The Palestine Chronology

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers demolish an agricultural structure in Qusra. Israeli settlers also assault Palestinians in Maghayyir al-Abeed in the Masafer Yatta area. Israeli forces arrest 16 Palestinians during late-night raids in and around Husan, Nablus, Bethlehem, Ramallah, and Beit Fajjar. In Gaza, Israeli forces bomb Rafah, Khan Yunis, Jabalia refugee camp, Nuseirat refugee camp, Gaza City, and Dayr al-Balah, killing at least 90 people, including 9 in an attack on an aid truck in Dayr al-Balah. Israeli forces also open fire at Palestinians waiting to receive flour in Gaza City, causing injuries. 4 Palestinian children die at the Kamal Adwan Hospital due to hunger. In Lebanon, Hezbollah attacks Israeli forces along the Blue Line. Israeli forces bomb Ayta ash Shab and Khiam, (AJ, AJ, HA, REU, REU, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 3/3; AJ 3/4)

More than 30,410 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli forces in Gaza, including at least 13,230 children and 8,860 women, and around 71,700 have been injured since 10/7/2023. At least 7,000 people are missing in rubble, including 1,700 children. 411 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli forces and settlers in the West Bank and East Jerusalem since 10/7/2023, including 105 children. More than 4,606 people have been injured. Israel reports that 1,139 Israelis and foreign nationals have been killed and 5,400 have been injured in Israel since 10/7/2023, including Israeli soldiers. In addition, 244 Israeli soldiers have been killed and 1,432 injured in Gaza since the ground invasion began on 10/27/2023. Over 1.93 million Palestinians, nearly 85% of the population of Gaza, have been displaced since 10/7/2023. There has been a complete electricity blackout in Gaza since 10/12/2023 due to the Israeli blockade. At least 70,000 housing units have been destroyed and 290,000 have been damaged in Israeli airstrikes since 10/7/2023, constituting over 60% of all housing units. 130 trucks carrying aid enter Gaza. (WAFA 3/3; UNOCHA 3/4)

Haaretz reports that Israel is holding Palestinian prisoners in makeshift cages that do not have walls, beds, or toilets near the Atarot police base. (HA 3/3)

A delegation of Hamas officials, led by Khalil al-Hayya, arrives in Cairo for ceasefire talks. Israeli media reports that the Israeli delegation left Cairo after claiming that Hamas declined to share a list of captives that are still alive. (AJ, HA, HA, NYT, REU 3/3; REU 3/4)

PA president Mahmoud Abbas appoints Khaled Abdel Aziz Taha Dudin as governor of Hebron, Ghassan Mohammad Bakr Daghlas as governor of Nablus, and Kamal Muhammad Mahmoud Abu al-Rub as governor of Jenin. PA prime minister Mohammed Shtayyeh meets with U.S. senators Cory Booker (D-NJ) and Michael Bennet (D-CO) in Ramallah, calling on the U.S. to support an immediate ceasefire and saying Palestine needs a Marshall Plan to recover once the Israeli war on Gaza is over. (AJ, WAFA, WAFA 3/3)

Israeli war cabinet member Benny Gantz arrives in Washington D.C. for meetings with U.S. vice president Kamala Harris, Secretary of State Antony Blinken, and other officials. It is reported that Gantz’s trip is not done in coordination with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who is said to be angry that Gantz is meeting with U.S. officials. Israel’s military claims that its initial review of the Flour Massacre on 2/29 finds that most of the deaths were due to a stampede. Yisrael Beiteinu leader Avigdor Lieberman calls for early elections. (AP, HA, NYT, REU 3/2; HA, HA, HA, REU 3/3; AP, NYT 3/4)

During a speech in Selma, Alabama, Vice President Harris says “[w]hat we are seeing every day in Gaza is a tragedy,” calling for an immediate 6-week ceasefire. Harris also says Israel must open up additional crossings and not impose “unnecessary restrictions” on aid. (AJ, AJ, AX, HA, NYT, REU, REU 3/3; NYT 3/4)

The Israeli Broadcasting Corporation changes the title and some of the text of the Israeli song for the Eurovision Song Contest after the European Broadcasting Union rejected the song “October Rain” for being too political. The changes were reportedly done upon request by Israeli president Isaac Herzog. (HA, REU 3/3)

The New York Times reports that a forthcoming UNRWA report will charge Israel with “a range of ill-treatment” experienced by Palestinians taken from Gaza to detention centers in Israel. The report is based on interviews with 100 of the 1,002 Palestinians that have been released back to Gaza after being detained in Israel. (NYT 3/3)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers shoot and injure 2 Palestinians, including a child, and set a vehicle and a home on fire during a raid in ‘Asira al-Qibliya. Israeli settlers also assault 2 Palestinians and damage their vehicles after raiding their home in Kisan. Elsewhere, Israeli settlers throw stones at Palestinian homes and set a car on fire in Madama. Israeli settlers also demolish 3 structures in Susiya. Meanwhile, Israeli settlers set fire to a vehicle in Huwwara. Israeli forces shoot and injure 4 Palestinians during raid in Tell, al-Ram, Tammun, and Ramallah. Israeli forces also violently disperse a funeral procession in Biddu, injuring 2 people with baton rounds. Elsewhere, Israeli forces arrest 27 Palestinians during raids in and around Hebron, Tubas, Tell, Deir Ghassana, ‘Azzun, and Arrabah. In East Jerusalem, a Palestinian child succumbs to injuries sustained from Israeli forces on 2/11 in the Old City. Israeli settlers tour the Haram al-Sharif compound. In Gaza, Israeli forces bomb Rafah, Dayr al-Balah, Khan Yunis, and Gaza City, killing at least 164 people, including at least 74 people in Rafah. Israeli forces also shoot and kill 7 and injure at least 14 others at the Nasser Hospital. 3 Israelis soldiers are killed in combat. In Lebanon, Israeli forces bomb several places, killing 5 members of Hezbollah, including in a home in Chihine. Islamic Jihad says 2 of its fighters were killed by Israel near the Blue Line. In the Red Sea, Houthi fighters attack a cargo ship with naval missiles, saying it is U.S. owned. (AJ, AJ, AJ, AJ, AP, AP, HA, HA, REU, REU, UNOCHA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 2/12; AJ, AP, HA, HA 2/13; AJ, AP, HA 2/14)

More than 28,340 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli forces in Gaza, including at least 11,500 children and 7,200 women, and around 67,984 have been injured since 10/7/2023. At least 8,000 people are missing in rubble, including 1,700 children. 387 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli forces and settlers in the West Bank and East Jerusalem since 10/7/2023, including 99 children. More than 4,426 people have been injured. Israel reports that 1,139 Israelis and foreign nationals have been killed and 5,400 have been injured in Israel since 10/7/2023, including Israeli soldiers. In addition, 227 Israeli soldiers have been killed and 1,326 injured in Gaza since the ground invasion began on 10/27/2023. Over 1.93 million Palestinians, nearly 85% of the population of Gaza, have been displaced since 10/7/2023. There has been a complete electricity blackout in Gaza since 10/12/2023 due to the Israeli blockade. At least 70,000 housing units have been destroyed and 290,000 have been damaged in Israeli airstrikes since 10/7/2023, constituting over 60% of all housing units. 9 trucks carrying aid enter Gaza. UNRWA Gaza chief Thomas White says there is an outbreak of hepatitis A and a very high number of Palestinians experiencing diarrhea. (AJ, UNOCHA, UNOCHA, WAFA 2/12; UNOCHA 2/13)

Israel says it forces rescued 2 Israeli captives from a building in Rafah. Israel says the large-scale airstrikes on Rafah that killed at least 74 Palestinians were a diversion for the rescue mission. (HA, NYT 2/11; AJ, AJ, AP, AX, HA, HA, NYT, NYT, UNOCHA, REU, REU 2/12; NYT 2/13)

PA president Mahmoud Abbas meets with Qatari emir Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani in Doha, discussing the possibility of a unity government in Palestine. (HA, WAFA 2/12)

Hezbollah secretary-general Hassan Nasrallah meets with Islamic Jihad secretary-general Ziad al-Nakhalah. (AJ, HA 2/12)

Israeli finance minister Bezalel Smotrich says, “the Egyptians bear considerable responsibility for October 7.” A spokesperson for the Egyptian Foreign Ministry says Smotrich is trying to divert attention from Israel’s own shortcomings. Foreign Minister Israel Katz and Interior Minister Moshe Arbel say UN special rapporteur on the Palestinian territories Francesca Albanese will be banned from Israel, citing her comments that the “victims of 7/10 were not killed because of their Judaism, but in response to Israel’s oppression.” U.S. representative to the UN Human Rights Council Michele Taylor accuses Albanese of having a “history of using anti-Semitic tropes.” (AJ, HA 2/12; AJ 2/13)

U.S. president Joe Biden meets with Jordanian king Abdullah II at the White House. Biden tells the press that Palestinians in Rafah need to be protected. Abdullah II says a lasting ceasefire is needed to protect Palestinians and an Israeli invasion of Rafah would be a catastrophe. (AJ, AX, HA, NYT 2/12; NYT, WAFA 2/13)

The UN Security Council meets to discuss the situation in Rafah and an Algerian draft resolution calling for a ceasefire. Stephane Dujarric, spokesperson for the UN secretary-general, says the UN will not play a part in Israel’s plans for evacuation of Rafah, saying “there is no place that is currently safe in Gaza.” ICC chief prosecutor Karim Khan says he is deeply concerned about Israel’s plans in Rafah, adding “[a]ll wars have rules and the laws applicable to armed conflict cannot be interpreted so as to render them hollow or devoid of meaning.” Khan also says Israel has not changed its conduct in Gaza and “those who do not comply with the law should not complain later when my Office takes action pursuant to its mandate.” (AJ, HA, NYT 2/12; AJ, HA 2/13)

The U.S. Senate votes 70-29 to approve a bill which if approved by the House and President Biden would provide $95 billion in military aid to Ukraine, Taiwan, and Israel, including $14 billion to Israel, ban funding of UNRWA, and provide $9.15 billion in humanitarian assistance to civilians in conflict zones, including in Gaza and the West Bank. Biden calls on the House to immediately approve the Senate bill, which he says, “provides Israel with what it needs to protect its people against the terrorist groups like Hamas and Hezbollah and others.” Before voting in favor of the bill, Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) says Israel is committing “textbook” war crimes in Gaza. (HA 2/12; AJ, AP, HA, HA, INT 2/13)

EU high commissioner for foreign affairs Josep Borell calls on the U.S. to suspend military aid to Israel saying, “if you believe that too many people are being killed, maybe you should provide less arms in order to prevent so many people being killed.” (AJ, AJ, HA, HA 2/12)

The UK government sanctions 4 Israeli settlers. The PA foreign ministry welcomes the measure but calls it insufficient. (AJ, HA, REU, WAFA, WAFA 2/12)

A Dutch court orders the Dutch government to halt exports of F-35 fighter jet parts to Israel. The Dutch government says it will appeal the decision to the Supreme Court. (AJ, AJ, AP, HA, HA, NYT, REU, WAFA 2/12)

In the West Bank, a Palestinian man succumbed to injuries sustained during the airstrikes on Tulkarm refugee camp on 11/17. Israeli settlers attacked and wounded several Palestinian farmers in Ramin and vandalized their cars. Israeli forces shot and killed a Palestinian during a raid in Aqrabat Jaber refugee camp. Israeli forces also violently dispersed Palestinians celebrating the release of prisoners near the Ofer Prison, injuring 3 with live ammunition, 4 with baton rounds, and 22 with tear gas. Meanwhile, Israeli forces shot and injured 5 Palestinian during raids in Nablus, Deir al-Ghusun, and Tuqu’. Israeli forces also punitively demolished the family home in Rumana of a Palestinian who was shot dead by Israeli police in Tel Aviv earlier this year after he allegedly shot and killed several Israelis. Elsewhere, Israeli forces assaulted 5 Palestinians, arresting them and seizing their vehicles at a flying checkpoint near Aqraba. Israeli forces also assaulted 2 Palestinians during a raid in Taqqou. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces violently dispersed Palestinians trying to reach the Haram al-Sharif compound from Wadi al-Juz, causing injuries from beatings and tear gas. Israeli forces also raided the homes of 3 Palestinian prisoners in Jabel Mukaber and Bayt Hanina, warning their families not to celebrate their release. In Gaza, before the ceasefire took effect (see below), Israeli forces raided the Indonesian Hospital, killing a wounded woman and injuring 3 others after shelling and destroying the first floor of the hospital. Israeli forces also bombed Nuseirat refugee camp, killing at least 27 people. After the ceasefire took effect, Israeli forces shot and killed 2 Palestinians and wounded 15 others who were trying to return to northern Gaza from the south. Israel said it would not allow Palestinians to return to the north. Israel also said it had completed its operation at al-Shifa Hospital, claiming it had destroyed tunnels. It was also reported that Israeli forces destroyed oxygen pipes and generators at the hospital. Rockets were fired at Israel prior to the ceasefire; no injuries were reported. In Lebanon, Israel shot down a surface-to-air missile fired at an Israeli drone. (AJ, AJ, AJ, AJ, HA, NYT, NYT, UNOCHA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 11/24; AJ, AJ 11/25; HA 11/27)

The Gaza Media Office did not update the casualty numbers, leaving the comprehensive death toll as of 11/23 at around 14,800 Palestinians, including 6,000 children and 4,000 women, and around 35,000 injured in Israeli airstrikes on Gaza since 10/7. At least 7,000 people were missing in rubble, including 1,700 children. 222 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli forces and settlers in the West Bank and East Jerusalem since 10/7, including 54 children. More than 2,885 people have been injured. Israel reported that 1,200 Israelis and foreign nationals have been killed and 5,431 have been injured since 10/7. 75 Israeli soldiers have been killed in Gaza since the ground invasion began on 10/27. Over 1.7 million Palestinians, more than 70% of the population of Gaza, have been displaced since 10/7. There has been a complete electricity blackout in Gaza since 10/12 due to the Israel blockade. As of 11/18, at least 45,000 housing units had been destroyed and 233,000 had been damaged in Israeli airstrikes since 10/7, constituting 60% of all housing units. 2 ambulances, 4 trucks carrying diesel, 4 trucks carrying cooking oil, and 137 trucks carrying aid entered Gaza via the Rafah crossing. The UN delivered flour to 2 UNRWA facilities in the north of Gaza, the first delivery of aid the north in more than 1 month. 40 people were evacuated from al-Ahli Baptist Hospital in Gaza City to a hospital in Khan Yunis. Al-Ahli started to admit new patients despite a lack of electricity and essential hospital supplies. Fewer than 400 people fled the northern part of Gaza to the south. 44 wounded Palestinians and their companions were evacuated to Egypt. Thousands of Palestinians stuck in Egypt began returning to Gaza. (AJ, HA, NYT, REU, UNOCHA, UNOCHA 11/24)

39 Palestinians were released from the Ofer Prison as part of the prisoner exchange, including 24 women and 15 children. 33 were released to the Beitunia checkpoint, while 6 were released to East Jerusalem. 13 Israelis, 10 Thai nationals, and 1 Filipino national held captive by Hamas were released to Israel via Egypt. Germany said 4 of the Israelis were also German nationals. The Thai and Filipino captives were released in a separate deal made between Hamas and Thailand, brokered by Iran. The director of the Schneider Children’s Medical center in Israel said the captives the hospital had received were in good physical condition. Hamas published videos of its militants handing over captives to the Red Cross. Hamas political leader Ismail Haniyeh said Hamas was committed to the ceasefire as long as Israel abides by the terms. Head of the Palestinian Prisoners’ Club Qadura Fares said Israel had violated the prisoner exchange terms by releasing 7 people who were arrested within the past year instead of prisoners who had been in prison for longer. The Prisoner’s Club also said Israel had imposed a ban on celebrating the release of Palestinian prisoners, imposing fines of $18,700 for public celebrations. (AJ, AJ, AJ, AJ, AJ, AJ, AJ, AP, AP, AX, HA, HA, NYT, NYT, NYT, NYT, NYT, NYT, NYT, NYT, REU, REU, REU, UNOCHA, WAFA, WAFA 11/24; AJ, AJ, AJ, HA, NYT, REU 11/25; HA 11/27)

UK foreign secretary David Cameron visited Ramallah, saying the UK has committed an additional $37.8 million in aid to Gaza. Cameron also said that Israel will not have long-term safety and security unless Palestinians have the same, calling settler violence “completely unacceptable” and urging Israel to prosecute the perpetrators. Cameron met with PA president Mahmoud Abbas, who called on the UK to help ensure that Israel will not succeed in separating the West Bank and Gaza or reoccupy it. PA prime minister Mohammed Shtayyeh also met with Cameron and met separately with the foreign ministers of Portugal and Slovenia. (HA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 11/24; AJ 11/25)

At a press conference held at the Rafah crossing, Spanish prime minister Pedro Sanchez said that a permanent ceasefire was required and said Spain may unilaterally recognize Palestine even if the EU does not. At the press conference, Belgian prime minister Alexander de Croo said “[w]ay too many people have died. The destruction of Gaza is unacceptable.” Israel subsequently summoned the Spanish and Belgian representatives in Israel for a reprimand, prompting Spain to do the same to the Israeli ambassador to Spain. Later in a meeting with de Croo and Sanchez in Cairo, Egyptian president Abdel Fattah el-Sisi called for the establishment of a demilitarized Palestinian state with UN, Arab, or NATO forces guaranteeing the peace. (AJ, AJ, AP, HA, HA, REU 11/24; AJ,  HA 11/25; HA 11/26)

U.S. president Joe Biden welcomed the release of the 24 captives from Gaza, saying that there was a chance that the temporary ceasefire could facilitate a longer ceasefire. (NYT 11/24)

European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen said at a press conference with Canadian prime minister Justin Trudeau that there should be no forced displacement from occupied Palestine and that a reformed PA should govern Gaza and the West Bank. Von der Leyen also said settler violence had to stop. (HA 11/24)

An Israeli-owned cargo ship was attacked by a drone in the northern part of the Indian Ocean before the ceasefire agreement was implemented. The attack, which caused minor damage, was attributed to Iran by several media outlets. (AJ, AJ, HA, HA, REU 11/25)

In the West Bank, a Palestinian succumbed to injuries sustained from Israeli forces in Tulkarm on 10/13. Israeli settlers vandalized 3 water wells, uprooted 70 olive tree saplings, and removed barbed wire in Susiya. Israeli forces shot and killed 2 Palestinians during raids in Aqabat Jaber refugee camp and Jenin. Israeli forces also violently dispersed Palestinians in Aqabat Jaber refugee camp and Fawwar refugee camp, injuring 4 with live ammunition. At least 70 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in and around Hebron, Tulkarm, Nablus, Ramallah, Nil’in, Qarawat Bani Hassan, Bethlehem, and Jericho. In Gaza, Israeli airstrikes killed more than 100 Palestinians and caused extensive damage. Israeli forces also attacked the Rafah crossing for the fourth time since 10/7. Rockets were fired at Israel, causing damage and injuries. In Lebanon, Israel said it attacked Hezbollah targets. (AP 10/7; AJ, HA 10/15; AJ, HA, REU, UNOCHA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 10/16; AJ, HA 10/17)

The Gaza Ministry of Health said at least 2,808 Palestinians have been killed and 10,850 have been injured in Israeli airstrikes on Gaza since 10/7, including 47 entire families consisting of 500 people. In addition, Israeli media reported that 1,500 Palestinian militants have been killed near Gaza. 58 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli forces and settlers in the West Bank and East Jerusalem since 10/7, including 12 children. More than 1,176 have been injured, including at least 300 with live ammunition. Israeli officials recorded no new fatalities, leaving the Israeli death toll at around 1,300 Israelis and foreign nationals; 4,121 have been injured since 10/7. The UN reported that over 1 million Palestinians have been displaced since 10/7 and that since 11 p.m. on 10/12 there has been a complete electricity blackout due to the Israeli blockade. At least 11,887 housing units have been destroyed in Israeli airstrikes since 10/7. The Palestinian civil defense team said that more than 1,000 Palestinians were under the rubble of buildings in Gaza. 7 members of the civil defense team were killed in Israeli airstrikes on the Palestinian civil defense headquarters in at-Tuffah, bringing the number of humanitarian staff killed since 10/7 to 31. The Palestinian Journalists Syndicate said 11 Palestinian journalists have been killed in Israeli airstrikes since 10/7. (AJ, HA 10/15; AJ, HA, REU, REU, REU, UNOCHA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 10/16; AJ 10/17)

UNRWA said in a tweet that people claiming to be from the Gaza Ministry of Health seized fuel and medical equipment from its compound in Gaza City, before later deleting the tweet. An UNRWA statement later said that there had been no looting of UNRWA warehouses. (HA, HA 10/16; HA 10/17)

Palestinian prisoner Kayed al-Fafsous suspended his 75-day hunger strike after his family urged him to end it, fearing that Israel will let him die as part of its campaign against Palestinians related to the war with Hamas. Al-Fafsous was protesting being held in administrative detention. (WAFA 10/16)

Hamas released a video of one of its captives, a 21-year-old dual French Israeli citizen, who said in the video, “I'm in Gaza. I came back early on Saturday morning from a party in the Sderot area. I was seriously injured in the arm. They brought me to Gaza, and they took me to the hospital here for three hours. They've been taking care of me, providing medication. I'm just asking that you bring me back home as soon as possible to my family, my parents, my siblings. Please get me out of here as quickly as possible.” Hamas military spokesperson Abu Obeida said Hamas is holding around 200-250 people captive and that they are being treated with dignity and respect. He added that 22 captives have been killed in Israeli airstrikes since 10/7 and that non-Israeli captives will be released when “circumstances allow.” (AJ 10/15; AJ, HA, HA, NYT, REU 10/16; HA, REU, REU 10/17)

Hamas political leader Ismail Haniyeh spoke with Turkish foreign minister Hakan Fidan about the release of Hamas-held captives and with Malaysian prime minister Anwar Ibrahim. (AJ 10/15; AJ, HA, REU, REU 10/16)

PLO secretary-general Hussein al-Sheikh met with UN special coordinator for the Middle East peace process Tor Wennesland in Ramallah, discussing the need for an immediate ceasefire and humanitarian aid to enter Gaza. PA president Mahmoud Abbas spoke with UK prime minister Rishi Sunak and Russian president Vladimir Putin. (WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 10/16)

Israeli military spokesperson Daniel Hagari said 199 people have been taking captive by Hamas in Gaza. The Israeli prime minister’s office denied reports that there will be a ceasefire to allow foreigners to leave Gaza. (AJ 10/15; AJ 10/16)

Israel said it allowed some aid to enter Gaza via the Rafah crossing but did not allow fuel to enter. Egypt said humanitarian aid for Gaza is stuck in Egypt as Israel is not cooperating in allowing the aid to enter Gaza. The EU said it would launch a humanitarian air bridge to Egypt with aid to Gaza and the UN began shipping aid to Egypt in anticipation of being able to enter Gaza. (AJ 10/15; AJ, AP, HA, HA, NYT, REU, REU, REU 10/16; WAFA 10/17)

Hezbollah said it started destroying Israeli surveillance cameras near the Blue Line. (AP 10/16)

The Israeli military said it will evacuate Israeli residents from 28 communities within 1.2 miles of the Blue Line. (HA, REU, REU 10/16; HA, HA 10/17)

The Knesset National Security Committee approved new regulations making it easier for Israelis to obtain a gun license. 41,000 Israelis have applied for a license since 10/7. (HA 10/16; WAFA 10/17; HA 10/24)

The U.S. said 30 U.S. citizens were killed since 10/7 and 13 are unaccounted for. (HA 10/15; HA 10/16)

Iranian foreign minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian told Iranian state TV that a “preemptive strike” against Israel could be expected as Israel continues to attack Gaza. Amir-Abdollahian suggested the strike would be carried out by Hezbollah and would be related to a potential Israeli ground invasion of Gaza. Iranian foreign ministry spokesperson Nasser Kanaani said that Iran considers the U.S. militarily involved in the conflict. (AJ 10/15; AJ, AJ, HA, NYT, REU, REU 10/16; AJ 10/17)

Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu told President Putin that Israel would not end its attacks on Gaza until Israel had eliminated Hamas’ military and governmental capabilities. Netanyahu also spoke with UAE president Mohammed bin Zayed. (AJ 10/15; HA, REU 10/16; HA, REU 10/17)

U.S. secretary of state Antony Blinken visited Israel again after touring the Middle East over the weekend, meeting with Prime Minister Netanyahu, the Israeli war cabinet, and President Isaac Herzog. Blinken said Israel had agreed to develop a plan to get humanitarian aid to Gaza without it benefiting Hamas. Blinken also spoke with Foreign Minister Fidan, who condemned Israel’s “inhumane” actions in Gaza. President Joe Biden spoke with German chancellor Olaf Scholz and Egyptian president Abdel-Fattah el-Sisi. The Wall Street Journal reported that the U.S. has prepared around 2,000 soldiers for potential deployment to Israel to serve as advisors and for medical support. (AJ 10/15; AJ, HA, NYT, REU, REU 10/16; AP, HA, REU 10/17; HA 10/18)

The UN Security Council rejected a Russian resolution calling for a humanitarian ceasefire and condemning violence and terrorism against civilians. 5 countries voted for the resolution (China, Russia the UAE, Gabon, and Mozambique), 4 voted against (the U.S., the UK, France, and Japan), while 6 abstained. The U.S. criticized the resolution for not condemning Hamas. (AJ, HA, REU 10/16; AP, WAFA 10/17)

U.S. senators Brian Schatz (D-HI), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), and Peter Welch (D-VT) called on Israel to protect civilians in Gaza. 14 U.S. senators, 8 Democrats, 5 Republican, and 1 independent, called on President Biden to freeze $6 billion in Iranian assets held in Qatar that the U.S. exchanged for the release of people held in Iran last month. 13 members of the House co-sponsored a resolution urging Biden to call for an immediate ceasefire. The resolution spearheaded was by Cori Bush (D-MO), Rashida Tlaib (D-MI), Summer Lee (D-PA), Delia Ramirez (D-IL), and Andre Carson (D-IN). (AJ 10/15; AJ, AJ, HA 10/16)

Pakistani foreign minister Jalil Abbas Jilani called Israel’s attacks on Gaza genocide. Canadian prime minister Justin Trudeau called for the opening of a humanitarian corridor in Gaza to allow delivery of food, fuel, and water. Scottish first minister Humza Yousaf said that he fears that his in-laws, who are visiting Gaza, could die any day as they are running out of water and food. Prime Minister Sunak characterized the Hamas operation on 10/7 as a “pogrom” while addressing the House of Commons and said, “Israel must defend itself in line with international humanitarian law.” Sunak said 6 UK citizens have been killed and 10 are missing. Furthermore, Sunak said the UK would increase its aid to Palestinians by $12.12 million. Sunak also spoke to Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, who warned him about making “provocative steps” and reminded him of the “unkept promises [made] to Palestine.” (AJ 10/15; HA, HA, REU, REU, REU, REU 10/16; HA 10/17)

U.S. police arrested 50 demonstrators outside the White House who were calling for a ceasefire. The demonstration was arranged by Jewish American groups, including IfNotNow. (AJ 10/15; HA 10/16)

The BBC apologized for describing thousands of protesters in London on 10/14 as backing Hamas, calling the reporting misleading. (AJ 10/15)

The New York Times reported that Meta, the parent company of Instagram and Facebook, was accused of suppressing pro-Palestinian content on its platforms. (NYT 10/16)

The UN Independent International Commission of Inquiry on the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem, and Israel, concluded that “Israeli forces used lethal forces without justification under international human rights law,” when soldiers killed Al Jazeera journalist Shireen Abu Akleh in Jenin in 5/11/2022. (AJ 10/15; AJ 10/16)

Republican presidential candidate and former U.S. president Donald Trump said he would expel immigrants who are anti-Zionists, support Hamas, or are Communist, Marxist, or Fascist. (HA, REU 10/16)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers attacked a Palestinian family in their home in the Masafer Yatta area, causing bruises. Israeli settlers also opened fire at Palestinians harvesting olives in Kafr Ni’ma; no injuries were reported. Elsewhere, Israeli settlers opened fire at Palestinian homes in Hebron; no injuries were reported. Israeli settlers, reportedly disguised as soldiers, also attacked Palestinians west of Jericho with stones and clubs, causing injuries and damage. Israeli forces shot and killed a Palestinian during a funeral procession in Beit Umar, injured 1 other with live ammunition; others suffered tear-gas related injuries. Israeli forces also violently dispersed Palestinian protesters at al-Jalamah checkpoint, killing 2 and injuring 2 others. Elsewhere, Israeli forces violently dispersed Palestinian protesters in Aqabat Jaber refugee camp, injuring 3 with live ammunition. Israeli forces also violently dispersed Palestinian protesters in Bethlehem, injuring a minor with a baton round. Meanwhile, Israeli forces violently dispersed Palestinian protesters near Far’un, injuring 1 with live ammunition. Israeli forces also shot and injured 3 Palestinians near the separation wall west of Attil. Separately, Israeli forces violently dispersed Palestinian protesters in al-Bireh, injuring 2 with live ammunition. Israeli forces also demolished 2 agricultural structures in Mughayyir al-Abeed in the Masafer Yatta area. Additionally, Israeli forces fired tear gas near a hospital in Dura, causing tear-gas related injuries. A rocket, either launched from Gaza or an Iron Dome interceptor, hit Baqa ash-Sharqiya, killing 1 Palestinian and injuring 6 others. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces shot and killed 2 Palestinians in Silwan after they allegedly fired fireworks at Israeli forces. Israeli forces also violently dispersed Palestinians in Isawiya and Ras al-Amud. Elsewhere, Israeli forces arrested 13 Palestinians on suspicion of incitement and supporting Hamas. In Gaza, Israeli naval forces fired shells at a port west of Gaza City and Khan Yunis, damaging the port and fishing boats. Israeli airstrikes also killed hundreds of Palestinians and caused damage, especially to the Rimal, al-Karama, and al-Furqan neighbourhoods and Jabaliya. Gaza economy minister Juad Abu Smallah was reportedly assassinated by Israel. It was reported that white phosphorus bombs were dropped on al-Karama. UNRWA said its headquarters in Gaza was hit by Israeli bombs. Hundreds of rockets were fired at Israel from Gaza. Near Gaza, Israel said it had killed 4 militants at a beach north of Gaza and 2 in Kibbutz Re’im. Militants were also reported to have attacked Mefalsim, causing casualties. In Lebanon, militants fired anti-tank missiles at an Israeli vehicle and Israeli forces attacked militants with a helicopter and artillery. Rockets were also fired toward Israel. In Syria, rockets were launched at the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights and Israel fired artillery and mortar shells at Syria. (AP 10/7; AJ, AJ, AJ, AJ, AJ, AJ, AP, AP, HA, HA, REU, REU, REU, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 10/10; AJ, AP, AP, AP, HA, REU 10/11)

Israel claimed to have regained full control of the area around Gaza, saying the bodies of approximately 1,500 Palestinian militants were found in the area. The Gaza Ministry of Health said 830 Palestinians had been killed in Israeli airstrikes and 4,250 wounded since 10/7 as of 5.30 p.m. 22 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli forces and settlers in the West Bank and East Jerusalem since 10/7, including 4 children; 332 have been injured. Israeli media reported that as of 9 p.m. more than 1,000 Israelis and foreign nationals had been killed and 2,806 injured since 10/7. The UN said 263,934 Palestinians have been displaced, with 175,486 people sheltering at UN facilities. All but 1 mobile communications tower was destroyed in Israeli strikes. More than 610,000 people in Gaza were disconnected from the water supply due to Israeli actions. The Gaza Power Plant was reported to run out of fuel by noon on 10/11, with electricity currently limited to 3-4 hours per day. (AJ 10/9; AJ, AJ, ALM, AP, AP, AP, AP, HA, HA, HA, REU, REU, REU, UNOCHA, UNOCHA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 10/10; AJ, AP, AP, REU 10/11)

The Gaza Ministry of Health called for the opening of a “safe corridor” to allow medical aid as hospitals are overwhelmed. 4 ambulances and 1 hospital in Beit Hanun were targeted by Israeli airstrikes, closing the hospital. PLO secretary-general Hussein al-Sheikh said Israel was refusing to allow aid from the West Bank to enter Gaza. (AJ, AJ 10/10; WAFA 10/11)

Israeli military spokesperson Richard Hecht said Israel may not use the same “level of fidelity” in warning civilians before striking homes and apartment buildings. It had been reported that Israel no longer used smaller munitions to “knock” on the roofs of apartment buildings or call building managers before demolishing them with larger bombs. Hecht also called the parliament and ministries in Gaza legitimate targets. Hecht further said Palestinians in Gaza should flee to Egypt via the Rafah crossing, first saying that it is open and later tweeting that he did not know if it was open. Israel bombed the crossing on 10/9 after which it was closed. Israel also hit the crossing today. Defense Minister Yoav Gallant said the Israeli military would release “all constraints” on its attacks on Gaza and is “transitioning to a full-scale offensive.” The Israeli military said it had dropped hundreds of tons of bombs on Gaza and is emphasizing “damage, not precision.” (AJ 10/9; AJ, AJ, HA, HA, REU, REU 10/10)

The Israeli military began sending planes to Europe to collect reservists that have been called up. More than 300,000 Israeli military reservists were called in to participate in the Israeli assault on Gaza. (REU 10/9; AJ, HA, REU 10/10)

Israeli national security minister Itamar Ben-Gvir said Israel would hand out 10,000 rifles to volunteers in Israeli border communities and in Israeli settlements. (AJ, REU 10/10)

A plane carrying U.S. ammunition arrived in Israel. The USS Gerald R. Ford aircraft carrier reached the eastern Mediterranean. Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdoğan criticized the U.S. for moving the carrier near Israel, warning of a massacre in Gaza. (AJ, HA, REU 10/10; AP 10/12)

Thousands of Jordanians protested in Amman against the Israeli attacks on Gaza, demanding the Israeli embassy be closed and that Jordan end its peace treaty with Israel. (REU 10/11)

PA president Mahmoud Abbas spoke with Norwegian prime minister Jonas Gahr Støre about the Israeli attack on Gaza. PA envoy to the UN Riyad Mansour wrote a letter to the UN Security Council calling Israeli actions, including intentional starvation of Gaza, “genocidal.” (REU, WAFA 10/10)

The Likud Party said the leaders of the parties in the Israeli government coalition have agreed that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu can form an emergency unity government. Yisrael Beiteinu leader Avigdor Lieberman said on 10/8 that he will only join the unity government if the Israeli leadership commits to ending the policy of constraining Hamas and eliminates the organization. (HA, REU 10/10)

U.S. president Joe Biden gave a televised speech calling the Hamas operation on 10/7 “pure, unadulterated evil,” recounting unconfirmed Israeli narratives of militants committing rapes. Biden also compared Hamas to ISIS, attributed the operation to anti-Semitism, rather than resistance, and reiterated his stance in support of Israel, saying Israel has a “duty to respond,” despite the mass civilian casualties in Gaza. Biden further stated that the U.S. is sending ammunition and interceptors for the Iron dome to Israel. Lastly, Biden warned other countries and organizations against getting involved against Israel. Hamas called Biden’s speech deplorable and inflammatory, saying Hamas launched its operation to defend the Palestinian people and put an end to the occupation. Biden also spoke with Prime Minister Netanyahu about U.S. assistance. 392 members of the U.S. House of Representatives co-sponsored a resolution in support of Israel, calling the Hamas operation “barbaric.” It is unknown if the resolution will pass, as it is unclear if the acting speaker of the House Patrick McHenry (R-NC) has the authority to bring the resolution to the floor. (AJ, AJ, AJ, HA, HA, HA 10/10; FWD, HA, REU, REU 10/11)

U.S. national security advisor Jake Sullivan said the U.S. was in talks with Egypt and Israel to create a humanitarian corridor for residents of Gaza. (HA, REU 10/10)

The U.S. State Department said Secretary of State Antony Blinken will arrive in Israel on 10/12 for meetings with Israeli leaders. Blinken will also travel to Jordan. UK foreign secretary James Cleverly is also scheduled to arrive in Israel on 10/11. (AJ, HA, REU 10/10; REU 10/11)

U.S. homeland security advisor Liz Sherwood-Randall said the U.S. is working on different options to ensure that all U.S. citizens can leave Israel by air, sea, and land. There are currently no direct flights from Israel to the U.S. Many other countries, including France, Germany, and Canada, said they are planning on offering their citizens flights out of Israel. (AJ, HA 10/10)

President Erdoğan spoke with Russian president Vladimir Putin about measures to halt the Hamas-Israel conflict and deliver humanitarian aid. Erdoğan also said he is having talks with regional leaders to negotiate a halt to the war. Egyptian president Abdel Fatah al-Sisi and Qatari emir Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani spoke about protecting civilians in Gaza. (AJ, HA, HA, REU, REU, REU 10/10; AJ, AJ 10/11)

Houthi leader Abdel Malek al-Houthi said that if the U.S. intervened in the attack on Gaza it would respond with drones and missiles. (AJ, HA 10/10)

Berlin police banned pro-Palestinian demonstrations planned for 10/11, saying expressions of solidarity with Palestine pose a threat to public order. Australian police said a planned pro-Palestinian protest scheduled for 10/15 will be an unauthorized activity. (HA 10/10; REU 10/11)

UK home secretary Suella Braverman sent a letter to English and Welsh police, saying that waiving Palestinian flags may in some instances be illegal in cases where it is “intended to glorify acts of terrorism.” (AJ 10/10)

EU high commissioner for foreign affairs Josep Borell said he had invited PA and Israeli foreign ministers Riyad al-Maliki and Eli Cohen to an EU foreign ministers meeting to discuss the situation in Palestine and Israel. Borell also said that Israel must adhere to international law, saying Israel violates the law by imposing a total blockade on Gaza. Borell further said that the “overwhelming majority” of EU states are against cutting aid to Palestinians, as suggested by some EU officials. (AJ, HA, REU 10/10)

The UN high commissioner for human rights Volker Turk said the total siege of Gaza imposed by Israel was illegal under international law as it deprives civilians of goods essential to their survival. Turk also said Israeli airstrikes had struck residential and UN buildings as well as UN schools. (AJ, REU 10/10)

The UN Commission of Inquiry on the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem and Israel said that there was clear evidence that war crimes had been committed in Israel and Gaza. (AJ, UN, WAFA 10/10)

The office of the ICC prosecutor said the court mandate to investigate “the situation in the State of Palestine” extends to the current attacks. (REU 10/10) 

Sweden and Denmark suspended aid to Palestinians. (AJ, HA, REU 10/10)

The UAE donated $20 million in aid to Palestinians via UNRWA. (AJ 10/10)

In the West Bank, Israeli forces punitively demolished the family home in Askar refugee camp of a Palestinian accused of killing 2 Israelis on 2/26 before being shot dead a week later. 2 Palestinians were wounded by live ammunition, 5 by baton rounds, and 185 by tear gas during the raid, while 60 were forced to leave their homes and were detained at a nearby mosque during the demolition. 3 homes in the same building as the demolished apartment were damaged along with 2 nearby buildings. Israeli forces issued 2 demolition orders for homes in al-Khader and 7 stop-work orders for homes in Sarta. 22 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in Kobar, Abu Dis, Zababdeh, Siris, Aida refugee camp, al-Azza refugee camp, and Beit Umar. In East Jerusalem, Israeli settlers toured the Haram al-Sharif compound. 3 Palestinians were arrested during raids in the Old City. Off the coast of Gaza, Israeli naval forces opened fire at Palestinian fishermen west of al-Sudaniya; no injuries were reported. (AJ, HA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 8/8; PCHR 8/10; UNOCHA 8/28)

PA president Mahmoud Abbas met with King Abdullah II and Crown Prince Al Hussein bin Abdullah of Jordan. (WAFA 8/8)

The Israeli Education Ministry accepted Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich’s refusal to fund a program that prepares Palestinian residents of East Jerusalem for higher education in Israel, canceling the program. (HA, REU 8/8; ALM 8/9)

Israeli defense minister Yoav Gallant said during a tour of the Lebanese border with Israeli-occupied Golan Heights that if Hezbollah escalates tensions with Israel “we will send Lebanon back to the Stone Age.” (HA, REU 8/8; AJ, ALM 8/9)

Israeli national security minister Itamar Ben-Gvir met with the Cypriot justice and public order minister Anna Koukkides-Procopiou in Cyprus, marking the first time an EU member-state minister has met with Ben-Gvir. (HA 8/8)

Australian foreign minister Penny Wong announced that Australia has reinstated the term “Occupied Palestinian Territories” for the West Bank and East Jerusalem and defined Israeli settlements as illegal, reversing a 2014 decision to call Israeli-occupied areas “disputed territory.” (HA, MEE, WAFA 8/8; WAFA 8/9)

Austria signed a 3-year agreement to donate $10 million to UNRWA’s health program. (WAFA 8/8)

In the West Bank, Israeli forces violently dispersed Palestinian protesters in al-Rakiz in the Masafer Yatta area, causing injuries from assault and tear gas. Israeli forces also shot and injured 1 Palestinian minor during a raid in Hebron. 3 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in al-Arroub refugee camp, Bethlehem, and Jaba‘. Off the coast of Gaza, Israeli naval forces opened fire at 2 Palestinian fishermen, injuring both with baton rounds and seizing their boat; both were transferred to a hospital for treatment. Israeli naval forces also arrested 2 fishermen within 2 nautical miles and confiscated their boat; neither was injured. Meanwhile, Israeli naval forces opened fire at Palestinian fishermen 550 yards from the shore, damaging 2 boats and 15 searchlights. In Gaza, 2 Palestinians were arrested near the Gaza fence. (MEE, REU, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 6/4; PCHR 6/5; PCHR 6/9; UNOCHA 6/17)

PA president Mahmoud Abbas spoke with French president Emmanuel Macron via phone. (WAFA 6/4)

Meretz MK Michal Rozin said at an event that her party will support Emergency Regulations – Judea and Samaria, Jurisdiction and Legal Aid, extending Israeli law to Israeli settlers living in the West Bank. Rozin explained that her party is doing so to ensure that the government coalition does not dissolve. The regulation is set to expire at the end of June and Israeli justice minister Gideon Sa’ar is seeking to extend it for 5 years. Former prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that his party Likud will abstain on voting to extend the regulation. (HA 5/31; HA 6/2; ALM, HA, HA 6/3; HA 6/4; AP, HA 6/6)

A UK-based Iranian opposition group, Iran International, reported that an Iranian engineer, Ayoob Entezari, was assassinated by poison at a dinner in Yazd. Iran denied the reporting, saying Entezari died of a disease. It was reported that Entezari was working on drone and missile technology. Entezari’s death followed 3 incidents in the last 2 weeks, in which 2 colonels and 1 other engineer were killed in Iran. (HA, TOI 6/4; HA, TOI 6/5; HA, JP 6/6)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers stole 1 residential tent and vandalized a fence in Khirbet Martaba. Israeli also settlers assaulted 2 Palestinian minors in Qusra, leading to the hospitalization of 1 of them. Israeli forces subsequently violently dispersed Palestinians in Qusra protesting the settler attack, injuring 22 with baton rounds and tear gas. Israeli forces also shot and injured 7 Palestinians with baton rounds during a raid in Jifna; others suffered tear-gas related injuries. 8 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in Silwad, Ras Karkar, Beit Fajjar, and al-‘Ain refugee camp. In East Jerusalem, dozens of Israeli settlers toured the Haram al-Sharif compound. Israeli forces assaulted and detained 4 Palestinians in the Old City. (WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 5/22; WAFA 5/23; PCHR 5/26; UNOCHA 6/4)

A Jerusalem court overturned an Israeli police decision to bar 3 Jewish people from entering the Haram al-Sharif compound after they violated the ban on praying at the Muslim site. PA president Mahmoud Abbas called the court decision “a grave assault against the historic status quo,” and Jordan said the ruling violates international law. Israeli prime minister Naftali Bennett’s office issued a statement saying that there had been no policy change at the Haram al-Sharif compound. Hamas said that the court decision crossed “all red lines and is a dangerous escalation.” Israeli police appealed the decision on 5/23. (AJ, HA, MEMO, REU, TOI 5/22; CNN, HA, JP, MEE, TOI, WAFA 5/23)

The 6 Palestinians who escaped Gilboa prison on 9/6/2021 were sentenced to 5 years in prison for their escape and each fined $1,487. 5 other Palestinian prisoners were sentenced to 4 years for assisting in their escape. (AJ, AP, HA, MEMO, WAFA 5/22)

Hamas imposed a 16.5% tax on 24 products from the West Bank, including bottled water and soft drinks. PA economy minister Khaled al-Osaily called the new taxes “illegal and not permissible within the same nation.” (ALM 6/1)

Hamas and the PA warned Israel, in separate statements, against carrying out the right-wing flag march through East Jerusalem on 5/29. (HA, MEMO 5/22)

Ghaida Rinawie Zoabi, who on 5/19 announced that she was leaving the Israeli government coalition, said she would resume supporting the coalition after meetings with foreign minister Yair Lapid and several mayors. Rinawie Zoabi’s reversal brought the government coalition back to an equal number of Knesset members to that of the opposition. Rinawie Zoabi told her colleagues on 5/19 that she was leaving the coalition due to Israeli attacks on Palestinians at the Haram al-Sharif compound and at the funeral for Al Jazeera journalist Shireen Abu Akleh. She further stated that the government coalition is not a government of change but a right-wing government. (AP, AX, HA, MEMO, NYT, REU 5/22; HA 5/23)

In Iran, a colonel in the Iranian Revolutionary Guard’s Quds Forces, Hassan Sayyad Khodaei, was assassinated in front of his house in Tehran by 2 people on a motorbike. Iranian president Ebrahim Raisi said on 5/23 that the assassination is being investigated and that Iran will revenge the killing. The New York Times reported later, on 5/25, that Israel had told the U.S. that it was behind the assassination of Khodaei. (AA, AJ, AP, HA, MEE, REU, TOI 5/22; AP, GDN, HA, IN, JP, MEE, REU 5/23; AJ, ALM, AP, HA 5/24; HA, NYT 5/25; HA 5/26; REU 5/29; REU 5/30)

Chairperson of the EU parliament’s relations with Palestine Manu Pineda was forced to cancel a trip to the occupied Palestinian territories with a group of other EU parliamentarians after Israel refused to allow him entry to Israel and his delegation access to Gaza. President of the EU parliament Roberta Metsola said on Twitter that she regretted the decision but that she would continue her visit to Israel. (HA, TOI 5/21; AJ, JP, TOI 5/22; HA, MEMO, WAFA 5/23; MEMO 5/25)

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 vandalized Palestinian property in al-Bireh, drawing the star of David and writing racist slogans on a building and a vehicle. Israeli forces demolished 3 houses in al-Walaja and 1 agricultural structure in al-Khader. Israeli forces also sprayed herbicides on olive crops in Battir, damaging 70 olive seedlings. 7 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in and around Jenin, Ya‘bad, Husan, Bayt Awa, and Hebron; Israeli forces shot 1 Palestinian with live ammunition protesting the raid in Husan. In East Jerusalem, 1 Palestinian family demolished their own home in Jabel Mukaber. Off the coast of Gaza, Israeli naval forces opened fire at Palestinian fishermen 3 nautical miles from the coast; no injuries were reported. (HA, MEMO, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 11/9; PCHR 11/11)

PA prime minister Mohammed Shtayyeh said during a cabinet meeting that the PA had only received 10% of the usual contributions to its economy that it receives from foreign donors, leading to a very difficult financial situation. Prime minister Shtayyeh also pointed to Israeli deductions in the PA’s tax revenue and the COVID-19 pandemic as contributing to the PA’s financial hardship. (WAFA 11/9; MEMO 11/10)

PA president Mahmoud Abbas and EU representatives inaugurated a new headquarters built for the Palestinian Central Elections Commission, funded by the EU, in Ramallah. (WAFA, WAFA 11/9)

Jordanian king Abdallah II and foreign minister Ayman Safadi met with head of the United Arab List Mansour Abbas in Amman, to discuss the 2-state solution and King Abdallah’s custodianship of the holy places in Jerusalem. Abbas also told reporters that PA president Mahmoud Abbas has requested meeting him but that he has opted not to, fearing the response from the government coalition. (HA 11/9; ALM, ALM, MEMO 11/10)

Israel’s environmental protection minister Tamar Zandberg of Meretz (Vigor) said that the Israeli government was violating the coalition agreement by continuing to expand settlements in the West Bank. Environmental Protection Minister Zandberg also said she was dismayed by the targeting of Palestinian rights organizations in the West Bank. (HA 11/9)

Colombia’s president Iván Duque Márquez opened a trade office to Israel in Jerusalem, during a visit. The PA condemned the move and called on Colombia to reverse the decision. (TOI 11/9; WAFA 11/10)

UN humanitarian agencies and the Association of International Development Agencies, representing more than 80 NGOs, issued a statement in support of the 6 Palestinian rights organizations that were declared terrorist organizations by Israel’s defense minister Benny Gantz on 10/22. (HA, OCHA, WAFA 11/9; MEMO 10/10)

The Qatar Fund for Development pledged $25 million to UNRWA after meetings between UNRWA commissioner-general Philippe Lazzarini and Qatar officials in Doha. (MEMO, WAFA 11/10)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers attacked Palestinians harvesting olives in Deir al-Hatab. Israeli settlers also stole olives harvested in Khirbet Yanun. Hundreds of Palestinians worked their land in Jabal Sabih for the 1st time since Israeli settlers erected the Evyatar settlement outpost on the hill. The outpost was cleared in July, but Israeli forces have repelled Palestinians trying to reach the top of the hill since it was erected. 4 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in Bayt Jala and Jenin. In East Jerusalem, dozens of Israeli settlers toured the Haram al-Sharif compound. Israeli forces violently dispersed Palestinian protesters at a construction site near al-Yusufiya Muslim cemetery at the Old City walls, where human remains have been found after parts of the cemetery were razed; 10 Palestinians were injured. Israeli forces also summoned former grand mufti of Jerusalem Sheikh Ekrima Sabri for questioning after raiding his home. 3 Palestinians were arrested in the Old City. In Gaza, Israeli forces opened fire at Palestinian land east of Khuza‘a; no injuries were reported. Off the coast of Gaza, Israeli naval forces opened fire at Palestinian fishermen within 3 nautical miles west of Gaza; no injuries were reported. (WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 10/10; AJ, HA, MEE, MEMO, MEMO, WAFA 10/11; TOI, WAFA 10/12; PCHR 10/14)

An Israeli military court in the West Bank charged 2 Palestinians from Jenin with aiding 2 of the Palestinians that escaped Gilboa prison on 9/6 by providing them shelter and food. (HA 10/12)

Hamas and Fatah officials told Haaretz that the U.S. and Egypt are encouraging the 2 Palestinian parties to form a unity government. The officials who talked to Haaretz said such an outcome was unlikely. According to Palestinian politicians in the West Bank, PA president Mahmoud Abbas told U.S. deputy assistant secretary of state for Israeli and Palestinian affairs Hady Amr that he potentially would agree to a unity government with Hamas officials, but that it could not be made up by technocrats. Abbas is also said to have insisted that Hamas recognize cooperation between the PA and Israel. (HA 10/10)

Serbian president Aleksandar Vučić told PA foreign minister Riyad al-Maliki, during a meeting of the Non-Aligned Movement, that Serbia will not move its embassy to Israel from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem. (WAFA 10/11)

German chancellor Angela Merkel met with Israeli prime minister Naftali Bennett in Jerusalem. During a joint press conference, Prime Minister Bennett said that Israel was not ignoring its conflict with Palestinians but said that “we’ve learned from experience that a Palestinian state would highly likely mean a terror state a seven-minute [drive] from my own home, and from just about any place in Israel.” Chancellor Merkel told Bennett that she supports Israel despite the Israeli government’s opposition to a 2-state solution. (AP, HA, HA, HA, REU, REU 10/10; ABC, ALM, AP, MEMO, WAFA 10/11)

In the West Bank, some 60 Israeli settlers from the Yitzhar settlement threw stones at Palestinians harvesting olives in Burin. Israeli settlers from the Telem settlement also uprooted and vandalized some 100 olive seedlings in Tarqumiyah. Israeli forces razed land near al-Lubban ash-Sharqiya, leading to a confrontation with Palestinians protesting the attack on their land; 1 was physically assaulted and 4 were injured by rubber-coated bullets. Israeli forces also razed land in al-Zawiya for the 2d day in a row and demolished 2 residential buildings in al-Zanbah. 8 Palestinians were arrested during raids in Tell, Zabbuba, al-Fara‘a refugee camp, and Aida refugee camp. In East Jerusalem, Israeli settlers attacked Palestinians in the Old City. 3 Palestinians were arrested, including 2 during a raid in Isawiya and 1 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 Gaza; no injuries were reported. (WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 10/7; HA 10/11; PCHR 10/14)

PA president Mahmoud Abbas spoke to Egyptian president Abdel Fattah al-Sisi over the phone. (WAFA 10/7)

Members of the Israeli Labor Party met with Palestinian officials in Ramallah. (WAFA 10/8)

Haaretz reported that the Israeli military did not refer an incident to the Israeli police where an Israeli settler took an assault rifle from an Israeli soldier and shot at Palestinians on 6/26. The Israeli military said it had referred the case to the Israeli police, but the police denies it ever received notice of the incident. Palestinian eyewitnesses said that the Israeli soldier gave the settler the gun for him to shoot with. The Israeli military also refused to respond to Haaretz’s enquiry about an incident in May where a masked Israeli soldier shot and killed 1 Palestinian in ‘Urif. The soldier in question was also a settler and was not on duty when he shot and killed the Palestinian man, wearing only a face covering and army pants. (HA 10/7)

At Americans for Peace Now’s annual gala, Democratic senator Bernie Sanders (D-VT) said that he and Senate majority leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) are working to significantly increase the U.S. humanitarian aid to Gaza as the Senate is working on a bill to give Israel $1 billion in military aid, allegedly to replenish the Iron Dome missile defense system arsenal. Senator Sanders said giving Israel $1 billion in military aid without addressing the suffering of the people in Gaza “would be wrong and unconscionable.” Sanders explicitly called for the U.S. to condition its military aid to Israel, saying that “[i]t is totally appropriate for the United States to say what that aid may and may not be used for.” Sanders also said that he is unimpressed by the policies of Israeli prime minister Naftali Bennett, saying that Bennett is pursuing the same policies as Benjamin Netanyahu when it comes to occupied Palestinian territories. Sanders called the current Israeli policy “a one-state reality in which one people enjoy perpetual political dominance over another.” (HA, MEMO 10/8)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers burned Palestinian-owned olive trees and stole olive harvests between Jurish and Qusra. Israeli settlers also stole olive harvests from a Palestinian farmer near Kafr Qalil. Israeli forces delivered a demolition order for a house in Susiya and a stop-work order for a house in Laseefer, near Yatta. 15 Palestinians were arrested, including 11 during late-night raids in Hebron, Tulkarm, Seida, ‘Urif, Sa‘ir, Beit ‘Anan, Biddu, and al-Shuyukh, and 4 during the day in the vicinity of Bethlehem. In East Jerusalem, some 70 Israeli settlers toured the Haram al-Sharif compound. 2 Palestinians were arrested in al-Tur and Isawiya. In Gaza, Israeli forces made incursions and leveled land east of al-Shuka. (MEE, MEE, WAFA, WAFA 10/5; MEMO 10/6; PCHR 10/7)

In Gaza, Palestinians protested outside of the UNRWA headquarters against the 2-year working plan signed between the U.S. state department and UNRWA. The agreement conditions U.S. aid on monitoring of UNRWA aid recipients’ affiliation with militant groups and monitoring of school curriculum. (AJ 10/5)

The Israeli supreme court proposed that 3 Palestinian families living in Sheikh Jarrah under the threat of eviction become “1st generation protected tenants” in their homes. The status would protect them and their families from being evicted by Israeli settlers for 3 generations. A 4th family was offered to become 2d-generation protected tenants. Under this scheme, which the supreme court calls a compromise, the families still have a chance to prove to the Israeli court that they have ownership rights. The families would have to pay $750 a year in rent to the Nahalat Shimon settler organization. Both the Palestinian families and the Israeli settler groups trying to evict the families have expressed opposition to the proposal from the supreme court. If the Palestinian families accept the “compromise,” they would have to pay Nahalat Shimon’s court and legal fees in the amount of $9,300. The settler organization and the Palestinian families were told to respond to the proposal by 11/2. The Palestinian families have been living in their homes since 1956, when the Jordanian government and the UN built 28 homes in Sheikh Jarrah for displaced Palestinians. (HA, HA, MEMO 10/5; ALM 10/12)

PA president Mahmoud Abbas met with president of the World Bank David Malpass in Ramallah. (WAFA 10/5)

The Czech Republic announced that it will buy an air defense system from the Israeli state-run company Rafael Advanced Defense Systems Ltd. The deal is worth $630 million and will provide the Czech Republic with the Spyder system. (AJ 10/5; MEMO 10/6)

U.S. senator Rand Paul (R-KY) delayed a vote in the Senate on the $1 billion bill providing additional military aid to Israel, allegedly to replenish the Iron Dome missile defense system. The bill would have passed immediately if all 100 senators agreed to pass it. Instead, it will have to go through the formal process before it can be passed. (HA, HA 10/5)

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 forces violently dispersed Palestinian protesters in Beita, injuring 2 with rubber-coated bullets. Israeli forces also leveled agricultural land near Bethlehem. 13 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in and around Shufa, Dheisheh refugee camp, al-Khader, Beit Fajjar, ‘Anata, and Dura. In East Jerusalem, 1 Palestinian was arrested during a house raid in al-Tur. In West Jerusalem, 5 Jewish Israelis attacked 1 Palestinian man, stabbing and beating him while he was on his way home after work. 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 8/19; MEMO, MEMO 8/20; PCHR 8/26; TOI 8/29)

PA president Mahmoud Abbas spoke to South African president Cyril Ramaphosa, thanking him for his support of Palestine. South Africa has been 1 of the most vocal opponents of the African Union decision to readmit Israel as an observer state on 7/22. (WAFA 8/19)

PA prime minister Mohammed Shtayyeh met with UN special coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process Tor Wennesland in Ramallah. Prime Minister Shtayyeh stressed that all aid to Palestine must go through the PA. Later, Qatar announced that an agreement to transfer Qatari aid to Palestinian families had been made and that the process does not involve the PA. The agreement that will remain in effect until the end of 2021 will see some 100,000 Palestinian families in Gaza receiving a monthly stipend of $100 from Qatar, which will be transferred to banks in Gaza via a UN bank account in New York. The UN World Food Programme provides ATM cards to the Palestinians in Gaza for the aid and Israel will approve the list of Palestinian families eligible. Israeli defense minister Benny Gantz said a separate mechanism would be set up for Palestinians in the West Bank where the PA will distribute funds. Haaretz sources said that part of the reason the PA was circumvented in the process of providing aid to Gaza was due to the possible legal procedures against the PA if aid money was provided to people affiliated with Hamas. Hamas later praised the agreement. (HA 8/17; AJ, ALM, AP, HA, NYT, REU, WAFA 8/19; AJ, HA, JP, MEE, MEMO 8/20)

Israel’s foreign and alternate prime minister, Yair Lapid, told Israeli Channel 11 that there will not be a 2-state solution during the current government. Foreign Minister Lapid said that a 2-state solution is his preferred outcome, but that there is not any agreement for it within the current government. (JP 8/20)

Israeli forces used Lebanese air space to attack areas surrounding Damascus and Homs in Syria, allegedly killing 8, including 4 civilians. Lebanese defense minister Zeina Akar condemned Israel for violating its air space and flying at low altitudes. (AJ, AP, HA, TOI 8/19; MEE 8/20)

A shipment of Iranian fuel embarked toward Lebanon after a group of Shiite businessmen with help from Hezbollah bought the fuel. Lebanon has suffered a severe fuel shortage in recent months as its economy continues to deteriorate. Lebanese president Michel Aoun said that the U.S. will help Lebanon with its fuel shortage by providing electricity through Egyptian natural gas via Jordan and Syria. (AJ, AP, HA, MEMO, REU, REU 8/19; HA, MEMO 8/20)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers raided Khirbet Zanuta, assaulting Palestinians and causing damage to houses. Israeli settlers also seized an old Jordanian army building in Arab al-Rashayida near Bethlehem. Israeli forces raided the headquarters of the Palestinian Red Crescent in Tubas, firing 29 tear gas canisters at the building, causing tear-gas related injuries and starting a fire. Israeli forces also assaulted a man at the Hamra checkpoint near Nablus. 6 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in and around al-Bireh, Jenin, and Tayassir. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces violently dispersed Palestinian protesters demonstrating against Israeli-planned evictions of Palestinians in Batn al-Hawa, injuring 1 minor before arresting him. Israeli forces also arrested 1 Palestinian for gesturing his middle finger at Israeli forces in the Old City; the man’s lawyer said he was beaten by Israeli police while in detention; it was the 2d man in 2 days arrested for making the gesture. In Israel, 1 Palestinian citizen of Israel demolished his own home in Taibe to avoid exorbitant Israeli demolition fees. (HA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 5/26; PCHR 5/27)

Israel opened an investigation into why Israeli forces shot 1 girl and her father in their house in Shaykh Jarrah on 5/25. The girl was shot in the back with a rubber-coated bullet, fracturing her spine. Her father was hit in his leg and with a stun grenade. 1 Israeli soldier was suspended while the investigation was ongoing. (AP 5/26; HA 5/27)

Israel revoked social and health benefits for 16 Palestinian families in East Jerusalem as a punitive measure because at least 1 member in each family is seen as a political activist for Palestinian rights to live in Shaykh Jarrah or against Israeli attacks on the Haram al-Sharif compound. It was also reported that 11 Palestinian residents of East Jerusalem were placed in administrative detention for periods of 3-6 months. (HA, MEMO, WAFA 5/27)

An Israeli court in Jerusalem postponed making a judgment on the eviction of 86 Palestinian families from their homes in Batn al-Hawa in Silwan. 15 European diplomats were present at the court during the postponement. (AJ, MEE, MEMO, WAFA 5/26; ALM, WAFA 5/27; HA 5/28; AJ 5/29)

PA president Mahmoud Abbas met the British foreign minister Dominic Raab in Ramallah, calling for the revival of the International Quartet’s engagement in a peace process. (HA, WAFA, WAFA 5/26)

Hamas leader in Gaza Yahya Sinwar threatened Israel with a more intense attack if Israel continues to attack the Haram al-Sharif compound. Sinwar also said that Hamas would not touch “a single cent” of international aid for rebuilding Gaza. (AJ, HA 5/26)

U.S. secretary of state Antony Blinken met with Egyptian president Abdel Fatah al-Sisi and other senior Egyptian officials discussing the Egyptian brokered ceasefire between Israel and Hamas. Secretary Blinken also met with Jordanian king Abdullah II in Amman. (AJ, AJ, HA, REU 5/26)

After the government of Ireland recognized Israel’s settlement activity as de facto annexation of Palestinian lands on 5/25, the Irish parliament passed a motion to condemn Israel’s “de facto annexation” of Palestinian lands. (AJ 5/26; AP, GDN, HA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 5/27)

The EU increased its financial support for Palestinians by $9.75 million to help rebuild Gaza. (WAFA 5/26)

Qatar announced it would donate $500 million to help rebuild Gaza. (AJ, AX, HA, REU 5/27; MEMO, WAFA 5/28)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers uprooted some 35 olive trees in Hebron. Israeli undercover forces assassinated 1 Palestinian in al-Bireh from close range before leaving him to bleed out. Israeli forces also delivered demolition notices for 3 industrial structures in Dayr Sharif. Elsewhere, Israeli forces delivered notices for land seizures to complete a 9.3-mile-long water pipeline to 2 Israeli settlements near Salfit. 12 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in Biddu, Bayt Duqqu, al-Za’ayyem, Kafr Dan, Jaba‘, Nablus, Aqabat Jabir, and Hebron. In East Jerusalem, Palestinians protested Israeli-planned evictions of Palestinians in Batn al-Hawa in Silwan. 6 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in al-Tur and the Old City, including 1 man for gesturing his middle finger at Israeli police in the Old City. (AJ, MEE, TOI, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 5/25; HA, PCHR, WAFA 5/26; PCHR 5/27; AJ 5/30; HA 7/2; HA 7/4)

Israel reopened the Erez and Kerem Shalom crossings for humanitarian aid and aid workers. The Kerem Shalom crossing remained closed for exports. Israel also allowed Gaza fishermen to fish up to 6 nautical miles from shore. (HA 5/24; HA, HA 5/25)

PA health minister Mai al-Kaila said the PA had received 103,000 doses of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine and that 46,800 of them would be sent to Gaza. 203,161 Palestinians in Gaza and the West Bank are fully vaccinated. (WAFA 5/25)

Jordan summoned the Israeli ambassador to the country to complain about the detention of 2 Jordanian citizens in Israel and the lack of access for the Jordanian embassy to talk to them. (WAFA 5/25; MEE 6/1)

U.S. secretary of state Antony Blinken landed in Tel Aviv for meetings with Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu, foreign minister Gabi Ashkenazi, and defense minister Benny Gantz. Later in the day, Secretary Blinken met with PA president Mahmoud Abbas and PA prime minister Mohammed Shtayyeh in Ramallah, as well as Palestinian activists at the offices of AMIDEAST. At a press conference with Prime Minister Netanyahu, Blinken reiterated the Biden administration’s support for Israel’s “right to defend itself” and said that the U.S. will help rebuild Gaza while preventing Hamas from benefiting from any U.S. aid. Netanyahu said that Israel would have a “very powerful response” if Hamas breaks the ceasefire. During a meeting with President Abbas in Ramallah, Blinken announced that the U.S. would reopen the consulate general in West Jerusalem, servicing Palestinians. The Trump administration closed the consulate and merged it with the Israeli embassy after it was moved to Jerusalem. Blinken also said that the Biden administration is asking Congress to approve $75 million in aid to Gaza and another $30 million to UNRWA. (AJ, AJ, AJ, ALM, AP, AP, AX, AX, CBS, CNN, FOX, HA, HA, HA, HA, NYT, REU, REU, REU, WAFA, WSJ 5/25; AP, MEMO, WAFA 5/26; AX 5/27)

Indirect talks between Iran and the U.S. through Germany, France, Britain, Russia, and China continued in Vienna to facilitate a reentry of the U.S. to the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action and for Iran to restart its compliance with the deal. (AP 5/25)

The government of Ireland recognized Israel’s settlement activity as de facto annexation of Palestinian lands. (RTE 5/25; MEE, WAFA 5/26)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers vandalized vehicles and set fire to 15 dunams (3.7 acres) of agricultural land in the Masafer Yatta area. 6 Palestinians were arrested, including 4 during late-night raids in and around Tubas and Nablus, and 2 at checkpoints near Huwwara and in Hebron. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces violently dispersed Palestinian and Israeli protesters near Shaykh Jarrah, demanding that they end the lockdown of the area. 9 Palestinians were arrested, including 5 during house raids in Issawiyya and the Old City and 4 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 Dayr al-Balah; no injuries were reported. In Israel, thousands demonstrated in Tel Aviv for “a joint future” for all Israelis after days of violence among Israeli citizens. There were also protests outside of prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s official residence. (HA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 5/22; PCHR 5/27)

Israel allowed a limited number of fishing boats from Gaza to start fishing, after closing the fishing zone since 5/10. (AP 5/23)

Egypt sent a convoy of 130 trucks to Gaza carrying humanitarian aid. (HA, WAFA 5/22)

PA president Mahmoud Abbas spoke with Qatari emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani about the recent Israeli attacks on Gaza and East Jerusalem. Emir Al Thani promised to help organize other nations in ending Israeli attacks on the al-Aqsa Mosque. President Abbas also spoke to the emir of Kuwait, Nawaf Al‑Ahmad Al‑Jaber Al‑Sabah, and the Egyptian security delegation that had been working as intermediaries between Israel and Hamas before the ceasefire. (AJ, REU, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 5/22)

The mayor of Lydda Yair Revivo threatened Palestinian-Israeli councilwoman Fida Shehade that he would send the Shin Bet after her because she had criticized the city’s treatment of its Palestinian-Israeli residents. (HA 5/23)

Lebanese prime minister-designate Saad Hariri said he would not continue trying to form a cabinet after Lebanese president Michel Aoun said that he was incapable of doing so on 5/21. (REU, REU 5/22)

The UN security council (UNSC) released its 1st statement since the escalation of violence against Gaza on 5/10, calling for adherence to the ceasefire. The statement mourned the loss of civilian lives, called for humanitarian aid to Palestinians, and reiterated its support for a 2-state solution. The U.S. has been criticized by other members of the UNSC for blocking statements before the ceasefire took effect on 5/21. UN humanitarian coordinator for the Palestinian territories Lynn Hastings also toured Gaza to assess the damage, calling for the blockade to end and expressing concern about a potential new COVID-19 outbreak. (AJ, AP, HA, HA, WAFA 5/22)

In the West Bank, 1 Palestinian minor, shot by Israeli forces on 5/12, succumbed to his wounds. Israeli settlers shot and injured 1 Palestinian while raiding Bani Na‘im. Israeli settlers with military escort also raided Silat al-Harithiyya, leading to confrontations; no injuries were reported. Elsewhere, Israeli settlers also blocked a main road to al-Bireh and threw stones at Palestinian vehicles, causing damage. Israeli settlers also threw stones at Palestinian vehicles near Bayt Jala and al-Walaja. Israeli forces shot and killed 1 Palestinian using live ammunition during a Nakba Day protest in Zeita, near Tulkarm. Israeli forces also violently dispersed Palestinian protesters in Aida refugee camp, causing tear-gas related injuries. Elsewhere, Israeli forces violently dispersed Palestinian protesters in Tura, injuring 1 with live ammunition. Israeli forces also violently dispersed Palestinian protesters at a checkpoint near Huwwara, injuring 1 with a rubber-coated bullet; others suffered tear-gas related injuries. Separately, Israeli forces violently dispersed Palestinian protesters in Hebron, injuring 1 with live ammunition and 1 with rubber-coated bullets; others suffered tear-gas related injuries. Israeli forces also violently dispersed Palestinian protesters in Bayt Umar, leading to tear-gas related injuries. 7 Palestinians were arrested, including 2 during house raids in al-Khadir and Dura, and 5 during protests near Jenin. In East Jerusalem, Israeli settlers with military escort raided Bayt Hanina and Shu‘fat refugee camp, leading to confrontations; 2 Palestinians were injured by the Israeli forces in Bayt Hanina. Israeli settlers later raided Shu‘fat refugee camp again, injuring 2 Palestinians with live ammunition. Israeli forces shot and killed 1 Palestinian, saying he had intentionally rammed 7 officers, who were lightly injured, in Shaykh Jarrah; 1 journalist was physically assaulted at the scene and others had stun grenades thrown at them. 25 Palestinians were arrested. In Gaza, 50 Palestinians were killed, including 19 children, and dozens were injured, raising the comprehensive death toll since 5/10 from 153 to 203, including 60 children and 2 pregnant women. The casualties included: 43, including 19 children, and dozens wounded in air strikes hitting residential buildings in Gaza City; 1, and 2 wounded in a drone strike in Jabaliya; 1, and 11 injured in air strikes on a residential buildings in Nuseirat; 3 in air strikes on Bayt Hanun; 2 in a drone strike on a house in Rafah. Israel also attacked and demolished the homes of Hamas leader in Gaza Yahya Sinwar and his brother in Khan Yunis; no injuries were reported in the air strikes. In Israel, rockets from Gaza hit 1 house in Ashdod and damaged 5 vehicles in Ashkelon; no injuries were reported. Israel’s defense minister Benny Gantz extended the state of emergency in Lydda for 48 hours. Israel arrested 1 Palestinian-Israeli imam Shaykh Kamal Khatib, the deputy leader of the northern faction of the Islamic Movement in Israel, saying he had made incendiary remarks about Israel’s attacks on al-Aqsa Mosque. 28 people were wounded in a subsequent protest in Kafr Kana where he was arrested, including many by Israeli live ammunition. 8 Palestinian-Israelis were arrested in Taiba and Qalansawe. 2 Jordanian citizens were arrested in Gilboa after having crossed from Jordan into Israel. (AJ, AJ, AJ, AJ, AP, CNN, HA, HA, NPR, NYT, PCHR, REU, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 5/16; PCHR 5/17; ALM 5/19; HA, PCHR 5/20; MEE 5/21; HA 5/25; NYT 5/26; AP 6/2; NYT 6/24)

Egypt opened the Rafah crossing 1 day earlier than planned to allow the passage of students and medical patients. 95 Palestinians were reported to have been evacuated to Egypt for treatment of injuries before the border officially reopened. (HA, REU 5/16)

2 Israeli settlers were killed and 150 were injured when a structurally unsound seating area collapsed in a synagogue in Givat Ze’ev. (AJ, AP, CNN, HA, REU 5/16)

The High Follow-Up Committee for Arab Citizens of Israel announced a general strike on 5/18 to protest attacks on members of its community. (HA 5/16)

PA president Mahmoud Abbas spoke to Dutch prime minister Mark Rutte about the Israeli escalation of violence in the Palestinian territories. (WAFA 5/16)

Haaretz reported that Israeli senior officials did not consider a ceasefire option at its latest security cabinet meeting. (HA 5/16)

Israeli defense minister Benny Gantz met with U.S. deputy assistant secretary for Israel and Palestinian affairs Hady Amr. U.S. president Joe Biden said in an Eid holiday speech that his “administration is going to continue to engage Palestinians and Israelis and other regional partners to work toward sustained calm.” Later, secretary of state Antony Blinken said that “the violence must end immediately.” Earlier in the day, Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu had reiterated that his government has no plans for a ceasefire, saying the attacks on Gaza “will take time.” (AJ, HA 5/16; HA 5/17)

Jordanian king Abdullah II said that Jordan has been involved in intense diplomacy with its allies in Europe and the U.S. to put pressure on Israel to stop its attacks on Gaza. (HA, REU 5/16)

28 U.S. Democratic senators, led by Jon Ossoff (D-GA), called for an immediate ceasefire “[t]o prevent any further loss of civilian life and to prevent further escalation of conflict in Israel and the Palestinian territories.” (HA, NYT 5/17)

At a UN security council (UNSC) meeting on Israel-Palestine, UN secretary-general António Guterres said that the situation was “utterly appalling,” calling for an immediate ceasefire. He said the UN is actively involved in facilitating a ceasefire. This was the 3d time in a week that the UNSC met about the situation and the 3d time the U.S. stalled any joint statement. PA foreign minister Riyad al-Maliki said that “[e]ach time Israel hears a foreign leader speak of its right to defend itself it is further emboldened to continue murdering entire families in their sleep.” (AJ, AP, HA, WAFA, WAFA 5/16; TOI 5/17)

The Organisation of Islamic Cooperation called for an immediate halt of Israeli attacks on Gaza and “systematic crimes” against Palestinians. Saudi Arabia also condemned Israel’s “fragrant violations” of Palestinian rights. PA foreign minister al-Maliki criticized the countries that had normalized relations with Israel, saying, “running towards this colonial Israeli system without achieving peace and ending the Israeli occupation of Arab and Palestinian lands represents support for the apartheid regime and participation in its crimes.” (AJ, AJ, AP, HA, REU, WAFA, WAFA 5/16)

Pope Francis, for the 2d Sunday in a row, denounced the escalation of violence in Israel and Palestine, saying that the death of children was a “sign that they don’t want to build the future but want to destroy it.” (HA 5/16; WAFA 5/17)

In the West Bank, 1 Israeli settler shot and killed 1 Palestinian and injured 1 other when the 2 confronted a group of settlers attempting to set fire to their crops near al-Rihiya, south of Hebron; +972 reported that the settlers mutilated the body of the Palestinian man they had shot dead. 10 Palestinians were killed and 209 wounded by Israeli forces throughout the West Bank. The casualties included: 1, and 39 injured during a protest in Shwaika near Tulkarm; several others were reported injured; 1 protester, and 2 injured in Salem; 1 protester in Asira; 1 protester, and 4 injured in Beita; 1 protester, and 18 others injured by live ammunition in Ya‘bad; 1 protester in Marda; 1 protester in Iskaka; 1 protester, and 4 injured in ‘Urif; 1 protester in Jericho; 1 Palestinian at a checkpoint, who allegedly tried to ram Israeli soldiers near Silwad; 148 protesters injured by live ammunition and rubber-coated bullets during protests in and around Dayr Nidham, Bayt Dajan, Bayt Furik, al-Fawar refugee camp, al-Khadir, Salfit, Tayassir, Huwwara, Aqraba, Ni‘lin, Jenin, Qalqilya, Tulkarm, and Qusra. 13 Palestinians were arrested, including 6 during late-night raids in and around Qalandia refugee camp, Bayt Umar, and Sa‘ir; 7 were arrested during protests at the al-Jalama checkpoint near Jenin. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces shot and injured 19 Palestinians using live ammunition, rubber-coated bullets, and sound bomb canisters during protests in and around Shaykh Jarrah, Bayt Hanina, Silwan, and the Old City. 7 Palestinians were arrested during raids in al-Tur, Silwan, and Sur Bahir. In Gaza, 22 Palestinians were killed, including 6 children, and dozens injured, raising the comprehensive death toll since 5/10 from 114 to 136, including 33 children and 2 pregnant women. The casualties included: 9, including 3 children, and 73 injured, including 20 children, in air strikes on buildings in Bayt Lahiya and Bayt Hanun; 4 in an air strike on Gaza City, including 1 child; 3, including 1 child, in air strikes on Jabaliya; 1, and 16 injured, including 2 children, in air strikes on al-Bureij refugee camp; 1, and 1 wounded in an air strike on Abasan; 1 in an air strike while riding a motorbike in Rafah; 1 Palestinian was found dead in rubble from an air strike in Dayr al-Balah on 5/13; 1 Palestinian child succumbed to wounds sustained in an air strike on Gaza City on 5/12; 1 Palestinian succumbed to wounds sustained in an air strike on 5/12 in Bayt Lahiya. Israel also said it had assassinated 3 Hamas operatives, Shadi Abed Al-Hadi, Osama Shehadeh, and Zakaria Zarendah. Israeli air strikes also destroyed an interior ministry building west of Gaza City and 3 poultry farms near Rafah, killing more than 10,000 chickens. Israeli forces also struck the fishing ports in Gaza city and Khan Yunis. Damage to power lines in Gaza was reported, significantly reducing the amount of available electricity. In Israel, Israeli forces killed 2 people after several people crossed from Lebanon into Israel by Metula. Israel also said that 3 rockets were fired at Israel from Syria, with 2 landing in open land in the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights and 1 in Syria. 2 rockets from Gaza hit 2 houses in Sderot, causing damage and 1 injury. 1 rocket from Gaza lightly injured 1 Israeli driving near Beersheba. Israel barred people from outside of Lydda from entering the city from 4 p.m. and barred all its residents from leaving their homes after 9 p.m. 1 Palestinian-Israeli minor was seriously injured, and another minor lightly injured, after a firebomb was thrown at their house in Jaffa; Israeli police claimed without evidence that it was 2 Palestinian-Israeli men that had thrown the firebomb. Israeli forces were filmed kicking Palestinian-Israeli vehicles traveling in Umm al-Fahm and firing stun grenades at them for no apparent reason. Israeli forces shot and injured 1 Palestinian-Israeli minor in Lydda, claiming he tried to throw a firebomb at them. 5 Palestinian-Israelis were arrested in Umm al-Fahm after a fire was ignited at the town’s city hall. 9 Palestinian-Israelis were arrested in ‘Akka. Israeli forces violently dispersed Palestinian-Israeli protesters in Kafr Kana, injuring 28. Israel also told international news outlets that it would conduct a ground invasion of Gaza shortly and then later apologized to the news outlets for providing false information; analysts suspected that Israel used the media outlets to lure Hamas militants into tunnels before heavily bombarding said tunnels; Israel said that dozens were killed in the attack on the tunnels. Israel also shot down 1 drone sent from Gaza. 1 Israeli woman succumbed to injuries sustained after falling while running to a shelter in Neta’im on 5/11, raising the Israeli death toll to 9. In Jordan, some 500 protesters tried to enter the West Bank through the Allenby bridge, but were dispersed by Jordanian forces 3 miles from the border. In Amman, thousands of protesters called for the expulsion of the Israeli ambassador and ending the Jordanian-Israeli peace treaty. (AJ, AJ, AJ, HA, HA, HA, HA, HA, HA, HA, HA, NYT, NYT, PCHR, PCHR, REU, REU, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 5/14; AJ, AP, AP, GDN, HA, HA, HA, PCHR, PCHR 5/15; TOI 5/16; HA 5/19; PCHR 5/20; MEE 5/21; NYT 5/26; +972 6/8; INT 7/15)

The Palestinian Health Ministry in Gaza said that 42% of the 119 people who have been killed in the Israeli attack on Gaza, at the time of reporting, were women and children. It also said 830 people had been injured. The UN estimated that 10,000 Palestinians have been internally displaced during the current escalation so far. (AJ, HA 5/14)

Spokesperson for PA president Mahmoud Abbas Nabil Abu Rudeineh said that the silence of the U.S. administration was encouraging Israeli war crimes in Gaza, East Jerusalem, and the West Bank. (WAFA 5/14)

Morocco sent 40 tons of emergency aid to Palestine and denounced Israel’s aggression toward Palestinians. (HA 5/15)

The U.S. deputy assistant secretary for Israel and Palestinian affairs Hady Amr landed in Tel Aviv in an attempt by the U.S. administration to deescalate the situation. (AX, HA 5/14; HA 5/15)

A letter co-signed by 11 Jewish Democrats in the house of representatives, led by Jerrold Nadler (D-NY), urged the Biden administration to be more active in ending the escalation of violence between Israel and Hamas and to do more to end the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The 11 members of Congress also expressed concern about the violence in East Jerusalem and urged Israel to halt the “unjust eviction” of Palestinians from their homes in Shaykh Jarrah, and said that the U.S. must address the deepening occupation. (HA 5/15)

Democrats in the House also debated the attack on Gaza on the floor, with 1 group of 11 speaking in defense of Palestinians and 1 group of 10 defending Israel’s actions. (AJ, HA 5/14)

ICC chief prosecutor Fatou Bensouda said that she will continue with her inquiry into potential war crimes committed by Israelis and Palestinians in the occupied Palestinian territories despite Israel’s refusal to cooperate. Chief Prosecutor Bensouda also said that the investigation will include the current escalation of the conflict. (HA, REU 5/14)

The Italian trade union of port workers said that its members in Livorno had refused to load a shipment of weapons and explosives to be shipped to Israel, citing Israel’s attack on Gaza. (AA 5/15; WAFA 5/16; IN 5/17)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers toured the al-Burj archeological site south of Hebron. Israeli forces sealed off parts of Sabastiyya to Palestinians. 3 Palestinians were arrested during raids in Dayr Jarir and Jalazun. In East Jerusalem, 1 Palestinian working for the Islamic Waqf was arrested at the Haram al-Sharif compound. In Gaza, Israeli forces made incursions and leveled land east of Dayr al-Balah. (WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 3/31; PCHR 4/1)

Palestinian political leader and Israeli prisoner Marwan Barghouti submitted an independent list of candidates, named “Freedom,” for the Palestinian parliamentary elections, with Nasser al-Kidwa 1st on the list and Marwan Barghouti’s wife, Fadwa Barghouti, 2d. (NYT 3/31; AP, HA 4/1)

During a meeting in Ramallah, PA prime minister Mohammed Shtayyeh called on EU diplomats to pressure Israel to allow East Jerusalemites to partake in the upcoming elections. (WAFA 3/31)

Israel’s public broadcaster Kan reported that in early March, the head of Shin Bet Nadav Argaman held a meeting with PA president Mahmoud Abbas, PA intelligence service head Majed Faraj, and PA civil affairs minister Hussein al-Sheikh. In the meeting, Argaman is reported to have told President Abbas to cancel the Palestinian elections because Hamas was running, which Abbas refused to do. Argaman is also reported to have threatened to withhold all the PA tax revenue if the PA did not stop cooperating with the ICC investigation into war crimes committed in the occupied Palestinian territories. (HA 3/31; TOI 4/1)

After releasing its annual report on human rights abuses with language of the Israeli occupation removed from the title of the section on the West Bank and Gaza, the U.S. state department spokesperson Ned Price said that the U.S. does consider the West Bank to be occupied by Israel. Spokesperson Price deflected a question on whether the Biden administration considers the Israeli settlements illegal under international law. (I24, JP, TOI, WAFA 4/1)

The EU signed an agreement with the PA worth $26.8 million to promote agriculture. (WAFA 3/31)

In the West Bank, some 30 Israeli settlers with military escort threw stones at Palestinians and buildings in Kafr al-Dik, injuring 1 Palestinian and damaging 1 agricultural structure and 1 vehicle. Israeli settlers also set up tents on Palestinian-owned land near Taqqua. Israeli forces arrested 1 Palestinian who allegedly tried to ram Israeli settlers with a car at a spring near the Allon settlement; no injuries were reported. Israeli forces also seized 1 tractor near Bidya. Elsewhere, 1 Palestinian was injured during a fall after being chased by Israeli forces at the separation barrier west of Jenin. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces violently disbanded Palestinians preparing for a Mother’s Day event at a stadium in al-Tur, saying it was funded by the PA; 1 Palestinian was physically assaulted by the forces. 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. (HA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 3/28; WAFA 3/29; PCHR 4/1)

Leader of Ra’am (United Arab List) Mansour Abbas met with Yesh Atid (There Is a Future) chairman Yair Lapid to discuss the possibility of forming a government. There are currently 2 blocs, pro-Netanyahu and anti-Netanyahu, with neither having enough mandates to form a government. 2 parties, Yamina (Rightwards) and Ra’am, have not pledged their support to either bloc. According to a source, Abbas and Lapid discussed recognizing unauthorized bedouin villages in the Negev, revoking racist sanctions on illegal construction in Palestinian towns in Israel, freezing the Nation-State Law and combatting violence in Palestinian-Israeli areas of Israel. Yisrael Beiteinu (Israel Our Home) chairman Avigdor Lieberman said that his party would recommend to president Reuven Rivlin that Lapid should be tasked with forming a government. (HA, HA, JP 3/28)

In the West Bank, Israeli forces handed a demolition order for a Palestinian-owned house in al-Twana sheltering 10 people; 1 other resident in al-Twana received a stop-work order. Israeli forces also confiscated 1 Palestinian-owned bulldozer in Tulkarm. 3 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in and around Ramallah and Dura. In East Jerusalem, the Israeli supreme court ruled that 1 78-year-old man in Silwan could be evicted from his home after his landlord sold the house he was living in to the settler organization Elad. Israeli forces stormed the Bab al-Rahma area of the Haram al-Sharif compound. Israeli forces also delivered demolition notices for 1 mosque and the house of a Fatah official in Silwan. 2 Palestinian families started demolishing their own homes in Jabal Mukabir. In Gaza, Israeli forces arrested 1 Palestinian cancer patient at the Erez crossing as he was traveling to East Jerusalem for treatment. (AJ, WAFA, WAFA 9/14; HA 9/15; PCHR 9/17)

The Israeli settler that in July 2015 burned the house of a Palestinian family, killing 1 18-month-old and his parents and severely burning 1 other child, was sentenced in an Israeli court to 3 life sentences. (GDN, REU 9/14; AJ 9/15; JP 9/16)

The Unified Palestinian Leadership for Popular Resistance, an umbrella organization formed on 9/3 after a meeting between the major Palestinian factions in Gaza and the West Bank, including Fatah and Hamas, declared 9/18 a day of mourning over the normalization agreements between the UAE, Bahrain, and Israel. (WAFA 9/14)

Ahead of the signing ceremony on 9/15 formalizing the UAE and Bahrain’s normalization with Israel, PA prime minister Mohmmad Shtayyeh condemned the deal, calling it “a dark day in the history of the Arab nation and of the Arab League,” and further stated that, “[t]omorrow the Arab peace initiative dies, as will the Arab consensus.” He also said that his government has recommended to PA president Mahmoud Abbas that the PA reevaluate its relations with the Arab League. (AJ, HA 9/14)

Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu landed in Washington D.C. ahead of the signing ceremony for the normalization deals with Bahrain and the UAE on 9/15. His delegation notably did not include his coalition partners defense minister Benny Gantz and foreign minister Gabi Ashkenazi. A spokesperson for the Qatari foreign ministry ruled out that Qatar would normalize relations with Israel before peace is made between Israel and Palestine. (HA 9/14; AJ 9/15)

The EU donated $600,000 to UNRWA to help contain COVID-19 in UNRWA-run refugee camps. (WAFA 9/14)

In the West Bank, Israeli forces violently dispersed Palestinian protesters in Kafr Qaddum, injuring 5. Israeli forces also ordered a stop-work for a school in Kisan and seized 1 bulldozer. 4 Palestinians were arrested at military checkpoints near Bethlehem and Qalqilya. In East Jerusalem, 1 Palestinian was arrested in Issawiyya and 2 Palestinians were handed notices that they were banned from the Haram al-Sharif compound for 4 and 5 months. Off the coast of Gaza, Israeli naval forces opened fire on Palestinian fishermen within 3 nautical miles off the shore west of Bayt Lahiya; no injuries were reported. In Gaza, Israeli forces opened fire on Palestinian agricultural lands and shepherds east of al-Maghazi and Khuza‘a; no injuries were reported. (WAFA, WAFA 6/6; PCHR 6/11)

The former leader of Islamic Jihad in Palestine, Ramadan Shalah, died after having been in a coma for more than 2 years. PA president Mahmoud Abbas expressed his condolences to the Shalah family and said Palestine had “lost a great national figure.” (AJ, WAFA 6/7)

In Israel, thousands of protesters demonstrated against the Israeli government’s plans to annex parts of the West Bank at Rabin Square in Tel Aviv. During the protest, a video message from U.S. democratic senator Bernie Sanders (D-VT) urged protesters to stand up against authoritarian leaders and annexation and called for an end of the occupation of the West Bank. According to Sanders’s foreign policy advisor, Matt Duss, Sanders made the address following a request by Israeli-Palestinian MKs Ayman Odeh and Aida Touma-Sliman. (HA, REU, TOI 6/6; AJ, HA, HA, HA 6/7)

In the West Bank, Israeli forces arrested 9 Palestinians during late-night raids in and around Ya‘bad, Kaubar, and Hebron. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces arrested 8 Palestinians including a Waqf guard at the Haram al-Sharif compound, 1 other in the Old City, 5 during late-night raids in the Old City, and delivered 2 summonses for interrogations. In Gaza, Israeli forces detained a Palestinian journalist returning via the Erez Crossing from Jordan, where he had undergone treatment for liver cancer. (WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 5/19; PCHR 5/21)

The Islamic Waqf announced that the Haram al-Sharif compound and al-Aqsa Mosque would reopen after the end of Ramadan. (WAFA 5/19)

PA president Mahmoud Abbas announced that the PA will end all agreements with Israel and the U.S., including security agreements, because of Israel’s plans to annex parts of the West Bank. Haaretz reported that Palestinian sources said that coordination with Israel would continue at a lower level of engagement, at least for a time. In a speech, President Abbas said that, by Israel making the unilateral decision to annex parts of the West Bank, it has “annulled the Oslo agreement and all agreements signed with it, after snubbing all these years all these agreements and all the resolutions of the international legitimacy and international law.” Abbas further stated that the PA is ready to negotiate within the parameters of the Arab Peace Initiative, and that it had signed agreements “to accede to international agreements and conventions that we [the PA] have not yet joined.” (Guardian, WAFA, WAFA 5/19; HA, NYT, WAFA 5/20)

PA prime minister Mohammad Shtayyeh and German foreign minister Heiko Maas released a joint statement after a virtual meeting, stipulating that “[a]nnexation of any part of occupied Palestinian territories including East Jerusalem constitutes a clear violation of international law and seriously undermines the chances for the two-state solution within a final status agreement.” It further read that Germany “took note of the Palestinian view that such a step would put an end to all signed agreements.” Separately, the French foreign minister Jean-Yves Le Drian warned that Israeli annexation will have consequences for the EU’s relationship with Israel. (HA, WAFA 5/19)

A plane from the UAE with COVID-19-related aid materials for Palestinians in the West Bank and Gaza landed in Israel. The aid package included 14 tons of medical supplies, including 10 ventilators. The direct flight from the UAE to Israel is the 1st of its kind. (AJ, HA, REU 5/19)

The EU Police Coordinating Office for Palestinian Police Support donated $65,500 worth of protective equipment and hand sanitizer to the Palestinian Civil Police. (WAFA 5/19)

In the West Bank, Israeli forces seized a bulldozer and an excavator working on a school courtyard in Susiya. Israeli forces also issued demolition orders for 4 Palestinian-owned houses under construction in ‘Ayn al-Rummana and handed a stop-work order for a Palestinian house near Yatta. 19 Palestinians were arrested during raids in and around Jenin, Ramallah, Bethlehem, and Hebron. In Gaza, Israeli forces opened fire on Palestinian farmlands east of Khan Yunis; no injuries were reported. In Israel, 2 Palestinian citizens of Israel were indicted for spying on Israel on behalf of Hamas. (HA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 1/27; PCHR 1/30)

In Washington, D.C., U.S. president Donald Trump, alongside Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu, confirmed that he would be releasing his peace plan with Prime Minister Netanyahu on 1/28. President Trump said that the Palestinians “probably won’t want it initially . . . But I think in the end they will.” After Trump’s remarks, he met with Israeli Blue and White leader Benny Gantz. Gantz subsequently declared that the peace plan “is a significant and historic milestone.” According to PA officials, PA president Mahmoud Abbas refused to take a phone call from President Trump. (AJ, HA, HA, REU, WAFA 1/27; AJ 1/28; PCHR 1/30)

In the West Bank, Israeli forces halted construction of 6 houses and an agricultural structure in Rumana near Jenin. Israeli forces arrested 1 Palestinian in Tulkarm. Near Hebron, Israeli forces damaged a house during a raid and handed 1 house demolition order and a halt construction order. 2 Palestinians were injured by live ammunition when Israeli forces raided Dheisheh refugee camp. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces and protesters clashed when Israeli authorities removed a protest tent in Sur al-Bahir, where Palestinians are protesting against the planned demolition of hundreds of apartments. In Gaza, Israeli forces opened fire against Palestinians in Bayt Hanun near Khan Yunis, and against fishermen off the coast of al-Sudaniyya. 1 Palestinian shot in Bayt Hanun succumbed to his injuries. Israeli military announced that a soldier had “misidentified” the deceased Palestinian as a threat. (AJ, HA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 7/11)

PA spokesperson for President Mahmoud Abbas, Nabil Abu Rudayna, said that the Palestinian leadership was ready to resume talks with the U.S. administration if it agreed to abide by the international peace references “based on a 2-state solution on the borders of June 4, 1967, and within the framework of international legitimacy resolution and the Arab Peace Initiative, which consider[s] East Jerusalem an occupied territory.” (WAFA 7/11)

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)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers uproot 473 olive trees from Palestinian groves near Hebron. IDF troops arrest 3 Palestinians during late-night raids near Qalqilya, Jenin, and Nablus; and patrol near Qalqilya and Salfit. In East Jerusalem, right-wing Jewish activists tour Haram al-Sharif in the morning. Along Gaza’s border, Israeli forces conduct a limited incursion to level land near Dayr al-Balah and open fire on Palestinian farmlands near al-Maghazi refugee camp, causing no damage. (MNA, MNA, WAFA 2/5; PCHR 2/7)

A senior U.S. official says the U.S. president Donald Trump’s son-in-law and senior advisor Jared Kushner is planning to discuss the Trump administration’s long-awaited Palestinian-Israeli peace plan at an international security conference in Warsaw on 2/14. The Trump administration is co-organizing the conference on 2/13–14 and has invited Israel and a number of Arab states to attend (The Palestinians are not invited). A principle focus of the conference is Iran and its influence across the Middle East. In response, PA president Mahmoud Abbas calls for the international community to come together for a peace conference to devise a multilateral mechanism to advance the Palestinian-Israeli peace process. “This is where the European Union and its member states can play an important role alongside the [UN] Security Council,” he says. Abbas also says that the Palestinians will not participate in any peace conference not based on past UN resolutions. (JP 2/5; MNA, WAFA 2/6)

Along Gaza’s border, IDF troops violently disperse dozens of Palestinians gathering near Rafah, Khan Yunis and Jabaliya refugee camp to continue the Great March of Return; 5 Palestinians are injured. Amid the demonstrations, an Israeli aircraft conducts an air strike on a protest camp near Rafah, causing damage. Separately, Israeli forces conduct a limited incursion to level land near Jabaliya refugee camp. On the other side of the border fence, Israeli firefighters put out 7 fires that were reportedly sparked by incendiary balloons and kites flown from Gaza. In the West Bank, IDF troops conduct raids in Rumana village near Jenin overnight, sparking minor clashes; several Palestinians are injured. They also arrest 5 Palestinians during further raids in and around Hebron, Qalqilya, and Nablus; and patrol near Hebron throughout the day. In East Jerusalem, approximately 362 right-wing Jewish activists tour Haram al-Sharif to commemorate Sukkot. Late at night, Israeli forces assault and arrest 2 Palestinians in Silwan. (MNA, MNA, MNA, WAFA, WAFA 9/26; MNA, PCHR 9/27)

On the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in New York City, U.S. president Donald Trump meets with Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu. At a joint press conference, Trump says he thinks a “2-state solution will work best.” His statement marks the first time he has publicly expressed a preference for the 2-state solution while in office. Later in the day, Trump says that Netanyahu was “very nice” to him and that a 2-state solution is “more likely,” but that he would be “OK with 1 state, 2 states, whatever they want.” Netanyahu, for his part, tells Israeli reporters that Trump accepts that Israel should retain a military presence in the West Bank even if a 2-state solution is agreed upon. (HA, TOI, WAFA, YA 9/26; HA, HA, JP, WAFA, YA, YA 9/27)

Ahead of PA president Mahmoud Abbas’s planned address to the UN General Assembly on 9/27, Hamas denounces Abbas as an illegitimate representative of the Palestinian people. According to sources close to Hamas’s leadership, the statement stems from the Egyptian delegation’s visit to Gaza last week for talks on the stalled Palestinian reconciliation process. The Egyptians reportedly backed Abbas’s position that there could be no long-term cease-fire with Israel until Hamas and Fatah reconcile and the PA resumes control of Gaza. “Most of the donor countries, including the Arab countries, have adopted this line,” the source says. “So it looks like Hamas is losing the momentum to advance calm on a separate track from reconciliation, and the situation in Gaza is getting worse.” Meanwhile, Hamas security forces summon dozens of Fatah members for interrogation in Gaza. According to some reports from Gaza, they also threaten at least 1 print shop owner with “arrests and beatings” should he print any materials in support of PA president Abbas’s planned speech to the UN General Assembly on 9/27. (HA 9/26; TOI 9/27)

One day after the UK Labour Party endorsed a freeze on UK arms sales to Israel, Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn says that he intends to recognize the State of Palestine if he is elected to lead the UK. (TOI, YA 9/26)