The Palestine Chronology

In the West Bank, Israeli forces claimed that it had stopped 2 stabbing attempts, including 1 in Tubas where 1 Palestinian man was shot after allegedly trying to stab a soldier. WAFA reported that the man was shot during a late-night raid and was in serious condition; and in a settlement outpost where 1 Palestinian woman allegedly tried to stab 1 settler before being arrested. Israeli forces also shot with live ammunition and injured 2 Palestinian minors during a raid in al-Khadir; 1 was reported in serious condition and the other in moderate condition. Israeli forces claimed the 2 had thrown Molotov cocktails at the forces. Elsewhere, Israeli forces raided the offices of the Palestinian Health Work Committees in Ramallah, seizing computers; 2 were arrested. Israeli forces also violently dispersed a protest against settlement expansion south of Hebron, injuring 1 with a tear gas canister while others suffered tear-gas related injuries. Meanwhile, Israeli forces demolished 1 house under construction and a water well in Bani Na‘im and delivered a stop-work order for 3 houses under construction in Zawata. 13 Palestinians were arrested during raids in and around Ramallah, al-‘Arub refugee camp, Hebron, Tuqu‘, Aida refugee camp, Tubas, and Bayt Duqqu. In East Jerusalem, 1 Palestinian man died in a fire in Kafr Aqab after Israeli forces held up Israeli fire trucks at the Qalandia checkpoint, saying they had to wait for military escort; Kafr Aqab is located in the Israeli-annexed East Jerusalem municipality, but on the West Bank side of the separation wall. Israeli police prevented Palestinians from holding an event celebrating International Women’s Day in al-Tur, arresting 2 women and seizing clothes and other material on display; Israeli police said the event was arranged by the PA. Israel considers PA activity in East Jerusalem illegal. 4 Palestinians were also arrested in Shu‘fat refugee camp. In Gaza, Israeli forces opened fire at agricultural lands east of Khuza‘a; no injuries were reported. (ALM, HA, HA, HA, TOI, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 3/8; HA 3/9; PCHR 3/11)

Israel began vaccinating Palestinians in the West Bank who hold Israeli work permits against the COVID-19 virus. Israel has allocated enough doses for 120,000 Palestinian workers. (HA, WAPO 3/8)

Hezbollah said that it and Lebanese forces in 2 separate incidents had intercepted Israeli drones flying over Lebanese air space. (HA 3/9)

In Lebanon, protests continued for the 7th day in a row as the Lebanese financial crisis continued to worsen and the country’s political crisis remained unresolved. (AJ, HA, REU 3/8)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers attacked 2 Palestinians in 2 separate incidents in Hebron. In the 1st incident, 1 Palestinian man was hospitalized after 4 settlers attacked him while Israeli soldiers chose not to intervene. In the 2d incident, a larger group of settlers attacked 1 Palestinian man; when an Israeli soldier intervened, the settlers attacked him as well. Israeli settlers also vandalized several vehicles in Hebron. South of Hebron, in Susiya, Israeli settlers raided the village and attacked Palestinian-owned homes. Elsewhere, in Kafr Haris, Israeli settlers attacked 1 Islamic shrine and 1 Palestinian-owned home. Israeli forces violently dispersed the weekly anti-settlement protest in Kafr Qaddum, injuring 5 Palestinians with rubber-coated bullets, including 3 journalists, and damaged 1 ambulance. Israeli forces also violently dispersed protests in Zubaydat and Ni‘lin, leading to tear-gas related injuries. 3 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in and around Burqa and Tulkarm. In East Jerusalem, 1 Palestinian family started demolishing their own home in Sur Bahir to avoid exorbitant Israeli demolition fees. In Gaza, Israeli forces opened fire on agricultural lands east of Bayt Hanun; no injuries were reported. (WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 6/12; HA, WAFA 6/13; HA 6/14; PCHR 6/18)

Israeli defense minister Benny Gantz and Israeli justice minister Avi Nissenkorn told their ministries to find ways to legalize Israeli structures built on privately-owned Palestinian land in the West Bank. (HA 6/12)

In Lebanon, protesters rallied against the Lebanese government for the 2d day in a row after Lebanese currency lost 60 percent of its value in recent weeks. At least 33 people, including 2 soldiers, were injured in clashes between protesters and Lebanese forces. (REU 6/12; AJ, AJ 6/13)

The EU informed BADIL Resource Center for Palestinian Residency and Refugee Rights that it had canceled its funding for a project called Mobilizing for Justice in East Jerusalem, totaling $1.9 million. BADIL had refused to sign what was called the anti-terrorism clause, which made the EU pull its funding. In a press release, BADIL said that it had proposed different language for the clause and that the EU’s proposed language “criminalizes the Palestinian struggle against oppression . . . the article violates both Palestinian and international law, as well as the declared obligations of the EU itself.” (BADIL 6/16; TOI 6/17)

U.S. Middle East peace talks coordinator Dennis Ross arrives in Tunis for 2 mtgs. with PLO Chmn. Arafat. Ross joins Norwegian Dep. FM Terje Rod Larsen and Israeli delegation seeking Israel-PLO agreement on security for Palestinians in o.t. Palestinian officialsay they are "refining" Norwegian proposal on security force. U.S. role in talks is described as marginal. (MM 3/21; NYT 3/22)

IDF Brig. Gen. Moshe Yaalon, West Bank cmdr. 1992-93, tells commission of inquiry into Hebron massacre of "absolute prohibition" on using live ammunition against settlers. Israeli press reports that PM Rabin told Israeli cabinet 3/20 that commission's hearings were causing "incalculable" damage to Israel's reputation. (NYT 3/22)

Settler bus ambushed nr. Ateret, 14 mi. north of Jerusalem, in apparent revenge attack for Hebron massacre. 1 Israeli killed and at least 1 wounded. (NYT 3/22)

Hizballah ambush kills 2 IDF soldiers, roadside bombs kill 2 SLA mbrs. Israeli shelling kills 12-yr.-old schoolgirl in Nabatiya, wounds 22 others. (MM 3/21)

Al-Safir reports arrests of 5 suspects in 2/27 church bombing in Zuq Mika'il, Lebanon. Suspects, including 1 monk, are reportedly affiliated with Lebanese Forces (LF) and "Guardians of the Cedar" factions, had sought refuge in Israeli-controlled "security zone." (MM 3/21)

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Deposed Ramallah Mayor Karim Khalaf dies of heart attack in Jericho [JP 3/31]. E. Jerusalem merchants observe strike in commemoration of Land Day [JTA 4/2]. Land Day rallies held in Rahat, Sakhnin [JP 3/31].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: 2 Dheisheh residents shot, injured by authorities in Bethlehem during Land Day demonstration [FJ 4/5]. Stones thrown at Israeli car in Qalqiliya injures woman [JTA 4/2]. IDF erect roadblocks around al-Najah U. [FJ 4/5].

Arab World: Action in S. Lebanon: Lebanese Forces militia, SLA continue shelling of Mieh Mieh camp; also attack 'Ain al-Hilweh; 40 killed; 30,000 flee 'Ain al-Hilweh [NYT 3/31, FT 4/2]. IDF raid 'Ain Qana, Kafr Malki, Kafr Hatta, Kafr Fila, Jabaa, 'Ain Bou Souwar, 'Arab Salim; 4 killed [WP, CT 3/31]. Resistance kills 1 IDF soldier, wounds 2nd, in Douer; 2 fighters killed [JP 3/31].