The Palestine Chronology

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers shot and killed a Palestinian man harvesting olives during a raid in al-Zawiya. Israeli settlers also attacked Palestinians harvesting olives in Qusra, Kafr ad-Dik, Deir Istiya, Haris, and Shaab al-Butum, injuring 1. Elsewhere, Israeli settlers vandalized 10 Palestinian-owned vehicles in Beit Iksa. Israeli settlers also raided at-Tuba in the Masafer Yatta area, attacking homes and stealing property. Israeli forces shot and injured a Palestinian child during a raid in al-Arroub refugee camp. Israeli forces also demolished the family home in Jalazone refugee camp of Hamas activist Bajis Nakhleh, who was arrested on 10/9, displacing 7. Elsewhere, Israeli forces placed cement barriers at the main entrance to Burqa. 25 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in and around Jalazone refugee camp, Bethlehem, Hebron, Nablus, and Tulkarm. In East Jerusalem, Israel forced 3 Palestinian families to demolish their own homes in Bayt Hanina, displacing 18. In Gaza, all telecommunications were cut off for the second day in a row as Israel’s ground invasion continued overnight. Israeli airstrikes killed at least 377 Palestinians; the death toll could be much higher as the breakdown in telecommunications made delivering news from Gaza extremely difficult. Israel said it had hit 150 underground facilities and infrastructure in Gaza. Israel also said it assassinated Hamas members Asem Abu Rakaba and Ratab Abu-Tsahiban. Rockets were fired from Gaza, causing damage. Palestinian students at Netanya Academic College were attacked by Jewish Israelis chanting “Death to Arabs” at the dormitory. In Lebanon, Israel said it had attacked Hezbollah positions overnight. A surface-to-air missile was fired at an Israeli drone. A shell hit the UNIFIL headquarters in South Lebanon without exploding; it was unclear who fired the shell. UNIFIL also said 1 of its peacekeepers had been injured after a shell hit a UNIFIL base in Houla and called for a ceasefire. (HA 10/27; AJ, AJ, AJ, AJ, AJ, AP, AP, AP, HA, HA, NYT, REU, REU, UNOCHA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 10/28; AP, HA, HA, HA, NYT 10/29)

The Gaza Ministry of Health said at least 7,703 Palestinians have been killed, including around 5,000 women and children, and 19,743 have been injured in Israeli airstrikes on Gaza since 10/7. Hundreds of others are feared dead, trapped under rubble. In addition, Israeli media reported that 1,500 Palestinian militants have been killed near Gaza. 109 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli forces and settlers in the West Bank and East Jerusalem since 10/7, including 30 children. More than 2,011 have been injured. Israeli officials recorded no new fatalities, leaving the Israeli death toll at around 1,400 Israelis and foreign nationals; 5,431 have been injured since 10/7. The UN reported that over 1.4 million Palestinians, more than half the population in Gaza, have been displaced since 10/7 and that since 11 p.m. on 10/12 there has been a complete electricity blackout due to the Israeli blockade. As of 10/23, at least 27,781 housing units had been destroyed and 150,000 had been damaged in Israeli airstrikes since 10/7. At least 45% of all housing units have been either destroyed or damaged in Israeli airstrikes. The Gaza Ministry of Health also reported that Israeli attacks have killed 110 medical staff injured more than 100, that 50 ambulances have been targeted since 10/7, and that 12 hospitals and 46 healthcare facilities have been shut due to bombing or lack of fuel. The Egyptian Foreign Ministry said “Israeli obstacles” impede the delivery of aid to Gaza. (AJ, HA, REU, UNOCHA, WAFA 10/28)

Sustained Israeli settler attacks forced 141 Palestinians in Khirbet Zanuta to flee their homes. (WAFA 10/28; UNOCHA 10/29; UNOCHA, WAFA 11/1)

Amid a total communications blackout in Gaza, the Israeli military said in an English language video that Palestinians should evacuate northern Gaza. (HA 10/28; REU 10/29)

Hamas leader in Gaza Yahya Sinwar said Hamas is ready for “an immediate prisoner exchange deal, all the captives in exchange for all the prisoners.” Hamas military spokesperson Abu Obeida said Israel has not been serious about a prisoner exchange and criticized Arab nations for not doing more to get humanitarian aid to Gaza. (HA 10/28)

PA president Mahmoud Abbas called for an emergency meeting of the Arab League to address the “genocide in the Gaza Strip.” PA health minister Mai al-Kaila also called the Israeli attacks genocide, saying 7,300 civilians had been killed, 70% of them women, children, and elderly. The PLO Executive Committee held a meeting in Ramallah, issuing 3 top priorities, including an immediate ceasefire, lifting of the blockade of Gaza, and halting forced displacement of Palestinians inside and outside of Gaza. (AJ, HA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 10/28)

Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the ground invasion of Gaza was approved unanimously by the government. (AJ, AJ, AP, HA, NYT, REU, WAFA 10/28; AJ, AJ 10/29)

The U.S. told Israel that it would stop supplying weapons to Israel if they are used to arm civilians and handed out at political events. The warning followed Israeli national security minister Itamar Ben-Gvir’s tour of Israel handing out guns to Israelis. (HA 10/28)

The U.S. aircraft carrier USS Eisenhower arrived in the Mediterranean, joining the USS Gerald Ford. (AJ, HA 10/28)

Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdoğan hosted a massive rally in Istanbul in support of Palestinians. Erdoğan told the rallygoers that that Israel is an occupier, and that Hamas is not a terrorist organization. Israeli UN ambassador Gilad Erdan called Erdoğan a “snake” and Israel recalled all of its diplomats in Turkey. The UAE and Saudi Arabia condemned the Israeli ground operation in Gaza and the UAE called for a UN Security Council meeting on the situation. (AJ, AJ, HA, HA, REU, REU, WAFA 10/28)

X and SpaceX owner Elon Musk said his Starlink satellite internet would be made available to humanitarian organizations in Gaza if the organizations are approved by both Israel and the U.S. Israel said it would not allow Starlink to be used in Gaza. (AJ, AJ, HA, HA, REU 10/28)

More than 100,000 pro-Palestinian protesters marched in London. Thousands of pro-Palestinians protesters defied a ban by Paris police on their demonstration and marched in the city. 100,000 people also rallied in support of Palestine in Kerala, India. (AJ, AJ, HA, NYT, REU, WAFA, WAFA 10/28; AJ 10/29)

Former U.S. president and current republican front-runner for the upcoming U.S. elections Donald Trump said at a convention for the Republican Jewish Coalition that he would cancel the visas of pro-Palestinian protestors if he is elected president. Florida governor and presidential candidate Ron DeSantis again claimed that Students for Justice in Palestine “provided material support to terrorists.” Newly elected House of Representatives speaker Mike Johnson pledged support for Israel, saying “God is not done with Israel.” (HA, HA 10/28; HA 10/29)

American Muslims for Palestine said it has been forced to move its annual convention in Chicago in November after the original venue Hyatt Regency O’Hare received threats over its planned hosting of the convention. (HA 10/28)

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Israel lifts curfew on part of Gaza Strip, refuses to allow Gazans to reporto work inside green line. Palestinians report that Israeli authorities have ordered them to stop exporting citrus from Gaza. Tel Aviv mayor Shlomo Lahat says that the city will no longer employ Palestinians for street cleaning, garbage collecting, sanitation work: "I don't want to discriminate and make them take only this kind of job, which has been the case up until now" [NYT 5/19]. Israel bans Druze leader from Galilee from entering O.T. for 1 year [FBIS 5/18].

Arab World: Jordan's king Hussein calls Israel's election proposal an attempt to "waste time" [LAT 5/19]. PLO calls on UN to take "practical measures to protect the residents of the West Bank and Gaza" [FBIS 5/19].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: In E. Jerusalem 20-year-old Palestinian from Duhayshah dies from wounds received 2 weeks earlier. In Jamma'in troops open fire, kill Palestinian [FBIS 5/18]. IDF troops shoot, kill Palestinian youth from Nusayrat camp [FBIS 5/19]. At least 3 Palestinians are shot, injured in Tulkarm camp [FBIS 5/18].

Arab World: Soldiers of the Israeli-backed South Lebanese Army (SLA) wound 2 Irish UNIFIL troops in the Israeli-imposed "security zone" [FBIS 5/19].

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Dmonstrations are held throughout West Bank to commemorate anniversary of massacres at Sabra and Shatila (FJ 9/19). Strikes and demonstrations continue through 9/20; shops and businesses stay closed, students and workers remain at home (Fl 9/26). Israel announces it has licensed first Arab bank in West Bank since 1967. Bank, with headquarters in Amman and first branch in Nablus, will be allowed to deal in Israeli, Jordanian, and foreign currencies (FJ 9/19).

Arab World: Thousands of Lebanese in Tyre, Lebanon, led by Amal officials march in support of UNIFIL after 9/16 attack on French UNIFIL forces (for which Hizballah is held responsible). In south Lebanon general strike is held to show resident' support for continued UNIFIL presence. (Speaker of Lebanese Chamber of Deputies Husayn al-Husayni recently returned from Paris where he asked Pres. Mitterand not to recall French contingent) (NYT 9/18).

Other Countries: In Paris, five killed, 60 injured in bomb explosion, bringing to ten number killed in five bombings in last two weeks (WP, NYT 9/18). Peru grants PLO embassy status in Lima (Fl 9/26). 

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: King Hussein has frozen all West Bank funds in Jordanian banks and has suspended all aid to public institutions in the territories, according to a report in 'Al Hamishmar [JP 4/18]. Inspectors of income tax and VAT departments, assisted by a strong force of police, raid Palestinian villages of Kafr Qasim, Jaljuliyyah, and Kafr Bara to collect debts; they impound TV sets, furniture, and 2 motor vehicles [JP 4/21].

Arab World: Radio Monte Carlo broadcasts that Yasir Arafat has notified Jordan that Amman-based Fateh military officer Abu Za'im has been relieved of his duties and that Jordan should suspend all contact with him [JP 4/18].

Other Countries: A U.S. federal judge rules that PLO Permanent Observer to the UN Zuhdi Tarzi may travel from New York to Cambridge, Mass. for a debate with Harvard law professor Alan Dershowitz, despite State Department travel ban [PI 4/20]. UN Security Council votes to extend UNIFIL mandate in S. Lebanon an additional 3 months; Soviet Union concurs in vote for first time since UNIFIL's creation, states it will begin contributions to UNIFIL budget [NYT 4/19; WP 4/20].

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Over 150 Palestinians, Israelis replant olive saplings uprooted by the Nature Reserves Authority 3 weeks ago, north of Jerusalem; 6 Israeli officials reportedly try to uproot some replanted saplings, army disperses both groups UP 1/26]. Israeli military delegation ends 5-day visit to Liberia for talks on "future cooperation" [JDW 1/25].

Arab World: Yasir Arafat arrives in Amman for talks with King Hussein [CSM 1/27]. Jordanian govt. sends parliament a new electoral law that would reassert Jordan's responsibility for the West Bank, provide representation for Palestinian refugees in Jordan; parliamentary legal committee is studying the law [NYT 1/26].

Other Countries: UN Undersecretary-General Brian Urquhart states PLO should accept UN resolutions 242, 338, that Israel should not dictate who represents Palestinians at peace talks [JP 1/26]. Interpol issues worldwide wanted notice for Abu Nidal [PI 1/31].

Military Action

Arab World: SLA shells Shi'ite village of Kafra in S. Lebanon, killing 1 UNIFIL soldier [NYT 1/26]. Libyan leader Col. Mu'ammar Qadhdhafi boards missile-bearing patrol boat, sails into Gulf of Sidra, 1 day after U.S. 6th Fleet began maneuvers off Libyan coast [WP 1/26]. 

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Defense Minister Yitzhak Rabin fails to persuade 3 MKs occupying apartment in Hebron to end illegal sit-in [WP 8/20]. Peres says govemment will remain sole body to authorize timing and location of settlement in occupied territories. Four more MKs join the protest sit-in: Yuval Ne'eman, Tehiya; Haim Druckman, Morasha; Benny Shalita and Dov Shilansky, Likud [JP 8/20]. Reports indicate Fara'a prison near Nablus has stepped up use of torture and intimidation. Water is often cut and quality of food is deteriorating. Overcrowding continues [FJ 8/23]. West Bank land dealer Moshe Zar submits defense in 9-month-old suit brought against him by 9 Beersheba residents who say he failed to deliver on IS 54 million of land purchases [JP 8/20]. Rabbi Meir Kahane, founder of Jewish Defense League, states he has resigned as group's leader, in move to save chances of getting visa to the U.S. since Knesset passed bill 7/31 outlawing MKs from having dual citizenship, which Kahane now has. Irv Rubin, 40, is appointed new leader [NYT 8/20].

Other Countries: Pope John Paul II, speaking in Casablanca, Morocco during an unprecedented visit to a Muslim country, states the status of Jerusalem, now under Israeli control, should be reviewed [WP 8/20].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Gasoline bomb is thrown at Israeli military vehicle in Gaza Strip between Gaza City and Jabalya refugee camp. No casualties reported [FJ 8/23].

Arab World: SLA militia, trying to retaliate against Shi'ite attacks, mistakenly shell Irish UNIFIL post, narrowly miss killing troops [FT 8/20].

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: High Court rejects petition by MK Kahane to cancel Knesset's 12/18 decision to strip Kahane of parliamentary immunity with regard to freedom of movement; orders Kahane to pay IS 500,000 court costs [JP 4/2]. Foreign Min. official David Kimche tells UN diplomat Jean-Claude Aime that Israel does not want UNIFIL troops to be deployed along Israel-Lebanon border after IDF withdrawal [JP 4/2]. Inner cabinet unanimously approves plan to exchange 1,150 prisoners held by Israel for 3 IDF soldiers held by PFLP-GC in Syria (see 5/20/85) [JP 5/22].

Other Countries: US State Dept. spokesman Bernard Kalb, referring to 3/31 report by West Bank Data Base Project, states US opposed to W. Bank settlements, feels that settlement activity does not preclude chances for negotiated settlement [JP, JTA 4/2].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Border Police shoot and injure 4 students after stonethrowing incident during Land Day protest outside Bethlehem U. [LAT, JP 4/2]. IDF order settlers to evacuate hill near Umm Safa after they began clearing land for an illegal settlement in response to 3/31 killing of settler in Ramallah [JP 4/2].

Arab World: Action in S. Lebanon: IDF convoy attacked with RPGs near Jwaiyeh. 8 Katyushas fired at IDF position, Douer; no casualties reported. 2 SLA soldiers killed during ambush near 'Arab Salim [JP 4/2]. IDF soldier injured 3/30 in Douer, S. Lebanon, dies of wounds [JP 4/2].

Social/Economic/Political:

Occupied Palestine/Israel: IDF disband Tulkarm Red Crescent Society admin. council for unspecified reasons. Arab World: Jordan's Queen Noor criticizes US-Israeli ties before World Affairs Council, Washington, DC.

Other Countries: On Middle East fact-finding mission, UN Undersec. Gen. Urquhart told by Shamir of Israel's opposition to UNIFIL troops in S. Lebanon. Israel claims smuggled Palestinian vegetables from West Bank & Gaza sold on Israeli market.

Military Action:

Arab World: 1 IDF soldier killed, 1 wounded in roadside bomb blast near Sarafand, S. Lebanon; IDF conducts house-to-house search, arresting several "suspects."

Military Action:

Syria reportedly backing former Lebanese army officer Lieutenant Ahmed al-Khatib to establish garrisons in Bekaa Valley; IDF tries to disarm UNIFIL convoy at roadblock near Khalde.

Political Responses:

Israel/ Occupied Territories: Military tribunal finds that orders by former commander of Hebron area to drive people from their homes, beat them, shoot solar heaters and break watches, were illegal, but that orders for strong treatment of troublemakers were generally consistent with law; 4 of 7 soldiers on trial are convicted of beating and brutally attacking Palestinians; 4,000 Israelis commemorate Peace Now activist killed by grenade during anti-Begin demonstrations; bomb explodes outside West German embassy in Tel Aviv on 50th anniversary of Hitler's rise to power; Labor Party chairman Peres says a Likud-Alignment government of national unity is not realistic; under guard of Israeli border police and army, 2,000 Palestinians rally in village of Habla in support of Village League position favoring Camp David accords.

Palestinians/ Lebanese: In speech at PNC meeting, PFLP head Habash calls for outright rejection of Reagan plan, renewal of armed struggle, close alliance with Syria and Soviet Union, and need for unity of PLO.

Arab Governments: 50 to 60 banking institutions in the Arab world, including banks owned by American, European and Japanese interests, are reportedly boycotting the Swift international system for monetary transfers because 10 Israeli banks have joined the system.

UN: British Ambassador tells Security Council that a freeze on Israeli West Bank settlements is imperative.

Military Action:

IDF ambushed in Tyre.

Casualties:

Some IDF wounded in Tyre; Ansar review committee recommends release of 150, 1,100 cases heard out of 5,400 detainees, review committee established under the Fourth Geneva Convention on civilians as Israel does not recognize detainees as POWs covered under Third Geneva Convention.

Political Responses:

Israel/ Occupied Territories: Sharon, Shamir and chief negotiator David Kimche meet for 2 hours with Habib and Draper, discussion focuses on 3 main differences between US and Israel (surveillance stations, UNIFIL, role of Saad Haddad); Commission of Inquiry completes 3?/2 months of investigation covering 49 witnesses, 152 eyewitnesses, 65 hours of testimony, 17,703 pages of transcript, closing with oral arguments of lawyers for 9 senior officials (Sharon, Eitan, Drori, Yaron, Dudai and Mossad head); Begin meets with head of Association for Prevention of Emigration, agrees to consider setting up ministerial committee to combat emigration (now 200,000 Israelis in the US alone); Israeli Foreign Ministry paying $5,000 per month rent on Saudi-owned villa along Beirut-Damascus high-way as Lebanon headquarters; Education Ministry setting up a committee to review curriculum in Arab schools and examine educational, psychological and social causes for growing extremism among Palestinian Israeli youth; Democratic Front for Peace and Equality (Rakah) candidates win election of Arab student committees in Tel Aviv and Haifa universities; army uses tear gas and warning shots to disperse demonstrators in Hebron protesting arrest on Jan. 13 of 50 students, including entire student council, from Islamic University; Cabinet settlement committee votes to set up 2 new settlements in West Bank near Hebron, and 2 across green line in same area, approves referral center for prospective settlers.

Palestinians/ Lebanese: PLO Executive Committee, chaired by Arafat, meets in Damascus to plan for PNC; Walid Jumblatt criticizes compromise agenda in talks as concession to Israeli and US terms; Lebanese Forces Commander Fadi Frem urges Government to sign peace treaty with Israel to liberate Lebanon from psychological and political domination of Syria.

Arab Governments: Algerian Foreign Minister Ahmad Taleb Ibrahimi says Alteria purchased $20 million worth of arms direct from USSR for PLO in June, and later sent another 2 planeloads from Algiers; Saudi Arabia and other Arab countries reportedly removing British firms from list of eligible contractors due to dispute over PLO representative in Arab League delegation; Saudi Crown Prince Abdallah in Damascus for talks with Assad.