The Palestine Chronology

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers vandalized some 100 olive trees near Tarqumiyah. Israeli forces razed land east of Yatta. Israeli forces also closed all entrances to Husan. Elsewhere, Israeli forces demolished 1 house under construction in al-Baqaa and 1 house under construction near Yatta. Israeli forces also shot and injured 1 Palestinian during a raid in Jenin. Meanwhile, Israeli forces declared Palestinian rights activist Issa Amro’s home a closed military zone, preventing anyone but Amro from entering the house. The issuances of the order by brigade commander Yehuda Yishai Rozolio comes after Amro reported a settler attack on his property. 20 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in Jenin, Qalqilya, Tulkarm, Nablus, Bir Nabala, Husan, Hebron, Yatta, Ein al-Beida, and Ma‘in. (WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 10/31; HA, PCHR 11/3; NA 11/4; UNOCHA 11/13)

Israel delivered notices that it will seize 616 dunams (152 acres) of Palestinian land in Qaryut, as-Sawiya, and al-Luban ash-Sharqiya to expand the Eli settlement. (WAFA 10/31)

October was the deadliest month for Palestinians in the West Bank since the UN started compiling data on fatalities in 2005. At least 29 Palestinians were killed by Israeli forces during October. (MEE 11/1)

The U.S.-based organization Democracy for the Arab World Now filed a complaint with the ICC against Eyal Toledano, an Israeli military prosecutor, for alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity. The complaint follows an investigation in the West Bank between 2016 and 2020. (HA 10/31; MEMO 11/1)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers toured an archeological site in Sabastia before touring parts of the city was closed off by Israeli forces. Israeli forces delivered expulsion orders to 15 Palestinian families living in the Kaabneh community between Bir Nabala and Bayt Hanina. Israeli forces also delivered a stop-work notice for a house and a water well and demolition notices against agricultural structures in Masafer Yatta. Elsewhere, Israeli forces delivered demolition orders against 14 residential and agricultural structures in ‘Ain al-Hilweh. 13 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in Silwad, Balata refugee camp,’Illar, Tulkarm, Dheisheh refugee camp, and Yatta. (WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 9/13; MEMO, MEMO 9/14; PCHR 9/15; UNOCHA 9/30)

The Israeli interior ministry denied a request by the town of Eilabun to rename 3 streets in the city “Mahmoud Darwish,” “Hashivah [The Return],” and “Gamal Abdel Nasser.” The ministry said it needed more time to examine the name changes. (HA 9/13; MEMO 9/14)

China donated $1 million to UNRWA for educational programs in the West Bank. (WAFA 9/13)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers raided al-Twana, setting fire to 2 tents and opening fire at Palestinians; no injuries were reported. Israeli forces violently dispersed Palestinian protesters in Beita. PA forces violently dispersed Palestinian demonstrators in Ramallah and Hebron protesting the killing of PA critic Nizar Banat on 6/24, causing tear-gas related injuries and arresting several people. Israeli forces arrested 2 Palestinians, including 1 during a late-night raid in Jenin and 1 traveling in his car in Bir Nabala. In East Jerusalem, 1 Palestinian demolished parts of his own home in al-Thawri. 4 Palestinians were arrested in Shaykh Jarrah and Issawiyya. (AJ, HA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 6/26; MEMO, REU 6/27; PCHR 7/1)

The spokesperson of the PA security forces said the committee in charge of investigations had begun investigating the death of Nizar Banat. (WAFA 6/26; WAFA 6/28)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers attacked 1 Israeli activist trying help Palestinians who had complained about the settlers encroaching on their privately-owned land; a video of the incident shows 1 settler beating the Israeli activist with a club. Israeli settlers also attacked 1 Palestinian woman and her child in Hebron. Elsewhere, Israeli settlers assaulted the mayor of Sabastiyya after he intervened as they were harassing a Palestinian minor; nearby Israeli forces did not intervene. Israeli forces shot and killed 1 Palestinian man and injured his wife as they were stopped at a flying checkpoint in Bir Nabala. Israeli forces claimed that the 2 had tried to ram the soldier; however, the injured wife said they had come to a complete stop and turned off the ignition until the solders motioned for them to proceed when the soldiers opened fire. Israeli forces also clashed with Palestinians who attended the funeral for the Palestinian man killed in Bir Nabala earlier in the day. 5 Palestinians were arrested in and around Bethlehem, Bayt Umar, and Tulkarm; including 1 Palestinian candidate for the upcoming elections. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces raided a hotel in Shaykh Jarrah, where Palestinians were discussing the upcoming elections; 2 Palestinians were arrested. Israeli forces later summoned 2 Palestinian candidates of the upcoming elections for questioning. (AJ, AP, HA, PCHR, REU, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 4/6; WAFA, WAFA 4/7; HA, MEMO, PCHR, TOI 4/8; PCHR 4/10; HA 4/11; HA, PCHR 4/15; AP 4/23)

Israeli defense minister Benny Gantz said that Israel will not interfere in the Palestinian elections but will not be working with Hamas if the party gains more influence. Defense Minister Gantz’s statement is contradicted by Haaretz, reporting that the Shin Bet director threated PA president Mahmoud Abbas to cancel the elections and that Israel has been arresting Palestinian candidates it does not want to see in the Palestinian parliament. (HA 4/6)

Israeli president Reuven Rivlin picked Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu to be the 1st to try to form a government. President Rivlin said that none of the candidates had a real chance of forming a government but that he had picked Netanyahu because he had received the most endorsements. Netanyahu’s mandate to form a government ends after 28 days. (AJ, ALM, AP, AX, HA 4/6; ALM 4/7)

An Iranian cargo ship was hit by a limpet mine in the Red Sea between Yemen and Eritrea. According to the New York Times, the ship was deployed as a military ship for the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps to combat pirates in the area. The New York Times also reported that Israeli officials had notified U.S. officials that they would carry out the attack on the Iranian ship prior to the explosion. (NYT, REU 4/6; ALM, AP, AX, HA, REU 4/7; AP, HA, HA 4/8)

The U.S. said that indirect talks between it and Iran, mediated by the EU and Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action signatories, had been constructive and would resume on 4/9. (AJ, REU 4/6)

In the West Bank, Israeli forces shot and injured 2 Palestinians in Bir Nabala after clashes broke out during a raid; Israeli forces also seized 2 cars. Israeli forces also delivered stop-work orders to Palestinians rehabilitating land in Dayr Nidham. Elsewhere, Israeli forces razed some 3 dunams (0.75 acres) of land in Kisan. 23 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in and around Jenin, Qabatiya, Jalazun, al-Bireh, Bethlehem, Hebron, and Tammun. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces demolished 2 Palestinian-owned homes in Jabal Mukabir. 1 Palestinian was arrested during a late-night raid in Issawiyya. In Israel, 1 Palestinian man from Ramallah, who was working without an Israeli permit in Tel Aviv, died after falling to his death while being chased by Israeli police because of his lack of permit. (HA, TOI, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 3/24; HA, PCHR 3/25; HA 4/1)

During a tour of the Middle East, Chinese foreign minister Wang Yi told Al Arabiya TV that China will invite Palestinian and Israeli public figures to China for peace talks. (HA, JP, TOI 3/24; WAFA, WAFA 3/25; WAFA 3/28)

The UK contributed $17.3 million to UNRWA. (WAFA 3/24)

Japan, through the UN, gave $900,000 worth of medical equipment to the Makassed hospital in East Jerusalem. (WAFA 3/24)

IDF troops shoot and injure 2 Palestinians during clashes sparked by raids in Dahaysha refugee camp near Hebron and in Yatta village near Hebron. Elsewhere in the West Bank, they arrest 3 Palestinians during raids in and around Hebron, and patrol near Nablus. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces arrest 1 Palestinian during a late-night raid in Bir Nabala. Off Gaza’s coast, Israeli naval forces open fire on Palestinian fishing boats near Bayt Lahiya, causing no damage or injuries. (WAFA 5/31; PCHR 6/7)

A senior IDF officer says that the exchange of cross-border violence in Gaza on 5/29 was the closest “we’ve come to a war in Gaza” since Operation Protective Edge, the Israeli assault in the summer of 2014. He says that the IDF is urging the government to loosen certain restrictions on Gaza in order to de-escalate tensions. “The [Israeli] political leadership has to decide with whom to make such arrangements, but in terms of Hamas’ situation in the Gaza Strip, now is definitely a good time to try to reach agreements that will enable [Palestinians in Gaza] to have a better life and bring a long period of quiet.” (HA 5/31; TOI 6/1)

A day after Israel’s Civil Administration advanced plans for almost 2,000 new settler homes, Israel’s Housing Ministry publishes tenders for an additional 1,162 homes in the West Bank settlements, including 409 in Ariel. (TOI, WAFA 5/31)

In the West Bank, the IDF conducts house searches and arrest raids in 1 village nr. Jenin the morning, in 1 village and al-‘Arub r.c. nr. Hebron in the afternoon, and in 2 villages nr. Hebron and 1 village nr. Qalqilya in the night; patrols in 1 village nr. Hebron in the morning, and in Qalqilya and Hebron in the afternoon. In Dura, nr. Hebron, IDF troops shoot and injure 1 Palestinian after opening fire on Palestinian demonstrators in clashes in the village. IDF troops violently disperse Palestinian, Israeli, and international protesters at weekly demonstrations against Israel’s separation wall, settlements, and occupation in 3 villages nr. Ramallah (Bil‘in, Nabi Salih, and Ni‘lin), 1 village nr. Qalqilya (Kafr Qaddum), and 1 village nr. Bethlehem (al-Ma‘sara). There are no serious injuries, except in Kafr Qaddum, where 4 are injured by rubber-coated metal bullets. In East Jerusalem, IDF troops open fire on Palestinian demonstrators in al-‘Izzariya, wounding 3 with live ammunition. Separately, Palestinian activists make a 10-meter hole in the separation wall nr. Bir Nabala, while another group of activists cut barbed wire around Ofer prison nr. Ramallah. (MNA 11/15; PCHR 11/21)

The OPCW meets a deadline for reaching a detailed plan and timetable for the destruction of Syria’s chemical weapons arsenal, publishing a statement saying that the mission will be completed no later than 6/30/14. The “most critical” chemicals will be removed by 12/21/13, according to the plan. (BBC, REU 11/15)

In Gaza, scattered Fatah-Hamas skirmishes continue throughout the day (including in Bayt Lahiya, Gaza City), leaving at least 2 Palestinians dead, 10 wounded. Fatah, Hamas officials meet for a 2d day and order their mbrs. once again to observe a truce, withdraw forces fr. the streets, dismantle impromptu checkpoints, but there is no sign of a return to barracks by nightfall. Fatah accuses Hamas of kidnapping around 40 of its mbrs. in recent days, including the nephew of Fatah strongman Dahlan, abducted today in Khan Yunis. Meanwhile, the IDF conducts arrest raids, house searches in Qalandia; raids municipal offices in Bir Nabala n. of Jerusalem, confiscating the land register, computers, financial records, seals, checkbooks. A Palestinian dies of injuries received during an IDF raid on Bayt Lahiya on 11/21. (NYT, WP 2/4; MM, NYT 2/5; OCHA 2/7; PCHR 2/8)

The IDF demolishes an illegal outpost nr. Kiryat Arba comprising only a makeshift synagogue; the site has been demolished and rebuilt by Jewish settlers on 24 previous occasions. The IDF demolishes 2 Palestinian homes in Anata in Jerusalem, evacuates another 30 bedouin families fr. tents in the area, saying they are too close to the Anatot IDF base and that some land is needed for construction of the separation wall; conducts arrest raids, house searches in Balata r.c. and Nablus, exchanging gunfire with armed Palestinians, wounding 2. An IDF jeep on patrol in Bethlehem accidentally overturns, trapping 4 lightly injured soldiers inside; when 10s of Palestinians surround, throw stones at the jeep, the soldiers fire live ammunition, rubber-coated steel bullets, tear gas at the crowd, injuring 4. The Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP) fires 2 rockets at an IDF post in Gaza, causing no damage or injuries. Jewish settlers fr. Keddumim, guarded by IDF soldiers, bulldoze 30 d. of Palestinian agricultural land for expansion of the settlement. Unidentified gunmen fire on the Bir Nabala home, car of proreform PC mbr. Ahmad Batsh (Fatah-Jerusalem) causing damage but no injuries. (AP, HA, REU, XIN 4/13; VOI, VOP 4/13 in WNC 4/14; HA, PCHR 4/14; PR 4/20; PCHR 4/21)

The IDF announces that 6 wks. ago it arrested 3 Palestinians whom it alleges are Hizballah spies. The IDF demolishes a Palestinian home, a 2-story residential building, 2 apartments in a 3-story residential building in Bir Nabala northwest of Jerusalem and a 2-story residential building in Azariyya outside Jerusalem; occupies a Palestinian home in Hebron as a military outpost. Israeli security guards protecting a settlement wall construction sight nr. Dayr Ballut opens fire on a Palestinian family that arrives (with previous IDF permission) to farm its nearby land, wounding 4. Jewish settlers fr. Avraham Avino stone IDF soldiers building a wall to protect the home of a Palestinian family driven out by settler harassment (see 3/17, 3/24); 8 settlers are arrested. Palestinian teachers observe a day-long strike to protest PC inactivity in amending the civil service law to increase teacher salaries. (HA, JTA, REU 4/6; VOI, VOP 4/6 in WNC 4/7; PCHR, WP 4/7; OCHA 4/13; PCHR 4/14)

“In the framework of easing restrictions” on Palestinians, Israel rescinds expulsion orders against 4 Palestinians sent to Gaza several yrs. ago, allowing them to return to their homes in the West Bank. The IDF shoots, wounds a Palestinian who allegedly “rioted” at a roadblock nr. Qalqilya; raids Budrus nr. Ramallah, fires on stone-throwing youths, wounding 3; conducts arrest raids, house searches in al-Mughayyir nr. Ramallah, Tayasir nr. Jenin, Tulkarm; places cement blocks across the Bir Nabala–al-Ram road (a major commercial thoroughfare) and on the Dahiyat al-Barid–Qalandia road n. of Jerusalem. Jewish settlers fr. Keddumim bar 10s of Palestinian farmers fr. accessing their lands in nearby Kafr Qadim. (VOI, VOP 3/15; JP, OCHA 3/16; PCHR 3/17; IMEMC 3/25)

The IDF fires shells at a group of Palestinians that enters a closed military zone nr. the Gaza-Egypt border, killing 4 Palestinians, arresting 2 (1 of whom later dies in an Israeli hospital); demolishes a Palestinian home in East Jerusalem; bulldozes several bedouin tents and shacks in Bir Nabala northwest of Jerusalem for construction of the separation wall; raids a PA Health Min. clinic in Bethlehem; fires on residential areas of Khan Yunis; conducts arrest raids in Bayt Rima, Burkin nr. Jenin, Qarawat Bani Zayd. The IDF detains and beats PA presidential candidate Mustafa Barghouthi and his bodyguards at a checkpoint into Jenin, preventing him fr. campaigning in the city; the IDF disputes the account, says Barghouthi refused to show ID, was never hit, was finally allowed to pass when he showed ID. Palestinians fire an antitank rocket into Gaza’s Nisanit settlement, causing no damage or injuries. (AP, PM 12/8; VOI, VOP 12/8 in WNC 12/10; PCHR, WP 12/9; JAZ, VOI, VOP, YA 12/9 in WNC 12/11; NYT 12/10; NYT 12/11; WP 12/12; PR 12/15)

Abbas, Qurai‘ meet with Lebanese pres. Emile Lahoud, PM Omar Karami, parliamentary speaker Nabih Birri in Beirut, marking the 1st visit by the Palestinian leadership to Lebanon since Arafat withdrew to Tunis in 1982. Abbas, Qurai‘ visit Shatila r.c., Sidon, and Rashidiyya r.c. (a Fatah stronghold) where they are greeted by 1,000s of refugees, pledge to uphold the right of return. They do not visit nearby ‘Ayn al-Hilwa r.c. (AFP, WT 12/8; VOP 12/8 in WNC 12/10; AP 12/9; al-Quds, VOP 12/9 in WNC 12/11; NYT 12/13; Daily Star, alNahar, al-Safir 12/13 in WNC 12/16; PR 12/15)

In Washington, PA Local Government M Erakat meets with special envoy Ross. (MM, WT 7/22; WJW 7/24)

In Gaza, Arafat, Shin Bet head Ami Ayalon discuss Israel's arrest of 3 PA policemen 7/15. Later, Egyptian amb. Basyuni hosts mtg. btwn. Israeli DM Mordechai, PA Planning M Shaath to discuss tensions surrounding arrest. The policemen have reportedly "confessed" under interrogation, prompting the IDF to detain the head of the PA forces in the Nablus area. (IDF Radio, ITV, QY 7/17 in WNC 7/18; MM, WT 7/18; ITV 7/18, MA 7/19, 7/20, Hatzofe 7/21 in WNC 7/22; JP 7/26) (see 7/9)

In Bir Nabala, IDF demolishes 19 Palestinian homes housing 47 persons. Soldiers do not let residents remove their belongings fr. the homes before destroying them. (LAW 7/7)

In Bayt Sahur, 2,000 Palestinians attend the funeral of boy killed by IDF 7/14. (WT 7/17)

World Bank grants Jordan a $50 m. loan for upgrading the kingdom's health care system. (JTV 7/17 in WNC 7/18)

Egypt says it will host economic summit in Cairo in 11/12-14 as planned. (MM, WP 9/13; al-`Arabi 9/16 in WNC 9/27) (see 8/22)

Acting on a tip (possibly fr. the U.S.), Hong Kong customs impounds Syria-bound, N. Korean cargo shipment marked "finished goods," found to contain heavy artillery (incl. Howitzers, Russian made M-46 field guns). It is legal to ship arms through Hong Kong but illegal to falsely declare goods. (Kong Standard, South China Morning Post 917, 9/18 in WNC 11/12)

Iraq again fires surface-to-air missiles at U.S. warplanes in the expanded s. no-fly zone, causing no damage. U.S. announces it will position stealth bombers at airfields in Kuwait. Turkey agrees to allow 2,500 Iraqi oppositionist transit through Turkey as part of U.S. plan to evacuate its allies fr. the Kurdish enclave, provided none were connected with the CIA, PKK; U.S. says if those sponsored by the CIA can escape fr. Iraq, it will "certainly look sympathetically" on their appeals for asylum. U.S. dispatches 2d aircraft carrier to the region. (MM 9/12; NYT, WP, WSJ 9/13; WP 9/17, 9/18; al-Ahram 9/19 in WNC 9/30; MEI 9/20) (see 9/11)

Hatzofe reports that changes to Oslo II maps were agreed to and signed in 1/96 but have been kept secret. The 5 changes were only of several dozen meters. 3 favored the Israelis: moving the access road for Qedar settlement and the forests west of Ma'ale Adumim fr. zone B to C; moving the Ashkenazi Jewish cemetery of Hebron fr. zone A to C; moving the Ramallah and Bir Nabala oxidation pools, which incl. parts of the land designated for the Psagot-Kokhav Yi'aqov bypass road, fr. zone A to C. 2 changes favored the PA: moving a strip of land n. of Janin fr. zone C to A; expanding the zone B area of Abu-Dis e. to the Israeli municipal boundary of Jerusalem. (Hatzofe 9/12 in WNC 9/16)

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: General strike is observed in occupied territories. Curfews are in effect in Rafah, Khan Yunis, Beach camps, parts of Gaza City, Hablah, Ras 'Atiyyah [FJ 2/13].

Other Countries: U.S. formally notifies PLO of "serious concern" over attempted PLO border infiltration [NYT 2/9].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Guards shoot, kill Palestinian and wound 19 during riot in Meguiddo prison. In Qabatiyyah soldiers shoot, kill Palestinian teenager. Troops in Silat Harthiyyah open fire, killing Palestinian teenager. In Tel Aviv 20-year-old Palestinian from Rafah dies from gunshot wounds received 2/7 [NYT 2/9, FJ 2/13]. 8-year-old Palestinian dies from burns received 2/4. At least 17 other Palestinians are wounded by troops. Soldiers demolish 2 homes in E. Jerusalem. 75 newly replanted olive trees are uprooted by troops in Bir Nabala [FJ 2/13]