The Palestine Chronology

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers attacked 1 Palestinian man working his land in Huwwara; he was treated at a hospital for his injuries. Israeli settlers also threw stones at vehicles travelling near Nablus, causing damage to 1 car. Israeli forces shot and injured 1 Palestinian worker seeking to enter Israel via the separation wall near Far‘un. Israeli forces also seized 2 residential tents near Yatta, displacing 10 people. Elsewhere, in Susiya, Israeli forces seized 3 tents, a generator, and a concreate mixer, and demolished 1 tin structure. Israeli forces also razed 2 dunams (0.5 acres) of Palestinian-owned agricultural land and uprooted some 100 olive trees in near Bethlehem. 6 Palestinians were arrested, including 5 during late-night raids in and around Qalqilya and Yatta, and 1 at a checkpoint west of Nablus. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces demolished 3 apartments in Silwan, displacing 25 people. 2 Palestinian families also demolished their own homes to avoid exorbitant Israeli demolition fees in Shaykh Jarrah. In Gaza, Israel closed the Kerem Shalom crossing, mainly used for commercial goods, citing fires from incendiary balloons as the reason. Egypt opened the Rafah crossing for 3 days on humanitarian grounds. Israeli forces opened fire on agricultural lands east of Khuza‘a; no injuries were reported. (HA, PCHR, REU, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 8/11; HA 8/12; PCHR, PCHR 8/13; HA 8/14)

The PA and Austria signed a Memorandum of Understanding for Austrian support of $412,000 for improvement of the water quality in the West Bank. (WAFA 8/11)

Along Gaza’s border fence, unidentified Palestinians fly incendiary kites and balloons across the fence into Israel, sparking at least 2 fires near Sderot. Israeli drones then bomb 3 sites near Bayt Hanun and Jabaliya refugee camp, causing damage and no injuries. In the evening, unidentified Palestinians launch a rocket into Israel; it lands in an open area, causing no damage or injuries. Off Gaza’s coast, Israeli naval forces open fire on Palestinian fishing boats near Khan Yunis and Dayr al-Balah, causing no damage or injuries. In the West Bank, IDF troops arrest 15 Palestinians during late-night raids near Ramallah, Bethlehem, and Nablus; and patrol near Nablus, Qalqilya, Salfit, and Hebron. One raid near Hebron sparks clashes with stone-throwing Palestinian minors; there are no injuries. Israeli settlers throw stones at a Palestinian home in central Hebron, causing damage. An Israeli settler driver runs over Palestinian land planted with tomatoes and cucumbers outside al-Khadir village near Bethlehem. (MNA, WAFA, YA 7/16; PCHR 7/19)

Israeli DM Lieberman announces a temporary suspension of fuel and gas exports to Gaza through the Kerem Shalom border crossing, and a further reduction of the fishing zone off Gaza’s coast from six to three nautical miles. The punitive action comes a little over a week since Israeli PM Netanyahu announced a reduction in the fishing zone from nine nautical miles and a partial closure of the crossing, with an exception for key humanitarian imports, on 7/9. The suspension in fuel and gas exports is set to begin on 7/17 and continue through 7/22. Meanwhile, the Egyptian authorities close down the Rafah border crossing, citing a technical malfunction. (HA, JP, TOI 7/16; MNA, WAFA, YA 7/17)

After a weekend of violence along Gaza’s border fence, Netanyahu visits border communities and warns that Israel should be prepared for a “protracted campaign” against Hamas and the other armed groups in Gaza. (JP, TOI 7/16)

Palestinians across Israel and the oPt observe a general strike in commemoration of the Nakba and in mourning for the 58 Palestinians killed in Gaza on 5/14. Thousands march in their funeral processions, and thousands more gather along the border fence for a 2d consecutive day of Great March of Return protests. Israeli forces violently disperse these demonstrations, as well as smaller protests in East Jerusalem, Hebron, Ramallah, Bethlehem, and at the Qalandia checkpoint; 2 Palestinians are killed and 12 are injured. Meanwhile, IDF troops arrest 20 Palestinians during late-night raids near Ramallah, Nablus, Jericho, Jenin, Hebron, and Bethlehem; and patrol near Hebron and Salfit. Unidentified assailants cut down 300 Palestinian-owned grapevines outside Bayt ‘Aynun village near Hebron and leave racist graffiti in the area. (EI, HA, JP, TOI, WAFA 5/15; HA, MNA 5/16; PCHR 5/17)

Two Palestinians succumb to injuries sustained during the deadly violence in Gaza on 5/14. The 4 deaths today bring the death toll stemming from Israel’s response to the protests on 5/14 to 60 and the overall death toll stemming from the Great March of Return to 106. (MNA, TOI, WAFA, 5/15)

The Egyptian authorities open the Rafah border crossing in both directions for the 4th consecutive day. (AP 5/18; OCHA 5/24)

The Israeli authorities temporarily reopen the Kerem Shalom border crossing, having kept it closed since 5/12, after Palestinians set fire to a nearby pipeline. There are reports of Palestinian activists turning back 4 truckloads of medical supplies provided by the IDF. The organizers of the Great March of Return later confirm that they rejected medical supplies from “the executors of Monday’s massacre against the innocent.” (AP, TOI 5/15; MNA, JP, TOI 5/16)

PA president Abbas recalls PLO envoy in Washington Husam Zomlot in protest at the opening of the U.S. embassy in Jerusalem and the U.S. decision to block the UNSC from making a statement condemning the Israeli violence on 5/14. (WAFA, YA 5/15; HA, WAFA 5/16)

The Turkish Foreign Ministry orders Israeli ambassador Eitan Naeh to leave Turkey in protest of the killings in Gaza on 5/14. In response, Israel’s Foreign Ministry orders the Turkish consul in Jerusalem to return home. Turkey recalled its ambassadors from Israel and the U.S. in the wake of the killings on 5/14. (ANA, HA, JP, TOI 5/16)

The IAF conducts airstrikes on Palestinian agricultural land near Bayt Hanun, causing moderate damage. The IDF later states that it was targeting a tunnel that had not yet been built into Israeli territory. Meanwhile, IDF troops stationed along Gaza’s border fence open fire on a Hamas observation post near alMaghazi refugee camp, and violently disperse Great March of Return protesters near Jabaliya refugee camp and al-Bureij refugee camp (3 Palestinians are injured, including 1 minor). In the West Bank, IDF troops arrest 13 Palestinians during late-night raids near Ramallah, Bethlehem, Nablus, and Qalqilya; and patrol in and around Tulkarm, Qalqilya, and Hebron. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces arrest 2 Palestinians during late-night raids in Abu Dis. (HA, JP, WAFA, YA 5/12; PCHR 5/17)

A Palestinian minor succumbs to injuries sustained when the IDF violently dispersed peaceful protesters along Gaza’s border on 5/11. His death brings the death toll stemming from the Great March of Return to 44. (HA, WAFA 5/12)

The Egyptian authorities open the Rafah border crossing in both directions for the first of 4 planned days. (AHR 5/14; OCHA 5/24)

Following the attack on a pipeline in Gaza on 5/11, Israeli DM Lieberman announces that the Kerem Shalom border crossing into Gaza has been closed and will remain closed indefinitely while the damage is repaired. Meanwhile, the IDF musters troops along Gaza’s border in preparation for an escalation of the Great March of Return on 5/14. (HA, JP, YA 5/12)

For an 11th consecutive day, Palestinians across Israel and the oPt gather to protest U.S. pres. Trump’s 12/6 recognition of Jerusalem as Israel’s capital. Israeli forces violently disperse them in Tulkarm, al-‘Arub refugee camp near Hebron, and along Gaza’s border near Jabaliya refugee camp and Gaza City; 5 Palestinians are injured. Meanwhile, Israeli forces raze 500 dunams (approximately 123 acres) of Palestinian land near Nablus and cut down dozens of Palestinian trees near Hebron. Israeli border police arrest a Palestinian carrying pipe bombs into an Israeli military court near Nablus. IDF troops arrest 11 Palestinians during late-night raids in and around Hebron, Ramallah, Qalqilya, and Bethlehem; and patrol near Tulkarm and Hebron. In East Jerusalem, Israeli settlers tour Haram al-Sharif in the morning. Off Gaza’s coast, Israeli naval forces open fire on Palestinian fishing boats near Dayr al-Balah and Jabaliya refugee camp, causing no damage or injuries. (HA, TOI, WAFA, YA 12/17; PCHR 12/21)

Unidentified parties fire 2 rockets into Israel; 1 lands in an open area and the other explodes in the yard of a home near Ashqelon, causing minor damage. The IAF conducts air strikes on 6 Hamas sites in northern Gaza, causing damage and no injuries. (HA, WAFA, YA 12/18)

The Egyptian authorities open the Rafah border crossing for the 2d of 4 planned days, allowing passage in both directions. (WAFA 12/17)

Israel’s Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories reopens the Kerem Shalom crossing. The Israeli authorities closed it and the Erez border crossing on 12/13. (TOI 12/17)

Along Gaza’s border, IDF troops open fire on Palestinian agricultural lands nr. Khan Yunis, causing no major damage. Off Gaza’s coast, Israeli naval forces open fire on Palestinian fishing boats nr. Khan Yunis, causing no injuries or damage. In the West Bank, IDF troops arrest 7 Palestinians and issue 1 arrest summons during late-night raids nr. Hebron, Tulkarm, and Ramallah; and patrol nr. Salfit and Hebron. In East Jerusalem, 53 rightwing Jewish activists tour Haram al-Sharif. (MNA, WAFA 3/26; PCHR 3/30)

Amid the ongoing investigation of the 3/24 killing of senior Hamas military cmdr. Fuqaha, the Hamas-run interior ministry in Gaza indefinitely shuts down the Erez border crossing, except for humanitarian cases; orders all fishermen to return to the shore; and shuts down the Rafah border crossing into Egypt. (Most of these restrictions will remain in place through 4/6.) The Kerem Shalom border crossing remains open. (HA, JP, MNA, TOI 3/26; MNA 4/6)

A spokesperson for the residents of the Amona settlement outpost warns that if the Israeli govt. does not build them a new settlement, as PM Netanyahu promised before Amona’s evacuation and demolition in 2/2017 (see JPS 46 [3]), they will “have to unilaterally move onto the [designated] land” and build it themselves. The spokesperson is likely responding to reports in the Israeli press about Israel-U.S. talks in Washington last week, and specifically an unconfirmed report that the U.S. may condone the Amona replacement in exchange for other limitations on settlement growth. (JP 3/26; JP 3/27)

In the West Bank, Israel Defense Forces (IDF) troops conduct an early morning raid in Ramallah, sparking clashes with stone-throwing Palestinian youths; 3 Palestinians are injured. The IDF arrests 8 Palestinians during late-night raids in and around Hebron, Bethlehem, and Tulkarm; and patrols nr. Jenin, Ramallah, and Hebron. Along Gaza’s border, the Israeli authorities prevent a truck from passing through the Kerem Shalom border crossing on the grounds that it contains materials that could be used to build rockets. Off Gaza’s coast, Israeli naval forces open fire on Palestinian fishing boats nr. Jabaliya refugee camp (r.c.), causing no damage or injuries. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces arrest 6 Palestinians during late-night raids in Jabal Mukabir and Issawiyya. (MNA 11/16; PCHR 11/17; PCHR 11/24)

The Egyptian authorities open the Rafah border crossing for the 3d of 5 planned days. (MNA 11/16; OCHA 12/2)

Israel’s Knesset passes the 1st reading of the so-called regulations bill, which would retroactively authorize Israeli settlement outposts in the West Bank. Meanwhile, in response to the Israeli High Court of Justice’s 11/14 reaffirmation of its evacuation order for the illegal Amona settlement outpost, the Jerusalem Municipality approves demolition orders for 14 Palestinian homes in Bayt Hanina. Jerusalem mayor Nir Barkat says that thousands of Palestinian homes in Jerusalem lack proper permits and should be held to the same standard as Amona, adding that “the Amona verdict leaves us no discretion to legalize building offenses.” (HA, JP, MNA, TOI, YA 11/16; JP, MNA 11/17)

For unclear reasons, IDF soldiers at the Erez crossing fire on 700 Palestinians returning from the Hajj in coordination with Israel and the PA, killing 1 Palestinian woman, wounding at least 1. Meanwhile, Palestinian pilgrims who left Gaza under a deal brokered by Hamas (see 12/5) begin to return via Egypt, where Egypt, under pressure fr. Israel, bars their passage through the Rafah crossing, saying they must go via the Israeli-controlled Kerem Shalom crossing; the pilgrims refuse, believing they would be arrested for their Hamas connections. Meanwhile, the IDF fires on Hamas mbrs. laying a roadside bomb nr. the s. Gaza border fence, killing 1 Hamas mbr., wounding a bystander. The Israeli navy fires on Palestinian fishing boats off the Rafah coast, forcing them to return to shore. Hamas mbrs. fire 3 mortars fr. Rafah toward the IDF post at Kerem Shalom; the IDF responds with heavy gunfire; no injuries are reported. In the West Bank, the IDF patrols in Tulkarm; conducts arrest raids, house searches in and around Hebron (including arresting a 10-yr.-old boy, heavily damaging 1 home), nr. Jenin. Jewish settlers throw stones, bottles at Palestinian cars traveling a main road linking Hebron and Bethlehem, damaging 1 car; the IDF observes but does not intervene. Hamas-affiliated police raid an area of Bayt Hanun to arrest a wanted Fatah mbr., fire in the air to disperse angry residents who confront them, wounding 2 (see 12/28). A similar confrontation takes place in Khan Yunis, with heavy fire but no injuries reported. Suspected Fatah mbrs. fire on a police patrol in Rafah, causing no injuries. (NYT 12/31; OCHA 1/2; PCHR 1/3)

The Israeli navy fires on Palestinian fishermen off the coast of Bayt Lahiya, forcing them to return to shore. Palestinians fire 10 mortars at the IDF post at Kerem Shalom crossing, causing no damage or injuries but prompting Israel to close the transit point, which had been allowing limited food aid into Gaza. Meanwhile, 3,000 Hamas mbrs. hold a nonviolent demonstration at the Rafah crossing, demanding that Israel allow entry to some 6,000 Palestinians stranded in Egypt. Egypt reinforces border guards on the Rafah border, fearing that Hamas mbrs. might try to force open the crossing. In the West Bank, the IDF conducts arrest raids in and around Nablus (targeting the Fatah tanzim), in Jenin town and r.c., and nr. Bethlehem, Hebron, Qalqilya. Fatah officials complain that in the past 2 wks., IDF arrest campaigns in the West Bank have detained at least 300 Fatah mbrs., more than offsetting a planned release of 250 Fatah prisoners. (IFM, MNA 7/10; NYT, PCHR 7/12)