The Palestine Chronology

Along Gaza’s border, Israeli forces conduct a limited incursion to level land near Jabaliya refugee camp. In 2 separate incidents off Gaza’s coast, Israeli naval forces open fire on Palestinian fishing boats near Bayt Lahiya, causing no reported damage or injuries. In the West Bank, Israeli settlers puncture the tires of several Palestinian vehicles and leave racist graffiti on nearby walls in Qaryut near Nablus overnight. They also throw stones at Palestinian homes near Nablus, sparking a minor confrontation between their IDF escort and the Palestinian residents; 4 Palestinian homes are reported with minor damage. IDF troops arrest 4 Palestinians and issue 2 arrest summons during late-night raids in and around Tulkarm, Nablus, and Hebron; and patrol near Nablus and Hebron. In East Jerusalem, approximately 82 right-wing Jewish activists tour Haram al-Sharif. (MNA, MNA, MNA, MNA, TOI, WAFA 10/10; PCHR 10/11)

Qatar’s Foreign Ministry announces a $150 million donation to help “alleviate the humanitarian crisis in the besieged Gaza Strip.” Most of the money, $90 million, is reportedly slated to help pay the salaries of the Hamas-run government’s civil servants. The rest was previously reported and designated for fuel purchases for Gaza’s only power plant. The UN Development Program is set to help distribute the aid. The announcement comes a day after the first shipment of Qatari-funded diesel fuel for Gaza’s only power plant entered Gaza. (MNA, YA 10/11)

Dozens of Arab and Jewish Americans gather outside the PLO office in Washington to protest the Trump administration’s order to close the office by today (the office formally closed on 9/13, but employees were permitted to remain until today). They criticize the Trump administration’s treatment of the Palestinians and call for the office to be allowed to re-open. (TOI 10/10; AFP, TOI, WAFA 10/11)

After Israeli, Palestinian, and other Arab diplomats reach a compromise, UNESCO’s Executive Board passes 2 texts relating to Jerusalem and the Palestinian education system, respectively. The texts are critical of Israel, referring to “Israeli army violations against Palestinian universities and schools” and other aspects of the occupation, but the most critical language from previous drafts was removed. Rather than advancing the texts for a vote from the full body, the board shifts them into a non-binding annex, which is then approved by consensus. “I would like to commend the spirit of dialogue and the sense of responsibility that led to this result,” says UNESCO director general Audrey Azoulay. “A trend towards consensus is now emerging. It is based on the presence of all parties around the table at UNESCO and, of course, on their goodwill.” Israel and the U.S. are still set to withdraw from UNESCO on 12/31. (REU, YA 10/10; TOI 10/12)

In Gaza, IDF troops level land e. of the Gaza Valley along the border fence. In the West Bank, Israeli forces issue a stop-work order to Palestinians constructing a UN Development Programme–funded well in a village nr. Tubas; patrol in al-‘Arub r.c. and 2 villages nr. Hebron. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces bar Palestinian children from entering Haram al-Sharif while a group of right-wing Jewish activists tours the sanctuary; arrest a Palestinian on a raid nr. the Old City. (MNA, WAFA 7/30; PCHR 8/6)

The PA announces that 5 new ministers will be sworn in on 7/31, implementing the cabinet “reshuffle” that the PLO leadership approved on 6/30. Hussein al-Araj will serve as min. of local governance; Sabri Saydam will serve as min. of education; Samih al-Abed will serve as min. of transportation; Sufian Sultan will serve as min. of agriculture; and Abeer Odeh will serve as min. of national economy. Hamas calls the move “unconstitutional and outside consensus”. (MNA 7/30)

After an all-night session, Israel’s Knesset passes, 46–40, the 2d and 3d readings of a bill to allow force-feeding of prisoners on hunger strike that was approved by the Israeli cabinet on 6/14. The new law will allow judges to approve force-feeding if there is a clear threat to an inmate’s life. (AFP, AP, HA, JP, MNA, TOI, WAFA, YA 7/30)

Crowds in Gaza, Jericho awaiting arrival of PLO police clash with settlers, IDF. In Gaza, settlers kill 16-year-old Palestinian during stone-throwing at Neve Deqalim settlement. 2,000 Palestinians awaiting police nr. Rafah crossing stone IDF. Over 40 wounded by IDF stun grenades and rubber bullets. (CSM, NYT, WP, WT 5/10)

Rightist settlers led by NRP MK Hanan Porat stage sit-in protest at Jericho's Shalom Al Yisrael synagogue despite IDF closure of Jericho area. Porat says group will establish yeshiva, settlement in Jericho. (MM 5/10)

Israeli Brig. Gen. Yom Tov Samia and PLO police cmndr. Maj. Gen. Nasr Yusuf announce agreement on arrival of police contingent in Gaza. (NYT, WP, WT 5/10)

"Jerusalem Day," marking capture of East Jerusalem by IDF in 1967 war, observed by c. 50,000 participants. 2,000 police, Border Police deployed to provide security. (MM 5/9)

PLO, UNDP sign agreement on development in o.t. (Jerusalem Times 5/20)

Palestinians protest Israeli delays in fulfilling promises by cutting its delegation to 3 and suspending 3 working groups (see 4/29). Faisal Husseini and Haydar 'Abd al-Shafi both boycott talks. Palestinians present U.S. with 10-point draft joint statement of principles on self-rule. Israel allows immediate return of 25 more Lebanon deportees, for a total of 126 (see 2/1); Palestinians reject offer. PLO is also displeased that Saudi Arabia has not yet honored its recent financial promises (see 4/19). (RMC, AFP 5/10 in FBIS 5/11; MM, WP 5/11; NYT 5/12; RJN 5/12 in FBIS 5/12)

UN Devt. Program (UNDP) releases report citing grave environmental damage in West Bank and Gaza Strip (MM 5/11)

Kuwait announces it is holding 16 suspects, mostly Iraqis, charged with attempting to assassinate former Pres. Bush during his visit 4/14-16. (MM 4/11)

IDF shoots 3 Hamas mbrs. dead in same Gaza-Egypt border region as those killed 4/8. (Qol Yisra'el 5/12 in FBIS 5/12; MM 5/12)