56 / 15150 Results
  • December 31, 2021

    In the West Bank, Israeli settlers attacked Israeli forces demolishing a settlement outpost near the Yitzhar settlement; 3 soldiers and 1 settler were injured and several military vehicles were...

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  • December 26, 2021

    In the West Bank, Israeli settlers with military escort blocked a road leading to Sinjil. Israeli forces shot and injured 1 Palestinian with a rubber-coated bullet to his chest during a raid in...

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  • December 20, 2021

    In the West Bank, Israeli settlers threw stones at Palestinian houses and vehicles in Kafr Qaddum, causing damage. Israeli forces raided the homes of 4 of the Palestinians accused of participating...

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  • December 17, 2021

    In the West Bank, 25 Israeli settlers posing as soldiers attacked a Palestinian couple in their home in Qaryut, leading to the hospitalization of both Palestinian victims; the settlers also caused...

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  • December 11, 2021

    In the West Bank, Israeli settlers vandalized some 600 almond and olive trees in Deir Sharaf. Israeli forces violently dispersed Palestinian protesters in Kafr Qaddum, injuring 2 with rubber-...

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  • December 10, 2021

    In the West Bank, Israeli settlers threw stones at Palestinian vehicles driving on Route 60 near the Yitzhar settlement, causing damage. Israeli settlers also started construction on a pool near a...

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  • December 3, 2021

    In the West Bank, Israeli forces violently dispersed Palestinian protesters in Beita, injuring 3 with rubber-coated bullets, including a minor; others suffered tear-gas related injuries. Israeli...

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  • November 27, 2021

    In the West Bank, Israeli forces violently dispersed Palestinian protesters in Kafr Qaddum, injuring 2 minors with rubber-coated bullets. 2 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in...

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  • November 26, 2021

    Israeli forces violently dispersed Palestinian protesters in Kafr Qaddum, injuring 6 with rubber-coated bullets, including 2 minors, while others suffered tear-gas related injuries. Israeli forces...

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  • November 19, 2021

    In the West Bank, Israeli forces violently dispersed Palestinian protesters in Beita, injuring 1 with a rubber-coated bullet and 14 with tear gas. Israeli forces also violently dispersed...

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  • November 12, 2021

    In the West Bank, Israeli settlers from Bat Ayin attacked, with clubs and stones, Israeli activists guarding Palestinians harvesting olives in Surif; according to 1 of the activists, the Israeli...

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  • November 5, 2021

    In the West Bank, Israeli settlers attacked Palestinians harvesting olives in Surif; 1 Palestinian was injured by a stone to his head. Israeli settlers also tried to attack Palestinians in Kafr...

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  • October 22, 2021

    In the West Bank, Israeli forces violently dispersed Palestinian protesters near Kafr Qaddum, injuring 2 with live ammunition. Israeli forces also violently dispersed a protest in Biddu, injuring...

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  • October 15, 2021

    In the West Bank, some 40 Israeli settlers attacked Palestinians harvesting olives near Yasuf with stones and pepper spray, causing injuries to 4; the settlers also vandalized vehicles and stole...

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  • October 8, 2021

    In the West Bank, some 20 Israeli settlers attacked Palestinian shepherds in Dahariya, bruising 1 Palestinian who was taken to a hospital for treatment. Israeli settlers also uprooted dozens of...

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  • October 1, 2021

    In the West Bank, Israeli forces violently dispersed Palestinians protesting near Bayt Dajan, injuring 5 with rubber-coated bullets and others with tear gas. Israeli forces also violently...

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  • September 24, 2021

    In the West Bank, Israeli settlers attacked Palestinians in Susiya, causing bruises, during a visit by EU representatives to the village. Israeli forces violently dispersed Palestinian protesters...

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  • September 10, 2021

    In the West Bank, Israeli settlers opened fire at 1 Palestinian-owned house in Hebron, causing damage, and vandalized 3 Palestinian-owned vehicles. Israeli settlers also uprooted 50 olive...

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  • September 3, 2021

    In the West Bank, Israeli forces violently dispersed Palestinian protesters near Beita, injuring 12 with rubber-coated bullets and some 50 others with tear gas. Israeli forces also violently...

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  • August 27, 2021

    In the West Bank, Israeli settlers attacked 1 Palestinian family of 5 working their land near Ras Karkar; Israeli forces intervened on behalf of the Palestinians, ordering the settlers to leave....

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  • August 23, 2021

    In the West Bank, PA forces arrested, for the 3d day in a row, Palestinian activists critical of the PA; at least 3 were rounded up. Israeli settlers set up 2 mobile homes in Deir Istiya. Israeli...

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  • August 20, 2021

    In the West Bank, Israeli forces violently dispersed Palestinian protesters in Kafr Qaddum, causing tear-gas related injuries. Israeli forces also violently dispersed Palestinian protesters in...

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  • August 6, 2021

    In the West Bank, Israeli settlers uprooted olive trees in Jaba‘. Israeli forces violently dispersed Palestinian protesters near the Evyatar settlement outpost near Beita, killing 1 Palestinian...

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  • July 30, 2021

    In the West Bank, Israeli settlers cut down 6 electric poles supplying electricity to a Palestinian home at the outskirts of Burin. Israeli forces violently dispersed Palestinian protesters in...

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  • July 16, 2021

    In the West Bank, Israeli settlers razed a tract of agricultural land in Ein al-Beida. Israeli settlers with military escort also toured Wadi al-Far’a. Israeli forces violently dispersed...

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  • June 25, 2021

    In the West Bank, 1 Israeli settler shot and injured 1 Palestinian man who was allegedly carrying a knife by the Yitzhar settlement, but according to Israeli forces, he posed no danger. Israeli...

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  • June 21, 2021

    In the West Bank, Israeli settlers marched across the West Bank to protest the presence of Palestinians living in Area C, closing off much of Area C to Palestinians. Most of the marches were...

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  • June 18, 2021

    In the West Bank, Israeli settlers threw stones at Palestinian vehicles traveling near Silat al-Dahir. Israeli forces violently dispersed Palestinian protesters in Kafr Qaddum, injuring 2 with...

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  • June 12, 2021

    In the West Bank, an Israeli private security guard shot and killed 1 Palestinian woman at the Qalandia checkpoint, claiming she carried a knife and charged toward the checkpoint; it was reported...

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  • June 11, 2021

    In the West Bank, Israeli settlers sprayed pesticides on Palestinian-owned trees in al-Khadir. Israeli forces shot and killed 1 Palestinian minor and injured 11 others during a protest against a...

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In the West Bank, Israeli settlers attacked Israeli forces demolishing a settlement outpost near the Yitzhar settlement; 3 soldiers and 1 settler were injured and several military vehicles were damaged. Israeli settlers also threw stones at Palestinian vehicles traveling near Sabastia. Israeli forces shot and killed 1 Palestinian man near Haris at the Ariel settlement, claiming he had charged Israeli settlers and soldiers with a knife; no Israeli injuries were reported. 2 Palestinians were arrested for driving with the Palestinian man to the Ariel settlement: 1 on 12/31 and 1 on 1/2. The PA called the killing an execution. Israeli forces also violently dispersed Palestinian protesters in Kafr Qaddum, injuring 5 with rubber-coated bullets, including 1 minor. Elsewhere, Israeli forces violently dispersed Palestinian protesters in Beita, injuring 2 with rubber-coated bullets and 7 with tear gas. Israeli forces also violently dispersed a protest in Bayt Dajan, injuring 44 Palestinians with tear gas. Meanwhile, Israeli forces shut down the main road between Nablus and Jenin. Israeli forces also delivered a demolition order for a house in Umm al-Rihan. 1 Palestinian minor was arrested during a house raid in Beit Fajjar. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces shot and injured 1 Palestinian using a rubber-coated bullet during a raid in Isawiya; others suffered tear-gas related injuries. Elsewhere, Israeli forces violently dispersed Palestinians protesting the Israeli eviction plans against the Salem family in Sheikh Jarrah; 1 minor was arrested and several Palestinian flags were confiscated. Israeli forces also violently dispersed Palestinian protesters in Jabel Mukaber, assaulting 1 and arresting 1. In Gaza, Israeli forces opened fire at Palestinian shepherds east of al-Bureij; no injuries were reported. In Israel, 1 Palestinian Israeli man was killed in Umm al-Fahm, marking the 126th murder of a Palestinian Israeli in 2021. (AJ, AP, HA, HA, HA, JP, MEE, MEMO, REU, TOI, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 12/31; MEMO 1/1; TOI 1/2; PCHR 1/6)

B’Tselem reported that 2021 saw the most killing of Palestinians since 2014. According to B’Tselem, 319 Palestinians were killed by Israeli forces and Israeli settlers. 9 Israelis were killed by Palestinians. The human rights organization also said 2021 saw the most demolitions of Palestinian homes in 5 years. 295 residential structures were demolished, displacing 895 Palestinians, including 463 minors. Israel also demolished 548 non-residential structures. (B’Tselem 1/4/2022)

Israel’s ministry of defense announced that it had signed a deal with the U.S. to buy 12 Lockheed Martin-Sikorsky CH-53K helicopters and 2 Boeing KC-46 refueling planes. (MEMO 12/31)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers with military escort blocked a road leading to Sinjil. Israeli forces shot and injured 1 Palestinian with a rubber-coated bullet to his chest during a raid in Kafr Qaddum. Israeli forces also violently dispersed Palestinian protesters near al-Mughayyir and Sahal al-Baqai’a, causing tear-gas related injuries. Elsewhere, Israeli forces blocked all traffic in and out of Hizma. 4 Palestinians were arrested during raids in Qalqilya, Aqabah, Tuqu‘, and Dayr Jarir. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces raided PA governor of Jerusalem Adnan Ghaith’s home. Israeli forces also raided the home of deputy director-general of the Islamic Waqf, Sheikh Najeh Bakirat, in Jabel Mukaber, handing him a summon for interrogation. 6 Palestinians were arrested during raids in Silwan and at the Haram al-Sharif compound. Off the coast of Gaza, Israeli naval forces opened fire at Palestinian fishermen within 2 nautical miles west of al-Sudaniyya; no injuries were reported. In Israel, 1 Palestinian woman was killed and 2 others injured in a car bombing in Ramle; Israeli authorities suspected an assassination. The killing marked the 123d Palestinian killed in Israel in 2021. (HA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 12/26; MEMO 12/27; PCHR 12/30)

The 1st case of the highly infectious Omicron variant of the COVID-19 virus was detected in Gaza. The Omicron variant has become dominant in many countries and is capable at infecting vaccinated people, especially those who have not received a booster shot. In Gaza, about 25,000 out of 2 million people have received a booster shot of the COVID-19 vaccine. (HA, MEMO, REU 12/26)

The Palestinian Prisoners’ Society said that Israel is denying 1 Palestinian prisoner access to the cancer treatment he needs. The Palestinian man has been detained since 10/25. (WAFA 12/26)

Qatar’s envoy to Palestine Mohammad al-Emadi said in a statement that Qatar, the PA, and Gaza’s electrical company have agreed to a project that will see Qatar invest $60 million in a gas pipeline from Israel to Gaza. The project will change the fuel input at Gaza’s power plant from diesel fuel to natural gas. (MEMO, TOI 12/27)

PA civil affairs minister Hussein al-Sheikh called on the international community to take action against Israeli settler violence. (WAFA 12/26)

The Israeli government approved a plan to double the settler population in the occupied Golan Heights. The $317-million plan will see Israel construct settler housing units and new infrastructure, including 3,300 new settlement units in Katzrin, 4,065 in Golan Regional Council, and 4,000 in 2 new settlements. Israeli prime minister Naftali Bennett said the government investment in settlements in the Golan Heights was linked to the U.S. Trump administration decision to recognize Israeli sovereignty over the area in 2019 and the current Biden administration’s indication that it will not roll back the decision. (AJ, AP, DW, HA, MEE, REU, TOI 12/26; AJ, ALM, AP, MEMO, REU, TOI 12/27; CNN, MDW, TOI 12/28)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers threw stones at Palestinian houses and vehicles in Kafr Qaddum, causing damage. Israeli forces raided the homes of 4 of the Palestinians accused of participating in the killing of an Israeli settler on 12/16 and took measurements for punitive demolitions in Silat al-Harithiya; the forces also violently dispersed Palestinians protesting the raids, injuring 1 with live ammunition. Israeli forces also violently dispersed Palestinians protesting an Israeli incursion near Ramallah, inuring 1 with live ammunition and 1 minor with a rubber-coated bullet. Elsewhere, Israeli forces raided al-Lubban Ash-Sharqiya, assaulting the mayor of the village and several students. 13 Palestinians were arrested during house raids in Birzeit, Dura, al-Bireh, Kafl Haris, Abu Dis, Qatanna, Beit Umar, and Dahariya. In East Jerusalem, Israeli authorities handed eviction orders to 2 families living on a plot of land in Sheikh Jarrah that Israel wants to construct a school on. The families were given until 1/25/2022 to leave their property, displacing 12 people. In Gaza, Israeli forces made incursions and leveled land east of al-Fukhari. Israeli forces also opened fire at Palestinian bird hunters east of Khuza‘a; no injuries were reported. In Israel, Israeli forces demolished the Bedouin village al-‘Araqeeb for the 196th time since 2000. (TOI, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 12/20; MEMO 12/21; PCHR 12/23)

In East Jerusalem, EU representative to Palestine Sven Kühn von Burgsdorff led an EU delegation, meeting Palestinian families in Sheikh Jarrah threatened by Israeli forced evictions. (MEMO 12/21)

1 Palestinian prisoner in the Israeli Nafha prison allegedly stabbed 1 Israeli prison guard, lightly wounding the guard. There were subsequent reports of collective punishment of Palestinian prisoners in the same ward, including beatings and outdoor confinement in cold weather. (HA 12/20; WAFA 12/21)

Representatives for Palestinian prisoners held by Israel on administrative detention said the prisoners have decided to boycott sessions in Israeli military courts and in the supreme court from 1/1/2022 because of Israel’s arbitrary use of administrative detention on Palestinians. (HA 12/20)

PA prime minister Mohammed Shtayyeh said during the weekly cabinet meeting that the PA has sent a letter to the UN urging it to intervene against Israeli settler violence. (WAFA 12/20)

Palestinian member of the Knesset for United Arab List and chairperson of Knesset’s interior committee Walid Taha said he had canceled all official meetings for the week in protest over Israel’s interior minister Ayelet Shaked’s opposition to a bill that would provide electricity to Palestinian homes built in Israel without a permit. (HA 12/20)

Israel’s ambassador to the UN Gilad Erdan wrote a letter to UN secretary-general António Guterres demanding that he acts to prevent UN funding from going to Palestinian rights organizations deemed terrorist organizations by Israel. The UN OCHA agency had mentioned its partnership with Health Work Committees in its plan for 2022, a Palestinian organization deemed illegal by Israel. (HA 12/20)

Israeli NSO Group’s Pegasus spyware was found on a Tunisian national’s phone. The man is part of a UN-mandated investigation into crimes committed in relation to the Saudi-led war in Yemen. (HA 12/20)

In the West Bank, 25 Israeli settlers posing as soldiers attacked a Palestinian couple in their home in Qaryut, leading to the hospitalization of both Palestinian victims; the settlers also caused significant damage to the interior of their home, their car, and their tractor; Israeli forces did not arrive to investigate the scene until 7 hours after it was reported. Israeli settlers also threw stones at 6 Palestinian homes and set a barn on fire in Burqa; Israeli forces subsequently violently dispersed Palestinians trying to repel the settlers. Meanwhile, Israeli settlers erected a settlement outpost named after the settler killed on 12/16, Nefei Yehuda, near the Kiryat Arba settlement; the Nahala movement financially supported the settlement outpost, as it had the Evyatar settlement outpost in May. Israeli forces violently dispersed Palestinians in Hebron, causing tear-gas related injuries. Israeli forces also violently dispersed Palestinian protesters in Beita, injuring 5 with rubber-coated bullets and others with tear gas. Elsewhere, Israeli forces violently dispersed Palestinian protesters in Bayt Dajan, injuring 5 with rubber-coated bullets and others with tear gas. Israeli forces also violently dispersed Palestinian protesters in Kafr Qaddum, injuring 2 with rubber-coated bullets and others with tear gas. Meanwhile, Israeli forces seized 1 tractor in Masafer Yatta. 5 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in Arrabah, Silat ad-Dhahr, Jenin, and Burqa; Israeli forces seized 1 car during the raid in Jenin. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces violently dispersed Palestinian protesters in Sheikh Jarrah, injuring several journalists covering the event by physical assault, including 1 AP journalist; AP condemned the Israeli forces’ attack on its employee. 5 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in the Old City. In Gaza, Israeli forces opened fire at Palestinian agricultural lands east of Khuza‘a, Dayr al-Balah, and al-Qarara; no injuries were reported. (AJ, AP, AP, HA, HA, JP, MEE, MEE, MEMO, REU, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 12/17; MEMO 12/18; JP, WAFA 12/19; PCHR 12/23)

PA foreign ministry called on the UN to establish a protective system to ensure the safety of Palestinians as Israeli settler violence continues to increase. (WAFA, WAFA 12/17; MEMO 12/18)

Haaretz reported that the Israeli company Candiru’s spyware had been purchased by Saudi Arabia, Spain, Israel (for the Shin Bet), Singapore, the UAE, and Germany, and had been used to target people in Catalonia, Lebanon, Yemen, the occupied Palestinian territories, Singapore, Iran, Armenia, and Turkey. It was also reported by the Guardian that NSO Group’s Pegasus spyware was found on jailed Indian dissident activist Rona Wilson’s phone. (AP, GDN, HA, HA 12/17)

The UN general assembly voted 156 for, 7 against, and 15 abstaining on a draft resolution confirming the rights of Palestinians over their natural resources in the occupied territories and the rights of the native population of their resources in the occupied Golan Heights. The resolution also called on Israel to stop exploiting the resources of the territories it occupies. The 7 countries voting against the resolution were Israel, Canada, the U.S., the Marshall Islands, Micronesia, Nauru, and Palau. (WAFA, WAFA 12/17; WAFA 12/18)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers vandalized some 600 almond and olive trees in Deir Sharaf. Israeli forces violently dispersed Palestinian protesters in Kafr Qaddum, injuring 2 with rubber-coated bullets. 1 Palestinian was arrested during a late-night raid in Kafr Qalil. In East Jerusalem, 3 Palestinian families demolished their own apartment building in Silwan, displacing 20 Palestinians. 2 Palestinians were arrested in Isawiya. In Gaza, Israeli forces opened fire at Palestinian bird hunters north of al-Bureij; no injuries were reported. (WAFA, WAFA 12/11; PCHR 12/16)

Municipal elections were held for representatives in 154 village councils in Area C of the West Bank. Some 400,000 Palestinians were eligible to vote in the elections. There were no elections held in Gaza, as Hamas boycotted the elections. A Hamas spokesperson said that Hamas refuses to “participate in partial elections that are tailored to Fatah, and conducted by the PA.” The Central Election Committee said the voter turnout was 65%. The 2d phase of the municipal elections is scheduled to take place on 3/26/2022, when Palestinians in towns and cities will vote. It was later reported that Fatah was perceived as a marginal winner of the election. (WAFA 12/10; AJ, HA, MEE, REU, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 12/11; ALM 12/15)

Israeli mayor of Jerusalem Moshe Leon demanded that the Israeli police in Jerusalem stop using skunk water as a protest dispersal method after it was used to disperse pro-settlement activists, marking the 1-year anniversary of the death of a settler minor who died during a car chase with Israeli forces in the West Bank. (HA 12/12)

9 UN special rapporteurs wrote to EU high commissioner for foreign policy Josep Borrell, urging him to set a short and defined time frame for receiving evidence from Israel that the 6 Palestinian rights organizations deemed terrorist by Israel on 10/22 are linked to terrorism. (JP 12/12; MEMO 12/13)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers threw stones at Palestinian vehicles driving on Route 60 near the Yitzhar settlement, causing damage. Israeli settlers also started construction on a pool near a water spring in Khirbet al-Farisiya. Israeli forces violently dispersed Palestinian protesters in Beita, killing 1 Palestinian man with a shot to his head; 68 others were injured, including 4 with rubber-coated bullets. The PA foreign ministry called in the ICC to take action against Israel’s killing of Palestinian protesters. The man was the 9th victim of Israeli gunfire related to the weekly anti-settlement protest in Beita since May. Israeli forces also violently dispersed Palestinian protesters in Kafr Qaddum, injuring 6 with rubber-coated bullets, including 2 minors. 5 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in Beitunia and al-Bireh. In East Jerusalem, 2 Palestinians were arrested in Isawiya and Jabel Mukaber. Off the coast of Gaza, Israeli naval forces arrested 2 Palestinian fishermen and confiscated their boat. In Gaza, Israeli forces opened fire at Palestinian bird hunters near the Gaza fence; no injuries were reported. (AJ, AP, HA, MEE, MEMO, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 12/10; MEMO, PCHR 12/11; WAFA 12/12; HA, MDW 12/13; PCHR 12/16; HA 12/24)

In Lebanon, an explosion killed 1 and injured 4 others in the Burj el-Shamali refugee camp. Sources in the camp said the explosion happened in a Hamas weapons depot; however, Hamas denied the claim, saying the explosion was due to an electrical fault in a warehouse storing oxygen and gas cylinders for COVID-19 patients. (AJ, AP, HA, REU 12/10; AP, MEMO 12/12)

The New York Times reported that Israel consulted with the Biden administration before it struck 2 targets in Iran in June and September this year. (NYT 12/10; HA 12/11)

In promotional material for the upcoming book Trump’s Peace: The Abraham Accords and the Reshaping of the Middle East by Israeli journalist Barak Ravid, it was revealed that former U.S. president and likely candidate for the Republican presidential ticket in 2024, Donald Trump, made significant U.S. policy changes to help former Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu win elections in Israel. Former President Trump told Ravid that he recognized the Golan Heights as part of Israel and, separately, announced plans to move the U.S. embassy to Jerusalem to help Netanyahu, who was struggling in the Israeli elections. Trump also told Ravid that he left the Iran Nuclear deal because of Israel and dismissed the idea that it was due to Israeli intelligence, mocking the idea that Israel had presented anything new at the time. Ravid further reports in his book that Trump believes that Netanyahu never had any interest in making peace with the Palestinians. Trump explained to Ravid that PA president Mahmoud Abbas “was almost like a father” and that he thought Abbas wanted to make peace more than Netanyahu. Trump acknowledged to Ravid that his strategy of pressuring the Palestinian leadership back to negotiations after recognizing Jerusalem as the capital of Israel had failed, saying “[t]hese are hardened people.” Netanyahu and Trump had a significant personal fallout due to Israel’s push to annex most of the West Bank, outside of the framework of the Trump administration’s plan for a peace deal. It was also revealed that Trump now holds a grudge against Netanyahu because Netanyahu congratulated U.S. president Joe Biden on his election win in 2020, which Trump has falsely claimed to be fraudulent and has never officially conceded. Trump said he had not talked to Netanyahu since losing the election and said to Ravid during the interview, “fuck him [Netanyahu].” (AP, AX, AX, HA 12/10; FWD, HA, HA 12/12; AX, HA, IN, MEE, MEMO 12/13; TOI 12/14; GDN 12/20)

In Ravid’s book Trump’s Peace, new details about the normalization agreement between Israel and the UAE are also revealed. According to Ravid, Avi Berkowitz, aide to senior advisor to the president Jared Kushner, suggested to Netanyahu on 6/30/2020 that he normalize relations with the UAE instead of moving ahead with annexation of parts of the West Bank. The UAE ambassador to the U.S. Yousef Otaiba had been in talks with the U.S. about normalization since March 2019 and had been pushing normalization with Israel. Ravid also writes in his book that UK ambassador to the UN Karen Elizabeth Pierce warned Berkowitz and U.S. special envoy to Iran Brian Hook that the UK and other countries would recognize the State of Palestine if Israel moved forward with annexing parts of the West Bank. (FWD 12/12; AX, HA 12/13; MEMO 1/4)

Germany contributed with $23.75 million to the UNRWA. (WAFA 12/10)

In the West Bank, Israeli forces violently dispersed Palestinian protesters in Beita, injuring 3 with rubber-coated bullets, including a minor; others suffered tear-gas related injuries. Israeli forces also violently dispersed Palestinian protesters in Kafr Qaddum, injuring 4 with rubber-coated bullets, including 2 minors; others suffered tear-gas related injuries. 5 Palestinians were arrested, including 4 during late-night raids in Hebron and Atuf, and 1 at the Container checkpoint. In East Jerusalem, Israeli settlers vandalized the home of the prominent activist El Kurd family in Sheikh Jarrah, spraying graffiti with the star of David on the home and defacing murals. In Gaza, Israeli forces opened fire at Palestinian bird hunters east of Khuza‘a. In Israel, 1 Palestinian Israeli man was killed by Israeli forces in Umm al-Fahm after he allegedly rammed into 2 border police officers with his car; 1 other Palestinian man was injured; 1 of the Israeli officers was reportedly moderately injured while the other was lightly injured. (HA, JP, MEMO, TOI, WAFA 12/3; AP, MEMO 12/4; PCHR 12/16)

Israel handed over the body of 1 Palestinian shot and killed at a checkpoint in Ni‘lin in August 2020 to his family. (WAFA 12/3)

Reuters reported that 9 U.S. state department officials working in Uganda, or whose work focused on Uganda, had their phones infected with the Pegasus spyware from the Israeli company NSO Group. (ALM, AP, HA, REU 12/3; MEMO 12/4; HA 12/5)

In the West Bank, Israeli forces violently dispersed Palestinian protesters in Kafr Qaddum, injuring 2 minors with rubber-coated bullets. 2 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in Bayt Awa and al-Arroub refugee camp. In East Jerusalem, 2 Palestinians were arrested during house raids in Silwan and Ras al-Amud. Off the coast of Gaza, Israeli forces arrested 2 Palestinian fishermen and confiscated their boat northwest of al-Sudaniyya; the 2 men were later released. They had been at sea since 11/25 when their engine failed and they had lost cell service. (PCHR 12/2)

Israeli forces violently dispersed Palestinian protesters in Kafr Qaddum, injuring 6 with rubber-coated bullets, including 2 minors, while others suffered tear-gas related injuries. Israeli forces also violently dispersed protesters in Bayt Dajan, causing tear-gas related injuries. Elsewhere, Israeli forces violently dispersed Palestinian protesters in Beita, injuring 1 journalist with a rubber-coated bullet and others with tear gas. Israeli forces also violently dispersed Palestinian protesters in Aida refugee camp, causing tear-gas related injuries. Meanwhile, Israeli forces violently dispersed Palestinian protesters in al-Arroub refugee camp, causing tear-gas related injuries. 7 Palestinians were arrested, including 4 during late-night raids in Dheisheh refugee camp, Husan, and Kafr al-Labad, and 3 at checkpoints near Salfit and Qalqilya. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces violently dispersed a protest in Sheikh Jarrah, physically assaulting protesters and confiscating Palestinian flags; 2 were arrested. 1 other was arrested during a late-night raid in Silwan. Off the coast of Gaza, Israeli naval forces arrested 2 Palestinian fishermen and seized 1 boat after detaining 5 on the same boat, claiming it was sailing beyond the Israeli-imposed fishing area; the 2 were released on 11/27. (WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 11/26; MEMO 11/27; PCHR 12/2)

In Jordan, thousands of Jordanians protested the Jordan-Israel deal to swap energy for water in Amman. The agreement was signed on 11/22 in the UAE and witnessed by U.S. climate envoy John Kerry. (AJ, HA, MEMO 11/26; TOI 11/27)

Israel’s transportation minister Merav Michaeli of Labor said she opposes the Jerusalem Cable Car project in East Jerusalem. The project has been condemned by Palestinians and Israelis and is set to have its final hearing of petitions against it at the Israeli high court of justice on 11/28. Transportation Minister Michaeli said the project does more scenic and political harm than it does good. (HA 11/26)

A bipartisan group of members of the House of Representatives led by Ritchie Torres (D-NY) sent a letter to the Securities and Exchange Commission chairperson Gary Gensler asking him to review if Unilever is complying with US regulation after its subsidiary Ben & Jerry’s chose not to sell its products in West Bank settlements. (NYP 11/27; FOX 11/28)

The UK parliament approved UK home secretary Priti Patel’s decision to designate Hamas, in its entirety, as a terrorist organization. The UK said the designation was part of the country’s fight against anti-Semitism. The inclusion of Hamas in the Terrorism Act means that people expressing support for Hamas could face 10 years in prison. Both Hamas and the PA condemned Home Secretary Patel’s decision. (HA, MEMO, TOI 11/26)

In the West Bank, Israeli forces violently dispersed Palestinian protesters in Beita, injuring 1 with a rubber-coated bullet and 14 with tear gas. Israeli forces also violently dispersed Palestinian protesters in Bayt Dajan, injuring 7 with tear gas. Elsewhere, Israeli forces violently dispersed Palestinian protesters in Kafr Qaddum, injuring 1 minor with a rubber-coated bullet and 1 with a tear-gas canister, while others suffered tear-gas related injuries. 3 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in Tulkarm and Qalqilya. In East Jerusalem, Israeli settlers punctured tires on Palestinian-owned vehicles in Sheikh Jarrah. Israeli forces violently dispersed Palestinians during a late-night raid in Isawiya, injuring 17 with rubber-coated bullets, 11 with concussion grenades, and 95 with tear gas. 1 Palestinian was arrested during a raid in Silwan. (WAFA, WAFA 11/19; PCHR 11/25)

Israel handed over the corpse of a Palestinian boy to the PA. It later recognized that it mistakenly handed over a corpse it did not intend to and would deliver the intended body soon. The deceased Palestinian it intended to hand over to the PA was a Palestinian minor who was shot and killed by Israeli forces on 10/14. Israel said it would return intended corpse on 11/20. (WAFA 11/19; AJ, HA, WAFA 11/20)

UK home secretary Pitri Patel announced that she had “taken action to proscribe Hamas in its entirety” as a terrorist organization. The decision will mean that anyone expressing support for Hamas or holding a meeting for the group can receive up to 10 years in prison. Home Secretary Patel’s decision still needs parliament approval. Patel said the decision was linked to combatting anti-Semitism in the UK. Hamas criticized the decision, saying that the UK chose to align itself with Israel’s occupation rather than apologizing for the Balfour Declaration and British imperialism. The PA said the decision will make Palestinians’ reconciliation efforts more complicated and undermines Palestinian democracy. The UK along with the EU had already designated Hamas’s military wing as a terrorist organization. The UK follows Israel, Canada, and the U.S. in designating its political wing as a terrorist organization. (AJ, ALM, AP, GDN, HA, MEE, MEE, MEE, MEMO, MEMO 11/19; HA, MEMO, MEMO 11/20; MEMO, MEMO, MEMO, MEMO 11/22; MEE 11/24; AJ 11/25)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers from Bat Ayin attacked, with clubs and stones, Israeli activists guarding Palestinians harvesting olives in Surif; according to 1 of the activists, the Israeli forces that arrived at the scene did not intervene until the settlers fled. Israeli forces violently dispersed Palestinian protesters, shooting and injuring 2 Palestinians using rubber-coated bullets in Kafr Qaddum; others suffered tear-gas related injuries. Israeli forces also violently dispersed Palestinian protesters in Biddu, injuring 1 with a rubber-coated bullet. (HA, WAFA 11/12; PCHR 11/18)

U.S. House representative Jim McGovern (D-MA) called on Secretary of State Antony Blinken to denounce Israel’s decision to designate 6 Palestinian rights organizations as terrorist, calling the Israeli decision misguided. (HA 11/13)

The state of New York put Ben & Jerry’s and its parent company Unilever on a 90-day notice in advance of divesting from the companies due to Ben & Jerry’s decision not to sell its ice cream in West Bank settlements, ending its franchise agreement in Israel. (HA 11/12)

A UK government watchdog charged with assessing that UK companies meet OECD guidelines on human rights charged the company JBC with failing to address human rights violations in Israel’s use of its tractors to demolish Palestinian homes. (GDN, MEE 11/12)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers attacked Palestinians harvesting olives in Surif; 1 Palestinian was injured by a stone to his head. Israeli settlers also tried to attack Palestinians in Kafr Qaddum before they were repelled by Palestinians. Elsewhere, Israeli settlers vandalized 45 olive trees in Burin. Israeli forces shot and killed 1 Palestinian minor while violently dispersing a protest in Deir al-Hatab. PA prime minister Mohammed Shtayyeh called the killing an instance of state terrorism. Israeli forces also violently dispersed Palestinian protesters in Beita, injuring 5 with rubber-coated bullets. Elsewhere, Israeli forces violently dispersed Palestinian protesters in Bayt Dajan, injuring 6 with tear gas. Israeli forces also violently dispersed Palestinian protesters in Hebron and Burqa, causing tear-gas related injuries. Meanwhile, Israeli forces raided al-Bireh, violently dispersing Palestinian protesters; 1 was shot with a rubber-coated bullet, others suffered tear-gas related injuries. In East Jerusalem, 5 Palestinians were arrested. (AJ, AP, HA, MEE, MEMO, MEMO, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 11/5; PCHR, WAFA 11/6; WAFA, WAFA 11/8; HA, PCHR 11/11)

The Finnish Christian missionary group Felm said it had stopped funding Defense for Children International-Palestine because of Israel’s announcement on 10/22 that the organization is 1 of 6 to be declared a terrorist organization. Felm is the 1st to publicly take action based on the Israeli terror designation. Felm’s executive director said it had done so due to concerns of banking sanctions. The director said his group had not seen evidence to back Israel’s claim that the 6 rights organizations are financing or supporting terrorism. (MEMO, REU 11/5)

UNRWA commissioner-general Philippe Lazzarini told the Guardian that the UNWRA was close to collapsing, in part due to UK budget cuts to the agency by more than 50%. Commissioner-General Lazzarini said UNRWA is short $100 million for its budget for 2021. Lazzarini was in London to urge the Foreign Office to rethink its cuts to the UNRWA. (GDN, WAFA 11/5)

In the West Bank, Israeli forces violently dispersed Palestinian protesters near Kafr Qaddum, injuring 2 with live ammunition. Israeli forces also violently dispersed a protest in Biddu, injuring 1 Palestinian when a tear gas canister hit his back. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces violently dispersed Palestinian protesters in Sheikh Jarrah, physically assaulting 2. Israeli forces assaulted several Palestinians during a house raid in Jabal Mukaber; 4 were arrested. Off the coast of Gaza, Israeli navel forces opened fire at Palestinian fishermen within 3 nautical miles west of Gaza; no injuries were reported. (PCHR 10/28)

Islamic Jihad said its members had ended a mass hunger strike against Israeli collective punitive measures put in place in the wake of 6 Palestinians fleeing Gilboa prison on 9/6. An Islamic Jihad official said Israel had lifted the measures against the Islamic Jihad prisoners that first prompted the prisoners to start the hunger strike on 10/12. An Israeli security official told the Times of Israel that the Israel Prison service had not made any concessions to the hunger-striking prisoners. (ALM 10/22)

Israel’s defense minister Benny Gantz signed an order declaring 6 Palestinian rights groups terrorist organizations: Addameer, al-Haq, the Union of Agricultural Work Committees, the Bisan Centre for Research and Development, the Union of Palestinian Women’s Committees, and Defense for Children International – Palestine. Defense Minister Gantz alleged that the 6 groups are “part of a network of organizations operating under cover in the international arena” on behalf of the political party the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine, which Israel considers a terrorist organization. Israel’s evidence for the allegations was classified and Israel did not state any plans to prosecute individual members. The general director of al-Haq Shawan Jabarin called the accusations “nonsense” and said Israel’s “occupation has no limits to its injustice and insanity.” The PA called the designation “a strategic assault on Palestinian civil society.” The U.S. did not officially criticize the move but said it was not informed of it prior to the announcement and said it would like to review the evidence. Israel claimed that the U.S. had been informed. Several U.S. congresspeople condemned the Israeli government for its attack on the Palestinian organizations, including Betty McCollum (D-MN), Ilhan Omar (D-MN), and Mark Pocan (D-WI). Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch released a joint statement calling the designation “appalling and unjust” and said that the international community must respond. Later, on 10/24, Israeli officials said members of the Shin Bet and the Israeli military would travel to Washington to present evidence of the 6 organizations’ links to the PFLP. (AJ, AP, CNN, HA, HA, HRW, MDW, MEE, MEE, MEMO, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 10/22; AJ, AP, HA, MEE, NPR, PCHR, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 10/23; AJ, HA, HA, HA, HA, HA, JP, TOI, TOI, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 10/24; AHQ, ALM, MEE, MEMO, WAFA 10/25; AP 10/26; WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 10/27; AJ 10/28; AHQ 11/1)

Israeli prime minister Naftali Bennett met with Russian president Vladimir Putin in Sochi, Russia. The 2 were said to talk about Iran, Syria, and economic relations. (AJ, ALM, AP, HA, MEMO 10/22; HA, HA 10/24)

In the West Bank, some 40 Israeli settlers attacked Palestinians harvesting olives near Yasuf with stones and pepper spray, causing injuries to 4; the settlers also vandalized vehicles and stole olives and other property. Israeli authorities later said it had arrested 4 settlers near the Rachelim settlement. 1 Israeli settler herding sheep was attacked by 8 Palestinians near al-Twana before being taken to a hospital. Israeli forces violently dispersed Palestinian protesters in Kafr Qaddum, injuring 2 with live ammunition. 1 was arrested during a late-night raid in al-Twana. In East Jerusalem, 4 Palestinians were arrested after leaving the Haram al-Sharif compound. In Gaza, 2 Palestinians were arrested while trying to enter Israel through the Gaza fence. (AP, HA, WAFA 10/15; PCHR 10/21)

Senior member of Hamas’s political bureau Khalil al-Hayya presented a vision for national unity in which the PLO would be reformed as a representative of the Palestinian people through elections in the 1st stage. The 2d stage would formulate a national strategy to resist the Israeli occupation, and last, a 3d stage would implement the strategy on the ground. The vision was presented after meetings between Egyptian mediators working on Palestinian reconciliation and Hamas leaders. (MEMO 10/16)

The chief executive of the German media company Axel Springer, which recently acquired the U.S. media outlet Politico, told the Wall Street Journal that he will enforce the company’s pro-Israel stance in its new acquisition. (HA 10/17)

Facebook announced that it would have a non-profit organization conduct an independent investigation of Facebook censorship of Palestinian content on its platforms, after pressure from the Human Rights Watch and Palestinian rights groups. (MEE, WAFA 10/15; AA, WAFA 10/16)

In the West Bank, some 20 Israeli settlers attacked Palestinian shepherds in Dahariya, bruising 1 Palestinian who was taken to a hospital for treatment. Israeli settlers also uprooted dozens of olive trees in Taybeh. Israeli forces violently dispersed Palestinians protesting an Israeli raid in Biddu, causing tear-gas related injuries. Israeli forces also violently dispersed Palestinians during a protest in Beita, injuring 2 with rubber-coated bullets and 34 with tear gas. Elsewhere, Israeli forces violently dispersed Palestinian protesters in Kafr Qaddum, injuring 3 with rubber-coated bullets. 3 Palestinians were arrested, including 2 during late-night raids in Qabatiya and Bayt Jala, and 1 was arrested at a checkpoint north of Ramallah. In East Jerusalem, 5 Palestinians were arrested at the Haram al-Sharif compound, including 4 minors. 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 10/8; PCHR 10/14)

The Israeli Jerusalem district court overturned a ruling by the Jerusalem magistrate’s court from 10/6, which had ruled to allow Jewish worshippers to pray in silence at the Haram al-Sharif compound. Israeli public security minister Omer Bar-Lev supported the district court’s decision, saying that a change to the status quo could ignite a new wave of confrontations. (HA 10/7; AJ, HA 10/8; MEMO 10/9)

In Syria, 2 people were killed and 6 injured in air strikes at the T-4 military base near Homs. Several media outlets reported that Israel had conducted the strikes. (AP, HA 10/8)

Human Rights Watch (HRW) called for an independent investigation into Facebook’s censorship of Palestinians and their supporters on its platforms, including Instagram. HRW said that Facebook’s acknowledgement of the censorship was insufficient, and that Facebook needs to be more transparent about its decisions to censor people and groups on its platforms. (HRW, WAFA 10/8)

In the West Bank, Israeli forces violently dispersed Palestinians protesting near Bayt Dajan, injuring 5 with rubber-coated bullets and others with tear gas. Israeli forces also violently dispersed Palestinian protesters in Beit Duqqu, injuring 2 with rubber-coated bullets. Elsewhere, Israeli forces violently dispersed Palestinian protesters in Beita, injuring 11 with rubber-coated bullets and 17 with tear gas. Israeli forces also violently dispersed Palestinians protesting in Kafr Qaddum, injuring 1 child with a rubber-coated bullet. Meanwhile, Israeli forces seized 1 excavator working on an agricultural road east of Dura. 8 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in Qabatiya, Hebron, Dura, and Beit Ula. In East Jerusalem, 1 Palestinian family demolished parts of their own home in Silwan. Off the coast of Gaza, Israeli naval forces opened fire at Palestinian fishermen within 3 nautical miles west of Gaza. (MEMO, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 10/1; PCHR 10/7)

UNRWA commissioner-general Philippe Lazzarini said that the agency is facing an “existential” budget crisis and currently needs $120 million to keep running its education and health care service. Commissioner-General Lazzarini said that many donors had decreased their funding due to the COVID-19 pandemic’s impact on their economies. Lazzarini also pointed out that Arab countries had decreased their contributions from $200 million in 2018 to $37 million in 2020. (AJ, WAFA 10/1; HA 10/2)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers attacked Palestinians in Susiya, causing bruises, during a visit by EU representatives to the village. Israeli forces violently dispersed Palestinian protesters near Beita, killing 1 Palestinian using live ammunition; 7 others were hit by rubber-coated bullets and live ammunition, and 18 suffered tear-gas related injuries. Israeli forces also violently dispersed Palestinian protesters in Kafr Qaddum, injuring 4 with rubber-coated bullets. 12 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in and around Yatta, Bani Na‘im, Bayt Liqya, Bethlehem, Biddu, Aqabah, and Qabatiya. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces injured 1 pro-Palestinian activist and arrested 4 others for waving a Palestinian flag during a protest in Sheikh Jarrah; at least 1 was released from jail on 9/25 after an Israeli judge ruled that flying Palestinian flags was not illegal. (AJ, AP, HA, MEE, MEMO, PCHR, REU, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 9/24; HA 9/27; PCHR 9/30)

PA president Mahmoud Abbas addressed the UN general assembly, outlining the territorial dispossession of Palestinians from historic Palestine at the time of the British Mandate to the current situation where Palestinians control 12% of the same land. President Abbas demanded that Israel withdraw from to the 1967 borders within 1 year. Abbas warned that if the world does not act to ensure the PA demand for a 2-state solution, then the “developments on the ground will dictate a reality [in which] the Palestinian people will demand its rights in the territory of all of historic Palestine,” hinting at moving toward demanding a 1-state solution. Abbas also accused Israel of ethnic cleansing and apartheid. Abbas addressed the UN general assembly in a pre-recorded video message. (AJ, AP, HA, MEE, REU, WAFA 9/24; AJ, HA, MEMO 9/25; ALM 9/26; ALM 9/29; ALM 10/5)

It was reported that Egypt refused to allow Mohammad Dahlan to relocate his office to Egypt from the UAE. (MEMO 9/25)

The U.S. think tank Center for Peace Communications hosted some 300 people in Erbil, Iraq, in a conference for normalizing ties between Iraq and Israel. Iraq’s presidential office, the prime minister’s office, and several influential organizations condemned the conference. An Iraqi court also issued arrest warrants for several of the attendees. (MEMO, MEMO 9/25; HA, MEMO, TOI 9/26; ALM 9/28)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers opened fire at 1 Palestinian-owned house in Hebron, causing damage, and vandalized 3 Palestinian-owned vehicles. Israeli settlers also uprooted 50 olive seedlings in Kisan. Israeli forces violently dispersed a protest in Beita, injuring 1 journalist with a rubber-coated bullet. Israeli forces also violently dispersed a protest in Beit Umar; no serious injuries were reported. Elsewhere, Israeli forces violently dispersed Palestinian protesters in Kafr Qaddum, injuring 3 with rubber-coated bullets. Israeli forces also arrested in Arrabah 3 siblings of 1 of the 6 Palestinians who escaped the Gilboa prison on 9/6 and 2 cousins of another escapee in Bir al-Basha. 3 others were arrested during late-night raids in and around al-Arroub refugee camp, Hebron, and al-Lubban ash-Sharqiya. In East Jerusalem, 1 Israeli settler opened fire at Palestinians in al-Ram; no injuries were reported. Israeli forces shot and killed 1 Palestinian man by the Lion’s Gate in the Old City, claiming that he had tried to stab an Israeli soldier; 1 Israeli soldier was lightly injured by a stray bullet fired by another Israeli soldier. Israeli forces let the man bleed to death without providing aid. Israeli forces also forcefully removed Palestinians during a sit-in protest at the Haram al-Sharif compound, arresting 3. In Gaza, 1 rocket was launched at Israel and was intercepted, after 2 of the Palestinian escapees were arrested. Israel subsequently conducted air strikes at 3 different locations in Khan Yunis and Dayr al-Balah; causing damage. In Israel, 2 of the 6 Palestinian prisoners who escaped Gilboa prison on 9/6, Mahmoud Aradeh and Yakub Kadari, were arrested near Nazareth. (AJ, ALM, AP, AP, HA, HA, MEE, MEE, MEE, MEMO, REU, REU, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 9/10; AJ, AP, HA, JP, MEMO, MEMO, WAFA 9/11; AJ 9/13; PCHR 9/16)

Qatar’s ambassador to Gaza Mohammed al-Emadi said that the PA no longer will partake in facilitating getting Qatari aid to Palestinians in Gaza because of fears that banks in the West Bank could be exposed to lawsuits as Hamas is considered a terrorist organization in several countries. (HA, REU 9/10; MEMO 9/11 HA 9/12)

Lebanese president Michel Aoun and prime minister-designate Najib Mikati said that a Lebanese government had been formed and that the new government would hold its 1st meeting on 9/13. It is Lebanon’s 1st government in more than 1 year. (AJ, AJ, AP, HA, MEE, WAFA 9/10; REU 9/13)

In the West Bank, Israeli forces violently dispersed Palestinian protesters near Beita, injuring 12 with rubber-coated bullets and some 50 others with tear gas. Israeli forces also violently dispersed a protest in Kafr Qaddum, injuring 1 Palestinian with a rubber-coated bullet to his head. 9 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in and around Rantis, Beit Fajjar, Husan, and Aqabah. In Gaza, 3 Palestinians were found dead in tunnels near Rafah. Hamas said it would investigate the incident and there were reports that the deaths were caused by toxic gas pumped into the tunnel from Egypt. (AP, HA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 9/3; MEMO 9/4; PCHR 9/9)

PA prime minister Mohammed Shtayyeh met with a delegation of U.S. senators, including Chris Murphy (D-CT), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), and Jon Ossoff (D-GA) in Ramallah. During the meeting, Prime Minister Shtayyeh called on the U.S. to reopen its consulate to Palestinians and remove the PLO from the U.S. terror list. The group also met with Israeli officials, including prime minister Naftali Bennett, and said they raised the issue of the consulate with him. (WAFA 9/3; HA, TOI 9/4)

Russia said Syria had intercepted 20 missiles fired at Damascus from Israeli F-15s flying over Lebanese air space. (AP 9/3; HA 9/4)

The Norwegian wealth fund divested from 3 Israeli companies—Elco, Electra, and Ashtrom—because of the companies’ links to Israeli settlements. (REU 9/3; WAFA 9/4)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers attacked 1 Palestinian family of 5 working their land near Ras Karkar; Israeli forces intervened on behalf of the Palestinians, ordering the settlers to leave. Israeli forces opened fire and chased 1 Palestinian vehicle near Beit Fajjar, causing the driver to lose control of the car, injuring him and 2 passengers. Israeli forces also violently dispersed Palestinian protesters in Kafr Qaddum, injuring 6 with rubber-coated bullets. 1 Palestinian minor was arrested during a late-night raid in Deir Nidham and 7 Palestinian journalists were arrested and physically assaulted while covering a peaceful protest in the South Hebron Hills. In East Jerusalem, 1 Palestinian family started demolishing their own home in Silwan. (WAFA, WAFA 8/27; AA 8/28; HA 8/31; PCHR 9/2)

It was reported in Israeli media that Israel will grant the PA a loan of $800 million to help with its financial crisis. At the same time, Israel continues to deduct millions of dollars from the tax revenue it collects on behalf of the PA, claiming it is deducting the amount that the PA pays in stipends to Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails and their families. (MEMO 8/28)

Israeli prime minister Naftali Bennett met with U.S. president Joe Biden 1 day late, after their meeting was postponed due to an attack on U.S. soldiers and Afghans in Kabul on 8/26. During the meeting, President Biden said that the U.S. will ensure that “Iran never develops a nuclear weapon” and that “if diplomacy fails, we are ready to turn to other options.” Biden also said that “ways to advance peace and security and prosperity for Israelis and Palestinians” was on the agenda. Axios later reported that President Biden pressed Bennett on Biden’s campaign promise to reopen the U.S. consulates to Palestinians in Jerusalem, an issue that Bennett and much of his governing coalition is firmly against. (AJ, AP, AX, MEE 8/27; AX, HA, JP, MEMO, TOI 8/28; HA, HA, HA, HA, HA, HA 8/29; AX 9/8)

In the West Bank, PA forces arrested, for the 3d day in a row, Palestinian activists critical of the PA; at least 3 were rounded up. Israeli settlers set up 2 mobile homes in Deir Istiya. Israeli settlers also set fire to dozens of olive trees near Burin. Israeli forces razed a tract of land near Qalqilya to expand a settler-only road and sealed the entrances to Sinjil. Israeli forces arrested 5 Palestinians in and around Birzeit, Tulkarm, Kafr Qaddum, and Hebron. In Gaza, Israeli forces fired missiles at structures in Khan Yunis, Jabalia refugee camp, and Shuja‘iya, causing damage but no injuries. Israel said it was responding to incendiary balloons sent to Israel from Gaza. 2 Palestinians were arrested at the Erez crossing after receiving calls to come to the crossing for their trader permit applications. (HA, MEE, MEMO, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 8/23; AJ, AP, MEMO, MEMO, MEMO, REU, WAFA 8/24; HA 8/25; PCHR 8/26)

Egypt said it had closed the Rafah crossing until further notice. Egyptian officials said the closure was connected to Egypt’s efforts to broker a long-term ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas. (MEE, REU 8/22; AJ, ALM, AP, HA, MEMO 8/23; HA 8/24)

1 Palestinian on administrative detention ended his hunger strike after reassurances from Israel that it would not extend his detention. The man was placed on administrative detention after being arrested on 2/22/2020 and had been hunger striking for 43 days. (WAFA 8/23)

Human Rights Watch (HRW) said that Israel’s targeting of 4 high-rise residential buildings in Gaza during Operation Guardians of the Wall violated international law. HRW also called on Israel to produce the evidence it says it has in claiming malicious activity was carried out in the high-rises. (AJ, ALM, AP, HA, MEE, MEMO 8/23; MEMO 8/25)

In the West Bank, Israeli forces violently dispersed Palestinian protesters in Kafr Qaddum, causing tear-gas related injuries. Israeli forces also violently dispersed Palestinian protesters in Bayt Dajan, injuring 1 with live ammunition; others suffered tear-gas related injuries. Elsewhere, Israeli forces violently dispersed Palestinian protesters in Beita, injuring 1 with live ammunition, 12 with rubber-coated bullets, and others with tear gas. 4 Palestinians were arrested, including 3 during late-night raids in Yatta and 1 at a checkpoint outside Huwwara. In Gaza, 1 Palestinian teen was injured by an unexploded ordinance east of Gaza City. Israeli forces opened fire at agricultural lands east of Khuza‘a; no injuries were reported. (WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 8/20; PCHR 8/26)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers uprooted olive trees in Jaba‘. Israeli forces violently dispersed Palestinian protesters near the Evyatar settlement outpost near Beita, killing 1 Palestinian and injuring 21 others with live ammunition and rubber-coated bullets; others suffered tear-gas related injuries. The killing of the Palestinian man, who was said to have been drinking water when he was shot in the chest, was the 40th by Israeli forces in the West Bank since May. Israeli forces also violently dispersed Palestinian protesters in Kafr Qaddum, injuring 4 with rubber-coated bullets and others with tear gas. 1 Palestinian was arrested at a flying checkpoint near Beit Fajjar. In East Jerusalem, 1 Palestinian family started demolishing their own homes in Bayt Hanina, displacing 46 people. In Gaza, incendiary balloons sent from Gaza caused fires in Israel, and Israel struck targets in Jabalia refugee camp, causing damage. Off the coast of Gaza, Israeli naval forces opened fire at Palestinian fishermen west of Jabalia refugee camp on 2 separate occasions; no injuries were reported. In the Golan Heights, 19 rockets were fired at the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights from Lebanon, with 3 falling within Lebanon and the rest in the Golan Heights; no damage was reported. Israel subsequently fired at Lebanon; no damage was reported. Hezbollah took responsibility for the rockets fired from Lebanon and the Lebanese army said it had arrested 4 suspects. Israel said that it does not believe that Hezbollah is seeking an escalation. (AA, AJ, AJ, AX, HA, HA, HA, MEE, MEMO, MEMO, REU, REU, REU, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 8/6; AA, AJ, AJ, HA, MEMO, MEMO, REU, WAFA, WAFA 8/7; HA 8/8; HA, HA, PCHR 8/12; AJ 8/15)

Hamas accepted an Israel and U.S. demand to allow the 2 countries to examine a list of families in Gaza that would receive a monthly stipend from Qatar, allegedly in order to ensure that the people on the list are not Hamas activists. Sources told Haaretz that Hamas was pressured to accept the demand by Palestinian banks, which would be exposed to sanctions if the stipends reached members of Hamas or other militants. (HA 8/6)

Hamas political leader Ismail Haniyeh met with the new Iranian president Ebrahim Raisi in Tehran. (HA 8/6; AA 8/7)

Israeli prime minister Naftali Bennett announced that Michael Herzog, the brother of Israeli president Isaac Herzog, will be Israel’s new ambassador to the U.S. (AA, ALM, HA, MEMO 8/6; HA 8/7; HA 8/8; ALM 8/9; ALM 8/10)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers cut down 6 electric poles supplying electricity to a Palestinian home at the outskirts of Burin. Israeli forces violently dispersed Palestinian protesters in Beita, injuring 2 with live ammunition and 35 others with tear gas. Israeli forces also violently dispersed Palestinian protesters in Bayt Dajan, injuring 10 with rubber-coated bullets and others with tear gas. Elsewhere, Israeli forces violently dispersed Palestinian protesters in Kafr Qaddum, leading to tear-gas related injuries. 4 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in al-Khader, Bayt Jala, and Dura. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces dispersed Palestinians protesting against Israeli threats to evict Palestinians in Sheikh Jarrah, confiscating several Palestinian flags. 4 Palestinian children were arrested in Wadi Hilweh. (AJ, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 7/30; MEMO 7/31; PCHR 8/5)

Israel said it would expand the Gaza fishing zone from 6 to 12 nautical miles at its largest point from 8/2. (MEMO 7/30)

The U.S. state department said it had approved the sale of 18 CH-53K helicopters to Israel, including engines, navigation systems, weaponry, support equipment, spare parts, and technical support. The package is worth $3.4 billion. (HA 7/30)

The Biden administration appointed Deborah Lipstadt as the special envoy to monitor and combat anti-Semitism. Lipstadt needs Senate confirmation before assuming her new position. Lipstadt has used her platform to conflate criticism of Israel with anti-Semitism, including by smearing BDS co-founder Omar Barghouti as an anti-Semite. (HA 7/30; AA 8/10)

Mercy-USA for Aid and Development donated food supplies for 5,000 Palestinians in Gaza via the UNRWA. (WAFA 7/30)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers razed a tract of agricultural land in Ein al-Beida. Israeli settlers with military escort also toured Wadi al-Far’a. Israeli forces violently dispersed Palestinians protesting against the Evyatar settlement outpost near Beita, injuring 10 with live ammunition, 15 with rubber-coated bullets, and at least 45 with tear gas. Israeli forces also violently dispersed Palestinian protesters In Kafr Qaddum, causing tear-gas related injuries. Palestinians protested the construction of a military road near Hizma. 6 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in Ya‘bad, Marah Rabah, and Shufa. In East Jerusalem, 3 Palestinians were arrested in the Old City. (HA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 7/16; PCHR 7/29)

1 Israeli drone crashed in Lebanon. According to the Israeli military, it crashed due to a technical malfunction. (MEMO 7/16)

In the West Bank, 1 Israeli settler shot and injured 1 Palestinian man who was allegedly carrying a knife by the Yitzhar settlement, but according to Israeli forces, he posed no danger. Israeli settlers also set fire to olive and fig trees near Salfit. Israeli forces violently dispersed Palestinian protesters near the Evyater settlement outpost near Beita, injuring 3 with live ammunition and 1 with rubber-coated bullets. Israeli forces also violently dispersed Palestinian protesters in Kafr Qaddum, injuring 6 with live ammunition and rubber-coated bullets. Israeli forces also arrested 1 Palestinian during a late-night raid in Silat al-Harithiyya. Thousands of Palestinians protested throughout the West Bank, with the biggest crowds in Ramallah, calling for the resignation of PA president Mahmoud Abbas over the killing of PA critic Nizar Banat on 6/24 and the canceled elections. Israeli forces arrested 2 Palestinians in Salem. In East Jerusalem, 4 Palestinians were assaulted and arrested by Israeli forces near the Haram al-Sharif compound. (AJ, HA, MEE, MEMO, REU, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 6/25; HA 6/26; HA 6/28; PCHR 7/1; HA 7/5)

Israel expanded the Gaza fishing zone from 6 nautical miles at its furthest to 9 and approved some raw materials to be used for construction to enter Gaza. (HA, REU 6/24; MEMO 6/25)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers marched across the West Bank to protest the presence of Palestinians living in Area C, closing off much of Area C to Palestinians. Most of the marches were directed toward the Evyatar settlement outpost, which Israeli settlers are trying to rapidly expand to prevent the new Israeli government from evacuating it. Israeli forces violently dispersed Palestinian protesters in al-Wad, leading to tear-gas related injuries. Israeli forces also delivered stop-work orders for 2 houses in Idhna and a demolition order for a 2.2-mile-long electric power line near Hebron. Elsewhere, Israeli forces continued blocking the main road to ‘Azun for the 6th day in a row. 15 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in and around Bayt Liqya, Tulkarm, Zababdeh, Kafr Qaddum, Aida refugee camp, and Bayt Umar; during the raid in Bayt Umar, Israeli forces violently dispersed Palestinian protesters, leading to tear-gas related injuries. PA forces arrested prominent Israel and PA critic Issa Amro; Amro was later released in the morning of 6/22. In East Jerusalem, 1 firebomb caused minor damage in Shaykh Jarrah; Israeli police arrested 2 Palestinian minors suspected of throwing it. Subsequently, 1 Israeli setter used pepper spray on Palestinians in the area, and other Israeli settlers and Palestinians threw lawn furniture at each other. Palestinians were also said to have shot off firecrackers at Israeli settlers. Israeli forces violently dispersed Palestinians in the area, injuring 20 with rubber-coated bullets and tear gas. Israel continues to prevent Palestinians not living in Shaykh Jarrah from entering while all Jewish Israelis are allowed to enter. Elsewhere, 1 Palestinian started demolishing his own commercial structure in Jabal Mukabir. (HA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 6/21; AJ, AP, HA, HA, MEE, WAFA 6/22; PCHR 6/24)

Israel allowed a small amount of agricultural and textile products to be exported from Gaza for the 1st time since 5/8. Israel still maintains an even stricter blockade of Gaza than before “Operation Guardian of the Walls” in May. Gaza’s Pepsi factory, for example, sent home all its employees on 6/20 due to running out of carbon dioxide gas and syrup, which it has been unable to secure due to the Israeli blockade. (AJ, AP, HA, REU, REU, WAFA 6/21)

Israel’s defense minister Benny Gantz signed an administrative detention order against a Palestinian citizen of Israel from Lydda. The man is the 3d Palestinian citizen of Israel with orders signed to be put in administrative detention since the middle of May. 12 Palestinian residents of East Jerusalem have also had administrative detention orders signed against them. 13 other Israeli citizens are held in administrative detention but with no order signed against them. It was unclear if any of the 13 were Jewish Israelis. (HA 6/23)

PA president Mahmoud Abbas called on all Palestinian factions to resume national dialogue. (WAFA 6/21)

Hamas’s Yahya Sinwar said that a meeting with the UN special coordinator for the Middle East peace process Tor Wennesland had gone poorly and that he would consult with the Hamas military wing to find a response to Israel’s continued tightening of its blockade after the latest escalation between Israel and Hamas in May. Sinwar and Wennesland met to discuss how the UN could mediate to strengthen the Hamas-Israel ceasefire. (HA 6/21; AJ 6/22)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers threw stones at Palestinian vehicles traveling near Silat al-Dahir. Israeli forces violently dispersed Palestinian protesters in Kafr Qaddum, injuring 2 with rubber-coated bullets, while others suffered tear-gas related injuries. Israeli forces also violently dispersed Palestinian protesters in Bayt Dajan, injuring 2 with rubber-coated bullets, while others suffered tear-gas related injuries. Elsewhere, Israeli forces violently dispersed Palestinians protesting the new Israeli settlement outpost Evyatar in Beita, injuring 5 with rubber-coated bullets, while others suffered tear-gas related injuries. Israeli forces also blocked the main road to al-Ram with cement blocks. Meanwhile, Israeli forces continued blocking the main road to ‘Azun for the 3d day in a row. Israel forces also violently dispersed Palestinians in Silwad and Nabi Salih, causing tear-gas related injuries. 6 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in Salem. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces violently suppressed Palestinian protesters at the Haram al-Sharif compound and Damascus Gate plaza, injuring 9, including 3 who were hospitalized and 1 journalist from Middle East Eye; 21 were arrested. Jordan condemned Israel’s aggression at the Haram al-Sharif compound. (AJ, ALM, AP, HA, MEE, MEE, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 6/18; MEMO 6/19; WAFA 6/21; PCHR 6/24)

The PA said it had canceled an agreement made with Israel from 6/17 in which the PA would receive 1.2 million doses of Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine from Israel in exchange for giving Israel its shipment of Pfizer vaccines set to arrive in early 2022. The PA said that the initial batch of vaccines received from Israel did not “conform to the specifications contained in the agreement.” Photos circulating on social media showed that the vials received from Israel expired in June 2021. Israel said that the PA knew that the vaccines were soon to expire when the made the deal with Israel, which contradicts statements from the PA. (AJ, ALM, AP, HA, WAFA 6/18; JP 6/19)

The U.S. said it would withdraw 8 Patriot anti-missile batteries and 1 THAAD system from the Middle East, as tensions with Iran have been easing. (AJ 6/18)

In the West Bank, an Israeli private security guard shot and killed 1 Palestinian woman at the Qalandia checkpoint, claiming she carried a knife and charged toward the checkpoint; it was reported that the Israeli forces let the woman bleed out. Israeli forces also violently dispersed Palestinian protesters in Kafr Qaddum, injuring 1 with a rubber-coated bullet; others suffered tear-gas related injuries. 6 Palestinians were arrested, including 3 minors in Aida refugee camp, 1 at a checkpoint near Qalqilya, and 2 during late-night raids in Heron. In East Jerusalem, Israeli settlers sprayed pepper spray at 2 Palestinian minors by the Jaffa Gate. 3 Palestinians were arrested by Israeli undercover forces in al-Tur. (AP, HA, REU, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 6/12; PCHR, WAFA 6/13; PCHR 6/17)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers sprayed pesticides on Palestinian-owned trees in al-Khadir. Israeli forces shot and killed 1 Palestinian minor and injured 11 others during a protest against a new settlement outpost, Evyatar, held in Beita, near the settlement. Israeli forces also shot 1 Palestinian in his head using a rubber-coated bullet during a raid in Silwad; the man was transferred to a hospital. Elsewhere, Israeli forces violently dispersed Palestinian protesters in Bayt Dajan, injuring 8 Palestinians with rubber-coated bullets; others suffered tear-gas related injuries. Israeli forces also violently dispersed Palestinian protesters in Kafr Qaddum, injuring 2, including a small child, with rubber-coated bullets. 6 Palestinians were arrested, including 4 during late-night raids in Janata, and 2 at a checkpoint in al-Zawiya. In East Jerusalem, 8 were arrested, including 4 during house raids in the Old City and Batn al-Hawa, and 4 at the Haram al-Sharif compound. (AA, AJ, AP, HA, MEE, PCHR, REU, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 6/11; ALM, ALM, WAFA 6/12; PCHR 6/17)

Haaretz published photos of Israeli soldiers in uniform helping Israeli settlers build houses in the settlement outpost Evyatar. (HA 6/11)

The Israeli military said it dismissed 1 soldier and reprimanded 1 commander responsible for the killing of 1 Palestinian and the injury of 2 others in Gaza. The Palestinian casualties occurred when Israeli soldiers fired at Palestinian farmers; according to the Israeli military, the soldiers should have fired warning shots at the farmers before using lethal force. (HA 6/11)

Iran regained its vote at the UN general assembly as it paid some of its dues to the UN, after the U.S. unfroze certain Iranian funds held up by U.S. sanctions. (AP 6/11; MEMO 6/13)

Washington Post columnist David Ignatius wrote that the U.S., Saudi Arabia, and Israel were involved in the coup attempt against Jordan’s king Abdullah II by his half-brother Prince Hamza in April. According to Ignatius, former U.S. official Jared Kushner had grown frustrated with King Abdullah II because he refused to give up the custodianship of the Holy Places in Jerusalem, which Saudi Arabia’s crown prince Muhammad bin Salman required to formalize a normalization deal with Israel. Prince Hamza and people in his inner circle worked with Saudi Arabia, according to Ignatius, to undermine King Abdullah II. Ignatius also said that Israeli intelligence assured the Jordanian king that it was not involved in the scheme but implied that Netanyahu personally was. King Abdullah is scheduled to meet U.S. president Joe Biden in Washington this month. (WP 6/11; HA 6/12)