The Palestine Chronology

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers with military escort raided Khirbet al-Mufkara in the Masafer Yatta area, throwing stones at Palestinians and their property and injuring 12 Palestinians, including 1 3-year-old who was hospitalized with a fractured skull; 10 vehicles and 1 water tank were also vandalized and settlers stabbed 3 sheep, killing 1. 4 Israeli settlers were arrested by Israeli forces for the attack and all were released on 10/1. Israeli forces raided al-Arroub refugee camp, violently dispersing Palestinians protesting their incursion; 1 minor was injured by live ammunition and others suffered tear-gas related injuries. Israeli forces also raided Qabatiya, injuring 2 Palestinians protesting their incursion with live ammunition. 2 Palestinians were arrested during a late-night raid in Hebron. In East Jerusalem, 151 Israeli settlers toured the Haram al-Sharif compound. Meanwhile, Israeli forces prevented Israeli Palestinian worshippers from reaching the compound. 2 Palestinian minors were arrested during a late-night raid in Isawiya. (HA, MEE, TOI, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 9/28; ALM, HA 9/29 HA 9/30; HA 10/1; HA 10/6; PCHR 9/30)

Jordan sent a formal protest to Israel for their allowing masses of Israeli settlers to tour the Haram al-Sharif compound. PA foreign ministry also called on the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation and the Arab League to help intervene in the Israeli transgressions. (WAFA, WAFA 9/28)

The Intercept reported the Israeli consul general to the southeastern U.S. Anat Sultan-Dadon arranged a meeting with the dean of University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill’s college of arts and sciences, where Sultan-Dadon accused 1 graduate student teaching a course on the Israel-Palestinian conflict of anti-Semitism based on the student’s criticism of Israel. In a response to the Intercept, Sultan-Dadon claimed that the student’s criticism of Israel constituted anti-Semitism under the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance’s controversial working definition of anti-Semitism. (INT 9/28)

In the West Bank, Palestinians prevented Israeli settlers with military escort from entering Nablus at the Joseph’s Tomb site; 2 Israeli soldiers were reported injured by stone-throwers. Israeli settlers chased Palestinian herders off their own land in Masafer Yatta. Israeli forces violently dispersed a protest at an Israeli checkpoint near al-Bireh, injuring 1 journalist with a rubber-coated bullet and others with tear gas. 6 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in Biddu and Deir Nidham. In East Jerusalem, more than 770 Israeli settlers toured the Haram al-Sharif compound, waving Israeli flags. 5 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in Isawiya, al-Tur, and the Old City. In Gaza, Israeli forces opened fire at Palestinian agricultural lands east of Gaza City; no injuries were reported. (MEE, MEMO, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 9/27; MEE 9/28; PCHR 9/30)

The trial against 14 PA security officers charged with beating PA critic Nizar Banat to death on 6/24 began in Ramallah. Banat’s brother Ghassan Banat said that the PA was using the 14 officers as scapegoats and that the trial was incomplete without prosecution of the head of the Preventive Security Services and the interior minister. All 14 officers pledged not guilty to charges of battery, abuse of power, and violation of military instructions. According to a cousin of Banat, 1 of his other cousins was arrested before the hearing. The arrested cousin is said to be 1 of the key witnesses to the killing of Banat. (HA, REU 9/27; MEMO 9/28)

An unidentified aircraft hit an alleged Iran-backed militia base in Mayadeen, Syria, causing damage. (HA 9/28)

At the UN general assembly, Israeli prime minister Naftali Bennett did not overtly mention Palestine or Israel’s occupation, but did say that “Israelis don’t wake up in the morning thinking about the conflict.” Prime Minister Bennett dedicated a portion of his speech to Iran, saying that its alleged nuclear weapons program had “hit a watershed moment, and so has our patience.” (HA, HA, MEMO, REU 9/27; AJ, ALM, AP, HA, HA, HA, HA 9/28; JP, JP 9/29)

The UN Conference on Trade and Development issued a report, saying that 2020 was the worst year for the PA economy since its establishment in 1994. The report stated that the COVID-19 pandemic and the Israeli occupation were the main factors behind the economic decline. (MEMO, WAFA 9/28)

At a UK Labour conference in Bristol, members of the party voted for a motion that called for sanctions against Israel for its violations of international law, stopping arms trades with Israel, and ending trade with Israeli settlements. The motion noted that Israel is guilty of the crime of apartheid. The motion is non-binding. PA president Mahmoud Abbas thanked the Labour party for passing the motion. (MEE, MEMO, WAFA, WAFA 9/27; JP, MEE, MEMO, MEMO, WAFA 9/28)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers attacked Palestinians in Susiya, causing bruises, during a visit by EU representatives to the village. Israeli forces violently dispersed Palestinian protesters near Beita, killing 1 Palestinian using live ammunition; 7 others were hit by rubber-coated bullets and live ammunition, and 18 suffered tear-gas related injuries. Israeli forces also violently dispersed Palestinian protesters in Kafr Qaddum, injuring 4 with rubber-coated bullets. 12 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in and around Yatta, Bani Na‘im, Bayt Liqya, Bethlehem, Biddu, Aqabah, and Qabatiya. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces injured 1 pro-Palestinian activist and arrested 4 others for waving a Palestinian flag during a protest in Sheikh Jarrah; at least 1 was released from jail on 9/25 after an Israeli judge ruled that flying Palestinian flags was not illegal. (AJ, AP, HA, MEE, MEMO, PCHR, REU, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 9/24; HA 9/27; PCHR 9/30)

PA president Mahmoud Abbas addressed the UN general assembly, outlining the territorial dispossession of Palestinians from historic Palestine at the time of the British Mandate to the current situation where Palestinians control 12% of the same land. President Abbas demanded that Israel withdraw from to the 1967 borders within 1 year. Abbas warned that if the world does not act to ensure the PA demand for a 2-state solution, then the “developments on the ground will dictate a reality [in which] the Palestinian people will demand its rights in the territory of all of historic Palestine,” hinting at moving toward demanding a 1-state solution. Abbas also accused Israel of ethnic cleansing and apartheid. Abbas addressed the UN general assembly in a pre-recorded video message. (AJ, AP, HA, MEE, REU, WAFA 9/24; AJ, HA, MEMO 9/25; ALM 9/26; ALM 9/29; ALM 10/5)

It was reported that Egypt refused to allow Mohammad Dahlan to relocate his office to Egypt from the UAE. (MEMO 9/25)

The U.S. think tank Center for Peace Communications hosted some 300 people in Erbil, Iraq, in a conference for normalizing ties between Iraq and Israel. Iraq’s presidential office, the prime minister’s office, and several influential organizations condemned the conference. An Iraqi court also issued arrest warrants for several of the attendees. (MEMO, MEMO 9/25; HA, MEMO, TOI 9/26; ALM 9/28)

In the West Bank, an Israeli settler vandalized 10 mature olive trees in Burin. Israeli forces leveled 30 dunams (7.5 acres) of land in the villages of Qusra, Jayyus, and Aqraba. Israeli forces also razed land in Kardala. Elsewhere, Israeli forces raided Sabastia, closing off areas of the village to Palestinians. Israeli forces also violently dispersed Palestinian protesters in Deir al-Hatab, injuring 1 journalist with a rubber-coated bullet while others suffered tear-gas related injuries. 2 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in Jalazun refugee camp and Jericho. In East Jerusalem, more than 500 Israeli Jewish people toured the Haram al-Sharif compound. Israeli forces injured 1 Palestinian student with a rubber-coated bullet during a confrontation in al-Tur. 4 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in Shu‘fat refugee camp. (MEE, MEE, MEMO, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 9/22; PCHR 9/23)

Israel reopened the Jalameh crossing between the West Bank and Israel for the 1st time since closing it on 9/6, when 6 Palestinians escaped from the nearby Gilboa prison. (ALM, AP 9/22)

At the UN Human Rights Council, Bahrain, on behalf of Israel, Morocco, and the UAE—2 other countries Israel normalized relations with—presented a joint statement calling on women to have a more prominent role in diplomacy and peace processes. No women were present during the normalization signing ceremony between Israel, the U.S., Bahrain, and the UAE. (HA 9/22)

33 countries chose not to attend the UN Durban IV conference against racism in New York, according to Israel, at its behest. Israel and the U.S. claim that the 1st Durban conference, held in 2001 in South Africa, was racist because it singled out Israeli treatment of Palestinians and labeled Zionism racist. (WAFA 9/14; TOI 9/20; ALM, AP, NWK 9/22; CNN 9/23)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers assaulted Palestinians outside of al-Ibrahimi Mosque. Israeli forces violently dispersed Palestinians protesting the closure of the eastern entrance to al-Mughayyir, leading to tear-gas related injuries. Israeli forces also violently dispersed Palestinian protesters in al-Twana, injuring several by hitting them with rifle butts and tear gas, and 1 was injured by a sound bomb to his head; Israel later opened an investigation into the incident as 6 Israeli activists and 2 Palestinians were said to have been physically attacked by the Israeli forces. Elsewhere, Israeli forces violently dispersed a protest in Beita, injuring 2 with rubber-coated bullets and others with tear gas. Israeli forces also violently dispersed Palestinian protesters in Bayt Dajan, injuring 2 with rubber-coated bullets and others suffered tear-gas related injuries. 4 Palestinians were arrested including 1 at his work in Beit Umar, and 3 at checkpoints in Hebron and Bethlehem. In East Jerusalem, Palestinians threw stones and Molotov cocktails at Israeli military vehicles in Silwan before being bombarded with tear gas and rubber-coated bullets. A similar scenario unfolded in al-Ram and 1 Palestinian was injured by a rubber-coated bullet. Israeli forces also violently dispersed a protest in Sheikh Jarrah, assaulting Palestinians and confiscating Palestinian flags. 1 was arrested during a house raid in the Old City. In West Jerusalem, 1 Palestinian bus driver was stabbed and injured by 3 Jewish Israelis in the Givat Shaul neighborhood. (MEE, MEMO, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 9/17; MEMO 9/18; HA, HA, HA 9/19; PCHR 9/23)

It was reported that the Israeli prison service had agreed to move all Islamic Jihad prisoners back to their original cells after dispersing them to various prisons in the immediate aftermath of the Gilboa prison break on 9/6. (HA 9/17)

The U.S. marked the 1-year anniversary of the normalization deals between Israel and the UAE, Bahrain, and Morocco in a video event. U.S. secretary of state Antony Blinken said that the Biden administration will continue to build on the normalization deals. Israel’s foreign minister Yair Lapid called on the Arab countries to help promote his plan for stabilizing Gaza through investment, while Israel continues its blockade of Gaza. Morocco and the UAE called on Israel to negotiate a 2-state solution with Palestine. Sudan was not represented at the event. (AJ, AP, HA, HA, MEE, MEMO, REU 9/17)

In the West Bank, Israeli forces violently dispersed Palestinian protesters during a raid in Ya‘bad, causing tear-gas related injuries. Israeli forces also injured 1 Palestinian with a rubber-coated bullet during a daytime raid in Tuqu‘ near a secondary school; others suffered tear-gas related injuries. 3 Palestinians were arrested during house raids in Dura and Beitunia. In East Jerusalem, Israeli settlers toured the Haram al-Sharif compound. Israel forces ordered Palestinian shop owners to close shops in the Old City and erected roadblocks around the city. 1 Palestinian was arrested during a house raid in Shu‘fat refugee camp. (MEE, WAFA, WAFA 9/16; PCHR 9/23)

All crossings between Israel, Gaza, and the West Bank were closed for the Israeli Yom Kippur holiday. (PCHR 9/23)

1 Palestinian prisoner from Bayt Hanina stopped taking his insulin injections in protest over his Israeli administrative detention. The man has been held by Israel without a trial since 5/17. (AJ 9/24)

In the West Bank, Israeli forces fired tear gas and sound bombs at Palestinians near al-Ibrahimi Mosque in Hebron, leading to tear-gas related injuries. 21 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in and around Hebron, Sa‘ir, Harmala, al-Bireh, Kafr Ein, Ni‘lin, and Ya‘bad. In East Jerusalem, 2 Palestinians were arrested in the Old City. (WAFA, WAFA 9/14; PCHR 9/16)

The 1st hearing in the case against 14 PA security forces in the killing of PA critic Nizar Banat on 6/24 was postponed until 9/21 because the lawyer of the 14 was absent from the session. (WAFA 9/14)

Fatah condemned Facebook for suspending Al-Awda TV Facebook page. (WAFA 9/14)

Israel’s prime minister Naftali Bennett said that he opposes a Palestinian state during an interview with Israeli Kan news. Prime Minister Bennett also said he would not meet or speak to PA president Mahmoud Abbas, citing Abbas’s referral of Israel war crimes to the ICC. (TOI 9/14; ALM, JP 9/15)

Israeli defense minister Benny Gantz told Foreign Policy that Israel will accept a new Iran nuclear deal between the U.S. and Iran, but that he hopes the U.S. will make a “plan B.” Foreign Minister Gantz also said about a potential peace agreement, “Abbas is still dreaming of the 1967 lines, this won’t happen. He has to realize we’re staying here . . . We’re not taking down settlements.” (FP 9/14; ALM, HA 9/15; MEMO 9/16)

On the anniversary of the normalization deals between Israel, Bahrain, and the UAE, sponsored by the U.S., state department spokesperson Ned Price said that the U.S. is looking at advancing similar deals. Spokesperson Price also praised the normalization deal between Israel and Morocco, but did not mention the Sudan-Israel normalization deal. The U.S., during the Donald Trump administration, gave all 4 countries that normalized ties with Israel different political incentives to do so. The ambassadors of the U.S., Israel, the UAE, and Bahrain also met at an event hosted by former White House official Jared Kushner’s new non-profit organization The Abraham Accords Institute for Peace. The U.S. secretary of State Antony Blinken will host a virtual meeting on 9/17 to celebrate the normalization deals. UAE economy minister Abdulla bin Touq Al Marri also said on 9/13 that the UAE seeks to raise its trade with Israel to $1 trillion in the next 10 years. The bilateral trade between the 2 countries are currently around $600 million, according to Economy Minister Al Marri. (AX, HA, REU, REU, Twitter 9/14; TOI 9/15; MEMO 9/16)

Jewish Currents reported that representatives Mark Pocan (D-WI), Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY), and Rashida Tlaib (D-MI) were leading efforts to add an amendment to the National Defense Authorization Act blocking the delivery of Boeing-made Joint Direct Attack Munitions and Small Diameter Bombs to Israel for 1 year. Both types of munitions were used by Israel during Operation Guardian of the Wall. The amendment is unlikely to be part of the bill. (JC 9/14)

The state of New Jersey sent a letter to the company Unilever that it considers its subsidiary Ben & Jerry’s decision to stop selling its ice cream in West Bank settlements a boycott of Israel and therefore will divest from the company. New Jersey is said to have $182 million invested in Unilever stock, bonds, and other securities. (MEMO 9/15; JP, NYT 9/16)

In the West Bank, Israeli forces raided Hebron, leading to a confrontation with Palestinian residents; tear-gas related injuries were reported. Palestinians protested in solidarity with the Palestinian prisoners that escaped Gilboa prison on 9/6 in Tuqu‘, Fawwar refugee camp, and al-Arroub refugee camp. 6 Palestinians were arrested, including 2 during a late-night raid in Qarawat Bani Hassan and 4 minors leaving a school in Tuqu‘. In East Jerusalem, 1 Israeli settler rammed 1 Palestinian with their car in al-Tur, leading to a confrontation between Israeli forces and Palestinians; 1 was injured by a rubber-coated bullet and 3 were arrested. 1 other was arrested during a late-night raid in Silwan. In Gaza, for the 3d night in a row, 2 rockets were launched at Israel and intercepted, and Israel conducted air strikes, hitting 4 locations near Khan Yunis and Rafah, causing damage, including to a poultry farm. (HA, MEMO, TOI, WAFA, WAFA 9/12; AJ, AP, MEMO, MEMO, WAFA 9/13; PCHR 9/16)

Israeli defense minister Benny Gantz submitted a request to the Israeli high court of justice to delay the relocation of Israeli settlers from the Shilo settlement outpost to Israel, citing the religious shmita year restrictions on cultivating land. The settlers have made an agreement with Israel to leave the settlement voluntarily in exchange for receiving land within the Green Line. (HA 9/13)

In a speech at a university in Herzliya, Israeli foreign minister Yair Lapid said that the Israeli policy of blockading Gaza since the 2005 withdrawal had not been effective and proposed a plan to exchange economy for security. Foreign Minister Lapid said that Israel would not directly negotiate the terms with Hamas but would do so through international mediation. Lapid also said his proposal was backed by Israel’s prime minister Naftali Bennett and defense minister Benny Gantz, but that it was not a government plan. The 1st phase of Lapid’s plan is to update Gaza’s electricity, health, and transportation systems, of which water and electricity would be under Israeli control. The 2d phase entails creating a seaport in Gaza and connecting Gaza to the West Bank. In the 2d phase, the PA would gain control over Gaza. (HA, TOI 9/12; JP, MEMO 9/13)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers from the Yitzhar settlement raided Burin, leading to a confrontation with Palestinian residents; no injuries were reported. Israeli forces violently dispersed Palestinian protesters at the Huwwara checkpoint, injuring 8 with rubber-coated bullets and 15 with tear gas. Israeli forces also violently dispersed Palestinian protesters in al-Arroub refugee camp, causing tear-gas related injuries, and 4 were arrested. Elsewhere, Israeli forces violently dispersed Palestinian protesters in Hebron, leading to tear-gas related injuries. Israeli forces also violently dispersed Palestinian protesters in Qalqilya, causing tear-gas related injuries and 2 arrests. Palestinians also protested in solidarity with the Palestinian prisoners that escaped Gilboa prison on 9/6 in al-Bireh, Ramallah, and Bethlehem. 11 Palestinians were arrested during raids in Sa‘ir, Hebron, and Ya‘bad. In East Jerusalem, Palestinians threw stones and Molotov cocktails at Israeli soldiers in Isawiya, and Israeli forces shot and injured 1 Palestinian with a rubber-coated bullet; 1 was arrested. 1 other Palestinian was arrested during a late-night raid in the Old City. In Gaza, for the 2d day in a row, 1 rocket was fired at Israel and was intercepted, and Israel conducted air strikes, hitting 4 different targets in Khan Yunis and Rafah, causing damage. In Israel, 2 of the 6 Palestinian prisoners who escaped Gilboa prison on 9/6, Zakaria Zubeida and Mohammed Aradeh, were arrested near Umm al-Ghanam. 2 others were arrested on 9/10, while 2 are still free. (AJ, AP, MEE, REU 9/10; AP, MEMO, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 9/11; AP, HA, REU, WAFA 9/12; AJ 9/13; PCHR 9/16)

The 4 Palestinian prisoners who were caught by Israeli forces after escaping Gilboa prison on 9/6 were at a court in Nazareth for a closed-off remand hearing. The Shin Bet asked the court to extend the prisoner’s detention with the Shin Bet for 13 days. The 4 have not been allowed to meet with a lawyer. 1 of the prisoners, Zakaria Zubeida, was later admitted to a hospital after receiving heavy beatings by Israeli interrogators. (HA 9/11; MEMO, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 9/12; PCHR 9/14)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers smashed the windshields of Palestinian-owned cars in Hebron. Israeli forces violently dispersed Palestinian protesters in the Old City of Hebron, hitting 1 journalist with a concussion bomb. Israeli forces also violently dispersed Palestinian protesters at a checkpoint near Jenin, injuring 1 with a rubber-coated bullet. Protests in support of Palestinian prisoners were also held in al-Arroub refugee camp, Dura, al-Khader, and Bethlehem, leading to tear-gas related injuries. 5 Palestinians were arrested—including 1 relative of 1 of the prisoners who escaped from Gilboa prison on 9/6—during late-night raids in Arrabah, Qalandia, Dheisheh refugee camp, Abu Njeim, and Dura. In East Jerusalem, 1 Palestinian was arrested at the Haram al-Sharif compound. (WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 9/9; JP, WAFA 9/10; PCHR 9/16)

In the West Bank, Israeli forces violently dispersed Palestinians protesting in solidarity with the 6 prisoners who escaped from Gilboa prison on 9/6 in Huwwara, Hebron, Burqa, Qalqilya, Ramallah, Bethlehem, and al-Bireh, leading to dozens of tear-gas related injuries. Israeli forces also raided Ya‘bad, Arabbuna, ‘Anin, Faqqua, and Bir al-Basha searching for the escapees and harassing their families and friends; 7 were injured by rubber-coated bullets and 17 suffered tear-gas related injuries; 5 relatives of escapees were arrested during the raids. In East Jerusalem, 156 Israeli settlers toured the Haram al-Sharif compound, closing parts of it off to Palestinians. Israeli forces violently dispersed Palestinians protesting in solidarity with the 6 escapees at the Damascus Gate; 2 were injured by rubber-coated bullets and 1 by a sound grenade. Israeli forces also violently dispersed Palestinian protesters in Isawiya. Off the coast of Gaza, Israeli naval forces opened fire at Palestinian fishermen on 2 occasions within 3 and 5 nautical miles west of Gaza. (AJ, HA, MEE, MEMO, REU, WAFA, WAFA 9/8; AJ, JP, MEMO, MEMO, PCHR, WAFA, WAFA 9/9)

The Israeli army said closures of movement in and out of Gaza and the West Bank from Israel and Jordan were extended until 9/11, citing the manhunt for the 6 Palestinian prisoners. (MEMO 9/9)

Islamic Jihad prisoners torched 8 cells in the Qetziot prison and 2 cells in the Ramon prison and clashed with guards after being told that the Israeli prison service would move them to other prisons as collective punishment for the prison escape by 6 Palestinians on 9/6. Clashes were also reported at Megiddo and Ofer prisons. After the prison protests, the prison service decided not to move the Islamic Jihad prisoners out of fear of them, according to Haaretz, but imposed collective punishment on prisoners by ending all family visits until the end of September. (AP, HA, HA, MEE, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 9/8; HA, HA, HA, MEE, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 9/9; ALM 9/10; WAFA 9/12)

In the West Bank, Israeli forces violently dispersed Palestinian protesters in al-Twana, leading to tear-gas related injuries. In East Jerusalem, Israeli settlers toured the Haram al-Sharif compound; 1 Palestinian citizen of Israel was arrested after he yelled “God Is Great” at the settlers. 1 Palestinian family demolished their own home in Silwan, displacing 9. In Gaza, Israeli forces conducted air strikes in Khan Yunis, causing damage. Israel said the air strikes were a response to incendiary balloons sent from Gaza to Israel. Off the coast of Gaza, Israeli naval forces opened fire at Palestinian fishermen within 3 nautical miles west of Gaza; no injuries were reported. In Israel, 3 people were arrested in Na‘ura under suspicion of having aided the 6 Palestinian prisoners who escaped Gilboa prison on 9/6. (AP, HA, HA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 9/7; AJ, MEMO 9/8; PCHR 9/9)

Arizona said it had completely divested from the parent company of Ben & Jerry’s, Unilever. Arizona treasurer Kimberly Yee said that Ben & Jerry’s decision to stop selling ice cream in West Bank settlements and moving its franchise regional office from Israel violated Arizona anti-BDS legislation. Yee said that Arizona owned $143 million in Unilever bonds and commercial papers, which would all be sold off by 9/21. (HA 9/8; MEMO 9/9; AP, NPR 9/10)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers from the Yitzhar settlement threw stones at 1 house and 2 vehicles in Burin, breaking the windshields of the cars. 1 Israeli settler also rammed 1 Palestinian child with his car near the Kiryat Arba settlement. Israeli forces raided Aqabat Jaber refugee camp, leading to a confrontation with Palestinians; tear-gas related injuries were reported. 4 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in Fahma, Jaba‘, and Tubas. In Gaza, Israeli forces violently dispersed Palestinian protesters east of Jabalia refugee camp, killing 1 Palestinian and injuring 5 others with live ammunition; Israeli forces claimed Palestinians threw explosives at them. Israeli forces also shot and injured 1 Palestinian with live ammunition east of Abasan. Off the coast of Gaza, Israeli naval forces opened fire at Palestinian fishermen within 6 nautical miles west of al-Sudaniyya, injuring 1 with live ammunition. In Israel, Israeli forces demolished the Bedouin village al-Araqeeb for the 192d time since 2010. (AJ, AP, HA, MEE, MEMO, REU, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 9/2; MEMO 9/3; PCHR 9/9)

In Syria, Israel conducted air strikes near Damascus, causing damage. Syrian state TV said the country’s missile defense system had intercepted most of the Israeli missiles. During the attack, 1 surface-to-surface missile was fired at Israel but landed in the sea. (AJ, HA, JP, TOI 9/3)

Israel released 1 pregnant Palestinian woman from prison after international and Palestinian pressure. The woman was released to house arrest and on $12,000 bail. She is accused by Israel of an attempted stabbing in March outside of an Israeli settlement in the West Bank. (WAFA 9/1; HA, MEMO, TOI, WAFA 9/2; HA, MEE 9/3; AJ 9/5)

Hamas said it rejected the framework agreement between the U.S. and the UNRWA signed on 7/15, calling it “dangerous and humiliating.” Hamas said that the framework threatens the refugee issue and is an obstacle to UNRWA employees. (MEMO 9/3; ALM 9/23)

PA president Mahmoud Abbas met with Egyptian president Abdel Fattah al-Sisi and Jordanian king Abdullah II in Cairo. The 3 leaders were said to have been coordinating their stance on Israel for the upcoming UN general assembly meeting in October. President al-Sisi’s spokesperson said after the meeting that al-Sisi emphasized that the creation of a Palestinian state depends of reconciliation between the PA and Hamas. President Abbas called for renewed peace negations under the auspices of the International Quartet for Middle East Peace. An unnamed PA source said, according to Haaretz, that the Biden administration has conveyed to the PA that it will not exert pressure on the Israeli government to engage diplomatically with the PA while Israel is in budget negotiations. (AJ, AP, HA, JP, MEMO, REU, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 9/2; MEMO, WAFA 9/3)

The Jewish National Fund (JNF) approved a project that will seek to obtain from Palestinians 530 properties in the West Bank and 2,050 properties in East Jerusalem by reviewing documents only registered by the JNF to see if they can be used to evict Palestinians using Israeli courts. The JNF has set aside $31 million for the settler project. (HA 9/2)

In the West Bank, Israeli forces demolished 1 house in Harmala, 1 house in Bayt Ta‘mar, and 3 agricultural structures in Duma. 4 Palestinian children were arrested during late-night raids in Bethlehem. 11 others were arrested, including 9 during raids in and around Bayt Rima, Kobar, Jenin, Jaba‘, Bethlehem, Bayt Jala, Halhul, and Dura, and 2 were arrested at checkpoints in Bethlehem and Ya‘bad. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces raided the Muslim Girls Secondary School in Wadi al-Juz and arrested 2 employees, including the principal of the school. In Gaza, Israeli forces violently dispersed Palestinian protesters east of Rafah, injuring 1 with a rubber-coated bullet and others with tear gas. (WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 9/1; MEE, MEMO, PCHR, WAFA 9/2)

Israel said it would expand the Gaza fishing zone to 15 nautical miles at its largest, increase the number of merchant permits for Palestinians in Gaza from 5,000 to 7,000, and provide 175 million cubic feet of fresh water. (HA 8/31; ALM, ALM, AP, MEE, MEMO 9/1)

1 Palestinian prisoner in administrative detention ended his 33-day hunger strike after the Israeli prison service promised not to extend his detention beyond 2/14/2022. (WAFA 9/1)

Israel’s foreign minister Yair Lapid said that reopening the U.S. consulate to Palestinians in Jerusalem is a “bad idea,” saying it would weaken the Israeli government coalition and send the “wrong message.” Israeli and U.S. government sources have told Haaretz that the U.S. is moving slowly on reopening the consulate because of the potential ramifications it could have on Israel’s government coalition. Foreign Minister Lapid also criticized the way the U.S. withdrew from Afghanistan. The spokesperson of Israeli prime minister Naftali Bennett also denied reports that Bennett and PA president Mahmoud Abbas would meet. (AJ, ALM, GDN, HA, HA, MEE, REU 9/1; MEMO 9/2; ALM 9/7)

Haaretz reported that Israel’s public security minister Omer Bar-Lev had ordered the Israeli police to stop its policy of confiscating Palestinian flags during protests except in exceptional circumstances. (HA 9/1)

The U.S. Central Command announced that it had taken over the responsibilities of Israel from the U.S. European Command. The move, welcomed by Israel, was seen as an effort to strengthen the normalization deals between Israel, the UAE, and Bahrain as it allows for easier coordination of military exercises arranged by the U.S. (JINSA 9/2; Defense News, Defense News 9/7)

In the West Bank, Israeli soldiers beat 1 Palestinian child after stopping him at a checkpoint in Hebron when he was on his way to school. Israeli forces also delivered stop-work orders for 1 mosque and 9 houses under construction in Nahalin. 2 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in Beita and Rujeib. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces demolished parts of a Palestinian-owned house in Jabel Mukaber. 3 Palestinians were arrested during raids in Silwan and al-Tur. In Gaza, Israeli forces violently dispersed a protest east of Khan Yunis, injuring 3 with live ammunition and 3 with tear gas. In Israel, 1 Israeli soldier who was shot while violently dispersing a Palestinian protest in Gaza succumbed to his injuries inflicted on 8/21. (AJ, HA, HA, MEE, WAFA, WAFA 8/30; PCHR 9/2)

As part of its COVID-19 vaccination efforts, the PA started offering vaccines to 16-18-year-olds in the West Bank. Only 16% are fully vaccinated and 30% have received 1 shot of vaccine, despite having received a total of 2.8 million doses. In both the West Bank and Gaza, there are mandates for vaccines for public employees and students over 16. As an incentive, people over 50 in Gaza can win $200 if they get their vaccine; 10 winners are drawn daily. (ALM 8/28; HA 8/31; HA, MEMO 9/1)

In the West Bank, Israeli forces blocked a road between Hebron and Qalqas. In East Jerusalem, 1 Palestinian family demolished their own home in Jabel Mukaber, displacing 7 people. In Gaza, Israeli forces attacked 2 targets near Jabalia refugee camp, claiming it was responding to incendiary balloons sent from Gaza to Israel. Israeli forces also later violently dispersed Palestinian protesters near the Gaza fence, injuring 1 with live ammunition; 17 others were also injured by rubber-coated bullets and tear gas. (AA, AJ, AP, HA, HILL, JP, MEE, MEMO, WAFA, WAFA 8/29; MEMO, WAFA, WAFA 8/30; PCHR 9/2)

Egypt reopened the Rafah crossing in both directions. (MEMO 8/29)

PA president Mahmoud Abbas met with Israeli defense minister Benny Gantz in Ramallah. According to the Israeli defense ministry, the 2 talked about security policy, civilian and economic issues, and measures Israel will take to strengthen the PA economy. According to Gantz’s office, among the agreements made were granting residency rights to Palestinians living in the West Bank without legal status and Israel’s providing the PA with an advance of its tax income of $155 million. Gantz also said after the meeting, “the stronger the Palestinian Authority is, the weaker Hamas will be.” Sources close to Israeli prime minister Naftali Bennett said that there was no diplomatic process between Israel and the PA and that there would not be 1 during his time as prime minister. A Palestinian official said that Abbas asked Israel to stop conducting operations in Area A and allow family reunifications as part of efforts to improve the PA-Israel relations. Later at a PLO executive committee meeting, President Abbas said that he had told Defense Minister Gantz that the PA position on peace is based on the Arab peace initiative, and that PA wants Israel to release long-term Palestinian prisoners, return the bodies of Palestinians killed by Israel, end settlement construction, and curb settler attacks. Hamas spokesperson Sami Abu Zuhri called the meeting dangerous and disrespectful. Islamic Jihad also condemned the meeting. The meeting was the 1st between President Abbas and an Israeli government official since 2010. (MEE, REU 8/29; AJ, ALM, AP, F24, HA, HA, HA, JP, NBC, REU, REU, TOI, WAFA, WAFA 8/30; ALM, MEMO, MEMO, MEMO 8/31; MEMO 9/1; ALM, HA 9/2)

Axios reported that former U.S. ambassador to Israel Dan Shapiro had joined the U.S. state department as a liaison between U.S. envoy on Iran Robert Malley and Israel. (AX 8/29; JP 8/30; ALM, MEMO 8/31)

In the West Bank, Israeli forces razed agricultural land in Qusra and Kisan, razed 10 dunams (2.5 acres) of land planted with grape and olive saplings in Burin, and demolished 1 Palestinian home in al-Walaja and 1 car repair shop south of Hebron. Israeli forces also dispersed Palestinian protesters near Beita using tear gas; no injuries were reported. 9 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in and around Beit Fajjar, Husan, Hebron, al-Arroub refugee camp, Abu Dis, and Beita. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces demolished 1 Palestinian-owned home in Silwan. In Gaza, 1 Palestinian man shot by Israeli forces during a protest by the Gaza fence on 8/21 succumbed to his injuries; 1 Palestinian child remains in critical condition after being shot during the same protest. Israeli forces violently dispersed Palestinian protesters east of Khan Yunis, injuring 5 with live ammunition, 2 with rubber-coated bullets, and 7 with tear gas. In Israel, the Palestinian Israeli member of Knesset for the Ra’am party Said al-Harumi died of a heart attack at the age of 49. Al-Harumi was the chairman of the Knesset’s interior and environmental committee. (AJ, AJ, ALM, AP, HA, HA, JP, JP, MEE, MEE, MEMO, TOI, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 8/25; AJ, MEMO, PCHR 8/26)

During the 1st of a 2-day visit to Washington D.C., Israeli prime minister Naftali Bennett met with U.S. secretary of state Antony Blinken, secretary of defense Lloyd Austin, and national security advisor Jake Sullivan. Prime Minister Bennett, who is scheduled to meet President Joe Biden on 8/26, also met with AIPAC’s CEO Howard Kohr and President Betsy Berns Korn. Secretary of Defense Austin said that the Biden administration was working fulfil Israel’s request of $1 billion to replenish the Iron Dome missile defense system after Israel’s attack on Gaza in May. (AJ, AP, HA 8/25; AJ, ALM, MEE, MEMO 8/26)

In the West Bank, PA forces arrested 12 Palestinians for partaking or intending to partake in demonstrations against the PA in Ramallah; at least 23 others were arrested on the same grounds on 8/21. The UN and EU later criticized the PA for arresting its critics, as did prominent progressive congresspeople in the U.S. Israeli forces raided Araqah, dispersing Palestinians with tear gas and seizing security camera recordings at a shop. Israeli forces also shot and injured 1 Palestinian man with special needs at the container checkpoint near Bethlehem. 6 Palestinians were arrested, including 2 at checkpoints in Yatta and Bethlehem and 4 at raids in and around Hebron and Beit Fajjar. In East Jerusalem, 1 Palestinian family demolished their own home in Bayt Hanina, displacing 8. 4 Palestinians were arrested in the Old City, Silwan, and al-Tur. In Israel, Israeli police accompanied by bulldozers demolished 2 Palestinian homes in Umm al-Fahm. (HA, MEMO, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 8/22; TOI 8/23 AJ, JP, MEE, TOI 8/24; HA, MEE 8/25; JP, MEE, PCHR 8/26; HA 8/27)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers raided Beit Umar; no injuries were reported. Israeli forces violently dispersed Palestinians worshipping outside of al-Ibrahimi Mosque in protest against Israeli construction of an electric lift, altering the structure of the mosque; at least 1 Palestinian was assaulted by Israeli forces and others suffered tear-gas related injuries. Israeli forces also violently dispersed Palestinian protesters in Beita, injuring 1 with a tear gas canister to his head. Elsewhere, Israeli forces violently dispersed Palestinian protesters in Bayt Dajan, injuring 5 with rubber-coated bullets. Israeli forces also violently dispersed Palestinian protesters in Yatta, beating several, including 1 who was taken to a hospital for his injuries. 5 Palestinians were arrested, including 5 at the entrance to al-Lubban ash-Sharqiya and 1 child during a late-night raid in al-Dawha. In East Jerusalem, Israeli settlers attacked 1 Palestinian bus driver while he was working in Silwan, causing injuries to his face. In Gaza, Israeli naval forces opened fire at and sprayed water on Palestinian fishermen within 6 nautical miles west of Gaza City, causing damage to 1 boat. (AA, AJ, MEMO, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 8/13; ALM 8/16; PCHR 8/19)

Israel said it will allow 1,000 Palestinian merchants and 350 senior businesspeople from Gaza to enter Israel from 8/15 for the 1st time since 3/2020, when the COVID-19 outbreak took hold in Israel. Israel cited a relative calm in Gaza. Israel also said it would expand exports and imports between Gaza and Israel and allow some equipment and humanitarian relief into Gaza. (HA 8/13)

Israeli Channel 12 reported that Israeli prime minister Naftali Bennett rejected a request by Defense Minister Benny Gantz to meet with PA president Mahmoud Abbas. (MEMO 8/14)

In the West Bank, 1 Palestinian succumbed to injuries inflicted by Israeli forces on 8/3 in Jenin. Israeli forces demolished 1 poultry farm in al-Walaja, 1 rainwater collection well in Khallet al-Dabe’, 1 car wash in al-Lubban ash-Sharqiya, and 1 agricultural structure in al-Fakhit. Israeli forces also handed an evacuation order to Palestinians near Tuqu’ for their livestock, forcing them to remove their livestock and dismantle their agricultural structures within 14 days. Elsewhere, Israeli forces violently dispersed Palestinians protesting Israeli construction at al-Ibrahimi Mosque, leading to tear-gas related injuries; 3 were arrested. 9 other Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in and around Jaba‘, Huwwara, and Yatta. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces summoned 2 Palestinian activists for questioning after they protested the arrest of a local activist in Sheikh Jarrah on 8/10. In Israel, Israeli authorities said they shot down a drone entering the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights from Lebanon, claiming the drone was operated by Hezbollah. Israel also said it had shot down a drone flying from Gaza into Israel, claiming it was operated by Hamas. (WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 8/11; HA, PCHR, REU 8/12; HA, MEMO 8/13)

The Israeli government gave its initial approval for the construction of more than 2,000 new settlement units in the West Bank and 863 housing units for Palestinian villages in Area C, including 150 units in Ma‘asara, 270 in Bir al-Basha, 223 in al-Masqufa, 160 in Khirbet ‘Aaba, and 50 in Khirbet Zakariya. Of the advanced settlement expansion plans, 908 are expected to get final approval next week, including 58 in Beit El, 285 in Har Brakha, and 105 in Alon Shvut. An Israeli official told Haaretz that the move was a “calculated risk” made by the government vis-à-vis the U.S. Biden administration. The Meretz party wrote a letter to Israeli defense minister Benny Gantz, calling the decision to expand Israeli settlements “a dangerous move.” The U.S. later criticized Israel’s decision to expand Israeli settlements, on 8/13, saying that settlement activity is an obstacle to a 2-state solution. (AA, AX, HA, REU 8/11; MEMO, WAFA, WAFA 8/12; HA, MEMO 8/13; JP 8/16)

IDF chief of staff Aviv Kochavi said the Israeli army will take harsher measures against Israeli soldiers who do not follow regulations, in response to the killing of 40 Palestinians by Israeli forces in the West Bank since May. The statement came after Chief of Staff Kochavi met with senior staff of the Israeli central command on 8/8 and urged them to take steps to reduce lethal shootings. Kochavi said the military will back soldiers who make mistakes in their judgements in relation to lethal shootings, but not if the soldiers act reckless. (HA 8/12)

Israel’s police commissioner Kobi Shabtai inaugurated a new police department focused on combatting crime in Palestinian Israeli communities, which seeks to increase the number of Palestinian Israeli police officers by 300%. 69 Palestinian citizens of Israel have been killed in Israel since 2021 and only 23% of the cases have been solved, whereas 71% of the cases involving Jewish Israelis have been solved by Israeli police. (HA 8/12)

Israeli foreign minister Yair Lapid visited Morocco to meet with his Moroccan counterpart and open the new Israeli mission to Morocco as part of the 2 countries’ normalization deal. The 2 foreign ministers signed cooperation agreements related to air travel, culture, sports, and youth. Foreign Minister Lapid said the 2 countries would open mutual embassies within 2 months. The leader of the PJD party in Morocco condemned the decision to establish full diplomatic relations with Israel. Part of the 2 countries’ normalization deal was for the U.S. to recognize Moroccan sovereignty over the Western Sahara during the Trump administration, a controversial recognition that the Biden administration has not reversed. (MEMO 8/10; AJ, AJ, AX, HA, MEMO, REU 8/11; AJ, ALM, AX, HA, HA, MEMO, REU 8/12; ALM 8/13; MEE 8/16)

U.S. CIA director William J. Burns met with Israeli prime minister Naftali Bennet and other Israeli officials during a trip to Israel. Director Burns is expected to meet with PA president Mahmoud Abbas and other senior PA officials on 8/12. Axios reported that Director Burns voiced concern to Prime Minister Bennett about Chinese investment in Israel. (AX 8/9; HA, MEMO 8/10; ALM, HA, MEMO, MEMO, REU 8/11; AX, HA, HA 8/12; AX 8/18; MEE, MEMO, TOI 8/19)

The private equity firm KKR announced that it will be funding a server farm in Israel to be completed in the 2d quarter of 2023. The server farm will be located underground in Petah Tikva. (HA 8/11)

Palestinian Israeli NGO Combatants for Peace asked the ICC to open an investigation into potential war crimes committed by Israel in demolishing the bedouin village Khirbet Humsa on 7/7. (HA 8/11; MEMO 8/13)

Human Rights Watch (HRW) said its investigation into the events of the Israeli assault on Gaza in May, dubbed Operation Guardians of the Wall, had showed that Hamas’s rockets fired at Israel “violated the laws of war and amount to war crimes.” HRW also said that Hamas’s rockets had killed 12 civilians in Israel and a misfired rocket had killed 7 Palestinians in Gaza. HRW released its investigation into Israeli actions during the assault on 7/27, finding that Israel had also committed war crimes. (HA, HRW 8/12; ALM 8/23)

France donated $575,000 to the UN World Food Programme for its programming in Gaza. (WAFA 8/11)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers uprooted olive trees in Jaba‘. Israeli forces violently dispersed Palestinian protesters near the Evyatar settlement outpost near Beita, killing 1 Palestinian and injuring 21 others with live ammunition and rubber-coated bullets; others suffered tear-gas related injuries. The killing of the Palestinian man, who was said to have been drinking water when he was shot in the chest, was the 40th by Israeli forces in the West Bank since May. Israeli forces also violently dispersed Palestinian protesters in Kafr Qaddum, injuring 4 with rubber-coated bullets and others with tear gas. 1 Palestinian was arrested at a flying checkpoint near Beit Fajjar. In East Jerusalem, 1 Palestinian family started demolishing their own homes in Bayt Hanina, displacing 46 people. In Gaza, incendiary balloons sent from Gaza caused fires in Israel, and Israel struck targets in Jabalia refugee camp, causing damage. Off the coast of Gaza, Israeli naval forces opened fire at Palestinian fishermen west of Jabalia refugee camp on 2 separate occasions; no injuries were reported. In the Golan Heights, 19 rockets were fired at the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights from Lebanon, with 3 falling within Lebanon and the rest in the Golan Heights; no damage was reported. Israel subsequently fired at Lebanon; no damage was reported. Hezbollah took responsibility for the rockets fired from Lebanon and the Lebanese army said it had arrested 4 suspects. Israel said that it does not believe that Hezbollah is seeking an escalation. (AA, AJ, AJ, AX, HA, HA, HA, MEE, MEMO, MEMO, REU, REU, REU, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 8/6; AA, AJ, AJ, HA, MEMO, MEMO, REU, WAFA, WAFA 8/7; HA 8/8; HA, HA, PCHR 8/12; AJ 8/15)

Hamas accepted an Israel and U.S. demand to allow the 2 countries to examine a list of families in Gaza that would receive a monthly stipend from Qatar, allegedly in order to ensure that the people on the list are not Hamas activists. Sources told Haaretz that Hamas was pressured to accept the demand by Palestinian banks, which would be exposed to sanctions if the stipends reached members of Hamas or other militants. (HA 8/6)

Hamas political leader Ismail Haniyeh met with the new Iranian president Ebrahim Raisi in Tehran. (HA 8/6; AA 8/7)

Israeli prime minister Naftali Bennett announced that Michael Herzog, the brother of Israeli president Isaac Herzog, will be Israel’s new ambassador to the U.S. (AA, ALM, HA, MEMO 8/6; HA 8/7; HA 8/8; ALM 8/9; ALM 8/10)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers opened a settlers-only road near Kisan. Israeli forces shot and injured 1 Palestinian man near the separation barrier west of Jenin; the man was treated at a hospital in Israel for his injuries. Israeli forces also fired tear gas at a wedding celebration in Silat al-Harithiya, causing tear-gas related injuries. Palestinians protested in Ramallah against the killing of PA critic Nizar Banat by PA forces on 6/24. 11 Palestinians were arrested by Israeli forces during raids in and around al-Yamun, Qiffin, Beita, Ni‘lin, Abu Dis, and Jaba‘. In East Jerusalem, 1 Israeli settler shot 1 Palestinian man in the leg in Sheikh Jarrah; Israeli police said the Palestinian man had entered the settler’s home, while Palestinian media said the man was part of a solidarity event for the residents of Sheikh Jarrah threatened by forced eviction. 5 Palestinians were arrested during raids in Sheikh Jarrah and Shu‘fat. Off the coast of Gaza, Israeli naval forces opened fire at Palestinian fishermen within 3 nautical miles west of al-Sudaniyya; no injuries were reported. In Gaza, Israeli forces opened fire at Palestinian farmers in al-Zaytun; no injuries were reported. Israeli forces also made incursions and leveled land east of al-Qarara. (MEE, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 8/2; AA, MEMO 8/3; PCHR 8/5)

The Israeli supreme court proposed that Palestinian residents under threat of eviction in Sheikh Jarrah become “protected residents” in what it considered a compromise. The proposition would allow the Palestinians to live in their homes in return for paying a rent fee to the settler organization, Nahalat Shimon, which claims to have acquired their property. The Palestinians agreed to the proposal but refused to accept the Nahalat Shimon’s demand that the families recognize its ownership of their properties, resulting in a stalemate. The court did not set a new date for the next hearing. Haaretz reported that Israeli officials had asked the Biden administration to put pressure on the Palestinian residents to agree to the compromise. The Jordanian government submitted documents to the court from before the 1967Day War, showing that the Jordanian government was in the process of registering the properties to their Palestinian residents, which was disrupted by the Israeli assault on its neighboring countries. U.S. state department spokesperson Ned Price later said that the U.S. is opposed to the plans to evict Palestinians from East Jerusalem, but that proposal from the supreme court is for the parties involved to consider. (HA 8/1; AJ, AJ, ALM, HA, MEE, MEMO, MEMO, MEMO, REU, WAFA, WAFA 8/2; MEMO, WAFA 8/3; HA 8/4; AA, MEMO 8/5; MEMO 8/6; WAFA 8/14)

Israel extended the ban of PA governor of Jerusalem Adnan Ghaith from moving freely within East Jerusalem. It was unclear how long the extension was set for. (WAFA 8/2)

The PA said that it and Qatar had agreed to a mechanism to transfer Qatari funds to Gaza. More than 100,000 Palestinians in Gaza will receive ATM cards with around $100, which can be withdrawn in Gaza. Hamas had previously agreed to have the PA supervise the transfer of the Qatari funds. It is unclear when the aid will reach Palestinians in Gaza. (MEMO 8/4)

Israel’s cabinet approved its 1st budget in 3 years; the Knesset will still have to approve it before it is implemented. A vote is expected to occur in November. Ra’am’s demands for a significant increase in spending for Palestinian Israeli communities was approved with $16 billion earmarked for advances, as opposed to the previous $5 billion under the Netanyahu government. The money is said to be spent on infrastructure, combatting crime, health care, education, and transportation. (MEMO 8/1; ALM, AX, JP 8/2; ALM 8/3)

Canada contributed $1.7 million to the UN World Food Programme to help its programming in Gaza. (WAFA 8/2)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers from the Neve Daniel and Elazar settlements sprayed pesticides on 140 olive saplings in al-Khader, destroying the young trees. Israeli forces violently dispersed Palestinian protesters in Tubas, injuring 1 with a rubber-coated bullet and others with tear gas. Israeli forces also installed a metal gate at the entrance to Jabal al-Fardi east of Bethlehem, restricting the movement of Palestinians. 4 Palestinians were arrested, including 3 during late-night raids in and around Bani Na‘im and Hebron, and 1 was arrested at a checkpoint near Jenin. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces used skunk water and stun grenades to disperse Palestinian protesters in Sheikh Jarrah; no injuries were reported. (WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 7/31; PCHR 8/5)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers cut down 6 electric poles supplying electricity to a Palestinian home at the outskirts of Burin. Israeli forces violently dispersed Palestinian protesters in Beita, injuring 2 with live ammunition and 35 others with tear gas. Israeli forces also violently dispersed Palestinian protesters in Bayt Dajan, injuring 10 with rubber-coated bullets and others with tear gas. Elsewhere, Israeli forces violently dispersed Palestinian protesters in Kafr Qaddum, leading to tear-gas related injuries. 4 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in al-Khader, Bayt Jala, and Dura. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces dispersed Palestinians protesting against Israeli threats to evict Palestinians in Sheikh Jarrah, confiscating several Palestinian flags. 4 Palestinian children were arrested in Wadi Hilweh. (AJ, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 7/30; MEMO 7/31; PCHR 8/5)

Israel said it would expand the Gaza fishing zone from 6 to 12 nautical miles at its largest point from 8/2. (MEMO 7/30)

The U.S. state department said it had approved the sale of 18 CH-53K helicopters to Israel, including engines, navigation systems, weaponry, support equipment, spare parts, and technical support. The package is worth $3.4 billion. (HA 7/30)

The Biden administration appointed Deborah Lipstadt as the special envoy to monitor and combat anti-Semitism. Lipstadt needs Senate confirmation before assuming her new position. Lipstadt has used her platform to conflate criticism of Israel with anti-Semitism, including by smearing BDS co-founder Omar Barghouti as an anti-Semite. (HA 7/30; AA 8/10)

Mercy-USA for Aid and Development donated food supplies for 5,000 Palestinians in Gaza via the UNRWA. (WAFA 7/30)

In the West Bank, Israeli forces violently dispersed a funeral procession for a Palestinian child killed by Israeli forces on 7/28 near Beit Umar, killing 1 Palestinian man and injuring 5 others with rubber-coated bullets, tear gas, and stun grenades. Israeli forces also violently dispersed Palestinians protesting the Evyatar settlement outpost in Beita, injuring 8 with rubber-coated bullets and others with tear gas. Israeli forces later returned to disperse Palestinians protesting in Beita, injuring 10 with rubber-coated bullets and causing tear-gas related injuries. Elsewhere, Israeli forces raided the offices of Defense for Children International in al-Bireh, confiscating computers and client files. Israeli forces also raided the Bisan Center for Research and Development in Ramallah, seizing computers and posting a notice to shut the offices down for 6 months. Meanwhile, Israeli forces delivered demolition notices for 4 residential structures belonging to 4 families in ‘Ain al-Hilweh and seized 1 tractor in Khirbet ar-Ras al-Ahmar. 4 Palestinians were arrested during raids in Bayt Jala, Dura, and Tell. In East Jerusalem, 2 Palestinians demolished their own homes in al-Tur. Off the coast of Gaza, Israeli naval forces arrested 2 Palestinian fishermen and confiscated their boat within 3 nautical miles west of al-Sudaniyya. (AA, AJ, HA, MEMO, REU, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 7/29; ALM, MEE, MEE, WAFA 7/30; PCHR 8/5; WAFA 8/14)

Haaretz reported that Israel had allocated 8,500 dunams (2,100 acres) of Palestinian land to 6 Israeli settlement farms and 1 grazing outpost in the southern Hebron Hills. (AA, HA, WAFA 7/29; MEMO 7/30)

1 Japanese-owned vessel managed by an Israeli-run company was attacked off the coast of Oman, resulting in the death of 1 Romanian and 1 British national. The U.S., Israel, and the UK blamed Iran for the attack, saying it was carried out by a drone. Iran denied the accusation. (AJ, ALM, HA, REU 7/30; MEMO 7/31; AJ, AX, MEMO, REU, REU 8/1; AJ, ALM, AX, HA, MEMO, REU, REU, REU 8/2; ALM, MEMO, MEMO, REU 8/3; HA, MEMO 8/4; MEMO 8/5; AX 8/6; REU 8/7; HA 8/10)

An investigative report based on declassified documents revealed that Israel built 2 detention camps in the Sinai Peninsula in 1971 for Palestinian prisoners from Gaza. The 2 detention camps, Abu Zenima and Nekhel, were closed 1 year later. The investigation showed that many of the Palestinians sent to the detention camps were not suspected of any crimes. (HA 7/29)

In the West Bank, Israeli forces shot and killed 1 11-year-old boy near Beit Umar who was sitting in his father’s car; according to the family, the child’s father decided to turn his car around after seeing a flying checkpoint near the city, when the Israeli forces fired 13 bullets at the car. Israeli forces also violently dispersed Palestinian protesters near the Evyatar settlement outpost, injuring 8 with rubber-coated bullets and others with tear gas. Elsewhere, Israeli forces delivered demolition orders against 1 water well and 1 agricultural structure in al-Fakheit in the Masafer Yatta area. 11 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in and around Bethlehem, Hebron, and Jenin refugee camp. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces razed land and demolished 1 agricultural structure in al-Tur. 1 Palestinian was arrested during a late-night raid in Silwan. (AA, AJ, HA, REU, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 7/28; AA, MEE, MEE, PCHR 7/29; MEMO, WAFA 7/30; HA 8/3; AA, WAFA 8/4; MEE 8/5; HA 8/8)

The Israeli ministry of defense said it had informed the PA that it would increase the number of work permits for Palestinians by 16,000. 15,000 of the permits would be for construction work and 1,000 would be for work in hospitality. The Israeli government would still need a final approval for the increase. (MEMO, TOI 7/28)

PA prime minister Mohammed Shtayyeh met with EU envoy for the Middle East peace process Sven Koopmans in Ramallah, where he called for a revival of the peace process under the auspices of the Quartet on the Middle East. Envoy Koopmans also met with PA foreign minister Riyad Maliki and head of the civil affairs authority Hussein al-Sheikh. (WAFA 7/28; MEMO 7/29)

PA health minister and head of the PA environmental quality authority Mai al-Kaila and Jamil Matour met with the Israeli health and environmental protection ministers Nitzan Horowitz and Tamar Zandberg, both of the Meretz (Vigor) party, in Jerusalem to discuss cooperation on health and environmental issues. The agreements reached included direct ambulance service from Gaza to the West Bank via the Beit Hanun crossing, easing restrictions on Palestinian medical teams accessing East Jerusalem and Area C, and for Israel to accept vaccination certificates produced by the PA. The meeting was arranged by Israel’s minister of regional cooperation Issawi Frej upon the request of the U.S. The last time PA and Israeli ministers met was in 2018 when PA prime minister Rami Hamdallah met with Israeli finance minister Moshe Kahlon. (HA 8/28; MEMO 7/29; ALM 8/5)

Israel’s defense minister Benny Gantz visited the French defense minister Florence Parly in Paris to relay Israeli findings in regards to the news that the Israeli company NSO Group’s spyware Pegasus had been used to spy on French President Emmanuel Macron’s phone. (AJ, HA, HA, REU 7/27; REU 7/28; ALM, MEMO, MEMO 7/29)

In a briefing at the UN security council, the deputy special coordinator for the Middle East peace process Lynn Hastings said that the UNRWA was facing “an imminent cash flow crisis” amounting to $100 million. Deputy Special Coordinator Hastings also called for Israel to ease restrictions on the entry of goods and people into Gaza. (MEMO 7/28; MEMO, WAFA 7/29)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers with military escort toured Joseph’s Tomb in Nablus; 5 Palestinians were injured by rubber-coated bullets and others by tear gas as Israeli forces violently dispersed Palestinians protesting the incursion. Israeli forces shot and killed 1 41-year-old Palestinian plumber who was returning home from work near Beita; the Israeli military said it would investigate why the man was killed as Israeli forces initially reported that he was advancing toward Israeli soldiers with an iron bar. Israeli forces subsequently injured 1 with live ammunition, 19 with rubber-coated bullets, and 72 with tear gas as they violently dispersed Palestinians protesting the killing of the man. Israeli forces also violently dispersed a protest in ‘Ain al-Hilweh against the creation of a settlement outpost, injuring 4 with pepper spray, and 1 was arrested. 3 others were arrested during late-night raids in Beit Fajjar and Jenin. In East Jerusalem, 1 Palestinian started demolishing part of his house in al-Tur. 3 Palestinians were arrested in the Old City and Sheikh Jarrah. (REU, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 7/27; AJ, ALM, AP, HA, MEE, TOI, WAFA, WAFA 7/28; PCHR 7/29; HA 8/6)

The AP reported that PA president Mahmoud Abbas had fired the director of Ramallah’s national library Ehab Bseiso on 6/27 because of Bseiso’s criticism of the killing of Nizar Banat by PA forces on 6/24. PA forces also shut the office of J-Media in Ramallah. The director of J-Media Alaa al-Rimawi was previously arrested by PA forces after he gave a sermon at Banat’s funeral. (HA 7/27; MEMO, MEMO 7/28)

The Jerusalem Post reported that the Israeli government will not evict Palestinians living in Sheikh Jarrah for the time being if the high court of justice rules the evictions permissible on 8/2. According to a government official, the government is concerned about the optics given the international campaign and general opposition to the forced expulsions of Palestinians from East Jerusalem and the potential for causing a situation akin to the escalation of tensions between Gaza and Israel in May. (JP 7/27; MEMO 7/28)

The Knesset approved an amendment to the Basic Law of Government allowing the 2 government leaders Naftali Bennett and Yair Lapid to rotate the prime minister position amongst them during the government’s 4-year term. (HA 7/28)

Iranian officials claimed that Iran had arrested members of a Mossad cell and seized weapons it had stored to allegedly use against Iranian forces during protests over water shortages in Iran. (ALM, HA 7/27; MEMO 7/28)

The U.S. arms company Lockheed Martin and the Israeli Rafael Advanced Defense Systems announced an agreement in principle to develop a laser air defense system to combat rockets. (JP 7/27; ALM 7/28)

The Human Rights Watch (HRW) released an investigation into Israel’s Operation Guardian of the Walls from May, in which the organization found that Israel committed war crimes. The investigation focused on 3 specific Israeli attacks against Palestinian civilians in which 62 were killed, the majority children. The HRW concluded that there were no military targets at or near the attacked areas, despite Israeli claims. HRW also concluded that Israel used U.S.-made munitions in at least 2 of the 3 attacks it investigated. HRW said it would release a report on potential war crimes committed by Palestinian militant groups in August. (AJ, AP, BBC, HA, HRW, MEE, WAFA 7/27)

In the West Bank, 1 Palestinian minor succumbed to his injuries after 74 days in intensive care after being shot by Israeli forces in the neck near Ramallah on 5/14. Israeli settlers began construction work around a spring in Wadi al-Malih. Israeli forces violently dispersed Palestinian protesters during a raid in Nablus, causing tear-gas related injuries. Israeli forces seized electric cables and an excavator in as-Samu. 10 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in and around Deir Balut, Silwad, Sur Baher, al-Ubeidiya, Wadi Abu Freiha, Hebron, Qabatiya, Meithalun, and Tammun. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces dispersed Palestinian protesters in Sheikh Jarrah. 2 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in Silwan. (AP, HA, WAFA, WAFA 7/26; WAFA 7/27; PCHR 7/29)

Kahanist Israeli lawmaker Itamar Ben-Gvir of the Otzma Yehudit (Jewish Power) party called the Palestinian Israeli deputy speaker of the Knesset Ahmad Tibi a terrorist before being forcefully removed from the Knesset podium he was speaking from. Ben-Gvir’s smear happened after he refused to address Tibi as “Mr. Speaker.” (HA 7/26; MEMO, TOI 7/27)

Tunisian president Kais Saied ousted the Tunisian government and froze the parliament in what was said to be a coup. Tunisian forces also stormed the Al Jazeera offices in Tunis and expelled the staff from the premises. Tunisians had taken to the street on 7/25 to protest the government after a new COVID-19 spike and continued economic difficulties. (AJ 7/25; AJ, AJ, AJ, AJ, AJ, AP, HA, MEE, MEMO, MEMO, MEMO, REU, REU 7/26)

In Lebanon, Najib Mikati secured 72 of 118 votes in the Lebanese parliament to be approved as the new prime minister-elect. Saad Hariri resigned as prime minister-elect on 7/15 after failing to form a government 9 months after being picked to do so. Mikati has been Lebanon’s prime minister twice before, in 2005 and 2011-14. (AJ, REU 7/25; AJ, AJ, AP, F24, MEMO, MEMO, REU, REU 7/26)

U.S. president Joe Biden and Iraqi prime minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi agreed, during a meeting at the White House, that all U.S. combat troops would leave Iraq by the end of 2021, leaving only U.S. personnel for advisory roles. (HA, MEMO 7/26; MEE, REU 7/27)

4 members of congress, Tom Malinowski (D-NJ), Katie Porter (D-CA), Joaquin Castro (D-TX), and Anna G. Eshoo (D-CA), urged the Biden administration to speak out against companies that sell cyber intrusion tools, such as NSO Group, and to consider sanctioning such companies and the regimes that use their tools. The members’ call follows reporting from 7/18 that NSO Group, with approval from the Israeli government, sold its Pegasus spyware to foreign governments, which have used the spyware on journalists, activists, and heads of other countries. (Tom Malinowski 7/26; HA, MEE 7/27)

Florida governor Ron DeSantis (R) urged the Florida State Board of Administration to place Ben & Jerry’s and its parent company Unilever on the state’s list of companies to be examined in relation to boycotts of Israel. The move comes as Ben & Jerry’s announced on 7/19 that it will stop selling its ice cream in the Occupied Palestinian Territories and end its licensing to an Israeli-based franchise. (HA, HILL 7/26)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers from the Shilo settlement threw stones at Palestinians driving between Nablus and Ramallah near Turmus ‘Ayya, injuring 2 who were taken to a hospital. Israeli settlers threw stones at Palestinian shepherds, preventing them from bringing their livestock to a water source in ‘Ain al-Hilweh. Israeli forces violently dispersed a protest in Yatta, causing tear-gas related injuries, and arrested 2 journalists. 2 others were arrested in Marah Rabah and Bayt Jala. In East Jerusalem, 1 43-year-old Palestinian man arrested for driving offenses on 7/18 was found dead in his cell in the Moscow detention center; other inmates said the man had been attacked by Israeli guards prior to his death and his family demanded that a Palestinian doctor be present at his autopsy. In Gaza, Israeli forces made incursions and leveled land east of Beit Hanun. (MEMO, WAFA, WAFA 7/21; HA, MEE, MEMO, TOI, WAFA 7/22; WAFA 7/23; AJ 7/27; PCHR 7/29)

The Israeli high court of justice allowed the Israeli government’s request for an extension to submit a position on the eviction of Palestinians in Khan al-Ahmar. The government now has until 9/5 to submit its position. (HA 7/21; MEMO 7/22)

According to the Likud-linked newspaper Israel Hayom, the new Israeli government has barred the Supreme Planning Council from meeting, leading to a freeze on settlement construction and expansion. According to the newspaper, the government’s decision is a “demand” from the U.S.; Israel’s interior minister Ayelet Shaked later said in an interview that if the government freezes settlement expansion, then her Yamina (Rightwards) party will leave the coalition, which is headed by Yamina chairperson Naftali Bennett. (MEE 7/21; MEMO 7/22; MEMO 7/24)

The UN human rights council said that its former commissioner Navi Pillay would head the investigation into crimes committed during Operation Guardian of the Walls. (AJ, AP, HA, JP, MEE, REU 7/22)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers razed a tract of agricultural land in Ein al-Beida. Israeli settlers with military escort also toured Wadi al-Far’a. Israeli forces violently dispersed Palestinians protesting against the Evyatar settlement outpost near Beita, injuring 10 with live ammunition, 15 with rubber-coated bullets, and at least 45 with tear gas. Israeli forces also violently dispersed Palestinian protesters In Kafr Qaddum, causing tear-gas related injuries. Palestinians protested the construction of a military road near Hizma. 6 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in Ya‘bad, Marah Rabah, and Shufa. In East Jerusalem, 3 Palestinians were arrested in the Old City. (HA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 7/16; PCHR 7/29)

1 Israeli drone crashed in Lebanon. According to the Israeli military, it crashed due to a technical malfunction. (MEMO 7/16)