The Palestine Chronology

In the West Bank, Israeli forces uproot 50 olive trees and demolish a Palestinian agricultural structure outside Yatta near Hebron. IDF troops arrest 3 Palestinians during a late-night raid near Hebron; and patrol near Ramallah, Hebron, Tulkarm, and Qalqilya. An Israeli settler driver rams his vehicle into a herd of Palestinian sheep near Ramallah, killing 12 and injuring 18 others. Along Gaza’s border, IDF troops open fire on Palestinian farmlands near Dayr al-Balah and al-Maghazi refugee camp, causing no damage. They also fire on Palestinian shepherds near Rafah for a 4th day in a row, causing no injuries. (MNA, WAFA, WAFA 12/31; PCHR 1/3)

At a press conference in Rio de Janeiro, Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu says that the Trump administration is unlikely to circulate its long-awaited Palestinian-Israeli peace plan before Israel’s elections on 4/9. “In their estimation elections are the time when it will have the least chance of succeeding,” he says. (AX, JP 12/31)

A Fatah spokesperson accuses Hamas of arresting 500 Fatah activists and officials in Gaza as Fatah’s Gaza branch prepares for celebrations marking the party’s 54th anniversary. The Hamas-run Interior Ministry in Gaza rejects the accusation, claiming that only 38 Fatah leaders have been summoned “to maintain order.” Later, Hamas security forces in Gaza prevent Fatah activists from symbolically lighting a torch at an anniversary celebration. (AP, JP, TOI, WP 12/31)

In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces violently disperse Palestinians gathering near the Old City to protest the detention of Adnan Ghaith, the PA’s governor of Jerusalem, on 11/24; 1 protester is arrested. In the West Bank, Israeli settlers puncture the tires of 4 Palestinian vehicles and leave racist graffiti on nearby walls in al-Mughayyir near Ramallah. IDF troops arrest 15 Palestinians during late-night raids near Bethlehem, Ramallah, Hebron, and Bethlehem; and patrol in and around Nablus, Tulkarm, Qalqilya, and Hebron. Off Gaza’s coast, Israeli naval forces open fire on Palestinian fishing boats near Rafah and Jabaliya refugee camp, causing no damage or injuries. Along Gaza’s border, IDF troops open fire on a Hamas border control office near al-Maghazi refugee camp, causing no damage or injuries. (MNA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 11/25; TOI 11/26; PCHR 11/29)

IDF troops open fire on a group of Palestinian minors allegedly damaging Gaza’s border fence near al-Maghazi refugee camp; 1 of the Palestinians is killed  In the West Bank, IDF troops conduct raids in Jenin refugee camp overnight, arresting 1 Palestinian and sparking clashes with stone-throwing residents of the area; 2 Palestinians are injured. They also confiscate surveillance cameras during a raid in al-Bireh and patrol near Ramallah, Jenin, and Hebron. Israeli forces demolish a Palestinian residential building in al-Zayim village near Jerusalem. Unidentified persons open fire on an Israeli bus near Ramallah, injuring 2 Israeli settlers. Israeli settlers verbally and physically assault Palestinian schoolchildren in central Hebron, sparking minor confrontations. Separately, settlers slash a number of tires on Palestinian-owned vehicles and leave racist graffiti on nearby walls in Kafr al-Dik near Salfit. (HA, MNA, MNA, MNA, MNA, TOI, WAFA 11/8; MNA, MNA, WAFA 11/9; PCHR 11/15)

Vehicles bearing $15 million in cash pass through the Erez border crossing into Gaza. The money was reportedly provided by Qatar, approved for transfer by Israel, and set to help Hamas pay the salaries of civil servants in Gaza and support Gazan families struggling to meet their basic needs. The transfer is yet another indication of progress in the Egypt- and UN-mediated efforts to broker a “calm” or some sort of cease-fire between Israel and Hamas. It is reportedly the first of 6 planned monthly transfers. (JP 11/8; NYT 11/9)

Al-Hayat reports that PA president Mahmoud Abbas has given in to Egyptian pressure and agreed to stop working against the Egyptian effort to broker a “period of calm” between Israel and Hamas. According to Palestinian sources, Abbas has agreed not to impose new sanctions on Gaza and to resume fully paying PA employees in Gaza. The Egyptian plan is reportedly to mediate a period of calm lasting 2 to 3 weeks, then to broker some kind of reconciliation between Hamas and Fatah, and then to resume talks on a long-term cease-fire between Israel and a newly unified Palestinian side. Later, a senior PA official says he is unaware of any change in Abbas’s position, as the al-Hayat report indicates. “Abbas agreed with the Egyptian president that there was a need to alleviate the suffering of our people in the Gaza Strip,” the official says. “But [Abbas] also emphasized that Hamas was not authorized to reach any agreement with any party on behalf of the Palestinians." (AH, HA, JP, JP, TOI, YA 11/8)

IDF troops open fire on 3 Palestinian minors crossing Gaza’s border fence near al-Maghazi refugee camp; 1 Palestinian is critically injured. In the West Bank, Israeli settlers throw rocks at a Palestinian home in southern Hebron, injuring 2 Palestinians. Later, IDF troops shut down a number of streets in central Hebron, clearing the way for Israeli settlers to perform religious rites in the area. Some settlers throw stones at Palestinian property in the area, causing damage. IDF troops also arrest 1 Palestinian during raids near Ramallah; and patrol in and around Tulkarm and Hebron. (MNA, WAFA 11/3; MNA, MNA 11/4; PCHR 11/8)   

A Palestinian minor succumbs to injuries sustained during Israel’s assault on Gaza in 2014. He was hospitalized after an Israeli air strike on his home in Gaza City on 8/21/14 and lived for 4 years as a quadriplegic. (WAFA 11/3; EI, PCHR 11/8)

The Lebanese newspaper al-Akhbar publishes a draft Hamas-Israel cease-fire agreement, reportedly the product of the most recent round of Egypt-mediated talks. The agreement would see Egypt permanently opening the Rafah border crossing and lifting other border restrictions, Israel expanding the fishing zone off Gaza’s coast to 14 nautical miles and permitting 5,000 Gazans to enter Israel to work. The deal would also see the PA pay 80% of the salaries of Gaza’s civil servants, with Qatar funding those salaries for at least 6 months. Meanwhile, PA president Mahmoud Abbas meets with Egyptian president Abdel Fattah al-Sisi in Sharm al-Shaykh. They discuss a slew of regional issues, reportedly including the Egyptian effort to mediate the stalled Palestinian national reconciliation process and a cease-fire in Gaza. Al-Sisi reportedly urges Abbas to accept a “graded reconciliation” agreement, a version of which was reported earlier today. (AKH, HA, TOI, TOI, TOI, WAFA, YA 11/3)

Thousands of Palestinians gather along Gaza’s border fence to continue the Great March of Return. IDF troops violently disperse the demonstrations near Rafah, Khan Yunis, Jabaliya refugee camp, Gaza City, and al-Bureij refugee camp; 1 Palestinian is killed and at least 200 are injured. The killing brings the Great March of Return death toll to 139. Amid the protests, a number of Palestinian protesters cut through the first layer of fencing near the Kerem Shalom border crossing. Israeli tanks then shell a Hamas observation post in the area, causing damage. Also along Gaza’s border fence, IDF troops open fire on Palestinian farmland near al-Maghazi refugee camp, causing minor damage. Meanwhile, Israeli firefighters put out 30 small fires near the border fence that were allegedly sparked by incendiary kite and balloon attacks emanating from Gaza. Off Gaza’s coast, Israeli naval forces open fire on Palestinian fishing boats near Jabaliya refugee camp and Bayt Lahiya, causing no damage or injuries. In the West Bank, hundreds of Palestinians gather for Friday prayer in Khan al-Ahmar, the Jerusalem-area Bedouin village that is slated for evacuation and demolition. IDF troops violently disperse Friday protests at Kafr Qaddum near Qalqilya; 1 Palestinian is injured. They shoot and injure 3 more Palestinians during clashes sparked by arrest raids near Ramallah. (EI, HA, MNA, TOI, WAFA 8/3; MNA 8/4; PCHR 8/9)

In retaliation for the incendiary kite and balloon attacks from Gaza on 6/17, the IAF conducts air strikes on 9 Hamas sites across Gaza overnight, causing major damage. Unidentified Palestinians in Gaza then launch 3 rockets toward southern Israel; 2 land in open areas, causing no damage or injuries (the third falls short of the border fence). Also along Gaza’s border fence, IDF troops open fire on 4 Palestinians allegedly attempting to cross the fence into Israel near Gaza City; 1 Palestinian is killed and the other 3 are injured. The IDF reports that the men were attempting to sabotage “security infrastructure.” In the evening, the IAF conducts another round of air strikes across Gaza, targeting Hamas and other armed groups’ infrastructure. In the West Bank, IDF troops assault Palestinian farmers traveling from Hebron to Jerusalem and confiscate the crops they are bringing to market. They also arrest 2 Palestinians during late-night raids near Bethlehem, and patrol near Hebron. In East Jerusalem, a number of Israeli settlers tour Haram al-Sharif in the morning. Meanwhile, Israeli forces arrest a senior Islamic Waqf guard at the sanctuary. They also set up a new watchtower outside one of the main entrances. (HA, JP, MNA, TOI, WAFA, YA 6/18; MNA 6/19; PCHR 6/21)

A Palestinian succumbs to injuries sustained when IDF troops violently dispersed protesters along Gaza’s border near al-Maghazi refugee camp on 5/30, bringing the death toll stemming from the Great March of Return to 123. (PCHR 6/21)

In a statement, PA president Abbas rejects the U.S. plan, first reported on 6/17, to raise money for relief efforts in Gaza, accusing the Trump administration of attempting to separate Gaza from the West Bank in the name of “humanitarian aid or rehabilitation.” (HA 6/18)

Israeli PM Netanyahu meets with Jordan’s King Abdullah II in Amman. They discuss a number of regional issues, including the Palestinians. It is their first public meeting since 11/2014. (JP 6/19)

Along Gaza’s border fence, Palestinians fly a number of incendiary kites and balloons across the fence into Israel, sparking fires in 17 locations. The IAF then conducts an air strike targeting a group of Palestinians in Gaza allegedly preparing to launch an incendiary balloon near Rafah; 2 Palestinians are injured. Late at night, the IAF bombs Hamas and PIJ sites in and around Gaza City, destroying a vehicle that reportedly belonged to a Palestinian responsible for many incendiary kite and balloon attacks in recent weeks. Israeli drones bomb a group of Palestinians gathering along the border fence near al-Maghazi refugee camp late at night, causing no injuries. In the West Bank, IDF troops arrest 1 Palestinian during raids near Qalqilya; and patrol near Jenin. (HA 6/16; PCHR 6/21)

Ahead of a U.S. delegation’s visit to Israel and a number of other Middle Eastern countries this week, a PA spokesperson calls the trip a “waste of time” because the Trump administration has lost the support of the Palestinians. “The round of meetings that began in New York [on 6/15], whose purpose is to bring a meaningless plan, won’t achieve anything,” he says. (TOI 6/16)

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)

An explosion in Dayr al-Balah kills 6 members of Hamas and injures 3 others. The circumstances of the blast are unclear. Hamas accuses Israel of assassinating the men. The Israeli authorities deny any involvement. Along Gaza’s border, IDF troops shoot and injure 6 Palestinians approaching the border fence and allegedly throwing stones near al-Maghazi refugee camp. They also open fire on Palestinian paramedics working near Dayr al-Balah, injuring 1. Hours later, the IAF conducts an air strike on a Hamas site near Jabaliya refugee camp, causing an unclear amount of damage and injuries. Off Gaza’s coast, Israeli naval forces open fire on Palestinian fishing boats near Bayt Lahiya, causing no damage or injuries. In the West Bank, IDF troops arrest 1 Palestinian, assault a 2d, and issue an arrest summons to a 3d during late-night raids near Hebron, Nablus, and Salfit; and patrol near Nablus and Salfit. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces arrest 3 Palestinians during a raid in Issawiyya. (WAFA 5/5; HA, JP, YA 5/6)

Along Gaza’s border, IDF troops open fire on Palestinian agricultural lands near al-Maghazi refugee camp and Dayr al-Balah, causing no damage or injuries. They also violently disperse Palestinian protesters near Khan Yunis and Jabaliya refugee camp; 2 Palestinians are moderately injured. Meanwhile, Israeli forces conduct a limited incursion to level land and repair the border fence near Khan Yunis. In the West Bank, Israeli forces demolish a Palestinian home under construction near Ramallah, force Palestinian farmers from their land outside al-Khadir near Bethlehem, and demolish a makeshift Palestinian secondary school in Khirbat Zanuta, a Bedouin community near Hebron. IDF troops arrest 10 Palestinians during raids near Nablus, Hebron, and Qalqilya; and patrol near Hebron. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces arrest 2 Palestinians during late-night raids in Issawiyya. (WAFA 4/10; PCHR 4/12)

Israeli DM Lieberman says that the Palestinian journalist who succumbed to injuries caused by the IDF’s ongoing violent crackdown on the Great March of Return on 4/6, Yaser Murtaja, was a member of Hamas and that he was giving his drone’s video recordings to the group. Hamas denies the allegation. The Washington Post reports that the U.S. recently vetted Murtaja’s company, Ain Media, for a government grant. (AP, JP, WP, YA 4/11)

A senior Iranian official says that Israel’s 4/9 deadly strike on the Syrian T-4 military base “will not remain without response.” Meanwhile, the Russian Foreign Ministry summons the Israeli ambassador to Russia for a formal questioning about the incident and a discussion about recent events in Gaza. (HA, JP, REU, YA 4/10)

Along Gaza’s border, Israeli forces bomb Hamas military sites in Jabaliya refugee camp and Bayt Lahiya overnight, causing an unclear amount of damage. The IDF later says the attack was in retaliation for a previously unreported Hamas attempt to plant an IED along the border fence on 4/8. Later, IDF troops open fire on Palestinian agricultural lands near al-Maghazi refugee camp, Gaza City, and al-Bureij refugee camp, causing no damage or injuries. Meanwhile, IDF troops violently disperse Palestinians protesting along the border fence near Gaza City, Jabaliya refugee camp, and Khan Yunis; 8 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, Israeli settlers spray-paint racist graffiti on road signs near Hebron. IDF troops shoot and injure a Palestinian minor amid minor clashes in Nablus, arrest 4 Palestinians, and issue 3 arrest summons during late-night raids near Ramallah, Bethlehem, and Hebron; and patrol in and around Hebron. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces arrest 8 Palestinians during latenight raids in Sur Bahir, Hizma, and Issawiyya. (HA, JP, TOI, WAFA, YA 4/9; MNA 4/10; PCHR 4/12)

A Palestinian succumbs to injuries sustained when the IDF violently dispersed peaceful protesters along Gaza’s border on 3/30, bringing the death toll stemming from the Great March of Return to 29. (TOI, WAFA 4/9)

The Palestinian who was stabbed by an Israeli settler near Jerusalem on 4/8 succumbs to his injuries. (PCHR 4/12)

The IAF conducts air strikes on the Syrian T-4 base near Homs, targeting drone deployment and air-defense systems, and killing 14 people, including at least 7 Iranian citizens. (HA, JP 4/9)

Hundreds of Palestinians gather in various locations along Gaza’s border to participate in the Great March of Return. IDF troops violently disperse them near Gaza City and al-Bureij refugee camp; 8 Palestinians are injured. Later, IDF troops arrest an unarmed Palestinian who crossed into Israel and open fire on Palestinian agricultural lands near al-Maghazi refugee camp, causing no damage. In the West Bank, IDF troops violently disperse Palestinian minors throwing stones in Kafr Qaddum near Qalqilya, arrest 2 Palestinians during late-night raids near Ramallah and Hebron, and patrol near Tulkarm and Hebron. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces arrest 7 Palestinians during late-night raids in Issawiyya. In Israel, approximately 1,500 Palestinian citizens of Israel, including a number of Knesset members, gather in Sakhnin to protest in solidarity with the Palestinians killed in Gaza over the past week. (TOI, WAFA 4/7; TOI 4/8; PCHR 4/12)

Two Palestinians, including 1 photojournalist, succumb to injuries sustained when the IDF violently dispersed peaceful protesters along Gaza’s border on 4/6, bringing the death toll of the IDF’s response to the Great March of Return to 28. The IDF later issues a statement denying that Israeli soldiers targeted journalists, and pledging to investigate any such incidents. (HA, TOI, WAFA 4/7)

Along Gaza’s border, 4 Palestinians enter Israel in the evening and attempt to torch heavy engineering equipment used to construct Israel’s underground border barrier. When IDF troops approach the men, they return to Gaza. The IAF then conducts late-night air strikes on 3 Hamas sites near Rafah; there are no reported injuries. Earlier in the day, IDF troops stationed along the border open fire on Palestinian farmers working near al-Maghazi refugee camp, causing no injuries. In the West Bank, IDF troops arrest 4 Palestinians during late-night raids in Bethlehem and near Hebron, and patrol near Tulkarm and Nablus. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces arrest 1 Palestinian during late-night raids in Shu‘fat refugee camp. (HA, MNA, TOI, WAFA, YA 3/25; PCHR 3/29)

The Egyptian authorities open the Rafah border crossing for the 2d of 3 planned days, allowing passage in both directions. (TOI, WAFA 3/23)

A PA official says that the Palestinian authorities recently filed official requests for membership in 8 international treaties and conventions, including the International Convention against Apartheid in Sports. “Becoming members of these international conventions and treaties strengthens the Palestinian issue on the international level and demonstrates our commitment to upholding international standards in our state institutions,” the official says. The move comes 3 months after PA president Abbas pledged to join new international treaties and conventions in response to U.S. president Trump’s 12/6/17 recognition of Jerusalem as Israel’s capital. (C2, JP, TOI 3/24)

In the West Bank, IDF troops conduct raids in al-Mughayyir near Ramallah, sparking clashes with stone-throwing Palestinian students; 1 Palestinian is lightly injured. They arrest 10 Palestinians and issue 2 arrest summons during raids near Nablus, and patrol near Nablus, Jenin, and Hebron. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces conduct widespread late-night raids in Shu‘fat refugee camp for the 2d day in a row, arresting 19 Palestinians. They also arrest 1 Palestinian patient during a raid at a hospital in al-Tur. Off Gaza’s coast, Israeli naval forces open fire on Palestinian fishing boats near Jabaliya refugee camp, causing no damage or injuries. Along Gaza’s border, Israeli forces conduct 3 limited incursions to level land near al-Maghazi refugee camp and Khan Yunis. (MNA, WAFA 3/21; PCHR, WAFA 3/22; PCHR 3/29)

For the 6th consecutive Friday, Israeli forces violently disperse Palestinian, Israeli, and international activists at protests against U.S. pres. Trump’s 12/6 recognition of Jerusalem as Israel’s capital, as well as the killing of 2 Palestinians on 1/11, Israel’s settlements, separation wall, and occupation in Abu Dis, al-Bireh, Kafr Qaddum near Qalqilya, Budrus village near Ramallah, central Hebron, northern Bethlehem, 2 villages near Nablus (Beita and Bayt Furik), and along Gaza’s border near Gaza City, Khan Yunis, al-Bureij refugee camp, and Jabaliya refugee camp; 65 Palestinians are injured and at least 2 are arrested. Also along Gaza’s border, IDF troops open fire on Palestinian workers collecting plastic and other scraps from a landfill near Juhur al-Dik, causing no injuries. Meanwhile, IDF troops arrest 4 Palestinians during latenight raids in and around Hebron, Nablus, and Jenin; and patrol near Tulkarm and Nablus. Israeli forces raze a tract of land near the site of the 1/9 deadly shooting. They also arrest 5 Palestinians as they exit Haram al-Sharif. Israeli settlers throw stones at a Palestinian home south of Nablus, breaking a number of windows. Thousands of Palestinian mourners march through Iraq Burin and al-Maghazi refugee camp in funeral processions for the 2 Palestinians killed on 1/11. (MNA, WAFA 1/12; HA, MNA 1/13; PCHR 1/18)

U.S. pres. Trump announces that he is formally extending the waivers on U.S. sanctions on Iran, upholding the U.S. obligations under the 7/14/2015 nuclear agreement one last time. This last extension, he says, will give the U.S. time to negotiate a “follow on” agreement with its European allies before the next deadline for extending sanctions relief, 120 days hence. “In the absence of such an agreement, the U.S. will not again waive sanctions to stay in the Iran nuclear deal,” he says. “And if at any time I judge that such an agreement is not within reach, I will withdraw from the deal immediately,” At the same time, the U.S. Treasury imposes sanctions on 14 Iranian individuals, including the head of Iran’s judiciary, Sadeq Larijani. (AP, BBC, NYT, TOI 1/12)