The Palestine Chronology

In the West Bank, Israeli forces carry out the punitive demolition of part of the Tulkarm-area home of a Palestinian suspected of shooting and killing 2 Israeli settlers on 10/7 (IDF troops shot and killed the suspect during an arrest raid on 12/12). The demolition sparks clashes with Palestinian residents of the area; 3 Palestinians are arrested and 6 are injured. Separately, IDF troops arrest 20 Palestinians during raids near Ramallah, Hebron, Bethlehem, and Jenin; and patrol near Hebron throughout the day. Israeli settlers assault and severely injure a Palestinian after they force him out of his car outside Bethlehem. In the evening, hundreds of Palestinians gather along Gaza’s northern border to continue the Great March of Return and to cheer on 20 Palestinian boats sailing in a symbolic challenge to the Israeli blockade. IDF troops and Israeli naval forces violently disperse the demonstrations; 22 Palestinians are injured. Also off Gaza’s coast, Israeli naval forces open fire on Palestinian fishing boats near Jabaliya refugee camp and Khan Yunis, causing no damage or injuries. (MNA, MNA, TOI, WAFA, WAFA 12/17; EI, MNA, MNA 12/18; PCHR 12/20)

In response to the PA’s ban on Palestinian purchases of lamb from Israel on 12/2, Israel’s Agriculture Minister Uri Ariel imposes a ban on Palestinian fruit and vegetable imports. Ariel neglects to announce the ban to the public. Palestinian farmers export between 280 and 300 tons of produce to Israel per day, and the ban is expected to cost the Palestinian economy approximately NIS 1 million (approximately $265,545) per day. (JP 12/19; TOI 12/27)

After the IDF announced the discovery of a 4th Hezbollah-built cross-border tunnel on 12/16, UNIFIL states that 2 of the 4 were built in violation of UN Security Council Resolution 1701, which ended the 2006 Israel-Lebanon war. “UNIFIL has requested the Lebanese authorities to ensure urgent follow-up actions in accordance with the responsibilities of the Government of Lebanon pursuant to resolution 1701,” a UNIFIL statement reads. Earlier in the day, the Lebanese Armed Forces go on high alert after several Lebanese soldiers confront IDF troops installing barbed wire along the border near Mays al-Jabal village. UNIFIL forces are deployed to the scene to defuse the situation and prevent misunderstandings, according to a UNIFIL spokesperson. (AP, HA, TOI, TOI 12/17)

Israeli forces shoot and kill a Palestinian driver after he allegedly attempts to ram them outside Ithna village near Hebron. Elsewhere in the West Bank, IDF troops shoot and injure 5 Palestinians during clashes sparked by raids in Surda and Nabi Salih villages near Ramallah and Bayt Umar near Hebron. The IDF also conducts raids in Ramallah for a 2d day in a row, sparking clashes with Palestinian residents of the area; 6 Palestinians are lightly injured. Meanwhile, Israeli forces demolish a Palestinian home in Jiftlik. Shortly after the demolition, they open fire on a Palestinian driver allegedly attempting to ram them. The driver, who is later identified as the owner of the demolished home, is lightly injured and his car is damaged. Israeli soldiers then assault and arrest him. Separately, Israeli forces issue stop-work orders to Palestinians building new classrooms onto a school in Bayt Dajan near Nablus. Late at night, IDF troops arrest 2 Palestinians during raids near Hebron and patrol near Ramallah, Nablus, Tulkarm, Qalqilya, and Salfit. (HA, JP, MNA, TOI, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, YA 12/11; MNA, MNA, MNA 12/12; PCHR 12/13)

A Palestinian child succumbs to injuries sustained when IDF troops violently dispersed protests along Gaza’s border on 12/7. This brings the death toll stemming from the Great March of Return to 190. (EI 12/11; MNA, TOI, WAFA 12/12)

An IDF spokesperson announces that Israeli forces have discovered another of Hezbollah’s cross-border tunnels in the context of Operation Northern Shield. According to the spokesperson, the tunnel has been booby-trapped so anyone entering from the Lebanese side would “face a serious danger to their lives.” Meanwhile, Lebanese president Michel Aoun says that U.S. officials have told him that Israel has no “aggressive intentions” behind Operation Northern Shield, adding that he too has no “aggressive intentions.” Aoun also says that his government takes the issue of Hezbollah’s tunnels “seriously.” Tensions along the border remain relatively low, although sources both in Israel and Lebanon say that there is potential for the situation to escalate quickly. (HA, HA, TOI, TOI, YA 12/11)

In the West Bank, Israeli forces seize a concrete pump and 2 mixers from a Palestinian construction site in Bayt Dajan near Nablus. IDF troops arrest 3 Palestinians during raids near Hebron and Ramallah; and patrol near Nablus, Hebron, and Qalqilya. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces arrest 1 Palestinian during a late-night raid in Hizma. (MNA 12/6; PCHR 12/13)

In response to the IDF’s Operation Northern Shield, Lebanese prime minister Sa‘d Hariri tweets, “The developments in the southern Lebanon border are no reason for escalation. This is what the Lebanese government wants and is acting towards.” Hariri also says that representatives of UNIFIL, Lebanon, and Israel met on 12/5 to discuss the operation, and that the Lebanese officials affirmed that Israel’s “consistent infiltration of Lebanese territory and airspace is an obvious violation of [UNSC Resolution 1701] and its principles.” Meanwhile, Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu says there is a “reasonable possibility” that the IDF will have to expand Operation Northern Shield to activities in southern Lebanon. “We are denying our enemies the tunnels weapon in a systematic, determined manner and we will do whatever it takes,” he says. In the evening, an IDF spokesperson announces that Israeli forces have discovered another major cross-border tunnel built by Hezbollah and that Israeli officials have asked for UNIFIL’s support in destroying it from the Lebanese side of the border. (HA, HA, JP, TOI, TOI, YA, YA 12/6)

Vehicles bearing $15 million in Qatari money enter Gaza via the Erez border crossing. This marks the 2d shipment of Qatari funds into Gaza with the purpose of paying the salaries of civil servants of the Hamas-run government and supporting families not able to cover basic needs in Gaza. The first shipment of Qatari money into Gaza occurred on 11/8. Israeli security officials say that the shipments have opened a window of opportunity for Israel to propose humanitarian solutions for Gaza and possibly to secure a long-term cease-fire. (JP, TOI 12/6; HA, JP, TOI 12/7)

The UN General Assembly votes down a U.S.-proposed resolution condemning Hamas “for repeatedly firing rockets into Israel and for inciting violence, thereby putting civilians at risk,” with only 87 votes in favor (a two-thirds supermajority is required to approve this type of measure). Israeli prime minister Netanyahu tweets, “While it did not achieve a two-thirds majority, this is the first time that a majority of countries have voted against Hamas and I commend each of the 87 countries that took a principled stand against Hamas.” (AP, BBC, HA, JP, MNA, TOI, TOI, YA 12/7)

Hundreds of Palestinians gather along Gaza’s north coast to continue the Great March of Return and to cheer on approximately 30 Palestinian boats sailing in a symbolic challenge to the Israeli blockade. IDF troops and Israeli naval forces violently disperse the demonstrations; at least 30 Palestinians are injured. Meanwhile, Israeli forces conduct a limited incursion across Gaza’s border fence to level land near Dayr al-Balah and open fire on a Palestinian bird-hunter approaching the border fence near Bayt Hanun. In East Jerusalem, Israeli MK Yehuda Glick leads a group of 40 right-wing Jewish activists on a tour of Haram al-Sharif. A Palestinian demolishes his storehouse, parking area, and staircase in Silwan to avoid paying Israeli demolition fees. In the West Bank, Israeli forces demolish 2 Palestinian homes and a sheep barn in Fasayil village near Jericho. IDF troops shut down the main street in Bayt Umar while they conduct raids in the village, sparking clashes with stone-throwing Palestinians; there are no reported injuries. They also arrest 20 Palestinians and issue 1 arrest summons during late-night raids near Ramallah, Bethlehem, Tubas, Hebron, Nablus; and patrol in and around Nablus, Jenin, and Hebron. (MNA, MNA, MNA, MNA, MNA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 12/3; MNA 12/4; PCHR 12/6)

The IDF launches a major military operation, dubbed Operation Northern Shield, aimed at exposing and demolishing tunnels stretching from southern Lebanon into northern Israel. Hezbollah has reportedly built a network of such tunnels since 2006. Kicking off the operation, Israeli forces uncover a tunnel stretching 40 meters into Israel and booby-trap it to prevent anyone from entering from the Lebanese side. (HA, JP, JP, TOI, YA 12/4)

Hours before the launch of Operation Northern Shield, Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu meets with U.S. secretary of state Mike Pompeo in Brussels to discuss recent developments in the Middle East, including Iran’s nuclear program. Netanyahu reportedly tells Pompeo about Operation Northern Shield and asks him to tell the Lebanese government that they need to stop Hezbollah from acquiring precision-guided missiles. (HA, JP, TOI, TOI 12/3)

IDF troops open fire on 3 Palestinian minors crossing Gaza’s border fence near al-Maghazi refugee camp; 1 Palestinian is critically injured. In the West Bank, Israeli settlers throw rocks at a Palestinian home in southern Hebron, injuring 2 Palestinians. Later, IDF troops shut down a number of streets in central Hebron, clearing the way for Israeli settlers to perform religious rites in the area. Some settlers throw stones at Palestinian property in the area, causing damage. IDF troops also arrest 1 Palestinian during raids near Ramallah; and patrol in and around Tulkarm and Hebron. (MNA, WAFA 11/3; MNA, MNA 11/4; PCHR 11/8)   

A Palestinian minor succumbs to injuries sustained during Israel’s assault on Gaza in 2014. He was hospitalized after an Israeli air strike on his home in Gaza City on 8/21/14 and lived for 4 years as a quadriplegic. (WAFA 11/3; EI, PCHR 11/8)

The Lebanese newspaper al-Akhbar publishes a draft Hamas-Israel cease-fire agreement, reportedly the product of the most recent round of Egypt-mediated talks. The agreement would see Egypt permanently opening the Rafah border crossing and lifting other border restrictions, Israel expanding the fishing zone off Gaza’s coast to 14 nautical miles and permitting 5,000 Gazans to enter Israel to work. The deal would also see the PA pay 80% of the salaries of Gaza’s civil servants, with Qatar funding those salaries for at least 6 months. Meanwhile, PA president Mahmoud Abbas meets with Egyptian president Abdel Fattah al-Sisi in Sharm al-Shaykh. They discuss a slew of regional issues, reportedly including the Egyptian effort to mediate the stalled Palestinian national reconciliation process and a cease-fire in Gaza. Al-Sisi reportedly urges Abbas to accept a “graded reconciliation” agreement, a version of which was reported earlier today. (AKH, HA, TOI, TOI, TOI, WAFA, YA 11/3)

An Israeli settler is killed in a car accident involving a Palestinian driver near Nablus. The Palestinian flees the scene, but later turns himself in to the authorities. Israeli settlers retaliate for what they interpret as an attack by throwing rocks and bottles at Palestinian vehicles near Nablus (40 cars are damaged), torching an excavator being used for a Palestinian construction project in nearby Urif village, and attempting to set fire to a Palestinian home in nearby Jalud village. Late at night, settlers destroy 200 olive trees in a Palestinian grove near Nablus. Also in the West Bank, IDF troops arrest 4 Palestinians during raids in Qalqilya and near Bethlehem; and patrol near Qalqilya, Jenin, and Hebron. Off Gaza’s coast, Israeli naval forces open fire on Palestinian fishing boats near Bayt Lahiya, causing no damage or injuries (4 fishermen are detained and 2 boats are confiscated). In southern Israel, Israeli forces demolish the Bedouin village al-Araqib for the 132d time since 2010. (MNA, MNA, TOI, WAFA 8/16; JP, WAFA, WAFA 8/17; PCHR 8/30)

UNRWA Commissioner General Pierre Krähenbühl announces that despite a massive budget shortfall the agency will be able to open its schools in the occupied Palestinian territories, Jordan, Lebanon, and Syria on time on 8/29. “I wish to be clear that UNRWA is by no stretch of the imagination out of the woods,” he adds. “We need a further $217 million to ensure that our schools not only open but can be run until the end of the year.” (JP, MNA, WAFA 8/16)

Along Gaza’s border, IDF troops violently disperse Palestinian protesters participating in the Great March of Return for a 2d day in a row near Bayt Hanun, al-Bureij refugee camp, Rafah, and Jabaliya refugee camp; at least 25 Palestinians are injured. In the West Bank, PA president Abbas calls for a general strike and a day of mourning for the 16 Palestinians killed in Gaza on 3/30. IDF troops violently disperse Palestinians gathering in Hebron to protest the killings; several Palestinians are injured. IDF troops also arrest 2 Palestinians during late-night raids near Bethlehem and patrol near Hebron. Israeli police shoot and injure a Palestinian driver allegedly after he rams 1 of their vehicles near Nablus. In Israel, hundreds of Palestinians march through Umm al-Fahm in commemoration of Land Day. (MNA, TOI, WAFA 3/31; YA 4/1; PCHR 4/5)

U.S. diplomats block the UNSC from adopting a Kuwait-backed statement calling for an “independent and transparent” investigation into the IDF’s deadly crackdown on the Great March of Return, according to several diplomats. “The wording was acceptable to all members of the council excluding the U.S.,” says Israel’s ambassador to the UN Danon. Later, European Union (EU) foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini calls for an independent and transparent investigation. (AFP, HA, TOI 3/31; HA, JP 4/1)

An Israeli drone crashes in southern Lebanon. According to the Lebanese press, a 2d drone destroys the first after it crashed. (HA, YA 3/31)

In the West Bank, Israeli forces demolish 2 Palestinian residential buildings in Bayt Jala near Bethlehem. IDF troops arrest 21 Palestinians during raids in and around Hebron, Tulkarm, Ramallah, Bethlehem, Jenin, and Nablus; and patrol near Tulkarm and Salfit. Israeli settlers throw stones at Palestinian vehicles near the site of the 1/9 killing of an Israeli settler, causing minor damage. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces arrest 33 Palestinians and confiscate 100 cooking gas containers during a 3d day of arrest raids in Issawiyya. (JP, WAFA 1/29; WAFA 1/30; PCHR 2/1)

Unidentified parties fire a rocket from Gaza into Israel late at night; it falls in an open area, causing no damage or injuries. (JP, TOI 1/29; YA 1/30)

PA FM al-Maliki says that the Palestinian leadership plans to ask the UNSC in 2/2018 to reconsider Palestine’s application for full UN membership. (JP, WAFA 1/29)

The Lebanese press reports that Lebanese intelligence services have identified 2 of the 4 people who attempted to assassinate a Hamas official on 1/14 in Sidon as Israeli agents. (HA 1/29)