The Palestine Chronology

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers uprooted 170 olive trees in al-Lubban ash-Sharqiya and set 1 vehicle on fire in Asira al-Qibliya, writing “Jewish blood is not cheap” on nearby walls. Israeli settlers also opened fire on Palestinian vehicles driving near the Migdal Oz settlement. Elsewhere, Israeli settlers threw stones at Palestinian vehicles near the al-Hamra checkpoint, smashing the windshields on 5 vehicles. Israeli settlers also threw stones at 1 Palestinian vehicle near Jericho, injuring the driver. Meanwhile, Israeli settlers stopped a Palestinian taxi driver near the Dead Sea before beating him. Israeli settlers also vandalized 2 vehicles in the Masafer Yatta area. Israeli forces raided Ya‘bad, arresting 4 of the family members of 1 Palestinian man who killed 5 people in Israel on 3/29. Israeli forces also took measurements for a punitive demolition. Elsewhere, Israeli forces raided al-Khader, causing tear-gas related injuries. 20 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in Bayt Rima, Ein Misbah, Deir Abu Masha‘al, Bir al-Basha, Kafr Qaddum, Balata refugee camp, al-‘Ibayyat, and Beit Umar. In East Jerusalem, 1 Palestinian was arrested during a late-night raid in Isawiya. Off the coast of Gaza, Israeli naval forces opened fire on Palestinian fishermen; no injuries were reported. (HA, HA, MEE, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 3/30; HA, PCHR, WAFA 3/31; +972 4/4; UNOCHA 4/10)

The Israeli cities of Netanya, Ramle, Holon, and Givatayim suspended construction and gardening work at public schools in an apparent effort to limit work by Palestinian laborers. Ramat Gan’s mayor also told building contractors in the city to end work on sites that “rely on Arab labor.” In addition, the Israeli military banned the entry of Palestinian workers into Israeli settlements. The restrictions on Palestinian workers come as 3 different attacks were carried out in Israel over the past week, including 2 by Palestinian citizens of Israel and 1 by a Palestinian from the West Bank. (HA 3/30)

Israel’s security cabinet decided to revoke work permits for relatives of Palestinians who have attacked Israelis and pushed forward a plan to reinforce the separation barrier. Israeli police also asked the security cabinet to limit access to the Haram al-Sharif compound to Muslim worshippers 60 and older—a request the security cabinet did not immediately respond to. Prime minister Naftali Bennett also called on all licensed Israelis to start carrying a weapon. (HA 3/30; HA, HA 3/31)

Prime Minister Bennett spoke with U.S. president Joe Biden, who offered his condolences after 11 people have been killed in attacks in Israel in the past week. (HA 3/31)

Israeli president Isaac Herzog met with Jordan’s king Abdullah II in Amman. (HA, REU 3/29; ALM, HA, REU 3/30)

In the West Bank, 1 Israeli settler was killed near the Migdal Oz settlement; there was no identified suspect. After the settler’s body was found, Israeli forces set up roadblocks in the area south of Bethlehem. Israeli settlers later in the day threw stones at Palestinian vehicles north of Ramallah. Israeli authorities gave demolition notices for 4 residential houses and an industrial structure in Bayt Awa near Hebron. Israeli forces seized a Palestinian-owned tractor in Ras al-Ahmar in the Jordan Valley. 6 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in and around Jenin, Kafr Nimeh, and Jalazun. In East Jerusalem, some 260 Israeli settlers with police escort toured the Haram al-Sharif compound. 2 Palestinians were arrested during a late-night raid in Issawiyya. (HA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 8/8)

In the aftermath of the murder of the Israeli settler, Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu blamed Palestinians for the murder of the settler and vowed more Israeli settlements in the West Bank. (HA 8/8)

Along Gaza’s border fence, IDF troops open fire on Palestinians reportedly preparing to fly incendiary kites into Israel near Rafah and later near Khan Yunis, causing no damage or injuries. In the West Bank, hundreds of Israeli settlers visit Joseph’s Tomb near Nablus overnight, sparking clashes between their IDF escort and stone-throwing Palestinians in the area; 17 Palestinians are injured and 3 are arrested. IDF troops also arrest 2 Palestinians during raids near Nablus and Hebron, and patrol near Qalqilya, Tulkarm, and Hebron. Separately, a Palestinian driver reportedly fires shots toward the Israeli settlement Migdal Oz near Bethlehem, causing no damage or injuries. The IDF then seals the entrance to nearby Bayt Fajjar village in order to search for the assailant. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces demolish a number of commercial buildings and raze a small patch of farmland outside Hizma village. (HA, MNA, TOI 6/25; PCHR 6/28)

IDF troops violently disperse Palestinians, Israelis, and international activists at Friday protests against Israel’s occupation, settlements, and separation wall in 3 villages near Ramallah (Nabi Salih, Bil‘in, and Ni‘lin), Kafr Qaddum near Qalqilya, central Hebron, and along Gaza’s border near al-Bureij refugee camp; 1 Palestinian is injured. Meanwhile, the IDF maintains its general closure of 9 Jerusalem-area villages for a 4th day, following the deadly attack in Har Hadar on 9/26. Israeli soldiers arrest 2 Palestinians, allegedly for placing an explosive device on a road near the Migdal Oz settlement outside Hebron. After an IDF drone goes down in Bethlehem, Israeli soldiers enter the area to search for the device, sparking clashes with stone-throwing residents; 1 Palestinian is injured. The IDF patrols in and around Tulkarm and Hebron. Off Gaza’s coast, Israeli naval forces open fire on Palestinian fishing boats near Jabaliya refugee camp, causing no damage or injuries. (MNA 9/29; MNA 9/30; PCHR 10/5)

In the Gaza Strip, IDF troops conduct a limited incursion close to the border fence nr. Khan Yunis to level land. In the West Bank, IDF troops violently disperse Palestinian protesters in Silwad nr. Ramallah, injuring 1 with live ammunition. The IDF conducts house searches and arrest raids in al-‘Arub and 2 villages nr. Hebron, and 2 villages each nr. Qalqilya and Salfit at night; patrols in 1 village nr. Ramallah in the morning, 1 village nr. Qalqilya in the afternoon, and in 2 villages nr. Hebron at night. 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, Ni‘lin, and Nabi Salih). There are no serious injuries except in Nabi Salih, where 1 is wounded by a bullet. Palestinian gunmen fire on Israeli settlement Migdal Oz nr. Bethlehem, causing no injuries. Separately, a Palestinian throws a small explosive device at a military position nr. Ramallah, causing no injuries. (JP 5/9; PCHR 5/15)

In the Gaza Strip, Palestinians fire 1 rocket into s. Israel, causing no damage or injuries. Off the coast nr. Bayt Lahiya, Israeli naval vessels open fire at Palestinian fishermen, causing no damage or injuries. In the West Bank, a Palestinian opens fire on the entrance of Migdal Oz settlement nr. Bethlehem, causing no injuries. Israeli forces disperse a protest march nr. Jiftlik in the Jordan Valley, after demonstrators temporarily blocked Highway 90. The IDF conducts house searches and arrest raids in Qalqilya in the afternoon, and in 1 village nr. Bethlehem and in Nablus at night; patrols in 5 villages and al-Fawar r.c. nr. Hebron and 1 village nr. Bethlehem at night. In East Jerusalem, Israeli security forces shoot and seriously wound a Palestinian during clashes in Anata r.c. (MNA, YA 1/18; PCHR 1/23)

Israeli energy minister Silvan Shalom attends a meeting of the International Renewable Energy Agency in the UAE, the 1st time Israel has sent a minister to such a meeting since the organization began in 2009. (AFP, HA 1/18)

Syrian FM Walid Muallem, in Moscow for talks with Russia’s FM Lavrov, offers a prisoner exchange ahead of proposed peace talks in Switzerland. Meanwhile, the SNC agrees to attend the talks, and also says that 3 armed factions—the Soldiers of the Levant, the Syrian Revolutionaries Front, and the Mujahiddin Army—wish to be represented at the conference. (AFP, REU 1/18)

Egyptian authorities confirm that 98% of the voters who participated in the 1/14 referendum supported the approval of the new constitution, with under 40% of the electorate participating. (AP, REU 1/18)

IAEA inspectors arrive in Tehran in anticipation of the implementation of the 6-mo. interim agreement on 1/20. The team is responsible for monitoring compliance and inspecting the Natanz and Fordow nuclear facilities. (AP, REU 1/18)

Military Action:

Syrian forces fire on IDF tractor and APC in Bekaa Valley.

Casualties:

Suspect in assassination of Bashir Gemayel handed over to Lebanese judicial authorities by Phalange militiamen holding him since September; IDF separates Lebanese and Palestinian detainees at Ansar detention camp.

Political Responses:

Israel/ Occupied Territories: Government reportedly plans to move thousands of residents out of West Bank refugee camps, will offer them grants to build homes on land placed at their disposal by government, seeks financial support for plan from other governments and from international Zionist organizations; 2 women in Galilee village of Arraba arrested on security charges; British Ambassador in Israel summoned to Foreign Ministry for severe condemnation of recent British statements on Middle East and meeting between Foreign Office Minister and PLO official in Tunis; 350 dunums of land seized at Umar, West Bank village near Gush Emunim settlement of Migdal Oz; West Bank Union of Chambers of Commerce defies High Court decision, will not collect value added tax.

US and Other Countries: After 4-hour meeting with Mubarak, Shultz says US and Egypt hold identical views on withdrawal of foreign forces from Lebanon; State Dept. official says Israel and Lebanon have agreed on 95% of a withdrawal plan, Haddad's role is main obstacle; 3,000 attend memorial service in Washington for Americans killed in Beirut Embassy, at least 7 CIA employees reportedly among those killed in the explosion.