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August 25, 2023
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August 24, 2023
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August 22, 2023
In the West Bank, Israeli settlers assaulted 3 Palestinians with sticks and pepper spray in Tuba....
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August 21, 2023
In the West Bank, Palestinian militants shot and killed 1 Israeli settler and wounded 1 other during a drive-by shooting near Hebron; 2 Palestinians were arrested on 8/22 in relation to the...
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August 18, 2023
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August 17, 2023
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August 16, 2023
In the West Bank, Israeli forces raided Balata refugee camp, injuring 7 with live ammunition and 85 with tear gas and demolished 1 home and the local headquarters of Fatah using explosives....
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August 15, 2023
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August 14, 2023
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August 13, 2023
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August 12, 2023
In the West Bank, Israeli forces violently dispersed Palestinian protesters in Kafr Qaddum, injuring 2 with baton rounds; 1 of the victims, a minor, underwent surgery to have his eye removed after...
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August 10, 2023
In the West Bank, Israeli settlers vandalized water pipelines in Kisan. Israeli forces shot and...
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August 9, 2023
In the West Bank, Israeli forces arrested 3 Palestinians during a raid in Aqabat Jaber refugee camp. ...
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August 7, 2023
In the West Bank, Israeli forces issued a demolition order for 1 house under construction in Burin. 14 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in Burqa, al-Mughayyir, Bayt Rima, Beit...
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August 6, 2023
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August 4, 2023
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August 3, 2023
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July 31, 2023
In the West Bank, Israeli settlers set up tents near Yasuf. Israeli settlers also set up a caravan and brought livestock near Jericho. Israeli forces demolished a Palestinian-owned mobile home in...
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July 30, 2023
In the West Bank, Israeli forces issued stop-work orders for an agricultural structure in Deir Balut and for nearby roads. Israeli forces also issued demolition notices for 8 homes in Furush Beit...
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July 29, 2023
In the West Bank, Israeli settlers set fire to agricultural fields near Burin. Armed Israeli settlers also raided Arab al-Mleihat, intimidating Palestinians. Elsewhere, Israeli settlers also...
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July 27, 2023
In the West Bank, Israeli settlers set up a tent near Qaryut. Israeli settlers also threw stones at Palestinian farmers and set a car on fire in ‘Asira al-Qibliya. Israeli forces shot and killed 1...
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July 25, 2023
In the West Bank, armed Israeli settlers with a military escort broke in to 2 Palestinian homes in Tuba and El-Abid, intimidating the homeowners and searching their belongings. Israeli forces shot...
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July 22, 2023
In the West Bank, Israeli settlers with a military escort attacked a Palestinian home in al-Mazra’a al-Gharbiya. Israeli settlers with military escort also attacked a house and a school in ‘Urif....
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July 21, 2023
In the West Bank, Israeli settlers vandalized some 50 olive trees in al-Khader. Israeli forces shot and killed 1 Palestinian minor and injured 1 other with live ammunition while others suffered...
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July 20, 2023
In the West Bank, Israeli settlers began construction of a new settlement outpost in al-Sawahara. Israeli forces shot and killed 1 Palestinian and injured 3 others during a raid in Nablus to...
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July 19, 2023
In the West Bank, Israeli forces issued stop-work orders for 4 homes and an agricultural structure in Yasuf. Israeli forces also arrested the son of the PA governor of Jericho, Jihad Abu al-Asal,...
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July 18, 2023
In the West Bank, Israeli settlers stole 18 residential tents in Beit Furik. Israeli forces razed land planted with 210 olive and almond trees in Birin. 11 Palestinians were arrested during late-...
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July 17, 2023
In the West Bank, Israeli settlers let their sheep graze on wheat and barley crops and set up a tent on Palestinian-owned land near al-Tuba in the Masafer Yatta area. Israeli forces uprooted olive...
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July 16, 2023
In the West Bank, 3 Israeli settlers, including 2 minors, were shot and injured in a drive-by shooting outside of the Tekoa settlement south of Harmala. Israel said its military had arrested a...
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July 15, 2023
In the West Bank, Israeli settlers attacked Palestinians in al-Mufaqra. Israeli forces detained journalist Basel Adra, who was covering the attack, for several hours and confiscated his phone....
In the West Bank, Israeli settlers threw stones at a Palestinian truck driving near Huwwara, injuring the driver and causing damage. Israeli settlers also threw stones at Palestinian vehicles traveling near Hebron. Meanwhile, Israeli settlers with a military escort also raided Qaryut, leading to tear-gas related injuries. Israeli forces violently dispersed Palestinian protesters in Kafr Qaddum, causing tear-gas related injuries. Israeli forces also violently dispersed Palestinian protesters in Bayt Dajan, assaulting 1 journalist and causing tear-gas related injuries. Elsewhere, Israeli forces violently dispersed Israeli activists protesting near the home of Israeli national security minister Itamar Ben-Gvir in the Kiryat Arba settlement, arresting 2 and confiscating Palestinian flags. 2 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in Ni’lin and Surda. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces assaulted Palestinians trying to enter the Haram al-Sharif compound for noon prayers, injuring 4. Israeli forces also violently dispersed Palestinian protesters in Sheikh Jarrah, injuring 1. In Gaza, Israeli forces violently dispersed Palestinian protesters near the Gaza fence east of Malka, injuring 1 with live ammunition and others with tear gas. Israeli forces also opened fire at Palestinian farmers east of Gaza City; no injuries were reported. (HA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 8/25; HA 8/27; PCHR 8/31; UNOCHA 9/11)
1 Palestinian man succumbed to injuries sustained from Israeli forces in Jenin refugee camp on 7/3 during Israel’s 2-day assault on the camp. (WAFA 8/25; AJ, AP 8/26; PCHR 8/31)
Israeli defense minister Yoav Gallant signed an order to release a settler from administrative detention, saying he had confessed to his crimes. The settler was part of the settler attacks on Palestinians in the last week of June. (HA 8/25)
The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs released a survey of the West Bank, finding Israel placed 645 obstacles to the movement of Palestinians. The UN counted 49 permanently staffed checkpoints, 139 intermittently staffed checkpoints, 304 roadblocks, 73 earth walls, road barriers, and trenches, and 80 obstacles of various types in H2 in Hebron, in addition to the restrictions posed by the separation wall. (UNOCHA 8/25)
The Wall Street Journal reported that the Chinese state-owned company China National Nuclear Corp had offered to build a nuclear plant in Saudi Arabia. It has been widely reported that a condition for Saudi normalization with Israel depends on U.S. help with establishing a nuclear program in Saudi Arabia. 4 U.S. officials also told Axios that the U.S. has informed Israel that it would have to make significant concessions to Palestine if they are to strike a normalization deal with Saudi Arabia. (AJ, ALM, AX, HA, WSJ 8/25; MEE 8/26)
The Dutch Supreme Court found that a Palestinian man, Ismail Ziada, cannot sue former Israeli military officials Benny Gantz and Amir Eshel over their involvement in the 2014 airstrike that killed 6 members of his family. The court found that the 2 have immunity from civil prosecution in the Netherlands. (AP, HA, REU 8/25)
In the West Bank, Israeli settlers with a military escort marched near Fawwar refugee camp and Dura, throwing stones at Palestinian vehicles. Israeli forces closed the entrances to the camp and village to facilitate the march. Israeli settlers also attacked Palestinian shepherds in Khirbet Makhul. 40 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in Fawwar refugee camp, Hebron, Bethlehem, Shu’fat, Biddu, Aqabat Jaber refugee camp, Jenin, Tulkarm, and Qalqilya. In East Jerusalem, 1 Palestinian family was forced to demolish their own home in Sur Baher. In Gaza, an explosion at a Hamas military site in Dayr al-Balah killed 1 member of the Qassem Brigades and injured 1 other. Hamas called the explosion an accident. (AP, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 8/24; PCHR 8/31; UNOCHA 9/11)
Representatives from the UK, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Finland, Belgium, Sweden, Canada, and Norway toured Ras al-Tin and Burqa, condemning the demolition of an EU-funded school in Ein Samia and settler violence in the area. (WAFA 8/24)
The Israeli High Court of Justice approved the punitive demolition of the family home of a 13-year-old Palestinian who allegedly stabbed an Israeli police officer at the Shu’fat checkpoint on 2/13. The Palestinian child, whose trial is ongoing, was charged with murder as an Israeli settler opened fire at the child but instead shot and killed the police officer. The court rejected the argument that the family’s home should not be demolished due to the child’s age, saying the punitive demolition would deter other children from attacking Israeli forces. (HA 8/24; AP 8/31)
PA finance minister Shukri Bishara said that the Levine case against the PA and PLO had been dropped in a U.S. court. The plaintiff sought damages from the PA and PLO for $1 billion, claiming the PA and PLO were responsible for an attack that took place in Jerusalem in 2014. (WAFA 8/24)
PA president Mahmoud Abbas chaired the 11th session of the Fatah Revolutionary Council in Ramallah. (WAFA, WAFA 8/24)
Sierra Leonean president Julius Maada Bio issued a statement saying his country will open an embassy to Israel in Jerusalem. The announcement followed a phone conversation between Maada Bio and Israeli foreign minister Eli Cohen. (JP, TOI 8/25)
The Guardian reported that in a 43-page amicus brief sent to the International Court of Justice (ICJ) in July the UK government opposed the ICJ review of the legality of the Israeli occupation. The UK opinion raised 4 main arguments against the review, saying that the issue is a “bilateral dispute,” that the court is not equipped to examine the issue, that the review would conflict with existing agreements, and that the review is not appropriate as it asks the court to “assume unlawful conduct on part of Israel.” (AN, GDN 8/24)
The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said in a report that Israel had carried out 25 attacks on Syria in 2023, including 18 air attacks and 7 ground-to-ground attacks, hitting 60 targets and killing 61 people. (HA 8/24)
The BRICS group of China, Russia, Brazil, India, and South Africa invited Saudi Arabia, Iran, Ethiopia, Egypt, Argentina, and the UAE to join the group. (NYT 8/23; AP, AJ, MEE, REU 8/24; AJ, NYT, REU 8/25; AJ 8/28)
In the West Bank, Israeli settlers assaulted 3 Palestinians with sticks and pepper spray in Tuba. Israeli settlers also threw stones at Palestinian vehicles traveling near Burqa, Sabastia, and Hebron, causing damage. Elsewhere, Israeli settlers brought their livestock to graze on Palestinian land in Burqa. Israeli forces shot and killed 1 Palestinian minor during a raid in Zababdeh. Israeli forces also violently dispersed a funeral procession in Beit Umar, causing tear-gas related injuries. Elsewhere, Israeli forces seized 1 vehicle in the Tabbaneh community in the Masafer Yatta area. 46 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in and around Abwein, Hebron, Nablus, Qalqilya, Qarawat Bani Hassan, and Tulkarm. In East Jerusalem, 1 Palestinian was arrested during a late-night raid in Silwan. (AJ, AP, HA, MEE, NYT, REU, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 8/22; PCHR 8/24; UNOCHA 8/28; UNOCHA 9/11)
An Israeli military investigation found that the Israeli soldier who was killed during Israel’s attack on Jenin refugee camp at the beginning of July was killed by friendly fire. (HA 8/22)
New York City mayor Eric Adams met with Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu during a 3-day visit to Israel. Adams also met with Israeli police officials, saying he would bring what he learned back to New York. (MEE 8/21; AJ, AP 8/22; HA, MEE 8/23; HA, MDW 8/24)
U.S. national security advisor Jake Sullivan said that the U.S. continues it work to make an agreement to normalize relations between Saudi Arabia and Israel but that “[t]here is still a ways to travel with respect to all of the elements of those discussions.” Sullivan declined to comment on the Saudi nuclear demands. (AX, HA 8/22; MDW 8/24)
In the West Bank, Palestinian militants shot and killed 1 Israeli settler and wounded 1 other during a drive-by shooting near Hebron; 2 Palestinians were arrested on 8/22 in relation to the killing. Israeli settlers threw stones and Molotov cocktails at a Palestinian home in Burin and set fire to nearby beehives. Israeli forces shot and wounded 8 Palestinians with live ammunition during a raid in Beita, including 1 man who was filmed walking away from the Israeli soldiers unarmed when he was shot in the back. Israeli forces also closed all entrances to Hebron and some of the surrounding villages and raided Hebron, causing tear-gas related injuries. Elsewhere, Israeli forces demolished 1 house and 1 brick factory in Biddu. Israeli forces also demolished 4 homes in al-Diyouk al-Tahta and issued demolition notices for 5 others. 12 Palestinians were arrested during raids in Kafr ‘Aqab, Marah Rabah, Beit Fajjar, Hebron, and Tulkarm. In Gaza, Israeli forces violently dispersed Palestinian protesters near the Gaza fence, injuring 15, including 1 with live ammunition. In Jerusalem, Israeli forces violently dispersed Palestinian citizens of Israel protesting at the Foreign Ministry against the withholding of funds allocated for Palestinian communities in Israel. Hadash-Ta’al leader Ayman Odeh was photographed being grabbed by his throat by a police officer. The protest coincided with a 2-hour strike called by the National Council of Arab Mayors in Israel. (HA 8/20; AP, BBC, HA, HA, HA, HA, HA, HA, MDW, MEE, MEE, REU, REU, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 8/21; ALM, ALM, HA, MEMO, NYT 8/22; HA 8/23; PCHR 8/24; UNOCHA 8/28; BBC 9/2)
In response to the attack that killed 1 Israeli settler (see above), Otzma Yehudit party MK Yitzhak Kroizer wrote on social media, “We want revenge!” Otzma Yehudit leader and National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir called on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to place checkpoints, enforce blockades, deny work permits, and conduct assassinations in the West Bank. Netanyahu claimed that Iran was encouraging, guiding, and funding the Palestinian assailants. (AJ, HA, REU, TOI 8/21)
The PA foreign ministry issued a statement saying that President Mahmoud Abbas had informed a number of Palestinian ambassadors that they will have to retire. The statement did not specify which ambassadors would be forced to retire. (MEMO, WAFA 8/21)
In Syria, Israeli forces carried out airstrikes, injuring 1 soldier and causing damage near Damascus. (AJ, AP, HA 8/21; ALM 8/22)
UN Middle East envoy Tor Wennesland told the UN Security Council that Israel had killed more than 200 Palestinians this year while nearly 30 Israelis had been killed by Palestinians, saying the number of Palestinians killed was the highest since 2005. Wennesland said the rise in violence was related to the lack of a political horizon to end the conflict. Wennesland also criticized Israeli settlement expansion and demolitions of Palestinian homes. (AP, UN 8/21; AJ, AN 8/22)
Axios reported that U.S. president Joe Biden is considering meeting Saudi crown prince Mohammed bin Salman on the sidelines of the upcoming G20 summit in New York to discuss the potential Saudi-Israel normalization deal. (AX 8/21)
In the West Bank, Israeli settlers brought their livestock to graze on Palestinian-owned wheat and barley crops in al-Twana, causing damage. Israeli settlers also stole fencing in Farkha. Elsewhere, Israeli settlers with a military escort toured an archeological site in Jericho. Israeli forces shot and wounded 1 unarmed Palestinian man suffering from physical and cognitive disabilities near the separation wall in Qalqilya. It was reported that the man was injured with Tutu ammunition. Israeli forces also violently dispersed Palestinian protesters in Kafr Qaddum, injuring 10 with baton rounds and others with tear gas. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces shot and seriously wounded a Palestinian minor in Silwan, claiming he had thrown a Molotov cocktail at Israeli forces. Israeli forces also shot and wounded 1 Palestinian man driving a car in Shu’fat refugee camp, claiming he was speeding toward them. In the Galilee, Israeli forces prevented thousands of Christians from visiting a church for the celebration of the Feast of the Transfiguration. Church officials said the event was coordinated with Israeli police 2 weeks prior but that Israeli authorities retracted its approval on the day of the event, citing fire risk. (WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 8/18; HA, HA, HA, WAFA 8/19; PCHR 8/24; UNOCHA 8/28)
UNRWA said it had suspended its services in Ain al-Hilweh refugee camp in Lebanon in protest over armed militants operating in its facilities in the camp since violent conflict arose between Fatah and armed Islamist groups on 28 July. UNRWA called on the armed groups to leave its facilities so it can resume its services. (AP 8/17; AJ, AP, REU 8/18)
Hungarian prime minister Viktor Orbán said Israel and Germany had signed an agreement to jointly manufacture combat drones with Hungary. (HA 8/18)
It was reported that the Israeli government had granted de facto recognition to Israeli settlement outposts that had not received official independent status, allowing the government to fund infrastructure and education in the outposts. The decision has already been approved by the Justice Ministry and will be finalized at the cabinet level in the coming weeks. (HA 8/18)
Iranian foreign minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian met with Saudi crown prince Mohammed bin Salman in Jeddah, discussing future opportunities for cooperation. (AJ, HA 8/18)
PC Magazine reported that X, formerly known as Twitter, will require its subscription users to verify their identify by sending a selfie and a copy of their ID to the Israeli company AU10TIX. (AJ, MEE 8/21)
In the West Bank, an Israeli settler rammed 1 Palestinian woman in Hebron, causing injuries. Israeli forces shot and killed 1 Palestinian and injured 1 other, a health worker, during a raid in Jenin; the mother of the dead Palestinian said he was executed after telling the Israeli forces he would turn himself in; 1 house and a bakery were severely damage during the raid. Israeli forces also demolished an EU-funded school in Ein Samia. Elsewhere, Israeli forces razed agricultural land in Qusra. Israeli forces also seized 1 bulldozer and confiscated materials for renovating a residential cave in the Masafer Yatta area. Meanwhile, Israeli forces demolished 1 blacksmith’s premises in Sarta. Israeli forces also seized a caravan in Khirbet Humsa al-Tahta. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces assaulted 4 Palestinians attempting to enter the Haram al-Sharif compound. (AJ, AP, HA, MEE, MEE, REU, UNOCHA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 8/17; WAFA, WAFA 8/18; WAFA 8/19; PCHR 8/24; UNOCHA 8/28)
Hamas members in Israeli prisons warned they may go on strike in protest over harsher treatment by the Israel Prison Service, including increased use of solitary confinement. 50 rockets were fired from Gaza toward the sea in what Hamas called an equipment test but also a warning to Israeli authorities over the treatment of prisoners. (HA, WAFA, WAFA 8/17; WAFA 8/18)
Peace Now reported that a draft document from the Israeli government seen by the organization showed that the government will allocate at least $190 million to Israeli settlements and settlement outposts in the 2023-2024 budget. (PCN 8/17)
The U.S. approved the sale of Israel’s Arrow-3 missile defense system to Germany. Worth $3.5 billion, it is Israel’s largest military deal. It was reported that days before the deal was announced German chancellor Olaf Scholz blocked a foreign ministry statement on the German assessment of the legality of the Israeli occupation that was seen as too pro-Palestinian. The statement was meant to be made in relation to the International Criminal Court’s review of the occupation. (AJ, ALM, HA, REU 8/17; ALM 8/18 HA 8/23)
At a town hall event held by the U.S. Office of Palestinian Affairs to explain new polices related to Israel’s bid to become part of the U.S. Visa Waiver program, the chief of American Citizens Service at the U.S. embassy to Israel, Wilbur Zehr, referred to Israeli checkpoints as “pedestrian crossings.” Zehr said in response to questions that the new policies will not apply to U.S. citizens in Gaza until 9/15 and that separate rules apply for U.S. citizens living in the West Bank and U.S. citizens living in the West Bank but holding PA IDs, as the latter must enter Israel via checkpoints by foot. (MDW 8/17; HA 8/22)
Venezuela said it had upgraded the Palestinian representative office in Caracas to an embassy. (WAFA 8/17)
Israeli strategic affairs minister Ron Dermer met with U.S. secretary of state Antony Blinken, National Security Council Coordinator for the Middle East and North Africa Brett McGurk, and presidential envoy on energy security Amos Hochstein in Washington D.C., discussing the potential normalization between Israel and Saudi Arabia. Blinken also spoke with Saudi foreign minister Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud after the meeting. (REU 8/17; AX 8/21)
In the West Bank, Israeli forces raided Balata refugee camp, injuring 7 with live ammunition and 85 with tear gas and demolished 1 home and the local headquarters of Fatah using explosives. Israeli forces demolished part of a Palestinian-owned home in Maon in the Masafer Yatta area. Elsewhere, Israeli forces issued stop-work orders for 3 houses and a water well near Yatta and a road in Khallet al-Mayah. 10 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in Jenin, Nur Shams refugee camp, Balaa, Beit Fajjar, and Surda. In East Jerusalem, Israeli settlers toured the Haram al-Sharif compound. 5 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids. Off the coast of Gaza, Israeli naval forces arrested 2 Palestinian fishermen and seized their boat. (AJ, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 8/16; PCHR 8/17; UNOCHA 8/28)
Israeli national security minister Itamar Ben-Gvir toured the Ofer prison, saying his policy of “reducing as much as possible the indulgences for Hamas terrorists” was being implemented by the Israel Prison Service. (HA 8/17; WAFA 8/18)
Palestinians in Burqa petitioned the Israeli High Court of Justice through the human rights group Yesh Din to have the court cancel the transfer of the land the Homesh outpost sits on to the Samaria Regional Council, saying the legalization of the outpost will prevent Palestinian landowners from accessing their land. (HA 8/17)
Amnesty International issued a statement calling on Israel to release Walid Daqqa from prison so he can get treatment for his bone marrow cancer at a civilian hospital. (AI, WAFA 8/16)
The Biden administration sanctioned the environmental group Green Without Borders and its director Zuhair Subhi Nahla for allegedly allowing Hezbollah to use their sites near the Blue Line. (AP, HA 8/16)
UNIFIL said senior members of the Israeli and Lebanese militaries held a meeting at a UN position on the Blue Line to discuss the situation, including recent air and ground violations. (HA 8/16)
China donated $1 million for UNRWA educational programs in Gaza. (WAFA 8/16)
In the West Bank, Israeli settlers threw stones and bottles at Palestinian vehicles traveling near Ya’bad. Israeli forces shot and killed 2 Palestinians, including 1 minor, during a raid in Aqabat Jaber refugee camp. Israeli forces also shot and critically wounded 1 Palestinian while escorting Israeli settlers to Joseph’s Tomb in Nablus; the man succumbed to his wounds on 8/19. Meanwhile, Israeli forces shot and wounded 1 Palestinian at a checkpoint in Huwwara, claiming he had opened fire at the soldiers. Israeli forces also arrested 2 Palestinians, including 1 minor, in Burqa; they were then charged with throwing stones at Israeli settlers when the settlers raided Burqa on 8/4. Elsewhere, Israeli forces demolished a park in Qarawat Bani Hassan, razing 40 trees, removing artificial turf, benches, solar panels, and light poles. Israel claimed that Palestinian militants attempted to launch a rocket at Israel from the northern part of the West Bank, but that the rocket launch had failed. In East Jerusalem, Israeli settlers toured the Haram al-Sharif compound. Israeli forces arrested 1 Palestinian man suspected of drug offenses in Shu’fat refugee camp; he was then severely beaten and imprinted with a Star of David under his eye. None of the 16 Border Police officers had their body camaras on and Israeli police claimed the Star of David imprint was caused by shoelaces. The Palestinian man was released from custody on 8/20. Off the coast of Gaza, Israeli naval forces arrested 2 Palestinian fishermen and seized their boat. (AJ, AP, HA, HA, MEE, PCHR, REU, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 8/15; PCHR, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 8/16; PCHR 8/17; AJ, MEE 8/18; HA, HA, MEE 8/19; HA, WAFA 8/20; HA, NYT 8/21; HA 8/24; UNOCHA 8/28)
An Israeli court sentenced Palestinian activist Aya Khatib to 4-years in prison claiming she provided “information with the aim of harming state security” and that funds she raised were given to families that are connected to Hamas. Khatib called the ruling unjust, saying her work benefits Palestinian children in Gaza suffering from medical issues. (MEE 8/15)
The Jerusalem District Court released Yehiel Indore, the main suspect of the settler attack on Burqa on 8/4 where 1 Palestinian was killed, to house arrest. (AP, HA 8/15)
Israeli foreign minister Eli Cohen met with Paraguayan president Santiago Peña in Asunción hours after he was sworn in to office. The Paraguayan Foreign Ministry announced that Peña will move the country’s embassy to Israel to Jerusalem. In 2018, the then Paraguayan president Horacio Cartes moved the Paraguayan embassy to Jerusalem from Tel Aviv before his successor Mario Abdo Benítez moved the embassy back to Tel Aviv months later, prompting Israel to close its embassy to Paraguay. (HA, MEE 8/16)
Japan donated $1 million to UNRWA to help Jenin refugee camp recover from the 2-day Israeli raid on the camp in July. The EU donated $24 million for payments to 71,162 vulnerable Palestinian families. (WAFA, WAFA 8/15)
In the West Bank, Israeli settlers set up mobile homes on Palestinian-owned land in Burin. Israeli settlers also vandalized a water pipeline in Khirbat Tana. Elsewhere, Israeli settlers raided Yatma, attacking Palestinians. Israeli forces demolished 4 buildings in the Baladim settlement outpost near Ein Samia. The demolitions were approved by the Settlement Administration in the Defense Ministry. Israeli forces also forced a disabled Palestinian out of his car and seized the car, specially made for his needs, leaving him in a wheelchair at a checkpoint south of Ramallah. Elsewhere, Israeli forces demolished agricultural structures and razed land planted with 120 olive tree saplings in Beit Sira. 8 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in Jalazun refugee camp, Birzeit, Qabatiya, and Hebron. PA forces in Jenin arrested several Palestinians and seized weapons. In East Jerusalem, Israel forces made 1 Palestinian family demolish their own home in Musrara. In Gaza, Hamas said it had seized an Israeli drone that crashed near Gaza City after malfunctioning. (JP, HA, TOI, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 8/14; MEMO, MEMO 8/15; PCHR 8/17; UNOCHA 8/28)
The Israeli-run Jerusalem District Court rejected an appeal that would have seen the Israeli settler Yehiel Indore released from custody. Indore is the main suspect in the killing of Palestinian Qosai Jammal Mi’tanin on 8/4 in Burqa. An Israeli police representative told the court that Indore’s claim of acting in self-defense is unlikely to hold merit. (HA 8/14)
Maps released by the Israeli Civil Administration showed that the official boundaries of the Israeli settlement outposts Asael and Avigail, which had been retroactively authorized by Israel in February, had expanded significantly in recent months. The Asael settlement outpost had expanded 18 times while the Avigail outpost had expanded 2.5 times. Both outposts are located in the South Hebron Hills. 10 other settlement outposts retroactively authorized in February will have their new boundaries published in the coming weeks. (HA 8/16)
PA president Mahmoud Abbas, Jordanian king Abdullah II, and Egyptian president Abdel Fattah al-Sisi condemned Israel for fueling violence in East Jerusalem and the West Bank after the 3 leaders met in El Alamein, Egypt. The 3 also said Israel was illegally withholding PA tax income. (HA 8/12; AP, HA, WAFA 8/14; NA 8/15)
Islamic Jihad and Fatah issued a joint statement saying Islamic Jihad political bureau member Khaled al-Batsh and Fatah central committee member Ahmad Halas discussed reconciliation between the two groups in Gaza. (ALM, JP 8/15)
In the West Bank, Israeli settlers raided 2 schools in Ras al-Tin and Wadi al-Siq east of Ramallah, smashing windows and vandalizing classrooms. 6 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in Shukba, al-Mughayyir, Kafr Ra’i, al-Yamun, and Hebron. In East Jerusalem, Israeli settlers toured the Haram al-Sharif compound. In Jerusalem, Israeli settlers blocked Route 1 and attacked a Palestinian family, injuring a child, with pepper spray during a protest calling for the release of Yehiel Indore who is charged with killing a Palestinian during a settler raid on Burqa on 8/4. (HA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 8/13; HA, TOI 8/14; PCHR 8/17; UNOCHA 8/28)
The National Council of Arab Mayors in Israel said all Palestinian schools in Israel will go on strike from 9/1 if Palestinian municipalities do not receive $80 million promised to them by the previous government. The funds have been frozen by Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich. The group also demonstrated outside of the prime minister’s office and the Finance Ministry. (HA, NA 8/13; HA, TOI 8/14)
In Syria, Israeli forces conducted airstrikes near Damascus, causing damage. (HA 8/13)
Former Israeli Northern Command commander Amiram Levin told the public broadcaster Kan that the situation in the West Bank is “total apartheid” and that soldiers are “beginning to be a partner in war crimes,” referring to a lack of enforcement against settler violence. Levin compared the situation to Nazi Germany, saying “[w]alk around Hebron, look at the streets. Streets where Arabs are no longer allowed to go on, only Jews. That is exactly what happened there, in that dark country [Nazi Germany].” (HA, JP, MEE, NA, TOI 8/13)
In the West Bank, Israeli forces violently dispersed Palestinian protesters in Kafr Qaddum, injuring 2 with baton rounds; 1 of the victims, a minor, underwent surgery to have his eye removed after being shot in the eye. Israeli forces also issued a punitive demolition order for the family home of 1 Palestinian in ‘Urif, who was killed on 7/20 after he allegedly killed 4 Israeli settlers. In East Jerusalem, 1 Palestinian was arrested in Silwan. Off the coast of Gaza, Israeli naval forces arrested 2 Palestinian fishermen, including a minor, and seized their boat 3 nautical miles west of the coast. (PCHR, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 8/12; WAFA 8/13; PCHR 8/17; UNOCHA 8/28)
Saudi Arabia appointed its ambassador to Jordan, Nayef bin Bander al-Sudairi, as its non-resident ambassador to the PA and consul general in Jerusalem. Al-Sudairi presented his credentials to PA president Mahmoud Abbas’ diplomatic adviser Majdi al-Khalidi during a ceremony in Amman. Israeli officials said that they had not been informed of the Saudi decision and Foreign Minister Eli Cohen said that Israel “will not allow the opening of any kind of diplomatic mission” in Jerusalem. (AJ, HA, MEE, REU, WAFA 8/12; AJ, HA, MEE, NYT, QDS, WAFA 8/13; CNN, HA, WAFA 8/14)
King Abdullah II of Jordan approved a bill that human rights groups say targets free speech in the country. The bill makes online speech, including comments “promoting, instigating, aiding, or inciting immorality,” demonstrating “contempt for religion” or “undermining national unity” punishable by months in prison or fines. (AJ, AP, HA, MEE 8/12; NYT 9/2)
In the West Bank, Israeli settlers vandalized water pipelines in Kisan. Israeli forces shot and killed 1 Palestinian during a raid in Zawata. Israeli forces also seized 2 Palestinian-owned vehicles in al-Hadidya in the Jordan Valley. In East Jerusalem, Israeli settlers assaulted 3 Palestinians in a public park. Israeli settlers also toured the Haram al-Sharif compound. Israeli authorities forced 1 Palestinian family to demolish their own home in Bayt Hanina. Off the coast of Gaza, Israeli naval forces opened fire at Palestinian fishermen west of al-Sudaniya, causing damage to boats. (AJ, AP, HA, MEE, QDS, REU, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 8/10; HA, UNOCHA 8/11; PCHR 8/17; UNOCHA 8/28)
An Israeli military court released 4 Palestinians arrested in relation to the Israeli settler attack on Burqa on 8/4. The 4 were released on condition that they stay in Burqa for 1 week and pay bail of $550 as they remained charged with aggravated assault. MK Ahmad Tibi was present at the hearing, saying the 4 Palestinians were victims of an invasion and should not be on trial. (HA, REU 8/10)
PA president Mahmoud Abbas dismissed the PA governors of Jenin, Nablus, Tulkarm, Qalqilya, Bethlehem, Tubas, Hebron, Jericho, Gaza City, North Gaza, Khan Yunis, and Rafah, leaving only the governors of Ramallah, al-Bireh, and Salfit in their positions. Abbas also issued a decree to form a committee to select candidates for the vacant governorships. (AP, HA, QDS, WAFA 8/10; AJ, ALM, MEMO 8/11; MEMO 8/14; HA 8/20)
President Abbas also spoke with Hamas political leader Ismail Haniyeh on the phone. The 2 leaders agreed to speed up the establishment of committees for political reconciliation that was agreed during the reconciliation conference on 7/30 in Egypt. (MEMO 8/11)
Director of the UN agency for Palestinian refugees in Lebanon, Dorothee Klaus, said fighting in Ain al-Hilweh refugee camp had destroyed 400 homes and left half of the camp off-limits as the Lebanese military is barring access. (AP 8/10)
Israeli opposition leader Yair Lapid of Yesh Atid told a delegation of U.S. Democrats that he opposes a normalization deal with Saudi Arabia that would see the country enrich uranium. Saudi Arabia is reportedly demanding a nuclear program in exchange for normalizing ties with Israel. Lapid later said in an interview with Channel 12 that he does not have a problem with Saudi Arabia having a nuclear program, but that Israel cannot allow Saudi Arabia to enrich uranium on their own soil. (HA 8/10; ALM 8/11)
In the West Bank, Israeli forces arrested 3 Palestinians during a raid in Aqabat Jaber refugee camp. Israeli forces also issued stop-work orders for 8 houses in Sinjil, including for a house that was severely damaged by Israeli settlers in 2013. Elsewhere, Israeli forces uprooted 20 olive tree saplings and razed farmland in Kafr ad-Dik. In East Jerusalem, Israeli settlers toured the Haram al-Sharif compound. (WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 8/9; PCHR 8/10; UNOCHA 8/28)
The Jerusalem District Court overturned a decision by the Jerusalem Magistrate Court to release one of the Israeli settlers accused of carrying out the terrorist attack on Burqa on 8/4, releasing Elisha Yered to house arrest while keeping Yehiel Indore in custody until 8/11. The magistrate court had ordered that both suspects be released. 4 Palestinians are being held in custody by Israel in relation to the settler attack. Israeli police rejected a request by Hadash-Ta’al MK Ahmad Tibi to meet with the 4 Palestinians, despite 2 MKs from Otzma Yehudit and Likud visiting the main Israeli suspect Yehiel Indore at the hospital on 8/6. Tibi responded saying that separate rules apply for Jewish and Palestinians members of Knesset. (HA, HA, WAFA 8/8; AP, HA, HA, WAFA 8/9; HA 8/10)
Israeli president Isaac Herzog visited the Stella Maris monastery in Haifa after continued harassment of Christian worshippers by members of the Hassidic Breslow sect. Harassment of Christians in Israel and Jerusalem has been rising during the summer. The Religious Freedom Data Center recorded at least 30 hate crimes against Christians in Jerusalem in June and July. (ALM 8/10)
PA national economy minister Khaled Osaily sent a letter to his Spanish counterpart Hector Jose Hernandez, demanding that he force the companies CAF and GMV to cease their involvement in the expansion of the Jerusalem light rail network in East Jerusalem. (WAFA 8/9)
The Wall Street Journal reported that the U.S. and Saudi Arabia have agreed to a broad framework for a normalization deal between Israel and Saudi Arabia. The White House later denied that a framework had been agreed upon. (AJ, HA, HA, REU WSJ 8/9; HA, HA 8/10)
In the West Bank, Israeli forces issued a demolition order for 1 house under construction in Burin. 14 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in Burqa, al-Mughayyir, Bayt Rima, Beit Furik, Jenin, al-Khader, and Beit Fajjar; 1 of the arrested was injured during the settler attack on Burqa on 8/4. In East Jerusalem, 2 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in al-Tur and Shu’fat refugee camp. (WAFA, WAFA 8/7; PCHR 8/10; UNOCHA 8/11)
In Syria, Israeli forces launched airstrikes killing 4 Syrian soldiers and injuring 4 others near Damascus. (AJ, AP, BBC, HA, JP, MEE, REU, TOI, WAFA 8/7)
Israel said it had accepted a U.S. demand to allow Americans living in Gaza to use Ben Gurion Airport and to grant them tourist visas to Israel for 3-month periods. The change in policy will start on 9/15. The policy change is part of Israel’s efforts to be included in the U.S. Visa Waiver program. (ALM, HA, MEE, REU 8/7)
After receiving a letter from Israeli interior minister Moshe Arbel demanding that $85 million earmarked to Palestinian municipalities in Israel be released by the Finance Ministry, Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich said he would not provide the funding, calling it a bribe to MK Mansour Abbas. Israeli opposition leader Yair Lapid said Smotrich was only “mistreat[ing] Arab citizens simply because they are Arabs,” saying that “racism has become an official policy of the state of Israel.” Smotrich also canceled funding for preparatory programs for Palestinians living in East Jerusalem who want to study in Israel. (HA 8/7; MEE, REU 8/8 ALM, HA, HA 8/9; HA 8/10)
24 U.S. Democrats, led by House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY) met with PA prime minister Mohammad Shtayyeh in Ramallah. Shtayyeh called on the delegation to recognize the State of Palestine, warned that the 2-state solution was slipping away due to Israeli actions, and asked that they pressure Israel to allow Palestinian elections in East Jerusalem. The congressional delegation also met with Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Jerusalem earlier in the day. Jeffries claimed he had brought up the issue of settler violence with Netanyahu. The Democrats’ visit to Israel was arranged by AIPAC. (HA, HA, HA, WAFA 8/7; MDW 8/10; HA 8/13)
In an interview with Bloomberg, Prime Minister Netanyahu called reported Saudi demands for Israeli concessions on Palestine as a condition for normalization a “checkbox” he has to tick off but not a hinderance for Israel. Netanyahu also said he would not accept limits on settlement expansion as part of the deal. (BB, HA 8/7)
In the West Bank, an Israeli settler rammed a 4-year-old Palestinian in Kisan, causing life-threatening injuries. Israeli settlers also threw stones at Palestinian vehicles traveling near al-Bireh and Shufa and vandalized a barn in Khirbet Makhul. Israeli forces raided Arrabah, assassinating 3 Palestinians sitting in a car, including a minor. Israeli forces also issued 15 demolition and stop-work orders for homes and 2 demolition notices for walls on agricultural lands in Yatma. 5 Palestinians were arrested during a late-night raid in Burqa; Israel said the arrests were related to the settler attack on Burqa on 8/4. 5 others were arrested during late-night raids in Hebron, Fawwar refugee camp, Bayt Awa, and Rumana. In East Jerusalem, 2 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids. In the Naqab, Israeli police detained and deported a Palestinian woman to Gaza after stopping her and examining her papers. The woman, who had lived in Israel since 1992 after marrying a Palestinian citizen of Israel, was forced to leave her 12 children behind, including 4 minors. (AJ, CNN, HA, MEE, REU, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 8/6; AP, HA, PCHR 8/7; PCHR 8/10; UNOCHA 8/11; HA 8/27; HA 8/28)
6 Palestinian families living in al-Qaboun fled their homes due to Israeli settler violence and attacks by Israeli forces. (WAFA 8/6; MEE, UNOCHA 8/10; AP 8/24)
In Tel Aviv, thousands of Palestinian citizens of Israel, carrying 141 coffins, protested Israeli police inaction in addressing the homicide rate in Palestinian communities. 141 Palestinian citizens of Israel have been killed in 2023. (HA, HA 8/6; HA, MEE 8/7)
The court of appeal in Gaza issued death sentences to 7 Palestinians for allegedly collaborating with Israel. (MEMO, PCHR 8/7)
PA ambassador to the UN Riyad Mansour sent letters to the UN secretary-general, the president of the UN Security Council, and the president of the UN General Assembly, demanding that the international community intervene to protect Palestinians. (WAFA 8/6)
The Israeli organization Retired Police Commissioners and Major Generals’ Forum sent a letter to Police Commissioner Kobi Shabtai and Shin Bet Director Ronen Bar warning that National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir is trying to interfere in the investigation into the settler terror attack on Burqa on 8/4 after he praised 2 of the arrested settlers, saying the suspects should get a “medal of honor.” (JP, TOI, TOI, WAFA 8/6; MEMO 8/7)
The Israeli public broadcaster KAN reported that Israeli finance minister Bezalel Smotrich blocked the funding of a preparatory course that would help Palestinians living in East Jerusalem get admitted to Israeli universities. $54 million had been allocated to the program. (JP, TOI 8/6; JP 8/7)
In the West Bank, about 50 Israeli settlers from the Oz Tzion settlement outpost shot and killed 1 Palestinian, injured 4 others, and set fire to 2 vehicles in Burqa. 2 of the settlers involved were arrested, including Elisha Yered, a former spokesperson for Otzma Yehudit party MK Limor Son Har-Melech. Israeli national security minister Itamar Ben-Gvir called the arrested settlers heroes, while National Unity leader Benny Gantz called the incident “Jewish terrorism.” The U.S. condemned the incident as a “terror attack by Israeli extremist settlers.” 4 Palestinians were later arrested on 8/7. An Israeli settler also rammed a Palestinian child in Hebron, causing fractures. Elsewhere, Israeli settlers set up a tent on Palestinian-owned land near Tulkarm. Israeli forces shot and killed 1 Palestinian during a raid in Nur Shams refugee camp. Israeli forces also raided Biddu, injuring Palestinians with tear gas and arresting 2. Elsewhere, Israeli forces violently dispersed Palestinian protesters in Beit Dajan; tear-gas related injuries were reported. Israeli forces also violently dispersed Palestinian protesters in Kafr Qaddum, injuring 2 with baton rounds and others with tear gas. Meanwhile, Israeli forces assaulted 2 Palestinians in the Masafer Yatta area. Israeli forces also violently dispersed Palestinian protesters in Deir Istiya, assaulting 1 Palestinian official and causing tear-gas related injuries. In Gaza, Palestinians demonstrated against poor living conditions in several cities and towns. 1 Palestinian minor was injured by an unexploded ordnance that detonated when he touched it. (AJ, AP, HA, MEE, REU, TOI, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 8/4; JP, MEE, NYT, PCHR, REU, WAFA 8/5; ALM, CNN, HA, HA, HA, HA, HA, HA, MEE, PCHR, REU, TOI 8/6; ALM, ALM, HA, HA, HA, HA, NYT, WAFA 8/7; AJ, ALM 8/8; HA 8/9; PCHR 8/10; HA, UNOCHA 8/11)
12 Palestinian families comprised of 89 people fled their homes in Ras al-Tin following Israeli settler violence in the area. (WAFA 8/12; AP 8/24)
The UN humanitarian coordinator for the Occupied Palestinian Territory Lynn Hastings said the UN has launched an assessment of how to aid 60 Palestinian herding communities that are affected by Israeli settler violence. (WAFA 8/4)
An open letter, titled “The Elephant in the Room,” began circulating among academics and public figures and received more than 1,100 signatures by 8/11. The letter stated that “[t]here cannot be democracy for Jews in Israel as long as Palestinians live under a regime of apartheid,” and called for an end to Israeli impunity at the UN and restrictions on U.S. military aid. The letter was primarily signed by Israeli and Jewish academics and public figures, including Benny Morris, Avraham Berg, Avi Shlaim, and Ilan Pappe. (Letter 8/4; HA 8/7; MEE 8/8; TOI 8/9; WAFA, WP 8/11; WAFA 8/12; MDW 8/28)
In the West Bank, Israeli settlers threw stones at Palestinian vehicles traveling near Burqa, causing damage. Israeli forces razed farmland in Battir, uprooting dozens of olive tree saplings. 26 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in Qalqilya, Jenin, Nablus, and Hebron. PA forces assaulted 4 journalists covering a sit-in protest at Hebron University against the arrest of the university’s students by PA forces. Off the coast of Gaza, Israeli naval forces opened fire at Palestinian fishermen, injuring 1 with a baton round. (WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 8/3; PCHR 8/5 PCHR 8/10; UNOCHA 8/11)
HaMoked and the Center for Defense of the Individual obtained data from the Israel Prison Service showing that a quarter of Palestinian prisoners held by Israel are in administrative detention. 1,201 Palestinians are held in administrative detention, the highest number since at least 2001. Less than half of the 5,014 Palestinian prisoners held by Israel have received a prison sentence. (AP 8/1; ALM 8/2; HA 8/3)
PA president Mahmoud Abbas spoke with acting Lebanese prime minister Najib Mikati, who told him that Lebanese troops may intervene in Ain al-Hilweh refugee camp if the violence that broke out on 7/29 does not stop. The situation was reportedly improving before Mikati and Abbas spoke. (AJ, AP, HA, WAFA 8/3)
PA foreign minister Riyad al-Maliki criticized the Biden administration to members of the Foreign Press Association, calling it weak on Palestine for not reversing Trump administration measures to undermine Palestinians’ right to statehood and inadequately addressing Israeli violations against Palestinians. Al-Maliki also said he is open to peace talks that include China as the mediator and hoped that Saudi Arabia would not “yield to any kind of pressure or intimidation coming from the Biden administration” regarding normalizing ties with Israel. (AP, MEE 8/3)
A Palestinian American man visiting family in Gaza told Reuters that Israel rejected his request to return to the U.S. via Ben Gurion Airport. Another Palestinian American said Israel denied him entry at Ben Gurion Airport forcing him to return to Dubai, despite being told by the Israeli embassy in the UAE that he would be allowed to enter Israel with his Gaza ID. Israel has said that new procedures relevant to Palestinians with Gaza ID cards will be published on 9/15 as part of the country’s trial to become part of the U.S. Visa Waiver program. The trial period ends on 9/30. (MEE, REU 8/3)
Haaretz reported that Pakistan’s Federal Investigation Agency and police units in the country have used UFED hacking tools made by the Israeli company Cellebrite. Pakistan’s use of Cellebrite spyware technology was first reported in 2012. (HA, MEE 8/3)
Germany donated $30 million to UNRWA through the KfW Development Bank. (WAFA 8/3)
In the West Bank, Israeli settlers set up tents near Yasuf. Israeli settlers also set up a caravan and brought livestock near Jericho. Israeli forces demolished a Palestinian-owned mobile home in Wadi al-Amayer in the Masafer Yatta area. Israeli forces also shot and injured 3 Palestinians with live ammunition and 2 with baton rounds during a demolition raid in al-Mughayyir; 1 public park was demolished. 6 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in Sa’ir, al-Arroub refugee camp, Jenin, and al-Mughayyir. In East Jerusalem, 4 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in al-Tur. (WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 7/31; PCHR 8/3; UNOCHA 8/11)
Fighting resumed in Ain al-Hilweh refugee camp in Lebanon after 6 were killed on 7/29 and 7/30 and despite a ceasefire taking effect in the evening of 7/30. 5 were reportedly killed, raising the death toll to 11; 40 have been injured in the 3 days of fighting. (AJ, AJ, AP, HA, MEE, NYT, REU 7/31; AJ, MEE, REU 8/1; MDW 8/2)
PA president Mahmoud Abbas met with Egyptian president Abdel-Fattah el-Sisi in El Alamein, discussing the Palestinian reconciliation talks held in the city on 7/30. (WAFA 7/31)
28 Palestinians living in Israel were murdered in July, up from 25 in June and 24 in May, as the homicide rate in Palestinian communities continued to rise. Palestinian citizens of Israel have for several years called on the Israeli police to adequately address the situation. 138 Palestinian citizens of Israel have been murdered so far in 2023, up from 111 in 2022. (HA, HA 8/1)
Axios reported that Mossad chief David Barnea visited Washington earlier this month to discuss the U.S. aiding Saudi Arabia with its nuclear program as part of the potential normalization deal with Israel. (AX, HA 7/31)
A Moroccan man was sentenced to 5-years in prison for a Facebook 2020 post that was critical of Morocco’s normalization of relations with Israel. The Moroccan court found that his post “could be interpreted as criticism of the king.” (GDN, HA, MEMO 8/3)
In the West Bank, Israeli forces issued stop-work orders for an agricultural structure in Deir Balut and for nearby roads. Israeli forces also issued demolition notices for 8 homes in Furush Beit Dajan. 6 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in Yatta, Deir Sammit, Qarawat Bani Hassan, and Haris. In East Jerusalem, Israeli settlers toured the Haram al-Sharif compound. 3 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids. In Gaza, Palestinians demonstrated against the power outages and living conditions in Gaza City and Khan Yunis, before being dispersed by Hamas forces. (HA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 7/30; PCHR 7/31; PCHR 8/3; UNOCHA 8/11)
5 were killed and 6 wounded during clashes in Ain al-Hilweh refugee camp in Lebanon. According to Palestinian officials the violence broke out on 7/29 after an unknown gunman tried to assassinate Mahmoud Khalil from al-Shabab al-Muslim, killing his companion. Fatah said Commander Ashraf al-Armouchi, who was in charge of security in the camp, and 4 others were killed. The Lebanese army said 1 mortar shell had hit a base outside of the camp, injuring 1. A ceasefire was reached in the early evening. (MEE 7/29; AJ, F24, GDN, HA, MEE, REU 7/30; ALM, BBC, MEE, NYT 7/31; MDW 8/2)
Palestinian factions met in El Alamein in Egypt to discuss reconciliation. Islamic Jihad boycotted the meeting due to PA arrests of its members in the West Bank. After the meeting, PA president Mahmoud Abbas released a statement saying, “I consider today’s meeting of the general secretaries of the Palestinian factions a first and important step in continuing our dialogue,” and announced a committee to continue the dialogue. Earlier in the day Hamas had called on the PA to end security coordination with Israel and to stop political arrests. President Abbas also met with Egyptian intelligence chief Abbas Kamel before the reconciliation talks. (WAFA 7/29; AJ, ALM, HA, MEE, MEMO, MEMO, NA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 7/30; HA, MEMO 7/31; QDS 8/1)
Israeli national security minister Itamar Ben-Gvir amended Israeli policy preventing Palestinians held on administrative detention from being released earlier in cases where Israeli prisons are lacking space. (WAFA 7/30)
The Knesset passed a law to add stricter punishment for “nationalistically” motivated sex crimes. 6 Palestinian MKs and Gilad Kariv of the Labor Party voted against it. Kariv called the law Kahanist as it is targeting Palestinian offenders by doubling the penalty if they commit sex crimes against Jews. (HA 7/30; MEE 7/31; HA 8/1; HA 8/4)
In the West Bank, Israeli settlers set fire to agricultural fields near Burin. Armed Israeli settlers also raided Arab al-Mleihat, intimidating Palestinians. Elsewhere, Israeli settlers also assaulted 2 Palestinians and attempted to set fire to their tent in Tuqu’. In East Jerusalem, Israel forced 1 Palestinian family to demolish their own home in Bayt Hanina. Off the coast, Israeli naval forces opened fire at Palestinian fishermen west of al-Sudaniyya and Rafah; no injuries were reported. In Tamra, Palestinian citizens of Israel protested the Israeli government’s failure to address the rising murder rate in Palestinian communities. (HA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 7/29; PCHR 8/3; UNOCHA 8/11)
An unknown gunman tried to assassinate Mahmoud Khalil from al-Shabab al-Muslim, killing his companion in Ain al-Hilweh refugee camp in Lebanon. (MEE 7/29; AJ, F24, GDN, HA, MEE, REU 7/30; ALM, BBC, MEE, NYT 7/31; MDW 8/2)
PA president Mahmoud Abbas met with members of the PFLP ahead of a reconciliation meeting of most Palestinian parties on 7/30 in Egypt. (HA 7/30)
The Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in the U.S. and Canada adopted a resolution labelling Israel an apartheid state. (MDW 7/30)
In the West Bank, Israeli settlers set up a tent near Qaryut. Israeli settlers also threw stones at Palestinian farmers and set a car on fire in ‘Asira al-Qibliya. Israeli forces shot and killed 1 Palestinian minor during a late-night raid in Qalqilya. Israeli forces also razed land, uprooting 120 olive and almond trees in Qusra. Elsewhere, Israeli forces raided ‘Asira al-Qibliya, injuring 15 with tear gas. Palestinian militants from al-Ayyash Battalion launched an improvised rocket at Israel from Jenin before it exploded near the launch site. The launch was said to be retaliation for the settler tour of the Haram al-Sharif compound (see below). In East Jerusalem, Israeli national security minister Itamar Ben-Gvir toured the Haram al-Sharif compound for the third time this year. Ben-Gvir was joined by Naqab and Galilee development minister Yitzhak Wasserlauf and some 1,780 other settlers. Hamas, the PA, Morocco, and Jordan condemned the touring of the compound. Palestinians were prevented from entering the compound during the incursion. 16 Jews were arrested at the compound for praying at the site. (AJ, AJ, ALM, AN, HA, HA, HA, MEE, MEE, REU, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 7/27; AJ, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 7/28; UNOCHA 7/29; PCHR 8/3; UNOCHA 8/11)
Hours after National Security Minister Ben-Gvir toured the Haram al-Sharif compound, Bahrain said it had to postpone a visit by Israeli defense minister Yoav Gallant, citing King Hamad bin Isa al-Khalifa’s schedule. (HA 7/28; HA 7/30)
U.S. national security advisor Jake Sullivan met with Saudi crown prince Mohammed bin Salman in Jeddah, discussing Saudi-Israeli normalization. The New York Times reported that King Salman had intervened to insist that a deal would have to include concessions to Palestine. Later on 7/28, President Biden said at a campaign event that “[t]here is a rapprochement maybe under way” in relation to the Saudi-Israel normalization talks. (White House 7/27; AJ, AP, HA, REU 7/28; NYT 7/29; HA, REU 7/30; REU 7/31)
The UN Security Council held a meeting on the situation in the Middle East, discussing the increase in violence in the West Bank. (WAFA 7/27)
The Arab League submitted written statements to the ICJ in support of Palestine. (WAFA 7/27)
In the West Bank, armed Israeli settlers with a military escort broke in to 2 Palestinian homes in Tuba and El-Abid, intimidating the homeowners and searching their belongings. Israeli forces shot and killed 3 Palestinians, claiming that 1 of them had opened fire at Israeli soldiers near Nablus; Israeli forces prevented a Palestinian ambulance from reaching the scene. The PA called the killings a war crime. Israeli forces also violently dispersed Palestinian protesters in Deir Istiya, assaulting journalists and causing tear-gas related injuries. Elsewhere, Israeli forces seized 1 tractor and 1 other vehicle in Bardala. Israeli forces also demolished agricultural structures and uprooted olive trees in az-Za’ayyem. In East Jerusalem, Israeli settlers toured the Haram al-Sharif compound. 1 Palestinian family was forced to demolish their own home in Bayt Hanina. (AJ, AP, HA, HA, MEE, REU, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 7/25; PCHR 7/27; UNOCHA 7/29; UNOCHA 8/11)
PA president Mahmoud Abbas met with Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdoğan in Ankara. Erdoğan urged Abbas to work on reconciliation with Hamas. (ALM, MEE, WAFA, WAFA 7/25; REU 7/26)
PA prime minister Mohammad Shtayyeh spoke to U.S. congressman Richard McCormick (R-GA) via video link. (WAFA 7/25)
The Knesset voted to expand the Admissions Committees Law, effectively allowing communities in Israel with up to 700 households to reject non-Jewish people from moving in. MKs from the Hadash-Ta’al and United Arab List parties voted against the law along with 2 members of Labor. (HA, WAFA 7/25; JP, MEMO 7/26; AJ, HA, MEE 7/27; MDW 7/31)
Israel and Vietnam signed a free trade agreement. (REU 7/25)
12 members of the U.S. Congress called in a letter on the State Department to prevent Israeli demolitions and property seizure in Wadi Fukin. The letter was signed by Barbara Lee (D-CA), Jan Schkowsky (D-IL), Rashida Tlaib (D-MI), Ilhan Omar (D-MN), Lloyd Doggett (D-TX), Mark Pocan (D-WI), Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC), Greg Casar (D-TX), Judy Chu (D-CA), James McGovern (D-MA), Raul Grijalva (D-AR), and Jesus Garcia (D-IL). (MDW 8/5)
U.S. secretary of defense Lloyd Austin urged his Israeli counterpart Yoav Gallant to “address extremist settler violence against Palestinian civilians” during a phone call. (ALM, AN, MEE, REU 7/25)
In the West Bank, Israeli settlers with a military escort attacked a Palestinian home in al-Mazra’a al-Gharbiya. Israeli settlers with military escort also attacked a house and a school in ‘Urif. Elsewhere, Israeli settlers vandalized some 150 olive tree saplings in al-Dahariya. Israeli forces shot and injured 2 Palestinians near Jalazun. 5 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in Ibayyat and Yabad. (WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA /22; WAFA 7/23; UNOCHA 7/25; PCHR 7/27; UNOCHA 7/29)
PFLP deputy secretary-general Jamal Nizar held a meeting with Egyptian intelligence head Abbas Kamal in Cairo ahead of a meeting of Palestinian factions scheduled for 7/30 in Cairo. (MEMO 7/23)
Thousands of Israelis marched from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem in protest of the Israeli government’s judicial overhaul. It was the 29th week in a row Israelis protested against the Netanyahu-led government. (HA, HA, NYT, REU 7/22; AJ 7/23)
Former U.S. ambassadors to Israel Martin Indyk (Bill Clinton administration) and Daniel Kurtzer (George W Bush administration) told New York Times columnist Nicholas Kristof that they think it is time that the U.S. start conditioning aid to Israel. (HA, NYT 7/22)
The EU donated $1.1 million to UNRWA allocated for Palestinian refugees in the West Bank. (WAFA 7/22; AN 7/23)
In the West Bank, Israeli settlers vandalized some 50 olive trees in al-Khader. Israeli forces shot and killed 1 Palestinian minor and injured 1 other with live ammunition while others suffered tear-gas related injuries during a raid in Umm Safa. Israeli forces also shot and killed 1 Palestinian man traveling near Sebastia and injured a passenger, claiming shots were fired from the vehicle. The mayor of Sebastia said more than fifty bullets were fired at the car. The PA called for an international investigation, calling the killing an “execution.” Israeli forces also violently dispersed a funeral procession in Beit Umar, injuring 1 with live ammunition and others with tear gas. Elsewhere, Israeli forces violently dispersed Palestinian protesters in Kafr Qaddum, injuring 3 with baton rounds and others with tear gas. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces violently dispersed Palestinians holding a sit-in protest in Silwan against Israeli displacement in the neighborhood. In Umm al-Fahm, Palestinian citizens of Israel protested against the Israeli police’s inaction in solving crime in Palestinian towns. (AJ, AJ, AP, HA, MEE, REU, REU WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 7/21; AJ, AN, AP, HA, MEE, PCHR, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 7/22; PCHR 7/27; UNOCHA 7/29)
The Portuguese parliament passed a resolution recognizing the Nakba and condemning Israeli expansionism. (QDS, WAFA 7/21; MEMO, NA 7/22; MEE 7/23)
U.S. ambassador Tom Nides ended his tenure as ambassador to Israel. Nides was replaced by acting U.S. ambassador to Israel Stephanie Hallett. Nides had resigned to spend time with his family. (QDS 7/21)
In the West Bank, Israeli settlers began construction of a new settlement outpost in al-Sawahara. Israeli forces shot and killed 1 Palestinian and injured 3 others during a raid in Nablus to facilitate a settler incursion at Joseph’s Tomb; Israeli police commissioner Kobi Shabtai took part in the settler tour of site. Israeli forces also shot and injured 1 Palestinian with live ammunition during a raid in al-Shuyukh. Elsewhere, Israeli forces seized 2 tractors in Khirbet Humsa. Israeli forces also razed olive, almond, and grape trees in al-Hardash near Tarqumiyah. In East Jerusalem, Israeli settlers toured the Haram al-Sharif compound. 1 Israeli settler was attacked in the Gilo settlement, Israel arrested 3 Palestinians said to be suspects in Bethlehem on 7/22. (AJ, AP, HA, HA, MEE, REU, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 7/20; HA 7/22; PCHR 7/27; UNOCHA 7/29)
PA prime minister Mohammad Shtayyeh met with a delegation from the Australian parliament, including the speaker, Milton Dick. Shtayyeh called on Australia to recognize Palestine and to pressure Israel to allow Palestinian elections to be held in East Jerusalem. (WAFA, WAFA 7/20)
PLO member Azzam al-Ahmad led a Palestinian delegation to the BRICS summit held in South Africa. The BRICS members, Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa passed a resolution calling for a Palestinian state. (WAFA 7/20)
U.S. senators Bob Menendez (D-NJ) and Jim Risch (R-ID) introduced the Regional Integration and Normalization Act, earmarking funds to countries that would normalize relations with Israel. (MEE 7/21; HA 7/22)
Saudi Arabia signed an agreement to allow all UNESCO member states free access to a World Heritage Committee meeting in Riyadh in September, including Israel. Axios had reported that Saudi Arabia had refused to sign the agreement because of the participation of an Israeli delegation. (AX 7/20; ALM 7/21)
The EU donated $450,000 through UNRWA to families affected by the Israeli assault on Gaza in May. (WAFA 7/20)
In the West Bank, Israeli forces issued stop-work orders for 4 homes and an agricultural structure in Yasuf. Israeli forces also arrested the son of the PA governor of Jericho, Jihad Abu al-Asal, during a house raid in Aqabat Jaber refugee camp. 7 others were arrested during late-night raids in Bethlehem, Tulkarm, Ramallah, and Jenin. In East Jerusalem, Israeli settlers toured the Haram al-Sharif compound. (WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 7/19; PCHR 7/27; UNOCHA 7/29)
Israeli finance minister and minister in charge of settlement policy at the Israeli Defense Ministry Bezalel Smotrich told members of the Knesset Foreign Affairs and Defense Committee that he is working on a plan to allow Israel to demolish buildings in Area A and Area B that are determined by Israel to be national security threats. Smotrich said he expects to bring the plan to the Israeli cabinet later in July. He also said he plans to create a border police unit that will focus solely on enforcing construction laws in the West Bank. Finally, Smotrich said he is working with the Jewish National Fund to plant 10,000 dunams (2,500 acres) of land with trees in the West Bank. (HA 7/19)
Israel said it would allow all U.S. citizens, including Palestinian Americans living in Gaza and the West Bank, entry to Israel in order to comply with U.S. demands for including Israel in the Visa Waiver Program. On the website of the U.S. embassy in Israel, it was stipulated that the “updated travel policies will allow U.S. citizens, without regard to national original, dual nationality, ethnicity, or religion, including Palestinian Americans on the Palestinian population registry, to travel to and from Israel via all ports of entry, including Ben Gurion Airport.” However, on the Israeli website with information for Palestinians Americans in Gaza and the West Bank it was stipulated that a “US citizen who is a Gaza Strip resident may exit abroad and return to the Gaza Strip through the Allenby Bridge Crossing. Transit to and from the Allenby Bridge Crossing must be by means of the organized shuttles of the Palestinian Authority. Requests for exiting abroad must be submitted to the Palestinian Civil Committee 45 workdays in advance to the requested exit date. The consent to requests is subject to security approval.” And Americans wanting to visit “first-degree relatives” in Gaza would only be allowed to visit Gaza once a year. The trial program started on 7/20. U.S. State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller said that the U.S. will monitor Israel’s compliance with the U.S. demands and make a decision regarding its admission to the Visa Waiver Program on 9/30. The Israeli announcement came after Israel and the U.S. signed a memorandum of understanding on the conditions set by the U.S. earlier in the day. (ALM, AP, AX, REU, TOI 7/19; AJ, Israel National Digital Agency, MEE, QDS, TOI, TOI, U.S. Embassy in Israel 7/20; MEE 7/27; AJ 7/28)
Hamas said it had begun paying the June salaries of 50,000 public sector workers after a 3-week delay due to a delay in receiving monthly Qatari funds. A Hamas official said Hamas had received half of the Qatari funds and was able to get a loan from a local bank to pay out the salaries. (REU 7/19)
The Turkish presidency announced that PA president Mahmoud Abbas will visit President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan on 7/25, while Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu will visit on 7/28. The Netanyahu visit was later postponed due to his heart surgery on 7/23. (ALM 7/20; AJ 7/21; WAFA 7/23)
In Syria, Israeli airstrikes killed 2 Syrian soldiers near Damascus. (AJ, ALM, AN, AP, HA, MEE, REU 7/19)
Israeli president Isaac Herzog addressed a joint session of the U.S. Congress, thanking the U.S. for its support for Israel’s normalization deals and Israel’s pursuit of normalization with Saudi Arabia. Herzog also said that Israel had taken “bold steps towards peace,” but claimed that these steps were undermined by Palestinian “terror” against Israelis. Representatives Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY), Rashida Tlaib (D-MI), Ilhan Omar (D-MN), Jamaal Bowman (D-NY), Nydia Velázquez (D-NY), Cori Bush (D-MO), and Senator Bernie Sanders (D-VT) boycotted Herzog’s address. Sanders said “[i]t is no great secret that I strongly oppose the policies of Israel’s right wing, anti-Palestinian government. We provide them with $3.8 billion in aid. We have a right to demand they respect human rights.” (AJ 7/17; AJ, AJ, ALM, F24, HA, HA, HA, HA, REU 7/19)
U.S. vice president Kamala Harris and President Herzog announced a joint U.S.-Israel climate initiative that will see the 2 countries invest $35 million each in “climate-smart agriculture” in the Middle East and Africa. The initiative was aimed at strengthening cooperation between Israel and Middle Eastern and African countries. (AX 7/19)
In the West Bank, Israeli settlers stole 18 residential tents in Beit Furik. Israeli forces razed land planted with 210 olive and almond trees in Birin. 11 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in Ramallah, Nablus, and Bethlehem. In East Jerusalem, Israeli settlers toured the Haram al-Sharif compound. (WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 7/18; PCHR 7/19; UNOCHA 7/29)
Medical Aid for Palestinians said it will provide the Palestine Red Crescent Society (PRCS) helmets and bulletproof vests worth $24,000 to help protect medical workers in the West Bank. PRCS said medical teams had been put in danger by Israeli forces on 193 separate occasions in the first half of 2023, an increase of 310% compared to the same period in 2022. (MAP, WAFA 7/18; GDN 7/19)
Israeli defense minister Yoav Gallant signed an order to place 3 Israeli settlers in administrative detention for attacks on Palestinians in Umm Safa and al-Lubban ash-Sharqiya in June. (HA 7/18)
The U.S. House of Representatives passed a resolution declaring that “the State of Israel is not a racist or apartheid state” by 412 votes to 9. Representatives Ilhan Omar (D-MN), Summer Lee (D-PA), Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY), Rashida Tlaib (D-MI), Jamaal Bowman (D-NY), Andre Carson (D-IN), Cori Bush (D-MO), Ayanna Pressley (D-MA), and Delia Ramirez (D-IL) voted against. The resolution was presented by August Pfluger (R-TX). (AJ, HA, NYT 7/18; HA, MDW 7/19)
U.S. president Joe Biden met with Israeli president Isaac Herzog at the White House. After the meeting, Biden told New York Times columnist Tom Friedman that he urged Israeli leaders to stop the judicial overhaul and not pass reforms without a broad consensus. (ALM, MEE, NYT, NYT, REU 7/18; HA, HA, HA 7/19)
60 prominent human rights and press freedom organizations signed a letter addressed to the U.S. Congress urging representatives to pass the Justice for Shireen Act, which would require the U.S. government to investigate the Israeli killing of Shireen Abu Akleh. (AJ, MEE 7/18; WAFA 7/19)
The U.S. Department of Commerce added the Israel-owned Intellexa and Cytrox spyware companies to its blacklist of companies acting against U.S. interests. The list already includes NSO Group and Candiru. (HA, MEE, NYT 7/18)
The University of Maryland Critical Issues survey showed that 73% of Americans would favor Israel as a democracy over Israel’s as a Jewish state in the absence of a two-state solution. (Brookings 7/18; HA 7/19)
In the West Bank, Israeli settlers let their sheep graze on wheat and barley crops and set up a tent on Palestinian-owned land near al-Tuba in the Masafer Yatta area. Israeli forces uprooted olive, almond, and grape trees in Husan and assaulted 2 Palestinians trying to fend the soldiers off. Israeli forces also shot and injured 1 Palestinian minor during a raid in ‘Azzun. Elsewhere, Israeli forces demolished homes, agricultural structures, and water tanks in Sawahira al-Sharqiya. 13 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in Fawwar refugee camp, Beit Kahil, Beit Umar, Birzeit, al-Jalamah, Jalbun, Qalandia refugee camp, Aqabat Jaber refugee camp, and Ein as-Sultan. 1 Palestinian was shot and injured with live ammunition and others suffered tear-gas related injuries during the raid in Fawwar refugee camp. 1 Palestinian was also injured with live ammunition during the raid in Ein as-Sultan. In Abu Ghosh, Israelis set fire to 4 Palestinian-owned vehicles and wrote racist graffiti on walls. (HA, QDS, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 7/17; PCHR 7/19; UNOCHA 7/29)
Islamic Jihad said PA forces arrested 5 of its members in Jenin during a night raid. Protests against the PA were held later in the day in Jenin refugee camp. (MEMO, QDS, REU 7/17; MDW 7/19)
The National Council of Arab Mayors in Israel staged a protest outside of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office, calling on the government to tackle organized crime in Palestinian communities in Israel as the murder rate continued to soar. (HA 7/17)
Israeli state-owned channel Kan 11 reported that the Israeli government will approve the transfer of $36 million earmarked for Palestinian communities in Israel to funding for married yeshiva students. The $36 million was budgeted to improve infrastructure and education in Palestinian majority towns during the Lapid-Bennett government. (HA, HA 7/19)
United Torah Judaism MK Yakov Asher presented a bill to the Knesset Interior and Environment Committee that would allow the transfer of tax revenue from industrial zones in Israel to West Bank settlements. (HA 7/17)
U.S. president Joe Biden spoke with Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu in a phone call, inviting Netanyahu to meet him in the U.S. later in 2023. National Security Council spokesperson John Kirby said Biden “stressed the need to take measures to maintain the viability of a two-state solution.” It was reported that Netanyahu promised not to advance more settlement construction until the end of 2023, a promise Netanyahu’s office denied in Israeli media. (ALM, AX, HA, HA, MEE, NYT 7/17; ALM, AJ, AX HA, HA, HA, MEE, REU 7/18; NYT 7/19; HA 7/20)
Israel said that it has recognized Morocco’s sovereignty over Western Sahara, a part of Israel and Morocco’s normalization deal. Morocco said Israel is considering opening a consulate in Dakhla. King Mohammed VI invited Prime Minister Netanyahu to Morocco after the announcement was made. (AJ, ALM, F24, HA, MEE, REU 7/17; ALM, MEE 7/18; ALM, MEE, NYT, REU 7/19; HA 7/20)
In the West Bank, 3 Israeli settlers, including 2 minors, were shot and injured in a drive-by shooting outside of the Tekoa settlement south of Harmala. Israel said its military had arrested a Palestinian suspect near Bethlehem. Israeli settlers threw stones at Palestinian vehicles traveling near Beitin and Haris, causing damage. Israeli settlers also set fire to olive trees and attacked Palestinian homes in Burin. When Israeli forces arrived, they fired tear gas at Palestinians trying to fend off the settlers. Israeli forces shot and injured 1 Palestinian during a raid in Shufa. Israeli forces also shot and injured 2 Palestinians with baton rounds and injured others with tear gas during a raid in Bethlehem. Elsewhere, Israeli forces seized 1 bulldozer in Barta’a. 7 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in Tell, Qusin, Yatta, Abu Nujaym, and Arrabah; 1 Palestinian was shot and injured with live ammunition during the raid in Tell. In East Jerusalem, Israeli settlers toured the Haram al-Sharif compound. Israel forced 1 Palestinian family to demolish their own home in Silwan. 3 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids. (AJ, HA, MEE, NA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 7/16; WAFA 7/17; PCHR 7/19; UNOCHA 7/29)
Haaretz reported that Israeli settlers had returned to reoccupy a Palestinian-owned building in a closed military zone in Hebron. (HA 7/16)
The Israeli-run Jerusalem Municipality approved 4 building permits, laying the foundations for construction of the new Israeli settlement Givat Hamatos in East Jerusalem. Applications for construction of 900 housing units are pending approval. (FMEP, Ir Amim 7/21)
Hamas said it was unable to pay around 50,000 public sector workers due to a delay in receiving monthly aid from Qatar. (REU 7/16)
The Israeli foreign and defense ministries amended rules to allow U.S. citizens of Palestinian, Syrian, and Iranian background to enter Israel and Palestine through the Ben Gurion Airport and not have to undergo additional screening at an Israeli embassy. The changes were made to satisfy U.S. demands to admit Israel into the Visa Waiver program. U.S. citizens who live in Gaza will continue to have to go through the Allenby crossing and receive special permission 45 days in advance of their travels. (HA 7/16; HA 7/19)
Ynet reported that Israeli foreign minister Eli Cohen met with the foreign minister of an unnamed Muslim-majority country that does not have diplomatic relations with Israel in Nairobi ahead of an African Union summit. (ALM, MEMO, QDS 6/17)
EU representative to Palestine Sven Kühn von Burgsdorff paraglided on a beach in Gaza, saying after his flight “[o]nce you have a free Palestine, a free Gaza, you can do exactly the same thing,” The Israeli Foreign Ministry called von Burgsdorff’s flight a “provocative action.” (REU 7/18; BBC 7/19; MDW 7/22)
In the West Bank, Israeli settlers attacked Palestinians in al-Mufaqra. Israeli forces detained journalist Basel Adra, who was covering the attack, for several hours and confiscated his phone. Israeli settlers also assaulted 1 Palestinian man at the Otniel settlement before he was arrested by Israeli forces. Elsewhere, Israeli settlers attacked a Palestinian home in Sebastia, before Israeli forces arrested 2 Palestinians defending the home. Israeli forces violently dispersed Palestinians protesting a raid in ‘Askar refugee camp, causing tear-gas related injuries. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces violently dispersed Palestinians protesting house demolitions in Silwan. (WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 7/15; HA 7/16; PCHR 7/19; UNOCHA 7/29)
The Palestinian Water Authority said that the Israeli water company Mekorot had reduced the daily supply of water to Hebron and Bethlehem provinces to 6,000 cups. (WAFA 7/15; QDS 7/17)
Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu was hospitalized after fainting and fitted with a heart monitor. Netanyahu was released on 7/16 and said he was hospitalized due to dehydration. (AJ, ALM, HA, NYT, REU, SKY 7/15; AJ, GDN, HA, NYT, REU 7/16; HA 7/17)
In Lebanon, a group of Lebanese people, reported to be MP Kasem Hashem and journalists, entered an area claimed by Israel on border of Lebanon and the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights before being shot at by Israeli forces; no injuries were reported. (HA, WAFA 7/15)
Congressional Progressive Caucus leader Pramila Jayapal (D-CA) called Israel “a racist state” during a speech in Chicago. Later in a statement Jayapal clarified that she thinks the Netanyahu-led government is racist after criticism from Democratic leaders. (HA 7/15; WAFA 7/16; AX, HA, MDW, MEE 7/17; MDW 7/18)