The Palestine Chronology

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers set up tents and caravans on Palestinian-owned land in the Jordan Valley. In East Jerusalem, Israeli authorities issued the head of the Islamic Waqf overseeing the Haram al-Sharif compound a fine of $1,400 for allowing Muslim worshippers on the compound for prayers on 3/20. 1 Palestinian was arrested during a raid in Wadi al-Juz. Israel announced that it has closed all crossing between Israel and the West Bank and Gaza, citing fears of spread of the COVID-19 virus. In Gaza, 2 Palestinians tested positive for COVID-19; both men had been traveling to Gaza from Pakistan via Egypt. Israeli forces opened fire near the Gaza fence east of Bayt Hanun; no injuries were reported. (REU, WAFA, WAFA 3/21; HA, WAFA 3/22; PCHR 3/27)

In the West Bank, Israeli forces told 98 Palestinians that they would have to evacuate their property in the Jordan Valley in the next 4 weeks during specific time periods on Sundays, Mondays, Tuesdays, and Wednesdays for Israeli military training. Israeli forces also arrested 3 Palestinians during late-night raids in and around Hebron. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces blocked several streets in Silwan and the Old City, impeding Palestinians from going to mosques to perform prayers. In Gaza, a Palestinian was shot and injured by an Israeli sniper near Bayt Hanun. (MNA, WAFA, WAFA 5/7; MNA, MNA, WAFA 5/8

All Gaza and West Bank crossings into Israel were closed except for medical and other emergencies for the 2d day in a row. However, the Kerem Shalom crossing was partially opened for commercial traffic. Israeli authorities announced the closure on 5/6, citing Israeli celebrations of Memorial Day and Independence Day. (HA 5/6; MNA 5/7)

After blocking the transfer of Qatari-funded fuel to Gaza on 5/5, Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu approved the delivery of fuel to Gaza. (HA, MNA 5/7)

The Qatari government announced that it will send $480 million to Palestinians in the West Bank and Gaza. $300 million is allocated for health and educational programs of the PA and $180 million for urgent humanitarian relief and for electricity in Gaza. (AJ 5/7)

U.S. secretary of state Mike Pompeo skipped a planned trip to Germany to meet German chancellor Angela Merkel to instead travel to Iraq and meet with Iraq’s president Barham Salih and Prime Minister Adil Abdul-Mahdi. Pompeo said he made the trip to Iraq because Iranian forces are “escalating their activity,” stating that Iranian threat of attacks were “very specific.” (AJ 5/8)

More than 10,000 Palestinians gather along Gaza’s border to continue the Great March of Return. The march’s organizing committee called for increased participation today to mark Naksa Day. Some protesters fly incendiary kites across the border fence into Israel, sparking small fires. IDF troops violently disperse the demonstrations near Gaza City, Rafah, Jabaliya refugee camp, Khan Yunis, and al-Bureij refugee camp; 4 Palestinians are killed and at least 100 are injured, including 2 paramedics. The killings bring the death toll stemming from the Great March of Return to 121. Earlier, IDF drones drop firebombs on protest tent camps and piles of tires along the border fence, sparking a number of minor fires and causing moderate damage. Off Gaza’s coast, Israeli naval forces open fire on Palestinian fishing boats near Jabaliya refugee camp on 2 separate occasions, causing no damage or injuries. In the West Bank, IDF troops violently disperse Palestinians protesting the Israeli occupation in Kafr Qaddum near Qalqilya (1 Palestinian is injured); arrest 2 Palestinians during late-night raids near Salfit and Bethlehem; and patrol near Hebron. Israeli settlers set fire to a Palestinian farmer’s supplies outside Burin near Nablus and leave racist graffiti on the walls nearby. In East Jerusalem, tens of thousands of Muslim worshippers pray at Haram al-Sharif, marking the final Friday of Ramadan. Israeli forces arrest 1 Palestinian minor during a late-night raid in al-Jadira village. (EI, HA, JP, TOI, WAFA, YA 6/8; PCHR 6/14)

Thousands of Palestinians gather along Gaza’s border to continue the Great March of Return. IDF troops violently disperse them near al-Bureij refugee camp, Jabaliya refugee camp, Rafah, Gaza City, and Khan Yunis; 1 Palestinian is killed and at least 100 are injured. The Palestinian killed today was a paramedic named Razan al-Najjar. She was reportedly shot as she was treating wounded protesters. Her death brings the death toll stemming from the Great March of Return to 115. In East Jerusalem, approximately 250,000 Palestinians pray at Haram al-Sharif, marking the third Friday of Ramadan. In the West Bank, IDF troops issue arrest summons to 2 Palestinians during a raid in Hebron, and patrol near Tulkarm and Hebron. (EI, NYT, WAFA, YA 6/1; MNA 6/2; PCHR 6/7)

At the UNSC, the U.S. vetoes a Kuwait-backed draft resolution condemning Israel’s use of force against Palestinian civilians at recent protests along Gaza’s border fence. “The terrorist group Hamas bears primary responsibility for the awful living conditions in Gaza,” says U.S. ambassador to the UN Nikki Haley, explaining the veto. (HA, JP, NYT, REU, TOI, YA 6/1)

In the Gaza Strip, Palestinians fire 2 rockets into s. Israel. The 1st lands without causing damage or injuries, and the 2d is intercepted by an Iron Dome missile defense battery. Later in the day, IDF troops target 5 Islamic Jihad and Hamas sites across the Gaza Strip, injuring 6. Off the coast of the Gaza Strip nr. Bayt Lahiya, Israeli naval forces open fire on Palestinian fishing boats, causing no injuries or damage, and arrest 2 fishermen. Meanwhile, 5 mbrs. of Hamas’s al-Qassam Brigades and 1 firefighter die in an explosion in a tunnel nr. Gaza City. In the West Bank, the IDF conducts house searches and arrest raids in Jenin and 1 nearby village, Qalandia r.c. nr. Jerusalem, Dahaysha r.c. nr. Bethlehem, Qalqilya, Hebron and 3 nearby villages, 2 villages nr. Nablus, 1 village nr. Ramallah, Tulkarm and Nur Shams r.c. and 1 village nearby and Salfit at night. (HA, JP, MNA, ToI 6/19; PCHR 6/26)

Israeli PM Netanyahu says that he expects the Palestinian unity govt. to dissolve, and that authorities are moving closer to finding the missing Israeli settler teenagers. Hamas senior official Salah Bardawil says, at a solidarity rally in Gaza, that Hamas is “capable of igniting a 3d intifada,” while Hamas spokesperson Abu Zuhri condemns continued security coordination between the PA and Israel. Meanwhile, PA Pres. Abbas issues a statement denouncing Israel’s West Bank operation as “the most severe punitive reprisals.” (JP, MNA, ToI, WAFA 6/19)

An Israeli officer is killed by friendly fire nr. the border fence between the Gaza Strip and s. Israel. In the West Bank, IDF troops raid the protest village ‘Ayn Hiljeh and detain 18 participants. The IDF conducts house searches and arrest raids in 1 village nr. Hebron and al-Fara‘a r.c. nr. Tubas at night; patrols in 1 village nr. Jenin in the morning, and 1 village nr. Hebron at night. During the raid in al-Fara‘a r.c., soldiers clash with residents, leaving 2 Palestinians wounded by live ammunition. In East Jerusalem, around 30 Israeli intelligence officers enter Haram al-Sharif, while separately a group of 17 Israelis enter the compound under armed guard. (HA, MNA 2/4; PCHR 2/6)

U.S. National Security Adviser Susan Rice tweets in defense of Secy. of State Kerry, following criticism from Israeli politicians. Rice states that attacks on Kerry are “totally unfounded and unacceptable” and that the U.S. govt. rejects “efforts to boycott or delegitimize Israel.” Meanwhile, Hamas official Salah Bardaweel tells the media that the organization will not accept any agreement that Abbas might sign with Israel. (JP 2/4)

The U.S. State Dept. confirms that top Syria diplomat Amb. Robert Ford will retire by the end of the month. He has been amb. to Syria since 1/2011, but left Damascus in 2/2012. (AP 2/4)

The Egyptian army shoots and kills 21 militants in 2 villages in c. Sinai during a raid on the area. (MNA 2/4)

Arafat stops in Moscow for mtg. with Russian Dep. FM Igor Ivanov, says he is "deeply satisfied with the role Russia is playing" in peace process, invites Russian observers to oversee elections scheduled for 11/1. Ivanov briefs Arafat on Russian efforts on Syrian-Israeli track. (MM 9/15)

Salah `Abd al-Shafi, in charge of U.S. aid to Gaza, blames Arafat for economic delays, says "no one [in PNA] knows who is responsible for what, to the extent where foreign businessmen have to go directly to . . . Arafat . . . to make any progress with their plans." (La Tribune Desfosses 9/14 in FBIS 9/15)

French FM Alain Juppé criticizes Israeli PM Rabin's statements on Syria, Lebanon made 9/5, says "Lebanon must be the master of its destiny and sovereignty." (MM 9/14)

Arab League session opens in Cairo with speech by SG 'Ismat `Abd al-Majid praising Arab-Israeli negotiations, encouraging Israel to progress on Syrian, Lebanese tracks. (MENA 9/14 in FBIS 9/15)

PLO Political Dept. head al-Qaddumi meets with Arab FM's after Arab League opening, discusses PNA financing, Jerusalem, progress on self-rule; issues statement saying there have been no positive results in the past yr. except more Palestinians can return to their homes, occupation continues. (MENA 9/14 in FBIS 9/15)

Islamic Jihad welcomes Hamas' plan to set up Islamic party, says it will take part in elections, hinting Islamic party may become umbrella for all Islamist groups. (HA 9/16 in FBIS 9/20) (see 9/7)

Gaza military court sentences Palestinian policeman to 7 yrs. in jail for selling his M-16 rifle to a Palestinian civilian. (AFP 9/14 in FBIS 9/15)

Fateh and Hamas reportedly reach agreement to end violence after massive efforts by Haydar 'Abd al-Shafi and NRC (see 7/8). Violence and threats on peace delegates continue. (ITV 7/10 in FBIS 7/13; MM 7/10)

Palestinian Israeli delegation including MK 'Abd al-Wahhab Darawsha and Umm al-Fahm Mayor Shaykh Raid Salah arrives in Gaza City to "offer good offices" for mediation of Hamas-Fateh violence in Gaza Strip. (MM 7/10)

PLO sources announce Oman has been asked to help mediate PLO's conflict with GCC countries, which cut off large amounts of aid as a result of Palestinian position in the Gulf war. (AFP 7/10 in FBIS 7/17)

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: In Peace Noworganized rally in Tel Aviv, estimated 50,000 demonstrators express support for Sec. of State Shultz's peace proposals [NYT 3/14; WJW 3/17]. Settlers use horses in nighttime raid on village of Turmus Ayah. Settlers and villagers clash in Nablus-area village of Rujib [FJ 3/20].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Demonstrators erect barricades, bum tires in Qaduri village, near Ramallah; troops respond with tear gas, rubber bullets. Army uses bulldozers, graveler against Palestinians protesting in Balatah refugee camp. In Duhayshah camp, soldiers use tear gas, rubber bullets to disperse estimated 100 children demanding their UNRWA school be reopened. In Bani Na'im, near Hebron, protester isinjured after allegedly attacking patrol with hand grenade. Many others are reported injured during demonstrations in Gaza Strip. Curfews continue in Bani Na'im and Nablus-area village of Bidiyah; Qabatiyyah and Salat al-Harthiyyah are sealed off. Palestinian sources report 2 infants died from effects of tear gas [FJ 3/20].