The Palestine Chronology

In the West Bank, 4 Palestinians were arrested at the Allenby border crossing for attempting to smuggle some 100 goldfinch birds to Hebron. Another 3 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in and around Jenin. 1 Palestinian was arrested in al-‘Arub refugee camp. In East Jerusalem, 1 Palestinian was arrested in the Old City. In Gaza, 39 Palestinians were injured by Israeli-fired live ammunition and rubber-coated bullets during the 86th weekly Great March of Return protest. (HA, PCHR, WAFA, WAFA 12/27; PCHR 1/2)

Israeli defense minister Naftali Bennett issued directions to start registering settlements in Area C under the Ministry of Justice rather than the Israeli Civil Administration which is responsible for Israeli activities in the West Bank. (MEMO, WAFA, WAFA 12/28)

In the West Bank, 7 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in and around Qalqilya, Nablus, Salfit, Jericho, and Hebron. In East Jerusalem, 2 Palestinians were arrested in the Old City. In Gaza, Israeli forces struck several targets, causing damage; no injuries were reported. An IDF spokesperson said that the attack was in response to a rocket fired at Israel on 12/25. Israeli forces also made incursions east of Rafah. (HA, WAFA, WAFA 12/26; HA, HA 12/27; PCHR 1/2)

The organizing committee of the Great March of Return announced the suspension of the weekly Great March of Return protest to the end of March 2020. The announcement also declared that from April 2020, the protest would be monthly instead of weekly. (AJ, HA 12/26)

Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu won the Likud leadership primary over his rival Gideon Sa’ar with 72.5 percent of the vote. Netanyahu said in his victory speech that he would work toward U.S. recognition of Israeli sovereignty over the Jordan Valley, the Dead Sea, and all Israeli settlements in the West Bank. (AJ 12/26; AJ, HA 12/27)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers set fire to 2 Palestinian-owned vehicles and sprayed graffiti on a wall in Far’ata village west of Qalqilya. In Gaza, 45 Palestinians were injured by Israeli forces using live ammunition and rubber-coated bullets at protesters during the 85th weekly Great March of Return protest. Israeli naval forces opened fire at Palestinian fishermen west of Bayt Lahiya; no injuries were reported. Israeli forces also fired tear gas at Palestinian shepherds east of Rafah, causing tear-gas related injuries. In a separate incident, Israeli forces opened fire on Palestinian agricultural lands east of Dayr al-Balah; no injuries were reported. (PCHR, WAFA 12/20; PCHR 12/26)

House Resolution 1865 was signed into law by U.S. president Donald Trump. H.R. 1865 is a 715 page-long appropriations bill for the 2020 fiscal year which allocates $150 million in aid to Palestine, $75 million in assistance to the PA security forces and $75 million for civilian and humanitarian programs and institutions not directly connected to the PA. The bill also seeks to “fix” the Anti-Terrorism Clarifications Act which became law on 10/3/2018 and effectively ended all aid for the PA, including security aid, as it subjected the PA to the jurisdiction of U.S. courts if the PA accepted any aid from the U.S. The “fix” gives U.S. courts jurisdiction if the PA or the PLO provides payments to any individual or family of an individual convicted of killing a U.S. citizen. (HA 12/18; Congress, FMEP 12/20)

The Chief Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court (ICC) Fatou Bensouda announced that there is basis to probe Israel for war crimes committed against Palestinians, but requested the ICC to decide on the question of the jurisdiction of East Jerusalem, the West Bank, and Gaza. Chief Prosecutor Bensouda said that her preliminary investigation has found that “war crimes have been or are being committed in the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, and the Gaza Strip.” (AJ, Guardian, HA, HA, WAFA 12/20; HA 12/21)

In the West Bank, 4 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in and around Tulkarm and Bethlehem. In Bayt Umar, Israeli forces injured 1 Palestinian firing live ammunition at his abdomen. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces detained 4 Palestinian journalists from Palestine TV. They were all released later in the same day. The Israeli police spokesperson said that the 4 were arrested because of network ties to the PA which Israel does not allow to operate in East Jerusalem. In Gaza, 46 Palestinians were injured during the 83d weekly Great March of Return protest, including 4 by live ammunition. Separately, 1 Palestinian truck driver was hit by Israeli live ammunition when Israeli forces opened fire on his truck east of Jabaliya. (AJ, HA, PCHR, WAFA, WAFA 12/6; PCHR 12/12)

Israel launched a rocket to test a rocket propulsion system. The Israeli defense ministry did not provide any further details. (HA 12/6)

The U.S. house of representatives passed a resolution H.R. 326 opposing Israeli annexation of the West Bank. The resolution passed 226-188 with 4 Democrats voting against and 5 Republicans voting in favor. 1 of the Democrats voting against the resolution, Ilhan Omar (D-MN), who was a cosponsor of the original resolution, explained on Twitter that she opposed the resolution because the word “occupation” was removed and it was amended to include an “ironclad” commitment to Israeli military aid. (HA, JVP, Twitter 12/6)

In the West Bank, 8 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in and around Bethlehem, Hebron, Ramallah, and Jenin. In East Jerusalem, 10 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in and around Issawiyya and Silwan. (WAFA, WAFA 9/2)

PA prime minister Mohammed Shtayyeh expressed “great concern” over news that Israel and the U.S. were planning to implement parts of the economic peace deal announced at the June Manama workshop. So far, a field hospital is being constructed near the Erez crossing funded and operated by a U.S. evangelical Christian group FriendShips. FriendShips advertise that its medical volunteers will be able “to see and enjoy the Biblical sites of Israel when not working on the site in Gaza.” (TOI 12/1; WAFA 12/2; REU 12/3)

The organizing committee of the Great March of Return protests announced that it would resume planning weekly protests after canceling them for 3 weeks due to tensions between Gaza and Israel. (HA 12/2)

In the West Bank, 26 Palestinians were injured when Israeli settlers and military escort toured Joseph’s Tomb, leading to clashes; 15 Palestinians were injured by rubber-coated bullets, 11 others suffered tear-gas related injuries. 4 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in and around Hebron. In East Jerusalem, 2 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in Silwan. In Gaza, Israeli forces struck at least 3 targets, causing damage but no injuries. (AJ 11/26; WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 11/27; PCHR 11/28)

Israel started construction to expand the Nof Tzion settlement in Jabal Mukabir of East Jerusalem. The settlement will be the largest in East Jerusalem when the construction finishes. 96 Israeli settler families currently live in the settlement and an additional 476 settlement units are expected be constructed. (HA 11/27)

The committee behind the Great March of Return canceled the weekly protest scheduled for 11/29 for the 3d week in a row. In a statement, the committee said that they wanted to prevent Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu from being able to distract from his own pollical and personal issue by shedding blood. (HA 11/27)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers vandalized Palestinian-owned vehicles and defaced buildings with racist graffiti in Yatma. Israeli forces also fired sound bombs and tear gas during a raid on a wedding ceremony east of Hebron. 3 Palestinians were arrested, including 1 during a late-night raid in Tulkarm, and 2 were arrested during clashes in Hebron. Israeli forces also assaulted 1 Palestinian photojournalist covering a raid in Hebron. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces arrested a Palestinian minor at a mosque in Issawiyya. In Gaza, Israeli forces opened fire on a Palestinian sanitation truck, causing damage. In Gaza, 95 Palestinians were injured during the 80th weekly Great March of Return protest, including 36 by live ammunition; others were injured by rubber-coated bullets and tear gas. (PCHR, WAFA 10/25; PCHR 10/31)

Malaysia announced that the country would open an embassy to Palestine in Jordan. Malaysian prime minister Mahathir Mohamad said, “[w]e know that Israel will not allow Malaysia to open an embassy in the Occupied Territory. As such, we will open the embassy in Jordan.” (WAFA 10/25)

In the West Bank, 1 Palestinian man was shot to death after allegedly running toward a checkpoint with a knife near Tulkarm. Israeli forces also violently dispersed Palestinian protesters in Kafr Qaddum during their weekly anti-settlement protest, causing several tear-gas related injuries; 1 Spanish activist was arrested. Elsewhere, Israeli forces closed the Ramallah-Nablus road for hours to allow Israeli settlers to use the road for a marathon. Israeli settlers prevented Palestinians from harvesting olives near Burqa. 2 Palestinians were arrested in Jenin during late-night raids, 1 other Palestinian was summoned for interrogation. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces stormed a wedding party in Sur Bahir, resulting in clashes with some of the attendees. In Gaza, 97 Palestinians were injured during the 79th weekly Great March of Return protest, including 35 from live ammunition, 42 from rubber bullets, and others from tear-gas related injuries. (HA, PCHR, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 10/18; PCHR 10/24)

In Lebanon, for the 2d day in a row, thousands of protesters demonstrated against the Lebanese government’s plans to raise a new tax for WhatsApp calls and the country’s economic crisis. (AJ, AJ 10/18)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers attacked Palestinian farmers picking olives, injuring 1 in Tell. Israeli forces violently dispersed the weekly anti-settlement protest in Kafr Qaddum; 1 was injured by live ammunition, others suffered tear-gas related injuries. 1 Palestinian was shot by Israeli forces at a checkpoint near Barta‘a. Israeli forces raided the headquarters of the Health Work Committees in Ramallah, damaging furniture. Israeli forces also raided the family house of an alleged Palestinian attacker and took measurements for a punitive demolition of the house. 9 Palestinians were arrested, including 5 during late-night raids in and around Ramallah, Hebron, and Nablus; 2 at a checkpoint in Bayt Furik; and 2 during house raids in Qalqilya. In East Jerusalem, 1 Palestinian was detained at the Haram al-Sharif compound; he was banned from entering the compound for 15 days. In Gaza, 71 Palestinians were injured during the 78th Great March of Return protest, including 33 by live ammunition. Off the coast of Gaza, Israeli naval forces opened fire on Palestinian fishermen 3 nautical miles from Bayt Lahiya; no injuries were reported. (PCHR, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 10/11; PCHR 10/17)

In the West Bank, Israeli forces confiscated a water tank in Anata, halted construction for a water well in the northern Jordan Valley, and razed 30 dunams (7.4 acres) of land south of Hebron. 3 Palestinians working on restoring the water well in the Jordan Valley were arrested. Another 12 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in and around Tulkarm, Jenin, Qalqilya, Salfit, Ramallah, Bethlehem, and Hebron. Israeli forces also raided a cultural center near Ramallah, confiscating documents. Israeli settlers uprooted 36 olive trees near Burin. 2 Palestinians were injured by Israeli forces using rubber-coated bullets in separate incidents near checkpoints in Jenin and Tulkarm. In East Jerusalem, 4 Palestinians were arrested in al-Tur. In Gaza, 1 Palestinian who was injured during the Great March of Return prostest on 4/19 succumbed to his wounds. This brings the death toll stemming from the Great March of Return to 229. (WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 10/7; PCHR 10/10)

In the West Bank, Israeli forces violently dispersed the weekly anti-settlement protest in Kafr Qaddum, injuring 2 Palestinians with rubber-coated bullets. Israeli forces also confiscated a bulldozer belonging to the Taqqua municipality. Israeli settlers assaulted a Palestinian man on his land in Baytin and smashed the windshields of 3 Palestinian-owned cars in the area. In East Jerusalem, 1 Palestinian was arrested during a house raid in Issawiyya. An Israeli court ordered the eviction of 18 Palestinians from their home in Silwan, handing their property to the Jewish National Fund (JNF). The eviction order ends a 30-year-long legal battle between the family and the JNF. In Gaza, 109 Palestinians were injured during the 75th Great March of Return protest, including 52 injuries by Israeli live ammunition. Off the coast of Gaza, Israeli naval forces opened fire on Palestinian fishermen; no injuries were reported. (HA, PCHR, WAFA 9/20; HA 9/25; PCHR 9/26)

In the West Bank, 2 Palestinians were arrested during a late-night raid in Bethlehem. During another late-night raid, clashes ensued when Israeli forces entered Dura. Elsewhere in the West Bank, 1 Palestinian was injured by a rubber-coated bullet and other suffered tear-gas related injuries when Israeli forces violently suppressed a protest in Kafr Malik. In East Jerusalem, 1 Palestinian was arrested during a late-night raid in Issawiyya. In Gaza, 78 Palestinians were injured by Israeli forces during the 74th weekly Great March of Return protest, including 15 by live ammunition; 3 were hit by gas canisters; and 6 by rubber-coated bullets. Israeli forces also opened fire on agricultural lands on 2 separate occasions. (PCHR, WAFA, WAFA 9/13; PCHR 9/19)

In the West Bank, 2 Israeli settlers were wounded by an unknown assailant attacking them with a knife in ‘Azun; ‘Azun village was subsequently sealed off by Israeli forces. Israeli forces delivered a stop-work order on a road near Nablus and confiscated a bulldozer. 2 Palestinians were arrested, including 1 during a late-night raid near Ramallah and 1 in Hebron. In East Jerusalem, 1 Palestinian was injured after being shot by Israeli forces during clashes in Issawiyya. In Gaza, after 2 Palestinians were killed during the Great March of Return protest on 9/6, Israeli forces reported that a drone had dropped explosives in Israel, causing no injuries but damaging a military vehicle. Israeli forces then fired at targets in Gaza, causing damage, but no injuries were reported. 3 Palestinians were arrested after they reportedly crossed into Israel. Off the coast of Gaza, Israeli naval forces opened fire at Palestinian fishermen; no injuries or arrests were reported. (HA, HA, HA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 9/7; HA, HA, WAFA 9/8 PCHR 9/12)

In the West Bank, Israeli forces violently suppressed the weekly anti-settlement demonstrations in Kafr Qaddum; 3 Palestinians were injured by rubber-coated bullets while other suffered tear-gas related injuries. 2 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in and around Hebron. In East Jerusalem, 1 Palestinian was arrested in Issawiyya after leaving a mosque. In Gaza, 2 Palestinian teenagers were killed and 81 were injured during the 73d weekly Great March of Return protest; 52 of the injured were hit by live ammunition. This brings the death toll stemming from the Great March of Return to 226. 2 Palestinians were reportedly arrested for crossing into Israel from Gaza. Off the coast of Gaza, Israeli naval forces opened fire at Palestinian fishermen; no injuries or arrests were reported. (AJ, PCHR, WAFA, WAFA 9/6; HA 9/7; PCHR 9/12)

In the West Bank, 1 Palestinian farmer was injured after being attacked on his land by Israeli settlers from the Gush Etzion settlement south of Hebron. 2 Palestinians were arrested in Kober village north of Ramallah during a late-night raid. During the raid, clashes erupted between Israeli forces and local residents, leading to tear gas-related injuries. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces raided a community club in the Old City 2 times to prevent it from hosting a soccer tournament for Palestinian families. During the 1st raid, 2 Palestinians were arrested at the club. Off the coast of Gaza, Israeli naval forces opened fire on Palestinian fishermen in 2 separate instances near Bayt Lahiya. Israeli forces also made incursions to level land east of al-Bureij. (WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 8/31; PCHR 9/5)

1 Palestinian died of wounds sustained during the Great March of Return protests on 8/30. (HA, WAFA 8/31)

In the West Bank, 1 Palestinian was killed by Israeli forces after hitting 2 Israeli settlers near the Gush Etzion settlement; it is unclear if the hit was deliberate. The Palestinian’s wife and child were in the car during the incident. Elsewhere, 2 Palestinians were injured by Israeli forces violently dispersing the anti-settlement protests in Kafr Qaddum. 1 Palestinian paramedic was injured by Israeli forces using a rubber-coated bullet during a protest in Abu Dis. In East Jerusalem, Israeli member of the Knesset Ofer Cassif (Hadash) was attacked by Israeli police during a protest in Shaykh Jarrah. Israeli police tried to confiscate a Palestinian flag he was waving and when he and his aide resisted, the police assaulted the 2 and detained Cassif’s aide. In Gaza, 67 Palestinians were injured by Israeli forces during the weekly Great March of Return protests, including 34 injured by live ammunition. (HA, HA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 8/16; PCHR 8/22)

After barring Congresswomen Ilhan Omar (D-MN) and Rashida Tlaib (D-MI) from visiting Israel and the West Bank, Israel’s Interior Ministry allowed a request by Congresswoman Tlaib to visit her family in the West Bank under a number of conditions, including limiting her freedom of speech. After receiving the conditional approval, Congresswoman Tlaib said she would not go under the “oppressive conditions” offered by Israel. (AJ, HA, NYT, WAFA, WAFA 8/16)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers chopped down 80 Palestinian-owned olive trees in Yasuf near the Israeli settlement Rachelim. Israeli forces arrested 6 Palestinians during late-night raids in and around Bethlehem and al-Ram. In East Jerusalem, 8 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in Issawiyya. In Gaza, a Palestinian shot by Israeli forces during the weekly Great March of Return protest on 7/26 died of his wounds. The 23-year-old man was shot in his stomach east of Khan Yunis. In Israel, Palestinian-owned vehicles and buildings were damaged by anti-Palestinian graffiti and tire puncturing in Kafr Qasim. (AJ, HA, MDW, WAFA 7/27; WAFA, WAFA 7/28)

In the West Bank, 4 Palestinians were injured by Israeli forces firing rubber-coated bullets at protesters in Kafr Qaddum during the weekly anti-settlement protests. In East Jerusalem, a Palestinian family of 4 was arrested by Israeli police during a late-night raid in Silwan; all 4 were reportedly beaten by Israeli police. In Gaza, 41 Palestinians were injured during the Great March of Return protest. 22 of the protestors were injured by Israeli-fired live bullets, 19 others were injured by rubber-coated bullets. In Israel, Israeli right-wing activists sprayed anti-Arab graffiti on the Arab students’ dormitory in Tel Aviv University. (WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 7/5; WAFA 7/6)

In the West Bank, 10 Palestinians were injured by Israeli forces shooting rubber-coated bullets during the weekly anti-settlement protests in Kafr Qaddum. At the weekly protest in Bil‘in, dozens suffered from tear gas inhalation. At a similar demonstration in ‘Azmut east of Nablus, a number of Palestinians were injured by rubber-coated bullets fired at protesters; others suffered from tear gas inhalation. In East Jerusalem, clashes erupted between Palestinians protesting the killing of a 20-year-old Palestinian man on 6/27 in Issawiyya. Around 90 Palestinians were wounded by Israeli forces firing rubber-coated bullets and 19 were arrested. Israel had earlier in the day refused to hand the deceased Palestinian’s body over to his family. In Gaza, after shutting down the fuel supply on 6/25, Israel and Hamas reached an understanding, leading to Israel allowing delivery of fuel to Gaza’s power plant, expanding the fishing zone to 15 miles, and returning some confiscated fishing boats. Despite the reached understanding, 49 Palestinians were wounded during the Great March of Return protest, including 19 shot by live ammunition. According to Israeli officials, 14 fires broke out in Israel due to incendiary balloons fired from Gaza. (HA, HA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 6/28; HA 6/29)

The PA arrested a Palestinian man from Hebron who participated in the U.S.-led Peace to Prosperity Bahrain workshop. (AJ, HA 6/29)

Islamic Relief USA donated $2.67 million to the UNRWA. (WAFA 6/28)

In East Jerusalem, the former Grand Mufti of Jerusalem led Friday prayers in Sur al-Bahir, where Israel on 6/20 handed out demolition orders for 100 apartments. Also in East Jerusalem, Israeli authorities banned an event “No to War, Yes to Peace” because it was sponsored by the PA. In Gaza, at least 13 Palestinians were injured by Israeli-fired live ammunition and rubber-coated bullets during the Great March of Return protests. (WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 6/21)

In the West Bank, Israeli forces seized agricultural equipment belonging to a Palestinian farmer in Khirbat Jabara near Tulkarm. In Nablus, Israeli forces fired at Palestinian security forces in what Israeli forces called a mistake; 1 Palestinian police officer was injured. 12 Twelve Palestinians were arrested by Israeli forces during late-night raids in and around Tulkarm, Nablus, Ramallah, and Hebron. In East Jerusalem, 3 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids. Meanwhile, a Palestinian was handed a demolition order for his house. In Gaza, a Palestinian medic who was shot during the Great March of Return protests in May succumbed to his wounds. This brings the death toll stemming from the Great March of Return to 222. (HA, WAFA 6/10; HA, MEMO, MEMO, MEMO, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 6/11)

The Israeli supreme court ruled in favor of the settlement group Ateret Cohanim’s acquisition of 3 buildings in the Christian quarter of the Old City in East Jerusalem belonging to the Greek Orthodox church. The ruling ended a 14-year-long legal battle that started when church officials sold the buildings without the knowledge of the larger body of church officials, leading to the ousting of the then patriarch. (HA 6/11)

The International Atomic Energy Agency chief Yukiya Amano said that Iran had increased its uranium enrichment. Iran had previously announced that it would start increasing its uranium enrichment if Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action signatories did not uphold their commitments to the agreement. (HA 6/10)

In the West Bank 1 Palestinian teen was killed by Israeli forces at a checkpoint east of Bethlehem. Another Palestinian was wounded in the incident. 4 Palestinians were injured by Israeli forces using rubber-coated bullets during the weekly anti-settlement protest in Kafr Qaddum; other Palestinians suffered from tear gas inhalation. In East Jerusalem, 1 Palestinian man was killed by Israeli forces after an alleged stabbing attack in the Old City. 2 Israelis were reported to be wounded by the Palestinian. Thousands of Muslim worshippers prayed at the Haram al-Sharif compound for the last Friday of Ramadan. Males between 13 and 40 were prohibited from entering East Jerusalem from the West Bank. In Gaza, at least 7 Palestinians were injured by live ammunition and rubber-coated bullets fired by Israeli forces at protesters during the weekly Great March of Return demonstrations. (AJ, HA, HA, QUDS, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 5/31)

In the West Bank, 1 Palestinian child was injured by a rubber-coated bullet fired by Israeli forces at the weekly anti-settlement protests in Kafr Qaddum near Qalqilya; other protesters suffered from tear gas inhalation. In East Jerusalem, 2 medics from the Palestinian Red Crescent were assaulted by Israeli police near the Lions’ Gate while treating a patient. On the 1st Friday of Ramadan, some 180,000 Muslim worshippers were reported to have been praying in and around the Haram al-Sharif compound for Friday prayers. In Gaza, Israeli forces killed 1 Palestinian using live ammunition and injured another 32 during the Great March of Return protest. This brings the death toll stemming from the Great March of Return to 221. Israeli forces injured 1 Palestinian farmer using live ammunition while he was working his land east of Gaza City. (AJ, HA, MNA, MNA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 5/10)

Israel reopened the Gaza fishing zone and expanded it to 12 nautical miles in the southern half off Gaza’s shore and 6 nautical miles off the northern half. The fishing zone had been completely closed since 5/4. Israel also partly reopened the Kerem Shalom border crossing for commercial traffic. (AJ, HA, MNA, MNA 5/10)

The U.S. department of defense announced that it would send a Patriot missile defense battery and another warship to the Middle East as tensions between Iran and the U.S. have been rising in recent weeks. (DOD 5/10; HA 5/11; AJ 5/12)

The annual report by the Israeli state comptroller showed that Israeli government ministries have neglected housing problems in Palestinian communities in Israel. (HA 5/10)

In the West Bank, dozens of Palestinians suffered from tear gas inhalation near a school in Hebron after Israeli forces fired tear gas canisters. 4 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in and around Nablus and 1 Palestinian was arrested at a checkpoint near Jenin. In East Jerusalem, 4 Palestinians were arrested after a fight broke out between Palestinians and Israeli settlers. There were also reports of Israeli forces harassing Palestinians making their way out of the Haram al-Sharif compound. (WAFA, WAFA 5/8; MNA, MNA, WAFA 5/9)

All Gaza and West Bank crossings into Israel were closed except for medical and other emergencies for the 3d day in a row. Israeli authorities announced the closure on 5/6, citing Israeli celebrations of Memorial Day and Independence Day. (HA 5/6)

The PA announced that it sent 15 truckloads of medical supplies to Gaza. (WAFA 5/8)

UN humanitarian coordinator for the Palestinian territories Jamie McGoldrick told reporters that 1,700 people in Gaza are in risk of needing amputations due to lack of funds to undertake complicated operations. He further stated that the high number was due to Israeli lethal response to the Great March of Return, where 29,000 Palestinians were wounded in 2018; 7,000 of the wounded were hit by gunshots from Israeli snipers. (HA 5/9)

In Jordan, all cabinet ministers tendered their resignations as Jordan’s King Abdullah prepares to reshuffle the government after he fired several security officials reported to be plotting against the regime. King Abdullah said that the security officials were replaced because of incompetence and some used their position for personal gain. (HA 5/8)

U.S. president Donald Trump imposed further sanctions on Iran via executive order. The U.S. move follows Iran’s announcement that it would begin to enrich uranium in 60 days if the signatories of the Iran nuclear deal did not uphold their commitments. (AJ 5/7; HA 5/8)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers vandalized 8 cars, 4 trucks, and several buildings with graffiti in Hebrew and with the Star of David in Huwwara; several cars also had their tires slashed. In a separate incident near Huwwara, Israeli settlers threw stones on Palestinian vehicles traveling on Route 60; several Palestinian-owned vehicles were damaged. In Kafr Qaddum, Israeli forces violently dispersed the weekly anti-settlement protest, injuring at least 7 Palestinians with rubber-coated bullets; Israeli forces also raided several homes during the protest. Palestinians suffered from tear gas inhalation in Ni‘lin and Bayt Sira when Israeli forces violently dispersed a similar protest there. Elsewhere in the West Bank, 2 Palestinians were arrested in Asira south of Nablus. The 2 were arrested after clashes had erupted during an Israeli raid on the village. In Gaza, 5 Palestinians were killed and more than 51 injured. 3 of the killed had died in Israeli airstrikes; the 2 others were killed and the many injured were due to Israeli firing of live ammunition toward the protesters partaking in the Great March of Return. This brings the death toll stemming from the Great March of Return to 220. Two Israeli soldiers were lightly injured by gunfire fired from the Gaza side of the fence. (HA, MNA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 5/3; AJ, HA, WAFA, WAFA 5/4)

UN humanitarian coordinator for the occupied Palestinian territories Jamie McGoldrick said in a statement that demolitions in East Jerusalem “[h]ave increased at a staggering pace over the last month” and that “[t]his must stop.” (WAFA 5/3; MDW 5/4)

The EU announced that it had contributed $16.8 million to help pay the salaries and pensions of Palestinian civil servants in the West Bank. (MNA, WAFA 5/3)

In the West Bank, Israeli forces violently dispersed the weekly anti-settlement protests in Bil‘in and Kafr Qaddum using stun grenades and tear gas, causing injuries to several Palestinians. In Gaza, Israeli forces violently dispersed the weekly Great March of Return protest, injuring at least 110 Palestinians using tear gas and live ammunition. (HA, PCHR, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 4/26)

The EU missions in Jerusalem and Ramallah issued a statement expressing concern over demolitions of Palestinian property in East Jerusalem. The statement said that the EU missions “expect Israeli authorities to reconsider the execution of pending demolition orders pertaining to Palestinian property in Wadi Yasul.” (WAFA, 4/26)

In the West Bank, 2 apartments in Hebron belonging to the family of a Palestinian convicted for the murder of an Israeli in February were demolished by Israeli forces. In Salfit, Israeli forces raided and took measurements for demolition of a home belonging to the family of a Palestinian alleged to have attacked Israeli settlers in the settlement of Ariel on 3/17. The alleged perpetrator was killed by Israeli forces on 3/20. Israeli forces also violently dispersed the weekly anti-settlement protests in Kafr Qaddum using live ammunition, rubber-coated bullets, and tear gas, injuring 6. One French activist was arrested during the protest. In East Jerusalem, a soccer tournament in Bayt Safafa was shut down by Israeli police, claiming that it was organized by the PA. In Gaza, Israeli forces attacked 2 Hamas posts east of al-Bureij refugee camp after shots allegedly were fired at Israeli soldiers near the Gaza fence, causing damage, but no injuries were reported. Israeli forces also fired live ammunition, tear gas, and rubber-coated bullets at protesters partaking in the weekly Great March of Return protests, injuring at least 46 Palestinians. Off the coast of Gaza, Israeli naval forces opened fire at Palestinian fishermen; no injuries were reported. According to Israeli sources, an incendiary balloon was found on a beach near Ashqelon in Israel. Israeli authorities announced that it would institute a week-long closure between 4/19 and 4/27 of entry points to Israel from Gaza and the West Bank for the celebration of Passover. (HA, HA, MNA, MNA, MNA, MNA, MNA, MNA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 4/19; HA, MNA, WAFA 4/20)

In an interview with the Atlantic, the outgoing French ambassador to the U.S. Gérard Araud, in discussing the Trump administration’s “peace plan,” called Israel an apartheid state. He said, “They [Israel] have the West Bank, but at the same time they don’t have to make the painful decision about the Palestinians, really making them really, totally stateless or making them citizens of Israel. They won’t make them citizens of Israel. So they will have to make it official, which is we know the situation, which is an apartheid. There will be officially an apartheid state. . . . They are in fact already.” Araud also recounted a conversation between French president Emmanuel Macron and U.S. president Donald Trump, in which Trump said “I have given everything to the Israelis; the Israelis will have to give me something.” (AM 4/19; HA 4/24)

The U.S. envoy to the Middle East Jason Greenblatt rebuffed in a tweet speculations that part of the Trump administration’s “peace plan” includes transferring parts of Egypt’s Sinai to the Gaza Strip. (HA 4/19)

In the West Bank, Israeli forces violently dispersed the weekly anti-settlement protest in Kafr Qaddum; 1 Palestinian was hospitalized after being shot in his mouth by a rubber-coated bullet. Israeli forces also violently dispersed Palestinians protesting in Ni‘lin village. Elsewhere in the West Bank, Israeli settlers threw stones at Palestinians driving on Route 60 near Burqa; no injuries were reported. Parts of Route 60 south of Bethlehem were closed for a marathon arranged by Israeli settlers. An Israeli settler critically injured a 15-year-old Palestinian by ramming into him with his car by Tuwanah near Hebron. Palestinians were detained at a flying checkpoint east of Jenin. In East Jerusalem, 3 Palestinians were arrested: 1 during a late-night raid in the Old City of Jerusalem and 2 at Haram al-Sharif. In Gaza, 1 Palestinian was critically wounded by an Israeli sniper using live ammunition during the weekly Great March of Return protest. Over 10,000 Palestinians protested and at least 80 were injured. (HA, MNA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 4/5; MNA, MNA, MNA, MNA 4/6)

A new settler bypass road in the Nablus district of the West Bank was approved for construction by the Israeli Ministry of Defense. The road will bypass the Palestinian town Huwwara and parts of the road will be built on Palestinian-owned land previously seized by Israel. (MNA 4/5)

Palestinian president Mahmoud Abbas departed for Jordan for a 3-day trip to partake in the World Economic Forum on the Middle East and North Africa by the Dead Sea. (WAFA 4/5)

The South African foreign minister Lindiwe Sisulu announced that South Africa would not reinstate its ambassador to Israel who was recalled in 2018 due to Israel’s lethal response to the Great March of Return. (HA 4/6)

In the West Bank, during the funeral procession for the 23-year-old Palestinian man killed 4/1 during a late-night raid in Qalandia refugee camp in the West Bank, 2 Palestinians, both minors, were injured and taken to a hospital after Israeli forces shot at the crowd. Elsewhere in the West Bank, a 3-story Palestinian-owned building in Bir Oneh near Bethlehem was demolished by Israeli forces. In Hebron’s Israeli-controlled area, students and teachers were injured when Israeli forces fired tear gas next to a school. Israeli settlers vandalized the Palestinian town of Dayr Jarir by spraying racist graffiti and cut down some 400 grapevines and 150 almond trees. In East Jerusalem, a 2-story Palestinian-owned building was demolished by Israeli forces in Shu‘fat refugee camp. The owner of the demolished building later in the day received a bill of over $40,000 for the demolition cost. In Gaza, a 25-year-old Palestinian succumbed to wounds sustained on 3/30 during the Great March of Return protests. The man was shot by Israeli snipers. This brings the death toll stemming from the Great March of Return to 218. Off the coast of Gaza, 1 Palestinian fisherman was injured by Egyptian navy forces firing live ammunition toward fishermen. 4 other Palestinian fishermen were detained by the Egyptian forces. In a separate incident, Israeli naval forces sprayed Skunk, a non-lethal weapon developed in Israel, at Palestinian fishermen. Israeli forces also fired a missile at a group of Palestinian youths who allegedly were launching incendiary balloons. (MNA, MNA, MNA, MNA, MNA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 4/2; HA, MNA, MNA, MNA, MEMO 4/3)

In the West Bank, Israeli forces sealed the entrances to the villages Nabi Salih and Abud near Ramallah. The sealing of Nabi Salih led to clashes between residents and Israeli forces; no injuries were reported. During late-night raids in Qalandia refugee camp, Israeli forces killed a 23-year-old Palestinian man; 3 other Palestinians were injured and taken to a hospital in Ramallah. Eyewitnesses say that the Palestinians did not pose a threat to the Israeli soldiers. 7 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in and around Qalandia, al-‘Izzariya, Beitunia, and Jenin. In East Jerusalem, Israeli settlers vandalized Palestinian-owned vehicles in Bayt Hanina by spraying racist graffiti, slashing tires and braking windows. In the Old City of Jerusalem, an employee of the Jerusalem Islamic Waqf was detained by Israeli police for opening the door to Bab al-Rahma. The Palestinian Prisoners’ Commission said that two Palestinian kids were severely beaten by Israeli forces while in detention after being arrested at Haram al-Sharif. In Gaza, Israeli forces announced that it had expanded the fishing zone for Gaza fishermen to 15 nautical miles off the southern part of Gaza. The middle zone of the Gaza shore will be 12 nautical miles and the northern zone will be 6 nautical miles. Israeli forces said that the expansion was due to the show of “restraint” at the Great March of Return protests. (AJ, HA, MNA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 4/1; HA, HA, MNA, MNA, PNN, WAFA, WAFA 4/2)

The PA announced that government employees for the 2d month in a row would receive only 50 percent of their salary. The PA said that the deduction in the government employees’ salaries was due to its decision not to accept $200 million in tax revenues collected by Israel as Israel deducted $11.5 million from the planned transfer to the PA because some of the money is scheduled to be paid to Palestinian prisoners in Israeli prisons and their families. (MNA, WAFA 4/1)

During a visit to Israel, Brazilian president Jair Bolsonaro toured the Western Wall with Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu. President Bolsonaro was in Israel from 3/31-4/3. (HA 4/1)