The Palestine Chronology

In the West Bank, Israeli forces shoot and injure 2 Palestinians during a raid in Qabatiya. Israeli forces also arrest 30 Palestinians during raids in and around Jalazone refugee camp, Hebron, Tulkarm, Nablus, Jenin, and Tubas. In Gaza, Israeli forces bomb Rafah, Gaza City, Khan Yunis, Jabalia refugee camp, Nuseirat refugee camp, and Maghazi, killing at least 81 people, including 30 people sheltering in a home near al-Shifa Hospital. Israeli forces also continue to besiege the Nasser, al-Shifa, and al-Amal hospitals. In Lebanon, Israeli forces bomb Tayr Harfa, Baalbek, Hermel, Ayta ash Shaab, Kafr Kila, and Dhahirah, killing 3 people. Hezbollah forces fire rockets at Avivim, damaging a winery, and at the Mount Meron air base. In Jordan, police violently disperse protesters outside of the Israeli embassy. In Syria, Israeli forces bomb Deir ez-Zor, killing 17 people, including a WHO staffer and an Iranian military advisor. (AJ, AP, HA, NYT, REU, REU, REU, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 2/26; AJ, NYT, UNOCHA 3/27)

More than 32,414 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli forces in Gaza, including at least 13,400 children and 8,900 women, and around 74,787 have been injured since 10/7/2023. At least 7,000 people are missing in rubble, including 1,700 children. 440 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli forces and settlers in the West Bank and East Jerusalem since 10/7/2023, including 111 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, 251 Israeli soldiers have been killed and 1,509 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. 193 trucks carrying aid enter Gaza. The Gaza Media Office says 12 people have drowned trying to retrieve airdropped aid that landed in the sea and 6 have been killed in stampedes while trying to reach airdropped aid in the past week. (AJ, NYT, REU 3/26; UNOCHA 3/27; UNOCHA 3/29)

Hamas political leader Ismail Haniyeh meets Iranian foreign minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian in Tehran. Haniyeh says in a press conference that the UN Security Council resolution demanding a ceasefire from 3/25 indicates that “the Israeli occupation is experiencing unprecedented political isolation” and that Israel has not been able to achieve “any of its military or strategic objectives” in Gaza. (AJ, REU 3/26)

Israel recalls its negotiating team from Qatar, saying Hamas insists on “extreme demands: immediately ending to the war, a complete withdrawal of the IDF from the Gaza Strip and to remain in power.” Reuters reports that the negotiation team has been recalled for consultations and a small Israeli team remains in Doha. (AP, AX, HA, REU 3/26)

Israel’s military spokesperson Daniel Hagari says Hamas deputy military commander Marwan Issa was killed on 3/11. The U.S. announced on 3/18 that Issa had been killed. (AJ, AJ, HA 3/26)

Israeli defense minister Yoav Gallant meets with U.S. secretary of defense Lloyd Austin in Washington, D.C. Austin calls the situation in Gaza a “human catastrophe” and says the civilian death toll is “far too high.” Gallant says Gaza will not be governed by Hamas or Israel after the war. German foreign minister Annalena Baerbock calls for unhindered access for aid to Gaza and says the “humanitarian situation in Gaza is hell” during a visit to Israel. (AJ, AJ, AP, HA, REU 3/26)

U.S. State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller says an Israeli ground invasion of Rafah “would hurt Israel’s national security,” citing the potential to further isolate Israel globally. Miller also says Israel’s assertion that the passing of the UN Security Council ceasefire resolution had an impact on the ceasefire negotiations is “inaccurate in almost every respect,” noting Hamas’s response to the Israeli proposal was prepared before the Security Council vote. Lastly, Miller says the U.S. has not made a conclusive determination as to whether Israel is using U.S.-supplied weapons in accordance with international law or hindering U.S. aid from entering Gaza. (AJ, HA 3/26; AP, HA 3/27) 

During a speech at the UN Human Rights Council, UN special rapporteur on the occupied Palestinian territories Francesca Albanese says “Israel has committed 3 acts of genocide causing serious bodily or mental harm to members of the group, deliberately inflicting on the group conditions of life calculated to bring about its physical destruction in whole or in part, and imposing measures intended to prevent birth within the group.” Albanese also says Israel has dropped 25,000 tonnes of explosives on Gaza since 10/7/2023, equivalent to 2 nuclear bombs. Albanese released a report on Israel’s attacks on Gaza on 3/25. (AJ, HA 3/26)

UNRWA commissioner-general Philippe Lazzarini says UNRWA only has funds to run operations until the end of May. (AJ 3/26)

Colombian president Gustavo Petro says the international community should break diplomatic relations with Israel if Israel does not comply with the Security Council ceasefire resolution. (AJ, HA 3/26)

An Israeli woman held captive in Gaza until she was released on 11/30/2023 tells the New York Times that she was sexually assaulted by one of the people guarding her. Hamas official Basem Naim tells the Times that the allegation will be investigated but that it cannot be done at the moment due to “the current circumstances.” (NYT 3/26)

In the West Bank, Israeli forces demolished 1 Palestinian-owned home near al-Ramadin. 8 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in Araqah, Beit Umar, Jaba‘, and Burqin. In East Jerusalem, some 100 Israeli police officers raided the Salhiya family home in Sheikh Jarrah, throwing stun grenades and beating family members, including minors, before escorting them out and demolishing their home, displacing the family of 18; 18 Palestinians were arrested, including family members. The family members were released on 1/20 under the condition that they do not return to Sheikh Jarrah for 1 month. Israel had attempted to displace the family since 1/17, but was unable due to resistance from the family and a large presence of international diplomats and local activists. The PA called the eviction a war crime, calling on the U.S. to protect Palestinians in East Jerusalem, and the EU condemned the displacement of the family. The U.S. ambassador to the UN Linda Thomas-Greenfield said at a UN security council meeting that Israel must refrain from “demolitions, and evictions—like what we saw in Sheikh Jarrah.” At the meeting, PA foreign minister Riyad al-Maliki also called on the international community to end Israeli impunity. A representative for the Salhiya family said the family is referring the case to the ICC. 1 Palestinian family demolished their own home in Wadi al-Juz, displacing 8. In Jerusalem, Israeli police violently dispersed activists in front of Mayor Moshe Leon’s home protesting forced displacement of Palestinians in Sheikh Jarrah; 5 were arrested. (AJ, AJ, AJ, AP, CNN, EI, F24, GDN, HA, HA, HA, I24, JDF, MDW, MEE, MEE, MEMO, NAT, NYT, PCHR, REU, REU, TOI, VICE, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WP 1/19; HA, HA, IN, JP, JP, MEE, MEMO, MEMO, MEMO, PCHR, TOI, TOI, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 1/20; MEMO, MEMO 1/21; MEE, TOI 1/22; ALM, WAFA 1/23)

Israeli police arrested 3 Jewish Israeli men for attacking 2 Palestinian Israeli men in Bat Yam on 11/14/2021. The 3 Jewish Israeli men were charged with racially motivated violence prompted by the 2 Palestinians socializing with Jewish Israeli women. (HA 1/20; HA 1/21)

Hamas officials concluded a visit to Algeria, presenting the group’s vision for national unity and reconciliation with Fatah. The delegation arrived in Algeria on 1/17. Members of the DFLP, PFLP-GC, and Islamic Jihad are expected to visit Algeria soon. PA president Mahmoud Abbas met with Algerian officials on 1/15. (MEMO 1/18; MEMO 1/20; ALM 1/24)

The Citizenship Law bill, created to prevent family unifications between Palestinians and Israeli citizens, was sent back to the Israeli cabinet after the Meretz party filed an objection to the legislation in the Knesset. The Citizenship Law is being pushed by Israeli interior minister Ayelet Shaked. (HA 1/20)

A delegation of Israeli officials arrived in Sudan for meetings with Sudanese officials, according to Israeli and Saudi Arabian media. (HA 1/19; MEMO 1/20)

The UNRWA called on the international community to donate $87.5 million to help the agency with programming in Lebanon, where the financial crisis is further impeding its work to assist Palestinian refugees. (AJ, ALM, AP, HA, WAFA 1/19; WAFA 1/20)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers attacked Palestinians in Burqa, throwing stones at 2 homes and physically assaulting residents, causing 1 hospitalization; settlers also vandalized tombstones in the village. Israeli settlers also raided Jenin but were repelled by armed Palestinians. Elsewhere, Israeli settlers with military escort marched to the Homesh settlement outpost, leading to clashes between Israeli forces and Palestinian protests; 42 Palestinians were injured with rubber-coated bullets and 83 suffered tear-gas suffocation. Israeli settlers also uprooted 60 olive trees in Yatta and 300 olive tree saplings in Tarqumiyah. Israeli forces dismantled 6 structures erected by Israeli settlers in the Homesh settlement outpost; the Israeli forces did not demolish the yeshiva in the settlement outpost. Elsewhere, Israeli forces placed roadblocks on roads leading to Burqa. Israeli forces also assaulted 1 Palestinian man in Bazariya, who was hospitalized for his injuries. 14 Palestinians were arrested during raids in Burqa, Asira, Qarawat Bani Hassan, Anabta, Silat al-Harithiya, Tammun, and Dheisheh refugee camp; 1 Palestinian was shot and injured by an Israeli sniper during a protest against the raid in Dheisheh refugee camp. In Gaza, Israeli forces made incursions and leveled land north of Beit Lahiya and east of Maghazi. Israeli forces also opened fire at Palestinian agricultural lands east of al-Shuka; no injuries were reported. (HA, MEE, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 12/23; AJ, HA 12/24; ALM 12/27; PCHR 12/30)

An Israeli court postponed the eviction of the Palestinian Salem family in Sheikh Jarrah after Israeli police asked it to, citing a security risk. (HA 12/23)

The lawyer of a Palestinian prisoner on hunger strike in protest against his administrative detention warned that his client was in critical condition and in need of hospitalization. The man has been on hunger strike for 129 days. (WAFA 12/23)

An Israeli military court sentenced 2 Palestinians to life in prison for the killing of 1 Israeli soldier in 2019. The 2 men were also ordered to pay the soldier’s family $480,000. (HA 12/23)

The Organisation of Islamic Cooperation condemned Israel’s inaction against the rise in Israeli settler attacks on Palestinians in the West Bank and called on the international community to intervene. (MEMO 12/24)

At the UN, 125 countries voted to support the UN Human Rights Council’s investigation of Israel’s assault on Gaza in May. In a separate vote, 8 countries, including Israel and the U.S., voted to defund the investigation; 34 countries abstained, including Canada and Australia. (WAFA 12/24; MEMO 12/25)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers vandalized dozens of olive trees in Burin. Israeli settlers also stole olives from a Palestinian farmer near Salfit. 8 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in Balata refugee camp, Kobar, al-Bireh, Ni‘lin, and Kafr Ein. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces demolished fencing in Silwan, leading to a confrontation with its owners, 2 were injured by Israeli forces assaulting them with their rifles, including 1 minor. 1 Palestinian family demolished their own home in Bayt Hanina. 2 Palestinians were arrested near the Damascus Gate plaza. (WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 10/3; WAFA 10/4 PCHR 10/7)

Israel charged the 6 Palestinian prisoners who escaped Gilboa prison on 9/6 with offenses related to their escape, potentially carrying additional sentences of up to 7 years. 5 other Palestinian prisoners were charged with helping them escape, also risking 7 more years. Israeli police had initially said that the 6 had planned to carry out attacks; however, no such charges were filed against them. (AJ, HA, MEMO 10/3)

PA president Mahmoud Abbas met with 2 Israeli ministers from the Meretz (Vigor) party: health minister Nitzan Horowitz and regional cooperation minister Issawi Frej. The meeting took place in Ramallah to “boost” cooperation between the PA and parts of the Israeli government and to ensure that steps to hurt the 2-state solution are curbed. President Abbas said he invites all Israeli ministers to come to Ramallah and engage with the PA, saying “[w]e don’t have to agree, but we need to talk.” (ALM 10/1; HA 10/2; HA, MEE 10/3; ALM, MEMO, WAFA 10/4)

The PA urged the international community to intervene as settler violence against Palestinians continued to rise in the West Bank. (WAFA 10/3)

A delegation of Hamas officials met with Egypt’s intelligence chief Abbas Kamel to discuss a long-term ceasefire with Israel and intra-Palestinian relations. Hamas later released a statement, saying that the organization did not reach an agreement with Egypt about a long-term ceasefire with Israel despite media reports on the contrary. It was also reported that 19 members of the Hamas political bureau from Qatar, Turkey, and Gaza would meet in Egypt. (MEMO 10/3; ALM 10/12)

Palestinian officials told Haaretz that the U.S. is planning to reopen its consulate to Palestinians in Jerusalem after the Israeli government passes its budget in the Knesset. (HA 10/3; MEMO 10/4)

King Abdullah II of Jordan spoke to Syrian president Bashir al-Assad for the 1st time since the start of the Syrian Civil War in 2011. (REU 10/3; MEMO 10/5)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers set fire to 3 cars and sprayed racist graffiti in Bayt Iksa. Israeli settlers also threw stones at Palestinian vehicles traveling near ‘Urif, damaging 2. 7 Palestinians were arrested during raids in Bayt Hanina, Husan, Bethlehem, and Tubas; 1 Palestinian was hospitalized for his injuries after Israeli forces assaulted him during the raid in Bethlehem. In East Jerusalem, Israeli police said it had arrested 8 Israeli settlers for 2 attacks on Palestinians involving pepper spray. 8 Palestinians were arrested in the Old City. In Gaza, Israel said that 2 rockets were fired from Gaza toward Israel but landed within Gaza. The Gaza fishing zone was closed by Israeli authorities. Off the coast of Gaza, Israeli naval forces opened fire at Palestinian fishermen on 2 separate occasions, injuring 1 with a rubber-coated bullet. (WAFA 4/27; HA, HA, WAFA 4/28; HA, PCHR 4/29)

Israel said it shot down a drone flying into Israeli airspace from Lebanon, claiming it was operated by Hezbollah. (AP 4/27)

Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who is standing trial for bribery, fraud, and breach of trust, tried to appoint Ofir Akunis, a member of his own party, as justice minister. Hours later, the Israeli supreme court canceled Akunis’s appointment. (HA 4/28)

A Human Rights Watch (HRW) report said that Israel is guilty of committing the crimes against humanity of apartheid and persecution in the West Bank, Gaza, and East Jerusalem. The 213-page report named “A Threshold Crossed: Israeli Authorities and the Crimes of Apartheid and Persecution” maintained that “Israeli authorities methodically privilege Jewish Israelis and discriminate against Palestinians. Laws, policies, and statements by leading Israeli officials make plain that the objective of maintaining Jewish Israeli control over demographics, political power, and land has long guided government policy. In pursuit of this goal, authorities have dispossessed, confined, forcibly separated, and subjugated Palestinians by virtue of their identity to varying degrees of intensity. In certain areas, as described in this report, these deprivations are so severe that they amount to the crimes against humanity of apartheid and persecution.” PA president Mahmoud Abbas welcomed the report, urging the international community to intervene. The Israeli foreign ministry said that HRW is known to be anti-Israel. B’Tselem reached the same conclusion earlier this year and many Palestinian organizations have maintained for many years that Israel is guilty of apartheid. (AJ, CNN, GDN, HA, MDW, NPR, NYT, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 4/27; ALM, CSM, HA, HA, TOI 4/28; TOI 4/29; IN 4/30)