The Palestine Chronology

In the West Bank, Israeli forces shoot and kill a Palestinian child near the Tekoa settlement, claiming he had attempted to stab soldiers. Israeli forces also shoot and kill 2 Palestinians during a raid in Dura. Elsewhere, Israeli forces shoot and kill a Palestinian man during a raid in al-Yamun. Israeli forces also shoot and kill a Palestinian child during a raid in Silwad. Meanwhile, Israeli forces shoot and injure a Palestinian woman during a raid in Nahalin. Israeli forces also assault 3 Palestinians during a raid in Ya’bad. Separately, Israeli forces open fire at the Jenin Governmental Hospital and demolish infrastructure during a raid in Jenin. In East Jerusalem, Israeli authorities force a Palestinian family to demolish their own home in az-Za’ayyem, displacing 6 people. In Gaza, Israeli forces bomb Gaza City, Khan Yunis, Jabalia refugee camp, and Nuseirat refugee camp, killing at least 215 people, including 45 in airstrikes on 2 buildings in Gaza. Israeli forces also storm a UN shelter in Gaza City, arresting Palestinians. 15 rockets are fired at Tel Aviv, 6 are intercepted; no damage is reported. In Haifa, Israeli forces shoot and kill a person who rammed an Israeli soldier and exited his vehicle with an axe. In Lebanon, Israeli forces kill 2 members of Hezbollah. Hezbollah claims 13 attacks on Israeli military positions, including in Biranit and Zar’it; 2 Israeli soldiers are injured in the attack on Biranit. In Syria, Israeli forces bomb a site near Damascus, killing 7 people. (AJ, AP, HA, HA, HA, REU, REU, REU, UNOCHA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 1/29)

More than 26,637 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli forces in Gaza, including at least 10,600 children and 7,200 women, and around 65,387 have been injured since 10/7. At least 7,000 people are missing in rubble, including 1,700 children. 371 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli forces and settlers in the West Bank and East Jerusalem since 10/7, including 94 children. More than 4,382 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, including Israeli soldiers. In addition, 219 Israeli soldiers have been killed and 1,269 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. At least 70,000 housing units have been destroyed and 290,000 have been damaged in Israeli airstrikes since 10/7, constituting over 60% of all housing units. 102 trucks carrying aid enter Gaza via the Rafah and Karem Abu Salem (Kerem Shalom) crossings. (UNOCHA, UNOCHA 1/29; UNOCHA 1/30)

Israel orders the evacuation of Shati’ refugee camp and the Gaza City neighborhoods Sheikh Radwan and Tel al-Hawa. (AJ, HA, UNOCHA 1/29)

Hamas official Sami Abu Zuhri tells Reuters that Hamas’s position remains that Israel must guarantee that its attacks on Gaza end before Hamas starts releasing Israeli captives. (AJ, HA, REU, REU 1/29)

Palestinian officials say the PA will reform itself to comply with U.S. demands by appointing new governors in the West Bank and Gaza, making changes to the personnel of the PA security forces, appointing new staff at the its foreign consulates and embassies and at ministries, improving the financial system, appointing new directors at public institutions, improving tax collection, opening the communications market, and improving government oversight to combat corruption. Axios reports that senior security officials from the PA, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, and Egypt met in Riyadh on the 1/18, discussing plans for Gaza after the war and ways to involve a revitalized PA in Gaza. According to the report, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, and Egypt called on PA general intelligence service director Majed Faraj to ensure that the PA makes serious reforms, including providing more power to a new prime minister. Saudi Arabia is also said to have briefed the other parties on its requirements for normalization with Israel, including practical and irrevocable steps by Israel toward the creation of a Palestinian state. (AX 1/29; HA 1/30)

Shin Bet director Ronen Bar meets with Egyptian intelligence chief Abbas Kamel in Cairo, discussing Israeli-Egyptian tensions and Israeli plans to further attack Rafah. (AX 1/29)

The Knesset House Committee hears legal arguments on the motion to expel MK Ofer Cassif from the parliament over his support for the South African genocide case against Israel. 85 MKs have said they support expelling Cassif. If the committee approves the motion to expel, then support from 90 MKs will be required to expel Cassif, who can then appeal to the Supreme Court. (AJ, HA 1/29)

The EU announces it will review its funding of UNRWA after Israeli allegations that members of UNRWA are connected to Hamas. Austria and Romania announce they are suspending funding for UNRWA, becoming the 11th and 12th countries to do so since 1/26. Pakistan calls the suspensions of UNRWA funding “unjustifiable.” 20 human rights organizations, including Oxfam and Save the Children, issue a statement expressing “concern and outrage” over the funding suspensions. Israel claims in an intelligence dossier seen by Reuters that 190 UNRWA employees are Hamas or Islamic Jihad militants, while 10% of all 13,000 UNRWA employees in Gaza have affiliation with 1 of the 2 groups. (AJ, AJ, HA, HA, HA, NYT, NYT, NYT, REU, REU, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 1/29; HA 1/30)

The UN begins its fact-finding mission to investigate sexual assaults allegedly committed by Hamas members on 10/7/23. UN envoy for sexual violence in conflict Pramila Patten urges potential victims to “break your silence.” (HA, NYT 1/29; AP 1/30)

Israeli foreign minister Israel Katz says he canceled a meeting with UNRWA commissioner-general Philippe Lazzarini, saying “Lazzarini should draw conclusions and resign. Supporters of terrorism are not welcome here.” (AJ, HA 1/29)

Qatari prime minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani meets with U.S. secretary of state Antony Blinken in Washington D.C., discussing developments in Palestine and a lasting solution to the Palestinian cause, according to a Qatari statement. (AJ, AJ, AX 1/29)

UK foreign secretary David Cameron tells Arab ambassadors in London that the UK, with its allies, is looking at recognizing a Palestinian state to make the path toward Palestinian statehood “irreversible.” (AJ, HA, NYT, WAFA 1/30)

19 U.S. Democrats in the Senate, led by Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), send a letter to Secretary Blinken asking for clarification on the bypassing of Congress in sending aid to Israel. (HA 1/29)

After day of multinational force bombing successes against Iraq, Baghdad fires as many as 8 SCUD missiles at Israel, hitting Tel Aviv, Haifa, and less populated areas [NYT, LAT, WT, WP, MEM 1/18].

Saddam Hussein defies 2d day of bombing in Baghdad by touring Iraq's capital; vows to defeat multinational force and liberate Palestine; calls on all Arabs to help resist U.S. [NYT, LAT, WP, MEM 1/18].

Anti-U.S. demonstrations erupt in Algeria, smaller protests in European cities but European gov'ts. give full backing to war effort; Iran condemns U.S.-led invasion; Pres. Gorbachev blames Iraqi intransigence for war, but only after trying to get Pres. Bush to postpone attack long enough for Soviet diplomats to try to speak to Saddam Hussein; Japan pledges additional aid for allied effort [MEM 1/17; NYT 1/18].

Turkey's parliament authorizes U.S. fighters and bombers to launch attacks on Iraq from Incirlik Air Base near Adama on the Mediterranean [NYT, LAT, MEM 1/18].

New York Times reports of CIA's psychological warfare against Iraq: broadcasting anti-Saddam propaganda into Iraq, circulat- ing audio and video cassettes depicting Saddam's regime as corrupt, and smuggling radios into Iraq to receive American broadcasts [NYT 1/19].

Curfew in Gaza continues; Israel places West Bank under curfew [JDS, IDF 1/17 in FBIS 1/17].

PLO Executive Committee issues statement decrying U.S. for beginning Gulf war and calling for worldwide resistance [AVP, MAP, AFP 1/17 in FBIS 1/18; MEM 1/17; WP 1/18].

Israeli F.M. Moshe Arens arrives in Warsaw to renew diplomatic ties with Poland; Polish gov't. newspaper issues detailed apology for past anti-Semitic acts [WP 2/27].

In Jerusalem, Shimon Peres has told Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations that U.S. Sec. of State Baker's proposals for negotiations are acceptable to most of Israeli public [IDF 2/26 in FBIS 2/27].

PLO leaders have authorized Radwan Abu-'Ayyash, chrmn. of E. Jerusalem Journalists Association, to begin exploratory talks with State Dep't. officials John Kelly and Dennis Ross in Washington [MAA 2/26 in FBIS 2/26].

Israeli Arabs stage one-day strike pressing gov't. to put into place agreemento write off $50 million of debt accumulated by Arab town and city councils. About 4,000 Arabs march through Haifa in protest [NYT 2/27].

Israeli military authorities allow 16 community colleges in O.T. to reopen (combined enrollment of c.5,000) [NYT, WP, LAT 2/27].

At least 91 Palestinians are injured by IDF gunfire in one of the most violent days ever in Gaza Strip [NYT 2/26; LAT 2/27]; Israeli helicopter is used to teargas demonstrators [JDS 2/26 in FBIS 2/27].

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: IDF chief of staff, Gen. Dan Shomron, orders soldiers to use force only when necessary to quell disturbances. P. M. Shamir's office prevents journalist Hanna Siniora from leaving for U. S. Shops open in Gaza. More than 40,000 Gazans return to jobs in Israel. General strike and scattered violence continue in and around E. Jerusalem [CSM, WP 1/25]. Soldiers use crowbars, break locks in attempt to force shops to open in W. Bank and Gaza Strip [FJ 1/3 1]. W. Germany's F. M. Hans Dietrich meets with 7 W. Bank and Gaza Strip Palestinians [FBIS 1/27]. Al-Sha'b editor Salah Zuhayka, arrested 1/14, receives 6-month administrative detention order [FJ 1/31]. Administration of Haifa's Rambam Hospital fires dozens of striking Palestinian workers [FJ 1/31].

Arab World: Jordanian police quickly disperse 150 protesters marching illegally to support Palestinian uprising in W. Bank, Gaza Strip, and E. Jerusalem [NYT 1/25]. Arab foreign ministers meeting in Tunis pledge financial and moral support for Palestinians inW. Bank and Gaza Strip, call for international peace conference [NYT 1/25]. Tunis and Egypt announce resumptionf full diplomatic relations [FJ 1/31].

Other Countries: Rabbi Alexander Schindler, pres. of Union of Am. Hebrew Congregations, criticizes Iraeli policy of "might, power, and beatings" in occupied territories as "morally wrong" [WP 1/25].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Curfews are lifted for Gaza Strip's Nusayrat, Burayj, and Maghazi refugee camps; only Jabalya camp and part of Rafah camp remain under curfew [CSM, WP 1/25]. In the W. Bank, old and new 'Askar camps and village of Bayt 'Ur al-Tahta remain under curfew; Hebron-region village of Sa'ir is still closed military zone [FJ 1/31]. Protesters blockade roads, throw stones in scattered incidents in Jerusalem and 'Anata refugee camp [FBIS 1/25]. In Ramallah, soldiers use tear gas, rubber bullets, and live ammunition to disperse peaceful demonstration; Palestinian bystander is shot in back, seriously injured [FJ 1/31]. Several people are injured, arresteduring clash between army and demonstrators in Hebron district's Bani Na'im village [FJ 1/31].

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Pres. Herzog and other government officials call for investigation of Shin Bet interrogation methods in wake of High Court ruling that it used illegal means to obtain confession from 'Izzat Nafsu [LAT 5/26; WP 5/27]. Fateh's Force 17 claims responsibility for slaying Jalil Garusi, an Israeli shot in Gaza Strip while picking up Palestinian women workers; Force 17 alleges Garusi was Mossad agent. Members of Kach movement later attack Arab workers in nearby town; 2 are injured [FJ 5/31]. Ahmad Nasr, during hearing before Israeli Military Objections Com. at 'Asqalan Prison, withdraws his appeal against expulsion order [FJ 5/31]. In Haifa, more than 2,000 Arab and Jewish students protest Israeli government's decision to charge students who have not served in the Israeli army higher tuition [FJ 5/31]. Palestinian political prisoners in Junayd Prison protest failure to improve conditions [FJ 5/31].

Other Countries: Norway accuses Israel of refusing to permit inspection by International Atomic Energy Agency of heavy water sold to Israel by Norway under 1959 agreement; Norway is concerned that Israel is using the heavy water to produce nuclear weapons [NYT 5/26]. Middle East sources report W. Germany is increasing efforts to reach deal that would free 2 W. German businessmen in exchange for not extraditing Muhammad and 'Abbas Hamadi [WP 5/26]. 

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Estimated 2,000 Arab and Jewish students participate in rally at Hebrew University to protest government decision to charge higher tuition for students who have not served in the army; officials of Haifa and Hebrew universities announce they will not carry out plan [NYT 5/19]. Six Palestinian political prisoners believed members of Islamic Jihad escape from Gaza Prison [FJ 5/24]. Military authorities in Gaza impose ban on fishing [FJ 7/12].

Military Action

Arab World: Israeli war planes attack Mieh Mieh refugee camp in S. Lebanon; 1 Palestinian is killed, 3 wounded [LAT 5/19; FJ 5/24].

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Estimated 300 Arabs and Jews demonstrate in Haifa in solidarity with the residents of the occupied territories [FJ 12/25].

Other Countries: White House Chief of Staff Donald Regan publicly denies Pres. Reagan approved August 1985 Israeli arms shipment to Iran, contradicting testimony from former National Security Adviser Robert McFarlane [LAT 12/19]. Britain pledges aid for Jordan's W. Bank and Gaza Strip development project UP 12/19].

Military Action

Arab World: Syrian troops take Sami Turk, a commander of Sunni fundamentalist group known as Tawhid (Islamic Unification Movement), into custody. Tawhid members kill 15 Syrian soldiers in protest. Leftist Lebanese parties join with Syrian forces in 36-hour battle, which leaves over 200 dead [WP 1/13].

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Central Bureau of Statistics reports 37% of occupied territories' work force employed in Israel during 1984: 50,000 from W. Bank, 40,000 from Gaza; 44,000 worked in construction, 13,000 in agriculture [JTA 3/7]. Housing Min. begins building permanent structures in 3 settlements formerly containing temporary housing: Atzmona in Gaza, Cadim in N. portion of W. Bank, and Na'ama in Jordan Valley [JP 3/6]. Haifa U. suspends Palestinian student leader Amir Makhoul, imposes sentences on 3 other Arabs, 1 Jewish student, for activities stemming from 1/17 disturbance at university during speech by MK Eitan [JP 3/7].

Arab World: After meeting with Pres. Mubarak in Hurghada, Egypt, King Hussein expresses support for 2/24 Mubarak proposal for talks between US, joint Palestinian-Jordanian delegation [NYT, WSJ 3/7].

Other Countries: Reagan administration defersending Israel's $2.6 billion aid request to Congress for approval; states Israel has not made sufficient progress toward solving economic problems [NYT 3/7].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Authorities bulldoze 2 homes "illegally" built in Shuyuh [JP 3/7]. Roadside bomb explodes as settler's car passes in Hebron area; nearby note claims DFLP responsibility [JTA 3/8].

Arab World: Action in S. Lebanon: RPGs, shots fired at IDF, SLA posts in Shukin, Ansar; no casualties [JP 3/7]. IDF kill 2, wound 1 resistance fighter in Kafr Sir. SLA soldier wounded in Yatar. IDF raid Bidias; arrest 20 [DT, CSM, NYT 3/7]. IDF, Shin Bet agents arrest dozens in Tyre. Taxi driver killed by IDF near Tyre. IDF raid Burj Eliya; 12-yr. -old boy killed. Civilians in Teir Dibba forced to sit outside village during IDF raid [LT 3/7]. 7 Beirut-based journalists arrested by IDF near Tyre; later released [on 2/26 Israel issued ban on Beirut-based journalists in areas under IDF control] [NYT MG 3/7].