122 / 15150 Results
  • December 5, 2023

    In the West Bank, Israeli forces shot and killed a Palestinian during a raid in Qalandia. Israeli forces also raided Jenin, injuring 7 and uprooting streets. Elsewhere, Israeli forces shot and...

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  • November 6, 2023

    In the West Bank, Israeli settlers attacked Palestinians harvesting olives in Qaryut. Israeli settlers also vandalized Palestinian property, including water tanks, solar panels, and a vehicle in...

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  • October 4, 2023

    In the West Bank, Israeli settlers with a military escort toured Solomon’s pools near Bethlehem and an archeological site near Qarawat Bani Hassan. Israeli settlers with a military escort also...

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  • September 12, 2023

    In the West Bank, 2 Israeli settlers were injured by broken glass after their vehicle was shot at near Huwwara. Israeli settlers assaulted 1 Palestinian man with stones near Burqa. Israeli forces...

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  • May 21, 2023

    In the West Bank, Israeli settlers assaulted 2 Palestinian shepherds with pepper spray in al-Hama. 1 person rammed an Israeli soldier in Huwwara, lightly injuring the soldier. Israeli forces...

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  • May 18, 2023

    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...

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  • May 6, 2023

    In the West Bank, Israeli settlers raided Khirbet Mughayyir al-‘Abid, assaulting 4 Palestinians. Israeli settlers also vandalized 258 olive tree saplings in Kafr al-Dik. Israeli forces shot and...

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  • March 18, 2023

    In the West Bank, Israeli forces shot and injured 1 Palestinian minor approaching the separation wall near Faqqua. Israeli forces also shot and injured 3 Palestinians during a raid in Ni’lin, and...

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  • March 17, 2023

    In the West Bank, Palestinians in the Jenin district observed a general strike in protest against the Israeli raid on 3/16 which killed 4 Palestinians and injured 23 others in Jenin refugee camp....

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  • January 12, 2023

    In the West Bank, Israeli settlers attacked 1 Palestinian shepherd in Ein al-Beida. Israeli forces shot and killed 1 man protesting soldiers beating his son who was arrested during a house raid in...

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  • January 3, 2023

    In the West Bank, Israeli forces demolished 1 Palestinian home in Yatta and 4 homes in Shaab al-Butum in the Masafer Yatta area. Israeli forces also closed al-Ibrahimi Mosque for Muslim...

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  • April 20, 2022

    In the West Bank, Israel forces raided Salim, injuring Palestinians with tear gas and arresting 1. 9 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in Sa‘ir, Bethlehem, Balata refugee camp,...

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  • April 19, 2022

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  • April 5, 2022

    In the West Bank, Israeli forces delivered a stop-work order for a house in Fasayil. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces handed demolition orders for 1 house, 1 canopy, and 1 house stable in Isawiya...

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  • March 17, 2022

    In the West Bank, Israeli forces sealed off parts of the Old City in Hebron and forced Palestinian shops to close. Israeli forces also delivered a stop-work order for 2 houses in Kafr ad-Dik. 16...

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  • March 6, 2022

    In the West Bank, Israeli MK Itamar Ben-Gvir drew a gun at Palestinians, claiming they were throwing stones at settler vehicles near al-Arroub refugee camp; no injuries or damage were reported....

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  • January 3, 2022

    In the West Bank, Israeli settlers vandalized an agricultural structure in Khallet al-Dabe. Israeli settlers with military escort raided Burqa, leading to clashes between Palestinians and Israeli...

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  • December 13, 2021

    In the West Bank, Israeli forces shot and killed 1 Palestinian man and injured 3 others during a late-night raid in Nablus, Israel claimed that explosives had been thrown at the Israeli forces as...

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  • November 23, 2021

    In the West Bank, Israeli settlers started building structures on Palestinian land near ‘Ayn al-Auja. Israeli settlers also threw stones at Palestinian vehicles driving in Turmus ‘Ayya, injuring 1...

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  • October 10, 2021

    In the West Bank, Israeli settlers attacked Palestinians harvesting olives in Deir al-Hatab. Israeli settlers also stole olives harvested in Khirbet Yanun. Hundreds of Palestinians worked their...

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  • September 21, 2021

    In the West Bank, Israeli forces seized 1 Palestinian-owned truck in al-Khader. Israeli forces also issued an order that it will seize around 50,000 dunams (12,355 acres) of land in and around...

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  • June 15, 2021

    In the West Bank, Israeli settlers vandalized 47 olive trees near Burin. Israeli forces violently dispersed Palestinians protesting in East Jerusalem, Bethlehem, al-Ram, and al-Arub refugee camp...

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  • May 31, 2021

    In the West Bank, Israeli settlers assaulted 1 Palestinian farmer working his land near Qalqilya. Israeli forces uprooted some 100 olive trees while razing some 30 dunams (7.4 acres) of land in...

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  • May 24, 2021

    In the West Bank, 1 Israeli settler shot and injured 1 Palestinian minor using rubber-coated bullets in al-Janiya. Israeli settlers also damaged and uprooted 130 olive seedings in al-Rihaya south...

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  • May 22, 2021

    In the West Bank, Israeli settlers vandalized vehicles and set fire to 15 dunams (3.7 acres) of agricultural land in the Masafer Yatta area. 6 Palestinians were arrested, including 4 during late-...

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  • May 17, 2021

    In the West Bank, Israeli settlers attacked 2 Palestinians in al-Zubeidat. Israeli forces shot and killed 1 Palestinian minor using live ammunition during a confrontation in al-‘Arub refugee camp...

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  • May 14, 2021

    In the West Bank, 1 Israeli settler shot and killed 1 Palestinian and injured 1 other when the 2 confronted a group of settlers attempting to set fire to their crops near al-Rihiya, south of...

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  • April 24, 2021

    In the West Bank, about 30 Israeli settlers attacked Palestinian farmers working their lands in Humra; Israeli left-wing activists who witnessed the attack said the settlers also attacked them,...

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  • February 18, 2021

    In the West Bank, Israeli settlers set fire to 1 Palestinian-owned truck in Kafr Malik. Palestinians protested Israeli-inflicted electricity blackouts in Jiftlik. 5 Palestinians were arrested,...

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  • January 17, 2021

    In the West Bank, Israeli settlers attacked 1 Palestinian child outside of her home in Madama and threw stones at her family’s house; she was hospitalized for her injuries. Israeli forces...

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In the West Bank, Israeli forces shot and killed a Palestinian during a raid in Qalandia. Israeli forces also raided Jenin, injuring 7 and uprooting streets. Elsewhere, Israeli forces shot and injured 4, including a disabled man, in Qalqas, al-Arroub refugee camp, and Baqa al-Hatab. Israeli forces also sealed 2 printing facilities in Dawha, claiming they were printing incendiary materials. Meanwhile, Israeli forces uprooted 31 olive trees in Nahalin. Israeli forces also seized a vehicle in Qablan. 38 Palestinians were arrested during raids in and around Bethlehem, Qalandia, Nablus, Ramallah, and Jenin. In East Jerusalem, Israeli settlers toured the Haram al-Sharif compound. Israeli forces demolished a building in Bayt Hanina, displacing 13 people. In Gaza, at least 300 people were killed in Israeli attacks on Nuseirat refugee camp, Dayr al-Balah, Gaza City, al-Bureij refugee camp, and Khan Yunis. Israel said it had surrounded and invaded Khan Yunis. Israeli troops also laid siege to the Kamal Adwan Hospital in Beit Lahiya. 2 Israeli soldiers were killed in combat. Rockets were fired at Israel, injuring 2 in Ashkelon. In Lebanon, Israeli forces killed a Lebanese soldier and injured 3 others in an attack on a Lebanese military base; Israel later expressing regret, saying it would review the incident. 3 rockets were fired at Kiryat Shmona. (AJ, AJ, AJ, AJ, AJ, AJ, AP, AX, HA, HA, HA, NYT, REU, REU, UNOCHA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 12/5; AJ, HA, HA, NYT, WAFA 12/6)

More than 16,248 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli forces in Gaza, including at least 6,387 children and 4,257 women, and around 43,616 have been injured since 10/7. At least 7,000 people were missing in rubble, including 1,700 children. 252 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli forces and settlers in the West Bank and East Jerusalem since 10/7, including 65 children. More than 3,325 people have been injured. Israel reported that 1,200 Israelis and foreign nationals have been killed and 5,431 have been injured since 10/7. 87 Israeli soldiers have been killed in Gaza since the ground invasion began on 10/27. Over 1.9 million Palestinians, nearly 85% of the population of Gaza, have been displaced since 10/7. There has been a complete electricity blackout in Gaza since 10/12 due to the Israeli blockade. As of 11/18, at least 45,000 housing units had been destroyed and 233,000 had been damaged in Israeli airstrikes since 10/7, constituting 60% of all housing units. The Gaza Ministry of Health said at least 1,207 Palestinians have been killed since the ceasefire ended on 12/1. UNRWA said 130 of its staff members have been killed by Israeli forces since 10/7. The UN said dozens of trucks carrying aid, including fuel, entered Gaza but did not provide the actual number. Rafah was the only area to receive aid for the third day in a row. (AJ, HA, UNOCHA, UNOCHA, WAFA 12/5)

At the beginning of the day, PA health minister Mai al-Kaila said at least 15,900 Palestinians have been killed and 40,900 injured in Israeli attacks on Gaza since 10/7, saying the final number of dead will be much higher since many are buried in rubble. (REU, WAFA 12/5)

The PA Ministry of National Economy said 29% of business in the West Bank have been completely or partially closed since 10/7 due to Israeli actions. (WAFA 12/5)

UNICEF spokesperson James Elder said Israeli calls for Palestinians to evacuate do not work, stating the “so-called safe zones . . . are not scientific, they are not rational, there are not possible, and I think the [Israeli] authorities are aware of this.” (AJ 12/5)

Amnesty International released an investigation saying that 43 Palestinian civilians were killed on 10/13 in Israeli attacks where U.S.-made JDAM bombs were used. The U.S. said it was reviewing the Amnesty investigation. (AJ 12/5; REU 12/6)

The PA warned against reported Israeli plans to flood tunnels in Gaza with seawater, saying it would lead to the collapse of residential buildings and infrastructure and to the mixing of ground, sea, and wastewater. (AJ 12/5)

Israeli police approved the “March of Maccabees” in the Old City of Jerusalem on 12/7, where Israeli right-wingers will march in support of removing the Islamic Waqf in order to replace it with full Israeli control over the Haram al-Sharif compound. (AJ, HA, HA 12/5)

Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu claimed Israel has killed half of Hamas’ military commanders in Gaza. Netanyahu also said that Israel is the only power that can keep Gaza demilitarized after Israel’s war, rejecting suggestions that an international force be deployed in Gaza. (AJ, AX, HA 12/5; NYT 12/6)

Prime Minister Netanyahu also met with families of Israeli captives held in Gaza. Some of those who attended the meeting labelled it a farce and insulting. (HA, HA, REU 12/5; AJ 12/6)

Egyptian foreign minister Sameh Shoukry met with senators Ted Cruz (R-TX), Marco Rubio (R-FL), Lindsey Graham (R-SC), and Chris Coons (D-DE) in Washington D.C., discussing efforts to end Israel’s war on Gaza. (AJ 12/5)

The leaders of the Gulf Cooperation Council called for an end to the Israeli attacks on Gaza at a summit in Doha. Qatari emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani said at the summit that Israel was committing genocide, called support for Israel’s actions “a disgrace,” and urged the UN Security Council to force Israel back to the negotiations on a ceasefire. (AJ, AJ, HA 12/5)

U.S. vice president Kamala Harris’s National Security Advisor Phil Gordon met with Israeli president Isaac Herzog, war cabinet members Benny Gantz, Tzachi Hanegbi, Ron Dermer, and Gadi Eisenkot, and opposition leader Yair Lapid, updating them on meetings Harris and Gordon held with Arab leaders in Dubai during the COP28 climate conference. Harris is leading the Biden administration’s efforts on securing another ceasefire. (AX, HA 12/5)

U.S. secretary of state Antony Blinken announced that that the U.S. has put new visa restrictions on violent Israeli settlers, saying Israel is not doing enough to combat settler violence. Israeli defense minister Yoav Gallant later condemned Israeli settler violence, saying only the military, the police, and the Shin Bet have a right to use violence against Palestinians. USAID administrator Samantha Power visited El Arish airport in Egypt where aid to Gaza arrives, saying more “must be done to protect civilians” and for aid to enter Gaza. (AJ, AJ, AP, AX, HA, HA, NYT, REU, REU 12/5)

U.S. president Joe Biden said at a fundraiser that he had heard reports “of women raped, repeatedly raped, and their bodies being mutilated while still alive” by Hamas militants on 10/7. Hamas denied the accusations. (REU 12/5)

The U.S. House of Representatives passed a resolution, H.R. 894, declaring that anti-Zionism is anti-Semitism in a 311-14 vote; 94 Democrats voted present. The resolution also condemned the phrase “from the river to the sea.” (AJ, HA, NYT 12/5; AJ 12/6)

5 U.S. pro-Israel organizations, the American Jewish Committee, the Jewish Federation of North America, the Anti-Defamation League, AIPAC, and the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations, created a joint lobbying arm called The 10/7 Project to promote pro-Israel narratives to journalists and U.S. lawmakers. (HA 12/5)

Deutche Welle reported that applicants for citizenship in the German state of Saxony-Anhalt will be required to declare their support for Israel’s right to exist to obtain German citizenship. (AJ 12/5)

CNN reported that the U.S. expects Israel to end its mass ground invasion of Gaza in January 2024. (AJ, HA 12/5)

The Washington Post reported that Israeli sources have estimated that 5,000 out of 30,000 Palestinian militants in Gaza have been killed since 10/7. (AJ, WP 12/5)

Dabke, the Palestinian national dance, was included on the UNCESCO Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage. (WAFA 12/5)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers attacked Palestinians harvesting olives in Qaryut. Israeli settlers also vandalized Palestinian property, including water tanks, solar panels, and a vehicle in al-Rakiz and al-Mafqara in the Masafer Yatta area. Israeli forces shot and killed 6 Palestinians during raids in Halhul, Beit Fajjar, and Tulkarm. Israeli forces also shot and injured 8 Palestinian during raids in al-Khader, Tulkarm, Ya’bad, Beit Fajjar, and Halhul. Elsewhere, Israeli forces assaulted 1 Palestinian in ‘Azzun. 70 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in and around Ramallah, Dura, Nabi Salih, Qalqilya, Shu’fat refugee camp, ‘Anata, Hebron, and Nablus, including prominent activist Ahed Tamimi and senior Fatah member Marouf Rifai. The Palestinian Prisoners Commission said 2,150 Palestinians have been arrested since 10/7. In East Jerusalem, Israeli police shot and killed 1 Palestinian minor after he allegedly stabbed 2 Israeli soldiers in the Old City. 1 of the soldiers later died of her wounds. In Gaza, telecommunications were gradually restored in the morning after Israel cut the internet and phone connection on 11/5. 252 Palestinians were killed and 1,200 injured in Israeli airstrikes. Israel said it had attacked 450 sites overnight and assassinated Hamas member Jamal Musa. Israeli airstrikes targeted al-Shifa Hospital, killing 1 and injuring 170 others, and the Nasser Medical Complex, killing at least 8. Bombardments also caused mass casualties in az-Zawaidah and Tel as-Sultan. In Lebanon, Hamas claimed responsibility for firing 16 rockets near Haifa. Israel said it attacked the launch sites. (AJ, AJ, AJ, AP, AP, AP, HA, HA, HA, REU, REU, UNOCHA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 11/6; AJ, AJ, REU 11/7)

The Ministry of Health in Gaza said at least 10,022 Palestinians have been killed, including 4,100 children and 2,550 women, and 25,408 have been injured in Israeli airstrikes on Gaza since 10/7. At least 2,260 people were buried in rubble, including 1,270 children. 151 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli forces and settlers in the West Bank and East Jerusalem since 10/7, including 44 children. More than 2,386 people have been injured. Around 1,400 Israelis and foreign nationals have been killed and 5,431 injured since 10/7. 30 Israeli soldiers have been killed in Gaza since the ground invasion began. Over 1.61 million Palestinians, around 70% of the population of Gaza, have been displaced since 10/7. There has been a complete electricity blackout in Gaza since 10/12 due to the Israel blockade. At least 40,000 housing units have been destroyed and 220,000 have been damaged in Israeli airstrikes since 10/7. 4 ambulances carrying 17 injured Palestinians entered Egypt through the Rafah crossing. 50 trucks carrying aid entered Gaza via the Rafah crossing. PA health minister Mai al-Kaila said 175 medical personnel and 34 civil defense workers have been killed by Israel in Gaza since 10/7. The UN said 89 UNRWA staff members have been killed. The Committee to Protect Journalists said 36 journalists have been killed since 10/7. (AJ, AJ. HA, HA, NYT, NYT, NYT, REU, UNOCHA, UNOCHA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 11/6; AJ 11/7)

A Palestinian man held in Israeli prison, Majad Ahmed Zaqoul, died in Israeli custody at the Ofer prison, being the third Palestinian to die in Israeli prison since 10/7. Zaqoul was working in Israel on 10/7 and was arrested by Israel shortly after. Israel has not investigated the death of the 2 other Palestinians who died while in Israeli custody since 10/7. (AJ, HA, WAFA 11/6; WAFA 11/7)

The PA refused to accept the partial transfer of its tax revenue collected by Israel after Israel decided to withhold sums earmarked for administration expenses in Gaza, in addition to the funds withheld that Israel says the PA pays to the families of Palestinian detainees and Palestinians killed by Israeli forces. The amount Israel earmarked for Gaza was $140 million a month. PA president Mahmoud Abbas spoke with Austrian chancellor Karl Nehammer, calling for an immediate ceasefire. (HA, REU, WAFA, WAFA 11/6)

The Knesset approved a temporary bill banning consumption of “words of praise, sympathy or encouragement for acts of terrorism” by Hamas or ISIS. Israeli finance minister Bezalel Smotrich sent a letter to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, demanding that the Israeli military creates “security zones around the settlements and roads” and prevents Palestinians from approaching them. (AJ, HA, REU 11/6)

Qatar condemned Israel for claiming that there was a tunnel system under the Qatar-funded Sheikh Hamad Hospital in Gaza. Israel had released a photo to back up its claims, but engineers have pointed out that the purported tunnel is for water storage. An Al Jazeera investigation later disproved the Israeli claim. (AJ, HA 11/6; AJ 11/8)

South Africa recalled its ambassador to Israel, calling Israeli actions in Gaza “genocide.” The deputy speaker of the Bahraini parliament said the parliament wants to cancel the country’s normalization deal with Israel. (AJ, AJ, AP, HA, HA, REU 11/6; HA 11/7; NYT 11/8)

The UAE said it would establish a field hospital in Gaza and that 5 aircraft carrying the necessary equipment were en route to Egypt. France said it was in talks with Egypt to set up a field hospital in the Sinai to treated wounded Palestinians from Gaza. (AJ, HA 11/6)

The 15 UN Security Council members failed to agree to a resolution on Israel’s attacks on Gaza. The U.S. insisted the council call for “humanitarian pauses” while other states demanded a call for a “humanitarian ceasefire.” UN secretary-general Antonio Guterres launched a $1.2 billion humanitarian appeal to help 2.7 million Palestinians in Gaza and the West Bank and said Gaza was becoming “a graveyard for children.” (AJ, AP, AX, HA, NYT, UNOCHA, WAFA, WAFA 11/6; AJ, HA 11/7)

U.S. secretary of state Antony Blinken met with Turkish foreign minister Hakan Fidan in Ankara. U.S. National Security Council spokesperson John Kirby said President Joe Biden and Prime Minister Netanyahu had discussed “tactical pauses.” Axios later reported that Biden asked Netanyahu for a 3-day ceasefire to allow sufficient aid to enter Gaza. In return, Hamas would release 10-15 captives and verify the identities of the remaining captives, a proposal Netanyahu reportedly rejected. Netanyahu told ABC News that a ceasefire depended on the release of the Hamas-held captives, but that Israel could allow “tactical pauses.” Netanyahu also said Israel will maintain the “overall security responsibility” for Gaza for “an indefinite period” when Israel has finished its campaign. U.S. State Department deputy spokesperson Vedant Patal said in response to Netanyahu’s comments that Gaza will remain Palestinian land and that the U.S. does not support reoccupation. (AJ, AP, AP, AX, HA, REU 11/6; AJ, AJ, AJ, AP, AP, AP, AX, HA, HA, HA, NYT, NYT, REU, REU, REU, REU, REU 11/7; HA, NYT 11/8)

The U.S. military said a nuclear submarine had arrived in the eastern Mediterranean. The submarine was said to have not been carrying nuclear weapons but Tomahawk missiles. It was also reported that the U.S. planned to send Israel $320 million worth of Spice Family Gliding Bomb Assemblies, a precision guided munition for fighter jets. The State Department approved the shipment. (AJ, AJ, HA, NYT, REU 11/6; AJ, HA 11/7)

EU commission president Ursula von der Leyen presented 5 principles for after Israel’s war on Gaza; 1) Gaza cannot be a haven for terrorists; 2) Hamas cannot rule Gaza; 3) there cannot be a long-term Israeli security presence in Gaza; 4) no forced displacement of Palestinians; 5) no continuous siege on Gaza. Von der Leyen also announced that the EU will allocate another $27 million in aid to Gaza. (AJ, AJ, HA, HA 11/6)

Iranian foreign minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian spoke with Saudi foreign minister Faisal bin Farhan about the situation in Gaza, agreeing to convene an extraordinary summit of the OIC in Saudi Arabia on 11/12. (HA 11/6)

The New York Times reported that the U.S. had told Hezbollah and Iran that it will intervene militarily if they attack Israel. (HA, NYT 11/6)

Haaretz reported that U.S. officials told the newspaper that Secretary Blinken got the impression that Israel does not have a strategy for what to do when its war on Gaza ends. Blinken reportedly broached the question in meetings with Israeli officials on 11/3, receiving the impression that the matter has barely been discussed. (HA 11/6; HA 11/7)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers with a military escort toured Solomon’s pools near Bethlehem and an archeological site near Qarawat Bani Hassan. Israeli settlers with a military escort also raided Jalbun, leading to tear-gas related injuries. Israeli forces closed Route 60 near Huwwara for 3 hours, claiming stones were thrown at settler vehicles. In East Jerusalem, Israeli settlers toured the Haram al-Sharif compound. Israel closed the compound to young Palestinians during the incursion and Israeli forces prevented some Waqf employees from entering. (WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 10/4; AJ, HA, PCHR 10/5)

Israeli police arrested 5 Israelis for spitting on Christians and churches in the Old City of Jerusalem. 4 of the 5 were arrested shortly after a spitting incident at a church and the other was arrested for an incident earlier in the week. (AJ, HA, HA, WAFA 10/4; HA 10/7)

The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs said 84 Palestinians had fled their homes in the Masafer Yatta area since July due to Israeli restrictions on their movement after the 2022 Supreme Court decision to allow Israel to forcefully transfer Palestinians living in the “firing zone.” (HA 10/4)

Haaretz reported that Israeli minister at the Defense Ministry Bezalel Smotrich has been excluding the military advocate general official Eli Levertov from discussions on settlement expansion reportedly over Levertov’s objections to decisions made by Smotrich on settlements. (HA 10/4)

Jordan sent a letter to the Israeli embassy in the country complaining of Israeli settler tours at the Haram al-Sharif compound and settler attacks on Christians in Jerusalem. (WAFA 10/4)

Haaretz also reported that Qatar is considering providing additional aid to Gaza and that Israel is considering increasing the quota for Gazans to work in Israel. (HA 10/2; HA 10/4)

U.S. secretary of state Antony Blinken overrode a Republican block on the dispersal of $75 million in food assistance to Palestinians hours before a clause would have seen the funds dispersed elsewhere. The State Department did not publish the outcome, which was instead announced by UNRWA-USA. (HA 10/4)

National Unity Party leader Benny Gantz met with U.S. national security advisor Jake Sullivan at the White House for a briefing on the Saudi-Israeli normalization deal negotiations. It was reported that the White House is seeking to have Gantz’s party and other opposition parties replace the Religious Zionist Party and the Jewish Power Party if Bezalel Smotrich and Itamar Ben-Gvir oppose concessions to Palestinians as part of the normalization deal. (HA 10/5; ALM 10/6)

20 U.S. senators wrote a letter to U.S. president Joe Biden urging his administration to preserve the option of a two-state solution in a potential Saudi-Israeli normalization deal. The senators said Israel should commit to not annexing any of the West Bank; halt settlement expansion; dismantle illegal settlements, including those retroactively legalized; allow natural growth in Palestinian towns and cities; and allow Palestinians to travel within the West Bank without interference. The senators were led by Chris Murphy (D-CT), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Dick Durbin (D-IL), and Peter Welsh (D-VT). (HA 10/4; WAFA 10/5)

In the West Bank, 2 Israeli settlers were injured by broken glass after their vehicle was shot at near Huwwara. Israeli settlers assaulted 1 Palestinian man with stones near Burqa. Israeli forces issued demolition orders for 3 homes and stop-work orders for 14 homes in Ein ad-Duyuk at-Tahta; 1 Palestinian was shot and injured before being arrested during the raid. 24 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in Bethlehem, Nablus, Khirbat Karme, Tulkarm, Rumana, and Jenin. In East Jerusalem, Israeli settlers with police protection stormed and tried to seize 1 Palestinian-owned home in the Old City, the settlers were later removed from the home. Israeli settlers also toured the Haram al-Sharif compound. In Gaza, 12 Palestinian militant factions, including Hamas and Islamic Jihad, held military drills dubbed Hard Corner 4. (HA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 9/12; ALM 9/13; MDW, PCHR 9/14; UNOCHA 9/26)

Hamas Political Bureau deputy chairperson Moussa Abu Marzouk met with Lebanese officials and members of Palestinian factions, including Fatah’s Azzam al-Ahmad, to try to broker a settlement between the Islamist groups and Fatah who have been fighting in Ain al-Hilweh refugee camp since late July. (AP 9/12; AJ, ALM 9/13)

PA prime minister Mohammad Shtayyeh met with UK foreign secretary James Cleverly in Ramallah, calling on the UK to recognize the State of Palestine. Foreign Secretary Cleverly met with Israeli officials, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, before arriving in the West Bank. (MEMO 9/11; QDS, WAFA 9/12)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers assaulted 2 Palestinian shepherds with pepper spray in al-Hama. 1 person rammed an Israeli soldier in Huwwara, lightly injuring the soldier. Israeli forces subsequently forced shops in Huwwara to close and set up flying checkpoints in the town. Israeli forces also razed 30 dunams of land planted with onions and eggplant and damaged water pipes in Nu’eima and a tract of land in ‘Asira al-Qibliya. Meanwhile, Israeli forces notified Palestinians in Tell, Jit, and Far’ata that Israel will seize 14.5 dunams (3.6 acres) to expand the Havat Gilad settlement outpost. In East Jerusalem, Israeli national security minister Itamar Ben-Gvir toured the Haram al-Sharif compound, saying in a statement “[a]ll the threats from Hamas will not help them, we are in charge of Jerusalem and all of the land of Israel.” Ben-Gvir did not coordinate the tour with the Islamic Waqf. (AJ, AP, GDN, HA, HA, HA, MEE, QDS, REU, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 5/21; HA 5/22; PCHR 5/25; UNOCHA 6/2)

In response to National Security Minister Ben-Gvir’s tour of the Haram al-Sharif compound, the PA said that he “will not bring about Israeli sovereignty over the complex,” warning that Ben-Gvir may ignite a religious war. Jordan, Egypt, Bahrain, Mauritania, and the UAE condemned Ben-Gvir’s tour and the U.S. expressed concern, calling it “provocative.” (AJ, HA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 5/21; HA, WAFA, WAFA 5/22)

The Israeli cabinet held a meeting in the controversial “Western Wall Tunnels” built under the Muslim Quarter of the Old City of Jerusalem. Agreements were made at the meeting to allocate $16 million to the settler organization Western Wall Heritage Foundation and $8 million to the settler organization Elad Foundation. Ahead of the cabinet meeting, Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich forced through the removal of a discussion of a 5-year plan to improve life in East Jerusalem. (QDS, WAFA, WAFA 5/21; HA, PCN 5/22; HA 5/23)

Haaretz reported that the members of the Negev Forum will meet in Morocco on 6/25 and that Israel and the U.S. are working to add “an African country with a Muslim majority” to the summit. Israel’s Channel 13 News reported that Morocco, Egypt, Bahrain, and the UAE had asked Israel and the U.S. to change the forum’s name to something not related to Israel. Al Monitor reported that Israeli foreign minister Eli Cohen believed that a breakthrough in Saudi-Israeli normalization can reached before the end of 2023. However, according to Israeli officials Saudi Arabia could demand a settlement freeze and commitments to Muslim control over the Haram al-Sharif compound. (AX 5/17; ALM 5/19; HA 5/21; ALM 5/23; AX 5/24)

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 the West Bank, Israeli settlers raided Khirbet Mughayyir al-‘Abid, assaulting 4 Palestinians. Israeli settlers also vandalized 258 olive tree saplings in Kafr al-Dik. Israeli forces shot and killed 2 Palestinians during a raid in Nur Shams refugee camp. Eyewitnesses said both were shot dead by Israeli forces while try to escape through a window. Israeli forces also shot and injured 1 Palestinian minor with a baton round during a raid in Kafr Qaddum. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces arrested 2 minors in the Old City, assaulting 1 of them. Near Sandala, 1 Israeli man shot and killed 1 Palestinian citizen of Israel as the Palestinian was walking toward his car with his back facing the Israeli man after the 2 had an argument on the road. The PA, Hamas, and United Arab List leader Mansour Abbas condemned the killing. In Tel Aviv, tens of thousands of Israelis protested against the Israeli government for the eighteenth week in a row. Palestinian citizens of Israel protested the Israeli government’s failure to address the growing murder rate in the Palestinian community in Umm al-Fahm and Qalansawe. (AJ, AP, AP, HA, HA, HA, HA, MEE, MEE, QDS, REU, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 5/6; HA, HA, MEE, WAFA 5/7; PCHR 5/11; UNOCHA 5/19)

In the West Bank, Israeli forces shot and injured 1 Palestinian minor approaching the separation wall near Faqqua. Israeli forces also shot and injured 3 Palestinians during a raid in Ni’lin, and injured others with tear gas. Meanwhile, Israeli forces shot and injured 1 Palestinian during a raid in Nabi Salih. Israeli forces also demolished 2 residential structures in az-Za’ayyyem, displacing 11. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces assaulted 1 Palestinian in the Old City. Israeli forces also assaulted several Palestinians in Jabel Mukaber. 1 Palestinian was arrested in Sur Baher. In Gaza, 1 rocket was launched at Israel, landing in an open area; no damage was reported. Israeli forces also opened fire at Palestinian farmers east of al-Qarara, Dayr al-Balah, and Jabaliya. In Tel Aviv, hundreds of thousands of Israelis protested against the Israeli government for the eleventh Saturday in a row. (AP, AP, HA, HA, MEE, REU, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 3/18; UNOCHA 3/19; PCHR 3/23; UNOCHA 3/31)

Hezbollah secretary-general Hassan Nasrallah met with senior members of Hamas, including its deputy political leader Saleh al-Arouri, in Lebanon. (HA, MEMO 3/19)

VICE released their own investigation into the death of Walid al-Sharif, who was shot on 4/22/2022 at the Haram al-Sharif compound, concluding that he died of a baton round to the head fired by Israeli forces. Israeli authorities had maintained that the 23-year-old had died because he fell while running from Israeli forces. Sharif fell into a coma after being hit by the baton round and died on 5/14/2022. The VICE investigation was based on video analysis with help from Forensic Architecture. (VICE 3/18; HA 3/19)

In the West Bank, Palestinians in the Jenin district observed a general strike in protest against the Israeli raid on 3/16 which killed 4 Palestinians and injured 23 others in Jenin refugee camp. Israeli settlers vandalized some 50 olive trees in Husan. Israeli forces shot and killed 1 Palestinian man near al-Bireh, claiming that he had a knife in his hand. Israeli forces also violently dispersed Palestinian protesters in Beit Umar, injuring 3 with live ammunition, 1 with a baton round, and others with tear gas. Elsewhere, Israeli forces violently dispersed Palestinian protesters in al-Lubban al-Gharbi, injuring 1 with concussion grenade shrapnel and others with tear gas. Israeli forces also violently dispersed Palestinian protesters in Bayt Dajan and Kafr Qaddum, injuring 10 with tear gas in Bayt Dajan and 8 with baton rounds and others with tear gas in Kafr Qaddum. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces closed large parts of Sheikh Jarrah and the Old City for a settler marathon in the city. (AP, MEE, REU, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 3/17; AJ 3/18; PCHR 3/23; UNOCHA 3/31)

Israel returned the body of a Palestinian man killed by Israeli forces on 3/23/2020 to his family. (WAFA 3/17)

Hezbollah secretary-general Hassan Nasrallah met with Islamic Jihad leader Ziyad al-Nakhalah in Lebanon. (HA, MEMO 3/19)

2 Israeli teenagers were indicted on terrorism charges for throwing Molotov cocktails at the Sidna Ali Mosque in Herzliya at the end of January earlier this year. (HA 3/17)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers attacked 1 Palestinian shepherd in Ein al-Beida. Israeli forces shot and killed 1 man protesting soldiers beating his son who was arrested during a house raid in Qalandia. The Palestinian man’s wife said her husband had gone outside to stop the soldiers’ assault on their son when he was shot and killed. Israeli forces also shot and killed 2 Palestinians and injured 7 others during a raid in Qabatiya. Elsewhere, Israeli forces demolished 1 agricultural structure in Duma. Israeli forces also issued an eviction notice to a family in Hajja in preparation for a punitive demolition. 20 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in Qalandia refugee camp, Dheisheh refugee camp, ad-Doha, al-Baqa‘a, and Qalqilya. In East Jerusalem, Israeli settlers wrote hateful graffiti aimed at Christians on the walls of the Armenian Orthodox Patriarchate building in the Old City. Israeli forces raided the home of PA governor of Jerusalem Adnan Ghaith, informing him that his ban on contacting PA officials and entering the West Bank had been extended for 6 months. (AJ, AP, HA, HA, MDW, MEE, MEE, MEMO, MEMO, MEMO, PCHR, REU, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 1/12; AP, MEMO, MEMO, MEMO, PCHR 1/13’ ; UNOCHA 2/16; PCHR 1/19; UNOCHA 2/3)

Peace Now and Bimkom said that a clause in the Likud Party and Religious Zionism Party coalition agreement could see Israel seize 13,000 dunams (3,250 acres) of Palestinian-owned land in the West Bank and 70 buildings in Hebron transferred to settlers as Israel claims that the land and buildings were owned by Jewish people before 1948. The land Israel intends to seize is located near Bethlehem, Nabi Samwil, Battir, and Beit Furik, including land in Area B. (HA 1/12)

PA prime minister Mohammad Shtayyeh met with U.S. special representative for Palestinian affairs Hady Amr in Ramallah. Prime Minister Shtayyeh urged the U.S. to act quickly to end Israeli measures to weaken the PA and undermine the 2-state solution. (WAFA 1/12)

The head of the Hamas political bureau Ismail Haniyeh met with UN Middle East peace process envoy Tor Wennesland in Doha, Qatar. (MEMO 1/12)

In the West Bank, Israeli forces demolished 1 Palestinian home in Yatta and 4 homes in Shaab al-Butum in the Masafer Yatta area. Israeli forces also closed al-Ibrahimi Mosque for Muslim worshippers. 4 Palestinians were arrested during raids in Qalqilya, Kafr Qalil, Jenin, and al-Asakra. In East Jerusalem, 4 Palestinians were arrested during raids in the Old City and al-Ram. (WAFA, WAFA, WAFA,, WAFA 1/3; AA, AN, AP, TOI 1/4; PCHR 1/5; UNOCHA 2/16)

The newly appointed Israeli national security minister Itamar Ben-Gvir toured the Haram al-Sharif compound, prompting widespread condemnation. During the election National Security Minister Ben-Gvir had expressed his desire to change the status quo of the Holy Sites to allow “equal rights for Jews” at the compound. Hamas had warned the Israeli government against the tour of the compound saying it “would lead to an explosion.” In a tweet posted during the visit, Ben-Gvir said that the compound is open to everyone. The PA called the visit a “provocative step against the Palestinian people.” U.S. ambassador to Israel Tom Nides said any threat against the status quo is unacceptable. Jordan condemned the “storming” of the compound and said it required “international intervention,” before summoning the Israeli ambassador. France, Turkey, Egypt, the UAE, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Islamic Jihad, Hamas, and the OIC also condemned Ben-Gvir’s actions. (WAFA 1/1; HA, HA, MEE, WAFA 1/2; AJ, AJ, ALM, ALM, ALM, AP, AX, BBC, HA, HA, HA, HA, MEE, MEMO, MEMO, MEMO, MEMO, MEMO, NYT, REU, REU, REU, TOI, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 1/3; ALM, HA, MDW, MEE, MEE, REU, REU, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 1/4; BBC, JP, MEMO, WAFA, WAFA 1/5)

In the West Bank, Israel forces raided Salim, injuring Palestinians with tear gas and arresting 1. 9 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in Sa‘ir, Bethlehem, Balata refugee camp, Kafr Qalil, and Qibya. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces violently dispersed Palestinians at the Haram al-Sharif compound to make way for 1,538 Israeli settlers touring the compound. 3 settlers were detained by Israeli police for loudly praying at the compound. 100s of Israeli far-right protesters marched in the Old City, chanting anti-Palestinian and anti-Muslim slogans. Israeli foreign minister Yair Lapid called the march “a provocation that causes us damage.” 4 Palestinians were arrested in the Old City, including 3 minors. (HA 4/19; ALM, HA, HA, MEE, MEE, MEMO, REU, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 4/20; HA, HA, PCHR 4/21; UNOCHA 5/13)

Israel announced that it is closing all crossings from the West Bank and Gaza to East Jerusalem and Israel from 5 P.M. on 4/21 until an unspecified time on 4/23 for the Jewish holiday of Passover. Exceptions will be made for Palestinians from the West Bank with permits to pray at the Haram al-Sharif compound for the Friday prayers on 4/22 and for humanitarian and medical crossings. (HA 4/21)

Hamas convened with leaders of militant groups in Gaza at Hamas leader in Gaza Yahya Sinwar’s office. Hamas sources said that Sinwar urged the militant leaders to coordinate after a militant faction fired a rocket at Israel on 4/18. (HA 4/19)

U.S. acting assistant secretary of state for Near East affairs Yael Lempert and deputy assistant secretary for Israeli and Palestinian affairs Hady Amr met with Jordanian foreign minister Ayman Safadi, discussing the situation in Jerusalem. (HA 4/20; MEMO 4/21)

The PA and Germany signed an agreement for Germany to provide $17.3 million to build 2 solar power plants in Gaza. (WAFA 4/20)

In the West Bank, 1000s of Israeli settlers with military protection marched to the partially evacuated Homesh settlement outpost, leading to a confrontation with Palestinians protesting the march; 79 Palestinians were injured. Israeli defense minister Benny Gantz had originally warned that Israeli forces would not protect the settlers, but reversed that decision. The march was attended by Yamina MK Idit Silman and Religious Zionist MK Itamar Ben-Gvir. Israeli settlers also vandalized 40 olive trees in Jaba‘. Elsewhere, Israeli settlers vandalized solar panels, electric poles, and a water tank in Wadi Qana. Israeli forces shot and injured 1 Palestinian man using live ammunition in Hebron. 2 Palestinians were arrested in Wadi as-Samen. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces raided the Haram al-Sharif compound to make way for Israeli settlers touring the site. Around 622 Israeli settlers visited the compound. 2 Palestinians were arrested in al-Tur and the Old City. (AJ, AP, HA, HA, MEE, MEMO, WAFA, WAFA 4/19; WAFA 4/20; PCHR 4/21; HA, HA 4/25; UNOCHA 5/13)

The UAE summoned the Israeli envoy to the country, demanding that Israel cease to put Palestinian lives at risk at the Haram al-Sharif compound. (HA, JP, MEMO, REU, WAFA 4/19; ALM 4/21)

U.S. secretary of state Antony Blinken spoke with PA president Mahmoud Abbas, Jordanian foreign minister Ayman Safadi, and Israeli foreign minister Yair Lapid in an effort to calm the situation at the Haram al-Sharif compound. Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdoğan also spoke with Israel’s president Isaac Herzog about the situation at the compound. According to President Erdoğan’s Twitter account, he told President Herzog that he was “very upset” about the events at the compound over the weekend. (HA, MEMO, MEMO, REU, REU, WAFA 4/19)

The UN security council convened to discuss the Israeli incursions into the Haram al-Sharif compound, which led to nearly 200 Palestinian injuries over the weekend. The meeting was requested by Jordan. (HA 4/19)

Citizen Lab found that spyware from the Israel company Cytrox was found on a CNN Greece journalist’s phone. The journalist was working on covering a Greek corruption scandal when his phone was infected with the spyware known as Predator. (HA 4/19)

In the West Bank, Israeli forces delivered a stop-work order for a house in Fasayil. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces handed demolition orders for 1 house, 1 canopy, and 1 house stable in Isawiya. Israeli forces detained PA governor of Jerusalem Adnan Ghaith before handing him orders not to enter the West Bank for 6 months. Meanwhile, Israeli forces violently dispersed Palestinians gathered at the Damascus Gate plaza with baton rounds and stun grenades; at least 1 was injured. 12 were arrested in the Old City and 2 in Bayt Hanina. Off the coast of Gaza, Israeli naval forces opened fire at Palestinian fishermen within 3 nautical miles west of al-Sudaniyya; no injuries were reported. (WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 4/5; WAFA, WAFA 4/6; PCHR 4/7; UNOCHA 4/23)

PA president Mahmoud Abbas spoke with Israeli defense minister Benny Gantz on a phone call. The 2 spoke about efforts to facilitate calm for the Ramadan and Passover holy days. (TOI 4/5; ALM 4/6)

1 Palestinian citizen of Israel was sentenced to death in the UAE for possessing 0.5 kilo of cocaine. Joint List chairperson Ayman Odeh said he had been in contact with Israeli president Isaac Herzog and foreign minister Yair Lapid to have them help save her life. (AP, CNN, HA 4/5)

Palestinian-French lawyer and activist Salah Hamouri, who is currently held by Israel in administrative detention, filed a complaint to the prosecutor of the Paris judicial court in France against the NSO Group for illegally hacking his phone using Pegasus spyware. (AJ, WAFA 4/5; WAFA 4/6)

Front Line Defenders and Citizen Lab published an investigation, saying that 4 Jordanian activists and journalists had been targeted with NSO Group’s Pegasus spyware between August 2019 and December 2021. (AP, HA, HA 4/5)

The World Bank approved an $8 million grant to the PA to help reform its public financial management. (WAFA 4/5)

In the West Bank, Israeli forces sealed off parts of the Old City in Hebron and forced Palestinian shops to close. Israeli forces also delivered a stop-work order for 2 houses in Kafr ad-Dik. 16 Palestinians were arrested, including 15 during late-night raids in Dura, al-Arroub refugee camp, Aqraba, Beita, Tulkarm, Qabatiya, and Sa‘ir, and 1 was arrested at the Container checkpoint near Bethlehem; Israeli forces shot and injured 1 Palestinian protesting the raid in Aqraba, claiming he had opened fire on the Israeli soldiers. Off the coast of Gaza, Israeli naval forces opened fire on Palestinian fishermen 3 nautical miles west of al-Sudaniyya; no injuries were reported. In Gaza, 3 Palestinians were arrested in the vicinity of the Gaza fence. (MEMO, TOI, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 3/17; MEMO 3/18; PCHR 3/24; UNOCHA 3/25)

Haaretz reported that Israel is allowing Israelis to do their national service through pro-settler organizations that police settlement outposts to protect Israeli settlers in the West Bank. The Israelis doing their service in settlement outposts have been reported to prevent Palestinians from cultivating their nearby lands. (HA 3/17)

Jewish Currents and the Guardian published a memo from top-level Anti-Defamation League (ADL) staff to the organization’s CEO Jonathan Greenblatt from June 2020, which recommended that the ADL ends its police exchange program between the U.S. and Israel. The memo said that the program was “highly controversial” and that the trips to Israel could lead to police misconduct in the U.S. (GDN, JC, 3/17)

In the West Bank, Israeli MK Itamar Ben-Gvir drew a gun at Palestinians, claiming they were throwing stones at settler vehicles near al-Arroub refugee camp; no injuries or damage were reported. Later in the day, Israeli forces violently dispersed Palestinians protesting Ben-Gvir’s actions, injuring 1 with live ammunition. Israeli settlers also stole around 200 olive trees and saplings in Kafr ad-Dik and vandalized an agricultural structure. Israeli forces shot and killed 1 Palestinian minor in Abu Dis, claiming he had thrown a Molotov cocktail at Israeli soldiers while they were raiding the village. 7 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in Hebron, Aida refugee camp, and Nablus. In East Jerusalem, 2 Israeli settlers were arrested for allegedly damaging church property in the Old City. Israeli forces shot and killed 1 Palestinian, saying he had stabbed 2 Israeli police officers in the Old City; Israeli forces later arrested his brother during a house raid in al-Tur where Israeli forces took measurements for a punitive demolition. Off the coast of Gaza, Israeli naval forces opened fire on Palestinian fishermen northwest of Khan Yunis; no injuries were reported. (ABC, AJ, AP, HA, HA, HA, JP, MEE, MEMO, TOI, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 3/6; JP, MEMO, PCHR, TOI, WAFA 3/7; PCHR 3/10; UNOCHA 3/11)

The Israeli military spokesperson claimed that Israel had intercepted 2 Iranian drones in March of 2021, which Israel claimed to believe were transporting weapons to Gaza. (HA, MEMO 3/7)

Israel’s interior minister Ayelet Shaked said at the Knesset that too many Ukrainian refugees that are not Jewish have entered Israel since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine on 2/24. Interior Minister Shaked said she was working on an approach to bring in more Jewish Ukrainian refugees. (HA 3/6; HA, JDF 3/7)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers vandalized an agricultural structure in Khallet al-Dabe. Israeli settlers with military escort raided Burqa, leading to clashes between Palestinians and Israeli forces; 3 were injured by rubber-coated bullets and others suffered tear-gas related injuries. Israeli forces razed 40 dunams (9.9 acres) of Palestinian agricultural lands near al-Khader and a tract of land in Kafr ad-Dik. Israeli forces also violently dispersed Palestinians protesting against the administrative detention of a Palestinian who has been hunger striking for 140 days in Fawwar refugee camp, leading to tear-gas related injuries. Elsewhere, Israeli forces shot and injured 1 Palestinian with live ammunition during a raid in Beit Umar; others suffered tear-gas related injuries. Israeli forces also raided Huwwara and Tuqu’, leading to tear-gas related injuries. Meanwhile, Israeli forces violently dispersed Palestinian protesters in Abu Dis, causing tear-gas related injuries. Israeli forces also delivered demolition notices for homes in Nahalin. 13 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in Ramallah, Husan, Anabta, and Silat al-Harithiya. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces delivered a stop-work order for a mosque in Isawiya. 5 Palestinians were arrested during raids in Silwan and the Old City. Off the coast of Gaza, Israeli naval forces opened fire at Palestinian fishermen within 3 nautical miles west of the coast; no injuries were reported. (WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 1/3; MEMO 1/4; PCHR 1/6)

2 Israeli soldiers died in a helicopter crash off the coast of Haifa. (MEMO, MEMO, REU 1/4)

Israeli foreign minister Yair Lapid, who is promised to be prime minister in August 2023, said that he will not start negotiations with Palestinians about a final peace agreement. (HA 1/3)

Israeli ambassador to the UN Gilad Erdan criticized actress Emma Watson for a post on her Instagram account expressing solidarity with Palestinians. Ambassador Erdan’s criticism came shortly after his predecessor Danny Danon called Watson an anti-Semite for the post on her social media account. The criticism of Watson’s post sparked debates about the limitations to speech in support of Palestinians. Dozens of other Hollywood stars, including Susan Sarandon, Mark Ruffalo, and Viggo Mortensen, later signed a letter supporting Watson’s post and confirmed their stance in support of Palestinian rights. (GDN 1/4; MEMO 1/8; AJ, GDN, MEE, WAFA 1/13)

In the West Bank, Israeli forces shot and killed 1 Palestinian man and injured 3 others during a late-night raid in Nablus, Israel claimed that explosives had been thrown at the Israeli forces as they raided the city; no Israeli was injured during the raid; the PA condemned the killing. 23 Palestinians were arrested, including 1 at the Allenby Bridge and 22 during raids in Beitunia, Bayt Liqya, Ramallah, al-Bireh, al-Eizariya, Hebron, al-Arroub refugee camp, Qarawat Bani Hassan, Bidya, Ras al-Ain, Jamma‘in, and Qalqilya. In East Jerusalem, the Israeli municipality began razing land seized from 4 Palestinian families in Sheikh Jarrah, which served as a parking lot and car wash in preparation for construction of a settler park. 5 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in the Old City. Off the coast of Gaza, Israeli naval forces opened fire at Palestinian fishermen within 3 nautical miles west of Beit Lahiya; no injuries were reported. In Gaza, Israeli forces made incursions and leveled land in the northern part of Gaza near the Gaza fence. Israeli forces also opened fire at Palestinian farmers working their lands east of Maghazi and Khuza‘a; no injuries were reported. (AJ, AP, HA, JP, MDW, MEE, MEMO, REU, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 12/13; PCHR 12/16)

Haaretz reported that the Custodian General’s unit in the Israeli Justice Ministry is exploring plans to build 5 Jewish settlements in East Jerusalem: 1 in Sheikh Jarrah, 1 near the Damascus Gate, 1 in Sur Baher, 1 in Bayt Hanina, and 2 in Bayt Safafa. The Custodian General manages private property claimed by Israel to have unknown owners. Most of the properties managed by the Custodian General are in East Jerusalem. (HA, MEE 12/13)

The patriarchs and heads of local churches of Jerusalem released a statement warning that Israeli government is failing to protect the Christian community in Jerusalem from physical attacks by “radical groups” and groups trying to displace the Christian community from Jerusalem by acquiring “strategic property . . . using underhanded dealings and intimidation tactics to evict residents from their homes.” (TOI 12/19; BBC, HA, MEE 12/21)

Israel released the former leader of the northern branch Islamic Movement in Israel Sheikh Raed Salah after 17 months in prison for “incitement.” (MEMO 12/8; AJ, MEE, MEMO 12/13; MEMO 12/14)

PA president Mahmoud Abbas met with U.S. state department undersecretary for political affairs Victoria Nuland in Ramallah. (WAFA 12/13)

Israel’s prime minister Naftali Bennett met with UAE crown prince Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan in Abu Dhabi. The 2 were said to have discussed Iran and building on the 2 countries’ normalization agreement. A joint statement later announced that the 2 countries had plans to establish a joint research and development fund. (AP, CNN, HA, MEMO, NYT, REU, REU 12/13; ALM, MEMO 12/14)

Israel’s public security minister Omer Bar-Lev told Undersecretary Victoria Nuland that he views settler violence “severely” and is taking action against it. Public Security Minister Bar-Lev’s comments drew the ire of Israeli politicians in his coalition and further right, who said that there is no issue with Israeli settler violence toward Palestinians. (HA 12/13; HA 12/16; ALM 12/17)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers started building structures on Palestinian land near ‘Ayn al-Auja. Israeli settlers also threw stones at Palestinian vehicles driving in Turmus ‘Ayya, injuring 1 minor. Israeli forces demolished 1 house under construction in Khirbet Ma‘in, displacing 8, including 6 minors. Israeli forces also seized 3 agricultural tents in Ras al-Tin, 1 bulldozer in Deir Balut, and 1 residential structure in ‘Ayn Samia, displacing 8, including 6 minors. Elsewhere, Israeli forces razed 500 meters of newly paved road and placed 7 dirt mounds on the road near ‘Asirah al-Shamaliyah. 7 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in Beitunia, al-Mughayyir, al-Bireh, Biddu, Bethlehem, Jaba‘, and Qalqilya. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces demolished 3 buildings, displacing 6 Palestinians in Wadi Hummus. 1 Palestinian was arrested in the Old City. In Gaza, Israeli forces made incursions and leveled land east of Gaza City. In West Jerusalem, 5 Israelis attacked 1 Palestinian man after hearing him speaking Arabic at the site of the Mamilla Cemetery, which now serves as a park; the man suffered multiple fractures and was treated at Hadassah Hospital for his injuries. (MEMO, MEMO, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 11/23; BTselem, WAFA 11/24; HA, PCHR 11/25)

PA president Mahmoud Abbas met with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Sochi, Russia. Members of Fatah said that President Abbas was seeking more Russian involvement in the peace process as part of his push to move from U.S. mediation to international conferences. (MEMO, WAFA 11/23; ALM 11/24)

The Jerusalem Media and Communications Center released a survey conducted in October with 715 participants from the West Bank and East Jerusalem and 485 from Gaza. The survey found that support for a 2-state solution had dropped from 39% in April to 29% and support for a 1-state solution had increased from 21.5% to 26%. A large discreptency was found between the West Bank and Gaza. In the West Bank, 30% supported a 1-state solution—more than the support of a 2-state solution—while in Gaza, 20% supported a 1-state solution and 38%, a 2-state solution. The survey also found 70% of respondents wanted a new date for general elections and 42% said that they did not plan to participate. 34% would vote for Fatah at PLC elections (highest among Palestinians in Gaza), 10% for Hamas, and some 34% said that they would not vote. Support for PA president Abbas was down to 35% from 50% in April. (JMCC 11/23; JP 11/25; MEMO 11/26)

Israel’s president Isaac Herzog met with UK prime minister Boris Johnson in London. During their meeting, Prime Minister Johnson said that the UK’s decision to designate all of Hamas as a terrorist organization “was a difficult and controversial decision,” but right. (HA 11/23)

The tech company Apple said it had filed a lawsuit against NSO Group and its parent company OSY Technologies for its hacking of Apple users’ phones with the Pegasus software. It was reported on 11/22 that NSO Group is at risk of defaulting on $500,000,000 worth of debt. (AP, HA, HA, NYT 11/23; MEMO, MEMO 11/24)

The German Development Bank signed an agreement worth $11.2 to support infrastructure projects in the West Bank. (WAFA 11/23)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers attacked Palestinians harvesting olives in Deir al-Hatab. Israeli settlers also stole olives harvested in Khirbet Yanun. Hundreds of Palestinians worked their land in Jabal Sabih for the 1st time since Israeli settlers erected the Evyatar settlement outpost on the hill. The outpost was cleared in July, but Israeli forces have repelled Palestinians trying to reach the top of the hill since it was erected. 4 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in Bayt Jala and Jenin. In East Jerusalem, dozens of Israeli settlers toured the Haram al-Sharif compound. Israeli forces violently dispersed Palestinian protesters at a construction site near al-Yusufiya Muslim cemetery at the Old City walls, where human remains have been found after parts of the cemetery were razed; 10 Palestinians were injured. Israeli forces also summoned former grand mufti of Jerusalem Sheikh Ekrima Sabri for questioning after raiding his home. 3 Palestinians were arrested in the Old City. In Gaza, Israeli forces opened fire at Palestinian land east of Khuza‘a; no injuries were reported. Off the coast of Gaza, Israeli naval forces opened fire at Palestinian fishermen within 3 nautical miles west of Gaza; no injuries were reported. (WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 10/10; AJ, HA, MEE, MEMO, MEMO, WAFA 10/11; TOI, WAFA 10/12; PCHR 10/14)

An Israeli military court in the West Bank charged 2 Palestinians from Jenin with aiding 2 of the Palestinians that escaped Gilboa prison on 9/6 by providing them shelter and food. (HA 10/12)

Hamas and Fatah officials told Haaretz that the U.S. and Egypt are encouraging the 2 Palestinian parties to form a unity government. The officials who talked to Haaretz said such an outcome was unlikely. According to Palestinian politicians in the West Bank, PA president Mahmoud Abbas told U.S. deputy assistant secretary of state for Israeli and Palestinian affairs Hady Amr that he potentially would agree to a unity government with Hamas officials, but that it could not be made up by technocrats. Abbas is also said to have insisted that Hamas recognize cooperation between the PA and Israel. (HA 10/10)

Serbian president Aleksandar Vučić told PA foreign minister Riyad al-Maliki, during a meeting of the Non-Aligned Movement, that Serbia will not move its embassy to Israel from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem. (WAFA 10/11)

German chancellor Angela Merkel met with Israeli prime minister Naftali Bennett in Jerusalem. During a joint press conference, Prime Minister Bennett said that Israel was not ignoring its conflict with Palestinians but said that “we’ve learned from experience that a Palestinian state would highly likely mean a terror state a seven-minute [drive] from my own home, and from just about any place in Israel.” Chancellor Merkel told Bennett that she supports Israel despite the Israeli government’s opposition to a 2-state solution. (AP, HA, HA, HA, REU, REU 10/10; ABC, ALM, AP, MEMO, WAFA 10/11)

In the West Bank, Israeli forces seized 1 Palestinian-owned truck in al-Khader. Israeli forces also issued an order that it will seize around 50,000 dunams (12,355 acres) of land in and around Kisan. 1 Palestinian was arrested during a late-night raid in Husan. In East Jerusalem, 1 Palestinian demolished 2 rooms added to his house in Jabel Mukaber. 6 Palestinians, including 4 minors, were arrested in the Old City and Silwan. Off the coast of Gaza, Israeli naval forces opened fire at Palestinian fishermen within 3 nautical miles west of Gaza; no injuries were reported. In Gaza, Hamas security forces raided al-Azhar University, assaulting students for wearing the keffiyeh. Israeli forces opened fire at Palestinian shepherds near Beit Hanun; no injuries were reported. (PCHR, WAFA, WAFA 9/21; PCHR 9/23; ALM 9/28)

Israel closed al-Ibrahimi Mosque for Palestinian worshipers until midnight on 9/24, citing the Sukkot holiday. (WAFA 9/22; MEMO 9/23)

Hamas’s official in charge of prisoner affairs Zaher Jabarin said that Hamas had made a new proposal for a prisoner swap with Israel. According to the Lebanese newspaper Al Akhbar, 1 proposal included swapping 2 Israeli prisoners and the remains of 2 Israeli soldiers held by Hamas in exchange for the 6 Palestinians who escaped Gilboa prison on 9/6 and were later rearrested, along with all women and children held by Israel. A 2d proposal included providing information about the 2 Israelis held by Hamas in exchange for the release of women, children, and some of the Palestinians rearrested after a prisoner swap in 2011, followed by the release of thousands of Palestinians and the release of the Israelis held in Gaza. (HA, JP, MEMO 9/21; ALM 9/22; MEMO 9/23)

A new poll by the Palestinian Center for Policy and Survey Research found that 78% of the 1,270 Palestinians surveyed in the West Bank and Gaza wanted PA president Mahmoud Abbas to resign. The poll also found that 63% of the people polled believe that the PA or PA security leaders ordered the murder of Nizar Banat in order to silence his criticism of the PA. Lastly, the poll found that Marwan Barghouti has the most support of the potential presidential candidates brought up by the pollsters. (AP, HA 9/21; MEMO 9/22)

Progressive members of the Democratic Party in the house of representatives opposed adding $1 billion to funding of the Israeli Iron Dome to a stopgap government funding bill. Half the members of the progressive caucus said they would vote no on the bill if the Iron Dome funding was not removed, citing a need for transparency in military aid. The $1 billion, an addition to the $3.8 billion that Israel receives in military aid each year, will likely pass later either as a stand-alone bill or as an addition to the 2020 Defense Appropriations bill. House majority leader Steny Hoyer spoke to Israel’s foreign minister Yair Lapid, assuring him that Israel would receive the extra billion from the U.S, calling the issue a technicality. (MEMO 9/20; AA, AX, HA, HILL, POL, REU 9/21; AP, HA, HA, JP, JP, MEMO, MEMO, MEMO, TOI, TOI, TOI, TOI 9/22)

At the UN general assembly, U.S. president Joe Biden said that his administration supports a 2-state solution with “a viable, sovereign, and democratic Palestinian state,” but that “[w]e are a long way from that goal at this moment.” Biden also said that the U.S. would reenter the Iran nuclear deal if Iran does. Qatar’s emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani criticized Israel’s policy of Judaizing Jerusalem and its assault on Gaza in May. (AA, HA, JP, MEE 9/21; TOI 9/22)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers vandalized 47 olive trees near Burin. Israeli forces violently dispersed Palestinians protesting in East Jerusalem, Bethlehem, al-Ram, and al-Arub refugee camp against the planned settler march, causing tear-gas related injuries. Israeli forces also violently dispersed Palestinian protesters in al-Bireh; no injuries were reported. Elsewhere, Israeli forces shot and injured 1 Palestinian with live ammunition by the separation wall in Jalama village. Israeli forces also delivered stop-work notices for 5 structures in Burqin and for a road near Sabastiyya. 3 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in Mirka and Jenin. In East Jerusalem, the new Israeli government allowed far-right Israelis and Israeli settlers, including MKs Itamar Ben-Gvir of Otzma Yehudit (Jewish Power) and Bezalel Smotrich of HaTzionut HaDatit (the Religious Zionist Party) to march through the Old City of Jerusalem, yelling “Death to Arabs” and “May your village burn down.” Israeli forces had forced Palestinian-owned stores in the Old City to close for the march. Member of the newly formed government coalition, Mansour Abbas Ra’am (United Arab List), said that the march was an “unrestrained provocation” and “incitement to violence.” In a tweet, the new Israeli foreign minister Yair Lapid condemned the racist slogans targeting Palestinians. Israeli forces violently dispersed Palestinians protesting the march, injuring 33, including 6 who were hospitalized, and arresting 17. Israel had also sealed parts of the Old City for entry of Palestinians. Prior to the march, Israeli settlers also toured the Haram al-Sharif compound. In Gaza, in response to Israel allowing the provocative march through the Old City, incendiary balloons sent from Gaza started some 20 fires in Israel. Israeli forces shot and injured 3 Palestinians protesting at the Gaza fence by Khuza‘a with live ammunition and arrested 3 who attempted to cross into Israel. Israeli forces also violently dispersed a Palestinian protester by the Gaza fence east of al-Showka, leading to tear-gas related injuries. 1 Palestinian succumbed to injuries sustained during the Israeli attacks in Bayt Hanun on 5/13 during the Israeli attacks on Gaza in mid-May, raising the comprehensive death toll since 5/10 from 265 to 266, including 67 children and 3 pregnant women. (AP 6/14; AJ, AJ, AJ, AP, F24, HA, MEE, MEMO, REU, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 6/15; ALM, HA, TOI 6/16; PCHR 6/17)

The Israeli military said it would scale back its late-night house raids in the West Bank. (AP, TOI 6/16; HA, HA 6/17)

The Palestinian Center for Policy and Survey Research said a new poll found that 535 Palestinians believe that Hamas is “most deserving of representing and leading the Palestinian people” and that 145 believed the same about Fatah. The poll was sourced from 1,200 Palestinians in face-to-face surveys in the West Bank and Gaza. (HA, TOI 6/15)

Iran said it had made 6.5 kilos (14 lbs.) of uranium enriched to 60%. Iran’s announcement seemed to be a way of asserting pressure on the U.S. as indirect talks about the U.S. reentering the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action agreement are ongoing. (AP, HA 6/15)

U.S president Joe Biden picked Tom Nides, a former Obama administration official and current Morgan Stanley vice chairman of investment, as the new ambassador to Israel. Nides will need to be confirmed by the U.S. senate before assuming the role. (AJ, HA, IN, REU 6/15; HA 6/16)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers assaulted 1 Palestinian farmer working his land near Qalqilya. Israeli forces uprooted some 100 olive trees while razing some 30 dunams (7.4 acres) of land in Jayyus. Israeli forces also delivered demolition notices for 10 houses in Ni‘lin and Dayr Qaddis in Area B. Elsewhere, Israeli forces seized 2 residential tents and 2 agricultural tents, displacing 15 Palestinians in al-Buwayb in the Masafer Yatta area. Palestinians protested Israeli attacks on Palestinian and international journalists at the office of the Palestinian Journalists Syndicate in Ramallah. 11 Palestinians were arrested, including 10 during raids in and around Bethlehem, Nablus, al-‘Arub refugee camp, Bayt Umar, Hebron, Dayr Abu Mash‘al, Idhna, al-‘Amari refugee camp, Dayr Balut, and Surayf, and 1 was arrested at a checkpoint in Huwwara. In East Jerusalem, 5 Palestinians were arrested in al-Tur, Silwan, and the Old City. In Gaza, 1 Palestinian was found dead in rubble resulting from Israeli air strikes in Gaza City, raising the comprehensive death toll since 5/10 from 260 to 261, including 67 children and 3 pregnant women. (WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 5/31; PCHR 6/3)

In Gaza, electricity remained limited to 6 hours followed by blackouts for 12 hours despite repairs made to power lines that were damaged during the most recent escalation between Israel and Hamas. It was reported that the power shortages were due to Israel continuing to withhold fuel transfers to Gaza’s power plant. It was also reported that Israel continues to prevent Palestinians in need of cancer treatment from traveling to East Jerusalem for chemotherapy. (HA, HA 5/31; MEMO 6/1)

Palestinian prisoners started an open-ended hunger strike for the Israel Prison Service allow family visits, which has been prohibited since March of 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. (WAFA 5/31)

2 Palestinians were charged with terrorism for allegedly throwing stones at 1 Jewish family traveling by car in East Jerusalem on 5/9, a day where more than 330 Palestinians were injured by Israeli settlers and police. (HA 5/31)

Hamas leader in Gaza Yahya Sinwar said Hamas was ready to negotiate the terms of releasing Israeli captives and the bodies of 2 Israeli soldiers held by the organization. The deputy head of Hamas in Gaza, Khalil al-Hayya, had earlier that day warned Israel not to tie the issue of Israeli captives to aid to Gaza or to Israeli policy on Jerusalem. Israel’s foreign minister Gabi Ashkenazi made the opposite demand during a meeting with Egypt’s foreign minister Sameh Shoukry on 5/30. Head of Egyptian general intelligence Abbas Kamel also met with Sinwar in Gaza to discuss a long-term ceasefire with Israel. (HA 5/29; AJ, AP, HA, HA, REU 5/31; MEMO, MEMO 6/1)

Israeli public security minister Amir Ohana backed a call by Lydda councilman Amichai Langfeld to have armed Jewish-Israeli civilians patrol the streets of the city to “protect the Jewish community” there. Jewish-Israeli member of Knesset from the Joint Arab List Ofer Cassif said such calls were incitement. (HA 6/1)

Israel and the UAE signed a tax treaty. (HA, MEMO, REU 5/31)

Israel summoned the ambassador of Mexico to Israel because of the country’s vote at the UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC) on 5/27 to investigate potential Israeli war crimes. On 5/30, Israel also summoned the ambassador the Philippines over his country’s vote at the UNHRC. (JP 6/1)

More than 50 former prime ministers, foreign ministers, and senior international officials wrote an open letter calling for protecting the independence of the ICC and condemning attacks on the court. The letter mentioned Israel-Palestine as a place where, without the ICC, there “is no accountability for grave human rights violations, it is the victims seeking justice and people longing for lasting peace who are paying the price.” The letter also called allegation of anti-Semitism waged against the ICC “unfounded.” (GDN, GDN 5/31; MEMO, WAFA 6/1)

The UN’s International Atomic Energy Agency said in a report that Iran has failed to explain why traces of uranium were found at undeclared sites. (REU 5/31)

In the West Bank, 1 Israeli settler shot and injured 1 Palestinian minor using rubber-coated bullets in al-Janiya. Israeli settlers also damaged and uprooted 130 olive seedings in al-Rihaya south of Hebron. Israeli forces shot and injured 1 Palestinian with live ammunition in Far‘un. 19 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in and around Bayt Umar, Yatta, Bethlehem, al-Walaja, Kaubar, Silwad, Tell, Qabalan, ‘Azun, al-Twana, and Jenin; during a house raid in al-Twana, 1 Palestinian 5-year-old got a black eye during the raid on her home. In East Jerusalem, around 120 Israeli settlers with military escort raided the Haram al-Sharif compound for the 2d day in a row. Israeli forces shot and killed 1 Palestinian after he allegedly stabbed and injured 1 settler and 1 soldier near Shaykh Jarrah. 26 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in Silwan, Jabal al-Mukabir, Shu‘fat, and the Old City. In Gaza, 2 Palestinians injured in Israeli air strikes on Bayt Hanun on 5/11 succumbed to their injuries and 4 Palestinians were found dead in rubble from Israeli air strikes in Khan Yunis, raising the comprehensive death toll since 5/10 from 253 to 259, including 67 children and 3 pregnant women. (AJ, ALM, AP, HA, REU, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 5/24; HA, MEMO, WAFA 5/25; PCHR 5/27)

3 Jewish-Israelis were charged with terrorism after severely beating 1 Palestinian-Israeli man on 5/12 in Bat Yam. The Palestinian man was pulled from his car and beaten by a large mob of Jewish-Israelis while an Israeli TV crew filmed the incident as it was unfolding. 6 people were for the attack, while TV footage show the faces of several others beating the man who have not been arrested. (HA 5/24; HA 5/26)

The Palestinian Prisoners Society said Israel had issued 155 administrative detention orders since the beginning of May. (WAFA 5/24)

AP reported that 17 journalists in Gaza had their WhatsApp accounts blocked since 5/21. WhatsApp is owned by Facebook, which has been accused of silencing Palestinian voices. WhatsApp is considered an important tool for sharing information among journalists and activists. (AP 5/24; AJ, F24, NAT, TOI 5/25; AJ, MEMO 5/26)

Iran said it would allow the International Atomic Energy Agency to continue monitoring Iran’s nuclear activities for 1 additional month after a previous agreement expired. (AP, AX, HA, NYT, REU 5/24)

U.S. president Joe Biden spoke to Egyptian president Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, thanking him for his role in mediating the Hamas-Israel ceasefire that went into effect on 5/21. The 2 also discussed rebuilding Gaza. (HILL, REU 5/24; AJ, NAT 5/25)

A U.S. federal court ruled a 2016 Georgia law, prohibiting state contracts with people who engage in boycotts of Israel, unconstitutional. The lawsuit was brought by 2 U.S. rights organizations on behalf of journalist Abby Martin. (MEMO 5/25)

In an attempt to deflect from international outcry, Belarus said it had forced a Ryanair plane traveling from Athens to Vilnius to land in Minsk because a bomb threat in the name of Hamas was made against it. Hamas denied the allegation. In the incident, which happened on 5/23, Belarusian warplanes forced the commercial jet to land in Minsk for Belarusian forces to arrest a passenger who runs a website for opponents of Belarusian dictator Alexander Lukashenko. (HA 5/24; MEMO 5/26)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers vandalized vehicles and set fire to 15 dunams (3.7 acres) of agricultural land in the Masafer Yatta area. 6 Palestinians were arrested, including 4 during late-night raids in and around Tubas and Nablus, and 2 at checkpoints near Huwwara and in Hebron. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces violently dispersed Palestinian and Israeli protesters near Shaykh Jarrah, demanding that they end the lockdown of the area. 9 Palestinians were arrested, including 5 during house raids in Issawiyya and the Old City and 4 at the Haram al-Sharif compound. Off the coast of Gaza, Israeli naval forces opened fire at Palestinian fishermen within 3 nautical miles west of Dayr al-Balah; no injuries were reported. In Israel, thousands demonstrated in Tel Aviv for “a joint future” for all Israelis after days of violence among Israeli citizens. There were also protests outside of prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s official residence. (HA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 5/22; PCHR 5/27)

Israel allowed a limited number of fishing boats from Gaza to start fishing, after closing the fishing zone since 5/10. (AP 5/23)

Egypt sent a convoy of 130 trucks to Gaza carrying humanitarian aid. (HA, WAFA 5/22)

PA president Mahmoud Abbas spoke with Qatari emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani about the recent Israeli attacks on Gaza and East Jerusalem. Emir Al Thani promised to help organize other nations in ending Israeli attacks on the al-Aqsa Mosque. President Abbas also spoke to the emir of Kuwait, Nawaf Al‑Ahmad Al‑Jaber Al‑Sabah, and the Egyptian security delegation that had been working as intermediaries between Israel and Hamas before the ceasefire. (AJ, REU, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 5/22)

The mayor of Lydda Yair Revivo threatened Palestinian-Israeli councilwoman Fida Shehade that he would send the Shin Bet after her because she had criticized the city’s treatment of its Palestinian-Israeli residents. (HA 5/23)

Lebanese prime minister-designate Saad Hariri said he would not continue trying to form a cabinet after Lebanese president Michel Aoun said that he was incapable of doing so on 5/21. (REU, REU 5/22)

The UN security council (UNSC) released its 1st statement since the escalation of violence against Gaza on 5/10, calling for adherence to the ceasefire. The statement mourned the loss of civilian lives, called for humanitarian aid to Palestinians, and reiterated its support for a 2-state solution. The U.S. has been criticized by other members of the UNSC for blocking statements before the ceasefire took effect on 5/21. UN humanitarian coordinator for the Palestinian territories Lynn Hastings also toured Gaza to assess the damage, calling for the blockade to end and expressing concern about a potential new COVID-19 outbreak. (AJ, AP, HA, HA, WAFA 5/22)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers attacked 2 Palestinians in al-Zubeidat. Israeli forces shot and killed 1 Palestinian minor using live ammunition during a confrontation in al-‘Arub refugee camp. Israeli forces violently dispersed Palestinian protesters in Husan, leading to tear-gas related injuries. Israeli forces also violently dispersed Palestinian protesters in Hebron, leading to tear-gas related injuries. Elsewhere, Israeli forces violently dispersed Palestinians protesting in Jenin, leading to tear-gas related injuries. Palestinian protests were also held in Qabatiya and Rumana. 8 Palestinians were arrested, including 7 during late-night raids in Dayr Abu Mash‘al, Jenin, Jericho, and Bayt Rima; 1 was arrested while in a park in Jenin. In East Jerusalem, Israeli settlers raided the Bab al-Rahma cemetery at the Haram al-Sharif compound. 3 Palestinians were arrested during raids in al-Tur, the Old City, and Silwan. In Gaza, 13 Palestinians were killed, including 2 children, and dozens were injured, raising the comprehensive death toll since 5/10 from 203 to 216, including 62 children and 2 pregnant women. The casualties included: 1 in an air strike on a house in Jabaliya; 1 while driving a car near Gaza City; 4 by an Israeli air strike near a seaside café west of Gaza City; 2, including 1 child, in an air strike on an apartment building in Gaza City; 1 child, and 1 child was wounded during an air strike at a house in Dayr al-Balah; 1, and 1 injured in an air strike in Abasan; 2, and 2 injured in a drone strike in Bayt Lahiya; 1 succumbed to wounds sustained on 5/13 during an air strike on the American Hospital west of Bayt Lahiya; 1 Palestinian was found in rubble from a massive air strike that killed 43 in Gaza City on 5/16, raising the death toll from that strike to 44. Israel also conducted large-scale air attacks on al-Bureij, Nuseirat refugee camp, Dayr al-Balah, Gaza City, and Khan Yunis, causing extensive damage and injuries; among the buildings damaged was the Gaza COVID-19 vaccination center and a large bookstore. It was reported that several power lines had been destroyed, making the electricity supply to Gaza even worse. In Israel, 1 Jewish-Israeli man was killed by Palestinian-Israeli stone-throwers in Lydda. Israel said 6 rockets were fired from Lebanon toward Israel, but landed in Lebanese territory; Israel subsequently attacked areas of Lebanon. (AP, HA 5/16; AJ, AJ, AJ, AP, AP, HA, MEE, MEE, PCHR, REU, REU, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 5/17; PCHR 5/18; HA, MEE 5/19; PCHR 5/20; MEE 5/21; NYT 5/26)

The Fatah central committee called for a general strike to protest evictions of Palestinians from East Jerusalem and the Israeli attacks on Gaza on 5/18. A similar call was made by the High Follow-Up Committee for Arab Citizens of Israel on 5/16. (MEE, WAFA 5/17)

PA civil affairs minister Hussein al-Sheikh, general intelligence chief Majid Faraj, and advisor for the president on diplomatic affairs Majdi Khaldi met with U.S. deputy assistant secretary for Israel and Palestinian affairs Hady Amr in Ramallah. The trio urged the U.S. to pressure Israel to stop its attack on Gaza and evictions of Palestinians in East Jerusalem. Deputy Assistant Secretary Amr also met with PA president Mahmoud Abbas and PA prime minister Mohammed Shtayyeh. (AJ, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 5/17)

U.S. president Joe Biden called for a ceasefire during a phone call with Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu. (AJ, AX, NPR, REU 5/17; AJ, AP, HA 5/18; AP 5/19)

Amnesty International said Israel’s attacks on Gaza must be investigated as war crimes, given their targeting of residential homes. (AI 5/17; WAFA 5/19)

In the West Bank, 1 Israeli settler shot and killed 1 Palestinian and injured 1 other when the 2 confronted a group of settlers attempting to set fire to their crops near al-Rihiya, south of Hebron; +972 reported that the settlers mutilated the body of the Palestinian man they had shot dead. 10 Palestinians were killed and 209 wounded by Israeli forces throughout the West Bank. The casualties included: 1, and 39 injured during a protest in Shwaika near Tulkarm; several others were reported injured; 1 protester, and 2 injured in Salem; 1 protester in Asira; 1 protester, and 4 injured in Beita; 1 protester, and 18 others injured by live ammunition in Ya‘bad; 1 protester in Marda; 1 protester in Iskaka; 1 protester, and 4 injured in ‘Urif; 1 protester in Jericho; 1 Palestinian at a checkpoint, who allegedly tried to ram Israeli soldiers near Silwad; 148 protesters injured by live ammunition and rubber-coated bullets during protests in and around Dayr Nidham, Bayt Dajan, Bayt Furik, al-Fawar refugee camp, al-Khadir, Salfit, Tayassir, Huwwara, Aqraba, Ni‘lin, Jenin, Qalqilya, Tulkarm, and Qusra. 13 Palestinians were arrested, including 6 during late-night raids in and around Qalandia refugee camp, Bayt Umar, and Sa‘ir; 7 were arrested during protests at the al-Jalama checkpoint near Jenin. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces shot and injured 19 Palestinians using live ammunition, rubber-coated bullets, and sound bomb canisters during protests in and around Shaykh Jarrah, Bayt Hanina, Silwan, and the Old City. 7 Palestinians were arrested during raids in al-Tur, Silwan, and Sur Bahir. In Gaza, 22 Palestinians were killed, including 6 children, and dozens injured, raising the comprehensive death toll since 5/10 from 114 to 136, including 33 children and 2 pregnant women. The casualties included: 9, including 3 children, and 73 injured, including 20 children, in air strikes on buildings in Bayt Lahiya and Bayt Hanun; 4 in an air strike on Gaza City, including 1 child; 3, including 1 child, in air strikes on Jabaliya; 1, and 16 injured, including 2 children, in air strikes on al-Bureij refugee camp; 1, and 1 wounded in an air strike on Abasan; 1 in an air strike while riding a motorbike in Rafah; 1 Palestinian was found dead in rubble from an air strike in Dayr al-Balah on 5/13; 1 Palestinian child succumbed to wounds sustained in an air strike on Gaza City on 5/12; 1 Palestinian succumbed to wounds sustained in an air strike on 5/12 in Bayt Lahiya. Israel also said it had assassinated 3 Hamas operatives, Shadi Abed Al-Hadi, Osama Shehadeh, and Zakaria Zarendah. Israeli air strikes also destroyed an interior ministry building west of Gaza City and 3 poultry farms near Rafah, killing more than 10,000 chickens. Israeli forces also struck the fishing ports in Gaza city and Khan Yunis. Damage to power lines in Gaza was reported, significantly reducing the amount of available electricity. In Israel, Israeli forces killed 2 people after several people crossed from Lebanon into Israel by Metula. Israel also said that 3 rockets were fired at Israel from Syria, with 2 landing in open land in the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights and 1 in Syria. 2 rockets from Gaza hit 2 houses in Sderot, causing damage and 1 injury. 1 rocket from Gaza lightly injured 1 Israeli driving near Beersheba. Israel barred people from outside of Lydda from entering the city from 4 p.m. and barred all its residents from leaving their homes after 9 p.m. 1 Palestinian-Israeli minor was seriously injured, and another minor lightly injured, after a firebomb was thrown at their house in Jaffa; Israeli police claimed without evidence that it was 2 Palestinian-Israeli men that had thrown the firebomb. Israeli forces were filmed kicking Palestinian-Israeli vehicles traveling in Umm al-Fahm and firing stun grenades at them for no apparent reason. Israeli forces shot and injured 1 Palestinian-Israeli minor in Lydda, claiming he tried to throw a firebomb at them. 5 Palestinian-Israelis were arrested in Umm al-Fahm after a fire was ignited at the town’s city hall. 9 Palestinian-Israelis were arrested in ‘Akka. Israeli forces violently dispersed Palestinian-Israeli protesters in Kafr Kana, injuring 28. Israel also told international news outlets that it would conduct a ground invasion of Gaza shortly and then later apologized to the news outlets for providing false information; analysts suspected that Israel used the media outlets to lure Hamas militants into tunnels before heavily bombarding said tunnels; Israel said that dozens were killed in the attack on the tunnels. Israel also shot down 1 drone sent from Gaza. 1 Israeli woman succumbed to injuries sustained after falling while running to a shelter in Neta’im on 5/11, raising the Israeli death toll to 9. In Jordan, some 500 protesters tried to enter the West Bank through the Allenby bridge, but were dispersed by Jordanian forces 3 miles from the border. In Amman, thousands of protesters called for the expulsion of the Israeli ambassador and ending the Jordanian-Israeli peace treaty. (AJ, AJ, AJ, HA, HA, HA, HA, HA, HA, HA, HA, NYT, NYT, PCHR, PCHR, REU, REU, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 5/14; AJ, AP, AP, GDN, HA, HA, HA, PCHR, PCHR 5/15; TOI 5/16; HA 5/19; PCHR 5/20; MEE 5/21; NYT 5/26; +972 6/8; INT 7/15)

The Palestinian Health Ministry in Gaza said that 42% of the 119 people who have been killed in the Israeli attack on Gaza, at the time of reporting, were women and children. It also said 830 people had been injured. The UN estimated that 10,000 Palestinians have been internally displaced during the current escalation so far. (AJ, HA 5/14)

Spokesperson for PA president Mahmoud Abbas Nabil Abu Rudeineh said that the silence of the U.S. administration was encouraging Israeli war crimes in Gaza, East Jerusalem, and the West Bank. (WAFA 5/14)

Morocco sent 40 tons of emergency aid to Palestine and denounced Israel’s aggression toward Palestinians. (HA 5/15)

The U.S. deputy assistant secretary for Israel and Palestinian affairs Hady Amr landed in Tel Aviv in an attempt by the U.S. administration to deescalate the situation. (AX, HA 5/14; HA 5/15)

A letter co-signed by 11 Jewish Democrats in the house of representatives, led by Jerrold Nadler (D-NY), urged the Biden administration to be more active in ending the escalation of violence between Israel and Hamas and to do more to end the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The 11 members of Congress also expressed concern about the violence in East Jerusalem and urged Israel to halt the “unjust eviction” of Palestinians from their homes in Shaykh Jarrah, and said that the U.S. must address the deepening occupation. (HA 5/15)

Democrats in the House also debated the attack on Gaza on the floor, with 1 group of 11 speaking in defense of Palestinians and 1 group of 10 defending Israel’s actions. (AJ, HA 5/14)

ICC chief prosecutor Fatou Bensouda said that she will continue with her inquiry into potential war crimes committed by Israelis and Palestinians in the occupied Palestinian territories despite Israel’s refusal to cooperate. Chief Prosecutor Bensouda also said that the investigation will include the current escalation of the conflict. (HA, REU 5/14)

The Italian trade union of port workers said that its members in Livorno had refused to load a shipment of weapons and explosives to be shipped to Israel, citing Israel’s attack on Gaza. (AA 5/15; WAFA 5/16; IN 5/17)

In the West Bank, about 30 Israeli settlers attacked Palestinian farmers working their lands in Humra; Israeli left-wing activists who witnessed the attack said the settlers also attacked them, and that Israeli forces intervened on behalf of the Israeli settlers, firing tear gas at Palestinians. Israeli forces raided ‘Aqabat Jabir refugee camp, injuring 2 with live ammunition and others suffered tear-gas related injuries. Israeli forces also clashed with Palestinian youth in Hebron, leading to tear-gas related injuries. Elsewhere, Israeli forces violently dispersed protests demonstrating in solidarity with Palestinians in East Jerusalem in al-Bireh, Huwwara, Dayr Sharaf, Husan, the Qalandia checkpoint, and Luban al-Sharqiyya, leading to tear-gas related injuries and 1 arrest. 3 Palestinians were arrested at checkpoints in Hebron, Bethlehem, and Qalandia. In East Jerusalem, Israeli settlers and right-wing Israeli activists gathered to attack Palestinians but were contained by Israeli forces. 1 Israeli settler was attacked by Palestinians in Wadi al-Juz. Israeli forces violently dispersed Palestinian protesters at the Damascus Gate, injuring 22 and arresting 17. 10 other Palestinians were arrested in the Old City after clashes with Israeli forces. Candidates of the upcoming Palestinian elections held a sit-in protest in front of the Orient House to demand that Palestinians in East Jerusalem partake in the elections. In Gaza, some 700 Palestinians protested by the Gaza fence against Israeli violence toward Palestinians in Jerusalem; 3 were reportedly injured by Israeli live ammunition and the protesters burned tires. 2 rockets were fired at Israel, with 1 intercepted and 1 landing in an open field; no damage was reported. 1 Palestinian was arrested after crossing into Israel via the Gaza fence. In Israel, Palestinian-Israelis protested the violence against Palestinians in East Jerusalem on 4/22 in Umm al-Fahm. Israeli activists protested the right-wing Israeli violence in East Jerusalem on 4/22 and prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu in West Jerusalem. (HA, HA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 4/24; AJ, AJ, AP, HA, HA, HA, HA 4/25; HA 4/26; PCHR 4/29)

Israel used drones for the 1st time in the West Bank to drop tear gas at Palestinian protesters, occurring during the protest in Qalandia. The 1st time Israel used drones to drop tear gas against Palestinian protesters was in Gaza in 2018. (HA 4/28)

According to a Haaretz source, Hamas and Islamic Jihad sent a message to Israel via Egypt that the 2 groups are not interested in escalating tensions with Israel after several dozen rockets were fired at Israel on 4/23 and Israel fired missiles, causing damage in Gaza. 2 groups, Nidal al-Amoudi Division and the Abu Ali Mustapha Brigades, claimed responsibility for the rockets fired at Israel, saying they were in response to the violence by Israeli right-wing activists in Jerusalem on 4/22. (HA 4/24)

1 Iranian oil tanker was attacked by a drone off the coast of Syria. (AJ, AP, HA 4/24; AJ 4/25)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers set fire to 1 Palestinian-owned truck in Kafr Malik. Palestinians protested Israeli-inflicted electricity blackouts in Jiftlik. 5 Palestinians were arrested, including 1 Palestinian who was arrested after being summoned for interrogation, and 4 teens were arrested in Hebron for throwing snow at Israeli forces. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces clashed with Palestinians during a raid in Issawiyya; 3 Palestinians were injured by rubber-coated bullets, others suffered tear-gas related injuries, and 2 were arrested. 10 other Palestinians were arrested, including 9 who allegedly threw snow at Israeli police in Shu‘fat, Jabal Mukabir, and the Old City, and 1 was arrested at the Haram al-Sharif compound and reportedly beaten by Israeli police. In Gaza, Israeli forces made incursions and leveled land east of Dayr al-Balah. (WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 2/18; WAFA 2/19; PCHR 2/25)

The PA said the UAE is sending a shipment of 20,000 Russian-made Sputnik V vaccine doses to Gaza via the Rafah crossing. Israel allowed on 2/17 2,000 doses of the same vaccine to enter Gaza from the West Bank after refusing to let them enter Gaza. (AP, HA 2/18)

Israel announced that Palestinians from the West Bank working in Israel will be allowed to return to the West Bank from 2/21 after having to stay in Israel from the beginning of the 3d Israeli lockdown on 12/27/2020. The Palestinian workers have not and will not be offered a COVID-19 vaccine by Israel, according to a statement by the Israeli health ministry on 2/10. (HA 2/18; WAFA 2/20)

Nasser al-Kidwa, a member of the Fatah central committee, said he is involved in forming an alternative slate to Fatah and called on Marwan Barghouti, who is imprisoned in an Israeli jail, to join him. Al-Kidwa said the new slate is meant to change the PA, not to reform it. The Palestinian Central Elections Commission also warned that its website could have been hacked and asked Palestinians to verify their data and report anything unusual. (PCHR 2/18; HA 2/21)

Israel extended its ban of inbound and outbound flights until 3/6 to avoid the spread of COVID-19 mutations from other countries. (HA, JP 2/18)

Russia mediated in a prisoner swap between Israel and Syria where 1 Israeli woman who had entered Syria a couple of weeks prior was released to Israel in exchange for 2 Syrian nationals, nullifying a sentence given to a Druze woman in the Israeli-occupied Golan heights. According to Axios, Israel had meant to exchange 1 Syrian prisoner who had 14 years left of a sentence, but he opted to finish his sentence in Israeli jail rather than going to Syria. Israeli forces then arrested 2 Syrian shepherds in the buffer zone who were then released in the prisoner swap. Haaretz reported that the prisoner exchange deal included an undisclosed clause which could potentially anger the Israeli public. Later reports suggested that Israel has promised to provide hundreds of thousands of COVID-19 vaccines to the Syrian government as the undisclosed clause. 2 days later, the Israeli military removed a gag order revealing that the secret clause was that Israel would pay for millions of the Russian-made vaccine Sputnik V on behalf of the Syrian government. (AJ, AP 2/17; AP, AX, HA, HA 2/18; AJ, HA, HA, TOI 2/19; AJ, HA, HA, NYT 2/20; AP 2/21)

Israel announced that it and the U.S. have started developing a 4th missile shield called Arrow 4 to counter potential threats of ballistic missiles from Iran. The International Panel on Fissile Material (IPFM) said that Israel is expanding the Dimona nuclear facility, believed to be used for manufacturing material for nuclear weapons. IPFM made the discovery using satellite images. (GDN, HA, JP 2/18; JP 2/21; AP, HA 2/25)

U.S. secretary of state Antony Blinken said the U.S. would return to the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) agreement if Iran came back to full compliance with the deal. Iran has gradually stopped complying with the agreement after the Trump administration left the deal in 2018. Iran’s foreign minister Mohammad Javad Zarif responded that Iran would “immediately reverse all remedial measures” if the Biden Administration lifted all sanctions. Iran has told the U.S. and the other JCOPA partners that if the U.S. doesn’t start reversing sanctions by 2/23, Iran will ban short-notice inspections by UN officials. The U.S. announcement came after Secretary Blinken had a meeting with JCPOA partners the UK, France, and Germany. (AJ, REU 2/16; AJ, AJ, AP, REU 2/17; AP, AP, HA, HA, REU, REU, VOA 2/18; AJ, AP, HA, REU 2/19)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers attacked 1 Palestinian child outside of her home in Madama and threw stones at her family’s house; she was hospitalized for her injuries. Israeli forces demolished 1 school and 1 mosque under construction in the Masafer Yatta area and 11 vending stalls in ‘Anin. Israeli forces also prevented maintenance work to be carried out in al-Ibrahimi Mosque. 1 Palestinian was arrested during a late-night raid in Bethlehem. In East Jerusalem, 4 Palestinians were arrested in the Old City and Jabal Mukabir. In Gaza, Israeli forces opened fire on Palestinian farmers east of Khan Yunis; no injuries were reported. (HA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 1/17; WAFA 1/18; PCHR 1/21)

The Israeli higher planning committee gave the final approval for 365 new settler units and preliminary approval for 415 other settler units in the West Bank as promised by Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu on 1/11. The decision drew condemnation from the PA, EU, UN, and several Arab countries. PA prime minister Mohammed Shtayyeh said he hoped that U.S. president-elect Joe Biden would work toward curbing Israeli settlement activities. Israeli defense minister Benny Gantz said that Prime Minister Netanyahu tried to stop Gantz’s approval of a small number of Palestinian construction projects in the West Bank. Netanyahu’s office denied the claim. (AP, HA, REU, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 1/17; WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 1/18; AJ, WAFA, WAFA 1/19)

The Israel Prison Service announced that it would begin vaccinating all prisoners for the COVID-19 virus, including Palestinian prisoners. (AJ 1/17)

Palestinian president Mahmoud Abbas met with the heads of Jordanian, Egyptian, and PA intelligence services to brief them on the progress in Hamas-Fatah reconciliation and the upcoming Palestinian elections. (AP, JP, TOI 1/17; HA 1/18)

The Israeli minster of education Yoav Gallant instructed his ministry to ban schools from hosting representatives from organizations that “treat the IDF soldiers with contempt and call Israel an apartheid state.” Members of the Knesset have complained about B’Tselem director Hagai El-Ad’s access to speak to high school students. B’Tselem released a position paper on 1/12 explaining why the human rights organization now considers Israel an apartheid state. (HA, TOI 1/17; AJ, AP, CBS, HA, JP, MEE, TOI, WP 1/18)