The Palestine Chronology

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers with military a escort stole an olive harvest and vandalized olive trees in Awarta. Israeli settlers also opened fire at Palestinians harvesting olives in Aqraba; no injuries were reported. Elsewhere, Israeli settlers stole around 40 sheep in Khallet Hamad. Israeli settlers also raided Qaryut, opening fire at Palestinians in the area; no injuries were reported. Meanwhile, Israeli settlers razed farmland near Qasra. Israeli forces shot and injured a Palestinian child in Husan. Israeli soldiers also assaulted a Palestinian man in Dheisheh refugee camp. Elsewhere, Israeli forces demolished a Palestinian home in Bani Na’im. Israeli forces also razed land in Artas. Meanwhile, Israeli forces notified Palestinian families in Deir Qala that Israel will seize 18 dunams (4.4 acres) of land. 28 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in and around Jericho, Balata refugee camp, Bayt Awa, Hebron, Tarqumiyah, Bethlehem, Abu Dis, al-Eizariya, Ramallah, Jenin, and Qalqilya. In Gaza, Israeli forces bombed Rafah, Khan Yunis, Nuseirat refugee camp, Dayr al-Balah, Maghazi, and Jabalia refugee camp, killing at least 208 Palestinians and injuring 416. Israeli forces also shot and injured a surgeon inside al-Awda Hosptial, which has been under Israeli siege for 6 days, and hit the Kamal Adwan hospital with an airstrike. Rockets were fired at Israel, injuring 1. In Lebanon, Israeli forces killed a Lebanese official in Taybeh, Hezbollah said it had attacked Israeli soldiers in Shtula and Metula. In the Red Sea, a Norwegian commercial ship, The Strinda, was hit by a cruise missile launched by Yemen according to the U.S. military. (AJ, AJ, AJ, AP, AP, HA, HA, NYT, UNOCHA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 12/11; HA, HA, REU 12/12; AP 12/13)

More than 18,205 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli forces in Gaza, including at least 7,729 children and 5,153 women, and around 49,645 have been injured since 10/7. At least 8,000 people were missing in rubble, including 1,700 children. 267 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli forces and settlers in the West Bank and East Jerusalem since 10/7, including 69 children. More than 3,387 people have been injured. Israel reported that 1,200 Israelis and foreign nationals have been killed and 5,400 have been injured since 10/7. 101 Israeli soldiers have been killed 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. As of 12/3, at least 52,000 housing units had been destroyed and 253,000 had been damaged in Israeli airstrikes since 10/7, constituting 60% of all housing units. 100 trucks carrying aid, including fuel, entered Gaza via the Rafah crossing. 33 injured Palestinians and 461 dual nationals were evacuated to Egypt. (AJ, HA, UNOCHA, UNOCHA 12/11; AJ 12/13)

Al Jazeera said Israel had killed the father of its journalist Anas al-Sharif in his family’s home in Jabalia refugee camp, saying Israel deliberately targets its journalists in Gaza. (AJ, AJ, AP, WAFA, WAFA 12/11)

Palestinians in the West Bank and East Jerusalem were on strike over Israel’s bombing of Gaza. People outside of Palestinian also participated in the strike; most noteworthy was the Lebanese government’s decision to close government offices and institutions in solidarity with Gaza. (AJ, HA, WAFA, WAFA 12/11)

The PA called on the U.S. to “oblige Israel” to stop the policy of deducting funds from the PA’s tax revenue, calling it piracy and collective punishment. (WAFA 12/11)

Israel started allowing Palestinian Americans living in the West Bank access to Israel for the first time since 10/7 after the U.S. threatened to suspend Israel’s membership in the U.S. Visa Waiver Program. (AX 12/11)

Comments by Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu to the Knesset foreign affairs and defense committees were leaked to the press. Netanyahu said the “difference between Hamas and the PA is only that Hamas wants to destroy us here and now, and the PA wants to do it in stages.” Netanyahu also said Gaza will be under Israeli military control and that Gulf states will rehabilitate the area. (AJ 12/11; HA, WAFA, WAFA 12/12)

U.S. National Security Council spokesperson John Kirby said the U.S. was “asking questions” in relation to reporting from Amnesty International and the Washington Post that Israel had used U.S.-supplied white phosphorus in Lebanon. The Post said a journalist had found remnants of 3 artillery shells that indicated that they were U.S.-made white phosphorous shells. Secretary of State Antony Blinken spoke with Israeli war cabinet member Benny Gantz, calling on Israel to take steps to avoid civilian harm and increase aid. State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller called images of Palestinians stripped to their underwear while in Israeli custody in Gaza “deeply disturbing”  (AJ, AP, HA, HA, NYT, WP 12/11; AJ 12/12)

EU high representative for foreign affairs Josep Borell called the destruction in Gaza “even greater than destruction suffered by the German cities during the Second World War,” noting that 60-70% of the casualties are civilians and 85% of the population have been internally displaced. Borell also said the EU will propose sanctions on violent Israeli settlers. France, Germany, and Italy also called on the EU to set up a special sanctions scheme to target Hamas. (AJ, AJ, AJ, AP, HA, HA 12/11)

Sky News Arabia reported that Israel had asked Egypt and Qatar to mediate another ceasefire, citing Egyptian sources. (HA 12/11; HA 12/12)

Rutgers University in New Jersey notified Students for Justice in Palestine that it had suspended its chapter at the university, citing complaints about the group. (HA 12/12; HA, HA 12/13)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers threw stones at Palestinians harvesting olives in the Masafer Yatta area, injuring 2. Israeli settlers also attempted to kidnap a child in Khirbet al-Farisiyya. Elsewhere, armed Israeli settlers posing as soldiers vandalized a mosque in Menizel. Israeli forces raided Nur Shams refugee camp and attacked it with drones, killing 13 Palestinians, including 5 children, banned movement in and out of the refugee camp, and uprooted pavement with bulldozers. An Israeli soldier was killed in an IED explosion and 9 others were wounded. Israeli forces also shot and killed 3 Palestinians, including 2 minors, during raids in Budrus, Tulkarm, and Dheisheh refugee camp. Elsewhere, Israeli forces shot and injured 16 others during a raid in Budrus and al-Arroub refugee camp. Israeli forces also demolished the family home in Qibya of a Palestinian alleged to have killed a settler before he was shot and killed by Israeli forces near Kafr Qaddum on 7/6. Around 184 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in Hebron, Ramallah, Dheisheh refugee camp, Tubas, Beita, Qalqilya, al-Eizeriya, Umm Safa, and Aqabat Jaber refugee camp, including 50 Palestinians workers from Gaza staying in Dheisheh refugee camp who had been expelled to the West Bank. In Gaza, around 285 Palestinians were killed in Israeli airstrikes. Israeli forces also assassinated the first female member of the Hamas political bureau Jamila al-Shanti, the head of the military wing of the Popular Resistance Committee Rafat Harb Hussein Abu Halal, and Hamas’ Jehad Mheisen. Israeli airstrikes also bombed the 12th century Church of Saint Porphyrius, killing at least 8 people sheltering in it and targeted 5 bakeries, killing many people waiting to purchase bread. Rockets were fired at Israel; no fatalities were reported. In Lebanon, Israeli forces shot and killed a journalist and injured 1 other in Hula. Israeli forces also attacked parts of South Lebanon with combat helicopters and killed 3 people it claimed were firing anti-tank missiles at Israel. Israel said 30 rockets were fired at Israel. (AJ, HA 10/18; AJ, AJ, AJ, AP, AP, HA, HA, NYT, REU, REU, REU, REU, REU, UNOCHA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 10/19; AJ, HA, NYT, REU, WAFA, WAFA 10/20)

The Gaza Ministry of Health said as of 5 p.m. at least 3,785 Palestinians had been killed, including at least 1,524 children, and 12,500 had been injured in Israeli airstrikes on Gaza since 10/7, including 47 entire families consisting of 500 people. It is estimated that hundreds are still trapped in rubble. In addition, Israeli media reported that 1,500 Palestinian militants have been killed near Gaza. 81 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli forces and settlers in the West Bank and East Jerusalem since 10/7, including 22 children. More than 1,434 have been injured, including at least 300 with live ammunition. Israeli officials recorded no new fatalities, leaving the Israeli death toll at around 1,400 Israelis and foreign nationals; 4,562 have been injured since 10/7. The number of Israelis killed rose from 10/18 as Israel released the names of Israelis killed on 10/7. The UN reported that over 1 million Palestinians have been displaced since 10/7 and that since 11 p.m. on 10/12 there has been a complete electricity blackout due to the Israeli blockade. At least 21,900 housing units have been destroyed and 121,000 have been damaged in Israeli airstrikes since 10/7, constituting around 30% of all homes in Gaza. The Committee to Protect Journalists said 21 journalists have been killed since 10/7, including 17 Palestinians, 3 Israelis, and 1 Lebanese. (AJ, HA 10/18; AJ, HA, UNOCHA, WAFA 10/19)

The UN reported that 74 Palestinian households, comprised of 545 people, have been displaced from Bedouin communities in Area C of the West Bank due to settler violence and access restrictions. (BTselem, UNOCHA 10/19)

Haaretz reported that on 10/12 a group of 20-25 Israeli settlers and soldiers abducted 3 Palestinians from the depopulated Wadi al-Seeq community before assaulting, undressing, and urinating on 2 of them, putting 1 of their faces in feces, and attempted to sodomize 1 of them. The 3 Palestinians were abused for 6 hours before they were dropped off at an abandoned building and photographed. The settlers and soldiers also stole their phones, a car, and $544 in cash. The Israeli military said it was investigating the incident and 1 commander of the military unit was suspended. (HA 10/19; MEMO, TOI 10/20)

Palestinian officials said that Israeli authorities have warned that Israeli forces will target the Gaza Power Plant if it tries to resume operations. (UNOCHA 10/19)

Palestinian officials also said Israel has arrested 4,000 workers from Gaza, holding them in military bases, and have arrested 1,070 Palestinians in the West Bank and Gaza, doubling the total number of Palestinian prisoners held by Israel. (AJ 10/21)

An Al Jazeera investigation into the bombing of al-Ahli Arab Hospital found that evidence presented by Israel misrepresented the event, ruling out that footage used by Israel showed a misfired rocket hit the hospital and saying that no footage from live streams suggest that rockets were fired from Gaza at the moment of the bombing. (AJ 10/19)

The U.S. said it had intercepted 3 cruise missiles and several drones fired by Houthi forces in Yemen. The Defense Department said the missiles and drones were heading north in the Red Sea, potentially toward Israel. Rockets and drones also attacked the U.S. Ain al-Asad air base and another compound hosting U.S. military forces near Baghdad International Airport. It was unclear who attacked the bases. (AJ 10/18; HA, NYT, REU, REU, REU 10/19; AP, HA 10/20)

Egyptian machinery reportedly entered Gaza to repair roads near the Rafah crossing to facilitate the transfer of humanitarian aid. However, Hamas denied that repairs had begun. Israel has bombed the Rafah crossing at least 4 times since 10/7. At least 100 trucks are waiting to enter Gaza near the crossing while others are waiting at El Arish Airport. UN officials said UN observers will inspect aid to Gaza before it enters through the Rafah crossing (AJ, AP, REU 10/19)

Israel said Hezbollah has granted Hamas permission to fire rockets at Israel and “will bear the consequences.” Defense Minister Yoav Gallant told soldiers near the Gaza fence to get ready for a ground invasion. (AP, HA, REU 10/19)

PA president Mahmoud Abbas spoke with Indian prime minister Narendra Modi. (WAFA 10/19)

UK prime minister Rishi Sunak traveled to Israel for meetings with Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu and President Isaac Herzog. Sunak said upon his arrival that he “stands with Israel” and that the UK is on the forefront of the effort to avoid further escalation of the conflict. 6 UK nationals were killed in Operation Al-Aqsa Flood and 9 are still missing. Sunak also met with Saudi crown prince Mohammed bin Salman in Riyadh, who called Israel’s targeting of civilians in Gaza “a heinous crime and brutal attack.” Sunak will later travel to Egypt, Turkey, and Qatar. (AJ 10/18; AJ, HA, HA, REU, REU, REU 10/19)

In an Oval Office address, U.S. president Joe Biden compared Hamas to Russian president Vladimir Putin and his attack on Ukraine, saying both want to annihilate their neighbors. Biden further claimed that Hamas uses Palestinians as human shields and said he had told President Abbas he supports the Palestinian people. Biden also said he will send an “unprecedented” aid package for Israel to Congress for approval. The package was reportedly worth $14 billion. Israel had asked the U.S. for weapons, including precision-guided munitions, JDAMs, Iron Dome replenishment, and mortar shells. The U.S. Senate unanimously adopted a resolution affirming Israel’s right to self-defense and condemning Hamas and Iran. 10 Republican senators said they will introduce legislation to redirect $100 million in planned humanitarian aid to Palestinians to replenishing the Iron Dome. House minority leader Hakeem Jeffries said he had received a briefing that suggested the al-Ahli Arab Hospital bombing was caused by a rocket misfired by Islamic Jihad. California governor Gavin Newsom said he was traveling to Israel. (AJ, AJ, HA, NYT, REU, REU 10/19; HA, REU 10/20)

Turkish media reported that the Israeli ambassador and other Israeli diplomats have left the country. (HA 10/19)

Israeli opposition leader Yair Lapid said the PA should take control of Gaza after Israel concludes its attack. (AJ 10/18)

Russia said it will deliver 27 tonnes of humanitarian aid to Gaza via Egypt. Germany said it would donate $52.91 million to the World Food Programme, UNICEF, and UNWRA to help Palestinians in Gaza. (AJ 10/18; HA 10/19)

AP reported that Hamas may have used North Korean weapons during Operation Al-Aqsa Flood, including F-7 rocket-propelled grenades. (AP 10/19)

A CBS News/YouGov poll found that 53% of U.S. Democrats and 55% of Independents believed that the U.S. should not send additional weapons and supplies to Israel, while 56% of all those polled disapproved of President Biden’s handling of the war. (HA 10/19)

More than 400 U.S. congressional staffers signed a letter saying they were “profoundly disturbed” by the lack of humanity extended to the Palestinian people by the U.S. Congress. Huffington Post reported that State Department officials were preparing a letter of dissent to the Biden administration’s approach to the war. (HA 10/19)

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security said Israel has been included in the U.S. Visa Waiver Program effective immediately, despite Israel’s entry to the program being scheduled for 11/30. (AP, HA, NYT 10/19)

Many countries urged their citizens to leave Lebanon as soon as possible. (AJ, AJ, HA 10/19)

The Hilton Houston Post Oak by the Galleria in Texas said it had determined that it cannot host the U.S. Campaign for Palestinian Rights’ (USCPR) national conference, citing security risks to its staff and guests. Texas governor Greg Abbot called USCPR “Hamas supporters.” The Council of American-Islamic Relations canceled a banquet at the Marriott Crystal Gateway hotel in Arlington, Virginia, after receiving bomb threats. (AP, HA 10/19)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers raided Umm Safa, throwing stones at Palestinian farmers working their land. Israeli settlers also blocked Route 60 between Jerusalem and Ramallah, burning tires in protest over an Israeli demolition of a settlement outpost nearby. Israeli forces issued 12 stop work notices for 1 soccer field and 11 shacks in Masha and demolished an irrigation system under construction in Artas. Israeli forces also razed some 50 dunams (12.35 acres) of Palestinian land near Bruqin to expand the Brukhin settlement. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces violently dispersed Palestinians celebrating Mawlid, the birthday of the Prophet Mohammad, assaulting people gathered at the Damascus Gate Plaza. In Gaza, Israeli forces violently dispersed Palestinian protesters near the Gaza fence, injuring 1 with live ammunition and others with tear gas east of Khuza’a. Israel claimed that Palestinians launched incendiary balloons at Israel. (QDS, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 9/27; HA 9/28; PCHR 10/5)

PA prime minister Mohammad Shtayyeh met with Saudi non-resident ambassador to Palestine and consul general in Jerusalem Nayef al-Sudairi in Ramallah. It was al-Sudairi’s third day of meetings with Palestinian officials in the West Bank. Al-Sudairi also canceled a visit to the Haram al-Sharif compound on the occasion of Mawlid, reportedly after social media calls to prevent the visit in protest over the Saudi-Israeli normalization plans and due to the visit not being coordinated with the Jordanian-run Waqf, making the security a matter for the Israeli police. (HA, HA, MEE, NYT, QDS, WAFA 9/27)

UN envoy for the Middle East peace process Tor Wennesland said after visiting Gaza that the situation was dire and that all parties must avoid another conflict, saying that “the people of Gaza have suffered enough.” Wennesland also briefed the UN Security Council, saying that Israel has advanced more than 10,000 settlement housing units in the last 3 months, calling on Israel to cease settlement activity immediately and calling on member states to up funding for UNRWA and the World Food Programme, which both need funding for food assistance in Gaza and the West Bank. (REU, UN, WAFA 9/27; HA, HA 9/28)

The U.S. admitted Israel into its Visa Waiver Program, allowing Israelis to enter the U.S. for 90 days without obtaining a visa. Democratic senators Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Brian Schatz (D-HI), Jeff Merkey (D-OR), and Peter Welch (D-VT) criticized the move, saying Israel has failed to meet the reciprocity requirements as not all U.S. citizens are treated equally by Israel, referring to Palestinian Americans who do not enjoy the same freedom of movement in Israel and Israeli-controlled crossings in the Occupied Palestinian Territories as other Americans do. Palestinian American member of the House Rashida Tlaib also criticized the decision, saying “it explicitly condones and enables the Israeli government’s discriminatory practices towards Americans requesting entry, including hours of detainment and interrogation.” U.S. embassy to Israel chargé d’affaires ad interim Stephanie Hallett said the embassy had established a working group to solve the issue of Palestinian Americans not being able to drive from the West Bank to Israel. (AX 9/26; AJ, ALM, AP, AX, CNN, HA, HA, HA, MEE, NYT, REU 9/27; AJ, AJ, HA 9/28; WAFA 9/29)

The Lebanese army said it had exchanged smoke grenades with Israeli forces while working to remove “infringements” placed by Israeli forces on the Lebanese side of the Blue Line. A similar incident occurred on 9/23. (HA 9/27)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers vandalized electricity poles between Qusra and Jalud. Israeli forces demolished 1 house under construction and 1 shack in an-Nuway’imah near Jericho. In East Jerusalem, Israeli settlers toured the Haram al-Sharif compound. In Gaza, Israeli forces violently dispersed Palestinians protesting near the Gaza fence east of Gaza City, injuring 11 with live ammunition, 1 minor with a tear-gas canister, and others with tear gas. Israeli forces also conducted airstrikes by drones and helicopters, striking 3 sites near the Rafah and Karni crossings and causing damage. (AP, HA, TOI, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 9/26; PCHR 9/27)

PA president Mahmoud Abbas met with Saudi non-resident ambassador to Palestine and consul general in Jerusalem Nayef al-Sudairi, receiving his credentials. Ambassador al-Sudairi also met with PA foreign minister Riyad al-Maliki, saying at a press conference that “the Arab Peace Initiative is the main point in any upcoming agreement” to normalize relations with Israel. Al-Sudairi also said Saudi Arabia “is working to establish a Palestinian State with East Jerusalem as its capital.” (AJ, AJ, AP, HA, HA, MEE, QDS, TOI, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 9/26; GDN, HA, NYT 9/27)

UN envoy for the Middle East peace process Tor Wennesland met with Hamas officials in Gaza. (HA, HA 9/28)

Palestinian Americans and Arab American civil rights organizations filed a lawsuit against the U.S. government, stating that the government is endorsing discrimination against Palestinian Americans by admitting Israel into its Visa Waiver Program. American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee national executive director Abed Ayoub said the organization will hold the government “accountable for any actions that create separate classes of U.S. citizens.” The other plaintiffs were 3 Palestinian Americans and the organization Democracy for the Arab World Now. The plaintiffs argued that the U.S.-Israeli memorandum, which was kept secret, for the creation of the trial period “differentiate treatment to U.S. citizens who are ‘residents’ of the occupied West Bank, no including East Jerusalem; U.S. citizens who are residents of the occupied Gaza Strip; U.S. citizens who are registered on the [Palestinian Population Registry] but not residents in either the West Bank or Gaza Strip; and U.S. citizens who are not of Palestinian nationality.” Israeli foreign minister Eli Cohen announced that Israel had been admitted to the program on 9/25 2 days before the U.S. made an official announcement on 9/27. (AJ, REU 9/25; HA, MDW 9/26; HA, MDW 9/27)

The Israeli Justice Ministry’s police misconduct unit indicted an Israeli soldier for shooting a 16-year-old Palestinian girl in the back with a baton round while she was in her yard in Sheikh Jarrah in 2021. The unnamed soldier was charged with shooting with a firearm, severe injury under aggravated circumstances, and common assault. (HA 9/26)

Israeli tourism minister Haim Katz visited Saudi Arabia in the first public visit to the country by an Israeli minister. Katz was attending a conference of the UN World Tourism Organization. Israeli communications minister Shlomo Karhi and MK David Bitan are scheduled to visit Saudi Arabia on 10/2 for a Universal Postal Union conference in Riyadh. (AJ, ALM, HA, MEE 9/26; NYT 9/27; ALM 10/2)

Japan contributed $20 million to a project improving drinking water in Jenin. (WAFA 9/26)

In the West Bank, 5 masked gunmen attempted to assassinate Hebron municipal council member Abdul Karim Farrah, shooting him several times before stealing his car and burning it outside of the city. Farrah underwent surgery and was in stable condition. 1 Israeli settler rammed a Palestinian store in Hebron, injuring the owner of the store and a minor. Israeli settlers also threatened Palestinians living in the Tuqu’ area that if they do not leave they will continue to experience attacks by the settlers. Israeli forces shot and killed 2 Palestinians during a raid in Nur Shams refugee camp; 1 Israeli soldier was injured by shrapnel. Israeli forces also razed paved roads in the camp and detonated explosives in a 2-story building demolishing it and damaging nearby homes. Elsewhere, Israeli forces raided Birzeit University, arresting 7 students and vandalizing parts of campus. Israeli forces issued stop-work orders for 17 homes and 4 other structures in Salfit. In East Jerusalem, Israeli settlers led by former MK Yehuda Glick toured the Haram al-Sharif compound. Israeli settlers also vandalized Muslim graves in the Bab al-Rahma cemetary. 2 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in Bayt Hanina. In Gaza, Israeli forces violently dispersed Palestinian protesters near the Gaza fence, shooting and injuring 5 with live ammunition. Israeli forces also conducted air strikes near al-Bureij and Jabaliyya; no injuries were reported. (AJ, AP, CNN, HA, MEE, MEE, PCHR, QDS, QDS, QDS, QDS, QDS, REU, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 9/24; MEE, PCHR, WAFA 9/25; PCHR 9/27)

The Beit Hanun (Erez) crossing was closed for the 10th day in a row as collective punishment for protests along the Gaza fence. (WAFA 9/25)

Hamas, Islamic Jihad, and the PFLP said they increased coordination to “deal with Israel’s aggression” in Gaza after a high-level meeting between the 3 groups in Beirut. The statement also condemned the Saudi normalization negotiations. (HA 9/24)

It was reported that U.S. secretary of homeland security Alejandro Mayorkas will announce on 9/28 that Israel will be admitted to the U.S. Visa Waiver program, despite not fulfilling the reciprocity requirements demanded by the U.S. (AP, NAT 9/24)

In the West Bank, Israeli forces injured 2 Palestinians with stun grenade shrapnel during a raid in ‘Aqabat Jaber refugee camp. Israeli forces also shot and injured 3 Palestinians, including 1 minor, during a raid in al-Arroub refugee camp. 17 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in Hebron, Dura, Sa’ir, Beit Umar, Beit Kahel, Surif, ‘Azzun, Jenin, and Aqabat Jaber refugee camp. In East Jerusalem, 3 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in Jabel Mukaber and Biddu. Off the coast of Gaza, Israeli naval forces shot and injured 1 Palestinian fisherman with a baton round and arrested 2 others northwest of Rafah. (WAFA, WAFA 9/11; PCHR 9/14; UNOCHA 9/26)

10 Palestinians were killed and dozens injured during fighting in Ain al-Hilweh refugee camp in Lebanon over the weekend. Fighting reignited on 9/7 after a month of relative quiet. A ceasefire was declared later in the day after Lebanese general Elias al-Baysari met with members of Palestinian factions at his office in Beirut. (AJ, ALM, AP, REU 9/11)

The Jerusalem District Planning Authority approved the construction of 2 new Israeli settlements, Kidmat Tzion and the Hebron Strip, which is an extension of Givat Hamatos, in East Jerusalem. Kidmat Tzion lies within Ras al-Amud and will have 385 housing units. The plan was pushed by the Ateret Cohanim settlement organization which presented the plans in April. The Hebron Strip, of which 2/3 is in East Jerusalem, will have 3,500 housing units, a hotel, and a commercial area. (PCN 9/8; HA 9/11)

Al-Quds newspaper reported the U.S. has supplied the PA with armored vehicles, bullets, tear gas, sound bombs, riot shields, and k-9s with the approval of Israel. Palestinian and Israeli sources later told Haaretz that the U.S. had only transferred armored vehicles to the PA. The U.S. State Department denied that the U.S. had supplied weapons or ammunition. Israeli national security minister Itamar Ben-Gvir warned Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of consequences if Israel had allowed weapons to be transferred to the PA. Netanyahu later confirmed that Israel had facilitated the transfer of armored vehciles to the PA, but not weapons. The PA said it had not received equipment from Israel. Hamas said the reported transfer will only bolster the interests of the occupation.  (QDS 9/11; QDS 9/12; HA, HA, HA, QDS, WAFA 9/13; MDW 9/14; ALM 9/15)

The Israeli broadcaster Kan reported that the Israeli military had admitted to mistakenly shooting 3 Palestinians during a raid in Jenin on 8/28, injuring the 3, including 1 who is now a paraplegic. None of the Palestinian victims were interrogated after being dropped off at different hospitals. (TOI 9/11; MEMO 9/12)

Haaretz reported that Israeli police had banned vendors in the Old City of Jerusalem from selling t-shirts featuring the Palestinian flag, the Palestinian key, and other Palestinian symbols and slogans. (HA 9/11; MEMO 9/12)

4 Palestinian border police officers were sentenced to between 4 years in prison and community service for attacking and robbing Palestinians entering Israel via a hole in the separation wall south of Hebron. (HA 9/11; MEMO 9/12)

Israel’s Interior Ministry said that Palestinian Americans living in Gaza who are not considered a security threat by Israel will be able to enter Israel on a B2 tourist visa and use Israeli airports. First-degree Palestinian American relatives of people living in Gaza will also be allowed to visit Gaza for up to 90 days once a year. The policy change was part of Israel’s efforts to be admitted to the U.S. Visa Waiver program. (MEE, MEMO, REU 9/11)

U.S. assistant secretary of state for Near Eastern affairs Barbara Leaf met with Israeli officials, reportedly discussing Palestinian demands related to the Israel-Saudi normalization deal. Israeli national security advisor Tzachi Hanegbi said at a conference at Reichman University that he is in talks with the PA about their demands but had threatened that if the PA approach the ICJ Israel will sever security and political ties. (HA, HA, QDS 9/11)

More than 20,000 people were feared dead after a storm broke 2 dams near the eastern Libyan city of Derma. At least 23 Palestinians died in the flood. The PA’s Emergency Intervention and Response Team arrived in Libya on 9/13 to assist with finding survivors. The storm also caused flooding in Gaza, damaging infrastructure and homes. (WAFA, WAFA 9/11; AJ, HA, NYT, WAFA 9/12; AJ, AJ, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 9/13; AJ, QDS 9/14; AP 9/15)

In the West Bank, Israeli forces violently dispersed Palestinian protesters in Kafr Qaddum, injuring 3 with baton rounds and others with tear gas. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces raided the Bab al-Rahma prayer hall, confiscating items and causing damage. Off the coast of Gaza, Israeli naval forces opened fire at Palestinian fishermen northwest of Rafah; no injuries were reported. (QDS, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 9/8; PCHR 9/14; UNOCHA 9/26)

At least 20 people were wounded in clashes between Palestinian factions in Ain al-Hilweh refugee camp in Lebanon. Fighting reignited on 9/7 after a month of relative calm. (AJ, AP 9/8; HA 9/9)

Palestinian officials said Israel would reopen the Karim Abu Salem (Kerem Shalom) crossing from 9/10. Israel closed the crossing on 9/4. (AJ, AP, HA, REU 9/8)

A 6.8 magnitude earthquake struck Morocco southwest of Marrakesh, killing more than 2,000 people and causing extensive damage in the south of the country. PA president Mahmoud Abbas extended condolences to King Mohammed VI and offered to send PA rescue teams to the country. (AJ 9/8; AJ, HA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 9/9; WAFA 9/10)

Apple Inc. made an urgent security update for iPhone operating systems after researchers at The Citizen Lab discovered that the Israeli NSO Group had found a new way of infecting iPhone users with its Pegasus spyware. The Citizen Lab said an iPhone belonging to “an individual employed by a Washington D.C.-based civil society organization with international offices” was targeted by NSO. (CitizenLab 9/7; REU 9/8; HA 9/10)

15 Democrats in the U.S. Senate, led by Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), wrote a letter to U.S. secretary of state Antony Blinken urging the Biden administration not to accept Israel into the U.S. Visa Waiver program, saying Israel does not grant equal treatment to Palestinian Americans. (AX, MEE 9/8; HA, WAFA 9/9; TOI 9/10)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers attacked 1 Palestinian minor and detained him before Israeli forces arrested his 2 brothers who had arrived to help. Israeli forces demolished 1 Palestinian house under construction in al-Buwayb and stone wall fencing in al-Walaja. Israeli forces also issued 7 stop-work orders for homes in Ein ad-Duyuk at-Tahta. Elsewhere, Israeli forces seized 6 Palestinian-owned vehicles in Jinba in the Masafer Yatta area; 11 vehicles have been seized by Israeli forces in the Masafer Yatta area since 8/18. Israeli forces also violently dispersed Palestinian workers trying to enter Israel at the Qalqilya crossing, leading to tear-gas related injuries. 35 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in Nablus, Siris, Zeita, Qalqilya, Ramallah, and Marah Rabah. In East Jerusalem, Israeli settlers toured the Haram al-Sharif compound. In the Naqab, Israeli authorities demolished Palestinian homes in Tell ‘Arad. The demolitions were overseen by Israeli national security minister Itamar Ben-Gvir and Construction and Housing Minister Yitzchak Goldknopf. Ben-Gvir called the demolitions “sacred work.” (HA, MEE, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 8/29; HA, MEE 8/30; PCHR 8/31; UNOCHA 9/11)

The Wall Street Journal reported that Saudi Arabia had agreed to resume financial aid to the PA in exchange for the PA ending its opposition to Saudi normalization with Israel. The Journal said that if PA counterterrorism measures in the West Bank succeeded then Saudi would not enter a normalization agreement that undermines efforts to create a Palestinian state. (MEE, WSJ 8/29; HA 8/30)

Israeli tourism minister Haim Katz said that he opposes Israel’s pursuit of entry to the U.S. Visa Waiver program, saying it “will oblige us to allow the entry of unwanted parties, Palestinians.” (HA 8/29)

Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu praised “the good neighborly relations” with Saudi Arabia after a plane bound for Israel from the Seychelles made an emergency landing in Jeddah due to a technical malfunction. (AJ, ALM, HA, MEE 8/29)

Israeli defense minister Yoav Gallant met with U.S. officials, including Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern Affairs Barbara Leaf and National Security Council Coordinator for the Middle East and North Africa Brett McGurk in New York, inquiring about Saudi demands for normalization with Israel. Gallant also demanded that the U.S. assures Israel that it will preserve its qualitative military edge in the Middle East. The 2 parties also discussed tensions between Israel and Lebanon. It was reported that the meeting took place in New York City due to a ban by Prime Minister Netanyahu on his cabinet members meeting with U.S. officials in Washington D.C., with the exception of Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer. (AX 8/29; HA 8/30; ALM 9/1)

Parts of the minutes from the Israeli cabinet meeting on 8/30/1993, where the draft declaration of principles for the Oslo Accords were approved by the Israeli government, were released by the Israeli State Archive. In the meeting, then Foreign Minister Shimon Peres told the cabinet that the Palestinian negotiators wanted the Israeli settlements evacuated and upon Israel’s refusal offered to make the settlements free trade zones where both Palestinians and Israelis could live, which was also rejected by Israel. The minutes also showed that Israeli did not intend to discuss the final status of Jerusalem and wanted to maintain its “state lands” in Area C. (HA 8/30; HA 9/1; HA 9/5)

In the West Bank, an Israeli settler rammed 1 Palestinian woman in Hebron, causing injuries. Israeli forces shot and killed 1 Palestinian and injured 1 other, a health worker, during a raid in Jenin; the mother of the dead Palestinian said he was executed after telling the Israeli forces he would turn himself in; 1 house and a bakery were severely damage during the raid. Israeli forces also demolished an EU-funded school in Ein Samia. Elsewhere, Israeli forces razed agricultural land in Qusra. Israeli forces also seized 1 bulldozer and confiscated materials for renovating a residential cave in the Masafer Yatta area. Meanwhile, Israeli forces demolished 1 blacksmith’s premises in Sarta. Israeli forces also seized a caravan in Khirbet Humsa al-Tahta. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces assaulted 4 Palestinians attempting to enter the Haram al-Sharif compound. (AJ, AP, HA, MEE, MEE, REU, UNOCHA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 8/17; WAFA, WAFA 8/18; WAFA 8/19; PCHR 8/24; UNOCHA 8/28)

Hamas members in Israeli prisons warned they may go on strike in protest over harsher treatment by the Israel Prison Service, including increased use of solitary confinement. 50 rockets were fired from Gaza toward the sea in what Hamas called an equipment test but also a warning to Israeli authorities over the treatment of prisoners. (HA, WAFA, WAFA 8/17; WAFA 8/18)

Peace Now reported that a draft document from the Israeli government seen by the organization showed that the government will allocate at least $190 million to Israeli settlements and settlement outposts in the 2023-2024 budget. (PCN 8/17)

The U.S. approved the sale of Israel’s Arrow-3 missile defense system to Germany. Worth $3.5 billion, it is Israel’s largest military deal. It was reported that days before the deal was announced German chancellor Olaf Scholz blocked a foreign ministry statement on the German assessment of the legality of the Israeli occupation that was seen as too pro-Palestinian. The statement was meant to be made in relation to the International Criminal Court’s review of the occupation. (AJ, ALM, HA, REU 8/17; ALM 8/18 HA 8/23)

At a town hall event held by the U.S. Office of Palestinian Affairs to explain new polices related to Israel’s bid to become part of the U.S. Visa Waiver program, the chief of American Citizens Service at the U.S. embassy to Israel, Wilbur Zehr, referred to Israeli checkpoints as “pedestrian crossings.” Zehr said in response to questions that the new policies will not apply to U.S. citizens in Gaza until 9/15 and that separate rules apply for U.S. citizens living in the West Bank and U.S. citizens living in the West Bank but holding PA IDs, as the latter must enter Israel via checkpoints by foot. (MDW 8/17; HA 8/22)

Venezuela said it had upgraded the Palestinian representative office in Caracas to an embassy. (WAFA 8/17)

Israeli strategic affairs minister Ron Dermer met with U.S. secretary of state Antony Blinken, National Security Council Coordinator for the Middle East and North Africa Brett McGurk, and presidential envoy on energy security Amos Hochstein in Washington D.C., discussing the potential normalization between Israel and Saudi Arabia. Blinken also spoke with Saudi foreign minister Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud after the meeting. (REU 8/17; AX 8/21)

In the West Bank, Israeli forces issued a demolition order for 1 house under construction in Burin. 14 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in Burqa, al-Mughayyir, Bayt Rima, Beit Furik, Jenin, al-Khader, and Beit Fajjar; 1 of the arrested was injured during the settler attack on Burqa on 8/4. In East Jerusalem, 2 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in al-Tur and Shu’fat refugee camp. (WAFA, WAFA 8/7; PCHR 8/10; UNOCHA 8/11)

In Syria, Israeli forces launched airstrikes killing 4 Syrian soldiers and injuring 4 others near Damascus. (AJ, AP, BBC, HA, JP, MEE, REU, TOI, WAFA 8/7)

Israel said it had accepted a U.S. demand to allow Americans living in Gaza to use Ben Gurion Airport and to grant them tourist visas to Israel for 3-month periods. The change in policy will start on 9/15. The policy change is part of Israel’s efforts to be included in the U.S. Visa Waiver program. (ALM, HA, MEE, REU 8/7)

After receiving a letter from Israeli interior minister Moshe Arbel demanding that $85 million earmarked to Palestinian municipalities in Israel be released by the Finance Ministry, Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich said he would not provide the funding, calling it a bribe to MK Mansour Abbas. Israeli opposition leader Yair Lapid said Smotrich was only “mistreat[ing] Arab citizens simply because they are Arabs,” saying that “racism has become an official policy of the state of Israel.” Smotrich also canceled funding for preparatory programs for Palestinians living in East Jerusalem who want to study in Israel. (HA 8/7; MEE, REU 8/8 ALM, HA, HA 8/9; HA 8/10)

24 U.S. Democrats, led by House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY) met with PA prime minister Mohammad Shtayyeh in Ramallah. Shtayyeh called on the delegation to recognize the State of Palestine, warned that the 2-state solution was slipping away due to Israeli actions, and asked that they pressure Israel to allow Palestinian elections in East Jerusalem. The congressional delegation also met with Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Jerusalem earlier in the day. Jeffries claimed he had brought up the issue of settler violence with Netanyahu. The Democrats’ visit to Israel was arranged by AIPAC. (HA, HA, HA, WAFA 8/7; MDW 8/10; HA 8/13)

In an interview with Bloomberg, Prime Minister Netanyahu called reported Saudi demands for Israeli concessions on Palestine as a condition for normalization a “checkbox” he has to tick off but not a hinderance for Israel. Netanyahu also said he would not accept limits on settlement expansion as part of the deal. (BB, HA 8/7)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers threw stones at Palestinian vehicles traveling near Burqa, causing damage. Israeli forces razed farmland in Battir, uprooting dozens of olive tree saplings. 26 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in Qalqilya, Jenin, Nablus, and Hebron. PA forces assaulted 4 journalists covering a sit-in protest at Hebron University against the arrest of the university’s students by PA forces. Off the coast of Gaza, Israeli naval forces opened fire at Palestinian fishermen, injuring 1 with a baton round. (WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 8/3; PCHR 8/5 PCHR 8/10; UNOCHA 8/11)

HaMoked and the Center for Defense of the Individual obtained data from the Israel Prison Service showing that a quarter of Palestinian prisoners held by Israel are in administrative detention. 1,201 Palestinians are held in administrative detention, the highest number since at least 2001. Less than half of the 5,014 Palestinian prisoners held by Israel have received a prison sentence. (AP 8/1; ALM 8/2; HA 8/3)

PA president Mahmoud Abbas spoke with acting Lebanese prime minister Najib Mikati, who told him that Lebanese troops may intervene in Ain al-Hilweh refugee camp if the violence that broke out on 7/29 does not stop. The situation was reportedly improving before Mikati and Abbas spoke. (AJ, AP, HA, WAFA 8/3)

PA foreign minister Riyad al-Maliki criticized the Biden administration to members of the Foreign Press Association, calling it weak on Palestine for not reversing Trump administration measures to undermine Palestinians’ right to statehood and inadequately addressing Israeli violations against Palestinians. Al-Maliki also said he is open to peace talks that include China as the mediator and hoped that Saudi Arabia would not “yield to any kind of pressure or intimidation coming from the Biden administration” regarding normalizing ties with Israel. (AP, MEE 8/3)

A Palestinian American man visiting family in Gaza told Reuters that Israel rejected his request to return to the U.S. via Ben Gurion Airport. Another Palestinian American said Israel denied him entry at Ben Gurion Airport forcing him to return to Dubai, despite being told by the Israeli embassy in the UAE that he would be allowed to enter Israel with his Gaza ID. Israel has said that new procedures relevant to Palestinians with Gaza ID cards will be published on 9/15 as part of the country’s trial to become part of the U.S. Visa Waiver program. The trial period ends on 9/30. (MEE, REU 8/3)

Haaretz reported that Pakistan’s Federal Investigation Agency and police units in the country have used UFED hacking tools made by the Israeli company Cellebrite. Pakistan’s use of Cellebrite spyware technology was first reported in 2012. (HA, MEE 8/3)

Germany donated $30 million to UNRWA through the KfW Development Bank. (WAFA 8/3)

In the West Bank, Israeli forces issued stop-work orders for 4 homes and an agricultural structure in Yasuf. Israeli forces also arrested the son of the PA governor of Jericho, Jihad Abu al-Asal, during a house raid in Aqabat Jaber refugee camp. 7 others were arrested during late-night raids in Bethlehem, Tulkarm, Ramallah, and Jenin. In East Jerusalem, Israeli settlers toured the Haram al-Sharif compound. (WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 7/19; PCHR 7/27; UNOCHA 7/29)

Israeli finance minister and minister in charge of settlement policy at the Israeli Defense Ministry Bezalel Smotrich told members of the Knesset Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee that he is working on a plan to allow Israel to demolish buildings in Area A and Area B that are determined by Israel to be national security threats. Smotrich said he expects to bring the plan to the Israeli cabinet later in July. He also said he plans to create a border police unit that will focus solely on enforcing construction laws in the West Bank. Finally, Smotrich said he is working with the Jewish National Fund to plant 10,000 dunams (2,500 acres) of land with trees in the West Bank. (HA 7/19)

Israel said it would allow all U.S. citizens, including Palestinian Americans living in Gaza and the West Bank, entry to Israel in order to comply with U.S. demands for including Israel in the Visa Waiver Program. On the website of the U.S. embassy in Israel, it was stipulated that the “updated travel policies will allow U.S. citizens, without regard to national original, dual nationality, ethnicity, or religion, including Palestinian Americans on the Palestinian population registry, to travel to and from Israel via all ports of entry, including Ben Gurion Airport.” However, on the Israeli website with information for Palestinians Americans in Gaza and the West Bank it was stipulated that a “US citizen who is a Gaza Strip resident may exit abroad and return to the Gaza Strip through the Allenby Bridge Crossing. Transit to and from the Allenby Bridge Crossing must be by means of the organized shuttles of the Palestinian Authority. Requests for exiting abroad must be submitted to the Palestinian Civil Committee 45 workdays in advance to the requested exit date. The consent to requests is subject to security approval.” And Americans wanting to visit “first-degree relatives” in Gaza would only be allowed to visit Gaza once a year. The trial program started on 7/20. U.S. State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller said that the U.S. will monitor Israel’s compliance with the U.S. demands and make a decision regarding its admission to the Visa Waiver Program on 9/30. The Israeli announcement came after Israel and the U.S. signed a memorandum of understanding on the conditions set by the U.S. earlier in the day. (ALM, AP, AX, REU, TOI 7/19; AJ, Israel National Digital Agency, MEE, QDS, TOI, TOI, U.S. Embassy in Israel 7/20; MEE 7/27; AJ 7/28)

Hamas said it had begun paying the June salaries of 50,000 public sector workers after a 3-week delay due to a delay in receiving monthly Qatari funds. A Hamas official said Hamas had received half of the Qatari funds and was able to get a loan from a local bank to pay out the salaries. (REU 7/19)

The Turkish presidency announced that PA president Mahmoud Abbas will visit President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan on 7/25, while Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu will visit on 7/28. The Netanyahu visit was later postponed due to his heart surgery on 7/23. (ALM 7/20; AJ 7/21; WAFA 7/23)

In Syria, Israeli airstrikes killed 2 Syrian soldiers near Damascus. (AJ, ALM, AN, AP, HA, MEE, REU 7/19)

Israeli president Isaac Herzog addressed a joint session of the U.S. Congress, thanking the U.S. for its support for Israel’s normalization deals and Israel’s pursuit of normalization with Saudi Arabia. Herzog also said that Israel had taken “bold steps towards peace,” but claimed that these steps were undermined by Palestinian “terror” against Israelis. Representatives Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY), Rashida Tlaib (D-MI), Ilhan Omar (D-MN), Jamaal Bowman (D-NY), Nydia Velázquez (D-NY), Cori Bush (D-MO), and Senator Bernie Sanders (D-VT) boycotted Herzog’s address. Sanders said “[i]t is no great secret that I strongly oppose the policies of Israel’s right wing, anti-Palestinian government. We provide them with $3.8 billion in aid. We have a right to demand they respect human rights.” (AJ 7/17; AJ, AJ, ALM, F24, HA, HA, HA, HA, REU 7/19)

U.S. vice president Kamala Harris and President Herzog announced a joint U.S.-Israel climate initiative that will see the 2 countries invest $35 million each in “climate-smart agriculture” in the Middle East and Africa. The initiative was aimed at strengthening cooperation between Israel and Middle Eastern and African countries. (AX 7/19)

In the West Bank, 3 Israeli settlers, including 2 minors, were shot and injured in a drive-by shooting outside of the Tekoa settlement south of Harmala. Israel said its military had arrested a Palestinian suspect near Bethlehem. Israeli settlers threw stones at Palestinian vehicles traveling near Beitin and Haris, causing damage. Israeli settlers also set fire to olive trees and attacked Palestinian homes in Burin. When Israeli forces arrived, they fired tear gas at Palestinians trying to fend off the settlers. Israeli forces shot and injured 1 Palestinian during a raid in Shufa. Israeli forces also shot and injured 2 Palestinians with baton rounds and injured others with tear gas during a raid in Bethlehem. Elsewhere, Israeli forces seized 1 bulldozer in Barta’a. 7 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in Tell, Qusin, Yatta, Abu Nujaym, and Arrabah; 1 Palestinian was shot and injured with live ammunition during the raid in Tell. In East Jerusalem, Israeli settlers toured the Haram al-Sharif compound. Israel forced 1 Palestinian family to demolish their own home in Silwan. 3 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids. (AJ, HA, MEE, NA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 7/16; WAFA 7/17; PCHR 7/19; UNOCHA 7/29)

Haaretz reported that Israeli settlers had returned to reoccupy a Palestinian-owned building in a closed military zone in Hebron. (HA 7/16)

The Israeli-run Jerusalem Municipality approved 4 building permits, laying the foundations for construction of the new Israeli settlement Givat Hamatos in East Jerusalem. Applications for construction of 900 housing units are pending approval. (FMEP, Ir Amim 7/21)

Hamas said it was unable to pay around 50,000 public sector workers due to a delay in receiving monthly aid from Qatar. (REU 7/16)

The Israeli foreign and defense ministries amended rules to allow U.S. citizens of Palestinian, Syrian, and Iranian background to enter Israel and Palestine through the Ben Gurion Airport and not have to undergo additional screening at an Israeli embassy. The changes were made to satisfy U.S. demands to admit Israel into the Visa Waiver program. U.S. citizens who live in Gaza will continue to have to go through the Allenby crossing and receive special permission 45 days in advance of their travels. (HA 7/16; HA 7/19)

Ynet reported that Israeli foreign minister Eli Cohen met with the foreign minister of an unnamed Muslim-majority country that does not have diplomatic relations with Israel in Nairobi ahead of an African Union summit. (ALM, MEMO, QDS 6/17)

EU representative to Palestine Sven Kühn von Burgsdorff paraglided on a beach in Gaza, saying after his flight “[o]nce you have a free Palestine, a free Gaza, you can do exactly the same thing,” The Israeli Foreign Ministry called von Burgsdorff’s flight a “provocative action.” (REU 7/18; BBC 7/19; MDW 7/22)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers assaulted Palestinians in Kisan, injuring 2 who were treated at a hospital. In East Jerusalem, Israeli settlers toured the Haram al-Sharif compound, entering al-Aqsa Mosque. (WAFA, WAFA 3/29; PCHR 3/30; UNOCHA 4/20)

Khalil Awawdeh, who in 2022 suspended a 172-day hunger strike after Israel promised to end his administrative detention on 10/2/2022, was sentenced to 16-months in prison for using a smuggled mobile phone while on hunger strike. Israel never released Awawdeh from administrative detention despite its promise to do so. (WAFA 3/29) 

Israel launched a spy satellite. The launch was overseen by Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, despite Gallant being fired by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on 3/26. (GDN 3/28; REU 3/29; NYT 3/30)

Jewish Currents reported that progressive Democratic representative Jamaal Bowman (D-NY) and senator Bernie Sanders (D-VT) circulated a letter, addressed to the Biden administration, urging it to “undertake a shift in U.S. policy in recognition of the worsening violence, further annexation of land, and denial of Palestinian rights. Only by protecting democracy, human rights, and self-determination for all Palestinians and Israelis can we achieve a lasting peace.” Democrats further called for U.S. aid not to support Israeli settlements or violate the Arms Export Control Act. The letter was co-signed by representatives Cori Bush (D-MO), Andre Carson (D-IN), Summer Lee (D-PA), Betty McCollum (D-MN), Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY), Ilhan Omar (D-MN), Ayanna Pressley (D-MA), and Rashida Tlaib (D-MI). (HA 3/29)

U.S. senator Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) told CNN that he has been in talks with the White House about introducing measures to hold Israel accountable, including reversing the Trump administration’s blurring of the lines between Israel and the West Bank. (HA 3/29)

The U.S. rejected Prime Minister Netanyahu’s claim that Israel had met all requirements for entering the U.S. visa waiver program. (HA, HA, MEE, REU 3/29)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers assaulted 2 Palestinians in Beir al-‘Ad in the Masafer Yatta area. Israeli forces raided Nablus after Israeli settlers toured Joseph’s Tomb, leading to a confrontation with Palestinians; 2 were injured, including 1 who was hit by a tear gas canister and 1 who was rammed by a military vehicle. Israeli forces also demolished 1 house in ‘Arab al-Frijat, displacing 3, and 2 residential structures in al-Jiftlik. Elsewhere, Israeli forces raided al-Majaz and Khallet ad-Dabi‘ in the Masafer Yatta area to count the residents of the 2 villages. 9 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in Beit Duqqu, Bayt Awa, Ya‘bad, Jenin, and Nablus. In East Jerusalem, 1 Palestinian was arrested during a late-night raid in al-Tur. (HA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 1/18; MEMO, PCHR 1/19; UNOCHA 2/3)

An Israeli court upheld the decision to demolish an EU-funded school in Badawiya in the Masafer Yatta area. (WAFA 1/18; WAFA 1/19)

35 EU representatives met with the director general of the Islamic Waqf, Azzam Khatib, at the Haram al-Sharif compound for a briefing on Israeli attempts to alter the status quo. (WAFA 1/18)

The Israeli High Court of Justice ruled 10-1 to disqualify Israel’s health and interior minister Arye Dery of Shas from serving as a minister due to his criminal conviction last year, ordering Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to dismiss Dery. (ALM, AP, AX, BBC, GDN, HA, HA, MEE, NYT, REU 1/18; AP, HA, HA, HA, HA, MEMO, NYT 1/19; ALM 1/20)

U.S. national security advisor Jake Sullivan met with Israeli president Isaac Herzog during the first day of his two-day visit to Israel. Ahead of the meeting, the Jerusalem municipality’s planning and building committee postposed discussing the expansion of the Nof Zion settlement in Jabel Mukaber. (AP, AX, HA, HA, HA, REU 1/18; HA 1/19)

U.S. ambassador to Israel Tom Nides said that free passage in the West Bank for Palestinian Americans is a requirement for Israel being added to the U.S. Visa Waiver program. (MEMO, REU 1/18; MEE 1/19; HA 1/30)

UN Security Council members discussed the punitive Israeli sanctions imposed on the PA in response to the UN General Assembly resolution asking the International Court of Justice to provide a legal opinion on the legality of the Israeli occupation. PA UN envoy Riyad Mansour urged the members to assert their influence to have Israel reverse its sanctions. U.S. ambassador to the UN Linda Thomas-Greenfield said that the U.S. opposes unilateral actions that undermines the 2-state solution, including changes “to the historic status quo at the Haram al-Sharif/Temple Mount, this includes settlement building and the legalization of outposts, and this includes, annexation, acts of terrorism, and incitement.” (AP, HA 1/19)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers assaulted 2 Palestinians in Kafr ad-Dik, causing hospitalization. Israeli settlers also threw stones at Palestinian vehicles near Huwwara. Israeli forces handed temporary eviction notices to 2 Palestinian families, ordering them to leave their land for 3 days from 11/1 and for 10 hours on 11/9 while Israeli forces conducted military drills in Khirbet Humsa. Israeli forces also handed punitive demolition notices in Kafr Dan to 2 families who are relatives of 2 Palestinians killed by Israeli forces on 9/14. 37 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in Tulkarm, Abud, ‘Anata, Biddu, Dheisheh refugee camp, Beit Umar, Surif, Iraq al-Tayeh, Nablus, al-Yamun, Jenin, al-Jiftlik, and Hebron. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces violently dispersed Palestinians protesting in al-Tur, demanding the release of the body of a Palestinian killed by Israeli forces on 9/22. 3 Palestinians were arrested in Bayt Hanina and Jabel Mukaber. (MEE, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 10/27; MEMO 10/28; PCHR 11/3; UNOCHA 11/13)

Israel said it had eased the collective punishment restrictions imposed on Nablus and that it will remove some of the checkpoints that were set up 2 weeks ago. (HA 10/28)

Lebanon and Israel officially signed their maritime border demarcation agreement. Lebanese president Michel Aoun and Hezbollah secretary general Hassan Nasrallah both praised the agreement, saying that it does not signify a move towards normalization with Israel. The agreement provides Lebanon with the vast majority of potential profits from the Qana gas field and Israel all the profits from the Karish gas field. Energean, the company licensed to operate the Karish gas field, said it began production at Karish on 10/26. (AJ, HA, REU 10/26; AJ, ALM, AP, AX, BBC, HA, MEMO, MEMO, REU, REU, REU, REU 10/27)

Israel’s defense minister Benny Gantz met with Türkiye president Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and defense minister Hulusi Akar in Ankara. Defense Minister Gantz said that the 2 sides had decided to resume defense cooperation. (AJ, ALM, AP, AX, HA, REU 10/27)

20 Democratic members of the U.S. house of representatives signed a letter, circulated by representative Don Beyer (D-VA), to U.S. secretary of state Antony Blinken saying that Israel should not be included in the U.S. visa waiver program due to its ethic discrimination and racial profiling. (HA 10/28; MEE 10/31)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers attacked Palestinians harvesting olives near Qaffin, assaulting 1 and stealing olive harvest. Israeli forces fired tear gas at a home in the Masafer Yatta area, causing tear-gas related injuries. Israeli forces also violently dispersed Palestinian farmers in Sinjil, causing tear-gas related injuries. 15 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in al-Bireh, Abu Dis, Nabi Samwil, al-Ram, Dheisheh refugee camp, Bani Na‘im, Hebron, and Nablus. In East Jerusalem, Israeli settlers stole olive harvest in Wadi al-Juz. 3 Palestinians were arrested in the Old City. (WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 10/18; PCHR 10/20; UNOCHA 11/1)

Palestinians in several cities and villages in the West Bank marched in solidarity with the relatives of members of the militant group the Lion’s Den who have had their travel permits revoked as collective punishment. (HA 10/18)

Haaretz reported that the U.S. department of homeland security informed U.S. congress in September that Israel does not meet the criteria for the Visa Waiver program. Congressperson Don Beyer (D-VA) circulated a letter telling his colleagues that Israel still does not meet the criteria as it does not extend visa-free travel to “all U.S. citizens and nationals.” (HA 10/18; WAFA 10/19)

UN special rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the Palestinian Territories Francesca Albanese published a report calling for the UN to update its list of companies doing business in Israeli settlements and proposing an international protective presence to protect Palestinians against Israeli violence. (MEE 10/18; HA 10/20)

Singapore opened a representative office to Palestine in Ramallah. (WAFA 10/18)

The Australian foreign ministry announced that the country had reversed the former government’s recognition of West Jerusalem as the capital of Israel, saying that the Australian embassy will remain in Tel Aviv and that Jerusalem is a final status matter. Israel said that it is considering retaliatory measures against Australia for its reversal. (AJ, HA, MEE, REU 10/17; AJ, AP, HA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 10/18; BBC, WAFA, WAFA 10/19; ABC, JP, MEMO, MEMO 10/20)

In the West Bank, 6 Israeli settlers attacked 3 Red Cross workers monitoring the olive harvest with pepper spray in Burin. Israeli settlers also uprooted 25 olive saplings in al-Masara. Israeli forces demolished 4 Palestinian stores under construction in Deir Qaddis. Israeli forces also delivered stop-work orders for 4 houses under construction in Idhna. 8 Palestinians were arrested, including 6 during late-night raids in Dheisheh refugee camp, Hebron, Beit Umar, and Dura; 1 was arrested at the Container checkpoint and 1 in his shop in Arrabah. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces violently dispersed Palestinians protesting the demolition of graves at al-Yusufiya Muslim cemetery; 1 was arrested. (HA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 10/26; MEMO 10/27; PCHR 10/28)

Israel’s public security minister Omer Bar-Lev ordered a ban on a cultural festival put on by the Catholic Church, claiming it was connected to the PA. The festival funded by Austria and France was set to take place for 3 days at Beit Abraham at the Mount of Olives in East Jerusalem. Israeli forces closed a performance attended by the French consulate general. The organizer Bernard Thibaud said he was shocked by the Israeli behavior and would speak to the French foreign ministry to complain and possibly take Israel to court. (HA 10/26; I24 10/27; WAFA 10/28)

The U.S. state department said it was “deeply concerned about the Israeli government’s plan to advance thousands of settlement units, many of them deep in the West Bank. In addition, we are concerned about the publication of tenders on Sunday [10/24] for 1,300 settlement units in a number of West Bank settlements.” Haaretz reported that U.S. officials secretly had conveyed to Israel that the main concern for the U.S. is construction deep within the West Bank. When asked about the state department’s harsher tone toward Israel, state department spokesperson Ned Price said, “our public messaging on this is consistent with what we are seeing transpire so far. It only stands to reason that our public messaging may shift over time.” It was later reported by Axios that secretary of state Antony Blinken had a “tense” phone call with Israeli defense minister Benny Gantz over the issue of settlements. According to an Israeli official, the Israeli understanding was that the U.S. gave Israel a “yellow card,” a soccer reference for a warning. (AJ, AX, DW, FOX, HA, HILL, REU, TOI, TOI 10/26; ALM, AX, MDW, TOI 10/27)

Israel rebuked the U.S. statement that the U.S. had not been informed about Israel’s decision, from 10/22, to designate 6 Palestinian rights organizations as terrorists. The Israeli deputy director-general of strategic affairs in the foreign ministry Joshua Zarka said that he had told the U.S. about the Israeli decision when he visited the U.S. the week of the announcement. Deputy Director Zarka said that Spokesperson Price probably had not been updated on the issue. UN human rights commissioner Michelle Bachelet also condemned the terrorist designations by Israel, saying they should be overturned immediately. The Swedish foreign ministry said Israel had made such allegations before but never provided evidence. (HA 10/25; HA, HA, MEMO, WAFA 10/26)

An Israeli private jet landed in Saudi Arabia, marking the 1st time a direct flight from Israel landed in the country. On 10/25, the 1st ever direct flight from Saudi Arabia landed in Israel. It was an aircraft registered in the UAE. (JP, MEMO 10/27)

Israel launched a 2-day military drill, Southern Storm, simulating war with Hamas in Gaza. (TOI 10/26)

The U.S. secretary of homeland security Alejandro Mayorkas said Israel was among 4 countries the U.S. is considering for its visa waiver program. The subject of an Israeli visa waiver was discussed when Israeli prime minister Naftali Bennett met President Joe Biden in August. (REU 10/26; HA, TOI 10/27)

It was announced by Israel that the country will join the EU Horizon Europe research program. The program provides funding for research and innovation and has a budget of $110 billion. Israel will be prohibited from using program funds to invest in East Jerusalem, the Golan Heights, and the West Bank, according to the deal with the EU. Israel will formally join the EU program in December. (HA 10/26; MEMO 10/27)

Republican senators in the U.S. congress introduced a bill co-sponsored by 35 senators seeking to block the Biden administration from reopening the U.S. mission to Palestinians in Jerusalem. The bill “Upholding the 1995 Jerusalem Embassy Law of 2021” was introduced by Bill Cassidy (R-LA) and Bill Hagerty (R-TN). (TOI 10/27)