Camp David
July 30, 2000
U.S. President Bill Clinton acts as mediator in peace talks between Israel and Palestine. Peace terms fall through at the Camp David negotiations, reigniting hostilities.
Mubarak and Arafat meet
January 30, 2001
President Mubarak and Palestinian Authority President Yasser Arafat to discuss U.S. peace proposals prior to Arab League meetings.
Taba Summit
January 30, 2001
Talks falter between Israel and Palestine. Israel resumes blockade of Palestinian territories after hostilities resume.
Violence in Ramallah
December 30, 2001
Israeli troops surround Ramallah after wave of Palestinian attacks inside Israel.
The Arab Peace Initiative
March 1, 2002
The Beirut Declaration, more widely known as the Arab Peace Initiative, is endorsed by the Arab League to bring cooperation between Arab states as well as a resolution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Israel rejects the resolution plan.
Israel on the Defensive
March 30, 2002
After series of Palestinian suicide attacks in Israel, Israel launches Operation Defensive Shield in the West Bank, the largest Israeli military action in the area since 1967.
Mahmoud Abbas Elected
March 1, 2003
Mahmoud Abbas, an advocate for Israeli-Palestine peace, is elected as prime minister of Palestine.
Resistance to the Wall
February 8, 2004
Israeli civil rights groups take legal action against West Bank “security barrier,” claiming that it infringes on Palestinian civil rights.
West Bank Wall Deemed Illegal
July 8, 2004
The Israeli supreme court and the International Court of Justice determine the West Bank security barrier is illegal and order for it to be torn down.
Yasser Arafat Dies
July 8, 2004
Palestinian Authority Chairman Yasser Arafat falls ill and dies in Paris. Prime Minister Mahmoud Abbas named his successor.
Abbas Apologizes to Kuwait
December 8, 2004
Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas apologizes to Kuwait for the Palestinian support of Saddam Hussein after Iraq invaded Kuwait in 1990.
Mahmoud Abbas Elected
January 11, 2005
Prime Minister Mahmoud Abbas is elected as president of Palestine. He and Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon announce suspension of hostilities, with Israel withdrawing its troops from Palestinian lands
Israel Withdraws from Gaza
September 30, 2005
Israel withdraws Jewish settlers and military from Gaza, but maintains control of airspace, coast, and borders.
Hamas Elected
July 22, 2006
The Palestinian militant movement Hamas wins the majority of the Palestinian Legislative Council. Hamas is decidedly antagonistic towards Israel and is willing to fight for the creation of an Islamic state of Palestine.
Hamas Siezes Gaza
June 30, 2007
President Mahmoud Abbas declares a state of emergency as infighting between Hamas and Fatah intensifies. PM Abbas withdraws Fatah forces from Gaza Strip, Hamas claims territory for itself.
Gaza War Ends
January 31, 2009
The Gaza War, comes to an end between Hamas and Israel with a unilateral ceasefire.
Talks in Palestine
February 28, 2010
Fatah and Hamas resume talks on reconciliation. Direct talks resume between Israel and the Palestinian Authority, but are hampered by disagreement over settlements.
9 Turkish Pro-Palestinians Killed
May 31, 2010
9 Turkish pro-Palestinians are killed when several civilian ships attempt to break Gaza blockade as part of the Gaza Freedom Flotilla. Israel apologizes to Turkey in 2013.
Palestine Campaigns for UN Membership
October 31, 2011
Palestinian National Authority campaigns for UN membership for Palestine and new talks with Israel. The bid fails, but Palestine is upgraded to being a “non-member observer state.”
Prisoner Exchange
October 31, 2011
Israel and Hamas exchange prisoners, one Israeli soldier for 1,027 Palestinians, brokered by Egypt and Germany.
Hamas and Fatah Make Peace
May 31, 2012
Rival factions Hamas and Fatah’s interim government both sign agreement to pave the way for new elections. The government agrees to a non-violent settlement with Israel.
Israel Attacks Gaza
November 30, 2012
After months of escalating rocket attacks, Israel launches military attacks into Gaza.
Shockwaves of Morsi’s Fall
July 31, 2013
Fall of Morsi’s government in Egypt ends Palestinian hopes for lifting Egyptian blockade of border with Gaza, and interrupts Egyptian mediation in Fatah-Hamas reconciliation process.
Impacts of Morsi’s Fall
July 31, 2014
The Fall of Morsi’s government in Egypt ends Palestinian hopes for lifting Egyptian blockade of border with Gaza, and interrupts Egyptian mediation in Fatah-Hamas reconciliation process.
The Vatican Recognizes Palestine
May 31, 2015
The Vatican announces that it will formally recognize Palestine as a state.
Palestine Joins ICC Court
March 30, 2016
Palestine becomes a full member of the International Court of Arbitration, making its first entry into the Hague.
New Hardline Defense Minister
May 27, 2016
Hardliner Avigdor Lieberman is named Defense Minister. He is known for calling for the beheading of Palestinians.
Israel Starts West Bank Wall Construction
July 1, 2016
Israel starts construction of barrier wall in and around the West Bank, ostensibly to stop armed Palestinians from entering Israel, breaking pre-1967 ceasefire agreements.
Israel passes a controversial law on West Bank Settlements
February 7, 2017
Israel’s parliament passed a law that legalizes almost 4,000 settler homes built on privately owned Palestinian land in the occupied West Bank. Under the legislation, Palestinian land owners will be given financial compensation or alternative land.
President Trump recognizes Jerusalem as the capital of Israel
December 5, 2017
President Trump formally recognizes Jerusalem as the capital of Israel and sets a plan in motion to move the U.S. embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem.
Palestinian Prime Minister Survives Gaza Assassination Attempt
March 13, 2018
A roadside bomb explosion hit a convoy carrying Palestinian Prime Minister Rami Hamdallah, who is visiting the Gaza Strip. The Palestinian Authority initially blamed Hamas for the explosion.
U.S. embassy move triggers deadly protests in Gaza
May 14, 2018
Following six weeks of protests, violence erupted in Gaza after President Trump officially moved the United States embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem. More than 50 Palestinians were killed by Israeli soldiers during clashes on the border fence.
Israeli-Gaza border violence worst since 2014 war
July 14, 2018
The Israeli military carried out its largest airstrike campaign in Gaza since the 2014 war as Hamas militants fired dozens of rockets into Israel throughout the day, threatening to trigger an all-out war after weeks of growing tensions along the volatile border.
