The Palestine Chronology

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers threw stones and bottles at Palestinian vehicles traveling near Ya’bad. Israeli forces shot and killed 2 Palestinians, including 1 minor, during a raid in Aqabat Jaber refugee camp. Israeli forces also shot and critically wounded 1 Palestinian while escorting Israeli settlers to Joseph’s Tomb in Nablus; the man succumbed to his wounds on 8/19. Meanwhile, Israeli forces shot and wounded 1 Palestinian at a checkpoint in Huwwara, claiming he had opened fire at the soldiers. Israeli forces also arrested 2 Palestinians, including 1 minor, in Burqa; they were then charged with throwing stones at Israeli settlers when the settlers raided Burqa on 8/4. Elsewhere, Israeli forces demolished a park in Qarawat Bani Hassan, razing 40 trees, removing artificial turf, benches, solar panels, and light poles. Israel claimed that Palestinian militants attempted to launch a rocket at Israel from the northern part of the West Bank, but that the rocket launch had failed. In East Jerusalem, Israeli settlers toured the Haram al-Sharif compound. Israeli forces arrested 1 Palestinian man suspected of drug offenses in Shu’fat refugee camp; he was then severely beaten and imprinted with a Star of David under his eye. None of the 16 Border Police officers had their body camaras on and Israeli police claimed the Star of David imprint was caused by shoelaces. The Palestinian man was released from custody on 8/20. Off the coast of Gaza, Israeli naval forces arrested 2 Palestinian fishermen and seized their boat. (AJ, AP, HA, HA, MEE, PCHR, REU, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 8/15; PCHR, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 8/16; PCHR 8/17; AJ, MEE 8/18; HA, HA, MEE 8/19; HA, WAFA 8/20; HA, NYT 8/21; HA 8/24; UNOCHA 8/28)

An Israeli court sentenced Palestinian activist Aya Khatib to 4-years in prison claiming she provided “information with the aim of harming state security” and that funds she raised were given to families that are connected to Hamas. Khatib called the ruling unjust, saying her work benefits Palestinian children in Gaza suffering from medical issues. (MEE 8/15)

The Jerusalem District Court released Yehiel Indore, the main suspect of the settler attack on Burqa on 8/4 where 1 Palestinian was killed, to house arrest. (AP, HA 8/15)

Israeli foreign minister Eli Cohen met with Paraguayan president Santiago Peña in Asunción hours after he was sworn in to office. The Paraguayan Foreign Ministry announced that Peña will move the country’s embassy to Israel to Jerusalem. In 2018, the then Paraguayan president Horacio Cartes moved the Paraguayan embassy to Jerusalem from Tel Aviv before his successor Mario Abdo Benítez moved the embassy back to Tel Aviv months later, prompting Israel to close its embassy to Paraguay. (HA, MEE 8/16)

Japan donated $1 million to UNRWA to help Jenin refugee camp recover from the 2-day Israeli raid on the camp in July. The EU donated $24 million for payments to 71,162 vulnerable Palestinian families. (WAFA, WAFA 8/15)

In the West Bank, Israeli forces arrested 3 Palestinians during a raid in Aqabat Jaber refugee camp. Israeli forces also issued stop-work orders for 8 houses in Sinjil, including for a house that was severely damaged by Israeli settlers in 2013. Elsewhere, Israeli forces uprooted 20 olive tree saplings and razed farmland in Kafr ad-Dik. In East Jerusalem, Israeli settlers toured the Haram al-Sharif compound. (WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 8/9; PCHR 8/10; UNOCHA 8/28)

The Jerusalem District Court overturned a decision by the Jerusalem Magistrate Court to release one of the Israeli settlers accused of carrying out the terrorist attack on Burqa on 8/4, releasing Elisha Yered to house arrest while keeping Yehiel Indore in custody until 8/11. The magistrate court had ordered that both suspects be released. 4 Palestinians are being held in custody by Israel in relation to the settler attack. Israeli police rejected a request by Hadash-Ta’al MK Ahmad Tibi to meet with the 4 Palestinians, despite 2 MKs from Otzma Yehudit and Likud visiting the main Israeli suspect Yehiel Indore at the hospital on 8/6. Tibi responded saying that separate rules apply for Jewish and Palestinians members of Knesset. (HA, HA, WAFA 8/8; AP, HA, HA, WAFA 8/9; HA 8/10)

Israeli president Isaac Herzog visited the Stella Maris monastery in Haifa after continued harassment of Christian worshippers by members of the Hassidic Breslow sect. Harassment of Christians in Israel and Jerusalem has been rising during the summer. The Religious Freedom Data Center recorded at least 30 hate crimes against Christians in Jerusalem in June and July. (ALM 8/10)

PA national economy minister Khaled Osaily sent a letter to his Spanish counterpart Hector Jose Hernandez, demanding that he force the companies CAF and GMV to cease their involvement in the expansion of the Jerusalem light rail network in East Jerusalem. (WAFA 8/9)

The Wall Street Journal reported that the U.S. and Saudi Arabia have agreed to a broad framework for a normalization deal between Israel and Saudi Arabia. The White House later denied that a framework had been agreed upon. (AJ, HA, HA, REU WSJ 8/9; HA, HA 8/10)

In the West Bank, 1 Israeli settler shot and killed 1 Palestinian man after he allegedly shot and wounded 6 settlers in the Ma’ale Adumim settlement. Israeli settlers also erected barbed wire fencing on Palestinian-owned land in al-Maleh. Israeli forces shot and killed 1 Palestinian minor after he allegedly tried to stab 2 Israeli soldiers that stopped to interrogate him near as-Samu. Israeli forces also demolished a commercial structure in Deir Balut. Elsewhere, Israeli forces raided Sabastia, surveying the town’s Roman amphitheater. In East Jerusalem, Israeli settlers toured the Haram al-Sharif compound. Israeli forces prevented a Palestinian ambulance from entering East Jerusalem at al-Zaim checkpoint, resulting in the death of a 40-year-old Palestinian man who had suffered a stroke. (AJ, AP, HA, QDS, REU, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 8/1; MEE, WAFA 8/2; PCHR 8/3; HA 8/5; UNOCHA 8/11)

The Ghaith-Sub Laban family, who were evicted from their home in the Old City of East Jerusalem, received a letter ordering them to pay for their own eviction by paying $4,613 to the Israeli police and $4,500 to the company that carried out the eviction. The family also owe $3,500 in court fees. The Ghaith-Sub Laban family was evicted on 7/11 as Israeli settlers took over their home. (HA 8/11; WAFA 8/13; MEMO 8/14)

The Israeli National Planning and Building Council approved the establishment of 5 new communities in the Naqab, including 4 Jewish communities and 1 for Bedouins. A memorandum discussed in the Southern District Planning and Building Committee last month said the goal of the Jewish communities is to prevent the expansion of Bedouin communities along Routh 25 and to bolster the Jewish presence in the area. (HA 7/31)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers began construction of a new settlement outpost in al-Sawahara. Israeli forces shot and killed 1 Palestinian and injured 3 others during a raid in Nablus to facilitate a settler incursion at Joseph’s Tomb; Israeli police commissioner Kobi Shabtai took part in the settler tour of site. Israeli forces also shot and injured 1 Palestinian with live ammunition during a raid in al-Shuyukh. Elsewhere, Israeli forces seized 2 tractors in Khirbet Humsa. Israeli forces also razed olive, almond, and grape trees in al-Hardash near Tarqumiyah. In East Jerusalem, Israeli settlers toured the Haram al-Sharif compound. 1 Israeli settler was attacked in the Gilo settlement, Israel arrested 3 Palestinians said to be suspects in Bethlehem on 7/22. (AJ, AP, HA, HA, MEE, REU, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 7/20; HA 7/22; PCHR 7/27; UNOCHA 7/29)

PA prime minister Mohammad Shtayyeh met with a delegation from the Australian parliament, including the speaker, Milton Dick. Shtayyeh called on Australia to recognize Palestine and to pressure Israel to allow Palestinian elections to be held in East Jerusalem. (WAFA, WAFA 7/20)

PLO member Azzam al-Ahmad led a Palestinian delegation to the BRICS summit held in South Africa. The BRICS members, Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa passed a resolution calling for a Palestinian state. (WAFA 7/20)

U.S. senators Bob Menendez (D-NJ) and Jim Risch (R-ID) introduced the Regional Integration and Normalization Act, earmarking funds to countries that would normalize relations with Israel. (MEE 7/21; HA 7/22)

Saudi Arabia signed an agreement to allow all UNESCO member states free access to a World Heritage Committee meeting in Riyadh in September, including Israel. Axios had reported that Saudi Arabia had refused to sign the agreement because of the participation of an Israeli delegation. (AX 7/20; ALM 7/21)

The EU donated $450,000 through UNRWA to families affected by the Israeli assault on Gaza in May. (WAFA 7/20)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers blocked a road south of Jenin and threw stones at Palestinian vehicles, causing damage. Israeli settlers also vandalized heavy machinery in Madama. Elsewhere, Israeli settlers raided Burqa, throwing stones at Palestinian homes. Israeli forces seized a vehicle, an electric transformer, and a forklift used by Aqraba municipal workers to rehabilitate and clean a water spring. In East Jerusalem, Israeli settlers toured the Haram al-Sharif compound. Israeli municipal workers demolished commercial structures in Wadi Qaddum. (WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 5/31; PCHR 6/1; UNOCHA 6/18)

In Lebanon, 5 members of the PFLP-GC were killed and 10 others injured in an explosion in Qusaya. The PFLP-GC said that an Israeli airstrike had killed the 5 members while Israel denied having carried out the attack. (AJ, ALM, AP, HA, MEE, REU 5/31; BBC, HA 6/1)

Palestinian citizens of Israel began a 3-day sit-in protest outside of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office calling on the Israeli police to ensure the safety of Palestinian citizens as the murder rate in Palestinian towns and cities continued to rise. (MEE 5/31) 

An Israeli parole committee in Ramle prison said it could not determine if Palestinian prisoner Walid Daqqa was eligible for parole and decided to refer the question to a different committee. The Palestinian Prisoner’s Society called the decision tantamount to killing him given Daqqa’s bone marrow cancer. (WAFA 5/31; MDW 6/4)

4 Israeli soldiers were arrested for assaulting 1 Palestinian man after arresting him in Deir Abu Mash‘al on 5/27. (HA 5/31)

PA prime minister Mohammed Shtayyeh and Egyptian prime minister Moustafa Madbouly signed a number of agreements to further cooperation between the 2 countries in Cairo. (WAFA, WAFA 5/31)

U.S. assistant secretary of state for near eastern affairs Barbara Leaf told the Senate Foreign Relations Committee’s Middle East subcommittee that there is “a lot of misreporting and hyperventilation in the press” regarding potential normalization between Israel and Saudi Arabia. Leaf also said that it “is an end goal” for the U.S. to facilitate normalization. (HA, HA 5/31; MEE 6/1)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers shot and injured 1 Palestinian shepherd near Madama. Israeli forces shot and injured 1 Palestinian minor near the separation wall southwest of Jenin. Israeli forces also razed land in Deir al-Hatab to expand the Elon More settlement and notified Palestinians in Shufa that Israeli will seize 5 dunams (1.25 acres) of land. In East Jerusalem, Israeli settlers with a police escort marched and assaulted Palestinians in the Old City, Ras al-Amud, and al-Tur, causing injuries and damage to property. Israeli settlers also gathered at the entrances to the Haram al-Sharif compound, chanting provocations at Muslim worshippers for the third day in a row. Off the coast of Gaza, Israeli naval forces opened fire at Palestinian fishermen 3 nautical miles west of Gaza City and 5 nautical miles northwest of Khan Yunis; no injuries were reported. In Tel Aviv, Israelis protested for the twentieth week in a row against the government’s planned judicial reform. (AP, HA, MEE, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 5/20; HA 5/21; PCHR 5/25; UNOCHA 6/2)

Police in Berlin arrested 12 people participating in a Nakba Day rally for chanting “From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free.” The demonstration was a small rally of 400 people arranged by Jewish organizations in Berlin because a larger Nakba Day rally was banned by Berlin police, claiming it could lead to “anti-Semitic incitement.” The ban was upheld by a regional court in Germany. (HA 5/20; HA 5/24; MDW 5/25)

In the West Bank, Israeli forces shot and injured 1 Palestinian minor in Aida refugee camp. In East Jerusalem, tens of thousands of Israelis marched through the Old City, including the Muslim Quarter for the so-called Flag March, attacking Palestinians and Palestinian property and yelling genocidal and racist slogans such as “Death to Arabs,” “May your village burn down,” and profanities against the Prophet Muhammad. 3 journalists and 3 Palestinians were assaulted by the marchers. Israeli police also assaulted several journalists, including CNN correspondent Ben Wedeman. The U.S. condemned the behavior at the march as “outrageous and unacceptable.” National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir took part in the march. Thousands of Israeli settlers, including Negev and Galilee development minister Yitzhak Wasserlauf and MKs Dan Illouz, Amit Halevi, and Ariel Kallner toured the Haram al-Sharif compound. Later Israeli forces also prevented the call to prayer before the sunset prayer from al-Aqsa Mosque. In Gaza, Israeli forces violently dispersed Palestinians protesting against the Flag March along the Gaza fence, injuring 5 with baton rounds and causing tear-gas related injuries. (HA 5/16; AJ, AP, MEE, WAFA 5/17; AJ, AJ, AJ, AJ, AJ, ALM, AP, HA, HA, MEE, MEE, MEE, NYT, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 5/18; HA, MDW, MDW, WAFA, WAFA 5/19; WAFA 5/20; MDW 5/22; PCHR 5/25; UNOCHA 6/2)

The Israeli defense minister Yoav Gallant ordered Israeli Central Command chief Yehuda Funch to authorize entry of Israeli settlers to the Homesh settlement outpost and to grant the Shomron Regional Council a plot of land to create a Yeshiva on. The move was made to prevent Palestinian landowners from successfully appealing to the Israeli High Court of Justice to have the settlers cleared from Homesh and for them to regain access to their land. U.S. State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller said that the U.S. was “deeply troubled” by the Israeli decision, noting that the order contravened promises made by then Israeli prime minister Ariel Sharon in 2004 to the Bush administration and by the Netanyahu government to the Biden administration. The French foreign ministry also condemned the move, saying it contravened commitments made by Israel at the Aqaba and Sharm El Sheikh summits in February and March. According to Axios, Israeli officials had told the Biden administration that Israel does not intend to turn Homesh into a new settlement. (WAFA 5/18; HA 5/21; AJ, ALM, HA, MEE, REU, WAFA, WAFA 5/22; AX, HA, TOI 5/23; HA, WAFA 5/24)

Haaretz reported that Israeli finance minister and de facto governor of the West Bank, Bezalel Smotrich, has stressed at closer door meetings that it is Israeli policy to improve infrastructure in Israeli settlements and outposts to prepare for an additional 500,000 Israeli settlers moving to the West Bank. Smotrich also instructed government officials to draw up plans for more checkpoints between Israel and the West Bank for settlers. The U.S. responded to the reporting saying that “we view the expansion of settlement as an obstacle to peace.” The Israeli government later said that Smotrich’s statements did not represent the policies of the Netanyahu-led government. (HA 5/18; HA 5/23)

6 Democratic members of the U.S. House of Representatives held a press conference outside of the Capitol building criticizing the Biden administration and their colleagues for not holding Israel accountable for the killing of Al Jazeera journalist Shireen Abu Akleh last year and for human rights violations against Palestinians in general. The 6 members, Andre Carson (D-IN), Ilhan Omar (D-MN), Rashida Tlaib (D-MI), Jamaal Bowman (D-NY), Betty McCollum (D-MN), and Cori Bush (D-MO), spoke alongside members of Abu Akleh’s family. (AJ, HA 5/18)

In Gaza, Israeli forces killed 9 Palestinians during airstrikes on the third day of Israel’s attack on Gaza. Israeli forces assassinated Islamic Jihad member Ali Hassan Muhammad Ghali in an airstrike on a residential building in Khan Yunis, 2 others were also killed in the strike and 7 were injured, including 1 child and 3 women. Later Israeli forces assassinated Islamic Jihad member Ahmed Abu Daqqa in an air strike on his home in Khan Yunis, injuring 4 others, including 1 woman and 1 child. Israel also assassinated 2 members of the Mujahideen Brigades, Husain Dallol and Mohammed Dared, in an airstrike in the Shuja’iyya neighborhood of Gaza City. 2 Palestinians were killed in airstrikes in Jabaliya refugee camp. 1 Palestinian was injured in an airstrike in Nuseirat refugee camp. In Israel, 1 rocket fired from Gaza hit an apartment building in Rehovot, killing 1 Israeli and injuring 5 others. In the West Bank, an Israeli settler rammed 1 Palestinian woman near al-Arroub refugee camp, causing moderate injuries. Israeli settlers threw stones at Palestinian vehicles near Beit Umar. Elsewhere, Israeli settlers razed land near ‘Urif. Israeli forces shot and killed 1 Palestinian, injured 1 and arrested 4 during a raid in Nur Shams refugee camp. Israeli forces issued a stop-work order for a water pipeline near Maeen in the Masafer Yatta area. 23 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in Nablus, Tubas, Tulkarm, Hebron, Bethlehem, and Ramallah. In East Jerusalem, Israeli settlers toured the Haram al-Sharif compound. (HA 5/10; AJ, AJ, AP, BBC, HA, HA, MEE, MEE, NYT, PCHR, QDS, QDS, REU, UNOCHA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 5/11; HA, MEE, PCHR, TOI 5/12; TOI 5/13; HA 5/14; PCHR 5/18; UNOCHA 5/19)

In calls overnight, U.S. national security advisor Jake Sullivan and Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin urged their Israeli counterparts to deescalate the situation in Gaza. Both U.S. officials also stressed the U.S.’s “ironclad support for Israel’s security.” (HA 5/10; HA, HA 5/11)

The Munich Group, consisting of the foreign ministries of Jordan, Egypt, Germany, and France, held a meeting in Berlin and expressed concern over the situation in Gaza, calling the civilian casualties “unacceptable.” (WAFA 5/11)

Israeli police issued an administrative restraining order against 2 Palestinian citizens of Israel from Tuba-Zangaria, barring them from entering Rosh Pina, Tiberias, Kfar Tavor, and Kiryat Shamona for 30 days. The 2 had not been brought in for questioning or arrested. (HA 5/11)

On the 1-year anniversary of the Israeli killing of Palestinian American Al Jazeera journalist Shireen Abu Akleh, Israeli military spokesperson Daniel Hagari told CNN that “we are very sorry of the death of Shireen Abu Akleh.” Abu Akleh’s niece Lina said the remarks did not amount to an apology, calling it “a slap in the face to Shireen’s legacy and to our family. An apology, which that was not, is not accountability.” Memorial services for Abu Akleh have been carried out in Washington D.C., Ramallah, and Doha. Abu Akleh’s family members, U.S. lawmakers, Al Jazeera, and several press associations marked the anniversary by demanding accountability for her death. PA prime minister Mohammad Shtayyeh also laid the cornerstone for the Shireen Abu Akleh press museum in Ramallah which is scheduled to open in 2025. (MDW 5/9; +972, AJ, AJ, HA, MDW, MDW, MEE, WAFA, WAFA 5/11; HA 5/12; AJ 5/18)

The Israeli military refused to investigate the trashing of a Palestinian-owned apartment building in Huwwara by Israeli forces. The building was temporarily seized by Israeli forces after the large-scale settler attack in February. According to the Palestinian owner, the Israeli soldiers had vandalized his property leaving trash and feces throughout the building and burned 2 water meters and a portable toilet. (HA 5/11)

In the West Bank, hundreds of Israeli settlers, led by Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, held mass prayers at the evacuated Homesh settlement outpost. Israeli settlers also threw stones at Palestinian vehicles in the area. Elsewhere, Israeli settlers set fire to a Palestinian-owned house near Jalud and stole a donkey from the property. Israeli settlers uprooted some 100 grapevine plants in al-Khader. Israeli forces razed land in Haris, uprooting several olive trees. In East Jerusalem, Israeli settlers toured the Haram al-Sharif compound and raised an Israeli flag at al-Aqsa Mosque. Israeli forces also raided Bab al-Rahma for the fourth day in a row. In Nazareth, Israeli police raided the local branch of the Hadash party to confiscate a Palestinian flag, 1 person was arrested for refusing to take down the flag. Israeli police returned the flag after MK Aida Touma-Sliman protested the act to the police, calling it “manifestly illegal.” (HA, HA, MEE, QDS, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 4/26; PCHR 4/27; UNOCHA 5/5)

A group of foreign diplomats visited a school in Jubbet ad-Dib near Bethlehem in protest against Israeli plans to demolish the school along with 57 others in the West Bank. An Israeli court ruled in March that the Israeli Civil Administration must demolish the school by 5/5. (WAFA 4/26; PCN 4/28)

European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen released a congratulatory video on Israel’s 75th Independence Day, using the trope that Israel made “the desert bloom.” The PA issued a statement criticizing von der Leyen for using the phrase, calling it “anti-Palestinian racist” and said her remarks were “inappropriate, false, and discriminatory,” calling on von der Leyen to apologize. (AJ, BBC, MEE, MEMO, WAFA 4/27; MEMO 4/28)

In the West Bank, Israeli forces shot and killed 1 Palestinian and injured 4 others during a raid in Aqabat Jaber refugee camp, including at least 2 who were fleeing the Israeli soldiers. Israeli forces also shot and injured 3 Palestinians with baton rounds and 10 with tear gas during a raid in Qarawat Bani Hassan. Elsewhere, Israeli forces raided Deir Abu Mash‘al and al-Walaja, causing tear-gas related injuries. Israeli forces also issued demolition notices for 2 residential structures, brick walls, a roof, and a bathroom in Khirbet Humsa and 1 agricultural structure in ‘Ain as-Sakout, and seized a bulldozer near Qalqilya. 14 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in Hebron, Surif, Ya’bad, Kafr Qoud, Nablus, and Tammun. In East Jerusalem, 4 Israeli settlers were injured in a car ramming and 1 Palestinian man was shot and killed by an Israeli settler after he allegedly hit the 4 with his car. Israeli settlers toured the Haram al-Sharif compound. Israeli police assaulted worshippers at the Haram al-Sharif compound’s Bab al-Rahma prayer area and cut electricity to building. 2 Palestinians were arrested in Sur Baher. (AJ, AN, AP, BBC, HA, HA, IN, MEE, QDS, QDS, QDS, QDS, QDS, QDS, REU, REU, TOI, TOI, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 4/24; HA, WAFA 4/25; PCHR 4/27; UNOCHA 5/5)

The PA Foreign Ministry condemned the 3-day long Israeli blockades of Jericho and the Nablus area coinciding with the Eid al-Fitr celebrations. (WAFA, WAFA 4/24)

In Syria, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said that Israeli forces fired more than 20 artillery shells near Hader in Quneitra, allegedly targeting Iranian supported militants. (AA, ALM, HA 4/24)

Israeli foreign minister Eli Cohen said that Israel Aerospace Industries had sold 2 satellites to Azerbaijan coinciding with his recent trip to Baku. (ALM 4/24)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers assaulted Palestinian shepherds near Kisan, causing injuries. Israeli settlers from the Mitzpe Yair settlement outpost killed 10 Palestinian-owned sheep in the Masafer Yatta area. Elsewhere, Israeli settlers threw stones at Palestinian vehicles near al-Bireh, injuring 4 Palestinians and causing damage. Israeli settlers also raided Deir Balut, throwing stones at Palestinian homes and vehicles, causing damage. Israeli forces shot and killed 1 Palestinian man during a raid in ‘Azzun. Israeli forces also raided al-Arroub refugee camp, injuring 1 with live ammunition and others with tear gas. In Tel Aviv, thousands of Israelis protested against the Israeli government for the fourteenth  Saturday in a row. (AJ, AP, HA, HA, MEE, MEE, REU, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 4/8; WAFA 4/9; ; HA 4/10; PCHR 4/13; UNOCHA 4/20)

Israeli defense minister Yoav Gallant extended the closure of West Bank and Gaza crossings until the evening of 4/12, citing the killing of 3 Israelis and 1 foreigner on 4/7. Palestinians with special permits for access to the Haram al-Sharif compound and for work in Israel were also affected by the closure. Gallant also ordered Israeli soldiers to assist Israeli police in central Israel. (HA 4/8)

In Syria, 6 rockets were fired from Syria at the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights; no damage was reported. Israel subsequently fired artillery and used drones to attack areas in Syria, causing damage. (HA 4/8; AJ, AJ, AP, BBC, REU, REU 4/9; AJ 4/10)

Lebanese prime minister Najib Mikati said that his government will file a complaint with the UN secretary general and the UN Security Council over the Israeli attacks on Lebanon on 4/6. Mikati also said that the Lebanese military’s investigation into the firing of rockets from Lebanon concluded that it was not carried out by a particular organization. (WAFA 4/8; HA 4/9)

A leaked memo from the U.S. Defense Department claimed that the Mossad had advocated for its officials and other Israelis to protest against the Israeli government’s judicial reforms. The Israeli government denied the reports. (NYT 4/8; AJ, HA, REU 4/9; HA 4/10; AX 4/11)

In the West Bank, 3 British-Israeli settlers, including a minor, were killed and 1 Palestinian man was wounded near Furush Beit Dajan in what was first described as a traffic accident but later called a shooting. Israeli settlers threw stones at Palestinian vehicles traveling near Ramallah, al-Khader, Furush Beit Dajan, Nablus, Huwwara, Deir Sharaf, and Tuqu’, causing damage. Israeli settlers also set fire to greenhouses in Furush Beit Dajan. Israeli forces shot and injured 2 Palestinians and arrested 4 others during a raid in Beit Umar. Israeli forces also violently dispersed Palestinian protesters in Kafr Qaddum, injuring 6 with baton rounds and others with tear gas. Meanwhile, Israeli forces violently dispersed Palestinian protesters in Bayt Dajan, injuring 10 with tear gas. Israeli forces also raided Burqin, injuring 2 Palestinians with live ammunition and others with tear gas. In East Jerusalem, 1 Israeli settler shot at Palestinians who allegedly fired fireworks at Israeli settlement housing in al-Tur, no injuries were reported. Israeli police raided the Haram al-Sharif compound and arrested 15 worshippers it claimed had been waiving “terror flags,” referring to the Palestinian flag and Hamas’ flag. In Gaza, Israeli forces conducted airstrikes in Gaza City and Dayr al-Balah, causing damage, including to the Al Dorra children’s hospital. In Tel Aviv, 1 Palestinian man hit 8 people with his car, all tourists from Italy and the UK, before being shot and killed by Israeli police. It was unclear if the ramming was intentional. 1 Italian tourist was killed under circumstances that were not clear as Israeli media claimed he was hit by the Palestinian man and died of his injuries while eyewitness reports said he was shot by Israeli police. (AJ 4/6; AJ, AJ, AJ, AJ, ALM, AP, HA, HA, HA, HA, MEE, MEE, MEE, REU, REU, REU, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 4/7; AJ, HA, WAFA, WAFA 4/8; REU 4/9; GDN, MDW, REU 4/10; WAFA 4/11; PCHR 4/13; UNOCHA 4/20)

The Israeli military’s chief of staff Herzl Halevi ordered the mobilization of Israeli reserve forces from the Israeli Air Force. (HA 4/7)

The World Bank approved a $10 million grant to support the PA health sector. (WAFA 4/8)

In the West Bank, Israeli forces shot and injured 1 Palestinian with live ammunition during a raid in Husan. Israeli forces also violently dispersed Palestinian protesters in al-Arroub refugee camp, injuring 1 with live ammunition. In East Jerusalem, Israeli settlers toured the Haram al-Sharif compound. In Gaza, 6 rockets were launched at Israel from Gaza; no damage was reported. Israeli forces conducted airstrikes near Nuseirat refugee camp, causing damage. In Kafr Qassim, Israelis burned 2 Palestinian-owned cars and sprayed hateful graffiti. Israeli police also violently dispersed Palestinians protesting the Israeli raids on the Haram al-Sharif compound on 4/4 and 4/5 in Umm al-Fahm, Haifa, Nazareth, Kafr Kanna, and Arraba; 4 were arrested in Umm al-Fahm. In Lebanon, rockets and mortar shells were launched at Israel; no damage was reported. Israeli forces conduct airstrikes in Lebanon, causing damage near Rashidieh refugee camp and al-Kalila. (AJ, HA 4/5; AJ, AJ, ALM, HA, MEE, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 4/6; AJ, AJ, AJ, AP, AX, AX, HA, HA, MDW, REU, WAFA 4/7; PCHR 4/13; AP 4/14; UNOCHA 4/20)

The Qatari Foreign Ministry condemned the Israeli attacks on Gaza and Lebanon, saying Israel caused the escalation with its attacks on the Haram al-Sharif compound. It was reported that France was seeking to mediate between Lebanon and Israel while Egypt was in talks with Hamas and Israel to deescalate the situation. (AJ, HA, HA 4/7)

The U.S. prevented a UN Security Council statement condemning the rockets fired between Israel and Lebanon upon request by the Israeli government. (HA, MDW, WAFA 4/6)

In the West Bank, Israeli forces violently dispersed Palestinian protesters in Tura, causing tear-gas related injuries. In East Jerusalem, Israeli settlers toured the Haram al-Sharif compound. Israeli police shot and injured 1 Palestinian man in the Old City. Israeli police also violently removed Palestinian worshipers from the Haram al-Sharif, including inside al-Aqsa Mosque, injuring 6. In Gaza, 16 rockets were fired at Israel, causing damage to 1 factory in Sderot. Israeli forces conducted airstrikes causing damage in Nuseirat refugee camp and Gaza City and fired artillery shells at Dayr al-Balah, Khan Yunis, and Beit Lahiya. Israeli naval forces opened fire at Palestinian fishermen west of al-Sudaniyya; no injuries were reported. (AJ, AJ, AP, HA, MDW, MEE, PCHR, REU, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 4/5; AJ, PCHR 4/6; HA, HA, MEE 4/7; UNOCHA 4/20)

The PA and Jordan requested that the UN Security Council convene to discuss Israel’s attacks at the Haram al-Sharif compound. Jordanians also gathered near the Israeli embassy in Amman demanding that the Israeli ambassador be expelled. The Arab League held an emergency session to discuss the Israeli raids. (AJ, HA, WAFA 4/5; HA 4/9)

After Columbia University in New York City announced plans to open a new center in Tel Aviv, 94 faculty members signed a petition against the plans, citing Israel’s human rights record and political crisis. (MEE, NYT 4/5)

In the West Bank, Palestinians threw stones at an Israeli settler vehicle, setting it on fire after the settler couple fled the scene. Israeli settlers attacked a Palestinian shepherd near Yatta, injuring his foot. Israeli settlers also set up a mobile home and water tanks near Nabi al-‘Awja. Israeli forces issued orders that it will seize 20 dunams (4.95 acres) of Palestinian-owned land for a military zone near Ni‘lin. 14 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in Dheisheh refugee camp, Kafr Ni‘ma, Beit Liqya, Nablus, and Hebron; 6 were injured during the raids in Dheisheh refugee camp and Kafr Ni‘ma. In East Jerusalem, Israeli police violently removed Palestinian worshipers at the Haram al-Sharif compound, including in al-Aqsa Mosque, injuring 19, including 3 with baton rounds and arresting 450. 397 of the Palestinians detained were released by 4/6 but banned from entering the compound for 1 week, 47 were transferred to the Ofer prison, and 6 continued to be held in Jerusalem. Israeli police also caused damage to property inside of the mosque, including at the health clinic, smashing windows and causing damage from stun, tear gas, and smoke grenades. Israeli police claimed that 1 officer was injured in the leg by a stone thrown at him. Israeli forces also shot and injured 1 Palestinian minor near Silwan. In Israel, 2 Israeli soldiers were stabbed and injured near an army base at the Tzrifin junction, 1 Palestinian man was arrested for the attack. (ALM, HA, MEE, MEE, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFAv 4/4; AJ, AJ, AJ, AJ, ALM, AP, AX, MDW, MEE, MEE, PCHR, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 4/5; PCHR 4/6; HA, HA, HA, MEE 4/7; AJ 4/8; HA 4/10; UNOCHA 4/20)

The PA, Jordan, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Morocco, the Arab League, the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation, Turkey, and the UAE condemned the Israeli raid (see above). Several European countries, the UN, and the U.S. expressed concern about the events. (HA 4/4; AJ, MEE, MEE, MEMO, REU, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 4/5; WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 4/6; WAFA 4/7; WAFA 4/8; WAFA 4/9; MEMO 4/11)

HaMoked reported that the number of Palestinian administrative detainees had passed 1,000 for the first time since 2003. (AP 4/4; WAFA 4/8)

In Syria, Israeli forces carried out airstrikes over Damascus, killing 2 civilians and causing damage. (AJ, ALM 4/3; HA 4/4; AP 4/5; AJ 4/10)

Former Israeli prime minister Ehud Barak acknowledged in a since deleted tweet that Israel possesses nuclear weapons. (MEE 4/7)

Israel’s Channel 12 reported on a leaked phone call between Israeli national security minister Itamar Ben-Gvir and police commissioner Kobi Shabtai in which Shabtai tells Ben-Gvir that it is in the nature of Palestinian citizens of Israel to kill each other. Shabtai told Ben-Gvir that there is nothing they can do about the high murder rate among Palestinian citizens of Israel, “[t]hey kill each other. That is their nature. That is the mentality of the Arabs.” MK Ayman Odeh, leader of the Hadash party, called on Shabtai to resign while MK Mansour Abbas, leader of the United Arab List, called on him to apologize. (TOI 4/4; MEMO 4/5)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers threw stones at Palestinian vehicles near Qusra. Israeli settlers also uprooted 20 olive tree saplings near Bethlehem. Israeli forces shot and killed 1 Palestinian man near Beit Umar, saying he had rammed and injured 3 Israeli soldiers, including 1 who was said to be in critical condition. In East Jerusalem, Israeli police shot and killed 1 Palestinian citizen of Israel near the Haram al-Sharif compound. Contrary to eyewitness accounts, the police said the man tried to steal a gun from an officer when he was shot but was unable to produce any video evidence despite the area being heavily surveilled. In Tel Aviv, hundreds of thousands of Israelis demonstrated against the government for the thirteenth Saturday in a row despite Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s decision to pause the judicial overhaul legislation. (MEE 3/31; AJ, AJ, AP, AP, HA, MEE, REU, TOI, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 4/1; AJ, F24, HA, HA, HA, HA, HA, REU 4/2; HA 4/3; PCHR 4/6; HA 4/8; UNOCHA 4/20)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers injured 1 Palestinian by throwing a stone at his face in Ni’lin. Israeli forces shot and killed 3 Palestinians near Jit. The Lions Den said the 3 were members of the organization. In East Jerusalem, Israeli settlers toured the Haram al-Sharif compound. Israeli police officers kicked and punched 1 Palestinian man after he fell while running from them near a flying checkpoint; the incident was filmed. In Gaza, Israeli naval forces opened fire at Palestinian fishermen northwest of Khan Yunis; no injuries were reported. (AJ, AP, GDN, MEE, REU, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 3/12; HA 3/14; PCHR 3/16; UNOCHA 3/19)

In Syria, Israeli forces conducted airstrikes in Masyaf, injuring 3 Syrian soldiers. (AJ, AP, HA, REU, WAFA 3/12)

Israeli Channel 12 reported that the UAE had frozen purchases of Israeli military equipment due to the Israeli government’s behavior against Palestinians, including National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir’s tour of the Haram al-Sharif compound in January and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich’s comment that Huwwara “should be wiped out.” Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, the Israeli ambassador to the UAE, and the Israeli foreign ministry denied the reporting. (HA 3/12)

The Israeli public broadcaster KAN reported that Saudi Arabia had refused to grant visas to an Israeli delegation for an upcoming UN conference on tourism. Axios reported that Saudi Arabia had initially approved Israeli foreign minister Eli Cohen’s attendance at the conference with 2 staffers, but effectively blocked Cohen’s trip by not engaging in making arrangements for his security. (BB, HA 3/12; AX, TOI 3/13)

Qatar emir Shaykh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani donated $500,000 in aid to Huwwara to help cover the cost of the damage incurred by Israeli settlers on 2/26. (DN, MEMO 3/13)

In the West Bank, Israeli forces shot and killed 1 Palestinian man near Halhul, saying the man had opened fire at Israeli forces at a checkpoint. 19 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in Fawwar refugee camp, Hebron, Qabatiya, Silwad, and Bethlehem. In East Jerusalem, Israeli police prevented the Jordanian ambassador to Israel Ghassan Majali from entering the Haram al-Sharif compound, saying he would have to coordinate his visit with Israeli authorities, which he rejected. Jordan subsequently summoned the Israeli ambassador to protest the incident. Ambassador Majali eventually visited the holy site a couple of hours after the incident. Israeli forces demolished 1 house in Beit Safafa. 1 Palestinian minor was arrested during a late-night raid. (AJ, AJ, ALM, AP, AP, HA, HA, MDW, MEE, MEE, MEMO, REU, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 1/17; MEMO 1/18; , PCHR, TOI 1/19; UNOCHA 2/3)

PA president Mahmoud Abbas met with Egyptian president Abdel Fattah el-Sisi and King Abdullah II of Jordan in Cairo. The 3 leaders released a joint statement calling on Israel to stop undermining the 2-state solution. (MEMO, WAFA, WAFA 1/17; MEMO 1/18)

U.S. senator and co-chair of the senate Abraham Accords (Israel normalization) Caucus Jacky Rosen (D-NV) told Israeli officials that she does not want members of Otzma Yehudit and the Religious Zionism Party to attend any meetings her and the bipartisan group of senators she is traveling with are participating in. 7 members of the Abraham Accords caucus will meet officials in Israel, the UAE, Bahrain, and Morocco during their trip. (AX 1/12; AX, HA, MEE 1/17; MEMO 1/18)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers threw stones at Palestinian vehicles parked near Kifl Haris, causing damage. Israeli forces shot and killed 2 Palestinians, including 1 minor, and injured 3 others during a demolition raid in Kafr Dan. 2 homes belonging to families of Palestinians accused of killing an Israeli soldier on 9/14/2022 were punitively demolished during the raid. Israeli forces also shot and killed 1 Palestinian minor during a raid in Dheisheh refugee camp, 1 other Palestinian was injured by live ammunition. Elsewhere, Israeli forces issued stop-work orders for 8 houses, 1 agricultural structure, and 1 events hall in Deir Balut and 1 house under construction in Maeen in the Masafer Yatta area. Israeli forces also shot and injured 7 Palestinians with live ammunition during a raid in Bayt Rima. Meanwhile, Israeli forces fired tear gas at a funeral procession in Beit Umar, causing tear-gas related injuries. Israeli forces also seized 1 excavator in at-Tuwani in the Masafer Yatta area. 24 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in Bayt Rima, Ein ad-Duyuk al-Foqa, Hebron, Bethlehem, Za‘atra, Aida refugee camp, al-Am‘ari refugee camp, Turmus ‘Ayya, Nablus, Salfit, Iskaka, and ‘Azzun. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces raided the homes of PA Jerusalem governor Adnan Ghaith and al-Aqsa imam Sheikh Ikrima Sabri, extending Governor Ghaith’s ban from entering the West Bank and meeting PA officials and banning Sheikh Sabri from entering the Haram al-Sharif compound and leaving East Jerusalem. In Gaza, Israeli forces made incursions and leveled land east of Khan Yunis. (AJ, AN, AP, HA, MDW, MEE, PCHR, REU, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 1/2; AJ, HA, MDW, MEE, MEMO, MEMO, MEMO, WAFA 1/3; PCHR 1/4; PCHR 1/5; HA 1/14; UNOCHA 2/16)

Israel informed the PA that about 1,000 Palestinians living in the Masafer Yatta area will receive eviction notices in the coming days and that they will be forcibly transferred to a different location. In May 2022, the Israeli Supreme Court ruled that Israel can forcefully transfer Palestinians living in Firing Zone 918 in the Masafer Yatta area. (BTselem 1/2; MEMO 1/3; AJ 1/4; WAFA 1/5)

Israel Hayom reported that the Israeli police officer charged with the killing of autistic Palestinian man Eyad al-Hallaq in East Jerusalem in May 2020 had signed up for 6 months of service in the police force after finishing his compulsory service. The trial against the police officer is still ongoing. (HA 1/2; HA, MEE 1/3)

The Syrian military said that Israeli airstrikes had killed 2 Syrian soldiers and forced the country to temporarily suspend flights to and from Damascus International Airport. (AJ, AP, DT, F24, HA, MEE, REU 1/2)

Israel’s foreign minister Eli Cohen said that the new Israeli government would “speak less publicly” about the Russian invasion of Ukraine and that he would speak with his Russian counterpart Sergey Lavrov on 1/3. (HA, TOI 1/2 HA, MEE, MEMO 1/3; AX 1/4)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers attacked Palestinian farmers in Lasayfer in the Masafer Yatta area, forcing them to leave the area. Israeli settlers also fenced off Palestinian farmland near Khirbet as-Samra in the Jordan Valley. Israeli forces shot and injured 1 Palestinian during a raid in Beit Umar. Israeli forces also shot and injured 1 Palestinian during a raid in Jaba‘. Elsewhere, Israeli forces shot and injured 1 Palestinian with a baton round during a late-night raid in Dheisheh refugee camp. 6 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in al-Am‘ari refugee camp, Dheisheh refugee camp, Bethlehem, and Tuqu’. In Gaza, Israeli forces opened fire at Palestinian farmers east of Khan Yunis; no injuries were reported. Off the coast of Gaza, Israeli naval forces opened fire at Palestinian fishermen northwest of Rafah; no injuries were reported. (MEMO, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 12/28; MEMO, PCHR 12/29; UNOCHA 1/16)

The Knesset passed the so-called Ben-Gvir law, granting incoming National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir of the Otzma Yehudit party more authority over the Israeli police when he is sworn in. The law broadens the national security minister’s authority over police policy and police investigations. The coalition agreement between Benjamin Netanyahu and Ben-Gvir will see the Border Police become an independent entity under Ben-Gvir’s authority. The incoming government coalition also published a text laying out some policies, including that “[t]he Jewish people have an exclusive and inalienable right to all parts of the Land of Israel. The government will promote and develop settlements in all parts of the Land of Israel - - in the Galilee, the Negev, the Golan, Judea and Samaria [the West Bank].” (AJ, AP, GDN, HA, HA, IN, MEE, MEMO, NYT, TOI, WAFA, WAFA 12/28; TOI 12/29)

Jordanian king Abdullah II told CNN that he is prepared for conflict with Israel if the incoming government crosses his red lines regarding the Haram al-Sharif compound. (HA, MEE 12/28; MEMO, WAFA 12/29)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers raided Huwwara, leading to a confrontation between Palestinians and Israeli forces; tear-gas related injuries were reported. Israeli forces violently dispersed Palestinians seeking to enter Israel through the separation wall near ‘Anin, causing tear-gas related injuries. Israeli forces also violently dispersed Palestinians in Tulkarm, causing tear-gas related injuries. In East Jerusalem, Israeli settlers toured the Haram al-Sharif compound. In Israel, Israeli forces shot and arrested 1 Palestinian man who had entered a checkpoint at Ben Gurion International Airport. Israeli police said that the man had taken a wrong turn from the Tel Aviv-Jerusalem highway and did not intend to carry out an attack. Palestinian citizens of Israel protested Israeli inaction in addressing gun violence in Taybeh. (HA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 12/4; WAFA, WAFA 12/5; PCHR 12/8; UNOCHA 12/16)

Israel started dismantling the Karni crossing east of Gaza City to extend the Gaza Fence. The Karni crossing, for movement of commercial goods, was closed by Israel in 2007. (MEMO 12/5; AP 12/6)

Benjamin Netanyahu’s Likud Party and the Religious Zionism Party agreed to change the procedure for how the coordinator of the activities in the territories and the head of the Civil Administration are appointed. The 2 positions will in the next government be filled by Israeli politicians rather than by the military chief of staff and defense ministry. Outgoing Israeli prime minister Yair Lapid condemned the agreement. (HA 12/4; HA 12/5)

Speaking at the J Street conference in Washington D.C., U.S. secretary of state Antony Blinken said that the U.S. expects to work with the next Israeli government in the same manner it has with previous governments, but warned about potential threats to the 2-state solution, including settlement expansion, annexation, and changes to the status quo of the holy sites in Jerusalem. Secretary Blinken also noted that Israelis and Palestinians “do not enjoy equal measures of freedom,” which he said they are entitled to. (AJ, AP, F24, HA, REU, WAFA 12/4)

In the West Bank, a 14-year-old Israeli settler was shot in the head by a stray bullet in the Kiryat Arba settlement. It was reported that the bullet was assumed to have been fired during a wedding celebration. Israeli settlers threw stones at Palestinian vehicles traveling near Sa‘ir, causing damage. Israeli settlers also vandalized 23 Palestinian-owned vehicles in Beit Iksa, slashing tires and writing racist graffiti. Elsewhere, Israeli settlers attacked 1 Palestinian family harvesting olives near al-Shuyukh with clubs, pipes, and stones, hospitalizing 5 members of the family. Israeli settlers also raided Burin, throwing stones at Palestinian homes, causing damage. Israeli forces shot and killed 2 Palestinians, including a 14-year-old, and injured 4 others during a raid in Jenin refugee camp. Israeli forces also shot and killed 1 Palestinian man during a raid in Beit Duqqu. Elsewhere, Israeli forces demolished 1 residential structure and sealed 2 water wells in Arab al-Feihat and demolished 2 residential structures in Bruqin. 20 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in Beit Sira, Bayt Rima, al-Mughayyir, Aida refugee camp, Fawwar refugee camp, Nablus, Jenin, Kufeirit, and Ya‘bad. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces shot and killed 1 Palestinian after he allegedly stabbed 1 Israeli police officer in the Old City; 2 Israeli police officers were lightly injured by shots fired by other police officers. After the incident Israel closed the Haram al-Sharif compound to Palestinians, only allowing Jewish visitors. In Gaza, 4 rockets were fired by Palestinian militants toward Israel, 3 landing inside of Gaza and a 4th being intercepted; causing no injuries or damage. Israel subsequently conducted air strikes on Gaza hitting sites in Maghazi refugee camp, causing damage. It was later reported that Hamas authorities had arrested 2 Palestinians suspected of having fired the 4 rockets. (AJ, HA, HA, HA, HA, MEE, MEMO, MEMO, MEMO, PCHR, REU, REU, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 11/3; AA, AJ, AP, MDW, MEE, MEMO, MEMO, PCHR, TOI, WAFA 11/4; HA, MEE, TOI 11/6; PCHR 11/10; ALM, UNOCHA 11/13; HA 11/18)

Israel said it had lifted all restrictions on movement in and out of Nablus after a 3-week siege of the city. Subsequently, PA prime minister Muhammad Shtayyeh toured the city with 30 representatives from foreign countries. Prime Minister Shtayyeh called the siege imposed on Nablus collective punishment. (HA, WAFA 11/3; ALM 11/4; MEMO 11/5)

Outgoing Israeli prime minister Yair Lapid spoke with U.S. secretary of state Antony Blinken in a phone call. The U.S. State Department said Blinken “underscored the need for all parties to urgently de-escalate the situation” in the West Bank. (HA 11/5)

128 scholars signed a statement urging the UN not to adopt the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) working definition of anti-Semitism, calling it “divisive and polarizing. The IHRA working definition of anti-Semitism has been criticized for conflating criticism of Israel with anti-Semitism. The statement suggested the UN instead use the Jerusalem Declaration on Antisemitism. (JDF, JP 11/1; AJ 11/3)

In the West Bank, dozens of Israeli settlers escorted by Israeli forces stormed Huwwara, attacking Palestinians, stores, and vehicles; 53 Palestinians were injured and 6 were arrested. Israeli settlers also attacked Palestinian vendors selling produce in Bardala, damaging their products. Israeli forces violently dispersed Palestinian protesters in Dura, causing tear-gas related injuries. Israeli forces also shot and injured 1 Palestinian man during a raid in Aqabat Jabr refugee camp. Elsewhere, Israeli forces violently dispersed a funeral procession for a Palestinian minor killed on 10/12 in al-Arroub refugee camp, causing tear gas related injuries. Israeli forces also shot and injured 2 Palestinians with baton rounds during a raid in Kafr Dan, tear-gas related injuries were also reported. 13 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in ‘Anata, Dheisheh refugee camp, Bethlehem, Hebron, Qalandia refugee camp, and Kafr Dan. In East Jerusalem, Israeli settlers stormed the Sheikh Jarrah neighborhood, leading to a confrontation with Palestinians; 20 Palestinians and 2 settlers were injured. Dozens of Palestinian-owned vehicles were vandalized and 5 Palestinians were arrested. MK Itamar Ben-Gvir joined the settlers brandishing guns and threatening to shoot Palestinians. Israeli settlers also toured the Haram al-Sharif compound. 1 Palestinian family demolished their own home in Sur Baher, displacing 3. 13 Palestinians were arrested in Isawiya and al-Thuri. In Gaza, Israeli forces fired tear gas at al-Bureij refugee camp near a school, causing tear-gas related injuries among students and staff. (ABC, AP, HA, HA, MEE, TOI, TOI, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WP 10/13; AJ, JP, MDW, MEE, MEMO, WAFA 10/14; MEE 10/15; UNOCHA 10/16; PCHR 10/20; UNOCHA 11/1)

Israeli deputy mayor of Jerusalem Aryeh King called on Jewish settlers to volunteer to “protect” East Jerusalem neighborhoods during ongoing Palestinian protests in East Jerusalem over Israel’s continued siege of ‘Anata and Shu‘fat. (HA 10/12)

Israeli public security minister Omer Bar-Lev instructed Israeli police to ease the checkpoint restrictions around Shu‘fat, in what was described as an effort to ease tensions in East Jerusalem after days of protests against the siege of Shu‘fat and ‘Anata, which started on 10/8. (HA 10/13)

14 Palestinian factions, including Hamas and Fatah, signed an agreement in Algeria to hold Palestinian elections. The agreement comes after 2 days of meetings mediated by Algerian officials. At the meetings were Hamas chairman of the political bureau Ismail Haniyeh, Fatah member Azzam al-Ahmad, and PFLP secretary general Talal Naji. The agreement recognized the PLO as the sole representative for the Palestinian people and called for elections within 1 year. According to leader of the DFLP Tayseer Khalid, Hamas and Fatah rejected a clause in the agreement to form a unity government. (AJ, CNN, F24, HA, JP, MEMO, NA, REU 10/13; MEMO, NAT 10/14; MEMO 10/15)

PA president Mahmoud Abbas met with Russian president Vladimir Putin in Kazakhstan. During the meeting, President Abbas said he does not trust the U.S. as a mediator for peace, instead voicing support of mediation efforts by the Quartet. Abbas also met with the leaders of Qatar, Kazakhstan, and Pakistan. A U.S. spokesperson criticized Abbas’s comments, calling President Putin “a far cry from the type of international partner needed to constructively address the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.” (AP, HA, MEMO, MEMO, REU, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 10/13; ALM, AX, TOI 10/15 HA, JP 10/16)

Lebanese president Michel Aoun officially said that Lebanon had accepted the maritime boundaries agreement with Israel, emphasizing that the agreement “does not signify any type of normalization.” Knesset members will vote on the agreement in 2 weeks. (AP, HA, MEMO, REU 10/13)

In the West Bank, Israeli forces violently dispersed Palestinians during a sit-in protest in Beit Ijza. In East Jerusalem, Israeli settlers toured the Haram al-Sharif compound, marking the Jewish new year, leading to a confrontation between Palestinian worshippers and Israeli police; 13 Palestinians were arrested for allegedly throwing stones and firecrackers; several Palestinians were reported injured. (AJ, JP, MEE, MEMO, TOI, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 9/26; PCHR 9/29; UNOCHA 9/30)

PA president Mahmoud Abbas congratulated Israel’s defense minister Benny Gantz on the Jewish new years in a phone call. (WAFA 9/26)

In the West Bank, a group of 20 Israeli settlers attacked Palestinians planting olive tree saplings in Sinjil, injuring 1 with live ammunition and 5 others by physical assault; the settlers also vandalized 5 vehicles nearby. Israeli settlers also assaulted 4 Palestinians with pepper spray and damaged Palestinian-owned property near Burin. Elsewhere, Israeli settlers erected a settlement outpost on a tract of land outside of Birin. Israeli forces shot and killed 1 Palestinian minor after the minor allegedly lightly injured an Israeli soldier with a hammer at a checkpoint in Beitin. Israeli forces also raided Balata refugee camp, firing tear gas from drones and injuring 4 with baton rounds. 9 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in Jenin refugee camp, Nablus, Qalandia refugee camp, Biddu, and Surif. In East Jerusalem, 1 Palestinian family demolished their own home in Silwan. Israeli forces violently arrested 1 Palestinian man walking to the Haram al-Sharif compound in the Old City, beating him and kneeling on his neck; the man’s nose was broken and needed 4 stiches to his forehead after the attack. In Gaza, Israeli forces made incursions and leveled farmland east of Juhor ad-Dik. (ABC, AJ, AP, HA, MEE, MEMO, TOI, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 9/8; MEMO 9/9; ABC, AP, HA 9/11; PCHR 9/15; UNOCHA 9/16)

Israel police said it had arrested a 19-year-old Palestinian man in possession of an assault rifle in Jaffa and that he allegedly admitted to wanting to commit an attack. The man did not resist the arrest. (HA, JP 9/8)

PA president Mahmoud Abbas sent his condolences to King Charles III after his mother Queen Elizabeth II of the UK passed away at the age of 96. (WAFA, WAFA 9/8; WAFA 9/10)

Israel signed a free trade agreement with Guatemala, including for industry, food, and agricultural goods. (REU 9/8)

In the West Bank, the Shin Bet arrested 3 Palestinian relatives of the Palestinian man who was stabbed to death by an Israeli settler on 6/21 near the Ariel settlement. The 3 were also eyewitnesses to the killing and had given their testimony to Israeli police before being arrested. Israeli forces shot and injured 2 Palestinians at the Taibe checkpoint near Tulkarm. Elsewhere, Israeli forces shot and injured 1 Palestinian using a baton round during a raid in Nur Shams refugee camp. 12 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in Nur Shams refugee camp, Qaryut, Beit Umar, and al-Khader. In East Jerusalem, Israeli settlers toured the Haram al-Sharif compound. 1 Palestinian family demolished their own home in Wadi al-Juz, displacing 2. 2 Fatah activists were arrested. Off the coast of Gaza, Israeli naval forces opened fire at Palestinian fishermen; no injuries were reported. (HA, MEMO, TOI, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 6/26; HA, HA 6/27; PCHR 6/30; UNOCHA 7/2)

PA president Mahmoud Abbas met with Jordan’s king Abdullah II in Amman. (WAFA, WAFA 6/26)

Israel’s economy ministry said the Israeli cabinet had approved issuing 3,500 additional permits for Palestinians to work in manufacturing and services to relieve an Israeli shortage of skilled workers. (REU 6/26)

The Wall Street Journal reported that senior Israeli military officials partook in a meeting in March this year with top officials from Egypt, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, the U.S., and representatives from Bahrain and the UAE in Sharm El Sheikh. At the secretive meeting, the officials were reported to have discussed efforts to combat Iranian missile and drone capabilities. The reporting comes 1 week after Israel’s defense minister Benny Gantz said that Israel is working with Arab partners in what he called “Middle East Air Defense Alliance.” (HA, WSJ 6/26; HA, MEMO 6/27)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers with military escort raided Halhul, vandalizing 1 mosque; Israeli forces shot and injured 2 Palestinians with live ammunition and others with baton rounds and tear gas when the Palestinians confronted the settlers. Israeli settlers also assaulted Palestinian farmers in Shufa, causing injuries. Elsewhere, Israeli settlers chased Palestinian herders off their land in al-Juwaya in the Masafer Yatta area and let their cattle graze on Palestinian crops. In East Jerusalem, Israeli settlers with Israeli police escort attacked 3 Palestinians in Silwan, causing hospitalizations, and vandalized 1 vehicle. Off the coast of Gaza, Israeli naval forces arrested 8 Palestinian fishermen and seized 2 boats within 3 nautical miles northwest of the Rafah seaport; 6 of the 8 fishermen were released on 6/1. (WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 5/31; PCHR 6/1)

Hamas’s military judicial authority sentenced 2 Palestinians for spying for Israel. 1 of the Palestinians was sentenced to life in prison while the other received a 7-year sentence. (JP 5/31)

An Israeli military court sentenced 1 Palestinian man to life in prison plus 25 years for the killing of an Israeli soldier in the West Bank on 8/2019 and ordered him to pay $450,000 to the family of the soldier. The Palestinian man was not present at the killing, but the court claimed that he had formed a cell that incited the murder of the Israeli man. (HA 5/31)

PA president Mahmoud Abbas spoke with U.S. secretary of state Antony Blinken in a phone call. According to Axios reporting, President Abbas pressed Secretary Blinken on Israeli attempts to change the Status Quo at the Haram al-Sharif compound, the lack of a political horizon, the Israeli settler march on 5/29, and the Biden administration’s failure to act on its campaign promises on Palestine. Abbas also asked the U.S. to remove the PLO from the U.S. list of terror organizations and to reopen the PLO mission in Washington D.C. Abbas also met with Jordanian foreign minister Ayman Safadi in Ramallah. (WAFA 5/31; AX, WAFA 6/1)

Haaretz reported that an Israeli plan to reduce the economic gaps between Palestinians and Israeli Jews living in Israeli cities had been postponed due to failure to fund the program. The plan was finalized in October 2021 in response to tensions between Palestinians and Israeli Jews in cities in which both populations reside. Additionally, some local governments have opposed earmarking funds exclusively for Palestinian communities in the cities they govern. (HA 5/31)

Israel and the UAE signed a free trade agreement removing tariffs on food, agriculture, cosmetics, medical equipment, and medicine. The agreement also defines tax rates, imports and intellectual property. The free trade agreement was part of the Israeli-UAE-U.S. normalization agreement. (REU 5/30; ABC, AJ, ALM, BB, HA, JP, MEMO, NBC, REU, TOI, WSJ 5/31; CNN 6/1; ALM, HA 6/2)

U.S. state department spokesperson Ned Price told reporters that the Biden administration remains committed to reopening the U.S. consulate to Palestinians in Jerusalem. The statement comes after reporting in the Times of Israel that the U.S. had given up on its plans due to the instability in the Israeli government coalition. (REU 5/31; MEMO 6/1; AX 6/4)

15 Democratic members of the U.S. house of representatives, led by Cori Bush (D-MO), wrote a letter to Secretary Blinken urging him to send the “strongest message possible” to prevent Israel from evicting more than 1,000 Palestinians from the Masafer Yatta area, calling the displacement of Palestinians “a war crime.” (HA, MEE 5/31; WAFA 6/1)

Lebanese parliament reelected Nabih Berri of the Amal Movement as speaker at the 1st parliamentary session of the newly elected parliament. Speaker Berri, who received 65 of 128 votes, has been the speaker of the parliament since 1992. (AJ, HA, MEMO, REU, REU 5/31)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers stole 1 residential tent and vandalized a fence in Khirbet Martaba. Israeli also settlers assaulted 2 Palestinian minors in Qusra, leading to the hospitalization of 1 of them. Israeli forces subsequently violently dispersed Palestinians in Qusra protesting the settler attack, injuring 22 with baton rounds and tear gas. Israeli forces also shot and injured 7 Palestinians with baton rounds during a raid in Jifna; others suffered tear-gas related injuries. 8 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in Silwad, Ras Karkar, Beit Fajjar, and al-‘Ain refugee camp. In East Jerusalem, dozens of Israeli settlers toured the Haram al-Sharif compound. Israeli forces assaulted and detained 4 Palestinians in the Old City. (WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 5/22; WAFA 5/23; PCHR 5/26; UNOCHA 6/4)

A Jerusalem court overturned an Israeli police decision to bar 3 Jewish people from entering the Haram al-Sharif compound after they violated the ban on praying at the Muslim site. PA president Mahmoud Abbas called the court decision “a grave assault against the historic status quo,” and Jordan said the ruling violates international law. Israeli prime minister Naftali Bennett’s office issued a statement saying that there had been no policy change at the Haram al-Sharif compound. Hamas said that the court decision crossed “all red lines and is a dangerous escalation.” Israeli police appealed the decision on 5/23. (AJ, HA, MEMO, REU, TOI 5/22; CNN, HA, JP, MEE, TOI, WAFA 5/23)

The 6 Palestinians who escaped Gilboa prison on 9/6/2021 were sentenced to 5 years in prison for their escape and each fined $1,487. 5 other Palestinian prisoners were sentenced to 4 years for assisting in their escape. (AJ, AP, HA, MEMO, WAFA 5/22)

Hamas imposed a 16.5% tax on 24 products from the West Bank, including bottled water and soft drinks. PA economy minister Khaled al-Osaily called the new taxes “illegal and not permissible within the same nation.” (ALM 6/1)

Hamas and the PA warned Israel, in separate statements, against carrying out the right-wing flag march through East Jerusalem on 5/29. (HA, MEMO 5/22)

Ghaida Rinawie Zoabi, who on 5/19 announced that she was leaving the Israeli government coalition, said she would resume supporting the coalition after meetings with foreign minister Yair Lapid and several mayors. Rinawie Zoabi’s reversal brought the government coalition back to an equal number of Knesset members to that of the opposition. Rinawie Zoabi told her colleagues on 5/19 that she was leaving the coalition due to Israeli attacks on Palestinians at the Haram al-Sharif compound and at the funeral for Al Jazeera journalist Shireen Abu Akleh. She further stated that the government coalition is not a government of change but a right-wing government. (AP, AX, HA, MEMO, NYT, REU 5/22; HA 5/23)

In Iran, a colonel in the Iranian Revolutionary Guard’s Quds Forces, Hassan Sayyad Khodaei, was assassinated in front of his house in Tehran by 2 people on a motorbike. Iranian president Ebrahim Raisi said on 5/23 that the assassination is being investigated and that Iran will revenge the killing. The New York Times reported later, on 5/25, that Israel had told the U.S. that it was behind the assassination of Khodaei. (AA, AJ, AP, HA, MEE, REU, TOI 5/22; AP, GDN, HA, IN, JP, MEE, REU 5/23; AJ, ALM, AP, HA 5/24; HA, NYT 5/25; HA 5/26; REU 5/29; REU 5/30)

Chairperson of the EU parliament’s relations with Palestine Manu Pineda was forced to cancel a trip to the occupied Palestinian territories with a group of other EU parliamentarians after Israel refused to allow him entry to Israel and his delegation access to Gaza. President of the EU parliament Roberta Metsola said on Twitter that she regretted the decision but that she would continue her visit to Israel. (HA, TOI 5/21; AJ, JP, TOI 5/22; HA, MEMO, WAFA 5/23; MEMO 5/25)

In the West Bank, Israeli forces prevented Palestinian farmers from working their land in al-Diyouk al-Tahta and Khirbet Humsa, confiscating 1 tractor in Khirbet Humsa and demolishing 1 fence and 1 storage room in al-Diyouk al-Tahta. Israeli forces also delivered demolition notices for 3 poultry sheds in Ya‘bad. 16 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in Beitunia, al-Bireh, Jenin, Halhul, Tulkarm refugee camp, Qalqilya, and Bethlehem. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces violently dispersed the funeral procession for 1 Palestinian man who, on 5/14, succumbed to injuries sustained by Israeli forces at the Haram al-Sharif compound on 4/22; 1 Palestinian man was resuscitated after being shot by Israeli forces using a baton round, some 70 were injured, including 13 that were taken to hospitals, and 20 were arrested. 11 journalists were prevented from covering the event. Israel said 6 police officers were lightly injured by stone throwing. Israeli forces also arrested 1 of the pallbearers who was attacked by Israeli police during the funeral procession for Shireen Abu Akleh on 5/13. Elsewhere, Israeli forces demolished 1 house under construction and 3 agricultural structures in Isawiya. (HA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 5/16; MDW, WAFA 5/17; AJ, MEE, WAFA 5/18; AJ, REU 5/18; PCHR 5/19; UNOCHA 6/4)

U.S. congressperson Rashida Tlaib (D-MI) introduced a resolution to the U.S. House to recognize the Nakba. The resolution was co-sponsored by Betty McCollum (D-MN), Marie Newman (D-IL), Ilhan Omar (D-MN), Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY), Jamaal Bowman (D-NY), and Cori Bush (D-MO). (AJ 5/16; MDW, MEMO, WAFA 5/17; AJ, JP 5/18; TOI 5/19)

The Intercept reported that 2 U.S. congresspeople André Carson (D-IN) and Lou Correa (D-CA) were circulating a letter demanding that the FBI investigate the 5/11 killing of Abu Akleh, who was an American citizen, in the West Bank. By 5/19, the letter had received 57 signatures from members of the U.S. House. (INT 5/16; AJ 5/19; HA, MEE, WAFA 5/20; MDW 5/26)

The EU announced a donation of $26 million in humanitarian aid to Palestinians in the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, and Gaza. (WAFA 5/16)

In the West Bank, Israeli forces raided Kafr Qaddum, injuring 3 Palestinians with baton rounds and others with tear gas. Israeli forces also shot and injured 1 Palestinian at a checkpoint near al-Bireh, saying he had thrown stones at a settler vehicle. Elsewhere, Israeli forces delivered a demolition notice for 1 mosque in Arab ar-Ramadin. In East Jerusalem, 1 Palestinian man shot by Israeli police with a baton round to his head on 4/22 at the Haram al-Sharif compound died of his injuries. 1 Palestinian family demolished their own home in Sur Baher, displacing 5. (AP, HA, MEE, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 5/14; PCHR 5/19; UNOCHA 6/4)

Israeli police commissioner Kobi Shabtai said he had ordered a probe into the Israeli police’s violent dispersal of the funeral procession for journalist Shireen Abu Akleh in East Jerusalem. (AJ, AP, HA 5/14; WP 5/15)

Rulers of the UAE appointed Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed al Nahyan as the new president of the UAE. Mohammed bin Zayed had served as the de facto ruler of the UAE after his half-brother, President Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed al Nahyan, suffered a stroke in 2014. The UAE announced that President Khalifa had died on 5/13. PA president Mahmoud Abbas visited the UAE on 5/15 to offer his condolences. (WAFA 5/13; AJ, AJ, AJ, AP, HA, REU 5/14; WAFA, WAFA 5/15)