The Palestine Chronology

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers raided Qarawat Bani Hassan before confronted by Palestinian residents. Israeli settlers attacked 1 Palestinian minor near Kisan, causing injuries. Elsewhere, Israeli settlers set fire to agricultural lands planted with olive trees in Jalud, causing extensive damage. Israeli forces violently dispersed Palestinian protesters commemorating Nakba Day throughout the West Bank, killing 1 Palestinian in Hebron and injuring 450, including 27 in Hebron, 29 in Qalqilya, 12 in Ramallah, 18 in Nablus, 9 in Tulkarm, 6 in Jenin, 2 in Bethlehem, and 1 in Tubas using live ammunition. 13 Palestinians were arrested, including 4 during late-night raids in Tulkarm and 9 during protests near Jenin. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces violently dispersed Palestinian protesters in Shaykh Jarrah, injuring 1 journalist and arresting 1. Israeli forces also violently dispersed Palestinian protesters in al-Tur, causing tear-gas related injuries and 1 arrest. 13 others were arrested during raids in Issawiyya, al-Tur, Silwan, and Sur Bahir. In Gaza, 17 Palestinians were killed, including 8 children, and dozens were injured, raising the comprehensive death toll since 5/10 from 136 to 153, including 41 children and 2 pregnant women. The casualties included: 10 members of the same family in an Israeli air strike in al-Shati refugee camp, including 8 children; 1 infant was found in the rubble of the house and was the only survivor of the attack; 2 in an air strike on a market in Gaza City; 1 in an air strike while driving north of Gaza City; 1 in a drone strike on agricultural lands near al-Bureij; 1, and 1 injured in an air strike on al-Bureij; 1 in an air strike while riding a motorbike in al-Maghazi; 1 Palestinian succumbed to wounds sustained in an air strike on a car wash al-Zawaideh. Israel also demolished al-Jalaa tower, a 12-story building in Gaza City hosting the offices of AP, Al Jazeera, and other international media outlets along with residential apartments; Israel claimed that it also housed Hamas and Islamic Jihad in Palestine intelligence offices, saying that made it a legitimate target; residents and workers were given 1 hour to evacuate the building. AP said their reporting capabilities in Gaza were significantly reduced while Al Jazeera called it a war crime and an act to stop reporting. Air strikes also demolished the home of senior Hamas official Khalil al-Hayya and severely damaged the 14-story tower al-Qahira and the 12-story tower al-Andalus in Gaza City. Shelling from land and sea also caused significant damage and injuries in Khan Yunis and Bayt Hanun. Egypt sent 10 ambulances to Gaza to pick up injured Palestinians for treatment at Egyptian hospitals. In Israel, 1 Israeli was killed by a rocket fired from Gaza in Ramat Gan, raising the Israeli death toll to 10. 6 buildings were also damaged in Ramat Gan. Rockets were also fired at Beersheba, Ashkelon, and Ashdod from Gaza, causing damage in Beersheba and Ashdod. Hundreds of Palestinian-Israelis protested in Jaffa over the Israeli police’s inability to protect them as violence has been escalating in the neighborhood and 1 minor was seriously injured by a firebomb on 5/14. 67 Palestinian-Israelis were reported arrested, including 52 in ‘Akka and 15 in Lydda. In Lebanon, hundreds of protesters gathered along the Blue Line to show solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza and Shaykh Jarrah. (AJ, AJ, AJ, AJ, AJ, AJ, AJ, AJ, AJ, AP, HA, HA, HA, HA, MEE, MEE, PCHR, REU, REU, REU, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 5/15; AP, AP, AP, AP, HA, MEE, PCHR, REU, TOI, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 5/16; AP 5/17; HA 5/18; PCHR 5/20; MEE 5/21; NYT 5/26; GDN 7/28)

There were major demonstrations in many cities worldwide in commemoration of Nakba Day and in solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza and those threatened by eviction in Shaykh Jarrah. (DM, DW, NAT 5/15 BBC, GDN, WAFA 5/16)

U.S. president Joe Biden spoke with both Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu and PA president Mahmoud Abbas. It was the 1st time that President Biden and President Abbas have spoken since Biden took office in January. (HA, WAFA 5/15)

U.S. chair of the senate foreign relations committee Bob Menendez (D-NJ) said, after Israel demolished the building housing the offices of AP and Al Jazeera, that he was “deeply troubled by reports of Israeli military actions that resulted in the death of innocent civilians in Gaza as well as Israeli targeting of buildings housing international media outlets.” Menendez is known as 1 of the staunchest supports of Israel among the senate Democrats. Several House Democrats separately tweeted, “Apartheid states aren’t democracies,” in a reference to Israel. (AJ, AJ, HA, NYT 5/15)

In the West Bank, Israeli forces seized 12 residential tents in Khirbet Humsa; this marked the 4th time Israeli forces seized and demolished structures in the bedouin community this month. Israeli forces also demolished 1 house under construction in Tuqu‘ and 2 agricultural structures in al-Khadir. 19 Palestinians were arrested during raids in and around Nablus, Qabatiya, Jenin refugee camp, Anabta, Hizma, Qalandia refugee camp, Bethlehem, Jericho, and Hebron; clashes erupted during the raid in Qalandia, leading to tear-gas related injuries. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces demolished a 2-story apartment building in Issawiyya, displacing 4 families consisting of 17 members, including 12 children; according to 1 of the Palestinians living in the building, a Waqf guard who was a Shin Bet coordinator had told him 6 months prior that “there’s a 90 percent chance that your house will be demolished.” Israeli forces also demolished 2 Palestinian-owned shops in Sur Bahir. Israel also banned 1 Palestinian from al-Tur, where he lives, for 2 weeks. 2 Palestinians were arrested during a late-night raid in Kafr ‘Aqab; clashes erupted during the raid, leading to tear-gas related injuries. 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 sank 1 Palestinian fishing boat after opening fire at Palestinian fishermen 6 nautical miles northwest of Khan Yunis; no injuries were reported. (HA, TOI, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 2/22; HA, PCHR 2/25)

In Gaza, health workers began inoculating Palestinians with the Sputnik V vaccine provided by the UAE and the PA. (AJ, AP 2/22)

The World Bank said that the PA faces a funding gap of $30 million to secure the needed COVID-19 doses for a successful vaccination campaign in the West Bank and Gaza. The World Bank called on other countries to donate to shrink the gap. (AJ, HA 2/22)

The court overseeing Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s corruption trial said the start of the evidentiary stage will be delayed until 4/5, after the Israeli elections. (AP 2/23)

Axios reported that U.S. secretary of state Antony Blinken asked his Israeli counterpart Gabi Ashkenazi to facilitate the transfer of more COVID-19 vaccines to the West Bank and Gaza. (AX, TOI 2/23; HA 2/24)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers uprooted 30 olive trees in Kafr al-Dik and uprooted 30 olive tree saplings and stole farm equipment in Burqin. Israeli forces shot and injured 1 Palestinian worker trying to enter Israel by the separation barrier near Jenin. Israeli forces also shot and injured 2 Palestinians with live ammunition during clashes that unfolded as Israeli forces raided Jenin; 1 other Palestinian was hit by an Israeli forces’ vehicle and tear-gas related injuries were reported. Israeli forces also delivered stop-work notices for 7 houses near Nablus. Meanwhile, Israeli forces raided 2 houses near Haris and Dayr Istya in Area B and took measurements. 4 Palestinians were arrested, including 3 during raids in ‘Azun and 1 at a checkpoint near Abu Dis. In East Jerusalem, 5 Palestinians were arrested, including 4 during late-night raids in Issawiyya and Jabal Mukabir and 1 at the Haram al-Sharif compound. Off the coast of Gaza, Israeli naval forces opened fire at Palestinian fishermen northwest of Khan Yunis and west of al-Sudaniyya; no injuries were reported. (WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 2/7; PCHR 2/11)

The PA announced it will begin using its own postcodes for international mail. PA minister of communications Ishaq Sidr said, “[f]rom April, postal items that do not bear a Palestinian postal code will not be processed . . . It is a question of asserting Palestinian rights.” (AJ 2/7)

In the West Bank, Israeli forces opened fire at 1 Palestinian vehicle at a checkpoint near Jenin, puncturing its tires; no injuries were reported. Israeli forces also delivered demolition notices for 8 Palestinian-owned homes in Duma. 11 Palestinians were arrested during raids in Abu Dis, Kaubar, Dheisheh refugee camp, Jenin, Hebron, and Nablus. In East Jerusalem, 4 Palestinians were arrested during raids in Issawiyya and al-Tur. In Gaza, 2 rockets fired from the strip landed in the Mediterranean Sea, after which Israeli aircraft fired 1 missile at al-Qarara and 3 missiles at al-Shuka, damaging agricultural lands; no injuries were reported. Israeli forces also made incursions and levelled land near Khan Yunis. (AJ, AP, HA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 1/18; HA, WAFA 1/19; PCHR 1/21)

Egyptian president Abdel Fattah al-Sisi met with Jordanian King Abdullah II in Amman to discuss the Palestinian elections scheduled for May and July. According to Haaretz, the 2 countries have been asked by Palestinian leaders to help facilitate the parliamentary and presidential elections. PA prime minister Mohammed Shtayyeh also said that the PA has asked Israel to allow Palestinians in East Jerusalem to participate in the elections. (HA, TOI 1/18)

The WHO voiced concern about the unequal distribution of COVID-19 vaccines in Israel and the occupied Palestinian territories. The head of the WHO in the occupied Palestinian territories Dr. Gerald Rockenschaub said that the WHO has been in contact with Israel, trying to get the country to distribute vaccines to front-line workers in the occupied territories. Israel has boasted about its successful vaccination campaign, claiming the highest rate per capita, but has as of late come under international media scrutiny for not shouldering its responsibilities as an occupying power by distributing vaccines among its occupied population. (AP 1/18; HA 1/19)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers uprooted some 60 olive saplings in Jalud. Israeli settlers also attacked Palestinian vehicles traveling on the Nablus-Qalqilya road, leading to 1 injury and damage. Israeli forces shot and injured 7 Palestinians trying to enter Israel for work through the separation barrier near Far‘un. Israeli forces also seized heavy machinery used to rehabilitate a road in Kardala. 10 Palestinians were arrested during raids in and around Bayt Umar, Sabastiyya, Qabatiya, Jalazun refugee camp, and Nahalin. In East Jerusalem, 6 Palestinians were arrested during raids in Issawiyya. Off the coast of Gaza, Israeli naval forces opened fire at Palestinian fishermen 3 nautical miles west of al-Sudaniyya; no injuries were reported. In Gaza, Israeli forces opened fire at Palestinian farmers east of Khan Yunis and Dayr al-Balah; no injuries were reported. (WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 1/11; PCHR 1/14)

Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that the Israeli defense ministry and the civil administration’s higher planning committee will approve 800 new settlement units in the Itamar, Beit El, Shavei Shomron, Oranit, Givat Ze’ev, Tal Menashe, and Nofei Nehemia settlements and settlement outposts. Prime Minister Netanyahu also said on Facebook that “[w]e’re here [in the West Bank] to stay. We’re continuing to build the Land of Israel.” Leader of the Israeli opposition Yair Lapid of the Yesh Atid party called the announcement of the new settlement units “irresponsible,” citing the U.S. presidential transition on 1/20. France’s foreign ministry, the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, and the PA denounced the settlement expansion. Israeli defense minister Benny Gantz also approved a small number Palestinian construction projects in al-Walaja, Hizma, Bethlehem, and Bayt Jala. All the projects need secondary approval. (ABC, AJ, AP, HA, REU, TOI, TOI, WAFA 1/11; REU, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 1/12)

PA prime minister Mohammed Shtayyeh and a member of the PLO executive committee condemned the UAE for allowing Israeli settler products to be imported to its market after the 1st shipment of Israeli settler goods arrived in the UAE. (WAFA 1/11; REU 1/14)

The PA health ministry said it had approved the Russian-made COVID-19 vaccine Sputnik V for emergency use. (WAFA 1/11)

PA president Mahmoud Abbas issued 3 presidential decrees, 2 of which critiques say serves to bolster the power of the PA presidency ahead of potential elections later this year. 1 decree allows the PA president to select judges instead of approving judges, who would be selected based on seniority. The decree also allows the president to force Palestinian judges to retire 5 years before the set retirement age of 70. A 2d decree establishes administrative courts, which can hear petitions against officials and institutions, previously a duty of the High Court of Justice. The president of the administrative court is appointed by the PA president. (HA 1/28)

An Israeli court in Lod ruled that screening or distributing the movie Jenin Jenin from 2002 by Mohammad Bakri should be banned and copies of the movie destroyed. Bakri was also ruled to pay $55,000 to an Israeli soldier who appears in archival footage used for the movie and $16,000 for the cost of the trial. The Israeli judge said that Bakri did not do enough research to label the movie a documentary. The PA ministry of culture condemned the ruling. (HA 1/11; AJ, TOI, WAFA 1/12; WAFA 1/13)

Defense Minister Benny Gantz said that he regretted forming a coalition with Prime Minister Netanyahu, saying that Netanyahu “cheated me and cheated you [the Israeli public].” He then called on all opposition leaders, including the Joint Arab List’s Ayman Odeh, to join him in sending “Bibi [Netanyahu] home” in the upcoming election. (HA 1/11)

The foreign ministers of Germany, France, Jordan, and Egypt met in Cairo to discuss reviving peace talks between Israel and Palestine. The quartet expressed willingness to work closely with the U.S. to map steps toward peace. In a statement, the 4 called for a Palestinian state with East Jerusalem as its capital. According to the Jerusalem Post, the 4 countries had tried to invite the Israeli and PA foreign ministers to the meeting, but both were unable or unwilling to travel for the meeting. (HA, WAFA 1/11; JP 1/12)

U.S. billionaire and mega-donor to Benjamin Netanyahu, Donald Trump, and Israeli settlements Sheldon Adelson died. Adelson had recently flown the convicted Israeli spy Jonathan Pollard to Israel from the U.S. so he could immigrate after being released from parole, and he bought the U.S. ambassador’s house in Tel Aviv from the U.S. state department earlier in 2020. Adelson was known to have had a large influence on U.S. president Donald Trump’s aggressively pro-Israel policies during his presidency. (AJ, AJ, HA, HA, HA, NYT, REU, REU 1/12)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers, accompanied by Israeli forces, raided al-Twana and injured 1 Palestinian. 8 Palestinians were arrested, including 6 during raids in and around Tulkarm, Yatta, Kafr Qaddum, Jenin, and Qalqilya; 2 were arrested at checkpoints near Nablus and Huwwara. In East Jerusalem, 3 Palestinians were arrested, including 2 during raids in Issawiyya, and 1 at the Haram al-Sharif compound. In Gaza, 1 rocket was launched at Israel, hitting 1 building; no injuries were reported. Israel subsequently shelled a number of buildings in Gaza City, Rafah, and Khan Yunis, causing damage; no injuries were reported. (GDN, WAFA 11/21; AJ, HA, REU, WAFA 11/22; PCHR 11/26)

The mayor of Bethlehem Anton Salman said that the yearly Christmas celebration will be held virtually due to the COVID-19 pandemic. (WAFA 11/21)

In Israel, some 2,500 people protested outside of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s official residence demanding his resignation over the government’s handling of the COVID-19 pandemic, the economy, and his corruption cases. This was the 22d Saturday in a row that Israelis protested Prime Minister Netanyahu. (HA, WAFA 11/21)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers attacked 1 Palestinian minor and his father in Hebron. Israeli settlers also set up tents in Battir near Bethlehem. Israeli forces delivered demolition orders for 1 residential structure and 1 garden in Sabastiyya, 1 pool used for irrigation in Bayt Dajan, and a number of structures east of Yatta. Israeli forces also demolished 1 residential structure near Tubas and dismantled and seized 1 wooden shed in Umm al-Jamal. Israeli forces also shot and injured 6 Palestinians using rubber-coated bullets during raids in Qalandia refugee camp; 1 Israeli soldier was also injured during the clashes, which lasted some 2 hours; 9 Palestinian-owned vehicles were damaged. 12 Palestinians were arrested during raids in and around Nablus, Birzeit, Bayt Umar, Qalandia, Hebron, and Jenin. 7 Palestinians were arrested in the Old City and Issawiyya. In Gaza, Israeli forces made incursions and razed farmland east of Khan Yunis. (WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 11/17, PCHR 11/19)

The PA civil affairs minister Hussein al-Sheikh announced that the PA would resume coordination with Israel, including security coordination, after suspending ties in May. Civil Affairs Minister al-Sheikh said that Israel had promised to respect its agreements with the PA during “international negotiations conducted by the president [Mahmoud Abbas].” Hamas and Islamic Jihad condemned the PA’s move, saying it undermines reconciliation efforts. PA prime minister Mohammad Shtayyeh said during a Zoom conference organized by the Council of Foreign Relations that the COVID-19 pandemic played a part in the decision as the PA have struggled to find the resources to fight it. (AJ, HA, HA, REU, TOI, WAFA 11/17; HA, TOI 11/18; HA 11/19)

Israeli said it defused explosive devices in the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights near the de facto border of Syria. Israel later attacked Syria, striking 8 targets. According to the Syrian state media SANA, 3 were killed, 1 wounded, and Syria intercepted Israeli missiles over Damascus. The London-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said 10 people were killed in the strikes. Israel acknowledged to have attacked Syria, saying it was responding to the explosive devices and claiming that it had hit Iranian and Syrian forces in Syria. (HA, REU 11/17; AJ, HA 11/18; BBC 11/19)

Both Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu and president Reuven Rivlin congratulated U.S. president-elect Joe Biden via phone. (HA 11/17)

1 Jewish-Israeli was given a 7-year prison sentence for smuggling metals into Gaza and selling them to Hamas. He was also fined $60,000. (TOI, HA 11/17)

41 Democrats in congress cosigned a letter to U.S. secretary of state Mike Pompeo, expressing concern about Israel’s demolition of the village Khirbet Humsa on 11/3, demanding that Secretary Pompeo condemn Israel’s actions. (Mark Pocan’s Office 11/17; HA, WAFA 11/18)

In the West Bank, Israeli forces raided Qatanna, leading to clashes with Palestinians; tear-gas related injuries were reported. Israeli forces arrested 1 Palestinian and seized his vehicle. Israeli forces also clashed with Palestinians during a raid in Sabastiyya; 1 Palestinian bystander was hit in the head with Israeli-fired live ammunition. 20 Palestinians were arrested during raids in and around Jenin, Tubas, Qalqilya, Nablus, Hebron, and Ramallah. In East Jerusalem, 19 Palestinians were arrested during raids in and around Issawiyya, al-Tur, and Wadi al-Juz. In Gaza, Israeli forces made incursions to level agricultural lands east of Khan Yunis. In Israel, 2 Palestinians from Gaza were arrested after breaching the Gaza fence; according to the Israeli military, the 2 had 2 defective grenades and 1 knife in their possession when they were arrested. (HA, WAFA 10/1; PCHR 10/8)

The Israeli ministry of justice said, in response to a petition made by Adalah in August, that Israel will have to limit the amount of home demolitions conducted in Israel, which includes East Jerusalem. (Adalah, WAFA 10/5)

The PA ministry of local government issued building permits for Palestinian residents in the Jordan Valley. The minister, Majdi Salah, said that the PA no longer recognizes the classifications of areas A, B, and C made during the Oslo Accords and therefore is not bound by Israel’s claims of civil and military control in Area C. (WAFA 10/1)

Israel’s high court of justice rejected a petition to free a 49-year-old Palestinian who is held on administrative detention and has been hunger-striking for more than 60 days. The petition was rejected despite the Shin Bet and the Israeli Central Command caught lying about the Palestinian’s affiliation to Islamic Jihad. According to the prosecutors, he had been filmed saying he was a proud member of Islamic Jihad while interrogated; however, the transcripts do not back up their claim. (HA 10/6)

Israel and Lebanon confirmed that they would begin direct talks about their maritime borders on 10/14. The direct talks will be mediated by the U.S. and the UN. (AJ, BBC, HA, REU, TOI 10/1)

Armenia said it had recalled its ambassador to Israel over Israeli weapons sales to Azerbaijan. Azerbaijan has acknowledged use of Israeli-made drones to bomb Armenian forces and civilians in Nagorno-Karabakh, a de facto self-governed predominantly ethnically Armenian region within the borders of Azerbaijan. (REU, TOI 10/1)

In the West Bank, Israeli forces confiscated 2 diggers and 2 trucks working on a cancer treatment facility near Yatta. 22 Palestinians were arrested during raids in and around Ramallah, Jenin, Nablus, Tubas, Bethlehem, and Hebron. In East Jerusalem, clashes between Israeli forces and Palestinians erupted during a late-night raid in Issawiyya, leading to tear-gas related injuries. In Gaza, Israeli forces opened fire on agricultural lands east of Khan Yunis; no injuries were reported. (WAFA 9/22; PCHR 9/24)

The health minister of the PA Mai al-Kaila said Israel had obstructed a shipment of 100,000 COVID-19 testing swabs via Jordan, causing them to be destroyed. (WAFA 9/22)

Senior officials from Fatah and Hamas met in Turkey to continue talks about reconciliation between the 2 parties. (AJ, HA, WAFA 9/22)

The PA announced it would no longer chair Arab League meetings, citing the UAE and Bahrain’s normalization with Israel. The PA had 6 months left of its chairmanship preceding over Arab League meetings. (AJ, HA, WAFA, WAFA 9/22)

Israeli defense minister Benny Gantz met with senior advisor to president Donald Trump, Jared Kushner, in Washington D.C. to discuss Israel’s qualitative military edge and normalization with Arab and Muslim nations. Gantz also met with U.S. secretary of defense Mark Esper. (HA 9/22)

In a video speech to the UN General Assembly (UNGA) the emir of Qatar Shaykh Tamim Hamad al-Thani castigated the international community’s inaction over the Israeli occupation of “Palestinian and Arab land.” Emir al-Thani also said that the Arab Peace Initiative is the only way for peace. French president Emmanuel Macron, also via video link to the UNGA, called for decisive negotiations between Israelis and Palestinians. (AJ 9/22; WAFA 9/23)

Germany contributed $65.5 million to different public sector programs in the occupied Palestinian territories, including $31.6 million for the water sector in Gaza. (WAFA 9/22)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers injured 4 Palestinians, including 1 pregnant woman while they were traveling by car northeast of Ramallah; 2, including the pregnant woman, were described as in critical condition. 1 Palestinian was shot and wounded at a checkpoint south of Nablus after allegedly ramming 2 Israeli soldiers who sustained “minor wounds”; according to the Israeli army, the suspect tried to stab the soldiers after crashing his vehicle. Israeli forces also injured 2 Palestinians using live ammunition near Bethlehem and Jenin. 1 45-year-old Palestinian prisoner died of a heart attack at Ofer prison near Ramallah. Israeli forces demolished 2 houses and 1 shack and handed demolition notices for 5 Palestinian-owned houses near Yatta. Elsewhere, Israeli forces seized 3 tents in a Bedouin community near Ramallah. 3 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in and around Bethlehem, Yatta, and Jenin. In East Jerusalem, 1 Palestinian photojournalist was arrested during a house raid in Issawiyya; Israeli forces seized his equipment during the raid. In Gaza, Israeli forces made incursions to level agricultural lands. Israeli forces also opened fire at agricultural lands east of Khan Yunis and Khuza‘a. (HA 9/1; WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 9/2; PCHR, WAFA 9/3; WAFA 9/4)

Chairman of the Hamas politburo Ismail Haniyeh embarked for Beirut for a week-long visit, where he is expected to meet with leaders of other Palestinian factions, Lebanese officials, and Hezbollah secretary-general Hassan Nasrallah. According to the spokesperson for PA president Mahmoud Abbas, the Palestinian factions will discuss “Palestinian unity to defeat conspiracies against Palestine.” President Abbas and other West Bank officials will be connected to the factions in Beirut via video conference. (AJ, WAFA 9/2)

Senior advisor to U.S. president Donald Trump, Jared Kushner, met with the Qatari emir Shaykh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani in Qatar to discuss potential Qatari normalization with Israel. According to Emir al-Thani’s cabinet, al-Thani informed Kushner that Qatari normalization of ties with Israel is dependent on a Palestinian state with East Jerusalem as the capital. (AJ, HA 9/2)

Syrian state news said Israeli fighter jets fired missiles near the T-4 airbase in Homs province, causing damage. According to the British-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, 16 people were killed in the attacks. (HA, TOI 9/3)

U.S. secretary of state Mike Pompeo announced that the U.S. administration had sanctioned ICC prosecutor Fatou Bensouda and head of the ICC’s Jurisdiction, Complementarity, and Cooperation Division Phakiso Mochochoko. Secretary Pompeo said that the U.S. had made the move “because the ICC continues to target Americans.” The UN secretary-general António Guterres expressed concern about the U.S.’s renewed attack on the ICC. Besides ICC’s investigation into potential war crimes committed by the U.S. in Afghanistan, the court is also investigating potential war crimes committed by Israel in the occupied Palestinian territories. (BBC, Guardian, ICC, 9/2; WAFA 9/3; REU 9/15)

The EU contributed $10.65 million to the PA to help pay salaries and pensions for the month of July for civil servants in the West Bank. (WAFA 9/2)

In the West Bank, Israeli forces notified Palestinian residents near Kisan that it will confiscate 200 dunams (49.5 acres) of Palestinian-owned land, and 1 Palestinian was handed a demolition notice for 1 barn in Kisan. 1 Palestinian BDS activist, who was arrested on 7/30, was remanded for 15 days by an Israeli military court near Jenin. 6 Palestinians were arrested during house raids in and around Nablus and Hebron; during the raids in Nablus, 1 Palestinian was injured by live ammunition and 2 others suffered injuries from broken glass as a result of the gunfire. In East Jerusalem, 2 Palestinian families started demolishing their own homes in Silwan and Jabal Mukabir to avoid exorbitant Israeli demolition fees. 6 Palestinians were arrested during raids in the Old City, Shu‘fat, Issawiyya, and Silwan. Off the coast of Gaza, Israeli naval forces opened fire at Palestinian fishermen within the allowed fishing area northwest of Khan Yunis; no injuries were reported. In Gaza, Israeli forces opened fire on Palestinian agricultural lands east of Khuza‘a; no injuries were reported. (WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 8/3; WAFA 8/4; PCHR 8/13)

In Syria, Israel said it had attacked an observation post, intelligence collection system, anti-aircraft batteries, and command-and-control bases. Syria claimed to have intercepted Israeli missiles as well. (GDN, REU, REU, 8/3; AJ, HA, JP 8/4)

In the West Bank, Israeli forces arrested 21 Palestinians during raids in and around Ramallah, Hebron, Bethlehem, Jericho, Qalqilya, Tubas, Jenin, and Nablus. Israeli forces injured 2 Palestinians with rubber-coated bullets during a raid in Bayt Sira. In East Jerusalem, 15 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in Issawiyya. In Gaza, the rocket exchange continued from 2/23; there were no reports of casualties but reports of damage in Gaza, including to the power grid in Khan Yunis. A truce between Islamic Jihad in Palestine and Israel was implemented at the end of the day. Israeli forces also opened fire on Palestinian agricultural lands east of Khan Yunis and Dayr al-Balah; no injuries were reported. (AJ, BBC, CNN, HA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 2/24; AJ, HA 2/25; PCHR 2/27)

Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu ordered 12 West Bank settlement outposts, deemed illegal by Israel, to be connected to Israel’s electrical grid. The Israel Lands Authority also issued tenders for the construction of 1,077 housing units in the East Jerusalem settlement Givat Hamatos. (HA, HA 2/24)

The PA prime minister Mohammed Shtayyeh called on all Palestinians working in Israeli settlements to stop working there. According to the Palestinian Central Bureau of Statistics, around 23,000 Palestinians work in settlements in the West Bank and East Jerusalem. (WAFA 2/24)

In the West Bank, Israeli forces raided a Palestinian-owned house in Kaubar and took measures to punitively demolish it; 2 of the house’s occupants are detained by Israel. Israeli forces also arrested 11 Palestinians, including 4 during late-night raids in and around Tulkarm, Jenin, and Ramallah; 1 on a street near Nablus; and 7 during daytime raids in and around Ramallah, Nablus, ‘Ayn al-Hilwa, and Hebron. During a daytime raid in Nablus, Israeli forces confiscated a tractor, and separately during a different raid in Nablus, Israeli forces seized carpentry equipment. 1 Palestinian was shot by Israeli forces after he allegedly attempted to carry out a stabbing by the Gush Etzion junction. Israeli forces also seized and impounded a PA health ministry vehicle providing medical services to 1,500 Palestinians in rural areas south of Hebron. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces fired tear gas and arrested 3 Palestinians at Bab al-Rahma in the Haram al-Sharif compound. In Gaza, Israeli forces opened fire east of Khan Yunis; no injuries were reported. (HA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 1/2; WAFA 1/3; HA 1/7; PCHR 1/9)

9 Palestinians from Issawiyya in East Jerusalem were placed under nighttime curfew between 8 p.m. and 6 a.m. 6 of the men were told that they were facing a nighttime curfew on 12/29, but the curfew did not take effect until 1/2. The Israeli military cited a 1945 Mandate-era regulation to justify placing the 9 under nighttime curfew. (HA 1/2)

The U.S. assassinated Iranian major general in the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and commander of the IRGC’s special forces Quds Force Qasem Soleimani and the deputy chairman of the Iraqi government-sanctioned militia Popular Mobilisation Forces, Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis, along with several other Iranian and Iraqi officials at Baghdad International airport. The assassinations were carried out by an American MQ-9 drone that fired missiles at the officials’ convoy as it was leaving the airport. The Pentagon released a statement saying that the strike was directed on behest of U.S. president Donald Trump and was aimed at “deterring future Iranian attack plans.” Iran’s supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said in a statement that Iran would have 3 days of mourning followed by a retaliation. The speaker of the Iraqi parliament Mohammed al-Halbousi condemned the assassination, calling it “a flagrant breach of sovereignty and violation of international agreements.” (DOD, NYT, REU 1/2; AJ, AJ, AP, CNN, HA, WP 1/3; HA 1/4)

In the West Bank, clashes erupted between Israeli forces and Palestinians when Israeli settlers toured Joseph’s Tomb near Nablus; 1 Palestinian was hospitalized after being hit by a rubber-coated bullet, others suffered tear-gas related injuries. 6 Palestinians were arrested including 5 during late-night raids in Hebron, Taqqua, and al-‘Arub refugee camp; 1 was arrested at a military checkpoint near al-Khadir. Israeli forces delivered a stop-work order for a Palestinian-owned house near Tubas. In East Jerusalem, 15 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in Issawiyya. In Gaza, Israeli forces opened fire at agricultural lands east of Khan Yunis; no injuries were reported. Off the shore of Gaza, Israeli naval forces opened fire on Palestinian fishermen west of Khan Yunis; no injuries were reported. (WAFA 12/29; PCHR 1/2)

Israel notified 6 Palestinians living in the East Jerusalem neighborhood of Issawiyya that Israel intends to use a British Mandate-era emergency regulation to place them under nighttime curfew for several months. (HA 12/30)

8 Palestinian and Arab banks signed a memorandum of understanding with the Jerusalem District Electricity Company (JDECO) for a loan to facilitate an end to the power cuts that have affected thousands of Palestinians since 12/15. The Israel Electric Corporation (IEC) began to cut power for several major cities in the West Bank because the JDECO had accumulated too much debt to the IEC due to a fiscal crisis. The JDECO is a Palestinian-owned electricity company that relies on the IEC for supplying power to East Jerusalem and the West Bank. (WAFA 12/29)

In a statement, Hamas’s interior ministry accused the PA of providing information to Israel that aided the Israeli assassination of PIJ commander Baha Abu al-Ata on 11/12. The statement also said that Hamas had arrested a PA intelligence cell which had allegedly collected the information given to Israel. (HA 12/29)

The Israeli security cabinet approved a request made by defense minister Naftali Bennett to withhold $43 million of the PA tax revenue collected by Israel from the PA. According to the defense ministry, the $43 million represents payments transferred from the Israeli government to Israeli families who were victims of Palestinian attacks. (HA, REU, WAFA 12/29; WAFA, WAFA 12/30)

The U.S. conducted 3 airstrikes in Syria and Iraq against the Kata’ib Hezbollah militia group, killing 25 and injuring 55. U.S. officials said the attack was in response to the killing of a civilian contractor on 12/27 working for the U.S. at a military base in Iraq, officials also warned that “additional actions” may be taken. (AJ 12/29; AJ, HA, HA 12/30)

According to the Iranian media outlet Fars, the Iranian Revolutionary Guard seized a foreign tanker carrying illegal oil south of Larak Island in the Persian Gulf. The reporting did not indicate the nationality of the ship, but 16 Malaysian crew members were arrested. (HA 12/30; AJ 12/31)

In the West Bank, Israeli forces delivered demolition notices for 6 houses near Ramallah. 11 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in and around Nablus, Salfit, Qalqilya, Jenin, and Bethlehem. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces demolished a Palestinian-owned house in al-Suwana; and demolished a shed and razed Palestinian-owned land in Issawiyya. PA Jerusalem Governor Adnan Gheith was summoned for interrogation. In Gaza, Israeli forces shot down a drone flying over Gaza. Israeli forces also opened fire on Palestinian farmland on 2 separate occasions east of Khan Yunis and Bayt Hanun. (HA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 10/29; PCHR 10/31)

Jordan recalled its ambassador to Israel in protest over Israel holding 2 Jordanian citizens in administrative detention; 1 has been held since 8/20 and the other since 9/2. Jordan’s foreign minister Ayman al-Safadi also demanded that Israel release the 2 Jordanians, calling administrative detention illegal. (AJ, HA 10/30)

Lebanon’s prime minister Sa’d Hariri resigned after days of protest against his government. (AJ, HA 10/29)

In the West Bank, a Palestinian man was rushed to a hospital in Ramallah after being beaten by Israeli forces at a checkpoint outside of Ramallah. Israeli forces also arrested 19 Palestinians during late-night raids in and around Hebron, Bethlehem, Nablus, Qalqilya, Tulkarm, Salfit, and Ramallah. Israeli settlers slashed tires and sprayed racist graffiti on walls in Duma village. Israeli forces razed land and demolished 1 house and 2 greenhouses in al-Walaja. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces arrested 1 Palestinian during a late-night raid in Issawiyya. In Gaza, Israeli forces made incursions to level land east of Khan Yunis. Israeli forces also arrested 1 Palestinian at the Erez crossing. (WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 9/16; PCHR 9/19)

Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu said in an interview with the Israeli Army Radio that he “intends to extend [Israeli] sovereignty on all the settlements and the [settlement] blocs . . . sites that have security importance or are important to Israel’s heritage.” PA prime minister Mohammed Shtayyeh said in response that the “Jordan Valley is part of Palestinian lands and any settlement or annexation is illegal,” further stating that the PA will sue Israel in international courts. (AJ, WAFA 9/16)

In the West Bank, 5 Palestinians were arrested, including 1 during a late-night raid near Tulkarm; 3 were arrested during a daytime raid near Salfit; and 1 was arrested at a flying checkpoint near Nablus for allegedly carrying a gun. Israeli settlers attacked Palestinian homes in Hebron, smashing several windows using rocks. In East Jerusalem, 4 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in the Old City and Issawiyya. Israeli settlers razed land and set up caravans and construction material in Jabal al-Mintar, intending to build an illegal outpost. In Gaza, Israeli forces opened fire on agricultural lands and shepherds east of Khan Yunis; no injuries were reported. Israeli forces also made incursions to level land east of Rafah. (WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 9/15; PCHR 9/19)

PA president Mahmoud Abbas issued a decision to refer a number of Palestinian judges to early retirement based on the recommendation of the Transitional Judicial Council. (WAFA 9/15)

The Israeli government approved its proposal to legalize the Mevo’ot Yeriho settlement in the Jordan Valley at a meeting in the area. Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that the final approval will be given by the next government after the Israeli elections on 9/17. Netanyahu also said that the U.S. peace plan would be released immediately after the Israeli elections. A PA presidential spokesperson criticized the Israeli decision to hold the cabinet meeting in the Jordan Valley. (HA, WAFA 9/15)

In the West Bank, Israeli forces arrested 10 Palestinians during late-night raids in and around Hebron, Bethlehem, Nablus, and Ramallah. In Ramallah, Israeli forces also stormed an office of the Democratic Front for the Liberation of Palestine, seizing documents, and stormed several stores, seizing surveillance cameras. The raids in Ramallah led to confrontations with local residents; no injuries were reported. Elsewhere in the West Bank, Israeli forces uprooted 250 olive trees and destroyed 5 water wells near Tammun. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces entered a mosque in Issawiyya and fired tear gas canisters inside, causing tear-gas related injuries. Israeli forces also arrested 1 Palestinian during a late-night raid in Kaft ‘Aqab. In Gaza, Israeli forces opened fire on Palestinian agricultural lands east of Khan Yunis; no injuries were reported. According to Israeli forces, machine gun fire in Israel activated the Iron Dome system which fired a rocket, ultimately landing in Israel. Reporting was unclear from where the machine-gun fire emanated. (HA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 9/12; PCHR 9/19)

In the West Bank, 1 Palestinian teenager was arrested in Qabalan south of Nablus; he is suspected of raping a girl in Tel Aviv. Israeli forces also arrested 1 Palestinian at a flying checkpoint on the Nablus-Ramallah road. In East Jerusalem, 5 Palestinians were arrested, 2 during late-night raids in Silwan and 3 in Issawiyya. In Gaza, Israeli forces opened fire on a sewage vacuum truck east of Khan Yunis. (HA 8/15; PCHR 8/22)

In the West Bank, Israeli forces installed a metal gate on a road west of Bethlehem. Israeli forces also arrested 11 Palestinians in late-night raids in and around al-‘Arub refugee camp, Taqqua, Tulkarm, and Beita. Israeli settlers from the Yitzhar settlement threw stones at a Palestinian-owned house south of Nablus, causing damage. In East Jerusalem, 5 Palestinians were arrested in Issawiyya and Anata. Off the coast of Gaza, Israeli naval forces opened fire on Palestinian fishermen, arresting 1. In a separate incident, Israeli naval forces used water cannons against Palestinian fishermen, damaging 2 boats and injuring 1 Palestinian child. Israeli forces also opened fire on agricultural lands east of Khan Yunis. In Israel, Israeli forces demolished the bedouin village al-Araqib for the 149^th time since 2010. (PNN, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 8/5; PCHR 8/8)

A delegation of 42 U.S. Democratic representatives landed in Israel for a week-long trip to Israel and the West Bank sponsored by AIPAC. (MDW 8/5)

After a relatively calm day in Gaza, the Israeli Air Force (IAF) conducts dozens of air strikes on Hamas sites near Rafah and Khan Yunis late at night, causing extensive damage. The IDF says that the strikes were retaliation for previously unreported incendiary balloons launched into southern Israel earlier in the day. A senior Palestinian official says that the IAF has destroyed 30 residential buildings and damaged at least 500 others since the recent campaign of air strikes began on 3/25. After the air strikes resume, unidentified Gazans fire a projectile into southern Israel, causing no damage or injuries. Meanwhile, hundreds of Palestinians gather along the border fence near al-Bureij refugee camp to set tires on fire, throw stones, and otherwise continue the Great March of Return. A number of protesters sneak across the border fence and set fire to an IDF post before returning to Gaza. IDF troops violently disperse the demonstrations, injuring 1 Palestinian minor. In the West Bank, Israeli settlers attempt to enter 2 Palestinian elementary schools in Tuqu‘ village near Bethlehem. Palestinian teachers and staff block them, but they are forced to dismiss their students early. IDF troops shoot and injure 2 Palestinians during clashes sparked by an arrest raid in Jalazun refugee camp near Ramallah; arrest 22 Palestinians and issue 4 arrest summons during further raids in and around Hebron, Jenin, Nablus, Tubas, and Ramallah; and patrol near Hebron. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces arrest 2 Palestinians during late-night raids in Issawiyya and the Old City. A Palestinian demolishes his own home in Issawiyya in order to avoid paying Israeli demolition fees. (EI, HA, MNA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 3/26; MNA, MNA, MNA, MNA, MNA, WAFA, YA 3/27; PCHR 3/28)

A senior Israeli official says that despite the reports of an Egypt- and UN-brokered cease-fire late last night, the Israeli assault on Gaza that began on 3/25 is “not over.” The official also says that the IDF struck “very harsh blows” on Hamas. “We’re ready to deal even more.” Separately, Palestinian sources in Gaza say that the Israelis are demanding an end to all resistance activities along the border fence, including the planned Great March of Return protest this Friday, in exchange for a cease-fire. (HA, TOI, TOI, YA 3/26)

Hundreds of Palestinians gather along Gaza’s border to set tires of fire, throw stones, and otherwise continue the Great March of Return late at night. IDF troops violently disperse them near Khan Yunis; 3 Palestinians are injured. After armed Palestinians open fire on an IDF post from the other side of the border fence late at night, an Israeli tank shells a Hamas post near Jabaliya refugee camp, causing damage. Off Gaza’s coast, Israeli naval forces open fire on Palestinian fishing boats near Bayt Lahiya, causing no damage or injuries. In the West Bank, Israeli forces carry out the punitive demolition of the Ramallah-area home of a Palestinian accused of killing 2 Israeli soldiers on 12/13/18. The demolition sparks clashes between the Israeli troops and Palestinian residents of the area; no serious injuries are reported. Israeli forces also demolish a Palestinian home under construction near Nablus and 2 makeshift Palestinian housing structures near Hebron. Meanwhile, IDF troops patrol near Hebron, Qalqilya, and Ramallah. In East Jerusalem, Israeli police enter the al-Rahma Gate prayer area at Haram al-Sharif, provoking tensions at the sanctuary. Later, they arrest 7 Palestinians in the Old City on their way to the sanctuary and 6 more Palestinians during late-night raids in the Old City and Issawiyya. In southern Israel, Israeli forces demolish the Palestinian bedouin village al-Araqib for the 141st time since 2010. (HA, MNA, MNA, MNA, TOI, WAFA, WAFA, YA 3/7; MNA 3/8; PCHR 3/14)

A Palestinian minor succumbs to injuries sustained when IDF troops violently dispersed Palestinian demonstrations along Gaza’s border fence on 3/6. This brings the death toll stemming from the Great March of Return to 206. (AP, HA, JP, MNA, WAFA 3/7)

Afghanistan contributes $1 million to UNRWA to support Palestinian refugees. A senior UNRWA official calls the contribution an “immense gesture of dignity.” (MNA, WAFA 3/7)

After a day of violence and intense IDF activity across the Ramallah region on 12/13, tensions remain high in the West Bank. The Israeli authorities maintain the closure of all major roads in the area while they search for the perpetrator of the attack that left 2 Israeli soldiers dead. One Palestinian is killed during clashes sparked by an IDF raid in Jalazun refugee camp. Six Palestinians are injured during clashes sparked by a similar raid in nearby al-Bireh. Two more Palestinians are injured when IDF troops violently disperse a protest outside nearby al-Mughayyir. Separately, a Palestinian stabs and lightly injures an Israeli soldier at an IDF post outside the Beit El settlement; the soldier moderately injures the Palestinian in the ensuing confrontation (the Palestinian will turn himself in to the IDF on 12/15). Unidentified assailants throw rocks at Israeli troops outside al-Bireh, moderately injuring 1 soldier. The IDF then seals off the main Ramallah-Nablus road and conducts raids in the area searching for the assailants. IDF troops shoot and injure 5 Palestinians during clashes sparked by a raid in al-Laban near Nablus; violently disperse Friday protests against the Israeli occupation in central Hebron, Luban al-Sharqiyya near Nablus, and Bil‘in near Ramallah (4 Palestinians are injured); arrest 1 Palestinians and issue 1 arrest summons during additional raids near Hebron; and patrol near Hebron, Bethlehem, Jenin, Nablus, Tulkarm, and Salfit. Israeli settlers throw stones at Palestinian vehicles near Nablus and Qalqilya, and open fire on a Palestinian passersby in Jalazun refugee camp (1 Palestinian is injured and several vehicles are damaged). In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces arrest 3 Palestinians during raids in Issawiyya. Along Gaza’s border, IDF troops violently disperse thousands of Palestinians gathering to continue the Great March of Return near Gaza City, Jabaliya refugee camp, Khan Yunis, and Rafah; at least 60 Palestinians are injured. Off Gaza’s coast, Israeli naval forces open fire on Palestinian fishing boats near Jabaliya refugee camp, causing no damage or injuries. (EI, HA, JP, JP, MNA, MNA, MNA, MNA, MNA, MNA, MNA, MNA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, YA 12/14; TOI 12/15; PCHR 12/20)

IDF troops violently disperse hundreds of Palestinians gathering along Gaza’s border fence near Dayr al-Balah to continue the Great March of Return; 7 Palestinians are injured (1 succumbs to his injuries later in the day). This brings the death toll stemming from the Great March of Return to 179. Separately, IDF troops stationed along the border fence shoot and injure a Palestinian approaching the border fence near Khan Yunis. Off Gaza’s coast, Israeli naval forces open fire on Palestinian fishing boats near Gaza City, causing no damage or injuries (2 fishermen are arrested). In the West Bank, IDF troops kill a Palestinian during a confrontation sparked by a late-night raid in Tammun village near Tubas. Three other Palestinians are reported injured during the confrontation. Separately, IDF troops conduct raids in Doha village near Bethlehem overnight, sparking clashes with stone-throwing residents; 1 Palestinian is injured. They also arrest 12 Palestinians during late-night raids in and around Bethlehem and Tulkarm; arrest a Palestinian minor in central Hebron when he is found to be in possession of a knife; patrol near Nablus and Hebron. Israeli forces dismantle and seize 2 makeshift structures from a Palestinian school near Tubas. They also deliver demolition notices to the school’s administrators (Palestinians in the area built the 3-room school building and established the 2 makeshift structures on 8/20). In East Jerusalem, approximately 57 right-wing Jewish activists tour Haram al-Sharif. Israeli forces arrest 5 Palestinians during late-night raids in Abu Dis and Issawiyya. (EI, HA, JP, MNA, MNA, MNA, MNA, TOI, TOI, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 10/23; HA, HA, MNA, MNA, TOI, YA 10/24; PCHR 10/25)

Israeli defense minister Avigdor Lieberman lifts his hold on the transfers of Qatari-funded fuel into Gaza after a period of relative calm along Gaza’s border fence. “In accordance with [DM] Lieberman’s decision from [10/21] and in accordance with recommendations from security bodies, it has been decided that the supply of ‘Qatari fuel’ to Gaza will be renewed starting tomorrow,” his office announces. (TOI, TOI 10/24)

IDF troops shoot and injure a Palestinian minor outside the Gush Etzion settlement near Ramallah after he allegedly stabs and critically injures 2 Israeli settlers. One of the settlers succumbs to his injuries soon after the confrontation. IDF troops raid the alleged attacker’s home in Yatta village near Hebron late at night, taking measurements and threatening punitive demolition. Elsewhere in the West Bank, IDF troops arrest 7 Palestinians and confiscate some property during raids near Ramallah, Jenin, Hebron, and Nablus; and patrol near Bethlehem, Tulkarm, and Hebron. Israeli settlers chase Palestinian shepherds from a field near Jericho. Settlers also congregate on the main Nablus-Ramallah road in the evening to protest the alleged stabbing attack near Ramallah earlier in the day. Some throw rocks at Palestinian vehicles in the area, causing minor damage. In East Jerusalem, dozens of right-wing Jewish activists tour Haram al-Sharif in the morning. Palestinian minors throw stones at a bus carrying Palestinian prisoners in Qalandia refugee camp, sparking minor clashes with Israeli forces in the area; 2 Palestinian are injured and 2 are arrested. Late at night, Israeli forces arrest 9 Palestinians during raids in Issawiyya. Along Gaza’s border, IDF troops violently disperse hundreds of Palestinians gathering to continue the Great March of Return for a 3d day in a row near Rafah and Khan Yunis; 1 Palestinian is injured. In northern Israel, Israeli forces demolish a Palestinian-owned home in al-Ramla. (HA, JP, MNA, MNA, MNA, PNN, TOI, TOI, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, YA 9/16; JP, MNA, WAFA, YA 9/17; PCHR 9/20)

Along Gaza’s border, Israeli forces conduct a limited incursion to level land near Khan Yunis. In the West Bank, Israeli settlers puncture the tires of a Palestinian vehicle and leave racist graffiti on nearby walls outside Nablus. IDF troops patrol in and around Qalqilya and Tulkarm. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces arrest 1 Palestinian during a raid in Issawiyya. (MNA, MNA, WAFA 8/22; PCHR 8/30)

Israel’s Civil Administration approves a plan to confiscate 100 dunams (approximately 24.7 acres) of Palestinian land near Bethlehem to make room for the expansion of settlements in the area. (MNA, MNA 8/22)

Armed fighters in Gaza launch 28 rockets and other projectiles into Israel. Israel’s Iron Dome missile defense system intercepts several of the projectiles; 1 lands in the yard of a kindergarten in the Eshkol Regional Council, causing minor damage and no injuries. The attack reportedly comes in response to the deadly Israeli air strikes in Gaza on 5/26 and 5/28. The IAF then conducts air strikes on a number of Hamas and PIJ sites in Khan Yunis and Dayr al-Balah, causing major damage. Hours later, armed Palestinians in Gaza launch another round of projectiles into Israel; 1 Israeli civilian is injured. Parts of 1 rocket fall near a school in Sderot, causing no major damage. Meanwhile, senior Israeli defense officials meet in Tel Aviv and decide on a limited retaliation. The IAF conducts another wave of air strikes, hitting at least 30 Hamas and PIJ sites across Gaza and destroying a tunnel reaching approximately 900 meters into Israeli territory. The strikes cause extensive damage and an unclear number of casualties. Intermittent rocket fire and retaliatory air strikes continue into the night. Shrapnel injures 3 IDF soldiers. One Israeli home in the Eshkol Regional Council is heavily damaged. Late at night, Egyptian diplomats broker a limited cease-fire. (AP, BBC, HA, JP, TOI, WAFA 5/29; MNA, WAFA 5/30)

In the West Bank, IDF troops open fire on 2 Palestinians allegedly attempting to enter a home in the Har Brakha settlement near Nablus; 1 is injured and arrested while the other flees. They also arrest 5 Palestinians and issue 3 arrest summons during late-night raids near Ramallah and Hebron, and patrol near Hebron and in Qalqilya. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces arrest 11 Palestinians during raids in Issawiyya. (HA, JP, MNA, NYT, TOI, WAFA, YA 5/29; PCHR 5/31)

A boat carrying 25 injured or ill Gazans, as well as a number of activists, sets sail from Gaza for Turkey in a symbolic challenge to the Israeli blockade. Approximately 30 more boats set sail alongside it, forming a protest flotilla. Organizers describe the flotilla as part of the ongoing Great March of Return. After the lead boat exits the nine nautical mile fishing zone off Gaza’s coast, Israeli naval forces surround it and arrest everyone on board. (AJ, HA, JP 5/29)

Today, Great March of Return demonstrations see tens of thousands of Palestinians in Gaza gathering along the border fence to commemorate the 70th anniversary of the Nakba, to protest the opening of the U.S. embassy in Jerusalem today, and to call for the Palestinian refugees’ right to return to their homes. IDF troops violently disperse demonstrations near Khan Yunis, Rafah, Gaza City, al-Bureij refugee camp, and Jabaliya refugee camp; 58 Palestinians are killed, including 3 who allegedly attempted to plant an explosive along the border near Rafah, and more than 1,300 are injured. After unidentified assailants open fire on IDF patrols along the border near Jabaliya refugee camp, the IAF conducts air strikes on Hamas posts near Jabaliya refugee camp, al-Bureij refugee camp, and Gaza City, causing moderate damage. The killings today bring the death toll related to the Great March of Return to 102. Elsewhere in the oPt, thousands of Palestinians gather across the West Bank and Jerusalem to protest the official opening of the U.S. embassy in Jerusalem today. They also release 70 black balloons in Ramallah, marking the 70th anniversary of the Nakba. IDF troops violently disperse the protests at Qalandia checkpoint, Bethlehem, and Hebron; at least 2 Palestinians are injured. Meanwhile, IDF troops arrest 19 Palestinians during latenight raids in and around Bethlehem, Jenin, Nablus, and Hebron; and patrol near Jenin and Hebron. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces arrest 7 Palestinians during late-night raids in Issawiyya and the Old City. (AJ, EI, HA, JP, MEE, MNA, TOI, WAFA, YA 5/14; PCHR 5/17)

Hours after Israeli troops open fire on peaceful Palestinian protesters along the border fence in Gaza, senior U.S. and Israeli officials gather for a ribbon-cutting ceremony at the new U.S. embassy in Jerusalem. In a recorded video, U.S. president Trump celebrates the opening and says the U.S. “remains fully committed to facilitating a lasting peace agreement” between Israel and the Palestinians. Outside the ceremony, Israeli police violently disperse approximately 200 protesters, including Joint List MKs Ahmad Tibi, Dov Khenin, Jamal Zahalka, Yousef Jabareen, and Masud Ganaim; 12 Palestinians are arrested. (AJ, BBC, JP, MEE, NYT, TOI 5/14; EI 5/15)

In the evening, the Palestinian leadership convenes in Ramallah to discuss the opening of the U.S. embassy in Jerusalem and the violence in Gaza. PA president Abbas calls the new U.S. embassy in Jerusalem a “settlement outpost” and reiterates that he has no plans to engage in any U.S.-mediated peace talks “in any way, shape, or form.” The assembled officials decide to file a war crimes complaint against Israel to the International Criminal Court (ICC) at The Hague over settlement construction in the West Bank. According to PLO secretary-general Erakat, they also agree to a number of other unspecified responses. (TOI 5/14; AP, YA 5/15)

The South African government recalls its ambassador to Israel and Turkey recalls its ambassadors from Israel and the U.S. in protest of the killings in Gaza today. “The victims were taking part in peaceful protests against the provocative inauguration of the U.S. Embassy in Jerusalem,” a South African statement reads. Meanwhile, the U.S. blocks the UNSC from adopting a Kuwait-backed statement condemning the deadly violence in Gaza and calling for an “independent and transparent investigation” into Israel’s actions. (ANA, TOI, WAFA 5/14; HA, TOI 5/15)

The Egyptian authorities open the Rafah border crossing in both directions for the 3d consecutive day. (AHR 5/14; OCHA 5/24)

Israeli forces install 3 new road signs indicating the location of the new U.S. embassy in Jerusalem, which is set to open officially on 5/14. Elsewhere in Jerusalem, Israeli forces arrest 4 Palestinians and issue 1 arrest summons during raids in Issawiyya, Abu Dis, and Shu‘fat refugee camp. In the West Bank, IDF troops arrest 18 Palestinians and confiscate 1 car during late-night raids in and around Ramallah, Jenin, Salfit, Hebron, Nablus, and Bethlehem; and patrol near Tulkarm, Hebron, and Nablus. A raid in Jenin refugee camp sparks minor clashes with stonethrowing residents; 1 Palestinian is injured. Israeli settlers throw stones at Palestinian property near Nablus, sparking minor clashes between their IDF escort and Palestinian residents of the area; 4 Palestinian minors are arrested. Along Gaza’s border, IDF troops violently disperse Great March of Return protesters gathering near Gaza City and Khan Yunis; 3 Palestinians are injured. (HA 5/7; PCHR 5/10)

Along Gaza’s border, IDF troops shoot, injure, and arrest a Palestinian man attempting to cross into Israel. According to the IDF, he is armed with a knife and a box cutter. They also violently disperse Great March of Return protesters gathering near Gaza City and Khan Yunis; 2 Palestinians are injured. Off Gaza’s coast, Israeli naval forces open fire on Palestinian fishing boats near Jabaliya refugee camp, causing no damage or injuries. In the West Bank, Israeli forces demolish an agricultural supplies building near Hebron. IDF troops arrest 4 Palestinians and issue 1 arrest summons during late-night raids near Salfit, Hebron, and Nablus; and patrol near Qalqilya and Hebron. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces arrest a Palestinian during a raid in Issawiyya. (HA, HA, TOI, WAFA 5/3; PCHR 5/10)

A Palestinian succumbs to injuries sustained when the IDF violently dispersed peaceful protesters along Gaza’s border on 4/27, bringing the death toll stemming from the Great March of Return to 42. (HA, MNA, TOI, WAFA 5/3)

On their 4th and final day of meetings in Ramallah, the PNC discusses possible reforms to the PLO and chooses new members of the PLO Executive Committee. They also elect PA president Abbas to another term as head of the State of Palestine and president of the PLO Executive Committee. (WAFA 5/3; REU, WAFA 5/4)