Fahed Attal opened the scoring as early as the fourth minute, before Mohammed Mohammed capatilised on a second half defensive error to ensure all three points for Palestine, and leave Nepal with an uphill mountain to climb if they are to reach the semi-final stage.
With Turkmeistan defeating the Maldives 3-1, Nepal will now head into Saturday's vital clash against the Maldives at the same venue desperate for a win.
With the tournament winner assured of a place at the 2015 AFC Asian Cup, Nepal started poorly and were behind within five minutes, Attal reacting first to ram home Mohammed's cross after home goalkeeper Kiran Chemjong had parried Murad Said's long-range effort.
Graham Roberts' men tried to rally, and came close to restoring parity when Jumanu Rai hit the woodwork after 25 minutes. With half-time approaching, captain Sagar Thapa, with time and space, somehow failed to find the target with a header. For Nepal, it was a sign of things to come.
Indeed, Nepal's first half profligacy was to haunt them shortly after the hour mark, Mohammed profiting from some defensive dithering on 65 minutes to beat Chemjong with ease and all but ensure the win for Palestine.
In a frantic finish, chances for Nepal favourites Jumanu and Santosh Sahukhala came and went as Palestine grimly hung on.
Meanwhile, in the day's other Group A clash, Turkmenistan came from a goal down to beat the Maldives 3-1 at the Halchowk Stadium.
In what was to prove an entertaining affair, the Maldives went ahead on 20 minutes, Hasan Adhuham converting Riley Riwan's cross.
Bloodied yet unbowed, Turkmenistan drew level 13 minutes later when winger Ruslan Mingazov found the net following Arslanmyrat Amanov's astute pass.
Despite dominating proceedings, Turkmenistan had to wait until the 78th minute before they took the lead courtesy of substitute Gahryman Chonkayev's pinpoint free-kick.
The Maldives were later reduced to ten men when referee Yousef Al Marzouq showed a red card to Ahmed Tariq, the dismissal allowing Turkmenistan to extend their lead thanks to a fine individual effort from Amanov.
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