The Palestine Chronology

In the West Bank, a Palestinian man succumbs to injuries sustained in an Israeli drone strike on Jenin on 2/22. Israeli settlers raid Taybeh, kidnapping 3 elderly Palestinian farmers who are later released from a military base in Tarqumiyah. Israeli forces seize a bulldozer during a raid in Nabi Salih. In East Jerusalem, Israeli settlers tour the Haram al-Sharif compound. In Gaza, Israeli forces bomb Dayr al-Balah, Rafah, Khan Yunis, Gaza City, and al-Bureij refugee camp, killing at least 90 people. In Lebanon, Israeli forces bomb near Baalbek, killing 2 people and injuring 6 others. Israeli forces also bomb al-Sarira, Ayta ash Shab, Majadel, and Wadi al-Dalafa, killing at least 2 people in Majadil. Islamic Jihad says 2 of its fighters are killed in southern Lebanon. Hezbollah shoots down an Israeli drone using a surface-to-air missile and fires 60 Katyusha rockets at an Israeli military site. In Yemen, U.S. forces attack 6 sites. (AJ, AJ, AJ, AP, HA, NYT, NYT, REU, REU, REU, UNOCHA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 2/26; AP 2/27; UNOCHA 2/28)

More than 29,782 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli forces in Gaza, including at least 12,000 children and 7,200 women, and around 70,043 have been injured since 10/7/2023. At least 8,000 people are missing in rubble, including 1,700 children. 400 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli forces and settlers in the West Bank and East Jerusalem since 10/7/2023, including 102 children. More than 4,575 people have been injured. Israel reports that 1,139 Israelis and foreign nationals have been killed and 5,400 have been injured in Israel since 10/7/2023, including Israeli soldiers. In addition, 238 Israeli soldiers have been killed and 1,396 injured in Gaza since the ground invasion began on 10/27/2023. Over 1.93 million Palestinians, nearly 85% of the population of Gaza, have been displaced since 10/7/2023. There has been a complete electricity blackout in Gaza since 10/12/2023 due to the Israeli blockade. At least 70,000 housing units have been destroyed and 290,000 have been damaged in Israeli airstrikes since 10/7/2023, constituting over 60% of all housing units. 138 trucks carrying aid enter Gaza. Israel allows 10 trucks carrying aid to enter northern Gaza. Jordan and France airdrop aid to Gaza from 4 C-130 planes at 11 sites. The Red Crescent says it has suspended medical missions for the next 48 hours as it is unable to ensure the safety of its staff. (AJ, HA, UNOCHA, UNOCHA, WAFA, WAFA 2/26; AP, UNOCHA 2/27)

PA prime minister Mohammed Shtayyeh resigns on behalf of himself and the rest of the cabinet during the weekly cabinet meeting in Ramallah, saying “the next stage and its challenges require new governmental and political arrangements that take into account the new reality in Gaza and the need for a Palestinian-Palestinian consensus based on Palestinian unity.” Shtayyeh says he submitted his resignation to President Mahmoud Abbas on 2/20 but formally submitted his resignation in writing today. Abbas accepts the resignation of Shtayyeh and the rest of the cabinet, asking him and the rest of the ministers to stay on as caretakers until a new government is formed. Shtayyeh, who has been prime minister since March 2019, also cites the genocide in Gaza and the “unprecedent escalation in the West Bank and Jerusalem” as reasons for resigning. Before Shtayyeh’s resignation, over the weekend it was rumored that the Palestinian government would resign in order to facilitate the formation of a technocratic government to be led by the PA as requested by the U.S. (HA 2/25; AJ, AJ, AP, AX, HA, HA, NYT, REU, REU, WAFA, WAFA 2/26; AP, HA 2/27)

The New York Times reports that Israel has agreed to release 15 high-profile Palestinian prisoners in exchange for 5 female Israeli soldiers as part of the potential ceasefire deal. U.S. president Joe Biden says he hopes a ceasefire agreement can be reached by 3/4. Axios reports that Israeli military chief of staff Herzi Halevi and Shin Bet director Ronen Bar traveled to Egypt last week to assure the Egyptian government that Israel will take measures to prevent Palestinians from fleeing to Egypt during its planned invasion of Rafah. A delegation of Israeli officials arrive in Qatar for ceasefire talks. Defense Minister Yoav Gallant says Palestinians will not be allowed to return to northern Gaza until all Israeli captives are released. Jordanian foreign minister Ayman Safadi and U.S. secretary of state Antony Blinken discuss the ceasefire negotiations. (AJ, AP, AX, AX, HA, NYT, REU, REU 2/26; AJ, AP, AP, AX, HA, HA, NYT, REU 2/27)

Israeli industry minister Nir Barkat meets with Saudi minister of commerce Majid bin Abdullah Alkassabi on the sidelines of a World Trade Organization meeting in the UAE, saying the 2 countries can “make history together.” (AJ 2/26)

During the sixth and final day of the ICJ hearings on the legality of the Israeli occupation of Palestinian territories, the Arab League calls the occupation an “affront to international justice” and says Israel perpetrates “racial domination and apartheid” against Palestinians. Turkey, Zambia, Spain, Fiji, the Maldives, the African Union, and the OIC also present arguments. During the 6 days of hearings, only the U.S., Fiji, Hungary, and the UK spoke in favor of Israel’s argument that the court should not make a decision on the occupation while 50 other countries and organizations argued, to varying degrees, that the occupation is illegal and has to end. (AJ, AJ, AP, HA, NYT, NYT, REU, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 2/26; WAFA 2/27)

UN secretary-general Antonio Guterres says the UN Security Council’s “lack of unity on Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, and on Israel’s military operations in Gaza following the horrific terror attacks by Hamas on 7 October, has severely—perhaps fatally—undermined its authority,” calling for reform of the council. Arab diplomats meet with Guterres, warning him about Israeli plans to severely limit the number of worshippers allowed at the Haram al-Sharif compound during Ramadan. (AJ, AP, HA, REU, WAFA 2/26)

USAID administrator Samantha Power visits a World Food Programme warehouse in Jordan, saying only around 85 trucks carrying aid enter Gaza a day while around 500 are needed. (AJ, HA 2/26)

President Biden reiterates in an interview his previous claim that without Israel, Jews living throughout the world would not be safe. (AJ 2/27)

Israel submits a report on progress it has made since the ICJ issued provisional measures to alleviate the suffering of Palestinians in Gaza as part of the South African genocide case against Israel. Human Rights Watch says Israel has ignored the ICJ provisional measures and “in some ways even intensified its repression, including further blocking lifesaving aid.” Amnesty International also says Israel has failed to comply with the measures. (Airwars, AJ, HA, HA, WAFA 2/26; NYT 2/27)

EU high commissioner for foreign affairs Josep Borrell criticizes European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen in an interview with El Pais, saying her trip to Israel in October 2023 “with such a completely pro-Israeli position, without representing anyone but herself in a matter of international politics, has carried a high geopolitical cost for Europe.” Borrell also says Israeli prime minister Benjamin “Netanyahu’s plans for Gaza are unacceptable. The seeds of hatred are being sown for generations. It is an open secret that the Israelis funded Hamas and played at dividing the Palestinians.” (AJ, EP 2/26)

19,012 artists sign an open letter calling on Israel to be banned from the Venice Biennale, saying there should not be a “genocide pavilion at the Venice Biennale.” Italian minister of culture Gennaro Sanguiliano rejects the call, saying the letter is “shameful.” The Biennale later issues a statement saying it would “not take into consideration any petition or call to exclude” countries. (AJ, ANGA, HA 2/26; AJ, AJ, REU 2/27; AP, NYT 2/28)

In the Gaza Strip, IDF troops conduct a limited incursion close to the border fence nr. al-Qarara to level land. In the West Bank, the IDF conducts house searches and arrest raids in 1 village nr. Hebron; patrols in 2 villages nr. Ramallah and 1 village nr. Hebron. (MNA 9/11; PCHR 9/18)

The Hamas-run govt. in the Gaza Strip begins paying a backlog of salaries to around 50,000 of its employees. These people, who were hired by Hamas after the group took power in 2007, have not been paid since the PA unity govt. took de jure control of Gaza on 6/2, and were only paid sporadically since Egypt began cracking down on the tunnels into Sinai in 10/2013. Anonymous Hamas officials say that recent tax revenues enabled the payment of salaries from 10/2013–5/2014, though there is speculation in the media that the money was donated from a regional partner, like Qatar. (JP 9/10; AFP 9/11)

An Israeli delegation, led by Strategic Affairs Minister Yuval Steinitz, meets with U.S. officials in Washington for their semiannual “Strategic Dialogue.” Topics of discussion include regional changes, the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, and OPE, as well as Iran’s nuclear program. (JP 9/12)

Al-Nusra Front releases 45 Fijian UN peacekeepers nr. a crossing at the border with the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights. (AP, REU 9/11)

In the West Bank, the IDF conducts house searches and arrest raids in 2 villages nr. Bethlehem, 2 villages nr. Qalqilya, and 1 village nr. Hebron at night; patrols Qalqilya and in 1 village each nr. Salfit, Jenin, and Hebron at night. (PCHR 6/20)

Israel’s Economics and Trade Minister Naftali Bennett says that the idea of a Palestinian state is “dead” and urges Israel to annex Area C of the West Bank as soon as possible. In response, Palestinian chief negotiator Saeb Erakat says that the international community needs to recognize that Israel has declared the end of the two-state solution. However, separately, Israel’s Housing Minister Uri Ariel says that the govt. has frozen nearly all housing starts in settlements in the West Bank and East Jerusalem, to boost efforts to restart talks. (AFP, JP, REU, YA 6/17)

Reports in Fiji’s media suggest that the Pacific island will replace some of the UNDOF peacekeepers withdrawn by Austria (following previous withdrawals by Croatia and Japan), sending 170 troops by the end of 6/2013. (JP 6/17)

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/lsrael: Israeli D.M. Rabin says that Israel has temporarily halted W. Bank deportations. The announcement comes after complaints from Israeli human rights activists and a U.S. State Dep't call for more flexibility in deportations [WP 2/1].

Jerusalem Domestic Service reports that 4,600 Soviet Jews arrived in Israel during January [FBIS 2/1].

Arab World: The Fifth Assembly of the Middle East Council of Churches ends 6- day meeting in Nicosia with a call to support Palestinian independence [FJ 2/5].

Arafat meets with Soviet envoy Gennedy Tarasov in Tunis over emigration of Soviet Jews to Israel [MET 2/13].

ACC parliamentary committee opens meeting in Baghdad [FBIS 2/7].

Other Countries: UN Sec. Council extends the mandate of UNIFIL for another 6 months [MET 2/13].

Many of the Soviet Jews emigrating to Israel tell of rampant anti-Semitism in the USSR [NYT 2/4].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Israeli military demolishes 2 homes in Qabalan village, near Nablus [FJ 2/12].

General strike called for by UNLU is observed in O.T. [FBIS 2/1; FJ 2/5].

At least 12 Palestinians are wounded in clashes in O.T. [FBIS 2/1; FJ 2/5].

Israeli military closes 7 Gaza Strip schools for security reasons [FJ 2/5].

Gazan accused of collaborating with Israel is killed [MET 2/13].

Arab World: Army troops loyal to Aoun battle militias outlawed on 1/30. At least 28 people are killed [WP 2/1; MET 2/13].

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: General strike is observed in E. Jerusalem, Hebron [FJ 4/ 17].

Arab World: Egyptian president Mubarak travels to Amman to brief King Hussein on visit to United States [FBIS, NYT 4/13].

Other Countries: Senior administration official states U.S. will no longer defend Israeli settlement policy before UN [WP 4/13].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Gush Emunim leader Rabbi Moshe Levinger is charged in killing of Palestinian shoe salesman in Hebron [FBIS 4/12, LAT 4/13]. At least 26 Palestinians are injured during clashes in O.T. In E. Jerusalem at least 10 Palestinians are arrested [FJ 4/17'].

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Military prosecutors charge 4 Israeli soldiers with aggravated assault in beating death of 18- year-old Palestinian in February 1989. Tulkarm is placed under curfew [FBIS 4/3]. Norwegian F.M. Thorvald Stoltenberg arrives in Israel to discuss bilateral relations, Israeli use of 20 tons of heavy water that Norway sold to Israel [MET 4/11].

Arab World: In Tunis Faruq al-Qaddumi receives Canada's ambassador to Tunisia [FBIS 4/5].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Demonstrations are reported throughout O.T., at least 20 Palestinians are injured [FJ 4/10]. 

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: First day of 3-day general strike commemorating 20th anniversary of founding of DFLP is observed throughout O.T. [FBIS 2/22]. Israel resumes jamming of al-Quds radio which is run by PFLP-GC [FBIS 2/19].

Arab World: Shevardnadze arrives in Jordan for talks with King Hussein [NYT 2/20, FBIS 2/21]. Arafat calls for creation of economic union between Jordan, Israel, Palestine, Lebanon [FBIS 2/21].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/lIsrael: Israeli troops shoot, wound at least 3 Palestinians in W. Bank. In Gaza 8 Palestinians are wounded during clashes with troops [FJ 2/27].

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Curfews are enforced in parts of Gaza City, Nusayrat camp [FJ 12/5].

Other Countries: France, Italy, Sweden condemn U.S. denial of visa to Arafat [NYT 11/28]. Perez de Cuellar, secretary general of the United Nations, calls U.S. denial "incompatible with the obligations of the host country" [WP 11/28]. Arab diplomats announce that they have votes needed to move UN General Assembly to Geneva in order to hear Arafat [NYT 11/28].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Cashes erupt in Jabalya, Dayr al-Balah, al-Burayj, Khan Yunis, Idna, throughout O.T.; at least 17 Palestinians are injured [FJ 12/5].

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Curfews are imposed on Nusayrat camp and parts of Gaza City [FJ 10/30].

Other Countries: Jordan's King Hussein, PLO chairman Yasir Arafat, and Egyptian pres. Husni Mubarak meet in Aqaba. An aide to Mubarak states the meeting was to "let him [the Israeli voter] know when he casts his vote that there is an Arab partner ready for negotiations" [NYT 10/23]. Arafat, Hussein agree in principle to a Jordanian-PLO confederation [LAT 10/24].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Demonstrations erupt throughout the occupied territories leaving 12 people injured [FJ 10/30].

Arab World: Israeli soldier dies from wounds received during a car bombing on 10/19 [NYT 10/24].

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: A general strike is observed in the Gaza Strip [FJ 7/31]. The Jordanian minister of education Zuqan al-Hindawi cancels the 2nd part of Taujihi, the high school graduation exam; 1st semester grades stand as final grades [11 7/3 1].

Military

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Troops use rubber bullets, tear gas, live ammunition to break up demonstrations throughout the Gaza Strip; scores of people are injured [FJ 7/3 1]. In Tarqumiyyah troops arrest 20 Palestinians [FJ 7/31].

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Military allows stores to open in W. Bank and Gaza Strip [FJ 5/15].

Arab World: Jordan's King Hussein criticizes U.S. for not forcing Israel to accept terms of latest U.S. peace plan [CSM 5/9]. King also says he will not negotiate on behalf of PLO at intemational conference [NYT 5/9].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/lIsrael: In W. Bank, Israeli soldiers open fire on Palestinian car after driver allegedly refused to stop; 3 occupants are injured, 1 of them seriously [FJ 5/15].

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: F.M. Peres defends Israel's role in the U.S.-Iran arms sales [WP 11/25]. Authorities demolish mosque and private Arab house in Galilee village of Kammani. Government does not recognize Kammani and claims mosque was built illegally [FJ 11/28].

Other Countries: Representatives of Israel, Egypt, Jordan, Iraq, U.S., and Turkey meet to discuss U.S. policy on water resources in the Middle East at conference sponsored by Georgetown University's Center for Strategic and International Studies [WP 12/15].

Military Action

Arab World: Palestinians break through Amal lines near Sidon. At least 50 are killed, 85 wounded in the battle [WP, NYT 11/25].

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: DM Rabin charges recent attacks against Israelis in W. Bank coordinated in Amman. IDF allow Ramallah shops closed 2/4 to re-open [MG 2/6]. al-Mithaq reports prefabricated houses being erected on Arab-owned land of Aqbat Ni'meh east of Dhahriya in the Hebron area [FJ 2/8].

Arab World: Chrmn. Arafat arrives in Algiers; Syrian VP Khaddam also in Algiers [MG 2/6].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Gasoline bomb thrown at police post, al-Arroub camp; no injuries [JP 2/6].

Arab World: In Damascus, PFLP claims responsibility for 2/4 killing of IDF soldier in Ramallah [JTA 2/6]. 2 IDF troops wounded by bomb near Burj al-Shamali camp, S. Lebanon; car-bomb later in the day near the camp injures 10 IDF troops [JP, WP 2/6]. SLA roadblock fired upon in Kafr Kharroub, S. Lebanon [JP 2/6]. IDF attack Jabal Amal Professional Training School in Tyre, S. Lebanon; at least 6 teenagers killed, 57 wounded, 150 arrested for unknown reasons [Fl 2/8].

Casualties:

UNIFIL conducting formal military inquiry into March 30 shooting of Lebanese doctor by member of Fiji contingent.

Political Responses:

Palestinians/ Lebanese: Abu Jihad, in Amman, says Reagan's offer to try to halt settlements does not change PLO position of no confidence in US.

US and Other Countries: Socialist International, meeting in Lisbon, votes to accept Israeli Mapam Party as full member despite Labor Party opposition.

Military Action:

Syrians and Israelis exchange tank and mortar fire east of Beirut for first time in 4 months; gun battles in Tripoli between rival militias; Beirut offices of Arab Deterrent Force closed, premises handed over to Lebanese Army.

Casualties:

Lebanese doctor shot and killed at roadblock by Fiji UNIFIL soldier in South Lebanon; 3 killed, including Syrian soldier, 6 wounded in Tripoli.

Political Responses:

Israel/ Occupied Territories: Land Day demonstrations in Israel, West Bank, Gaza, 3,000 extra police on duty; 10-20,000 make Land Day march from Sakhnin to Deir Hanna; tear gas fired at demonstrators in Sakhnin; Peace Now demonstrates outside government exhibition in Tel Aviv of residential construction and housing finance opportunities for Jews on the West Bank; Labor Party chairman Peres says position of Haddad forces must not be infringed by troop withdrawal agreement, Israel should not submit to any preconditions, such as settlement freeze, prior to peace talks with Hussein; Habib meets Arens and Shamir who reject notion that Lebanese Army, without Haddad, can provide effective security on northern border; 7 year-old boy killed, 2 children wounded in Shefar Am when hand grenade they find explodes; commercial strike in East Jerusalem; IDF shoots, kills 18 year-old in Tarqumiya, near Hebron, during demonstration; curfews imposed in Nablus, 4 refugee camps; 2 molotov cocktails thrown at IDF vehicles in West Bank; 2 molotov cocktails thrown at IDF vehicles in West Bank; 2 grenades thrown at IDF vehicles in Gaza; 13 persons injured by stones; Al-Fajr editor-in-chief arrested; director of West Bank public health services says clinical symptoms of 53 girls from Arraba, taken ill on March 21, point to something more than a case of mass hysteria.

Palestinians/ Lebanese: Arafat, in Damascus, tells rally he rejects Reagan plan, and Fez summit resolutions are only basis for solution to Palestine problem.

US and Other Countries: Soviet Union accuses Israel of planning a piratic strike against Syria, warns it would be playing with fire.

Military Action:

Druze-Phalange militia gunbattles in Maarufiye-Bsada region, near Baabda; Lebanese internal security forces deployed in areas of Tripoli to monitor cease-fire.

Casualties:

Government offices, banks, shops and many schools reopen in Tripoli.

Political Responses:

Israel/ Occupied Territories: Israeli officials say Government is prepared to allow UNIFIL a 2 month extension, to operate around Palestinian refugee camps above 25 mile security zone, do not want UNIFIL within security zone; MK Yitzhak Rabin says war in Lebanon was illegal use of IDF for far-reaching political goals; Defense Ministry informs Umm al-Fahm residents that 15,000 dunums of their land is declared a military zone and cultivation must cease; troops raid Najah University, remove Palestinian posters and flags; military authorities close Kadri Tukan high school after border police injured by stones following celebration of 18th anniversary of Fateh in Nablus; all Nablus and neighboring Balata camp under undeclared curfew; Israeli traffic stoned in Ramallah and Bethlehem, with total of 5 settlers injured during week; Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs spokesman Avraham Hoffmann says $150,000 promotion campaign will encourage Israelis to settle in West Bank, and provide clearing house for information on available housing, World Zionist Organization goal is 100,000 settlers by 1985, current number is 25,000.

Palestinians/ Lebanese: Arafat meets with Jordanian Prime Minister Mudar Badran, holds press conference in Amman in which he praises the Reagan plan for calling for a settlement freeze, and criticizes plan for denying Palestinian right to independent state; Abu lyad says meeting of Fateh Central Committee in Kuwait on 6 January rejected the Reagan plan; Lebanese-Israeli-US talks held in Khalde deadlocked over agenda as US compromise proposals are unacceptable, but new proposals submitted.

US and Other Countries: US State Department confirms several encounters between IDF and Marines in Beirut; Special Envoy Habib confers with Reagan, Shultz and Bush before leaving for Middle East, amid growing Administration frustration that delay in Israeli and Syrian troop withdrawals impede Jordan's involvement in peace negotiations as proposed in Reagan Plan; B'nai B'rith Anti-Defamation League releases report that anti-Semitic violence in US decreased by 15% in 1982, to 829 incidents, mostly in New York, California, New Jersey and Massachusetts; New York City Mayor Koch presents key to city to President Navon, pledges support of Israel, Navon tells Yeshiva University students to settle in Israel; Italian Defense Minister Lelio Lagorio, in Beirut, announces Italy considering sending another battalion to Lebanon, bringing total troops to 4,000.

UN: Senegal, Fiji, Norway, Ireland, Holland, Ghana, Finland, France, Sweden and Italy will keep troops in UNIFIL; Nigeria will remove troops from UNIFIL.