Indore at the hospital on 8/6. Tibi responded saying that separate rules apply for Jewish and Palestinians members of Knesset. (HA, HA, WAFA 8/8; AP, HA, HA, WAFA 8/9; HA 8/10)

Israeli president Isaac Herzog visited the Stella Maris monastery in Haifa after continued harassment of Christian worshippers by members of the Hassidic Breslow sect. Harassment of Christians in Israel and Jerusalem has been rising during the summer. The Religious Freedom Data Center recorded at least 30 hate crimes against Christians in Jerusalem in June and July. (ALM 8/10)

PA national economy minister Khaled Osaily sent a letter to his Spanish counterpart Hector Jose Hernandez, demanding that he force the companies CAF and GMV to cease their involvement in the expansion of the Jerusalem light rail network in East Jerusalem. (WAFA 8/9)

The Wall Street Journal reported that the U.S. and Saudi Arabia have agreed to a broad framework for a normalization deal between Israel and Saudi Arabia. The White House later denied that a framework had been agreed upon. (AJ, HA, HA, REU WSJ 8/9; HA, HA 8/10)

In the Gaza Strip, IDF troops stationed along the border nr. Bayt Lahiya shoot and wound a Palestinian hunting for birds. In the West Bank, the IDF conducts house searches and arrest raids in Jenin and Jenin r.c., and 1 village each nr. Hebron and Ramallah. In East Jerusalem, right-wing Jewish activist Yehuda Glick is shot and wounded by an unknown assailant nr the Old City. (HA, MNA 10/29; PCHR 10/30)

The UNSC holds an emergency session at the request of Jordan to discuss Israel’s plans for further settlement construction in East Jerusalem. (AFP, REU 10/29)

An anonymous U.S. official is quoted in the Atlantic describing Israeli PM Netanyahu as a “chickenshit prime minister” who only cares about his political survival. In response, Netanyahu’s office releases a statement saying that the PM “will continue to uphold the security interests of Israel and the historical rights of the Jewish people in Jerusalem, and no amount of pressure will change that.” The White House quickly distances itself from the comments quoted in the article. (AM, WP 10/29; Guardian 10/30)

The IDF patrols in Tulkarm and 2 nearby villages, 2 villages nr. Jenin, and 1 each nr. Jericho, Hebron, and Ramallah in the morning; stages 3 groups of synchronized patrols s. of Jenin (4 villages), e. and n. of Jenin (3 villages), and n. of Ramallah (2 villages) in the afternoon; conducts synchronized late-night patrols in 3 villages nr. Tulkarm; and conducts other late-night patrols in Jericho and nearby ‘Aqabat Jabir r.c., and in 1 village nr. Salfit. The IDF also conducts arrest raids, house searches in East Jerusalem in the afternoon and nr. Hebron late at night; bulldozes Palestinian irrigation networks located between 2 Jewish settlements nr. Hebron; and confiscates a bulldozer and rock crusher from a Palestinian quarry n. of Jerusalem. (PCHR 5/23; OCHA 5/25)

The White House convenes a meeting with American Jewish leaders to reassure them that the Obama admin. is committed to keeping Iran free of nuclear weapons. In Israel, PM Netanyahu reiterates his position that ‘‘the objectives of Iran are clear: It wants to destroy Israel and is developing nuclear weapons to realize that goal.’’ (HA 5/21; NYT, WP, WT 5/22; WJW 5/31)

IDF continues operations in Ramallah, conducting house-to-house searches, arresting 27 Palestinians, occupying a PSF post and detaining 30 PSF officers, surrounding hospitals and PRCS offices, firing on 2 ambulances. The IDF also continues arrest raids in Hebron, sends troops in and out of Tulkarm repeatedly during the day. A mysterious predawn explosion at the home of a senior PA military intelligence official in Jabaliya injures 40 Palestinians; an ill Palestinian dies at a checkpoint nr. Jenin; a 2d Palestinian dies of injuries received on 5/28. (LAW, NYT, PRCS press release 6/10; NYT, UPMRC, WP, WT 6/11)

Sharon meets with Bush at the White House. Afterward, Bush says that the time is not yet ripe to begin working toward a final status agmt.; PA must first make reforms. Asked about Israel's ongoing incursions into Palestinian towns, Bush says "Israel has a right to defend herself." (HA, MM 6/10; MA, XIN 6/10 in WNC 6/11; AYM 6/10, MENA 6/11 in WNC 6/12; MM, NYT, WP, WT 6/11; JT, QA, al-Quds 6/12 in WNC 6/13; MM, Jerusalem Times, WJW, WP 6/13; MENA 6/13 in WNC 6/14; MEI 6/14; MA 6/14 in WNC 6/16; MA 6/14 in WNC 6/17; MM 6/17; al-Quds 6/18 in WNC 6/19)

The YESHA settlers council launches a PR campaign to "stress the morality and justice of the Jews' right to the Land of Israel"; says it recently hired a company to handle overseas PR, organized a delegation to meet with U.S. congressmen and investors, held a seminar for settlement spokesman, published a brochure for settlers on how to deal with the media. (Hatzofe 6/10 in WNC 6/11)

The IDF continues operations in Balata r.c., Nablus for the 5th day; blows up an alleged bomb-making factory, raids and damages a medical center in Balata r.c. In new Askar r.c., the IDF conducts house-to-house searches, breaking through walls; bulldozes 4 cars; damages 22 stores, a medical center. The IDF also sends tanks into al-`Ayn r.c., `Ayn Bayt Hilma r.c., calling on men ages 15-45 to turn them selves in, detaining 100s; conducts arrest raids in al-Bireh, Khan Yunis, Qalqilya (also confiscating files fr. the Qalqilya Charity Comm., Islamic Club), Tulkarm; shells residential areas of Rafah, destroying 1 Palestinian home, damaging 6; bulldozes 50 dunams of Palestinian land nr. Khan Yunis, areas around the Gaza airport. The IDF, Shin Bet also raid the Arab Chamber of Commerce in Jerusalem, arrest 6 Palestinian employees for violating the closure of the building imposed in 8/01. Israel seizes 30 dunams of Palestinian land along the Green Line nr. Issawiyya for creation of buffer zones, 120 dunams in the Jabal Mukabir neighborhood of East Jerusalem for Jewish housing, a tourists complex. Overnight, Palestinians detonate 2 roadside bombs nr. IDF convoys in the West Bank, causing no damage. (AP, HP 6/3; WP, WT 6/4; LAW 6/5; HA, WJW 6/6)

The PA High Court rules that the PA has no legal ground to hold PFLP head Saadat, must release him immediately. In response, the IDF sends tanks toward Jericho, where Saadat is being held; declares the Jericho area a closed military zone; warns it will kill Saadat if he is freed. Arafat quickly convenes the Executive Authority (EA), the PA's cabinet, which over turns the court decision. (AFP, HA, JP, LAW 6/3; RMC 6/3 in WNC 6/4; WP, WT 6/4; MM 6/5; AYM 6/5 in WNC 6/6) (see 5/19)

The U.S. announces it has just scheduled a mtg. btwn. Bush, Sharon at the White House on 6/10, after a visit by Egyptian pres. Husni Mubarak. Israeli officials say Sharon asked for the mtg. out of concern that Israel's views were being overshadowed by the "near-constant stream" of Arab visitors to Washington. (JP, NYT, WT 6/4; MM, NYT, WP 6/5; AYM 6/7 in WNC 6/10)

Pres. Clinton, King Hussein rejoin Wye talks. By evening, some agmts. have been reached, others are near. Over dinner, King Hussein gives an "impassioned speech," calling on Arafat, Netanyahu to keep making progress. Egypt's Mubarak phones Clinton to discuss the talks. (MM 10/22; VOA 10/22 in WNC 10/23; ITV, MENA 10/22 in WNC 10/26; CSM, NYT, WP, WT 10/23; JT, JTV, al-Ra'i 10/22, Shihan 10/24 in WNC 10/23 [dates as published]; JTV 10/22, IDF Radio 10/23 in WNC 10/26; NYT 10/25)

State Dept., White House meet with major U.S. oil companies to press them to build a pipeline to bring Caspian crude fr. Azerbaijan to Turkey, avoiding Russia, Iran. Oil companies do not believe the region can export enough oil in the nr. future to justify the $3.7-b. project, which the U.S. does not want to fund. (WP 10/28; MEI, WP, WT 10/30) (see 10/21)

An Israeli court orders 3 border policemen detained on suspicion of having shot at a Palestinian van 10/18. (WP 10/23) (see 10/21)

Israeli police arrest a mbr. of a right-wing Jewish group for carrying out 7 knife attacks on Palestinians in Jerusalem btwn. 11/97 and 5/98, killing 1. (AFP [Internet] 10/22)

Israeli PM Rabin, Jordan's King Hussein address joint session of Congress, speeches focusing on work ahead.  Later at White House, both and Pres. Clinton condemn recent bombings. Rabin, asked about Israel's nuclear status, says "Israel is not a nuclear country in terms of weapons."  (NYT, WP, WSJ, WT 7/27)

PLO criticizes Washington Declaration's recognition of Jordanian "special role" in Jerusalem, saying in statement "The Israeli govt. does not have any right to give any role or guarantees over Jerusalem." (MM 7/26; Jericho VOP 7/27 in FBIS 7/27; CSM, WT 7/27)

Israeli, Jordanian, and Palestinian negotiators reach agreement on water sharing at talks in Oslo, according to Norwegian F Min.  (Jericho VOP 7/27 in FBIS 7/28; CSM 7/27)

Israeli Public Works Dept. announces plans for 6 major highways into Jordan.  (MM 7/27)

Car bomb explodes at Israeli embassy in London, destroying part of building and wounding 13.  Lebanese Islamists presumed responsible.  (MM 7/26; CSM, NYT, WP, WSJ, WT 7/27)

Argentine police detain owner of van believed used in 7/18 bombing of Jewish center in Buenos Aires.  (WP, WSJ 7/27)

Panamanian Pres. Gueillermo Endara says bomb responsible for 7/19 explosion of commuter plane that killed 21, 12 of them Jewish.  Panamanian Jewish leaders hold "Islamic terrorists" responsible.  (WT 7/27)

SOCIAL/POLITICAL:

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Israeli Dep. PM Levy says Reagan decision to pull out of Lebanon shows "poor judgement and certain weakness." Israeli Chief of Staff Eitan says IDF must remain in S. Lebanon forever to ensure safe northern border.

Other Countries: King Hussein, Pres. Mubarak and Pres. Reagan meet at White House to discuss ways to negotiated settlement of West Bank and Gaza status; Reagan disassociates self from Mubarak's appeal for "direct dialogue" with PLO. US amb. to Israel Samuel Lewis tells presidents of American Jewish organizations at Jerusalem Hilton that US Embassy should have been moved to Jerusalem in 1950s. British FM Howe states position that May 17 agreement "must not be allowed to become an obstacle to national reconciliation" in Lebanon.

MILITARY ACTION:

Arab World: Druze militias make gains against LAF; US responds by shelling Druze areas with 45 rounds from destroyers offshore.

SOCIAL/POLITICAL:

Occupied Palestine/lsrael: High Court delays order to demolish 2 al-Thowri homes belonging to families of persons suspected of indirect involvement in killing of Israeli settler in Hebron. 3 Dura teenagers sentenced by Ramallah military court to 15-30 years for membership in "illegal organizations." 2 Gaza Red Crescent Society officials, Dr. Haidar Abd al-Shafi & Abd al-Karim Tululi, tried for possession of banned books. Town arrest of Hamdi Faraj, executive member of Arab Journalists Assoc., renewed for 6 months. Israel Central Bureau of Statistics announces inflation to reach 190% by end 1983 (compared with 130% in 1982).

Other Countries: Israel's 1985 American aid request presented simultaneously in Washington and Jerusalem; no final sum, but declares need for $3.3 billion to fill foreign currency gap. Reagan appoints Orthodox Jew, Marshall Jordan Berger to post as White House liaison to US Jewish community. UNRWA disavows any connection with Israeli gov't.'s proposed refugee resettlement scheme. US praises Israel-assisted rescue of Phalangist militiamen from Deir al-Qamar as "model for further progress in the reconciliation process in Lebanon." European Parliament to send delegation to Lebanon, Syria, Jordan, Israel and Egypt to examine possibilities of solutions to Middle East and Lebanon conflict.

MILITARY ACTION:

Arab World: USS New Jersey's 16-inch guns, in action for first time since Vietnam war, fire at Syrian anti-aircraft batteries east of Beirut.