The Palestine Chronology

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)

Along Gaza’s border, IDF troops shoot and kill 2 Palestinians who allegedly crossed the border fence and threw “explosive devices” at an IDF patrol, according to an Israeli spokesperson. Separately, IDF troops shoot and seriously injure 2 more Palestinians attempting to cross into Israel near Rafah; 1 of the Palestinians dies soon after the incident. Later, they arrest another Palestinian attempting to cross into Israel. In the West Bank, Israeli settlers slash the tires of a number of Palestinian cars and spray-paint racist graffiti on walls in Turmus ‘Ayya near Ramallah. They also raze a swathe of Palestinian farmland near Salfit and assault a reporter attempting to document the incident. IDF troops arrest 19 Palestinians during raids near Qalqilya, Bethlehem, Hebron, Nablus, and Jenin; patrol near Hebron, Tulkarm, and Qalqilya; and deliver stop-work orders to Palestinians building a road near Hebron. Raids in Nablus and Jenin spark minor clashes; 2 Palestinians are injured. (HA, JP, MNA, TOI, WAFA 4/30; EI 5/1; PCHR 5/3)

The Egyptian authorities open the Rafah border crossing in both directions for the 2d of 3 days. (OCHA 5/10)

The IAF conducts air strikes on Syrian army facilities near Hama and north of the Aleppo International Airport late at night, killing 26 people and causing major damage. There are reports that the majority of the deceased are Iranian troops. (DPA, HA, JP, NYT, REU 4/30; MEMO 4/30; NBC, HA 5/2)

Along Gaza’s border, IDF troops arrest 3 Palestinians attempting to cross into Israel for unclear reasons. They also violently disperse Palestinian protesters gathering along the border fence near Gaza City; 1 Palestinian is injured. In the West Bank, IDF troops arrest 11 Palestinians during late-night raids in and around Bethlehem and Ramallah, and patrol near Tulkarm and Hebron. They also violently disperse Palestinians demonstrating against U.S. president Trump’s 12/6/2017 recognition of Jerusalem as Israel’s capital in Kafr Qaddum near Qalqilya; 1 Palestinian is injured. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces arrest 1 Palestinian during a raid in Issawiyya. (PCHR 5/3)

The Egyptian authorities open the Rafah border crossing in both directions for the first of 3 planned days. (OCHA 5/10)

A Palestinian minor succumbs to injuries sustained when the IDF violently dispersed peaceful protesters along Gaza’s border on 4/27, bringing the death toll stemming from the Great March of Return to 41. (HA, JP, MNA, WAFA 4/28)

Along Gaza’s border, Israeli artillery shell a Palestinian rickshaw transporting PIJ fighters near Rafah, killing 4 and injuring several others. Israel’s Army Radio reports that the men were transporting explosives. PIJ says that the 4 died during unspecified “preparations.” Meanwhile, IDF troops violently disperse Palestinians shepherds working near Dayr al-Balah, and a small number of Palestinians at a Great March of Return tent camp outside Khan Yunis; 4 Palestinians are injured. Off Gaza’s coast, Israeli naval forces open fire on Palestinian fishing boats near Jabaliya refugee camp, causing no damage or injuries. In the West Bank, IDF troops evacuate and dismantle an illegal settlement outpost near Nablus (settlers erected it on 4/13). When some of the settlers throw stones and otherwise resist the IDF, the soldiers arrest 3 of them. IDF troops also arrest 12 Palestinians during late-night raids near Hebron, Ramallah, al-Bireh, and Salfit; and patrol near Tulkarm and Nablus. (HA, JP, MNA, WAFA, YA 4/14; HA 4/15; PCHR 4/19)

The Egyptian authorities keep the Rafah border crossing open in both directions for a 3d and final day. (OCHA 4/27)

In the West Bank, a Palestinian school in Hebron closes for the day after IDF troops shoot tear gas canisters onto school grounds amid minor clashes nearby. IDF troops arrest 3 Palestinians during raids in Ramallah and Jenin, and patrol near Tulkarm, Salfit, Qalqilya, and Hebron. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces issue an arrest summons to an Islamic Waqf guard during a raid at Haram al-Sharif. Along Gaza’s border, Israeli forces conduct a limited incursion to level land near Khan Yunis. (MNA 2/8; PCHR 2/15)

The Egyptian authorities open the Rafah border crossing in both directions for the 2d of 3 days. (JP 2/8; OCHA 2/15)

Unidentified persons in Syria open fire on an Israeli drone flying over the Israelicontrolled Golan Heights. Errant bullets hit a home in Majdal Shams, causing minor damage. (HA, YA 2/8)