The Palestine Chronology

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers uprooted 15 olive and 10 almond trees in Husan. Israeli forces shot and injured 1 Palestinian man during a raid in Nablus; 2 were arrested. Israeli forces also assaulted 2 Palestinians at the Deir Sharaf checkpoint, leading to the hospitalization of 1 of them. Elsewhere, Israeli forces forced Palestinian businesses to close and removed Palestinian flags from buildings in Huwwara. Israeli forces also notified Palestinians in Khirbet Humsa that they will be temporarily evicted from 5/16 to the morning of 5/17 for Israeli military drills. 6 Palestinians were arrested during raids in Qatanna, Jenin, and Jericho. In East Jerusalem, Israeli authorities forced 1 Palestinian family to demolish part of their own home in Jabel Mukaber. 4 Palestinians were arrested during raids in Isawiya and Jabel Mukaber. In Gaza, 1 rocket was fired at Israel around 24 hours after the ceasefire was announced in what was claimed to be a misfire. Israel conducted an airstrike on Beit Lahiya, causing damage. (HA 5/13; AJ, AP, BBC, GDN, HA, HA, NYT, REU, TOI, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 5/14; HA 5/15; PCHR 5/18; UNOCHA 5/19)

Israel reopened the Erez and Kerem Shalom crossings to Gaza for the first time since Israel began its attacks on Gaza on 5/9. The reopening of the crossings followed a ceasefire agreement which was reached on 5/13. (HA 5/13; REU 5/14)

Hamas political bureau head Ismail Haniyeh spoke to Islamic Jihad secretary-general Ziyad al-Nakhalah, offering his condolences for the Islamic Jihad members killed by Israel in the latest assault on Gaza. Haniyeh also said in a press statement that Hamas and Islamic Jihad had managed the response to Israel through the Joint Operations Room. Israeli officials had said that Hamas did not actively partake in the firing of rockets. (QDS, QDS 5/14)

The Knesset Ministerial Committee on Legislation discussed a bill that would stop Israeli government funding to East Jerusalem schools that use the Palestinian curriculum. (HA 5/14)  

Otzma Yehudit leader Itamar Ben-Gvir said that he opposed the Israeli budget because of a lack of funds “to Judaize the Negev and the Galilee.” (TOI 5/14)

In the West Bank, 1 Palestinian minor succumbed to injuries sustained by Israeli forces during a raid in Balata refugee camp on 2/8. Israeli forces raided ad-Doha, leading to tear-gas related injuries. Israeli forces also demolished 2 structures in al-Buwayb. Elsewhere, Israeli forces raided Nablus to take measurements for punitive demolition of 2 homes belonging to families of 2 Palestinians accused of killing an Israeli soldier in October 2022. 1 Palestinian was injured by live ammunition and 20 others by tear gas while protesting the incursion. 11 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in Bil’in, Hizma, al-Ram, al-Khader, Jaba’, and Deir Sharaf. In East Jerusalem, Israeli settlers toured the Haram al-Sharif compound. Israeli forces raided Shu’fat refugee camp, causing tear-gas related injuries. Israeli forces issued a demolition notice for 1 Palestinian home in Kafr ‘Aqab. 2 Palestinians were arrested during a late-night raid in Isawiya. In Gaza, Israeli forces fired tear gas at Palestinian farmers near Beit Lahiya, injuring 1. (HA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 2/20; AJ, MDW, MEE 2/21; PCHR 2/23; UNOCHA 3/4)

Axios reported that PLO secretary-general Hussein al-Sheikh and Israeli national security advisor Tzachi Hanegbi have been in secret talks discussing day-to-day issues and efforts to de-escalate the violence in the West Bank. According to Axios the talks started shortly after prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu was sworn-in after the PA had reached out to Netanyahu using the U.S. as a mediator. (AX 2/20)

The Israeli parliament passed the first of three votes to overhaul the judicial branch of government. The bill passed 63-47. Thousands of Israeli protesters gathered outside of the Knesset during the vote. (AJ, AP, MEE, REU 2/20; AP, F24, HA, HA 2/21; IN 2/22)

Israel prevented Ana Miranda, a Spanish member of the European parliament, from entering the West Bank and deported her to Spain after she arrived at Ben Gurion Airport. (WAFA 2/21; MEMO 2/22)

The UN Security Council issued a presidential statement expressing “deep concern and dismay” over Israel’s 2/12 announcement to legalize settlement outposts and expand settlements by more than 10,000 housing units. The U.S. supported the statement which was made in lieu of a vote on a draft resolution calling on Israel to halt settlement activity. It was reported on 2/19 that the U.S. had convinced the UAE and the PA to drop the binding resolution, which the U.S. said it would veto, and instead present the statement. PA UN ambassador Riyad Mansour said that the PA was very happy with the statement. Prime Minister Netanyahu’s office released a statement saying that the UNSC “statement should never have been made and the United States should never have joined it.” (ABC, AJ, AP, F24, HA, MEE, REU, TOI, UN, WAFA 2/20; ALM 2/21)