The Palestine Chronology

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers attacked a Palestinian house in Burqa, causing damage to the house; and raided Madama, leading to a confrontation with local Palestinians; no injuries or damage were reported. Separately, Israeli settlers attacked Palestinians protecting their land northwest of Ramallah; at least 2 sustained injuries. Israeli forces shot and injured 1 Palestinian minor west of Ramallah, alleging that he had thrown stones at Israeli settler-owned vehicles. Elsewhere, Israeli forces closed metal gates to the Hebron area villages of al-Fawar, Yatta, and Dura; and razed Palestinian-owned land near Jalud. 4 Palestinians were arrested, including 2 during a raid in ‘Ayn al-Hilwa and 2 at a checkpoint near Nablus. In East Jerusalem, 3 Palestinians were arrested during raids in Issawiyya. In Gaza, Israeli forces made incursions to level land east of Khuza‘a. (WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 3/24; PCHR 3/27)

PA prime minister Mohammed Shtayyeh met with the head of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) delegation in Jerusalem to request that the ICRC work to protect Palestinian prisoners in Israeli prisons from the COVID-19 virus. Palestinian prisoners in Israeli prisons started returning their food portions in response to Israel’s lack of help in protecting them from the virus. Prime Minister Shtayyeh also called on all Palestinians from the West Bank working in Israel to return to the West Bank, citing Israel’s reckless response to Palestinians showing signs of the COVID-19 virus (see 3/23). (WAFA, WAFA 3/24; WAFA 3/25)

The EU donated $88 million to UNRWA projects. (WAFA 2/24)

In the West Bank, Israeli forces uprooted some 400 olive tree saplings west of Bethlehem and seized a residential tent, a generator, and an animal barn in al-Mughayyir. Israeli forces also arrested 15 Palestinians during raids in and around al-‘Arub refugee camp, Ramallah, Baytin, Tulkarm, Jenin, and Nablus. In Gaza, the death toll from the fire in a bakery on 3/5 rose to 13 after 2 more people succumbed to their injuries. Israeli forces opened fire on Palestinian shepherds east of al-Maghazi; no injuries were reported. Off the coast of Gaza, Israeli naval forces opened fire on Palestinian fishermen 2 miles west of Bayt Lahiya; no injuries were reported. (WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 3/9; PCHR 3/18)

Israeli defense minister Naftali Bennett announced that the Israeli government had approved to build a separate road for Palestinians to connect the northern and southern parts of the West Bank as Israel is moving forward with building 3,500 settler units in E-1 near East Jerusalem. Defense Minister Bennett said that Israel is “applying sovereignty [over the West Bank] in deed, not words.” The PA foreign Ministry said in a statement that, with the move, Israel is seeking to close the door for a Palestinian state with East Jerusalem as its capital. (HA, JP, WAFA 3/9; AJ 3/10)

Qatar donated $10 million worth of medical equipment to help the PA combat the spread of the COVID-19 virus in the West Bank. There are 25 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the West Bank. (WAFA, WAFA 3/9)

In the West Bank, Israeli forces razed Palestinian-owned land in Huwwara in preparation to build a 5-mile-long settler-only road. Elsewhere, Israeli forces violently dispersed a protest against Israeli annexation plans east of Tubas, firing live ammunition, rubber-coated bullets, and tear gas canisters at the protesters, injuring 1 with live ammunition and 2 with rubber-coated bullets; others sustained tear-gas related injuries. 26 Palestinians, including a PA official, were arrested during raids in and around Hebron, Qalandia, Nablus, Tulkarm, and Jenin. In East Jerusalem, 2 Palestinians were arrested. Off the coast of Gaza, Israeli forces opened fire and sprayed water on Palestinian fishermen west of Dayr al-Balah, causing damage to 1 boat; no injuries were reported. (WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 2/25; PCHR 2/27)

For the 3d time since 2/20, Israel’s prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced new settlement expansion. In this new round, Prime Minister Netanyahu announced that had given instructions to “publish for deposits the plan to build 3,500 housing units in E-1." E-1 is an area next to the Ma’ale Adumim settlement and would connect the settlement to Jerusalem. E-1 was shelved in 2012 because of pressure from the U.S. Obama administration and the EU as it would split the West Bank in 2. The PA said that Netanyahu’s announcement “crossed all red lines.” (JP, REU, WAFA, WAFA 2/25)

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

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

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

In the West Bank, Israeli forces carried out military drills in the Jordan Valley. During the drill, 3 Palestinian shepherds were arrested. Israeli forces also demolished a house in Hebron, displacing a family of 5. Elsewhere, Israeli forces began construction on a 5-mile-long, settler-only road connecting settlements near Nablus. Israeli forces also violently dispersed a protest against the U.S. administration’s peace plan in Qalqilya, causing several tear-gas related injuries. 15 Palestinians were arrested during raids in and around Bethlehem, Ramallah, and Kafr Qaddum. During 1 raid in Ramallah, Israeli forces clashed with Palestinians; 3 Palestinians were injured by rubber-coated bullets, others suffered tear-gas related injuries. In East Jerusalem, 1 Palestinian-owned home in the Old City partially collapsed due to Israeli excavations there. Israeli forces demolished a Palestinian-owned house in Silwan. In Gaza, Israeli forces opened fire on Palestinian agricultural land east of Dayr al-Balah and Juhur al-Dik; no injuries were reported. (WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 2/13; PCHR 2/20)

According to Israeli officials, Hamas has informed Israel that it will halt all launchings of rockets and incendiary balloons. The official said that if Hamas keeps its promise, Israel would expand the fishing zone and allow 500 permits for Palestinian businesspeople in Gaza. (HA 2/13)

Israeli forces conducted airstrikes on Syria, killing 7 people near Damascus airport. (HA, WAFA 2/14)

In the West Bank, Israeli forces handed demolition notices for 4 Palestinian-owned homes in al-Tuwani south of Hebron; delivered notices for land seizures near Bethlehem; and confiscated 2 residential tents near Nablus. Elsewhere, Israeli forces set up roadblocks on roads to several villages north of Ramallah. 6 Palestinians were arrested, including 5 during raids in and around Ramallah, Hebron, and Kafr Qaddum; 1 was arrested at a checkpoint near Jenin. During a raid in Ramallah, Israeli forces seized a vehicle. In Gaza, Israeli forces opened fire on Palestinian farmland east of Khan Yunis; no injuries were reported. In Israel, 1 Palestinian was arrested for working without a work permit. (WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 2/12; PCHR 2/13)

The Lebanese army opened fire at Israeli drones flying over Lebanese territory, causing the Israeli drones to vacate Lebanese air space. (HA 2/12)

The UN Human Rights Office of the High Commissioner released the UN database of companies with ties to Israeli settlements in the West Bank and East Jerusalem. The long-awaited list included 112 business, 94 in Israel and 18 in 6 other countries. Among the companies are Airbnb, Booking.com, Expedia, Motorola Solutions, and Tripadvisor. (HA, OHCHR (see A/HRC/43/71), REU, WAFA, WAFA 2/12)

Japan announced that it was providing $33 million in aid to Palestinians via a number of UN institutions and through the International Committee of the Red Cross. (WAFA 2/12)

In the West Bank, Israeli forces set up a metal gate, shutting the main entrance to Nabi Salih. Israeli forces also handed a demolition notice for the family home of a Palestinian prisoner in Kubar and handed a stop-work order for 4 structures in the Jordan Valley. Elsewhere, Israeli forces entered al-Ibrahimi Mosque and forced worshippers and staff to leave the mosque. Israeli forces also violently suppressed a protest in al-Bireh; 2 Palestinians were injured by live ammunition, 3 by rubber-coated bullets, and others suffered tear-gas related injuries. 7 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in and around Hebron, Bethlehem, Ramallah, and Nablus. In East Jerusalem, 1 Palestinian was arrested during a late-night raid in Issawiyya. Off the coast of Gaza, Israeli naval forces opened fire and used water hoses on Palestinian fishermen 3 nautical miles off the coast of Gaza City, causing damage to boats. In Gaza, Israeli forces opened fire on Palestinian farmland east of Rafah; no injuries were reported. In Israel, more than 150 vehicles were vandalized and racist graffiti in Hebrew, such as “Jews wake up” and “Enough with the assimilation,” was sprayed on several buildings in the Christian Palestinian village of Jish. (HA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 2/11; PCHR 2/13)

At a UN Security Council meeting, PA president Mahmoud Abbas sharply rejected the U.S. administration’s peace plan, saying “[t]his is an Israeli-American pre-emptive plan in order to put an end to the question of Palestine.” While President Abbas was speaking in New York, Palestinian protesters in Ramallah demonstrated against the U.S. peace plan. After the protest, Palestinians and Israeli forces clashed at a checkpoint north of Ramallah; 2 Palestinians were injured by rubber-coated bullets and others needing treatment for tear-gas related injuries. (AJ, HA, HA, HA, NYT, WAFA, WAFA 2/11)

In the West Bank, Israeli forces killed 1 Palestinian during a protest in Tulkarm. 11 Palestinians and 2 Israeli soldiers were injured during clashes in ‘Azun, where Palestinians mourned the death of the PA police officer who was killed on 2/6; 8 of the Palestinians were shot by live ammunition. Israeli forces also violently dispersed protests against the U.S. administration’s peace plan in and around Nablus, Jenin, Kafr Qaddum, and Jericho, leading to tear-gas related injuries. 6 Palestinians were arrested, including 2 at checkpoints in Hebron and near Nablus, 1 during a house raid in Hebron, and 3 during clashes with Israeli forces near Ramallah. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces raided the Haram al-Sharif compound, injuring 3 Palestinians. Israeli forces also arrested 1 Palestinian during a house raid in Ras al-Amud. In Gaza, Palestinians gathered to protest near Khuza‘a; several Palestinians suffered tear-gas related injuries when Israeli forces violently dispersed the protest. Israeli forces also opened fire on Palestinian farmland east of Dayr al-Balah and Rafah; no injuries were reported. In Israel, Israeli police turned back buses transporting Palestinians going to worship at the Haram al-Sharif compound. Israel also demolished the bedouin village al-Araqib for the 174th time since 2010. (AJ, HA, REU, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 2/7; PCHR 2/13)

After the PA announced that it had banned some Israeli products from entering the Palestinian market, Israel banned Palestinian agricultural exports going abroad, including via Jordan. (WAFA 2/7; REU 2/8; AJ, HA, TOI, WAFA, WAFA 2/9)

In the West Bank, Israeli forces shot and killed 1 Palestinian minor in Hebron during clashes between Israeli forces and Palestinians protesting the U.S. peace plan. Israeli forces demolished a shack and seized another 1 north of Ramallah, delivered a demolition notice for a structure in Sabastiyya and a stop-work order for a playground in Susiya. Israeli forces cleared a settlement outpost near the Ofra settlement, leading to clashes with Israeli settlers. 19 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in and around Hebron, Jenin, Nablus, Qalqilya, Salfit, and Birzeit. Israeli settlers threw stones at Palestinian vehicles in Nahalin, causing damage to 2. In East Jerusalem, 2 Palestinian families were ordered evicted from their homes in Silwan to allow Israeli settlers to move in. In Gaza, 3 rockets were launched at Israel and Israeli forces struck targets in Khan Yunis, firing at least 4 missiles; no injuries were reported, but damage was reported in Gaza. Israel reduced the Gaza fishing zone from a maximum 15 nautical miles to 10 nautical miles. Off the coast of Gaza, Israeli forces opened fire and used water hoses against Palestinian fishermen; no injuries were reported. (AJ, HA, HA, HA, HA, REU, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 2/5; HA , PCHR, PCHR 2/6)

The EU and Denmark donated $6.5 million for social and public infrastructure projects in Area C of the West Bank. (WAFA 2/5)

In the West Bank, Israeli forces handed demolition notices to a Palestinian family in Jenin and for several houses and animal barns in Fasayil in the Jordan Valley. Israeli forces also demolished a water irrigation pipeline in Bardala. 12 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in and around Hebron, Bethlehem, Ramallah, Tulkarm, and Jericho. During the raid near Jericho, 2 Palestinians were injured and hospitalized after confrontations with Israeli forces. Israeli settlers threw stones at 1 Palestinian-owned vehicle near Nablus, causing damage. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces demolished a Palestinian-owned house in Bayt Hanina and a house under construction in Jabal Mukabir. Off the coast of Gaza, Israeli naval forces opened fire on Palestinian fishermen west of Khan Yunis; 1 Palestinian was injured and damage to equipment was reported. In Gaza, Israeli forces opened fire on Palestinian bird hunters east of Jabalia; no injuries were reported. Israeli forces also made incursions to level land near Khan Yunis. (WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 2/4; PCHR 2/6)

Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu backtracked on his announcement that Israel would immediately start annexing the Jordan Valley following his meeting with U.S. president Donald Trump on 1/28. Prime Minister Netanyahu now said that Israel would start annexing the Jordan Valley after the Israeli elections on 3/2. Netanyahu’s decision to wait was reportedly made after pressure from U.S. senior advisor to the president Jared Kushner. (HA 2/4)

In the West Bank, 1 Palestinian prisoner stabbed and lightly wounded an Israeli warden at Ofer Prison. Israeli settlers attacked a Palestinian family in Hebron, causing light injuries. 2 Palestinians were hospitalized after being hit by rubber-coated bullets during a confrontation with Israeli forces in Hebron. Israeli forces also violently dispersed Palestinians protesting against the U.S. administration’s peace plan in and around Qalqilya and Tulkarm, leading to tear-gas related injuries. 18 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in and around Ramallah, Qalandia, Bethlehem, Hebron, Nablus, Qalqilya, and Jenin. In East Jerusalem, 1 Palestinian was arrested. Off the coast of Gaza, Israeli naval forces arrested 3 Palestinian fishermen off the shore of Dayr al-Balah within the allowed fishing area; their fishing boat was also confiscated. Separately, Israeli naval forces opened fire and sprayed skunk water on fishermen west of Rafah. In Israel, 6 incendiary balloons were reportedly found in different places near Gaza; no damage was reported. (HA, HA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 2/3; PCHR 2/4; PCHR 2/6)

The PA minister of agriculture announced that the PA had decided to ban entry of Israeli products to the Palestinian market. The decision comes a day after Israel started banning imports of agricultural products from the West Bank. (WAFA 2/3)

The Organization of Islamic Cooperation issued a statement after an extraordinary summit in Jeddah calling “on all member states not to engage with this plan [the U.S. administration’s peace plan] or to cooperate with the U.S. administration in implementing it in any form.” (HA, WAFA 2/3)

In the West Bank, Israeli forces arrested 16 Palestinians during late-night raids in and around Hebron, Tulkarm, Tubas, and Nablus. In Israel, 3 Palestinians from Gaza who had breached the Gaza fence were shot dead by Israeli forces. The Israeli military alleged that the 3 threw improvised explosives at the Israeli forces. (REU, WAFA, WP 1/21; AJ, HA, WAFA 1/22; PCHR 1/23)

Israeli defense minister Naftali Bennett said that Israel would annex the West Bank if the PA acted to erase the distinction between Areas A, B, and C. Chairperson of the Kahol Lavan party Benny Gantz separately said that he would work to advance annexation of the Jordan Valley if elected prime minister. (HA 1/21)

In Lebanon, a new government was formed under the new prime minister Hassan Diab. Prime Minister Diab described his 20 new ministers as a technocratic “rescue team.” Despite the formation of the new government, the protest that started in 2019 continued in Lebanon. (HA 1/21; AJ 1/22)

In the West Bank, Israel issued a military order to seize 350 dunams (86.4 acres) of Palestinian farmland for expanding settlement roads south of Bethlehem. Israeli forces also seized equipment from a blacksmith shop near Salfit and a bulldozer near Nablus. 5 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in and around Ramallah, Bethlehem, Nablus, and Hebron. Israeli settlers discharged wastewater on Palestinian farmland near Jalbun and threw stones at a Palestinian home in Madama, causing damage. Settlers also threw stones at Israeli forces as they demolished Israeli-deemed illegal settlement outposts near the Yitzhar settlement. In East Jerusalem, 2 Palestinians demolished their own homes in Jabal Mukabir to avoid exorbitant Israeli demolition fees. In Gaza, 4 rockets were launched at Israel, 2 of which were intercepted. There were no reports of damage or injuries and it was unclear who fired the rockets. Israel later struck several targets in Gaza. A military spokesperson said that it had struck “Hamas sites.” Israeli forces also sprayed herbicides over Palestinian farmland for the 2d day in a row. (HA, HA, HA, REU, REU, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 1/15; WAFA, PCHR 1/16)

The Israeli defense ministry approved 7 new Israeli “nature reserves” in Area C and the expansion of 12 already-existing “nature reserves.” The approval comes 1 week after Israeli defense minister Naftali Bennet said that he had started a campaign to ensure that Area C remains under Israeli control. The PA foreign ministry called the approval of the “nature reserves” a “scheme for the appropriation and seizure of Palestinian land.” (HA, JP, WAFA 1/15)

In the West Bank, Israeli forces issued a stop-work order for a road near al-Mughayyir and seized nearby machinery. Israeli forces also distributed 8 demolition notices for Palestinian-owned homes south of Hebron. 15 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in and around Bethlehem, Bayt Umar, Abu Dis, Ramallah, Nablus, and Tulkarm. Israeli settlers threw stones at Palestinian homes in Madama, causing damage. In East Jerusalem, 2 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in the Old City and Issawiyya. Israeli Channel 13 released a video showing half a dozen Israeli policemen attacking a Palestinian near Shu‘fat refugee camp for failing to show his ID. Off the coast of Gaza, Israeli naval forces opened fire on Palestinian fishermen west of Jabalia; no injuries were reported. In Israel, 5 international activists, including a member of the Finish parliament, were arrested by Israeli forces after trying to cut through the fence to Gaza in an act of solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza. (WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 1/13; TOI 1/14; HA, PCHR 1/16)

Israel relocated 33 Palestinian minors held at Ofer Prison in the West Bank to Damoun Prison in Israel. Israel also extended the administrative detention of a women scheduled to be released on 1/15 for another 6 months. The woman has been in administrative detention since 6/15/2019. (AJ, WAFA, WAFA 1/13)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers cut down 50 olive trees in al-Sawiya south of Nablus. 12 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in and around Bayt Awa, Bayt Fajjar, Ramallah, al-‘Arub refugee camp, and Abu Dis. During a raid in Jericho, 6 Palestinians were injured by rubber-coated bullets and others suffered tear-gas related injuries after clashes broke out between Israeli forces and Palestinians. In East Jerusalem, 1 Palestinian was arrested during a raid. (WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 1/8; PCHR 1/9)

Israeli defense minister Naftali Bennett told reporters that he had created a task force to develop plans for the future of Area C, to which he said, “[t]he State of Israel’s policy is that the land in Area C belongs to [Israel].” (HA 1/9)

U.S. secretary of state Mike Pompeo said via video during a Jerusalem policy forum that changing U.S. policy on the Israeli settlements in the West Bank was returning to a “balanced and sober” approach to the peace process and reiterated the administration’s position that Israeli “settlements don’t inherently violate international law.” (REU 1/8)

U.S. president Donald Trump responded to the Iranian strikes on U.S. bases in Iraq on 1/7 by announcing additional sanctions on Iran. (AJ 1/8)

In the West Bank, Israeli forces fired tear gas and live ammunition at Palestinians during a raid in Bayt Umar, causing tear-gas related injuries. Israeli forces also demolished a mobile home and a barn, seized 5 mobile homes, and dismantled and seized 9 residential structures near Jericho. 18 Palestinians were arrested, including 13 during late-night raids in and around Bayt Fajjar, al-Bireh, ‘Urif, Nablus, and Qalqilya; and 5 at checkpoints near ‘Azun and Nablus. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces arrested 7 Palestinians, including 6 during late-night raids in Issawiyya and 1 at the Haram al-Sharif compound. In Gaza, Israeli forces opened fire northeast of al-Bureij; no injuries were reported. (WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 1/6; PCHR 1/9)

Israel’s Civil Administration gave its final approval for 786 settlement housing units and approved another 1,150 housing units for deposit, the 1st stage in the planning process. (AJ, PeaceNow 1/6)

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

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

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

In the West Bank, 1 Palestinian was injured by Israeli forces using live ammunition when clashes erupted during a late-night raid in Tubas. 3 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in and around Jenin and Nablus. During the Jenin raid, a Palestinian was hospitalized after being hit by a rubber-coated bullet. Separately, during a late-night raid in Bayt Furik, Israeli forces confiscated 362 Jordanian Dinars ($510) and 12,070 NIS ($3,500). Israeli forces prevented a farmer from working his land and seized 2 tractors near Bayt Dajan, and seized 3 residential tents in Tubas. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces demolished 2 Palestinian-owned houses in Silwan. In an effort suppress Fatah members and supporters celebrating the party’s 55-year anniversary in East Jerusalem, Israeli forces arrested Fatah’s secretary-general in Jerusalem in Wadi al-Juz and 1 Fatah activist in Issawiyya. Israeli forces also removed several Fatah flags from Silwan, al-Tur, and Issawiyya. (WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 1/1; PCHR 1/2)

Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he had decided to request immunity from prosecution by the Knesset in the 3 criminal cases against him. The Knesset House Committee has to discuss Prime Minister Netanyahu’s request according to Israeli law, and if the committee approves his request, it will go to a vote in the Knesset. However, the House Committee is not expected to assemble before the March elections as it has not been appointed since the Knesset was 1st dissolved in April 2019. Netanyahu also resigned his positions as minister of Health, Welfare, Agriculture, and Diaspora Affairs as required by the indictment against him in the 3 criminal cases. Israel has no law against removing the prime minister from office while indicted. Netanyahu said he would appoint replacements for the 4 ministries in the coming days. (HA 1/1; HA 1/2)

In Baghdad, Iraqi protesters continued attacking the U.S. embassy for the 2d day in a row; however, the crowd was much smaller and no protester breached the gates to the embassy compound. By the end of the day, protesters had vacated the area on orders from the Popular Mobilisation Forces, an Iraqi government-sanctioned paramilitary umbrella organization. (AJ, AJ, NYT, WP 1/1)

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

In the West Bank, 7 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in and around Qalqilya, Nablus, Salfit, Jericho, and Hebron. In East Jerusalem, 2 Palestinians were arrested in the Old City. In Gaza, Israeli forces struck several targets, causing damage; no injuries were reported. An IDF spokesperson said that the attack was in response to a rocket fired at Israel on 12/25. Israeli forces also made incursions east of Rafah. (HA, WAFA, WAFA 12/26; HA, HA 12/27; PCHR 1/2)

The organizing committee of the Great March of Return announced the suspension of the weekly Great March of Return protest to the end of March 2020. The announcement also declared that from April 2020, the protest would be monthly instead of weekly. (AJ, HA 12/26)

Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu won the Likud leadership primary over his rival Gideon Sa’ar with 72.5 percent of the vote. Netanyahu said in his victory speech that he would work toward U.S. recognition of Israeli sovereignty over the Jordan Valley, the Dead Sea, and all Israeli settlements in the West Bank. (AJ 12/26; AJ, HA 12/27)

In the West Bank, Israeli forces shot and injured a Palestinian near the West Bank separation barrier southwest of Jenin. In a separate incident, Israeli forces opened fire on Palestinians near a checkpoint by the West Bank separation barrier north by Nazlat Issa, causing 5 Palestinians to be hospitalized with gun wounds and others to suffer tear-gas related injuries. A raid by Israeli forces near Ramallah led to clashes with Palestinians; 2 Palestinians were injured by rubber-coated bullets. Israeli settlers began fencing off a piece of Palestinian-owned land in Burin. 11 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in and around Ramallah, Bethlehem, Nablus, and Jenin. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces arrested 2 Palestinians: 1 during a late-night raid in Issawiyya and 1 employee of the Islamic Waqf at the Haram al-Sharif compound. (WAFA, WAFA, WAFA , WAFA, WAFA 12/10; PCHR 12/12)

The PA sent a request to Israel to allow Palestinians in East Jerusalem to be able to partake in the planned Palestinian parliamentary and presidential elections. Israeli officials said that the Israeli security cabinet would decide on the request. (HA 12/10)

The Netherlands informed the UNRWA that it will resume funding of the agency after suspending its funding on 31 July due to allegations of misconduct in UNRWA leadership. (WAFA 12/10)

Japan signed a contract to fund construction of hearing and speech units at the Maghazi Community Rehabilitation Society in Gaza amounting to $84,191. The EU contributed with $11 million to support PA payments of social allowances to vulnerable families in Gaza and the West Bank. (WAFA, WAFA 12/10)

In the West Bank, 2 Palestinian families were notified that Israel intend to seize 4 dunums of their land in Jaba‘ for construction of a parking lot for Israeli military vehicles. A Palestinian family from Ya‘bad accused Israeli soldiers of stealing money and jewelry from their house during a late-night raid. Israeli forces also demolished 2 Palestinian-owned water tanks near Tubas and seized a cement mixer near Salfit. 12 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in and around Ramallah, Nablus, Jericho, and Hebron. In East Jerusalem, 2 Palestinians were detained in al-Aqsa Mosque during prayers; both were released after 5 hours of interrogation and banned from entering the mosque for 2 weeks. (WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 12/3; PCHR 12/5)

During a visit by the Irish minister of foreign affairs Simon Coveney to Israel, Gaza, and the West Bank, the ministry announced that Ireland was funding a $8.8 million project for construction of solar panels in Gaza in partnership with the French Development Agency. Foreign Affairs Minister Coveney met with PA prime minister Mahmoud Abbas in Ramallah during his visit. (HA, WAFA 12/3)

In France, the French parliament passed a resolution to combat anti-Semitism that included anti-Zionism and criticism of Israel. The resolution adopted the language of the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance’s working definition of anti-Semitism which equates some criticism of Israel as anti-Semitic. The resolution was passed despite a petition signed by 129 Jewish and Israeli scholars warning the French parliament about equating anti-Zionism with anti-Semitism. (HA 9/4)

At the UN, 5 resolutions pertaining to Israel and Palestine passed in the General Assembly. 13 countries changed their vote, compared to previous years, on the resolution in support of the Division for Palestinian Rights of the Secretariat. The 13 countries that previously abstained on the yearly vote were Germany, the Czech Republic, Austria, Bulgaria, Denmark, Estonia, Greece, Lithuania, the Netherlands, Romania, Slovakia, Brazil, and Colombia. The vote on that resolution passed 83 to 23, with 54 abstentions. (TOI 12/4; HA 12/5)

In the West Bank, 8 Palestinians were arrested, including 7 during late-night raids in and around Bayt Awa, Yatta, and Bethlehem; 1 at a flying checkpoint near Jenin. 1 Palestinian teenager was hospitalized after being beaten by Israeli forces during a daytime raid near Nablus. In East Jerusalem, 4 Palestinians were arrested during daytime raids in the Old City and Issawiyya. Off the coast of Gaza, Israeli naval forces opened fire at Palestinian fishermen; no injuries were reported. (WAFA 12/1; PCHR 12/5)

Israel’s defense minister Naftali Bennett ordered the “planning processes to be advanced” for new settler housing in Hebron. The plan includes development of a closed fruit and vegetable market for settler housing. According to Defense Minister Bennett, the new settlement housing “will create territorial continuation from the Cave of the Patriarchs [al-Ibrahimi Mosque] to the Avraham Avinu neighborhood, and double the number of Jewish residents in the city.” PLO’s secretary general Saeb Erakat said in a tweet that Bennett’s announcement was the “first tangible result of the U.S. decision to legitimize colonization,” referring to U.S. secretary of state Mike Pompeo’s announcement from 11/18 that the U.S. no longer considers the Israeli settlements in the West Bank illegal under international law. Defense Minister Bennett also sent a letter to the Palestinian municipal government of Hebron demanding consent for the demolition of the fruit and vegetable market, threatening that Bennett would start legal proceedings to lift the municipality’s protected status over the site. (AJ, AP, HA, WAFA, WAFA 12/1; HA 12/8)

The Israeli cabinet approved an allocation of 40 million shekels ($11.5 million) for construction of 1st-aid stations and security in Israeli settlements in the West Bank. The chairperson of the Joint Arab List Ayman Odeh subsequently sent a letter to the Israeli attorney general demanding an examination of the constitutionality of the allocation, saying that the approval “raise[s] a grave suspicion of a budget allocation in exchange for a political favor.” (HA 12/1)

Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu and U.S. president Donald Trump spoke on the phone and, according to Prime Minister Netanyahu, the 2 discussed recognizing the Jordan Valley as Israel’s official eastern border in addition to a defense pact and Iran. (HA, TOI 12/2)

In the West Bank, 1 Palestinian was killed and 1 injured when an Israeli bulldozer crashed into a vehicle west of Hebron. Israeli forces punitively demolished 4 homes of alleged attackers in Bayt Kahil near Hebron, demolished 1 Palestinian-owned house in Asira, and razed a tract of farmland near Husan. Israeli forces also stopped PA minister of culture Atef Abu Saif at the Qalandia checkpoint and told him he was banned from East Jerusalem. 10 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in and around Jenin, Ramallah, Hebron and, Nablus. Israeli settlers set fire to a Palestinian-owned vehicle and vandalized houses with racist graffiti northwest of Ramallah, cut 30 olive trees in al-Sawiya, and vandalized 4 vehicles in Dayr ‘Ammar. In East Jerusalem, 3 Palestinians were arrested in the Old City. In Israel, 40 vehicles were vandalized and racist graffiti was sprayed on walls in the predominantly Palestinian town of Jaljulia. (HA, HA, PCHR, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 11/28; PCHR 12/5)

Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced that his government will transfer $11.5 million for West Bank settlements during a meeting with settler councils. Prime Minister Netanyahu’s announcement comes 1 week after he was indicted in the 3 corruption cases against him. (HA 11/29)

The far-right government that took power after the coup in Bolivia announced that it will renew Bolivia’s diplomatic ties with Israel. The 2 counties have not had diplomatic ties since Operation Cast Lead in 2009. (HA 11/28)

The governments of the Brussels and Wallonia regions of Belgium said they had pulled out of a planned trade delegation going to Israel, citing Israeli violations of international law and lack of progress in the peace process. (HA 12/1)

Japan provided a grant of $89,000 for the construction of 3 classrooms in Awarta. (WAFA 11/28)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers stole olive harvest in Qaryut and flooded 5 dunams (1.2 acres) of Palestinian farmland planted with olive trees with sewage waste in al-Jaba‘. Israeli settlers also threw stones at Israeli forces at Yitzhar settlement. Israeli forces delivered notices that 2,522 dunams (623 acres) of land would be seized, including 2,000 in al-Jaba‘, 372 south of Hebron, and 150 near Bayt Liqya. 10 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in and around al-Ram, Yatta, Nablus, Jenin, and Ramallah. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces summoned 2 members of the parents’ committee that organized a school strike in Issawiyya on 11/2 in protest over Israeli forces breaking into the school and arresting 1 student; 1 of the 2 members was arrested and clashes between Israeli forces and local Palestinians broke out, resulting in the arrest of 3 Palestinian minors. In Gaza, Israeli forces opened fire on Palestinian farmlands east of Khuza‘a; no injuries were reported. Off the coast of Gaza, Israeli naval forces opened fire on Palestinian fishermen off the shore of Jabalia; no injuries were reported. (WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 11/4; HA, HA 11/5; PCHR 11/7)

The Israeli housing cabinet approved the controversial cable car project which would connect Western Jerusalem with East Jerusalem’s Old City. The project is currently under review by Israel’s attorney general and it would need a final procedural approval by the Israeli government. The project, if approved, would likely be challenged in the Israeli high court of justice. (HA 11/4; CNN 11/5 BBC 11/6)

After Jordan recalled its ambassador to Israel on 10/29 in protest of Israel holding 2 Jordanian citizens in administrative detention, Israel’s prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that the 2 would be released to Jordan. (HA 11/4)

In the West Bank, Israeli forces distributed notices to residents in Yatta that Israel will seize 3,000 dunams (741 acres) of Palestinian-owned farmland in the area; and notified the municipality of Ya‘bad that Israel will seize 409 dunams (101 acres) of land. 10 Palestinians, including Khalida Jarrar, were arrested during late-night raids in and around Ramallah, Bethlehem, Tulkarm, and Nablus. Israeli forces also raided 2 homes in Ramallah belonging to alleged attackers and took measurements for punitive demolitions. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces arrested 1 person working as a guard for the al-Aqsa Mosque. (WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 10/31; PCHR 11/7)

Israel advanced plans for 2,342 settler units in the West Bank. (TOI 10/31)

Israel arrested Palestinian lawmaker Khalida Jarrar, who was released in February after 20 months in administrative detention. (AJ, HA 10/31)

An Israeli drone entered Lebanese airspace and, according to Hezbollah, the drone was shot down by its members. Israel, meanwhile, denied that the drone was shot down. (HA 10/31)

According to Reuters, sources in the U.S. State Department said the U.S. Trump administration was withholding $105 million in security aid for Lebanon. (REU 10/31)

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

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

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

In the West Bank, al-Ibrahimi Mosque was closed to Muslim worshipers due to Israeli restrictions during the Jewish Sukkot holidays. Israeli settlers with military escort toured Solomon’s Pool south of Bethlehem, closing the area for Palestinians. Elsewhere, near Nablus, Israeli settlers and military escort toured Joseph’s Tomb, leading to confrontations with Palestinians; 51 Palestinians were injured including 3 by live ammunition, 14 by rubber-coated bullets and others suffered tear-gas related injuries. 1 Palestinian was shot after allegedly ramming his car into an undercover Israeli officer’s car in al-Am‘ari refugee camp. Israeli forces violently dispersed a protest in Turmus ‘Ayya, injuring 2 with rubber-coated bullets and others with tear gas. Israeli forces shot and injured 2 Palestinians trying to enter Israel for work near Jenin. 9 Palestinians were arrested, including 8 during raids in al-Am‘ari refugee camp, Jaba, ‘Azun, Anabta, and Bayt Awa; the Palestinian accused of ramming his car into the undercover Israeli officer’s car was also arrested. In East Jerusalem, hundreds of Israeli settlers attacked Palestinians and Palestinian-owned property in Issawiyya; Israeli forces arrested 7 of the perpetrators. Some 400 Israeli settlers also toured the Haram al-Sharif compound. Off the coast of Gaza, Israeli forces opened fire and used water hoses on Palestinian fishermen 3 nautical miles northwest of Gaza City, causing damage but no injuries were reported. (WAFA 10/15; HA, HA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 10/17; PCHR 10/24)

The PA blocked access to some 50 websites to crack down on opposition voices and critique of PA president Mahmoud Abbas. (HA 10/22; MDW 10/23)

In Lebanon, thousands of protesters demonstrated against the Lebanese government’s plans to raise a new tax for WhatsApp calls and for the country’s economic crisis. (AJ, AJ 10/18)

The U.S. and Turkey agreed to a 5-day ceasefire in northern Syria to allow Kurdish fighters to leave the area. (HA 10/17)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers sprayed racist graffiti and punctured tires on 13 vehicles in Qira. 9 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in and around Tulkarm, Hebron, and Qalqilya. 7 Palestinians were injured by live ammunition fired by Israeli forces escorting Israeli settlers to Joseph’s Tomb near Nablus, others suffered tear-gas related injuries. Elsewhere, 1 Palestinian was injured by Israeli forces using rubber-coated bullets as he was trying to enter Israel near Tulkarm. Israeli forces also punitively demolished the house of an alleged attacker in al-Am‘ari refugee camp. In East Jerusalem, 4 Palestinians were arrested, including 3 during late-night raids in Silwan and the Old City; 1 was arrested on a street in the Old City. (HA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 10/6; PCHR 10/10)

Israeli minister of interior Arye Dery ordered the Israeli immigration authorities to look into revoking co-founder of the BDS movement Omar Barghouti’s permanent residency because of his involvement in the movement. (HA, TOI 10/6)

In the West Bank, Israeli forces demolished a Palestinian-owned home in Taybeh and 1 under construction in Bayt Umar. 12 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in and around Ramallah, Qalqilya, Hebron, Bethlehem, Jenin, and Nablus. 1 Palestinian photojournalist was injured by a rubber-coated bullet after clashes broke out during an Israeli raid in Ramallah. In East Jerusalem, 2 Palestinians were arrested during an event at a hotel in Shaykh Jarrah. Off the coast of Gaza, Israeli naval forces opened fire on Palestinian fishermen west of Jabalia. In Israel, Palestinian citizens of Israel held a general strike in Majdal Krum to protest Israeli police’s inaction amidst an uptick in violence in the community. (HA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 10/3; PCHR 10/10)

After a meeting between the Israeli finance minister Moshe Kahlon and PA officials, the PA announced that it would start receiving tax revenue collected by Israel again. However, the dispute between Israel and the PA over revenue for payments to Palestinian prisoners and their families remained unsolved. (AJ, HA, WAFA 10/4)