The Palestine Chronology

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers graze their sheep on Palestinian land in al-‘Awja, damaging wheat and barley crops. Israeli settlers also throw stones at Palestinian vehicles and block the road leading to the Huwwara checkpoint. Elsewhere, Israeli settlers throw stones at Palestinian vehicles traveling near al-Lubban ash-Sharqiya, causing damage. Israeli settlers also attack a Palestinian home in Khalayl al-Louz. Israeli forces violently disperse Palestinians in Huwwara, causing tear-gas related injuries. Israeli forces also demolish 6 commercial structures in al-‘Awja and issue a stop-work notice for a home in Deir Balut. Elsewhere, Israeli forces seize a tractor in Qarawat Bani Hassan. Israeli forces also close the entrance to Husan. Meanwhile, Israeli forces arrest 25 Palestinians during late-night raids in and around Ramallah, Jenin, Tubas, Tulkarm, Aqraba, Hebron, and Bethlehem. In Gaza, Israeli forces bomb Dayr al-Balah, Rafah, Khan Yunis, and Nuseirat refugee camp, killing at least 63 people, including 7 aid workers of Palestinian, Polish, American, British, and Australian nationality from World Central Kitchen in Dayr al-Balah. Israeli forces also withdraw from al-Shifa Hospital after a 14-day siege, leaving it completely destroyed; witnesses say that hundreds of bodies are found in and around the hospital. The Gaza Media Office says that 400 Palestinians were killed during the attack on al-Shifa. In the Naqab, Israeli police arrest the sister of Hamas political leader Ismail Haniyeh, who is an Israeli citizen, in Tel as-Sabi. A drone launched from Iraq damages an Israeli military building in Eliat; no injuries are reported. The Islamic Resistance in Iraq takes responsibility. In Lebanon, Israeli forces bomb Rachaya Al Foukhar. In Jordan, protesters demonstrate near the Israeli embassy in Amman for the ninth day in a row. In Syria, Israeli forces target an Iranian consulate building in Damascus with airstrikes, assassinating Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corp senior commander Mohammad Reza Zahedi and killing 11 others. (AJ, AJ, AJ, AP, AP, AX, HA, HA, HA, HA, HA, HA, NYT, NYT, NYT, REU, REU, REU, REU, REU, REU, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 4/1; AJ, AP, AP, AP, AP, AX, HA, HA, HA, NYT, NYT, NYT, NYT, NYT, NYT, REU, REU, WAFA 4/2; AP, UNOCHA 4/3; NYT 4/4)

More than 32,845 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli forces in Gaza, including at least 13,750 children and 8,900 women, and around 75,392 have been injured since 10/7/2023. At least 7,000 people are missing in rubble, including 1,700 children. 445 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli forces and settlers in the West Bank and East Jerusalem since 10/7/2023, including 112 children. More than 4,700 people have been injured. Israel reports that 1,139 Israelis and foreign nationals have been killed and 5,400 have been injured in Israel since 10/7/2023, including Israeli soldiers. In addition, 254 Israeli soldiers have been killed and 1,520 injured in Gaza since the ground invasion began on 10/27/2023. Over 1.93 million Palestinians, nearly 85% of the population of Gaza, have been displaced since 10/7/2023. There has been a complete electricity blackout in Gaza since 10/12/2023 due to the Israeli blockade. At least 70,000 housing units have been destroyed and 290,000 have been damaged in Israeli airstrikes since 10/7/2023, constituting over 60% of all housing units. 190 trucks carrying aid enter Gaza. (AJ, HA, WAFA 4/1; AP, AP, NYT 4/2; UNOCHA, UNOCHA 4/3)

World Central Kitchen (WCK) suspends all operations in Gaza after 7 of its workers are killed in an Israeli airstrike (see above), returning 3 ships docked off the coast of Gaza carrying 240 tons of aid to Cyprus. The organization runs 68 community kitchens in Gaza and has sent some 1,700 truckloads of aid into Gaza. Several investigations into the Israeli bombing of the WCK aid convoy reveal that the 3 vehicles the aid workers were in were targeted in 3 strikes 1.5 miles apart. The 3 vehicles were clearly marked with WCK’s logo on the top of the cars. The Israeli narrative changes several times during the period after the attack, from saying an armed person was traveling with the vehicles to saying the clearly marked vehicles were misidentified. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu calls the attack “unintended” and “tragic” and says “[t]hese things happen in wartime.” UN special rapporteur on the occupied Palestinian territories Francesca Albanese says the Israeli attack was a deliberate effort to starve the population of Gaza. Australian prime minister Anthony Albanese calls Netanyahu, expressing “anger and concern” at the killing of the Australian aid worker. U.S. president Joe Biden says he is “outraged and heartbroken,” adding Israel is not doing enough to protect aid workers. The White House claims that there is no evidence that the aid workers were killed deliberately. UN secretary-general Antonio Guterres says 196 aid workers have been killed in Gaza since 10/7/2023. Refugees International president Jeremy Konyndyk calls the attack “a clear war crime.” Hamas labels the attack terrorism. (REU 4/1; AJ, AJ, AJ, AJ, AJ, AP, AX, AX, BC, HA, HA, HA, HA, NYT, REU, REU, REU, REU, REU, REU, REU, REU, REU, REU, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 4/2; AJ, AJ, AP, AP, AX, AX, HA, HA, HA, NYT, REU, REU, REU, UNOCHA, WAFA, WAFA 4/3; NYT 4/4)

The Israeli Civil Administration announces that it will seize 206.3 dunams (51 acres) of land in Jiftlik, adding it to the settlement council in the Jordan Valley and declare 170 dunams (42 acres) of Palestinian land south of Furaydis near the Etzion settlement bloc as state land. (AJ, PCN, WAFA 4/1; PCN 4/2)

The Knesset passes a law allowing the Israeli government to ban Al Jazeera in Israel in a 71-10 vote. Al Jazeera says Prime Minister Netanyahu, who called it a “terror channel,” is lying about the news organization to justify the killing of its employees. Minister for the development of the Negev (Naqab) and Galilee Yitzhak Wasserlauf calls for the resettlement of Gaza. (AJ, AP, AP, HA, NYT, REU 4/1; AJ 4/2)

PA president Mahmoud Abbas speaks with U.S. secretary of state Antony Blinken in a phone call, calling on the U.S. to stop the Israeli attacks on Gaza. The 2 also discuss the new PA government. PA ambassador to the UN Riyad Mansour calls on the UN Security Council to schedule a vote on full Palestinian membership of the UN in April. The UN General Assembly voted to grant Palestine full membership in 2011 but the decision was never discussed at the Security Council. (AJ, HA, REU, WAFA 4/1; AP 4/2)

U.S. national security advisor Jake Sullivan and Secretary Blinken hold a virtual meeting with Israeli national security advisor Tzachi Hanegbi and Minister for Strategic Affairs Ron Dermer, discussing Israel’s planned invasion of Rafah. A joint statement says Israel has agreed to take U.S. concerns into account. Reuters reports that the U.S. considering approving an arms transfer to Israel worth $18 billion, including 25 F-15 fighter jets. White House spokesperson Karine Jean-Pierre says the Biden administration is seeking more information from Israel about footage of executions at al-Shifa Hospital. Jean-Pierre also express concern over Israel’s push to ban Al Jazeera. (AJ, AP, HA, REU 4/1; AJ, AP, HA, NYT 4/2; AX 4/3)

At the UN Security Council, France circulates a draft resolution calling for a permanent ceasefire in Gaza, condemning Hamas’ attack on Israel on 10/7/2023, and demanding immediate access for aid into Gaza. (AP 4/2)

Iranian foreign minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian says Israeli failures in Gaza have led to Israel targeting the Iranian consulate in Damascus, calling for a serious international response. Iranian president Ebrahim Raisi says the attack will not go unanswered. Pakistan and Syria condemn Israel’s attack. Russia requests that the UN Security Council convene on 4/2 to discuss the attack. Axios reports that the U.S. tells Iran that it did not have any involvement in the attack. (AJ, HA, HA, NYT 4/1; AP, AX, HA, REU 4/2; AP, REU 4/3)

Spanish prime minister Pedro Sanchez tells reporters in Amman that he expects Spain will recognize the State of Palestine by July and that many other countries in the EU would do the same. (AJ, HA, HA, REU 4/2)

Sri Lanka donates $1 million to UNRWA. (WAFA 4/1)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers set up tents and caravans in ‘Ayn al-Sakut. Israeli forces shoot and injure a Palestinian man during a raid in Birzeit. Israeli forces also demolish 3 homes in al-Jiftlik and 1 in Furush Beit Dajan. Elsewhere, Israeli forces issue stop-work notices for 3 agricultural structures near Bethlehem. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces prevent hundreds of Palestinians from entering the Haram al-Sharif compound for the first Ramadan prayers. In Gaza, Israeli forces bomb Gaza City, Beit Lahiya, Dayr al-Balah, Rafah, Nuseirat refugee camp, and Khan Yunis, killing at least 83 people. An Israeli soldier is killed in combat. In Lebanon, Hezbollah forces attack 12 Israeli positions in Ramya, Birkat Risha, and Shebaa Farms. Israeli forces attack Hebbariye, (AJ, HA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 3/10; HA, UNOCHA, WAFA 3/11; UNOCHA 3/12)

More than 31,045 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli forces in Gaza, including at least 13,400 children and 8,900 women, and around 72,654 have been injured since 10/7/2023. At least 7,000 people are missing in rubble, including 1,700 children. 417 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli forces and settlers in the West Bank and East Jerusalem since 10/7/2023, including 108 children. More than 4,665 people have been injured. Israel reports that 1,139 Israelis and foreign nationals have been killed and 5,400 have been injured in Israel since 10/7/2023, including Israeli soldiers. In addition, 247 Israeli soldiers have been killed and 1,469 injured in Gaza since the ground invasion began on 10/27/2023. Over 1.93 million Palestinians, nearly 85% of the population of Gaza, have been displaced since 10/7/2023. There has been a complete electricity blackout in Gaza since 10/12/2023 due to the Israeli blockade. At least 70,000 housing units have been destroyed and 290,000 have been damaged in Israeli airstrikes since 10/7/2023, constituting over 60% of all housing units. 109 trucks carrying aid enter Gaza. U.S. and Jordanian forces airdrop 11,500 meals in northern Gaza. (AJ, HA, REU, WAFA 3/10; UNOCHA 3/11; UNOCHA 3/13)

In response to reports that Israel is trying set up a government in Gaza and is looking for Palestinians to work with on aid deliveries, Hamas warns that it will not tolerate people collaborating with Israel. Hamas political leader Ismail Haniyeh says in a speech that Israel is responsible for a ceasefire agreement not being reached. Haniyeh also says that unity is needed for the Palestinian people and that it will be achieved by the rebuilding of the PLO, the establishment of a temporary national consensus government, and an agreement of an overall political program that is based on the end of the occupation of the West Bank and Gaza, the establishment of a Palestinian state with Jerusalem as the capital, and the right of return for refugees. Haniyeh also meets with International Committee of the Red Cross head Mirjana Spoljaric in Qatar. (AJ, HA, REU 3/10; AJ, REU 3/11; HA 3/12)

Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office releases a statement saying he has instructed his defense, national security, and finance ministers to open up space for thousands of new Palestinian prisoners. Israel’s Army Radio says Israel will deploy 15,000 extra soldiers in the West Bank and East Jerusalem. In an interview with the German media company Axel Springer, Netanyahu says that Israel has killed at least 13,000 militants in Gaza and that the military will invade Rafah. (AJ, AX, HA, NYT, REU 3/10; AJ 3/11)

The Grand Mufti of Jerusalem Mohammad Hussein declares 3/11 the beginning of the month of Ramadan. (WAFA, WAFA 3/10)

In the West Bank, Israeli forces shot and killed 2 Palestinians, including a child, in Beit Einun and Husan. Israeli forces shot and injured 2 Palestinians during a raid in al-Yamun. Elsewhere, Israeli forces demolished 2 homes under construction and a warehouse near Ni’lin and 1 residential structure in al-Jiftlik. Israeli forces also seized 10 vehicles in al-Lubban ash-Sharqiya. Meanwhile, Israeli forces delivered notices that they will seize 5 dunams (1.1 acres) of land near Bethlehem to build a settler road. In Gaza, Paltel reported a complete communications blackout in all of Gaza. Israeli forces bombed Jabalia refugee camp, Khan Yunis, Rafah, Dayr al-Balah, and Gaza City; it was unclear how many casualties there were due to the communications blackout. Israeli bombings destroyed 56 buildings in the Shuja’iya neighborhood of Gaza City. 3 Israeli soldiers were killed in combat. In Lebanon, Israeli forces shelled several sites, killing 2 members of Hezbollah. Israeli snipers also shot and killed a Lebanese civilian driving near Kfar Kila. (AJ, AP, HA, UNOCHA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 12/20; AJ, AP, HA 12/21; NYT 12/26)

More than 20,000 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli forces in Gaza, including at least 7,729 children and 5,153 women, and around 54,000 have been injured since 10/7. At least 8,000 people were missing in rubble, including 1,700 children. 296 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli forces and settlers in the West Bank and East Jerusalem since 10/7, including 75 children. More than 3,387 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. 134 Israeli soldiers have been killed and 719 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 12/3, at least 52,000 housing units had been destroyed and 253,000 had been damaged in Israeli airstrikes since 10/7, constituting 60% of all housing units. 71 trucks entered Gaza through the Rafah crossing and 120 trucks entered via the Karem Abu Salem (Kerem Shalom) crossing. (AJ, AJ, UNOCHA, WAFA, WAFA 12/20; NYT 12/21)

The UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights released a statement saying it had received reports that Israeli forces had executed 11 unarmed Palestinians in front of their families in the Rimal neighborhood of Gaza City between 8 p.m. and 11 p.m. on 12/19. The Israeli forces also reportedly forced women and children into a room and threw a grenade at them, causing injuries. The Human Rights Office called for an immediate and independent investigation. (UN, UNOCHA 12/20; AJ, AJ 12/21)

Malaysian prime minister Anwar Ibrahim said Malaysia has banned all Israeli-flagged cargo ships from docking in its ports, citing the “Israeli massacre and brutality against Palestinians.” (AJ 12/20)

Hamas political leader Ismail Haniyeh arrived in Cairo for talks with Egyptian officials. Hamas official Ghazi Hamad told Al Jazeera that the party had tried to contact Fatah to begin talks about the situation in Gaza now and the future of a unified Palestinian political system, but that PA president Mahmoud Abbas had rejected talks. The Wall Street Journal reported that Hamas’ political bureau was in talks with other Palestinian factions about the situation in Gaza after the Israeli attack. Political bureau member Husam Badran told the Journal that the talks also included former Palestinian prime minister Salam Fayyad and former Fatah member Mohammed Dahlan. The Journal also reported that Hamas turned down a proposal to exchange a weeklong ceasefire for 40 captives held in Gaza. Hamas has said on several occasions that it will not negotiate while being attacked. (AJ, AJ, AP, AX, HA, NYT, REU, REU, REU, WSJ 12/20; HA 12/21)

Israel, Cyprus, and the UK agreed to open an aid corridor between Gaza and Cyprus “under Israeli security supervision and control.” It was unclear how and when the corridor would be operational. (AJ, HA, REU 12/20)

The UN Security Council discussed a resolution on Gaza for the third day in a row without calling a vote. (AJ, NYT, WAFA 12/20)

Israeli Channel 12 reported that an Israeli tank shelled a house in Kibbutz Be’eri where Palestinian militants were holding Israeli captives, injuring an Israeli. (AJ 12/20)

In a report, Human Rights Watch charged Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, with silencing support for Palestine on the 2 social media platforms. (HRW 12/20; AJ 12/21)

Democracy for the Arab World Now said it submitted a list of 40 Israeli commanding officers to the ICC who have been involved in Israel’s attack on Gaza and should be investigated for war crimes. (AJ 12/20)

The Huffington Post reported that the U.S. was planning to pressure Switzerland not to hold a Geneva Convention conference on violations of international law during Israel’s assault in Gaza. (AJ 12/20)

In the West Bank, the Israeli military claimed that Palestinian militants had opened fire at Israeli soldiers on 3 separate occasions at the Salem checkpoint and in Dayr Sharaf and Jalbun, damaging 1 vehicle. Israeli forces subsequently raided Jalbun, leading to tear-gas related injuries, and closed off all checkpoints to Nablus. Israeli forces also demolished 2 Palestinian homes in Furush Bayt Dajan, 1 Palestinian home under construction in al-Jiftlik, 1 car was near Haris, and issued demolition notices for 3 agricultural buildings and 1 residential tent in al-Matar. Elsewhere, Israeli forces shot and injured 1 Palestinian minor with live ammunition during a raid in ‘Azzun. Israeli forces also shot and injured 1 Palestinian at a checkpoint east of Bethlehem, claiming he tried to stab a soldier. In East Jerusalem, Israeli settlers toured the Haram al-Sharif compound. Israeli forces shot and injured 1 Palestinian man at a checkpoint near the Har Homa settlement, claiming he had attempted to stab soldiers. In Gaza, Israeli forces violently dispersed Palestinian protesters near the Gaza fence north of Jabaliyya, injuring 1 with live ammunition and causing tear-gas related injuries. (HA, QDS, QDS, TOI, TOI, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 9/18; PCHR 9/21; UNOCHA 9/26)

COGAT said the Beit Hanun (Erez) crossing to Gaza would remain closed on 9/18. The crossing was scheduled to be reopened at midnight on 9/17 after it had been closed since 9/14 due to Israeli holidays. (HA, QDS 9/18)

PA president Mahmoud Abbas met with Algerian president Abdelmadjid Tebboune on the sidelines of the 78th session of the UN General Assembly in New York. (QDS 9/18)

Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Egypt, the UAE, and the EU sponsored a conference called The Peace Day Effort to advance the two-state solution through political, economic, cultural, and security-oriented means. The conference was held in New York on the sidelines of the annual UN General Assembly meeting and attended by around 30 foreign ministers. China’s ambassador to the UN and U.S. deputy assistant secretary of state for Israeli-Palestinian affairs Andrew Miller also attended. Saudi foreign minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud said before the conference that it was convened as “[p]eople have started to losing hope in a two-state solution” and that there can be no solution to the Palestinian-Israeli conflict without the establishment of a Palestinian state. Palestinian and Israeli officials were not invited to partake. The PA expressed satisfaction with the initiative. (HA, MEE, TOI 9/18; AN, WAFA 9/19 HA 9/20)

Ahead of traveling to the U.S. for the annual UN General Assembly session Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that Israelis who protest his government’s judicial overhaul are aligning themselves with the PLO and Iran. The Prime Minister’s office later clarified, after backlash from the Israeli opposition and Jewish organizations in the U.S., that Netanyahu was criticizing that Israelis were protesting Israel at the same time as supporters of the PLO and BDS were and that they should also protest “those who deny the State of Israel’s right to exist.” Later in the day, Netanyahu met with Tesla, X, and Space X owner Elon Musk in Silicon Valley, defending Musk against charges of anti-Semitism brought by the Anti-Defamation League, among others. (ALM, AX, HA, HA, HA, HA, HA, MEE, MEE, NYT 9/18; REU 9/19)

Helicopter fighter pilot Shira Etting, a leader in the Israeli protest movement against the Israeli government’s judicial overhaul, told 60 Minutes that “[i]f you want pilots to be able to fly, and shoot bombs and missiles into houses knowing they might be killing children, they must have the strongest confidence in the people making those decisions.” (HA 9/18; HA 9/20)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers uprooted and stole some 750 olive tree saplings near Burqa. Israeli forces shot and injured 1 Palestinian near Bethlehem. Israeli forces also shot and injured 2 Palestinians during a raid in Jericho. Elsewhere, Israeli forces punitively demolished the family home of 1 alleged attacker in Hijja. Israeli forces also punitively demolished the family home of 1 alleged attacker in Haris, using explosives. Meanwhile, Israeli forces issued stop-work orders for 11 houses in Jiftlik. 15 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in Ramallah, Hebron, and Tulkarm. In East Jerusalem, Israeli settlers toured the Haram al-Sharif compound. Israeli authorities demolished an apartment building containing 16 Palestinian-owned apartments in ‘Anata. (AN, TOI, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 5/3; PCHR 5/4; UNOCHA 5/19)

The PA said that it and Palestinian organizations had been subject to cyber attacks the past 3 days. (WAFA 5/3)

Israeli national security minister Itamar Ben-Gvir publicly complained that the Israeli response to the rockets fired at Israel after the death of Khader Adnan on 5/2 was too “lenient.” Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu subsequently issued a statement saying that Ben-Gvir can leave the government if he does not accept the decisions made. In protest Ben-Gvir’s party held a meeting in Sderot near the Gaza fence instead of attending proceedings in the Knesset. (HA 5/3; HA, HA 5/4)

U.S. State Department spokesperson Vedant Patel told reporters that the U.S. has been seeking accountability for the Israeli killing of Al Jazeera journalist Shireen Abu Akleh by asking Israel to review its rules of engagement. Patel also called the Israeli killing of Abu Akleh “unintentional” despite several investigations having found it intentional. (AJ 5/3)

The Office of the UN Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process (UNSCO) released a report saying that a strategic shift by the parties and the international community is necessary to reverse the negative trajectory of the PA. UNSCO proposed that a policy change that would include “addressing the continuing drivers of conflict and instability;” “strengthening Palestinian institutions and addressing the challenge of Palestinian governance;” “improving access, movement, and trade and thereby creating space for the Palestinian economy to grow;” and “better aligning the framework of economic and administrative relationships with the economic transformations of the past decades.” (WAFA 5/2; UNSCO 5/3)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers assaulted Palestinians in Fasayil, injuring 1. Israeli forces raided Nablus and took measurements for a punitive demolition of a home belonging to the family of a Palestinian killed during an Israeli raid on Jenin on 3/7. Israeli forces also issued 15 stop-work orders for structures in al-Jiftlik and demolition orders for 4 homes and 1 agricultural structure in Idhna. Elsewhere, Israeli forces raided Qaddura refugee camp, firing tear gas near the Palestine Medical Complex, leading to tear-gas related injuries among patients. 26 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in Khirbet Abu Falah, Qaddura refugee camp, Eizariya, ‘Anata, ad-Doha, al-Walaja, Bethlehem, Beit Umar, Dura, Fawwar refugee camp, Aqabat Jaber refugee camp, Ein as-Sultan, Nablus, ‘Askar refugee camp, and Ya’bad. (WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 3/22; PCHR 3/23; UNOCHA 3/31)

The Israeli Land Authority published tenders for construction of 940 settlement units in the West Bank settlements Efrat and Beitar Illit and 89 settlement units in the Gilo settlement in East Jerusalem. (AP, PCN, WAFA 3/24; WAFA 3/25; MEMO 3/26; WAFA 3/27)

In Syria, Israeli forces conducted airstrikes on Aleppo International Airport for the second time this month, causing damage. (AJ, ALM, AP, HA, REU 3/22)

Haaretz reported that the Israeli military had conducted a psychological warfare operation against Israelis during the 2021 Operation Guardian of the Wall to garner support among the Israeli public for the Israeli military’s attacks on Gaza. The military used the social media platforms Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok to upload propaganda from fake profiles. The campaign was launched 2 days into Israel assault on Gaza, as Israeli military personnel feared they were losing public support. (AP, HA 3/22) 

The Jordanian parliament voted to recommend expelling the Israeli ambassador to the country in protest over Israeli finance minister Bezalel Smotrich’s comments on 3/19 in Paris that the Palestinian people do not exist while standing in front of a map depicting Greater Israel, including all of Palestinian and Jordan. (AX, WAFA 3/20; AJ, WAFA 3/22)

In the West Bank, Israeli forces delivered stop-work notices for 18 structures in Qarawat Bani Hassan. Israeli forces also demolished 1 house under construction in Furush Beit Dajan, 1 agricultural structure in al-Jib, and 4 houses in Jiftlik. 21 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in Bethlehem, Beit Fajjar, Dheisheh refugee camp, Aqabat Jaber refugee camp, Tammun, Kafr Ni‘ma, Jenin, Qalqilya, Hebron, and Beit Umar. (WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 12/13; PCHR 12/15; UNOCHA 12/22)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers vandalized some 100 olive trees east of Bethlehem. Israeli forces delivered demolition orders against 2 Palestinian-owned homes in al-Twana. 26 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in Jericho, Aqabat Jaber refugee camp, Ein as-Sultan, Jiftlik, Jalazun refugee camp, Qatanna, Beit ‘Anan, Deir Sammit, Qarawat Bani Hassan, and Jenin. In East Jerusalem, 1 Palestinian family demolished their own home in Jabel Mukaber. Israeli forces also delivered a notice to a family in Isawiya ordering them to demolish an extension to their house under construction. (MEMO, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 1/31; MEMO 2/1; PCHR 2/3)

An Israeli court ordered the Salem family in Sheikh Jarrah to leave their home between 1 March and 1 April. The eviction will displace 10 Palestinians, including 4 children. (WAFA 1/31; MEMO 2/1)

The Israeli military said it had sent its findings relating to the death of an 80-year-old Palestinian American man who died while being detained by Israeli forces on 1/12 to the U.S. A statement said that the military’s investigation had found wrongdoing, moral failure, and failure of judgement in relation to the death. The commander of the Netzeh Israel unit was rebuked, and 2 company and platoon commanders were dismissed, but no one was held directly responsible for the killing of the Palestinian man. U.S. state department spokesperson Ned Price said on 2/1 that the U.S. “expects a thorough criminal investigation and full accountability in this case.” PA prime minister Mohammed Shtayyeh called the military investigation a “sham” and pointed out that Israel only conducted the investigation due to the man’s American citizenship. (HA 1/31; AJ, AP, AP, HA, HA, HA, MEE, MEMO, NYT, TOI 2/1; HA, HA, WAFA 2/2)

An Israeli military court convicted 1 member of Hamas for attempted manslaughter in relation to the killing of 1 Israeli soldier in on 8/7/2019. The Palestinian man was not at the scene of the murder. (HA 2/1)

PA president Mahmoud Abbas spoke with U.S. secretary of state Antony Blinken in a phone call. According to a state department readout of the conversation, the 2 spoke about “the importance of strengthening the U.S. relationship with the Palestinian Authority and the Palestinian people, as well as the need to improve quality of life for Palestinians in tangible ways . . . [and] challenges facing the Palestinian Authority and the need for reform.” Secretary Blinken also spoke with Israeli foreign minister Yair Lapid. (REU, WAFA 1/31; HA, JP, MEMO, WAFA 2/1)

Israel’s defense minister Benny Gantz defended his meeting with PA president Mahmoud Abbas during a session at the Knesset, saying that it is in Israel’s interest to strengthen the PA. Gantz further stated, “[w]hether we like it or not, the Palestinian Authority is the legitimate and recognized leadership of our neighbors and has been for years.” (HA 1/31; MEMO 2/1)

Lebanon said it had arrested 35 people claiming to be Israeli spies working to infiltrate Palestinian organizations in Lebanon, Hezbollah, and the Lebanese intelligence agency. 15 had since been released, as Lebanon found that they were not spies working for Israel, and Lebanese intelligence confirmed that at least 12 were connected to Israel. (HA, MEMO 1/31)

Israeli forces fired several missiles at Damascus. Syrian air defense intercepted the missiles; however, material damage occurred during the interceptions. (AJ, AP, HA, JP, MEMO, TOI 1/31)

In the West Bank, 1 Israeli settler struck and killed 1 Palestinian woman with their car near al-Samu’; it was unclear if the settler had rammed the woman intentionally. Israeli settlers with military escort raided Kafr Haris and Sabastiyya, closing off areas of both towns for Palestinians. Israeli forces issued demolition orders against 64 Palestinian-owned structures in Ras al-Ahmar. Israeli forces also delivered demolition notices for 2 residential structures and 2 agricultural structures in al-Jiftlik. 19 Palestinians were arrested during raids in and around Ras Karkar, Dayr Jarir, Bayt Umar, Yatta, Tulkarm, Jenin, and Tubas. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces demolished 1 car repair shop, 1 garage, 2 rooms in Issawiyya, and seized vending stalls near the Haram al-Sharif compound. 1 Palestinian was arrested during a house raid in Ras Khamis. Off the coast of Gaza, Israeli naval forces opened fire at Palestinian fishermen within 3 nautical miles west of Bayt Lahiya; no injuries were reported. (WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 4/7; PCHR, WAFA 4/8)

Hamas declared a total lockdown of Gaza to curb the COVID-19 virus, which has been spreading at unprecedented levels. The lockdown will last until the morning of 4/16. Only food vendors and pharmacies will be allowed to remain open. In the 24 hours before the announcement, 6 people had succumbed to the virus in Gaza and 38 percent of tests were positive. 150 people were receiving care for the illness at a hospital. (HA 4/7)

An Israeli planning commission approved 540 new settlement units in Har Homa in East Jerusalem between the city and Bethlehem. The Jerusalem District Planning Committee will need to give the final approval to 540 units on 4/21. The PA condemned the decision. (HA, WAFA 4/7; MEMO, TOI 4/8)

1 Palestinian prisoner in administrative detention suspended his 47-day-long hunger strike after being promised that Israel would set a date for his release. (WAFA 4/7)

Palestinian human rights activist Issa Amro was acquitted of all charges in a Palestinian court. He had been charged with insulting higher authorities, causing public strife, and disturbing public order after writing criticism about the PA. (Twitter 4/7; Twitter 4/8)

Right-wing Israeli politician and leader of HaTzionut HaDatit (Religious Zionist Party) Bezalel Smotrich wrote on Twitter, “I heard that after Rabbi Shmuel Eliyahu, may he live a long life, said that a true Muslim must know that the Land of Israel belongs to the Jewish People, Ahmad Tibi opened his mouth against him. So, Ahmad, a true Muslim must know that the Land of Israel belongs to the Jewish people, and over time Arabs like you, who do not recognize that, will not remain here. Rabbi Shmuel and tens of thousands of his students, including us, will make sure that happens.” Smotrich’s comments about Palestinian-Israeli politician Ahmad Tibi drew condemnation from pro-Israel organizations in the U.S., including the Anti-Defamation League and AIPAC offshoot Democratic Majority for Israel. (HA, HA 4/7)

Jordanian king Abdullah II said that “the sedition has been buried,” in reference to the alleged plot against him from 4/3, where his half-brother Prince Hamzah bin Hussein was placed under house arrest for steering the plot. The Jordanian government has banned all national outlets from covering the issue. U.S. president Joe Biden assured Abdullah II of his support in a call. (AJ, AP, REU 4/6; AJ, AP, HA, HA, REU 4/7)

The U.S. announced that it will resume providing aid to the UNRWA, which has been cut since 2018. In its 1st aid package, the U.S. will provide $150 million to the UNRWA, $75 million in economic and development assistance to the West Bank and Gaza, and $10 million for “peacebuilding programs” through the USAID. The U.S. also sent $15 million in assistance to the West Bank and Gaza to help with their COVID-19 response in March. The Israeli ambassador to the U.S. Gilad Erdan condemned the U.S. decision to resume aid to UNRWA, saying that Palestinian refugees are not “real” refugees. (AJ, ALM, AX, HA, NYT, REU, USAID, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 4/7; GDN, WAFA, WAFA 4/8; WAFA 4/12)

The U.S. also said it was ready to lift “sanctions that are inconsistent with the JCPOA [Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action]” on Iran. The announcement came as indirect talks about the U.S. rejoining the Iran nuclear deal, brokered by the EU, were underway in Vienna. (HA 4/8)

Axios reported that the U.S. has asked Israel to provide the water to Jordan it requested last month, but that Israel is said to withholding due to prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s personal feud with King Abdullah II, which has been growing in recent months and straining the 2 countries’ relationship. (AX 4/7)

In the West Bank, 1 Palestinian was injured by Israeli forces ramming him with a vehicle during a raid in Tubas. Another Palestinian was injured by Israeli forces shooting him in the head near Nablus; Israeli authorities later said it was a mistake and that the Israeli forces thought the man to be someone else. Israeli forces uprooted and seized some 100 palm trees in Jiftlik. Israeli forces also razed land in Dura. 19 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in and around Nablus, Tubas, Ramallah, Jalazun refugee camp, Bethlehem, and Hebron. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces demolished 3 Palestinian-owned homes and 1 store in Silwan. In Gaza, Israeli forces opened fire at agricultural lands on 3 separate occasions east of al-Maghazi and Khuza‘a; no injuries were reported. (WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 8/5; HA 8/7; PCHR 8/13)

In Lebanon, the Lebanese government declared a 2-week state of emergency in Beirut in the wake of the deadly blast on 8/4, which killed more than 135 people and wounded more than 5,000. The president of Lebanon Michel Aoun said the government would initiate a transparent investigation into what could have happened. PA president Mahmoud Abbas called President Aoun to express his condolences and to offer assistance. (AJ, REU, WAFA 8/5)

Hundreds of Palestinians gather in Jabaliya refugee camp to protest U.S. pres. Trump’s 12/6 recognition of Jerusalem as Israel’s capital and the recent U.S. decision to cut aid to UNRWA. In the West Bank, IDF troops conduct a raid in Burqa village near Nablus, sparking clashes with stone-throwing Palestinian youths; 1 Palestinian is injured. Another Palestinian is injured in clashes sparked by an IDF raid in Bayt ‘Aynun near Hebron. IDF troops arrest 4 Palestinians and issue 1 arrest summons during raids near Bethlehem, Qalqilya, and Ramallah. Israeli forces demolish 3 residential shacks and a barn near Nablus and a home in Jiftlik village near Jericho; and patrol near Hebron. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces arrest 2 Palestinians during a raid in Qatanna. In the Negev, Israeli forces demolish the Palestinian Bedouin village al-Araqib for the 124th time since 2010. (WAFA, 1/24; MNA, PCHR, WAFA 1/25; PCHR 2/1)

Jawwal and Wataniya, the only 2 telecoms with more than 3 million customers each in the West Bank and Gaza, launch 3G network technology in the West Bank. (JP, REU, WAFA 1/24)

Concluding 2 days of talks in Cairo, representatives of Palestinian factions, including Hamas and Fatah, reaffirm the 10/12 reconciliation agreement (see JPS 47 [2]), emphasize the need for the PA to take control of Gaza, and call for a new round of elections for the PA presidency, the Palestinian Legislative Council, and the Palestinian National Council by the end of 2018. They do not reach a resolution on the issue of Hamas’s military wing, however. (TOI, WAFA 11/23)

In the West Bank, Israeli forces demolish 2 Palestinian homes under construction in Batir village near Bethlehem, a residential structure and an animal barn in Jiftlik village near Jericho, and a residential building in Bayt Dajan village near Nablus. IDF troops arrest 7 Palestinians during late-night raids in and around Ramallah, Bethlehem, Jenin, and Hebron. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces demolish a Palestinian home under construction in Issawiyya and another in Shu‘fat, and arrest 2 Palestinians during a late-night raid in Silwan. Along Gaza’s border, IDF troops open fire on and then arrest 2 Palestinians as they are attempting to cross into Israel near Bayt Lahiya (1 Palestinian is injured). Off Gaza’s coast, Israeli naval forces open fire on Palestinian fishing boats near Gaza City, causing no damage or injuries. (HA, MNA, WAFA 11/22; PCHR 11/23; PCHR 11/30)

An Israeli youth succumbs to injuries she sustained in a bombing attack on a bus stop in Jerusalem in 3/2011. (HA, TOI 11/22)

The Arab press reports that PA pres. Abbas has refused a phone call from senior advisor to U.S. pres. Trump Jared Kushner, apparently implementing the Palestinians’ threat, reported on 11/21, to cut off communication with the U.S. in response to the Trump administration’s threat to close the PLO office in Washington. Instead of taking the call, Abbas reportedly referred Kushner to the PLO office in Washington. (HA, TOI 11/22; HA 11/23)

In the West Bank, Israeli forces demolish 3 Palestinian residential buildings in Jiftlik near Jericho and an agricultural building under construction near Nablus. IDF troops arrest 7 Palestinians during late-night raids in and around Ramallah, Hebron, and Bethlehem, and patrol near Qalqilya and Hebron. In East Jerusalem, Palestinian students from the Bayt Hanina school the IDF shut down on 11/6 gather outside the school for a sit-in protest with their parents. Israeli forces arrest 2 Palestinians and issue a number of arrest summons during raids in Silwan and the Old City. (WAFA 11/7; PCHR 11/9)

In the Gaza Strip, IDF troops conduct a limited incursion close to the border fence nr. Khan Yunis to level land. They are targeted by an explosive device which damages a vehicle but causes no injuries. In response, the soldiers open fire, wounding 1 Palestinian farmer, and fire mortar shells into an open field, causing no injuries. In the West Bank, IDF troops demolish 20 Palestinian-owned structures in n. Jordan Valley village Jiftlik. The IDF conducts house searches and arrest raids in 3 villages nr. Ramallah, 1 village each nr. Hebron and Nablus and Aida r.c. in Bethlehem at night; patrols in Hebron in the afternoon, and in 2 villages nr. Jericho and al-‘Arub r.c. at night. (MNA 5/21; PCHR 5/22)

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) announces that it has agreed on 5 new transparency measures with Iran, including an investigation into alleged previous efforts to develop atomic weapons. The news follows 2 days of talks in Tehran between an IAEA team and Iranian officials. (AFP, AP 5/21)

In the Sinai Peninsula, a bomb attack targeting a security services’ vehicle kills 1 Egyptian and injures 6 others. (AP, REU 5/21)

In the Gaza Strip, Palestinians fire 1 rocket into s. Israel, causing no damage or injuries. Off the coast nr. Bayt Lahiya, Israeli naval vessels open fire at Palestinian fishermen, causing no damage or injuries. In the West Bank, a Palestinian opens fire on the entrance of Migdal Oz settlement nr. Bethlehem, causing no injuries. Israeli forces disperse a protest march nr. Jiftlik in the Jordan Valley, after demonstrators temporarily blocked Highway 90. The IDF conducts house searches and arrest raids in Qalqilya in the afternoon, and in 1 village nr. Bethlehem and in Nablus at night; patrols in 5 villages and al-Fawar r.c. nr. Hebron and 1 village nr. Bethlehem at night. In East Jerusalem, Israeli security forces shoot and seriously wound a Palestinian during clashes in Anata r.c. (MNA, YA 1/18; PCHR 1/23)

Israeli energy minister Silvan Shalom attends a meeting of the International Renewable Energy Agency in the UAE, the 1st time Israel has sent a minister to such a meeting since the organization began in 2009. (AFP, HA 1/18)

Syrian FM Walid Muallem, in Moscow for talks with Russia’s FM Lavrov, offers a prisoner exchange ahead of proposed peace talks in Switzerland. Meanwhile, the SNC agrees to attend the talks, and also says that 3 armed factions—the Soldiers of the Levant, the Syrian Revolutionaries Front, and the Mujahiddin Army—wish to be represented at the conference. (AFP, REU 1/18)

Egyptian authorities confirm that 98% of the voters who participated in the 1/14 referendum supported the approval of the new constitution, with under 40% of the electorate participating. (AP, REU 1/18)

IAEA inspectors arrive in Tehran in anticipation of the implementation of the 6-mo. interim agreement on 1/20. The team is responsible for monitoring compliance and inspecting the Natanz and Fordow nuclear facilities. (AP, REU 1/18)

U.S. Secy. of State John Kerry meets with Israeli justice minister Tzipi Livni and Special Envoy Yitzhak Molcho in Amman, their 4th meeting since Kerry’s arrival in the region on 5/23. Kerry also meets with Palestinian pres. Mahmud Abbas in Amman, their 3d meeting of the trip, before returning to Washington. Kerry tells reporters before he leaves the region that he expects answers from both Netanyahu and Abbas within one or 2 weeks. (HA 5/27)

Off the coast of the Gaza Strip, Israeli naval vessels open fire on Palestinian fishermen, causing no damage or injuries. In the West Bank, IDF troops demolish 3 Palestinian-owned houses and 2 sheds in the Jordan Valley village of al-Jiftlik. The IDF conducts house searches and arrest raids in 1 village nr. Jenin in the afternoon, and in 1 village each nr. Ramallah, Jenin, and Hebron, as well as al-‘Arub r.c. nr. Hebron, at night; patrols in 1 village nr. Tulkarm in the morning, 1 village each nr. Qalqilya, Jenin, and Hebron in the afternoon, and in 2 villages each nr. Tulkarm, Ramallah and Qalqilya, and 1 village nr. Bethlehem at night. In East Jerusalem, suspected right-wing Jewish extremists vandalize 15 Palestinian-owned cars in the Shaykh Jarrah neighborhood. (MNA, WAFA 5/27; PCHR 5/30)

During talks in Brussels, EU foreign ministers fail to reach agreement on supplying arms to Syrian rebels but reinstate sanctions on Damascus and lift an arms embargo for the opposition. Member states like Britain and France are now free to go it alone in sending weapons should they see fit at some point. (NYT, REU 5/27)

In the West Bank, the IDF raids, searches a Palestinian home in Jiftlik village nr. Jericho early in the morning, making no arrests; conducts late-night arrest raids, house searches northwest of Jerusalem and nr. Bethlehem, Hebron, Jenin, Ramallah. (PCHR 5/6; OCHA, PCHR 5/13)

Palestinian construction worker Hussam Dweikat (who has Israeli residency status in East Jerusalem) commandeers a Caterpillar bulldozer (symbolic, as the IDF uses Caterpillar D9 bulldozers to level Palestinian homes and land in the occupied territories) from the Jerusalem construction site where he works, plows through midday traffic in West Jerusalem’s business district, overturning a bus, running over at least 2 cars, killing 3 Israelis, injuring more than 40 before a police officer fatally shoots him. Israeli officials believe Dweikat acted alone. In the West Bank, the IDF conducts late-night arrest raids, house searches in and around Bethlehem, in Tubas, and nr. Jenin, Nablus (also raiding a mosque and its library, taking computers, documents, books), Ramallah. Jewish settlers fr. Massu’a in the Jordan Valley attempt to fence off and confiscate a plot of land in Jiftlik village, but the Palestinian owners drive them away. Palestinian youths stone a Jewish settler bus nr. Ramallah, causing damage but no injuries. In Gaza, 1,000s of Palestinians storm the Rafah crossing, demanding entry to Egypt and throwing stones at Egyptian security forces, who respond by pushing the crowd back with water cannons and tear gas; Hamas-affiliated police bring the situation under control. Hamas-affiliated police launch a campaign to removed small shops and huts erected along the Gaza shoreline without municipal permission. Nr. Shuka, 2 Palestinian teenagers are injured when they accidentally trigger IDF unexploded ordnance (UXO). (AP, BBC, HA, IFM, Israel Radio, MA, MM, PCHR, REU, YA 7/2; NYT, WP, WT 7/3; MM, WP 7/4; OCHA 7/9; PCHR 7/10)

In Gaza, the IDF exchanges fire with armed Palestinians nr. the n. Gaza border fence, killing 2 Hamas mbrs.; fatally shoots an ESF officer nr. the Erez crossing, a mentally handicapped Palestinian who strays nr. the border fence e. of Dayr al-Balah. In the West Bank, the IDF demolishes 1 Palestinian home, confiscates a mobile home in Jiftlik nr. Jericho; conducts arrest raids, house searches in and around Nablus (exchanging fire with Palestinian gunmen, leaving 1 IDF soldier injured) and nr. Bethlehem, Hebron, Qalqilya. The IDF also demolishes a Palestinian home in East Jerusalem. (NYT, PCHR 8/9; OCHA 8/15; PCHR 8/16)

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Law student Aziza Kharaja sentenced to 5 mos. for membership in illegal organization [her 2 sisters held in Neve Tertza on similar charges]. PM Peres announces invitation to Egypt's Pres. Mubarak for talks on bilateral relations. After 2-yr. silence, crewman of M. S. Moran reveals to Hadashot that ship's Capt. Gilad set Tanzanian stowaway adrift on high seas (3/82).

Arab World: Israel proposes cease-fire to Amal forces in S. Lebanon, but refuse release of detained Amal leaders (arrested 11/9) in exchange for resumed talks with Lebanon.

Other Countries: Greek PM Papandreou ends visit to Syria & Jordan and agrees to promote their interests among fellow EEC members.

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Israeli authorities demolish 33 homes of farmers in jiftlik (Ghor al-Fari'a). [Jiftlik produces 15% of West Bank GNP. Israelis demolished adjacent al-'Ajajreh, Sattariya & al-Mahrouq villages in 1967.] Haifa U. student Saour Saour attacked by Kach students while posting notice offering to help Palestinians enroll. Stone-throwing incidents reported in Jabal al-Muqabber (Jerusalem), Bethlehem & Ramallah; police respond with tear gas.

Arab World: IDF convoy ambushed near Sarafand; 1 Israeli seriously wounded, later dies.