The Palestine Chronology

In the West Bank, some 30 Israeli settlers with military escort threw stones at Palestinians and buildings in Kafr al-Dik, injuring 1 Palestinian and damaging 1 agricultural structure and 1 vehicle. Israeli settlers also set up tents on Palestinian-owned land near Taqqua. Israeli forces arrested 1 Palestinian who allegedly tried to ram Israeli settlers with a car at a spring near the Allon settlement; no injuries were reported. Israeli forces also seized 1 tractor near Bidya. Elsewhere, 1 Palestinian was injured during a fall after being chased by Israeli forces at the separation barrier west of Jenin. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces violently disbanded Palestinians preparing for a Mother’s Day event at a stadium in al-Tur, saying it was funded by the PA; 1 Palestinian was physically assaulted by the forces. Off the coast of Gaza, Israeli naval forces opened fire at Palestinian fishermen within 3 nautical miles west of Bayt Lahiya; no injuries were reported. (HA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 3/28; WAFA 3/29; PCHR 4/1)

Leader of Ra’am (United Arab List) Mansour Abbas met with Yesh Atid (There Is a Future) chairman Yair Lapid to discuss the possibility of forming a government. There are currently 2 blocs, pro-Netanyahu and anti-Netanyahu, with neither having enough mandates to form a government. 2 parties, Yamina (Rightwards) and Ra’am, have not pledged their support to either bloc. According to a source, Abbas and Lapid discussed recognizing unauthorized bedouin villages in the Negev, revoking racist sanctions on illegal construction in Palestinian towns in Israel, freezing the Nation-State Law and combatting violence in Palestinian-Israeli areas of Israel. Yisrael Beiteinu (Israel Our Home) chairman Avigdor Lieberman said that his party would recommend to president Reuven Rivlin that Lapid should be tasked with forming a government. (HA, HA, JP 3/28)

Along Gaza’s border, IDF troops open fire on Palestinian farmers, shepherds, and bird-hunters working near Khan Yunis and Gaza City; there are no reported injuries. 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 shoot and injure a Palestinian during clashes sparked by an arrest raid in Abu Qash near Ramallah. Separately, IDF troops open fire on a Palestinian vehicle driving outside Dayr Abu Mash‘al near Ramallah; 3 Palestinian minors are injured (1 critically). Meanwhile, IDF troops arrest 16 Palestinians during raids near Ramallah, Qalqilya, Salfit, Jenin, and Nablus; and patrol in and around Hebron. Israeli settlers throw stones at Palestinian homes in Urif village near Nablus, sparking a minor confrontation with residents of the area; there are no major injuries or damage reported. In East Jerusalem, dozens of right-wing Jewish activists tour Haram al-Sharif in the morning. Israeli forces arrest 2 Palestinians during late-night raids in Qalandia refugee camp. (MNA, MNA, WAFA 11/18; HA, MNA, MNA 11/19; PCHR 11/22)

At a press conference in Tel Aviv, Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu announces that he is taking on the position of defense minister following Avigdor Lieberman’s resignation on 11/14. He also says it would be “irresponsible” to force early elections during “one of our most difficult security periods.” (HA, JP, JP, MNA 11/19)

A U.S. State Department official says that the Trump administration is considering retaliatory measures against the Palestinians following PA president Abbas’s “premature” and “counterproductive” decision to sign accession documents for 11 international treaties and conventions on 11/15. “The U.S. continues to make clear, both with the parties and with international partners, that the only realistic path forward is through direct negotiations aimed at achieving a comprehensive and lasting peace,” the official says. “We are currently reviewing possible consequences of the Palestinians’ recent actions.” (TOI, USSD 11/18)

In the West Bank, Israeli forces deliver stop-work orders to 4 Palestinian homes under renovation in al-Khadir village near Bethlehem and a Palestinian home under construction in Bayt Umar near Hebron. IDF troops assault and arrest 1 Palestinian, arrest 8 others, and issue 1 arrest summons during raids near Ramallah, Jenin, and Hebron; and patrol near Jenin, Nablus, Hebron, and Tulkarm. Israeli settlers throw stones at a Palestinian vehicle near Qalqilya, injuring a Palestinian infant. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces raid the PA’s Ministry of Jerusalem Affairs headquarters and another Palestinian administrative office in al-Dahiya, confiscating files related to the sale of a home in the Muslim Quarter of the Old City and lightly injuring 5 Palestinians who confront them. Separately, Israeli forces arrest 7 Palestinians during raids in Qalandia refugee camp, al-Tur, Hizma, and Silwan. Off Gaza’s coast, Israeli naval forces open fire on Palestinian fishing boats near Bayt Lahiya, causing no damage or injuries. (HA, MNA, MNA, TOI, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 11/4; MNA, WAFA 11/5; PCHR 11/8)

The Palestinian who IDF troops shot and injured along Gaza’s border fence on 11/3 succumbs to his injuries. (MNA 11/4)

Al-Hayat reports that Fatah officials accepted an Egyptian proposal to mediate a “calm” between Israel and Hamas, marking a break from PA president Mahmoud Abbas’s previous stance. Meanwhile, Israeli defense minister Avigdor Lieberman reportedly spars with the rest of the Israeli cabinet over the proposed “calm” in Gaza. He is reportedly in favor of a violent strike on Gaza in an effort to assert calm, rather than making any concessions to Hamas. (AH, TOI, TOI 11/4)

Israeli drones bomb a group of Palestinians allegedly launching incendiary kites and balloons into southern Israel near al-Bureij refugee camp; there are no reported injuries. On the other side of the border fence, Israeli firefighters put out 2 fires allegedly sparked by such attacks. This marks the first instance of Palestinians launching such incendiary devices into Israel since 10/25. Also along Gaza’s border, IDF troops open fire on Palestinian minors approaching the border fence near Dayr al-Balah; 1 Palestinian is 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 forces deliver a stop-work order to a Palestinian home and 3 makeshift residential structures under construction near Salfit. They also demolish 2 Palestinian residential structures in Yatta near Hebron and confiscate 2 tractors from Palestinian agricultural land near Tubas. IDF troops arrest 12 Palestinians during raids in and around Ramallah, Jenin, Hebron, and Bethlehem; and patrol near Jenin, Nablus, and Hebron. Israeli settlers assault and injure 2 Palestinians and smash the windows of a Palestinian store in central Hebron. Palestinian witnesses say that the settlers assaulted the first Palestinian after he objected to their loud music and use of foul language. (MNA, MNA, MNA, TOI, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 10/31; PCHR, WAFA 11/1)

The Palestinian and Israeli press reports that Israel has agreed to allow Qatar to transfer money to Hamas to pay the salaries of the civil servants working for its government, in Gaza. It’s unclear if Israel has agreed in principle or if an agreement has been signed. Separately, Palestinian sources say that significant progress has been made in the Egypt-mediated talks toward a long-term cease-fire between Hamas and Israel. They don’t offer details, but they point to recent trust-building steps taken by both sides, including Israel’s decision to allow transfers of diesel fuel into Gaza for the area’s sole power plant and Hamas’s efforts to limit the violence at the ongoing Great March of Return protests. (HA, YA 10/31)

Israeli defense minister Avigdor Lieberman announces that he has ordered Gaza’s fishing zone expanded to 6 nautical miles off the northern coast and 9 nautical miles off the southern coast. Lieberman reduced the fishing zone to 3 nautical miles on 10/17 after rocket fire from Gaza. Sources in the defense minister’s office say that the move comes in the context of the Israeli government’s efforts to maintain calm along Gaza’s border fence. (AS, YA 10/31)

Off Gaza’s coast, Israeli naval forces open fire on Palestinian fishing boats near Gaza City, causing no damage or injuries (2 fishermen are arrested and 1 boat is confiscated). Along Gaza’s border, IDF troops violently disperse Palestinians gathering near Rafah to continue the Great March of Return; 1 protester is injured. Israeli firefighters put out 7 fires reportedly sparked by incendiary kites and balloons flown into southern Israel from Gaza. In the West Bank, IDF troops violently disperse Palestinians at protests against the Israeli occupation in al-Bireh near Ramallah; 5 Palestinians are injured. They also arrest 13 Palestinians during raids near Ramallah, Hebron, Jenin, and Qalqilya; and patrol near Tulkarm, Qalqilya, and Salfit. Israeli forces deliver stop-work orders to a Palestinian home and well under construction near Hebron. Israeli settlers throw stones at a Palestinian vehicle near Qalqilya, causing minor damage. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces arrest 3 Palestinians during raids in Issawiyya. (MNA, MNA, MNA, TOI, WAFA, WAFA, YA 10/6; PCHR 10/11)

Hamas announces that a member of its armed wing has succumbed to injuries that he sustained during a previously unreported accidental explosion on 10/1. Later, another Hamas fighter succumbs to injuries reportedly sustained years ago in unclear circumstances in Gaza. (MNA 10/6; MNA 10/7)

Israeli defense minister Avigdor Lieberman orders the reduction of the fishing zone off Gaza’s coast from 9 nautical miles to 6 nautical miles, citing concerns about the recent violence along Gaza’s border. “The defense minister’s decision was made following the violent rioting over the weekend near the fence and attempts to harm IDF forces and launch confrontational flotillas,” according to a Defense Ministry statement. This marks the 2d time in the past few months that Lieberman has ordered a punitive reduction of the fishing zone. (MNA, TOI 10/6)

Al Akhbar reports that the UN has agreed to pay the salaries of Gaza’s civil servants for 3 months and that Israel has agreed in principle to permit 5,000 Gazan merchants to enter Israel for business. The report comes days after similar reports of a deal under which Qatar would pay $60 million for fuel for Gaza’s sole power plant. Meanwhile, senior Israeli defense officials say that PA president Mahmoud Abbas was enraged at the UN plan to transfer Qatari-funded diesel fuel to Gaza, as reported on 10/4. Abbas later confirms that he is considering possible response, including a suspension of the approximately $100 million that the PA transfers to Gaza per month. Also, a senior Fatah official calls UN Special Coordinator Mladenov a “servant” of the Trump admin., presumably in response to the UN official’s work to facilitate transfers of aid to Gaza without PA involvement. “He should not be intervening in internal affairs,” the official continues. “It is not his right or mandate to interfere, but he puts his nose in everything.” (AH, TOI, TOI, WAFA 10/6; TOI 10/8; TOI 10/9)

Along Gaza’s border, IDF troops open fire on Palestinian farmland near Bayt Hanun, causing no damage. They also violently disperse a group of Palestinian minors congregating along the border fence near al-Bureij refugee camp, causing no serious injuries. In 3 separate incidents off Gaza’s coast, Israeli naval forces open fire on Palestinian fishing boats near Rafah and Khan Yunis, causing no damage or injuries. In the West Bank, IDF troops arrest 15 Palestinians during late-night raids near Hebron and Jenin. (PCHR 5/31; PCHR 6/7)

A Palestinian succumbs to injuries sustained when IDF troops opened fire on protesters along Gaza’s border fence on 5/18, bringing the death toll stemming from the Great March of Return to 114. (MNA, TOI, WAFA 5/30; PCHR 5/31)

Amid conflicting reports about Israeli acquiescence to the Egypt-brokered cease-fire on 5/29, an Israeli official says that “Israel passed on messages saying if attacks resume, the strikes against Hamas and its affiliates will be even stronger.” Meanwhile, Hamas issues a statement officially recognizing the cease-fire. Later, Israel’s security cabinet convenes; they support PM Netanyahu and DM Avigdor Lieberman’s choice not to further escalate the situation, despite calls from some right-wing Members of Knesset (MKs) for Israel to reoccupy Gaza. (HA, JP, NYT, TOI, YA 5/30)

The Higher Planning Committee of Israel’s Civil Administration announces plans to construct 1,958 new homes in Israeli settlements. The committee also retroactively authorizes 2 illegal settlement outposts. (HA, JP, PCN, WAFA 5/30)

Along Gaza’s border, IDF troops violently disperse Palestinian protesters participating in the Great March of Return near Jabaliya refugee camp, Gaza City, Khan Yunis, and Rafah for a 3d day in a row; 8 Palestinians are injured (1 critically). IDF troops also shoot and injure a Palestinian minor along the border fence near Gaza City and arrest 4 unarmed Palestinians attempting to cross into Israel near Rafah. 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 6 Palestinians during raids in and around Tulkarm, Nablus, Jenin, Bethlehem, and Qalqilya; and patrol in and around Hebron and Bethlehem. Israeli settlers flood a Palestinian orchard near Hebron with sewage, damaging some crops. Palestinians throw rocks at an Israeli settler bus near Ramallah, lightly injuring the driver. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces patrol in Abu Dis, sparking clashes with stone-throwing Palestinian students; 6 Palestinians are injured. The IDF arrests 9 Palestinians during late-night raids in Issawiyya. (TOI, WAFA 4/1; MNA 4/2; PCHR 4/5)

IDF Maj. Gen. Mordechai confirms international press reports that the Israeli authorities are withholding the corpses of 2 Palestinians killed along Gaza’s border fence on 3/30. He says that they have no intention of returning the corpses until Hamas returns the remains of the 2 IDF soldiers and the 2 Israeli civilians allegedly being held in Gaza. (JP, TOI, YA 4/1)

Israeli DM Avigdor Lieberman rejects calls from the UN and EU for an independent and transparent investigation into in the Israeli killings of peaceful protesters in Gaza on 3/30. Instead, he says that “our troops deserve a commendation.” (JP, MNA 4/1; HA 4/2)

In the West Bank, IDF troops close down a road near Bethlehem, blocking Palestinian farmers in the area from working their fields. They also arrest 1 Palestinian during late-night raids near Jenin and patrol near Hebron. Late at night,Israeli settlers throw stones at Palestinian cars near Ramallah, causing minor damage and seriously injuring 1 child. Off Gaza’s coast, Israeli naval forces open fire on Palestinian fishing boats near Bayt Lahiya, causing no damage or injuries. (WAFA 10/5; MNA, WAFA 10/6; PCHR 10/12)

Israeli DM Lieberman and IDF chief of staff Gadi Eisenkot decide to permit the entrance into Israel of West Bank Palestinians “employed in required sectors of the economy.” Lieberman previously ordered, on 10/1, an 11-day closure of the West Bank and Gaza for the holiday (10/4–15). (HA, TOI 10/6)

PA PM Hamdallah returns to Ramallah from Gaza, where he spent 4 days meeting with various local officials and working to bring PA administration to the region. Further details of the ongoing reconciliation process are expected to be disclosed on 10/10, when Hamas and Fatah officials meet in Cairo for more talks. Meanwhile, Hamas announces that the PA has officially taken over as the administrative authority in Gaza. A spokesperson says that Hamas has been “supporting the consensus government.” (TOI, WAFA, YA 10/5)

A Hamas fighter dies in a tunnel accident nr. Khan Yunis. Off Gaza’s coast, Israeli naval forces open fire on a Palestinian fishing boat nr. Bayt Lahiya, causing no injuries. They also arrest 2 of the fishermen and confiscate their boat. In the West Bank, IDF troops arrest 6 Palestinians during late-night raids nr. Bethlehem, Hebron, and Jenin, and patrol during the day nr. Salfit, Hebron, and Qalqilya. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces arrest 7 Palestinians and issue 4 arrest summons during raids in Issawiyya, Sur al-Bahir, Shu‘fat r. c., Issawiyya, and Silwan. (MNA, MNA, WAFA 12/4; PCHR 12/8)

Israeli PM Netanyahu and DM Lieberman permit the transfer of 5 armored vehicles from Jordan to the PA because of the deteriorating security situation in the oPt, particularly in Nablus, according to an Israeli spokesperson. The PA has been requesting approval for such transfers for at least 4 years. (MNA, TOI 12/7)

After mos. of negotiations and intracoalition struggle, Netanyahu resolves several conflicts over the illegal Amona settlement outpost. First, he secures Atty. Gen. Avichai Mandelblit’s approval for the govt.’s plan to relocate the 40-odd families from Amona to a nearby plot of “abandoned” land. Second, he announces plans to petition the High Court of Justice for a 30-day delay of its evacuation and demolition order to give his govt. time to prepare temporary alternate housing for Amona’s residents. Third, he brokers a deal with Finance Minister Moshe Kahlon and Education Minister Naftali Bennett on the so-called regulations bill, which Bennett is backing in order to retroactively authorize the illegal West Bank settlement outposts, including Amona. Netanyahu and Kahlon agree to reverse their positions and support the bill as long as Clause 7, the provision that specifically addresses Amona, is removed. (HA, JP, TOI, YA 12/4; HA, JP, YA 12/5)

In Gaza, Israeli forces conduct a limited incursion e. of Jabaliya to level land. IDF troops stationed nr. Rafah arrest 3 Palestinians attempting to cross the border into Israel. Off the coast nr. Bayt Lahiya, Israeli naval forces open fire on Palestinian fishing boats, causing no damage or injuries. A small armed group, with self-proclaimed affiliations to ISIS, posts a statement online threatening to “act” against Hamas if certain prisoners are not freed within 72 hours. Hours later, a bomb explodes on the perimeter of Hamas’s security headquarters in Gaza City. The group does not take credit for the bombing, but Hamas police proceed to arrest dozens of the group’s mbrs. and destroy a makeshift mosque-headquarters in Dayr al-Balah. In the West Bank, Israeli forces set up 12 mobile homes early in the morning on 650 dunams of previously leveled land outside a Palestinian village nr. Bethlehem. Meanwhile, the IDF conducts drills in the n. Jordan Valley, causing fire damage on large tracts of agricultural land; patrols in 3 villages nr. Ramallah, 1 each nr. Nablus, Qalqilya, and Jericho. Israeli forces also conduct house searches and late-night raids in and around Nablus, Jenin, and 1 village nr. Ramallah, arresting 18 Palestinians and confiscating some of their property. A Palestinian throws a Molotov cocktail at a bus of Israeli settlers nr. Nablus, then the IDF imposes a curfew on a nearby village. In East Jerusalem, Israeli security guards shoot and injure a Palestinian man at a Light Rail station nr. the French Hill settlement, after reportedly mistaking his belt buckle for a knife. (AFP, HA, JP, MNA, TOI, WAFA, YA 5/4; AP, MNA 5/5; JP 5/7)

Israel’s High Court of Justice approves COGAT’s request to demolish a number of tents and homes in a Palestinian village nr. Hebron. Approximately 450 Palestinians will be displaced. (MNA 5/4; JP 5/5)

Israeli FM Avigdor Lieberman resigns as FM and says his Yisrael Beytenu party will not be joining the ruling coalition of PM Netanyahu’s next govt. He says that he chose “principles and not portfolios,” and that “what’s being built is not a national camp, but a govt. that smacks of opportunism.” Netanyahu’s deadline for forming a coalition is 5/6. (HA, JP, YA 5/4)

Mortar rounds fired from inside Syria hit a UN Disengagement Observer Force base in the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights, injuring 2 international peacekeepers. The IDF says that the fire was not deliberately aimed across the Israeli border. (AFP, REU, TOI 5/4)

Palestinians in the West Bank vote in local elections, the 1st elections in 6 yrs. Out of the 353 municipalities, the poll was held in only 92; 181 municipalities form councils without elections due to a lack of candidates. Hamas boycotts the elections. The Central Elections Commission reports that around 515,000 Palestinians were registered to vote, of which 55% turned out to vote (by comparison, three-quarters cast ballots in the 2006 parliamentary elections and twothirds in the 2004 and 2005 municipal elections). Fatah has mixed results, partly due to the fact that its own mbrs. ran against each other, some as independents (27 Fatah mbrs. were subsequently expelled from the party for running in non-Fatah lists). (AP, BBC, NYT 10/20; AP, MNA 10/21; see also MNA 10/18; AP 10/19)

Israeli FM Avigdor Lieberman criticizes European countries for their 10/19 opposition to plans for 100s of new homes in Gilo settlement, and PM Netanyahu vows to continue construction in East Jerusalem. Meanwhile, the Israeli NGO Peace Now reveals government plans to build a military academy on the Mount of Olives in occupied East Jerusalem. (AFP, ToI 10/20; JP 10/21)

The Israeli navy intercepts a boat (Estelle) of pro-Palestinian activists en route to the Gaza Strip. The IDF boards the vessel 30 naut. mi. off the Gaza coast and tows it to Ashdod. Separately, Israeli naval vessels open fire on Palestinian fishermen, causing no injuries. In the West Bank, the IDF patrols in 2 villages nr. Ramallah and 1 village nr. Tulkarm in the morning, and in 1 village nr. Jenin and 1 village nr. Ramallah at night. (BBC 10/21;  PCHR 10/24)