The Palestine Chronology

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers vandalized vehicles and set fire to 15 dunams (3.7 acres) of agricultural land in the Masafer Yatta area. 6 Palestinians were arrested, including 4 during late-night raids in and around Tubas and Nablus, and 2 at checkpoints near Huwwara and in Hebron. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces violently dispersed Palestinian and Israeli protesters near Shaykh Jarrah, demanding that they end the lockdown of the area. 9 Palestinians were arrested, including 5 during house raids in Issawiyya and the Old City and 4 at the Haram al-Sharif compound. Off the coast of Gaza, Israeli naval forces opened fire at Palestinian fishermen within 3 nautical miles west of Dayr al-Balah; no injuries were reported. In Israel, thousands demonstrated in Tel Aviv for “a joint future” for all Israelis after days of violence among Israeli citizens. There were also protests outside of prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s official residence. (HA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 5/22; PCHR 5/27)

Israel allowed a limited number of fishing boats from Gaza to start fishing, after closing the fishing zone since 5/10. (AP 5/23)

Egypt sent a convoy of 130 trucks to Gaza carrying humanitarian aid. (HA, WAFA 5/22)

PA president Mahmoud Abbas spoke with Qatari emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani about the recent Israeli attacks on Gaza and East Jerusalem. Emir Al Thani promised to help organize other nations in ending Israeli attacks on the al-Aqsa Mosque. President Abbas also spoke to the emir of Kuwait, Nawaf Al‑Ahmad Al‑Jaber Al‑Sabah, and the Egyptian security delegation that had been working as intermediaries between Israel and Hamas before the ceasefire. (AJ, REU, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 5/22)

The mayor of Lydda Yair Revivo threatened Palestinian-Israeli councilwoman Fida Shehade that he would send the Shin Bet after her because she had criticized the city’s treatment of its Palestinian-Israeli residents. (HA 5/23)

Lebanese prime minister-designate Saad Hariri said he would not continue trying to form a cabinet after Lebanese president Michel Aoun said that he was incapable of doing so on 5/21. (REU, REU 5/22)

The UN security council (UNSC) released its 1st statement since the escalation of violence against Gaza on 5/10, calling for adherence to the ceasefire. The statement mourned the loss of civilian lives, called for humanitarian aid to Palestinians, and reiterated its support for a 2-state solution. The U.S. has been criticized by other members of the UNSC for blocking statements before the ceasefire took effect on 5/21. UN humanitarian coordinator for the Palestinian territories Lynn Hastings also toured Gaza to assess the damage, calling for the blockade to end and expressing concern about a potential new COVID-19 outbreak. (AJ, AP, HA, HA, WAFA 5/22)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers attacked 1 Palestinian near Khan al-Ahmar, who was taken to a hospital in Jericho. Israeli forces began expanding a settler-only road built on Palestinian-owned land connecting 2 Israeli settlements near Nahalin. Israeli forces also delivered stop-work orders for 2 houses near Yatta and 1 water well and 1 agricultural structure near Salfit. Elsewhere, Israeli forces delivered an eviction order to 1 Palestinian living on 6 dunams (1.5 acres) of land in al-Khadir, near an Israeli settlement. 5 Palestinians were arrested during raids in and around Ramallah, Bayt Umar, and Yatta. In East Jerusalem, 1 Palestinian family started demolishing their own home in Silwan to avoid exorbitant Israeli demolition fees. 17 Palestinians were arrested, including 9 during late-night raids in Issawiyya and 8 at Bab al-Rahma in the Old City. Off the coast of Gaza, Israeli naval forces opened fire on Palestinian fishermen west of Dayr al-Balah; no injuries were reported. (WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 6/21; WAFA 6/22; PCHR 6/25)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers stole olive harvest in Qaryut and flooded 5 dunams (1.2 acres) of Palestinian farmland planted with olive trees with sewage waste in al-Jaba‘. Israeli settlers also threw stones at Israeli forces at Yitzhar settlement. Israeli forces delivered notices that 2,522 dunams (623 acres) of land would be seized, including 2,000 in al-Jaba‘, 372 south of Hebron, and 150 near Bayt Liqya. 10 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in and around al-Ram, Yatta, Nablus, Jenin, and Ramallah. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces summoned 2 members of the parents’ committee that organized a school strike in Issawiyya on 11/2 in protest over Israeli forces breaking into the school and arresting 1 student; 1 of the 2 members was arrested and clashes between Israeli forces and local Palestinians broke out, resulting in the arrest of 3 Palestinian minors. In Gaza, Israeli forces opened fire on Palestinian farmlands east of Khuza‘a; no injuries were reported. Off the coast of Gaza, Israeli naval forces opened fire on Palestinian fishermen off the shore of Jabalia; no injuries were reported. (WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 11/4; HA, HA 11/5; PCHR 11/7)

The Israeli housing cabinet approved the controversial cable car project which would connect Western Jerusalem with East Jerusalem’s Old City. The project is currently under review by Israel’s attorney general and it would need a final procedural approval by the Israeli government. The project, if approved, would likely be challenged in the Israeli high court of justice. (HA 11/4; CNN 11/5 BBC 11/6)

After Jordan recalled its ambassador to Israel on 10/29 in protest of Israel holding 2 Jordanian citizens in administrative detention, Israel’s prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that the 2 would be released to Jordan. (HA 11/4)

Along Gaza’s border, Israeli forces conduct a limited incursion to level land nr. Khan Yunis. In the West Bank, Israeli forces raze 40 dunams (around 10 acres) of farmland, destroy 800 trees, and demolish 2 wells in various locations nr. Hebron; and also demolish 3 homes, 6 livestock barns, and 2 water tanks in the n. Jordan Valley. IDF troops arrest 3 Palestinians during raids in and around Hebron and Bethlehem, and patrol nr. Nablus during the day. In East Jerusalem, a Palestinian family demolishes their own home in the Old City to avoid paying Israeli demolition fees. Israeli forces arrest 7 Palestinians during raids in Issawiyya and Anata r.c. (MNA, WAFA 9/7; PCHR, WAFA 9/8; PCHR 9/22)

The Egyptian authorities open the Rafah border crossing for humanitarian cases passing in both directions. (MNA 9/6; OCHA 9/8)

Late at night in East Jerusalem, Israeli forces return the body of a Palestinian killed in a confrontation with Israeli border police in 11/2015. Meanwhile, Israeli forces arrest 4 Palestinians during late-night raids in Jabal Mukabir, Qalandia r.c., and Issawiyya; and assault and arrest a Palestinian in the Old City. Along Gaza’s border, Israeli forces open fire on Palestinian farmers working nr. Khan Yunis, causing no injuries. In the West Bank, Israeli forces raze 50 dunams (around 12.3 acres) of Palestinian land nr. Qalqilya, uprooting 50 olive trees; and issue a stopwork order to a water pipeline under construction in the Jordan Valley. IDF troops conduct late-night house searches and raids nr. Ramallah, Hebron, Bethlehem, and Nablus, arresting 10 Palestinians and confiscating some property; patrol nr. Hebron, Ramallah, Salfit, and Tulkarm. (MNA, WAFA 5/8; MNA 5/9; PCHR 5/12)