The Palestine Chronology

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers vandalized more than 100 olive trees near Turmus ‘Ayya. Israeli settlers also vandalized 60 olive trees in Jalud, spraying them with chemicals. Israeli forces demolished 1 Palestinian home in Qibya and 1 Palestinian home east of Jericho. 21 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in and around Hebron, Ramallah, Balata refugee camp, Jenin, Qalqilya, and Tubas. In East Jerusalem, Israeli authorities demolished 1 bakery in Shu’fat refugee camp and 1 house under construction in Bayt Hanina. 1 Palestinian was arrested during a late-night raid in Shu’fat refugee camp. In the Naqab, Israel began construction of a new town, Hiran, on the lands of Umm al-Hiran which Israel has slated for demolition. The demolition of Umm al-Hiran and construction of Hiran has been halted since 2017 when Israeli police killed 1 Palestinian man trying to protect his property. (HA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 11/7; MEMO 11/8; MDW 11/9; PCHR 11/10; UNOCHA 11/13)

Israel imposed a ban on seafood and fish exports from Gaza to the West Bank, saying that 20 tons of fish were attempted to be smuggled from the West Bank to Israel. The collective punishment imposed on fishermen and workers in Gaza affected some 5,500 Palestinians employed in the industry. (HA 11/9; HA 11/10; MEMO 11/11)

1 Israeli settler succumbed to injuries sustained in a stabbing attack 2 weeks prior in al-Funduq. (HA 11/8)

Israeli forces arrested 1 Israeli settler accused of attacking Israeli forces and Palestinians. The man was later placed in administrative detention, the only Jewish person out of more than 800 administrative detainees, after an Israeli court only allowed Israeli police to hold him until 11/11. (HA 11/9)

1 Israeli settler was indicted by the Israeli state prosecutor’s office on terrorism-related charges for assaulting 1 Palestinian man in Sheikh Jarrah on 10/13. (HA 11/7)

U.S. president Joe Biden called incoming Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu to congratulate him on his election. President Biden told Netanyahu, “[w]e're brothers, we'll make history together … my commitment to Israel is indisputable." (AJ, ALM, AX, HA 11/7)

The UN Human Rights Council established independent commission of inquiry began hearings in Geneva on Israeli human rights abuses. (AJ, MEMO, MEMO 11/7)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers stole olive harvests and harvesting equipment in Yasuf. Israeli settlers also razed Palestinian farmland in Wadi al-Faw. Elsewhere, Israeli settlers threw stones at Palestinian vehicles traveling near Ramallah. Israeli forces demolished 3 Palestinian houses in al-Doyouk al-Tahta. Israeli forces also violently dispersed Palestinian protesters in al-Arroub refugee camp, causing tear-gas related injuries. Elsewhere, Israeli forces placed dirt mounds at the main entrance to ‘Azzun. 19 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in Jaba‘, Nablus, Iraq Burin, Biddu, Tuqu‘, Hebron, Dura, and Qalqilya. In East Jerusalem, 1 Palestinian family demolished parts of their own home in the Old City. 2 Palestinians were arrested in Silwan and Jabel Mukaber. Off the coast of Gaza, Israeli naval forces arrested 5 Palestinian fishermen and seized 1 boat. (HA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 10/26; HA, MEMO, PCHR, PCHR, WAFA 10/27; UNOCHA 11/13)

Employees from the Israeli ministry of education inspected the bags of students from the al-Iman School in Beit Hanina looking for Palestinian textbooks. (WAFA 10/26; WAFA 10/27)

4 members of the Lion’s Den turned themselves in to the PA after negotiations with PA security officials. (HA 10/27)

In Syria, 4 people were reportedly killed in Israeli air strikes near Damascus. (AP 10/26; AJ, HA 10/27)

Axios reported that UAE foreign minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan told former Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu that the UAE has concerns about Netanyahu’s alliance with Itamar Ben-Gvir and the Otzma Yehudit party. According to Axios, foreign minister Al Nahyan told Netanyahu that a government that includes the Otzma Yehudit party could impact the UAE-Israel relationship. (AX, HA 10/26; MEMO 10/27)

Israel’s president Isaac Herzog met with U.S. president Joe Biden in Washington. (AJ, AP, AX, HA, REU 10/26)

In the West Bank, Palestinians in several cities observed a general strike in solidarity with residents of Shu‘fat and ‘Anata, which have been closed by Israel since 10/8. Palestinians in Nablus also observed a general strike in protest against Israeli closures of all the entrances to the city. Israeli settlers attacked 1 vehicle transporting patients to an-Najah Hospital, damaging the vehicle. Israeli settlers with military escort also visited Joseph’s Tomb, leading to a confrontation with Palestinians resisting the incursion near Nablus; 1 Palestinian was shot and injured by Israeli forces. Elsewhere, Israeli settlers raided Huwwara, attacking businesses and people and blocking a road, 1 Palestinian was injured. Israeli settlers also set fire to a poultry facility and truck in Qusra. Israeli forces shot and killed 1 Palestinian and injured 1 other while violently dispersing Palestinian protesters at al-Arroub refugee camp. Israeli forces also violently dispersed Palestinian protesters in Bethlehem, injuring 1 with a baton round and causing tear-gas related injuries. Elsewhere, Israeli forces violently dispersed Palestinian protesters in Ramallah, injuring 2 with live ammunition. Israeli forces also assaulted 1 Palestinian man after forcing him out of his vehicle at a checkpoint near Bayt Lid. In East Jerusalem, Israeli settlers led by MK Itamar Ben-Gvir toured the Haram al-Sharif compound. Coinciding with the tour, Israeli forces assaulted and arrested 3 at the compound, including 2 Waqf guards. Israeli forces violently dispersed Palestinian protesters in Isawiya, Silwan, al-Tur, Ras al-Amud, Shu‘fat refugee camp, Jabel Mukaber, Sur Baher, and Bayt Hanina, using tear gas and stun grenades. A general strike was also observed by Palestinians in East Jerusalem in solidarity with Shu‘fat and ‘Anata. (AJ, AJ, AP, HA, HA, HA, HA, MEE, MEMO, MEMO, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 10/12; ALM, BBC, GDN, HA, HA, MDW, MEE, MEE, MEMO, PCHR, PCHR 10/13; UNOCHA 10/16; UNOCHA 11/1)

The Israeli cabinet approved the maritime border agreement with Lebanon, sending it to the Knesset for final approval in 2 weeks. (AP, HA 10/12)

The U.S. White House released its National Security Strategy. The strategy included language referring to expanding normalization deals for Israel and a commitment to Israel as a “Jewish and democratic” state. The strategy paper also restated president Joe Biden’s position in support of a 2-state solution “along the 1967 lines, with mutually agreed swaps.” The paper did not mention any effort to restart negotiations. (White House 10/12; MEE 10/13)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers tried to enter ‘Urif, but were repelled by Palestinians. Israeli forces razed land, uprooted 50 olive trees, and demolished 2 agricultural structures and 1 house under construction in Tuqu‘. 11 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in Silwad, Kifl Haris, Idhna, Hebron, and Beit Umar; 1 Palestinian was injured by live ammunition during the raid in Silwad and 1 was hit by a baton round; others suffered tear-gas related injuries during the raid in Beit Umar. Off the coast of Gaza, Israeli naval forces opened fire at Palestinian fishermen northwest of Rafah and seized 3 boats carrying 2 generators and flashlights. In Gaza, Israeli forces made incursions and leveled land east of al-Fukhari. In the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights, 1 Israeli soldier died during a military exercise involving a tank. (HA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 8/31; PCHR, PCHR 9/1)

Khalil Awawdeh suspended his over-170-day hunger strike to protest his administrative detention after Israel said it would not extend his administrative detention period beyond 10/2. Haaretz reported that Egyptian security officials had been mediating between Islamic Jihad and Israel to secure Awawdeh’s release and that talks continued for the release of Bassam al-Saadi. Their release was reportedly a demand by Islamic Jihad for agreeing to the ceasefire after Operation Breaking Dawn. Awawdeh is currently hospitalized for treatment related to his hunger strike. (MEE 8/29; AJ 8/30; AJ, AP, HA, MEE, REU, WAFA 8/31; MDW 9/1)

The Palestinian Prisoners’ Club said that more than 1,000 Palestinian prisoners would launch a hunger strike on 9/1 in protest against Israeli punitive measures against prisoners implemented since February, including limited yard time and constant transfer of prisoners. The mass hunger strike was called off after the Israeli prison service gave in to the prisoners’ demands. (HA, MEMO, WAFA, WAFA 8/31; MEE, WAFA 9/1)

Israel imposed sanctions on 20 companies and individuals alleged to be involved in financing Hamas. The companies and individuals are in Sudan, Turkey, Algeria, and the UAE. (ALM, AP 8/31)

PA prime minister Mohammed Shtayyeh met with U.S. deputy assistant secretary for Israeli and Palestinian affairs Hady Amr in Ramallah. Prime Minister Shtayyeh called on Deputy Assistant Secretary Amr to ensure that the Biden administration will fulfill its promises to the Palestinian people. (WAFA 8/31)

In Syria, Israeli forces fired missiles at the Aleppo airport and near Damascus, causing damage. (AJ, AP, REU 8/31; REU 9/1; AP, HA 9/2)

U.S. president Joe Biden and Israeli prime minister Yair Lapid spoke on the phone, discussing the U.S. reentering the Iran Nuclear Deal and both countries’ commitment to prevent Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons. (AJ, REU 8/31)

The UN security council passed a resolution extending the UNIFIL mandate until 8/31/2023 and condemning harassment of UNIFIL personnel in southern Lebanon. (AP 8/31)

In the West Bank, Israeli forces punitively demolished the homes of 2 Palestinians in Rumana accused of killing 3 Israelis in Elad on 5/5, displacing 14 Palestinians. Israeli forces also demolished 5 residential structures and 4 agricultural structures in Arab al-Ka‘abneh. Elsewhere, Israeli forces razed 12 dunams (3 acres) of farmland planted with olive trees in Tarqumiyah. Israeli forces also issued notices that it will seize land near Sa‘ir to expand a settler road. 15 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raid in Ramallah, Silwad, Marda, Beit Furik, Jamma‘in, Ya‘bad, Bethlehem, Halhul, and Beit Kahel. In Lebanon, unknown perpetrators killed 1 Palestinian security official in Ein El-Hilweh refugee camp. (ALM, MEMO, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 8/8; MEMO 8/9; PCHR 8/11; UNOCHA 8/19)

Israel partially reopened crossings into Gaza for humanitarian aid after closing all crossings on 8/2 in anticipation of its assault on Gaza. New shipments of fuel also allowed the Gaza power plant to resume operations. (HA 8/7; AP, HA, MEMO, REU, TOI, TOI, WAFA 8/8)

Israel’s civil administration told an Israeli court that it demolished the home of a Palestinian family in the West Bank by mistake. The family of 5’s home was demolished in July by Israeli forces despite the family’s pleas that there was a court order protecting their home. The Civil Administration said that the family’s home was thought to be the home of a different Palestinian family, whose home had already been demolished and blamed the mistake on “human error.” (HA 8/10)

U.S. president Joe Biden thanked Egypt for mediating the ceasefire that went into effect on 8/7 between Israel and Islamic Jihad. (HA 8/7)

The Honduran foreign ministry said that the country is considering moving its embassy to Israel back from Jerusalem to Tel Aviv. The new Honduran government that took office in January this year said in a statement that president Xiomara Castro wants to maintain a balanced relationship with Israel and Arab countries. PA foreign minister Riyad al-Maliki discussed the Honduran consideration with Honduran foreign minister Enrique Reina in Columbia on 8/7. (HA, MEMO 8/8)

The UN envoy for the Middle East peace process warned the UN security council that the ceasefire between Islamic Jihad and Israel was fragile and that the only way to secure longtime peace is through a 2-state solution based on the 1967 lines. PA UN envoy Riyad Mansour called on members of the Security Council to protect Palestinian lives and pressure Israel to end its blockade of Gaza. The Security Council emergency session was called by France, China, Norway, Ireland, and the UAE in response to Israel’s attacks on Gaza over the weekend, dubbed Operation Breaking Dawn. (AJ, AP, HA, TOI 8/9)

In the West Bank, Israeli forces violently dispersed Palestinian protesters in Beita and Bayt Dajan, injuring 16 with tear gas. Israeli forces also violently dispersed Palestinian protesters in Kafr Qaddum, injuring 8 with baton rounds. 1 Palestinian was arrested at the Qalandia checkpoint. (WAFA 7/8; WAFA 7/9; PCHR 7/21; UNOCHA 7/22)

PA president Mahmoud Abbas spoke to Israeli prime minister Yair Lapid and Israeli president Isaac Herzog in phone calls. The phone calls come 1 day after defense minister Benny Gantz visited President Abbas in Ramallah and 1 week ahead of U.S. president Joe Biden’s visit to Palestine and Israel. It was the 1st direct call between Abbas and an Israeli prime minister since 2017. The PA said that Prime Minister Lapid extended his wishes for Eid al-Adha and that Abbas congratulated Lapid on becoming Israel’s new prime minister. (AP, AX, HA, MEE, REU, WAFA 7/8; ALM 7/11)

Middle East Eye reported that Israeli military officials have been traveling to the U.S. air base al-Udeid in Qatar as part of the U.S. defense department 2021 decision to transfer Israel to the Central Command. (MEE 7/8)

The Presbyterian Church in the U.S. voted 266-166 on a resolution declaring that Israel practices apartheid against the Palestinian people and voted to add May 15 as a day to commemorate the Nakba. (WP 7/15)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers assaulted 1 Palestinian family in their home in Burin, causing injuries. Israeli forces delivered a stop-work order for 1 house in Khirbet Atuf. Officials from the EU and UN visited the Masafer Yatta area, meeting with Palestinians threated by forced displacement. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces razed a plot of land and a car wash shop in Nabi Samwil. In Gaza, Israeli forces made incursions and leveled land east of Maghazi refugee camp. (WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 7/7; PCHR 7/21; UNOCHA 7/22)

PA president Mahmoud Abbas met with Israel’s defense minister Benny Gantz in Ramallah. According to sources familiar with the meeting, the 2 spoke about U.S. president Joe Biden’s upcoming visit to the 2 countries, easing Israeli restrictions on the West Bank, and Israel’s killing of journalist Shireen Abu Akleh. (AJ, AP, HA, JP, MEE, REU, TOI, WAFA 7/8)

In the West Bank, Israeli forces violently dispersed activists protesting Israeli military drills in Masafer Yatta. Israeli forces also demolished parts of road used to access agricultural lands near Ras Karkar. Elsewhere, Israeli forces demolished a car repair shop in ‘Anata, 1 house under construction in Nil‘in, 4 structures in Nahalin, and 1 agricultural structure in al-Khader. 8 Palestinians were arrested during raids in Beit Furik, Jenin, Qabatiya, Kafr Abbush, Ein as-Sultan refugee camp, and Hebron. In East Jerusalem, Israeli authorities demolished 1 agricultural structure in Isawiya and razed land in Bayt Hanina. 1 Palestinian was arrested during a late-night raid in Shu‘fat refugee camp. In Gaza, Israeli forces made incursions to level agricultural lands east of Rafah. Israeli forces also opened fire at Palestinian herders east of Jabaliya; no injuries were reported. (WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 6/22; PCHR 6/23; UNOCHA 7/2)

The Israeli military began construction of a 45-kilomiter concrete barrier in the northern part of the West Bank that will replace a metal fenced area of the separation wall. (HA, MEMO 6/22)

Israeli military reopened an iron gate to the Abud village near Ramallah after Haaretz submitted an inquiry into why it had been closed. The iron gate to Abud had been closed since 6/8, forcing residents to take long detours to reach Ramallah. (HA 6/26)

The PA granted bail for 14 Palestinian security officers accused of partaking in the killing of PA critic Nizar Banat on 6/24/2021. The next court hearing in the case is scheduled for 7/3. (MEE 6/22)

110 of 120 members of the Knesset voted, in a preliminary vote, to dissolve the Knesset. A final vote is expected next week. (ALM, AP, AX, HA, REU 6/22)

Axios reported that the U.S. is working on a roadmap for normalization between Israel and Saudi Arabia ahead of President Joe Biden’s visit to the 2 countries in July. (AX, MEE, TOI 6/22; AX, TOI 6/23)

A U.S. federal appeals court upheld an Arkansas law requiring state contractors to pledge not to boycott Israel. The judge writing the opinion claimed that “[b]ecause those commercial decisions are invisible to observers unless explained, they are not inherently expressive and do not implicate the First Amendment.” The American Civil Liberties Union said it would appeal the case to the Supreme Court. (AJ, AP, FOX, HA, HUFF, MDW, MEE, WP 6/22; TOI 6/23)

In the West Bank, Israeli forces delivered demolition notices for 6 houses and 2 commercial structures in Ar-Rafaiya in the Masafer Yatta area and stop-work orders for 7 houses under construction in Marda. 6 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in Kharbatha al-Misbah, Nablus, Aida refugee camp, and Yatta. In East Jerusalem, Israeli authorities demolished 3 Palestinian homes: 2 in Sur Baher and 1 in Bayt Hanina. In Gaza, Israeli forces opened fire at Palestinian farmers east of Beit Hanun; no injuries were reported. (WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 6/15; MEMO, PCHR 6/16; UNOCHA 7/2)

Haaretz reported that settler violence against Palestinians has been raising in 2022, with more than 400 recorded incidents in the 1st half of the year, compared to 650 recorded incidents in all of 2021. A source in the Israeli military told Haaretz that the military is aware of the situation and is seeing an increase in radicalized Israeli settlers. The Israeli military recorded 360 incidents of Israeli settler violence in the West Bank against Palestinians in 2019; in 2020 the number increased to 500, before in increasing to 650 last year. (HA 6/15)

An Israeli police investigation into the attacks on the funeral procession for Palestinian American journalist Shireen Abu Akleh on 5/13 found that Israeli police had acted with misconduct, but no commanders were disciplined. According to the Haaretz source, the decision not to discipline any of the commanders responsible was made before the investigation started. The report was also not released to the public. (TOI 6/15; AJ, F24, HA, JP, MEE 6/16)

An Israeli court found former Gaza director of the charity World Vision, Mohammad El Halabi, guilty of membership of a terrorist organization, providing information to a terror group, taking part in forbidden military exercises, and carrying a weapon. The purported evidence against El Halabi is kept secret and the guilty verdict was in part based on a confession given under duress to an informant. World Vision, independent audits, and the Australian government have all said they have found no evidence of wrongdoing by El Halabi since he was 1st arrested in 2016. El Halabi has declined multiple plea deals that would have seen him released before the upcoming sentencing, refusing to enter a plea for a crime he says he is innocent of. (WAFA 6/14; AP, HA, NYT, REU 6/15; WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 6/16; WAFA 6/19)

Palestinian officials said that the U.S. had refused Palestinian calls for peace negotiations, claiming that the Israeli political situation is too sensitive. The request was made during the weekend, when top Palestinian officials met with U.S. secretary of state for Near East affairs Barbara Leaf and her deputy Hady Amr in Ramallah ahead of president Joe Biden’s visit to Palestine, Israel, and Saudi Arabia on 7/13-7/16. Israeli sources told Haaretz that Secretary Leaf had asked Israeli politicians to refrain from sending Israeli soldiers into Area A and not to carry out punitive demolitions ahead of President Biden’s visit. Israeli foreign minister Yair Lapid said that Israel is seeking peace with Saudi Arabia and elaborated, “I won't say whether we have under-the-radar talks with the Saudis . . . We have a joint interest in the subject of Iran, that it won't become a nuclear threshold state.” (AJ, AP, AX, AX, HA, HA, HA 6/15)

Russia summoned the Israeli ambassador to express “grave concern” over an Israeli air strike that damaged the Damascus International Airport on 6/10. The Russian deputy foreign minister Mikhail Bogdanov called Israel’s reasoning for attacking the airport “unconvincing.” (HA, JP, REU 6/15)

Israel, Egypt, and the EU signed a deal to increase the sale of liquified natural gas from Israel to the EU via Egypt, in a stated effort to reduce EU countries’ dependency on Russian gas. The EU also said it would provide Egypt $105 million in aid to help the country cope with the rise in wheat prices. (ALM, AP, REU 6/14; ALM, AP, HA, MEE, MEMO, REU, TOI, WSJ 6/15)

In the West Bank, Israeli forces razed farmland in al-Khader, uprooting 95 olive trees. Israeli forces also seized 4 tents and delivered a stop-work order for a house near Yatta. Elsewhere, 1 Israeli military SUV rammed 1 Palestinian, causing severe injuries. Off the coast of Gaza, Israeli naval forces opened fire at Palestinian fishermen within 6 nautical miles west of Gaza City. In Israel, Israeli authorities demolished 1 Palestinian-owned home in Tira, saying it was built without a permit. (WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 6/12; PCHR 6/16; UNOCHA 6/17)

The Washington Post released an investigation into the killing of Shireen Abu Akleh on 5/11, concluding that the shot that killed Abu Akleh was likely fired by Israeli soldiers. The investigation also rejected the Israeli narrative that crossfire between Israeli forces and Palestinian militants was happening at the time of the killing. (MDW, TOI, WP 6/12; WAFA 6/13)

PLO secretary general Hussein al-Sheikh and PA director of general intelligence Majid Faraj met with U.S. secretary of state for Near East affairs Barbara Leaf and her deputy Hady Amr in Ramallah. During the meeting, Secretary General al-Sheikh called on the U.S. to reopen its consulate to Palestinians in Jerusalem and to remove the PLO from the U.S. list of terrorist organizations. (WAFA 6/13)

The Israeli cabinet authorized a compensation program for cultural institutions in Israeli settlements in East Jerusalem, the West Bank, and the Golan Heights, that are excluded from EU Creative Europe funding. Israel had agreed to exclude Israeli settlements from funding from EU’s Creative Europe program when it signed the funding agreement. (HA, JP 6/12)

U.S. president Joe Biden told reporters that his upcoming trip to Saudi Arabia, scheduled for the middle of July, relates to national security issues for Saudi Arabia and Israel. (AX, HA, REU 6/12)

In the West Bank, 3 Israeli settlers, including 2 minors, were injured by Palestinians throwing stones at their vehicle near Huwwara. Israeli settlers vandalized 140 olive and almond trees and water tanks in Qaryut. Israeli forces shot and injured 3 Palestinians, including a minor during a raid in Jenin; 1 Palestinian security officer was also arrested during the raid. Israeli forces also demolished 2 agricultural structures in the Masafer Yatta villages of al-Twana and al-Juwaya. Elsewhere, Israeli forces erected a watchtower in Hebron. Israeli forces also demolished 1 mosque under construction in Arab al-Ramadin, leading to a confrontation with Palestinians; 3 were injured with live ammunition and baton rounds, and others suffered tear-gas related injuries. 11 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in Abu Dis, Ras Karkar, Harmala, Surif, Dura, and Aqabat Jaber refugee camp. Off the coast of Gaza, Israeli naval forces arrested 2 Palestinian fishermen and confiscated their boats within 6 nautical miles northwest of Rafah; the 2 were released through the Erez crossing on 5/25. (JP, MEMO, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 4/24; AJ, HA, PCHR, TOI 5/25; PCHR 5/26; UNOCHA 6/4)

A CNN investigation confirmed eyewitness reports and other independent investigations that Israeli forces shot and killed Palestinian American Al Jazeera journalist Shireen Abu Akleh on 5/11 in Jenin refugee camp and that her killing was likely deliberate. CNN’s investigation was based on 11 video clips, forensic findings at the scene of the murder, audio analysis of the gunshots, and 8 eyewitness testimonies. Explosive weapons expert Chris Cobb-Smith found in his analysis that the markings from the shots near the body of Abu Akleh indicated that the murder was deliberate as they did not suggest they were a result of a burst of automatic fire, but intentionally targeted. CNN further confirmed through eyewitness accounts that there was no crossfire in the area where Abu Akleh was killed, as Israel continues to claim. Israel has refused to open a criminal investigation into the killing. (AP, CNN, HA, MDW, TOI 5/24; HA, JP, MEMO, WAFA 5/25)

Israel’s civil administration retroactively legalized the Mitzpe Lachish settlement outpost and approved construction of 158 new settlement units near Dura. (WAFA 5/24; MEMO 5/25)

The U.S. announced sanctions against 1 individual alleged to have raised money for Hamas and on Hamas’s Investment Office, which holds assets in Sudan, Turkey, Saudi Arabia, Algeria, and the UAE. (ALM, HA, MEE, MEMO, REU 5/24)

Referencing the U.S. decision to delist Kahane Chai from its list of foreign terrorist organizations on 5/13, the PA called on the U.S. Biden administration to remove the PLO from the U.S. list of foreign terrorist organizations. (WAFA 5/24; MEMO 5/25)

The Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) slammed the EU for withholding aid from the PA due to 1 Hungarian Commissioner’s dissatisfaction with PA school textbooks. The NRC said the withholding of aid is jeopardizing the life of more than 500 cancer patients that have been unable to access proper treatment at the Augusta Victoria Hospital in East Jerusalem and have led to salary cuts and cuts in aid to the most vulnerable Palestinians in Gaza and the West Bank. The EU is withholding some $230 million in aid. (AJ, WAFA 5/24; MEMO 5/25)

Former Israeli foreign minister and prominent MK of the Likud party Israel Katz boasted that he had threatened Palestinian students in Israel with a 2d Nakba if they continue to wave Palestinian flags at universities. Katz said, “Remember our independence war and your Nakba, don’t stretch the rope too much. [. . .] If you don’t calm down, we’ll teach you a lesson that won’t be forgotten.” (MDW 5/24; HA 5/26)

Turkey’s foreign minister Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu arrived in Israel for a 2-day visit to Israel, Jerusalem, and the West Bank. Turkey’s and Israel’s normalization efforts were reported as a way for Turkey to strengthen its relations with the UAE and Egypt, for Israel and Turkey to cooperate in Syria to build a gas pipeline between the 2 countries, and for Israel to incentivize Turkey to take a tougher stance on Hamas. During the 1st day of his trip, Foreign Minister Çavuşoğlu met with PA foreign minister Riyad al-Maliki in Ramallah, voicing support for a 2-state solution and criticizing Israeli settlements. Çavuşoğlu also met with PA president Mahmoud Abbas. The Turkish and Palestinian officials signed 9 cooperation agreements, including on economics, trade and infrastructure, and for developing an industrial area in Jenin. (AJ, ALM, AP, F24, HA, REU, TOI, TOI, WAFA, WAFA 5/24; HA, HA 5/25)

President Abbas met with president of the EU parliament Roberta Metsola in Ramallah. (WAFA 5/24)

Politico reported that U.S. president Joe Biden, in a 4/24 phone call to Israeli prime minister Naftali Bennett, had assured him that the U.S. administration would not take Iran’s Revolutionary Guard off the U.S. list of terrorist organizations. President Biden’s decision was seen as an obstruction in finding common ground between the U.S. and Iran with the U.S.’s reentering the Iran Nuclear Deal. Prime Minister Bennett’s office confirmed the reporting. (HA, JP, POL 5/24; AX, MEMO 5/25; HA 5/26)

In the West Bank, Palestinians protested in Hebron and Bethlehem against high consumer prices. Israeli forces started razing 30 dunams (7.5 acres) of Palestinian land in Kisan to expand a nearby settlement. 3 Palestinians, including 2 minors, were arrested during late-night raids in Beit Fajjar. In East Jerusalem, Israeli settlers toured the Haram al-Sharif compound. 3 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in Sheikh Jarrah. (MEMO, MEMO, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 2/7; PCHR 2/10; UNOCHA 2/11)

The PLO Central Council convened for its 31st session in Ramallah. PA president Mahmoud Abbas said he seeks to hold presidential and legislative elections as soon as they can hold them in all the Palestinian territories, including East Jerusalem. The session was titled “Developing and activating the Palestine Liberation Organization, protecting the national project, and popular resistance.” It was the 1st PLO Central Council meeting in 4 years. The meeting was attended by 2 Palestinian Israeli politicians: MK Ayman Odeh and former MK Mohammad Barakeh. (WAFA 2/5; HA, MEE, REU, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 2/6; MEMO, TOI 2/7)

The Israeli cabinet approved legislation to bar Palestinians married to Israeli citizens from obtaining permits to live with their family in Israel. Meretz and the United Arab List (UAL) opposed the bill, while centrist parties in the government coalition such as the Blue and White party and Labor supported it. Lawmakers from both UAL and Meretz called the bill racist. The bill will be voted on in the Knesset next week. (HA, WAFA 2/6; MEMO 2/7)

U.S. president Joe Biden spoke with Israeli prime minister Naftali Bennett, discussing Iran and the U.S. discussions to reenter the Iran Nuclear deal. (AP, AX, CNN, HA, REU 2/6)

The African Union (AU) suspended debating the issue of Israel’s status as an observer state to the AU until the next AU summit in 2023. The new AU Chairperson Macky Sall of Senegal told reporters that a committee had been set up to discuss the issue to avoid a conflict about Israel’s membership amongst the AU nations. Officials said that 6 countries will be represented in the committee, including South Africa, Algeria, Rwanda, the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), Cameroon, and Nigeria. South Africa and Algeria have both been vocal opponents of granting Israel observer status, while Rwanda and the DRC have been proponents. (F24, JP, MEE, MEMO, TOI, WAFA, WAFA 2/6; AJ, ALM, MEMO 2/7)