The Palestine Chronology

In the West Bank, Israeli forces shoot and kill 3 Palestinians and injure 3 others during raids in al-Fara’a refugee camp and Tubas. Israeli forces also shoot and kill a Palestinian man near al-Muntar. Elsewhere, Israeli forces shoot and injure a Palestinian man during a raid in Beit Furik. Israeli forces also seize a bulldozer during a raid in Bidya. Meanwhile, Israeli forces also arrest 30 Palestinians from Gaza in Barta’a and 5 others in Nablus, Beit Furik, Jalazone, Jericho, and Tubas, including a Palestinian child in Jericho who was released as part of the ceasefire prisoner swap in November 2023. 9 Palestinians prisoners released as part of the deal have been arrested again. In Gaza, Israeli forces bomb Khan Yunis, Gaza City, Dayr al-Balah, and Rafah, killing at least 96 people. 2 babies die at the Kamal Adwan Hospital due to dehydration. 2 rockets are fired at Ashkelon, both are intercepted. 2 Israeli soldiers die in combat. In Lebanon, Israeli forces bomb Ayta ash Shab, Sidon, and Tyre. Hezbollah fires anti-tank missiles at an Israeli airbase in the Mount Meron area, causing damage. In the Red Sea, U.S. forces shoot down 5 drones launched from Yemen. Germany naval forces also intercept a drone launched from Yemen. (HA 2/26; AJ, AJ, AP, HA, UNOCHA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 2/27; AJ, HA, UNOCHA 2/28)

More than 29,878 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli forces in Gaza, including at least 12,000 children and 7,200 women, and around 70,215 have been injured since 10/7/2023. At least 8,000 people are missing in rubble, including 1,700 children. 404 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 4,590 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, 240 Israeli soldiers have been killed and 1,408 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. For the second day in a row, Jordan, Egypt, France, and the UAE airdrop humanitarian aid to Gaza using 6 C-130 planes. Jordanian king Abdullah II personally takes part in the airdrop mission. 135 trucks carrying aid enter Gaza. (AJ, HA, REU, UNOCHA, WAFA 2/27; UNOCHA 2/29)

The Israeli military’s Central Command commander Yehuda Fuchs signs an order to allow the Mitzpeh Yehuda settlement outpost to be turned into a new settlement called Mishmar Yehuda that initially would have 3,600 housing units and later expand to 13,600 housing units. Mitzpeh Yehuda is north of al-Ubeidiya. (HA, PCN, REU, WAFA 2/28)

Hamas official Basem Naim says Hamas has not received the U.S., Israeli, Egyptian, and Qatari ceasefire counterproposal. Reuters reports that the proposal’s first stage includes a 40-day ceasefire, a prisoner exchange ratio of 1 Israeli to 10 Palestinians, that both parties end military operations, a halt to Israeli arial reconnaissance operations for 8 hours a day, and a gradual return of Palestinians to northern Gaza except for men of military age. The second stage would see Israeli forces leave densely populated areas, at least 500 trucks carrying aid enter daily, 200,000 tents and 60,000 caravans enter Gaza, and Israel allow the rebuilding of hospitals and bakeries and allow heavy machinery to enter Gaza to remove rubble. (AJ, AJ, REU 2/27)

PA foreign minister Riyad al-Maliki meets with WHO director-general Tedros Ghebreyesus in Geneva, Switzerland, discussing the humanitarian situation in Gaza. Al-Maliki also briefs the UN Human Rights Council on the situation in Gaza. President Mahmoud Abbas and Prime Minister Mohammed Shtayyeh meet with Japanese foreign minister Tsuji Kiyoto in Ramallah. Japan donates $32 million in emergency aid to Gaza through the World Food Programme, WHO, and UNICEF. (AJ, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 2/27)

The Israeli Army Radio reports that the military and the Shin Bet have urged Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu not to restrict entry for Muslim worshippers to the Haram al-Sharif compound during Ramadan, citing the security situation in the West Bank. (AJ 2/27)

Israeli economy minister Nir Barakat tells reporters at the World Trade Organization conference in Abu Dhabi that “in the wars Israel had we had a dip in the economy but immediately after we had a huge spike in innovation. And the knowledge and the experience Israel is gathering in this round of violence is second to none . . . Especially after this war I think we are probably going to be leading many, many initiatives on what next-generation warfare is going to look like.” (REU 2/27)

At the UN Security Council, UNOCHA head and representative in Geneva Ramesh Rajasingham says 576,000 people in Gaza are “one step away from famine.” (AJ, HA, REU, UNOCHA 2/27; AJ, AP 2/28)

U.S. treasury secretary Janet Yellen says Israel has started transferring the PA’s tax revenue to the PA upon request from the U.S. and that she urged Prime Minister Netanyahu to reverse the ban on Palestinians from the West Bank working in Israel. President Joe Biden meets with House speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) at the White House, urging him to pass the Senate supplemental funding bill providing aid to Israel and Ukraine. Secretary of State Antony Blinken speaks with Saudi foreign minister Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud and UAE foreign minister Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, discussing the situation in Gaza and the establishment of a Palestinian state. USAID administrator Samantha Power says the U.S. will provide an additional $53 million in humanitarian assistance to Palestinians in Gaza and the West Bank. (AJ, AP, AX, HA, NYT, REU 2/27; NYT 2/28)

Axios reports that the U.S. has given Israel until mid-March to sign a letter guaranteeing that Israel will use U.S.-provided weapons in accordance with international law and that Israel will allow humanitarian aid to enter Gaza. (AJ, AX 2/27)

A poll released by Data for Progress shows 67% of U.S. voters support a permanent ceasefire in Gaza, including 77% of Democrats and 56% of Republicans. (AJ 2/27)

At the Michigan presidential primaries, an effort to challenge President Biden’s Gaza policy gains support as more than 100,000 voters vote “uncommitted” which organizers had urged people who are angry with Biden’s approach to do in the Democratic primary. Michigan is a swing state which former president Donald Trump won with 11,000 votes in 2016 and Biden won with 150,000 votes in 2020. (AJ, AP, HA, NYT 2/28)

In the West Bank, Israeli forces dressed as Palestinian civilians and medical staff raid the Ibn Sina Hospital in Jenin, killing 3 Palestinians receiving treatment at the hospital. Israeli forces also shoot and injure a Palestinian during a raid in Qiffin. Elsewhere, Israeli forces raid Nur Shams refugee camp and Tulkarm destroying 2 homes, displacing 12 people, and causing vast destruction to infrastructure. Israeli forces also demolish the Palestinian Equestrian Club in Qalandia. 18 Palestinians are arrested during late-night raids in and around Jenin, Ramallah, Hebron, Nablus, and Tulkarm. In East Jerusalem, Israeli authorities force a Palestinian family to demolish their own home in Jabel Mukaber, displacing 5 people. Israeli forces demolish a commercial structure in Silwan. In Gaza, Israeli forces bomb Dayr al-Balah, Nuseirat refugee camp, Beit Lahiya, Rafah, Gaza City, and Khan Yunis, killing at least 114 people. Israeli forces also detain dozens of Palestinians after raiding a shelter in Shati’ refugee camp. Elsewhere, Israeli forces raid al-Amal Hospital, killing at least 1 woman and forcing people sheltering there to leave. Palestinians discover 30 bodies in a mass grave at a school in Beit Lahiya. The bodies are handcuffed and blindfolded. UNRWA says its staff and thousands of displaced Palestinians have been forced to leave Khan Yunis due to Israeli attacks. 3 Israeli soldiers are killed in combat. In Lebanon, Hezbollah fires rockets at a site in Metula. In the Red Sea, U.S. forces say they shot down a cruise missile fired from Yemen. (REU 1/29; AJ, AJ, AP, AP, HA, HA, NYT, NYT, REU, UNOCHA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 1/30; AJ, HA, UNOCHA, WAFA 1/31; AJ, UNOCHA 2/1)

More than 26,751 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli forces in Gaza, including at least 10,600 children and 7,200 women, and around 65,636 have been injured since 10/7. At least 7,000 people are missing in rubble, including 1,700 children. 374 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli forces and settlers in the West Bank and East Jerusalem since 10/7, including 94 children. More than 4,382 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, including Israeli soldiers. In addition, 222 Israeli soldiers have been killed and 1,283 injured in Gaza since the ground invasion began on 10/27. Over 1.93 million Palestinians, nearly 85% of the population of Gaza, have been displaced since 10/7. There has been a complete electricity blackout in Gaza since 10/12 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, constituting over 60% of all housing units. 134 trucks carrying aid enter Gaza via the Rafah and Karem Abu Salem (Kerem Shalom) crossings. (UNOCHA, UNOCHA 1/30)

Israel hands over the bodies of 80 Palestinians it has killed in Gaza through the Karem Abu Salem crossing. (AJ, REU, WAFA 1/30; UNOCHA 1/31)

Israel acknowledges it is pumping water into tunnels under Gaza. (AJ, HA, HA, NYT 1/30)

5 Israeli prison guards accused of beating Palestinian prisoner Thaer Abu Asab to death in the Ketziot prison on 11/18/2023 are transferred to a different prison unit while Israel investigates the incident. (HA 1/30)

PA prime minister Mohammed Shtayyeh meets with ambassadors and representatives from European countries in Ramallah, briefing them on the situation in Palestine. President Mahmoud Abbas speaks with Qatari emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani. (WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 1/30)

Hamas political leader Ismail Haniyeh says Hamas is reviewing the ceasefire proposal formulated by Israeli, Qatar, Egypt, and American officials in Paris over the weekend. Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu says he will not agree to a ceasefire deal that includes a large-scale release of Palestinian prisoners and the withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza. (AJ, AP, AP, HA, HA, HA, NYT 1/30)

The Knesset House Committee votes to expel Hadash-Ta’al MK Ofer Cassif, referring the impeachment to the Knesset plenum. (AJ, AP 1/30; HA, REU 1/31)

The UN Security Council expresses concern over the “rapidly deteriorating humanitarian situation in Gaza.” U.S. ambassador to the UN Linda Thomas-Greenfield says the U.S. needs to see “fundamental changes” to UNRWA before it resumes its funding. Thomas-Greenfield also says the U.S. has reached out to Israel for more information about the allegations made by Israel against 12 UNRWA staffers. (AJ, AP, HA, NYT, REU, UNOCHA 1/30; AJ, NYT, NYT, UNOCHA 1/31)

The heads of UN agencies issue a statement calling on countries that have suspended aid to UNRWA to reverse their decisions. Sweden and New Zealand join the list of countries that have suspended funding of UNRWA. After suspending funding for UNRWA on 1/26, Canada announces a $28.8 million contribution to the World Food Programme, UNICEF, and the World Health Organization, earmarked for Gaza. (AJ, HA, UNOCHA, WAFA 1/30; WAFA 1/31)

U.S. State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller says Israel has a right to “bring terrorists to justice” in response to questions about the Israeli raid at the Ibn Sina Hospital. The Red Cross says the Israeli killing of the 3 people contravenes international law. Secretary of State Antony Blinken meets with Qatari prime minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani in Washington D.C., discussing a “just and durable solution for the Palestinian cause,” according to a Qatari statement. (AJ 1/30; AJ 1/31)

U.S. senator Bernie Sanders (D-VT) issues a statement calling on the Biden administration to restore funding of UNRWA. (AJ 1/30)

Kataib Hezbollah announces a suspension of hostilities against U.S. forces, saying it does not want to “embarrass” the Iraqi government. (REU 1/30; AJ 1/31; REU 2/1)

Times of Israel reports that Israeli defense minister Yoav Gallant told Israeli lawmakers that Israel should be able to operate in Gaza the same way it operates in the West Bank after the war, using the Israeli raid on the Ibn Sina Hospital as an example. (AJ 1/30)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers demolished part of a Palestinian-owned house in Hebron. Israeli settlers also stole 40 olive saplings in Jalud. Israeli forces razed 5 dunams (1.2 acres) of land, including 20 olive trees, in Ras Karkar. Israeli forces also seized an agricultural structure east of Yatta. 1 Palestinian was severely injuried after stepping on an unexploded ordinance left behind by Israeli forces east of Jericho. 13 Palestinians were arrested during raids in and around Bethlehem, Tuqu‘, Tulkarm, Qalqilya, Nablus, and Jericho. In East Jerusalem, 2 Palestinians were arrested during raids in Issawiyya. (WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 3/17; PCHR 3/18)

Haaretz reported that the Israeli Jerusalem municipality had asked the court for local affairs to reactivate demolition orders against 70 structures in al-Bustan, which would displace 1,500 Palestinians. The Israeli municipality wants to place a tourism park named The King’s Garden where the 70 structures are located, but plans for the structure demolitions have been suspended during the negotiations between residents and the municipality. Now, the municipality wants to push forward with its plans without a settlement. (HA 3/17; HA, WAFA 3/18)

60,000 COVID-19 vaccines provided by the WHO COVAX program to the PA arrived in Israel. 40,000 will be shipped to the West Bank and 20,000 to Gaza. PA health minister Mai al-Kaila said the PA will wait to use the AstraZeneca vaccines until the WHO confirms that they are safe to use. Many EU countries have suspended using the AstraZeneca vaccines after 1 otherwise healthy Danish woman died and 3 Norwegian health workers were in severe condition from blood clots after receiving the vaccine. (AJ, ALM, AP, HA, WAFA 3/17)

Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu told Israeli police officers in a Palestinian-Israeli area of Israel that they should bring criminals to their “breaking point” and that they will catch them and “put them behind bars, maybe kill some of them.” (HA 3/17)

During a televised speech, Lebanese president Michel Aoun told prime minister-designate Saad Hariri to form a government or resign so that someone capable can take the position. (AJ, AP 3/17)

UAE newspaper The National reported that it had obtained a 4-page internal memo from the U.S. Biden administration dubbed The US-Palestinian Reset and Path Forward. The memo suggests that the Biden administration will roll back Trump administration policies on Palestine, including reestablishing diplomatic contacts with the PA and restarting U.S. financial assistance to Palestinians, including a $15 million COVID-19 aid package. (NAT 3/17; AJ, HA 3/18)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers assaulted 1 Palestinian in Huwwara; he was treated at a hospital for his injuries. Israeli settlers with military escort also attacked Palestinian homes in Hebron; no injuries were reported. Elsewhere, Israeli settlers attacked Palestinian shepherds and farmers in the Masafer Yatta area, causing several injuries. Israeli forces shot and injured 1 Palestinian using rubber-coated bullets near the separation barrier in the Jenin area. Israeli forces also violently dispersed a protest in Kafr Qaddum, causing tear-gas related injuries. Elsewhere, Israeli forces prevented Palestinians from farming their land in Jalud. 1 man alleged to be Palestinian threw a Molotov cocktail at an Israeli soldier at a checkpoint near Jit before driving away in his car; the soldier was unharmed. 4 Palestinians were arrested during raids in Kisan and Jenin. In East Jerusalem, 2 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in al-Tur. In Gaza, Israeli forces opened fire at Palestinian shepherds east of Dayr al-Balah; no injuries were reported. (WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 12/19; TOI, WAFA 12/20; PCHR 12/24)

In Israel, Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu was the 1st to receive the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine for the COVID-19 virus. Israel does not plan to offer vaccinations to Palestinians in the West Bank. The PA says it has secured the Russian-made vaccine Sputnik V, which will arrive in 2021. 20 percent of the Palestinian vaccinations are expected to be delivered for free from the World Health Organization as part of a scheme to deliver vaccinations to poorer countries. (AJ, AP 12/17; REU 12/18; AJ, REU 12/19; HA 12/20)

Israeli protesters demonstrated against Prime Minister Netanyahu for the 26th Saturday in a row in Jerusalem and Tel Aviv. The protesters are demanding that Prime Minister Netanyahu resign due to his COVID-19 response, the Israeli economy, and the corruption cases against him. (HA 12/19)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers uprooted and stole some 250 olive saplings near Kisan. Israeli forces raided a school in Jenin, leading to tear-gas related injuries among students and teachers. 6 Palestinians were arrested during raids in and around Bethlehem, Ramallah, al-Mughayyir, Birzeit, and Tulkarm; during a late-night raid in Ramallah, Palestinians clashed with Israeli forces, leading to tear-gas related injuries. In East Jerusalem, 2 Palestinians were arrested in the Old City during raids. In Gaza, Israeli forces opened fire at agricultural lands in the direction of a group of officials from the Ministry of Agriculture and journalists east of al-Fukhari; no injuries were reported. (WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 12/17; PCHR 12/24)

The PA announced new restrictions to curb the spread of the COVID-19 virus as daily cases continued to rise. Among the new restrictions were closures of all schools and universities, a ban of movement between governorates, full closure of high-rate areas, temporarily banning Palestinian citizens of Israel from entering the West Bank, a ban on Palestinian workers traveling between Israel and the West Bank and must find accommodation at their workplace or stay home, and a ban of movement of individuals on Fridays and Saturdays. The restrictions are in effect until 1/2/2021. The announcement came as the West Bank and Gaza recorded 30 new deaths and 2,149 new cases in the last 24 hours. 132 Palestinians were in intensive care, including 36 on ventilators. The PA did not provide data from East Jerusalem. According to the World Health Organization, the West Bank, East Jerusalem, and Gaza have a total of 133,185 confirmed cases of COVID-19, of which 25,160 are active. 1,186 deaths related to COVID-19 have so far been recorded. (WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WHO 12/17)

Germany contributed $10.5 million to the World Food Programme’s mission in the West Bank and Gaza. (WAFA 12/17)

In the West Bank, Israeli forces demolished 4 houses, displacing 44 Palestinians in al-‘Awja. Israeli forces also demolished 1 shed and seized 1 tent in al-Mughayyir. Elsewhere, Israeli forces demolished a tract of land planted with olive saplings near Qalandia. Israeli forces also prevented teachers and farmers from getting to their work at a flying checkpoint east of Yatta. 13 Palestinians were arrested during raids in and around Bayt Umar, Hebron, Bethlehem, Jericho, and Nablus; during a raid in Bayt Umar, 1 woman was injured when Israeli forces broke through her door. In East Jerusalem, 3 Palestinians were arrested in Silwan and Issawiyya. (WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 12/8; PCHR 12/10)

The PA health minister Mai al-Kaila said that the PA had signed an agreement with the World Health Organization for the UN organ to provide 20 percent of the West Bank and Gaza’s needed COVID-19 vaccines. It is unclear when the vaccines will arrive. On 12/7, Britain started vaccinating its population with a Pfizer-made vaccine and Israel is scheduled to receive the 1st shipment of the Pzifer-made vaccine on 12/9. Health Minister al-Kaila also said the PA was looking at either buying vaccines from the company Covax once the free vaccines are out of stock or to buy the Russian vaccine Sputnik V. (F24, TOI 12/9)

More than 20 EU representatives visited Gaza for the 1st time since 2016. The delegation visited the European hospital in Rafah and an EU-funded desalination plant in Dayr al-Balah. (WAFA, WAFA 12/8)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers uprooted olive and fig saplings in Dayr Istya and Haris and uprooted 30 olive saplings in al-Khadir. Israeli undercover forces shot and injured 5 Palestinians using live ammunition during a raid in Qalandia refugee camp; 2 were said to be in critical condition and Israel also said 6 of the Israeli undercover soldiers were lightly injured. Later, 1 other Palestinian was shot and injured by Israeli forces at the Qalandia checkpoint between the West Bank and East Jerusalem; according to Israeli sources, he was shot because he used the vehicle lane to try to pass through the checkpoint on foot. Israeli forces also shot and injured 3 Palestinians and arrested 4 others during raids in Dheisheh refugee camp. Elsewhere, Israeli forces demolished 2 structures near Bethlehem and delivered 1 demolition order for 1 tent in the Jordan Valley. 21 Palestinians were arrested during raids in and around Qalqilya, Bethlehem, Qalandia refugee camp, al-‘Izzariya, and Yatta. In East Jerusalem, Israeli settlers threatened Palestinians with a gun on the Palestinians’ property in Silwan. 3 Palestinians were arrested in the Old City and Silwan. (HA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 12/7; PCHR 12/10)

The PA health ministry said that the World Health Organization is sending 5,000 COVID-19 testing swabs to Gaza, as Gaza is facing a severe shortages on COVID-19 testing material. (WAFA 12/7)

PA prime minister Mohammed Shtayyeh said that the districts of Hebron, Bethlehem, Nablus, and Tulkarm would be placed on a 1-week lockdown from 12/10 to curb the spread of the COVID-19 virus in those districts. (WAFA 12/7)

A member of the UAE’s ruling family, son of the UAE president Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa al-Nahyan bought a 50 percent stake in Beitar Jerusalem, a soccer team known for extreme racism among its supporters. Beitar Jerusalem is the only team in the top tier of Israeli soccer not to have employed an Arab soccer player and its fans regularly chant “Death to Arabs” and verbally degrade the Prophet Muhammad during games. (AJ, HA 12/7; ALM, BBC, TOI, SKY 12/8)

Spain donated $485,000 to the World Food Programme to help provide food for some of the most vulnerable families in Gaza. (WAFA 12/7)

In the West Bank, Israeli forces seized a tractor from a Palestinian farmer in al-Shuyukh. Off the coast of Gaza, 1 Palestinian fisherman was injured when Israeli naval forces fired rubber-coated bullets at him. (PCHR, WAFA, WAFA 4/8; PCHR 4/9)

11 members of U.S. congress issued a statement expressing concern about reports that Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his former political rival Benny Gantz had agreed to a unity government partly based on annexation of parts of the West Bank. The statement said that the effects of such an annexation “could yield additional [coupled with the COVID-19 virus] catastrophic consequences for all parties in the region and beyond.” The 11 members issuing the statement were David Price (D-NC), Alan Lowenthal (D-CA), Jan Schakowsky (D-IL), Gerald Connolly (D-VA), Peter Welch (D-VT), John Yarmuth (D-KY), Barbara Lee (D-CA), Andy Levin (D-MI), Earl Blumenauer (D-OR), Deb Haaland (D-NM), and Lloyd Doggett (D-TX). (David Price 4/8; WAFA 4/9)

The UK contributed with $1 million and materials through UNICEF and the World Health Organization to help fight the spread of the COVID-19 virus in the West Bank and Gaza. (WAFA 4/8)

In the West Bank, Israeli forces demolished 3 Palestinian-owned buildings in Rumana; during the demolitions, clashes broke out with Palestinians, leading to tear-gas related injuries. Elsewhere, in Jiftlik, Israeli forces seized a residential caravan. 1 Palestinian shot by Israeli forces using rubber-coated bullets during a demonstration against settler encroachment near Nablus on 3/11 succumbed to his injuries. In East Jerusalem, 7 Palestinians were arrested, including 5 during late-night raids in Issawiyya and Silwan; 2 others were arrested during the day in Issawiyya and the Old City. In Gaza, Israeli forces opened fire on agricultural lands east of Khuza‘a; no injuries were reported. Israeli forces also made incursions to level land near Bayt Hanun. (AJ, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 4/1; PCHR 4/2)

Israel’s defense minister Naftali Bennett said that any aid provided to Gaza to help deal with the COVID-19 virus would be linked to Israel recovering the bodies of 2 Israeli soldiers killed during Operation Protective Edge in 2014. A Hamas spokesperson said in response that Israel is responsible for the consequences of the spread of the virus due to its blockade. The PA also donated 1,500 testing kits to Gaza via the World Health Organization. (REU, WAFA 4/1; PCHR 4/5)

In the West Bank, Israeli forces killed 1 Palestinian in Beita using live ammunition and injured another 18 using rubber-coated bullets during a protest against Israeli settler encroachment in the area. Israeli settlers attacked 2 Palestinians in Huwwara; both were transferred to a hospital. In a separate incident in Hebron, 2 Palestinians were attacked by Israeli settlers. 16 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in and around Jenin, Ramallah, and Nablus. During a late-night raid in Ramallah, Israeli forces clashed with Palestinians. (AJ, HA, PCHR, REU, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 3/11; PCHR 3/18)

In the U.S. State Department’s annual global human rights report, Palestinians living in East Jerusalem were referred to as “Arab residents” and “non-Israeli citizens,” as opposed to “Palestinian residents” as the descriptor used in previous reports. The PA foreign minister Riyad al-Maliki condemned the change. (REU 3/11; HA, JP, WAFA 3/12)

The UK announced that it had donated $100,000 to the World Health Organization in Palestine to help fight the spread of the COVID-19 virus in the West Bank. (WAFA 3/11)

In the West Bank, Israeli forces violently dispersed the weekly protest in Bil‘in west of Ramallah. 1 Palestinian was also injured after Israeli forces violently dispersed a protest with rubber-coated bullets and tear gas in Kafr Qaddum. Elsewhere in the West Bank, 1 Palestinian was shot and injured by Israeli settlers raiding the village of Burin south of Nablus. The Palestinian was rushed to a hospital in Nablus for treatment. In Hebron, 1 Palestinian was shot and injured by a rubber-coated bullet by Israeli forces and another suffered from tear gas inhalation in clashes between Palestinian residents and Israeli forces. Israel’s Council for Higher Education passed a vote approving a medical school in the settlement of Ariel in the West Bank and connected to Ariel University. In Gaza, a 15-year-old Palestinian was shot dead and 66 others injured by Israeli live fire during the weekly Great March of Return protest east of Jabaliya refugee camp. This brings the death toll stemming from the Great March of Return to 218. Off the coast of Gaza, Israeli naval forces opened fire at Palestinian fishermen; no injuries were reported. (HA, MNA, MNA, TOI, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 4/12; WAFA 4/13)

In a press release by the World Health Organization, a call was made for Israel to protect health workers in Gaza and said it had recorded 3 deaths and 731 injuries among health workers since the Great March of Return began on 30 March 2018. (WAFA 4/13)

Israeli media report on an internal Foreign Ministry document that predicts that the EU will increase efforts in 2013 to pressure Israel and the Palestinians to reach an agreement. The report suggests that the EU may try to promote the establishment of an actual Palestinian state independent of negotiations with Israel. Other Israeli media report that the PA is seeking to join a number of international organizations in the light of their successful UN statehood bid, including the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and the World Health Organization (WHO). Israel’s Foreign Ministry is apparently seeking to stymie these efforts through its ambassadors in countries where the organizations’ headquarters are located. Meanwhile, Palestinian officials in Ramallah claim that Israel is refusing to renew the VIP cards of several senior PA officials, complicating their ability to move freely around the West Bank and Israel. (HA, JP, ToI 12/26)

Israeli and Palestinian officials confirm that Israel will allow materials for private construction into the Gaza Strip for the 1st time since mid-2007. The deal will allow up to 20 trucks of gravel to enter the territory daily through Kerem Shalom crossing in the south. (MNA 12/25; AFP 12/26)

In the West Bank, the IDF raids the Palestinian village of Yatta in the south, sparking a clash with stone-throwing Palestinians; 1 Palestinian is injured when he is hit in the head by a tear-gas canister. The IDF patrols in Tulkarm, nearby Nur Shams r.c., and 1 village nr. Jericho at night; conducts house searches and arrest raids in Hebron and 3 nearby villages, 1 village nr. Bethlehem, and 1 village nr. Jenin at night. (PNN, WAFA 12/26; MNA, PCHR 12/27)

Fatah’s Revolutionary Council meets in Ramallah to discuss internal and national issues, including the next steps to take following the UN bid and subsequent Israeli settlement expansion. (MNA 12/26)

Anonymous Israeli officials confirm a story in al-Quds al-Arabi that PM Netanyahu secretly met Jordan’s King Abdallah in Amman recently (no dates reported) to discuss the risk of Syria’s chemical weapons falling into the hands of armed Islamist groups. (REU 12/26)

In the West Bank, the IDF raids a house in al-Mukabir belonging to the family of construction worker Hussam Dweikat (shot dead on 7/2/08 when he deliberately rammed his bulldozer into a crowd in West Jerusalem), harasses family mbrs., and threatens to arrest Dweikat’s father because the family had rebuilt part of the house demolished by the IDF in reprisal for the 7/08 attack; conducts late-night arrest raids, house searches nr. Nablus. After mediation by UN agencies, the PA in Ramallah and Hamas authorities in Gaza reach an understanding regarding control of the Referrals Abroad Dept. (see 3/22) allowing normal operations to resume; the World Health Organization estimates that at least 3 patients (and as many as 8) died while waiting for referral documents authorizing their treatment abroad. A military court in Gaza sentences 4 Palestinians to death and 3 Palestinians to life with hard labor in the 7/06 death of an Islamic University prof. during interfactional fighting; only 1 of those convicted is currently held by Hamas police; the others escaped when the IDF bombed Gaza’s central prison on 12/28/08, at the opening of OCL. (OCHA, PCHR 4/29) 

For a 2d day, Islamic Jihad mbrs. retaliating for the 12/15 Nawahda assassination fire some 20 rockets into Israel, injuring 2 Israelis and causing light property damage. The IDF responds with a surface-to-surface missile strike on a group of Islamic Jihad mbrs. in Jabaliya r.c., missing them, hitting nr. a Palestinian home, killing 1 Palestinian bystander. The IDF also makes an air strike on a suspected weapons cache in Khan Yunis, damaging 7 surrounding homes but causing no reported injuries. Hamas has reportedly arrested several mbrs. of smaller Palestinian factions for firing rockets in recent days. The World Health Organization warns that Israel’s siege has left all Gaza hospitals completely reliant on backup generators for electricity, warning that Israel’s continued ban on fuel and spare parts to repair generators seriously jeopardizes the hospitals’ ability to function. In the West Bank, the IDF conducts late-night arrest raids, house searches nr. Nablus. (MM, OCHA, YA 12/17; MM, NYT, PCHR 12/18; NYT, WT 12/19; PCHR 12/24)

The Israeli navy fires on Palestinian fishing boats off the coast of Gaza City, wounding 2 fishermen, forcing the boats to return to shore. In the West Bank, the IDF eases age restrictions on Palestinians entering Jerusalem to attend al-Aqsa Mosque during Ramadan, extending opening hours for checkpoints into Jerusalem; conducts late-night arrest raids, house searches nr. Bethlehem and in villages and camps around Hebron. The PA central pharmacy in Ramallah takes over the coordination of pharmaceutical deliveries to Gaza from the World Health Organization (WHO). (OCHA 9/3; PCHR 9/4; OCHA 10/15; see also IFM 8/31)

In Gaza, the IDF makes air strikes on a carload of Hamas mbrs. in Rafah (killing 1 Palestinian bystander, wounding 6 bystanders, 2 Hamas mbrs.), a carload of Palestinian gunmen in Gaza City (missing, wounding 5 bystanders), armed Palestinians nr. Qarni crossing (wounding 3 PA security officers nearby), an alleged Islamic Jihad weapons factory in Gaza City, a bridge and electricity transformer in Bayt Hanun, an Abu Rish Brigades training base in Khan Yunis; continues to shell areas of Gaza City, wounding 12 Palestinians; fires on residential areas of Rafah; allows the Nahal Oz pipeline to open for several hrs./day for the import of fuel. Meanwhile, the Gaza municipality runs out of fuel for its trucks requiring the halt to trash collection in Gaza City (still in effect as of 7/12), raising World Health Organization (WHO) concern regarding the spread of communicable diseases. Palestinians fire several rockets fr. Gaza into Israel, hitting 1 home and lightly wounding 1 Israeli. Haniyeh calls for a mutual cease-fire, but Olmert rejects it, saying that Operation Summer Rains is not over and that “we will operate, enter, and pull out [of Gaza] as needed.” Cmdr. of Israel’s southern region Maj. Gen. Yoav Galant says Israel is “prepared to continue the operation a month, two months, and, if need be, even more.” In the West Bank, the IDF conducts arrest raids, house searches in and around Bethlehem, Nablus; patrols in, fires on residential areas of Qalqilya. (NYT 7/10; MEZ 7/11; PCHR 7/13)

PM Netanyahu creates a U.S.-style National Security Council to coordinate military, intelligence, civilian geopolitical strategy; appoints fmr. gen., defense establishment veteran, David Ivri, as head. (IDF Radio 1/28 in WNC 1/29; NYT, WT 1/29; MM 2/2; JP 2/5, 2/12)

U.S. Secy. of State Albright files to Amman to congratulate Jordan's new crown prince, Abdallah; asks Jordan to aid in overthrowing Iraq's Saddam Hussein. (MM 1/28; RJ 1/28 in WNC 1/29; MM, NYT, WP, WT 1/29; WT 2/3; RJ 2/3 in WNC 2/5; JP 2/5) (see 1/27)

Testifying before Congress, Gen. Anthony Zinni, cmdr. of U.S. forces in the Gulf, warns that the U.S.'s new policy of supporting Iraqi opposition groups in hopes that they will overthrow Saddam Hussein could be "very dangerous" if handled improperly. (MM, NYT 1/29; WT 12/30; MM 2/1, 2/5; see also WP, WT 10/22/98)

The Israeli daily Yedi'ot Aharonot claims that the Israeli Health Min. is keeping a specimen of the lethal variola virus despite a World Health Organization ruling in the late 1970s to destroy all specimens, vaccinations in light of the disease's global eradication. Health Min. says only that "no work is being done with the variola virus" in its laboratories. (YA 1/28 in WNC 1/29)

IDF demolishes a Palestinian home in East Jerusalem. (LAW 2/1)

Multilateral talks on refugees open in Ottawa with Palestinians asserting that solution for Palestinian refugees should be made through implementation of UN Gen. Assembly Res. 194, which calls for repatriation of refugees or compensation. Israel boycotts talks. (MM 5/12)

Responding to 5/12 U.S. statement regarding right of Palestinian refugees to return, PM Shamir states "There is only a Jewish 'right of return' to the Land of Israel." State Dept. clarifies 5/12 statement, reaffirming U.S. support for Res. 194 and Sec. Council Res. 237 (adopted 14 June 1967) regarding return of Palestinian refugees but adding that this remains a matter to be negotiated between Palestinians and Israel. (NYT, MM 5/14)

Multilateral talks on water open in Vienna with more than 30 delegations attending. (WP 5/14)

Palestinian negotiators Zakariyal-Agha, 'Abd al-Rahman Hamad are refused entry into Gaza by Israeli authorities at Rafah border crossing point for a second time after they again refused to allow border guards to search documents they were carrying [see 5/12]. (MM 5/15)

Annual assembly of World Health Organization passes resolution criticizing Israel for health conditions in o.t. (MM 5/14)

In Jerusalem, Jordanian-controlled Higher Islamic Council warns against intervention by "foreign or international bodies" in repair work to Islamic holy sites in E. Jerusalem, an apparent reference to Saudi attempts to finance repairs of shrines in coordination with UNESCO [Jordan has traditionally been responsible for shrines' maintenance] [see 4/29, 5/5, 5/11, 5/12]. (MM 5/13; NYT 5/14)

Shaykh Ishaq Idris Sakhouta, head of Cairo-based and Saudi-financed World Islamic League, begins visit to Israel and o.t. After praying at al-Aqsa mosque in E. Jerusalem, Sakhouta praises Israel's handling of Islamic shrines in Jerusalem during meeting with Jerusalem mayor Teddy Kollek [Sakhouta's visit is being financed by an Israeli tourist company which seeks to increase Muslim tourism to Islamic holy sites in o.t.] (MM 5/14)

IDF kill "wanted" Palestinian in Immatin, near Tulkarm. Separate gun battle between IDF and 3 Palestinians leaves 1 Palestinian wounded. (Qol Yisra'el 5/14 in FBIS 5/14

In Jerusalem, Sec. Baker holds separate meetings with P.M. Shamir and group of 10 Palestinian leaders, led by Faisal Husseini, who hands him memo. Baker reportedly probes each side for points on which each might be flexible; reiterates "land for peace" formula to a noncommittal Shamir (cf. 3/13) [NYT, LAT, WP, WT 3/13; IDF, JDS 3/12, JPD, DAV 3/13 in FBIS 3/13; CSM 3/14; FJ 3/18; MET 3/26].

Kuwait military continues to transport hundreds of Palestinians, Jordanians, N.Africans, and Iraqis-arrested since liberation of Kuwait-to border with Iraq; several people claim to have been tortured and beaten by Kuwait military [LAT, WP 3/13].

Kurdish insurgents in northern Iraq claim further territorial gains and accuse Baghdad of taking 5,000 Kurdish women and children as hostages [LAT, WP, CSM 3/13].

Syria announces it has freed all Palestinians held in its jails. Beirut radio says 302 prisoners were released; PLO reports more than 4,000 Palestinians in Syrian jails (cf. 3/13) [LAT, WP 3/13; BVL 3/12 in FBIS 3/18; MET 3/26].

North Korea has delivered to Syria about 24 SCUD missiles along with mobile launchers, according to U.S. officials [WT 3/13].

World Health Organization reports Baghdad's water supplies are at 5% of prewar levels; Iraqi Red Crescent says cholera and typhoid cases are beginning to appear [LAT 3/13].

King Hussein says that Jordan will never agree to be a substitute for PLO in peace talks with Israel, but if Palestinian leadership asked Jordan to join talks, it would do so [NYT 3/13].

Kuwaiti gov't. officials say joint U.S.-British air base will be built on Kuwait's Bubiyan Island as part of postwar security arrangements [WT 3/13].

Allied warplanes attack Iraqi positions in Kuwait and southern Iraq; military command reports about 600 tank kills; cloud cover restricts number of sorties flown [LAT, NYT, WP, WT 2/9].

Iraqi SCUD lands in Tel Aviv; it is the 11th attack since war began; some injuries are reported [LAT, WP 2/9].

France and Britain announce they will set up joint committee to lay groundwork for post-war settlement in Gulf [LAT 2/9].

Soviet deputy F.M. Belonogov criticizes what he says is deliberate destruction of Iraqi residential areas by allied air raids [LAT, WT 2/9; MEM 2/11].

Pres. Bush angrily denounces King Hus- sein's 2/6 speech, says Jordan has "moved over, way over, into the Saddam Hussein camp"; Jordanian diplomats say action will deepen widespread anti-American sentiment in Jordan [LAT, NYT, WP, WT 2/9].

Israeli Maj. Gen. Danny Rothman is appointed as head of military gov't. in o.t., replacing Shmuel Goren [LAT 2/9].

UNICEF and World Health Organization ask allies for safe passage through eastern Iraq for convoy carrying medicine from Iran to Iraq and occupied Kuwait [MEM 2/8; NYT, WP 2/9].

3 Jordanians are killed after crossing border into Israel and throwing handgrenade at Israeli bus carrying soldiers, wounding 4 [IDF 2/8 in FBIS 2/8; MEM 2/8; NYT, WP 2/91

Israeli officials, including Moshe Arens, accuse U.S. of creating "artificial storm" over Soviet Jewish emigration [WP, LAT 5/11].

Bowing to U.S. threats to withdraw funding, World Health Organization shelves indefinitely PLO application [NYT, WP, WT 5/11].

New York Times news analysis claims Israel "has emerged as the beneficiary of changing times in Eastern Europe and the Soviet Union, while the Arab world confronts the losses" [NYT 5/10].

In his column in Catholic New York, Cardinal John O'Connor denounces Israeli settlement inJerusalem's Christian quarter: "What happened in Jerusalem is obscene," and writes that Israelis are "speeding up . . . a design to make it virtually impossible for Christians to function anywhere in the land" [NYT 5/12; WT 5/14].

Shimon Peres announces his intent to go into opposition of any gov't. formed by Yitzhak Shamir [TET 5/10 in FBIS 5/11]. 

Leaders of Christian churches in Israel and O.T. announce they will close all shrines for 1 day beginning at 9 A.M. on 4/27. The first-ever closure is to protest Israeli gov't. funding for Jewish settlers at Hospice of St. John [NYT, WT, LAT 4/ 24; FJ 4/30].

JTS reports 24,200 Soviet Jews have emigrated to Israel since start of 1990, JDS adds total number of immigrants is 28,740 [JTS, JDS 4/23 in FBIS 4/24].

Lebanese cleric Hussein Musawi and Iranian F.M. Ali Akbar Velayati suggest second Western hostage will be released soon, but reiterate that 4/22 freeing of Robert Pohill should be met with similar "goodwill" response [WP 4/24].

U.S. mission UN in Geneva says U.S. will stop paying contributions to UN bodies that admit State of Palestine or upgrade PLO's status; statement comes 2 weeks before opening of World Health Organization's assembly, to which PLO has applied for full membership [WT 4/ 24].

U.S. State Dep't. sharply criticizes Israeli gov't. for financing Jewish nationalists' takeover of church-owned hospice in Jerusalem; calls move "an insensitive and provocative action" [WP 4/24].

Pres. Bush telephones Pres. Asad to express appreciation for Syria's role in 4/ 22 release of Robert Pohill. Bush also telephones Jordan's King Hussein to discuss Middle East peace issues [WP 4/24]. 

Jerusalem's Greek Orthodox patriarch Diodorus I is overcome by tear gas as Israeli police disperse group of clergymen protesting Jewish nationals' occupation of church building in Old City's Christian quarter [WP, LAT, WT 4/13; JDS 4/12 in FBIS 4/13]; Jerusalem magistrate court issues evacuation order to settlers in church building [IDF 4/12 in FBIS 4/13].

PLO formally requests membership in World Health Organization. PLO made same request last year, was denied membership after U.S. delegation walked out in protest (cf. 4/23) [WP 4/13].

PLO rep. Hakam Balawi meets with U.S. ambassador Robert Pelletreau to discuss latest developments [TDS 4/13 in FBIS 4/18].

Arafat arrives in Czechoslovakia for state visit [NYT 4/13].

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Israel orders all Palestinians from Gaza to leave Israel, places Gaza under curfew [FBIS 5/16, MET 5/23].

Other Countries: International Labor Organization (ILO) reports that living standards in O.T. have fallen by 50% in past 18 months; economic activity by 30% [MET 5/23]. World Health Organization (WHO) votes 67-2 (with 32 abstentions) to condemn Israel for condition of health system in O.T.; U.S., Israel cast no votes [FBIS 5/17].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Palestinian from Jenin area dies from wounds received 5/14 [FBIS 5/16]. In Nablus 21-year-old Palestinian is killed by IDF troops. In Meguiddo prison 50-year-old Palestinian dies; Israelis say he was on hunger strike, attribute death to dehydration. In Jabalya troops shoot, kill 15-year-old Palestinian. At least 10 Palestinians are wounded throughout O.T. [FBIS 5/17].

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/lsrael: Israel asks U.S. for $1.2 billion in economic support, $1.8 billion in military aid for upcoming fiscal year [MET 5/23].

Other Countries: Greek court rules that U.S. can extradite Muhammad Rashid, Palestinian suspected of killing American in 1982 hijacking; earlier courts had ruled that Rashid could not be extraditedue to political nature of crime [FBIS 5/12, NYT 5/13]. World Health Organization (WHO) postpones PLO's request for full membership until next year, increases aid to O.T. [NYT 5/13, FJ 5/15].

SociaL/Economic/Political

Other Countries: World Health Organization (WHO) postpones vote for 48 hours on PLO's application for full membership [WP 5/11]. Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Troops shoot, kill 18-year-old Palestinian in Qaddurah camp [FBIS 5/10, FJ 5/15]. Near Bethlehem 26-year-old Palestinian is shot, killed by troops. At least 12 Palestinians are shot, wounded throughout O.T. [FJ 5/16]

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Hungarian foreign minister Kovacs visits Israel, discusses bilateral relations [FBIS 4/18]. Jewish immigration to Israel increases 23% in the first 3 months of 1989 compared to same period last year [FBIS 4/19].

Other Countries: According to Bush administration official, U.S. is attempting to block PLO campaign for full membership in World Health Organization (WHO), other UN bodies. 38 Senators led by Patrick Leahy, Robert Kasten send letter to Sec. of State Baker threatening to cut off U.S. aid to U.N. agencies that recognize State of Palestine [WP 1/14].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Israeli border police kill 5 Palestinians during pre-dawn raid on Nahalin; at least 30 Palestinians are wounded in raid. In Bethlehem troops open fire, injuring 4 Palestinians. At least 10 Palestinians are injured during clashes in Gaza [FJ 4/17].