The Palestine Chronology

In the West Bank, a Palestinian man succumbs to wounds sustained from Israeli forces in Nur Shams refugee camp on 10/19/2023. An Israeli settler shoots and kill a Palestinian man after he shoots and kills 2 Israeli settlers at a gas station near the Eli settlement. Israeli settlers also throw stones at Palestinians at the Za’atra checkpoint, injuring a man. Elsewhere, Israeli settlers ram a Palestinian man in al-Lubban ash-Sharqiya, causing minor injuries. Israeli settlers also raid Arab al-Milehat, throwing stones at homes. Meanwhile, Israeli settlers disassemble and steal 2 agricultural structures in Kisan. Israeli forces shoot and kill 2 Palestinians and injure another while they are picking gundelia flowers near Bayt Awa. Israeli forces also shoot and kill a Palestinian child during a raid in Beit Furik. Elsewhere, Israeli forces shoot and injure a Palestinian man during a raid in Jalazone refugee camp. Israeli forces also shoot and injure a Palestinian man in Jenin. Meanwhile, Israeli forces demolish a home and 2 agricultural structures during a raid in Ein ad-Duyuk al-Tahta. Israeli forces also arrest 20 Palestinians during raids in and around Hebron, Ramallah, and Bethlehem. In Gaza, Israeli forces bomb Nuseirat refugee camp, al-Bureij refugee camp, Khan Yunis, Jabalia refugee camp, and Beit Hanun, killing at least 81 people. Israeli forces also open fire at an aid convoy where thousands of Palestinians are seeking to gather aid. Eyewitnesses report that Israel used live ammunition, tank shells, and drone-fired missiles to attack the crowd, at least 112 people are killed and 760 are injured. Israeli tanks also run over the bodies of the dead and injured. The attack is dubbed the Flour Massacre. 4 children die of starvation at the Kamal Adwan Hospital. Israeli settlers storm the Beit Hanun (Erez) crossing, attempting to create a settlement in Gaza. In Lebanon, Hezbollah fires 2 rockets at Goren. In Yemen, U.S. forces attack a missile launch site and shoot down a drone. (AJ, AJ, AJ, AP, AP, AP, AX, HA, HA, HA, NYT, NYT, NYT, NYT, NYT, NYT, REU, REU, REU, REU, UNOCHA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 2/29; AJ, AJ, HA, HA, HA, NYT, REU, WAFA 3/1)

More than 30,147 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli forces in Gaza, including at least 13,230 children and 8,860 women, and around 71,217 have been injured since 10/7/2023. At least 7,000 people are missing in rubble, including 1,700 children. 409 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli forces and settlers in the West Bank and East Jerusalem since 10/7/2023, including 103 children. More than 4,606 people have been injured. Israel reports that 1,139 Israelis and foreign nationals have been killed and 5,400 have been injured in Israel since 10/7/2023, including Israeli soldiers. In addition, 240 Israeli soldiers have been killed and 1,431 injured in Gaza since the ground invasion began on 10/27/2023. Over 1.93 million Palestinians, nearly 85% of the population of Gaza, have been displaced since 10/7/2023. There has been a complete electricity blackout in Gaza since 10/12/2023 due to the Israeli blockade. At least 70,000 housing units have been destroyed and 290,000 have been damaged in Israeli airstrikes since 10/7/2023, constituting over 60% of all housing units. The Red Crescent says its medical clinic in Jabalia is receiving 100-150 cases of patients with Hepatitis A daily. (AJ, HA, NYT, NYT, REU, REU, UNOCHA 2/29)

22-year-old Palestinian prisoner Assef al-Rifai dies in an Israeli prison, becoming the 11^th Palestinian to die in Israeli prison since 10/7. Al-Rifai, who had been imprisoned since 2022, suffered from cancer. (WAFA 2/29)

In response to the Flour Massacre (see above), Israel’s military first says Palestinians were killed in a stampede trying to get aid, blaming the aid truck drivers, then later said that Israeli soldiers had opened fire due to fear of the crowds but that most of the Palestinians had been killed in a human stampede and by the aid trucks. In its defense, Israel releases edited drone footage which appears to show hundreds of Palestinians taking cover from Israeli bullets. The PA calls the incident an “ugly massacre” and Hamas calls the attack an “unprecedented war crime.” UN secretary-general Antonio Guterres labels the incident appalling and calls for an independent investigation. EU high commissioner for foreign affairs Josep Borrell calls it “totally unacceptable,” Colombia denounces Israel’s genocide, suspending weapons purchases from Israel. French president Emmanuel Macron expresses “[d]eep indignation at the images coming from Gaza where civilians have been targeted by Israeli soldiers. I express my strongest condemnation of these shootings and call for truth, justice, and respect for international law.” Spain, Belgium, Turkey, Portugal, Italy, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Jordan, China, Canada, Yemen, Australia, and other countries express shock and contempt for the Israeli actions. The U.S. blocks an Algerian statement at the UN Security Council that assigns blame to Israel for the incident, saying it needs to be “thoroughly investigated.” The Israeli newspaper Haaretz for the first time calls on Israel to end its war, citing the incident. (AJ, AJ, AP, AP, HA, NYT, NYT, REU, REU, REU, UNOCHA, WAFA, WAFA 2/29; AJ, AJ, AP, HA, HA, HA, NYT, REU, REU, WAFA, WAFA 3/1) 

Representatives from Hamas, Fatah, and many other Palestinian parties meet in Moscow for reconciliation talks and about forming a technocratic consensus government that will lead the PA. Palestinian National Initiative secretary-general Mustafa Barghouti says, “I have never seen the atmosphere so close to unity as it is today.” Russian foreign minister Sergey Lavrov tells the Palestinian representatives at the meeting that if they can announce a unity position on the basis of the PLO those who use the lack of Palestine unity to prevent “the settlement in the Middle East, will lose their winning cards.” Hamas political leader Ismail Haniyeh meets with Chinese ambassador to Qatar Zhou Jian, discussing “ways to stop the war” in Gaza. President Mahmoud Abbas meets with UN senior coordinator for humanitarian aid and reconstruction in Gaza Sigrid Kaag and USAID administrator Samantha Power in Ramallah. (AJ, AJ, HA, REU, WAFA, WAFA 2/29; AJ 3/1)

The Israeli Civil Administration declares 2,640 dunams (652 acres) of land in Abu Dis and al-Eizariya Israeli state land. 120 Palestinian families live on the land. The area declared state land connects the Ma’ale Adumim settlement and the Keidar settlement. (AJ, REU, WAFA 2/29; HA 3/1)

Norwegian prime minister Jonas Gahr Store says the PA has received $114 million from Israel as part of the tax revenue payments and that more money will be dispersed in “the coming days.” (REU 2/29)

UNRWA says it has not received $89 million from the European Commission that was due on 2/29. 17 rights and aid organizations, including Save the Children and Oxfam, call on the EU to disperse the funds. The UN says Israel has not provided evidence about its claims against 12 UNRWA staffers for the independent investigation by the UN. Germany says it will increase aid to Gaza by $21.6 million and that its military will start taking part in aid airdrops if enough aid cannot be dispersed by land. (AP, AP, REU 2/29)

Israel claims it has killed more than 13,000 militants in Gaza since its ground invasion. Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu calls Hamas’s demands for a ceasefire “delusional,” saying he will not accept them and that he rejects international calls for a ceasefire. The Israeli negotiators who had been in Qatar this week return to Israel. Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich calls for a “massive” settlement expansion in response to the killing of 2 Israeli settlers near the Eli settlement. National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir says aid to Gaza must stop as it endangers Israeli soldiers, citing the Flour Massacre where no Israeli soldiers were injured while more than a 100 Palestinians were killed. The Israeli government says it is still reviewing whether it will severely limit the number of Muslim worshippers it will allow to enter the Haram al-Sharif compound during Ramadan. (AJ, REU 2/29; AJ 3/1)

U.S. president Joe Biden walks back his comment that a ceasefire will happen by 3/4 but says that he is still hopeful. Biden also issues a statement calling on Republicans to pass a bill providing aid to Israel to “help ensure Israel can defend itself against Hamas and other threats.” Biden speaks with Qatar emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani and Egyptian president Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, discussing the need for aid and a ceasefire in Gaza. Secretary of State Blinken speaks with Qatari prime minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani, discussing the same issues. White House deputy press secretary Olivia Dalton says the U.S. is deeply concerned that it has not received an Israeli plan for how it will provide security for Palestinians in Rafah if the Israeli military invades the city. Senator Chris Murphy (D-CT) calls on Israel to end its military operations in Gaza, citing the Flour Massacre. (AJ, AX, HA, NYT, REU, REU 2/29; AJ, HA 3/1)

UN high commissioner for human rights Volker Turk condemns Israel’s war on Gaza, calling it “carnage” at the UN Human Rights Council and says that war crimes have been committed by both Israel and Hamas, calling for accountability for the perpetrators. (AJ, HA, REU, WAFA 2/29)

New Zealand says it will impose travel bans on “a number” of violent Israeli settlers. New Zealand also designates the entirety of Hamas as a “terrorist group.” (AJ, HA, NYT, REU, WAFA 2/29)

British politician George Galloway of the Workers Party of Britain wins a seat in the UK parliament in the by-election in Rochdale, telling Labour Party leader “Kier Starmer, this is for Gaza.” The Labour Party held the seat in Rochdale until last month when MP Tony Lloyd died. (NYT, NYT 2/29; AJ, AJ, HA 3/1)

Haaretz reports that AIPAC has spent $4.5 million in attack ads against Dave Min in the Democratic primary for a congressional seat in California. (HA 2/29)

The heads of 36 international news outlets sign a letter in support of journalists in Gaza, calling for their protection. (AJ, AP 2/29)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers with military a escort stole an olive harvest and vandalized olive trees in Awarta. Israeli settlers also opened fire at Palestinians harvesting olives in Aqraba; no injuries were reported. Elsewhere, Israeli settlers stole around 40 sheep in Khallet Hamad. Israeli settlers also raided Qaryut, opening fire at Palestinians in the area; no injuries were reported. Meanwhile, Israeli settlers razed farmland near Qasra. Israeli forces shot and injured a Palestinian child in Husan. Israeli soldiers also assaulted a Palestinian man in Dheisheh refugee camp. Elsewhere, Israeli forces demolished a Palestinian home in Bani Na’im. Israeli forces also razed land in Artas. Meanwhile, Israeli forces notified Palestinian families in Deir Qala that Israel will seize 18 dunams (4.4 acres) of land. 28 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in and around Jericho, Balata refugee camp, Bayt Awa, Hebron, Tarqumiyah, Bethlehem, Abu Dis, al-Eizariya, Ramallah, Jenin, and Qalqilya. In Gaza, Israeli forces bombed Rafah, Khan Yunis, Nuseirat refugee camp, Dayr al-Balah, Maghazi, and Jabalia refugee camp, killing at least 208 Palestinians and injuring 416. Israeli forces also shot and injured a surgeon inside al-Awda Hosptial, which has been under Israeli siege for 6 days, and hit the Kamal Adwan hospital with an airstrike. Rockets were fired at Israel, injuring 1. In Lebanon, Israeli forces killed a Lebanese official in Taybeh, Hezbollah said it had attacked Israeli soldiers in Shtula and Metula. In the Red Sea, a Norwegian commercial ship, The Strinda, was hit by a cruise missile launched by Yemen according to the U.S. military. (AJ, AJ, AJ, AP, AP, HA, HA, NYT, UNOCHA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 12/11; HA, HA, REU 12/12; AP 12/13)

More than 18,205 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli forces in Gaza, including at least 7,729 children and 5,153 women, and around 49,645 have been injured since 10/7. At least 8,000 people were missing in rubble, including 1,700 children. 267 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli forces and settlers in the West Bank and East Jerusalem since 10/7, including 69 children. More than 3,387 people have been injured. Israel reported that 1,200 Israelis and foreign nationals have been killed and 5,400 have been injured since 10/7. 101 Israeli soldiers have been killed in Gaza since the ground invasion began on 10/27. Over 1.93 million Palestinians, nearly 85% of the population of Gaza, have been displaced since 10/7. There has been a complete electricity blackout in Gaza since 10/12 due to the Israeli blockade. As of 12/3, at least 52,000 housing units had been destroyed and 253,000 had been damaged in Israeli airstrikes since 10/7, constituting 60% of all housing units. 100 trucks carrying aid, including fuel, entered Gaza via the Rafah crossing. 33 injured Palestinians and 461 dual nationals were evacuated to Egypt. (AJ, HA, UNOCHA, UNOCHA 12/11; AJ 12/13)

Al Jazeera said Israel had killed the father of its journalist Anas al-Sharif in his family’s home in Jabalia refugee camp, saying Israel deliberately targets its journalists in Gaza. (AJ, AJ, AP, WAFA, WAFA 12/11)

Palestinians in the West Bank and East Jerusalem were on strike over Israel’s bombing of Gaza. People outside of Palestinian also participated in the strike; most noteworthy was the Lebanese government’s decision to close government offices and institutions in solidarity with Gaza. (AJ, HA, WAFA, WAFA 12/11)

The PA called on the U.S. to “oblige Israel” to stop the policy of deducting funds from the PA’s tax revenue, calling it piracy and collective punishment. (WAFA 12/11)

Israel started allowing Palestinian Americans living in the West Bank access to Israel for the first time since 10/7 after the U.S. threatened to suspend Israel’s membership in the U.S. Visa Waiver Program. (AX 12/11)

Comments by Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu to the Knesset foreign affairs and defense committees were leaked to the press. Netanyahu said the “difference between Hamas and the PA is only that Hamas wants to destroy us here and now, and the PA wants to do it in stages.” Netanyahu also said Gaza will be under Israeli military control and that Gulf states will rehabilitate the area. (AJ 12/11; HA, WAFA, WAFA 12/12)

U.S. National Security Council spokesperson John Kirby said the U.S. was “asking questions” in relation to reporting from Amnesty International and the Washington Post that Israel had used U.S.-supplied white phosphorus in Lebanon. The Post said a journalist had found remnants of 3 artillery shells that indicated that they were U.S.-made white phosphorous shells. Secretary of State Antony Blinken spoke with Israeli war cabinet member Benny Gantz, calling on Israel to take steps to avoid civilian harm and increase aid. State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller called images of Palestinians stripped to their underwear while in Israeli custody in Gaza “deeply disturbing”  (AJ, AP, HA, HA, NYT, WP 12/11; AJ 12/12)

EU high representative for foreign affairs Josep Borell called the destruction in Gaza “even greater than destruction suffered by the German cities during the Second World War,” noting that 60-70% of the casualties are civilians and 85% of the population have been internally displaced. Borell also said the EU will propose sanctions on violent Israeli settlers. France, Germany, and Italy also called on the EU to set up a special sanctions scheme to target Hamas. (AJ, AJ, AJ, AP, HA, HA 12/11)

Sky News Arabia reported that Israel had asked Egypt and Qatar to mediate another ceasefire, citing Egyptian sources. (HA 12/11; HA 12/12)

Rutgers University in New Jersey notified Students for Justice in Palestine that it had suspended its chapter at the university, citing complaints about the group. (HA 12/12; HA, HA 12/13)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers razed 5 dunams (1.2 acres) of land and threw stones at Palestinians and Israeli activists in Khirbet al-Farisiyya. Israeli settlers also vandalized 15 vehicles in Umm Safa. Elsewhere, Israeli settlers wearing military uniforms raided Khirbet Zanuta, demolishing a residential structure, 2 agricultural structures, and part of an EU-funded school. Israeli forces shot and killed 5 Palestinians during raids in Qalqilya, Sa’ir, and Qalandia. Israeli forces also shot and injured 35 Palestinians, including 5 children, during raids in Bani Naim, Qalqilya, and Qalandia. Elsewhere, Israeli forces demolished 6 agricultural structures in al-Ubeidiya. 60 Palestinians were arrested during raids in and around Dheisheh refugee camp, Jericho, Ramallah, Silwad, Jalazone refugee camp, and Abu Dis. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces raided Kafr ‘Aqab, injuring 10 with live ammunition, 1 with a baton round, 3 with beatings, and others with tear gas. In Gaza, Paltel said telecommunications were cut off in all of Gaza. At least 349 people were killed and 750 injured in Israeli attacks, including 108 in Beit Lahiya and 40 in Khan Yunis and others in Gaza City and Khan Yunis. Israeli forces ordered Palestinians in the Dayr al-Balah district to evacuate south as Israel continued to heavily bomb the Rafah and Khan Yunis districts. Israeli forces also demolished Gaza’s main courthouse with explosives. 5 Israeli soldiers were killed in combat. Hamas’ military spokesperson Abu Obeida said Hamas had destroyed 28 Israeli military vehicles in the past 24 hours. Rockets were fired at Israel; no injuries were reported. In Lebanon, Israel conducted airstrikes, saying mortar shells were fired at Israel, injuring 3 soldiers. (AJ, AJ, AJ, HA, HA, HA, NYT, UNOCHA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 12/4; AJ, AX, HA, HA, UNOCHA 12/5)

More than 15,899 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli forces in Gaza, including at least 6,387 children and 4,257 women, and around 41,316 have been injured since 10/7. At least 7,000 people were missing in rubble, including 1,700 children. 251 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli forces and settlers in the West Bank and East Jerusalem since 10/7, including 65 children. More than 3,313 people have been injured. Israel reported that 1,200 Israelis and foreign nationals have been killed and 5,431 have been injured since 10/7. 85 Israeli soldiers have been killed in Gaza since the ground invasion began on 10/27. Over 1.9 million Palestinians, nearly 85% of the population of Gaza, have been displaced since 10/7. There has been a complete electricity blackout in Gaza since 10/12 due to the Israeli blockade. As of 11/18, at least 45,000 housing units had been destroyed and 233,000 had been damaged in Israeli airstrikes since 10/7, constituting 60% of all housing units. 100 trucks carrying aid, including around 13,000 gallons of fuel, entered Gaza. Aid was only distributed in Rafah for the second day in a row. 25 wounded Palestinians and 583 foreign nationals were evacuated to Egypt. The WHO said Israel had ordered the organization to remove its supplies from its medical warehouse in southern Gaza within 24 hours. (AJ, HA, HA, UNOCHA 12/4; AJ, AJ 12/5)

Israel announced that it had approved the Lower Aqueduct plan in East Jerusalem, the first major new settlement plan to be fully approved in East Jerusalem since 2012, according to Ir Amim. The final approval greenlit the construction of 1,792 housing units on 186 dunams (46 acres) of land, including on privately owned land belonging to Palestinians in Umm Tuba. Jordan condemned the approval. The PA Foreign Ministry called on the international community to stop the implementation of the plan. (AJ 12/4; AJ, TOI, WAFA 12/5; PCN 12/6)

PA president Mahmoud Abbas spoke with U.S. vice president Kamala Harris in a phone call, discussing the situation in Palestine and need for aid to enter Gaza. PA prime minister Mohammed Shtayyeh met with a delegation from the EU parliament in Ramallah. Harris also spoke with Israeli president Isaac Herzog about plans for Gaza after Israel is done with its assault. (HA 12/3; NYT WAFA, WAFA 12/4)

Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu spoke with Argentinian president-elect Javier Milei, thanking him for saying he will move the Argentinian embassy in Israel to Jerusalem and inviting him to Israel. (HA 12/3; AJ, REU 12/4)

The corruption trial against Prime Minister Netanyahu resumed. Netanyahu did not attend the hearing. The judge presiding over the trial agreed to hold 2 hearings a week instead of 3 as happened before 10/7. (NYT 12/4; AJ, HA 12/5)

Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdoğan said Prime Minister Netanyahu will be tried as a war criminal for Israel’s attacks on Gaza. (HA, REU 12/4)

U.S. senator Bernie Sanders (D-VT) called the proposed U.S. military aid package to Israel “absolutely irresponsible,” labelling Israel’s attacks on Gaza immoral and in violation of international law during a speech at the Senate. (AJ, HA 12/5)

Haaretz said that several stories about Hamas militants’ actions during Operation Al-Aqsa flood were unfounded, including that 40 babies were killed, some of which were said to be beheaded, a story recounted by U.S. president Biden. Other stories recounted by Prime Minister Netanyahu, such as children being bound together and burned, also appeared to be false. Netanyahu’s wife Sara also relayed a false story in a letter to Biden’s wife Jill, saying one of the captives held by Hamas was pregnant and had given birth in captivity. The woman, who has since been released, was not pregnant. (HA 12/4)

The Wall Street Journal reported that Israel is considering flooding the tunnels in Gaza with seawater. (HA, WSJ 12/4; HA, HA, REU 12/5)

3 human rights organizations in the Netherlands sued the Dutch state over its export of F-35 parts to Israel. (AJ, HA, HA 12/4)

Former State Department office of public and congressional affairs director Josh Paul, who resigned on 10/18 in protest over the Biden administration’s policy toward Israel’s attacks on Gaza, told CNN that Israel had raided the offices of Defense for Children International – Palestine (DCI – Palestine) in 2021 after the State Department had shared credible evidence of a Palestinian child being raped at al-Mascobiyya Interrogation Center in Jerusalem with Israel. DCI – Palestine’s office was raided on 7/29/2021 and the organization declared a terrorist organization on 10/22/2021 along with 5 other groups. Paul suggested a link between the sharing of the DCI – Palestine investigation and the Israeli terrorist designation. (X 12/4)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers uprooted 12 olive trees in Salfit and vandalized Palestinian property in al-Twana in the Masafer Yatta area. Israeli forces shot and killed 3 Palestinians, including a 12-year-old during raids in Balata refugee camp, Beita, and Burqa. Israeli forces also shot and injured 5 people during raids in Balata refugee camp, Habla, and Burqa. Israeli forces also issued stop work orders for 8 homes in al-Khader. 76 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in and around ‘Azzun, al-Arroub refugee camp, Nablus, Balata refugee camp, Jenin, Tubas, Bethlehem, Aroura, and Abu Dis. 3,130 Palestinians have been arrested in the West Bank since 10/7. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces shot, injured, and arrested a Palestinian child in Jabel Mukaber. In Gaza, Israeli airstrikes killed around 270 Palestinians, including 30 in an airstrike on an UNRWA school in Jabalia refugee camp, 15 in Khan Yunis, 14 in Rafah, 10 in the Sheikh Radwan neighborhood of Gaza City, and 5 in Nuseirat refugee camp. Israel also bombed the Zeitoun neighborhood, Bani Suhaila, al-Daraj, and al-Tufah. Israel said it had assassinated Hamas naval commander Omar Abu Jallah. Israeli forces also attacked the Indonesian Hospital’s main gate, power generators, and administrative office. Elsewhere, Israeli forces arrested al-Shifa Hospital director Mohammad Abu Salmiya and other medical staff. After the arrest, the Gaza Ministry of Health suspended coordination with the WHO. 4 wounded Palestinians died during an evacuation from the Turkish-Palestinian Friendship Hospital to Khan Yunis. Israel said it attacked 300 sites in Gaza during the day. Rockets were fired from Gaza at Israel; no injuries were reported. In Lebanon, Israeli forces attacked several sites, saying they had been used to fire 35 rockets toward Israel, causing damage to 2 homes. In the Red Sea, the U.S. said it shot down drones launched from Yemen. (HA 11/22; AJ, AJ, AJ, AJ, HA, HA, UNOCHA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 11/23; UNOCHA 11/24; AJ 11/25; AJ 11/25)

The Gaza Media Office reported that 14,800 Palestinian have been killed, including 6,000 children and 4,000 women, and around 35,000 have injured in Israeli airstrikes on Gaza since 10/7. At least 7,000 people were missing in rubble, including 1,700 children. 220 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli forces and settlers in the West Bank and East Jerusalem since 10/7, including 54 children. More than 2,885 people have been injured. Israel reported that 1,200 Israelis and foreign nationals have been killed and 5,431 have been injured since 10/7. 75 Israeli soldiers have been killed in Gaza since the ground invasion began on 10/27. Over 1.7 million Palestinians, more than 70% of the population of Gaza, have been displaced since 10/7. There has been a complete electricity blackout in Gaza since 10/12 due to the Israel blockade. As of 11/18, at least 45,000 housing units had been destroyed and 233,000 had been damaged in Israeli airstrikes since 10/7, constituting 60% of all housing units. 18,000 gallons of fuel and 80 truckloads of aid entered Gaza via the Rafah crossing. 433 foreign nationals and 17 wounded Palestinians were evacuated to Egypt. Less than 500 people fled northern Gaza to the south; UNOCHA noted that there were more people arrested by Israeli forces while crossing than in previous days. (AJ, HA, UNOCHA, UNOCHA 11/23)

Qatar announced that the ceasefire will begin at 7 a.m. on 11/24 with 13 captives being released to Israel at 4 p.m. The ceasefire was reportedly delayed due to a disagreement over the list of captives that would be released. The Israeli High Court of Justice rejected 2 petitions against the prisoner exchange, saying the court did not have justification to intervene in the ceasefire deal. Israel said Palestinians will not be allowed to return to the north of Gaza during the ceasefire. Israeli defense minister Yoav Gallant said he expected the Israeli attacks on Gaza to continue for 2 months after the ceasefire period is over. Egypt said 35,000 gallons of diesel, 4 trucks of gas, and 200 trucks carrying aid would enter Gaza daily from 11/24 during the ceasefire.  (AJ, AJ, AJ, AJ, AJ, AX, HA, HA, HA, HA, NYT, NYT 11/23; HA, HA 11/24)

Al-Araby Al-Jadeed reported that an Iranian brokered deal would see 23 Thai captives released by Hamas without conditions. (HA 11/23)

Displaced Palestinians returning to the homes they fled from in al-Qanoub near Sa’ir said Israeli settlers had demolished and stolen all their belongings, including 5 homes, tents, and solar panels. The settlers had threatened the Palestinians with displacement or death. (WAFA 11/23)

PA president Mahmoud Abbas met with the Spanish prime minister Pedro Sanchez and Belgian prime minister Alexander de Croo in Ramallah, discussing the situation in Gaza and the West Bank. (WAFA 11/23)

A delegation of foreign ministers from Arab and Islamic countries, including the PA, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Turkey, Indonesia, and Nigeria met with French president Emmanuel Macron in Paris, discussing the situation in Gaza. The delegation had met with leaders in the UK, Russia, and China in the past week. (WAFA 11/23)

Israeli Channel 12 reported that National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir had instructed police not to deal with Israeli settler violence against Palestinians. Ben-Gvir also instructed prison authorities to use “an iron fist” in repressing celebrations of prisoner releases. (AJ 11/23)

Hezbollah secretary-general Hassan Nasrallah met with Iranian foreign minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian in Lebanon. (AJ 11/23; HA 11/24)

Spanish foreign minister Jose Manuel Albares said before a meeting in Israel between Prime Minister Sanchez and Israeli president Isaac Herzog and prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu that Spain wants to recognize a Palestinian state in the “very short term,” adding the existence of a Palestinian state is the “best guarantee for peace in the Middle East.” During the meeting with Netanyahu, Sanchez proposed an international conference to settle the overall conflict. UK prime minister David Cameron also met with Netanyahu. (AJ, HA, REU 11/23)

Israeli communications minister Shlomo Karhi submitted a proposal to the Israeli cabinet that would end the publication of government notices in Haaretz and halt all government payments to the newspaper, including by canceling all state employees’ subscriptions. (AJ, HA 11/23)

German police raided 15 properties it claimed were linked to Hamas and Samidoun. (AJ, AP 11/23)

The UN said its member states had raised $218 million in funding for its flash appeal for Gaza, constituting 18% of the 1.2 billion requested. (UNOCHA 11/23)

In the West Bank, a Palestinian man succumbed to injuries sustained from Israeli forces in Jenin on 11/9. Israeli settlers shot and injured a Palestinian with live ammunition in Khirbet Tana. Israeli settlers also assaulted Al Jazeera journalist Joseph Handal and vandalized his vehicle near Abu Dis. Israeli forces raided Jenin refugee camp, killing 5 Palestinians in a drone strike and injuring 14 others. The soldiers raided the Ibn Sina Hospital, detaining medical staff for interrogation, uprooted streets with bulldozers, and cut the power to several neighborhoods in Jenin during the attack. Israeli forces also shot and killed 2 Palestinians, claiming they had opened fire on them in Hebron. Meanwhile, Israeli forces shot and injured 5 Palestinians during raids in Kafr Dan and Dahariya. 36 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in and around Ni’lin, Hebron, Jalqamus, and Tulkarm. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces prevented Palestinian worshippers from reaching the Haram al-Sharif compound, including by attacking Palestinians and a Turkish news crew in Wadi al-Juz. Israeli forces also arrested journalist Marwat al-Azza, claiming her social media posts encourage terrorism. In Gaza, the internet was partially restored at the end of the day due to a delivery of fuel. Israeli airstrikes killed at least 40 people in Jabalia refugee camp, Khan Yunis, and Nuseirat refugee camp. Israeli airstrikes also killed several at al-Wafa Hospital, including its director. The number of fatalities was likely much higher since the Gaza Ministry of Health was unable to communicate with hospitals and civil defense members in northern Gaza. Elsewhere, Israeli forces attacked bakeries and wheat mills in the south, leaving only 1 company able to produce flour in Gaza. Al-Shifa Hospital remained under Israeli siege; the number of premature babies that had died at the hospital rose to 4 with a total 40 patients having died at the hospital since 11/16. Rockets were fired at Israel; no injuries were reported. In Lebanon, Israeli attacked several places and shot down a missile that targeted an Israeli drone. 2 anti-tank missiles were fired at Kibbutz Manara, injuring 4. In Syria, Israeli forces conducted airstrikes near Damascus, causing damage. (HA 11/16; AJ, AJ, AJ, AJ, AP, AP, HA, REU, REU, REU, UNOCHA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 11/17; AJ 11/18 HA 11/19)

The Gaza Ministry of Health was not able to update the casualty figures due to a collapse in services and communications at hospitals in northern Gaza, leaving the death toll at 11,479, including 4,630 children and 3,130 women, and around 32,000 injured in Israeli airstrikes on Gaza since 10/7. At least 3,250 people were missing in rubble, including 1,700 children. 198 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli forces and settlers in the West Bank and East Jerusalem since 10/7, including 53 children. More than 2,730 people have been injured. Israel reported that 1,200 Israelis and foreign nationals have been killed and 5,431 have injured since 10/7. 56 Israeli soldiers have been killed in Gaza since the ground invasion began on 10/27. Over 1.61 million Palestinians, around 70% of the population of Gaza, have been displaced since 10/7. There has been a complete electricity blackout in Gaza since 10/12 due to the Israel blockade. As of 11/6, at least 40,000 housing units have been destroyed and 220,000 have been damaged in Israeli airstrikes since 10/7, constituting 45% of all housing units. 73 injured Palestinians and their family members were evacuated to Egypt for treatment. Around 700 foreign nationals were also evacuated. Aid deliveries to Gaza were suspended due to the blackout of communications. Al-Amal Hospital and the headquarters of the Palestinian Red Crescent said the 2 facilities had not had water or electricity for the past 5 days. (AJ, AP, AP, HA, REU, UNOCHA, UNOCHA, WAFA, WAFA 11/17; UNOCHA 11/18)

Church leaders in Jerusalem issued a statement warning that Israeli settlers are trying to seize land in the Armenian Quarter of the Old City of Jerusalem. (WAFA 11/17; AJ 11/18; REU 11/19)

Israel charged 2 14-year-old Palestinian citizens of Israel with the attempted murder of an Israeli soldier. (HA 11/17)

The Israeli military suspended a soldier who was filmed throwing a stun grenade into a mosque in Budrus for their own amusement. (HA 11/17; HA 11/18; HA 11/19)

Hamas said that some of the captives it’s holding had been taken to hospitals in Gaza for treatment of “serious health conditions,” but denied that it was holding any captives in hospitals. (AJ 11/17)

The BBC said 1 of its reporters was allowed to tour parts al-Shifa Hospital with the Israeli military, filming some of the same areas that the Israeli military had published footage of previously. The BBC said that it was evident from comparing the 2 sets of footage that by the time their journalist arrived alleged Hamas weaponry had been moved around. For example, an area behind an MRI machine had a bag with 2 rifles in the BBC footage but only 1 in the Israeli military footage. The BBC also pointed out that the Israeli claim that its video was unedited was false and that the purported evidence presented by Israel did not validate the Israeli claim that al-Shifa was a Hamas command center. (X 11/17; AJ 11/19)

PA president Mahmoud Abbas, Foreign Minister Riyad al-Maliki, and Prime Minister Mohammad Shtayyeh met with EU high commissioner for foreign affairs Josep Borrell in Ramallah. Borell called for an immediate ceasefire and for Israel to abide by international law. (AJ, WAFA, WAFA 11/17; AJ 11/18)

The Israeli war cabinet approved a U.S. request to allow 2 tanker trucks to enter Gaza each day with fuel, amounting to about 13,000 gallons. UNRWA said that covers about 37% of its daily needs. National Security Adviser Tzachi Hanegbi said the fuel allowed to enter constituted “roughly 2-4% of the normal quantities of fuel that enter Gaza.” Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich called the decision illegal because it had not been approved by the security cabinet and demanded that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu change the war cabinet. The war cabinet reportedly rejected the latest proposal for a prisoner exchange. Knesset deputy speaker Nissim Vaturi said in a post on X that Israel should “burn Gaza now,” calling its attacks on Gaza “too humane.” Israeli defense minister Yoav Gallant called Hamas leader in Gaza Yahya Sinwar “the new [Osama] bin Laden.” (AJ, AX, HA 11/17; AJ 11/18)

Amnesty International said Israel should rescind its 11/15 order telling Palestinians in eastern Khan Yunis to flee, calling it a violation of international law. (AJ 11/17)

The U.S. said deliveries of fuel should continue on a regular basis in larger quantities. President Joe Biden spoke with Qatari emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, discussing prisoner exchange negotiations. (AJ, HA 11/17)

U.S. senator Bernie Sanders (D-VT) said the U.S. Congress should not allow extra funding for Israel while it attacks Gaza. House Foreign Affairs Committee chairperson Mike McCaul (R-TX) said Prime Minister Netanyahu had told him that he urgently needs Iron Dome interceptors, precision-guided weapons, and 155mm artillery shells. (AJ, HA 11/17)

ICC prosecutor Karim Khan said he had received referrals on crimes committed in Palestine from South Africa, Bangladesh, Bolivia, Comoros, and Djibouti. (AJ, ICC, REU, WAFA 11/17; WAFA 11/18)

X owner Elon Musk said using terms such as “decolonization” and “from the river to the sea” in relation to Israel will result in suspension from his platform. (AJ, HA 11/18)

Unidentified Gazans fly a number of incendiary devices strapped to balloons into southern Israel. They land in open areas and no damage is reported. Also along Gaza’s border, hundreds of Palestinians gather along Gaza’s northern shore to continue the Great March of Return and to cheer on a number of Palestinian boats sailing in a symbolic challenge of Israel’s blockade. IDF troops and Israeli naval forces violently disperse the demonstrations; at least 35 Palestinians are injured. Four more Palestinians are injured when IDF troops violently disperse a late-night protest along the border fence near al-Bureij refugee camp. Meanwhile, Israeli forces conduct a limited incursion to level land near Khan Yunis. In the West Bank, the Israeli authorities order approximately 50 Palestinian families to temporarily leave their homes near Tubas to clear the area for IDF training. Also near Tubas, Israeli settlers assault and injure a Palestinian shepherd. Settlers also chant racist slogans and march through central Hebron, causing minor damage when they throw stones at Palestinian homes. Meanwhile, IDF troops arrest 12 Palestinians during late-night raids in and around Ramallah, Hebron, Jenin, Tubas, and Salfit; and patrol near Nablus. The raid in Tubas sparks clashes with stone-throwing Palestinians; 1 Palestinian is injured. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces conduct raids at al-Quds University in Abu Dis, sparking minor clashes with students; 17 Palestinian students suffer from tear gas inhalation. They also demolish 4 Palestinian homes and a warehouse in Silwan and Jabal Mukabir. (MNA, MNA, MNA, MNA, MNA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 2/12; MNA, MNA, MNA 2/13; PCHR 2/14)

A Palestinian succumbs to injuries sustained when IDF troops violently disperse protests along Gaza’s border fence on 2/8. This brings the death toll stemming from the Great March of Return to 204. (TOI, WAFA 2/12; MNA 2/13; EI, PCHR 2/14)

After reports of an Israeli strike in Syria on 2/11, Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu says that Israel is “constantly operating” against “Iran and its satellites” in Syria. “We do whatever is necessary.” His statements today are taken as a confirmation that Israel was responsible for the 2/11 strikes in Syria. (HA, TOI 2/12)

Undercover Israeli forces shoot and kill a Palestinian after apprehending him on a road outside Surda village near Ramallah late at night. The man was wanted in connection to the drive-by shooting attack that led to the injury of 7 Israeli settlers on 12/9. After the killing, IDF troops raid the alleged attacker’s home in nearby Kobar village, detaining his extended family, arresting his father and brother, sparking clashes with residents of the area; 3 Palestinians are injured. Separately, they arrest 4 other Palestinians accused of conspiring to perpetrate the 12/9 attack and confiscate the vehicle they allegedly used during raids in and around Ramallah. Elsewhere in the West Bank, IDF troops shoot and kill a Palestinian amid a firefight sparked by an arrest raid in ‘Askar refugee camp near Nablus. The Palestinian was reportedly wanted in connection with the killing of 2 Israeli settlers on 10/7. IDF troops shoot and injure 1 Palestinian amid clashes sparked by an IDF raid in Nabi Salih village near Ramallah; arrest 10 Palestinians and issue 1 arrest summons during late-night raids in and around Tulkarm, Tubas, and Hebron; and patrol near Hebron throughout the day. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces demolish a Palestinian car garage in Bayt Hanina and conduct raids at al-Quds University in Abu Dis, confiscating surveillance tapes and detaining several Palestinians. Along Gaza’s border, IDF troops open fire on Palestinian shepherds working near Khan Yunis, causing no damage or injuries. (JP, JP, MNA, MNA, TOI 12/12; HA, HA, JP, JP, MNA, MNA, MNA, MNA, WAFA, WAFA, YA 12/13; PCHR 12/13)

An Israeli newborn succumbs to complications stemming from the drive-by shooting attack outside the Ofra settlement on 12/9. His mother was 7 months pregnant when she was shot and seriously injured in the attack. She gave birth hours after the shooting and remains in stable condition. (HA, JP, TOI, YA 12/12)

Palestinian citizens of Israel and Palestinians across Gaza, East Jerusalem, and the West Bank observe a general strike in protest of the so-called Nation-State Law, which codified Israel’s status as the nation-state of the Jewish people when it passed in the Knesset on 7/19/18. Israeli forces violently disperse demonstrations against the law on the outskirts of Ramallah, and in Nablus, Qalandia refugee camp, and Qalqilya, as well as 2 neighborhoods in East Jerusalem, (al-‘Izzariya and Abu Dis); 14 Palestinians are injured. Elsewhere in the West Bank, IDF troops patrol in Hebron, sparking clashes with stone-throwing Palestinian minors; there are no reported injuries. They also arrest 3 Palestinians during late-night raids near Hebron and Bethlehem. Along Gaza’s border, IDF troops violently disperse Palestinians gathering near al-Bureij refugee camp, Khan Yunis, and Jabaliya refugee camp throughout the day to protest the Israeli blockade, protest the Nation-State Law, and continue the Great March of Return; at least 44 Palestinians are injured. In the evening, several Palestinian fishing boats sail in a symbolic challenge to Israel’s blockade. They turn back to shore after Israeli naval forces fire warning shots in their direction, causing no damage or injuries. Meanwhile, Israeli firefighters put out 4 fires in southern Israeli border communities reportedly sparked by incendiary kites or balloons flown from Gaza. In East Jerusalem, Israeli settlers assault a number of Palestinians and damage a number of their vehicles in the Old City. Later, Israeli forces violently disperse of Palestinian minors congregating near the Damascus Gate to the Old City; 1 Palestinian is injured and 2 are arrested. They also arrest 2 Palestinians during late-night raids in Abu Dis and Hizma, sparking minor clashes in the latter. (HA, MNA, MNA, MNA, MNA, MNA, MNA, TOI, TOI, WAFA, WAFA 10/1; MNA, MNA, MNA, YA 10/2; PCHR 10/4)

Approximately 20 Grad and Fajr-5 rockets are fired from Syria toward northern Israel. Four of them are intercepted by Israel’s Iron Dome missile defense system, and the rest explode over Syrian territory, causing no major damage or injury. The IDF accuses Iran of being behind the attack and retaliates, bombing dozens of alleged Iranian weapons storage, logistics, and intelligence sites in Syria; 27 people are killed, including 19 Iranians, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. (JP 5/9; CNN, HA, JP, MEMO, NYT, TOI, YA 5/10; HA 5/11; AP 5/12)

Along Gaza’s border, Israeli forces conduct a limited incursion to level land and repair the border fence near Khan Yunis. Later, they open fire on Palestinian farmers working near Gaza City and al-Bureij refugee camp and Great March of Return protesters near Khan Yunis, Gaza City, Jabaliya refugee camp, and al-Bureij refugee camp; 6 Palestinians are injured. Off Gaza’s coast, Israeli naval forces open fire on Palestinian fishing boats near Bayt Lahiya and Khan Yunis, causing no damage or injuries. In the West Bank, Israeli forces demolish a makeshift Palestinian home near Nablus. IDF troops arrest 8 Palestinians during late-night raids near Jericho, Tubas, Bethlehem, Ramallah, and Jenin; and patrol near Hebron and Nablus. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces establish a checkpoint in Abu Dis, sparking minor clashes with Palestinian minors; 1 Israeli border police officer and 7 Palestinians are injured (3 Palestinians are arrested as well). (JP, MNA, TOI, WAFA 5/9; PCHR 5/10)

Israeli forces install 3 new road signs indicating the location of the new U.S. embassy in Jerusalem, which is set to open officially on 5/14. Elsewhere in Jerusalem, Israeli forces arrest 4 Palestinians and issue 1 arrest summons during raids in Issawiyya, Abu Dis, and Shu‘fat refugee camp. In the West Bank, IDF troops arrest 18 Palestinians and confiscate 1 car during late-night raids in and around Ramallah, Jenin, Salfit, Hebron, Nablus, and Bethlehem; and patrol near Tulkarm, Hebron, and Nablus. A raid in Jenin refugee camp sparks minor clashes with stonethrowing residents; 1 Palestinian is injured. Israeli settlers throw stones at Palestinian property near Nablus, sparking minor clashes between their IDF escort and Palestinian residents of the area; 4 Palestinian minors are arrested. Along Gaza’s border, IDF troops violently disperse Great March of Return protesters gathering near Gaza City and Khan Yunis; 3 Palestinians are injured. (HA 5/7; PCHR 5/10)

Along Gaza’s border, Palestinians send a flaming kite across the border fence, sparking a fire that burns dozens of acres of Israeli grassland and agricultural land. IDF troops open fire on a Great March of Return tent camp near Rafah, injuring a crane operator moving supplies. They also violently disperse small groups of protesters approaching the border fence near Jabaliya refugee camp and Khan Yunis; 5 Palestinians are injured. Off Gaza’s coast, Israeli naval forces open fire on Palestinian fishing boats near Jabaliya refugee camp, causing no damage or injuries. In and around Hebron in the West Bank, Israeli forces seize a number of water tanks and solar batteries and demolish a Palestinian shop, several residential rooms, and a shed. IDF troops arrest 11 Palestinians during late-night raids near Bethlehem and Nablus, and patrol in and around Hebron. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces arrest 3 Palestinians during raids in Abu Dis and Biddu. In central Israel, Israeli forces demolish a Palestinian home under construction and a shop in Taybeh. (TOI, WAFA 5/2; PCHR 5/3; PCHR 5/10)

For a 3d consecutive day, the PNC meets in Ramallah to discuss issues facing the Palestinian people. (WAFA 5/3)

Along Gaza’s border, a number of Palestinians tie firebombs to kites and fly them into Israeli territory, causing several small fires. IDF troops then violently disperse Palestinians protesting near the border fence outside Gaza City, Khan Yunis, and Jabaliya refugee camp; 3 Palestinians are injured. Off Gaza’s coast, Israeli naval forces open fire on Palestinian fishing boats near Bayt Lahiya and Jabaliya refugee camp, causing no damage or injuries. In the West Bank, IDF troops seal off the main entrance to Bayt Umar near Hebron while they conduct raids in the village. The raids spark minor clashes; there are no reported injuries or arrests. Israeli forces issue stop-work orders to a Palestinian home under construction in Yatta village near Hebron and bar Palestinian laborers from working on water infrastructure outside Bethlehem. IDF troops confiscate some surveillance footage and arrest 25 Palestinians during late-night raids near Ramallah, Qalqilya, Bethlehem, Nablus, Jenin, and Hebron; and patrol near Hebron, Qalqilya, Salfit, and Tulkarm. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces arrest 7 Palestinians during late-night raids in Shu‘fat refugee camp, Abu Dis, and al-Tur. (WAFA 4/15; HA 4/16; PCHR 4/19)

The IDF announces it destroyed a tunnel leading into Israel from the Jabaliya refugee camp area on 4/14, bringing the number of Gazan tunnels demolished since the beginning of 2017 to 8. DM Lieberman says that this was the “longest and deepest [tunnel] exposed so far” and calls on the Palestinians in Gaza to stop Hamas from “burning your money on tunnels going nowhere.” (HA, JP, TOI, YA 4/15)

Along Gaza’s border, IDF troops violently disperse Palestinian protesters participating in the Great March of Return near Jabaliya refugee camp, Gaza City, Khan Yunis, and Rafah for a 3d day in a row; 8 Palestinians are injured (1 critically). IDF troops also shoot and injure a Palestinian minor along the border fence near Gaza City and arrest 4 unarmed Palestinians attempting to cross into Israel near Rafah. Off Gaza’s coast, Israeli naval forces open fire on Palestinian fishing boats near Bayt Lahiya, causing no damage or injuries. In the West Bank, IDF troops arrest 6 Palestinians during raids in and around Tulkarm, Nablus, Jenin, Bethlehem, and Qalqilya; and patrol in and around Hebron and Bethlehem. Israeli settlers flood a Palestinian orchard near Hebron with sewage, damaging some crops. Palestinians throw rocks at an Israeli settler bus near Ramallah, lightly injuring the driver. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces patrol in Abu Dis, sparking clashes with stone-throwing Palestinian students; 6 Palestinians are injured. The IDF arrests 9 Palestinians during late-night raids in Issawiyya. (TOI, WAFA 4/1; MNA 4/2; PCHR 4/5)

IDF Maj. Gen. Mordechai confirms international press reports that the Israeli authorities are withholding the corpses of 2 Palestinians killed along Gaza’s border fence on 3/30. He says that they have no intention of returning the corpses until Hamas returns the remains of the 2 IDF soldiers and the 2 Israeli civilians allegedly being held in Gaza. (JP, TOI, YA 4/1)

Israeli DM Avigdor Lieberman rejects calls from the UN and EU for an independent and transparent investigation into in the Israeli killings of peaceful protesters in Gaza on 3/30. Instead, he says that “our troops deserve a commendation.” (JP, MNA 4/1; HA 4/2)

Along Gaza’s border, IDF troops arrest 3 Palestinians armed with knives and grenades after they cross into Israel near Khan Yunis. Off Gaza’s coast, Israeli naval forces open fire on Palestinian fishing boats near Bayt Lahiya, causing no damage or injuries. In the West Bank, IDF troops arrest 16 Palestinians during late-night raids near Tulkarm, Nablus, Hebron, Tubas, and Ramallah; and patrol in and around Tulkarm, Qalqilya, Nablus, and Hebron. Israeli forces demolish a Palestinian home under construction in al-Walaja near Bethlehem. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces conduct raids in Abu Dis overnight, sparking clashes with stone-throwing Palestinians; there are no serious injuries. The IDF arrests 3 Palestinians on further raids in Issawiyya and Qalandia refugee camp. (HA, JP, WAFA, YA 3/27; PCHR 3/29)

A Palestinian driver allegedly rams his car into a small group of IDF troops standing along a road near Nablus, killing 2, critically injuring a 3d, and moderately injuring a 4th. The Palestinian driver is arrested. Later, IDF troops conduct raids in the alleged attacker’s hometown, Barta‘a, near Jenin, arresting his brother and ransacking several homes. The Israeli authorities also revoke the work permits of approximately 100 of the alleged attacker’s relatives. Meanwhile, IDF troops violently disperse Palestinians, Israelis, and international activists at Friday protests against Israel’s separation wall, settlements, and occupation, as well as U.S. president Trump’s 12/6/17 recognition of Jerusalem as Israel’s capital in Bethlehem, al-Bireh, 4 villages near Ramallah (Budrus, Nabi Salih, Ni‘lin, and Bil‘in), Kafr Qaddum near Qalqilya, Luban al-Sharqiyya near Nablus, and along Gaza’s border near Gaza City, Khan Yunis, and Jabaliya refugee camp. At least 30 Palestinians are injured, including 2 journalists. IDF troops also arrest 2 Palestinians, issue 2 arrest summons, and demolish the walls of an apartment during raids near Bethlehem and Jenin, and patrol near Qalqilya, Salfit, and Hebron. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces clash with Palestinians in Abu Dis, injuring 19. It’s unclear what sparked the clashes. Off Gaza’s coast, Israeli naval forces open fire on Palestinian fishing boats near Bayt Lahiya, causing no damage or injuries. (JP, TOI, WAFA 3/16; HA, MNA, WAFA, YA 3/17; PCHR 3/22)

Unidentified parties fire a rocket from Gaza into southern Israel for a 2d day in a row. It lands in an open area, causing no damage or injuries. The IAF again conducts air strikes on Hamas military sites in Rafah, causing major damage to 2. (HA, TOI, WAFA, YA 2/3)

For the 9th consecutive Friday, Palestinians across the oPt gather to protest U.S. pres. Trump’s 12/6 recognition of Jerusalem as Israel’s capital. Israeli forces violently disperse them in East Jerusalem (Issawiyya and Abu Dis), Nablus, 4 villages near Ramallah (Bil‘in, Ni‘lin, Budrus, and Nabi Salih), al-Bireh, Kafr Qaddum near Qalqilya, and along Gaza’s border near Jabaliya refugee camp, Bayt Lahiya, and Khan Yunis. 30 Palestinians are injured. Later, when an Israeli drives into Abu Dis, approximately 200 Palestinian minors torch his car and throw stones at him, causing minor injuries. Israeli forces escort the man from the village and clash with the stone-throwers; 9 Palestinians are injured. Elsewhere in East Jerusalem, Israeli forces arrest 1 Palestinian during a raid in Biddu. In the West Bank, Israeli settlers spray racist graffiti on walls in Nabi Salih village near Ramallah, the hometown of imprisoned Palestinian activist Ahed Tamimi. IDF troops arrest 4 Palestinians during raids near Jenin; and patrol near Hebron throughout the day. Off Gaza’s coast, Israeli naval forces open fire on Palestinian fishing boats near Gaza City, causing no damage or injuries. (HA, TOI, WAFA, YA 2/2; PCHR 2/8)

For the 6th consecutive Friday, Israeli forces violently disperse Palestinian, Israeli, and international activists at protests against U.S. pres. Trump’s 12/6 recognition of Jerusalem as Israel’s capital, as well as the killing of 2 Palestinians on 1/11, Israel’s settlements, separation wall, and occupation in Abu Dis, al-Bireh, Kafr Qaddum near Qalqilya, Budrus village near Ramallah, central Hebron, northern Bethlehem, 2 villages near Nablus (Beita and Bayt Furik), and along Gaza’s border near Gaza City, Khan Yunis, al-Bureij refugee camp, and Jabaliya refugee camp; 65 Palestinians are injured and at least 2 are arrested. Also along Gaza’s border, IDF troops open fire on Palestinian workers collecting plastic and other scraps from a landfill near Juhur al-Dik, causing no injuries. Meanwhile, IDF troops arrest 4 Palestinians during latenight raids in and around Hebron, Nablus, and Jenin; and patrol near Tulkarm and Nablus. Israeli forces raze a tract of land near the site of the 1/9 deadly shooting. They also arrest 5 Palestinians as they exit Haram al-Sharif. Israeli settlers throw stones at a Palestinian home south of Nablus, breaking a number of windows. Thousands of Palestinian mourners march through Iraq Burin and al-Maghazi refugee camp in funeral processions for the 2 Palestinians killed on 1/11. (MNA, WAFA 1/12; HA, MNA 1/13; PCHR 1/18)

U.S. pres. Trump announces that he is formally extending the waivers on U.S. sanctions on Iran, upholding the U.S. obligations under the 7/14/2015 nuclear agreement one last time. This last extension, he says, will give the U.S. time to negotiate a “follow on” agreement with its European allies before the next deadline for extending sanctions relief, 120 days hence. “In the absence of such an agreement, the U.S. will not again waive sanctions to stay in the Iran nuclear deal,” he says. “And if at any time I judge that such an agreement is not within reach, I will withdraw from the deal immediately,” At the same time, the U.S. Treasury imposes sanctions on 14 Iranian individuals, including the head of Iran’s judiciary, Sadeq Larijani. (AP, BBC, NYT, TOI 1/12)

Hundreds of Palestinians across the oPt gather at protests against U.S. pres. Trump’s 12/6 recognition of Jerusalem as Israel’s capital. IDF troops violently disperse them at the Qalandia checkpoint, central Jerusalem, Abu Dis village, Bethlehem, Ramallah, Hebron, Jericho, Qalqilya, and along Gaza’s border near al-Bureij refugee camp; 11 Palestinians are injured. Meanwhile, IDF troops arrest 8 Palestinians during late-night raids near Ramallah, Hebron, and in Biddu (East Jerusalem). Off Gaza’s coast, Israeli naval forces open fire on Palestinian fishing boats near Khan Yunis, causing no damage or injuries. Along Gaza’s border, Israeli forces fire sound bombs and artillery at Palestinian lands and other property near Gaza City and Khan Yunis, causing no serious damage. (HA, TOI, WAFA, YA 12/20; PCHR 12/21; PCHR 12/28)

Palestinian diplomatic delegations discuss the future of the peace process with local officials in Moscow and Beijing. PLO executive committee member Salih Ra‘fat says that the delegations are part of the Palestinians’ efforts to gather support in the wake of U.S. pres. Trump’s 12/6 recognition of Jerusalem as Israel’s capital. Both Russia and China have expressed interest in becoming more active in the peace process, and the Palestinians are looking to replace the U.S. as sole mediator. (HA, TOI, WAFA 12/20)

U.S. pres. Trump threatens to cut economic aid to any country that votes in favor of a UNGA resolution rejecting his 12/6 recognition of Jerusalem as Israel’s capital, which is set for a vote on 12/21. “They take hundreds of millions of dollars and even billions of dollars, and then they vote against us,” he says. “Well, we’re watching those votes. Let them vote against us. We’ll save a lot. We don’t care.” (AP, HA, TOI, YA 12/20; HA 12/21)

For a 7th day in a row, Palestinians across the oPt gather to protest U.S. pres. Trump’s 12/6 recognition of Jerusalem as Israel’s capital (attendance continues to steadily decline). Israeli forces violently disperse protestors in Hebron and 3 nearby villages (Dura, Bayt Umar, and Halhul), outside the Beit El settlement near Ramallah, Bethlehem, Tulkarm, Qalqilya, and along Gaza’s border near al-Bureij refugee camp, Bayt Hanun, Khan Yunis, and Rafah; at least 26 Palestinians are injured, including 1 journalist, and 5 are arrested. Meanwhile, IDF troops violently detain 2 Palestinian youths inside an ambulance in Halhul; arrest 3 Palestinians during late-night raids in Hebron and near Ramallah; and patrol in and around Hebron, Tulkarm, and Qalqilya. Israeli settlers throw stones at Palestinian students outside a school in Burin village near Nablus, sparking minor clashes; there are no serious injuries. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces arrest 2 Palestinians during late-night raids in Issawiyya and Abu Dis. Off Gaza’s coast, Israeli naval forces open fire on Palestinian fishing boats near Jabaliya refugee camp, causing no damage or injuries. (HA, MNA, WAFA, YA 12/13; MNA, PCHR 12/14)

Unidentified parties fire 3 rockets from Gaza toward Israel in the evening; 2 are intercepted by the Iron Dome missile defense system and 1 falls in an open area, causing no damage or injuries. The IAF conducts air strikes on at least 5 Hamas sites across Gaza, causing damage but no injuries. The Israeli authorities announce that both the Erez and Kerem Shalom border crossings will be closed indefinitely as collective punishment for the week of rocket attacks emanating from Gaza. (HA, TOI 12/13; HA, PCHR, WAFA, YA 12/14; PCHR 12/21)

At an emergency meeting of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) in Istanbul, reps. of the 57 OIC members jointly declare East Jerusalem to be the capital of the State of Palestine and urge all countries to recognize Palestine. Addressing the attendees, PA pres. Abbas says that Israel’s violations and of international law free the Palestinians from prior commitments made in context of the peace process, threatens to abandon the PA’s security coordination with the IDF, and announces the Palestinians’ intention to go to the UNSC for full UN membership. (AFP, HA, NYT, REU, TOI, WAFA, YA 12/13)

IDF troops conduct raids in Abu Dis nr. Jerusalem, sparking clashes with students at Al-Quds University; 6 students are injured. Elsewhere in the West Bank, IDF troops raid the Silwad home of the family of the Palestinian driver who allegedly rammed and killed an Israeli on 4/6. They confiscate NIS 85,000 (approx. $23,000) and a vehicle during raids nr. Jenin; and patrol nr. Ramallah and Hebron. Along Gaza’s border, Israeli forces conduct a limited incursion to level land nr. Khan Yunis and arrest a Palestinian attempting to cross into Israel nr. Jabaliya r.c. Off Gaza’s coast, Israeli naval forces open fire on Palestinian fishing boats nr. Jabaliya r.c. and again nr. Bayt Lahiya, causing no damage or injuries. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces ban 7 Palestinians from Haram al-Sharif for periods as long as 6 mos. (They have banned more than 40 Palestinians from the sanctuary in the past few weeks.) Meanwhile, 385 Jewish settlers tour the sanctuary; when a handful of them perform religious rites, guards escort them from the area. (JP, MNA, TOI, WAFA 4/13; PCHR 4/20)

PA pres. Abbas says that he may take “unprecedented steps” to end the Hamas-Fatah rivalry that prevents the PA from taking control of Gaza. “These days, we are in a dangerous and tough situation that requires decisive steps, and we are [ready] to take these decisive steps. Therefore, we are going to take unprecedented steps in the coming days to end the division,” he says. Some analysts say that Abbas’s moves come in response to Hamas’s 3/16 announcement of the formation of a new comm. to administer Gaza. (TOI 4/13)

The Gaza-based Ministry of Interior announces that it will begin accepting applications for jobs in the security forces from female Palestinians. The change in policy marks the first time females will be hired as security forces since 2014. (MNA 4/13)

In Beijing, PA FM al-Maliki calls on China to play a more active role in the Palestinian peace effort, including support for Palestinian initiatives in international forums. China’s FM Wang Yi says that the fact that the Palestinians do not have a sovereign state yet is a “terrible injustice.” (HA, REU, WAFA 4/13)

Human Rights Watch (HRW) calls on the Egyptian govt. to “immediately disclose” whether or not it is detaining the 4 Palestinian men, all reportedly Hamas affiliates from Gaza, who were abducted on 8/19/2015 as they traveled by bus from the Rafah border crossing to Cairo. HRW says that Al Jazeera published a photograph purporting to show 2 of the men in a Cairo facility in 8/2016. The report reads, “incommunicado detention violates basic protections for both civilians and fighters under Egypt’s code of criminal procedure, which requires authorities to bring criminal suspects in front of a prosecutor within 24 hours and prosecutors to charge the detainee based on evidence or release the person immediately. It also violates international law, which requires that all detainees, regardless of their particular status, be brought ‘promptly’ (i.e., within days) before a judicial officer or equivalent to review the legality and necessity of their detention.” (HRW 4/13)

IDF troops violently disperse Palestinians gathering at Jalazun r.c. nr. Ramallah to commemorate the 1st anniversary of the killing of a resident of the camp; at least 10 Palestinians are injured (1 critically). The IDF also conducts late-night raids nr. Nablus, Hebron, and Jenin, arresting 5 Palestinians, demolishing a door and threatening demolitions; and patrols nr. Hebron and Qalqilya. Meanwhile, a Palestinian armed with a knife allegedly assaults an Israeli border police officer outside a settlement nr. Jerusalem, causing minor injuries. Along Gaza’s border, IDF troops open fire on Palestinian farmland nr. Gaza City, causing no damage. Off Gaza’s coast, Israeli naval forces open fire on Palestinian fishing boats nr. Khan Yunis, causing no injuries. In East Jerusalem, Israeli police arrest a Palestinian nr. the Old City who was allegedly planning a stabbing attack. Israeli forces arrest 6 Palestinians during late-night raids in Silwan and Abu Dis; and impose a temporary closure on Bayt Surik village n. of the city, sparking minor clashes with stonethrowing residents; 2 Palestinians are injured. (HA, JP, MNA, TOI, WAFA, YA 10/15; PCHR 10/20)

The IDF imposes a general closure over the West Bank and Gaza, barring all passage through border crossings, except humanitarian cases, for the Jewish Sukkot holiday. The closure is set to extend through 10/17. (MNA, TOI 10/15)

The Egyptian authorities open the Rafah border crossing for passage in both directions for the 1st of 2 planned days. (JP, MNA 10/15)

Israeli PM Netanyahu accuses B’Tselem and Americans for Peace Now of joining the “chorus of slander” against Israel because they participated in the UNSC meeting on Israeli settlements on 10/14. Netanyahu also says he is working to deny B’Tselem its right to a national service volunteer. The group only is allotted 1 such volunteer, and the post is currently unfilled. (HA 10/16)

IDF troops shoot and injure a Palestinian youth at a checkpoint nr. Qalqilya as she is walking home from school. The Israeli soldiers reportedly thought she was planning a stabbing attack (she will be released from detention on 9/22). Elsewhere in the West Bank, IDF troops raid the Bil‘in homes of several leaders in the activist groups that organize the Friday protests in the Ramallah-area village, confiscating a number of cell phones and computers. Late at night, 2 Israeli soldiers torch a Palestinian-owned lumber warehouse in Nablus, and IDF troops arrest 7 Palestinians during raids and house searches nr. Tulkarm, Jenin, Bethlehem, and Tubas. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces continue targeting Shu‘fat r.c., arresting 5 Palestinians during raids in the camp and in Abu Dis. Along Gaza’s border, IDF troops open fire on Palestinian homes nr. Khan Yunis, causing no damage. (HA, MNA, WAFA, YA 9/21; MNA, PCHR 9/22; HA 9/25; PCHR 9/29)

Following a request from the public prosecutor’s office, the Palestinian High Court of Justice postpones until 10/3 its decision regarding the municipal elections that were initially set for 10/8. The elections had been postponed indefinitely on 9/8 because of challenges to their legitimacy. (AFP, MNA 9/21)

The Egyptian authorities open the Rafah border crossing to allow Palestinian pilgrims to return from their trip to Saudi Arabia. They are set to open it again on 9/22 and 9/23. (MNA 9/23)

While in New York for the UN General Assembly (UNGA) meeting, Israeli PM Netanyahu meets with U.S. pres. Obama. They reportedly do not discuss the push for Israeli-Palestinian peace that the Obama admin. is rumored to be planning after the U.S. election in 11/2016. Netanyahu tells Obama he will always be welcome in Israel, and Obama responds, “We’ll set up a tee time.” (AFP, EI, NYT, REU, YA 9/21; HA 9/25)

IDF troops shoot and kill a Palestinian nr. Ramallah after he and other youths throw stones and Molotov cocktails at Israeli settlers in the area, lightly injuring 3 settlers (4 of the other Palestinian youths are injured). Some witnesses say there was no stone throwing and that the youths were just walking home. The PA describes the killing as “extrajudicial.” Elsewhere in the West Bank, Israeli forces carry out the punitive demolition of the Qalqilya-area home of a Palestinian who was killed on 3/8 after he attacked a group of Israelis and U.S. tourists (see JPS 45 [4]). They also deliver stop-work orders to several Palestinian homes under construction nr. Bethlehem. IDF troops arrest 16 Palestinians and destroy part of a home during late-night raids and house searches in and around Hebron, Ramallah, Qalqilya, Nablus, Bethlehem, Tubas, and Tulkarm. Off Gaza’s coast, Israeli naval forces open fire on Palestinian fishing boats nr. Khan Yunis, causing no damage or injuries. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces arrest 8 Palestinians during raids in Sur al-Bahir, Issawiyya, and Abu Dis. (BBC, HA, JP, MNA, WAFA, YA 6/21; PCHR 6/23)

The PA cabinet decides to hold municipal elections on 10/8, though it is unclear whether this round of elections will include both Gaza and the West Bank. Hamas boycotted the last round of municipal elections in 2012, so no ballots were cast in Gaza (see JPS 42 [2]). (MNA 6/21)

In the Jerusalem area, 2 Palestinians are killed in separate incidents. First, an Israeli settlement security guard shoots and kills a 13-year-old Palestinian outside the Anatot settlement after she allegedly attempts to stab him, and the IDF returns the youth’s body to her family. Another Palestinian youth is killed in Abu Dis when a pipe bomb he carries goes off accidentally. Some in the Israeli press claim that the youth was intending to throw the bomb at a nearby Israeli police base. Meanwhile, Israeli forces conduct raids and house searches in 3 areas nr. Hebron and Dahaysha r.c. nr. Bethlehem, arresting 5 Palestinians and issuing arrest summons to 4; patrol in 5 villages nr. Ramallah. They also patrol in Silwan, East Jerusalem, sparking clashes with stone-throwing Palestinian youths (1 Palestinian is injured and another is assaulted and arrested). In Gaza, a Hamas fighter dies in a tunnel collapse nr. Khan Yunis. Separately, unknown persons fire a rocket toward Israel; it lands short of the border, causing no damage or injuries. (HA, MNA, TOI, YA 1/23; JP 1/24; PCHR 1/28)

Along Gaza’s border, IDF troops shoot and seriously injure a Palestinian woman e. of Khan Yunis as she was working in an agricultural field nr. the barrier fence; violently disperse Palestinians protesting nr. al-Bureij r.c., injuring 3. In the West Bank, IDF troops arrest a Palestinian man in c. Hebron for allegedly planning a stabbing attack; assault and arrest 2 Palestinians at a flying checkpoint in a village nr. Ramallah, seriously injuring 1. Palestinian teachers prevent Israeli forces from raiding their secondary school nr. Bethlehem, sparking minor clashes between stone-throwers and the Israeli troops; there are no serious injuries. IDF troops also clash with stone-throwers in a village nr. Ramallah, injuring 7 Palestinians. The IDF conducts late-night raids and house searches in Hebron, Jenin and 1 nearby village, 2 villages nr. Ramallah, arresting 1 Palestinian and issuing 1 arrest summons; patrols during the day in 1 village nr. Hebron and 10 nr. Tulkarm. Israeli forces return 2 bodies of Palestinian women killed by the IDF to their families nr. Hebron and Nablus. Israeli settlers uproot around 50 olive tree saplings outside a Palestinian village nr. Nablus. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces arrest 1 Palestinian on a late-night raid in Abu Dis; evacuate a Palestinian building in the Old City, claiming that it belongs to Israeli settlers. (MNA, TOI, WAFA 12/22; TOI, WAFA 12/23; PCHR 12/31)

In a special session attended by PA pres. Abbas, Greece’s parliament approves a nonbinding res. encouraging the Greek govt. to recognize the State of Palestine. (JP, TOI, WAFA 12/22)

IDF troops on the Gaza border e. of Khan Yunis fire on a group of Palestinians approaching the border fence, causing 3 to suffer from tear gas inhalation. Separately, IDF troops stationed e. of Rafah open fire on agricultural lands nr. the border fence, causing damage. In 2 incidents off the coast nr. Jabaliya, Israeli naval forces open fire on Palestinian fishing boats, causing no damage or injuries. In the West Bank, IDF troops violently disperse Palestinian, Israeli, and international protesters at demonstrations to commemorate Land Day, upcoming on 3/30, and protest Israel’s occupation in 6 areas nr. Ramallah (Bil‘in, Ni‘lin, Nabi Salih, Silwad, outside Ofer Prison, and Jalazun r.c.), and Kafr Qaddum nr. Qalqilya; 10 Palestinians are moderately injured. The Israeli soldiers also cut off a main waterline into Kafr Qaddum, denying the village water for several hours. IDF troops also violently disperse Palestinian and international activists gathering in Abu Dis at the site of the “Gate of Jerusalem” protest tent camp. The IDF conducts house searches and raids in and around Hebron, arresting 1 Palestinian; conducts patrols in 2 villages nr. Hebron and 1 each nr. Jenin and Jericho. (MNA 3/27; PCHR 4/2)

The Israeli PM’s office announces that it is unfreezing tax revenue transfers to the PA that it has held as a punitive response to the Palestinian accession to the ICC since 1/2015. A statement announcing the move says that the total will be reduced by an undisclosed amount to pay portions of the PA’s debts to Israeli utility providers, such as the IEC. The PA FM criticizes the announced deductions, saying in a statement that they are “an unjustified and illegal procedure that could cause complications.” (AP, HA, JP, NYT, TOI 3/27; AFP, WAFA 3/28; JP 3/29)

French FM Fabius announces that, now that the 3/17 Israeli election has passed, he plans to explore the prospect of introducing another United Nations Security Council (UNSC) res. laying out parameters for a new round of Israeli-Palestinian peace negotiations. Meanwhile, an EU spokesperson announces that Hamas will remain a designated terrorist organization pending a decision on an appeal of the General Court’s 12/17/2014 removal of Hamas from the list. Similarly, the Holy Land Foundation for Relief and Development, which the U.S. claims funneled money to Hamas, has been removed from the list since it was last published in 7/2014. (AFP, AP, HA, REU, TOI 3/27; AFP 3/28)

The PA unity govt. delegation led by PM Hamdallah meets with Fatah and Hamas officials in the Gaza Strip, concluding its 3-day trip. (MNA 3/26) The Egyptian attorney, Samir Sabri, who filed the original motion to designate Hamas a terrorist organization in Egypt withdraws his case, saying he hopes to remove “obstacles which Egypt’s political leadership might face in serving its role in the Palestinian reconciliation.” The Court of Urgent Matters, which designated Hamas a terrorist organization 2/28, is expected to reconsider its initial ruling, though it was only in part based on Sabri’s motion. (AHR, MNA 3/27)

The 28th regular session of the UNHRC concludes today after a mo. of meetings, with the council having agreed on 3 res. on the Palestinians. They reaffirm the Palestinians’ right to self-determination, confirm Palestinian rights to sovereignty over their natural resources, and condemn ongoing settlement growth in the West Bank and East Jerusalem. (TOI 3/27; MNA 3/28)

PA Pres. Abbas arrives in Sharm al-Shaykh, Egypt, to participate in an Arab League summit on 3/28 and 3/29. Ahead of the summit, the Arab League agrees to send a delegation to Washington to lobby the U.S. Congress and promote the Arab Peace Initiative. (WAFA 2/25; MNA 3/27; HA 3/28)

IDF troops on the Gaza border e. of Khan Yunis fire on land nr. the border fence, causing no injuries. Off the coast nr. Gaza City, Israeli naval vessels fire on Palestinian fishing boats, causing no damage or injuries. In the West Bank, IDF troops violently disperse Palestinian, Israeli, and international protesters at weekly demonstrations against Israel’s separation wall, settlements, and occupation in 6 areas nr. Ramallah (Silwad, Bil‘in, Ni‘lin, Nabi Salih, outside Ofer Prison, and Jalazun r.c.), Kisan nr. Bethlehem, and Kafr Qaddum nr. Qalqilya; a total of 25 protesters are moderately injured. The IDF also raids the “Gate of Jerusalem” protest tent camp in Abu Dis, sparking clashes with Palestinian and international activists; 2 activists are arrested. IDF troops conduct house searches and raids in 1 village nr. Qalqilya and in and around Hebron, arresting 3 Palestinians and issuing arrest summons to 6; patrols in 4 villages nr. Ramallah, 1 village and al-‘Arub r.c. nr. Hebron, and 1 village nr. Jenin. Israeli settlers assault a Palestinian outside Hebron, lightly injuring him; throw stones at Palestinian cars on a road between Jenin and Nablus, causing minor damage. In East Jerusalem, Israeli settlers assault a Palestinian nr. the Old City. (MNA, YA 3/13; MNA, PNN, WAFA 3/14; PCHR 3/19)

On the sidelines of economic talks in Egypt, U.S. Secy. of State Kerry meets with Jordan’s King Abdullah and PA Pres. Abbas to discuss the PA’s economic crisis. At the conference, Abbas says, “There is no alternative but to reevaluate the security and economic relations with Israel, so that the PA would restore its role in building and ending the occupation.” Kerry reportedly tells Abbas that he will pressure Israel into transferring the tax revenues that it has withheld for 3 mos. (AFP, JP, TOI 3/13; AFP, JP, WAFA 3/14)

Off the coast of Gaza nr. Gaza City, Israeli naval forces open fire on 4 Palestinian fishing boats, seriously injuring 1 fisherman, arresting 2, and confiscating 2 boats. (The fisherman will die from his injuries on 3/7.) IDF troops e. of Khan Yunis fire warning shots at Palestinian farmers approaching the border fence, causing no injuries. In the West Bank, Israeli soldiers clash with stone-throwing Palestinian activists nr. the rebuilt “Gate of Jerusalem” protest tent camp in Abu Dis; 7 Palestinians are lightly injured with rubber-coated metal bullets. IDF troops also violently disperse Palestinian, Israeli, and international protesters at demonstrations against Israel’s separation wall, settlements, and occupation in 5 areas nr. Ramallah (Silwad, Bil‘in, Ni ‘lin, outside Ofer Prison, and Jalazun r.c.), and Kafr Qaddum nr. Qalqilya; 7 Palestinians are moderately injured and 4 French activists are detained. Israeli soldiers open fire on a Palestinian vehicle at a checkpoint n. of Jenin, injuring 2 men; shoot and injure 5 stone-throwing Palestinian youth with live ammunition during clashes sparked when the soldiers patrol in Jalazun r.c. nr. Ramallah. The IDF conducts a house search nr. Ramallah; patrols in 4 villages and al-‘Arub r.c. nr. Hebron, 2 villages nr. Tulkarm, and 1 nr. Qalqilya. In East Jerusalem, a Palestinian man rams his car into a group of Israeli police in Shaykh Jarrah, injuring 4 officers and 1 Israeli civilian. Israeli police shoot and critically injure the man, as he exits the car with a knife; they arrest him. The Israeli police summon the man’s father and brother for interrogation and increase security measures throughout the city. Israeli forces raid the man’s home in Ras al-Amud and homes in Silwan, sparking clashes; 2 Palestinians are injured and 2 are arrested. Hours after the attack, unknown assailants deface several gravestones at a Jewish cemetery on the Mount of Olives. (HA, JP, MNA, TOI, YA 3/6; MNA, WAFA 3/7; PCHR 3/12; HA 3/16)

In the Gaza Strip, a Palestinian man at the European Hospital in Khan Yunis succumbs to injuries sustained in an Israeli air strike on 8/3/2014 during OPE. In the West Bank, Israeli forces demolish and evacuate the tent camp “Gate of Jerusalem” after Palestinian and international activists rebuild it in Abu Dis for the 4th time. In separate incidents, IDF troops violently disperse Palestinian and international activists protesting outside Ofer military prison nr. Ramallah and in a village nr. Hebron, causing no injuries. The IDF conducts house searches and raids nr. Jenin and Hebron; patrols nr. Ramallah, Tulkarm, Hebron, and in al-Fawar r.c.; arrests 1 Palestinian outside al-Ibrahimi Mosque in c. Hebron. Israeli settlers park 5 mobile homes in a Palestinian village nr. Nablus, establishing a new outpost. Separately, an Israeli settler opens fire on Palestinian cars driving in the area, causing no injuries. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces arrest 1 Palestinian during a raid in the Old City. (MNA, WAFA 2/7)

PA Pres. Abbas establishes a special comm. to oversee cases to bring to the ICC, and senior PLO official Erakat will serve as its chair. (AFP, HA, WAFA 2/7)

The Jerusalem Planning and Construction Comm. approves a call for bids to build 64 new residences in the Ramot settlement in East Jerusalem. (MNA 2/7)

In the Gaza Strip, IDF troops e. of Khan Yunis open fire on Palestinian farmers nr. the border fence, causing damage. In the West Bank, dozens of Palestinian and international activists rebuild the “Gate of Jerusalem” tent camp in Abu Dis, and the IDF tears it down hours later for the 2d time in 2 days. Meanwhile, 100s of Palestinians march through Ramallah to the home of the Jordanian amb. following ISIS’s 2/3 video depicting its fighters killing a Jordanian hostage. In the morning, IDF troops raid a Palestinian high school in Nablus, evacuating it and detaining its principal and asst. principal. The IDF arrests a Palestinian child at the Allenby border crossing with Jordan; conducts house searches and arrest raids nr. Hebron, Ramallah, Salfit, and in Tulkarm. Israeli forces also deliver demolition orders to Palestinians in Silwan nr. Ramallah for several wells. In East Jerusalem, Israeli police arrest a 10-year-old Palestinian outside his home in al-Tur. In the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights, an IDF soldier is moderately injured by a landmine nr. the border. (HA, MNA, WAFA 2/4; MNA, WAFA 2/5; PCHR 2/12)

The Israeli govt. continues freezing transfers of tax revenues to the PA in response to the Palestinians’ accession to the ICC. Following the 1/2 freeze of NIS 500 m. (around $127.6 m.) of revenues collected in 12/2014, Israel collected around $100 m. worth of revenues in 1/2015. A senior Israeli official says that the freeze will continue until the govt. “finishes formulating its response to the PA’s unilateral move to the ICC, a step that runs contrary to all previous agreements.” (JP 2/4; MNA 2/11)

Israeli amb. to the U.S. Ron Dermer meets with 7 Jewish Democrats from the House of Reps. to discuss PM Netanyahu’s 3/3 speech to Congress. The mbrs. criticize the timing of the speech. (AP, POL 2/4)