The Palestine Chronology

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers raid Burin and Madama, throwing stones at homes and vehicles. Israeli forces demolish 2 homes in al-Matar near Jericho. Israeli forces also raze 15 dunams (3.7 acres) of land, uprooting around 150 olive trees in Husan. Elsewhere, Israeli forces arrest 15 Palestinians during late-night raids in and around Dheisheh refugee camp, Tell, Arura, as-Samu, Tulkarm, and Attil, including a Palestinian prisoner exchanged during the ceasefire deal in November 2023; 13 Palestinians released in the prisoner exchange have been rearrested. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces arrest 20 Palestinians during raids in Isawiya. In Gaza, Israeli forces bomb Rafah, Khan Yunis, Gaza City, Nuseirat refugee camp, and Jabalia refugee camp, killing at least 81 people. Israeli forces also raid al-Shifa Hospital, killing 20 people, including the person in charge of coordinating humanitarian aid to northern Gaza, Fayeq al-Mabhouh, and arresting more than 80 people, including Al Jazeera journalist Ismail al-Ghoul, who is released 12 hours later. An Israeli soldier is killed in combat. In Lebanon, Israeli forces bomb buildings in Adissa, Ramyah, and Kafr Kila. Hezbollah forces attack Israeli facilities in Shebaa Farms, al-Tahyat Hill, and al-Bayad Bilda. In Yemen, U.S. forces bomb 13 sites, saying they are targeting weapon storage facilities, drones, and anti-ship missiles. (AJ, AJ, AJ, AP, HA, HA, HA, NYT, REU, REU, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 3/18; AJ, HA 3/19)

More than 31,726 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli forces in Gaza, including at least 13,400 children and 8,900 women, and around 73,792 have been injured since 10/7/2023. At least 7,000 people are missing in rubble, including 1,700 children. 426 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli forces and settlers in the West Bank and East Jerusalem since 10/7/2023, including 111 children. More than 4,665 people have been injured. Israel reports that 1,139 Israelis and foreign nationals have been killed and 5,400 have been injured in Israel since 10/7/2023, including Israeli soldiers. In addition, 249 Israeli soldiers have been killed and 1,482 injured in Gaza since the ground invasion began on 10/27/2023. Over 1.93 million Palestinians, nearly 85% of the population of Gaza, have been displaced since 10/7/2023. There has been a complete electricity blackout in Gaza since 10/12/2023 due to the Israeli blockade. At least 70,000 housing units have been destroyed and 290,000 have been damaged in Israeli airstrikes since 10/7/2023, constituting over 60% of all housing units. 125 trucks carrying aid enter Gaza. (UNOCHA, UNOCHA, WAFA 3/18; UNOCHA 3/20)

A UN report says famine is expected in northern Gaza in May. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres calls the imminent famine “an entirely manmade disaster” that can be halted. EU high commissioner for foreign affairs Josep Borrell says Gaza is in a “state of famine, affecting thousands of people,” adding that the Israel is using “[s]tarvation as a weapon of war.” Israel denies UNRWA commissioner-general Philippe Lazzarini entry to Gaza. (AJ, AJ, AP, AX, HA, HA, NYT, NYT, REU, REU, REU, REU, REU, UNOCHA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 3/18; NYT 3/19)

Joint List MK Ahmad Tibi says Palestinian prisoner and prominent politician Marwan Barghouti has been beaten by Israeli guards while in solitary confinement on 3/6 and 3/12, adding his life is in danger. PLO secretary-general Hussein al-Sheikh calls for international protection of Palestinian prisoners, citing the “isolation, torture and attempts to coerce, humiliate and beat” Barghouti. (AJ, HA, WAFA 3/18)

Israeli hands over the body of the 13-year-old Palestinian boy killed by Israeli forces in Shu’fat on 3/12 on the conditions that he is buried at night with no more than 50 people in attendance and that he is buried in ‘Anata rather than at a cemetery adjacent to the Old City where his relatives are buried. (WAFA 3/18)

Israeli national security minister Itamar Ben-Gvir says Israel has approved 100,000 new gun licenses since 10/7/2023. (HA 3/18; AJ 3/19)

Israel responds to South Africa’s request to the ICJ to order additional measures against Israel, calling it “morally repugnant.” (AJ, AJ, AP, REU 3/18; HA 3/19)

Reuters reports that the Israeli delegation, led by Mossad director David Barnea, that arrived in Doha today will suggest a 6-week ceasefire during which 40 captives will be released by Hamas. Multiple outlets report that the negotiations are expected to take 2 weeks and will be done with the direct but remote participation of Hamas leader in Gaza Yahya Siwnar. (AJ, AX, HA, HA, NYT, REU 3/18)

U.S. president Joe Biden speaks with Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu for the first time since 2/15. The 2 agree to have Israel send a team of officials to Washington D.C. to discuss “alternative approaches” to Israel’s planned Rafah invasion. Biden calls on Netanyahu to increase the flow of aid to Gaza. National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan confirms Israel assassinated Hamas member Marwan Issa on 3/11 and that the U.S. will help Israel bring “justice” for the rest of the Hamas leadership. (AJ, AJ, AP, AX, AX, HA, HA, HA, NYT, REU, REU 3/18; AJ, HA, NYT 3/19)

The EU foreign ministers unanimously agree to sanction violent Israeli settlers. Israeli finance minister Bezalel Smotrich says Israel will respond by “strengthening and entrenching settlements in all parts of the land of Israel.” (AJ, HA, HA, REU, WAFA 3/18; WAFA 3/19)

The Canadian House of Commons passes a non-binding motion calling for an end to arms exports to Israel, an immediate ceasefire, the release of all captives held in Gaza, and working toward a 2-state solution. Language, proposed by the New Democratic Party, calling for Canada to recognize the State of Palestine was removed from the motion. Canadian prime minister Justin Trudeau speaks with Israeli war cabinet member Benny Gantz, voicing concerns over the Israeli plans to invade Rafah. Gantz tells Trudeau that Canada should not unilaterally recognize the State of Palestine. (HA, NYT, REU 3/18; AJ 3/19)

The UN Security Council condemns the Houthi movement’s attack on the ship True Confidence on 3/6 which killed 3 crew members. (AJ 3/18)

Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump says “any Jewish person that votes for Democrats hates their religion. They hate everything about Israel and they should be ashamed of themselves.” White House spokesperson Andrew Bates calls Trump’s comments “vile and unhinged antisemitic rhetoric.” (HA, HA, NYT 3/18; AP, HA 3/19)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers raid Burin, setting fire to a vehicle and vandalizing 2 others. Israeli forces shoot and kill 2 Palestinians, including a child, and injure 3 others in al-Jib. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces shoot and kill a 12-year-old boy in Shu’fat refugee camp, seizing his body to withhold it from his family in order to dictate the size and location of the funeral as conditions for the return of the body. A video of the incident shows that the boy and his friends are playing with fireworks when he is killed by a sniper. Israeli national security minister Itamar Ben-Gvir praises the soldier who shot the child, saying he deserves an award. In Gaza, Israeli forces bomb Jabalia refugee camp, Dayr al-Balah, Gaza City, Nuseirat refugee camp, al-Bureij refugee camp, Maghazi, Rafah, and Khan Yunis, killing at least 72 people. Israeli forces also shoot and kill at least 9 people and injure 20 others waiting for aid at the Kuwait Roundabout in Gaza City. Off the coast of Gaza, Israeli naval forces shoot and kill 2 Palestinian fishermen west of Dayr al-Balah. In Lebanon, Israeli forces bomb Bint Jbeil and the Beqaa Valley, killing 2 people near Baalbek. Hezbollah forces attack Israeli forces in Zar’it, Barakat Risha, Hadab Yarin, and Jal al-Alam. (AJ, AP, HA, HA, HA, NYT, REU, REU, UNOCHA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 3/12; HA, HA, NYT, REU, UNOCHA, WAFA 3/13; AJ, HA, UNOCHA 3/14)

More than 31,184 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli forces in Gaza, including at least 13,400 children and 8,900 women, and around 72,889 have been injured since 10/7/2023. At least 7,000 people are missing in rubble, including 1,700 children. 422 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli forces and settlers in the West Bank and East Jerusalem since 10/7/2023, including 110 children. More than 4,665 people have been injured. Israel reports that 1,139 Israelis and foreign nationals have been killed and 5,400 have been injured in Israel since 10/7/2023, including Israeli soldiers. In addition, 247 Israeli soldiers have been killed and 1,475 injured in Gaza since the ground invasion began on 10/27/2023. Over 1.93 million Palestinians, nearly 85% of the population of Gaza, have been displaced since 10/7/2023. There has been a complete electricity blackout in Gaza since 10/12/2023 due to the Israeli blockade. At least 70,000 housing units have been destroyed and 290,000 have been damaged in Israeli airstrikes since 10/7/2023, constituting over 60% of all housing units. 134 trucks carrying aid enter Gaza. The U.S. and Jordan airdrop aid into Gaza. The World Food Programme delivers meals for 25,000 people in Gaza City. (AJ, REU, UNOCHA 3/12; NYT, NYT, UNOCHA 3/13)

The Gaza Media Office says more than 400 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli forces while waiting for aid since the Flour Massacre on 2/29. (AJ 3/12)

Haaretz reports that, based on testimonies from Israeli officials who have visited a medical facility for Palestinian captives from Gaza held at the Sde Teiman military base, the wounded Palestinians are shackled to their hospital beds and blindfolded 24 hours a day. There are no nurses at the facility and the Israeli soldiers refuse to feed the prisoners, so they are forced to drink liquid formula. (HA 3/12)

PA Supreme Judicial Council president Issa Abu Sharar resigns. PA president Mahmoud Abbas and Foreign Minister Riyad al-Maliki meet with Canadian foreign minister Melanie Joly in Ramallah. Abbas also speaks with Egyptian president Abdel Fattah el-Sisi.  (WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 3/12)

Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu says via video-link to the AIPAC conference in Washington D.C. that Israel “will finish the job in Rafah while enabling the civilian population to get out of harm’s way.” (AJ, HA, REU 3/12)

EU high commissioner for foreign affairs Josep Borrell tells the UN Security Council that Israel is using starvation as a “weapon of war.” (AJ 3/13)

U.S. national security advisor Jake Sullivan urges Hamas to accept a 6-week ceasefire and release women, wounded people, and elderly captives in order to build a more enduring ceasefire. Sullivan also says that Biden does not have any “red lines” for Israel’s conduct in Gaza. (HA, NYT, REU 3/12; NYT 3/13)

Hebrew University in Jerusalem suspends Palestinian law professor Nadera Shalhoub-Kevorkian because she called for a ceasefire and said Israel is committing genocide in Gaza. (HA 3/12; HA 3/13)

The New York branch of the American Civil Liberties Union and Palestine Legal sue Columbia University for unlawful suspension of its chapters of Students for Justice in Palestine and Jewish Voice for Peace. (AJ, AP, HA 3/12)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers spray racist graffiti on walls and set vehicles on fire in Turmus ‘Ayya. Israeli forces shoot and kill 2 Palestinians and injure 3 others during a raid in Tulkarm refugee camp, an Israeli soldier is injured during the raid. Israeli forces also shoot and kill a member of the PA security forces near Beit Furik. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces seal off the family home in Shu’fat of a Palestinian who was shot dead on 2/16 after allegedly killing 2 Israelis. In Gaza, Israeli forces bomb Gaza City, Khan Yunis, Dayr al-Balah, Rafah, Nuseirat refugee camp, and Beit Lahiya, killing at least 126 people. Israeli forces also fire tank shells at al-Amal Hospital in Khan Yunis. Israeli attacks render the Nasser Hospital in Khan Yunis inoperative as an eighth patient dies due to the lack of power at the hospital. 1 Israeli soldier is killed in combat. In Lebanon, Hezbollah fires an anti-tank missile at a building in Kibbutz Yir’on, causing damage. In the Red Sea, Houthi forces fire a missile at a UK-owned ship, causing damage. (AJ, AJ, HA, HA, NYT, REU, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 2/18; AJ, AJ, HA, HA, NYT, REU, UNOCHA, WAFA 2/19; AP 2/20)

More than 28,985 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli forces in Gaza, including at least 12,000 children and 7,200 women, and around 68,883 have been injured since 10/7/2023. At least 8,000 people are missing in rubble, including 1,700 children. 393 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli forces and settlers in the West Bank and East Jerusalem since 10/7/2023, including 100 children. More than 4,499 people have been injured. Israel reports that 1,139 Israelis and foreign nationals have been killed and 5,400 have been injured in Israel since 10/7/2023, including Israeli soldiers. In addition, 232 Israeli soldiers have been killed and 1,361 injured in Gaza since the ground invasion began on 10/27/2023. Over 1.93 million Palestinians, nearly 85% of the population of Gaza, have been displaced since 10/7/2023. There has been a complete electricity blackout in Gaza since 10/12/2023 due to the Israeli blockade. At least 70,000 housing units have been destroyed and 290,000 have been damaged in Israeli airstrikes since 10/7/2023, constituting over 60% of all housing units. 38 trucks carrying aid enter Gaza. (WAFA 2/18; UNOCHA, UNOCHA 2/19)

PA prime minister Mohammed Shtayyeh addresses the Munich Security Conference, saying the PA and Egypt will not allow Israel to push Palestinians into the Sinai. Shtayyeh also says the PA is prepared to cooperate with Hamas to achieve national unity. EU high commissioner for foreign affairs Josep Borrell highlights the plight of Palestinians in the West Bank during a speech at the conference. (AJ, HA, HA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 2/18)

The Israeli High Court of Justice dismisses a request for Israel to disclose the whereabouts of 62 Palestinians from Gaza who have been taken to Israel by Israeli forces and for them to be allowed to meet a lawyer. (HA 2/18)

The Israeli cabinet unanimously approves a declaratory decision to reject any unilateral recognition of the state of Palestine. Israeli war cabinet member Benny Gantz says Israel will limit the number of people entering the Haram al-Sharif compound during Ramadan. Channel 13 reports that the proposal was made by National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir and approved by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. The PA calls the decision “racist incitement against Palestinians.” The Supreme Fatwa Council of Palestine warns Israel of a “religious war” if Muslims are denied access to the compound during Ramadan. The Higher Arab Monitoring Committee says Ben-Gvir is organizing his own war against Palestinian citizens of Israel. (AJ, HA, HA, HA, NYT, REU 2/18; AJ, AJ, HA, HA, NYT, REU, WAFA, WAFA 2/19; HA, HA, REU 2/20)

Norway says an agreement has been reached on the transfer of PA tax funds from Israel to the PA via Norway. Norway will withhold the part of the tax revenue Israel considers is for Gaza. Prime Minister Shtayyeh says after a meeting with Norwegian foreign minister Espen Barth Eide that the funds will not be transferred to the PA. (WAFA 2/18; AP, REU 2/19; WAFA 2/20)

Brazilian president Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva addresses the African Union Summit, calling Israel’s war on Gaza “genocide” and compares the attacks to the Holocaust, saying it has happened before “when [Adolf] Hitler decided to kill the Jews.” Israeli foreign minister Israel Katz summons the Brazilian ambassador. (AJ, AJ, AP, HA, HA, NYT, REU, WAFA 2/18)

UK Labour party leader Kier Starmer calls for a lasting ceasefire. (AJ, HA, REU 2/18; AJ 2/19)

The Wall Street Journal reports that the Biden administration is looking at ways to give direct financial support to the PA to prevent it from running out of funds. (HA, WSJ 2/18)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers assault 3 Palestinians in ‘Asira al-Qibliya. Israeli settlers also assault 2 Palestinian children in al-Mufaqara in the Masafer Yatta area. In East Jerusalem, Israeli authorities force a Palestinian family to demolish their own home in Silwan. Israeli forces shoot and injure a Palestinian during a raid in Shu’fat refugee camp. In Gaza, Israeli forces bomb Rafah, Khan Yunis, Gaza City, Nuseirat refugee camp, Dayr al-Balah, and Beit Hanun, killing at least 83 people. Israel’s military says it has arrested around 100 Palestinians at the Nasser Hospital, claiming they are terror suspects. In Lebanon, Israel attacks Jabel Blat and Wadi Hamoul. In Syria, Israeli forces bomb Mahajjah, causing damage. In Yemen, U.S. forces attack 5 Houthi-linked sites. (AJ, HA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 2/17; AJ, NYT, REU 2/18; UNOCHA 2/19)

More than 28,858 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli forces in Gaza, including at least 12,000 children and 7,200 women, and around 68,677 have been injured since 10/7/2023. At least 8,000 people are missing in rubble, including 1,700 children. 390 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli forces and settlers in the West Bank and East Jerusalem since 10/7/2023, including 100 children. More than 4,499 people have been injured. Israel reports that 1,139 Israelis and foreign nationals have been killed and 5,400 have been injured in Israel since 10/7/2023, including Israeli soldiers. In addition, 232 Israeli soldiers have been killed and 1,361 injured in Gaza since the ground invasion began on 10/27/2023. Over 1.93 million Palestinians, nearly 85% of the population of Gaza, have been displaced since 10/7/2023. There has been a complete electricity blackout in Gaza since 10/12/2023 due to the Israeli blockade. At least 70,000 housing units have been destroyed and 290,000 have been damaged in Israeli airstrikes since 10/7/2023, constituting over 60% of all housing units. 4 trucks carrying aid enter Gaza. (WAFA 2/17; UNOCHA, UNOCHA 2/19)

Qatari prime minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani says ceasefire negotiations are “not very promising” but that they will continue. Hamas political leader Ismail Haniyeh says that Hamas will not accept anything less than an end to hostilities and the lifting of the siege. (AJ, HA, REU 2/17; AJ 2/18)

PA prime minister Mohammad Shtayyeh meets with South African president Cyril Ramaphosa at the sidelines of the African Union Summit in Addis Ababa. Shtayyeh also addresses the summit, saying “[l]et the voice of Africa and the voice of the union be loud for the freedom of Palestine and the right of its people to self-determination and the embodiment of the Palestinian state and its recognition as a member of the United Nations.” (AJ, AP, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 2/17)

North Sinai governor Mohamed Abdel Fadhil Shousha says the leveling of land and building of walls near Gaza is to provide facilities for the delivery of aid and not for receiving Palestinian refugees. (AJ 2/17)

UNRWA commissioner-general Philippe Lazzarini says Israel is seeking to destroy UNRWA because it thinks the agency’s abolition would resolve the status of the Palestinian refugees. (AJ, AP, WAFA 2/17)

Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu rejects international pressure for a 2-state solution, calling it “a reward for terrorism” and says he halted the ceasefire negotiations due to Hamas’s demands being “delusional.” President Isaac Herzog claims that medication brought into Gaza for Israeli captives has not reached the captives yet. (AJ, HA, NYT, REU 2/17)

Norway says Israel and the PA are close to reaching an agreement on the unfreezing of the PA’s tax revenue. (AJ, HA 2/17; HA 2/18; AJ 2/19)

U.S. envoy for humanitarian issues in the Middle East David Satterfield says Israel has not presented evidence that Hamas is diverting UN aid in Gaza. Secretary of State Antony Blinken says at the Munich Security Conference that there is an urgent need to create a Palestinian state and an extraordinary opportunity for Israel to normalize ties with its neighbors. U.S. ambassador to the UN Linda Thomas-Greenfield says the U.S. will veto a ceasefire resolution drafted by Algeria at the UN Security Council. (AJ, HA, REU, REU 2/17; AJ, AJ, HA, WAFA 2/18)

EU high commissioner for foreign affairs Josep Borrell says the EU has asked Israel not to invade Rafah. (AJ, WAFA 2/17)