The Palestine Chronology

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers vandalized a home in Shaab al-Butum for the third time in recent days and vandalized a power generator and internet cables in Wadi Jahish in the Masafer Yatta area. Israeli forces shot and killed a 66-year-old Palestinian taxi driver while he working in Hebron. Israeli forces also shot and killed 2 Palestinians during a late-night raid in Tulkarm refugee camp. Elsewhere, Israeli forces also shot and injured 4 Palestinians during a raid in Qalqilya. Israeli forces also opened fire at Palestinians harvesting olives in Zabbuba. 50 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in and around Ramallah, Hebron, Jericho, Nablus, Qalqilya, and Jenin. In Gaza, Israeli airstrikes on residential buildings in Nuseirat refugee camp, Dayr al-Balah, Bani Suhaila, and Jabalia refugee camp killed dozens of Palestinians and wounded many others, with at least 31 fatalities in Jabalia. Israel also attacked the Qatari-run Gaza Reconstruction Committee building, leading to condemnation from Oman, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Jordan. Israel claimed its forces assassinated Hamas militant Yaqoub Ashour and political wing member Muhammad Khamis Dababesh. 2 Israeli soldiers were killed in Gaza. Rockets were fired at Israel, causing a fire in Petah Tikva. In South Lebanon, Israel attacked several places, calling them Hezbollah positions, killing 2 in Ainata and injuring Al Jazeera journalist Isaam Mawasi in Yaroun. (AJ, AJ, AJ, HA, NYT, REU, UNOCHA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 11/13; WAFA 11/14)

The Gaza Ministry of Health was not able to fully update the casualty figures due to a collapse in services and communications at hospitals in northern Gaza. However, it did say that at least 11,360 Palestinians have been killed, up from 11,078 on 11/10, including 4,609 children and 3,100 women, and 27,490 have been injured in Israeli airstrikes on Gaza since 10/7. At least 3,250 people were missing in rubble, including 1,700 children. 180 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli forces and settlers in the West Bank and East Jerusalem since 10/7, including 47 children. More than 2,552 people have been injured. Israel reported that 1,200 Israelis and foreign nationals had been killed and 5,431 have injured since 10/7. 47 Israeli soldiers have been killed in Gaza since the ground invasion began on 10/27. Over 1.61 million Palestinians, around 70% 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 Israel blockade. As of 11/6, at least 40,000 housing units have been destroyed and 220,000 have been damaged in Israeli airstrikes since 10/7, constituting 45% of all housing units. The PA Health Ministry said at least 32 patients at al-Shifa Hospital had died in the past 3 days, including 6 premature babies. 155 truckloads of aid entered Gaza through via the Rafah crossing. About 600 foreign nationals were evacuated to Egypt. The UN indicated that 12,500 displaced people, 900 patients, and 1,000 health workers fled the hospital over the weekend, saying that around 200,000 Palestinians have fled northern Gaza to the south since 11/5. The Kamal Adwan Hospital shut down operations after running out of fuel. The main power generator at al-Amal Hospital in Khan Yunis shut down due to a lack of fuel, putting 25 patients at imminent risk of death. UNRWA said Israel had used UNRWA facilities in Gaza to make camp sites and for interrogation of displaced Palestinians, as well as the killing of 5 Palestinians. UNRWA also said that it would be unable to receive aid from 11/14 due to its trucks running out of fuel. The Committee to Protect Journalists said 42 journalists and media workers had been killed since 10/7, including 37 Palestinians, 4 Israelis, and 1 Lebanese. (AJ, AJ, AJ, AJ, AP, HA, NYT, NYT, REU, REU, UNOCHA, UNOCHA, WAFA, WAFA 11/13; AJ 11/14)

A 33-year-old Palestinian prisoner died in the Megiddo Prison. The Prisoners’ Commission and the Prisoner’s Society called his death a “premediated assassination.” 5 Palestinians have died in Israeli custody since 10/7. (WAFA 11/14)

The Shin Bet said it had recorded 120 hate crimes committed by Israeli settlers in the West Bank since 10/7 but that no one had been charged with any offenses. (HA 11/13)

Hamas official Osama Hamdan said an agreement on a prisoner exchange had come close several times, but that Israel repeatedly changed the terms at the last minute. Hamdan said most recently an agreement came close that would have seen Israel release 200 children and 75 women and allow fuel through the Rafah crossing in exchange for 50 captives. Hamas released a video that reportedly showed Israeli airstrikes killing a female captive and released a video of the captive filmed before her death. (AJ, HA 11/13; NYT 11/14)

PA prime minister Mohammad Shtayyeh called on the UN and EU “to parachute aid into Gaza, especially the north.” (AJ 11/13)

The Israel Broadcasting Authority blocked the broadcast of the Lebanese Al-Mayadeen channel in Israel. The Knesset passed a law to allow the defense minister to declare foreigners terrorists even if they have not been declared terrorists by bodies outside of the country. 2 Israeli soldiers were dismissed after they raided a school in al-Twana, seizing a Palestinian flag and threatening to raid the school daily. (AJ, AP, HA, REU 11/13; HA 11/14)

U.S. president Joe Biden met with Indonesian president Joko Widodo, who told him that a “ceasefire is a must for the sake of humanity.” Separately Biden said he expected “less intrusive action relative to the [al-Shifa] hospital,” saying the “hospital must be protected.” Secretary of State Antony Blinken spoke with newly appointed UK foreign secretary David Cameron about the situation in Gaza. (AJ, HA 11/13; AJ, AJ 11/14)

Norwegian prime minister Jonas Gahr Store called on Israel to hand over the full tax revenue amount to the PA. (AJ, HA 11/13)

The Center for Constitutional Rights in the U.S. filed a federal lawsuit on behalf of Palestinian human rights organizations against President Biden, Secretary Blinken and Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin, claiming they have failed to prevent Israeli genocide of Palestinians. (AJ 11/13; AJ 11/14)

30 U.S.-based civil society groups wrote a letter to Secretary Austin, urging the U.S. not to send 155mm artillery shells to Israel, saying they will be used for indiscriminate targeting due to the nature of the shells. (AJ 11/13)

An Iraqi militia released a video of Russian Israeli academic Elizabeth Tsurkov, who was kidnapped in Baghdad in March. (HA, NYT 11/13)

In a predawn operation, the IDF sends troops, tanks into Balata r.c. and Nablus, meeting heavy resistance. In Nablus, troops impose a curfew, shell residential areas (cutting some electricity), occupy homes as sniper posts, conduct house-to-house searches (sometimes going through walls), call on all men ages 15-45 to surrender, detain around 100 Palestinians (including local Fatah head Issam Abu Bakr), blow up the home of the 5/27 suicide bomber. In Balata r.c., troops conduct house-to-house searches, breaking through walls btwn. homes, and call on all men ages 13-60 to surrender (some 1,000 are reportedly taken to Hawara, outside Nablus, where some are release but told not to return to Balata r.c. for 3 days); tanks moving through narrow alleys damaged several homes. Late in the evening, troops reenter Tulkarm, reimpose a curfew. The IDF also partially destroys a cement factory in Qalqilya; blows up a cave nr. Ramallah known as the Christian pilgrimage site of Saint Barbara. A Palestinian infiltrates a West Bank Jewish settlement, throws 2 grenades at a school, causing no injuries; settlers shoot him dead. Palestinians detonate 2 roadside bombs targeting Merkava tanks but do not damage them. (GS, HP, NYT 5/31; GS, HA, HP, NYT, REU, WP, WT 6/1; MENA 6/2 in WNC 6/3; LAW 6/5)

The Israel Broadcasting Authority (IBA) orders all IBA editorial departments to prohibit the use of the terms "settler," "settlements" on radio, TV broadcasts. (HA 5/31)

Arafat convenes the EA to discuss the 7/30 bombings. In response to the PC vote 7/31, all but 2 EA mbrs. (Planning M Shaath, Information M Yasir `Abid Rabbuh) offer to resign so that Arafat may rebuild the cabinet, diffuse Palestinian resentment over PA corruption report. (NYT, WP 8/2; NYT, WT 8/3; PR 8/8; JP 8/9) (see 7/31)

In reaction to the 7/30 bombings, Israel arrests 10s of Palestinians in an attempt to find "anyone that can help us solve who sent the bombers and who is behind it"; says it still does not know the bombers' identities; sets up a naval blockade against Palestinian fishing boats off Gaza; refuses to transfer $20 m. (half the PA's monthly budget) in VAT revenues owed the PA today. (MM 8/1; NYT 8/2, 8/4; MM, NYT 8/5; RMC, VOL 8/6 in WNC 8/7; PR 8/8; al-Hayat al-Jadida 8/10 in WNC 8/12) (see 7/29)

The Israel Broadcasting Authority refuses a government request to turn over one of its transmitters to help jam Voice of Palestine radio. The government considers issuing a special order to impound the transmitter but decides against the idea. (MA 8/4 in WNC 8/6)

Congress recesses without extending MEPFA legislation. (WP, WT 8/5; WT 8/6) (see 7/27)

In Tehran, Syrian pres. Asad meets with Pres.-elect Khatami, becoming 1st head of state to do so. (MM 8/1; IRIB Television [Tehran], SA, SATN 8/1 in WNC 8/4; Tishrin 8/2 in WNC 8/6; MA 8/3 in WNC 8/5; MM 8/7; al-Watan al-Arabi 8/8 in WNC 8/11)

UN approves a Syrian-Iraqi border crossing as a new entry point for goods going into Iraq under the oil-for-food deal. (MM 8/6) (see 7/27)

Israeli-PLO security, civilian affairs comm. negotiations continue in Taba.  Security comm. discusses release of Palestinian prisoners, establishment of Palestinian police.  Israeli negotiator Gen. Amnon Shahak says draft paper on Palestinian police force "almost achieved."   Civilian Affairs comm. divides into subcoms. on electricity and civil planning, communications.  Palestinian negotiator Radwan Abu-Ayyash estimates cost of Palestinian broadcast network at $30 m.-$50 m. (MENA 2/16 in FBIS 2/16, 2/17; MM 2/16)

Bilateral Arab-Israeli talks resume in Washington. (Qol Yisra'el 2/16 in FBIS 2/16)

Egyptian State Broadcasting Authority renews official contact with Israeli Broadcasting Authority, broken during 1982 Lebanon war.  (MM 2/17; JP 2/26)

Higher Jordanian-Palestinian Comm. completes 2 days of mtgs. in Amman.  Jordanian Information M. Jawad al-Anani says PLO and Jordan have agreed on joint strategy in economic talks with Israel set for Paris.  Israel-Jordan joint economic comm. meets in Washington with U.S. participation. (RJ 2/16 in FBIS 2/16, 2/17; MM 2/16, 2/17)

AFP reports 1st all-Palestinian bank in o.t., "Commercial Bank of Palestine," will start operations 3/15 in Ramallah.  Bank, with capital of $14 m., is headed by businessman Suhail Jad`awn.  (AFP 2/16 in FBIS 2/17)

U.S. State Dept. announces Secy. of State Christopher will visit Middle East during 3/94. (MM 2/17)

PLO Chmn. Arafat accuses "Israeli officers" of condoning arms trade in o.t., warning flow of weapons "could lead to another Afghanistan among the Palestinians." (NYT 2/17)

IDF kills purported PFLP mbr. Najwan Mahmud Muhammad al-`Izza, 21, in Halhul, West Bank.  (MM 2/17) [CHALLENGE--2/15]

122-mm. katyusha rocket fired on northern Israel fr. southern Lebanon in 1st incident in 6 mos.  IDF blames attack on Palestinian opposition groups.  IDF tanks, artillery come to aid of SLA patrol ambushed by Hizballah.  Hizballah claims 12 SLA mbrs. killed or wounded.  (NYT, MM, WT 2/17; MM 2/18)

Israeli cabinet extends term of IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Ehud Barak to 1/95.  Barak had been set to retire 4/94.  (MM 2/16)

PM Rabin's spokesman Oded Ben-Ami defends allowing 30 elite IDF veterans to serve in Congo as advisers, denying soldiers are mercenaries.  Opponents cite Congolese civil war as reason to bar Israeli support of Brazzaville regime.  Press reports say over 2,000 IDF veterans have served in Africa since 1960s.  (NYT 2/17)

FRC mbrs. Yusuf Sha`ban, Salim Mahyub confess to killing Jordanian diplomat Na'ib al-Ma'aytah in Beirut 1/29.  Bassam Atiya, also arrested, denies involvement.  (RL 2/16 in FBIS 2/17; MM 2/17)

Israeli court convicts 4 banks--Leumi, Hapoalim, Discount, and Mizrahi--and 9 bank executives in connection with 10/83 stock market crash precipitated by news of banks propping up own stocks.  Crash cost $7 b. in Israeli govt. payments to investors.  (CSM 2/17)

U.S. Pres. Clinton, Saudi amb. Prince Bandar announce Saudia Airlines will purchase 50 U.S.-made Boeing 747 and McDonnell-Douglas MD-11, MD-80, and MD-90 commercial aircraft worth $6 b.  Deal will be financed in part through U.S. Export-Import Bank loan guarantees.  (CSM, NYT, MM, WT 2/17)

Political Responses:

Israel/ Occupied Territories: In special Knesset session, Defense Minister Arens says Upper Nablus settlement is of supreme strategic importance for defense, where Jews and Arabs live side by side in Israel they cooperate peacefully and progress together; Druze spiritual leader cancels annual Nabi Shueib celebration to protest tight security checks imposed on Lebanese Druze seeking to enter Israel to participate; Israel Broadcasting Authority empowers director-general to decide whether interviews with West Bank and Gaza personalities are anti-Israel propaganda; US Center for Disease Control doctors report illness in West Bank was induced by anxiety and spread by psychogenic factors, no evidence of poison, no evidence of fabricated symptoms, first cases may have been caused by low concentrations of hydrogen sulfide gas found in latrine in Arraba; teacher at al-Najah University released after 13 days detention on charges of incitement.

Palestinians/ Lebanese: Fateh Central Committee meets in Tunis; tripartite talks suspended for duration of Shultz visit.

US and Other Countries: Secretary Shultz arrives in Cairo, meets Habib and US ambassadors to 9 Middle East countries.