The Palestine Chronology

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers opened fire at a Palestinian car traveling near Marda, causing damage. Israeli settlers also vandalized 40 olive trees in Kafr ad-Dik and stole an olive harvest in Awarta. Israeli forces shot and killed 2 Palestinians and injured 14 others during a raid in Jalazone refugee camp. Israeli forces also prevented Palestinians from harvesting olives in Iskaka. More than 120 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in and around Hebron, Jalazone refugee camp, Bayt Rima, Jericho, Bethlehem, Jenin, Tulkarm, and Nablus. In East Jerusalem, Israeli settlers toured the Haram al-Sharif compound, preventing Palestinian students from attending classes. In Gaza, Israeli airstrikes killed at least 400 Palestinians. Israel said it had attacked 320 targets in Gaza overnight, including 2 mosques. Rockets were fired at Israel, causing damage. In Lebanon, Israeli forces attacked 2 Hezbollah positions, killing 1 person near Aitaroun. Israel shot down 2 drones that entered Israeli airspace from Lebanon. (AP 10/20; AJ, AJ, HA 10/22; AJ, AJ, AJ, AP, HA, NYT, REU, REU, REU, UNOCHA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 10/23; WAFA 10/24)

The Gaza Ministry of Health said as of 5 p.m. at least 5,087 Palestinians had been killed, including at least 3,100 women and children, and 15,273 had been injured in Israeli airstrikes on Gaza since 10/7. It is estimated that 1,500 were trapped in rubble. In addition, Israeli media reported that 1,500 Palestinian militants have been killed near Gaza. 94 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli forces and settlers in the West Bank and East Jerusalem since 10/7, including 27 children. More than 1,738 have been injured, including at least 360 with live ammunition. Israeli officials recorded no new fatalities, leaving the Israeli death toll at around 1,400 Israelis and foreign nationals; 5,431 have been injured since 10/7. The UN reported that over 1.4 million Palestinians, more than half the population in Gaza, have been displaced since 10/7 and that since 11 p.m. on 10/12 there has been a complete electricity blackout due to the Israeli blockade. At least 26,756 housing units have been destroyed and 139,000 have been damaged in Israeli airstrikes since 10/7. At least 42% of all housing units have been either destroyed or damaged in Israeli airstrikes. Israel said it allowed 14 trucks of aid to enter Gaza after having its forces inspect the contents. A total of 20 trucks carrying food, water, and medicine entered Gaza. The International Organization for Migration said 19,646 people in Lebanon have been displaced due to fighting near the Blue Line. (AJ, AJ, HA, REU, UNOCHA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 10/23)

Palestinian prisoner and Hamas member, Omar Daraghmeh, died in the Megiddo Prison. Hamas called the 58-year-old’s death an assassination. Daraghmeh was arrested in his home in Tubas and placed in administrative detention on 10/9. (AJ 10/22; WAFA 10/23)

2 elderly Israeli Hamas-held captives were released to the Red Cross and transferred to Israel via Egypt’s Rafah crossing. 1 of the captives was filmed shaking the hand of 1 of the Hamas members handing them over to the Red Cross. 4 captives have been released since 10/20. Hamas said the 2 were released for humanitarian reasons. Later 1 of the released Israelis said she was treated with care while being kept but was beaten when she was taken to Gaza. (AJ 10/22; AJ, AJ, HA, HA 10/23; AJ, HA, HA, NYT, REU 10/24)

PA president Mahmoud Abbas met with Dutch prime minister Mark Rutte in Ramallah. Rutte had met Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Israel before traveling to Ramallah. Abbas also spoke with EU Commission president Ursula von der Leyen. (WAFA, WAFA 10/23)

EU high commissioner for foreign affairs Josep Borell called for a temporary ceasefire to allow more aid to reach Gaza. (AP 10/20; AJ 10/22; AJ, HA, REU 10/23)

Amnesty International said UK prime minister Rishi Sunak and Labor shadow secretary for international development Lisa Nandy “are diminishing the gravity of Israel’s actions” by refusing to condemn clear breaches of international law. Sunak said the UK will donate $25 million in aid to Gaza and said the UK believed it was a misfired rocket from Gaza that hit al-Ahli Arab Hospital on 10/17. (AJ 10/22; HA 10/23)

U.S. National Security Council spokesperson John Kirby said it is still not time for the U.S. to call for a ceasefire. The U.S. also sent 3-star general James Glynn to advise Israel. Glynn is reported to be an expert in urban warfare. (AJ 10/22; AP 10/24)

China’s special envoy on the Middle East Zhai Jun said China is willing to do “whatever is conducive” to promote a ceasefire and retore peace, calling the situation in Gaza “very serious.” (AJ, REU 10/23)

The ICC announced that it would begin hearings on the request for an advisory opinion on the legal consequences of the Israeli occupation on 2/19/2024. (HA 10/23; WAFA 10/25)

Khader Adnan, a popular member of Islamic Jihad, died in his cell in the Magen-Nitzan prison in Ramle after an 86-day hunger strike in protest over his administrative detention. Adnan was the first Palestinian prisoner to die while on hunger strike since 1992 and several organizations had for weeks warned about his condition. In response to the death of the 45-year-old Adnan, Hamas and Islamic Jihad fired rockets at Israel, injuring 3 Chinese nationals working at a construction site in Sderot. Israeli forces conducted airstrikes and fired artillery shells at Gaza, killing 1 Palestinian man, injuring 5 in Beit Hanun, and causing damage in Gaza City, Khan Yunis, and Jabalia refugee camp. A ceasefire, brokered by the UN, Egypt, and Qatar took effect on 5/3 at 4 a.m. In the West Bank, PA forces violently dispersed a march in support of Adnan in Jenin using tear gas and stun grenades, arresting 3, including activist Ghassan al-Saadi. 1 Israeli settler was injured when unidentified assailants opened fire at vehicles near the Avnei Hefetz settlement north of Shufa. Israeli settlers threw stones at a Palestinian home in Kisan. Israeli forces violently dispersed Palestinians protesting the death of Adnan in Beit Umar, al-Khader, Ramallah, Hebron, al-Ram, Nabi Salih, Kafr al-Labad, and Qalqilya, leading to tear-gas related injuries. A general strike in protest over the death of Adnan was observed in Gaza, the West Bank, and East Jerusalem. 13 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in Jalazun refugee camp, Fawwar refugee camp, Beit Umar, and Beit Tamer, including former cabinet minister Khaled Abu Arafeh. (AJ, AJ, AJ, AJ, AJ, AJ, ALM, AX, HA, HA, HA, MDW, MEE, MEE, MEE, MEE, NYT, PCHR, REU, REU, REU, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 5/2; AI, AJ, AJ, AP, AP, HA, HA, HA, MDW, MEE, NYT, REU, REU, WAFA, WAFA 5/3; HA, MDW, PCHR 5/4; MEE, UNOCHA 5/5; MDW 5/6; UNOCHA 5/19)

Islamic Jihad spokesperson Daoud Shihab said that Israel had ignored attempts by Islamic Jihad, through Egyptian mediators, to secure Khader Adnan’s release. PA prime minister Mohammad Shtayyeh called Adnan’s death a “premeditated assassination” and the PA called for an international investigation. The International Committee of the Red Cross called on Israel to immediately release the body of Adnan to his family. (AJ, AJ, HA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 5/2; HA 5/7)

A Jerusalem court convicted a former border police officer of assaulting a Palestinian woman in East Jerusalem in November 2021 while she was still working for the Israeli military. (TOI 5/2; HA 5/3)

Amnesty International released the report “Automated Apartheid,” saying that Israel is using a new advanced facial recognition technology called Red Wolf to collect biometric data on Palestinians in the West Bank. The facial recognition cameras are installed at checkpoints in Hebron and are linked to the Blue Wolf and Wolf Pack database systems. Amnesty called on the international community to prohibit companies from providing surveillance technology to Israel. (AI, HA, MEE, WAFA 5/2; AJ 5/7)

EU high representative for foreign affairs Josep Borrell met with Israeli foreign minister Eli Cohen in Brussels more than a month after Cohen signaled that Borrell would not be allowed to visit Israel and the West Bank due to his criticism of the Israeli occupation. The 2 parties agreed to hold an Israel-EU association meeting by the end of 2023. Cohen said the meeting could take place in Jerusalem. (HA 5/1; ALM 5/2)

The IDF assassinates Hamas commander Ahmad Jabari and his bodyguard and separately kills 7 other Palestinians in a number of air strikes on military and civilian targets across the Gaza Strip, leaving around 90 wounded. The dead include 2 children and an elderly man. Code-named Operation Pillar of Cloud in Hebrew (a Torah reference) and renamed Operation Pillar of Defense for foreign audiences, the Israeli military attacks are described as the ‘‘beginning’’ of an effort to increase deterrence and remove Hamas’s rocketlaunching capabilities. The IQB warns that Israel has ‘‘opened the gates of hell’’ with Jabari’s assassination, and fires dozens of rockets and mortars into Israel. They are joined by the DFLP, Islamic Jihad, PFLP, and PRCs, all of whom claim responsibility for rocket and mortar fire. In total, over 90 projectiles hit Israel from the Gaza Strip, causing 4 injuries. The Iron Dome rocket-defense system intercepts 30 rockets. Overnight, the IDF undertakes air strikes on around 100 sites across the Gaza Strip. U.S. pres. Obama calls Israel PM Netanyahu to express his support for Israel’s military operation and the country’s right to selfdefense. Obama also calls Egyptian pres. Mohamed Morsi to stress the importance of de-escalation and to pledge to stay in close touch. Egypt strongly condemns Israel’s military assault, and UN secy.-gen. Ban Ki-moon calls for a cease-fire. The UNSC holds an emergency meeting but takes no action. (Guardian, REU 11/14; JP, MNA 11/15)

Unidentified assailants fire 4 rockets from Egypt’s Sinai Peninsula into Israel, landing nr. an agricultural community and causing no injuries. (HA 11/14)

In the West Bank, the IDF patrols in 1 village nr. Jericho in the morning, in 1 village nr. Salfit in the afternoon, and in 2 villages nr. Jericho and 1 village nr. Ramallah at night; conducts house searches and arrest raids in Balata r.c. and 1 village nr. Hebron at night. Palestinians across the West Bank demonstrate to mark the day before the 24th anniversary of the PLO’s declaration of independence, blocking roads nr. Bethlehem, Jericho, and Ramallah, and clashing with soldiers at checkpoints in Atara (nr. Ramallah) and Bethlehem. (AFP, PCHR 11/14)

Israeli DM Barak says that almost all the villages nr. the border with the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights are now controlled by the Syrian opposition. (AP 11/14)

On a 2d day of violent protests in Jordan against price hikes and in general opposition to King Abdullah’s regime, unidentified gunmen attack 2 police stations, and ensuing clashes leave 1 protester dead—the 1st fatality in Jordanian demonstrations in 2012. (AP 11/15)

The IDF assassinates a senior Islamic Jihad military leader, Muklid Humayid, firing a missile at his car as he drives in Gaza City, also killing another Islamic Jihad mbr. traveling with him, 3 Palestinian bystanders, wounding 15. Soon after, a PFLP suicide bomber detonates a device at a bus stop in Tel Aviv, killing 4 IDF soldiers, 1 Israeli civilian, wounding 15 Israelis; the PFLP says the attack is in retaliation for the IDF assassination of 2 PFLP mbrs. on 12/18. The IDF also sends troops back into Nablus, imposing a 24-hr. curfew; bars all vehicular traffic btwn. the occupied territories and Israel; conducts arrest raids in Jenin, Wadi al-Silqa; fires on residential areas of Khan Yunis; bulldozes 1 Palestinian home and 3 dunams of land in Dayr al-Balah, 4 dunams of land in Khan Yunis. (NYT, WP, WT 12/26; HA 12/28; PCHR 1/1; MEI, PCHR 1/9)

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Israeli court convicts John Demjanjuk of crimes against the Jewish people, crimes against humanity, war crimes, and crimes against a persecuted people [WP 4/19]. General strike continues in occupied territories [FJ 4/24]. Israeli officials confiscate al-Fajr, al-Quds, and al-Sha'b. Al-Fajr is banned from distribution in W. Bank and Gaza Strip for 2 weeks [FJ 4/24].

Arab World: PLO announces Khalil al-Wazir will be buried in Syria. Tunisian govemment officially blames Israel for assassination of Wazir [WP 4/19].

Other Countries: U.S. condemns murder of PLO military leader Khalil al-Wazir as "act of political assassination" [NYT 4/19].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Entire W. Bank, except Jericho, is declared closed military zone [FJ 4/24]. Palestinian is killed when soldiers open fire on demonstration in Rafah. Palestinian from Gaza's Zaytun quarter is shot dead in separate incident. In Jenin, protester is shot in head, seriously wounded. Curfews continue in 16 camps, Nablus, and 'Anabta. Village of 'Azzun is ordered under curfew [FJ 4/24]. 

Military Action:

IDF seals off Ein al-Hilweh camp near Sidon, detaining 70 Palestinians, after informer working for IDF ambushed; US Marines land M-60 tanks on beaches near airport after mine clearing activities completed.

Casualties:

1 US Marine killed, 3 wounded by US-made cluster bomb near airport; Beirut airport opens for first commercial flight since June 6; Israeli Minister of Economic Cooperation Dan Meridor says Israel may prepare Palestinian refugee camps in South Lebanon for winter if UNRWA doesn't act soon; although raw sewage and garbage remains in streets in some areas, roads are being repaved.

Political Responses:

Israel/ Occupied Territories: "There is a Limit" group of anti-war reservists and soldiers call for IDF withdrawal from Lebanon and present a petition with 1,000 signatures which states "there is no military solution to the Palestinian problem"; Village League associate in Hebron attacked; heads of Israeli Druze community demand that IDF prevent Phalange assault on Lebanese Druze (claim 3 Druze abducted, new Phalange roadblocks in Druze villages set up since Gemayel assassination); Shamir addresses UN (will meet US Jewish leaders this week, travel to Chicago and Los Angeles before October 14 meeting with Shultz).

Palestinians/ Lebanese: Amin Gemayel declares end to Green Line, in ceremony celebrating Beirut as reunified capital (traffic surges across line following ceremony); Lebanese police deny receiving complaints of IDF soldiers looting Lebanese houses; 100,000 Palestinians led by Arafat mourn Abu Walid.

Arab Governments: Habib meets with Egyptian Foreign Minister Hassin Ali, assures him agreement on Israeli withdrawal from Lebanon will be concluded within a couple weeks; Syrian Foreign Minister Khaddam meets with Shultz in New York, explains Syrian withdrawal conditions.

US and Other Countries: Senator Percy says Marines need to be out of Lebanon within 90 days unless Congress approves an extension; White House denies US knew of massacre one day before Begin says he knew; Shultz, at UN, affirms heart of Reagan plan is Israeli return of occupied territories; British Labor Party says PLO represents Palestinian people; meeting of British, Israeli foreign ministers in New York ends with "basic disagreements"; West Germany, at UN, stresses its support for participation by all parties, including the PLO, in peace settlement; Simon Weisenthal, in Vienna, says those responsible for massacre were "las guilty as the Nazis" and should bear same punishment.

Military Action:

Sounds of gunfire come from Sabra and Shatila camps throughout day; IDF encounters resistance, cordons off part of city, begins systematic searches; IDF fires on Marine guarding US Embassy, occupies several embassies including USSR; Drori contacts Phalange liaison officer, orders halt to Phalange operations inside camps around 11 AM; at 4:30 PM, Drori and Eitan agree that Phalange can stay in camps until Saturday morning but no additional Phalange forces can enter.

Casualties:

Reports of murders by Phalange/ Haddad forces spread, film crew at Palestine Red Crescent's Gaza Hospital sees children and elderly badly hurt by shrapnel and gunfire; one doctor estimates 1,000 killed or wounded in camps in past two days; several Acre Hospital medical staff killed by grenades while showing white flag; Danish TV crew films soldiers, identified as Haddad's men, herding Palestinian women and children into trucks near Shatila; Norwegian envoy sees bulldozers loading scoops of bodies into trucks near gate to Shatila; IDF announces 1 Israeli soldier killed, 46 wounded in past 24 hours; Haaretz military correspondent Zeev Schiff hears of massacre from IDF officers, relays information to Communications Minister Zippori who queries Shamir, Shamir asks Foreign Ministry about reports, is told Ministry knows nothing; IDF loudspeakers tell merchants to close shops, others to stay home; IDF orders all men to come into streets for interrogation; 6 PM to 6 AM curfew imposed across city.

Political Responses:

Israel/ Occupied Territories: Sharon, awakened by phone call from ITV military correspondent Ben Yishai telling of massacre, replies "Happy New Year!"; Shamir meets Draper in Jerusalem around noon, does not mention massacre reports; Israeli officials say IDF is willing to meet with Lebanese Army to discuss pullback; IDF radio broadcast says Army sent Phalange militia into camps to carry out "purging operations."

Palestinians/ Lebanese: Muslim leaders protest that US has broken pledge; National Liberal Party nominates 82-year-old leader Camille Chamoun for presidency; Raymond Edde of National Bloc Party is third candidate; Salam says IDF makes "laughing stock" of US honor and credibility.

Arab Govemments: Egypt and Saudi Arabia condemn IDF thrust into West Beirut as violation of Habib cease-fire agreement.

UN: Security Council unanimously passes resolution condemning Gemayel assassination, Israeli occupation of West Beirut, and demands immediate IDF withdrawal.