The Palestine Chronology

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers with Israeli military escort toured a spring near al-Walaja. Israeli forces violently dispersed protests against the UAE-Israel normalization deal in Kafr Qaddum, Salfit, Hebron, ad Ni‘lin, causing tear-gas related injuries, and 2 were hit by rubber-coated bullets in Kafr Qaddum. In East Jerusalem, 4 Palestinians were arrested, including 3 on a street in the Old City and 1 during a late-night raid in Wadi al-Juz. In Gaza, 12 rockets were fired toward Israel, 1 causing damage to a house after it was intercepted. Israeli forces fired missiles at Gaza east and west of Gaza City and near Bayt Lahiya, causing damage and moderate injuries to 1 minor who was hit by shrapnel. Israeli forces also opened fire on agricultural lands east of Rafah and Bayt Hanun; no injuries were reported. Off the coast of Gaza, Israeli naval forces opened fire on Palestinian fishermen on 2 separate occasions west of Bayt Lahiya and Khan Yunis; no injuries were reported. In Israel, thousands of protesters outside of Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s official residence continued their calls for him to step down. (HA, HA, REU, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 8/21; HA 8/22; HA 8/23; PCHR 8/27)

In an apparent response to U.S. president Donald Trump’s claim that Saudi Arabia would follow the UAE and normalize ties with Israel, a senior member of the Saudi royal family, Prince Turki al-Faisal, said in an op-ed that “[t]he Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has set a price for concluding peace between Israel and the Arabs—it is the creation of a sovereign Palestinian state with Jerusalem as capital, as provided for by the initiative of the late King Abdullah.” According to the London-based newspaper Al-Araby Al-Jadid, the head of the Mossad, Yossi Cohen, met with the deputy head of Sudan’s sovereignty council general Mohammed Hamdan Dagalo in a meeting brokered by the UAE. Sudan denied the claim. (AJ, HA, REU 8/21; HA 8/22)

In the West Bank, 1 Palestinian was shot and injured by Israeli forces at the Qalandia checkpoint. The man, who is hearing and speech impaired, did not hear that he was ordered to stop. Elsewhere, 1 Palestinian man was shot and injured in Bethlehem after he allegedly threw a Molotov cocktail near Rachel’s Tomb. 9 Palestinians were arrested during raids in and around Bethlehem, Qalqilya, Hebron, Salfit, and Nablus. In East Jerusalem, 1 Palestinian was killed by Israeli forces after allegedly stabbing 1 Israeli police officer in the Old City. Israeli settlers set fire to 13 Palestinian-owned vehicles in Bayt Safafa. 1 Palestinian started demolishing his own 3 shops in Jabal Mukabir. In Gaza, Israeli forces fired shells at Gaza, causing damage in Bayt Hanun and Khan Yunis. Incendiary balloons were launched at Israel; no injuries were reported. Off the coast of Gaza, Israeli naval forces opened fire on Palestinian fishermen west of Gaza City; no injuries were reported. (AJ, AJ, AJ, HA, HA, HA, TOI, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 8/17; HA 8/18; PCHR 8/19)

1 Israeli soldier received 3 months of community service and was demoted to the rank of private by a military court after entering a plea deal for the murder of a Palestinian whom Israeli forces acknowledged posed no danger. (HA 8/17)

Egyptian officials arrived in Gaza to negotiate a de-escalation of tension between Israel and Hamas and other Palestinian factions in Gaza. (HA, HA 8/17)

Israeli officials told Haaretz that, despite normalizing relations with the UAE, Israel is still opposed to the U.S. selling advanced weapons such as F-35 fighter jets to the UAE. However, Haaretz reported that some Israeli officials believe that Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu had promised to support the sale of weapons to the UAE as part of the normalization deal. In an interview with Sky News Arabia, Prime Minister Netanyahu said that both Israel and the UAE are “advanced democracies.” (AJ, HA, HA 8/18)

U.S. senior advisor to president Donald Trump, Jared Kushner, said that the U.S. will not permit Israel to annex parts of the West Bank “for some time” and said that “Israel has agreed with us that they will not move forward [on annexation] without our consent.” (AJ, HA 8/17)

At a rally in Wisconsin, U.S. president Donald Trump said that he moved “the capital of Israel [U.S. recognition of Jerusalem as the capital of Israel] to Jerusalem . . . for the Evangelicals.” He continued that “the Evangelicals are more excited by that than Jewish people.” (HILL 8/17; IN 8/18; HA 8/19)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers set fire to a tractor and wrote racist graffiti in ‘Urif and slashed tires on several vehicles and wrote racist graffiti on buildings in Yasuf. Israeli settlers also threw stones and paint at an Israeli border police vehicle near the Yitzhar settlement. Israeli settlers also set fire to Palestinian agricultural lands in Asira; subsequently, local Palestinians and Israeli forces clashed in the area, leading to tear-gas related injuries. Israeli forces also razed land east of Tulkarm. Separately, Israeli forces injured 3 Palestinians using rubber-coated bullets as they were seeking to enter Israel via the separation wall near Far‘un. 20 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in and around Ramallah, Hizma, Bethlehem, Salfit, Nablus, Tulkarm, and Jenin. In East Jerusalem, 1 Palestinian family demolished part of their house built to accommodate their disabled son in Sur Bahir. 4 Palestinians were arrested, including 3 during late-night raids in Issawiyya and the Old City, and 1 Waqf guard at the Haram al-Sharif compound. In Gaza, Israel fired missiles at Gaza City, Bayt Hanun, and Dayr al-Balah, causing damage; incendiary balloons were launched from Gaza toward Israel, sparking fires. 1 unexploded Israeli shell was found at an UNRWA school west of Gaza City. Israel announced that it would stop all imports of fuel into Gaza as collective punishment for incendiary balloons landing in Israel. (AJ, REU, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 8/13; HA, HA 8/14; PCHR 8/16; PCHR 8/17; PCHR 8/19)

Russia announced that it would open trade representation offices in Bethlehem, Hebron, and Nablus. (WAFA 8/13)

U.S. president Donald Trump announced that Israel and the UAE had agreed to establish full diplomatic ties and that Israel, as part of the agreement, had decided to suspend annexation of parts of the West Bank. In a joint statement from the 3 parties, it said that “Israel will suspend declaring sovereignty over areas outlined in the President’s Vision for Peace and focus its efforts now on expanding ties with other countries in the Arab and Muslim world.” Later, Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that annexation is “still on the table” and a promise he is committed to. Subsequently, President Trump said, “Israel agreed not to annex parts of the West Bank. It is more than taking it off the table—they agreed not to do it. This is a very smart concession by Israel. It is off the table now.” U.S. ambassador to Israel David Friedman later said that annexation is “off the table now but it’s not off the table permanently. You can’t have peace and annexation at the same time.” PA president Mahmoud Abbas called the deal a “betrayal of Jerusalem, al-Aqsa Mosque and the Palestinian cause.” The PA also recalled its ambassador to the UAE. Hamas spokesperson Fawzi Barhoum said of the deal: “[t]his announcement is a reward for the Israeli occupation’s crimes . . . The normalization is a stabbing in the back of our people.” U.S. officials also said that Bahrain and Oman are likely to soon normalize relations with Israel. (HA, HA, HA, HA, REU, REU, REU, REU, WAFA, WAFA 8/13; AJ, AJ, REU, REU, REU 8/14; HA 8/15; REU 8/16; AJ 8/17)

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

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

In the West Bank, Israeli forces raided Jenin, leading to clashes with Palestinian residents; tear-gas related injuries were reported. Israeli forces also handed stop-work orders for 9 structures, 7 of them residential, in Kafr al-Dik. 4 Palestinians were arrested during raids in and around Ya‘bad and Bethlehem. In East Jerusalem, 2 Palestinians were arrested during raids in Ras al-Amud and the Old City. In Gaza, 1 rocket was fired at Israel; shrapnel from the rocket, which was intercepted, damaged 1 car in Sderot. Israeli forces subsequently fired rockets at a cement production facility and underground infrastructure near Khan Yunis and Rafah; no injuries were reported. Hamas called the Israeli rockets a “clear message of escalation.” Israeli forces also fired live ammunition at agricultural lands east of Khuza‘a; no injuries were reported. (HA 8/2; AJ, TOI, WAFA, WAFA 8/3; PCHR 8/13)

3 Israeli border police officers were arrested on suspicion of assaulting Palestinians and armed robbery on 8 different occasions over a number of months at the Meitar checkpoint south of Hebron. (HA 8/3)

Israeli army officials said Israel had struck targets and probably killed 4 people in Syria after suspecting a group planted explosives near the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights. (REU 8/2; AJ, HA, HA 8/3)

In the West Bank, Israeli forces seized 3 tractors from Palestinian villages in the Jordan Valley. Elsewhere, Israeli forces demolished 1 house under construction in Bayt Awa. Israeli forces also delivered 36 demolition notices for Palestinian homes in Farasin near Jenin; if carried out, the demolitions would displace some 200 Palestinians. 24 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in and around Anata, Nablus, Jenin, Tulkarm, Hebron, and Khirbat Makhul. In East Jerusalem, Israel summoned the PA deputy governor of Jerusalem Abdullah Siyam and 3 leading Fatah activists for questioning. Israeli forces also arrested 1 Palestinian in the Old City. In Gaza, Israeli forces opened fire on Palestinian agricultural lands east of al-Maghazi; no injuries were reported, (WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 7/29; PCHR 8/13)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers set fire to Palestinian-owned olive and almond trees near Huwwara. Israeli forces opened fire on Palestinians in Qalqilya during a raid; no injuries were reported. Israeli forces also opened fire on Palestinians trying to enter Israel through the separation wall near Dayr Balut; no injuries were reported. 1 Palestinian was arrested during a raid in Ya‘bad. In East Jerusalem, 1 Palestinian was shot dead in Kafr ‘Aqab and 2 apartments were set on fire; it is believed that the fire was set in the apartment of the alleged perpetrators. Israeli police did not investigate the incident as it happened on the West Bank side of the separation wall but still within the Israeli-drawn borders of the East Jerusalem municipality. 8 Palestinians were arrested, including 4 during late-night raids in Issawiyya; 4 were arrested during raids in the Old City and Issawiyya. Off the coast of Gaza, Israeli naval forces opened fire on Palestinian fishermen within 3 nautical miles west of Bayt Lahiya; no injuries were reported. In Gaza, Israeli forces opened fire on Palestinian agricultural lands east of Khuza‘a; no injuries were reported. (WAFA 7/25; HA 7/27; PCHR 7/29)

In Israel, the protest against Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu continued outside his official residence. (AJ, WAFA 7/26)

According to Hezbollah, Israel told the party that it did not intend to kill 1 of its members during an attack in Damascus on 7/20. The message from Israel to Hezbollah was made via the UN. (HA 7/25; HA 7/26)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers attacked a Palestinian bicyclist near Turmus ‘Ayya, injuring 2, including 1 that needed medical treatment. Israeli forces violently dispersed Palestinian protesters in Beita, injuring 2 with rubber-coated bullets; others suffered tear-gas related injuries. 3 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in Jalazun refugee camp. In East Jerusalem, 1 Palestinian family demolished their own home in Jabal Mukabir to avoid exorbitant Israeli demolition fees; 5 people were displaced. 6 Palestinians were arrested during raids in Issawiyya and the Old City. In Gaza, Israeli forces opened fire on agricultural lands east of Khuza‘a; no injuries were reported. (WAFA, WAFA 7/18; HA 7/19; JP, REU 7/22; PCHR 7/23)

The PA extended the ban for travel between governorates for 1 more week to prevent the spread of COVID-19. (WAFA 7/18)

In Israel, Israeli protesters were violently dispersed by Israeli police in Tel Aviv and Jerusalem as they were calling for Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s resignation in light of the corruption cases brought against him. (AJ, REU 7/18; HA 7/19)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers fenced off Palestinian-owned land and set up 1 tent in the northern part of the Jordan Valley. 3 Palestinians were handed demolition orders for their shops in Ya‘bad. 5 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in and around Hizma, Burqin, and Bethlehem. In East Jerusalem, 5 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in the Old City. (WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 7/14; PCHR 7/16)

In Israel, thousands of Israelis protested outside of prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s home, demanding his resignation over his corruption charges. 50 Israelis were arrested. (AJ 7/14; HA 7/15)

The EU and Denmark signed a $6.6 million agreement with the PA to build 16 infrastructure projects in Area C of the West Bank. (WAFA 6/14)

In the West Bank, Israeli forces violently dispersed a protest near Asira; 2 Palestinians were injured, including 1 by live ammunition to his leg and 1 by a sound bomb to his chest. 12 Palestinians were injured by Israeli forces violently dispersing the weekly anti-settlement protest in Kafr Qaddum using rubber-coated bullets. Elsewhere, Israeli forces and Palestinians clashed in al-‘Arub refugee camp; tear-gas related injuries were reported. Israeli forces and Palestinians also clashed in Abu Dis; 7 Palestinians were injured by live ammunition and rubber-coated bullets, 13 others suffered tear-gas related injuries. 1 Palestinian was arrested during a late-night raid near Jenin. In East Jerusalem, 1 Palestinian was arrested during a late-night raid in the Old City. (PCHR 7/9)

In the West Bank, Israeli forces prevented Palestinians from reaching a rally against annexation and Palestinian officials from reaching a meeting in Fasayil in the Jordan Valley, leading to tear-gas related injuries. Israeli forces also demolished 1 house under construction in Bayt Sira and 1 house in Beitunia. Elsewhere, Israeli forces delivered an eviction notice to 1 Palestinian in al-Khadir. Israeli settlers destroyed 85 Palestinian-owned olive trees near Bardala. 22 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in and around Qalqilya, ‘Azun, Jenin, Awarta, Nablus, Baytin, Ramallah, Hebron, and Qalandia. In East Jerusalem, Israeli setters seized a tract of Palestinian-owned land in Issawiyya. Israeli forces also demolished 1 Palestinian-owned home in Bayt Hanina. In Gaza, Israeli forces opened fire on agricultural lands east of Dayr al-Balah; no injuries were reported. (WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 6/24; PCHR 6/25)

The Jerusalem district court denied a request by the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate to void the sale of its property in the Old City to the settler group Ateret Cohanim, ending a 16-year-long legal battle. (HA 6/26)

U.S. president Donald Trump aide Kellyanne Conway told reporters that President Trump will have “a big announcement” about the U.S. position on Israeli annexation of parts of the West Bank after White House officials met for a 2d day in a row to discuss the issue. Conway also characterized concerns over potential reactions in the Middle East to Israeli annexation as overblown. (AJ 6/24; HA 6/25)

At a virtual UN Security Council meeting, the UN secretary general António Guterres called on Israel “to abandon its annexation plans.” After the meeting, the current and incoming EU members of the UN security council—Germany, Ireland, France, Estonia, Belgium, and France, as well as the UK and Norway—released a joint statement supporting Secretary General Guterres’s “grave concern.” Separately, more than 1,000 European parliamentarians from 25 counties signed a letter denouncing Israel, saying “[a]cquisition of territory by force has no place in 2020 and must have commensurate consequences.” Meanwhile, U.S. secretary of state Mike Pompeo told reporters that decisions about annexations are “for Israelis to make.” (AJ, BBC, German Foreign Ministry, HA, REU, REU, WAFA 6/24; AJ 6/25)

At an extraordinary meeting hosted by Sweden and Jordan to fundraise for UNRWA, 75 governments and non-governmental organizations pledged $130 million to the UNRWA budget. (WAFA 6/24)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers attacked 1 Palestinian near Khan al-Ahmar, who was taken to a hospital in Jericho. Israeli forces began expanding a settler-only road built on Palestinian-owned land connecting 2 Israeli settlements near Nahalin. Israeli forces also delivered stop-work orders for 2 houses near Yatta and 1 water well and 1 agricultural structure near Salfit. Elsewhere, Israeli forces delivered an eviction order to 1 Palestinian living on 6 dunams (1.5 acres) of land in al-Khadir, near an Israeli settlement. 5 Palestinians were arrested during raids in and around Ramallah, Bayt Umar, and Yatta. In East Jerusalem, 1 Palestinian family started demolishing their own home in Silwan to avoid exorbitant Israeli demolition fees. 17 Palestinians were arrested, including 9 during late-night raids in Issawiyya and 8 at Bab al-Rahma in the Old City. Off the coast of Gaza, Israeli naval forces opened fire on Palestinian fishermen west of Dayr al-Balah; no injuries were reported. (WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 6/21; WAFA 6/22; PCHR 6/25)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers set fire to wheat fields in Burin and Qusra. Israeli settlers also razed land in Qusra to build a road between 2 Israeli settlements. Israeli forces seized 5 bulldozers and stone-extracting equipment in a quarry near Ramallah. 5 Palestinians were injured by Israeli forces using rubber-coated bullets during a confrontation in Kafr ‘Aqab, others suffered tear-gas related injuries. 2 Palestinians were arrested during a late-night raid in Dura. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces delivered a demolition notice for 1 Palestinian-owned home in al-Sawahara and demolished 1 shack and 2 shops near al-Sawahara al-Sharqiyya. 11 Palestinians were arrested during raids in and around Silwan, the Old City, al-Tur, and Issawiyya. Off the coast of Gaza, Israeli naval forces opened fire on Palestinian fishermen within 3 nautical miles west of Bayt Lahiya; no injuries were reported. In Israel, a court in Tel Aviv temporarily halted construction of a homeless shelter on a Muslim cemetery in Jaffa after a week of protests. When Jaffa residents and the local Islamic council presented the order to Israeli police, they were violently dispersed and several Palestinian activists were arrested. (HA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 6/17; PCHR 6/18)

Jordanian King Abdullah II told U.S. congressional leaders and committees via video conference that Israeli annexation of parts of the West Bank is unacceptable and will undermine stability and peace. He further stated that peace will only come with the creation of a Palestinian state with East Jerusalem as its capital. (REU 6/16, HA 6/17)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers vandalized Palestinian-owned property in al-Sawiya, slashing tires on 12 cars and writing racist graffiti on houses. Israeli forces delivered demolition orders for 1 park, 1 unpaved road, retaining walls, 1 playground, and 1 storage space in Haris; for several residential structures, 1 barn, and 1 water well south of Hebron; demolished and seized residential shacks and tents south of Hebron; and demolished and seized 1 greenhouse in Sawahara al-Sharqiyya. Thousands of Palestinians protested in Ramallah against Israel’s planned annexation of parts of the West Bank. 7 Palestinians were arrested during raids in and around al-‘Izzariya, al-Khadir, Bayt Fajjar, and Qabatiya. In East Jerusalem, 21 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in al-Tur, Wadi al-Juz, Silwan, Issawiyya, and the Old City; during a raid in al-Tur, Israeli forces seized 1 vehicle. In Gaza, Israeli forces opened fire on Palestinian agricultural lands east of al-Maghazi; no injuries were reported. (HA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 6/8; PCHR 6/11)

PLO secretary general Saeb Erakat, in an op-ed in Haaretz, called on the international community to begin imposing sanctions on Israel to force Israel to back away from annexing parts of the West Bank. (HA 6/8)

In an interview with the New York Times, Hussein al-Sheikh, head of the PA’s general authority of civil affairs, said that if Israel moves ahead with annexing parts of the West Bank the financial repercussions for the PA would mean it would have to cut its $105 million a month in payments for salaries and medical expenses in Gaza. Al-Sheikh also said that the PA forces no longer would extradite Israelis arrested in PA controlled areas and that these would be tried in PA courts. (NYT 6/8)

An Israeli border police officer was convicted of assault and reckless use of a weapon after a court found that she had shot a Palestinian man using a rubber-coated bullet in the back “for fun.” (HA 6/8)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers demolished 1 Palestinian-owned stone wall around agricultural lands in Bayt ‘Aynun. Israeli forces demolished several commercial barracks and street-vending stalls in al-Ram and delivered demolition notifications for 2 Palestinian-owned homes east of Yatta. Elsewhere, Israeli forces set up mobile homes and tents near Bayt Furik. 5 Palestinians were arrested, including 2 during late-night raids in Bayt Fajjar and 3 at checkpoints near Ramallah, Nablus, and Qalqilya. In East Jerusalem, 6 Palestinians were arrested during house raids in Issawiyya and the Old City. In Gaza, Israeli forces opened fire on Palestinian agricultural lands east of al-Maghazi and Dayr al-Balah; no injuries were reported. (WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 6/7; PCHR 6/11)

The PA ministry of awqaf and religious affairs said in a report that Israeli authorities prevented the call for prayers at the Ibrahimi Mosque 54 times in May. (WAFA 6/7)

A 2d plane from the UAE carrying COVID-19-related aid materials landed in Tel Aviv. When the 1st flight landed on 5/19, the PA refused the aid as the UAE had not coordinated with the PA beforehand; the aid instead went solely to Gaza. PA prime minister Muhammad Shtayyeh said that the PA again had not been informed about the aid shipment. (HA, REU 6/9)

More than 1 week after Israeli police killed 1 unarmed Palestinian man with autism on a street in East Jerusalem, Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu commented on the killing for the 1st time, calling it “a tragedy.” Prime Minister Netanyahu told his cabinet that he expects “complete examinations into this matter.” (HA, REU 6/7)

In West Bank, Israeli forces violently dispersed protests in Atuf, Kafr Qaddum, and Nablus, injuring 6 Palestinians with tear gas and rubber-coated bullets. Israeli forces also arrested 1 Palestinian journalist from Palestine TV at a checkpoint in Bayt Iksa near Jerusalem. 2 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in Ya‘bad. In East Jerusalem, 4 Palestinians were arrested near Damascus Gate in the Old City. In Gaza, Israeli forces opened fire on Palestinian farmlands east of Dayr al-Balah and al-Bureij; no injuries were reported. (WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 6/5; PCHR 6/11)

Israel’s minister of Jerusalem affairs and heritage Rafi Peretz said in a Facebook post that the Trump administration’s peace plan had unacceptable clauses, such as settlement freeze and the establishment of a Palestinian state. (HA 6/5)

In the West Bank, Israeli forces shot and injured 1 Palestinian minor using rubber-coated bullets in Kafr Malik. Israeli forces also seized a tractor north of Jericho and handed demolition orders for 5 residential structures and a council building near Yatta. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces violently dispersed protests during the funeral procession for the Palestinian man who was shot by Israeli forces in the Old City on 5/30. Israeli defense minister Benny Gantz said the Israeli government was “sorry for this incident” and that it would be investigated quickly. Separately, Israeli forces violently dispersed a gathering to commemorate the death of Faisal Husseini in Shaykh Jarrah. 5 Palestinian organizers were arrested, including PA governor of Jerusalem Adnan Gheith. The Haram al-Sharif compound reopened after it was closed on 3/15 in order to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Israeli settlers led by Yehuda Glick toured the Haram al-Sharif compound; during the tour, Israeli forces arrested 3 Palestinians on the compound, including the head of the Palestinian Prisoner’s Society and a Waqf guard. 1 other Palestinian was arrested during a raid in Silwan. In Israel, Israeli authorities demolished 4 Palestinian-owned homes in al-Tira. (AJ, HA, HA, HA, REU, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 5/31; WAFA 6/1; PCHR 6/4)

5 people were killed in air strikes in eastern Syria. The British based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said that Israel was likely responsible for the air strikes. (TOI 5/31)

In the West Bank, videos released by B’tselem shows Israeli soldiers slashing tires on Palestinian-owned vehicles and throwing tear gas at Palestinian homes in Kafr Qaddum. Israeli forces also shot and injured 1 Palestinian man at a military checkpoint south of Tulkarm. Israeli settlers with Israeli force protection threw stones and bottles at Palestinian homes in the Old City of Hebron. In East Jerusalem, 1 Palestinian man with autism was shot dead by Israeli forces in the Old City while he was making his way to a school for disabled people. According to Israeli border police, officers thought he was carrying a gun and ordered him to stop; when he started running the Israeli officers shot him dead, finding no weapon on his body. 2 Palestinian families were forced to demolish their own homes in Jabal Mukabir, displacing 11 people. (AJ, HA, PCHR, REU, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 5/30; HA, MDW 5/31; HA 6/1; PCHR 6/4)

An Israeli border police officer was sentenced to 2 years in prison for robbing Palestinians of thousands of dollars while pulling Palestinians over at a checkpoint between Israel and the West Bank. (HA 5/30)

In the West Bank, Israeli forces shot and killed 1 Palestinian as he allegedly attempted to ram his car into them south of Nabi Salih; no Israeli soldiers were injured. The family of the Palestinian man said he was picking up family members nearby and that his car slid before he was shot. Israeli forces also violently dispersed Palestinian protesters during the weekly anti-settlement protest in Kafr Qaddum using rubber-coated bullets and tear gas, injuring 5. Elsewhere, Israeli forces informed a Palestinian family that it would seize 3.5 dunams (0.86 acres) of the land near Ya‘bad to expand a nearby Israeli settlement. Israeli forces also issued a stop-work order for rehabilitation of a road east of Bethlehem. 4 Palestinians were arrested and 1 vehicle was confiscated near Sabastiyya. In East Jerusalem, 1 Palestinian family started demolishing their own home in Jabal Mukabir to avoid exorbitant Israeli demolition fees. Israeli forces arrested the former Grand Mufti of Jerusalem during a house raid in the Old City. In Gaza, Israeli forces opened fire on Palestinian shepherds east of al-Bureij and on agricultural lands east of Khuza‘a; no injuries were reported. (HA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 5/29; HA, PCHR, WAFA 5/30; PCHR 6/4)

The Lebanese government agreed to extend the UN peacekeeping mission mandate for the UN Interim Force in Lebanon on the southern border. (HA 5/29)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers injured 2 Palestinians during a raid in Dayr Nidham. Israeli forces arrested 2 Palestinians in Hebron’s Old City. In East Jerusalem, 1 Palestinian was arrested during a raid in the Old City. In Gaza, 1 Palestinian woman succumbed to the COVID-19 virus; she is the 1st to die from COVID-19 in Gaza. The woman had arrived in Gaza via the Rafah crossing on 5/19. Israeli forces opened fire on Palestinian agricultural lands east of Dayr al-Balah; no injuries were reported. (AJ, HA, Independent, WAFA, WAFA 5/23; PCHR 5/28)

In the West Bank, Israeli forces arrested 9 Palestinians during late-night raids in and around Ya‘bad, Kaubar, and Hebron. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces arrested 8 Palestinians including a Waqf guard at the Haram al-Sharif compound, 1 other in the Old City, 5 during late-night raids in the Old City, and delivered 2 summonses for interrogations. In Gaza, Israeli forces detained a Palestinian journalist returning via the Erez Crossing from Jordan, where he had undergone treatment for liver cancer. (WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 5/19; PCHR 5/21)

The Islamic Waqf announced that the Haram al-Sharif compound and al-Aqsa Mosque would reopen after the end of Ramadan. (WAFA 5/19)

PA president Mahmoud Abbas announced that the PA will end all agreements with Israel and the U.S., including security agreements, because of Israel’s plans to annex parts of the West Bank. Haaretz reported that Palestinian sources said that coordination with Israel would continue at a lower level of engagement, at least for a time. In a speech, President Abbas said that, by Israel making the unilateral decision to annex parts of the West Bank, it has “annulled the Oslo agreement and all agreements signed with it, after snubbing all these years all these agreements and all the resolutions of the international legitimacy and international law.” Abbas further stated that the PA is ready to negotiate within the parameters of the Arab Peace Initiative, and that it had signed agreements “to accede to international agreements and conventions that we [the PA] have not yet joined.” (Guardian, WAFA, WAFA 5/19; HA, NYT, WAFA 5/20)

PA prime minister Mohammad Shtayyeh and German foreign minister Heiko Maas released a joint statement after a virtual meeting, stipulating that “[a]nnexation of any part of occupied Palestinian territories including East Jerusalem constitutes a clear violation of international law and seriously undermines the chances for the two-state solution within a final status agreement.” It further read that Germany “took note of the Palestinian view that such a step would put an end to all signed agreements.” Separately, the French foreign minister Jean-Yves Le Drian warned that Israeli annexation will have consequences for the EU’s relationship with Israel. (HA, WAFA 5/19)

A plane from the UAE with COVID-19-related aid materials for Palestinians in the West Bank and Gaza landed in Israel. The aid package included 14 tons of medical supplies, including 10 ventilators. The direct flight from the UAE to Israel is the 1st of its kind. (AJ, HA, REU 5/19)

The EU Police Coordinating Office for Palestinian Police Support donated $65,500 worth of protective equipment and hand sanitizer to the Palestinian Civil Police. (WAFA 5/19)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers and Israeli forces leveled some 15 dunams (3.7 acres) of land planted with olive trees southeast of Tulkarm. 10 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in and around Hebron, Bethlehem, Jenin, Jericho, and Abu Dis. During a raid in Bayt Umar, Israeli forces and Palestinians clashed, leading to tear-gas related injuries. In East Jerusalem, 1 Israeli settler stabbed 1 Palestinian minor in the Old City, causing moderate injuries. 4 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids. Off the coast of Gaza, Israeli naval forces opened fire on Palestinian fishermen west of Bayt Lahiya; no injuries were reported. In Israel, Palestinians protested the killing of a mentally disabled Palestinian citizen of Israel on 5/13. The man had pulled out a knife while at the hospital for an examination but did not use it; when he got in a car, hospital security guards pulled him out and he lightly injured 1 guard, to which guards responded by shooting him 5 times while he was lying incapacitated on the ground. (HA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 5/18; PCHR 5/21)

1 Israeli settler was indicted for creating fake military checkpoints in the West Bank, using them to carjack Palestinian drivers. According to the indictment, he managed to steal 3 Palestinian-owned vehicles. (TOI 5/18)

The Israeli Prison Service transferred 1 Palestinian hunger-striker held in administrative detention to solitary confinement. (WAFA 5/18)

The PA foreign ministry summoned the head of the Austrian representative to Palestine for questioning after an Austrian representative questioned the legality of prosecuting Israel at the International Criminal Court. (WAFA 5/18)

In a statement congratulating Israel with the formation of its new government on 5/17, the EU high representative for foreign affairs Josep Borrell also reaffirmed the EU position that the union does not and will not recognize any changes to the 1967 borders unless agreed to by both parties, including maintaining that East Jerusalem will be the future capital of Palestine and that annexation of West Bank territory would be in violation of international law. Meanwhile, the Canadian prime minister Justin Trudeau similarly stressed Canada’s commitment to international law in his congratulations to Israel on their new government. (EEAS, HA 5/18; WAFA 5/19)

Germany donated $760,000 to the Augusta Victoria hospital in East Jerusalem, which treats Palestinians from the West Bank and Gaza. Separately, India provided $2 million to UNRWA core programming. (WAFA, WAFA 5/18)

In the West Bank, Israeli forces punitively demolished the family home of an accused Palestinian attacker in Kaubar village near Ramallah. Israeli forces violently dispersed Palestinians protesting the demolition, injuring 4 people, including 1 who was hit by a tear gas canister. Israeli forces also delivered stop-work orders for 13 structures and 1 public park in Nahalin, and 1 stop-work order for an agricultural structure south of Tubas. Israeli settlers stole seedlings and agricultural tools from a Palestinian plant nursery between Nablus and Tulkarm. 8 Palestinians were arrested, including 6 during late-night raids in and around Hebron and Nablus, and 2 at a checkpoint near Nablus. In East Jerusalem, 14 Palestinians were arrested, including 1 on a street in the Old City and 13 during late-night raids in Silwan. In Gaza, Israeli forces made incursions to level land east of Khan Yunis. Off the coast of Gaza, Israeli naval forces opened fire on Palestinian fishermen 3 nautical miles west of Bayt Lahiya on 2 separate occasions; no injuries were reported. (HA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 5/11; PCHR 5/14)

Israel’s public security minister Gilad Erdan extended a ban of Palestine TV, operating in East Jerusalem, for another 6 months. (WAFA 5/11)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers chopped down 40 olive trees in al-Mughayyir. Israeli forces raided Qalqilya, leading to confrontations with Palestinians; no injuries were reported. Nearby, in Kafr Qaddum, Israeli forces violently dispersed Palestinian protesters; 1 Palestinian was injured by a rubber-coated bullet. Israeli forces also opened fire on Palestinians seeking to enter Israel by the separation wall near Tulkarm; 1 Palestinian was injured by live ammunition. 2 Palestinians were arrested, including 1 at a checkpoint in Hebron and 1 during a house raid in Balata refugee camp. In East Jerusalem, 2 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in the Old City. (WAFA, WAFA 5/9; PCHR 5/14)

The Washington Post reported that Israel was behind a cyber attack against Iran, which caused disruption at waterways and roads leading to the Shahid Rajaee port. The attack was allegedly retaliation to a cyber attack that Israel believes was carried out by Iran against Israel in April. (REU 5/18; AJ, HA 5/19)

In the West Bank, Israeli forces prevented Palestinian famers from working their land in al-Zawiya. Israeli forces also shot and injured 1 Palestinian with live ammunition near the separation wall south of Qalqilya. In East Jerusalem, 2 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in the Old City. Off the coast of Gaza, Israeli naval forces opened fire on Palestinian fishermen 3 nautical miles west of Bayt Lahiya; no injuries were reported. In Gaza, Israeli forces fired tear gas on farmers west of Khan Yunis; no injuries were reported. (WAFA, WAFA 5/2; PCHR 5/7)

The King Salman Humanitarian Aid and Relief Centre donated $1 million to UNRWA programming in Gaza. (WAFA 5/2)

In the West Bank, Israeli forces demolished 1 car wash under construction and a plant nursery near Bethlehem. Israeli forces also shot and injured 1 Palestinian near Tulkarm by the separation wall before arresting him. Another 6 Palestinians were arrested in raids in and around Tulkarm, Jenin, Bethlehem, Ramallah, and Jericho. Israeli settlers vandalized 14 Palestinian-owned vehicles and wrote graffiti on walls near Nablus. Elsewhere, Israeli settlers destroyed 24 olive trees north of Qalqilya. In East Jerusalem, 3 Palestinian minors were arrested and beaten in the Old City. Off the coast of Gaza, Israeli naval forces attacked Palestinian fishermen 3 nautical miles west of Bayt Lahiya; no injuries were reported. (WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 4/30; PCHR 5/7)

Members of the Arab League condemned Israel’s plan to annex parts of the West Bank, calling it a new war crime against Palestinians. (REU 4/30)

The chief prosecutor for the International Criminal Court (ICC) Fatou Bensouda reiterated her position that Palestine is a state under the court’s jurisdiction, which would allow investigations of alleged war crimes committed in the West Bank, East Jerusalem, Gaza. 3 ICC judges must now decide on the matter. (ICC, JP, TOI 4/30; WAFA 5/1)

In the West Bank, Israeli forces and Palestinians clashed at al-Fawar refugee camp, leading to 6 Palestinians suffering tear-gas related injuries. Israeli forces also delivered stop-work orders for 22 structures in the Salfit area. In East Jerusalem, 5 Palestinians were arrested, including 4 during late-night raids in Issawiyya and the Old City; 1 was arrested during a daytime raid in the Old City. In Gaza, Israeli forces opened fire on agricultural lands east of al-Maghazi; no injuries were reported. (WAFA 4/27; PCHR 4/30)

A court in Jerusalem ruled to seize $128 million in PA tax revenue for payments to families of Israelis killed by Palestinians. (WAFA 4/26)

In the West Bank, Israeli forces delivered demolition orders for agricultural structures in Jiftlik and Bayt Dajan. Elsewhere, Israeli forces violently dispersed protests in Kafr Qaddum; 3 Palestinians were hit by rubber-coated bullets. Israeli settlers attacked Palestinian herders in al-Twana, injuring 1. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces beat and arrested 4 Palestinians in the Old City. In Gaza, Israeli forces opened fire on agricultural lands east of Rafah and Khan Yunis; no injuries were reported. (WAFA, WAFA 4/17; PCHR 4/23)

In the West Bank, Israeli forces demolished 3 Palestinian-owned buildings in Rumana; during the demolitions, clashes broke out with Palestinians, leading to tear-gas related injuries. Elsewhere, in Jiftlik, Israeli forces seized a residential caravan. 1 Palestinian shot by Israeli forces using rubber-coated bullets during a demonstration against settler encroachment near Nablus on 3/11 succumbed to his injuries. In East Jerusalem, 7 Palestinians were arrested, including 5 during late-night raids in Issawiyya and Silwan; 2 others were arrested during the day in Issawiyya and the Old City. In Gaza, Israeli forces opened fire on agricultural lands east of Khuza‘a; no injuries were reported. Israeli forces also made incursions to level land near Bayt Hanun. (AJ, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 4/1; PCHR 4/2)

Israel’s defense minister Naftali Bennett said that any aid provided to Gaza to help deal with the COVID-19 virus would be linked to Israel recovering the bodies of 2 Israeli soldiers killed during Operation Protective Edge in 2014. A Hamas spokesperson said in response that Israel is responsible for the consequences of the spread of the virus due to its blockade. The PA also donated 1,500 testing kits to Gaza via the World Health Organization. (REU, WAFA 4/1; PCHR 4/5)

In the West Bank, Israeli forces handed stop-work notices to Palestinians near Tubas installing solar panels donated to them by an NGO in Italy; and closed the entrances to Qusra. Israeli forces also opened fire at Palestinian farmers near Tulkarm, leading to clashes; tear-gas related injuries were reported. Israeli settlers damaged 10 olive trees and 40 grape trees in al-Khadir. Separately, Israeli settlers attacked Palestinian shepherds south of Hebron. 1 Palestinian was arrested during a house raid in Qalqilya. In East Jerusalem, 6 Palestinians were arrested in raids in and around the Old City and Issawiyya. Off the coast of Gaza, Israeli naval forces opened fire on Palestinian fishermen 2 nautical miles west of Bayt Lahiya; 1 boat was damaged, but no injuries were reported. In Israel, 1 Palestinian prisoner set fire to a room used by Israeli guards in Nafha prison in defiance of Israeli measures against spreading the COVID-19 virus in Israel, such as sending most prison doctors and nurses home. (WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 3/25; PCHR 3/27)