The Palestine Chronology

Hamas launched Operation Al-Aqsa Flood, entering Israeli towns and villages near Gaza through the Gaza fence and by air, using improvised paramotoring gliders, attacking military equipment with explosive drones, and firing thousands of rockets. Palestinian militants took control of at least 14 Israeli bases, police stations, and towns, in addition to the Beit Hanun (Erez) crossing, and bulldozed parts of the Gaza fence. More than 200 people were captured by militants and brought to Gaza, as were dozens of Israeli military vehicles. After the launch of the operation, Israeli forces began fighting militants in the area near the Gaza fence and conducted airstrikes, killing more than 198 Palestinians and injuring 1,610 as of 6 p.m. Israeli airstrikes targeted the Indonesian Hospital and destroyed the second largest building in Gaza, Palestine Tower, among many other residential buildings. Israel said that at least 70 Israelis had been killed and more than 986 wounded as of 5.30 p.m. 20,000 Palestinians were internally displaced, sheltering in UNRWA schools and emergency shelters. Israel dubbed its attacks on Gaza Operation Swords of Iron. In the West Bank, Israeli settlers with a military escort raided Yasuf, injuring 32 Palestinians, including 6 with live ammunition and 1 in a stabbing, and set fire to 3 homes. Israeli settlers also attacked Palestinians in Aqraba, Qusra, Tuqu’, Khirbat Makhul, and Huwwara, injuring 6, including at least 1 with live ammunition. Israeli forces shot and killed 6 Palestinian protesters, including a child, in Beit Umar, Deir Sharaf, Hebron, Qalqilya, Jericho, and al-Bireh, wounding 92 others, including 30 with live ammunition. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces violently dispersed Palestinian protesters in Shu’fat, Isawiya, Silwan, and al-Tur, injuring 1 with a baton round and others with tear-gas. (AJ, AJ, AJ, HA, HA, HA, HA, HA, HA, UNOCHA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 9/7; AP, AP, AP, HA, HA, HA, HA, HA, HA, HA, HA, HA, HA, HA, WAFA 10/8; AJ, AJ, AP, HA, HA, HA, REU, REU, REU 10/9; AP, HA 10/10; HA 10/11; AP 10/12; HA 10/17)

Hamas political leader Ismail Haniyeh said Hamas had warned Israel about damaging al-Aqsa Mosque, continued settlement expansion, and raids on Palestinian cities and towns, but that Israel had ignored its warnings. Haniyeh further stated, “Israel could have silenced us by giving us crumbs, but the government turned its back on any possibility of a prisoner exchange and continued the siege of the strip.” Islamic Jihad spokesperson Dauod Shihab said Israeli captives would only be released in a prisoner exchange, adding the organization had taken women and children captives because Israel does the same. PA president Mahmoud Abbas issued a statement saying he had directed the PA forces to “protect Palestinians everywhere,” and that the “Palestinian people has the right to defend itself from any aggression by settlers and the Israeli occupation forces.” All Palestinian factions called for a general strike in the West Bank over the Israeli attacks on Gaza. (AJ, AJ, HA, WAFA 10/7; WAFA 10/8)

Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu said “Israel is at war. This is not a so-called military operation, not another round of fighting, but war.” He further stated that Israel will “purge the area [around Gaza] of enemy forces” and then “exact a huge price from the enemy, also in the Gaza Strip.” Netanyahu also spoke with opposition leaders Benny Gantz and Yair Lapid about forming an emergency unity government. Lapid said he would only join the government if Netanyahu fired National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich. Israel also called up tens of thousands of reservists in preparation for a potential ground invasion. Israeli energy minister Yisrael Katz signed an order to disconnect Gaza from the Israeli power grid. (AJ, AJ, HA, HA, WAFA 10/7; HA 10/8)

U.S. president Joe Biden spoke with Prime Minister Netanyahu. Biden condemned Hamas in a speech, calling their operation “unconscionable.” Secretary of State Antony Blinken spoke to President Mahmoud Abbas, calling on him to condemn the Hamas operation. Abbas also spoke with French president Emmanuel Macron. (HA, HA, WAFA 10/7; HA 10/8)

The Palestinian Prisoner’s Society said Israel had imposed punitive measures against Palestinian prisoners, including placing sections of prisons on lockdown, seizing televisions, increasing jamming devices, and stopping family and lawyer visits. (WAFA 9/8)

Israel closed all crossings from the West Bank and Gaza and closed several checkpoints in the West Bank. (WAFA 10/7; WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 10/8)

Arab League secretary-general Ahmed Aboul Gheit called for an immediate ceasefire. (WAFA 10/7)

In the West Bank, Israeli forces raided Ramallah to punitively demolish the family home of a Palestinian accused of planting 2 bombs in Jerusalem in November 2022; 35 Palestinians were injured, including 20 by live ammunition and others with baton rounds, including 2 clearly marked press photographers who were hospitalized with baton round injuries to their head and stomach. Israeli forces also raided Zweidin in the Masafer Yatta area, firing tear gas at Palestinians and seizing 1 bulldozer. Elsewhere, Israeli forces issued stop-work orders for 5 residential structures in al-Burj. Israeli forces also issued notifications to residents of al-Zawiya that Israel will seize 96 dunams (23.7 acres) of Palestinian-owned land. 27 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in Beita, Arrabah, Yatta, Beit Umar, and Biddu. (REU 6/7; AJ, ALM, AP, HA, MDW, MEE, MEMO, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 6/8; NA, WAFA 6/9; AJ 6/10; PCHR 6/15; UNOCHA 6/18)

A delegation of EU diplomats visited the Ghaith-Sub Laban family in the Old City of Jerusalem to show their support as the family is threatened by expulsion from their home this month. (QDS, WAFA 6/9)

Haaretz reported that Lehava chairperson Bentzi Gopstein was advising National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir and others in the Israeli police. Gopstein is facing charges for inciting racism and terrorism against Palestinians and has been barred by the High Court of Justice from running for a seat in the Knesset. (HA, JP, TOI 6/8)

Saudi foreign minister Faisal bin Farhan told reporters that Saudi-Israeli normalization would have “limited benefits” without agreement on a “pathway to peace for the Palestinian people,” after a meeting with U.S. secretary of state Antony Blinken. Farhan also said that Saudi Arabia is developing its own nuclear program and would prefer U.S. help in its development but had other bidders too. (AP, AX, REU, REU 6/8)

Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu told Secretary of State Blinken that Israel does not consider itself bound by any agreement made between Iran and the U.S. during a phone call. It has been reported that Iran and the U.S. are close to getting back on track on Iran deal renegotiations after secret meetings in Oman last month. According to a State Department spokesperson, Blinken also said that Israel needs to uphold commitments made during the summits in Aqaba and Sharm El Sheikh in the spring. (AX, HA, MEE 6/8)

The UN Human Rights Council’s Commission of Inquiry said in its annual report that Israel is seeking to silence Palestinian civil society by labeling rights groups as terrorists. The report also said that Israel violates Palestinian human rights to ensure its permanent occupation. The commission also criticized Hamas and the PA for limiting expression of freedom. (AP, REU 6/8)

Adalah issued a position paper titled The Acceleration of the Annexation of the West Bank under the 37th Israeli Government led by Prime Minister Netanyahu, outlining the ways the Israeli government is accelerating policies to annex the West Bank. The paper mentions transferring management of settlements to Ministry of the Negev, the Galilee, and National Resilience, the appointment of Bezalel Smotrich as a minister in the Defense Ministry in charge of settlements, legalizing 10 settlement outposts, building over 7,000 new settlement units, re-establishing evacuated settlements, and introducing legislation that applies to the occupied territories. (Adalah, Adalah 6/8) 

In the West Bank, 1 Palestinian was shot in his foot by Israeli forces using live ammunition near the separation wall southwest of Jenin. 11 Palestinians were arrested during raids in and around Halhul, al-‘Arub refugee camp, Bayt Awa, Ramallah, ‘Urif, and Tubas. Israeli forces razed a dirt road and demolished water pipes near al-‘Izzariya. (WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 11/18; PCHR 11/21)

U.S. secretary of state Mike Pompeo announced that the U.S. no longer considers Israeli settlements illegal under international law. Secretary Pompeo explained that the Trump administration called the notion that settlements are illegal under international law a distraction and said the issue should be addressed in Israeli courts. Pompeo’s announcement received sharp criticism and condemnation from several countries and international organizations. PA prime minister Mohammad Shtyyeh called it “a mockery of international law and resolutions that criminalize Israeli settlements and prohibit the occupying power from transferring its civilian population into occupied territory.” (AJ, Amnesty, CNN, EU, HA, HA, NYT 11/18; AJ, BBC, HA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 11/19)

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Commercial strike continues in E. Jerusalem. Stores open in Gaza City [WP 1/27]. Shopowners heed call of Unified National Command for the Uprising in the Occupied Territories, strike in many W. Bank cities and towns [LAT 1/27]. Trials of Gazans arrested during uprising slow to "standstill" as scores of defendants demand full hearings [FBIS 1/27]. Moshe 'Amirav leaves Herut Movement after being removed from its central com. [FBIS 1/27]. Israeli authorities order al-Fajr's Gaza office closed for 1 year [FJ 1/3 1]. Hebron U. reopens after 1-month military-ordered closure [FJ 1/31].

Arab World: In Beirut, Islamic Jihad for the Liberation of Palestine says fate of 4 Beirut University College professors it is holding hostage is linked to Israeli arrests of Palestinians inoccupied territories [WP 1/27].

Other Countries: U.S. State Dept. announces Sec. of State Shultz will meet with al-Fajr editor Hanna Siniora and Gaza attorney Fayiz Abu Rahmah. Egypt's Pres. Husni Mubarak arrives in Washington for 3-day official visit. Elyakim Rubinstein, Israeli cabinet sec., holds talks with Charles Hill, aide to Sec. of State Shultz [NYT 1/27].

Military Action Occupied Palestine/Israel: Israeli troops open fire on demonstrators in Gaza Strip's Jenin refugee camp, wounding 1. Curfew on Jabalya is lifted but reimposed after crowds throw Molotov cocktails at Israeli patrol [WP 1/27; FJ 1/31]. In the West Bank, military imposes curfews on village of Qabatiyyah and Jenin camp following violent demonstrations. Curfews imposed on Tulkarm and Bayt 'Ur al-Tahta are lifted; military lifts curfew on Balata, declares camp closed military zone. Sa'ir village remains under siege and nearby village of al-Shuyukh is also blockaded. Israeli troops use rubber bullets to disperse stone-throwing crowd in Jalazun refugee camp, injuring 1; another Jalazun resident is severely beaten. Curfew is imposed on camp. Demonstrations are also reported in al-Birah and Ramallah [FJ 1/31].

Arab World: Israeli warplanes stage mock raids over Sidon, drawing anti-aircraft fire [FBIS 1/27].

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Ha'Aretz reports P.M. Peres has made secret power-sharing arrangements with King Hussein over how they might jointly control the West Bank in the event of a peace settlement. Peres denies the existence of such an agreement [CT, LAT 11/1]. London Times reports Israeli disciplinary court has cleared 2 Shin Bet agents in the beating death of 2 Palestinians who hijacked a bus in the Gaza Strip last April; govt. inquiry said it could not establish who struck the fatal blows which killed the 2 during interrogation following their arrest [LT 10/29].

Arab World: Yasir Arafat holds press conference in midst of meetings with Jordanian officials, states Jordan and the PLO agree to set up permanent joint committee to coordinatefforts in M.E. peace efforts [LT 10/30]. Arafat rejects U.S. conditions for his participation in M.E. peace negotiations, defends armed resistance against Israel as legitimate activity against occupying power [NYT, BG 10/30]. Two top Fateh officials arrive in Cairo for talks aimed at healing rifts over Achille Lauro hijacking, prepare for upcoming visit by Yasir Arafat [FT 10/31].

Other Countries: U.S. State Dept. announces Wat Cluverius, U.S. consul general in Jerusalem since 1983, has been named senior advisor to Asst. Sec. of State for M.E. Affairs Richard Murphy. Cluverius is replaced by Morris Draper, former deputy to former M.E. envoy Philip Habib [WP, LAT 10/30]. U.S. Sen. Appropriations Subcommittee approves fiscal foreign aid program which includes $531 million to ease high interest charges facing Israel on past U.S. loans [WSJ 10/30].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Jerusalem Post reports unidentified gunmen apparently infiltrated from Egyptian territory and attacked IDF patrol last week near moshav in the Negev; no injuries reported UP 10/29].

Arab World: Jordanian jets accidentally overfly Israel and Syria, drawing Syrian missile fire, return unharmed. Israeli military describes it as "a local incident, simply a mistake" [WP 10/30].

Military Action:

Artillery duels between Druze and Phalange militia near Baabda.

Casualties:

5 killed, 9 wounded in Druze-Phalange fighting.

Political Responses:

Israel/ Occupied Territories: Chief of Staff Rafael Eitan says Israel may face 100 years of terrorism, that in practice the war in Lebanon has not ended, and one cannot solve all the problems of terrorism in one war, that if the IDF remains in Lebanon for long it may have to mount an intensive campaign to root out terrorist cells as was done in the Gaza Strip after the 1967 war; Defense Minister Sharon flatly rejects any PLO participation in future peace talks with Jordan, and dismisses Iraq's declaration of recognition of Israel's security needs as merely effort to get US arms for war against Iran; Israeli Foreign Minister legal adviser Elyakim Rubenstein says the recall of Egypt's Ambassador to Israel is a violation of the Camp David accords; Avid Kedar, head of Foreign Ministry's Egypt Department, says contacts between Israel and Egypt frozen since Peace for Galilee Campaign; Sgan Nitzav Albert Hayut, new director of Beersheba prison announces 500 security prisoners to be moved to new maximum security prison, equipped with latest electronic monitors, near Nablus; attorney Nissim Shakar of the Committee for Jaffa's Arabs says they will appeal proposed law that non-Jews must close shops on Yom Kippur as well as own religious holidays, and not transport goods on Saturday and Jewish holidays; Israeli officials announce requests by Palestinians to visit relatives in Lebanon decline due to security situation, 5 Israeli Palestinians disappeared recently in Lebanon; bomb near Zedekiah's Cave outside Jerusalem's Damascus Gate critically wounds a Palestinian worker; military authorities surround Najah University, effectively closing the campus, prevent Israeli Association for Civil Rights representative from entering, detain 9 student council members; in Nablus students stone troops who use tear gas and close off market area; rock throwing incidents in Ramallah, al-Bireh aid Dheisheh camp, now defined as District of Binyamin, also in jenin where placards and leaflets are found attributed to National Liberation Movement denouncing as treasonous Arafat's and Hussein's attempt to reach accommodation with Israel.

Palestinians/ Lebanese: PLO Chairman Arafat goes to Moscow; 5 Palestinian leaders and Lebanese Communist Party meet in Tripoli.

Arab Governments: King Hussein tells local leaders that he has a letter from Reagan commiting the US to pressure Israel to restore Arab rights in the occupied territories, and that time is running out for achieving a unified Arab approach by March; Moroccan Foreign Ministry announces agreement with Britain on Arab League delegation to include non-PLO Palestinian; Egyptian Socialist Labor Party poll of 1,486 persons shows 82% want Israeli ambassador expelled, 76To want to sever relations with Israel.

US and Other Countries: State Department says Israeli settlement promotion campaign is unfortunate and counterproductive; Administration officials say US is counting on King Hussein to declare his readiness to join talks on basis of Reagan plan if the PLO and Saudi Arabia support it, if progress is made on troop withdrawals from Lebanon, and if Israel temporarily halts settlement activity; Secretary of State Shultz meets for 2 hours with 14 members of Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations and leading Jewish Republicans, tells them of growing fears that Israel and Syria have tacit agreement to keep status quo in Lebanon, they tell him they want US to support Israel's demand for normalization of relations with Lebanon; delegation of Conservative MPs from Britain meet with Begin, give him message of support from Prime Minister Thatcher; European Parliament calls for establishment of a Palestinian state as a factor in a Middle East settlement, direct PLO-Israel dialogue, immediate halt to settlements in the West Bank, Israeli withdrawal from occupied territory, recognition of PLO as representative of Palestinian people if it drops from its charter all paragraphs calling for Israel's destruction, and sovereignty of all states in the region; Habib arrives in Israel.