The Palestine Chronology

In the West Bank, Israeli forces shoot and kill a Palestinian American child during a raid in al-Mazra’a ash-Sharqiya. Israeli forces also shoot and injure 2 Palestinians with live ammunition during raids in Rafidiya and Kafr Ni’ma. Israeli forces end their 45-hour raid on Tulkarm, which left 8 Palestinians dead and 26 injured, with 37 arrested; 21 homes are also rendered uninhabitable due to explosions and bulldozing, displacing 137 people. In East Jerusalem, Israeli police restrict movement to the Haram al-Sharif compound for Palestinian worshipers. In Gaza, mobile phone connections are partially restored after being cut off on 1/12, however, internet access remains out. Israeli forces bomb Rafah, Gaza City, Dayr al-Balah, Nuseirat refugee camp, Khan Yunis, Maghazi, and Shati’ refugee camp, killing at least 142 people. Israeli forces also target al-Amal Hospital in Khan Yunis, causing injuries. In Lebanon, Hezbollah hits 3 Israeli targets in al-Summaqa, Ramtha, and Khirbet Ma’ar. In Yemen, U.S. forces bomb 3 anti-ship missiles they claim were ready to be launched. (AJ, AP, HA, HA, NYT, REU, REU, UNOCHA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 1/19; AP, NYT 1/20; AJ, UNOCHA 1/21; REU 1/22)

More than 24,762 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli forces in Gaza, including at least 10,600 children and 7,200 women, and around 62,108 have been injured since 10/7. At least 7,000 people are missing in rubble, including 1,700 children. 362 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli forces and settlers in the West Bank and East Jerusalem since 10/7, including 91 children. More than 4,310 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, 191 Israeli soldiers have been killed and 1,178 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 69,000 housing units have been destroyed and 290,000 have been damaged in Israeli airstrikes since 10/7, constituting over 60% of all housing units. 154 trucks carrying aid enter Gaza via the Rafah and Karem Abu Salem (Kerem Shalom) crossings. UNOCHA says humanitarian agencies had planned 29 aid delivery missions to northern Gaza during the first half of January, but Israel had only approved 7 of them. (AJ, AP, UNOCHA, UNOCHA 1/19; AP 1/20)

Palestinians report that Israeli forces executed 19 Palestinians in Gaza in front of their families on 12/19/2023 and forced women and children to take their clothes off while filming and abusing them. (AJ 1/19; AJ 1/20)

Israel releases about 100 detained Palestinians back to Gaza via the Karem Abu Salem (Kerem Shalom) crossing. The UN Human Rights Office releases a report saying Palestinians from Gaza describe being detained at unknown locations in Israel for between 30 and 55 days where they were beaten, humiliated, and tortured. The Palestinians say that when they were released Israel kept all their clothes, releasing them only in diapers. The UN Human Rights Office says that thousands of Palestinians could be detained in these conditions and that Israel must either charge or release the detainees. (AJ, UNOHCHR, WAFA 1/19; UNOCHA 1/21)

The Jordanian army releases a statement saying Israel deliberately targeted the Jordanian Field Hospital in Khan Yunis on 1/17. (AJ 1/19)

Hamas officials meet with Russian deputy foreign minister Mikhail Bogdanov in Moscow, discussing ways to achieve a ceasefire and for Hamas to release 3 captives that hold Russian citizenship. (AJ, AP, HA 1/19)

UN General Assembly president Dennis Francis calls on the assembly to use its influence to end Israeli attacks on Gaza, asking the UN members “how much is enough?” (AJ 1/19)

U.S. president Joe Biden speaks to Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu for the first time since 12/23/2023. A readout of the conversation states that Israel will allow shipments of flour to enter Gaza. Later Biden says a 2-state solution is still possible while Netanyahu is in office, despite Netanyahu rejecting a 2-state solution on 1/18. National Security Council spokesperson John Kirby says that there is no evidence that Israel has committed “deliberate” war crimes in Gaza. Kirby also express concern about the Israeli killing of a Palestinian American child in al-Mazra’a ash-Sharqiya. The U.S. later calls for “an urgent investigation to determine the circumstances” of the child’s death. (AJ, AP, AX, HA, NYT, REU 1/19; AJ, AP, HA 1/20; HA, HA 1/22; WAFA 1/23)

In a letter to Secretary of State Antony Blinken, 60 Democrats in the U.S. House of Representatives urge the Biden administration to firmly reject “forced and permanent displacement” of Palestinians in Gaza. The group also asks Blinken to provide clarification on aid and funding requests. (AJ, REU 1/19)

Dutch prime minister Mark Rutte speaks with Prime Minister Netanyahu, urging him to “drastically” reduce the level of violence against Palestinians in Gaza and to allow more aid to enter. (AJ, HA 1/19)

UK Labour Party leader Kier Starmer calls Prime Minister Netanyahu’s rejection of a 2-state solution “unacceptable,” saying “Palestinian statehood is not in the gift of a neighbor. It is the inalienable right of the Palestinian people.” (AJ 1/19)

The Swiss federal prosecutor’s office says it has received a criminal complaint against Israeli president Isaac Herzog, who was in Davos attending the World Economic Forum. The prosecutor’s office says it was in contact with the Swiss foreign ministry regarding the question of immunity. (AJ, AJ, AP, HA, REU 1/19)

The Washington Post reports that Israel will widen its war in Lebanon at the end of January, quoting an unnamed Western diplomat and 3 unnamed Lebanese officials. The Post also quotes unnamed U.S. officials saying that both U.S. and Israeli officials believe Israel is far from achieving a victory over Hamas. (AJ 1/19; HA 1/20)

The Jerusalem Post reports that the Israeli emergency government is “close to collapse.” (AJ 1/19)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers with a military escort assaulted 3 Palestinians in Khallet al-Daba in the Masafer Yatta area and stole their mobile phones. Israeli settlers also vandalized 8 olive trees in Burin. Israeli forces shot and killed 6 Palestinians, including a child, during a raid in al-Fara’a refugee camp. Israeli forces also shot and injured 8 Palestinians, including a child, during raids in Fawwar refugee camp, Kafr Ni’ma, Beit Umar, and Hizma. Elsewhere, Israeli forces arrested the deputy director of the Islamic Waqf in Jerusalem, Sheikh Najeh Bkerat, in Dar Salah. Israeli forces also raided Qarawat Bani Hassan, destroying a memorial erected for a Palestinian killed by Israeli forces on 12/2. An Israeli soldier was shot and injured during a raid in Ya’bad. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces violently dispersed Palestinians heading for the Haram al-Sharif compound. In Gaza, Israeli forces bombed Jabalia refugee camp, Gaza City, Nuseirat refugee camp, Khan Yunis, Rafah, and Dayr al-Balah, killing around 350 people. Israeli airstrikes targeted the Yaffa Hospital in Dayr al-Balah, Al Amal Hospital in Khan Yunis, and Palestinians queuing for water in Khan Yunis. Rockets were fired at Israel; no damage was reported. 4 Israeli soldiers were killed in combat. In Lebanon, Israeli forces attacked a military hospital in Ain Ebel, causing damage. Israeli forces also injured 3 Lebanese soldiers in Naqoura. In Syria, Israel said it attacked several targets near the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights. 4 people were reportedly killed in an airstrike on a car in Madinat al-Baath. (AJ, AP, HA, REU, UNOCHA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 12/8; AJ, HA, REU 12/9)

More than 17,487 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli forces in Gaza, including at least 7,729 children and 5,153 women, and around 46,480 have been injured since 10/7. At least 7,000 people were missing in rubble, including 1,700 children. 264 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli forces and settlers in the West Bank and East Jerusalem since 10/7, including 68 children. More than 3,387 people have been injured. Israel reported that 1,200 Israelis and foreign nationals have been killed and 5,400 have been injured since 10/7. 97 Israeli soldiers have been killed 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. As of 12/3, at least 52,000 housing units had been destroyed and 253,000 had been damaged in Israeli airstrikes since 10/7, constituting 60% of all housing units. UNRWA said that at least 273 Palestinians sheltering at its shelters have been killed and 966 injured in Israeli attacks since 10/7. Rafah remained the only governate to receive aid. 4 injured Palestinians and 585 foreign nationals were evacuated to Egypt while 13 humanitarian staff and 11 ambulances donated by Turkey entered Gaza. (AJ, HA, UNOCHA, UNOCHA, WAFA 12/8; UNOCHA 12/9)

Hamas said an Israeli attempt to free a captive failed, leading to the death of the captive, Israeli solider Sa’ar Baruch. Israel said 2 Israeli soldiers were seriously injured in the rescue attempt. (AJ, HA, NYT, REU 12/8; AJ, HA 12/9)

Al Jazeera said a number of the Palestinians taken by Israeli forces from UN schools in Beit Lahiya on 12/7 and stripped to their underwear were released, while others were taken to a military base in Israel, including Al-Araby Al-Jadeed journalist Diaa al-Kahlout. (AJ, AP, NYT 12/8)

The Israeli Education Ministry ordered school principals in East Jerusalem to suspend Palestinian students who were released as part of the prisoner exchange last week until 2024. (HA 12/8)

Israeli defense minister Yoav Gallant signed an order to place an Israeli settler in administrative detention for attacks on Palestinians. Gallant also spoke with U.S. secretary of defense Lloyd Austin, who urged him to “increase efforts to protect civilians in Gaza, increase delivery of humanitarian assistance, and curb extremist settler violence in the West Bank.” Israel said an Israeli military helicopter killed an Israeli soldier during an attack on a building in Gaza last week. (HA, HA 12/8)

A UN Security Council resolution calling for ceasefire and the unconditional release of the Hamas-held captives was vetoed by the U.S., with the UK abstaining and the remaining 13 members voting in favor. Before the vote, PA UN envoy Riyad Mansour said the objective of the Israeli campaign was to ethnically cleanse Gaza, adding Israeli representatives were publicly admitting it. U.S. UN ambassador Robert Wood said the Hamas attack on 10/7 was the “worst attack on our people” in decades. After the vote Wood explained the veto, calling the resolution imbalanced for not condemning Hamas’ operation on 10/7. UNRWA commissioner-general Philippe Lazzarini said the constant Israeli bombings have made UNRWA’s ability to operate extremely limited. After the vote, Mansour called the U.S. vote a disaster. Hamas called the veto “unethical and inhumane.” Israeli UN ambassador Gilad Erdan thanked the U.S. for “standing firmly by our side.” Human Rights Watch UN director Louis Charbonneau said that the U.S. risks being complicit in Israeli war crimes by continuing to provide weapons and diplomatic cover. Scottish first minister Humza Yousaf called the UK’s abstention “incomprehensible.” (AJ, AJ, HA, HA, NYT, NYT, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 12/8; AJ, AJ, HA, NYT, NYT, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 12/9)

During an interview with Reuters, PA president Mahmoud Abbas called for an international conference to end the war in Gaza and to create the foundations for a lasting end to the Israeli occupation. Abbas said he was for “peaceful resistance” that led to a 2-state solution with a sovereign Palestinian state in Gaza, the West Bank, and East Jerusalem. Abbas also said he would accept a future election result if Hamas won. Later, Abbas’ office released a statement saying the U.S. veto at the UN Security Council made it complicit in war crimes against Palestinians. (HA, REU, WAFA, WAFA 12/8; REU 12/9)

Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu reiterated his opposition to the PA governing Gaza after Bloomberg News ran an interview with PA prime minister Mohammed Shtayyeh on 12/7, where he said the PA was working with the U.S. in preparation for taking over the governing of Gaza. (AJ, HA 12/8)

French president Emmanuel Macron spoke with Prime Minister Netanyahu, urging him to open the Karem Abu Salem (Kerem Shalom) crossing and calling on Israel to protect civilians in Gaza and the West Bank. (AJ, HA 12/8)

The Arab-Islamic Summit Ministerial Committee met with U.S. secretary of state Antony Blinken, discussing the need for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza. The committee expressed their disappointment with the U.S. veto at the UN Security Council. The committee was represented by foreign ministers from the PA, Turkey, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, and Egypt. Qatari prime minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani and Saudi foreign minister Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud also met with Blinken separately, calling for a ceasefire. (AJ, HA, NYT, WAFA 12/8; AJ, HA, NYT 12/9)

The Biden administration bypassed congressional review of the sale of 14,000 tank shells to Israel worth $106.5m. The Biden administration had asked Congress to approve the sale of 45,000 shells with the sale of the remaining 31,000 pending congressional approval. (AJ 12/8; AJ, AJ, HA, NYT, REU 12/9)

The European Commission announced that the EU will provide Palestine with at least $135 million in humanitarian aid through 2024. (HA 12/8)

14 Palestinians were arrested during raids in Silwad, Kafr Ni‘ma, Meithalun, Biddu, Tuqu‘, Halhul, Beit Kahal, and Hebron. In East Jerusalem, Israeli settlers tried to place a large menorah on top of a Palestinian-owned home in Sheikh Jarrah that settler organizations are trying to seize; the settlers were repelled by Palestinians before placing the menorah. Israeli forces demolished 1 Palestinian home in Silwan, displacing 5. In Gaza, Israeli forces opened fire at agricultural lands east of al-Shuka; no injuries were reported. Israeli forces also made incursions and leveled land north of Beit Lahiya. (WAFA, WAFA 11/30; PCHR 12/2)

PA president Mahmoud Abbas met with Qatari emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani in Doha. (WAFA 11/30)

Haaretz reported that Israel sold $22 million’s worth of “suicide” drones to Morocco as part of the 2 countries’ normalization deal. (HA 11/30)

U.S. ambassador to the UN Linda Thomas-Greenfield said during a meeting at the UNSC on Israel and Palestine that the UN is “intrinsically biased against Israel,” saying the UN should spend more time focusing on other areas. (MEMO 12/1)

UNRWA commissioner-general Philippe Lazzarini said his agency was unable to pay its 28,000 employees on time this month due to a funding crisis, as many countries have reduced their contributions to the agency. Commissioner-General Lazzarini said he did not know when the UNRWA employees would be paid. (AJ, HA 11/30; MEMO 12/1)