The Palestine Chronology

In the West Bank, 1 Israeli settler shot and killed 1 Palestinian man after he allegedly shot and wounded 6 settlers in the Ma’ale Adumim settlement. Israeli settlers also erected barbed wire fencing on Palestinian-owned land in al-Maleh. Israeli forces shot and killed 1 Palestinian minor after he allegedly tried to stab 2 Israeli soldiers that stopped to interrogate him near as-Samu. Israeli forces also demolished a commercial structure in Deir Balut. Elsewhere, Israeli forces raided Sabastia, surveying the town’s Roman amphitheater. In East Jerusalem, Israeli settlers toured the Haram al-Sharif compound. Israeli forces prevented a Palestinian ambulance from entering East Jerusalem at al-Zaim checkpoint, resulting in the death of a 40-year-old Palestinian man who had suffered a stroke. (AJ, AP, HA, QDS, REU, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 8/1; MEE, WAFA 8/2; PCHR 8/3; HA 8/5; UNOCHA 8/11)

The Ghaith-Sub Laban family, who were evicted from their home in the Old City of East Jerusalem, received a letter ordering them to pay for their own eviction by paying $4,613 to the Israeli police and $4,500 to the company that carried out the eviction. The family also owe $3,500 in court fees. The Ghaith-Sub Laban family was evicted on 7/11 as Israeli settlers took over their home. (HA 8/11; WAFA 8/13; MEMO 8/14)

The Israeli National Planning and Building Council approved the establishment of 5 new communities in the Naqab, including 4 Jewish communities and 1 for Bedouins. A memorandum discussed in the Southern District Planning and Building Committee last month said the goal of the Jewish communities is to prevent the expansion of Bedouin communities along Routh 25 and to bolster the Jewish presence in the area. (HA 7/31)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers set up a tent near Qaryut. Israeli settlers also threw stones at Palestinian farmers and set a car on fire in ‘Asira al-Qibliya. Israeli forces shot and killed 1 Palestinian minor during a late-night raid in Qalqilya. Israeli forces also razed land, uprooting 120 olive and almond trees in Qusra. Elsewhere, Israeli forces raided ‘Asira al-Qibliya, injuring 15 with tear gas. Palestinian militants from al-Ayyash Battalion launched an improvised rocket at Israel from Jenin before it exploded near the launch site. The launch was said to be retaliation for the settler tour of the Haram al-Sharif compound (see below). In East Jerusalem, Israeli national security minister Itamar Ben-Gvir toured the Haram al-Sharif compound for the third time this year. Ben-Gvir was joined by Naqab and Galilee development minister Yitzhak Wasserlauf and some 1,780 other settlers. Hamas, the PA, Morocco, and Jordan condemned the touring of the compound. Palestinians were prevented from entering the compound during the incursion. 16 Jews were arrested at the compound for praying at the site. (AJ, AJ, ALM, AN, HA, HA, HA, MEE, MEE, REU, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 7/27; AJ, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 7/28; UNOCHA 7/29; PCHR 8/3; UNOCHA 8/11)

Hours after National Security Minister Ben-Gvir toured the Haram al-Sharif compound, Bahrain said it had to postpone a visit by Israeli defense minister Yoav Gallant, citing King Hamad bin Isa al-Khalifa’s schedule. (HA 7/28; HA 7/30)

U.S. national security advisor Jake Sullivan met with Saudi crown prince Mohammed bin Salman in Jeddah, discussing Saudi-Israeli normalization. The New York Times reported that King Salman had intervened to insist that a deal would have to include concessions to Palestine. Later on 7/28, President Biden said at a campaign event that “[t]here is a rapprochement maybe under way” in relation to the Saudi-Israel normalization talks. (White House 7/27; AJ, AP, HA, REU 7/28; NYT 7/29; HA, REU 7/30; REU 7/31)

The UN Security Council held a meeting on the situation in the Middle East, discussing the increase in violence in the West Bank. (WAFA 7/27)

The Arab League submitted written statements to the ICJ in support of Palestine. (WAFA 7/27)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers began construction of a new settlement outpost in al-Sawahara. Israeli forces shot and killed 1 Palestinian and injured 3 others during a raid in Nablus to facilitate a settler incursion at Joseph’s Tomb; Israeli police commissioner Kobi Shabtai took part in the settler tour of site. Israeli forces also shot and injured 1 Palestinian with live ammunition during a raid in al-Shuyukh. Elsewhere, Israeli forces seized 2 tractors in Khirbet Humsa. Israeli forces also razed olive, almond, and grape trees in al-Hardash near Tarqumiyah. In East Jerusalem, Israeli settlers toured the Haram al-Sharif compound. 1 Israeli settler was attacked in the Gilo settlement, Israel arrested 3 Palestinians said to be suspects in Bethlehem on 7/22. (AJ, AP, HA, HA, MEE, REU, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 7/20; HA 7/22; PCHR 7/27; UNOCHA 7/29)

PA prime minister Mohammad Shtayyeh met with a delegation from the Australian parliament, including the speaker, Milton Dick. Shtayyeh called on Australia to recognize Palestine and to pressure Israel to allow Palestinian elections to be held in East Jerusalem. (WAFA, WAFA 7/20)

PLO member Azzam al-Ahmad led a Palestinian delegation to the BRICS summit held in South Africa. The BRICS members, Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa passed a resolution calling for a Palestinian state. (WAFA 7/20)

U.S. senators Bob Menendez (D-NJ) and Jim Risch (R-ID) introduced the Regional Integration and Normalization Act, earmarking funds to countries that would normalize relations with Israel. (MEE 7/21; HA 7/22)

Saudi Arabia signed an agreement to allow all UNESCO member states free access to a World Heritage Committee meeting in Riyadh in September, including Israel. Axios had reported that Saudi Arabia had refused to sign the agreement because of the participation of an Israeli delegation. (AX 7/20; ALM 7/21)

The EU donated $450,000 through UNRWA to families affected by the Israeli assault on Gaza in May. (WAFA 7/20)

In the West Bank, Israeli forces raided Kobar, injuring 1 Palestinian minor, reportedly with Tutu ammunition. Israeli forces violently dispersed Palestinian protesters in Kafr Qaddum, injuring 6 with rubber-coated bullets and others with tear-gas. Elsewhere, Israeli forces violently dispersed Palestinian protesters in Umm Safa, causing tear-gas related injuries. Israeli forces also raided Sebastia, injuring 20 Palestinians with tear gas. 7 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in al-Shuyukh, Dura, Dahariya, Fawwar refugee camp, Nil’in and Hebron. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces assaulted Palestinian protesters in Sheikh Jarrah, arresting 4. In Haifa, Tamra, and Umm al-Fahm, Palestinian citizens of Israel protested Israeli police inaction relating to the raising homicide rate in Palestinian communities. (HA, QDS, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 7/14; PCHR 7/19; UNOCHA 7/29)

1 Palestinian prisoner suspended his hunger strike after 11 days as Israel said it would not extend his administrative detention beyond 8/26. (WAFA 7/14)

A World Bank survey found that 58% of Palestinians in the West Bank and Gaza show symptoms of depression and 7% show symptoms of PTSD. The 2022 survey was based on 5,876 respondents. (HA 7/16)

In the West Bank, Israeli forces shot and injured 1 Palestinian and arrested 2 others during a raid in Askar refugee camp. Israeli forces also issued a stop-work order for a caravan and two tents in Bardala. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces forcefully expelled the Sub Laban family from their home in the Muslim Quarter of the Old City, allowing Israeli settlers to move into their home; 12 activists protesting the eviction were arrested. The U.S., Arab League, UN, and EU criticized the eviction. Israeli settlers toured the Haram al-Sharif compound. (HA 6/16; AJ, AN, HA, MEE, TOI, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 7/11; UN, WAFA 7/12; HA, PCHR 7/13; AJ 7/20; UNOCHA 7/29)

Palestinian journalist Lama Ghosheh from East Jerusalem was released from 10 months of house arrest by Israel but received a 3-year suspended sentence and was ordered to undertake 9 months of community service and to pay a fine of $1,200 for charges of incitement in her writing. Ghosheh’s lawyer said he would appeal the decision. (WAFA 7/11; HA 7/16)

U.S. special presidential coordinator for global Infrastructure and energy security Amos Hochstein met with Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Israel, discussing “regional matters.” (AX, HA 7/11)

In the West Bank, Israeli forces conducted 10 airstrikes on Jenin before beginning a large-scale ground force invasion with more than 1,000 soldiers, killing 8 Palestinians, injuring at least 50 others, and causing extensive damage to infrastructure and homes. The Israeli forces also shot at clearly marked Palestinian journalists, destroying their equipment, and used bulldozers to make streets in Jenin refugee camp impassable to vehicles. At night, 3,000 Palestinians fled Jenin refugee camp after Israeli loudspeakers were said to order them to leave them camp, an order the Israeli military denied. Jenin suffered widespread power, internet, and water outages as a result of the Israeli damage. The Palestinian Red Crescent said it was having trouble reaching the many injured in the camp. Israel dubbed the attack ‘Operation House and Garden.’ Palestinians protested the Israeli attack in many towns and cities throughout Palestine. Israeli forces also shot and killed 1 Palestinian during a protest in Ramallah against the Israeli attack in Jenin. Elsewhere, Israeli forces shot and injured 3 Palestinian minors with live ammunition in Beit Umar. Israeli forces also shot and injured 1 Palestinian with live ammunition near Hebron. Meanwhile, Israeli forces uprooted 45 grape tree saplings in Jawarish near Nablus. Israeli settlers stole 3 sheep from Palestinians in Aqraba. Israeli settlers also vandalized a Palestinian home in Burqa, causing damage. In East Jerusalem, 1 Palestinian family was forced to demolish parts of their home in Jabel Mukaber. (AJ, AJ, AJ, AJ, AJ, AJ, AP, AX, BBC, GDN, HA, HA, HA, HA, IN, LT, MDW, MEE, MEE, MEE, NYT, PCHR, PCHR, QDS, REU, SKY, UNOCHA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 7/3; AJ, HA, HA, HA, HA, MDW 7/4; AJ, HA, HA 7/5; AJ, HA, PCHR, UNOCHA 7/6; HA, UNOCHA 7/8)

The PA called the Israeli attack on Jenin refugee camp (see above) a war crime and said it had suspended security coordination with Israel. Egypt, Qatar, Turkey, the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Jordan condemned the Israeli attack. The Arab League issued a statement saying the Israeli attack was “tantamount to a war crime” and called on the UN Security Council to intervene. The U.S. national security council spokesperson said that the U.S. supported “Israel’s security and right to defend its people against Hamas, Palestinian Islamic Jihad, and other terrorist groups.” U.S. ambassador to Israel Tom Nides also attended a U.S. embassy event with Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu as the attacks were unfolding. UN special rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the Palestinian territories Francesca Albanese said the Israel attack amounted “to egregious violations of international law and standards on the use of force and may constitute a war crime.” UN secretary-general Antonio Guterres called the airstrikes and use of violence in Jenin the worst in the West Bank in years and said Israel, as an occupying power, has an obligation to protect civilians. (AJ, AJ, AJ, ALM, HA, REU, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 7/3; AJ, MDW, MEE, REU, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 7/4; HA, WAFA 7/5; AP, GDN, HA, WAFA 7/6; AJ, WAFA, WP 7/7; AJ, AP, HA 7/8)

Israeli foreign minister Eli Cohen linked Israel’s recognition of Moroccan sovereignty over Western Sahara to Morocco hosting the Negev Forum normalization summit, which has been repeatedly postponed by Morocco. (AJ, MEE, REU 7/3)

The UK parliament passed a second reading of the anti-BDS Economic Activity of Public Bodies (Overseas Matters) Bill. (HA, MEE 7/4)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers set up 6 mobile homes on Palestinian-owned land in al-Lubban ash-Sharqiya, creating a new settlement outpost. It was reported Israeli forces leveled land in preparation for the settlers to create the outpost. Israeli settlers also set up caravans near Mukhmas. Elsewhere, Israeli settlers also raided ‘Urif, setting fire to homes and a mosque and vandalizing the electric panel supplying the town, cutting power for hours. Security footage also showed the settlers tearing apart a Quran outside of the mosque. Israeli settlers also threw stones at Palestinian vehicles near Nahalin, Yasuf, and Ras Karkar. Meanwhile, Israeli settlers with a military escort also attacked Palestinians in Jalud, injuring 1 Palestinian with live ammunition and others with stones. Israeli settlers also raided Sinjil and Umm Safa before being repelled by Palestinians. Separately, Israeli settlers attacked Palestinians in Khirbet Tuba in the Masafer Yatta area, causing bruises and damage to property. Israeli forces raided Nablus, punitively demolishing the family home of 1 Palestinian man who allegedly took part in the killing of an Israeli soldier in October 2022; 33 Palestinians were injured by tear gas. Israeli forces also shot and injured 1 Palestinian during a raid in Dheisheh refugee camp. Elsewhere, Israeli forces demolished 4 residential structures in al-Maleh. In East Jerusalem, Israeli settlers assaulted 5 Palestinians in Silwan. Israeli authorities demolished 1 agricultural structure, uprooted trees, and razed a plot of land in Umm Tuba. (ABC, AJ, AJ, ALM, AP, HA, HA, HA, MEE, NYT, TOI, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 6/22; PCN 6/23 HA, HA 6/24; PCN 6/29; PCHR 7/6; UNOCHA 7/8)

The Jerusalem District Planning Committee approved proposed plans to build a new American embassy on a plot of land known as the Allenby complex, which is privately owned by several Palestinian families. It is still undetermined if the U.S. will move ahead with its plans to build the embassy on the plot of land because it was seized by Israel from the Palestinian families after the Nakba. (HA 6/22)

U.S. ambassador to Israel Tom Nides said at a Geneva Initiative event in Tel Aviv that the U.S. does “not stand and watch settler violence. I have been very clear and very specific that we will not stand by, and we are pushing the Israelis to take whatever action they need to take to stop those people.” The Saudi foreign ministry also issued a statement condemning the settler attacks. (HA, WAFA 6/22)

The annual UN report on the treatment of children in conflict zones left out Israel on the list of shame for the killing and mistreatment of Palestinian children. According to the report, 42 Palestinian children were killed and 933 were injured during 2022. Human Rights Watch and the PA expressed disappointment that Israel was left off the list. (AJ 6/23; HRW 6/27; WAFA, WAFA 6/28 AJ 6/29)

The chair and deputy chair of the Elders, Mary Robinson and Ban Ki-moon, issued a statement after visiting Israel and Palestine, warning that the “one-state reality is now rapidly extinguishing the prospect of a two-state solution.” The statement said that Robinson and Ban did not hear a “detailed rebuttal of the evidence of apartheid. On the contrary, the declarations and policies of the current Israeli Government . . . clearly show an intent to pursue permanent annexation rather than temporary occupation, based on Jewish supremacy.” (AP, ELDERS 6/22; MEE 6/23; HA 6/26; HA 7/2)  

In the West Bank, more than 250 Israeli settlers with a military escort raided Turmus ‘Ayya, shooting and killing 1 Palestinian, injuring 12 others with live ammunition, and setting 60 vehicles, 30 homes, and dozens of trees on fire. It was unclear if the Palestinian casualty was killed by settlers or Israeli forces during the raid. Israeli settlers also raided al-Mazra’a al-Gharbiya, vandalizing Palestinian property. Elsewhere, Israeli settlers vandalized farmland, a junkyard, a car wash, vehicles, and a gas station in al-Lubban ash-Sharqiya. Israeli settlers also raided Kafr ad-Dik, vandalizing homes and vehicles. Meanwhile, Israeli settlers vandalized 3 agricultural structures and 25 lemon and fig trees in Burqa. Israeli settlers also set fire to farmland in Husan. Israeli forces assassinated 3 Palestinians, including 1 minor, in a drone strike on a vehicle in Jalama. The Jenin Brigades said 2 of the Palestinians were members of Islamic Jihad and 1 was a member of Fatah. It was the first time since 2006 that Israel used drones to attack Palestinians in the West Bank. Israeli forces also raided ‘Urif, arresting 5 and taking measurements for punitive demolitions of 2 homes. Elsewhere, Israeli forces shot and injured 1 Palestinian during a late-night raid in Kafr Malik. 3 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in Tammun, Rumana, and Aqabat Jaber refugee camp. In East Jerusalem, Israeli authorities demolished 2 apartments in al-Tur. (AJ, AJ, AX, BBC, HA, HA, MDW, MEE, MEE, MEE, NYT, PCHR, REU, REU, TOI, TOI, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 6/21; AP, HA, NYT, PCHR, PCHR, TIME 6/22; MEE, NPR 6/23; HA 6/24; AJ 6/29; UNOCHA 7/8)

The PA said that it had recorded 310 settler attacks on Palestinians and their property since 6/20. (ALM 6/22)

U.S. State Department spokesperson Vedant Patel called on Israel to investigate the incident in Turmus ‘Ayya and to compensate Palestinians for damaged property. The EU also called the settler attacks “unacceptable.” (HA, TOI, WAFA 6/21; MEE, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 6/22)

Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu said his government would immediately advance 1,000 new settlement housing units in Eli as collective punishment for the killing of 4 Israeli settlers near the settlement on 6/20. (HA, MEE, REU, TOI 6/21; PCN 6/23)

Axios reported that U.S. senior advisor for energy and infrastructure Amos Hochstein was in Saudi Arabia to continue talks on a normalization deal between Israel and Saudi Arabia. It was reported that Hochstein was discussing the Saudi demand for U.S. help in creating a nuclear program in return for formally normalizing ties with Israel. (AX 6/21)

In the West Bank, 1 unidentified person shot and injured 1 Israeli settler and 4 Israeli soldiers near Ya’bad. Israeli forces shot and killed 1 Palestinian and injured 8 others during a raid in Balata refugee camp. Israeli forces also demolished a car scrap yard in Ein ad-Duyuk al-Tahta. Elsewhere, Israeli forces issued notifications that it will seize 70 dunams (17.3 acres) of land in Azzun ‘Atma and Masha. 8 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in Ya’bad, Dheisheh refugee camp, ad-Doha, Askar refugee camp, and Seida. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces demolished 1 car wash shop in Shu’fat. 2 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in Jabel Mukaber and Silwan. Off the coast of Gaza, Israeli naval forces shot and injured 1 Palestinian fisherman with a baton round west of al-Sudaniyya. (AJ, AP, HA, HA, MEE, REU, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 6/13; PCHR, WAFA 6/14; PCHR 6/15; UNOCHA 6/18; UNOCHA 7/8)

Israel’s military advocate general said that the soldiers responsible for the death of Palestinian American Omar As’ad on 1/12/22 will not be criminally prosecuted. 78-year-old As’ad died of heart failure after being arbitrarily detained and left on his stomach on the floor in a yard of an abandoned house while handcuffed, blindfolded, and gagged. The U.S. State Department said on 6/14 that it is seeking more information from Israel about the decision not to charge the soldiers. (AP, HA, REU 6/13; AJ, AJ, AP, BBC, HA, MDW, NYT, REU, WAFA, WAFA 6/14)

PA president Mahmoud Abbas began his 4-day official visit to China. (AJ, AP, HA, REU, WAFA 6/13)

The U.S. House of Representatives passed a bill creating an ambassador-level position at the State Department focused on creating normalization deals for Israel. The bill, which passed 413-13, was co-sponsored by Democrat Ritchie Torres (D-NY) and Republican Mike Lawler (R-NY). (HA 6/13; MDW 6/14)

The Lebanese parliament failed to elect a president for the 12th time. Lebanon has not had a president since Michel Aoun’s term ended in October 2022. (AJ, AP, HA 6/14)

Amnesty International released a report on the Israeli attacks on Gaza between May 9 and May 13, calling on the ICC “to consider the applicability of the crime against humanity of apartheid within its current formal investigation.” Amnesty found that 31 Palestinians had been killed, including in unlawful killings and possible war crimes. Amnesty also found that 3 Palestinians in Gaza were possibly killed by rockets misfired by Palestinian armed groups. (AI 6/13; MEE 6/14)

In the West Bank, 1 Israeli settler was lightly injured by glass shards from his vehicle after his car was hit by live ammunition near Huwwara. Israeli settlers set up tents on Palestinian-owned land near Yatta. Hundreds of Palestinians took part in a funeral procession from Ramallah to Nabi Salih for the 2-year-old Palestinian boy who was critically injured by Israeli forces on 6/1 and died of his wounds on 6/5. Israeli forces attacked Palestinians in Nabi Salih after the funeral, injuring 1 with live ammunition, 1 with a baton round, and others with tear gas. Israeli forces also violently dispersed Palestinian protesters in Beit Umar, causing tear-gas related injuries. Elsewhere, Israeli forces uprooted 50 olive trees in Hizma. Israeli forces also temporarily seized, for 3 days, parts of a 3-story house in Zeita for a military outpost. Meanwhile, Israeli forces demolished 1 house in al-Mazra’a al-Gharbiya. 11 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in Tammun, Tulkarm, Qabatiya, Nablus, and Beit Fajjar. In East Jerusalem, 5 Palestinian families demolished their own homes in Wadi Qaddum, displacing more than 30 Palestinians. Israeli authorities also demolished 1 home in Wadi al-Juz, displacing 8. 3 Palestinians were arrested in Isawiya. (AJ, HA, HA, REU, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 6/6; PCHR 6/8; UNOCHA 6/18)

Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu spoke with Egyptian president Abdel Fattah al-Sisi in a phone conversation about the killing of 3 Israeli soldiers by an Egyptian police officer on 6/3. The 2 sides have promised a joint investigation into the incident. (HA, REU 6/6)

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

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

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

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

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

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

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers damaged 5 dunams (1.25 acres) of wheat crops with pesticides in Beit Umar. Israeli settlers also razed land in Burqa, near the Homesh settlement outpost. Initially the Israeli military prevented the work from being carried out, but stopped intervening on the orders of Defense Minister Yoav Gallant. Israeli forces shot and injured 13 Palestinians with live ammunition and arrested 14 during raids in Aqabat Jaber refugee camp, where at least 50 Palestinian homes were raided, including the home of the Jericho governor Jihad Abu al-Assal. Israeli forces also violently dispersed Palestinians protesting a raid in Beit Umar, leading to tear-gas related injuries. Elsewhere, Israeli forces issued stop-work orders for 17 structures in Aqraba. In East Jerusalem, Israeli settlers toured the Haram al-Sharif compound. (HA, HA, QDS, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 5/25; PCHR 6/1; MEE 6/4; UNOCHA 6/2)

Israel said it had downed a drone crossing from Lebanese airspace. (REU 5/25)

U.S. president Joe Biden released a 60-page document on how his administration seeks to combat anti-Semitism. It was feared that the document would adopt the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) working definition of anti-Semitism. However, the highly controversial definition was only mentioned as being “embraced” by the administration. The IHRA definition is used to stifle criticism of Israel by conflating anti-Semitism with criticism of Israel. (HA, HA 5/25; AP, MEE 5/26; MDW 6/1)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers with a military escort attacked Palestinians at a water spring in Qaryut, leading to tear-gas related injuries. Israeli forces violently dispersed Palestinian protesters in Beita and Bayt Dajan, injuring 14 with tear gas. Israeli forces also violently dispersed Palestinians protesting in Beit Umar, causing tear-gas related injuries. Meanwhile, Israeli forces violently dispersed Palestinian protesters in Kafr Qaddum, injuring 3 Palestinians with baton rounds and others with tear gas. Israeli forces also raided Tulkarm, detonating an explosive at a carpentry shop and causing it to burn down. 10 Palestinians were arrested during raids in Tulkarm, Sanur, and al-Mughayyir. In East Jerusalem, Israeli settlers gathered at the entrances to the Haram al-Sharif compound, attacking Palestinians and their property and chanting provocations at Muslim worshippers for the second day in a row. (QDS, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 5/19; WAFA 5/20; PCHR 5/25; UNOCHA 6/2)

At the 32nd Arab Summit in Jeddah, Syrian president Bashar al-Assad attended for the first time since Syria was suspended from the Arab League in 2011. Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy also attended. UNRWA commissioner-general Philippe Lazzarini addressed the attendees, calling on the Arab states to increase their funding for the agency. The Arab states affirmed the centrality of the Palestinian cause to the Arab League in its final communique. (AX 5/17; AP, NYT, REU 5/18; AJ, AJ, AJ, AJ, AJ, AP, AP, HA, HA, REU, REU, REU, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 5/19; HA 5/22; REU 5/24)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers vandalized 1 water well, 120 olive tree saplings, and wheat and barley crops in the Masafer Yatta area. Israeli forces shot and injured 6 Palestinians, including 1 with live ammunition and 5 with baton rounds during a raid in Nablus to clear the area around Joseph’s Tomb for a large settler tour. Israeli forces also demolished 1 agricultural structure in Nabi Ilyas and issued a demolition notice for a commercial structure in Deir Balut. In East Jerusalem, Israeli settlers toured the Haram al-Sharif compound. Israeli forces demolished 1 residential building in Wadi Qaddum, displacing 50. Off the coast of Gaza, Israeli naval forces opened fire at Palestinian fishermen west of Beit Lahiya; no injuries were reported. (ALM, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 5/17; PCHR 5/18; UNOCHA 6/2)

The subcommittee for settlements under the Higher Planning Committee in the Civil Administration approved 552 housing units for construction in the Givat Ze’ev settlement. The Israeli Ministry of Construction and Housing also issued a tender for the construction of 58 housing units in the planned new settlement Ariel West. (PCN 5/17; WAFA 5/20)

The Knesset approved a preliminary vote to ban flying the flag of a “hostile entity,” including the Palestinian flag. If enacted the flying of the Palestinian flag could be punishable by up to 1 year in prison. The bill will have to pass 3 readings in the Knesset to become law. (QDS 5/17; JDF, MEE 5/18: HA 5/25)

Ahead of the Jerusalem Day march in Jerusalem, Israeli national security minister Itamar Ben-Gvir said that his policy is “to allow the complete freedom of movement for Jews in Jerusalem.” (HA 5/17)

Jordanian member of parliament Imad al-Adwan was charged in a state security court in Amman for smuggling weapons to the West Bank. Al-Adwan was arrested by Israeli forces on 4/22 and later handed over to Jordan. (AP, MEE 5/17)

Israeli Foreign Ministry director general Ronen Levy met with U.S. officials in Washington D.C. to discuss ways to expand the normalization deals the U.S. has been brokering for Israel, particularly the prospect of normalizing ties with Saudi Arabia. Among the U.S. officials were White House Middle East coordinator Brett McGurk, presidential envoy on energy security Amos Hochstein, and White House senior director for African affairs Judd Devermont. Hochstein and McGurk met with Saudi crown prince Mohammed bin Salman on 5/7. Axios also reported that the White House was considering appointing former U.S. ambassador to Israel Dan Shapiro as the State Department normalization envoy. (AX 5/15; ALM 5/16; ALM, AX 5/17; ALM 5/19)

In Gaza, 7 Palestinians were killed, including at least 4 by Israeli airstrikes, and 36 were injured on the second day of the Israeli assault on Gaza. 2 Palestinians were killed in an airstrike on a field in Abasan al-Kabira, while 2 Palestinians were killed and 2 injured in an airstrike on a field in al-Shuka east of Rafah. 8 Palestinians, including 3 children and 3 women, were injured in airstrikes on al-Salem near Rafah. 1 Palestinian was killed and 1 woman seriously injured when a missile fell on their house in Beit Lahiya, 2 minors were killed and 12 others were injured when a missile fell on a house in Gaza City, and 13 were injured after a missile fell on a house in Beit Hanun. PCHR said its initial investigation raised suspicion that these 3 incidents could be from rockets misfired from Gaza. Islamic Jihad started firing rockets at Israel 35 hours after Israel assassinated 3 of their members and after 3 separate rounds of airstrikes. In Israel, rockets launched from Gaza caused damage in Ashkelon and Sderot, injuring 1 Israeli. 2 Israeli Channel 13 journalists were assaulted by an Israeli man using pepper spray while reporting in Tel Aviv. The TV channel has been attacked by Israeli politicians for airing a chyron reading “Green light from the prime minister: Women and children killed overnight in Gaza.” In the West Bank, Israeli forces raided Qabatiya, killing 3 Palestinians. Israeli forces escorting Israeli settlers also shot and injured 2 Palestinians near Deir Dibwan. Elsewhere, Israeli forces uprooted olive tree saplings in Wadi Fukin and uprooted hundreds of olive trees and destroyed 20 water tanks in Tarqumiyah. Israeli forces also raided Tubas; 1 Israeli soldier was injured. Meanwhile, Israeli forces seized 1 digger in Maeen. Israeli forces also demolished 3 Palestinian-owned homes in Ein ad-Duyuk al-Foqa. 28 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in Hebron, Nablus, Ramallah, Bethlehem, Jenin, Jericho, and Tulkarm. In East Jerusalem, Israeli settlers toured the Haram al-Sharif compound. Israeli forces demolished 2 apartments in Jabel Mukaber, displacing 10. (AJ, AJ, AJ, AJ, ALM, AX, BBC, HA, HA, HA, HA, HA, MEE, MEE, NYT, QDS, REU, TOI, UNOCHA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 5/10; AJ, AP, HA, PCHR, PCHR, REU, WAFA 5/11; UNOCHA 5/19)

Israel handed over the body of 1 Palestinian man killed by Israeli forces in Aqabat Jaber refugee camp on 4/24 to the PA. (WAFA 5/10)

UN secretary-general António Guterres condemned the civilian deaths caused by Israeli attacks in Gaza and said, “Israel must abide by its obligations under international humanitarian law.” Guterres also condemned the launching of rockets at Israel. The Arab League called Israel’s attacks on Gaza “barbaric” in a statement after an emergency session. (AJ, HA, REU, WAFA 5/10)

The UAE, France, and China called a closed-door emergency meeting at the UN Security Council on the Israeli attacks on Gaza. The U.S. prevented a statement critical of Israel from being published. (HA 5/10; HA 5/11)

The Palestinian Journalist Syndicate condemned Israeli restrictions on press crews entering Gaza to cover the Israeli assault. (WAFA 5/10)

Al-Mayadeen TV and Al Jazeera reported that Palestinian factions in Gaza agreed to a ceasefire but insisted that Israel commit to stopping assassinations, which Israel refused to do. (HA, REU 5/10; AJ 5/11)

Haaretz reported that based on UN data Israeli settlers had vandalized around 5,000 trees in the West Bank in the past 5 months. (HA, MEE 5/10)

PLO secretary-general Hussein al-Sheikh met with Russian foreign minister Sergey Lavrov in Moscow. (QDS 5/10)

U.S. congresswoman Rashida Tlaib (D-MI) introduced a resolution to recognize the Nakba, cosponsored by Betty McCollum (D-MN), Jamaal Bowman (D-NY), Cori Bush (D-MO), Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY), and Ilhan Omar (D-MN). Coinciding with introduction of the resolution and the 75th anniversary of the Nakba, Tlaib had arranged an event to commemorate the Nakba in the U.S. Capitol Visitor Center, but the event was canceled on the day by House Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-CA). Senator Bernie Sanders (D-VA) then facilitated the event to take place in a nearby Senate office building. (MDW, MEE 5/10; AJ, ALM, HA, MDW, MEE 5/11)

In Gaza, Israeli forces assassinated 3 Islamic Jihad commanders, Khalil Bahtini, commander of the northern region, Tareq Izzeldeen in Gaza City, and Jihad Ghanam, secretary of the military council, in Rafah in simultaneous airstrikes. The strikes also killed 10 others, including 4 women, 4 children, and 1 Russian-Palestinian, and injured 20. In the assassination of Izzeldeen, Israeli forces fired 2 missiles at the fifth and sixth floor of an apartment building in the al-Rimal neighborhood of Gaza City, killing Izzeldeen and his 2 children on the fifth floor and a family of 3 on the sixth floor; 6 were injured. In the assassination of Bahtini, Israeli forces fired 2 missiles at his home in al-Sha’af neighborhood of Gaza City, killing him, his wife and child, and 2 others in a neighboring building, including 1 child; 6 others were injured, including 3 children and 2 women. In the assassination of Ghanam, Israeli forces dropped 3 GBU-19 bombs on his home in Rafah, killing him and his wife and injuring 6 others, including 1 child. Later, and without receiving a response from Islamic Jihad, Israeli forces assassinated 2 members of Islamic Jihad, Wael al-Agha and Saed Farwana, in an airstrike on their car in Khan Yunis; 2 others were injured. Israel called the attacks “Operation Shield and Arrow.” In the West Bank, after the attack on Gaza, Israeli forces raided Nablus, injuring 12 Palestinians with live ammunition, including 1 minor, and injured 90 others with tear gas. Israeli settlers set up tents on Palestinian-owned land in Jaba’. Israeli forces assaulted members of the Hebron Municipality Council who were attempting to reopen an office at risk of being taken over by settlers. Israeli forces also issued a demolition notice for a house and a stop-work order for a school in Maeen. 14 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in Yatta, Hebron, al-Mughayyir, Nablus, and Ramallah. (NYT 5/8; AJ, AJ, AJ, AJ, ALM, AP, AX, HA, HA, HA, HA, HA, HA, MEE, QDS, PCHR, REU, REU, TOI, TOI, TOI, TOI, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 5/9; AJ, ALM, AX, BBC, HA, MDW, MEE, MEE, MEE, NYT, REU, UNOCHA 5/10; HA, MEE, PCHR 5/11; HA 5/12; HA 5/13; QDS 5/15; UNOCHA 5/19; HA 5/30)

In response to Israel’s attack on Gaza (see above), Hamas spokesperson Hazem Qassem said, “[w]e do not accept that this is an attack specifically directed at the Islamic Jihad. From Hamas' point of view, this is an attack against the Palestinian people, and therefore there will be a proportionate response whose details will be determined by the joint operations room of all factions.” The PA called the Israeli attacks “organized state terrorism.” Egypt, Turkey, and Jordan’s foreign ministries issued statements condemning Israel’s attack on Gaza and Nablus. The UN envoy for the Middle East peace process Tor Wennesland condemned “the death of civilians.” (ALM, ALM, HA, HA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 5/9; WAFA 5/10; MEE 5/11; MDW 5/12)

Following Israel’s attack on Gaza (see above), National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir announced that his Jewish Power party would return to the Knesset. Ben-Gvir and his party started boycotting the Knesset on 5/3 after what he called a “lenient” response by the Israeli government to the protest that occurred after the Adnan Khader died in an Israeli prison on 5/2. Ben-Gvir called the attack “a nice start” and said it was time for “policy change in Gaza.” The assassinations and larger operation were approved by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Attorney General Gali Baharav-Miara on 5/5 but were not presented to the security cabinet. (HA, HA, HA, HA 5/9; HA, HA 5/10; HA 5/13)

PA president Mahmoud Abbas met with the Russian envoy for the Middle East peace process Vladimir Safrenkov, discussing recent developments related to the occupation. (WAFA 5/9)

The Committee to Project Journalists issued a report saying that Israel has not held anybody accountable for the killing of 20 Palestinian and foreign journalists since 2001, creating a “chilling effect” on press freedoms. The report said that 15 of the journalists killed since 2001 were killed by Israeli forces while 2 were killed by gunmen in Palestinian presidential guard uniforms. (AJ, AP, HA, MDW, MEE 5/9)

Axios reported that U.S. ambassador to Israel Tom Nides will resign this summer to spend time with his family. (AX, HA, HA, MEE 5/9)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers set up caravans on Palestinian land near Mukhmas. Israeli forces demolished 1 Palestinian school in Jubbet ad-Dik; the EU delegation to the Palestinians called the demolition appalling. Israeli forces also demolished 1 guest house in Jiftlik and 2 houses under construction in al-‘Awja. 8 Palestinians were arrested, including 3 minors, during late-night raids in Ras Karkar, Jalazun refugee camp, Bayt Jala, Beit Sahour, al-‘Awja, and Masafer Yatta. In East Jerusalem, Israeli settlers toured the Haram al-Sharif compound. (AN, F24, MEE, REU, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 5/7; HA, WAFA 5/8; PCHR 5/11; UNOCHA 5/19)

Israeli forces partially lifted the siege on Jericho after 16 days, easing restrictions on entry and exiting the city, but maintaining the barriers and checkpoints that have been erected. (QDS 5/7)

The Israel Land Authority issued tenders for 1,248 housing units in the Beitar Ilit, Efrat, Kiryat Arba, Ma’ale Ephraim, and Karnei Shomron settlements in the West Bank and in the Gilo settlement in East Jerusalem. (REU 5/7; QDS, WAFA 5/8)

The Supreme Court of Israel denied a petition to immediately expel Palestinians living in Khan al-Ahmar. The judges said in the ruling that they accepted the government’s argument that the Palestinians cannot be expelled “for current reasons related to the security of a country and its foreign relations.” The petition was submitted by the settler organization Regavim. (HA 5/7; AA, HA 5/8)

The Israeli government allocated $8.8 million to develop an archaeological site in Sebastia. The government wrote in the proposal for the development of the site that it is doing so to prevent the PA from restoring the site. (TOI 5/7; PCN 5/8)

The World Food Programme announced that it will suspend food aid to 200,000 Palestinians, about 60% of current recipients in Palestine, from June due to severe shortage in funds. The organization said that it will have to suspend all its programs in the West Bank and Gaza by August if it does not receive new funding. (HA, REU 5/7; PCHR 5/8; AJ 5/28; HA 5/31)

Israel released Jordanian lawmaker Imad al-Adwan who was arrested on 4/23 at the Allenby Bridge, accused of smuggling weapons and gold. (AJ, AP, HA, REU 5/7)

U.S. national security advisor Jake Sullivan met with Saudi crown prince Mohammad Bin Salman in Riyadh, discussing normalization with Israel and peace in Yemen. Sullivan also met with the national security advisors of India and the UAE to discuss infrastructure plans in the Middle East. (AX 5/6; REU 5/7; AJ, AP, AX 5/8; HA 5/9)

The Arab League voted to readmit Syria to the organization during a closed meeting of foreign ministers in Cairo. Syria’s membership was suspended in 2011. (AJ, HA, MEE, NYT, REU 5/7)

In the West Bank, Israeli forces shot and killed 1 Palestinian minor and injured 6 others during a raid in Aqabat Jaber refugee camp; 2 were arrested. Israeli forces also shot and critically wounded 1 Palestinian during a raid in Bayt Jala. Elsewhere, Israeli forces shot and injured 1 Palestinian during a raid in Nur Shams refugee camp. Israeli forces also violently dispersed Palestinian protesters in al-Arroub refugee camp, injuring 1 with live ammunition and others with tear gas. Meanwhile, Israeli forces violently dispersed Palestinian protesters in Rumana, causing tear-gas related injuries; 1 was arrested. 5 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in Beitunia, Tammun, and Hebron. Off the coast of Gaza, Israeli naval forces shot and injured 4 Palestinian fishermen with baton rounds west of al-Sudaniyya, arresting 2 of them. (AP, HA, MEE, QDS, QDS, QDS, PCHR, REU, TOI, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 5/1; PCHR 5/4; UNOCHA 5/5)

Israeli finance minister and minister in charge of settlement policy at the Israeli Defense Ministry Bezalel Smotrich told members of his Religious Zionist Party that Khan al-Ahmar needs to be demolished because of its strategic location and not because it is unrecognized by Israel, as has been the official Israeli line so far. Smotrich said “[i]t is the area that will decide if heavens forbid there will be territorial contiguity that will connect Bethlehem with Nablus and Ramallah.” (HA 5/1)

In Syria, Israeli forces conducted airstrikes at Aleppo Airport, killing 1 soldier and injuring 7 others, including 2 civilians. Aleppo Airport was forced to close due to the damage. (AJ, ALM, AP, REU 5/1; HA 5/2)

U.S. senator Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) urged U.S secretary of state Antony Blinken not to edit the new report by the U.S. security coordinator for Israel and the PA Michael Fenzel on the Israeli killing of Al Jazeera journalist Shireen Abu Akleh before it is shared with Congress. Van Hollen said that individuals in the State Department had contacted his office about proposed changes to the report before it is handed over to Congress. (AJ, AX 5/2; HA 5/3)

In the West Bank, Israeli forces violently dispersed Palestinian protesters in Kafr Qaddum, injuring 3, including 1 minor, with baton rounds and others with tear gas. Israeli forces also violently dispersed Palestinian protesters in Bayt Dajan, injuring 40 with tear gas. 3 Palestinians were arrested, including 2 who also had their vehicle seized near Ya’bad and 1 during a house raid in Balata refugee camp. In East Jerusalem, some 130,000 Muslim worshipers attended the last Friday noon prayer of Ramadan at the Haram al-Sharif compound. (HA, REU, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 4/14; UNOCHA 4/20; PCHR 4/27)

Saudi Arabia hosted a meeting of the foreign ministers of Iraq, Jordan, Egypt, the UAE, Qatar, Oman, Bahrain, and Kuwait to discuss allowing Syria to return to the Arab League. It was reported that no consensus was reached on the issue. The ministers also discussed the Palestinian issue. (AJ 4/14; AP, HA, MEE, WAFA 4/15; REU 4/16)

The Wall Street Journal reported, based on anonymous sources, that the rockets launched at Israel from Lebanon on 4/6 were launched by Shi’ite forces in coordination with the head of the Iranian Revolutionary Guards’ Quds Force Esmail Qaani, Hamas leaders Saleh al-Arouri and Ismail Haniyeh, and Hezbollah secretary-general Hassan Nasrallah. (HA, WSJ 4/14; HA 4/16)

In the West Bank, Israeli forces shot and injured 1 Palestinian with live ammunition during a raid in Husan. Israeli forces also violently dispersed Palestinian protesters in al-Arroub refugee camp, injuring 1 with live ammunition. In East Jerusalem, Israeli settlers toured the Haram al-Sharif compound. In Gaza, 6 rockets were launched at Israel from Gaza; no damage was reported. Israeli forces conducted airstrikes near Nuseirat refugee camp, causing damage. In Kafr Qassim, Israelis burned 2 Palestinian-owned cars and sprayed hateful graffiti. Israeli police also violently dispersed Palestinians protesting the Israeli raids on the Haram al-Sharif compound on 4/4 and 4/5 in Umm al-Fahm, Haifa, Nazareth, Kafr Kanna, and Arraba; 4 were arrested in Umm al-Fahm. In Lebanon, rockets and mortar shells were launched at Israel; no damage was reported. Israeli forces conduct airstrikes in Lebanon, causing damage near Rashidieh refugee camp and al-Kalila. (AJ, HA 4/5; AJ, AJ, ALM, HA, MEE, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 4/6; AJ, AJ, AJ, AP, AX, AX, HA, HA, MDW, REU, WAFA 4/7; PCHR 4/13; AP 4/14; UNOCHA 4/20)

The Qatari Foreign Ministry condemned the Israeli attacks on Gaza and Lebanon, saying Israel caused the escalation with its attacks on the Haram al-Sharif compound. It was reported that France was seeking to mediate between Lebanon and Israel while Egypt was in talks with Hamas and Israel to deescalate the situation. (AJ, HA, HA 4/7)

The U.S. prevented a UN Security Council statement condemning the rockets fired between Israel and Lebanon upon request by the Israeli government. (HA, MDW, WAFA 4/6)

In the West Bank, Israeli forces violently dispersed Palestinian protesters in Tura, causing tear-gas related injuries. In East Jerusalem, Israeli settlers toured the Haram al-Sharif compound. Israeli police shot and injured 1 Palestinian man in the Old City. Israeli police also violently removed Palestinian worshipers from the Haram al-Sharif, including inside al-Aqsa Mosque, injuring 6. In Gaza, 16 rockets were fired at Israel, causing damage to 1 factory in Sderot. Israeli forces conducted airstrikes causing damage in Nuseirat refugee camp and Gaza City and fired artillery shells at Dayr al-Balah, Khan Yunis, and Beit Lahiya. Israeli naval forces opened fire at Palestinian fishermen west of al-Sudaniyya; no injuries were reported. (AJ, AJ, AP, HA, MDW, MEE, PCHR, REU, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 4/5; AJ, PCHR 4/6; HA, HA, MEE 4/7; UNOCHA 4/20)

The PA and Jordan requested that the UN Security Council convene to discuss Israel’s attacks at the Haram al-Sharif compound. Jordanians also gathered near the Israeli embassy in Amman demanding that the Israeli ambassador be expelled. The Arab League held an emergency session to discuss the Israeli raids. (AJ, HA, WAFA 4/5; HA 4/9)

After Columbia University in New York City announced plans to open a new center in Tel Aviv, 94 faculty members signed a petition against the plans, citing Israel’s human rights record and political crisis. (MEE, NYT 4/5)

In the West Bank, Palestinians threw stones at an Israeli settler vehicle, setting it on fire after the settler couple fled the scene. Israeli settlers attacked a Palestinian shepherd near Yatta, injuring his foot. Israeli settlers also set up a mobile home and water tanks near Nabi al-‘Awja. Israeli forces issued orders that it will seize 20 dunams (4.95 acres) of Palestinian-owned land for a military zone near Ni‘lin. 14 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in Dheisheh refugee camp, Kafr Ni‘ma, Beit Liqya, Nablus, and Hebron; 6 were injured during the raids in Dheisheh refugee camp and Kafr Ni‘ma. In East Jerusalem, Israeli police violently removed Palestinian worshipers at the Haram al-Sharif compound, including in al-Aqsa Mosque, injuring 19, including 3 with baton rounds and arresting 450. 397 of the Palestinians detained were released by 4/6 but banned from entering the compound for 1 week, 47 were transferred to the Ofer prison, and 6 continued to be held in Jerusalem. Israeli police also caused damage to property inside of the mosque, including at the health clinic, smashing windows and causing damage from stun, tear gas, and smoke grenades. Israeli police claimed that 1 officer was injured in the leg by a stone thrown at him. Israeli forces also shot and injured 1 Palestinian minor near Silwan. In Israel, 2 Israeli soldiers were stabbed and injured near an army base at the Tzrifin junction, 1 Palestinian man was arrested for the attack. (ALM, HA, MEE, MEE, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFAv 4/4; AJ, AJ, AJ, AJ, ALM, AP, AX, MDW, MEE, MEE, PCHR, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 4/5; PCHR 4/6; HA, HA, HA, MEE 4/7; AJ 4/8; HA 4/10; UNOCHA 4/20)

The PA, Jordan, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Morocco, the Arab League, the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation, Turkey, and the UAE condemned the Israeli raid (see above). Several European countries, the UN, and the U.S. expressed concern about the events. (HA 4/4; AJ, MEE, MEE, MEMO, REU, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 4/5; WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 4/6; WAFA 4/7; WAFA 4/8; WAFA 4/9; MEMO 4/11)

HaMoked reported that the number of Palestinian administrative detainees had passed 1,000 for the first time since 2003. (AP 4/4; WAFA 4/8)

In Syria, Israeli forces carried out airstrikes over Damascus, killing 2 civilians and causing damage. (AJ, ALM 4/3; HA 4/4; AP 4/5; AJ 4/10)

Former Israeli prime minister Ehud Barak acknowledged in a since deleted tweet that Israel possesses nuclear weapons. (MEE 4/7)

Israel’s Channel 12 reported on a leaked phone call between Israeli national security minister Itamar Ben-Gvir and police commissioner Kobi Shabtai in which Shabtai tells Ben-Gvir that it is in the nature of Palestinian citizens of Israel to kill each other. Shabtai told Ben-Gvir that there is nothing they can do about the high murder rate among Palestinian citizens of Israel, “[t]hey kill each other. That is their nature. That is the mentality of the Arabs.” MK Ayman Odeh, leader of the Hadash party, called on Shabtai to resign while MK Mansour Abbas, leader of the United Arab List, called on him to apologize. (TOI 4/4; MEMO 4/5)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers uprooted around 250 olive saplings and 150 grape saplings near al-Khader. Israeli forces violently dispersed Palestinian protesters in Kafr Qaddum, injuring 3. Off the coast of Gaza, Israeli naval forces opened fire at Palestinian fishermen near al-Sudaniyya; no injuries were reported. (WAFA, WAFA 3/31; PCHR 4/6; UNOCHA 4/20)

The Israeli military said it would close all crossings to Israel from the West Bank and Gaza from 5:00 p.m. on 4/5 to 12:00 a.m. on 4/8 and from 5:00 p.m. on 4/11 to 12:00 a.m. on 4/12 for the Passover holidays. (HA 3/31)

In Syria, Israeli forces conducted airstrikes in Damascus for the second day in a row, killing 5 advisers to the Iranian Revolutionary Guard according to Iranian media. (AA, AJ, AJ, ALM, AP, HA, MEE, REU 3/31; MEE 4/2)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers assaulted 1 Palestinian farmer and damaged his tractor near al-Muarajat. Israeli forces shot and injured 3 Palestinians during a late-night raid in Qabatiya. Israeli forces also demolished 1 Palestinian-owned home in Nu’eima, displacing 5. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces raided the Faisal Al-Husseini International Stadium in al-Ram, dispersing the crowd at the Palestine Cup final and injuring players and spectators with tear gas. In Gaza, Israeli forces violently dispersed Palestinians commemorating Land Day along the Gaza fence, injuring 6 with live ammunition and others with tear gas. In Sakhnin, about 2,000 Palestinian citizens of Israel commemorated Land Day. (HA, MEE, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 3/30; AJ, MEE, TOI, WAFA 3/31; WAFA 4/2; PCHR 4/6; UNOCHA 4/20)

2 Israelis settlers were indicted on terror charges for assaulting Palestinians and damaging Palestinian property in Huwwara while armed with an axe, a hammer, stones, and pepper spray. (AP, HA, NAT, REU, TOI 3/30)

In Syria, Israeli forces conducted airstrikes hitting 3 different areas around Damascus, injuring 2 and causing damage. (AJ, ALM, AP, REU 3/30; HA 3/31)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers carried out excavations at a water spring in Ein al-Beida. Israeli forces shot and killed 3 Palestinians and injured 1 other during a raid in Jaba’. Israeli forces also assaulted 2 minors in Hebron. Elsewhere, Israeli forces shot and injured 1 Palestinian during a raid in al-Yamun. 8 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in Jenin, Silat al-Harithiya, Sabastia, Beita, and Hebron. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces raided Makassed Hospital in al-Tur. Off the coast of Gaza, Israeli naval forces opened fire at Palestinian fishermen west of Gaza City, injuring 4. In the Tel Aviv, an Israeli police officer shot and killed 1 Palestinian man after he shot and injured 3 Israelis; 1 of the Israeli victims succumbed to his injuries on 3/20. Israeli defense minister Yoav Gallant ordered the military to demolish the Palestinian perpetrator’s family home. (AJ, AJ, ALM, AP, HA, HA, MDW, MEE, MEE, PCHR, PCHR, REU, REU, SKY, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 3/9; WAFA 3/10; MDW 3/14; PCHR 3/16; UNOCHA 3/19; HA 3/20)

The U.S. granted Israeli finance minister Bezalel Smotrich a diplomatic visa for his trip to Washington D.C. where he will address the Israel Bonds summit. It had been reported that the State Department had been discussing if the U.S. should deny Smotrich entry to the country over his remarks in support of the settler attacks in Huwwara on 2/26, which the U.S. called “irresponsible, disgusting, and repugnant.” (ALM, AX, HA, MEE 3/9; MDW 3/10; MDW 3/11)

U.S. secretary of defense Lloyd Austin met with Defense Minister Gallant in Tel Aviv. Austin told reporters that diplomacy is the best option to prevent Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons. Austin also expressed concern about settler violence in the West Bank. Austin also met with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. (AJ, ALM, AP, AX, REU, REU 3/9; ALM, GDN 3/10)

The Wall Street Journal reported that Saudi Arabia wants U.S. security guarantees and assistance in building a civilian nuclear program in exchange for normalizing ties with Israel. (HA, NYT 3/9)

More than 90 Democratic members of the U.S. Congress signed a letter to U.S. president Joe Biden urging him to pressure the Israeli government not to undermine its judicial branch, to scale-down Israeli raids in the West Bank, and not to annex the West Bank. (HA 3/9)

EU high representative for foreign affairs Josep Borrell wrote an op-ed in Project Syndicate, saying that European and Arab states must start being more engaged in pursuing peace between Israel and Palestine as U.S. efforts have not brought peace any closer. Borrell wrote that he and other EU representatives have already taken an initiative to start talks with Saudi Arabia and the Arab League. Borrell also criticized Israel for allowing settler violence against Palestinians, not protecting civilians during military operations, expanding settlements, and eroding the status quo at the holy sites. (PS 3/9; WAFA 3/15)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers uprooted 80 olive tree saplings in Yasuf. Israeli settlers also raided Huwwara, throwing stones at Palestinians and their property, injuring 4 and causing damage. During the raid, Israeli settlers and soldiers were filmed dancing together on the street. Israeli forces shot and injured 4 Palestinians with live ammunition during a raid in Aqabat Jaber refugee camp. Israeli forces also demolished 4 residential structures in Shaab al-Butum, displacing 40 Palestinians and issued stop-work orders for 3 homes and 11 agricultural structures in al-Zawyeh. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces demolished 3 Palestinian homes in Wadi al-Juz, displacing 20 Palestinians. (HA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 3/6; AJ, HA, MEE 3/7; PCHR 3/9; UNOCHA 3/19)

Haaretz reported that since 2016 planes from Azerbaijan’s Silk Way Airlines have landed at the Israeli Ovda airbase 92 times. It was reported that Israel has been selling arms to Azerbaijan in exchange for the Mossad being allowed to set up a base in the country and Israel receiving oil. (HA 3/6; ALM 3/7)

All crossings to the West Bank and Gaza were closed from 5:00 p.m. by Israel for the Purim holiday. The crossings will reopen on 3/8. (HA 3/5)

In the West Bank, 1 Israeli settler was shot and injured by an unidentified gunman near Hebron. Israeli settlers threw stones at Palestinian homes and vandalized olive trees in Burin. A video of the incident showed Israeli soldiers standing by the settlers and not intervening. Israeli settlers also attacked Palestinian herders in Zanuta and threw stones at Palestinian vehicles traveling near al-Muarajat. Israeli forces violently dispersed 500 Israeli solidarity activists, including former Knesset speaker Avraham Burg, touring Huwwara in coordination with local Palestinian residents. The activists were told by the Israeli military ahead of the tour that they would not be allowed to tour Huwwara. Israeli forces also shot and injured 2 Palestinians in al-Arroub refugee camp during a raid. Elsewhere, Israeli forces shot and injured 1 Palestinian minor and injured others with tear gas during a raid in ‘Azzun. Israeli forces also violently dispersed Palestinian protesters in Kafr Qaddum, injuring 2 with baton rounds and others with tear gas. 8 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in Silwad, al-Bireh, Tammun, and Qalqilya. (AP, HA, MEE, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 3/3; HA, HA 3/4; PCHR 3/9; UNOCHA 3/19)

A delegation of 20 representatives from EU countries visited Huwwara and Za‘atra to speak with Palestinians affected by Israeli settler violence. (WAFA 3/3)

In the West Bank, 1 Palestinian man succumbed to wounds sustained during an Israeli raid in Nablus on 2/13. An Israeli settler shot and injured 1 Palestinian woman after she allegedly attempted to stab a person near the Ma‘ale Adumim settlement. Israeli settlers also opened fire at buildings in Nabi Salih; no injuries were reported. Israeli forces shot and killed 1 Palestinian man during a raid in al-Arroub refugee camp. Israeli forces also demolished commercial structures near al-Jalama. In Gaza, 6 rockets were launched at Israel from Gaza; no damage was reported. Israeli forces conducted airstrikes hitting 2 sites in Gaza and causing damage; no injuries were reported. (NYT, REU 2/22; AJ, AJ, AP, AP, GDN, HA, HA, IN, MEE, MEE, REU, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 2/23; AJ, HA, MEE, WAFA 2/24; PCHR 3/2; UNOCHA 3/4)

A day after advancing plans for 3,144 new settlement housing units, the Civil Administration’s Higher Planning Council advanced plans for a further 4,013 new settlement units, including 1,135 in Ma’ale Adumim. The total number of settlement units advanced on 2/22 and 2/23 was 7,157, of which 1,900 were given final approval and the rest were advanced for deposit. Israel advanced 4,427 settler housing units in 2022 and 3,645 in 2021. (AP, HA, PCN, PCN 2/23; ALM, AP 2/24; WAFA 2/25)

Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu granted Israeli finance minister Bezalel Smotrich authority over the Civil Administration, which was previously under the defense minister’s authority, and allowed Smotrich to create a settlement authority that will seek to improve services and infrastructure in Israeli settlements. The move was described as de jure annexation as Israel transferred the authority of the occupation from the military to a civilian entity. A Haaretz editorial described the move as creating “a formal, full-fledged apartheid regime.” (HA, REU 2/23; MEE 2/24; MDW 2/25; HA 2/26; HA 2/27)

The PA Foreign Ministry issued a statement calling the international community’s response to the Israeli massacre in Nablus on 2/22 “shy and weak.” A general strike was observed throughout the West Bank in protest against the event in Nablus. (WAFA, WAFA 2/23)

The Arab League condemned Israel’s deadly raid in Nablus on 2/22 after an extraordinary meeting was convened in Cairo. The Organisation of Islamic Cooperation also condemned the Israeli actions. (WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 2/23)

Oman announced that it had opened its airspace to all carriers, allowing Israeli airlines to enter its airspace. (AJ, ALM, AP, AX, HA, MEE, REU, REU 2/23)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers vandalized 4 Palestinian-owned vehicles and wrote racist graffiti a building in Beit Iksa. Israeli forces made a large-scale midday raid on Nablus, killing 11 Palestinians, including 1 minor and a 72-year old man, more than 100 were injured by Israeli gunfire, including 6 critically. At least 2 anti-tank missiles were fired by Israeli soldiers at Palestinian buildings. Israeli forces also demolished 3 houses and 2 agricultural structures in al-Walaja. Elsewhere, Israeli forces demolished 1 house and issued demolition notices for 20 others in Ein ad-Duyuk al-Foqa. Off the coast of Gaza, Israeli naval forces arrested 4 Palestinian fishermen and confiscated their boat west of Beit Lahiya. (AJ, AJ, ALM, AP, AX, BBC, HA, HA, HA, MDW, MEE, NYT, PCHR, REU, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 2/22; AJ, AJ, AX, GDN, HA, IN, MEE, MEMO, MEMO, PCHR, PCHR, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 2/23; MDW 2/24; NYT 3/1; UNOCHA 3/4)

The Israeli Civil Administration’s Higher Planning Council advanced plans for 3,144 new settlement housing units, including 956 that received final approval. (HA, JP 2/22; AP, PCN, PCN, WAFA 2/23; ALM 2/24)

The PA requested emergency meetings at the UN Security Council, Arab League, and Organisation of Islamic Cooperation to address the Israeli raid on Nablus (see above). U.S. State Department spokesperson Ned Price said that the U.S. was “deeply concerned that the impact of today's raid could set back efforts aimed at restoring calm for both Israelis and Palestinians.” (WAFA 2/22)

Former Palestinian prime minister Ahmad Qurei, also known as Abu Alaa, died at the age of 85. An official state funeral was held for Qurei on 2/23 with participation of PA president Mahmoud Abbas and Prime Minister Mohammad Shtayyeh. (AP, HA, WAFA 2/23)

Papua New Guinea said it would open an embassy to Israel in Jerusalem following a conversation between the foreign ministers of the two countries. (HA 2/26)

In the West Bank, Israeli forces shot and killed 1 Palestinian man and injured 7 others during a raid in Nablus; 6 were arrested. An Israeli soldier was filmed assaulting the Palestinian human rights activist Issa Amro in Hebron. A video of the incident was circulated by New Yorker journalist Lawrence Wright, who was given a tour of Hebron by Amro at the time of the assault. The Israeli soldier was later sentenced to 10 days in military jail, despite receiving support from Israeli national security minister Itamar Ben-Gvir. 7 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in Silwad, al-Mazra‘a al-Gharibiya, Jaba’, Dura, Ein as-Sultan, and Dheisheh refugee camp. In East Jerusalem, a Palestinian 13-year-old allegedly stabbed and killed 1 Israeli soldier at a checkpoint in Shu’fat refugee camp before being shot and injured by a settler. 1 Israeli minor was also stabbed and injured in the Old City; Israeli police later arrested a 14-year-old Palestinian who was said to be a suspect. Israeli authorities demolished 1 Palestinian-owned home in Jabel Mukaber; 25 Palestinians were injured by baton rounds and 5 by tear gas while protesting the demolition. 4 Palestinians were arrested in Silwan and Jabel Mukaber. In Gaza, Israeli forces conducted airstrikes in Beit Hanun and Khan Yunis, causing damage. (AJ, AJ, ALM, AP, AP, HA, HA, HA, HA, HA, MDW, MEE, REU, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 2/13; AJ, BBC, HA, MEE 2/14; AN, PCHR, TOI 2/16; UNOCHA 2/21)

National Security Minister Ben-Gvir ordered the Israeli police commissioner Kobi Shabtai to increase the frequency of Palestinian home demolitions in East Jerusalem. (HA 2/14)

Israelis protested throughout Israel against the first committee reading in the Knesset of the bill that seeks to weaken the judicial branch of the Israeli government. (ALM, AP, HA, HA, HA, IN, MEE, REU 2/13)

EU high representative for foreign affairs Josep Borell met with Saudi foreign minister prince Faisal bin Farhan and Arab League secretary-general Ahmed Aboul Gheit in Brussels to discuss the Middle East peace process. (WAFA 2/14)