The Palestine Chronology

In the West Bank, Israeli forces shot and killed 2 Palestinians, including a child, during a raid in Fawwar refugee camp. Israeli forces also raided Nur Shams refugee camp for 9 hours using 40 armored vehicles, demolishing 3 homes. Elsewhere, Israeli forces demolished 5 homes in Furush Beit Dajan, displacing 70 people. 55 Palestinians were arrested during raids in and around Nablus, Tubas, and Tulkarm, including former PLC member Khalida Jarrar. In East Jerusalem, Israeli authorities forced 3 Palestinian families to demolish their own homes in Jabel Mukaber and Shu’fat. In Gaza, telecommunications were down throughout Gaza. Israeli forces bombed Khan Yunis, Rafah, al-Bureij refugee camp, Nuseirat refugee camp, Gaza City, and Maghazi, killing dozens of people, including at least 100 in Maghazi. Israeli forces also directly hit the Palestinian Red Crescent Society’s headquarters in Khan Yunis, causing damage. Israel said it had assassinated Hamis al-Najar, a member of the Hamas Legislative Council, in an airstrike in Khan Yunis that also killed his wife, 2 children, and several of his grandchildren. 3 Israeli soldiers were killed in combat. In Lebanon, Israeli forces attacked several sites and Hezbollah injured 9 Israeli soldiers using anti-tank missiles. In the Red Sea, a drone was shot down near Dahab, Egypt. (AJ, AP, HA, HA, UNOCHA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 12/26; AJ, AJ, HA, HA 12/27; AJ 12/28 AJ 12/29)

More than 20,915 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli forces in Gaza, including at least 8,000 children and 6,200 women, and around 54,918 have been injured since 10/7. At least 8,000 people were missing in rubble, including 1,700 children. 298 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli forces and settlers in the West Bank and East Jerusalem since 10/7, including 76 children. More than 3,800 people have been injured. Israel reported that 1,200 Israelis and foreign nationals have been killed and 5,400 have been injured since 10/7. 162 Israeli soldiers have been killed and 874 injured in Gaza since the ground invasion began on 10/27. Over 1.93 million Palestinians, nearly 85% of the population of Gaza, have been displaced since 10/7. There has been a complete electricity blackout in Gaza since 10/12 due to the Israeli blockade. As of 12/23, at least 65,000 housing units had been destroyed and 290,000 had been damaged in Israeli airstrikes since 10/7, constituting over 60% of all housing units. 83 trucks carrying aid and 7 ambulances entered Gaza via the Rafah crossing. Israel said the Karem Abu Salam (Kerem Shalom) crossing was closed due to “logistical constraints.” (AJ, UNOCHA 12/26)

Israel returned the bodies of 80 Palestinians Israeli soldiers had seized in northern Gaza during its ground invasion. The bodies were buried in a mass grave in Rafah. The Gaza media office said Israel stole organs from the bodies. (AJ, HA, UNOCHA 12/26)

An Israeli soldier reportedly died of a fungal infection he had been exposed to in Gaza while 10 were sick with the infection. (HA 12/26; HA 12/27)

PA president Mahmoud Abbas gave a speech calling the events in Gaza greater and more horrific that the Nakba. Abbas said Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s plan was to rid historic Palestine of all Palestinians and said he would continue to work toward Palestinian political reconciliation. PA ambassador to the UN Riyad Mansour wrote a letter to the UN Security Council president, saying Israel has ignored Security Council Resolution 2720, adopted on 12/22. (AJ 12/26; AJ 12/27)

The UN appointed former Dutch minister Sigrid Kaag as the Senior Humanitarian and Reconstruction Coordinator for Gaza, a position created by the UN Security Council on 12/22. (AJ, HA, HA, UNOCHA, WAFA 12/26; AP, HA 12/27)

Israel said it would no longer grant visas to UN employees automatically, instead judging applicants on a case-by-base. Government spokesperson Eylon Levy said the UN had failed to condemn Hamas for operating out of schools and stealing aid, both charges that Hamas has denied. (AP 12/26)

Israeli minister of strategic affairs Ron Dermer met with U.S. secretary of state Antony Blinken and National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan in Washington D.C., discussing Israel’s plans after its war on Gaza. (AJ, REU 12/26; HA 12/27)

Qatari emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani spoke with U.S. president Joe Biden about the situation in Gaza and efforts to mediate a ceasefire. (HA 12/26)

The French government issued a statement reiterating its call for an “immediate truce leading to a ceasefire,” and condemned the “systematic bombing that has again left many civilian victims in recent days.” (AJ 12/26)

Cuban president Miguel Diaz-Canel said Israel was a “terrorist state” that commits genocide against Palestinians. (AJ 12/27)

Israel announced that it had granted Intel Corporation $3.2 billion to build a new chip plant in Israel worth $25 billion. The deal also commits Intel to buy goods and services from Israeli providers worth $16.6 billion over the next decade. (AJ, HA, REU 12/26; NYT 12/27; HA 1/1)

In the West Bank, Israeli forces shot and killed a Palestinian during a raid in Qalandia. Israeli forces also raided Jenin, injuring 7 and uprooting streets. Elsewhere, Israeli forces shot and injured 4, including a disabled man, in Qalqas, al-Arroub refugee camp, and Baqa al-Hatab. Israeli forces also sealed 2 printing facilities in Dawha, claiming they were printing incendiary materials. Meanwhile, Israeli forces uprooted 31 olive trees in Nahalin. Israeli forces also seized a vehicle in Qablan. 38 Palestinians were arrested during raids in and around Bethlehem, Qalandia, Nablus, Ramallah, and Jenin. In East Jerusalem, Israeli settlers toured the Haram al-Sharif compound. Israeli forces demolished a building in Bayt Hanina, displacing 13 people. In Gaza, at least 300 people were killed in Israeli attacks on Nuseirat refugee camp, Dayr al-Balah, Gaza City, al-Bureij refugee camp, and Khan Yunis. Israel said it had surrounded and invaded Khan Yunis. Israeli troops also laid siege to the Kamal Adwan Hospital in Beit Lahiya. 2 Israeli soldiers were killed in combat. Rockets were fired at Israel, injuring 2 in Ashkelon. In Lebanon, Israeli forces killed a Lebanese soldier and injured 3 others in an attack on a Lebanese military base; Israel later expressing regret, saying it would review the incident. 3 rockets were fired at Kiryat Shmona. (AJ, AJ, AJ, AJ, AJ, AJ, AP, AX, HA, HA, HA, NYT, REU, REU, UNOCHA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 12/5; AJ, HA, HA, NYT, WAFA 12/6)

More than 16,248 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli forces in Gaza, including at least 6,387 children and 4,257 women, and around 43,616 have been injured since 10/7. At least 7,000 people were missing in rubble, including 1,700 children. 252 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli forces and settlers in the West Bank and East Jerusalem since 10/7, including 65 children. More than 3,325 people have been injured. Israel reported that 1,200 Israelis and foreign nationals have been killed and 5,431 have been injured since 10/7. 87 Israeli soldiers have been killed in Gaza since the ground invasion began on 10/27. Over 1.9 million Palestinians, nearly 85% of the population of Gaza, have been displaced since 10/7. There has been a complete electricity blackout in Gaza since 10/12 due to the Israeli blockade. As of 11/18, at least 45,000 housing units had been destroyed and 233,000 had been damaged in Israeli airstrikes since 10/7, constituting 60% of all housing units. The Gaza Ministry of Health said at least 1,207 Palestinians have been killed since the ceasefire ended on 12/1. UNRWA said 130 of its staff members have been killed by Israeli forces since 10/7. The UN said dozens of trucks carrying aid, including fuel, entered Gaza but did not provide the actual number. Rafah was the only area to receive aid for the third day in a row. (AJ, HA, UNOCHA, UNOCHA, WAFA 12/5)

At the beginning of the day, PA health minister Mai al-Kaila said at least 15,900 Palestinians have been killed and 40,900 injured in Israeli attacks on Gaza since 10/7, saying the final number of dead will be much higher since many are buried in rubble. (REU, WAFA 12/5)

The PA Ministry of National Economy said 29% of business in the West Bank have been completely or partially closed since 10/7 due to Israeli actions. (WAFA 12/5)

UNICEF spokesperson James Elder said Israeli calls for Palestinians to evacuate do not work, stating the “so-called safe zones . . . are not scientific, they are not rational, there are not possible, and I think the [Israeli] authorities are aware of this.” (AJ 12/5)

Amnesty International released an investigation saying that 43 Palestinian civilians were killed on 10/13 in Israeli attacks where U.S.-made JDAM bombs were used. The U.S. said it was reviewing the Amnesty investigation. (AJ 12/5; REU 12/6)

The PA warned against reported Israeli plans to flood tunnels in Gaza with seawater, saying it would lead to the collapse of residential buildings and infrastructure and to the mixing of ground, sea, and wastewater. (AJ 12/5)

Israeli police approved the “March of Maccabees” in the Old City of Jerusalem on 12/7, where Israeli right-wingers will march in support of removing the Islamic Waqf in order to replace it with full Israeli control over the Haram al-Sharif compound. (AJ, HA, HA 12/5)

Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu claimed Israel has killed half of Hamas’ military commanders in Gaza. Netanyahu also said that Israel is the only power that can keep Gaza demilitarized after Israel’s war, rejecting suggestions that an international force be deployed in Gaza. (AJ, AX, HA 12/5; NYT 12/6)

Prime Minister Netanyahu also met with families of Israeli captives held in Gaza. Some of those who attended the meeting labelled it a farce and insulting. (HA, HA, REU 12/5; AJ 12/6)

Egyptian foreign minister Sameh Shoukry met with senators Ted Cruz (R-TX), Marco Rubio (R-FL), Lindsey Graham (R-SC), and Chris Coons (D-DE) in Washington D.C., discussing efforts to end Israel’s war on Gaza. (AJ 12/5)

The leaders of the Gulf Cooperation Council called for an end to the Israeli attacks on Gaza at a summit in Doha. Qatari emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani said at the summit that Israel was committing genocide, called support for Israel’s actions “a disgrace,” and urged the UN Security Council to force Israel back to the negotiations on a ceasefire. (AJ, AJ, HA 12/5)

U.S. vice president Kamala Harris’s National Security Advisor Phil Gordon met with Israeli president Isaac Herzog, war cabinet members Benny Gantz, Tzachi Hanegbi, Ron Dermer, and Gadi Eisenkot, and opposition leader Yair Lapid, updating them on meetings Harris and Gordon held with Arab leaders in Dubai during the COP28 climate conference. Harris is leading the Biden administration’s efforts on securing another ceasefire. (AX, HA 12/5)

U.S. secretary of state Antony Blinken announced that that the U.S. has put new visa restrictions on violent Israeli settlers, saying Israel is not doing enough to combat settler violence. Israeli defense minister Yoav Gallant later condemned Israeli settler violence, saying only the military, the police, and the Shin Bet have a right to use violence against Palestinians. USAID administrator Samantha Power visited El Arish airport in Egypt where aid to Gaza arrives, saying more “must be done to protect civilians” and for aid to enter Gaza. (AJ, AJ, AP, AX, HA, HA, NYT, REU, REU 12/5)

U.S. president Joe Biden said at a fundraiser that he had heard reports “of women raped, repeatedly raped, and their bodies being mutilated while still alive” by Hamas militants on 10/7. Hamas denied the accusations. (REU 12/5)

The U.S. House of Representatives passed a resolution, H.R. 894, declaring that anti-Zionism is anti-Semitism in a 311-14 vote; 94 Democrats voted present. The resolution also condemned the phrase “from the river to the sea.” (AJ, HA, NYT 12/5; AJ 12/6)

5 U.S. pro-Israel organizations, the American Jewish Committee, the Jewish Federation of North America, the Anti-Defamation League, AIPAC, and the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations, created a joint lobbying arm called The 10/7 Project to promote pro-Israel narratives to journalists and U.S. lawmakers. (HA 12/5)

Deutche Welle reported that applicants for citizenship in the German state of Saxony-Anhalt will be required to declare their support for Israel’s right to exist to obtain German citizenship. (AJ 12/5)

CNN reported that the U.S. expects Israel to end its mass ground invasion of Gaza in January 2024. (AJ, HA 12/5)

The Washington Post reported that Israeli sources have estimated that 5,000 out of 30,000 Palestinian militants in Gaza have been killed since 10/7. (AJ, WP 12/5)

Dabke, the Palestinian national dance, was included on the UNCESCO Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage. (WAFA 12/5)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers attacked 1 Palestinian minor and detained him before Israeli forces arrested his 2 brothers who had arrived to help. Israeli forces demolished 1 Palestinian house under construction in al-Buwayb and stone wall fencing in al-Walaja. Israeli forces also issued 7 stop-work orders for homes in Ein ad-Duyuk at-Tahta. Elsewhere, Israeli forces seized 6 Palestinian-owned vehicles in Jinba in the Masafer Yatta area; 11 vehicles have been seized by Israeli forces in the Masafer Yatta area since 8/18. Israeli forces also violently dispersed Palestinian workers trying to enter Israel at the Qalqilya crossing, leading to tear-gas related injuries. 35 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in Nablus, Siris, Zeita, Qalqilya, Ramallah, and Marah Rabah. In East Jerusalem, Israeli settlers toured the Haram al-Sharif compound. In the Naqab, Israeli authorities demolished Palestinian homes in Tell ‘Arad. The demolitions were overseen by Israeli national security minister Itamar Ben-Gvir and Construction and Housing Minister Yitzchak Goldknopf. Ben-Gvir called the demolitions “sacred work.” (HA, MEE, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 8/29; HA, MEE 8/30; PCHR 8/31; UNOCHA 9/11)

The Wall Street Journal reported that Saudi Arabia had agreed to resume financial aid to the PA in exchange for the PA ending its opposition to Saudi normalization with Israel. The Journal said that if PA counterterrorism measures in the West Bank succeeded then Saudi would not enter a normalization agreement that undermines efforts to create a Palestinian state. (MEE, WSJ 8/29; HA 8/30)

Israeli tourism minister Haim Katz said that he opposes Israel’s pursuit of entry to the U.S. Visa Waiver program, saying it “will oblige us to allow the entry of unwanted parties, Palestinians.” (HA 8/29)

Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu praised “the good neighborly relations” with Saudi Arabia after a plane bound for Israel from the Seychelles made an emergency landing in Jeddah due to a technical malfunction. (AJ, ALM, HA, MEE 8/29)

Israeli defense minister Yoav Gallant met with U.S. officials, including Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern Affairs Barbara Leaf and National Security Council Coordinator for the Middle East and North Africa Brett McGurk in New York, inquiring about Saudi demands for normalization with Israel. Gallant also demanded that the U.S. assures Israel that it will preserve its qualitative military edge in the Middle East. The 2 parties also discussed tensions between Israel and Lebanon. It was reported that the meeting took place in New York City due to a ban by Prime Minister Netanyahu on his cabinet members meeting with U.S. officials in Washington D.C., with the exception of Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer. (AX 8/29; HA 8/30; ALM 9/1)

Parts of the minutes from the Israeli cabinet meeting on 8/30/1993, where the draft declaration of principles for the Oslo Accords were approved by the Israeli government, were released by the Israeli State Archive. In the meeting, then Foreign Minister Shimon Peres told the cabinet that the Palestinian negotiators wanted the Israeli settlements evacuated and upon Israel’s refusal offered to make the settlements free trade zones where both Palestinians and Israelis could live, which was also rejected by Israel. The minutes also showed that Israeli did not intend to discuss the final status of Jerusalem and wanted to maintain its “state lands” in Area C. (HA 8/30; HA 9/1; HA 9/5)

In the West Bank, an Israeli settler rammed 1 Palestinian woman in Hebron, causing injuries. Israeli forces shot and killed 1 Palestinian and injured 1 other, a health worker, during a raid in Jenin; the mother of the dead Palestinian said he was executed after telling the Israeli forces he would turn himself in; 1 house and a bakery were severely damage during the raid. Israeli forces also demolished an EU-funded school in Ein Samia. Elsewhere, Israeli forces razed agricultural land in Qusra. Israeli forces also seized 1 bulldozer and confiscated materials for renovating a residential cave in the Masafer Yatta area. Meanwhile, Israeli forces demolished 1 blacksmith’s premises in Sarta. Israeli forces also seized a caravan in Khirbet Humsa al-Tahta. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces assaulted 4 Palestinians attempting to enter the Haram al-Sharif compound. (AJ, AP, HA, MEE, MEE, REU, UNOCHA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 8/17; WAFA, WAFA 8/18; WAFA 8/19; PCHR 8/24; UNOCHA 8/28)

Hamas members in Israeli prisons warned they may go on strike in protest over harsher treatment by the Israel Prison Service, including increased use of solitary confinement. 50 rockets were fired from Gaza toward the sea in what Hamas called an equipment test but also a warning to Israeli authorities over the treatment of prisoners. (HA, WAFA, WAFA 8/17; WAFA 8/18)

Peace Now reported that a draft document from the Israeli government seen by the organization showed that the government will allocate at least $190 million to Israeli settlements and settlement outposts in the 2023-2024 budget. (PCN 8/17)

The U.S. approved the sale of Israel’s Arrow-3 missile defense system to Germany. Worth $3.5 billion, it is Israel’s largest military deal. It was reported that days before the deal was announced German chancellor Olaf Scholz blocked a foreign ministry statement on the German assessment of the legality of the Israeli occupation that was seen as too pro-Palestinian. The statement was meant to be made in relation to the International Criminal Court’s review of the occupation. (AJ, ALM, HA, REU 8/17; ALM 8/18 HA 8/23)

At a town hall event held by the U.S. Office of Palestinian Affairs to explain new polices related to Israel’s bid to become part of the U.S. Visa Waiver program, the chief of American Citizens Service at the U.S. embassy to Israel, Wilbur Zehr, referred to Israeli checkpoints as “pedestrian crossings.” Zehr said in response to questions that the new policies will not apply to U.S. citizens in Gaza until 9/15 and that separate rules apply for U.S. citizens living in the West Bank and U.S. citizens living in the West Bank but holding PA IDs, as the latter must enter Israel via checkpoints by foot. (MDW 8/17; HA 8/22)

Venezuela said it had upgraded the Palestinian representative office in Caracas to an embassy. (WAFA 8/17)

Israeli strategic affairs minister Ron Dermer met with U.S. secretary of state Antony Blinken, National Security Council Coordinator for the Middle East and North Africa Brett McGurk, and presidential envoy on energy security Amos Hochstein in Washington D.C., discussing the potential normalization between Israel and Saudi Arabia. Blinken also spoke with Saudi foreign minister Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud after the meeting. (REU 8/17; AX 8/21)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers fenced off a tract of Palestinian-owned land in Umm al-Ubur in the Jordan Valley. Israeli settlers also vandalized 25 olive trees and grapevines and erected tents at a water spring in Ein al-Beida. Elsewhere, Israeli settlers set fire to crops outside of Qusra. Israeli settlers also destroyed 2 tombstones at a graveyard in Burqa. Israeli forces shot and injured a 2-year-old Palestinian and his father outside of their home in Nabi Salih, claiming to be returning fire at Palestinian militants. The 2-year-old was evacuated by helicopter to a hospital in Israel for treatment and later succumbed to his succumbed to his wounds on 6/5. The Israeli military claimed that the incident would be investigated. Neither the family of the 2-year-old nor others in Nabi Salih had heard any other gun shots than those fired by the Israeli forces. Israeli forces also shot and injured 1 Palestinian at a checkpoint in Deir Sharaf. Elsewhere, Israeli forces issued a notice to a Palestinian family that they will seize 5 dunams (1.25 acres) of land in al-Mughayyir for construction of a military watchtower. Israeli forces also raided several towns in the Tulkarm area, violently dispersing Palestinians protesting the incursions; tear-gas related injuries were reported. 38 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in Tuqu, Beit Umar, Fawwar refugee camp, Ramallah, Nablus, Qabatiya, and Kafl Haris. Off the coast of Gaza, Israeli naval forces opened fire at Palestinian fishermen; no injuries were reported. (TOI, TOI, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 6/1; AA, AJ, AP, HA, JP, MEE 6/2; HA, WAFA 6/5; HA, HA 6/6; PCHR 6/8; UNOCHA 6/18)

The main entrances to al-Mughayyir were closed off by Israel for the 20th consecutive day. (WAFA 6/1)

The PA called on UNESCO to help prevent Israel from passing a law that would stifle speech on Palestine by Palestinian teachers in Israel. The law, which has passed 1 reading in the Knesset, would require security checks for Palestinian teachers in schools in Israel. (WAFA 6/1)

Officials from Hamas and Islamic Jihad met with officials from the Egyptian intelligence services. The meetings followed meetings between PA prime minister Mohammed Shtayyeh and Egyptian intelligence chief Abbas Kamal on 5/30. (HA 6/2)

Senior Israeli officials, including Shin Bet chief Ronen Bar, National Security Advisor Tzachi Hanegbi, and Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer met with U.S. officials, including CIA director William Burns, in Washington D.C. The 2 sides discussed growing instability in the West Bank and the PA’s diminishing standing among Palestinians. (AX 6/1; ALM, HA 6/2)

The BDS movement said that the security company G4S will sell its 25% stake in the Israeli company Policity to G1 following years of campaigning against the complicity of G4S in Israeli human rights violations against Palestinians. (WAFA 6/1)