The Palestine Chronology

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers shoot and injure a Palestinian man during a raid in Mukhmas. Israeli forces shoot and kill a 13-year-old Palestinian boy and injure 2 others during a raid in Qabatiya. Israeli forces also shoot and injure 2 Palestinians during a raid in Tubas. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces arrest 23 Palestinians in the Old City near the Haram al-Sharif compound. In Gaza, Israeli forces bomb Khan Yunis, Nuseirat refugee camp, Maghazi, and Dayr al-Balah, killing at least 82 people. Israeli forces also open fire at Palestinians waiting to receive aid at the Kuwait Roundabout in Gaza City, killing at least 17. Meanwhile, Israeli forces continue to raid and besiege al-Shifa Hospital. In Sakhnin, Deir Hanna, and Kafr Kanna, thousands of Palestinian citizens of Israel mark Land Day under the slogan “Stop the war on Gaza.” In Tel Aviv, Israeli police violently disperse Israeli anti-government protesters. In Lebanon, a UNIFIL peacekeeping foot patrol is bombed, wounding 4 UN personnel from Chile, Norway, Australia, and Lebanon; Israel denies responsibility. Israeli forces bomb Naqoura, Taybeh, Hanin, Tayr Harfa, Yarin, and Dhayra. Hezbollah forces attack an Israeli military base in Ya’ara with a drone and fire missiles at Kafrchouba, Khirbet Maar, and Raheb. In Jordan, police violently disperse protesters outside of the Israeli embassy for the seventh day in a row. In Yemen, U.S. forces bomb 2 aerial surveillance systems. (AJ, AJ, AP, HA, HA, HA, HA, REU, REU, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 3/30; AJ, NYT 3/31; HA 4/1; UNOCHA 4/3)

More than 32,705 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli forces in Gaza, including at least 13,400 children and 8,900 women, and around 75,190 have been injured since 10/7/2023. At least 7,000 people are missing in rubble, including 1,700 children. 445 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli forces and settlers in the West Bank and East Jerusalem since 10/7/2023, including 112 children. More than 4,700 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, 253 Israeli soldiers have been killed and 1,520 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. 78 trucks carrying aid enter Gaza. (WAFA 3/30; UNOCHA 4/3)

The Gaza Media Office reports that Israeli forces have killed more than 400 people and destroyed and damaged more than 1,050 homes in and around al-Shifa Hospital during the 13-day siege of the hospital. (AJ 3/30)

The Alliance of Palestinian Forces, which includes Hamas and Islamic Jihad, releases a statement opposing a reported Israeli plan to establish an Arab military force in Gaza. (AJ 3/30; HA 4/1)

Islamic Jihad secretary-general Ziad al-Nakhalah meets with Iranian foreign minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian in Tehran, telling reporters that he promises that “we will be the victors in the war.” (AP 3/30)

Jordanian foreign minister Ayman Safadi, Egyptian foreign minister Sameh Shoukry, and French foreign minister Stephane Sejourne call for an “immediate and permanent ceasefire” after a meeting in Cairo. Sejourne also says his government will put forward a draft resolution at the UN Security Council setting out a political settlement of the war in Gaza. (WAFA 3/30; AJ 3/31)

The Arab Parliament of the Arab League issues a statement marking Land Day, saying Israel is waging “a war of genocide and forced displacement.” (AJ 3/30)

Cuban president Miguel Diaz-Canel demands in a tweet on X that Israel ends “the genocide” in Gaza. (AJ, WAFA 3/31)

A video circulating online shows U.S. representative Tim Walberg (R-MI) saying that no aid should be provided to Palestinians and that Gaza “should be like Nagasaki and Hiroshima” referring to the U.S. nuclear bombings of the 2 Japanese cities during World War II. (AJ, NYT 3/31)

The Guardian reports that the UK government has received legal advice that Israel is breaking international law in Gaza. (AJ, GDN 3/30; AJ, HA, HA 3/31)

50 members of the UK House of Lords and parliament call on the government to reinstate UNRWA funding. (AJ, HA 3/30)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers assaulted 1 Palestinian farmer and damaged his tractor near al-Muarajat. Israeli forces shot and injured 3 Palestinians during a late-night raid in Qabatiya. Israeli forces also demolished 1 Palestinian-owned home in Nu’eima, displacing 5. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces raided the Faisal Al-Husseini International Stadium in al-Ram, dispersing the crowd at the Palestine Cup final and injuring players and spectators with tear gas. In Gaza, Israeli forces violently dispersed Palestinians commemorating Land Day along the Gaza fence, injuring 6 with live ammunition and others with tear gas. In Sakhnin, about 2,000 Palestinian citizens of Israel commemorated Land Day. (HA, MEE, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 3/30; AJ, MEE, TOI, WAFA 3/31; WAFA 4/2; PCHR 4/6; UNOCHA 4/20)

2 Israelis settlers were indicted on terror charges for assaulting Palestinians and damaging Palestinian property in Huwwara while armed with an axe, a hammer, stones, and pepper spray. (AP, HA, NAT, REU, TOI 3/30)

In Syria, Israeli forces conducted airstrikes hitting 3 different areas around Damascus, injuring 2 and causing damage. (AJ, ALM, AP, REU 3/30; HA 3/31)

In the West Bank, some 20 Israeli settlers attacked Palestinians harvesting olives in Turmus ‘Ayya, spraying pepper spray in the face of 1 Palestinian, setting fire to 1 vehicle, and slashing the tires of other cars nearby. Israeli settlers also set up 6 mobile homes and some tents in Khillat al-Nahla. 4 Palestinians were arrested, including 3 during late-night raids in Far‘un and Hebron; 1 was arrested at a checkpoint near Hebron. In East Jerusalem, 1 Palestinian family started demolishing their own home in Wadi al-Juz. Off the coast of Gaza, Israeli naval forces opened fire at Palestinian fishermen within 3 nautical miles west of Gaza; no injuries were reported. In Gaza, Israeli forces opened fire at Palestinian agricultural lands east of Khan Yunis and Beit Lahiya; no injuries were reported. In Israel, Palestinians protested outside of a police station in Sakhnin against the Israeli police’s failure to address the many murders in the Palestinian community in Israel. (WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 10/23; PCHR 10/28)

Kuwait signed 2 agreements with the UNRWA, pledging $1.5 million for health programming in Lebanon and $20 million to the UNRWA general budget. (WAFA 10/23)

An Israeli drone bombs a group of Gazans near Jabaliya refugee camp allegedly preparing to fly incendiary kites and balloons into Israel; no injuries are reported. Around the same time, IDF troops violently disperse Palestinians gathering along the border fence near Jabaliya refugee camp to continue the Great March of Return; 1 Palestinian is injured. In the West Bank, IDF troops conduct raids in Dahaysha refugee camp, arresting 3 Palestinians and sparking clashes with stone-throwing Palestinian minors; 1 Palestinian is killed and 2 are injured. They arrest 13 more Palestinians during late-night raids in and around Bethlehem, Tulkarm, Ramallah, and Hebron; and patrol near Hebron and Nablus. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces arrest 2 Palestinians during late-night raids in Issawiyya. In northern Israel, Israeli forces demolish a Palestinian-owned home in Sakhnin, sparking minor clashes with residents of the area; 6 Palestinians are injured. (MNA, TOI, WAFA, YA 7/23; PCHR 7/26)

A Palestinian succumbs to injuries sustained when Israeli snipers opened fire on Great March of Return protesters along Gaza’s border fence on 6/8, bringing the death toll stemming from the Great March of Return to 134. (MNA, WAFA 7/23)

The Egyptian authorities shut down the Rafah border crossing for the day in commemoration of the Egyptian Revolution of 7/23/52. (MNA 7/23)

PLO chief negotiator Saeb Erakat reveals that the PA is in consultations with Arab countries and others over the text of a draft resolution requesting the UNGA accept Palestine as a non-member state. Erakat reiterates that the UN bid is intended to complement rather than harm the peace process. Reports indicate that the U.S. government is lobbying European countries to oppose the Palestinian initiative on the basis that it would be counterproductive and lead to negative consequences, such as sanctions, for the PA. (Guardian, MNA 10/1)

Unidentified Palestinians fire a rocket from the Gaza Strip into s. Israel, causing no damage or injuries. In East Jerusalem, the IDF conducts house searches in Ras al-Amud neighborhood after clashes with local Palestinian youths; troops fire tear gas during the searches, moderately injuring a Palestinian woman. In the West Bank, the IDF patrols in 2 villages nr. Jenin and Hebron in the morning, 1 village nr. Jenin in the afternoon, and 2 villages nr. Qalqilya at night. (AFP, IMEMC 10/1; PCHR 10/4; OCHA 10/5)

Palestinian citizens of Israel hold protests across Israel, including a 2,000- strong march in Sakhnin, to mark the 12th anniversary of the killing of 13 Arabs by Israeli police during demonstrations in solidarity with the 2d intifada then underway. (AFP 10/1)

Freedom Theater director and former AMB commander Zakaria Zubeidi is freed from PA prison after having been charged in connection to a 1/5/12 attack that resulted in the death of former Jenin governor Qaddura Musa from a heart attack (see QU in JPS 164). (MNA 1/10)

Syrian state television attacks Hamas leader Khalid Mishal, accusing him of ‘‘selling out’’’ and being ungrateful for Syria’s years of patronage. Hamas closed its headquarters in Damascus earlier in 2012 after refusing to support the regime’s attacks on Syrian protesters and the opposition. (NYT 10/2)

The IDF launches Operation Days of Penitence, sending 3 brigades (ca. 2,000 troops) with 100 tanks, armored personnel carriers (APCs), armored bulldozers to cordon off the n. Gaza Strip, killing 8 Palestinians (including at least 3 Hamas mbrs., 3 other armed Palestinians, 2 bystanders), wounding 17 in clashes during the day (some casualties, according to hospital workers, were hit by internationally banned flechettes); 2 Palestinians (including 1 militant) die of injuries received in n. Gaza on 9/29, 9/30; the IDF also drops a bomb on a factory in Jabaliya r.c. Armed Palestinians build sand berms to block streets, lay booby-traps along roads in Jabaliya, wounding 2 IDF soldiers with a roadside bomb. The IDF fatally shoots 1 Palestinian, captures 7 attempting to cross the Israel-Gaza border nr. the Erez crossing; the AMB, Hamas say the 8 (who are wearing PA police uniforms, carrying 88 lbs of explosives) are their mbrs. The IDF also fires on residential areas of Rafah; fires missiles at a workshop in Gaza City, causing serious damage, no injuries. In Sakhnin, Israel, 3,000 Israeli Palestinians hold a demonstration to commemorate the 4th anniversary of the 10/00 riots, during which 18 Israeli Palestinians died (13 killed by Israeli police, 5 by Israeli civilians). (HA 10/1; JAZ, VOI, VOP 10/1 in WNC 10/5; HA, NYT, WP 10/2; PCHR 10/7)

Israeli-Palestinian clashes enter their 50th day, with the internal closure on Palestinian towns in the West Bank still in place. Israeli PM Ehud Barak tells Israelis to prepare for a protracted conflict, threatens to escalate actions against Palestinians. To pressure the Palestinian Authority (PA), Barak suspends plans to transfer $64 m. in taxes and customs duties owed the PA to cover salaries and regular expenses. Overnight, the Israeli Defense Force (IDF) shells Fatah offices in Hebron, Jinin. During the day, IDF troops fatally shoot 4 Palestinians, fire on a Palestinian police station. 1 of the 4 Palestinians dies while the IDF blocks an ambulance crew fr. reaching him for 2 hrs. Inside Israel, Israeli Arabs clash with Israeli police officers nr. Sakhnin, leaving 1 demonstrator slightly injured. IDF West Bank cmdr. Brig. Gen. Benjamin Gantz warns that he "could probably wipe out Bayt Jala in a matter of hrs." Jewish settlers uproot a Palestinian olive grove nr. Ramallah, fire on Palestinian cars nr. Zatariyya Junction, injuring 2. (AFP [Internet], MENL, MM 11/16; LAW, NYT, WP 11/17; AIC 11/20; NYT 1/17)

In Gaza, U.S. special envoy Dennis Ross meets with PA head Yasir Arafat to discuss ways of halting the ongoing violence, resuming peace talks. (HA, WP, WT 11/17; MEI 11/24)

Hizballah claims responsibility for setting off a small bomb in the disputed Shaba` Farms area of the Golan Heights, slightly injuring 1 IDF soldier. The UN condemns the attack, expresses concern. (AFP [Internet] 11/16; MM, NYT, YA 11/17; MEI 11/24) (see 11/15)

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Palestinian general strike marking Day of the Land is nearly total inside the green line and in occupied territories [CSM 3/31]. Thousands of Palestinians inside the green line attend large rallies in northern Israel: estimated 40,000 Palestinians march in northern Israel town of Sakhnin. In Kafr Kanna, close to 6,000 chant slogans, march in streets. In Rahat, in Negev, several hundred rally. More than 5,000 carry signs, chant nationalist slogans in Taybah, in the Triangle [WP 3/31; FJ 4/3]. Israel closes Palestine Press Service for 6 months [WP 3/31]. Israeli High Court upholds army order banning media from occupied territories [CSM 3/31].

Other Countries: Benjamin Netanyahu resigns as Israeli ambassador to UN [WP 4/1].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: In Dayr Abu Mash'al, near Ramallah, villagers use rocks, bottles, iron bars, and axes to attack soldiers searching for alleged attackers; soldiers open fire, wounding 4, 1 of whom bleeds to death. In Hebron-area village of Shuyukh, troops open fire on Palestinian protesters blocking roads, throwing stones; at least 5 Palestinians are wounded by gunfire. Israel reports 2 other Palestinians killed in W. Bank, 1 in Yamun village and 1 in Burqa, village near Nablus; army also says 45 W. Bank Palestinians are injured (30 from live ammunition and 15 by tear gas or beatings) and 15 Gaza Strip refugees are injured by tear gas or beatings [WP 3/31]. Violent clashes are reported in Ramallah [CSM 3/31]. Palestinian sources report protester is killed by army gunfire in Dayr Ubzay', near Ramallah; 1 is shot, killed in Jenin clash [FJ 4/3].

Military Action:

Syrians and Israelis exchange tank and mortar fire east of Beirut for first time in 4 months; gun battles in Tripoli between rival militias; Beirut offices of Arab Deterrent Force closed, premises handed over to Lebanese Army.

Casualties:

Lebanese doctor shot and killed at roadblock by Fiji UNIFIL soldier in South Lebanon; 3 killed, including Syrian soldier, 6 wounded in Tripoli.

Political Responses:

Israel/ Occupied Territories: Land Day demonstrations in Israel, West Bank, Gaza, 3,000 extra police on duty; 10-20,000 make Land Day march from Sakhnin to Deir Hanna; tear gas fired at demonstrators in Sakhnin; Peace Now demonstrates outside government exhibition in Tel Aviv of residential construction and housing finance opportunities for Jews on the West Bank; Labor Party chairman Peres says position of Haddad forces must not be infringed by troop withdrawal agreement, Israel should not submit to any preconditions, such as settlement freeze, prior to peace talks with Hussein; Habib meets Arens and Shamir who reject notion that Lebanese Army, without Haddad, can provide effective security on northern border; 7 year-old boy killed, 2 children wounded in Shefar Am when hand grenade they find explodes; commercial strike in East Jerusalem; IDF shoots, kills 18 year-old in Tarqumiya, near Hebron, during demonstration; curfews imposed in Nablus, 4 refugee camps; 2 molotov cocktails thrown at IDF vehicles in West Bank; 2 molotov cocktails thrown at IDF vehicles in West Bank; 2 grenades thrown at IDF vehicles in Gaza; 13 persons injured by stones; Al-Fajr editor-in-chief arrested; director of West Bank public health services says clinical symptoms of 53 girls from Arraba, taken ill on March 21, point to something more than a case of mass hysteria.

Palestinians/ Lebanese: Arafat, in Damascus, tells rally he rejects Reagan plan, and Fez summit resolutions are only basis for solution to Palestine problem.

US and Other Countries: Soviet Union accuses Israel of planning a piratic strike against Syria, warns it would be playing with fire.