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  • December 30, 2023

    In the West Bank, Israeli forces shot and killed a Palestinian who allegedly rammed an Israeli at a checkpoint near Fawwar refugee camp. Israeli forces were also filmed abusing and assaulting a...

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  • June 15, 2023

    In the West Bank, Israeli settlers attacked Palestinian herders in al-Thaala in the Masafer Yatta area, forcing them to leave their pastures. Israeli forces shot and killed 1 Palestinian and...

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  • January 30, 2023

    In the West Bank, Israeli settlers threw stones at Palestinian vehicles traveling near Turmus ‘Ayya. Israeli settlers also set fire to 2 Palestinian-owned cars and wrote racist graffiti in Sinjil...

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  • June 9, 2022

    In the West Bank, Israeli settlers destroyed a memorial for 1 Palestinian rights activist who was killed by Israeli forces on 1/5 in Umm al-Khair. Israeli settlers also assaulted 1 Palestinian...

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  • October 10, 2021

    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...

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  • September 1, 2021

    In the West Bank, Israeli forces demolished 1 house in Harmala, 1 house in Bayt Ta‘mar, and 3 agricultural structures in Duma. 4 Palestinian children were arrested during late-night raids in...

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  • August 8, 2021

    In the West Bank, Israeli settlers attacked 2 Palestinian vehicles traveling near a checkpoint in Tayasir, causing damage to both. Israeli settlers also assaulted 1 Palestinian man near Bayt Dajan...

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  • July 24, 2016

    Amid heightened tensions and the ongoing IDF closures in the Hebron district, Israeli settlers enter Kafr Haris village nr. Hebron overnight to perform religious rituals. Palestinians in the area...

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  • November 11, 2015

    In the most high-profile incident of the day, undercover Israeli soldiers raid a hospital in Hebron and arrest a Palestinian patient—an alleged suspect in the stabbing of an Israeli settler on 25...

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  • August 17, 2015

    In the West Bank, IDF troops shoot and kill a Palestinian man after he allegedly tries to stab an Israeli soldier at a checkpoint nr. Nablus, marking the 1st of such incidents this quarter. They...

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  • March 29, 2015

    On 2 occasions off the coast of Gaza nr. Jabaliya, Israeli naval forces open fire on Palestinian fishing boats, causing no injuries. In the West Bank, IDF troops conduct raids in Bayt Jala village...

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  • October 8, 2012

    Armed Palestinian groups in the Gaza Strip fire an estimated 55 rockets and mortars at s. Israel in the morning, causing no injuries. The IQB and the Ansar al-Quds group claim joint responsibility...

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  • May 21, 2010

    IDF troops on the s. Gaza border fatally shoot 2 armed Palestinian teenagers who infiltrate the border fence nr. Abasan; the IDF claims they are mbrs. of Hamas’s armed-wing, the Izzeddin al-Qassam...

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  • March 7, 2010

    In light of the 3/3 Arab League endorsement, the PLO Exec. Comm. gives its blessing for Abbas to open indirect talks with Israel mediated by the U.S., but warns that it would not endorse...

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  • February 21, 2007

    In the West Bank, the IDF sends undercover units into Jenin r.c., where they assassinate Islamic Jihad mbr. Mahmud Abu Obeid, an alleged bomb maker; also sends undercover units into Bayt Jala to...

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  • July 27, 2006

    In Gaza, the IDF closes the Nahal Oz pipeline; shells areas nr. Gaza City, killing at least 1 Palestinian militant, 1 Palestinian farmer working in her field; shells areas nr. Bayt Hanun (killing...

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  • February 14, 2006

    Palestinians fire 2 rockets fr. Gaza towards Ashkelon, damaging a building; in response, IDF artillery shells n. Gaza, hitting an apartment building, causing damage but no injuries; the IDF closes...

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  • July 30, 2004

    The IDF fires on a funeral procession for ARB head Abu Sitta in Khan Yunis, killing a 12-yr.-old Palestinian boy, wounding 7; fatally shoots 4 Palestinians laying a roadside bomb nr. a Israeli...

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  • July 2, 2003

    Israel releases 9 administrative detainees, all arrested during the 6/24 sweep of Hebron, as a goodwill gesture to the PA. The IDF redeploys to the outskirts of Bethlehem, turning security control...

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  • July 31, 2002

    A package bomb explodes in a crowded Hebrew University cafeteria in Jerusalem, killing 4 Americans (including 1 U.S.-French dual national), 1 U.S.-Israeli dual national, 2 Israelis, injuring...

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  • April 1, 2002

    With Passover past and 20,000 reserves fully mobilized, the IDF reoccupies Bethlehem, setting up a cordon 500 yards fr. the Church of the Nativity, surrounding the PSF West Bank headquarters,...

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  • February 28, 2002

    In the morning, the IDF sends troops, tanks into Balata (an AMB stronghold); surrounds and attacks Jenin r.c. without entering it. The massive two-pronged operation, called Colorful Journey, meets...

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  • January 29, 2002

    The IDF sends tanks, troops into Artas village, nr. Bethlehem, to detain a wanted Islamic Jihad mbr. Omar Ayish. In the process the IDF wound 4 Palestinians; throw a grenade into the Ayish home,...

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  • October 19, 2001

    In response to the mortar attack on Gilo on 10/18, the IDF sends tanks, bulldozers into Bethlehem, Bayt Jala; occupies 10 Palestinian buildings in Bethlehem (including 2 hotels to house troops),...

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  • August 30, 2001

    The IDF apparently attempts to assassinate DFLP West Bank head Qays Samurai (Abu Layla) by planting an explosive device in his home in Ramallah; tanzim mbr. Anwar Aliya in an ambush by...

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  • August 14, 2001

    Several hrs. after entering Jinin on 8/13, the IDF withdraws. Significant exchanges of gunfire btwn. Bayt Jala and neighboring Gilo settlement prompt the IDF to reinforce positions around Bayt...

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  • July 31, 2001

    The IDF shells Hamas's press office in Nablus, killing 8 Palestinians, wounding 7. Among the fatalities are Hamas political leaders Jamal Mansur and Jamal Salim, the targets of assassination and...

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  • July 17, 2001

    The IDF assassinates Izzeddine al-Qassam Brigades's Bethlehem regional cmdr., Omar Saada, firing 2 wire-guided missiles at his home, also killing a Hamas colleague. When neighbors and relatives...

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  • May 20, 2001

    The IDF shells the home of PSF West Bank head Jibril Rajub, injuring 6 bodyguards; Rajub, his family are home but are not injured. The IDF also directs shells, heavy machine gun fire at al-Arub...

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  • May 6, 2001

    Israeli-Palestinian clashes continue, leaving 2 Palestinians dead. In what the IDF says is an effort to silence shooting at its positions, Israeli paratroopers, border police in armored personnel...

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In the West Bank, Israeli forces shot and killed a Palestinian who allegedly rammed an Israeli at a checkpoint near Fawwar refugee camp. Israeli forces were also filmed abusing and assaulting a gas station worker in the refugee camp. Elsewhere, Israeli forces shot and injured 2 Palestinians with baton rounds and arrested 4 others during a raid in Bayt Awa. Israeli forces also issued demolition notices for the family homes of 3 Palestinians killed by Israeli forces on 11/16 near Bayt Jala. 14 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in and around Nablus, Qalqilya, the Masafer Yatta area, Hebron, and Ramallah. In Gaza, Israeli forces bombed Khan Yunis, Rafah, Jabalia refugee camp, Nuseirat refugee camp, Maghazi, al-Bureij refugee camp, and Dayr al-Balah, killing at least 165 people, including Al-Quds journalist Jabr Abu Hadros and 6 members of his family in Nuseirat refugee camp and former Palestinian minister of awqaf and religious affairs and al-Aqsa Mosque preacher Sheikh Yousef Salameh in Maghazi. Israel also bombed near the Rafah crossing and hit the European Hospital, killing at least 5 people. 2 Israeli soldiers were killed and 13 were injured in combat. In Lebanon, Israel said it attacked several Hezbollah positions. In Syria, Israeli airstrikes killed 23 people, including 5 Syrians and 6 Iraqis, and wounded 18, near the Iraqi border. Israeli forces also bombed near Aleppo. (AJ, AJ, HA, NYT, UNOCHA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 12/30; AJ, HA, WAFA 12/31; AJ 1/2)

More than 21,672 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli forces in Gaza, including at least 8,800 children and 6,300 women, and around 56,165 have been injured since 10/7. At least 7,000 people were missing in rubble, including 1,700 children. 312 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli forces and settlers in the West Bank and East Jerusalem since 10/7, including 79 children. More than 3,812 people have been injured. Israel reported that 1,200 Israelis and foreign nationals have been killed and 5,400 have been injured since 10/7. 168 Israeli soldiers have been killed and 955 injured in Gaza since the ground invasion began on 10/27. Over 1.93 million Palestinians, nearly 85% of the population of Gaza, have been displaced since 10/7. There has been a complete electricity blackout in Gaza since 10/12 due to the Israeli blockade. As of 12/23, at least 65,000 housing units had been destroyed and 290,000 had been damaged in Israeli airstrikes since 10/7, constituting over 60% of all housing units. UNOCHA said more than 100,000 people have fled to Rafah in the past few days. UNICEF delivered 600,000 doses of vaccines to Gaza, saying that more than 16,800 infants have missed routine vaccines. UNRWA said 40% of Palestinians in Gaza were at risk of famine. 103 trucks carrying aid entered Gaza. (AJ, UNOCHA, UNOCHA 12/30)

The Gaza Ministry of Health held a press conference saying Palestinians captured by Israeli forces in Gaza were being tortured and held in poor condition. The ministry also said it had been able to reopen the medical facilities al-Arabi Hospital, Patient Friend’s Benevolent Society, Assahaba Medical Complex, al-Helou International Hospital, and several first aid centers. Lastly, it said that 5,300 people in critical condition needed to be evacuated to hospitals outside of Gaza to save their lives. 13 out of 36 hospitals in Gaza are partially functioning, 9 of which are located in the south, the rest are out of service. (AJ, UNOCHA 12/30)

The armed wing of the PFLP, the Abu Ali Mustafa Brigades, released a picture it said showed the body of 1 of the Israeli soldiers held captive in Gaza, saying he was killed by Israeli forces when they tried to rescue him. It was unclear if the soldier was taken captive on 10/7 or during the ongoing ground invasion. (AJ, HA, REU 12/30)

The PA foreign ministry said Israel was targeting UNRWA to expel the agency from Gaza. (AJ 12/30)

Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu said in a press conference that the border zone between Egypt and Gaza, known as the Philadelphi Corridor, must be under Israeli control. Netanyahu also said Israel will attack Iran if Hezbollah expands its attacks on Israel. Ynet reported that Israel wants an underground wall along the Gaza border with Egypt. Netanyahu reportedly invited Defense Minister Yoav Gallant and war cabinet member Benny Gantz to participate in the press conference, which they declined. PLO secretary-general Hussein al-Sheikh said Netanyahu’s plans were “a blatant violation of agreements with Egypt and a termination of all agreements with the PLO,” calling on a unified Palestinian and Arab stance against it. (AJ, HA, REU, REU 12/30; AJ, AJ, WAFA, WAFA 12/31)

Israeli finance minister Bezalel Smotrich said Israeli leaders will discuss resettling Palestinians in Gaza after the war. (AJ 12/30)

Israeli forces hacked the broadcast of the radio channel Voice of Palestine, issuing threats to people in Gaza. (WAFA 12/30)

The Wall Street Journal said that by mid-December Israel had dropped 29,000 bombs on Gaza, destroying 70% of homes, making Israel’s attacks “comparable in scale to the most devastating warfare in the modern record.” (AJ, HA 12/30; AJ, WAFA 12/31)

The New York Times reported that the Israeli military was so ill-prepared for Operation Al-Aqsa Flood on 10/7 that soldiers used WhatsApp groups and social media posts to decide where to target. (AJ, NYT 12/30)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers attacked Palestinian herders in al-Thaala in the Masafer Yatta area, forcing them to leave their pastures. Israeli forces shot and killed 1 Palestinian and wounded 2 others with live ammunition and 170 with tear gas during a punitive demolition raid in Nablus. The Israeli forces demolished the family home of 1 Palestinian accused of having killed an Israeli soldier in October 2022. Israeli forces also raided Ya’bad, razing a road, damaging 2 vehicles, and raiding the Electricity Authority building. Elsewhere, Israeli forces demolished 1 Palestinian-owned home in Bayt Jala. Israeli forces also demolished 8 residential structures east of Tubas, displacing 16. In East Jerusalem, an Israeli settler threw stones at the Cenacle Christian site, damaging windows. The vandal was released from custody on 6/16 under the condition that he stay away from the Old City for 30 days.  (ABC, AJ, ALM, AP, HA, MEE, TOI, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 6/15; HA 6/18; PCHR 6/22; UNOCHA 7/8)

PA president Mahmoud Abbas met with Chinese prime minister Li Qiang in Beijing. At the end of Abbas’ 4-day trip, the PA and China issued a joint statement where the PA supported China’s treatment of its Muslim minority in Xinjiang, which has been severely condemned by human rights organizations. (AP, WAFA 6/15; AP 6/16)

The UNRWA staff union in the West Bank ended its 4-month long strike and resumed services in the refugee camps. (WAFA 6/15; REU, WAFA 6/16)

The Islamic Supreme Fatwa Council in Palestine issued a fatwa against participation in the upcoming Israeli municipal elections in Jerusalem. (QDS, WAFA 6/15)

A conference on spitting attacks by Jewish people on Christians in the Old City organized by the Center for the Study of Relations Between Jews, Christians, and Muslims at the Open University of Israel was forced to change its venue from the Tower of David Museum in the Old City of Jerusalem after pressure from the Israeli-run municipality, including from the mayor’s office. Jerusalem deputy mayor Arieh King called the conference “anti-Semitic.” Officials from the Israeli Foreign Ministry and Jerusalem municipality were invited to attend the conference but refused. (HA 6/15)

A CNN investigation confirmed Palestinian eyewitness accounts that Israeli forces did not intervene to protect Palestinians from the Israeli settler pogrom in Huwwara on 2/26. An Israeli soldier told CNN that he and the other soldiers knew of the threat posed by the Israeli settlers but chose not to intervene and instead allowed the settlers to enter Huwwara. The CNN investigation also said that Israeli soldiers only intervened to prevent Palestinian residents from trying to repel the settler attack. (CNN, HA 6/15)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers threw stones at Palestinian vehicles traveling near Turmus ‘Ayya. Israeli settlers also set fire to 2 Palestinian-owned cars and wrote racist graffiti in Sinjil. Israeli forces shot and killed 1 Palestinian at a checkpoint in Hebron. Israeli forces also issued 6 stop-work notices for houses in Deir Balut and a demolition notice for 1 residential structure in Bayt Jala. Representatives from a dozen of countries visited Palestinians threatened by forced displacement in Khan al-Ahmar. In East Jerusalem, Israeli settlers toured the Haram al-Sharif compound. Israeli municipal workers demolished a commercial structure and leveled land in Jabel Mukaber and demolished a wall in Silwan. (AJ, AP, GDN, HA, MEE, PCHR, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 1/30; WAFA 1/31; MEE 2/1; PCHR 2/2; UNOCHA 2/3)

A bill that will see residency permits and citizenship revoked for Palestinians who receive money from the PA after being accused of attacking Israelis passed the first reading in the Knesset with 89 votes in favor and 8 against. (HA 1/31; MEE 2/7)

U.S. secretary of state Antony Blinken met with Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Israel. The U.S. State Department said that the 2 spoke about Israeli-Palestinian relations and the need for a diplomatic solution. Secretary Blinken met with Egyptian president Abdel Fattah al-Sisi earlier in the day in Cairo. According to Yediot Ahronot, the U.S. offered Netanyahu help with normalizing ties with Saudi Arabia and curbing Iran’s nuclear program if Netanyahu reigns in his far-right coalition partners, ends his plans to weaken the judiciary, and maintain the status quo at the Haram al-Sharif compound. (AJ, HA, MEE 1/29; AJ, ALM, ALM, AP, AP, HA, HA, NYT, MDW, REU 1/30; HA, HA, HA, NYT 1/31; AJ, HA, MEE 2/3)

Adalah filed an objection to the U.S. plans to build a new embassy to Israel on land in Jerusalem that was seized from Palestinian landowners. The objection was accompanied by letters to U.S. ambassador to Israel Tom Nides and U.S. secretary of state Antony Blinken. (MEE, WAFA 1/30)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers destroyed a memorial for 1 Palestinian rights activist who was killed by Israeli forces on 1/5 in Umm al-Khair. Israeli settlers also assaulted 1 Palestinian farmer in Kisan. Israeli forces shot and killed 1 Palestinian man and injured 3 by live ammunition and 2 with baton rounds during a raid in Halhul. Israeli forces also shot and injured 1 Palestinian with live ammunition during a raid in Nablus. Elsewhere, Israeli forces shot and injured 3 Palestinians with live ammunition during a raid in Jenin refugee camp. Israeli forces also raided Jayyus, injuring 1 Palestinian with live ammunition and confiscating 1 bulldozer. Meanwhile, Israeli forces demolished an apartment building under construction in Beit Jala. Israeli forces also delivered a punitive demolition notice and took measurements for a separate punitive demolition in Rumana. 7 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in Baytin, al-Mazra‘a ash-Sharqiya, Tell, Tammun, Nur Shams refugee camp, and Tulkarm. In East Jerusalem, 9 Palestinians were arrested, and 1 Palestinian was assaulted before being taken to a hospital for treatment during a late-night raid in Isawiya and the Old City. (AJ, AN, AP, HA, MEE, REU, TOI, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 6/9; AA, PCHR 6/10; PCHR 6/16; UNOCHA 6/17)

Israeli prime minister Naftali Bennett met with UAE president Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed al Nahyan in Abu Dhabi. Israeli media speculated if the meeting was part of Israeli and U.S. preparations to normalize relations between Saudi Arabia and Israel. (AJ, ALM, AP, HA, NYT, REU 6/9; HA 6/10)

Israel announced that Israeli citizens will be able to travel to the Qatar 2022 soccer World Cup, despite Israel and Qatar not having formal relations. Foreign minister Yair Lapid said the development “opens a new door for us to warm ties [with Qatar].” Israel is not qualified for the World Cup in Qatar. (MEE, REU 6/9)

The U.S. state department announced that the Palestinian Affairs Unit at the Israeli embassy will change its name to U.S. Office of Palestinian Affairs and start reporting directly to the Near Eastern Affairs Bureau in the State Department “on substantive matters” instead of the U.S. embassy in Jerusalem. The diplomatic representative to the PA was also changed from U.S. ambassador to Israel Tom Nides to Hady Amr, who was promoted to the state department envoy to Palestinians. The PA has demanded that the Biden administration uphold president Joe Biden’s promises made during his presidential campaign, including to reopen the U.S. consulate to Palestinians in Jerusalem. (AJ, AP, AX, GDN, HA, MEE, REU 6/9; JP 6/12)

A bipartisan group of members of the U.S. house and senate introduced legislation that would require the defense department to submit a strategy for an integrated air and missile defense system for Israel, Jordan, Egypt, Iraq, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait, and Oman within 180 days. The bill, “the Deterring Enemy Forces and Enabling National Defenses Act of 2022,” was described as an effort to bolster Israeli ties with countries in the Middle East. The senate version of the bill was introduced by Cory Booker (D-NJ), Jacky Rosen (D-NV), Joni Ernst (R-IA), and James Lankford (R-OK), while the house version was introduced by Brad Schneider (D-IL), David Trone (D-MD), Jimmy Panetta (D-CA), Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA), Ann Wagner (R-MO), and Don Bacon (R-NE). (HA 6/9)

The director general of the international atomic energy agency (IAEA) Rafael Grosso warned that Iran is in the process of removing 27 surveillance cameras from the country’s nuclear sites. The Iranian move comes as the progress in talks for the U.S. to renter the Iran nuclear deal has stalled, and Israel has intensified its assassinations of Iranian military personnel and scientists. Director General Grosso said that Iran would leave some 40 surveillance cameras at its nuclear facilities. The announcement came 1 day after 30 members of the IAEA board released a joint statement urging Iran to cooperate with the agency. (AJ, HA, REU, REU, REU, REU, REU, REU 6/8; AJ, AP 6/9; AP 6/10)

A study by the organization AirPressure.info found that Israel has violated Lebanese air space 22,000 times in the past 15 years. (GDN, MEE 6/9)

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, Israeli forces demolished 1 house in Harmala, 1 house in Bayt Ta‘mar, and 3 agricultural structures in Duma. 4 Palestinian children were arrested during late-night raids in Bethlehem. 11 others were arrested, including 9 during raids in and around Bayt Rima, Kobar, Jenin, Jaba‘, Bethlehem, Bayt Jala, Halhul, and Dura, and 2 were arrested at checkpoints in Bethlehem and Ya‘bad. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces raided the Muslim Girls Secondary School in Wadi al-Juz and arrested 2 employees, including the principal of the school. In Gaza, Israeli forces violently dispersed Palestinian protesters east of Rafah, injuring 1 with a rubber-coated bullet and others with tear gas. (WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 9/1; MEE, MEMO, PCHR, WAFA 9/2)

Israel said it would expand the Gaza fishing zone to 15 nautical miles at its largest, increase the number of merchant permits for Palestinians in Gaza from 5,000 to 7,000, and provide 175 million cubic feet of fresh water. (HA 8/31; ALM, ALM, AP, MEE, MEMO 9/1)

1 Palestinian prisoner in administrative detention ended his 33-day hunger strike after the Israeli prison service promised not to extend his detention beyond 2/14/2022. (WAFA 9/1)

Israel’s foreign minister Yair Lapid said that reopening the U.S. consulate to Palestinians in Jerusalem is a “bad idea,” saying it would weaken the Israeli government coalition and send the “wrong message.” Israeli and U.S. government sources have told Haaretz that the U.S. is moving slowly on reopening the consulate because of the potential ramifications it could have on Israel’s government coalition. Foreign Minister Lapid also criticized the way the U.S. withdrew from Afghanistan. The spokesperson of Israeli prime minister Naftali Bennett also denied reports that Bennett and PA president Mahmoud Abbas would meet. (AJ, ALM, GDN, HA, HA, MEE, REU 9/1; MEMO 9/2; ALM 9/7)

Haaretz reported that Israel’s public security minister Omer Bar-Lev had ordered the Israeli police to stop its policy of confiscating Palestinian flags during protests except in exceptional circumstances. (HA 9/1)

The U.S. Central Command announced that it had taken over the responsibilities of Israel from the U.S. European Command. The move, welcomed by Israel, was seen as an effort to strengthen the normalization deals between Israel, the UAE, and Bahrain as it allows for easier coordination of military exercises arranged by the U.S. (JINSA 9/2; Defense News, Defense News 9/7)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers attacked 2 Palestinian vehicles traveling near a checkpoint in Tayasir, causing damage to both. Israeli settlers also assaulted 1 Palestinian man near Bayt Dajan, causing the man to be hospitalized. Israeli forces violently dispersed Palestinian protesters in Beita, injuring 1 with a rubber-coated bullet, 4 with tear gas canisters, and 50 with tear gas. 4 Palestinians were arrested, including 2 during late-night raids in Bayt Jala and Yatta, and 2 in the vicinity of Beit Fajjar. In Israel, Israeli prison forces raided a section of the Ktzi’ot prison, assaulting Palestinian prisoners. (WAFA, WAFA 8/8; MEE, WAFA, WAFA 8/9; PCHR 8/12)

Peace Now reported that the Israeli government is moving ahead with a plan to create a new settlement with 9,000 housing units at the Atarot airport between Jerusalem and Ramallah. The plans are set to be discussed on 12/6/2021. Peace Now called on the government to shelve the plans for the new settlement immediately. (TOI 8/2; PCN 8/8; AJ 8/17)

Israeli national security officials met with Egyptian security officials in Cairo to discuss the details for a long-term ceasefire with Hamas. (MEMO 8/9)

According to Haaretz, IDF chief of staff Aviv Kochavi met with IDF central command officials, asking them to take steps to reduce lethal shootings of Palestinians in the West Bank as the death toll of Palestinians in the West Bank since May had risen to 40 on 8/6. Haaretz called on Chief of Staff Kochavi in an editorial to dismiss head of IDF central command Tomer Yadai in response to the many killings. (HA, HA 8/10)

Bahrain’s undersecretary for political affairs Shaykh Abdullah bin Ahmed al-Khalifa met with Israel’s president Isaac Herzog and foreign minister Yair Lapid in Jerusalem, where he announced plans to start direct flights between the 2 countries. Foreign Minister Lapid also said he would be visiting Bahrain soon. The 2 countries formalized a normalization deal in September 2020. (HA 8/8; ALM 8/10)

A Saudi Arabian court handed sentences of up to 22 to years in prison to a large number of Palestinian and Jordanian residents of the country who were charged with being linked to unnamed terrorist organizations. A total of 69 Palestinians and Jordanians received either prison sentences or were acquitted. It was unclear how many of the 69 were acquitted; all were detained in March 2018. Among the Palestinians to receive prison sentences was Hamas representative to Saudi Arabia Mohammed al-Khodari, who was sentenced to 15 years in prison. Hamas condemned the rulings, calling the sentences “harsh and undeserved.” (AJ, MEMO, MEMO 8/9; ALM, MEMO 8/12)

Amid heightened tensions and the ongoing IDF closures in the Hebron district, Israeli settlers enter Kafr Haris village nr. Hebron overnight to perform religious rituals. Palestinians in the area report that a group of Israeli settlers have been setting up a new illegal settlement outpost outside the village. Meanwhile, IDF troops conduct raids in Silwad village nr. Ramallah, sparking clashes with stone-throwing Palestinian youth; 1 Palestinian is seriously injured. Late at night, IDF troops arrest 10 Palestinians and issue 1 arrest summons during further raids and house searches nr. Hebron, Bethlehem, Nablus, and Jenin; and patrol in 5 villages nr. Hebron. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces arrest 3 Palestinians suspected of stone-throwing in Issawiyya. They also conduct raids in the Old City, breaking up a minor physical confrontation between Jewish Israelis and Palestinian youths (7 Palestinians are assaulted and 4 are arrested). Meanwhile, a Palestinian demolishes a room of his home in Silwan to avoid paying Israeli demolition fees. Along Gaza’s border, IDF troops open fire on Palestinian farmers working nr. Khan Yunis, causing no injuries. In s. Israel, Israeli forces arrest several bedouin Palestinians after they try to stop an Israeli bulldozer from leveling land outside their village, al-Araqib. (MNA, WAFA 7/24; MNA 7/25; PCHR 7/28)

The Israeli press reports that the mayor of Yatta village, along with several human rights organizations, has submitted a petition to Israel’s High Court of Justice to lift the IDF’s closure of Yatta, which was imposed in the wake of the 6/8 attack in Tel Aviv. The petition states that all entry and exit from the village has been prohibited since 7/2, when the closure was re-enforced. The mayor reportedly complained to the IDF, which responded that the closure will continue because it is a “military-security need” and that it is “part of the effort to prevent further attackers from leaving the area.” (HA 7/24)

The Israeli press reports that the Jerusalem Municipality’s Local Planning and Construction Comm. presented plans for 770 settler housing units between the Gilo settlement and Bayt Jala late last week. The Israeli authorities previously approved 1,200 units in the area, and the reports today appear to cover the same development. (MNA 7/24)

In the most high-profile incident of the day, undercover Israeli soldiers raid a hospital in Hebron and arrest a Palestinian patient—an alleged suspect in the stabbing of an Israeli settler on 25 October—and shoot and kill the man’s cousin. Meanwhile, Palestinians across the West Bank demonstrate in commemoration of the 11-year anniversary of former PLO chair Yasir Arafat’s death. IDF troops violently disperse them in al-‘Arub r.c. and 1 village nr. Hebron, w. of Tulkarm, 2 areas nr. Ramallah (al-Bireh and Jalazun r.c.), and Bethlehem; at least 70 Palestinians are injured. Elsewhere, IDF troops conduct a series of raids in Qalandia r.c. nr. Ramallah, sparking clashes with stone-throwing Palestinians youths; 13 Palestinians are injured. Palestinian youths throw stones at Israeli settlers’ vehicles nr. Nablus, causing no damage. The IDF then raids stores in a nearby village, sparking clashes with stone-throwing Palestinian youths; there are no serious injuries. The IDF also conducts raids in al-‘Arub r.c. nr. Hebron, Nablus and 2 nearby villages, 1 village nr. Tulkarm, Jalazun r.c. and 1 village nr. Ramallah, 2 villages nr. Jenin, as well as 3 villages, Aida r.c. and al-Azza r.c. nr. Bethlehem, arresting 44 Palestinians and issuing an arrest summons to 1. Off Gaza’s coast nr. Bayt Lahiya, Israeli naval forces open fire on Palestinian fishing boats, causing no damage or injuries. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces raid a school in Silwan, arresting a Palestinian youth and issuing the school’s principal an arrest summons. They arrest 4 other Palestinians on raids in the Old City and Issawiyya. (MNA, WAFA 11/11; HA, JP, MNA, PCHR, WAFA, YA 11/12; PCHR 11/19)

The Jerusalem Municipality approves the construction of 891 new units in a settlement nr. Bayt Jala. (WAFA 11/11)

Israel’s Knesset approves, 55–31, the 1st reading of a bill that will allow the govt. to bar anyone who calls for a boycott of Israel from entering the country. (HA, JP 11/11)

The EU Commission adopts an interpretive notice “on indication of origin of goods from the territories occupied by Israel since June 1967,” including guidelines requiring products imported from Israel’s West Bank settlements to be labeled as such. (HA, JP, MNA, REU, YA 11/11; YA 11/12)

In the West Bank, IDF troops shoot and kill a Palestinian man after he allegedly tries to stab an Israeli soldier at a checkpoint nr. Nablus, marking the 1st of such incidents this quarter. They also conduct late-night house searches and raids nr. Jenin, Ramallah, Bethlehem, and Hebron, arresting 8 Palestinians and issuing arrest summons to 3, and patrol throughout the West Bank. Israeli forces raze Palestinian agricultural land in Bayt Jala nr. Bethlehem and begin expanding the separation wall in the area, cutting residents off from their land and laying the groundwork for annexation. Around Jerusalem, Israeli forces demolish 22 bedouin huts and animal pens in the E1 area and 4 residential structures in bedouin villages nr. East Jerusalem. Nearby, Israeli forces arrest a Palestinian from Bayt Hanina who responded to an arrest summons. Israeli forces conduct 3 limited incursions into Gaza, leveling land nr. Rafah, al-Bureij refugee camp (r.c.), and Khan Yunis. Egyptian authorities open the Rafah border crossing for passage in both directions (they will keep it open through 8/20). (HA, MNA, WAFA, YA 8/17; HA 8/18; PCHR 8/20)

On 2 occasions off the coast of Gaza nr. Jabaliya, Israeli naval forces open fire on Palestinian fishing boats, causing no injuries. In the West Bank, IDF troops conduct raids in Bayt Jala village nr. Bethlehem, disrupting Palm Sunday celebrations. The IDF also conducts raids and house searches in 3 villages nr. Nablus, 1 village nr. Ramallah, and Jenin, arresting 18 Palestinians; patrols in 2 villages each nr. Jenin and Ramallah, and 1 village each nr. Qalqilya and Jericho. Israeli forces deliver a demolition notice to a warehouse nr. Jenin. An Israeli settler rams a herd of Palestinian-owned sheep with his car nr. Qalqilya, injuring 29 of them. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces assault a group of Muslim worshippers at Haram alSharif, then they detain 3. Israeli forces also demolish part of a Palestinian’s home in the Old City; conduct house searches and raids in Ras al-Amud, Shu‘fat, and the Old City, arresting 9 Palestinians. (MNA, WAFA 3/29; PCHR 4/2)

On the 2d day of the Arab League’s 26th annual summit, the collected ministers agree to form a special comm. to organize the creation of a detailed timetable for the end of Israel’s occupation. (AFP, YA 3/29; JP 4/7)

Reps. of the Joint List and Palestinian activists conclude their 4-day march from unrecognized villages in the Negev to Pres. Rivlin’s residence in Jerusalem. Although he had earlier agreed to greet them, he is in Singapore for a state funeral. The coalition’s chair, Ayman Odeh, delivers a report on Palestinian bedouin communities in the Negev to Rivlin’s wife instead. (HA, WAFA 3/29; AFP, HA, WAFA 3/30)

EU amb. to Israel Lars Faaborg-Andersen says that the EU is not currently reassessing its policies regarding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, despite the recent reports that it is considering new sanctions on Israel’s settlements as an incentive for a new round of peace negotiations. He adds that the EU supports in principle a UNSC res. calling for a timetable on the Israeli occupation. (TOI 3/30)

Chinese FM Wang Yi, Russian FM Sergey Lavrov, and UK Foreign Secy. Hammond join the 4th consecutive day of negotiations between the P5+1 and Iran in Lausanne, Switzerland. (AFP, ALM, AP, REU 3/29; HA 3/30; NYT 3/31)

Armed Palestinian groups in the Gaza Strip fire an estimated 55 rockets and mortars at s. Israel in the morning, causing no injuries. The IQB and the Ansar al-Quds group claim joint responsibility in retaliation for the IDF assassination on 10/7/12. The IDF retaliates with air strikes and artillery fire on an area of s. Gaza, wounding a total of 10 Palestinians (4 armed and 6 civilians, including 2 children from the same family), and artillery fire on n. Gaza, damaging a factory but causing no injuries. (JP, NYT, YA 10/8; PCHR 10/11).

In the West Bank, a Jewish settler shoots and wounds a Palestinian laborer nr. Bayt Jala, and a group of Jewish settlers attack a Palestinian-owned house nr. Nablus. The IDF patrols in 2 villages nr. Hebron at night, and conducts house searches and arrest raids in Balata r.c. in Nablus and al-Fawar r.c. nr. Hebron. (JP NYT, YA 10/8; PCHR10/11)

IDF troops on the s. Gaza border fatally shoot 2 armed Palestinian teenagers who infiltrate the border fence nr. Abasan; the IDF claims they are mbrs. of Hamas’s armed-wing, the Izzeddin al-Qassam Brigades (IQB). The IDF sends troops 800 m into Abasan to raze a Palestinian house under construction, a poultry farm, and 2 dunams (d.; 4 d. = 1 acre) of agricultural land planted with olive and palm trees to clear lines of site. Later, IDF troops and armed Palestinians exchange fire across the Gaza border, leaving 1 IDF soldier wounded. In the West Bank, the IDF conducts late-night arrest raids, house searches nr. Ramallah. Palestinians (sometimes accompanied by Israeli and international activists) hold weekly nonviolent demonstrations against the separation wall and land confiscations in Bil‘in and Ni‘lin nr. Ramallah, Dayr Nizam/al-Nabi Salih in the north central West Bank, and Bayt Jala and al-Ma‘sara nr. Bethlehem. IDF soldiers fire rubber-coated steel bullets, tear gas, and stun grenades at the protesters, leaving scores suffering tear gas inhalation, injuring 5 Palestinians, and arresting 11 Israelis and internationals (including an Israeli journalist). (NYT 5/22; OCHA, PCHR 5/27)

In Jerusalem, Israeli police inform 4 PC mbrs. fr. the Hamas-affiliated Change and Reform party—Khalid Abu ‘Arafa, Muhammad Abu Tir, Ahmad Atwan, and Muhammad Totah (all arrested in 6/06 as part of Israel’s round-up of Hamas-affiliated PC mbrs. and recently released after completing their sentences)— that Israel’s High Court has upheld a 9/09 ruling revoking their permanent Jerusalem residency status because their participation in 1/06 Palestinian elections constituted disloyalty to the state, warning that they will be deported to Gaza if they do not leave Jerusalem voluntarily (Abu Tir by 6/19, the others by 7/3). (NYT 5/22; PCHR 5/27; PCHR 6/7)

In light of the 3/3 Arab League endorsement, the PLO Exec. Comm. gives its blessing for Abbas to open indirect talks with Israel mediated by the U.S., but warns that it would not endorse continuing the talks past 4 mos. unless at least the outlines of a border agreement were achieved and would not agree to a start to direct talks until Israel imposed a comprehensive settlement freeze, including East Jerusalem. Israel accepted indirect talks last wk. (NYT, WP, WT 3/8)

In the West Bank, the IDF fires rubbercoated steel bullets, stun grenades, tear gas at Palestinian and international activists who stage a nonviolent march outside Bayt Jala and attempt to plant trees on land slated for confiscation for the separation wall, injuring 5 Palestinians (including 3 journalists); conducts late-night arrest raids, house searches in Anata r.c. nr. Jerusalem, Hebron. (OCHA, PCHR 3/11)

In the West Bank, the IDF sends undercover units into Jenin r.c., where they assassinate Islamic Jihad mbr. Mahmud Abu Obeid, an alleged bomb maker; also sends undercover units into Bayt Jala to arrest a wanted Palestinian; conducts arrest raids in and around Bethlehem and Tulkarm, nr. Hebron, and in Balata r.c. nr. Nablus, Jenin town and r.c.; demolishes a Palestinian home northwest of Jerusalem. In Gaza, a Palestinian farmer is killed when he accidentally detonates unexploded IDF ordnance. Palestinians fire at least 1 rocket fr. Gaza toward Israel that lands inside Gaza nr. Bayt Lahiya, wounding 6 Palestinians. Egyptian security forces conduct raids in Egyptian Rafah, detaining 2 Palestinians connected to the Palestinian arrested on 2/20, charging them with plotting suicide bombings; Egyptian authorities say they have arrested 23 Palestinians and Egyptians in the n. Sinai in recent days. In Gaza City, unidentified assailants detonate an explosive device outside the home of a PA police officer, causing damage but no injuries. (IFM 2/21; PCHR, WP 2/22; OCHA 2/28; PCHR 3/1)

In Gaza, the IDF closes the Nahal Oz pipeline; shells areas nr. Gaza City, killing at least 1 Palestinian militant, 1 Palestinian farmer working in her field; shells areas nr. Bayt Hanun (killing 1 Palestinian child outside his home, wounding 5 Palestinians), in al-Shuka; makes air strikes destroying 3 houses nr. Bayt Lahiya (killing 1 Palestinian bystander), in Bayt Hanun, Khan Yunis (also destroying 2 adjacent homes). In Jerusalem, a Palestinian gunman fires on Israeli police, wounding 2 before being shot dead. In the West Bank, the IDF sends undercover units into Jenin r.c. in cars with Palestinian license plates, surrounds a home, opens fire (wounding a Palestinian bystander in an apartment building nearby), occupying several surrounding houses as sniper positions, evacuates and checks IDs of residents, arrests 1 Palestinian, fires on stone-throwing Palestinians who confront the troops, wounding 8 Palestinians (including 2 journalists covering the incident for al-Jazeera, Reuters); patrols in al-Bireh; begins construction of a new segment of the separation wall in Bayt Jala that will cut Palestinians off fr. 5,000 d. of agricultural land and cut off the access of Battir and Husan Nahalin villages to Bethlehem. The body of a Jewish settler fr. Yakir missing since early in the morning is found in a burnt-out vehicle nr. a West Bank Palestinian village; the AMB takes responsibility for kidnapping, killing him. In Israel, Israeli police free dual Israeli-Canadian citizen Falah after a Haifa District Court orders the police and/or Shin Bet to file formal charges against him or let him go (see 7/26). A Palestinian wounded during the 7/26 IDF raid on Kafr Qadim dies. A 2d Palestinian dies of injuries received during IDF operations in Nablus on 7/19. (OCHA 7/27; NYT 7/28; NYT 7/29; PCHR 8/3)

Israel’s security cabinet approves call-ups for up to 3 divisions of reservists (15,000–30,000 reserves) for the war on Lebanon. The IDF makes some 180 air and artillery strikes on targets across Lebanon, including hitting radio and TV relays in Amshit n. of Beirut, 3 trucks in the Biqa‘ Valley carrying emergency food supplies to Beirut. Ground clashes continue in Bint Jubayl, 2 residential apartment buildings nr. an Amal headquarters in Tyre; a Lebanese army base in n. Lebanon; roads, buildings in s. Lebanon and the Biqa‘ Valley, including al-Khiyam, Kafr, Nabatiyya, Sidon, Tuffah, Riyaq, Zahleh. The IDF broadcasts radio warnings to s. Lebanon residents that their villages would be “totally destroyed” if rockets are fired fr. them. Hizballah fires some 110 rockets into n. Israel, wounding 7 Israelis and hitting an empty factory in Haifa, also hitting sites in Carmiel, Nahariya Safad, Tiberias. (IFM 7/27; NYT, WP, WT 7/28)

Palestinians fire 2 rockets fr. Gaza towards Ashkelon, damaging a building; in response, IDF artillery shells n. Gaza, hitting an apartment building, causing damage but no injuries; the IDF closes the Sufa commercial crossing into Gaza for the day. The IDF demolishes 2 Palestinian homes in and just southeast of Jerusalem; conducts arrest raids nr. Bethlehem, Qalqilya and in Askar r.c., Bayt Jala, Qabatya (occupying 2 homes as observation posts), Tulkarm. Nr. al-Arub r.c., IDF soldiers stop and search a Palestinian school bus; when a student on the bus allegedly opens a window without permission, a soldier shoots him in the face, seriously wounding him. Jewish settlers fr. Elon Moreh nr. Nablus vandalize Palestinian homes in nearby Bayt Furik; the IDF intervenes, removes the settlers. AMB Nablus cmdr. Nasir Abu Aziz says the Nablus faction will take steps to foil the success of the Hamas-led government, saying “we would continue opening fire until they [Hamas] fail in their cabinet as they foiled Fatah.” (IMEMC, XIN 2/14; HA, PCHR 2/16)

The IDF fires on a funeral procession for ARB head Abu Sitta in Khan Yunis, killing a 12-yr.-old Palestinian boy, wounding 7; fatally shoots 4 Palestinians laying a roadside bomb nr. a Israeli border fence e. of al-Bureij r.c; sends troops into Nablus, sparking stone-throwing, then firing on demonstrators, wounding 1 stone-thrower, 1 bystander; fires missiles at a 3-story building in Gaza City owned by the family of a female suicide bomber, demolishing the structure, injuring 2 Palestinians; raids a wedding party in Bayt Jala, arrests 2 guests; fires on residential areas of Rafah; conducts arrest raids, house searches in Bayta, the central Gaza Strip. Palestinians fire 4 Qassam rockets at Sederot, bringing the total number of rockets fired at the town in the past 3 days to 14; none caused damage or injuries. Palestinian, Israeli, international peace activists begin a 3-wk. Freedom March to protest the separation wall; the march begins in Zababda nr. Jenin and plans to end in Jerusalem on 8/19. (VOI, VOP 7/30 in WNC 8/3; NYT, WT 7/31; WT 8/1; PR 8/4; PCHR 8/5)

Israel releases 9 administrative detainees, all arrested during the 6/24 sweep of Hebron, as a goodwill gesture to the PA. The IDF redeploys to the outskirts of Bethlehem, turning security control over to the PSF; the IDF will continue to patrol Bayt Jala, control the area around Rachel’s Tomb (an especially high separation fence around the tomb reportedly is planned), but otherwise vows not to enter the town unless the PA is unable to prevent an imminent attack on Israelis fr. the city. The IDF confiscates 283 dunams of land s. of Khan Yunis, for a new settler bypass road for Morag; enters the offices of the Hebron Rehabilitation Comm. (HRC), orders all HRC reconstruction projects to halt; demolishes a Palestinian home in East Jerusalem; moves the Ganei Tal settlement fence east, bringing 4 Palestinian homes within the settlement’s zone of control. Palestinian gunmen fire on Israeli construction workers building the separation wall nr. Tulkarm, lightly injuring 1 Israeli security guard; fire on an IDF patrol in Nablus, causing no injuries. A roadside bomb explodes along the separation wall nr. Qalqilya, causing no damage or injuries. (HA, REU 7/2; MM, NYT, PCHR, WP, WT 7/3; al-Quds 7/7 in WNC 7/10; PCHR 7/10; MEI 7/11; HA 7/17)

A package bomb explodes in a crowded Hebrew University cafeteria in Jerusalem, killing 4 Americans (including 1 U.S.-French dual national), 1 U.S.-Israeli dual national, 2 Israelis, injuring around 80; Hamas claims responsibility. Residents of Nablus continue to defy the IDF curfew. The IDF temporarily lifts the curfew in Bethlehem, Hebron, Ramallah, Tulkarm; directs heavy machine gun fire at residential areas of Khan Yunis, Nablus; blows up the home of relatives of a suicide bomber in Bayt Jala; bulldozes a Palestinian home in Jenin, arrests the owner; partially demolishes 6 Palestinian homes in Rafah; conducts arrest raids in Qalqilya, Tulkarm. (AP, HA, LAW, MM, PCHR 7/31; MM, NYT, WP, WT 8/1; ATL, JT, al-Quds 8/1 in WNC 8/2; WP 8/2; PCHR 8/7; JPI 8/9)

Israel's inner cabinet orders the expulsion to Gaza of a relative of Palestinian involved in the 7/16 Emmanuel bus ambush, giving him 12 hrs. to appeal. Regarding whether the man was directly involved in supporting the attack (per Atty. Gen. Rubinstein's conditions; see 7/21), Internal Security M Uzi Landau says, "it's enough for a relative of a relative of a suicide bomber to set up a mourning tent or visit a mourning tent" to qualify for expulsion. The inner cabinet also formalizes a policy of demolishing the homes of Palestinian attackers. (HA 7/31; WP, WT 8/1; MA 8/4 in WNC 8/5; PCHR 8/7)

With Passover past and 20,000 reserves fully mobilized, the IDF reoccupies Bethlehem, setting up a cordon 500 yards fr. the Church of the Nativity, surrounding the PSF West Bank headquarters, declaring a 24-hr. curfew, firing warning shots at a BBC camera crew. The IDF also sends troops into Aida, Dahaysha, Tulkarm; reinforces troops in Qalqilya, beginning house-to-house searches. In Ramallah, the IDF continues rounding up Palestinian men, saying since 3/29, it has detained 700 (10 of them "wanted" men) and seized 19 rifles, 4 pipe bombs, 2 mortars, a "small number of assorted ordnance"; raids, vandalizes, confiscates files fr. more public, private offices; ejects a 6-person CBS news team fr. the city; fires on a clearly marked NBC TV vehicle. The PRCS says that the IDF has halted coordination efforts that guarantee the safe movement of ambulances, medical workers. In Bayt Jala, 100 Palestinians and foreign peace activists hold a nonviolent march to an IDF checkpoint, where troops open fire in front of them with live ammunition fr. tank-mounted machine guns, wounding 7 foreigners, 1 Palestinian TV cameraman. In total, 13 Palestinians are killed during the day, including an 11-yr.-old boy shot by the IDF in Gaza. A Palestinian sniper kills 1 Jewish settler in Har Homa. A Palestinian suicide bomber detonates a car bomb at a checkpoint btwn. East and West Jerusalem, killing 1 Israeli police officer. Palestinian gunmen kill 11 Palestinian collaborators, taking most of them fr. PA jails. Palestinians across the territories hold solidarity rallies to protest Israeli actions. (JP [Internet], NYT, PRCS press release, WP 4/1; al-Quds 4/1, AFP 4/2 in WNC 4/3; AFP, AN, ATL, IRNA, MENA, SA 4/1 in WNC 4/1; MM, NYT, WP, WT 4/2; MEI 4/5)

In the morning, the IDF sends troops, tanks into Balata (an AMB stronghold); surrounds and attacks Jenin r.c. without entering it. The massive two-pronged operation, called Colorful Journey, meets strong resistance, touching off fierce gun battles that continue into the night, leaving 1 IDF soldier and at least 11 Palestinians dead (4 in Balata, including Balata AMB leader Kayid Abu Mustafa; 7 in Jenin, including 6 PSF officers), wounding over 150 Palestinians (over 100 in Balata, 40 in Jenin). Troops bar ambulances fr. entering the camps to aide the wounded. In the afternoon, the IDF declares a brief cease-fire, ordering unarmed residents to leave Balata, but few do--most fearing permanent exile. The IDF cuts electricity and water to the camp; evicts, demolishes several Palestinian homes at the edge of the camp; conducts house-to-house searches, breaking through walls to move fr. building to building, demolishing at least 5 homes, damaging 100; occupies a UN-operated boys school. Israel says the operation is designed to arrest Palestinians wanted for "terrorist attacks," but none are arrested during the day. As the day progresses, violence spreads to other West Bank towns, especially in the Bayt Jala-Gilo area. The IDF also sends tanks to surround Tulkarm; tightens closures on Dayr al-Balah, Gaza City, Qalqilya, Ramallah, as well as access to Jerusalem; shells residential areas of Khan Yunis; occupies a PSF post in Tamun; directs heavy machine gun fire at Aida r.c., Bayt Jala, Bethlehem; bulldozes Palestinian land in Azariyya for construction of a settler bypass road. The PA suspends trilateral security comm. talks. (AP, HP, JP [Internet], MM, NYT, WP 2/28; BDL, MM, NYT, WP, WT 3/1; AFP 3/1, AYM 3/2, XIN 3/3 in WNC 3/4; WP, WT 3/2; LAW 3/6; MEI 3/8)

The IDF sends tanks, troops into Artas village, nr. Bethlehem, to detain a wanted Islamic Jihad mbr. Omar Ayish. In the process the IDF wound 4 Palestinians; throw a grenade into the Ayish home, causing damage but no injuries; leave a trail of cars crushed and overturned by tanks. In response to the raid, Palestinian gunmen fire on Gilo fr. Bayt Jala, lightly injuring 1 Jewish settler. IDF soldiers detain and beat a Red Crescent doctor, ambulance driver at a checkpoint in Nablus. The doctor is released after several hrs. but the driver is kept in custody. (AP 1/29; NYT, PCHR 1/30)

Omri Sharon, the PM's son, meets Arafat in Ramallah to arrange a secret mtg. btwn. Sharon, senior PA officials in Jerusalem for 1/30. (SA 2/3 in WNC 2/4; MM 2/4)

In his State of the Union address, Bush calls Iran, Iraq, North Korea an "axis of evil, arming to threaten the peace of the world"; also refers to a "terrorist underworld, including groups like Hamas, Hizballah, [and] Islamic Jihad." (HA, NYT, WP, WT 1/30; MM 1/31; MM 2/1; MA 2/1 in WNC 2/4; JP, MEI 2/8)

In response to the mortar attack on Gilo on 10/18, the IDF sends tanks, bulldozers into Bethlehem, Bayt Jala; occupies 10 Palestinian buildings in Bethlehem (including 2 hotels to house troops), several in Bayt Jala. The incursions spark clashes, which leave 3 Palestinians dead and at least 16 Palestinians, 1 IDF soldier injured. In Ramallah, 2 Palestinians are killed by IDF shelling; a 6th Palestinian is killed in Gaza. IDF tanks completely surround Bayt Sahur, Nablus, Qalqilya. The IDF also directs shells, heavy machine gun fire at Bayt Hanina, Hebron, Jinin, Khan Yunis, Tulkarm; occupies a Palestinian home nr. Qarni crossing. Churches in Jerusalem issue a statement calling on Israel to pull back, deescalate tensions, especially in Bethlehem. (BBC, HP, MM, REU 10/19; AP, NYT, WP, WT 10/20; PCHR 10/24)

The IDF apparently attempts to assassinate DFLP West Bank head Qays Samurai (Abu Layla) by planting an explosive device in his home in Ramallah; tanzim mbr. Anwar Aliya in an ambush by undercover units in Tulkarm. Samurai is not home at the time; Aliya is wounded. The IDF completes its withdrawal fr. Bayt Jala, taking up positions just outside the town and warning it will reenter if shooting at Gilo resumes. Clashes in Hebron, Ramallah, Tulkarm leave a total of 1 Israeli civilian, 3 Palestinian dead, 40 Palestinians wounded. The IDF directs shells, heavy machine gun fire at Qarni crossing and residential areas of Bayt Wazan, al-Bireh, Brazil refugee camp, Yatta; demolishes 6 Palestinian homes in Rafah; blocks a marked UN convoy fr. entering Rafah to inspect the demolished Palestinian homes; sets up new roadblocks at the entrance to Tulkarm, on 3 roads to Jerusalem; reinforces troops around Khan Yunis; conducts arrest raids in Ni'lin, confiscating papers fr. the local Fatah office, arresting 3 Palestinians; opens the main Gaza road that was sealed on 8/28. (HP, JP [Internet], MM, PMC 8/30; MENA 8/30 in WNC 8/31; HA, JT, NYT, WP, WT 8/31)

Several hrs. after entering Jinin on 8/13, the IDF withdraws. Significant exchanges of gunfire btwn. Bayt Jala and neighboring Gilo settlement prompt the IDF to reinforce positions around Bayt Jala, Bayt Sahur, Bethlehem during the day, raising speculation that a 2d Jinin-style operation is planned. The IDF does not move into these towns but does direct heavy machine gun fire at Bayt Jala; occupy 3 buildings outside Bayt Jala; enter, impose curfews on 3 nearby villages in area C. Israeli DM Ben-Eliezer says he suspended an incursion after the PA began to restrain gunmen in Bayt Jala. Israel announces it will allow 459 trucks carrying food and fuel to enter Gaza. Overnight, the IDF shells residential areas of Hebron. (CNN, NYT, REU, WT 8/14; AP, HA, IGPO, HP, MEZ, NYT, REU 8/15; NYT, WT 8/16; al-Quds 8/16)

The IDF shells Hamas's press office in Nablus, killing 8 Palestinians, wounding 7. Among the fatalities are Hamas political leaders Jamal Mansur and Jamal Salim, the targets of assassination and prominent public figures known for running a network of welfare programs and medical clinics. Also killed are Fahim Dawabsha, another Hamas mbr. on Israel's wanted list; 2 journalists interviewing Mansur; 2 children outside the building. The attack triggers firefights, especially around Jerusalem; mortar strikes; and 2 ambushes of Jewish settler vehicles that leave 7 settlers wounded. 100s of Palestinians gather outside the Hamas office to protest. Sharon terms the attack "one of our most important successes." The State Dept. "strongly deplores" the "highly provocative" incident. Egypt's Mubarak sends an "urgent letter" to Bush pressing for U.S. to intervene with Israel. Meanwhile, the IDF demolishes 2 Palestinian homes in Shu`fat; sends tanks, bulldozers into Bayt Sahur to shell residential areas, demolish part of a home, a water network; directs heavy machine gun fire at residential areas of Bayt Jala, Gaza City, al-Khadir, Khan Yunis, Rafah; bulldozes additional land outside Ramallah; conducts arrest sweeps in Bayt Hanina, East Jerusalem, Shu`fat, al-Tur, Wadi al-Juz; sets up a new checkpoints nr. Nablus, Ramallah, Zawata; tightens the closures on Salfit, Tulkarm. IDF soldiers also severely beat 2 journalists at a checkpoint nr. Qalandiyya; 2 Palestinians are killed in clashes elsewhere. Jewish settlers vandalize Palestinian cars in East Jerusalem. (AP, HP, LAW, PMC, REU 7/31; MENA 7/31 in WNC 8/1; MENA 7/31, ATL, JT, MA, MENA, XIN 8/1 in WNC 8/2; NYT, WP, WT 8/1; XIN 8/1, AN 8/2 in WNC 8/3; HP 8/2; MENA 8/4 in WNC 8/6; LAW 8/6; JP, MEI 8/10)

A PA security court sentences 4 Palestinians to death for collaborating with Israel in the assassination of senior Fatah official Thabet Thabet on 12/31/00. A 5th defendant is acquitted. (WT 8/1; AYM 8/4 in WNC 8/10; WT 8/7)

The UNSC votes unanimously to extends the UNIFIL mandate through the end of 1/02, implement the staged troop reduction endorsed on 5/18. (UN press release 7/31; AFP 8/1 in WNC 8/2; MEI 8/10)

The IDF assassinates Izzeddine al-Qassam Brigades's Bethlehem regional cmdr., Omar Saada, firing 2 wire-guided missiles at his home, also killing a Hamas colleague. When neighbors and relatives come to the scene to survey the damage, the IDF fires a 3d missile, killing Saada's brother (a peace activist) and a 4th Palestinian, wounding 10. The PA arrests 5 Palestinians for allegedly collaborating with Israel on the strike. For the 1st time, West Bank Palestinians fire 2 mortars at the Jewish settlement of Gilo, outside Jerusalem, causing no damage. The IDF directs shells, heavy machine gunfire at Bayt Jala, Bayt Sahur in response. The IDF also shells residential areas of Qabatiyya (destroying a Force 17 post), Tulkarm; raids al-Arub, Fajar, al-Fawar, Salfit; places a closure on Qalqilya, reinforces troops in the area. Jewish settlers vandalize Palestinian cars in al-Fawar. The IDF says it defused 2 bombs in Tel Aviv, outside a West Bank settlement. (AFP [Internet], BBC, CNN, HP, PMC 7/17; AP, MM, NYT, WP, WT 7/18; AYM, SA 7/19 in WNC 7/20; AP 7/21; WT 7/23; MEI 7/27)

Sharon phones Bush to urge him to press for a statement strongly condemning Arafat at the upcoming G-8 summit. Sharon also reportedly tells Bush that Israel plans to carry out "preventive operations" in the near future. An hr. later, Sharon receives a call fr. Powell urging Israeli restraint, but, late this evening, the IDF sends tank, troop reinforcements into the West Bank in its largest deployment since the start of the al-Aqsa intifada, raising speculation that a massive attack is imminent. (MM 7/20)

The IDF shells the home of PSF West Bank head Jibril Rajub, injuring 6 bodyguards; Rajub, his family are home but are not injured. The IDF also directs shells, heavy machine gun fire at al-Arub refugee camp, Bayt Jala, al-Bireh, Hebron, al-Khadir, Ramallah. Jewish settlers establish a new settlement enclave in Nabi Salih, nr. Ramallah; occupy 2 Palestinian shops in Jerusalem's Old City; set Palestinian wheat fields on fire nr. Hebron. Israel's Peace Now reports that at least 15 new Jewish settlement sites have been established since Sharon was elected in 2/01. (HP, Peace Now press release 5/20; NYT, PMC, WT 5/21; HA, WP 5/22; HA, MM, NYT 5/23; PCHR 5/24; LAW 5/25; MEI 6/1)

The Mitchell Comm. gives Israel, the PA its final report, which is identical to its preliminary report (see 5/16). Comm. heads Mitchell and fmr. sen. Warren Rudman send a letter to the Anti-Defamation League stressing that the report makes no direct linkage between halting violence, halting settlements. (MENA 5/21 in WNC 5/22; ITAR-TASS 5/21, AYM, HJ, MENA 5/22 in WNC 5/23; MM, NYT, WP, WT 5/22; MM, WP 5/23; AYM, HA, JT, MA, MENA, QA, al-Ra'i 5/23 in WNC 5/24; WJW 5/24; QA 5/25 in WNC 5/29; MEI 6/1; NYT 6/2)

Angry over Sharon's decision to use F-16s on 5/18 without consulting the full cabinet or security cabinet, the full Israeli cabinet limits the "kitchenette" (Sharon, Peres, Ben-Eliezer) to ordering strikes against 3 types of Palestinian targets without prior approval. (HA 5/21; MA 5/21 in WNC 5/22)

U.S. VP Dick Cheney states that the Israel should stop using American-supplied F-16s against Palestinian targets. Sharon says Israel will use as much military force against the Palestinians as it deems necessary. (MM, NYT, WT 5/21; al-Quds 5/21 in WNC 5/22; QA 5/21 in WNC 5/23; WJW 5/24; MEI 6/1)

Israeli-Palestinian clashes continue, leaving 2 Palestinians dead. In what the IDF says is an effort to silence shooting at its positions, Israeli paratroopers, border police in armored personnel carriers and under cover of IDF tank and machine gun fire enter PA-controlled Bayt Jala and al-Khadir, where they fire on Palestinian homes for several hrs., killing 1 Palestinian, injuring 23. The IDF also briefly enters and shells residential areas of Tulkarm, killing 1 Palestinian, wounding 9; bulldozes 17 dunams of Palestinian land in Bayt Hanun. Israeli DM Ben-Eliezer says he has given IDF field cmdrs. greater freedom to launch ground attacks into areas under PA control to suppress Palestinian gunfire. In Petah Tikva, Israel, a bomb explodes in a trash bin nr. a bus station, lightly injuring 1 Israeli. (LAW, NYT 5/7; al-Quds 5/7 in WNC 5/8; WP, WT 5/8; PCHR 5/10; LAW 5/11)