Timeline of the Palestine region

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The timeline of the Palestine region is a timeline of major events in the history of Palestine. It shows important moments and changes that have shaped the area over many years. For more details on the history of Palestine, you can read the History of Palestine. When the exact year or month of an event is not known, it is marked with a slash, such as 636/7 or January/February. This timeline helps us understand how the region has developed through different times.

Mesozoic/Cenozoic geological eras

A Prognathodon died around 65–70 million years ago in the Negev region. In 1993, its complete skull was found in a phosphate mine in the Negev.

Palaeolithic

During the time between 420–220 thousand years ago, early humans lived in a place called Qesem Cave in the Palestine region. This was a very long time ago, before many of the things we know today even existed. These early humans were among the first to settle in this area.

Epipalaeolithic

See also: Epipalaeolithic Near East

Around 9000 BCE, groups of people called the Natufian hunter-gatherers created a permanent settlement. This place would later be known as Jericho.

Neolithic

The Neolithic period lasted from about 8,500 to 4,500 BCE. It included several phases such as the Pre-Pottery Neolithic A, B, and C, and the Pottery Neolithic. This was a time when early humans began to settle in one place, farm, and develop new tools and ways of living.

Chalcolithic (Copper Age)

The Chalcolithic period, also called the Copper Age, lasted from about 4,500 to 3,500 BCE. During this time, people in the Palestine region began using copper tools, which marked important progress in their daily lives and technology.

Bronze Age; Canaanite city-states

See also: Bronze Age § Near East Bronze Age divisions

The Bronze Age in the Palestine region was a time of many important changes and settlements. During this period, early cities began to grow and thrive.

Key events include:

• 34th century BCE – The city of Taur Ikhbeineh was home to people.
• c. 3300 BCE – The Egyptian city of Tell es-Sakan was built. It was one of the first fortified cities found by archaeologists.
• c. 3000 BCE – People left Tell es-Sakan.
• c. 2600 BCE – Canaanite people moved back into Tell es-Sakan.
• c. 2250 BCE – The Canaanite people left Tell es-Sakan again.
• c. 1469 BCE – In the Battle of Megiddo, Egyptian soldiers led by Pharaoh Thutmose III won against a group of Canaanite leaders from Kadesh.

Iron Age; Israelite kingdoms and Philistine pentapolis

Main articles: History of ancient Israel and Judah and Philistines

See also: Iron Age § Ancient Near East

Iron Age I

The Iron Age I lasted from 1200 to 1000 BCE. It can be divided into two parts: Iron Age IA (1200–1150 BCE) and Iron Age IB (1150–1000 BCE).

Iron Age II

Iron Age II lasted from 1000 to 586 BCE. It can be divided into three parts: Iron Age IIA (1000–900 BCE), Iron Age IIB (900–700 BCE), and Iron Age IIC (700–586 BCE).

• 925 BCE – Sack of Jerusalem (925 BC) – Pharaoh Sheshonk I of the Third Intermediate Period invaded Canaan after the Battle of Bitter Lakes. This might be the same as Shishak, a Pharaoh mentioned in the Bible who captured Jerusalem.
• 853 BCE – The Battle of Qarqar happened, and Jerusalem’s forces may have joined in a battle that ended without a clear winner against Shalmaneser III of Neo-Assyria. Jehoshaphat, King of Judah, was allied with Ahab, King of Israel, according to the Jewish Bible.
• Second half of the 8th century BCE – The fortified settlement of Tell Ruqeish was built.
• c. 720 BCE – The Kingdom of Israel was taken over by the Neo-Assyrian Empire. Some of the local people were moved away, and new people from other parts of the empire were brought in.

Babylonian and Persian periods

Main articles: Samaritans § History, Yehud (Babylonian province), and Yehud (Persian province)

The Babylonian period started when Jerusalem was destroyed by Nebuchadnezzar II in 587 or 586 BCE. The Persian period lasted from when Cyrus II of Persia ("the Great") took over the Neo-Babylonian Empire, until Alexander the Great conquered the area.

Hellenistic period and the Kingdom of Hasmonean Judea

The Hellenistic period started when Alexander the Great took over Palestine in 332 BCE and ended when Pompey took control in 63 BCE. During this time, Palestine changed hands several times. After Alexander died, it became part of Ptolemaic Egypt before the Seleucids took over.

Many important events happened during this period. Cities were founded or renamed, and leaders changed often. There were conflicts over who should lead the Jerusalem Temple and tensions between different rulers. Eventually, the Hasmonean family grew powerful, taking control of Judea and expanding their influence. This period set the stage for later history in the region.

Classical/Polytheistic Roman period

The Roman period in the Palestine region began in 63 BCE when Roman troops occupied the area. It lasted until Christianity became the official religion of the Roman Empire, around the year 380 CE. During this time, many important events happened.

Key moments include:

• In 63 BCE, Roman troops occupied Palestine.
• In 47 BCE, Herod the Great became governor of Galilee and worked to keep the area safe.
• In 37 BCE, Herod the Great took control of Judea with help from Roman troops.
• In 27 BCE, Herod rebuilt Samaria and named it Sebastia.
• Around 7–2 BCE, Jesus was born.
• In 66–70 CE, a big revolt called the First Jewish Revolt happened. It ended when the Romans captured Jerusalem and destroyed the Second Temple in 70 CE.
• In 129–130 CE, the Roman emperor Hadrian visited the area and founded a Roman colony at Jerusalem, which led to another revolt called the Bar Kokhba revolt from 132–135 CE.

Byzantine/Christian Roman period

Main article: Byzantine Palestine

The Byzantine period began around 313 when Emperor Constantine made Christianity allowed. During this time, many important Christian churches were built. For example, the Church of the Nativity was built in Bethlehem to mark where Jesus was born, and the Church of the Holy Sepulchre was built in Jerusalem to mark where Jesus was crucified, buried, and rose again.

There were also many important events during this time. In 614, the Sasanian Empire captured Jerusalem and damaged the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. Later, in 629, the Byzantine Emperor Heraclius took Jerusalem back and returned an important religious symbol called the True Cross to the city.

Early Muslim period

See also: Early Muslim conquests and Muslim conquest of the Levant

Rashidun period

In 637 or 638, Jerusalem fell to the armies of the Rashidun caliph Umar Ibn el-Khatab. Jews were allowed to return to the city after five centuries of Roman rule. In June or July that year, the Rashiduns captured Gaza, and later in the summer, Ascalon surrendered. By late that year, a truce was agreed upon between the Rashiduns and the Byzantines. In 640, the Rashiduns captured Caesarea, and in 641, they captured Ashkelon, finishing their conquest of the Holy Land. An earthquake struck in 659.

Umayyad period

The Umayyad family took control of the caliphate in 661 and moved its capital to Damascus. Between 687 and 691, the Dome of the Rock was built on the Temple Mount in Jerusalem. Around 715, Sulayman ibn Abd al-Malik founded Ramla, which became the capital and administrative center of Palestine. In 744, Caliph Hisham ibn Abd al-Malik died and was succeeded by Al-Walid II. Mutinies began against the Umayyads in the spring, Al-Walid II was assassinated in April and succeeded by Yazid III, who was also assassinated in October and succeeded by Ibrahim ibn al-Walid. In November, Ibrahim was defeated by Marwan II, who became the new caliph. In 745, Theodore was appointed patriarch of Jerusalem. On January 18, 749, an earthquake destroyed Tiberias, Scythopolis, Hippos, and Pella, along with many other cities in the Jordan valley, causing tens of thousands of deaths.

Abbasid period

From 747 to 750, civil war led to the overthrow of the Umayyads, and the Abbasid family took control of the caliphate. In 758, the Caliph Al-Mansur visited Jerusalem and may have ordered the renovation of the Dome of the Rock. In 762, the Abbasids founded Baghdad as the new capital. In 792 or 793, war broke out between the tribes of Palestine. In 796, battles occurred between these tribes. In 799, the Patriarch of Jerusalem sent a mission to the Frankish king Charlemagne, who returned the favor. Around 800, the Jewish High Council moved from Tiberias to Jerusalem. In 800, the Patriarch of Jerusalem sent another mission to Charlemagne with keys to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre and a banner. In 807, a rebellion led by Abu'l-Nida' began in Eilat. An earthquake struck in 813. The Church of the Holy Sepulchre was repaired around 820. Basil was appointed patriarch of Jerusalem in 820, and Solomon in 855. In 885, the Abbasids reconquered Damascus. In 873, Ahmad Ibn Tulun broke with the Abbasids and established independent rule in Egypt. In 878, the Tulunids occupied most of the former Byzantine Diocese of the East, helping them defend Egypt against Abbasid attacks. Elias III became patriarch of Jerusalem in 879. Around 881, Elias III appealed to the Franks. Around 903, Persian geographer Ibn al-Faqih visited Jerusalem. The Abbasids regained control of Palestine in 905 or 906. In 908 or 909, Al-Muqtadir forbade Christians from serving in administrative positions. Around 913, Spanish scholar Ibn Abd Rabbih visited Jerusalem. In 935, Al-Ikhshid took control of Egypt and established independent rule. On March 26, 937, rioting Muslims burned down the Church of the Resurrection and looted the Chapel of Golgotha. In October 939, Muhammad ibn Ra'iq conquered Ramla. In late 939, a battle occurred between Ibn Ra'iq and al-Ikhshid near al-'Arish. In July 946, Sayf al-Dawla invaded Palestine. In 966, a mob torched the Church of Resurrection, looted it, and killed Jerusalem's Patriarch John VII.

Fatimid period

In 969 or 970, the Fatimids defeated the Ikhshidids and appointed a Jewish governor. In 971, the Qarmatians attacked Damascus. On September 5, the Qarmatians conquered Ramla, and in December, the Fatimids repelled a Qarmatian invasion near Fustat. In 972 or 975, Byzantine emperor John I Tzimiskes led an expedition reaching Caesarea and Tiberias. In the winter of 975, Alptakin conquered Sidon and killed many people, then conquered Tiberias in the spring and Damascus in April. On March 12, 977, the Qarmatians conquered Ramla again. In 978, Joseph II was appointed patriarch of Jerusalem. On August 15, a large Fatimid army defeated Alptakin and the Qarmatians in southern Palestine. During the winter of 978–979, a Jewish Fatimid general tried to negotiate with the leader of the Hamdanids, but the leader refused because the general was Jewish. Later, he agreed to negotiations where the general offered Ramla in exchange for driving out the Jarrahids. In August 979, Abu Taghlib launched a failed attack on Ramla and was captured and killed. In June 981, Damascus was besieged by a Fatimid army. In July 981, Bedouins led by the Jarrahids rebelled against the Fatimids. On July 5, 983, Damascus was conquered by a Fatimid army. Orestes was appointed patriarch of Jerusalem in 984. On February 24, 991, Ya'qub ibn Killis died. From 996 to 998, a revolt occurred in Tyre. The rebels sought help from the Byzantines. The Fatimids besieged the city, which fell in May 998. The rebel leader was tortured and crucified. From 1006 to 1007, Russian abbot Daniel made a pilgrimage to Palestine. In 1008, the Caliph al-Hakim bi-Amr Allah forbade Christians from holding the Palm Sunday procession. On October 18, 1009, Caliph al-Hakim ordered the destruction of the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. From 1011 to February 1013, the Yemenite Djarrahid Bedouin tribe rebelled, seizing Ramla and setting up a small caliphate. In 1012, al-Hakim began issuing harsh rules against Christians and Jews. On September 4, 1015, an earthquake caused the dome of the Dome of the Rock to collapse. On February 13, 1021, Caliph Al-Hakim was killed and succeeded by his son al-Zahir. In September 1024, a Bedouin rebellion began over tax-collecting rights. The Bedouins attacked and looted Ramla and Tiberias. From 1026 to 1027, Richard of Verdun made a pilgrimage to Palestine. In 1027, a treaty allowed the rebuilding of the Church of the Holy Sepulchre and let Christians who had been forced to convert to Islam return to their faith. The Byzantine emperor was also allowed to choose the patriarch of Jerusalem, and in return, the mosque in Constantinople would be reopened. In 1029, Anushtakin defeated a Bedouin group challenging Fatimid rule. In 1032, renovations of the Dome of the Rock were completed under Caliph al-Zahir. In 1033, Jerusalem's city walls were rebuilt, and on December 5, an earthquake struck the Jordan Rift Valley. In 1047, Persian poet and traveler Nasir Khusraw visited Palestine. In 1063, the Fatimids strengthened or rebuilt Jerusalem's walls. From 1064 to 1065, the Great German Pilgrimage occurred. In 1068, an earthquake destroyed Ramla, killing about 15,000 people. In 1071, the Seljuk Turks invaded parts of West Asia, including Asia Minor and the Eastern Mediterranean, capturing Ramla and besieging Jerusalem. In 1073, the Seljuks invaded Palestine. In 1075, the Seljuks captured Damascus and a severe drought struck Palestine. In 1077, the Seljuks captured Jaffa. In 1089, the Fatimids conquered Tyre. From 1092 to 1095, Abu Bakr ibn al-Arabi stayed in Jerusalem. In 1093, Muslims in coastal areas prevented Christians from entering Palestine. On November 27, 1095, Pope Urban II started the First Crusade at the Council of Clermont, aiming to reclaim Jerusalem and the Holy Land and protect Eastern Christians from rule by others. In July 1098, the Fatimids besieged Jerusalem. On August 26, 1098, the Fatimids recaptured Jerusalem.

Crusader/Ayyubid period

Main article: Timeline of the Kingdom of Jerusalem

The Crusader period, also called the medieval period, lasted from 1099 to 1291. During this time, groups from Western Europe, known as Crusaders, took control of parts of the land around Jerusalem. They built a kingdom there, but their rule did not last long. Other leaders, called the Ayyubids, often fought back against the Crusaders, and the lands changed hands many times.

Some key moments include:

• In 1099, Crusaders captured Jerusalem after a hard fight.
• In 1187, a leader named Saladin took Jerusalem back from the Crusaders.
• The Third Crusade, led by Richard the Lionhearted, happened from 1189 to 1192. Richard fought Saladin but did not retake Jerusalem.
• In 1229, another treaty let Christian leaders visit Jerusalem for a time.
• Finally, in 1291, the last Crusader city, Acre, fell to the Mamluk leaders, ending the Crusader rule in the region.

Mamluk period

The Mamluk period began in 1291 when the Mamluks captured Acre. It ended in 1517 when the Ottomans took control of Palestine. This was a time of important changes in the region's history.

Ottoman period

16th century

• 1517: The Ottomans took control of Palestine.
• 1538–1535: Suleiman the Magnificent restored the Dome of the Rock in Jerusalem and the city walls.
• 1541: Suleiman I sealed off the Golden Gate.
• 1546 January 14: A big earthquake shook the Jordan Rift Valley. Cities like Jerusalem, Hebron, Nablus, Gaza, and Damascus were damaged.

17th century

• 1660: The towns of Safed and Tiberias were destroyed, but Safed was repopulated later.
• 1604: France agreed that its people could visit holy places in Jerusalem.
• 1663–1665: A man named Sabbatai Zevi preached in Jerusalem and later declared himself a holy leader.

18th century

• 1700: Judah the Pious and 1,000 followers moved to Jerusalem.
• 1742–1777: Jewish leaders and their followers moved to the Holy Land, starting a community there.
• 1759 October 30: Another earthquake damaged Safed, Tiberias, Acre, and Sidon.
• 1798: Napoleon Bonaparte led a campaign in Egypt and Syria.
• 1799: Napoleon tried to capture Jaffa and Acre but failed in some battles.

19th century

• 1808–1810: Jewish families arrived in the Holy Land, starting a community.
• 1832 May 10: Mohammed Ali took control of Acre from the Ottomans.
• 1834: A revolt happened in Palestine against taxes and rules.
• 1837 January 1: A big earthquake shook Galilee and caused many deaths.
• 1840 July 15: Several countries made an agreement about control in the region.
• 1860: The first Jewish neighborhood was built outside Jerusalem’s old walls.
• 1874: Jerusalem got special administrative status.
• 1882–1903: Many Jews moved to the region, known as the First Aliyah.
• 1887–1888: The region was divided into different areas.
• 1897 August 29–31: The First Zionist Congress happened in Switzerland, aiming to create a homeland for Jewish people in Palestine.

20th century

• 1901: An organization was created to buy and develop land for Jewish settlement.
• 1909 April 11: Tel Aviv was founded near Jaffa.
• 1911: A newspaper called Filasṭīn began publishing.
• 1915:
  • A German-led Ottoman Army tried to attack a canal but failed.
  • A locust problem happened in the Eastern Mediterranean area.
• 1916–1918: A revolt happened in the Arab areas against Ottoman rule.
• 1916:
  • Britain and France made a secret agreement about control in Western Asia after the Ottoman Empire ended.
  • A German-led Ottoman Army attacked British forces but were stopped.
  • British troops took control of a town called El Arish.
• 1917:
  • British forces won battles in places like Rafa, Gaza, Beersheba, and Jerusalem.
  • The British government announced support for a Jewish homeland in the area.
• 1918:
  • British forces continued to win battles and took control of many places, ending the fighting with the Ottoman Empire.

OETA and Mandatory Palestine

• 1927 July 11 – 1927 Jericho earthquake – A strong earthquake shook the Jordan Rift Valley area.
• 1929 – Trouble broke out during the 1929 Palestine riots.
• 1936–1939 – The Great Arab Revolt took place.
• 1947 November 29 – The UN General Assembly adopted a resolution containing a proposal to split Mandatory Palestine into separate Arab and Jewish states, with special rules for Jerusalem and nearby areas.

Israel, Jordan-occupied West Bank, Egypt-occupied Gaza

On May 14, 1948, Jewish leaders in the region of Palestine announced the creation of a new Jewish state called the State of Israel. This led to a large war between Israel and several Arab countries, lasting from May 1948 to January 1949, known as the 1948 Arab-Israeli War. The war ended with Israel winning and taking more land than originally planned. Jordan and Egypt took control of the West Bank and the Gaza Strip, respectively.

Later, in 1950, Jordan added the West Bank to its territory. In 1956, a conflict called the Sinai Campaign happened when Egypt decided to take control of a important waterway called the Suez Canal. Israel, along with the United Kingdom and France, fought to take the Sinai Peninsula but were later forced to leave. Finally, in June 1967, another big war called the Six-Day War took place. Israel fought against Egypt, Jordan, Syria, and Lebanon, and by the end of six days, Israel had taken control of the Gaza Strip, the West Bank, Jerusalem, and the Golan Heights.

Israel and the occupied Palestinian territories

• 1973 October 6–24 – The Yom Kippur War happened. Syria and Egypt attacked Israel by surprise during a holiday. Egypt took back part of a region called Sinai that Israel had held for nearly seven years.

• 1974 – The PLO was allowed to speak for Palestinian Arab refugees at the UN.

• 1978 September 18 – Israel and Egypt signed a peace agreement at Camp David. This included Israel leaving part of Sinai.

• 1979 March 26 – A peace treaty was signed between Israel and Egypt by leaders from both countries and the U.S. president.

• 1982 June–December – The First Lebanon War happened when Israel entered southern Lebanon because of attacks from groups there. This led to the PLO leaving Lebanon.

• 1984 November 21–1985 January 5 – Israel secretly helped about 8,000 Ethiopian Jews move to Israel from Sudan.

• 1987–1991 – The First Intifada started. This was the first big uprising by Palestinians in the Gaza Strip and West Bank against Israeli control.

• 1988 November 15 – The Palestinian Declaration of Independence was made, announcing a new state called “State of Palestine.”

• 1991 May 24–25 – In Operation Solomon, Israel secretly helped about 14,400 Ethiopian Jews move to Israel very quickly.

• 1993 September 13 – The first Oslo Accords were signed by leaders from Israel, the PLO, and the United States.

• 1994 October 26 – A peace agreement was signed between Israel and Jordan.

• 1995 November 4 – The Israeli prime minister Yitzhak Rabin was killed by another Israeli.

• 2000–2005 (unclear) – The Second Intifada began with protests by Palestinians, which later included violent attacks.

• 2002 June – Israel started building a fence in the West Bank to help keep people safe.

• 2005 August 23 – Israel left 25 Jewish settlements in the Gaza Strip and West Bank.

• 2006 July 12–August 14 – The Second Lebanon War happened after two Israeli soldiers were taken. This led to a bigger conflict.

• 2008 December 27–2009 January 18 – Operation Cast Lead took place when Israel attacked targets in the Gaza Strip to stop rocket attacks.

• 2012:

  • November 14–November 21 – Operation Pillar of Cloud began after many rockets were fired from Gaza into Israel. This included attacks on what Israel called terror groups.
  • November 29 – The United Nations gave Palestine a special status.

• 2016 December 23 – A United Nations resolution said Israel should stop taking Palestinian lands.

• 2017 December 6 – The U.S. president said Jerusalem was the capital of Israel.

• 2021 May 6–21 – Problems happened in East Jerusalem and at the Al-Aqsa Mosque.

• 2023 October 7 – The Gaza war began when Hamas attacked Israel with rockets and fighters, leading Israel to declare war for the first time since 1973.