The Palestine Chronology

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers emptied sewage and wastewater on Palestinian agricultural lands in Dayr al-Hatab near Nablus. Israeli settlers also attacked 2 Palestinian journalists from WAFA as they were reporting on settler encroachment in Dayr Istya. Israeli forces demolished 1 residential structure and 1 water well, and seized 1 vehicle and 1 power engine near Tubas. 9 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in and around al-‘Arub refugee camp, Bethlehem, Qalandia refugee camp, Qalqilya, and Izzariya. In East Jerusalem, Israeli authorities issued demolition orders for 13 Palestinian-owned houses in Silwan inhabited by 76 people. 10 Palestinians were arrested in and around the Old City and Issawiyya, including 2 Waqf guards. (WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 10/19; PCHR 10/22)

Israel handed over control of 3 power stations to the PA. PA prime minister Mohammed Shtayyeh supported the deal and said the PA “seek[s] to establish a single Palestinian power company” that will be responsible for electric supply in all the West Bank. The PA took control of another power station in Jenin in 2017. At the same time, Israel granted the Israeli company Bezeq a license to operate in the West Bank, a move that the PA Ministry of Telecommunications and Information Technology condemned. The PA ministry said that the move impedes the development of Palestinian telecommunication development. (WAFA 10/19; HA 10/20)

Israel reported that PLO secretary general Saeb Erakat was in critical condition as he is being treated for COVID-19 at the Hadassah University Hospital in West Jerusalem. (AJ, HA, WAFA 10/19)

The Fatah Central Committee announced that its members had approved the understandings made with Hamas unanimously. (WAFA 10/19)

The UAE cabinet approved the Israel-UAE normalization deal. (HA, REU 10/19)

U.S. president Donald Trump said that the U.S. would remove Sudan from the U.S. list of state sponsors of terrorism if Sudan paid $355 million to American victims of terror attacks in Kenya and Tanzania in 1998. The U.S. has been pressuring Sudan to normalize ties with Israel and some analysts believed that a normalization deal was being worked on despite Trump not mentioning it in his statements. (AJ, GDN, HA, REU 10/19; BBC 10/20)

Japan donated $4.3 million to food programming in Gaza. (WAFA 10/19)

In the West Bank, Israeli forces shot and injured 1 Palestinian minor using rubber-coated bullets in Kafr Malik. Israeli forces also seized a tractor north of Jericho and handed demolition orders for 5 residential structures and a council building near Yatta. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces violently dispersed protests during the funeral procession for the Palestinian man who was shot by Israeli forces in the Old City on 5/30. Israeli defense minister Benny Gantz said the Israeli government was “sorry for this incident” and that it would be investigated quickly. Separately, Israeli forces violently dispersed a gathering to commemorate the death of Faisal Husseini in Shaykh Jarrah. 5 Palestinian organizers were arrested, including PA governor of Jerusalem Adnan Gheith. The Haram al-Sharif compound reopened after it was closed on 3/15 in order to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Israeli settlers led by Yehuda Glick toured the Haram al-Sharif compound; during the tour, Israeli forces arrested 3 Palestinians on the compound, including the head of the Palestinian Prisoner’s Society and a Waqf guard. 1 other Palestinian was arrested during a raid in Silwan. In Israel, Israeli authorities demolished 4 Palestinian-owned homes in al-Tira. (AJ, HA, HA, HA, REU, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 5/31; WAFA 6/1; PCHR 6/4)

5 people were killed in air strikes in eastern Syria. The British based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said that Israel was likely responsible for the air strikes. (TOI 5/31)

Hundreds of Palestinians gather along Gaza’s border near Bayt Hanun to set tires on fire and otherwise continue the Great March of Return for a 3d day in a row. IDF troops violently disperse them, injuring 3 protesters. After some protesters reportedly hurl an explosive device over the border fence, Israeli forces shell a Hamas outpost near Bayt Hanun, causing damage. Separately, IDF troops arrest 2 Palestinians allegedly attempting to cross into Israel near Gaza City. Off Gaza’s coast, Israeli naval forces open fire on Palestinian fishing boats near Rafah, causing no damage or injuries. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces demolish a Palestinian-owned carwash in Bayt Hanina and assault and detain a Palestinian outside the Old City. They also deliver an order to the chairman of the Islamic Waqf council, banning him from Haram al-Sharif for 40 days, and arrest 10 Palestinians during raids in Issawiyya, Silwan, and Bayt ‘Anan. In the West Bank, IDF troops shoot and kill 2 Palestinians and injure a 3d after their vehicle collides with an IDF vehicle outside Ramallah, injuring 2 Israeli soldiers. The IDF claims that it was a purposeful ramming attack, while Palestinian eyewitnesses say the collision was an accident. Separately, the Israeli authorities temporarily close the checkpoint at the southern entrance to Hebron’s al-Ibrahimi Mosque, blocking of the area to make room for Israeli settlers holding demonstration. IDF troops shoot and injure a Palestinian amid clashes sparked by a patrol in Nablus; arrest 7 Palestinians during late-night raids near Ramallah, Salfit, and Hebron; and patrol near Hebron and Qalqilya. Israeli settlers chase Palestinian shepherds off their lands near Jericho. Israeli forces demolish a Palestinian carwash, a merchant’s cart, and 2 other steel structures near Salfit. (HA, JP, MNA, MNA, MNA, TOI, TOI, WAFA, WAFA 3/3; HA, MNA, MNA, WAFA 3/4; PCHR 3/7)

Along Gaza’s border, IDF troops violently disperse Great March of Return protesters gathering near Jabaliya refugee camp and Gaza City; 7 Palestinians are injured. Israeli forces conduct 3 limited incursions to level land near Gaza City, Khan Yunis, and Jabaliya refugee camp. During the late-night incursion near Khan Yunis, they also open fire on Palestinians in the area; 3 Palestinians are injured. Meanwhile, the IAF drops leaflets across Gaza warning protesters not to approach the border fence during the planned demonstrations on 5/ 14. In East Jerusalem, approximately 1,000 right-wing Jewish activists visit Haram alSharif in the morning, commemorating the Israeli conquest of Jerusalem and sparking minor confrontations between the Israeli police and Islamic Waqf guards; there are no serious injuries. Outside the sanctuary, Israeli police arrest 6 Palestinians gathering at an Islamic cemetery in the Old City to protest ongoing Israeli excavations at the site. In the afternoon, tens of thousands of right-wing Jewish activists march through the Old City in the annual Flags March, commemorating the Israeli conquest of Jerusalem in 1967; a number of Palestinians are arrested when they throw stones at the demonstrators at the Damascus Gate. Late at night, Israeli settlers vandalize 28 Palestinian-owned cars and spray-paint racist graffiti on nearby walls in Shu‘fat. Israeli forces arrest 1 Palestinian during a late-night raid in Silwan. In the West Bank, IDF troops arrest 9 Palestinians during late-night raids near Tulkarm, Jenin, Hebron, and Nablus; and patrol near Hebron and Tulkarm. (HA, JP, WAFA, YA 5/13; HA, WAFA 5/14; PCHR 5/17)

The Egyptian authorities open the Rafah border crossing in both directions for a 2d day. (AHR 5/14)

Israeli forces keep Haram al-Sharif closed for a 2d day in a row, following the deadly attack in the Old City on 7/14. Islamic Waqf officials say that Israeli troops are stationed at all the sanctuary’s entrances. The atmosphere outside the sanctuary becomes increasingly tense, with intermittent confrontations and violent incidents. In nearby Silwan, Palestinians throw Molotov cocktails at Israeli forces on patrol, lightly injuring 1. In the West Bank, unidentified assailants open fire on an Israeli plated vehicle driving nr. Ramallah, lightly injuring the Palestinian driver. IDF troops arrest 1 Palestinian and confiscate a car during late-night raids nr. Hebron; and patrol in and around Qalqilya, Salfit, and Hebron. Off Gaza’s coast, Israeli naval forces open fire on Palestinian fishing boats nr. Bayt Lahiya, causing no damage or injuries. (MNA, PNN, TOI, WAFA 7/15)

Following the 7/14 deadly attack at Haram al-Sharif, Israeli PM Netanyahu announces a series of security measures to be implemented at the sanctuary: metal detectors will be installed at every entrance, surveillance cameras will be installed around the perimeter, and “more security measures will be taken . . . later on.” He also says that the sanctuary will be “gradually reopened” beginning at noon on 7/16. Jordan’s King Abdullah then phones Netanyahu to stress the importance of maintaining the status quo at Haram al-Sharif. (HA, MNA, TOI 7/15; HA 7/16)

Three Palestinian citizens of Israel open fire on Israeli police officers in the Old City of Jerusalem, critically injuring 3 (2 succumb to their injuries later in the day). The attackers seek refuge at Haram al-Sharif, and Israeli forces shoot and kill all 3. Israeli police deploy heavily across the Old City, block off all entrances to Haram al-Sharif, and cancel Friday prayers at the sanctuary, forcing Muslim worshippers to pray in the streets. They also detain and interrogate 58 Islamic Waqf employees. With tensions running high across the city, an unidentified assailant throws a Molotov cocktail at an Israeli settler family driving through Silwan; 3 of the settlers are injured, including an infant. Israeli forces conduct raids in Abu Dis, sparking minor clashes with stone-throwing Palestinians; at least 25 are arrested. In the West Bank, IDF troops conduct raids in Dahaysha r.c. nr. Bethlehem, arresting 3 Palestinians and sparking clashes; 1 Palestinian is killed. Israeli settlers throw stones at Palestinian cars driving nr. Bethlehem, causing no injuries or major damage. IDF troops violently disperse Palestinians, Israelis, and international activists at Friday protests against the Israeli occupation, separation wall, and settlements in 3 villages nr. Ramallah (Bil‘in, Ni‘lin, and Nabi Salih), Kafr Qaddum nr. Qalqilya, and along Gaza’s border nr. al-Bureij r.c. and Jabaliya r.c.; 2 Palestinians are injured. The IDF also patrols in and around Qalqilya and Hebron. (EI, HA, MNA, NYT, PNN, TOI, WAFA, YA 7/14; MNA 7/15; PCHR 7/20)

PA pres. Abbas phones Israeli PM Netanyahu to condemn the morning’s attack in Jerusalem and to denounce violence on both sides, particularly at holy sites. He also calls for Netanyahu to reopen Haram al-Sharif. Netanyahu reportedly tells Abbas that he will uphold the status quo at the sanctuary, but that Israeli forces will maintain security at all costs. Abbas later calls on Jordan to intervene, and the Jordanian govt. releases a statement calling on Israel to reopen the sanctuary. (HA, TOI, WAFA 7/14; HA 7/16)

After shutting down on 7/12, the Gaza power plant resumes operations, with 3 of its turbines supplying 70 MW to the local grid. It’s unclear if the fuel required came from Egypt or somewhere else. (MNA 7/15)

Israeli naval vessels intercept a Palestinian fishing boat that approaches the boundary of the permitted fishing zone off the Bayt Lahiya coast, damaging the boat, forcing the fishermen to jump into the sea, and then detaining them, taking them to Ashdod port in Israel for several hrs. of questioning, before releasing them to Gaza. A smuggling tunnel under the Rafah border collapses, killing 3 Palestinians. In the West Bank, the IDF conducts late-night arrest raids, house searches nr. Hebron, Nablus. In East Jerusalem, Palestinians in Silwan report that during the previous wk., Israeli workers and archeologists resumed work on 2 archeological tunnels under the city leading to the al-Aqsa Mosque (see Quarterly Update in JPS 154). A group of right-wing Jews breaks into the al-Aqsa Mosque compound to hold prayers marking Hanukkah, but Waqf officials ask Israeli police to intervene, and police remove them peacefully. Jewish settlers in East Jerusalem celebrating Hanukkah attack a number of Palestinian shops and residents in the Old City; Israeli security forces observe but do not intervene. The PASF crackdown on Hamas mbrs. in the West Bank winds down today, with the UN reporting at least 80 and as many as 300 detained. The Israeli High Court rules that a 2007-imposed ban on family visits by Gazans to Palestinians held in Israeli jails is valid. (OCHA, PCHR 12/16; PCHR 12/23; HA 12/31)