The Palestine Chronology

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers attacked Palestinians harvesting olives in Burin, assaulting them at gun point and stealing tools, phones, and olive crops. Israeli settlers also raided Qarawat Bani Hassan, opening fire at Palestinians harvesting olives, forcing them to flee. Elsewhere, Israeli settlers uprooted 55 trees using a bulldozer in al-Twana. Israeli settlers also assaulted Palestinians in Khallet ad-Dabi, causing fractures and bruises on several of them. Meanwhile, Israeli settlers threw stones at Palestinian homes in Arab al-Milehat near Jericho. Israeli forces killed 7 Palestinians, including 2 children, during raids in Jenin refugee camp, Qalqilya, and Qalandia refugee camp; 5 of the Palestinians were killed in a drone strike on Jenin refugee camp. Israeli forces also shot and injured 28 Palestinians during raids in Jenin refugee camp and Qalandia refugee camp. Elsewhere, Israeli forces razed land and uprooted 25 trees near Beit Umar. 52 Palestinians were arrested during raids in and around Ramallah, Hebron, Bethlehem, Qalqilya, Salfit, Jenin, Tubas, Bayt Awa, and Beit Umar. In East Jerusalem, Israeli settlers toured the Haram al-Sharif compound. Israeli settlers with a military escort also attacked Palestinians in al-Sawana, injuring 3, including 2 with baton rounds and 1 by assault. Israeli forces demolished a Palestinian home in Shaykh Jarrah, displacing 9. Israel also forced a Palestinian family to demolish their own home in Bayt Hanina. 20 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids. In Gaza, Israeli airstrikes killed 756 Palestinians, including the wife, son, daughter, and grandchild of Al Jazeera Gaza bureau chief Wael Dahdouh in an airstrike that was said to be targeting him. Israeli airstrikes also destroyed a bakery in Dayr al-Balah shortly after it received a shipment of flour. Rockets were fired at Israel, causing damage and injuries. In Lebanon, Israeli attacks killed 2 members of Hezbollah, increasing the number of Hezbollah members killed to 40 since 10/7. In Syria, Israeli forces attacked Aleppo International Airport, rendering it out of service, and killed at least 8 and wounded 7 others in a different attack in southwestern Syria. (AJ 10/24; AJ, AJ, AJ, AJ, AP, HA, NYT, REU, REU, REU, UNOCHA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 10/25; AJ, AP, AP, AP, WAFA 10/26)

The Gaza Ministry of Health said as of 5 p.m. at least 6,547 Palestinians had been killed, including at least 4,000 women and children, and 17,439 had been injured in Israeli airstrikes on Gaza since 10/7. It is estimated that 1,500 were trapped in rubble. In addition, Israeli media reported that 1,500 Palestinian militants have been killed near Gaza. 102 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli forces and settlers in the West Bank and East Jerusalem since 10/7, including 29 children. More than 1,833 have been injured. Israeli officials recorded no new fatalities, leaving the Israeli death toll at around 1,400 Israelis and foreign nationals; 5,431 have been injured since 10/7. The UN reported that over 1.4 million Palestinians, more than half the population in Gaza, have been displaced since 10/7 and that since 11 p.m. on 10/12 there has been a complete electricity blackout due to the Israeli blockade. At least 27,781 housing units have been destroyed and 150,000 have been damaged in Israeli airstrikes since 10/7. At least 45% of all housing units have been either destroyed or damaged in Israeli airstrikes. The Committee to Protect Journalists said at least 24 journalists have been killed since 10/7, including 20 Palestinians, 3 Israelis, and 1 Lebanese. The UN said the shortage of fuel was undermining its efforts to help Palestinians in Gaza. Israel told 40,000 Palestinians in Dayr al-Balah and Khan Yunis to evacuate to al-Mawasi. (AJ 10/24; HA, NYT, UNOCHA, WAFA 10/25; AP 10/26)

The Palestinian Federation of Trade Unions said between 9,000 and 9,500 Palestinians from Gaza, employed in Israel, were in Israel on 10/7. 5,000 of them made it to the West Bank, with some 2,000 of them subsequently being arrested by Israel while 1,000 are unaccounted for. A Palestinian worker told Haaretz after he was released from an Israeli detention camp that Palestinians were held in the sun for 2 days without food, while they were blindfolded and their hands were tied. He also said he was beaten and threatened with death during an interrogation. (AJ 10/24; HA 10/25; HA, WAFA 10/26; AJ 10/28)

Oxfam said Israel was using starvation as a weapon of war, saying only 2% of the food that circumstances would have entered Gaza under normal circumstances has been delivered since 10/7 and that 104 trucks of food are needed daily to cover the needs of the population. (AJ 10/25)

Hamas deputy political leader Saleh al-Arouri and Islamic Jihad secretary-general Ziad al-Nakhalah met with Hezbollah secretary-general Hassan Nasrallah in Beirut. (AJ 10/24; AJ, HA, REU 10/25; HA 10/26)

U.S. president Joe Biden questioned the accuracy of the death toll reported by the Gaza Ministry of Health. Human Rights Watch said the data provided by the ministry is accurate, saying their own investigations are aligned with the ministry’s data. Biden also criticized Israeli settlers for “attacking Palestinians in places that they are entitled to be.” After a call with Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu, a readout of the conversation stated that they discussed a “pathway for a permanent peace.” Newly elected House of Representatives speaker Mike Johnson’s first act as speaker was to bring a pro-Israel resolution to the floor, which passed 412-10, with 6 voting present. The U.S. said it will send 2 Iron Dome batteries and 300 interceptors to Israel. (AJ, REU 10/24; AJ, HA, HA, NYT, NYT 10/25; AJ, AP, AP, HA, HA, REU 10/26)

At the UN Security Council, the U.S. and UK vetoed a Russian resolution calling for a humanitarian ceasefire. China, Gabon, Russia, and the UAE voted for the resolution while the 9 other members abstained. Russia and China vetoed a U.S. resolution calling for “humanitarian pauses.” The UAE also voted against it, while Albania, France, Ecuador, Gabon, Ghana, Japan, Malta, Switzerland, and the UK voted in favor. Brazil and Mozambique abstained. (AJ 10/24; AJ, REU 10/25; AJ, AJ, AJ, AJ, AP, AP, HA, WAFA 10/26)

Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdoğan said in a speech that he will not visit Israel as planned and that relations between the 2 states will not improve, calling Israel’s attacks on Gaza “inhumane.” Erdoğan also said Hamas is a liberation group that protects its lands and people.  (AJ 10/24; AJ, HA, HA, NYT, REU 10/25; NYT 10/26)

French president Emmanuel Macron met with his Egyptian counterpart Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, who said the 2 discussed the “many, many civilian casualties” that could result from an Israeli ground invasion of Gaza. Macron also met with King Abdullah II of Jordan in Amman. Macron said France will deploy a navy ship to bring aid to Gaza hospitals via Egypt. (AJ 10/24; HA, REU, REU 10/25; AP 10/26)

Scottish first minister Humza Yousaf called UK prime minister Rishi Sunak and Labour leader Keir Starmer’s refusal to call for a ceasefire “infuriating.” (AJ 10/24)

The Wall Street Journal reported that the U.S. has asked Israel to hold off on its planned ground invasion of Gaza until the U.S. has bolstered its defenses in Iraq, Syria, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Kuwait, and the UAE. Haaretz reported that as of 10/22, 80 U.S. military planes have landed in Israel, Jordan, and Cyprus. (HA 10/24; HA, HA, NYT, REU 10/25)

Axios reported that U.S. secretary of state Antony Blinken has asked Qatar to “tone down” Al Jazeera’s rhetoric on the Israeli attacks on Gaza. (AJ 10/24)

Fans of the Scottish soccer club Celtic waived 100s of Palestinian flags during a Champions League match against Atletico Madrid in Glasgow. (AJ 10/24; AJ 10/26)

Off the coast of the Gaza Strip nr. Bayt Lahiya, Israeli naval vessels attack Palestinian fishermen, causing no damage or injuries. In the West Bank, the IDF conducts house searches and arrest raids in 1 village each nr. Ramallah and Jenin at night; patrols in 1 village nr. Salfit in the morning, in 2 villages nr. Tulkarm, in Salfit and 1 nearby village, and in Hebron in the afternoon, and in 1 village and al-Fawar r.c. nr. Hebron and in Tulkarm at night. (PCHR 1/9)

U.S. Secy. of State Kerry visits Jordan and Saudi Arabia before returning to Jerusalem, in a day of whistle-stop diplomacy focused on the Israeli-Palestinian peace process. In Amman, Kerry meets with Jordan’s King Abdallah II and FM Nasser Judeh, and then with King Abdallah in the Saudi monarch’s desert residence. Following 3 days of talks with Israeli and Palestinian leaders, an anonymous Palestinian official says that Kerry demanded Abbas recognize Israel as the Jewish homeland, in exchange for Israel’s acceptance of its pre-1967 borders as the basis for talks. Meanwhile, Israeli FM Lieberman tells a meeting of Israeli diplomats that he supports a comprehensive agreement with the Palestinians in the context of U.S.-led negotiations, but also says that he would only accept an agreement including the exchange of land and population, a reference to his longstanding proposal to move a number of Palestinian citizens into a putative Palestinian state. (See document C2 in JPS 171 for extended excerpts of Lieberman’s remarks.) Separately, Israel’s ministerial cmte. on legislation rejects 2 bills proposed by the Labor Party that would have facilitated a two-state solution by placing restrictions on settlement construction and preventing unilateral annexation. (AFP, AP, HA, JP 1/5)

UNRWA workers in the Gaza Strip go on strike over pay and employment conditions, joining West Bank-based UNRWA employees, who went on strike on 12/3. (MNA 1/5)

The Israeli PM’s Office passes responsibility for creating and implementing govt. development plans for the Bedouin communities in the Negev to the Agriculture and Rural Development Ministry. Until now, the legislative measure set to codify the Prawer Plan was being overseen by former minister Benny Begin. (ToI 1/3; ToI 1/5)

In the Gaza Strip, IDF troops conduct a limited incursion nr. Jabaliya r.c. and level land close to the border zone, and also open fire on farmers, causing no injuries. In the West Bank, IDF troops kill 2 Palestinians in separate incidents at checkpoints; 1st, at Za’atra nr. Nablus, where a Palestinian shoots fireworks at soldiers and is shot dead, and 2d, at Container checkpoint nr. Bethlehem where Israeli soldiers say a Palestinian attempted to attack them. The IDF conducts house searches and arrest raids in 2 villages nr. Hebron at night; patrols in 1 village nr. Jenin in the morning, in 1 village each nr. Jenin and Tulkam in the afternoon, and in 2 villages and al-Fawar r.c. nr. Hebron at night. Jewish settlers vandalize Palestinian cars nr. Hebron. In East Jerusalem, Israeli security forces close 2 offices of charities it says are cover for Hamas activities. (JP, MNA 11/7; PCHR 11/14)

U.S. Secy. of State Kerry heads to Amman, Jordan, and holds talks with King Abdallah and FM Nasser Judeh, with the king praising the “trust” Kerry has among all sides in the Israeli-Palestinian peace process. At a joint press conference with Judeh, Kerry says that Israeli and Palestinians leaders had reaffirmed to him their commitment to negotiations. Later that day, Kerry holds another round of talks with Abbas, in Amman. In media interviews, he also reveals he will return the next day for another meeting with Netanyahu, an unplanned addition to the trip. In an interview broadcast on Israeli television, Kerry warns that without a peace deal, Israel could face a 3d intifada and “increasing isolation” and “delegitimization.” (AFP, AP, REU 11/7)

Swiss scientists say that tests show Yasir Arafat died with high levels of radioactive polonium in his body, but do not say that this was definitively the cause of death. Palestinian officials demand an international investigation into the “killing” of their former leader, according to PLO official Wassel Abu Yousef. (AFP, BBC, REU 11/7)

Diplomats from Iran and the P5+1 group begin talks in Geneva, coordinated by the EU’s Catherine Ashton, in an attempt to work out the details of a deal to end the dispute over Tehran’s nuclear program. (HA, REU 11/7)

An unnamed diplomat says that Jordan will replace Saudi Arabia on the UNSC for a 2-year term, after Riyadh rejects the position out of anger with the body’s inability to take what it deems appropriate action with regard to issues like Syria and Israeli-Palestinian relations. (AP 11/8)

Israeli-Palestinian clashes continue, leaving 5 Palestinians, 1 Israeli Arab, 1 IDF soldier dead, 300 Palestinians injured. Following the funeral for Fatah cmdr. Ubayyat (attended by 10,000 Palestinians), a Palestinian sniper fires on IDF troops outside Rachel's Tomb nearby, killing 1 soldier, wounding another. A small bomb explodes in East Jerusalem, slightly injuring an Israeli border policeman. More than 50 IDF shells fall in the Ramallah area, hitting the PA civil administration building, the PA Central Bureau of Statistics headquarters, the Islamic Elementary School, several apartment complexes and homes. IDF tank, heavy machine gun fire are reported in and around Hebron, Jinin, Khan Yunis, Nablus, Qalqilya, Salfit. The IDF also bulldozes agricultural lands nr. Qalqilya. Jewish settlers uproot Palestinian olive trees nr. Ramallah, assault Palestinians in several locations around Nablus. Israel again restricts Palestinian access to al-Aqsa Mosque for Friday prayers. Egypt reports that Israel is barring medical goods, 30 ambulances donated by Saudi Arabia fr. entering Gaza via the Rafah crossing. (ADM, LAW 11/10; MENA 11/10 in WNC 11/13; NYT, PCHR, WP 11/11; HJ 11/15 in WNC 11/27)

UNSC resumes talks on an international buffer force for the West Bank, Gaza. Arafat lobbies for the UN to send 2,000 troops to the West Bank, Gaza, Jerusalem. The UK, U.S. vow to block the proposal as long as Israel disapproves. (XIN 11/10 in WNC 11/13; NYT, WP, WT 11/11; HJ 11/13 in WNC 11/15)

In Amman, Jordanian security forces peacefully disperse 1,000 Jordanians attempting to march to the Israeli emb. 100s of Lebanese, Palestinian refugees demonstrate at Fatima Gate on the blue line. The IDF shoots across the border, wounding a Lebanese truck driver approaching the border with a load of stones. (AFP [Internet] 11/10; DUS 11/10 in WNC 11/13; MEI 11/24)

Secy. of State Christopher is kept waiting 6 hrs, before mtg. with Saudi Arabia's King Fahd in Jidda; encourages support for Middle East Development Bank, easing of Arab boycott on Israel, funding of PA's daily operations, NPT. King gives no response. (MM, NYT, WP 3/13; WT 3/14; WT 3/21)

FM Peres, Crown Prince Hassan meet in Amman; discuss implementation of peace treaty, possibility of establishing free-trade zone in Elat-Taba-Aqaba region, water projects, regional security, creation of regional bank; announce plans to meet with German Chancellor Helmut Kohl in Bonn regarding dam project 3/15. (RJ 3/12, JT 3/13 in FBIS 3/13; MM 3/13; QY 3/13 in FBIS 3/14)

In 1st visit by British head of state to Israel in 9 yrs, PM Major arrives in Israel for 2-day visit; promises to build closer trade ties to Israel, increase aid to the PA. (IGPO, QY 3/12, IGPO, QY 3/13 in FBIS 3/13; MM, WT 3/13; MEI 3/17; JP 3/18)

PA rearrests Shaykh al-Safadi fr. Gaza's Filastin Mosque for giving anti-PA sermon. (QY 5/14 in FBIS 5/15) (see 3/3)

Senior Israeli military officials say 100s of plainclothes Palestinian police are operating in Jenin, Nablus, Ramallah in a semiofficial manner, with the IDF's knowledge, settling civil disputes, investigating crimes. PA Planning M Shaath denies report. (HA, RMC, VOP 3/13 in FBIS 3/14)

Palestinian police find 2 bombs planted along road scheduled to be travelled by Arafat. IDF detonates them. (AFP 3/12 in FBIS 3/14)

Unnamed Syrian source reports first batch of Syrian troops has been dispatched to Saudi Arabia [DDS 8/21 in FBIS 8/22], foreign and defense ministers of 9-nation Western European Union vow to expand naval operations in Gulf and to share responsibility with U.S. for enforcing sanctions; 12-nation EC denounces detention of Westerners in Iraq, says their countries' embassies will defy Baghdad's orders to close [WP 8/22].

Military reports say Iraq has fortified Kuwait with up to 800 Scud missiles and 36 launchers, and with land mines placed around vital installations [WT 8/22].

During meeting with Iraqi deputy P.M. Hammadi, Soviet officials urge Iraq to provide guarantees for safety for all foreigners in Iraq and Kuwait [NYT 8/22].

Iraqi F.M. Aziz arrives in Amman, says Iraq is ready to discuss a wide range of Middle East issues with the U.S.; also says foreigners in Iraq are not "hostages." Bush admin. says it will not negotiate with Saddam until Iraq leaves Kuwait [NYT, WP 8/22].

Egypt's Pres. Mubarak makes emotional appeal to Saddam to withdraw from Kuwait [NYT, WP 8/22].

Sec. of Defense Richard Cheney returns to Washington after 6-nation tour of Gulf [WT 8/22].

Yemen says it will not allow Iraqi oil tankers to unload in Aden [NYT 8/22].

Survey conducted by Committee for the Protection of the Occupied Children of 1,000 households in Jenin area finds 47.5% of children 6-14 had been physically harmed by IDF soldiers, either by beating, shooting, or teargassing [HAA 8/22 in FBIS 8/24].

Lebanese parliament ratifies constitutional changes approved by Ta'if agreement 10 months ago, changes could establish political equality between Muslims and Christians [WP 8/22; NYT 8/23].

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: French P. M. Jacques Chirac calls for Palestinian self-determination and international peace conference during official visit to Israel [LAT 11/2]. Numerous demonstrations in Gaza Strip are reported [FJ 11/8]. Israeli cabinet postpones discussion of Landau commission report on Shin Bet methods [NYT 11/2]. Shahir Sa'd, leader of W. Bank Federation of Labor Unions, is banned from crossing into Jordan [Fl 11/8]. Al-Fajr reports Palestinians have been denied work permits by the Saudi embassy in Amman because they are Palestinian graduates of Birzeit University [FJ 11/8]. Israeli military objections com. in Jenin approves Nasir Abu 'Aziz's expulsion order [FJ 11/8].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: At Gaza Strip's jabaliya refugee camp, 1 woman is injured when soldiers fire on student demonstrators [FJ 11/8].

Casualties:

PLO says it has moved 8 Israeli POWs from Lebanon to undisclosed location because it had information a military operation was being planned to free them.

Political Responses:

Israel/ Occupied Territories: Senior IDF officers receive Peace for Galilee campaign ribbon, Yesh Gvul (There's a Limit) movement holds demonstration, calls ribbon mark of Cain; Sharon attacks Arens' Lebanon negotiating position in Cabinet meeting, says Israel is conceding too much for too little, other ministers call for unilateral withdrawal to Awali river; foreign and defense ministers tell Habib there can be no agreement unless Haddad forces play key security role; 300-480 children, mostly girls, in 5 Jenin schools taken ill with dizziness, headaches, fainting spells and stomach pains, Jenin Mayor SI wki suspects settlers of spreading poison gas, government accuses radical Palestinian factions, Civil Administration medical officer says victims definitely inhaled poison gas; Jenin under curfew after stone-throwing demonstrations; border police jeep assaulted near Sakhnin, 4 youths arrested.

Palestinians/ Lebanese: Arafat postpones visit to Amman, has talks with King Fahd in Riyadh.

Arab Governments: Saudi Arabia says it will support any PLO-Jordanian agreement.

US and Other Countries: NY businessman creates special legal defense fund, supported by private American contributions, for settlers accused of violating Israeli law when retaliating against attacks by Palestinians.