The Palestine Chronology

Approximately 8,000 Palestinians gather along Gaza’s border to continue the Great March of Return. IDF troops violently disperse them near Rafah, Khan Yunis, al-Bureij refugee camp, Jabaliya refugee camp, and Gaza City; 2 Palestinian minors are killed and at least 17 are injured. This brings the death toll stemming from the Great March of Return to 203. Also along Gaza’s border, IDF troops open fire on Palestinian farmers working near Khan Yunis, causing no damage or injuries. 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, after Israeli settlers confront Palestinian farmers working outside Bayt Fajjar near Bethlehem, IDF troops violently disperse the Palestinians with tear gas; no serious injuries are reported. Israeli settlers open fire on Palestinians outside al-Mughayyir near Ramallah; there are no reports of serious injuries. Near Hebron, settlers claim ownership of a Palestinian home outside al-Arub refugee camp, sparking a violent confrontation between their IDF escort and the Palestinian family that lives there; 1 Palestinian is arrested. Meanwhile, IDF troops conduct raids in al-Bireh, damaging a mosque and sparking clashes with stone-throwing Palestinians; 2 Palestinians are injured. They also arrest 1 Palestinian during a raid near Hebron; and patrol near Hebron and Ramallah. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces remove a Palestinian flag and the photo of a Palestinian prisoner from a mosque in Issawiyya. A Palestinian demolishes his own home in Jabal Mukabir in order to avoid paying Israeli demolition fees. (EI, HA, MNA, MNA, MNA, TOI, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 2/8; MNA, MNA 2/9; PCHR 2/14)

A Palestinian prisoner in Israel is found dead in his cell, according to the Palestinian Prisoner’s Society. The circumstances surrounding his death are unclear. (WAFA 2/8)

PLO secretary general Saeb Erakat says that Polish officials recently invited the Palestinians to attend the upcoming security conference in Warsaw, where U.S. officials are reportedly set to unveil some details about their long-awaited Palestinian-Israeli peace plan. “Our position remains clear,” he says. “We are not going to attend this conference and reiterate that we have not mandated anyone to talk on behalf of Palestine.” (TOI 2/8; MNA 2/10)

A senior Dutch official says that his government has decided to allow Palestinians living in the Netherlands to register the West Bank or Gaza as their birthplace on official documents. “The Dutch viewpoint that Israel has no sovereignty over these areas,” he says. (HA 2/8; YA 2/11)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers uproot 473 olive trees from Palestinian groves near Hebron. IDF troops arrest 3 Palestinians during late-night raids near Qalqilya, Jenin, and Nablus; and patrol near Qalqilya and Salfit. In East Jerusalem, right-wing Jewish activists tour Haram al-Sharif in the morning. Along Gaza’s border, Israeli forces conduct a limited incursion to level land near Dayr al-Balah and open fire on Palestinian farmlands near al-Maghazi refugee camp, causing no damage. (MNA, MNA, WAFA 2/5; PCHR 2/7)

A senior U.S. official says the U.S. president Donald Trump’s son-in-law and senior advisor Jared Kushner is planning to discuss the Trump administration’s long-awaited Palestinian-Israeli peace plan at an international security conference in Warsaw on 2/14. The Trump administration is co-organizing the conference on 2/13–14 and has invited Israel and a number of Arab states to attend (The Palestinians are not invited). A principle focus of the conference is Iran and its influence across the Middle East. In response, PA president Mahmoud Abbas calls for the international community to come together for a peace conference to devise a multilateral mechanism to advance the Palestinian-Israeli peace process. “This is where the European Union and its member states can play an important role alongside the [UN] Security Council,” he says. Abbas also says that the Palestinians will not participate in any peace conference not based on past UN resolutions. (JP 2/5; MNA, WAFA 2/6)

In the Gaza Strip, IDF troops conduct a limited incursion nr. al-Bureij r.c. and level land close to the border fence. In the West Bank, the IDF demolish 2 homes and a sheep barn in Barta‘a, a village nr. Jenin. The IDF conducts house searches and arrest raids in 6 villages nr. Hebron, 1 village nr. Nablus and 1 village nr. Ramallah at night; patrols in 2 villages nr. Jenin at night. (MNA, PNN 6/12; PCHR 6/13)

Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu says he is willing to launch direct peace talks with the Palestinians without preconditions, speaking at a press conference in Warsaw alongside Polish PM Donald Tusk. Meanwhile, the Israeli media report that plans are going ahead to build 675 new housing units in Itamar settlement. (HA, YA 6/12)

Israeli DM Moshe Ya’alon departs to Washington for talks with U.S. Defense Secy. Chuck Hagel, his 1st such visit since taking office in 3/2013. The 2 men are said to be focusing their discussion on military and intelligence cooperation with regard to Syria. Ya’alon will also meet with U.S. politicians and pro-Israel lobbying group AIPAC. (AFP 6/12)

A Syrian army helicopter opens fire on a Lebanese border town in the e. Bekaa Valley, wounding 2. State news agency SANA says that the helicopter was chasing “terrorist groups.” In response, the Lebanese army says it will immediately respond to any further such cross-border attacks. (AFP, REU 6/12)

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/lsrael: Israeli F. M. Peres calls for dismantling existing settlements, demilitarizing Gaza Strip [CSM 12/8]. Jabalya preparatory school reopens after military-ordered closure [FJ 12/13]. Administration of Tulkarm's Khadduri College closes school indefinitely pending resolution of dispute between students and administration [FJ 12/13]. Palestinian American activist Mubarak 'Awad requests meeting with P. M. Shamir [CSM 12/8].

Other Countries: UN Sec. Gen. Javier Perez de Cuellar and Arab representatives protest U.S. congressional attempt to close PLO observer mission to UN [NYT 12/8]. PLO envoy Khalil al-Wazir arrives in Warsaw for 3-day visit [FJ 12/13].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Israeli soldiers open fire on Palestinian vehicle approaching check point near Dhahriyyah; 1 Palestinian is injured [FJ 12/13].

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: P.M. Peres, in Washington, announces Israel is prepared to extend "the hand of peace" to Jordan [NYT, WP 10/18]. Peres begins high-level talks with U.S. officials to convince them the PLO must be kept out of the peace process, Jordanians and "moderate" Palestinians should be drawn in instead [MG 10/18]. Four Palestinians from the Gaza Strip are jailed for up to 7 years for allegedly planning agrenade attack on the U.S. embassy in Tel Aviv last year [NYT 10/18]. Israeli officials announce Israel will partly restore ties with Poland, broken off 18 years ago, by opening diplomatic interest section in Warsaw. Poland will do the same in Tel Aviv [CT, LT 10/18]. Al-Bayader al-Siyassi is banned from distribution for 2 weeks following publication of an interview with Yasir Arafat [FJ 10/25]. "Arab Culture in Israel Week" begins in various cities under auspices of Min. of Education [JP 10/17].

Other Countries: U.S. Justice Dept. issues arrest warrants and announces $250,000 reward for information leading to arrest of 3 men charged with murder and piracy in June hijacking of TWA Flight 847 [NYT, WP 10/18]. Italian prosecutors say they lean toward the theory that the hijackers' original target was in fact the Achille Lauro [NYT, WP 10/18]. Aide to Italian P.M. Bettino Craxi says U.S. has still failed to prove Abu 'Abbas masterminded the hijacking, says transcript of radio conversation is unsufficient proof and the U.S. claim is "completely ridiculous at times" [WP 10/18].

Military Action

Arab World: Four suicide bombers attack and demolish fundamentalist Christian Voice of Hope radio station in S. Lebanon, killing 2 workers there and themselves. The Lebanese Communist party takes responsibility for the attack [WP, NYT, LT 10/18].