The Palestine Chronology

In the West Bank, hundreds of Israeli settlers, led by Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, held mass prayers at the evacuated Homesh settlement outpost. Israeli settlers also threw stones at Palestinian vehicles in the area. Elsewhere, Israeli settlers set fire to a Palestinian-owned house near Jalud and stole a donkey from the property. Israeli settlers uprooted some 100 grapevine plants in al-Khader. Israeli forces razed land in Haris, uprooting several olive trees. In East Jerusalem, Israeli settlers toured the Haram al-Sharif compound and raised an Israeli flag at al-Aqsa Mosque. Israeli forces also raided Bab al-Rahma for the fourth day in a row. In Nazareth, Israeli police raided the local branch of the Hadash party to confiscate a Palestinian flag, 1 person was arrested for refusing to take down the flag. Israeli police returned the flag after MK Aida Touma-Sliman protested the act to the police, calling it “manifestly illegal.” (HA, HA, MEE, QDS, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 4/26; PCHR 4/27; UNOCHA 5/5)

A group of foreign diplomats visited a school in Jubbet ad-Dib near Bethlehem in protest against Israeli plans to demolish the school along with 57 others in the West Bank. An Israeli court ruled in March that the Israeli Civil Administration must demolish the school by 5/5. (WAFA 4/26; PCN 4/28)

European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen released a congratulatory video on Israel’s 75th Independence Day, using the trope that Israel made “the desert bloom.” The PA issued a statement criticizing von der Leyen for using the phrase, calling it “anti-Palestinian racist” and said her remarks were “inappropriate, false, and discriminatory,” calling on von der Leyen to apologize. (AJ, BBC, MEE, MEMO, WAFA 4/27; MEMO 4/28)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers uprooted 45 olive tree saplings in al-Khader. Israeli settlers also vandalized Palestinian agricultural structures and crops near Shufa. Israeli forces violently dispersed Palestinians during a raid in Beit Umar, injuring 1 with a baton round. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces raided al-Aqsa Mosque, forcing worshipers to leave the mosque, to clear the compound for Israeli settler tours. In Haifa, Israeli police violently dispersed Palestinians protesting the killing of 1 Palestinian man in the Old City on 4/1, injuring 1 woman, confiscating Palestinian flags, and arresting 4. (HA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 4/2; HA, MEE, MEMO 4/3; PCHR 4/6; UNOCHA 4/20)

Several Palestinian majority towns and cities in Israel went on a strike called for by the High Follow-Up Committee for Arab Citizens of Israel in response to the Israeli police killing of a Palestinian citizen of Israel in the Old City of East Jerusalem on 4/1. (WAFA 4/1; AN, MEE, WAFA 4/2)

U.S. ambassador to Israel Tom Nides announced that the Allenby Bridge crossing to Jordan now would be open 24 hours a day, 5 days a week. (ALM 4/3)

The Israeli cabinet approved the establishment of a committee in preparation for the creation of a law enforcement force under the direct control of National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir. The establishment of the force was Ben-Gvir’s condition for accepting Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s decision to pause the judicial overhaul legislation on 3/27. The Israeli police, the Shin Bet, and the attorney general warned against establishing the force. (AJ, AP, GDN, HA, HA, MEE, REU 4/2; HA 4/3)

Israel’s military said it had shot down a drone that had entered Israeli airspace from Syria, saying they believe it was operated by Iran or an Iranian proxy. Israel didn’t say whether the drone was armed. (ALM, AP, REU 4/2; HA 4/3)

In Syria, Israeli forces conducted airstrikes in Homs, injuring 5 Syrian soldiers. (AJ, F24, GDN, HA, WAFA 4/2; AJ 4/10)

In the West Bank, 1 Palestinian shot by Israeli forces on 5/15 in Ramallah succumbed to his injuries. Israeli forces razed 4 dunams (1 acre) of land, uprooting olive trees and destroying a well near Husan. Israeli forces also demolished 1 car wash near Hizma. Elsewhere, Israeli forces delivered stop-work orders for 2 residential structures, 2 tents, 2 toilets, and 1 agricultural structure near Yatta. 14 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in and around Bethlehem, Hebron, Dayr Sharaf, Tulkarm, and Bayt Fajjar. In East Jerusalem, 3 Palestinians were arrested in al-Tur and Silwan. In Gaza, Israeli forces opened fire at Palestinian farmers east of al-Shuka; no injuries were reported. Israeli forces also made incursions and leveled land east of al-Fukhari. 2 Palestinians were killed by an unexploded Israeli missile in Dayr al-Balah, raising the comprehensive death toll since 5/10 from 261 to 263, including 67 children and 3 pregnant women. (WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 6/2; PCHR 6/3)

In an interview with Vice News, the Hamas leader in Gaza Yahya Sinwar said that Hamas was ready for an immediate and unconditional ceasefire hours after firing the 1st rocket during the escalation of violence last month and that Hamas had communicated this to the Egyptian, Qatari, and UN mediators every day of the assault on Gaza. Sinwar reiterated that the Hamas rockets fired at Israel on 5/10 were intended to be a message to Israel that Hamas will not allow Israel’s aggression at al-Aqsa Mosque and in Shaykh Jarrah, and about Israel’s violations of international law in the occupied Palestinian territories in general. (YouTube 6/2)

Yair Lapid of Yesh Atid (There Is a Future) told Israeli president Reuven Rivlin that he had formed a government coalition 30 minutes before his mandate to do so ran out. The coalition consisted of an extremely diverse group of parties and people, including Naftali Bennett of Yamina (Rightwards) who will be prime minister for the 1st 2 years. The other party leaders were Mansour Abbas of Ra’am (United Arab List), Gideon Sa’ar of Tikva Hadasha (New Hope), Avigdor Lieberman of Yisrael Beiteinu (Israel Our Home), Nitan Horowitz of Meretz (Vigor), Merav Michaeli of Labor, and current deputy and defense minister Benny Gantz of Kahol Lavan (Blue and White). The only factor binding these parties, which range from far-right to left, was the desire to unseat prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu. According to the government agreement, after the 1st 2 years with Bennett as prime minister, Lapid will become prime minister in a rotation deal similar to the 1 made between Prime Minister Netanyahu and Deputy Prime Minister Gantz, which never materialized. The Knesset also elected Isaac Herzog as the new Israeli president. President-elect Herzog was most recently the chairman of the Jewish Agency and before that, the leader of Labor. (HA 6/1; AJ, AJ, AJ, ALM, ALM, AP, AP, AX, HA, HILL, REU, REU 6/2; AJ, AJ, ALM, ALM, ALM, ALM, AP, AP, CNN, HA, HA, HA, HA, HA, JP, NYT, REU, REU, REU 6/3; GDN, HA, HA 6/4)

The largest Iranian naval ship caught fire and sank in the Gulf of Oman; it was unclear what caused the fire. Similarly, a mysterious fire broke out at an oil refinery near Tehran. (AJ, AP, AP, REU 6/2; AP 6/3; AP 6/4)

145 democrats in the house of representatives co-signed a letter by Jamie Raskin (D-MD) to Senator James Risch of the senate committee of foreign affairs, requesting that he stop holding up $75 million in aid earmarked for Palestinians in Gaza in his committee, stressing the urgency of the situation. Senator Risch has said he wants to make sure that the NGOs administering the aid do not work with Hamas. (TOI 5/27; HA, Rep. Raskin 6/2)

UNRWA commissioner-general Philippe Lazzarini said, during a visit to East Jerusalem, that Israeli-planned evictions of Palestinians in Shaykh Jarrah violate international law. (AJ, WAFA 6/2)

Germany pledged $18.2 million in aid to Palestinians via the UN. (WAFA 6/2)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers vandalized 1 solar panel and 15 olive seedlings near ‘Urif. Israeli forces violently dispersed Palestinian protesters in Dura and Bayt Umar, leading to tear-gas related injuries. Israeli forces also violently dispersed Palestinian protesters in Hebron, injuring 13, including 5 with live ammunition and 8 with rubber-coated bullets; others suffered tear-gas related injuries. Elsewhere, Israeli forces seized a caravan in Sabastiyya. 5 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in Tarqumiyya and Jenin refugee camp; Israeli forces also seized a vehicle during a house raid in Aqraba. In East Jerusalem, 1 Israeli settler rammed Palestinians with his vehicle near the Old City, causing injuries; Palestinians were throwing stones at the vehicle but it was unclear what transpired before the ramming, which appeared in a video. Israeli settlers also attacked Palestinians in Shaykh Jarrah during a tour of the neighborhood by 2 Israeli lawmakers, Itamar Ben-Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich. Israeli forces attacked Palestinian worshipers with tear gas, sound bombs, and rubber-coated bullets at the Haram al-Sharif compound, injuring more than 305 people, including inside of al-Aqsa Mosque where a sound bomb caught a carpet on fire. Israeli forces prevented the Palestinian Red Crescent from entering the compound. Israel also reversed its decision from 5/9 to allow Jewish worshipers to enter the Haram al-Sharif compound for the Israeli celebration of Jerusalem Day. The Jerusalem Day march was later canceled by its organizers as Israeli police decided to prevent the settler march to go through the Damascus Gate plaza. Israeli forces also confiscated the keys to the al-Aqsa Mosque from the Islamic Waqf. Also at the Haram al-Sharif compound, Israeli police were filmed beating up an Israeli-accredited Palestinian journalist covering the events for Anadolu Agency. The Palestinian Red Crescent said that 612 Palestinians were injured throughout Jerusalem, including 333 who were hospitalized. In Gaza, Israeli started a military operation later dubbed “Guardian of the Wall” after Hamas fired rockets at Israel, giving Israel hours to leave the Haram al-Sharif compound. Hamas had earlier in the day warned Israel that it would fire rockets at 6 p.m. if Israel did not remove its forces from the holy places. 20 Palestinians were killed, including 9 children, and dozens were injured. The casualties included: 2, including 1 child, in 1 drone strike at Jabaliya; 10, including 6 children in 2 drone strikes at Bayt Hanun, with 32 others wounded, including 12 children; and 1, with 2 injured, in an Israeli air strike in Khan Yunis. 7 were also killed, including 1 child, and 34 were injured in Jabaliya in an explosion that was not conclusively attributed to an Israeli air strike. Additionally, damage was sustained in al-Bureij refugee camp, al-Qarara, and Rafah. In Israel, 1 Palestinian citizen of Israel was shot dead and 1 other injured by 1 Jewish-Israeli in Lydda; 3 Jewish-Israelis were arrested. Israeli forces later violently dispersed Palestinian-Israeli protesters at the Lydda city hall. In Ramla, Jewish-Israelis threw stones at Palestinian-Israelis and their property and set fire to trash cans. Israeli police dispersed Palestinian-Israeli protesters in Nazareth, Kafr Kana, Kafr Manda, Shefa-Amr, Majdal Krum, Dayr Khana, Umm al-Fahm, Baka al-Garbiyeh, Taiba, Jaffa, Haifa, and Jaljulya; 46 were arrested. The Knesset was evacuated after a rocket from Gaza landed in the vicinity of Jerusalem. (HA 5/9; AJ, AJ, AJ, AJ, AJ, AP, AX, FOX, GDN, HA, HA, HA, HA, HA, HA, HA, MEE, MEE, MEE, MEE, MEMO, NYT, PCHR, REU, REU, REU, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 5/10; ALM, HA, HA, MEE, PCHR, PCHR 5/11; ALM, HA, WAFA 5/12; WAFA 5/19; MEE 5/21; NYT 5/26)

Israel closed all crossings to Gaza and the sea for fishing as collective punishment for rockets fired at Israel. (PCHR 5/10)

The PA prime minister Mohammed Shtayyeh and the PA presidency condemned Israel’s attack on the Haram al-Sharif compound and called on the international community to take action. The PA civil affairs minister Hussein al-Sheikh said the Palestinian leadership is “examining all options to respond to this heinous aggression against the holy sites and the citizens.” PA president Mahmoud Abbas also discussed the situation with Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. (WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 5/10)

Leader of the Ra’am (United Arab List) Mansour Abbas said that he had broken off contacts with Israeli opposition leaders Yair Lapid and Naftali Bennett just before he was to have a joint meeting with them, citing the violence in Jerusalem and Gaza. Mansour Abbas met with Naftali Bennett on 5/9. (ALM, HA 5/10; ALM, HA, MEMO, NBC 5/11)

Israel attacked Syria in the Quneitra region with a helicopter, injuring 1. (HA 5/10)

Iran confirmed that it is in direct talks with Saudi Arabia to resolve the issues between the 2 countries. A Saudi official confirmed the talks on 5/7. (AJ, HA, REU 5/10)

The U.S. said 1 of its Coast Guard ships had fired 30 warning shots at 13 Iranian vessels that came too close to the ship and 6 other U.S. navy vessels. Iran said that it was the U.S. that had acted recklessly in the encounter. (AJ, HA, REU 5/10; AP, MEMO 5/11)

UN security council members met at an emergency session to discuss the situation in Palestine-Israel. No statement was issued after the meeting. U.S. state department spokesperson Ned Price said that the U.S. administration wanted to make sure that a statement would “not escalate tensions.” Spokesperson Price also refused to say if the U.S. condemned the Israeli air strike that killed 9 Palestinian children, and suggested that Palestinians, contrary to Israelis, do not have the right to defend themselves, saying that only states recognized by the U.S. have that right. (HA, MEE 5/11)

In the West Bank, al-Ibrahimi Mosque was closed to Muslim worshipers due to Israeli restriction during the Jewish Sukkot holidays. Israeli settlers vandalized 6 Palestinian-owned cars in Dayr ‘Ammar. Israeli settlers also attacked Palestinians harvesting olives in Burin and al-Jaba‘. During the attack in Burin, 1 pro-Palestinian Israeli activist suffered broken bones and a settler set fire to some trees. 15 Palestinians were arrested during raids in and around Abu Dis, Ramallah, Hebron, and Qalqilya. During a raid near Tulkarm, Israeli forces seized 10,000 NIS ($2,800) in cash. Israeli forces also shot and injured 1 Palestinian trying to enter Israel southwest of Jenin. In East Jerusalem, for the 2d day in a row, a natural spring was opened for Jewish visitors only; Israeli forces guarded the spring and closed a road leading to nearby Palestinian towns. 7 Palestinians were arrested, including 6 during raids in Issawiyya; 1 preacher of the al-Aqsa Mosque was arrested in the Old City. In Gaza, Israeli forces made incursions to level land northeast of Jabalia. In Israel, Israeli forces attacked bedouins in southern Israel. (WAFA 10/15; HA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, +972, WAFA 10/16; PCHR 10/17; HA 10/23)

In the West Bank, the IDF conducts house searches and arrest raids in 2 villages nr. Hebron and 1 village nr. Bethlehem at night; patrols in Tulkarm and 1 village nr. Salfit in the morning, in 1 village nr. Hebron in the afternoon, and in 4 villages nr. Hebron, Nablus and 1 village and Balata r.c. nearby, 2 villages nr. Qalqilya and Tulkarm at night. Jewish settlers from Yitzhar chop down an estimated 60 olive trees nr. Nablus. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces violently disperse Palestinian demonstrators in al-‘Izzariya, a protest in support of defending al-Aqsa mosque from Jewish extremists. There are no serious injuries. (MNA 4/27; PCHR 4/30)

The PLO Central Council in Ramallah adopts a plan to pursue efforts to join 63 UN bodies and international treaties, according to a public statement issued on the final day of a 2-day meeting. Separately, PA Pres. Abbas issues a statement to mark Holocaust Day, denouncing the Nazi genocide. Israeli PM Netanyahu dismisses the comments during an interview with U.S. television network CBS, and says that Israel will not negotiate with a Palestinian govt. backed by Hamas. Meanwhile, IDF Maj.-Gen. Yoav Mordechai tells a meeting of the Knesset’s Foreign Affairs and Defense Subcmte. on Judea and Samaria that construction plans for 19 Palestinian villages in Area C of the West Bank have been frozen in response to the reconciliation deal. In addition, U.S. Dep. National Security Adviser Tony Blinken tells CNN that the U.S. is ready to suspend aid to the PA if a unity govt. backed by Hamas fails to recognize Israel. U.S. Special Envoy Indyk leaves Israel for consultations in Washington. EU foreign affairs chief Ashton releases a statement expressing concern over the latest developments in the peace process, and reiterates EU support for the U.S.-led peace talks. She also welcomes the Palestinian unity govt., affirming that it must abide by the principles of nonviolence, recognition of Israel, and commitment to previous agreements. (AFP, JP, REU, WAFA, YA 4/27; HA 4/28)

Remarks made by U.S. Secy. of State Kerry on 4/25 at a private meeting in Washington are published by the Daily Beast, in which he says that without a 2-state solution soon, Israel risks becoming an “apartheid state.” In response, pro-Israel lobby group AIPAC says it is “deeply troubled” by the comments. (HA, NYT 4/28)

A demonstration after Friday prayers at the al-Aqsa mosque in Jerusalem devolves into clashes with Israeli police, who use stun grenades against stonethrowing protesters.

In the West Bank, the IDF patrols in 2 villages nr. Ramallah and 1 village nr. Qalqilya in the morning, 1 village nr. Jenin in the afternoon, 1 village nr. Hebron (firing stun grenades), and 3 villages nr. Jenin at night; conducts house searches and issues summonses in 2 villages nr. Salfit at night. The IDF also attacks a weekly nonviolent protest against settlements and the separation wall in Kufr Qaddum village nr. Qalqilya, causing no serious injuries. Jewish settlers attack Palestinians harvesting olives in 1 village nr. Qalqilya and destroy olive trees and vineyards in 1 village nr. Bethlehem. (IMEMC, MNA, NYT 10/5; PCHR 10/11)

Israeli-Palestinian clashes continue, leaving 6 Palestinians dead. Arafat publicly orders Palestinian gunmen to stop shooting at Israelis fr. PA-controlled areas, but there is no sign the order is heeded. Barak tightens economic sanctions on the Palestinians, barring any goods other than food or medicine, including fuel, fr. reaching the PA areas. Israel again bars Palestinians under age 45 fr. attending Friday prayers at al-Aqsa Mosque. The IDF shells residential areas of Ramallah, destroying an empty building. Jewish settlers uproot a Palestinian olive grove nr. Nablus, throw stones at Palestinian cars nr. Nablus, Qalqilya, Ramallah. (HA, LAW, MEZ 11/17; NYT, WP, WT 11/18; MA [Internet], YA 11/19; al-Quds 11/19, 11/20 in WNC 11/21; AIC, JT [Internet], MEZ 11/20)

Israeli-Palestinian clashes continue, leaving 5 Palestinians, 1 Israeli Arab, 1 IDF soldier dead, 300 Palestinians injured. Following the funeral for Fatah cmdr. Ubayyat (attended by 10,000 Palestinians), a Palestinian sniper fires on IDF troops outside Rachel's Tomb nearby, killing 1 soldier, wounding another. A small bomb explodes in East Jerusalem, slightly injuring an Israeli border policeman. More than 50 IDF shells fall in the Ramallah area, hitting the PA civil administration building, the PA Central Bureau of Statistics headquarters, the Islamic Elementary School, several apartment complexes and homes. IDF tank, heavy machine gun fire are reported in and around Hebron, Jinin, Khan Yunis, Nablus, Qalqilya, Salfit. The IDF also bulldozes agricultural lands nr. Qalqilya. Jewish settlers uproot Palestinian olive trees nr. Ramallah, assault Palestinians in several locations around Nablus. Israel again restricts Palestinian access to al-Aqsa Mosque for Friday prayers. Egypt reports that Israel is barring medical goods, 30 ambulances donated by Saudi Arabia fr. entering Gaza via the Rafah crossing. (ADM, LAW 11/10; MENA 11/10 in WNC 11/13; NYT, PCHR, WP 11/11; HJ 11/15 in WNC 11/27)

UNSC resumes talks on an international buffer force for the West Bank, Gaza. Arafat lobbies for the UN to send 2,000 troops to the West Bank, Gaza, Jerusalem. The UK, U.S. vow to block the proposal as long as Israel disapproves. (XIN 11/10 in WNC 11/13; NYT, WP, WT 11/11; HJ 11/13 in WNC 11/15)

In Amman, Jordanian security forces peacefully disperse 1,000 Jordanians attempting to march to the Israeli emb. 100s of Lebanese, Palestinian refugees demonstrate at Fatima Gate on the blue line. The IDF shoots across the border, wounding a Lebanese truck driver approaching the border with a load of stones. (AFP [Internet] 11/10; DUS 11/10 in WNC 11/13; MEI 11/24)