The Palestine Chronology

In the West Bank, Israeli forces shot and killed 1 Palestinian minor and seriously injured 1 other during a late-night raid in Jenin. PA prime minister Mohammed Shtayyeh condemned the killing. Israeli forces also violently dispersed Palestinian protesters in Yatta, injuring 2 with live ammunition and others with tear gas. Elsewhere, Israeli forces delivered stop-work orders for 6 homes under construction in Kafr ad-Dik. In East Jerusalem, 1 Israeli settler shot and injured 1 Palestinian in Sheikh Jarrah. Off the coast of Gaza, Israeli naval forces opened fire at Palestinian fishermen; no injuries were reported. In Gaza, Israeli forces opened fire at Palestinian shepherds east of al-Qarara; no injuries were reported. (AJ, AP, CNN, HA, MEE, REU, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 5/21; JP 5/22; MDW 5/23; PCHR 5/26; UNOCHA 6/4)

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, 1 Israeli settlement security guard was shot and killed by 2 assailants at the entrance to the Ariel settlement. Israel said it arrested the alleged attackers on 4/30 in Qarawat Bani Hassan and identified them as Palestinians. Al-Aqsa Martyrs’ brigade took responsibility for the attack. Israeli settlers razed farmland in al-Farisiya. Israeli forces violently dispersed Palestinian protesters in Kafr Qaddum, injuring 9 with baton rounds and others with tear gas. Israeli forces also placed dirt mounds at the northern entrance to Salfit, blocking access. Elsewhere, Israeli forces violently dispersed Palestinian protesters in Beit Dajan, causing tear-gas related injuries. 3 Palestinians were arrested, including 2 during late-night raids in Bil‘in and Tulkarm and 1 at the Qalandia checkpoint. In East Jerusalem, Israeli settlers threw stones and bottles at a bus carrying Palestinians in the French Hill neighborhood. Israeli forces violently dispersed Palestinian protesters at the Haram al-Sharif compound, injuring 42 with baton rounds and tear gas; 22 were hospitalized for their injuries. 1 Palestinian was arrested in the Old City. 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 Israel, 1 mosque in Jaffa was vandalized with spray paint depicting the Star of David and the Israeli flag. (AJ, HA, HA, MEE, MEMO, MEMO, REU, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 4/29; AJ, AP, AP, HA, REU, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 4/30; PCHR 5/12; UNOCHA 5/13)

The head of Bisan Center for Research and Development Ubai Aboudi said Israel had prevented him from traveling to a conference in Mexico via the Allenby bridge. Aboudi, who is a U.S. citizen, said the Israeli officers refused to tell him why they prevented him from traveling abroad. The Bisan Center is 1 of 6 Palestinian rights organizations that was placed on Israel’s terrorism list in October. 1 day later, on 4/30, Israel prevented the director of Addameer, Sahar Francis, from traveling to the same conference from Ben Gurion airport. (MDW 4/29; AA, AP 5/1; TOI 5/2)

Israel charged 2 Palestinians from Umm al-Fahm for having prior knowledge of an attack in Hadera on 3/27, in which 2 were killed by a Palestinian citizen of Israel. (HA 4/29)

The student newspaper at Harvard University, The Harvard Crimson, endorsed the BDS movement in an editorial. (JDF 4/29; MDW, TOI 4/30; HA, MEMO 5/1)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers threw stones at Palestinian homes in Kafl Haris, injuring 2. Israeli forces shot and killed 1 Palestinian and wounded 4 others during a raid in Jenin refugee camp. 6 were arrested during the raid and a punitive demolition notice was posted on the family home of 1 Palestinian who allegedly killed 3 Israelis on 4/7 in Tel Aviv. 8 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in Ramallah, Hebron, and Beit Duqqu. Off the coast of Gaza, Israeli naval forces opened fire at Palestinian fishermen northwest of Rafah, arrested 6, and seized 1 boat. (AJ, AP, HA, MEE, MEE, PCHR, PCHR, REU, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 4/27; MEMO, PCHR 4/28; UNOCHA 5/13)

1 Palestinian citizen of Israel was sentenced to 14 years in prison for allegedly planning an attack in Jerusalem in November 2020. According to the Israeli prosecutor, the man admitted that he wanted to harm Israeli soldiers but not civilians. (HA 4/27)

A 97-page Israeli document called “Procedure for Entry and Residence for Foreigners in Judea and Samaria Area,” originally published in February, surfaced in the media. The document, which will replace a 4-page ordinance on entry to the West Bank on 5/22, further complicates travel to the West Bank, especially for Palestinians. Palestinians holding foreign citizenship must, according to the new ordinance, include names and ID numbers of all relatives and people they might stay with while traveling to the West Bank. Palestinians must also declare if they own property in the West Bank or stand to inherit. Foreigners visiting Palestinians in the West Bank must also be given prior permission while those visiting settlers do not have to. Israel will also limit the number of foreign students at West Bank universities to 150; this will not apply to settlement universities. (AJ 4/27; AP 5/5)

In Syria, 9 people were killed, including 5 Syrian soldiers, during an Israeli air attack near Damascus. The 4 other victims were described as soldiers of other nationalities. (AP 4/26; AJ, AP, HA, MEMO 4/27; MEMO 4/28)

PA president Mahmoud Abbas met with Jordanian king Abdullah II in Amman. The 2 discussed the recent events at the Haram al-Sharif compound. (WAFA 4/27)

In the West Bank, Israeli forces razed 10 dunams (2.5 acres) of Palestinian-owned land planted with olive and almond trees in al-Walaja. Israeli forces also shot and injured 1 Palestinian during a raid in al-Zababdeh. Off the coast of Gaza, Israeli naval forces shot and injured 2 Palestinian fishermen, arrested 1 other, and confiscated 1 boat northwest of Rafah. (WAFA 4/25; PCHR 4/28; UNOCHA 5/13)

Israel said it had arrested 7 Palestinians in the West Bank who were allegedly planning on attacking Israelis. The 7 were said to be affiliated with Islamic Jihad. (HA 4/25)

In Lebanon, 1 rocket was launched from southern Lebanon at Israel, landing in an open area near Shlomi. Israel subsequently shelled the area the rocket was launched from; no injuries were reported. (ABC, AJ, ALM, AP, HA, JP, MEE, REU, TOI, WSJ 4/25)

The Israeli high court of justice ordered the Israeli government to present plans on how it will prevent Israeli settlers in the Nokdim settlement from expanding into privately-owned Palestinian land. The court order was issued 1 day after Israel’s civil administration gave the residents at the Nokdim settlement 15 days to explain how their settlement expansion into privately-owned Palestinian land is not squatting. The development follows a petition by the Palestinian owners of the land to the court on the issue. (HA, MEMO 4/27)

The Jerusalem magistrate’s court ordered a rehearing of the case against the Salem family in Sheikh Jarrah, who is threatened by forced eviction by Israeli settlers. The judge ruled that the registrar had made a decision in the case without holding a comprehensive hearing on the Salem family’s claims. (WAFA 4/25; HA 4/26)

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 shot and injured 3 Palestinians near Surif; 10 settlers had been throwing stones at Palestinian vehicles before 1 of the settlers started shooting at Palestinians. Israeli settlers also threw stones at Palestinian stores and vehicles in the Old City of Hebron, causing damage. Meanwhile, Israeli settlers assaulted 1 Palestinian family near a checkpoint in Hebron. Israeli forces violently dispersed Palestinian protesters in Kafr Qaddum, injuring 3 with baton rounds. In East Jerusalem, Israel restricted Palestinian Christians’ access to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre for the celebration of the Holy Fire. 4,000 worshippers were allowed to attend the event. Israeli forces shot and injured 2 Palestinians during a raid in Qalandia refugee camp; 3 were arrested. In Gaza, Israel said 1 rocket launched from Gaza landed in an open area in southern Israel; no injuries or damage were reported. Israeli forces opened fire at Palestinian shepherds east of Abasan; no injuries were reported. Off the coast of Gaza, Israeli naval forces opened fire at Palestinian fishermen northwest of Gaza City; no injuries were reported. (HA 4/22; HA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 4/23; +972 4/27; PCHR 4/28; UNOCHA 5/13)

Israel closed all crossings from the West Bank and Gaza to East Jerusalem and Israel for the Jewish holiday of Passover. (HA 4/21)

Israel announced that it had closed the Erez crossing between Israel and Gaza, citing rockets launched from Gaza at Israel. Israel did not say when the crossing would reopen. (AJ, AP, HA, MEE, WAFA 4/23; HA, MEMO 4/24; HA 4/25)

UNRWA commissioner-general Philippe Lazzarini said in a message that the agency is exploring the option of engaging more agencies within the UN in the work of UNRWA to help alleviate UNRWA’s chronic underfunding. (UNRWA 4/23; WAFA 4/27; TOI 5/2)

Iranian media reported that Iranian and Saudi Arabian officials had met in Baghdad to resume talks to mend the 2 countries’ ties. Omani and Iraqi officials were also at the meeting. (HA 4/23; REU 4/25)

In the West Bank, Israeli forces raided Jenin, attempting to arrest the brothers of 1 Palestinian man who was shot and killed in Jaffa after he allegedly killed 3 Israelis and wounded 10 others in Tel Aviv on 4/7; Israeli forces shot and killed 1 Palestinian minor who was selling hot drinks near the raid. Israeli forces also clashed with Palestinians in Ya‘bad, injuring 6. Elsewhere, Israeli forces shot and killed 1 Palestinian in al-Khader, who they claimed had thrown a Molotov cocktail at the Israeli forces during a raid on the town. Israeli forces also shot and killed 1 Palestinian woman who allegedly stabbed 1 Israeli soldier in Hebron. Meanwhile, Israeli forces shot and killed 1 Palestinian widower and mother of 6 who the forces claimed had acted in a “suspicious manner” in Husan. The woman was unarmed. 20 were arrested during raids in Ya‘bad, Jenin, and Nur Shams refugee camp. Off the coast of Gaza, Israeli naval forces opened fire at Palestinian fishermen west of al-Sudaniyya; no injuries were reported. (ABC, AJ, AP, CNN, HA, HA, HA, MEE, MEE, MEE, PCHR, REU, TOI, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 4/10; AA, AJ, AP, CBS, HA, HA, MDW, MEE, MEMO, PCHR, WAFA 4/11; HA 4/12; CNN, MEE 4/13; HA, PCHR 4/14; UNOCHA 4/23)

The Israeli supreme court ruled that the PA may by liable for damages to Israeli victims of attacks by Palestinians, citing payments to Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails and their families by the PA. The PA called the supreme court decision “piracy.” (HA, TOI 4/10; MEMO, WAFA 4/11; AN, MEMO 4/12)

The Israeli cabinet voted to form a committee to study the possibility of revoking social benefits from Palestinian citizens and residents of Israel who are related to Palestinians charged with committed terror activity. The proposal was made by prime minister Naftali Bennett, foreign minister Yair Lapid, and labor minister Meir Cohen. (HA 4/10)

In a video recorded at the Damascus Gate plaza, MK and leader of the Joint List Ayman Odeh called on Palestinian citizens of Israel in the Israeli forces to lay down their arms and leave their posts in East Jerusalem and the West Bank. (ALM, HA, MEMO 4/11; HA 4/12)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers threw stones at Palestinian vehicles west of Ramallah and south of Hebron, causing damage. Israeli settlers also threw stones at 1 Palestinian vehicle near Silwad, causing damage. Elsewhere, Israeli settlers attacked 1 Palestinian American man working his land in Mukhmas near the Ramat Migron settlement outpost, causing severe injuries. The man was arrested by Israeli soldiers before being released after showing proof that he owns the land during his interrogation. Israeli settlers also opened fire at 1 Palestinian vehicle traveling in Tarqumiyah, injuring 1. Israeli forces shot and injured 2 Palestinians during a late-night raid in Turmus ‘Ayya. Israeli forces also shot and injured 3 Palestinians during a late-night raid near Tulkarm. Elsewhere, Israeli forces violently dispersed Palestinian protesters in Kafr Qaddum, injuring 4 with baton rounds and others with tear gas. Israeli forces also violently dispersed Palestinian protesters in al-Ram, injuring 1 Palestinian minor who lost 1 of his eyes after being hit with a baton round. In East Jerusalem, between 50,000-80,000 Muslim worshippers prayed at the Haram al-Sharif compound on the 1st Friday in the month of Ramadan. Some 25,000-40,000 of them were from the West Bank. Israel only allowed Palestinians 50 years or older to enter East Jerusalem from the West Bank for Friday prayers. Past years have seen more than 200,000 Muslim worshippers pray at the compound on the 1st Friday of Ramadan. Israeli forces violently dispersed Palestinians at the Damascus Gate plaza, injuring 2 with baton rounds and arresting 2 others. Off the coast of Gaza, Israeli naval forces detained 6 Palestinian fishermen within 3 nautical miles northwest of Rafah in 2 separate incidents before confiscating their 3 boats. (AP, HA 4/5; ALM 4/6 HA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 4/8; WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 4/9; PCHR 4/10; +972 4/13; PCHR 4/14; UNOCHA 4/23; HA 5/27)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers threw stones at Palestinian vehicles traveling near al-Bireh. 13 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in Bayt Rima, Jalazun refugee camp, Kafr Ni‘ma, al-Ama‘ari refugee camp, al-Bireh, Nablus, Jaba‘, and Surif. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces violently dispersed Palestinians at the Damascus Gate plaza, arresting 3. Off the coast of Gaza, Israeli naval forces opened fire at Palestinian fishermen within 8 nautical miles northwest of Rafah, injuring 4 Palestinians before arresting them. The 4 were released on 4/8, but their 2 boats were confiscated. In Israel, 1 person shot and killed 2 people and injured 10 others at a bar in Tel Aviv. A Palestinian man from Jenin, suspected of having carried out the attack, was killed 9 hours after the incident in Jaffa. Israel also subsequently closed off many roads in Jenin, claiming to be looking for accomplices. PA president Mahmoud Abbas condemned the attack. (AJ, CNN, HA, HA, JP, MEE, NYT, REU, WAFA, WSJ 4/7; ABC, AP, AP, HA, HA, REU, TOI, TOI, WAFA, WAFA 4/8; NYT 4/9; UNOCHA 4/10; PCHR 4/14; UNOCHA 4/23)

The Palestinian Prisoners’ Society said that Israel has issued administrative detention orders against more than 400 Palestinians since the beginning of 2022. (WAFA 4/7)

Axios reported that Israel had rejected a U.S. proposal to host Israeli and Palestinian national security advisors at the White House for talks about security coordination and economic issues. (AX, HA 4/7; MEE 4/8)

In the wake of Idit Sliman leaving the Israeli government coalition on 4/6, another Yamina MK Nir Orbach said that he would leave the coalition if it did not make more “right-wing steps.” Along with demands for concessions to the Ultra-Orthodox community, Orbach said he wanted the government to focus on more settlement construction, which coalition sources said they would be working on in the coming days to appease Orbach. (HA 4/7)

In the West Bank, Israeli forces delivered a stop-work order for a house in Fasayil. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces handed demolition orders for 1 house, 1 canopy, and 1 house stable in Isawiya. Israeli forces detained PA governor of Jerusalem Adnan Ghaith before handing him orders not to enter the West Bank for 6 months. Meanwhile, Israeli forces violently dispersed Palestinians gathered at the Damascus Gate plaza with baton rounds and stun grenades; at least 1 was injured. 12 were arrested in the Old City and 2 in Bayt Hanina. Off the coast of Gaza, Israeli naval forces opened fire at Palestinian fishermen within 3 nautical miles west of al-Sudaniyya; no injuries were reported. (WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 4/5; WAFA, WAFA 4/6; PCHR 4/7; UNOCHA 4/23)

PA president Mahmoud Abbas spoke with Israeli defense minister Benny Gantz on a phone call. The 2 spoke about efforts to facilitate calm for the Ramadan and Passover holy days. (TOI 4/5; ALM 4/6)

1 Palestinian citizen of Israel was sentenced to death in the UAE for possessing 0.5 kilo of cocaine. Joint List chairperson Ayman Odeh said he had been in contact with Israeli president Isaac Herzog and foreign minister Yair Lapid to have them help save her life. (AP, CNN, HA 4/5)

Palestinian-French lawyer and activist Salah Hamouri, who is currently held by Israel in administrative detention, filed a complaint to the prosecutor of the Paris judicial court in France against the NSO Group for illegally hacking his phone using Pegasus spyware. (AJ, WAFA 4/5; WAFA 4/6)

Front Line Defenders and Citizen Lab published an investigation, saying that 4 Jordanian activists and journalists had been targeted with NSO Group’s Pegasus spyware between August 2019 and December 2021. (AP, HA, HA 4/5)

The World Bank approved an $8 million grant to the PA to help reform its public financial management. (WAFA 4/5)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers threw stones at Palestinian homes in the old city of Hebron; no injuries were reported. Israel forces shot and killed 3 Palestinians during a raid in Arrabah; 4 Israeli soldiers were injured in the ensuing firefight. The Shin Bet said the 3 Palestinians were killed during an arrest raid after they opened fire at the Israeli forces. Islamic Jihad said the 3 men were members of the organization. The PA condemned the killings and called on the U.S. to intervene to protect Palestinian lives. Israeli forces also shot and injured 1 Palestinian man before arresting him near Arrabah. In East Jerusalem, Israeli police arrested 4 Palestinians at the Damascus Gate plaza during celebrations for the 1st day of Ramadan. Off the coast of Gaza, Israeli naval forces opened fire at Palestinian fishermen within 3 nautical miles northwest of Khan Yunis; no injuries were reported. (ABC, AJ, AP, DW, F24, GDN, HA, MEE, NYT, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 4/2; EI, HA, TOI, WAFA, WAFA 4/3; PCHR 4/5; PCHR 4/7; UNOCHA 4/10)

In the West Bank, 1 Israeli settler shot and killed 1 Palestinian man after he had stabbed and injured 1 other Israeli settler with a screwdriver in a bus near the Efrat settlement south of Bethlehem. Israeli settlers threw an incendiary device at 1 Palestinian minor in Jinba, causing burns to his face and hands. Elsewhere, Israeli settlers attacked 1 Palestinian herder near Fasayil, throwing stones and releasing a dog on him, causing injuries. Israeli forces shot and killed 2 Palestinians and injured 14 others during a daytime arrest raid in Jenin refugee camp. Israel said that the arrest raid was related to the attack on 3/29 in Bnei Brak in which 5 were killed; 31 were arrested during the raid. PA president Mahmoud Abbas condemned the raid, saying Israel wants to escalate tensions ahead of the start of Ramadan. During the raid, Palestinian patients at a nearby hospital suffered tear-gas related injuries. 24 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in Aida refugee camp, Bayt Jala, Husan, al-Ubeidiya, Wadi Abu Freiha, Hebron, al-Ramadin, Dura, Qalandia refugee camp, al-Zawiya, Salem, al-Far‘a refugee camp, Jenin, Ya‘bad, Nabi Elias, and Azzun. In East Jerusalem, far-right Israeli MK Itamar Ben-Gvir toured the Haram al-Sharif compound. The Joint List party and PA president Mahmoud Abbas criticized the Israeli government for allowing Ben-Gvir to tour the compound. In Gaza, Israeli forces opened fire on Palestinian farmlands east of Abasan; no injuries were reported. Off the coast of Gaza, Israeli naval forces opened fire on Palestinian fishermen; no injuries were reported. (AJ, HA, HA, HA, HA, MEE, MEE, PCHR, REU, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 3/31; WAFA 4/1; HA 4/2; MEMO 4/5; PCHR 4/7; UNOCHA 4/10)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers uprooted 170 olive trees in al-Lubban ash-Sharqiya and set 1 vehicle on fire in Asira al-Qibliya, writing “Jewish blood is not cheap” on nearby walls. Israeli settlers also opened fire on Palestinian vehicles driving near the Migdal Oz settlement. Elsewhere, Israeli settlers threw stones at Palestinian vehicles near the al-Hamra checkpoint, smashing the windshields on 5 vehicles. Israeli settlers also threw stones at 1 Palestinian vehicle near Jericho, injuring the driver. Meanwhile, Israeli settlers stopped a Palestinian taxi driver near the Dead Sea before beating him. Israeli settlers also vandalized 2 vehicles in the Masafer Yatta area. Israeli forces raided Ya‘bad, arresting 4 of the family members of 1 Palestinian man who killed 5 people in Israel on 3/29. Israeli forces also took measurements for a punitive demolition. Elsewhere, Israeli forces raided al-Khader, causing tear-gas related injuries. 20 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in Bayt Rima, Ein Misbah, Deir Abu Masha‘al, Bir al-Basha, Kafr Qaddum, Balata refugee camp, al-‘Ibayyat, and Beit Umar. In East Jerusalem, 1 Palestinian was arrested during a late-night raid in Isawiya. Off the coast of Gaza, Israeli naval forces opened fire on Palestinian fishermen; no injuries were reported. (HA, HA, MEE, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 3/30; HA, PCHR, WAFA 3/31; +972 4/4; UNOCHA 4/10)

The Israeli cities of Netanya, Ramle, Holon, and Givatayim suspended construction and gardening work at public schools in an apparent effort to limit work by Palestinian laborers. Ramat Gan’s mayor also told building contractors in the city to end work on sites that “rely on Arab labor.” In addition, the Israeli military banned the entry of Palestinian workers into Israeli settlements. The restrictions on Palestinian workers come as 3 different attacks were carried out in Israel over the past week, including 2 by Palestinian citizens of Israel and 1 by a Palestinian from the West Bank. (HA 3/30)

Israel’s security cabinet decided to revoke work permits for relatives of Palestinians who have attacked Israelis and pushed forward a plan to reinforce the separation barrier. Israeli police also asked the security cabinet to limit access to the Haram al-Sharif compound to Muslim worshippers 60 and older—a request the security cabinet did not immediately respond to. Prime minister Naftali Bennett also called on all licensed Israelis to start carrying a weapon. (HA 3/30; HA, HA 3/31)

Prime Minister Bennett spoke with U.S. president Joe Biden, who offered his condolences after 11 people have been killed in attacks in Israel in the past week. (HA 3/31)

Israeli president Isaac Herzog met with Jordan’s king Abdullah II in Amman. (HA, REU 3/29; ALM, HA, REU 3/30)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers set up caravans near Qusra. Israeli settlers also threw stones at commercial structures and vehicles in Burqa, causing damage. Israeli forces delivered stop-work orders for 1 house and electricity cables in al-Twana. Off the coast of Gaza, Israeli naval forces opened fire on Palestinian fishermen northwest of Rafah; no injuries were reported. In Israel, 2 Palestinian citizens of Israel opened fire on Israelis in Hadera, killing 2 Israeli soldiers and wounding 5 others, including 1 soldier, before being shot and killed by Israeli undercover police. Israel said that the 2 attackers were affiliated of ISIS. 5 Palestinian citizens of Israel were arrested during subsequent raids in Umm al-Fahm under suspicion of having prior knowledge of the attack. (AJ, AP, DW, HA, HILL, MEE, NYT, TOI, WAFA, WAFA 3/27; ABC, AP, AX, CNN, GDN, HA, HA, HA, JP, MEMO, NPR, REU, SKY, TOI, WSJ 3/28; ALM, ALM 3/29; F24, PCHR 3/31; UNOCHA 4/10)

Members of the settler organization Ateret Cohanim entered the 1st floor of the Little Petra Hotel in East Jerusalem with Israeli police escort in an effort to cement the organization’s hold of the building. The ownership of the building is part of an ongoing legal case at the Israeli supreme court between the Greek Orthodox patriarchate in Jerusalem and Ateret Cohanim. The lawyers of the Palestinian family that runs the hotel were attacked with pepper spray by the Israeli settlers when they entered the building and Israeli police detained 1 of the 2 lawyers present at the site. (HA 3/27; MEE, WAFA 3/28; WAFA 3/29; WAFA, WAFA 3/30; PCHR 3/31)

The Israeli Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories announced that Israel will approve up to 20,000 work permits for Palestinians in Gaza for workers in construction and agriculture. The International Committee of the Red Cross in Israel also announced that Israel will allow family visits by Palestinians in Gaza to Palestinian prisoners in Israeli prisoners, for the 1st time since March 2020. (ALM 3/31)

U.S. secretary of state Antony Blinken met with PA president Mahmoud Abbas in Ramallah. During the meeting, President Abbas called on the U.S. to help curb settler violence and end settlement expansion. Abbas warned Blinken that the PA may rescind its recognition of Israel and end security cooperation if Israeli unilateral actions are not curbed. Abbas also criticized the U.S. and its allies for its double standards in not applying sanctions against Israel for its violations of international law as they have done against Russia. (HA, MEE, WAFA 3/27; JP 3/28; AX 3/30)

The foreign ministers of the U.S., UAE, Morocco, Egypt, Bahrain, and Israel met in Sde Boker for the 1st day of a 2-day summit comprised of countries that have normalized ties with Israel with U.S. support. Among the subjects discussed at the summit were the perceived threat from Iran and the U.S.’s efforts to reenter the Iran Nuclear deal. The 1st day of the summit coincided with the 20th anniversary of the Arab Peace Initiative. Secretary Blinken also met with Israel’s prime minister Naftali Bennett, who shortly after, tested positive for the COVID-19 virus. (AJ, AP, GDN, HA, HA, HA, HA, JP, JP, REU, TOI, WP 3/27; HA, MEMO 3/28; AX, AX 3/30)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers tried to set fire to a mosque and wrote racist graffiti on Palestinian homes in Zeita Jama’in. Israeli settlers also vandalized 3 homes and 20 vehicles in Muhmas. Elsewhere, Israeli settlers uprooted some 200 olive trees in Turmus ‘Ayya and wrote racist graffiti in the village. 10 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in Bayt Rima, Jenin, Iktaba, Tubas, Dheisheh refugee camp, Hebron, and Sa‘ir; 3 Palestinians were injured by live ammunition when Palestinians confronted the Israeli soldiers in Dheisheh refugee camp. In East Jerusalem, Israeli settlers slashed tires on more than 20 Palestinian-owned vehicles in Sheikh Jarrah. Off the coast of Gaza, Israeli naval forces opened fire on Palestinian fishermen within 3 nautical miles west of Gaza; no injuries were reported. In Gaza, Israeli forces opened fire on Palestinian farmers east of Abasan and Khuza‘a; no injuries were reported. (WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 3/24; HA 3/25; PCHR 3/31; UNOCHA 4/10)

The Israeli ministry of housing and construction added 468 settlement housing units in the Givat Hamatos settlement in East Jerusalem to its lottery, providing steep discounts to the winners of the lottery in purchasing the settlement units. Peace Now said that once the winners of the lottery are announced, it will be harder to prevent the settlement expansion of the Givat Hamatos settlement. (HA, PCN 3/24)

The PA Detainees Affairs Commission said Palestinian prisoners in Israeli prisons had canceled a planned open-ended hunger strike scheduled to begin on 3/25 after Israel’s prison service agreed to the prisoners’ demands. (WAFA 3/24)

PA prime minister Mohammed Shtayyeh met with EU commissioner for Neighbourhood and Enlargement Olivér Várhelyi in Ramallah. The 2 discussed Várhelyi’s insistence that the PA rewrite its schoolbooks to have EU financial support for the PA released. Prime Minister Shtayyeh told Várhelyi that the PA refuses Várhelyi’s demands. Várhelyi has been a lone voice in the EU for demanding the revision of PA schoolbooks as a condition for the EU releasing its annual aid to the PA. (WAFA 3/24)

Haaretz reported that Israeli soldiers are forced to register information about at least 50 Palestinians during their shifts at checkpoints and guard posts, and those who do not fill their quota are not allowed to leave their post until they have registered their quota. The registration of information is used in Israel’s Blue Wolf system, a database with photos and details about random Palestinians living in the West Bank including ID number, age, gender, residence, license plate number, and contacts. The Blue Wolf system was 1st reported by the Washington Post in November 2021. In footage obtained by the Israeli anti-occupation group Breaking the Silence, a security coordinator at an Israeli settlement is also heard telling Israeli soldiers to photograph foreign activists in the West Bank to make sure they will not be allowed to enter Israel at Ben Gurion Airport next time they try to enter. (HA, HA, MEE, WAFA 3/24; WAFA 3/25)

In the West Bank, Israeli forces demolished the Maoz Esther and Habaladim settlement outposts. Israeli settlers began rebuilding the 2 settlement outposts on 3/22 without Israeli forces interfering. 16 Palestinians were arrested, including 12 during late-night raids in al-Bireh, Ramallah, Aqabat Jaber refugee camp, Qabatiya, Faqqua, Aida refugee camp, and Bayt Awa, and 4 students were arrested during a raid at Birzeit University. Israeli settlers led by MK Itamer Ben-Gvir toured Sheikh Jarrah. In Gaza, Israeli forces opened fire on Palestinian farmers east of Khuza‘a and al-Qarara; no injuries were reported. Israeli forces also made incursions and leveled land planted with wheat and parsley. Off the coast of Gaza, Israeli naval forces opened fire on Palestinian fishermen; no injuries were reported. (WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 3/21; HA 3/25; HA 3/28; PCHR 3/24; UNOCHA 3/25)

50 Democratic members of the U.S. House of Representatives wrote a letter to U.S. secretary of state Antony Blinken urging him to stop Israeli plans to evict 300 Palestinians in al-Walaja. The U.S. lawmakers were led by Jan Schakowsky (D-IL), David Price (D-NC), Jamie Raskin (D-MD), John Yarmuth (D-KY), and Mark Pocan (D-WI). (HA, MEE 3/21; MDW 3/28)

In the West Bank, Israeli forces sealed off parts of the Old City in Hebron and forced Palestinian shops to close. Israeli forces also delivered a stop-work order for 2 houses in Kafr ad-Dik. 16 Palestinians were arrested, including 15 during late-night raids in Dura, al-Arroub refugee camp, Aqraba, Beita, Tulkarm, Qabatiya, and Sa‘ir, and 1 was arrested at the Container checkpoint near Bethlehem; Israeli forces shot and injured 1 Palestinian protesting the raid in Aqraba, claiming he had opened fire on the Israeli soldiers. Off the coast of Gaza, Israeli naval forces opened fire on Palestinian fishermen 3 nautical miles west of al-Sudaniyya; no injuries were reported. In Gaza, 3 Palestinians were arrested in the vicinity of the Gaza fence. (MEMO, TOI, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 3/17; MEMO 3/18; PCHR 3/24; UNOCHA 3/25)

Haaretz reported that Israel is allowing Israelis to do their national service through pro-settler organizations that police settlement outposts to protect Israeli settlers in the West Bank. The Israelis doing their service in settlement outposts have been reported to prevent Palestinians from cultivating their nearby lands. (HA 3/17)

Jewish Currents and the Guardian published a memo from top-level Anti-Defamation League (ADL) staff to the organization’s CEO Jonathan Greenblatt from June 2020, which recommended that the ADL ends its police exchange program between the U.S. and Israel. The memo said that the program was “highly controversial” and that the trips to Israel could lead to police misconduct in the U.S. (GDN, JC, 3/17)

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, 1 Palestinian who was shot by Israeli forces during a protest in Burqa on 3/1 succumbed to his wounds. Israeli settlers uprooted and stole grape saplings and damaged a stone wall and barbed wire fence in Kafr ad-Dik. Israeli settlers also razed a plot of land near Battir. Israeli forces violently dispersed a memorial service held for a Palestinian killed by Israeli forces on 3/1 at the Khadouri Technical University campus north of Hebron, injuring 3 with rubber-coated bullets and others with tear gas. Israeli forces also confiscated 2 water pumps and electric cables in Birin. Elsewhere, Israeli forces demolished 1 Palestinian-owned home in Khallet al-Eideh near Hebron and assaulted 2 Palestinians resisting the demolition. Israeli forces also delivered a demolition order for a residential structure in the Abu al-Nuwwar Bedouin community east of Jerusalem. 20 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in Jalazun refugee camp, al-Ram, Deir Abu Mash‘al, Tuqu‘, Hebron, Yatta, al-Zawiya, Jenin, and Fahma. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces demolished 1 Palestinian house under construction in Shu‘fat refugee camp. Off the coast of Gaza, Israeli naval forces opened fire on Palestinian fishermen west of Beit Lahiya; no injuries were reported. In Gaza, Israeli forces opened fire on Palestinian famers east of Beit Hanun and Khan Yunis; no injuries were reported. In Israel, anti-Palestinian graffiti was sprayed on 1 Palestinian vehicle and the tires of 30 vehicles were slashed in Jaljulia. (HA, HA, MEMO, MEMO, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 3/9; MEMO, PCHR 3/10; UNOCHA 3/11; UNOCHA 3/25)

Israel’s police commissioner Kobi Shabtai instructed the Israeli police to halt Palestinian home evictions and demolitions in East Jerusalem and the Naqab during the month of Ramadan. (HA 3/9)

The Israeli civil administration said, after having to respond to a freedom of information petition from HaMoked, that during 2021 it had banned 10,594 Palestinians from the West Bank from traveling abroad. According to a source in the civil administration, travel bans can be applied to Palestinians by Israel automatically, for example, in cases where the person is a relative of someone deemed by Israel to be involved with terrorism. (HA, MEE 3/9; MEMO 3/10)

PA civil affairs minister Hussein al-Sheikh met with Israeli foreign minister Yair Lapid. Civil Affairs Minister al-Sheikh said he stressed to Lapid the need for a political horizon and an end to Israeli settlement expansion. (WAFA 3/9)

The Jewish Agency said that “[i]f all goes well, we will bring tens of thousands [of Ukrainians] to Israel in the coming year,” referring to the refugee crisis in Ukraine as Russia has declared war on the country. (HA 3/9)

Israeli president Isaac Herzog met with Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdoğan in Ankara. President Erdoğan told reporters after the meeting that he believes the 2 countries are entering an era of mutual ties. (AJ, ALM, AP, AX, HA, NYT, REU 3/9; HA, TOI 3/10)

Former U.S. vice president Mike Pence toured Hebron, including al-Ibrahimi Mosque, with Israeli settler activists MK Itamar Ben-Gvir and Baruch Marzel, who were both leaders of the Kach movement. Vice President Pence also received an honorary degree from the settler university in Ariel and met with former Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu, current prime minister Naftali Bennett, president Isaac Herzog, and foreign minister Yair Lapid. (AX 3/9; AP, HA, WAFA, WP 3/10; MEMO 3/11)

Belgium signed a cooperation agreement with the PA worth $77 million over 5 years. The funding is earmarked for education, vocational training, job creation, and climate issues in the West Bank, East Jerusalem, and Gaza. (WAFA 3/9; MEMO 3/10)

China donated 200,000 doses of Sinopharm COVID-19 vaccines to UNRWA to help inoculate Palestinian refugees in Jordan, Lebanon, and Syria. (WAFA 3/9)

In the West Bank, Israeli MK Itamar Ben-Gvir drew a gun at Palestinians, claiming they were throwing stones at settler vehicles near al-Arroub refugee camp; no injuries or damage were reported. Later in the day, Israeli forces violently dispersed Palestinians protesting Ben-Gvir’s actions, injuring 1 with live ammunition. Israeli settlers also stole around 200 olive trees and saplings in Kafr ad-Dik and vandalized an agricultural structure. Israeli forces shot and killed 1 Palestinian minor in Abu Dis, claiming he had thrown a Molotov cocktail at Israeli soldiers while they were raiding the village. 7 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in Hebron, Aida refugee camp, and Nablus. In East Jerusalem, 2 Israeli settlers were arrested for allegedly damaging church property in the Old City. Israeli forces shot and killed 1 Palestinian, saying he had stabbed 2 Israeli police officers in the Old City; Israeli forces later arrested his brother during a house raid in al-Tur where Israeli forces took measurements for a punitive demolition. Off the coast of Gaza, Israeli naval forces opened fire on Palestinian fishermen northwest of Khan Yunis; no injuries were reported. (ABC, AJ, AP, HA, HA, HA, JP, MEE, MEMO, TOI, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 3/6; JP, MEMO, PCHR, TOI, WAFA 3/7; PCHR 3/10; UNOCHA 3/11)

The Israeli military spokesperson claimed that Israel had intercepted 2 Iranian drones in March of 2021, which Israel claimed to believe were transporting weapons to Gaza. (HA, MEMO 3/7)

Israel’s interior minister Ayelet Shaked said at the Knesset that too many Ukrainian refugees that are not Jewish have entered Israel since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine on 2/24. Interior Minister Shaked said she was working on an approach to bring in more Jewish Ukrainian refugees. (HA 3/6; HA, JDF 3/7)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers slashed the tires of 11 Palestinian-owned vehicles and wrote racist and threatening graffiti on properties in Iskaka. Israeli forces shot and killed 1 Palestinian who was hiking with a friend in a forest near al-Arroub refugee camp. The friend said the 2 heard shouting in Hebrew and began running away when the Palestinian man was shot in the back twice. The PA condemned the killing, calling for the International Court of Justice to investigate it. Israeli forces also violently dispersed Palestinian protesters in Hebron, injuring 2 photojournalists with rubber-coated bullets. Meanwhile, Israeli forces fired tear gas near 2 schools in Hebron, causing tear-gas related injuries among students and teachers. Israeli forces also delivered stop-work notices for 3 houses under construction in Khirbet Um Qussa. Palestinians protested in support of Palestinian prisoners in several cities throughout the West Bank; the protest coincided with a 1-day hunger strike by Palestinian prisoners demanding improved conditions. 7 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in Ni‘lin, Beit Furik, Jenin refugee camp, Jalamah, Halhul, and Za‘atra. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces demolished agricultural structures and razed land in Sur Baher. Off the coast of Gaza, Israeli naval forces opened fire on Palestinian fishermen within 3 nautical miles west of al-Sudaniyya. (AJ, HA, MEE, MEE, MEE, REU, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 3/1; PCHR, WAFA 3/2; HA, MEMO, MEMO 3/3; PCHR; HA 3/4; HA, UNOCHA 3/11)

The Israeli supreme court ruled to allow 4 Palestinian families in Sheikh Jarrah to stay in their properties until a final decision on the property rights are made. The 4 families have been threatened with eviction as Israeli settler organizations have claimed ownership of their properties, which the families have lived in since 1951. Part of the temporary agreement with the Palestinian families is that they must pay a nominal rent, which will be held as escrow until a final decision is made by the Israeli ministry of justice—a process that could take years. The Supreme Court’s decision could also temporarily protect some 20 other Palestinian families threatened by forced eviction in East Jerusalem. (AJ, AP, HA, MEMO, NYT, REU 3/1; HA 3/2; ALM 3/10)

The PA summoned French consul general in Jerusalem René Trokaz in protest over French prime minister Jean Castex’s remarks calling Jerusalem “the eternal capital of the Jewish people.” Prime Minister Castex’s remarks were made during a gala dinner hosted by the representative council of French Jewish Institutions on 2/25. (MEMO 2/28; MEMO 3/1)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers threw stones at Palestinian vehicles traveling south of Jenin on the Jenin-Nablus road. Israeli settlers with military escort also attacked Palestinian herders east of Yatta, leading to a confrontation between Israeli forces and Palestinian herders; tear-gas related injuries were reported. Elsewhere, Israeli settlers with military escort attacked Palestinians in al-Lubban al-Sharqiya, leading to a confrontation between Palestinians and Israeli forces; tear-gas related injuries were reported. Israeli forces shot and killed 2 Palestinians and injured 1 other during a raid in Jenin refugee camp; 1 of the victims was described as unarmed and the other a member of Islamic Jihad, who resisted the Israeli raid; 1 Palestinian was arrested during the raid. 4 other Palestinians were arrested, including 3 during late-night raids in Beit Umar and Hebron, 1 was arrested at a flying checkpoint in Jannatah; Israeli forces violently dispersed Palestinians protesting the raid in Beit Umar, causing tear-gas related injuries. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces violently dispersed Palestinians celebrating al-Israa wa al-Miraj in the Old City, injuring 36, including 1 11-year-old girl who was hit in the head with a stun grenade, fracturing her jaw; there were several videos circulating showing Israeli forces assaulting Palestinian minors; 20 were arrested. In Gaza, Israeli forces made incursions and leveled land east of Khuza‘a. Off the coast of Gaza, Israeli naval forces opened fire at Palestinian fishermen west of al-Sudaniyya; no injuries were reported. (HA, JP, MEE, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 2/28; AJ, AP, HA, JP, MEE, MEE, MEMO, MEMO, PCHR, REU, WAFA 3/1; HA 3/2; PCHR 3/3; UNOCHA 3/11)

The Israeli high court of justice denied a petition by Palestinians in Hebron to end Israeli forces’ use of a building on Palestinian-owned land in Hebron, saying that returning the land to its Palestinian owners would be a security risk. Israel has expressed its desire to expand Israeli settlements in Hebron on parts of the Palestinian-owned land that the Israeli forces use. (HA 3/2)

The Israeli Jerusalem district planning and construction committee rejected a petition by the committee of Muslim cemeteries and Palestinian landowners to block plans to construct a promenade at al-Yusufiya cemetery at the Old City walls in East Jerusalem. The Israel nature and park authority said that Israel does not intend to “expropriate the area in question.” (HA 3/1)

At the UN human rights council, PA foreign minister Riyad al-Maliki called out the international community’s double standard in its sanctioning of Russia due to its invasion of Ukraine while shielding Israel from similar sanctions. (WAFA 2/28; MEMO 3/1; HA 3/4; HA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 3/5; WAFA 3/7)

In the West Bank, 1 Israeli settler opened fire at 2 Palestinians traveling in a vehicle near Hizma, injuring both. Israeli forces shot and injured 1 Palestinian man, claiming he had thrown an explosive device at Israeli forces at the Jalamah checkpoint near Jenin; no Israeli soldiers were injured. Israeli forces also violently dispersed Palestinians marking the 28th anniversary of the Ibrahimi Mosque Massacre in Hebron, causing tear-gas related injuries. Elsewhere, Israeli forces violently dispersed Palestinian protesters in Qaryut, injuring 6 with rubber-coated bullets and others with tear gas. Israeli forces also violently dispersed Palestinian protesters in Bayt Dajan, injuring 5 with rubber-coated bullets and others with tear gas. Meanwhile, Israeli forces violently dispersed Palestinian protesters in Beita, causing tear-gas related injuries. Israeli forces also delivered stop-work orders for a poultry plant, a barn, and a water well in Khillat al-Qern. 8 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in Ramallah, Bethlehem, Hebron, and Abu Dis. In East Jerusalem, 1 Palestinian family started demolishing their own home in Jabel Mukaber. Off the coast of Gaza, Israeli naval forces opened fire at Palestinian fishermen off the coast, injuring 1 with a rubber-coated bullet. (HA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 2/25; MEMO, WAFA 2/26; MEMO 2/27; PCHR 3/3; UNOCHA 3/11)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers sprayed pepper spray at a Palestinian herder in Kisan. Israeli settlers also vandalized 30 olive trees in al-Zawiya. Israeli forces violently dispersed Palestinians in Biddu protesting the assassination killing of 3 Palestinians in Nablus on 2/8, injuring 3 with rubber-coated bullets. Israeli forces also violently dispersed Palestinians protesting in Kafr Qaddum, injuring 10 with rubber-coated bullets. Elsewhere, Israeli forces violently dispersed Palestinian protesters in Beita, injuring 1 with live ammunition and 3 with rubber-coated bullets. Israeli forces also violently dispersed Palestinian protesters in Bayt Dajan, injuring 8 with rubber-coated bullets and others with tear gas. 3 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in Anza and Hebron. In East Jerusalem, a fire broke out in an apartment in Sheikh Jarrah inhabited by Israeli settlers; Israeli settlers claimed it was the result of arson while Palestinians said the fire started due to an electrical short; 2 Palestinians were arrested. 1 Palestinian family demolished their own home in Silwan, displacing 2. 5 Palestinians were arrested at the Haram al-Sharif compound. Off the coast of Gaza, Israeli naval forces opened fire at Palestinian fishermen within 3 nautical miles west of the coast; no injuries were reported. Israeli forces opened fire at Palestinian herders northeast of Khan Yunis, no injuries were reported. (MEMO, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 2/11; ALM, HA 2/14; HA, PCHR 2/17; UNOCHA 2/28)

Norway announced that it will contribute $125.5 million to the UNRWA over the next 4 years. (WAFA 2/12; WAFA 2/14; MEMO 2/15)

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, Israeli settlers with military escort forced 45 Palestinians to close their shop in the Old City. 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 1/29; PCHR 2/3)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers threw stones at Palestinians at a market in Hebron City, injuring 1 and causing damage to a ceramic store; Israeli forces dispersed Palestinians with tear gas who attempted to fend off the settlers. Israeli settlers also attacked Palestinian herders with clubs in the Masafer Yatta area, causing injuries. 20 Palestinians were arrested during raids in Bethlehem, Jenin, Ramallah, and Hebron. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces demolished 1 house in al-Tur, displacing 20 Palestinians; 9 Palestinians were injured by Israeli forces while protesting the demolition. In Gaza, Israeli forces opened fire at Palestinian bird hunters east of al-Bureij; no injuries were reported. Off the coast of Gaza, Israeli naval forces opened fire at Palestinian fishermen within 3 nautical miles west of Beit Lahiya; no injuries were reported. 2 Palestinians were arrested while trying to enter Israel via the Gaza fence. (MEMO, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 1/25; PCHR 1/27)

Israel said it had sentenced an Israeli soldier who uploaded a video of himself firing shots into Gaza from Israel with 10 days in prison. The soldier uploaded the video to the social media platform TikTok. (MEMO 1/25)

Unidentified perpetrators attacked a UNIFIL patrol in Ramyah, injuring 1 UNIFIL soldier and damaging 2 vehicles. Lebanese forces intervened on behalf of the UNIFIL soldiers. (MEMO 1/26)

A bipartisan group of 42 members of the U.S. house of representatives wrote to secretary of state Antony Blinken urging him to lobby against the UN human rights council’s inquiry into human rights violations in Israel, the West Bank, East Jerusalem, and Gaza, set up after the Israeli attacks on Gaza in May 2021. The group, led by Josh Gottheimer (D-NJ) and Vicky Hartzler (R-MO), argued that the inquiry has a “disproportionate focus on Israel,” calling it “outrageous and unjust.” (HA 1/27; MEE 1/28)

It was reported that the U.S.-based venture capital firm Integrity Partners are in talks with the NSO Group to acquire the company in 2022–23. NSO Group is an Israeli spyware company responsible for the hacking of the accounts of rights activists and politicians around the world with its Pegasus spyware. Integrity Partners says they will restructure the company to only allow the governments of New Zealand, the U.S., Australia, the UK, and Canada to use its spyware. The 5 countries have an intelligence-sharing program called Five Eyes. (HA 1/25; REU 1/26; MEMO 1/27)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers blocked the main entrance to al-Naqura. Israeli forces shot and killed 1 Palestinian man, alleging that he had tried to stab a soldier at the Gush Etzion Junction between Bethlehem and Hebron. The PA called it an extrajudicial execution. 9 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in Kobar, Kafr Ni‘ma, Ni‘lin, Beita, Izbat al-Tabib, and Qalqilya. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces evicted the 18-member Salhiya family from their home in Sheikh Jarrah, leading to a standoff where members of the family threatened to blow up a gas container on top of the house if the Israeli forces proceeded to demolish their home. A large crowd protested in support of the family. Several European representatives to Palestine and Israel, with some present at the scene, also condemned the eviction and called on Israel to stop it immediately. 1 Palestinian demolished his own commercial structure in Sheikh Jarrah. Off the coast of Gaza, Israeli naval forces opened fire at Palestinian fishermen within 3 nautical miles west of Gaza; no injuries were reported. In Gaza, Israeli forces made incursions and leveled land north of Beit Lahiya. Israeli forces also opened fire at agricultural lands east of al-Qarara; no injuries were reported. (+972, AJ, AJ, F24, HA, HA, MEMO, MEMO, MEMO, REU, Twitter, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WP 1/17; EI, MEMO, MEMO 1/18; MEMO 1/19; PCHR 1/20)

Palestinian news outlet Safa and Israeli Channel 12 reported that the PA had frozen its work on preparing material for the ICC as a result of agreements made between PA president Mahmoud Abbas and Israeli defense minister Benny Gantz. (MEMO 1/18)

Israeli media reported that Libyan warlord and presidential contender Khalifa Haftar’s plane landed at Ben Gurion airport for a couple of hours before taking off again. In November it was reported that Haftar’s son and advisor Saddam Haftar had visited Israel for meetings with Israeli officials. (MEMO 1/17)

A possible drone attack in the UAE killed 3 Indian and Pakistani nationals and wounded 6 others at an oil facility and started a fire at the airport in Abu Dhabi. The Yemeni Houthi group said it was behind the attack. In a letter by Israeli prime minister Naftali Bennett, Israel offered the UAE “security and intelligence support” after the attack, saying “Israel stands with the UAE.” The UAE has been conducting air strikes with its coalition partner Saudi Arabia for years in Houthi-held areas of Yemen, causing many civilian deaths. (AJ, HA, MEMO 1/17; AJ, AJ, ALM, HA, MEMO, REU, REU 1/18; AJ, AP, MEMO 1/19; HA 1/20)