The Palestine Chronology

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers closed off a street in Huwwara and threw stones at Palestinian-owned vehicles. Israeli settlers also threw stones at Palestinian vehicles in Dayr Sharaf. Elsewhere, Israeli settlers fenced off a tract of Palestinian-owned land in Khirbat Makhul. Israeli forces uprooted 350 olive trees and demolished 3 residential structures south of Jericho. Israeli forces also delivered a stop-work notice for 1 house in al-Khadir and delivered a demolition notice against 1 greenhouse near Jenin. Elsewhere, Israeli forces demolished 1 house and uprooted 1 olive tree in Salfit. Israeli forces also demolished 1 storage structure east of Yatta, leading to clashes with Palestinians; tear-gas related injuries were reported. Meanwhile, Israeli forces shot and injured 1 Palestinian near the separation wall in Barta‘a. 16 Palestinians were arrested during raids in and around Ramallah, Jenin, and Qarawat Bani Hassan in East Jerusalem; 5 Palestinians were arrested. In Gaza, Israeli forces opened fire at agricultural lands east of Dayr al-Balah; no injuries were reported. (WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 12/29; WAFA 12/30; PCHR 12/31)

Islamic Jihad, Hamas, and several other smaller armed resistance groups in Gaza carried out a joint military drill, including launching 8 rockets into the sea. (HA, REU 12/29)

After the U.S. state department refused to disclose who the buyer of the ambassador’s residence in Tel Aviv was, an Israeli newspaper disclosed that it was U.S. casino magnate Sheldon Adelson, who had paid $67 million for the seaside property. The U.S. will continue to lease the property until the spring of 2021. The property was sold as part of the Trump administration’s push to cement the move of the U.S. embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem. It was also reported that the U.S. state department had approved the sale of 3,00 guided munitions to Saudi Arabia. (HA, WP 12/29; HA 12/30; TOI 1/4)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers attacked Palestinian vehicles traveling near Sinjil. Israeli forces violently dispersed a protest in Kafr Qaddum, causing tear-gas related injuries. Israeli forces also clashed with Palestinians in Jaba‘, causing tear-gas related injuries. PA forces arrested a number of attendants at a party held in the Nabi Musa mosque near Jericho; it was later revealed that the PA had approved the party as part of a promotional video intended to increase tourism. However, several attendees, including famous Palestinian DJ Sama Abdulhadi, were still detained days later. 1 Palestinian was arrested at a checkpoint near Tubas. In East Jerusalem, Israeli settlers clashed with Israeli police and attacked Palestinian passersby during a demonstration against the police because of the death of an Israeli settler during a police pursuit on 12/21; chants of “Death to Arabs” were filmed during the protest. In Gaza, 3 Palestinians, including a minor, were wounded by Israeli forces during air attacks in Gaza City and substantial damage was reported in al-Bureij refugee camp and Dayr al-Balah, including to a mosque, a children’s hospital, a sports club, and a warehouse; Israel said it had intercepted 1 missile from Gaza prior to its attack. Israeli forces also opened fire at agricultural lands east of Dayr al-Balah and al-Bureij refugee camp; no injuries were reported. In Israel, 2 Christmas trees belonging to Catholic and Orthodox churches in Sakhnin were set on fire. (AJ, GDN, HA, HA, HA, MEMO, TOI, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 12/26; PCHR, WAFA 12/27; HA 12/28; ALM 12/30; PCHR 12/31)

Israeli protesters demonstrated against Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu for the 27th Saturday in a row in Jerusalem and Tel Aviv. The protesters are demanding that Prime Minister Netanyahu resign due to his COVID-19 response, the Israeli economy, and the corruption cases against him. (HA 12/26; WAFA 12/27)

According to reports in Le Monde, UAE and Israeli officials are working to eliminate the UNRWA and have been working toward that goal since the 2 countries’ normalization agreement in August. (JP, MEE, YNET 12/27)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers assaulted 1 Palestinian in Huwwara; he was treated at a hospital for his injuries. Israeli settlers with military escort also attacked Palestinian homes in Hebron; no injuries were reported. Elsewhere, Israeli settlers attacked Palestinian shepherds and farmers in the Masafer Yatta area, causing several injuries. Israeli forces shot and injured 1 Palestinian using rubber-coated bullets near the separation barrier in the Jenin area. Israeli forces also violently dispersed a protest in Kafr Qaddum, causing tear-gas related injuries. Elsewhere, Israeli forces prevented Palestinians from farming their land in Jalud. 1 man alleged to be Palestinian threw a Molotov cocktail at an Israeli soldier at a checkpoint near Jit before driving away in his car; the soldier was unharmed. 4 Palestinians were arrested during raids in Kisan and Jenin. In East Jerusalem, 2 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in al-Tur. In Gaza, Israeli forces opened fire at Palestinian shepherds east of Dayr al-Balah; no injuries were reported. (WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 12/19; TOI, WAFA 12/20; PCHR 12/24)

In Israel, Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu was the 1st to receive the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine for the COVID-19 virus. Israel does not plan to offer vaccinations to Palestinians in the West Bank. The PA says it has secured the Russian-made vaccine Sputnik V, which will arrive in 2021. 20 percent of the Palestinian vaccinations are expected to be delivered for free from the World Health Organization as part of a scheme to deliver vaccinations to poorer countries. (AJ, AP 12/17; REU 12/18; AJ, REU 12/19; HA 12/20)

Israeli protesters demonstrated against Prime Minister Netanyahu for the 26th Saturday in a row in Jerusalem and Tel Aviv. The protesters are demanding that Prime Minister Netanyahu resign due to his COVID-19 response, the Israeli economy, and the corruption cases against him. (HA 12/19)

In the West Bank, Israeli forces shot and injured 3 Palestinians, including 1 minor by live ammunition as they were protesting the Psagot settlement east of al-Bireh; others suffered tear-gas related injuries. In East Jerusalem, the Israeli municipality demolished a staircase leading to the Lion’s Gate at the Haram al-Sharif compound. Israeli forces arrested 5 Palestinians as they were headed to the funeral of 1 Palestinian killed by Israeli forces on 11/25 at a checkpoint in the West Bank, near East Jerusalem. Off the coast of Gaza, Israeli naval forces opened fire at Palestinian fishermen west of Bayt Lahiya; no injuries were reported. (WAFA 11/29; WAFA, WAFA 11/30; PCHR 12/3)

The WHO delivered 15 ventilators to Gaza hospitals as the COVID-19 virus continues to challenge the Gazan health system. The ventilators were paid for by Kuwait. (REU 11/29; HA 11/30)

An Israeli court rejected a petition filed by Palestinians to reclaim their land that had been seized by Israel and used by settlers to build settlement outposts south of Jerusalem in the West Bank. The ruling paves the way for Israel to legalize the settlement outposts. (HA 11/30)

PA president Mahmoud Abbas met with the King Abdallah II of Jordan in the Jordanian city of Aqaba. In a statement released by Jordan after the meeting, Jordan reaffirmed its commitment to a Palestinian state. President Abbas later traveled to Egypt, meeting with secretary-general of the Arab League Ahmed Aboul Gheit and the Egyptian foreign minister Sameh Shoukry. Abbas is scheduled to meet with his Egyptian counterpart Abdel Fattah al-Sisi on 11/30. This marked the 1st time Abbas left the West Bank in 2020. (WAFA 11/28; HA, REU, WAFA, WAFA 11/29; WAFA, WAFA 11/30)

The Israeli security cabinet approved the transfer of $756 million to the PA in tax funds but continues to withhold $181.5 million that the PA pays to Palestinian prisoners in Israeli prisons and their families. (HA 11/29)

According to Iraqi officials, 1 Iranian senior commander of the Revolutionary Guard, Muslim Shahdan, had been killed in an air strike along with 3 others as they entered Syria from Iraq in a car. There were no reports of who carried out the air strike, but Israel has frequently been carrying out air strikes in Syria and Iraq and is believed to have assassinated an Iranian nuclear scientist on 11/27. (HA, TOI 12/1)

UN secretary-general António Guterres said in a statement commemorating the International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People that “the question of Palestine remains distressingly unresolved,” and criticized Israel for continuing to make a 2-state solution less viable. (WAFA 11/29)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers raided Silat al-Dahir, vandalizing Palestinian-owned houses and vehicles. Israeli settlers also razed Palestinian-owned land and planted their own crops in ‘Urif. Israeli forces delivered 1 demolition order for 1 agricultural shed in al-Walaja and 1 commercial barrack in Qalqilya, and delivered 1 stop-work order for 1 house under construction in Bayt Awa. Israeli forces also clashed with Palestinians in Bayt Umar, leading to tear-gas related injuries. 3 Palestinians were arrested, including 1 during a late-night raid in Yatta and 2 at checkpoints near Nablus and Bethlehem. In East Jerusalem, 2 Palestinians were arrested during raids in the Old City and Bayt Hanina. (WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 11/19; PCHR 11/26)

PA civil affairs minister Hussein al-Sheikh said, after a meeting with Israeli officials, that Israel has agreed to pay the PA the money it owes in tax revenue, about $890 million. (NYT, WAFA 11/19; HA 11/20)

The U.S. state department issued new guidelines of how to refer to products produced in Gaza and the West Bank as secretary of state Mike Pompeo was visiting Israel and Israeli settlements in the West Bank. Under the new guidelines, products imported to the U.S. from Area C of the West Bank would have to be labeled “Made in Israel.” Products can no longer be labeled “Made in West Bank/Gaza,” so products made in Gaza should be labeled “product of Gaza” and products made in Area A and B of the West Bank should be labeled “product of West Bank.” In a statement by Secretary Pompeo, he said that the U.S. is adhering to a “reality-based” approach, which would indicate that the new guidelines are a way for the U.S. administration to recognize Israel’s annexation of Area C. The statement also stipulated that “Gaza and the West Bank are politically and administratively separate and should be treated accordingly.” Secretary Pompeo also made another policy announcement during a press conference with Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu. At the press conference, Pompeo announced that the State Department regards the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) movement as anti-Semitic and that the U.S. would start identifying organizations that support BDS to penalize them. The BDS movement released a statement reiterating that it rejects “all forms of racism, including anti-Jewish racism” and said it would resist “these McCarthyite attempts to intimidate and bully Palestinian, Israeli and international human rights defenders into accepting Israeli apartheid and settler-colonialism as fate.” The American Civil Liberties Union responded to Pompeo’s announcement that “[c]riticism of Israel, or any government, is fully protected by the First Amendment. Threatening to block government funds to groups that criticize Israel is blatantly unconstitutional.” Secretary Pompeo also visited the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights and was the 1st secretary of state to do so. Pompeo’s visit to Israeli settlements in the West Bank was also a 1st for a U.S. secretary of state. Pompeo also tweeted, “Anti-Zionism is Anti-Semitism” (AJ, AJ, Amnesty, AX, BBC, BBC, DT, DW, HA, IN, IN, MDN, MEE, NYT, REU, REU, SKY, TOI, TOI, Twitter, Twitter, Twitter, U.S. State Department, WAFA, WAFA, WP 11/19; AJ, BBC, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WP 11/20)

The EU told Serbia and Kosovo that if the countries still desire to become member states of the EU, they will have to follow EU policy, including not moving their Israeli embassies to Jerusalem as this would undermine EU policy and international law. A statement released conveying the message referenced the White House meetings held on 9/5-9/7 in which U.S. president Donald Trump announced the embassy moves. (EU Commission 11/19)

At the UN general assembly, 163 countries voted for a resolution recognizing “the right of the Palestinian people to self-determination, including the right to their independent State of Palestine.” 5 countries—Israel, the U.S., Micronesia, Nauru, and the Marshall Islands—voted against. (HA 11/20)

In the West Bank, Israeli forces shot 1 Palestinian near al-Fawar refugee camp; Israeli forces alleged that the man was wielding a knife when he was shot. Israeli forces also assaulted 1 minor near Jenin; he was taken to a hospital for treatment. 3 Palestinians were arrested trying to enter Israel near Jenin. In East Jerusalem, 6 Palestinians were arrested in al-Tur and the Old City. In Gaza, Israeli forces opened fire on Palestinian bird hunters northeast of al-Bureij; no injuries were reported. Israeli forces also opened fire on agricultural lads east of Abasan; no injuries were reported. (HA, WAFA 11/8; PCHR 11/12)

1 Palestinian sued 1 Israeli settler for vandalizing his property in a Nablus court. The suit against an Israeli settler in a Palestinian court is the 1st of its kind. (WAFA 11/8)

PA president Mahmoud Abbas congratulated president-elect Joe Biden on his victory in the 2020 U.S. presidential elections. In a statement, President Abbas said, “I look forward to working with the President-elect and his administration to strengthen the Palestinian-American relations and to achieve freedom, independence, justice and dignity for our people, as well as to work for peace, stability and security for all in our region and the world.” Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu also congratulated President-elect Biden in a tweet and immediately after, in another tweet, thanked President Donald Trump for “recognizing Jerusalem and the Golan, for standing up to Iran, for the historic peace accords and for bringing the American-Israeli alliance to unprecedented heights.” (HA, REU, Twitter, Twitter, WAFA, WAFA 11/8; HA, WAFA 11/9)

A delegation of Israeli settlers led by Yossi Dagan of the Samaria Regional Council met with Emirati businesspeople to promote their settler businesses. The settler business trip in the UAE is set to commence on 11/12. An aide to President Abbas called it “painful to witness Arab cooperation with one of the worst manifestations of aggression against the Palestinian people, which is the Israeli settlements on our land.” (AP, HA 11/11)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers assaulted 2 elderly Palestinians south of Jenin, leading to the hospitalization of both Palestinians. Israeli settlers also threw stones at Palestinians driving near Burqa, causing damage. Elsewhere, Israeli settlers vandalized dozens of olive trees in Jalud and 25 olive trees in ‘Ayn Bus. Israeli forces demolished the Palestinian village Khirbet Humsa in the Jordan Valley, including 18 residential tents, displacing 74 people, including 41 minors. Agricultural structures and water tanks were also demolished, and 3 vehicles were seized. The village is located in what Israel deems a firing zone. Israeli forces also seized 9 tractors, 5 water tanks, 2 vehicles, and solar panels near Tubas. 12 Palestinians were arrested during raids in and around Ramallah, Tulkarm, Ya‘bad, Jenin, and Hebron. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces razed a plot of land in Bayt Hanina and demolished 1 horse shed in Jabal Mukabir. In Gaza, Israeli forces made incursions to level farmland east of al-Bureij. Off the coast of Gaza, Israeli naval forces opened fire on Palestinian fishermen within 3 nautical miles west of Bayt Lahiya; no injuries were reported. (WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 11/3; AJ, PCHR, UNOCHA, WAFA, WAFA, +972 11/4; BBC, B’Tselem, CNN, EI, GDN, PCHR, REU 11/5; HA, WAFA 11/6; WAFA, WAFA 11/7)

The foreign minister of Malawi Eisenhower Mkaka and Israeli foreign minister Gabi Ashkenazi released a joint statement saying Malawi would open an embassy to Israel in Jerusalem by the end of 2021. (HA, MEMO, REU 11/3)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers destroyed electric poles in al-Zawiya. Israeli forces violently dispersed protests in Bayt Dajan against settler encroachment; 3 Palestinians were injured by rubber-coated bullets, others suffered tear-gas related injuries. Israeli forces also shot and injured 3 Palestinian minors at a checkpoint near Jenin using live ammunition; all 3 were rushed to a hospital. Elsewhere, Israeli forces violently dispersed Palestinians during the weekly anti-settlement protests in Kafr Qaddum, injuring 1 with a rubber-coated bullet; others suffered tear-gas related injuries. Israeli forces also assaulted 1 mother and her son before arresting the son in Hebron. In East Jerusalem, thousands of Muslim worshippers prayed at the Haram al-Sharif compound despite COVID-19 restrictions; 3 Palestinians were arrested. The mass prayer happened after a legal protest against French president Emmanuel Macron’s recent attacks on Islam. In Gaza, Israeli forces opened fire at agricultural lands east of Khuza‘a; no injuries were reported. (WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 10/30; HA 11/1; PCHR 11/5)

The foreign ministry of the Dominican Republic announced that the country is considering moving its embassy in Israel from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem. (HA, REU 10/31)

In the West Bank, Israeli forces clashed with Palestinians during a raid in al-‘Arub refugee camp, leading to tear-gas related injuries; no arrests were reported. Israeli forces also seized 1 bulldozer in Dura. For the 2d day in a row, Israeli authorities closed al-Ibrahimi Mosque for Muslim worshippers during the Jewish New Year holiday. 2 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in and around Hebron. In East Jerusalem, Israeli settlers toured the Haram al-Sharif compound. 2 Palestinians were arrested at the Haram al-Sharif compound. (WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 9/20; PCHR 9/24)

Haaretz reported that an Israel association Kedma, which receives funding from the Israeli government, requires students who receive scholarships through the organization to guard settlement outposts in the West Bank. According to Haaretz, Kedma received around $1 million from the Israeli government in 2018. (HA 9/22)

In a tweet, the president of Honduras Juan Orlando Hernández said that he and Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu agreed that Honduras would open an embassy to Israel in Jerusalem by the end of the year if the COVID-19 crisis does not prevent it. Honduras would be the 3d country to open an embassy to Israel in Jerusalem. (REU 9/20; AJ, HA, JP 9/21)

In the West Bank, Palestinians in Kafr Malik forced Israeli settlers to leave their property after they set up caravans on their land; as the confrontation ensued, Israeli forces intervened on behalf of the settlers, injuring 2 Palestinians with rubber-coated bullets. Elsewhere, Israeli settlers threw stones at construction workers in Burqa. Israeli forces razed Palestinian-owned land in Haris. 12 Palestinians in the Ofer prison tested positive for COVID-19, raising the number of Palestinian prisoners testing positive for the virus to 29. 43 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in and around Dura, Hebron, Yatta, Bani Na‘im, al-‘Arub refugee camp, Bayt Umar, Bethlehem, and Tulkarm. In East Jerusalem, 1 Palestinian family started demolishing 2 floors of their home in the Old City. (WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 9/8; PCHR 9/10)

Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu apologized for the killing of a Palestinian-Israeli man who Israeli police shot during the demolition of the Bedouin village of Umm al-Hiran in the Negev in January 2017. Prime Minister Netanyahu said Israeli police, after the shooting, falsely had claimed the man was a terrorist. Chairman of the Joint List Ayman Odeh accused Netanyahu of having created the idea that the Palestinian-Israeli man was a terrorist when he was killed in 2017. Netanyahu’s comments fell after Haaretz reported on an internal document from the Shin Bet saying there was no evidence or indication of a terror attack. (HA 9/8; HA 9/9; TOI 9/10)

The son of Chadian president Idriss Déby, Abdelkarim Déby, represented his country during a visit to Israel and meeting with Prime Minister Netanyahu. According to a statement from Netanyahu’s office, the 2 discussed possibly exchanging embassies, including a Chadian embassy in Jerusalem. The Chadian foreign ministry “categorically” denied having any intentions to open an embassy in Jerusalem. (HA 9/8; WAFA 9/9)

The EU missions in Jerusalem and Ramallah expressed concern over Israel’s demolitions of Palestinian structures in the West Bank, including East Jerusalem. (WAFA 9/8)

In the West Bank, Israeli forces violently dispersed Palestinian protesters during the weekly anti-settlement protest in Kafr Qaddum, leading to tear-gas related injuries. Elsewhere, Israeli forces shot and injured 3 Palestinians trying to enter Israel for work; 2 were shot in the foot and 1 in his mouth. Israeli forces also injured 2 Palestinians during clashes in Dayr Abu Mash‘al; 1 was shot with a rubber-coated bullet and 1 was hit by a tear gas canister. PA president Mahmoud Abbas extended the state of emergency related to COVID-19 in the West Bank for another 30 days. Almost 200 Palestinians in the occupied Palestinian territories have died due to COVID-19. 5 Palestinians were arrested, including 1 during a late-night raid in Taqqua, 3 during a raid in Hebron, and 1 at a military checkpoint near Dayr Sharaf. (WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 9/4; PCHR 9/10)

U.S. president Donald Trump announced that the U.S. had brokered a deal between Kosovo and Serbia which includes Kosovo and Israel normalizing ties and both Kosovo and Serbia establishing embassies in Jerusalem. Secretary-general of the PLO Saeb Erakat said that the U.S. is committed to pressure other countries to violate international law in order to satisfy “Israel’s expansionism.” The PA foreign ministry called the U.S.-brokered deal “blackmailing.” The secretary-general of the Arab League Ahmed Aboul Gheit also condemned the 2 countries’ promise to establish Israeli embassies in Jerusalem. Later, sources close to the Serbian president said Serbia would not move its embassy to Jerusalem if Israel recognizes Kosovo. (AJ, GDN, HA 9/4; WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 9/5; JP 9/9; TOI 9/10)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers threw stones at Palestinian vehicles traveling near Turmus ‘Ayya, damaging 2 vehicles. 10 Palestinians were arrested during raids in and around Ramallah, Tulkarm, Tubas, Nablus, and Jenin. In East Jerusalem, Israeli authorities informed 1 Palestinian of their intention to remove his residency rights, giving him 30 days to appeal. 2 Palestinians were arrested during a late-night raid in Issawiyya. (WAFA, WAFA 9/3; PCHR 9/10; HA 9/15)

Palestinian factions, including the PA, Hamas, and Islamic Jihad, held a meeting via videoconference to discuss Palestinian unity across political factions. In a final communique, the factions stated that they are united against efforts to normalize the occupation, discussed rules of engagement with Israel, and confirmed their “commitment to the establishment of a Palestinian state on the entire Occupied Palestinian Territory, with Jerusalem as its capital, and . . . that there will be no state in Gaza, and no state without Gaza.” (AJ, REU, WAFA 9/3; WAFA 9/4)

The Israeli high court of justice ruled that 1 Israeli soldier who shot and killed 1 Palestinian minor who had thrown a stone at the soldier’s car in July 2015 would not be tried in court despite a petition to do so. (HA 9/3)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers rammed into a flock of Palestinian-owned sheep near Yatta, killing and injuring several. Israeli forces and Palestinians clashed during a raid in al-‘Arub refugee camp. 6 Palestinians were arrested in late-night raids in and around Jenin, Ramallah, Tulkarm, and Hebron. In East Jerusalem, 1 Palestinian family started demolishing their own home in Jabal Mukabir. In Gaza, Israeli forces fired missiles and shells east of Khan Yunis and Dayr al-Balah, causing damage. (AJ, WAFA, WAFA 8/30; WAFA 8/31; PCHR 9/3)

The PA announced that, due to its financial crisis, government employees would only receive 50 percent of their July salaries. (WAFA 8/30)

At a press conference with Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Jerusalem, U.S. senior advisor to the president Jared Kushner said that the U.S. administration’s peace plan is a “very gracious, realistic offer,” and that Palestinians should come to the negotiating table. Prime Minister Netanyahu said that if the U.S. and Israel had to wait for the Palestinians to come to the table they would “wait forever.” (HA 8/30)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers with Israeli military escort toured a spring near al-Walaja. Israeli forces violently dispersed protests against the UAE-Israel normalization deal in Kafr Qaddum, Salfit, Hebron, ad Ni‘lin, causing tear-gas related injuries, and 2 were hit by rubber-coated bullets in Kafr Qaddum. In East Jerusalem, 4 Palestinians were arrested, including 3 on a street in the Old City and 1 during a late-night raid in Wadi al-Juz. In Gaza, 12 rockets were fired toward Israel, 1 causing damage to a house after it was intercepted. Israeli forces fired missiles at Gaza east and west of Gaza City and near Bayt Lahiya, causing damage and moderate injuries to 1 minor who was hit by shrapnel. Israeli forces also opened fire on agricultural lands east of Rafah and Bayt Hanun; no injuries were reported. Off the coast of Gaza, Israeli naval forces opened fire on Palestinian fishermen on 2 separate occasions west of Bayt Lahiya and Khan Yunis; no injuries were reported. In Israel, thousands of protesters outside of Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s official residence continued their calls for him to step down. (HA, HA, REU, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 8/21; HA 8/22; HA 8/23; PCHR 8/27)

In an apparent response to U.S. president Donald Trump’s claim that Saudi Arabia would follow the UAE and normalize ties with Israel, a senior member of the Saudi royal family, Prince Turki al-Faisal, said in an op-ed that “[t]he Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has set a price for concluding peace between Israel and the Arabs—it is the creation of a sovereign Palestinian state with Jerusalem as capital, as provided for by the initiative of the late King Abdullah.” According to the London-based newspaper Al-Araby Al-Jadid, the head of the Mossad, Yossi Cohen, met with the deputy head of Sudan’s sovereignty council general Mohammed Hamdan Dagalo in a meeting brokered by the UAE. Sudan denied the claim. (AJ, HA, REU 8/21; HA 8/22)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers set fire to a tractor and wrote racist graffiti in ‘Urif and slashed tires on several vehicles and wrote racist graffiti on buildings in Yasuf. Israeli settlers also threw stones and paint at an Israeli border police vehicle near the Yitzhar settlement. Israeli settlers also set fire to Palestinian agricultural lands in Asira; subsequently, local Palestinians and Israeli forces clashed in the area, leading to tear-gas related injuries. Israeli forces also razed land east of Tulkarm. Separately, Israeli forces injured 3 Palestinians using rubber-coated bullets as they were seeking to enter Israel via the separation wall near Far‘un. 20 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in and around Ramallah, Hizma, Bethlehem, Salfit, Nablus, Tulkarm, and Jenin. In East Jerusalem, 1 Palestinian family demolished part of their house built to accommodate their disabled son in Sur Bahir. 4 Palestinians were arrested, including 3 during late-night raids in Issawiyya and the Old City, and 1 Waqf guard at the Haram al-Sharif compound. In Gaza, Israel fired missiles at Gaza City, Bayt Hanun, and Dayr al-Balah, causing damage; incendiary balloons were launched from Gaza toward Israel, sparking fires. 1 unexploded Israeli shell was found at an UNRWA school west of Gaza City. Israel announced that it would stop all imports of fuel into Gaza as collective punishment for incendiary balloons landing in Israel. (AJ, REU, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 8/13; HA, HA 8/14; PCHR 8/16; PCHR 8/17; PCHR 8/19)

Russia announced that it would open trade representation offices in Bethlehem, Hebron, and Nablus. (WAFA 8/13)

U.S. president Donald Trump announced that Israel and the UAE had agreed to establish full diplomatic ties and that Israel, as part of the agreement, had decided to suspend annexation of parts of the West Bank. In a joint statement from the 3 parties, it said that “Israel will suspend declaring sovereignty over areas outlined in the President’s Vision for Peace and focus its efforts now on expanding ties with other countries in the Arab and Muslim world.” Later, Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that annexation is “still on the table” and a promise he is committed to. Subsequently, President Trump said, “Israel agreed not to annex parts of the West Bank. It is more than taking it off the table—they agreed not to do it. This is a very smart concession by Israel. It is off the table now.” U.S. ambassador to Israel David Friedman later said that annexation is “off the table now but it’s not off the table permanently. You can’t have peace and annexation at the same time.” PA president Mahmoud Abbas called the deal a “betrayal of Jerusalem, al-Aqsa Mosque and the Palestinian cause.” The PA also recalled its ambassador to the UAE. Hamas spokesperson Fawzi Barhoum said of the deal: “[t]his announcement is a reward for the Israeli occupation’s crimes . . . The normalization is a stabbing in the back of our people.” U.S. officials also said that Bahrain and Oman are likely to soon normalize relations with Israel. (HA, HA, HA, HA, REU, REU, REU, REU, WAFA, WAFA 8/13; AJ, AJ, REU, REU, REU 8/14; HA 8/15; REU 8/16; AJ 8/17)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers set fire to 2 Palestinian-owned vehicles near Qalqilya. Israeli forces demolished 2 animal shelters in Kisan. Israeli forces also gave 4 families near Yatta demolition notices for their residential structures. 11 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in and around Ramallah, Jenin, ‘Urif, Qalqilya, Bayt Umar, and Jericho; during a raid in Jericho, 2 Palestinians were shot by Israeli forces using rubber-coated bullets. In East Jerusalem, 2 Palestinians were arrested during raids. In Gaza, Israeli forces opened fire on agricultural lands east of Khuza‘a; no injuries were reported. (WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 8/4; PCHR 8/13)

PA president Mahmoud Abbas extended the state of emergency related to COVID-19 for another month. (WAFA 8/5)

An Israeli court ordered the release of PA governor of Jerusalem Adnan Ghaith who had been detained since 7/19. Governor Ghaith was released with the condition that he does not contact Fatah and other Palestinian officials in the West Bank. (WAFA 8/4)

In Lebanon, a massive explosion causing widespread destruction in Beirut killed at least 135 people, wounded more than 5,000, and left more than 200,000 people homeless. The explosion happened at the Beirut port and it is unclear what caused the explosion, but most sources attribute it to a fire at a fireworks warehouse which spread to an adjacent warehouse storing a large amount of ammonium nitrate fertilizer confiscated several years ago. Israel denied having a role in the explosion and was 1 of many countries to extend offers of humanitarian aid to Lebanon. (AJ, NYT, REU 8/4; AJ, AJ, CNN, HA, HA, HA, NYT 8/5; HA 8/6; HA 8/7)

In the West Bank, 9 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in and around Nablus, Qalqilya, Bethlehem, and Hebron. In the East Jerusalem, Israeli settlers toured the Haram al-Sharif compound; the Jordanian ministry of foreign affairs denounced the violation of the Status Quo agreement. 6 Palestinians were arrested as the Israeli settlers toured the compound. In Israel, Palestinian activists and members of the Israeli Knesset demonstrated outside the Israeli magistrate court in support of the PA governor of Jerusalem Adnan Gheith who has been detained by Israel since 7/19. In Gaza, Israeli forces opened fire on agricultural lands east of Dayr al-Balah; no injuries were reported. Outside of Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s residence, more than 1,000 protesters demanded Netanyahu’s resignation; pro-Netanyahu counter-protesters attacked 1 Palestinian bus driver and 2 photojournalists. ( HA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 7/30; PCHR 8/13)

The EU and 15 European countries delivered a letter to the Israeli foreign ministry expressing “grave concern regarding the advancement of settlement construction in Givat Hamatos and potentially in the E1 area.” (TOI 7/31)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers set fire to a mosque and wrote racist graffiti on walls in al-Bireh. Israeli forces razed Palestinian farmland to expand an Israeli settlement near Burqin. Elsewhere, Israeli forces seized 4 animal barns in Nahalin. 11 Palestinians were arrested, including 9 during late-night raids in and around Anata, Hebron, Shu‘fat, and Jenin; 2 were arrested at a military checkpoint near Nablus. In Gaza, Israeli forces made incursions to level land east of Rafah. (HA, REU, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 7/27; PCHR 7/29)

In the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights, Israeli forces and Hezbollah militants were said to have exchanged fire near the Lebanese border; no casualties were reported. Israel claimed that Hezbollah operatives had entered Israel, leading to an exchange of fire. Hezbollah, however, said that it had not opened fire on Israeli forces and that the Israeli claims were a publicity stunt. The Lebanese prime minister Hassan Diab later said that Israel’s conduct was a dangerous military escalation in violation of Lebanese sovereignty. (REU, REU 7/27; AJ, HA, HA, HA, REU 7/28)

The U.S. Democratic Party finalized its platform for the 2020 elections. While the platform states opposition to Israeli annexation of West Bank settlements and calls for a 2-state solution, it also dismissed progressive amendments to dealing with Israel, such as conditioning military aid and calling for an end to the occupation of the West Bank. The amendments were voted down 117-34. The platform also recognizes Jerusalem as the capital of Israel. Jewish Voice for Peace called the platform “wildly out of touch with the Democratic base.” (HA 7/27; JVP Action 7/28; WAFA 7/29)

The EU said it was “deeply concerned” about the detention of PA governor of Jerusalem Adnan Gheith and called for “full respect of bilateral agreements between Israel and the PLO” with regard to East Jerusalem. Governor Gheith was arrested on 7/19 during a house raid; it was the 18th time he has been arrested since becoming governor 2 years ago. (WAFA 7/28)

The EU contributed with $27 million to the PA to help pay for the June salaries for PA civil servants. The PA has only paid civil servants half their salaries, citing the refusal to receive tax revenue payments collected by Israel because it would include coordination between the PA and Israel. (WAFA, WAFA 7/27)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers attacked a Palestinian bicyclist near Turmus ‘Ayya, injuring 2, including 1 that needed medical treatment. Israeli forces violently dispersed Palestinian protesters in Beita, injuring 2 with rubber-coated bullets; others suffered tear-gas related injuries. 3 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in Jalazun refugee camp. In East Jerusalem, 1 Palestinian family demolished their own home in Jabal Mukabir to avoid exorbitant Israeli demolition fees; 5 people were displaced. 6 Palestinians were arrested during raids in Issawiyya and the Old City. In Gaza, Israeli forces opened fire on agricultural lands east of Khuza‘a; no injuries were reported. (WAFA, WAFA 7/18; HA 7/19; JP, REU 7/22; PCHR 7/23)

The PA extended the ban for travel between governorates for 1 more week to prevent the spread of COVID-19. (WAFA 7/18)

In Israel, Israeli protesters were violently dispersed by Israeli police in Tel Aviv and Jerusalem as they were calling for Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s resignation in light of the corruption cases brought against him. (AJ, REU 7/18; HA 7/19)

In West Bank, Israeli forces violently dispersed protests in Atuf, Kafr Qaddum, and Nablus, injuring 6 Palestinians with tear gas and rubber-coated bullets. Israeli forces also arrested 1 Palestinian journalist from Palestine TV at a checkpoint in Bayt Iksa near Jerusalem. 2 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in Ya‘bad. In East Jerusalem, 4 Palestinians were arrested near Damascus Gate in the Old City. In Gaza, Israeli forces opened fire on Palestinian farmlands east of Dayr al-Balah and al-Bureij; no injuries were reported. (WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 6/5; PCHR 6/11)

Israel’s minister of Jerusalem affairs and heritage Rafi Peretz said in a Facebook post that the Trump administration’s peace plan had unacceptable clauses, such as settlement freeze and the establishment of a Palestinian state. (HA 6/5)

In the West Bank, Israeli forces shot and injured 1 Palestinian minor using rubber-coated bullets in Kafr Malik. Israeli forces also seized a tractor north of Jericho and handed demolition orders for 5 residential structures and a council building near Yatta. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces violently dispersed protests during the funeral procession for the Palestinian man who was shot by Israeli forces in the Old City on 5/30. Israeli defense minister Benny Gantz said the Israeli government was “sorry for this incident” and that it would be investigated quickly. Separately, Israeli forces violently dispersed a gathering to commemorate the death of Faisal Husseini in Shaykh Jarrah. 5 Palestinian organizers were arrested, including PA governor of Jerusalem Adnan Gheith. The Haram al-Sharif compound reopened after it was closed on 3/15 in order to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Israeli settlers led by Yehuda Glick toured the Haram al-Sharif compound; during the tour, Israeli forces arrested 3 Palestinians on the compound, including the head of the Palestinian Prisoner’s Society and a Waqf guard. 1 other Palestinian was arrested during a raid in Silwan. In Israel, Israeli authorities demolished 4 Palestinian-owned homes in al-Tira. (AJ, HA, HA, HA, REU, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 5/31; WAFA 6/1; PCHR 6/4)

5 people were killed in air strikes in eastern Syria. The British based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said that Israel was likely responsible for the air strikes. (TOI 5/31)

In the West Bank, Israeli forces shot and killed 1 Palestinian as he allegedly attempted to ram his car into them south of Nabi Salih; no Israeli soldiers were injured. The family of the Palestinian man said he was picking up family members nearby and that his car slid before he was shot. Israeli forces also violently dispersed Palestinian protesters during the weekly anti-settlement protest in Kafr Qaddum using rubber-coated bullets and tear gas, injuring 5. Elsewhere, Israeli forces informed a Palestinian family that it would seize 3.5 dunams (0.86 acres) of the land near Ya‘bad to expand a nearby Israeli settlement. Israeli forces also issued a stop-work order for rehabilitation of a road east of Bethlehem. 4 Palestinians were arrested and 1 vehicle was confiscated near Sabastiyya. In East Jerusalem, 1 Palestinian family started demolishing their own home in Jabal Mukabir to avoid exorbitant Israeli demolition fees. Israeli forces arrested the former Grand Mufti of Jerusalem during a house raid in the Old City. In Gaza, Israeli forces opened fire on Palestinian shepherds east of al-Bureij and on agricultural lands east of Khuza‘a; no injuries were reported. (HA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 5/29; HA, PCHR, WAFA 5/30; PCHR 6/4)

The Lebanese government agreed to extend the UN peacekeeping mission mandate for the UN Interim Force in Lebanon on the southern border. (HA 5/29)

In the West Bank, armed Israeli settlers attacked 3 Palestinian farmers near Kobar. Israeli settlers with military escort also raided al-Shuyukh, leading to clashes with Palestinians; tear-gas related injuries were reported. Israeli forces also demolished 1 agricultural structure near Tarqumiyya. 2 Palestinians were arrested during house raids in Abu Dis. In Gaza, Israeli forces opened fire on agricultural lands east of Juhur al-Dik; no injuries were reported. Israeli forces also made incursions to level land near Bayt Lahiya. (WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 4/7; PCHR 4/9)

The Israeli major of Jerusalem wrote a letter to the Health Ministry Director General warning him about shortages in medical equipment and COVID-19 virus testing devices in East Jerusalem hospitals, despite the ministry’s repeated promises to help. The Red Crescent Society is providing COVID-19 testing in the East Jerusalem neighborhoods on the West Bank side of the separation barrier. (HA 4/8)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers razed Palestinian-owned land near the villages of Jalud and Qaryut. Israeli forces closed an agricultural road, forced Palestinian farmers to leave their land, and demolished a house under construction south of Tulkarm. Israeli forces also delivered a stop-work notice for a barn south of Hebron. Elsewhere, Israeli forces raided several areas of Ramallah, arresting 4 Palestinians and seizing a car. During 1 of the raids, Israeli forces clashed with Palestinians, leading to tear-gas related injuries In East Jerusalem. PA security forces entered Kafr ‘Aqab within the Israeli municipal boundaries of Jerusalem, but on the West Bank side of the separation barrier to address friction over a roadblock between residents and members of Fatah to prevent the spread of the COVID-19 virus. 1 Palestinian was hit by a bullet from an unknown perpetrator. The PA said it had informed Israeli authorities about the intervention. Elsewhere, Israeli forces raided Issawiyya; it was reported that several Palestinians were beaten and 1 Palestinian was arrested. Later, 6 other Palestinians were arrested in Issawiyya. In Gaza, Israeli forces opened fire on agricultural lands east of Bayt Hanun; no injuries were reported. (HA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 3/31; PCHR 4/2)

Syrian media reported that Israeli jets fired missiles at targets in western Syria from Lebanese air space, but that the missiles were intercepted. (AJ, HA 3/31)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers attacked a Palestinian house in Burqa, causing damage to the house; and raided Madama, leading to a confrontation with local Palestinians; no injuries or damage were reported. Separately, Israeli settlers attacked Palestinians protecting their land northwest of Ramallah; at least 2 sustained injuries. Israeli forces shot and injured 1 Palestinian minor west of Ramallah, alleging that he had thrown stones at Israeli settler-owned vehicles. Elsewhere, Israeli forces closed metal gates to the Hebron area villages of al-Fawar, Yatta, and Dura; and razed Palestinian-owned land near Jalud. 4 Palestinians were arrested, including 2 during a raid in ‘Ayn al-Hilwa and 2 at a checkpoint near Nablus. In East Jerusalem, 3 Palestinians were arrested during raids in Issawiyya. In Gaza, Israeli forces made incursions to level land east of Khuza‘a. (WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 3/24; PCHR 3/27)

PA prime minister Mohammed Shtayyeh met with the head of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) delegation in Jerusalem to request that the ICRC work to protect Palestinian prisoners in Israeli prisons from the COVID-19 virus. Palestinian prisoners in Israeli prisons started returning their food portions in response to Israel’s lack of help in protecting them from the virus. Prime Minister Shtayyeh also called on all Palestinians from the West Bank working in Israel to return to the West Bank, citing Israel’s reckless response to Palestinians showing signs of the COVID-19 virus (see 3/23). (WAFA, WAFA 3/24; WAFA 3/25)

The EU donated $88 million to UNRWA projects. (WAFA 2/24)

In the West Bank, Israeli forces razed Palestinian-owned land in Huwwara in preparation to build a 5-mile-long settler-only road. Elsewhere, Israeli forces violently dispersed a protest against Israeli annexation plans east of Tubas, firing live ammunition, rubber-coated bullets, and tear gas canisters at the protesters, injuring 1 with live ammunition and 2 with rubber-coated bullets; others sustained tear-gas related injuries. 26 Palestinians, including a PA official, were arrested during raids in and around Hebron, Qalandia, Nablus, Tulkarm, and Jenin. In East Jerusalem, 2 Palestinians were arrested. Off the coast of Gaza, Israeli forces opened fire and sprayed water on Palestinian fishermen west of Dayr al-Balah, causing damage to 1 boat; no injuries were reported. (WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 2/25; PCHR 2/27)

For the 3d time since 2/20, Israel’s prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced new settlement expansion. In this new round, Prime Minister Netanyahu announced that had given instructions to “publish for deposits the plan to build 3,500 housing units in E-1." E-1 is an area next to the Ma’ale Adumim settlement and would connect the settlement to Jerusalem. E-1 was shelved in 2012 because of pressure from the U.S. Obama administration and the EU as it would split the West Bank in 2. The PA said that Netanyahu’s announcement “crossed all red lines.” (JP, REU, WAFA, WAFA 2/25)

In the West Bank, Israeli forces razed 5 dunams (1.2 acres) of land and demolished an agricultural shack in Tarqumiyya; razed 50 dunams (12 acres) of land east of Salfit; and destroyed a water piping system in Jiftlik. Israeli settlers attacked 5 Palestinian shepherds in al-Mughayyir; 3 of the victims needed medical attention for the injuries. 4 Palestinians were arrested during raids in and around Ramallah, al-Bireh, Hebron, and Qalqilya. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces raided the offices of the Palestinian organization Volunteer for Hope in Bayt Hanina, seizing 4 computers, and summoned its director for questioning. Separately, 3 Palestinians were arrested. In Gaza, Israeli forces made incursions to raze agricultural lands north of Bayt Lahiya. Israeli forces also fired at Palestinian shepherds east of Khan Yunis; there were no reports of injuries. (WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 2/17; PCHR 2/20)

Israel’s transportation ministry said it had approved a 2-mile tunnel extending the Tel Aviv-Jerusalem high-speed railway to the Western Wall. The Jordanian foreign ministry called the plan a “fragrant violation of international law.” (BBC 2/18)

In the West Bank, a Palestinian school in ‘Ayn Bus was set on fire, damaging classrooms, and racist Hebrew graffiti was painted on the building. Israeli forces seized tracts of land north of Hebron to expand an Israeli settlement. 11 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in and around Biddu, Bethlehem Tubas, Tulkarm, Hebron, and Jenin. During a raid in Jenin, Israeli forces confiscated a vehicle and cash. Palestinians protested the U.S. administration’s version of a peace plan in several places throughout the West Bank; at least 12 Palestinians were reported injured. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces demolished a Palestinian-owned store in Wadi al-Juz. 8 Palestinians were arrested, including 3 during raids in Silwan and the Old City, and 5 at the Haram al-Sharif compound. In Gaza, Palestinians also protested the U.S. administration’s peace plan. (AJ, HA, HA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 1/28; PCHR 1/30)

Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu was indicted in the 3 corruption cases against him. Prime Minister Netanyahu had earlier on that day, before the indictment, withdrawn his request for immunity from prosecution. (AJ, HA 1/28)

U.S. president Donald Trump, flanked by Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu, presented the U.S. administration’s version of a peace plan, which on all contentious issues took maximalist Israeli positions. The plan presented a vision for 2 states; however, the map of these 2 “states” presented with the plan showed a carved-up West Bank where the majority of Israeli settlements and the Jordan Valley were annexed by Israel. A swath of land in Israel, where some 250,000 Palestinian citizens of Israel live, would be annexed to the Palestinian “state.” Some land in Israel along the Egyptian border would also be part of the Palestinian state. Jerusalem would become part of Israel and the Palestinian capitol would be east of Jerusalem on the West Bank side of the separation border. Gaza and the West Bank would be connected by a bridge or a tunnel. The Palestinian state would be demilitarized, including disarming Hamas and Islamic Jihad in Palestine (PIJ). Israel would control all of Palestine’s international borders. There would be no right of return for Palestinians as “[t]heir Arab brothers have the moral responsibility to integrate them into their countries as the Jews were integrated into the State of Israel.” Furthermore, the peace plan would allow Jews to pray on Haram al-Sharif and the PA would have to stop paying stipends to families of Palestinian prisoners in Israel. Palestinians, according to the plan, would have 4 years after the “peace deal” was signed to achieve the right to their own state. (BBC, NPR, NYT, REU 1/28; AJ, HA 1/29; HA 1/30)

The Palestinian leadership’s response to the U.S. administration’s vision of a peace plan was condemnation. PA president Mahmoud Abbas said that “Trump and Netanyahu declared the slap of the century, not the deal. And we will respond with slaps.” At President Abbas’s speech were representatives from Hamas and PIJ. Hamas said Abbas had spoken with Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh and that the 2 had agreed to stand together in unity on the matter. Abbas also called for an urgent session at the Arab League to discuss the U.S. peace plan. (AJ, AJ, HA, WAFA, WAFA 1/28)

Shortly after the U.S. peace plan was released, Prime Minister Netanyahu said that he would convene the Israeli cabinet on 2/1 to start annexing Israeli settlements, the Jordan Valley, and the northern Dead Sea. Jared Kushner, senior advisor to President Trump, said shortly after Netanyahu’s announcement that he did not believe that Israel would start annexing West Bank settlements on 2/1, contradicting the Israeli prime minister. (HA, HA, HA 1/29)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers cut down 50 olive trees in al-Sawiya south of Nablus. 12 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in and around Bayt Awa, Bayt Fajjar, Ramallah, al-‘Arub refugee camp, and Abu Dis. During a raid in Jericho, 6 Palestinians were injured by rubber-coated bullets and others suffered tear-gas related injuries after clashes broke out between Israeli forces and Palestinians. In East Jerusalem, 1 Palestinian was arrested during a raid. (WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 1/8; PCHR 1/9)

Israeli defense minister Naftali Bennett told reporters that he had created a task force to develop plans for the future of Area C, to which he said, “[t]he State of Israel’s policy is that the land in Area C belongs to [Israel].” (HA 1/9)

U.S. secretary of state Mike Pompeo said via video during a Jerusalem policy forum that changing U.S. policy on the Israeli settlements in the West Bank was returning to a “balanced and sober” approach to the peace process and reiterated the administration’s position that Israeli “settlements don’t inherently violate international law.” (REU 1/8)

U.S. president Donald Trump responded to the Iranian strikes on U.S. bases in Iraq on 1/7 by announcing additional sanctions on Iran. (AJ 1/8)