The Palestine Chronology

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers attack a Palestinian vehicle traveling near Nahalin, causing damage. Israeli settlers also set fire to an agricultural structure in Ya’bad. Israeli forces shoot and kill a Palestinian child, claiming he tried to stab soldiers at a checkpoint near al-Eizariya. Israeli forces also demolish a Palestinian home in al-Burj, displacing 7 people. Elsewhere, Israeli forces erect a surveillance tower and place caravans near Beit Umar. Israeli forces also arrest 28 Palestinians during late-night raids in and around Silwad, Ramallah, Tulkarm, Hebron, Jenin, Tubas, and Nablus. In East Jerusalem, Israeli settlers tour the Haram al-Sharif compound. In Gaza, Israeli forces bomb Dayr al-Balah, Khan Yunis, Gaza City, and Nuseirat refugee camp, killing at least 113 people. Israeli naval forces bomb an UNRWA aid truck. Israeli forces abduct al-Amal Hospital general manager Haider al-Qaddura and administrative director Maher Atallah as 8,000 people are evacuated from the hospital in Khan Yunis, which has been under an Israeli siege for 2 weeks. In Beershaba, Israeli police shoot and kill a Palestinian citizen of Israel after he allegedly tries to grab an Israeli police officer’s weapon. In Lebanon, Hezbollah attacks 2 Israeli military positions in Shebaa Farms and 1 in Yiftah. Israeli forces kill 3 members of the Amal Movement in an airstrike. In Yemen, U.S. forces bomb a drone launch site. (AJ, HA, HA, UNOCHA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 2/5; UNOCHA, WAFA 2/6)

More than 27,478 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli forces in Gaza, including at least 11,500 children and 7,200 women, and around 66,835 have been injured since 10/7. At least 8,000 people are missing in rubble, including 1,700 children. 375 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli forces and settlers in the West Bank and East Jerusalem since 10/7, including 95 children. More than 4,415 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, including Israeli soldiers. In addition, 223 Israeli soldiers have been killed and 1,300 injured 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. At least 70,000 housing units have been destroyed and 290,000 have been damaged in Israeli airstrikes since 10/7, constituting over 60% of all housing units. UNOCHA says Palestinians sheltering in and around Khan Yunis and Rafah need 50,000 cold weather tents, 200,000 bedding sets, 200,000 sealing kits, and 200,000 winter clothing kits. 218 trucks carrying aid enter Gaza via the Rafah and Karem Abu Salem (Kerem Shalom) crossings. Jordanian and Dutch forces airdrop aid to the Jordanian Field Hospital in Gaza for the second day in a row. (AJ, UNOCHA, UNOCHA 2/5; AJ, UNOCHA 2/6)

The Israeli military issues evacuation orders for parts of Gaza City and Rafah. The military also says at least 540 Israeli soldiers have been injured in friendly fire since the ground invasion of Gaza began. (AJ, UNOCHA 2/5)

PA prime minister Mohammed Shtayyeh says Israel has not transferred the PA tax funds to Norway and that the PA has not received any of the money. President Mahmoud Abbas meets with French foreign minister Stephane Sejourne in Ramallah, calling on France to recognize the state of Palestine. Sejourne meets Israeli foreign minister Israel Katz earlier in the day, with Katz thanking Sejourne for suspending UNRWA funding. (AJ, WAFA, WAFA 2/5)

Israeli opposition leader Yair Lapid says he told Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that he would enter the emergency government to provide a safety net in favor of a ceasefire deal to get the remaining captives released. A no confidence motion against the government at the Knesset gets 21 votes in favor, failing to obtain the 61 votes required. (HA 2/5)

UN secretary-general Antonio Guterres appoints an independent review group led by former French foreign minister Catherine Colanna to assess UNRWA’s neutrality and Israeli allegations against the agency. UK’s Channel 4 reports, after seeing the 6-page dossier Israel used to accuse 12 UNRWA staffers of taking part in Operation Al-Aqsa Flood, that Israel “provides no evidence” to back its claim. Instead, the dossier states that “from intelligence information, documents, and identity cards seized during the course of the fighting, it is now possible to flag around 190 Hamas and PIJ terrorist operatives who serve as UNRWA employees. More than 10 UNRWA staffers took part in the seventh of October.” The New York Times reports that UNRWA will lose $65 million by the end of February due to funding suspensions by Germany, Japan, and Sweden. Spain says it will donate $3.8 million in aid to UNRWA.  (AJ, AJ, HA, HA, NYT, REU, WAFA 2/5; NYT 2/6; HA 2/7)

U.S. secretary of state Antony Blinken meets with Saudi crown prince Mohammed bin Salman in Riyadh, discussing humanitarian aid to Gaza and regional diplomacy. After the meeting, Blinken says that Saudi Arabia has a strong interest in pursuing normalization with Israel but that it requires “an end to the conflict in Gaza, and a clear, credible, time-bound path to the establishment of a Palestinian state.” Blinken also announces that the U.S. will cancel visas for employees of companies that provide spyware that is used against political activists, human rights defenders, and journalists. (AJ, AX, HA, HA, NYT, REU 2/5; AJ, HA, NYT 2/6)

At the UN Security Council, China and Russia criticize the U.S. for its airstrikes on Iraq and Syria on 2/3. (AJ 2/6)

Amnesty International says Israeli killings of Palestinians in the West Bank since 10/7/2023 show “a chilling disregard for Palestinian lives” and “are in blatant violation of international human rights law.” (AI, AJ 2/5)

A man on a motorbike attacks a Palestinian American man driving in Austin, Texas, stabbing and wounding him and pulling a Palestinian flag from the car. (AJ 2/6)

The Japanese company Itochu Corporation’s aviation unit announces it will end its strategic cooperation with the Israeli defense company Elbit Systems, citing the ICJ ruling from January. (AJ, REU, WAFA 2/5)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers fenced off a tract of Palestinian-owned land in Umm al-Ubur in the Jordan Valley. Israeli settlers also vandalized 25 olive trees and grapevines and erected tents at a water spring in Ein al-Beida. Elsewhere, Israeli settlers set fire to crops outside of Qusra. Israeli settlers also destroyed 2 tombstones at a graveyard in Burqa. Israeli forces shot and injured a 2-year-old Palestinian and his father outside of their home in Nabi Salih, claiming to be returning fire at Palestinian militants. The 2-year-old was evacuated by helicopter to a hospital in Israel for treatment and later succumbed to his succumbed to his wounds on 6/5. The Israeli military claimed that the incident would be investigated. Neither the family of the 2-year-old nor others in Nabi Salih had heard any other gun shots than those fired by the Israeli forces. Israeli forces also shot and injured 1 Palestinian at a checkpoint in Deir Sharaf. Elsewhere, Israeli forces issued a notice to a Palestinian family that they will seize 5 dunams (1.25 acres) of land in al-Mughayyir for construction of a military watchtower. Israeli forces also raided several towns in the Tulkarm area, violently dispersing Palestinians protesting the incursions; tear-gas related injuries were reported. 38 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in Tuqu, Beit Umar, Fawwar refugee camp, Ramallah, Nablus, Qabatiya, and Kafl Haris. Off the coast of Gaza, Israeli naval forces opened fire at Palestinian fishermen; no injuries were reported. (TOI, TOI, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 6/1; AA, AJ, AP, HA, JP, MEE 6/2; HA, WAFA 6/5; HA, HA 6/6; PCHR 6/8; UNOCHA 6/18)

The main entrances to al-Mughayyir were closed off by Israel for the 20th consecutive day. (WAFA 6/1)

The PA called on UNESCO to help prevent Israel from passing a law that would stifle speech on Palestine by Palestinian teachers in Israel. The law, which has passed 1 reading in the Knesset, would require security checks for Palestinian teachers in schools in Israel. (WAFA 6/1)

Officials from Hamas and Islamic Jihad met with officials from the Egyptian intelligence services. The meetings followed meetings between PA prime minister Mohammed Shtayyeh and Egyptian intelligence chief Abbas Kamal on 5/30. (HA 6/2)

Senior Israeli officials, including Shin Bet chief Ronen Bar, National Security Advisor Tzachi Hanegbi, and Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer met with U.S. officials, including CIA director William Burns, in Washington D.C. The 2 sides discussed growing instability in the West Bank and the PA’s diminishing standing among Palestinians. (AX 6/1; ALM, HA 6/2)

The BDS movement said that the security company G4S will sell its 25% stake in the Israeli company Policity to G1 following years of campaigning against the complicity of G4S in Israeli human rights violations against Palestinians. (WAFA 6/1)

In the West Bank, Israeli forces demolished 1 house under construction in Kafr ad-Dik and 1 agricultural structure in Birin. Israeli forces also demolished 2 homes near Hebron, displacing 12, demolished a nursery in al-Jib, and delivered a demolition notice against 1 school in Khashem al-Karm in the Masafer Yatta area. 3 Israeli soldiers also threw an explosive device at a house in Bethlehem; the 3, who are Druze citizens of Israel, were later arrested by Israel. 19 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in Tuqu’, Hizma, Qatanna, al-Bireh, Qalqilya, Nil’in, Deir Sharaf, Tulkarm, and Tammun. Off the coast of Gaza, Israeli naval forces arrested 6 Palestinian fishermen and seized their boat northwest of Rafah. (HA, MEE, MEMO, MEMO, REU, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 11/28; PCHR 11/29; PCHR 12/1; UNOCHA 12/16)

The Israeli military reported a rise in Israeli settler attacks on Palestinians from 426 recorded incidents in 2021 to 838 in 2022. It also released data claiming that Palestinian attacks on Israeli forces and settlers had risen from 91 incidents in 2021 to 281 in 2022. The Wall and Settlement Resistance Commission said the number of attacks carried out by Israeli settlers and soldiers was 833 for the month of November. (HA 11/28; MEMO 11/29; MEMO 12/2)

Israeli prime minister Yair Lapid wrote a letter to more than 50 heads of state, urging them to pressure the PA not to move forward with a UNGA resolution calling for the International Court of Justice to provide a legal opinion on the Israeli occupation. The draft resolution was adopted by the UN special political and decolonization committee with 98 votes in favor on 11/11. In the letter, Prime Minister Lapid also asked the countries to vote against the resolution should it be brought to the assembly. (HA, MEMO, REU 11/29)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers vandalized 20 olive trees in the Masafer Yatta area. Israeli forces demolished 1 Palestinian-owned home in Deir Salah in Area A. Israeli forces also raided the Palestine Technical University in Tulkarm, causing tear-gas related injuries. Elsewhere, Israeli forces opened fire near a girl’s school in Duma, causing panic among students. 1 Palestinian minor was arrested at the Havat Maon settlement. 9 others were arrested during late-night raids in Hebron, Harmala, Rafat, Tell, Jenin refugee camp, and al-Yamun. Off the coast of Gaza, Israeli naval forces opened fire at Palestinian fishermen; no injuries were reported. (WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 5/18; PCHR, WAFA 5/19; UNOCHA 6/4)

PA prime minister Mohammed Shtayyeh and foreign minister Riyad al-Maliki met with Dutch foreign minister Wopke Hoekstra in Ramallah. Foreign Minister Hoekstra also met with representatives from the Palestinian NGO Al Haq, drawing ire from Israel as Al Haq is 1 of 6 Palestinian rights organizations that were deemed terrorist organizations by Israel in 10/2021. Hoekstra subsequently told reporters that “there isn’t a single European state—nor the United States—that has arrived at the same conclusions as has Israel [in regards to the terrorism accusations]. If there is proof, then we should see and we should review it. An accusation in and of itself can never be sufficient for a country that subscribes to the rule of law.” (WAFA, WAFA 5/18; JP 5/19)

The Hamas-affiliated Islamic Wafa bloc won the Birzeit University student council elections with 28 of 51 seats. The Fatah-affiliated Shabibia bloc won 18 seats. (MEE, MEMO, MEMO 5/19; MEMO 5/20; ALM 5/25)

Haaretz reported that the leaders of Turkey, Jordan, and the UAE had accepted an invitation by Israel’s president Isaac Herzog to discuss regional cooperation in climate change. (HA 5/18)

In the West Bank, 1 Palestinian man shot by Israeli forces during a raid in Jenin refugee camp on 5/13 succumbed to his injuries. An Israeli settlement guard detained 1 Palestinian minor near the Yitzhar settlement. Israeli settlers also vandalized 50 olive trees in Yasuf. Israeli forces arrested 1 Palestinian man from al-Bireh carrying an axe; Israeli police claimed that a suicide note was found on his person. Israeli forces also violently dispersed Palestinian protesters during a Nakba Day commemoration near al-Bireh, injuring 20, including 7 with live ammunition, 3 with baton rounds, and 6 with tear gas. Elsewhere, Israeli forces violently dispersed Palestinians commemorating the Nakba at Palestine Technical University in Tulkarm, causing tear-gas related injuries. Israeli forces also delivered a demolition notice for 1 house in as-Samu. Off the coast of Gaza, Israeli naval forces opened fire at Palestinian fishermen northwest of Rafah; no injuries were reported. In Israel, Israeli forces arrested 3 Palestinian students at Tel Aviv University during a Nakba Day protest, claiming the 3 had assaulted right-wing counter protesters; 2 were released the same day. (AJ, AP, AX, HA, HA, MEE, REU, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 5/15; HA, MDW, MEMO, MEMO 5/16; PCHR 5/19; UNOCHA 6/4)

Israel reopened the crossings between Gaza and Israel for the 1st time since 5/3. (HA 5/14; MEMO 5/15; PCHR 5/19)

The Israeli high court of justice rejected 4 petitions against the planned Jerusalem cable car project. The project had been heavily criticized by Palestinians for seeking to deepen the Israeli occupation of East Jerusalem and by Israelis who believe the cable car would harm the aesthetics of the city. (AP, HA, REU 5/15; MEE 5/16)

The Jerusalem Post reported that Israeli prime minister Naftali Bennett instructed his government to examine options of demolishing the family homes of Palestinian citizens of Israel convicted of committing attacks against Israeli Jews and whether Israel can deport their families to Gaza. (JP 5/16)

Berlin police arrested more than 170 pro-Palestine protesters marking Nakba Day. Berlin police had banned all Palestinian events and protests in the days surrounding Nakba Day, citing the potential for anti-Semitic sentiments. 1 of the banned pro-Palestine protests was organized by the Jewish organization Jüdische Stimme. (HRW 5/20; +972 5/21)

Members of the Somalia parliament elected Hassan Sheikh Mohamud as the country’s new president. During Mohamud’s previous tenure, he secretly met with then Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Tel Aviv in 2016, discussing potential normalization. (TOI 5/22)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers with military protection raided Qaryut; no injuries were reported. Israeli settlers also razed 10 dunams (2.5 acres) of Palestinian-owned land in al-Farisiya. Elsewhere, Israeli settlers stole 35 olive tree saplings near Azmut. Israeli forces razed Palestinian-owned land in Burin. Israeli forces also shot and injured 1 Palestinian man trying to enter Israel for work by the separation barrier near Tulkarm. Off the coast of Gaza, Israeli naval forces opened fire at Palestinian fishermen within 6 nautical miles northwest of Rafah; no injuries were reported. (WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 4/24; PCHR 4/28; UNOCHA 5/13)

The Israeli high court of justice denied a petition to reopen an investigation into the killing of 4 Palestinian children by Israeli forces in 2014. The justices said the petitioners did not point to sufficient flaws in the attorney general’s decision to close the investigation. The petition was filed by Adalah, Al Mezan, and the Palestinian Centre for Human Rights. (AP, HA, PCHR 4/24; WAFA 4/25; MDW 4/26; PCHR 4/27; AJ 4/30)

1 Palestinian man was sentenced to life in prison for the murder of 1 Israeli man in Israel in 2020. The Palestinian man was also ordered to pay $79,000 to the family of the Israeli man. (HA, TOI, WAFA 4/24)

Israeli prime minister Naftali Bennett spoke to U.S. president Joe Biden, who said he would be visiting Israel in the coming months. The 2 also discussed potential U.S. plans to delist the Iranian Revolutionary Guard from its list of terrorist organizations—a move Israel opposes—and violence in Jerusalem. (ABC, AJ, AP, AX, HA, HILL, JP, MEE, REU, TOI 4/24)

Jordanian king Abdullah II, Egyptian president Abdel-Fattah al-Sisi, and UAE crown prince Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan met in Cairo, discussing trilateral ties and the situation at the Haram al-Sharif compound. (NAT, TOI 4/24)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers wrote racist graffiti on houses and slashed the tires of Palestinian-owned vehicles in Fara‘ata. Israeli settlers also rammed 2 Israeli soldiers with their cars at a checkpoint near the Homesh settlement outpost. Israeli forces delivered a demolition notice for 1 Palestinian home in Kisan and stop-work orders for 1 school and 8 residential and agricultural structures in Shaab al-Batn in the Masafer Yatta area. In Gaza, Israeli forces made incursions and leveled land near Beit Hanun. 16 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in Bayt Rima, Tulkarm, Tubas, Marah Rabah, Bethlehem, Hebron, Deir Sammit, as-Samu, and Yatta. In Gaza, Israeli forces opened fire on agricultural lands east of Abasan; no injuries were reported. Off the coast of Gaza, Israeli naval forces opened fire on Palestinian fishermen northwest of Rafah; no injuries were reported. (WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 3/14; HA, MEMO 3/16; HA, PCHR 3/17; UNOCHA 3/25)

PA prime minister Mohammed Shtayyeh met with U.S. deputy assistant secretary for Israeli and Palestinian affairs Hady Amr in Ramallah, discussing the PA economy and the Palestinian people’s frustration with the lack of progress in their situation. (WAFA, WAFA 3/14)

In the West Bank, Israeli forces seized equipment worth around $30,000 in a quarry near Beit Fajjar, Israeli forces had earlier in the day sealed off a road leading to the quarry. Israeli forces also set up mobile structures on Palestinian-owned land in Khirbat Humsa. Elsewhere, Israeli forces demolished 3 Palestinian-owned structures near al-Ramadin; 1 Palestinian journalist working for WAFA was assaulted and another Palestinian was detained during the demolition. Israeli forces also demolished 25 produce stands near al-Jalama checkpoint north of Jenin. 32 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids, including 21 in al-Am‘ari refugee camp, 1 Palestinian was also was bitten by a police dog. PA forces opened fire at a sit-in protest in front of the education directorate headquarters in Tubas, injuring 2 with live ammunition bullet shrapnel. The Palestinian students were peacefully protesting in Tubas, Bethlehem, Ramallah, Tulkarm, and Nablus, demanding that parts of the matriculation exams are removed due to the COVID-19 virus. The Tubas governor said that an investigation into the incident was underway and that it was the action of 1 individual. 11 others were arrested during late-night raids in Qalqilya, Qatanna, Tuqu‘, and Sa‘ir. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces punitively demolished the family home, in Shu‘fat refugee camp, of 1 Palestinian man who was killed after killing 1 Israeli settler and injuring 4 others in the Old City on 11/21/2021. In Gaza, Israeli forces made incursions and leveled agricultural land east of Khan Yunis and north of Bayt Lahiya. Off the coast of Gaza, Israeli naval forces opened fire at Palestinian fishermen within 3 nautical miles west of the shore; no injuries were reported. (AP, HA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 2/1; MEMO 2/2; AJ, MEMO, PCHR 2/3; UNOCHA 2/11)

Israel’s interior ministry said it would start processing family unification requests from Palestinians over the age of 50 who had received residency permits within the last 5 years. The ministry said it would start with that age group because they pose less of a security threat. If a family unification request is approved, the Palestinian will be “upgraded” to “temporary resident” with social benefits. There are 1,680 requests waiting as the Israeli interior ministry has refused to process the requests despite a temporary ban on Palestinian unifications expiring in July 2021. The Association for Civil Rights in Israel, Hamoked, and Physicians for Human Rights said Israel should start reviewing all applications and not just those for Palestinians over the age of 50. (HA 2/1)

Amnesty International released a 280-page report named “Israel’s Apartheid Against Palestinians: Cruel System of Domination and Crime Against Humanity,” prepared over the last 4 years. Amnesty said in its report that it had found that “Israel has imposed a system of oppression and domination over Palestinians wherever it exercises control over the enjoyment of their rights—across Israel and the OPT and with regard to Palestinian refugees. The segregation is conducted in a systematic and highly institutionalized manner through laws, policies and practices, all intended to prevent Palestinians from claiming and enjoying equal rights to Jewish Israelis within Israel and the OPT, and thus intended to oppress and dominate the Palestinian people.” Amnesty concluded that this institutionalized discrimination perpetrated by Israel is “the international wrong of apartheid, as a human rights violation and a violation of public international law wherever it imposes this system.” Its research was based on “relevant Israeli legislation, regulations, military orders, directives by government institutions and statements by Israeli government and military officials.” Amnesty said that “Israel must grant equal and full human rights to all Palestinians in Israel and the OPT in line with principles of international human rights law and without discrimination, while ensuring respect for protections guaranteed for Palestinians in the OPT under international humanitarian law. It must also recognize the right of Palestinian refugees and their descendants to return to homes where they or their families once lived in Israel or the OPT. In addition, Israel must provide victims of human rights violations, crimes against humanity and serious violations of international humanitarian law—and their families—with full reparations. These should include restitution of and compensation for all properties acquired on a racial basis.” The Israeli foreign ministry called the report anti-Semitic. Amnesty refuted the charged said that Israel is diverting attention away from its violations of Palestinians’ human rights. U.S. state department spokesperson Ned Price said that the U.S. does not agree with Amnesty’s assessment “that Israel’s actions constitute apartheid.” Neither U.S. or Israeli senior officials commented on the evidence presented in the report. The UK and Germany also said they disagreed with the terminology of apartheid used in the report. The PA foreign ministry welcomed the report. (AP, HA, HA, JDF, WAFA 1/31; +972, AI, AJ, AP, CNN, GDN, HA, HA, HA, HILL, IN, JP, MDW, MEE, MEMO, MEMO, MEMO, MEMO, POL, REU, SKY, TOI, TOI, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WP 2/1; HA, HA, JP, JP, MDW, PCHR, WAFA, WAFA 2/2; +972, MEE, MEMO 2/3; TOI, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 2/4; AJ 2/5)

Israeli prime minister Naftali Bennett said at a conference in Tel Aviv that Israel will start using lasers to intercept missiles “within a year.” (ALM, AP, HA, JP, MEMO, REU 2/1)

A vice president of the American telecommunications company Mobileum said that he had alerted the FBI to a meeting between the Israeli company NSO Group and Mobileum in 2017, saying that the NSO Group sought to buy access to the SS7 network. Mobileum did not deny the meeting but said that no deal was made with the NSO Group. The former employee who now works for Citizen Lab filed a whistleblower complaint about the meeting and presented evidence to the U.S. justice department, the securities and exchange commission, and the federal communications commission in June 2021. The former VP said that NSO Group senior employees explicitly said during the meeting that they would “drop off bags of cash in [the VP’s] office.” The former VP also said that if the NSO Group had gained access to the SS7 network, it would have “access to the home networks of operators around the world, access to millions and millions of users without bypassing any sort of security controls. That’s a very tantalizing capability for them to have.” (AJ, GDN, HA, MEE, WP 2/1)

In the West Bank, an Israeli settler rammed by car 1 Palestinian man walking at the Beit Sira checkpoint, killing the man; it was unclear whether the settler rammed the man intentionally. Israeli settlers also tried to attack a car repair shop in Bazariya, but were repelled by Palestinians. Israeli forces shot and killed 1 Palestinian man during a late-night raid in Balata refugee camp; Israel claimed the man had opened fire at Israeli soldiers raiding the camp; no Israelis were injured. Israeli forces also seized 1 excavator in Dura. 8 Palestinian minors were killed in a traffic accident in the Jordan Valley; PA president Mahmoud Abbas declared a day of national mourning after the accident. 21 Palestinians were arrested in Ramallah, Nablus, Hebron, al-Far‘a refugee camp, and Tulkarm; during the raid in al-Far‘a refugee camp, Israeli forces injured 1 Palestinian with a rubber-coated bullet and others with tear gas. In East Jerusalem, 2 Palestinians were arrested. Off the coast of Gaza, Israeli naval forces opened fire at Palestinian fishermen within 6 nautical miles northwest of Rafah; no injuries were reported. In Gaza, Israeli forces opened fire at agricultural lands east of Dayr al-Balah and Maghazi; no injuries were reported. (AJ, AP, AP, HA, HA, MEE, MEMO, REU, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 1/6; PCHR 1/13)

Israeli deputy economy minister Yair Golan from the Meretz party called Israeli settler attacks on Palestinians a pogrom, in relation to attacks near at the Homesh settlement outpost. Deputy Economy Minister Golan was condemned by many Israeli politicians for his comments, and for calling the settlers “subhuman,” including by Prime Minister Naftali Bennett who said Golan’s remarks were “bordering blood libel” and that “[s]ettlement activity in the West Bank represents modern-day pioneering.” (AP, HA, TOI 1/6; HA, MEMO 1/7; HA, MEMO 1/8)

The Dutch government announced that it will no longer provide funding to the Union of Agricultural Work Committees (UAWC). Israel put UAWC, along with 5 other Palestinian rights organizations, on its terror list on 10/22/2021, claiming that the organizations are linked to the PFLP. The international community, including the EU, has criticized the terror designations for the organizations, saying Israel have not provided any evidence to support its claims. The Dutch government’s decision follows an external review predating the Israeli terror designation, which found that UAWC employees have personal ties to members of the PFLP, but that no funding has been used for PFLP purposes and that there are no organizational links between the PFLP and UAWC. The PA condemned the Netherlands’ decision to end funding, calling it pandering to anti-Palestinian sentiments. (AJ, ALM, AP, MEE, MEMO, WAFA, WAFA 1/6; AJ, WAFA 1/10; MEMO 1/11)

The Israeli military attorney told Adalah that it would not hand over the alleged evidence against the 6 rights organizations deemed terrorists by Israel, saying that the evidence is classified. (Adalah, WAFA 1/6)

Israeli Walla News reported that Israel’s director of European affairs at the foreign ministry, Aliza Bin Noun, shouted at European diplomats during a meeting where the Europeans complained about Israeli plans to build new settlements in East Jerusalem and the West Bank. (MEE, MEMO 1/7)

A U.S. district judge in New York dismissed a lawsuit brought against the PLO and PA for the stabbing of 1 American man in an Israeli settlement in the West Bank in 2018. The judge called the U.S. law the Anti-Terrorism Clarification Act of 2018, that allows individuals to sue the PLO and the PA, unconstitutional. (REU 1/7; WAFA 1/8)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers threw stones at Palestinians driving near Silat ad-Dhahr. Israeli forces delivered stop-work notices for 9 houses in al-Ramadin and Arab Abu Farda near Qalqilya and demolished 2 agricultural structures in Tarqumiyah. Israeli forces also violently dispersed Palestinian protesters in Hebron, causing tear-gas related injuries. 9 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in Jalazun refugee camp, Beitunia, Silwad, Rantis, Tulkarm, Jannatah, and Beit ‘Anan; Israeli forces violently dispersed Palestinians protesting the raid in Beit ‘Anan with live ammunition and tear gas and no injuries were reported. In Gaza, Israel said it had downed a drone belonging to Hamas, which crashed into the sea. Off the coast of Gaza, Israeli naval forces opened fire at Palestinian fishermen 2 and 6 nautical miles from the coast; no injuries were reported. (HA, MEMO, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 11/8; PCHR 11/11)

Islamic Jihad charged the PA with creating division among Palestinians by arresting its members in the West Bank. It was unclear when and how many members of Islamic Jihad the PA had arrested. (MEMO 11/9)

PA prime minister Mohammed Shtayyeh met with a bi-partisan group of senators led by Chris Coons (D-DE) in Ramallah. The group discussed reopening the consulate to Palestinians in Jerusalem and U.S. aid to Palestinians. (WAFA 11/8; TOI 11/10)

In Syria, Israeli forces conducted air strikes in Homs and Tartus, injuring 2 Syrian soldiers and causing damage. (HA 11/8)

Haaretz reported that the Israeli military did not know that AP and Al Jazeera had offices in al-Jalaa high-rise in Gaza before deciding to level it on 5/15. Top officials in the Israeli military, including chief of staff Aviv Kochavi, were alerted to the fact after the decision was made to target the building, but before the strike was carried out, and nevertheless decided to go ahead with the strike. Israel never publicly released any evidence to back its claim that Hamas operated out of al-Jalaa building. (HA, MEMO 11/8)

The Washington Post reported that Israel has a secret program called Blue Wolf that includes a large database of pictures of Palestinians taken by Israeli soldiers incentivized with prizes. The pictures are then used to enhance Israel’s facial recognition technology, allowing the occupation to monitor the movements of Palestinians in the West Bank. The sources told The Post that Israeli soldiers have an app on their phone called Wolf Pack, which contains pictures, family history, education, and a security rating for “virtually every Palestinian in the West Bank.” As part of the surveillance program, Israel has installed face-scanning cameras in Hebron. 1 former Israeli soldier told the Post that in some cases, Israel can see into Palestinian private homes. (HA, MEMO, WP 11/8; MEE 11/9)

Front Line Defenders published an investigation showing that the Israeli NSO Group’s Pegasus spyware had been used to spy on 6 Palestinian human rights activists, including 1 field researcher working for Al-Haq, the executive director of Bisan Center for Research and Development—a U.S. citizen—1 Palestinian lawyer who works for Addameer and had his permanent residency in East Jerusalem revoked on 10/18, and 3 unidentified Palestinians. Front Line Defenders investigated 75 iPhones and found 6 were infected with Pegasus spyware, later confirmed by Citizen Lab and Amnesty International. The 3 named victims work for organizations deemed to be terrorist groups by Israel’s defense minister Benny Gantz on 10/22 for alleged connections with the PFLP. NSO Group was blacklisted by the U.S. on 11/3 for facilitating attacks on human rights activists and journalists. AJ, ALM, AP, Front Line Defenders, GDN, HA, HA, IT, MEMO, REU 11/8; HA 11/9; MEMO 11/11)

6 progressive-leaning members of U.S. congress, including Jamaal Bowman (D-NY), Mondaire Jones (D-NY), Rosa DeLauro (D-CT), Barbara Lee (D-CT), Melanie Stansbury (D-NM), and Mark Pocan (D-MN) met with Israel’s foreign minister Yair Lapid during a J Street-sponsored trip to Israel and Palestine. (HA 11/8)

A U.S. court rejected NSO Group’s claim of immunity in a lawsuit brought by Facebook, also known as Meta Platforms Inc., about the hacking of its WhatsApp servers. (HA 11/8; MEMO 11/9)

In the West Bank, 7 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in and around Bayt Rima, Ein Yabrud, Turmus ‘Ayya, Abu Njeim, Hebron, and Tulkarm. In East Jerusalem, 1 Israeli settler tried to strangle 1 Palestinian taxi driver, but the Palestinian was able to wrestle himself free, escaping with bruises. 4 Palestinians were arrested during house raids in al-Tur, Silwan, and the Old City. Off the coast of Gaza, Israeli naval forces opened fire at Palestinian fishermen within 3 nautical miles west of Gaza; no injuries were reported. (MEMO, WAFA 9/20; PCHR 9/23)

PA prime minister Mohammed Shtayyeh summarized Israeli prime minister Naftali Bennett’s policy toward Palestine as the “3 nos”: no to contacts with PA president Mahmoud Abbas, no to negotiations, no to a Palestinian state. Shtayyeh called on the international community to reflect on Bennett’s policy and its implications for feasibility of the 2-state solution. (WAFA 9/17; WAFA 9/20)

The PA said it was unable to provide cash aid to impoverished Palestinian families as the EU has not provided its annual aid to the PA, reportedly due to a technicality. (MEMO, WAFA 9/20)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers attacked 1 Palestinian man in Jalud with sticks and rocks; when Israeli forces arrived, they fired stun grenades at other Palestinians trying to help the man being assaulted. The man was later taken to a hospital for his injuries; Yesh Din released a video of the incident. The same group of settlers also uprooted olive, pine, and cypress seedlings and damaged power lines in the area. Israeli forces shot, injured, and arrested 1 Palestinian man in Qatanna. 3 others were arrested at military checkpoints near Tulkarm and Taqqua. Off the coast of Gaza, Israeli naval forces opened fire at Palestinian fishermen within 3 nautical miles west of Bayt Lahiya; no injuries were reported but there was reported damage to fishing nets. (WAFA 4/3; HA, WAFA 4/4; PCHR 4/8)

The PA said it will ease the COVID-19-related lockdown by reopening schools for pupils in grades 1-6. The PA also extended the COVID-related state of emergency for another 30 days. (WAFA, WAFA 4/3)

Jordan said it had foiled a “malicious plot” against the country and put around 2 dozen people in house arrest, including former crown prince and half-brother of King Abdullah II, Prince Hamzah bin Hussein. Jordan said that an Israeli national with ties to the Mossad, Roy Shaposhnik, was aiding the plot and had arranged for Prince Hamzah and his wife to be flown out of the country on a private jet. Shaposhnik told Axios that he was not part of the plot, nor in the Mossad, but said that he did offer assistance to Prince Hamzah because of their friendship. Shaposhnik was previously an advisor to then prime minister Ehud Olmert. In a recording sent to BBC, Prince Hamzah said he was sent into house arrest because he was associated with critics of the Jordanian government and then criticized corruption and lack of freedom of speech in Jordan, but denied being part of a plot. Among the other people put under house arrest were Sharif Hassan bin Zaid and Bassem Ibrahim Awadallah, who are both members of the royal family. Awadallah is also a former minister of planning and finance. Prince Hamzah was crown prince from when his father King Hussein died in 1999 until 2004. A number of Jordanian allies including the U.S., the PA, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, the UAE, and the Arab League expressed support of Abdullah II. Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu did not comment on the situation, but defense minister Benny Gantz expressed support for Abdullah II. (AJ, AP, REU 4/3; AJ, AJ, AJ, AP, AX, BBC, HA, HA, HA, HA, NPR, NYT, REU, TOI, WAFA 4/4; AX, CNN, WAFA, WAFA 4/5; JP 4/6)

In the West Bank, Israeli forces demolished 15 tents, seized 3 vehicles, and arrested 1 Palestinian activist trying to prevent the forces from demolishing and seizing Palestinian property in Khirbat Humsa; Israeli forces demolished 25 structures in Khirbet Humsa on 2/1. The EU said it would send representatives to Khirbet Humsa on 2/4 to witness the destruction; more than 70 Palestinians were displaced during the mass demolitions on 2/1 and 2/3. Israeli forces also conducted military drills in the Masafer Yatta area, damaging crops and agricultural structures for the 2d day in a row. Elsewhere, Israeli forces demolished 1 house under construction in Anata and 11 vending stalls near Jenin. Israeli forces also delivered 1 demolition notice for a house in al-Khadir. 25 Palestinians were arrested during raids in and around Tuqu‘, al-Fawar refugee camp, Bayt Umar, Hizma, Salfit, Nablus, Sabastiyya, Tulkarm, and Qabatiya. In Gaza, Israeli forces opened fire at Palestinian farmers east of al-Shuka and arrested 1 Palestinian in the vicinity of the Gaza fence; no injuries were reported. Off the coast of Gaza, Israeli naval forces opened fire at Palestinian fishermen 3 nautical miles west of al-Sudaniyya; no injuries were reported. (REU, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 2/3; AP, HA, HA, NBC, PCHR, WAFA, WAFA 2/4; OCHA 2/5)

The Israeli high court of justice approved the punitive demolition of the family home of 1 Palestinian accused of killing an Israeli settler on 12/20/2020. The punitive demolition will displace 7 people: the accused Palestinian, his wife, 3 children, and 2 parents. (HA 2/3)

Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu appointed retired police major general Aharon Franco to lead efforts to combat violence in Palestinian communities in Israel and said he had allocated $30 million for the efforts. Franco has made degrading comments about Muslims in Israel in the past. The Israeli plan to combat violence in the Palestinian communities includes confiscating weapons and the construction of police and fire stations in several cities and towns. Ayman Odeh of Hadash (The Democratic Front for Peace and Equality) called the plan inadequate and an “election ploy.” (HA 2/4)

3 of the 4 parties in the Joint Arab List announced they will remain on the same slate for the March elections as the more conservative Ra’am (United Arab List) broke with the alliance. The 3 remaining parties in the Joint Arab List are Hadash, Ta’al (Arab Movement for Renewal), and Balad (National Democratic Alliance). Hadash leader Ayman Odeh will continue to lead the slate. The leader of Ra’am Mansour Abbas said his party had not decided on who it would support amidst rumors that the party will support Benjamin Netanyahu. (HA 2/3; AJ, AP 2/4; MEMO 2/5)

Israeli forces conducted air strikes in Syria near Quneitra, causing damage but no injuries. Israeli forces also flew a drone over Lebanon, which evaded an anti-aircraft missile fired at it. Hezbollah said it shot down an Israeli drone on 2/1. (AP, HA, HA 2/3; AJ, JP, JP 2/4)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers emptied wastewater on Palestinian agricultural lands near Sabastiyya. Israeli settlers also assaulted Palestinians harvesting olives in Dayr al-Hatab, forcing the farmers to leave. Elsewhere, in the northern part of the Jordan Valley, Israeli settlers set up a cow shed and brought cows to Palestinian-owned land. Israeli forces demolished 1 market stall in Qalqilya and delivered stop-work orders for 3 houses and dozens of other structures in Qalandia. 5 Palestinians were arrested during raids in and around Tulkarm, al-‘Arub refugee camp, and Jericho. In East Jerusalem, 4 Palestinians were arrested during raids. In Gaza, Israeli forces fired 2 missiles, hitting empty land east of Dayr al-Balah, claiming that 1 rocket was fired toward Israel earlier in the day; no injuries were reported. Israel also said it had found a tunnel running near Khan Yunis tens of meters into Israel. Israel later claimed that the tunnel was built by Hamas. Off the coast of Gaza, Israeli naval forces opened fire on Palestinian fishermen within 4 nautical miles off the shore of al-Sudaniyya; no injuries were reported. (HA, HA, HA, REU, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 10/20; AJ, HA, WAFA 10/21; PCHR 10/22)

1 Palestinian man died while working in a quarry owned by the settler company Shapir Engineering and Manufacturing near the Modi’in Illit settlement in the West Bank. His employer did not call the Israeli ambulance service that the worker was entitled to as he was employed by a settler company, but rather called the Palestinian Red Crescent, which took 30 minutes to arrive at the scene and brought the Palestinian to a hospital in Ramallah, where he was pronounced dead. The employer also did not notify the police of the death. The family of the deceased Palestinian said that if the Israeli ambulance had been called he might have survived as they were stationed closer to the accident. (HA 10/26)

An envoy from the UAE accompanied by U.S. secretary of the treasury Steven Mnuchin and U.S. envoy for the peace process Avi Berkowitz was welcomed in Tel Aviv airport by Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu, foreign minister Gabi Ashkenazi, and finance minister Israel Katz. In the Tel Aviv airport, Israel and the UAE signed a mutual visa waiver agreement allowing citizens of both countries to travel to and from each other without obtaining a visa. The parties also signed a preliminary agreement to have oil from the UAE run through an Israeli pipeline supplying the European market. A member of the PLO executive committee Wasel Abu Youssef called the visit “shameful” and said such a visit emboldens Israel in committing crimes against Palestinians. A Hamas spokesperson, Hazem Qassem, said the visit “only encourage[s] the occupation to pursue the gradual annexation of West Bank lands.” Last week on 14 and 15 October, Israel announced 5,000 new settlement units in various settlements in the West Bank. (AJ, AJ, HA, HA, REU 10/20; TOI 10/21; LT, REU 10/22)

Israel struck a target in Syria; according to Syrian state media SANA, Israel hit a school in a village in Quneitra Province. However, the London-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said it was a Hezbollah facility that was hit by the Israeli strike. (HA 10/21)

In the West Bank, Israel delivered demolition notices for 1 residential tent and 1 animal barn in Atuf. Israeli forces razed Palestinian-owned agricultural lands southeast of Tulkarm. Israeli forces also shot and injured 1 Palestinian man trying to enter Israel for work near Tulkarm. 2 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in and around Bethlehem. In East Jerusalem, Israeli authorities banned PA governor of Jerusalem Adnan Ghaith from entering the West Bank for 6 months. Governor Ghaith was summoned by Israeli forces earlier in the day. 1 Palestinian was arrested during a raid in Issawiyya. In Gaza, Israeli forces fired missiles at Gaza after incendiary balloons from Gaza sparked fires in southern Israel. Israeli defense minister Benny Gantz ordered the entire Gaza fishing zone closed as collective punishment for incendiary balloons and rockets sent toward Israel. 1 Palestinian man was also seriously injured after coming in contact with an Israeli unexploded ordnance near al-Zaytun. Palestinian officials said that Gaza’s only power plant would stop producing power from 8/18 due to Israel’s embargo on fuel going to Gaza. Off the coast of Gaza, Israeli naval forces opened fire on Palestinian fishermen 1.5 nautical miles off Gaza City and Khan Yunis; no injuries were reported. (AJ, HA, HA, PCHR, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 8/16; PCHR 8/19)

PA president Mahmoud Abbas spoke with French president Emmanuel Macron. President Macron said that the 2 spoke about resumption of peace negotiations. (HA, WAFA 8/16)

Israel and the UAE began direct talks to arrange the details of establishing full diplomatic relations. The 2 countries and the U.S. announced on 8/13 that the UAE would normalize ties with Israel. Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu said in an interview that the U.S. had asked him to suspend annexation of parts of the West Bank in exchange for normalization with the UAE. He further stated that he had no choice in the matter and that annexation was still part of the U.S administration’s peace plan. In an interview with Haaretz, UAE director of strategic communications of the ministry of foreign affairs Hend Al Otaiba said that the UAE and Israel are working toward exchanging ambassadors. When asked about if the embassy would be located in Jerusalem, Al Otaiba answered, “We’re bound by international resolutions as well as an Arab position that wants an independent Palestinian state with Jerusalem as its capital.” The PA ambassador to the UAE arrived in Ramallah after being withdrawn because of the UAE-Israel deal. (HA, HA 8/16; HA, HA, 8/17)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers set up caravans near Madama. Israeli settlers also threw stones at Palestinian-owned vehicles traveling near Qalqilya. Israeli forces demolished 2 Palestinian buildings under construction in Anata. Israeli forces and Palestinians clashed at a checkpoint near al-Fawar refugee camp, leading to tear-gas related injuries. 2 Palestinians were arrested, including 1 at a checkpoint near Nablus and 1 during a raid near Tulkarm. In East Jerusalem, 4 Palestinians were arrested in and around al-Tur, Issawiyya, and Silwan. In Gaza, Israeli forces opened fire on agricultural lands east of Khuza‘a; no injuries were reported. Off the shore of Gaza, Israeli naval forces opened fire on Palestinian fishermen northwest of Rafah; no injuries were reported. (WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 6/25; PCHR 7/2)

In what seemed to be another push to normalize Israel, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that the UAE had signed a deal with Israel to cooperate on COVID-19 issues. However, shortly after Netanyahu’s announcement, UAE state media and a spokesperson from the UAE foreign ministry said that the deal was signed between 2 private companies in the UAE and 2 private companies in Israel. (AJ, NYT, REU 6/25; HA 6/26)

U.S. officials told Reuters that the White House meetings on Israeli annexation of parts of the West Bank this week did not end up with a final decision on the U.S. position on the matter. (HA, REU 6/25)

189 Democratic members of the House signed a letter to the Israeli government expressing concern over potential efforts to unilaterally annex parts of the West Bank. (Ted Deutch, WAFA 6/25)

Germany contributed with $3.3 million in financing for the Salfit Sewerage Project. (WAFA 6/25)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers chopped down 36 olive trees in Burin. Israeli settlers and military escort toured Joseph’s Tomb in Nablus, leading to confrontations with Palestinians; tear-gas related injuries were reported. Israeli forces demolished a residential structure, displacing 10 people in Bayt Umar. 19 Palestinians were arrested during raids in and around Qalqilya, ‘Azun, Tulkarm, Ramallah, Bethlehem, and Hebron. In East Jerusalem, Israeli authorities banned the former mufti of Jerusalem, Shaykh Ikrima Sabri, from entering the Haram al-Sharif compound for 4 months. Off the coast of Gaza, Israeli naval forces opened fire on Palestinian fishermen north of Rafah; no injuries were reported. (WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 6/4; PCHR 6/11)

PA prime minister Mohammad Shtayyeh said that the PA would not trade Israeli-withheld PA tax revenue for political concessions, saying “[t]he question of Palestine is not that of money, but of rights, dignity and freedom.” (WAFA 6/5)

The PA responded to the ICC’s request for clarification on the PA’s decision to end all agreements with Israel and the U.S. in light of the impeding annexation of parts of the West Bank. In its response, the PA said that ending agreements with Israel and the U.S. does “not in any way purport to, nor does it, legally affect the question [of the ICC jurisdiction relating to Israeli war crimes in the occupied Palestinian territories] presently before the Chamber.” (HA 6/5; WAFA 6/6)

Syrian state media and the British-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR) reported Israeli air strikes in Hama. According to SOHR, 9 people were killed, including 4 Syrians. According to Syrian state media, Syrian forces intercepted 1 Israeli attack. (HA 6/4; AJ 6/5)

Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives Nancy Pelosi (D-NY) said at an online event that Israeli annexation of parts of the West Bank undermines U.S. national security interests. (HA 6/4)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers razed 350 dunams (86.5 acres) of land northwest of Jericho and prevented farmers in Kisan from plowing their land. Elsewhere, Israeli settlers attacked Palestinian homes in Burin; no injuries were reported. Israeli forces handed a demolition notice for a house southwest of Hebron. 17 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in and around Jenin, Nablus, Salfit, Tulkarm, Abu Dis, and Ramallah. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces demolished 6 structures (2 of which were residential): 5 in Jabal Mukabir and 1 in Silwan. 3 Palestinians were arrested, including 2 during house raids and 1 Waqf guard at the Haram al-Sharif compound. Off the coast of Gaza, Israeli naval forces opened fire on Palestinian fishermen within 3 nautical miles west of Gaza City; no injuries were reported. In Gaza, Israeli forces made incursions to level land. (WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 6/2; PCHR 6/4)

Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu told settler leaders during a meeting that Israeli annexation of the West Bank will be promoted independently of the U.S. peace plan, according to Haaretz sources. (HA 6/2)

The Jordanian foreign minister Ayman Safadi told members of the Ad Hoc Liaison Committee that Israeli annexation of parts of the West Bank would “not go unanswered” and would “diminish all chances for a lasting and comprehensive regional peace.” (HA 6/2)

The French government contributed $9 million to the PA 2020 budget. (WAFA 6/2)

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

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

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers set a car on fire and wrote racist graffiti on walls in Taybeh, and 3 cars were vandalized with graffiti and slashed tires in Dayr ‘Ammar. Israeli settlers also vandalized 30 Palestinian-owned olive trees in al-Sawiya. Israeli forces opened fire on Palestinians trying to enter Israel south of Tulkarm; 1 Palestinian was injured by live ammunition. Elsewhere, in al-‘Arub refugee camp, Israeli forces and Palestinians clashed at a checkpoint, leading to tear-gas related injuries. There was no mass organized protest in Gaza, as the organizing committee behind the Great March of Return called off the protest on 11/27. However, some 300 Palestinians still protested east of Khan Yunis; Israeli forces violently dispersed the protest and 1 minor was killed and 7 others injured by live ammunition. Later, 1 rocket was fired toward Israel, causing no damage or injuries, and Israel conducted several airstrikes in Gaza, causing damage but no injuries. Off the coast of Gaza, Israeli naval forces opened fire on Palestinian fishermen 3 nautical miles from Bayt Lahiya; no injuries were reported. (AJ, HA, HA, PCHR, WAFA 11/29; HA 11/30; PCHR 12/5)

Iraq’s prime minister Adel Abdul Mahdi resigned after days of protest in Baghdad, where Iraqi security forces have killed at least 40 protesters. (AJ 12/1)

In the West Bank, 4 Palestinians were arrested during 3 late-night raids in Jenin and 1 at a checkpoint east of Tulkarm. Israeli forces also demolished a house under construction in Wadi Rahal south of Bethlehem. Israeli settlers threw stones at Palestinians near Nabi Saleh, northwest of Ramallah. In East Jerusalem, 8 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in Issawiyya and Shu’fat. Off the coast of Gaza, Israeli naval forces opened fire at Palestinian fishermen; no injuries were reported. By the Gaza fence, Israeli forces opened fire at Palestinian shepherds; no injuries were reported. (WAFA, WAFA 8/4; PCHR 8/8)

Israel’s Higher Planning Committee approved plans for 2,304 Israeli settlement housing units in the West Bank. (PeaceNow 8/4; AJ, MDW 8/6)

The PA prime minister Mohammed Shtayyeh announced that since Israel demolished Palestinian-owned buildings in Area A and B on 6/22, the PA would no longer consider the West Bank divided into separate areas, but all under PA control. (WAFA 8/4)

The PA also announced that it would pay out 60% of civil servants’ salaries for July. The PA has been paying only 60% of salaries since February this year due to its financial crisis. (WAFA 8/4)

In the West Bank, an Israeli soldier assaulted a Palestinian shepherd in Hadidiya in the Jordan Valley. Elsewhere in the West Bank, a 17-year-old Palestinian was injured after being hit in the head by an Israeli fired rubber-coated bullet. The attack happened as Israeli forces raided Muthalath al-Shuhada south of Jenin; Palestinians in the village responded to the raid by throwing stones at the soldiers. At least 4 Palestinians were detained in late-night raids in and around Hebron, Hizma, and Tulkarm. In East Jerusalem, a Palestinian family demolished their own home to avoid the excessive Israeli demolition fees. Along the coast of Gaza, Israeli naval forces opened fire at Palestinian fishermen. (MNA, MNA, WAFA, WAFA 4/6; MNA 4/7)

The Israeli Higher Planning Committee approved the construction of 770 new housing units in the Bitar Elit settlement west of Bethlehem. (WAFA 4/6)

Hamas political leader Yahya Sinwar said Israel and Hamas had reached an agreement through Egyptian mediators that included expanding the list of items allowed into Gaza and easing restrictions on import and export and passage of traders. (HA 4/6)

In a controversial interview with Israeli Channel 12, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that if he wins the upcoming Israeli elections, he “will extend sovereignty but I don’t distinguish between the settlement blocs and the isolated ones, because each settlement is Israeli and I will not hand it over to Palestinian sovereignty.” Netanyahu further stated, “I will not divide Jerusalem, I will not evacuate any community and I will make sure we control the territory west of Jordan.” Netanyahu also said that the evacuation of Khan al-Ahmar “it will happen, I promised and it will happen at the soonest opportunity.” Netanyahu’s statements were largely understood as a pledge to annex the West Bank. Palestinian foreign minister Riyad al-Maliki responded that Netanyahu would face a “real problem” if he is serious, adding that Palestinians would resist such policy. (WAFA 4/6; AJ, HA, HA 4/7)

At the World Economic Forum on the Middle East and North Africa in Jordan, the Omani foreign minister Yusuf bin Alawi bin Abdullah said at a panel that Palestinians should reassure Israel that it is not under threat in the Middle East. Yusuf bin Alawi’s comment was quickly rebuked by Jordanian foreign minister Ayman Safadi, stating that the Arab Peace Initiative stipulates that normalization with Israel is based on Israeli withdrawal of occupied Palestine. Palestinian president Mahmoud Abbas discussed the situation in Palestine with representatives from around the Middle East, including Yusuf bin Alawi. (HA, WAFA 4/6; AJ, MNA 4/7)

In a speech to the Republican Jewish Coalition in Las Vegas, NV, President Donald Trump told the audience that in the lead-up to announcing that U.S. was moving its embassy to Jerusalem, he ignored calls from world leaders. Trump further referred to Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu as “your prime minister” to the largely Jewish-American audience. (MDW, 4/7)

Hundreds of right-wing Jewish activists visit Joseph’s Tomb near Nablus overnight, sparking clashes between their IDF escort and Palestinians in the area; 2 Palestinians are killed and 12 more are injured. The IDF later says that an explosive device was thrown at a patrol, prompting the fatal shooting. Elsewhere in the West Bank, IDF troops open fire on Palestinians in a vehicle outside al-Khadir near Bethlehem; 1 Palestinian is killed and another is injured. The IDF later says that the men were throwing stones at Israeli vehicles. The local authorities in Bethlehem declare a general strike in protest of the killing. Meanwhile, IDF troops also shoot and injure a Palestinian youth in Bayt Sira village near Ramallah; arrest 3 Palestinians during late-night raids near Jenin; patrol in and around Tulkarm and Hebron; and violently disperse Palestinian students gathering in al-Bireh to protest the Israeli occupation (there are no serious injuries reported). Israeli forces demolish a Palestinian home and dismantle 3 Palestinian makeshift residential structures south of Hebron. Unidentified assailants open fire on an Israeli settler bus near Salfit, causing minor damage. Israeli settlers throw stones at Palestinian vehicles near Nablus, damaging several. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces arrest a Muslim worshipper and an Islamic Waqf guard at Haram al-Sharif. Off Gaza’s coast, Israeli naval forces open fire on Palestinian fishing boats near Jabaliya refugee camp, causing no damage or injuries (2 fishermen are detained). Along Gaza’s border, hundreds of Gazans gather near al-Bureij refugee camp to set tires on fire, throw stones, and otherwise continue the Great March of Return late at night. After unidentified Gazans fly an incendiary balloon into southern Israel, the Israeli Air Force conducts an air strike near the protesters near al-Bureij refugee camp, causing damage. Meanwhile, Israeli forces conduct a limited incursion to level land near Gaza City and open fire on Palestinian farmlands near Khan Yunis, causing no major damage. Off Gaza’s coast, Israeli naval forces open fire on Palestinian fishing boats near Rafah, causing no damage or injuries. (EI, HA, MNA, MNA, MNA, MNA, MNA, MNA, MNA, TOI, TOI, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 3/20; MNA, MNA, WAFA 3/21; PCHR 3/28)

U.S. secretary of state Mike Pompeo meets with Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Jerusalem. They discuss a range of issues, and in a press conference after the meeting Netanyahu calls on the international community to recognize Israel’s control over the Golan Heights. (HA, JP, TOI 3/20)

Along Gaza’s border, an Israeli drone bombs a Palestinian motorcycle near Rafah, causing no damage or injuries. The IDF does not comment on the strike. In the evening, hundreds of Palestinians gather along the border fence near Rafah to set tires on fire, throw stones, and otherwise continue the Great March of Return. IDF troops violently disperse the demonstrations, injuring 5 protesters. In 2 separate incidents off Gaza’s coast, Israeli naval forces open fire on Palestinian fishing boats near Jabaliya refugee camp, causing no damage or injuries. In the West Bank, Israeli settlers puncture the tires of 10 Palestinian vehicles and leave racist graffiti on nearby walls in Ras Karkar near Ramallah. Settlers also assault 2 Palestinian shepherds near Hebron and throw stones at a Palestinian school in nearby Urif village, causing no damage or injuries. Israeli forces fire tear gas at Palestinian students at a school in central Hebron; no serious injuries are reported. It’s unclear why the IDF attacked the school. They also deliver stop-work orders to a Palestinian home under construction in western Hebron; confiscate heavy equipment from a construction site in southern Hebron; and uproot approximately 300 olive tree seedlings from a Palestinian grove north of the city. Meanwhile, IDF troops arrest 3 Palestinians during late-night raids near Jenin, Hebron, and Salfit; and patrol in and around Tulkarm, Hebron, and Ramallah. In East Jerusalem, dozens of Palestinians gather outside Haram al-Sharif to protest the recent Israeli incursions at the sanctuary; 4 are arrested when Israeli forces disperse the protests. Meanwhile, Israeli forces arrest 60 Palestinians across the city ahead of planned protests at Haram al-Sharif on 2/22. (MNA, MNA, MNA, MNA, MNA, MNA, MNA, MNA, TOI, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 2/21; HA, JP, MNA, MNA 2/22; PCHR 2/28)

PA minister of finance Shukri Bishara says that the PA intends to pay all its employees on time in the coming months, but that some of the higher salaries might be reduced due to the 2/17 Israeli decision to make deductions from the monthly transfers of tax revenues to the PA. “We are coming on difficult days in the coming weeks, and we will handle the issue of salaries as wisely and fairly as possible,” he says. Meanwhile, senior Fatah official Mahmoud al-Aloul says that a committee has been formed to put together a list of Israeli products to ban from Palestinian markets in response to the Israeli deductions in tax revenue transfers. (TOI, TOI, WAFA 2/21)

Hosen L’Yisrael Party chair Benny Gantz and Yesh Atid Party chair Yair Lapid announce that they have agreed to run on a joint ticket ahead of the Israeli election on 4/9. Under their agreement, Gantz would serve as prime minister for two and a half years, then Lapid would take over the top job. Gantz is widely seen as Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s top challenger in the election, and this agreement is expected to strengthen his chances of becoming the next prime minister. (HA, JP, JP, YA 2/21)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers puncture the tires of several Palestinian vehicles and leave racist graffiti on nearby walls in Iskaka village near Salfit. Approximately 30 armed settlers enter Urif village near Nablus in the evening. They damage equipment at an infrastructure construction site and spark clashes between their IDF escort and Palestinians in the area; 3 Palestinians are injured. IDF troops also violently disperse Palestinian schoolchildren throwing stones in Hebron; and patrol near Qalqilya, Tulkarm, and Hebron. In East Jerusalem, several senior Islamic Waqf officials enter Haram al-Sharif via al-Rahma Gate and pray at the sanctuary. Israeli forces demolish a Palestinian home in al-Walaja. Off Gaza’s coast, Israeli naval forces open fire on Palestinian fishing boats near Gaza City and al-Bureij refugee camp, causing no damage or injuries. Along Gaza’s border, IDF troops open fire on Palestinian homes, farmers, and shepherds near Rafah, Khan Yunis, and Dayr al-Balah, causing no damage or injuries. In the evening, IDF troops violently disperse Palestinians gathering to continue the Great March of Return near Rafah; 6 Palestinians are injured. (MNA, MNA, WAFA 2/14; MNA, MNA 2/15; PCHR 2/21)

On the 2d day of a Middle East security conference in Warsaw, U.S. president Donald Trump’s son-in-law and senior advisor Jared Kushner says that the Trump administration’s long-awaited plan for Palestinian-Israeli peace will require compromises of both sides. “We hear Jordan, Saudi Arabia, and Israel and we understand that there is a chance,” he adds. “They do a better job than me to explain why there is a reason to be optimistic.” Kushner also says that the Trump administration’s plan is not based on the Arab Peace Initiative. “I think it was a great initiative, in 2002 when it was done, but it hasn’t produced peace.” After meeting with Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu, U.S. secretary of state Mike Pompeo says that “stability in the Middle East” won’t be achieved “without confronting Iran.” Netanyahu’s office later leaks a video recorded during a closed session in Warsaw on 2/13 depicting several Arab foreign ministers downplaying the Palestinian-Israeli conflict in relation to Iran in terms of issues threatening the security of the Middle East. Bahrain’s Foreign Minister Khalid bin Ahmed Al Khalifa is depicted saying that “toxic” money from Iran has obstructed past efforts to resolve the Palestinian-Israeli conflict. (AP, EI, HA, HA, HA, JP, JP, JP, JP, TOI, TOI, YA, YA 2/14)

Israeli forces arrest a Lebanese minor after he crosses the Israel-Lebanon border armed with a knife. (HA, MNA 2/14)

IDF troops violently disperse hundreds of Palestinians gathering along Gaza’s border near Gaza City, Khan Yunis, and Jabaliya refugee camp to continue the Great March of Return; 2 Palestinians are injured. Off Gaza’s coast, Israeli naval forces open fire on Palestinian fishing boats near Khan Yunis and Bayt Lahiya, causing no damage or injuries. In the West Bank, Israeli forces demolish a Palestinian home in Bayt Jala near Bethlehem and remove a stretch of pipeline supplying water to Yatta near Hebron. IDF troops arrest 16 Palestinians during raids in and around Ramallah, Hebron, Salfit, and Qalqilya; and patrol near Jenin, Tulkarm, Qalqilya, and Hebron. (MNA, WAFA, WAFA 2/13; MNA, PCHR 2/14; PCHR 2/21)

Representatives of 60 countries, including Israel, convene in Warsaw for a U.S.- and Poland-sponsored conference on security in the Middle East. The conference was initially intended to focus solely on Iran, but has been broadened to focus on other security issues across the region, including the wars in Syria and Yemen, as well as the Palestinian-Israeli conflict. Before getting on a plane to Warsaw, Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu says, “I think that holding this conference, in which Israel, the U.S., various countries around the world and from the region sit down in one place and discuss one topic—which, in my opinion, is the most important for our national security—is a very important achievement.” Secretary of State Mike Pompeo and Vice President Mike Pence represent the U.S. (REU, YA 2/13)

Japanese ambassador Takeshi Okubo signs an agreement for Japan to provide $15.93 million in aid to the PA, specifically for the improvement of the PA’s solid waste collection and transportation system. (MNA, WAFA 2/13)

In the West Bank, IDF troops arrest 21 Palestinians during late-night raids near Ramallah, Nablus, Hebron, Qalqilya, and Tulkarm; and patrol near Ramallah, Hebron, Tulkarm, and Qalqilya. Israeli settlers cut down 2 olive trees in a Palestinian grove near Hebron. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces arrest 4 Palestinians during a raid in Silwan. Along Gaza’s coast, IDF troops violently disperse a few hundred Palestinians gathering near al-Bureij refugee camp to continue the Great March of Return for a 3d day in a row; 1 Palestinian minor is injured. Off Gaza’s coast, Israeli naval forces open fire on Palestinian fishing boats near Jabaliya refugee camp, causing no damage or injuries (1 fisherman is arrested). In Israel, Israeli forces demolish a Palestinian home for the 2d time in Lod. (MNA, WAFA 1/20; MNA, MNA 1/21; PCHR 1/24)

A Qatari diplomat says that the $15 million that was supposed to be transferred to Gaza last week is set to go through this week, following a relatively quiet day of protests on 1/18. “Due to the violence on the border, the Israeli government postponed it,” he says. “The agreement is subject to there not being too much violence, so last Friday they approved to do the third tranche.” (HA, JP, REU, TOI, YA 1/20)

YNet reports that PA prime minister Rami Hamdallah formally informed U.S. secretary of state Mike Pompeo that the Palestinians have decided to reject future U.S. financial assistance, including that which supports the PA security forces, in response to the Anti-Terrorism Clarification Act, which the U.S. passed into law in 10/2018 (see *S. 2946 of 5/24/18 at congressionalmonitor.org for details). That law, which is set to go into effect at the end of the month, forced the Palestinians to either accept future U.S. aid or open themselves up to terrorism lawsuits from individual U.S. citizens, inter alia. (JP, TOI, YA 1/20)

Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu lands in Chad to renew the diplomatic ties between Israel and Chad that were severed in 1972. At a joint press conference with Netanyahu, Chad’s President Idriss Déby says, ‘The purpose of your visit is to bring our two countries closer and to cooperate.” Netanyahu calls it the renewal of ties a “breakthrough” and a sign of Israel’s “rising standing” in the Muslim world. (HA, JP, TOI, TOI 1/20)

After unverified reports of Syrian air defenses intercepting an Israeli air strike near Damascus, several ground-to-ground projectiles are fired from Syria into northern Israel. They are all intercepted by Israel’s Iron Dome missile defense system. Late at night, Israeli forces strike approximately 10 government weapons depots, intelligence sites, and other targets in Syria, killing 21 people, including 12 member of Iran’s Revolutionary Guards Corps, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. An IDF spokesperson says that Iranian forces were responsible for the projectile launched into Israel earlier in the day. “This was planned in advance as an attempt to deter us from continuing to act against them,” he says. (HA, JP, TOI, YA, YA 1/20; JP, TOI 1/21; HA 1/22)

In the West Bank, IDF troops shoot and injure a Palestinian driver after he allegedly attempts to ram a group of Israeli settlers at Huwwara checkpoint. They also arrest 5 Palestinians during raids near Bethlehem, Tulkarm, and Nablus; and patrol near Hebron throughout the day. Israeli forces demolish a Palestinian car repair shop near Nablus. Israeli settlers assault and injure a Palestinian shepherd working his land near Nablus. In East Jerusalem, a number of right-wing Jewish activists tour Haram al-Sharif. Israeli forces arrest 1 Palestinian during a raid in Silwan. Along Gaza’s border, Israeli forces conduct a limited incursion to level land near Bayt Lahiya. Off Gaza’s coast, Israeli naval forces open fire on Palestinian fishing boats near Jabaliya refugee camp, causing no damage or injuries. (HA, JP, MNA, MNA, MNA, MNA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 12/26; PCHR 12/27; PCHR 1/3)

PA foreign minister Riyad al-Maliki says that he plans to initiate an application for the State of Palestine to obtain full membership at the UN during his next visit to New York City in 1/2019. The application, if accepted by the UN Security Council, would see Palestine’s status upgraded from non-member observer state. Later, Israel’s Ambassador to the UN Danny Danon says that Israel and the U.S. are already working together to “stop the [new Palestinian] initiative.” (JP, WAFA 12/26; TOI 12/27)

PA security forces seal off the entrances to the Palestinian Legislative Council building in Ramallah, preventing Hamas officials from holding a planned press conference. A PA official says that although Hamas claims they were attempting to hold a press conference, their true intention was to open a session of the PLC in protest of the 12/22 announcement of a new round of PLC elections. (JP, TOI 12/26)

The High Planning Committee of Israel’s Civil Administration meets for a 2d day to discuss proposals to expand Israel’s West Bank settlements. Between today and yesterday, they have advanced plans for 2,191 new residences in various settlements, 3 new industrial zones, and the retroactive authorization of 2 illegal settlement outposts. Separately, Israel’s Civil Administration announces plans to put together a new proposal for as many as 2,500 new settler residences at the site of the Givat Eitam outpost near Bethlehem, which is within the municipal boundaries of the Efrat settlement, but not contiguous to any of that settlement’s buildings. According to the Israeli NGO Peace Now, an expanded Givat Eitam would “block Bethlehem from the south, and prevent any development in the only direction that has not yet been blocked by settlements.” (HA, PCN, TOI 12/26)

Haaretz reports that Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu has asked the IDF to declare an end to Operation Northern Shield, but to continue detecting and demolishing the cross-border tunnels allegedly built by Hezbollah. Some senior defense sources say that Netanyahu no longer has a political reason for a formal operation in the north now that he is running for re-election. Meanwhile, the IDF announces that it has uncovered and demolished a 5th cross-border tunnel and the Knesset votes to dissolve itself, officially triggering snap elections. (HA, JP, TOI 12/26; MNA 12/27)

Hundreds of Palestinians gather along Gaza’s border fence near Jabaliya refugee camp to continue the Great March of Return and to cheer on a number of Palestinian fishing boats sailing in a symbolic challenge of the Israeli blockade. IDF troops and Israeli naval forces violently disperse the demonstrations, as well as similar protests along the border fence near Khan Yunis and Gaza City; at least 25 Palestinians are injured. In the West Bank, IDF troops violently disperse Palestinians gathering outside Ofer Prison to demonstrate in support of the Palestinians imprisoned inside; there are no serious injuries reported. IDF troops also arrest 2 Palestinians during raids in Jenin and Tulkarm; and patrol near Hebron, Nablus, Jenin, and Qalqilya. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces arrest 10 Palestinians during raids in Jabal Mukabir, al-Tur, and Shu‘fat refugee camp. (MNA, WAFA, WAFA 12/24; PCHR 12/27)

The heads of the parties in Israel’s ruling coalition announce their decision to dissolve the current Knesset and hold early elections on 4/9/19. Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu says that the decision was unanimous and that he intends to bring new parties into the current coalition after the elections. Netanyahu reportedly made his decision to push for early elections on 12/22 after consulting with his lawyers and top aides about a variety of issues, including several stalled legislative initiatives and the percolating corruption case against him. Netanyahu also says that the IDF has asserted control over the northern border and that this is the “perfect” time for early elections. Later, the ruling coalition agrees with the opposition to suspend work on all legislation that they don’t agree on until the Knesset is dissolved. Meanwhile, a senior White House official says that Israel’s early elections are “one of many factors we are considering in evaluating the timing of the release of [the Trump administration’s long awaited Palestinian-Israeli] peace plan.” (HA, HA, MNA 12/24; HA, HA 12/25)

In the West Bank, IDF troops open fire at a Palestinian vehicle driving outside Silwad village near Ramallah, injuring the driver. They also shoot and critically injure a Palestinian minor during clashes sparked by an alleged stone-throwing attack outside Qalqilya. IDF raids in al-Khadir near Bethlehem and Jalazun refugee camp near Ramallah spark additional clashes; 1 Palestinian is injured and 7 are arrested. IDF troops arrest 11 more Palestinians during further raids near Salfit, Ramallah, Hebron, and Tulkarm; and patrol near Hebron throughout the day. Israeli settlers throw stones at Palestinian vehicles driving between Nablus and Ramallah, between Nablus and Tulkarm, and outside Hebron, causing minor damage to several. Three settler families set up makeshift homes on Palestinian-owned land outside the Kiryat Arba settlement in protest of the recent Palestinian attacks on their fellow settlers. Unidentified assailants throw stones at Israeli settlers driving near Nablus, moderately injuring 1 settler. In East Jerusalem, right-wing Jewish activists tour Haram al-Sharif in the morning. Meanwhile, an Israeli settler assaults a Palestinian near the Old City. Israeli forces then arrest the Palestinian victim of the assault and a 2d Palestinian during raids in Silwan. A Palestinian demolishes his own home in Jabal Mukabir to avoid paying Israeli demolition fees. Off Gaza’s coast, Israeli naval forces open fire on Palestinian fishing boats near Jabaliya refugee camp, causing no damage or injuries. (TOI, TOI, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 12/16; MNA, MNA 12/17; HA 12/18; PCHR 12/20)

Following a week of escalated tensions and violence across the West Bank, Israel’s Education Minister Naftali Bennett leads a rally outside Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office in Jerusalem calling for a stronger crackdown on the occupied Palestinian territories. Bennett accuses the “security establishment” of choosing “the rights of Palestinians over the security of Israelis.” The crowd chants slogans calling for Netanyahu to resign. Meanwhile, the Israeli cabinet unanimously votes to back a piece of legislation, dubbed the “Young Settlement Bill,” which would direct the government to administer 66 illegal settlement outposts as it would legal settlements for a period of 2 years. During that time, the government would be directed to figure out a way to retroactively authorize the 66 outposts. (TOI 12/16; FMEP 12/21)

The IDF announces that it has discovered a fourth Hezbollah-built tunnel leading from southern Lebanon into northern Israel in the context of Operation Northern Shield. (HA, TOI, WP 12/16; TOI 12/18)