History of Palestine in Timeline

Share: FB Share X Share Reddit Share Reddit Share
Palestine

Palestine, officially the State of Palestine, is located in West Asia and recognized by a majority of UN member states. It comprises the Israeli-occupied West Bank (including East Jerusalem) and the Gaza Strip. It shares borders primarily with Israel, as well as Jordan and Egypt. Its land area is approximately 6,020 square kilometers, with a population exceeding five million. Jerusalem is its proclaimed capital, though Ramallah serves as the administrative center. Gaza City was the largest city before recent evacuations.

21 hours ago : Palestinians Detained at SFO: Visa Holders Face Detention and Deportation, Sparking Protests

U.S. Customs at SFO detained Palestinians with valid visas, preparing for deportation, which ignited protests. Among those detained were humanitarian workers. The detentions occurred on Wednesday, raising concerns about immigration policies.

1917: British capture Jerusalem

In 1917, Jerusalem was captured by British forces led by General Allenby, marking the end of Ottoman rule in the city.

1920: Escalation of tensions between Jewish and Arab communities

By 1920, tensions escalated between Jewish and Arab communities, resulting in violent clashes and riots across Palestine.

1920: British Mandate for Palestine

In 1920, in the aftermath of World War I, Palestine came under British control with the implementation of the British Mandate for Palestine.

1922: League of Nations approves British Mandate

In 1922, the League of Nations approved the British Mandate for Palestine, entrusting Britain with the administration of the region.

1929: Violent riots erupt

In 1929, violent riots erupted in Palestine due to disputes over Jewish immigration and access to the Western Wall in Jerusalem.

1939: Issuance of the 1939 White Paper

The British government issued the 1939 White Paper to address tensions, imposing restrictions on Jewish immigration and land purchases. The Zionist community organized a strike in 1939 against the restrictions on Jewish immigration and land acquisition.

1946: King David Hotel bombing

In 1946, a bombing orchestrated by the Irgun at the King David Hotel in Jerusalem resulted in the deaths of 91 people.

1947: Civil War and Displacement of Turkish Families

Due to the 1947-1949 civil war, many Turkish families fled the region and settled in Jordan, Syria and Lebanon.

1947: Escalation of Jewish and Palestinian Arab conflict

In 1947, intercommunal conflict between Jews and Palestinian Arabs escalated into a civil war after a proposed partitioning by the United Nations was rejected by the Palestinians.

1947: UN adopts partition plan

In 1947, the UN adopted a partition plan for a two-state solution, accepted by Jewish leadership but rejected by Arab leaders. Britain refused to implement the plan.

1947: UN Partition Plan proposed

In 1947, the United Nations proposed a partition plan for Palestine, suggesting separate Jewish and Arab states, but it was rejected by Arab nations while accepted by Jewish leaders.

1948: Amended law for East Jerusalem annexation

In 1948, an amended law was made for the purpose of east Jerusalem annexation by Israel.

1948: Expulsion of Palestinians

In 1948, approximately 700,000 Palestinians were expelled from their homes during the war. This event is a major cause of the widespread displacement of Palestinians, known as Nakba, with many seeking refuge in neighboring Arab countries.

1948: Start of the 1948 Arab-Israeli War

In 1948, on the eve of British withdrawal, the Jewish Agency for Israel declared the establishment of the State of Israel. The Arab Higher Committee commenced military action resulting in the 1948 Arab–Israeli War.

1948: 1948 Palestine war and the Nakba

The 1948 Palestine war led to the forcible displacement of the majority of the Arab population and the establishment of Israel. Palestinians refer to these events as the Nakba ('catastrophe' in Arabic).

1949: Civil War and Displacement of Turkish Families

Due to the 1947-1949 civil war, many Turkish families fled the region and settled in Jordan, Syria and Lebanon.

1950: Annexation of the West Bank by Transjordan

In 1950, Transjordan's annexation of the West Bank was ratified, but rejected by the international community.

1959: Egypt disbands the All-Palestine Government

In 1959, Egypt disbanded the All-Palestine Government, which it had initially supported.

1964: Establishment of the Palestine Liberation Organization

In 1964, the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) was established in the West Bank with the goal to confront Israel.

1967: Effective annexation of East Jerusalem by Israel

In 1967, East Jerusalem was effectively annexed by Israel through the application of Israeli law, jurisdiction, and administration.

1967: Occupation of West Bank and Gaza Strip

In 1967, after Israel occupied the West Bank and Gaza Strip, Palestinian agriculture suffered significant setbacks, including a decline in the sector's contribution to GDP and a decrease in the agricultural labor force.

1967: Six-Day War, Israeli occupation of West Bank and Gaza Strip

In 1967, during the Six-Day War, Israel occupied the West Bank and the Gaza Strip, which had been held by Jordan and Egypt respectively.

1967: Six-Day War

In 1967, the Six-Day War between Israel and Egypt, Jordan, and Syria resulted in Israel occupying the West Bank and the Gaza Strip.

1967: Construction of Israeli settlements begins

Since 1967, Israel has constructed large settlements in the occupied West Bank and East Jerusalem, now housing over 670,000 Israeli settlers. These settlements are illegal under international law.

1967: Start of Israeli occupation

Since 1967, the term "occupied Palestinian territory" refers as a whole to the geographical area of the Palestinian territory occupied by Israel.

1970: Popular Faces in Palestinian Cinema

During the 1970s and 1980s, Makram Khoury, Mohammad Bakri, Hiam Abbass, and Amal Murkus emerged as popular faces in Palestinian cinema.

1971: PLO relocation to Lebanon

Following the Six-Day War, in 1971 the PLO moved to Jordan, but relocated to Lebanon.

October 1974: Arab League designates PLO as legitimate representative

In October 1974, the Arab League summit designated the PLO as the "sole legitimate representative of the Palestinian people".

November 1974: UN recognizes PLO

In November 1974, the UN General Assembly recognized the PLO as competent on all matters concerning Palestine and granted them observer status as a "non-state entity" at the UN.

1979: End of Egyptian claims over the Gaza Strip

Through the Camp David Accords of 1979, Egypt signaled an end to any claim of its own over the Gaza Strip.

1980: Popular Faces in Palestinian Cinema

During the 1970s and 1980s, Makram Khoury, Mohammad Bakri, Hiam Abbass, and Amal Murkus emerged as popular faces in Palestinian cinema.

1980: Basic Law: Jerusalem

In 1980, Basic Law: Jerusalem constitutionally reaffirmed (by implication) the annexation of East Jerusalem, although this annexation is not recognised by any other country.

1980: Israel freezes local council elections

In 1980, Israel decided to freeze elections for local municipal councils and to establish Village Leagues, whose officials were under Israeli influence.

1987: Outbreak of the First Intifada

In 1987, the First Intifada broke out, characterized by widespread protests, strikes, and acts of civil disobedience by Palestinians in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank against Israeli occupation.

1987: Release of "Wedding in Galilee"

In 1987, the Palestinian movie "Wedding in Galilee" was released.

Loading Video...

1987: Turkish Population in Palestine

Since 1987, 400,000 to 500,000 Turks have been living in Palestine.

February 1988: Dissolution of the Hebron League

The Village Leagues began to break up and the last one, the Hebron League, was dissolved in February 1988.

July 1988: Jordan cedes claims to West Bank to PLO

In July 1988, Jordan ceded its claims to the West Bank—with the exception of guardianship over Haram al-Sharif—to the PLO.

November 1988: PLO declares the establishment of the State of Palestine

In November 1988, the PLO legislature, while in exile, declared the establishment of the "State of Palestine".

November 1988: State of Palestine's Declaration of Independence Acknowledged

In November 1988, the State of Palestine's declaration of independence was acknowledged by the General Assembly with Resolution 43/177.

1988: Recognition of Palestine listed for UNESCO admission

In 1988, as part of the request to admit it to UNESCO, an explanatory note was prepared that listed 92 states that had recognized the State of Palestine, including both Arab and non-Arab states such as India.

1988: PLO declaration of independence

In 1988, the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) declared independence.

1989: Intensified clashes between protesters and Israeli forces

Violent clashes between Palestinian protesters and Israeli forces intensified throughout 1989, resulting in a significant loss of life and escalating tensions in the occupied territories.

1990: Imposition of strict measures by Israeli government

1990 witnessed the imposition of strict measures by the Israeli government, including curfews and closures, in an attempt to suppress the Intifada and maintain control over the occupied territories.

1990: Increased attention to the conflict due to the Gulf War

In 1990, the Gulf War brought increased international attention to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, leading to heightened diplomatic efforts aimed at finding a peaceful resolution.

1991: India Strengthens Ties with Israel

In 1991, India, once a strong ally of Palestine, strengthened its ties with Israel.

1991: Expulsion of Palestinians from Kuwait and Saudi Arabia

In 1991, following the Gulf War, Palestinians were expelled from Kuwait and Saudi Arabia due to their governments' support for Iraq during the conflict.

1991: Impact of the Gulf War on Palestinian agriculture

In 1991, the Gulf War had severe repercussions on Palestinian agriculture, causing a 14% decline in exports to the Gulf States, which significantly impacted the Palestinian economy.

1993: Signing of the Oslo Accords

In 1993, the Oslo Accords were signed between Israel and the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO), leading to the establishment of the Palestinian Authority (PA) and a potential path to peace.

1993: Start of the Oslo Accords leading to establishment of the Palestinian Security Services

The Palestinian Security Services consists of the armed forces and intelligence agencies, which were established during the Oslo Accords of 1993-1995. Before these agreements, the PLO led armed rebellion against Israel, but has been inactive since.

1994: Cave of the Patriarchs massacre

In 1994, Baruch Goldstein, an Israeli extremist, killed 29 people in Hebron, in an event known as the Cave of the Patriarchs massacre, which led to increased Palestinian opposition to the peace process.

1994: Yasser Arafat elected as president of the Palestinian Authority

In 1994, Yasser Arafat was elected as president of the newly formed Palestinian Authority, marking a significant step towards Palestinian self-governance.

1994: Establishment of the Palestinian National Authority (PNA)

In 1994, the PLO established the Palestinian National Authority (PNA) territorial administration, which exercises some governmental functions in parts of the West Bank and the Gaza Strip, after Israel acknowledged the PLO negotiating team as representing the Palestinian people.

1994: Limited banking options in the occupied Palestinian territories

Prior to 1994, the occupied Palestinian territories had limited banking options, with Palestinians avoiding Israeli banks, resulting in an under-banked region and a cash-based economy.

1995: Assassination of Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin

In 1995, Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin was assassinated by Yigal Amir, an extremist, causing political instability in the region.

1995: Conclusion of the Oslo Accords leading to establishment of the Palestinian Security Services

The Palestinian Security Services consists of the armed forces and intelligence agencies, which were established during the Oslo Accords of 1993-1995. Before these agreements, the PLO led armed rebellion against Israel, but has been inactive since.

1995: Oslo II Accord Signed

Under the 1995 Oslo II Accord, it was agreed that governance of Area C would be transferred to the Palestinian Authority within 18 months, except for matters to be determined in the final status agreement.

1996: First Palestinian general elections

In 1996, the first-ever Palestinian general elections took place, resulting in Arafat's re-election as president and the formation of a Palestinian Legislative Council.

1996: Release of "Chronicle of a Disappearance"

In 1996, the movie "Chronicle of a Disappearance" was released.

Loading Video...

1996: Palestine's Participation in the Olympic Games

Since 1996, Palestine has been participating in the Olympic Games, with athletes competing in various sports.

1997: Israeli redeployment from West Bank cities and signing of the Hebron Protocol

In 1997, Israel began redeploying its forces from select Palestinian cities in the West Bank, and the Israeli and Palestinian governments signed the Hebron Protocol, outlining the redeployment of Israeli forces from parts of Hebron.

1997: Illiteracy Among Women

In 1997, the illiteracy rate among women in Palestine was 20.3%.

1998: Signing of the Wye River Memorandum

In 1998, Israel and the Palestinian government signed the Wye River Memorandum, aiming to advance the implementation of the Oslo Accords, including provisions for Israeli withdrawals and security cooperation.

1999: Ehud Barak assumes office and renews peace efforts

In 1999, Ehud Barak assumed the position of Israeli Prime Minister, renewing efforts to reach a final status agreement with the Palestinians.

1999: Discovery of Gaza Marine gas field

In 1999, the British Gas Group discovered the Gaza Marine natural gas field, located off the coast of the Gaza Strip, with reserves estimated to exceed the energy needs of the Palestinian territories. Yasser Arafat lauded it as a "Gift from God".

September 2000: Ariel Sharon's visit to the Temple Mount

In September 2000, Ariel Sharon's visit to the Temple Mount and his speech angered Palestinian Jerusalemites, escalating tensions and leading to riots and bloody clashes.

September 2000: Onset of the Second Intifada

Since the onset of the Second Intifada in September 2000, the economic impact of Israel's closure policy has been profound, directly contributing to a significant decline in economic activity, widespread unemployment, and a rise in poverty.

October 2000: Riots between Jews and Arabs in Israel

In October 2000, escalating violence resulted in the closure of Jerusalem Airport, and more riots between Jews and Arabs took place in Israel.

2000: Saddam Hussein provides financial support to Palestinian militants

From 2000 until his overthrow in 2003, Saddam Hussein provided financial support to Palestinian militants from Iraq during the intifada period.

2000: Gaddafi Presents Isratin Peace Offer

In 2000, Muammar Gaddafi of Libya, a supporter of Palestinian independence, presented a one-state peace offer titled Isratin in an attempt to mediate the Arab–Israeli conflict.

2000: Construction of a government building in Abu Dis

In 2000, a government building was built in Jerusalem suburb of Abu Dis, to house office of Yasser Arafat and Palestinian parliament.

2000: Camp David Summit concludes without agreement

In 2000, the Camp David Summit, aimed at resolving the remaining issues between Israelis and Palestinians, concluded without a comprehensive agreement.

2000: Number of banks operating in Palestine

In 2000, there were 21 banks operating in Palestine.

2000: Rise of Leem Lubany and Clara Khoury

Since 2000, Leem Lubany and Clara Khoury have gained acclaim in Palestinian cinema.

2001: Increased attacks from Palestinian militant groups and destruction of Gaza Airport

In 2001, attacks from Palestinian militant groups towards Israel increased. Gaza Airport was destroyed in an airstrike by the Israeli army.

2001: Rocket attacks from Gaza and Israeli military operations

Since 2001, incidents of rocket attacks from Gaza into Israeli territory and Israeli military operations in response often resulted in casualties and further strained the situation.

January 2002: Capture of the Karine A and passage of UNSC Resolution 1397

In January 2002, the IDF Shayetet 13 naval commandos captured the Karine A, a freighter carrying weapons from Iran towards Israel. UNSC Resolution 1397 was passed, reaffirming a two-state solution.

2002: Arab League organizes a peace summit.

In 2002, Another peace summit was organized by the Arab League with the same offer which was presented at the 2002 summit.

2002: Operation Defensive Shield and siege of the Church of the Nativity

In 2002, Israel launched Operation Defensive Shield after the Passover massacre. The Church of the Nativity was besieged by the IDF for one week, which resulted in withdrawal of the Israeli troops from the church.

2002: Release of "Divine Intervention"

In 2002, the Palestinian movie "Divine Intervention" was released.

Loading Video...

2003: Ariel Sharon orders construction of barriers and rejection of peace proposal

Between 2003 and 2004, Ariel Sharon ordered construction of barriers across Palestinian-controlled areas and Israeli settlements in the West Bank. A peace proposal was made in 2003, which was supported by Arafat and rejected by Sharon.

2004: Assassination of Ahmed Yassin and death of Yasser Arafat

In 2004, Hamas's leader and co-founder Ahmed Yassin was assassinated by the Israeli army in Gaza. On 11 November 2004, Yasser Arafat died in Paris.

2005: Israeli disengagement from Gaza

In 2005, Israel withdrew from Gaza in a unilateral disengagement, but the territory is still considered to be under military occupation and has been blockaded by Israel.

2005: Release of "Paradise Now"

In 2005, the film "Paradise Now" gained popularity.

Loading Video...

2005: Mahmoud Abbas elected as president and Israeli withdrawal from Gaza

In the first week of 2005, Mahmoud Abbas was elected as the president of the State of Palestine. In 2005, Israel completely withdrew from the Gaza Strip by destroying its settlements over there.

2005: Israel's Withdrawal from Gaza Provides Opportunity for Hamas Development

Israel's 2005 withdrawal from Gaza provided Hamas with the opportunity to develop its military wing.

2005: Mahmoud Abbas as the president

Since 2005, Mahmoud Abbas has been the president of the country.

2006: Hamas takes control of the Gaza Strip

Following the inter-Palestinian conflict in 2006, Hamas took over control of the Gaza Strip (it already had majority in the PLC), and Fatah took control of the West Bank.

2006: Hamas wins Palestinian legislative elections

In 2006, Hamas won in Palestinian legislative elections, leading to a political standoff with Fatah and armed clashes across both the West Bank and the Gaza Strip.

2007: Division of Palestinian territories between Hamas and Fatah

From 2007, the Gaza Strip was governed by Hamas, and the West Bank by the Fatah party led Palestinian Authority.

2007: Hamas Seizes Power in Gaza Strip

In 2007, Hamas's seizure of power in the Gaza Strip. Iran has since supplied materiel and know-how for Hamas to build a sizable rocket arsenal.

2007: Deposits in Palestinian banks

In 2007, deposits in Palestinian banks amounted to US$1.2 billion.

2007: Hamas takeover of Gaza

In 2007, internal divisions between political factions led to a takeover of Gaza by Hamas. Since then, the West Bank has been governed in part by the Fatah-led PA, while the Gaza Strip has remained under the control of Hamas.

2007: Loan facilities provided by all banks

In 2007, the combined loan facilities provided by all banks in Palestine amounted to US$1.42 billion.

2007: Hamas gains control over Gaza and Israel imposes a partial blockade

Since 2007, Israel has been leading a partial blockade on Gaza, Hamas gained control over all the territory of Gaza after bloody clashes with Fatah.

2008: High tech industry growth

Since 2008, the high tech industry in Palestine has experienced good growth.

2009: Release of "The Time That Remains"

In 2009, "The Time That Remains", a Palestinian film, was released.

Loading Video...

2009: Number of visitors to the Palestinian territories

In 2009, 2.6 million people visited the Palestinian territories.

2009: Jerusalem Named Arab Capital of Culture

In 2009, Jerusalem was named as the Arab Capital of Culture, highlighting the city's cultural significance.

2009: Establishment of the Health Cluster for the occupied Palestinian territory (oPt)

In 2009, the Health Cluster for the occupied Palestinian territory (oPt) was established under the auspices of the World Health Organization (WHO).

2010: Cellular mobile subscribers in Palestine

At the end of 2010, there were 2.6 million cellular mobile subscribers in Palestine.

2010: Number of visitors to the Palestinian territories

In 2010, 4.6 million people visited the Palestinian territories, including 2.2 million foreign tourists and 2.7 million domestic tourists.

2010: Cost of Gaza Strip blockade

In 2010, Israel's ongoing blockade of the Gaza Strip resulted in a cost of US$1.908 billion, representing 23.5% of Palestine's GDP.

2010: Demographics of East Jerusalem

In 2010, roughly 60% of the 456,000 people in East Jerusalem were Palestinians and 40% were Israelis.

2010: CO2 Emission of Palestine was 0.6 metric tons per capita

In 2010, the CO2 emission (metric tons per capita) of Palestine was 0.6.

2011: Palestine's Poverty Rate was 25.8%

According to a survey of 2011, Palestine's poverty rate was 25.8%.

2011: Manufacturing sector's share of GDP decreased

In 2011, the manufacturing sector's share of Palestine's GDP decreased from 19% to 10% since the signing of the Oslo Accords, according to a World Bank report.

November 2012: UN General Assembly Upgrades Palestine's Status

On 29 November 2012, the United Nations General Assembly passed resolution 67/19, upgrading Palestine from an "observer entity" to a "non-member observer state" within the United Nations System, which was described as recognition of the PLO's sovereignty.

December 2012: UN Recognizes 'State of Palestine' Designation

On 17 December 2012, UN Chief of Protocol Yeocheol Yoon declared that "the designation of 'State of Palestine' shall be used by the Secretariat in all official United Nations documents", thus recognising the title 'State of Palestine' as the state's official name for all UN purposes.

2012: Water supply from Israel to Palestinian territories

In 2012, Israel provided the Palestinian territories with 52 MCM of water from its own water supply and desalinated water supplies.

2012: UN vote on Palestine

In 2012, UN voted regarding recognition of Palestine.

2012: UN Grants Palestine Non-Member Observer State Status

In 2012, the United Nations General Assembly passed Resolution 67/19, granting Palestine "non-member observer state" status, effectively recognizing it as a sovereign state.

2012: Electricity availability in West Bank and Gaza

In 2012, the electricity available in the West Bank and Gaza was 5,370 GW-hour, with an annual per capita consumption of 950 kWh.

2012: Hotel guests in the West Bank

In the last quarter of 2012, over 150,000 guests stayed in West Bank hotels, with 40% from Europe and 9% from the United States and Canada.

2012: Palestine Gains Non-Member Observer Status at the UN

Since 2012, Palestine has had a status of a non-member observer state in the United Nations. This limited status is largely due to the fact that the United States has consistently used its veto or threatened to do so to block Palestine's full UN membership.

2013: Bedouin Population in the West Bank and Gaza Strip

As of 2013, approximately 40,000 Bedouins reside in the West Bank, particularly around the Hebron Hills and rural Jerusalem, while 5,000 Bedouins live in the Gaza Strip.

2013: Government aims to encourage international visits

In 2013, Palestinian Authority Tourism minister Rula Ma'ay'a stated that her government aims to encourage international visits to Palestine, but the occupation is the main factor preventing the tourism sector from becoming a major income source.

2013: Sweden Recognizes the State of Palestine

In 2013, Sweden upgraded the status of the Palestinian representative office to a full embassy, becoming the first EU member state outside the former communist bloc to officially recognize the State of Palestine.

2013: Release of "Omar"

In 2013, the Palestinian movie "Omar" became popular.

Loading Video...

2014: Literacy Rate in Palestine

According to a 2014 report by the United Nations Development Programme, the literacy rate of Palestine was 96.3%, with a notable decrease in illiteracy among women, falling to less than 6% from 20.3% in 1997.

2014: Impact of the 2014 Gaza War

In the aftermath of the 2014 Gaza War, where many structures were damaged or destroyed, the flow of construction and raw materials into Gaza has been severely limited. Additionally, regular exports from the region have been completely halted, exacerbating the economic challenges faced by the population.

January 2015: International Criminal Court Affirms Palestine's State Status

In January 2015, the International Criminal Court affirmed Palestine's "State" status after its UN observer recognition, a move condemned by Israeli leaders as a form of "diplomatic terrorism".

May 2015: Vatican recognizes the State of Palestine

In May 2015, the Vatican shifted recognition to the State of Palestine, aligning with the Holy See's evolving position.

August 2015: Palestine Presents Draft Resolution at the UN

In August 2015, Palestine's representatives at the United Nations presented a draft resolution that would allow the non-member observer states Palestine and the Holy See to raise their flags at the United Nations headquarters. The US Ambassador and State Department spokesman criticized the initiative.

December 2015: UN Demands Palestinian Sovereignty over Natural Resources

In December 2015, the UN General Assembly passed a resolution demanding Palestinian sovereignty over natural resources in the occupied territories, calling on Israel to cease exploitation and damage while granting Palestinians the right to seek restitution.

2015: Economic impact of Israel's use of Palestinian natural resources

In 2015, a study estimated that the economic impact of Israel's use of Palestinian natural resources was US$1.83 billion, equivalent to 22% of Palestine's GDP for that year.

2017: Average population density of the world

As of 2017, the average population density of the world was 25 people per square kilometer.

2017: Healthcare Centers and Hospitals in Palestine

As of 2017, there were 743 primary health care centers in Palestine (583 in the West Bank and 160 in Gaza), and 81 hospitals (51 in the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, and 30 in Gaza).

2017: Partial autonomy granted by Israel

In 2017, Israel granted partial autonomy regarding water resources to the Palestinian territories, acknowledging historical and geographical complexities.

2017: WHO Country Cooperation Strategy

The WHO Country Cooperation Strategy for WHO and the Occupied Palestinian Territory covered 2017-2020.

December 2018: Combined loan facilities provided by all banks

As of December 2018, the combined loan facilities provided by all banks in Palestine amounted to US$8.4 billion.

2018: Deposits in Palestinian banks

By 2018, deposits in Palestinian banks had increased to US$6.9 billion, representing a 475% increase since 2007.

2018: Birzeit University Ranking

In 2018, Birzeit University was ranked among the top 2.7% of universities worldwide in the 2019 edition of the World University Rankings.

May 2019: WHO Report on Health Sector Conditions in oPt

The report of the WHO Director-General of 1 May 2019 describes health sector conditions in the oPt, identifying strategic priorities and current obstacles.

2019: ADSL subscribers in Palestine

By the end of 2019, the number of ADSL subscribers in Palestine increased to about 363 thousand from 119 thousand over the same period.

2019: Inauguration of first solar power plant in Jenin

In 2019, the first solar power plant and solar park was inaugurated in Jenin under the Noor Palestine campaign, an initiative by the Palestine Investment Fund to provide power in Palestine.

2019: Birzeit University Ranking in World University Rankings

In the 2019 edition of the World University Rankings, Birzeit University was recognized as being among the top 2.7% of universities worldwide, based on its 2018 performance.

June 2020: World Bank approves grant for Technology for Youth and Jobs Project

In June 2020, the World Bank approved a US$15 million grant for the Technology for Youth and Jobs (TechStart) Project to help the Palestinian IT sector upgrade capabilities and create high-quality jobs.

2020: Bethlehem Participates in Arab Capital of Culture

In 2020, Bethlehem participated in the Arab Capital of Culture event, showcasing its cultural heritage.

2020: Joint Exercises Conducted by Hamas and Other Militant Groups

Since 2020, joint exercises conducted with other militant groups in Gaza like the Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ) have habituated units to operating in a coordinated fashion, supported Hamas command and control, and facilitated cooperation between Hamas and smaller factions.

2020: WHO Country Cooperation Strategy

The WHO Country Cooperation Strategy for WHO and the Occupied Palestinian Territory covered 2017-2020.

May 2021: Mid-year population of the State of Palestine

According to the Palestinian Central Bureau of Statistics (PCBS), as of May 26, 2021, the State of Palestine's mid-year population was 5,227,193.

2021: Proposal to redevelop Qalandia Airport

In 2021, the Palestinian and Israeli governments proposed to redevelop Qalandia Airport as a binational airport for both Israelis and Palestinians.

2021: Development project for Gaza including a seaport launched

In 2021, then prime minister of Israel Naftali Bennett launched a development project for Gaza, which would include a seaport.

2022: Mohammed Hamada wins gold at the International Weightlifting Federation Junior World Championships

In 2022, Mohammed Hamada became the first weightlifter from Palestine to win gold at the International Weightlifting Federation Junior World Championships in Greece.

2022: Armenian Population in Israel and Palestine, Turkish Migration from Gaza

In 2022, an estimated 5,000–6,000 Armenians lived across Israel and Palestine, with around 1,000 in Jerusalem. Also in 2022, many families of Turkish origin in Gaza have been migrating to Turkey due to the deteriorating economic conditions.

October 2023: Hamas-led attacks and Gaza war

In October 2023, attacks by Hamas-led armed groups in Israel were followed by the Gaza war, resulting in widespread destruction, a humanitarian crisis, and the displacement of nearly all of Gaza's population.

2023: Manufacturing sector growth expectation

As of 2023, the Ministry of Economy expected the manufacturing sector in Palestine to grow by 2.5% and create 79,000 jobs over the following six years.

2023: GDP of Palestine was $40 billion

In 2023, GDP of Palestine was $40 billion and per-capita around $4,500. According to a new World Bank report, Palestinian economic growth is expected to soften in 2023.

2023: Evacuations in Gaza City

In 2023, Gaza City, the largest city in Palestine, experienced evacuations.

April 2024: Palestine Renews Application for UN Membership, US Vetoes Resolution

In April 2024, Riyad Mansour, the Palestinian ambassador to the UN, requested that the Security Council consider a renewed application for membership. On 18 April, the US vetoed a widely supported UN resolution that would have admitted Palestine as a full UN member.

May 2024: UNGA Resolution Grants Enhanced Rights to Palestine

In May 2024, a UNGA resolution came into force with the 2024 general assembly, recognizing the Palestinian right to become a full member state. It also granted Palestinians the right to submit proposals and amendments, and Palestine was permitted to take a seat with other member states in the assembly.

October 2024: Death of Yahya Sinwar

Yahya Sinwar was leader of the Hamas government in the Gaza Strip before his death on 16 October 2024.

2024: GDP decline due to war in Gaza

In the first quarter of 2024, the State of Palestine's overall gross-domestic-product (GDP) declined by 35% due to the ongoing war in Gaza, with the Gaza Strip experiencing an 86% decrease and the West Bank a 25% decrease.

March 2025: 147 UN Member States Recognize the State of Palestine

As of 21 March 2025, 147 (76.2%) of the 193 member states of the United Nations have recognised the State of Palestine.