The Palestine Chronology

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers assault 2 Palestinians during a raid in al-Rakiz in the Masafer Yatta area. Israeli settlers also attempt setting fire to property in Burqa but are chased away by Palestinians. Israeli forces shoot and kill a Palestinian man during a raid in Silat al-Harithiya. Israeli forces also shoot and injure a Palestinian child at the Qalandia checkpoint. Elsewhere, Israeli forces arrest 3 Palestinians during late-night raids in Beita and Awarta. 7 Israeli soldiers are injured in an attack outside of the Homesh settlement outpost. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces assault Palestinians at the Haram al-Sharif compound. Israeli forces also close much of the Old City to restrict movement during the annual settler marathon. In Gaza, Israeli forces bomb Rafah, Khan Yunis, Dayr al-Balah, Jabalia refugee camp, and Gaza City, killing at least 78 people. 5 Palestinians are killed and others injured when they are hit by an airdropped aid parcel after the parachute did not open in Shati’ refugee camp. 3 children die of starvation at al-Shifa Hospital, bringing the death toll from starvation to at least 23 people. An Israeli soldier is killed in combat. In Lebanon, Hezbollah attacks 5 Israeli sites near Kafrchouba and Jal al-Alam. Israeli forces attack Marwahin and Ayta ash Shab. (AJ, AJ, AP, HA, UNOCHA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 3/8; HA 3/9; UNOCHA 3/11)

More than 30,878 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli forces in Gaza, including at least 13,400 children and 8,900 women, and around 72,402 have been injured since 10/7/2023. At least 7,000 people are missing in rubble, including 1,700 children. 417 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli forces and settlers in the West Bank and East Jerusalem since 10/7/2023, including 108 children. More than 4,665 people have been injured. Israel reports that 1,139 Israelis and foreign nationals have been killed and 5,400 have been injured in Israel since 10/7/2023, including Israeli soldiers. In addition, 246 Israeli soldiers have been killed and 1,469 injured in Gaza since the ground invasion began on 10/27/2023. Over 1.93 million Palestinians, nearly 85% of the population of Gaza, have been displaced since 10/7/2023. There has been a complete electricity blackout in Gaza since 10/12/2023 due to the Israeli blockade. At least 70,000 housing units have been destroyed and 290,000 have been damaged in Israeli airstrikes since 10/7/2023, constituting over 60% of all housing units. 236 trucks carrying aid enter Gaza. Egypt, the U.S., Jordan, and the UAE airdrop aid in northern Gaza. (AJ, HA, REU, UNOCHA, UNOCHA 3/8; HA 3/9; UNOCHA 3/13)

UN high commissioner for human rights Volker Turk says 2023 set a record for the most new Israeli settlement units since the UN began monitoring them in 2017. 24,300 new housing units were advanced between 11/1/2022 and 10/31/2023. Turk calls the settlements a “war crime.” (AJ, AP, HA, NYT, REU, WAFA 3/8)

European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen says a sea corridor between Cyprus and Gaza will likely open during the upcoming weekend. (AJ, AP, HA, NYT, NYT, REU 3/8)

UNRWA says some of its employees that have been arrested by Israeli forces in Gaza have been forced, under torture, to falsely state that they support Hamas and took part in Operation Al-Aqsa Flood. Among the reported torture methods employed against the Palestinians are beatings, use of nail guns on knees, sexual abuse of men and women, use of electrified metal sticks in prisoners’ rectums, waterboarding, and threats to harm family members. (AJ, REU 3/8; HA 3/9; AJ 3/11; AJ 3/13)

U.S. secretary of state Antony Blinken discusses ceasefire negotiations with Egyptian foreign minister Sameh Shoukry and Saudi foreign minister Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud in separate calls. The Department of Defense says it will take its forces up to 60 days to build the floating pier the U.S. will use to ship aid into Gaza. (HA, NYT, REU 3/8; NYT 3/9)

Canada officially resumes funding to UNRWA after the decision to resume was reported on 3/6. (AJ, AJ, AP, HA, HA, REU 3/8; NYT, NYT, WAFA 3/9)

In the West Bank, 1 Israeli American man was shot and killed by an unidentified assailant near the Dead Sea. Israeli forces then instituted a blockade on Jericho which lasted until a Palestinian suspect was arrested on 3/1. Israeli settlers raided Huwwara for the second day in a row, intimidating Palestinians in the aftermath of the large-scale settler attack on the town on 2/27. Israeli settlers also threw stones at Palestinian vehicles and houses in Sinjil, Jaba’, Mukhmas, al-Mughayyir, and Umm Safa, causing damage. Elsewhere, Israeli settlers also threw stones and attempted to ram Israeli soldiers near Huwwara. Israeli settlers also uprooted 80 olive trees near Sinjil. Israeli forces violently dispersed Palestinian protesters in al-Arroub refugee camp and Beita, causing tear-gas related injuries. Israeli forces arrested 1 Palestinian herder near al-Muarajat. (ALM, HA, HA, MEE, REU, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 2/27; AJ, AP, AP, HA, HA, WAFA 2/28; HA 3/1; AJ, PCHR 3/2; UNOCHA 3/4)

Israeli national security minister Itamar Ben-Gvir’s party Otzma Yehudit boycotted a Knesset session to hold a party meeting in the Evyatar settlement outpost to complain about the Israeli government being too lenient on Palestinians. Ben-Gvir said of the Israeli settler attacks in Huwwara on 2/26 that “this is not the way. Our enemies need to be crushed by the Israeli government.” Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich also said he will work to have the Evyater settlement outpost legalized. (HA, HA 2/27; MEE 2/28)

The U.S. State Department released its 2021 Country Reports on Terrorism, which stated that “Israeli security personnel often did not prevent settler attacks and rarely detained or charged perpetrators of settler violence.” The report also noted that settler attacks in 2021 had “expanded in severity and scale.” (AX, HA 2/28)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers with a military escort raided Jurish, injuring 4 and damaging 15 vehicles. 2 Palestinians were injured by Israeli forces firing baton rounds while confronting the settlers. Israeli settlers also vandalized 25 olive tree saplings in al-Khader. Elsewhere, Israeli settlers with a military escort raided Qaryut, leading to a confrontation between Palestinians and Israeli soldiers; 3 were injured by baton rounds and others by tear gas. Israeli forces violently dispersed Palestinian protesters in Kafr Qaddum, injuring 5 with baton rounds and others with tear gas. Israeli forces also shot and injured 1 Palestinian trying to enter Israel for work at the separation wall near Tulkarm. Elsewhere, Israeli forces violently dispersed Palestinian protesters in the Masafer Yatta area, causing tear-gas related injuries. Israeli forces also violently dispersed Palestinian protesters in Bayt Dajan and Beita, causing tear-gas related injuries. Israeli forces evacuated the Or Haim settlement outpost near Jurish after Israeli settlers erected the outpost earlier in the day. Israeli defense minister Yoav Gallant ordered the evacuation, which was backed by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. 5 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in Bir al-Basha, Beit Umar, and al-Mrtabah in the Masafer Yatta area. (AP, MEMO, MEMO, REU, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 1/20; HA 1/22; PCHR 1/26; UNOCHA 2/3)

Israeli police summoned Maher Younis, who was released on 1/19 after 40 years of imprisonment, for questioning after he called for “continued resistance” during a radio interview following his release. (HA 1/22)

In the West Bank, 100s of Israeli settlers attended a ceremony at a Yeshiva in the Homesh settlement outpost. Israeli settlers also threw stones at Palestinians in Hebron and physically assaulted 2. Israeli forces shot and killed 3 Palestinians and injured 10 others during late-night raids in Jenin and Jenin refugee camp. Israeli forces also shot and killed 1 Palestinian minor with 2 shots in his back and injured 2 others with live ammunition in Abud; Israel claimed that the 3 had thrown stones at settler cars in the area. Elsewhere, Israeli forces delivered a demolition order for 1 home in Maeen and 2 stop-work orders for homes in Shaab al-Butum and Qawawis in the Masafer Yatta area. Israeli forces also raided an office of the PA Ministry of Culture in Jenin, damaging books and paintings. Meanwhile, Israeli forces removed a Palestinian flag from the roof of a school in al-Lubban ash-Sharqiya, replacing it with an Israeli flag. 14 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in Silwad, Nablus, Beita, Beit Furik, Jenin, Jenin refugee camp, Bethlehem, Aida refugee camp, and Hebron. (AJ, AN, AP, HA, HA, HA, IN, MDW, MEE, MEMO, PCHR, REU, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 12/8; MEE, MEMO, MEMO, PCHR 12/9; PCHR 12/15; UNOCHA 12/22)

The Palestinian civil affairs authority said that Israel had approved 650 of 900 travel applications submitted by Palestinian Christians in Gaza to visit relatives in the West Bank and abroad during the Christmas holidays. (MEE, MEMO, WAFA 12/8; ALM 12/14; MEMO 12/15)

PA president Mahmoud Abbas met with Chinese president Xi Jinping on the sidelines of the Arab-China Summit in Riyadh. (WAFA, WAFA 12/8)

Likud Party leader Benjamin Netanyahu requested to a 2-week extension for forming the next Israeli government from Israeli president Isaac Herzog. President Herzog granted a 10-day extension on 12/9. (HA, REU, TOI 12/8; HA 12/9)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers marched to the Homesh settlement outpost, but were blocked by Israeli forces. Israeli settlers also assaulted Palestinian minors in Hebron. Elsewhere, Israeli settlers with military escort raided Burqa, leading to a confrontation between Palestinians and Israeli soldiers; 2 Palestinians were injured with baton rounds and 7 with tear gas. Israeli settlers also opened fire at Palestinians in Shufa, forcing them to leave their land; no injuries were reported. Israeli forces shot and killed 1 Palestinian minor during a raid in al-Khader; the minor suffered 3 shots to his neck and back while hiding in a garage. PA prime minister Mohammed Shtayyeh called the killing intentional. Israeli forces also violently dispersed Palestinian protesters in Kafr Qaddum, injuring 4 with baton rounds and others with tear gas. Elsewhere, Israeli forces violently dispersed Palestinian protesters in Huwwara, injuring 2 with live ammunition, 1 who was hit by a stun grenade, and 5 with pepper spray. Israeli forces also violently dispersed Palestinian protesters in Beita and Bayt Dajan, injuring 2 with baton rounds and others with tear gas. 3 Palestinians were arrested, including 2 during a raid in Idhna and 1 at a checkpoint near al-Ibrahimi Mosque. In Gaza, 2 Palestinians were arrested near the Gaza fence east of Khan Yunis. (AJ, AP, HA, REU, REU, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 5/27; CNN, HA, MEE, PCHR, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 5/28; HA 6/1; UNOCHA 6/4)

An Israeli court ruled that 7 Palestinians had to be released after being arrested as a “preventive measure” ahead of the Israeli settler flag march in East Jerusalem on 5/29. (HA 5/27)

The U.S. state department released a statement saying that secretary of state Antony Blinken told Israeli foreign minister Yair Lapid that Israel should investigate the killing of Shireen Abu Akleh on 5/11. Multiple independent investigations have concluded that Israeli soldiers killed the Al Jazeera journalist, including some that asserted the killing was intentional. Israel has refused to conduct a criminal investigation into the killing. (AJ, REU 5/27; TOI 5/28)

Pro-Israeli political action committee the Urban Empowerment Action PAC announced it will spend upwards of $1 million in a primary to unseat the only Palestinian American congressperson Rashida Tlaib in the primary elections for the 12th congressional district in Michigan. The new super PAC will put its support behind Congresswoman Tlaib’s Democratic opponent Janice Winfrey. (HA 5/29; MEE 5/30)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers threw stones at 4 Palestinian-owned vehicles in Marda. Israeli settlers also attacked 1 Palestinian man near Burqa; the man was treated at a hospital for fractures to his hand. Elsewhere, Israeli settlers set up a settlement outpost in al-Muarrajat between Ramallah and Jericho. Israeli settlers also vandalized 2 solar panels in Burin. Israeli forces closed the Shufa and al-Kafiyat checkpoints. Israeli forces also violently dispersed Palestinian farmers trying to work their lands near Qusra, causing tear-gas related injuries. Elsewhere, Israeli forces delivered stop-work orders for 6 residential and commercial structures in al-Khalediya. 13 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in Qabatiya, al-Lubban ash-Sharqiya, Beita, ‘Urif, Tammun, Tubas, Bethlehem, and Hebron. In East Jerusalem, 1 Israeli settler rammed 1 Palestinian minor with their car in Silwan. In Israel, 1 Palestinian man shot and killed 5 people in Bnei Brak, including 2 Ukrainian nationals, 1 police officer, and 2 Israeli civilians, before he was shot and killed. The Palestinian man was from the West Bank town of Ya‘bad and was in Israel without a permit working nearby. PA president Mahmoud Abbas condemned the attack. (AX, HA, NYT, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 3/29; AJ, AX, HA, HA, HA, NYT, REU, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 3/30; HA, HA, PCHR 3/31; ALM, HA 4/1; HA 4/3; UNOCHA 4/10)

Israeli defense minister Benny Gantz met with Jordan’s king Abdullah II in Amman. King Abdullah called on Israel to respect Palestinian access to the holy places in Jerusalem during the month of Ramadan. (AJ, HA 3/29)

The PA and Agence Française de Développement signed agreements worth $32 million for the restoration of the Saint Hilarion Monastery in Gaza and construction of a water reservoir west of Ramallah and a seawater desalination plant in Gaza. (WAFA 3/29)

In the West Bank, 1 Israeli settler was injured in a stabbing incident in Hizma; Israel claimed the man was stabbed by a Palestinian; 1 Palestinian man was arrested on 3/3 for the stabbing and for a different stabbing of an Israeli settler on 3/3. Israeli settlers attacked Palestinians and Israeli soldiers near the Homesh settlement outpost, throwing stones at Palestinian cars and assaulting Israeli soldiers; 8 Israeli settlers were arrested. Israeli settlers also attacked Palestinian farmers near Kisan, threatening Palestinians picking gundelia plants in Khirbat Makhul and forcing them to leave. Israeli forces violently dispersed the funeral procession for 1 Palestinian killed by Israeli forces on 3/1 in al-Arroub refugee camp, causing tear-gas related injuries. Israeli forces also fired a tear gas canister into a schoolyard in Tell, causing tear-gas related injuries. Elsewhere, Israeli forces delivered stop-work orders for 3 houses in al-Juwaya. Israeli forces also demolished 10 commercial structures in Hizma, affecting 13 Palestinian families. 37 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in Silat al-Harithiya, Beita, Tell, Qalqilya, Husan, Dura, and Fawwar refugee camp. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces closed off Sheikh Jarrah to Palestinian visitors to facilitate a settler rally. Israeli forces also demolished 1 commercial structure in Bayt Hanina. (HA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 3/2; HA, MEMO, PCHR 3/3; UNOCHA 3/11)

The PA closed the Christian organization Beit Al Liqa in Bethlehem for a week while it probed an event at the organization where prominent Israeli settler and former MK Yehuda Glick was present. Beit Al Liqa claimed that it was not aware of who Yehuda Glick was when he participated in the event and that he did not introduce himself to the organizers. (MEMO 3/3)

German chancellor Olaf Scholz met with Israeli prime minister Naftali Bennett in Jerusalem, discussing the Iran nuclear deal and Russia’s war in Ukraine. Prime Minister Bennett said that the 2 had agreed to a new strategic partnership, which Bennett called a “big upgrade” in the 2 countries’ relations. Chancellor Scholz was also scheduled to meet with PA and Jordanian representatives in the West Bank and Jordan, but cut his visit to the region short. (AP, HA, HA, REU 3/2)

The Jewish Agency said that that up to 10,000 Ukrainian immigrants could arrive in Israel to seek Israeli citizenship based on their Jewish heritage. The Jewish Agency said that 5,000 Ukrainians had contacted the agency since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine on 2/24. 30,000 Ukrainian Jews immigrated to Israel between 2014 and 2018 after Russia annexed Crimea and fomented insurgencies in eastern Ukraine. The World Zionist Organization said on 2/27 that it wants to erect 1,000 portable structures for Ukrainian immigrants in the West Bank, the Golan Heights, and Israel. (HA 2/27; HA 3/2; AJ, MEMO 3/4; +972 3/22; HA 3/27)

In the West Bank, 1 Israeli settler hit 1 Palestinian child with his car near Qalqilya, causing the child to be treated at a hospital in Israel for his injuries. Israeli settlers with military escort also demonstrated near Beita. Israeli left-wing activists were also demonstrating against the settlers who want to reopen the Evyatar settlement outpost near Beita. Israeli forces violently dispersed Palestinian protesters in Beita, injuring 7 with rubber-coated bullets and 87 with tear gas. Israeli forces also violently dispersed Palestinian protesters in Kafr Qaddum, injuring 3, including 1 child with live ammunition and 2 with rubber-coated bullets. Elsewhere, Israeli forces violently dispersed Palestinian protesters in Bayt Dajan, injuring 16, including 2 with rubber-coated bullets, the rest with tear gas. In East Jerusalem, UN officials met with the Salem family who are threatened by eviction in Sheikh Jarrah, calling on Israel to stop all evictions in East Jerusalem. Israeli forces violently dispersed Palestinians protesting in solidarity with the Salem family. (HA 2/17; AJ, HA, MEE, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 2/18; MEMO 2/19; PCHR 2/24; UNOCHA 2/28)

In Israel, Israel said a drone crossed from Lebanon into Israel but that it lost radar contact with the drone shortly after. Hezbollah said it had flown a reconnaissance drone over Israel for 40 minutes. Later, Israel violated Lebanese air space by flying 2 low-flying fighter jets over Beirut. (AP, HA, HA, MEMO, MEMO, TOI 2/18; MEMO 2/20; HA 2/22)

Patriarch of the Orthodox Church of Jerusalem Theophilos III, Custos of the Holy Land Francesco Patton, and Armenian Patriarch of Jerusalem Nourhan Manougian wrote a letter to Israel’s environmental protections minister Tamar Zandberg, requesting that she stop plans to expand the Jerusalem Walls National Park. The plans would expand the park into the church properties on the Mount of Olives. The 3 Christian leaders called the plans “a brutal measure that constitutes a direct and premeditated attack on the Christians in the Holy Land,” saying “we cannot help but feel that various entities are seeing to minimize, not to say eliminate any non-Jewish characteristics of the Holy City by attempting to alter the status quo on this holy mountain. They have failed due to the objection and lack of cooperation from the Churches. After their attempts failed, they resorted to statutory powers by advancing a plan to declare vast parts of the mountain as a national park.” The proposal to expand the park was scheduled to be heard at the Jerusalem Municipality’s local planning and construction committee on 3/2. However, Israel’s Nature and Parks Authority said on 2/21 that it would not move forward with the plans due to the objections from the church leaders. (MEE, MEMO, MEMO, TOI 2/20; HA, MEE, MEMO 2/21)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers uprooted 60 olive tree saplings in Khallet al-Dabe. Israeli settlers also assaulted 1 Palestinian minor herding sheep near Hebron. Israeli forces razed residential structures belonging to Bedouins in al-Husa near Deir Nidham. 8 Palestinians were arrested during raids in Silat al-Harithiya, Hableh, Kafr Thulth, Tubas, Deir Istiya, and Dheisheh refugee camp. (WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 2/3; PCHR 2/10; UNOCHA 2/11)

The PA reported that there were more than 70,000 active cases of Palestinians infected with the Omicron variant of the COVID-19 virus in the West Bank, more than twice the amount from previous COVID-19 surges. While the Omicron variant is less lethal, the high infection rate has put the West Bank hospitals near capacity. According to the Health Ministry, West Bank hospitals were at 85% capacity and more were expected to be admitted to hospitals in the near future. 80 Palestinians were admitted in intensive care and 24 were on ventilators. In Gaza, there were 63 serious cases of COVID-19 infection. At least 4,859 Palestinians have died while infected with the COVID-19 virus since the pandemic hit Palestine in March 2020. About half of Palestinians in the West Bank are vaccinated against the COVID-19 virus. The Omicron variant is able to infect vaccinated people, but symptoms are typically milder for vaccinated people than for those who have not been fully vaccinated. The Palestinian Prisoners’ Society also reported that half of the Palestinian prisoners held at Ofer Prison are infected with COVID-19. (AP, WAFA 2/3)

Addameer, al-Haq, Bisan Center for Research and Development, Defence for Children International – Palestine, and the Union of Palestinian Women’s Committees filed a procedural objection to their designation as unlawful, made by the Israeli military’s central command 2 weeks after Israeli defense minister Benny Gantz designated the organizations as “terrorist organizations” in October 2021. The organizations said that they have not been able to review the claims against them as they are classified and thus are unable to defend themselves against the allegations. The Union of Agricultural Work Committee was filing its objection separately, as it was designated unlawful by the Central Command 1 year before the 5 other organizations. (HA 2/3)

In response to a petition filed by Palestinian landowners in Beita to the Israeli supreme court, the Israeli government said that it will continue to allow Israeli settlers to study at the yeshiva built on the evacuated settlement Homesh, despite a law from 2005 barring Israeli settlers from visiting the site. The government further said that it was up to Defense Minister Gantz to raze the remaining structures at the site. Thousands of Israeli settlers visited the site in January without the Israeli military making an effort to enforce the law against them visiting it. (HA 2/4)

1 Palestinian minor was charged with the murder of 1 Israeli settler at the Homesh settlement outpost on 12/16/2021. (HA 2/4)

Defense minister Gantz signed a memorandum of understanding with the king of Bahrain Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa to formalize the 2 countries’ security ties during a visit to Bahrain. The MoU was part of the 2 countries’ normalization deal from September 2020. (AJ, ALM, AP, HA, MEMO, REU, TOI 2/3)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers with military escort raided Joseph’s Tomb in Nablus, leading to a confrontation with Palestinians protesting the incursion; no injuries were reported. Israeli settlers also attacked Palestinian farmers with pepper spray east of Hebron. Israeli forces delivered stop-work orders for 1 mosque, 3 houses, and 1 commercial structure in Marda. Israeli forces also forced Palestinian business owners to close their shops in Huwwara, claiming that stones had been thrown at Israeli settlers near the shops. Elsewhere, Israeli forces demolished 4 water wells in Khallet al-Dabe. Israeli forces also demolished 1 commercial structure in ‘Anata. Israeli military said that shots were fired from a car at Israeli soldiers near Nablus; no injuries were reported. 13 Palestinians were arrested, including 10 during late-night raids in Dahariya, Za‘atra, Silwad, and Zeita; 3 were arrested at checkpoints near Bethlehem and Nablus. (TOI, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 2/2; MEMO, MEMO, PCHR 2/3)

Haaretz reported that Israeli attorney general Avichai Mendelblit authorized establishing an Israeli settlement on the evacuated Evyatar settlement outpost near Beita. Attorney General Mendelblit is leaving office this week. Palestinians have held weekly protests at the site since the outpost was erected in May 2021. The outpost was evacuated in June 2021, but the houses erected remained as the settlers struck a deal with the Israeli government that they could move back if Israel deemed that the land is state-owned. Israeli defense minister Benny Gantz will have to declare the area state-owned, after which there will be a 45-day period to file objections. Several Palestinians have been killed by Israeli forces in the past year while protesting the outpost. In a letter from Israeli foreign minister Yair Lapid to Israeli prime minister Naftali Bennett, Lapid warned that if the Israeli government legalized the Evyatar settlement outpost, it “could have serious diplomatic consequences and damage foreign relations, first and foremost from the United States,” saying that the U.S. has already made this clear to him. Labor and Meretz publicly opposed legalizing the settlement outpost. (AP, HA, IN 2/2; HA, JP, MEE, TOI, TOI, TOI 2/3; HA, HA, HA 2/4; UNOCHA 2/11)

The Shin Bet admitted to having threatened random Palestinians in Israel that it would “settle the score” if they had participated in protests related to the May 2021 uprising in Israel that coincided with Israeli attacks on Gaza and eviction threats against Palestinians in Sheikh Jarrah. (HA, MEE 2/3)

PA president Mahmoud Abbas met with Amnesty International’s secretary-general Agnès Callamard in Ramallah, discussing the report Amnesty released on 2/1 that charged Israel with the crime of apartheid. (WAFA 2/2)

Defense Minister Benny Gantz said, at a conference in Tel Aviv, that the Israeli military on 4 occasions had offered assistance to Lebanon. According to Gantz, the offers were made to strengthen the Lebanese army in facing “the strengthening of Hezbollah under Iran’s support.” Israeli military sources later denied that Israel had made such offers and that Israel had only offered humanitarian aid following the explosion in the Beirut port. (HA 2/2; MEMO 2/3)

Israel, Oman, and Saudi Arabia all took part in the International Maritime Exercise 2022, led by the U.S. and with the participation of nearly 60 countries. It was the 1st time that Saudi Arabia and Oman partook in a naval exercise with Israel, which they have no formal relations with. (AJ, ALM 2/2)

The FBI confirmed reporting from the New York Times published on 1/28 that the agency had bought the NSO Group’s Pegasus spyware, but claimed to never have used it. The FBI further stated that it had bought the spyware for “product testing and evaluation.” (ALM, AP, HA, REU 2/2; MEMO 2/3)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers razed Palestinian-owned land around the Yitzhar settlement. Israeli settlers with military escort also threw stones at Palestinian vehicles traveling near al-Bireh, causing damage. Israeli forces clashed with Israeli settlers as they evacuated the Oz Zion settlement outpost north of Jerusalem. Israeli undercover forces raided Birzeit University campus, forcing 5 students into a van with Palestinian license plates; 2 other students attempting to aid the 5 were shot and injured. The 5 students were released hours later. The PA condemned the raid. Israeli forces also demolished 2 residential structures and 1 agricultural structure near Idhna. 17 Palestinians were arrested during raids in Beit Fajjar, al-Khader, Jalazun refugee camp, al-Am’ari refugee camp, Beita, and Anzah. In East Jerusalem, Israeli settlers led by deputy mayor of Jerusalem Aryeh King and MK from the Religious Zionist party Itamar Ben-Gvir made a provocative tour in Sheikh Jarrah. Israeli forces assaulted 1 Palestinian and confiscated his flag during the settler tour in Sheikh Jarrah. Israeli forces also demolished a car wash in Isawiya and a cemetery under construction in Umm Tuba. 3 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids. In the Naqab desert, as the Jewish National Fund began a forestation project near Sawa in defiance of protest from local Palestinian Bedouins of the al-Atrash tribe who use the land for agriculture, Israeli police violently dispersed Palestinian protesters near Hura; leader of the United Arab List Mansour Abbas threatened to boycott Knesset sessions if the work continued. (ALM 1/8; HA, HA, MEE, MEMO, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 1/10; PCHR 1/11; HA 1/12; PCHR, WAFA 1/13)

PA foreign ministry summoned the Dutch Head of Mission to Palestine Kees van Baar to protest the Dutch government’s decision, from 1/6, to end funding to the Palestinian Union of Agricultural Work Committees. (HA, WAFA 1/10)

Secretary general of the Fatah Central Committee Jibril Rajoub said at a press conference in Damascus that PA president Mahmoud Abbas would visit Syrian president Bashir al-Asad in Syria soon. The visit would be the 1st since the Syrian civil war. The UAE has lead the rehabilitation of President al-Asad’s government and King Abdullah II of Jordan recently followed suit with a phone call to al-Asad. (MEE 1/11; ALM 1/16)

Members of the U.S. House and Senate formed the Abraham Accords Congressional Caucus to promote normalization deals between Israel and various Arab and Muslim countries. Senator Jacky Rosen (D-NV) said that the bipartisan caucus will work to “strengthen existing partnerships and widen the circle of peace to new countries.” (MEMO, TOI 1/11)

Pro-Palestine activists shut down a facility in Oldham that produces technology for the Israeli weapons manufacture Elbit. Activists have, through different methods of civil disobedience, obstructed the work at the factory over an 18-month period. During that time, 36 activists have been arrested by English police. (MDW, MEMO 1/11)

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, 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 attacked 2 Israeli soldiers and 1 Palestinian man with tear gas when the 2 soldiers were asking the Palestinian about settler vandalism at al-Mughayyir near the Adei Ad settlement outpost. Israeli settlers from the Ariel settlement also vandalized Palestinian property in Marda, spraying racist graffiti on walls and vehicles and puncturing tires. Elsewhere, Israeli settlers stole olive harvesting equipment in Burin. Israeli forces issued a demolition notice for a newly built road connecting Ya‘bad and Khirbat Emreha. Israeli forces also delivered notices for the seizure of 40 dunams (9.9 acres) of land in Yasuf. 10 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in and around ‘Azzun, Beita, Burqa, Nawawrah, Beit Umar, and Hebron; during the raid in Beit Umar, Israeli forces damaged 2 vehicles and fired tear gas at Palestinians confronting the soldiers. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces violently dispersed Palestinians from the Damascus Gate plaza, forcing them to leave the area. Off the coast of Gaza, Israeli naval forces opened fire at Palestinian fishermen within 6 nautical miles west of Gaza; no injuries were reported. (HA, MEMO, TOI, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 10/13; HA, PCHR 10/14; AJ 10/17)

The Jerusalem local planning committee approved the expropriation of land in the planned East Jerusalem Israeli settlement of Givat Hamatos, where 1,257 housing units are planned, along with filing plans to expand Pisgat Ze’ev. (AJ, HA, MEE, MEMO 10/14; AP, TOI 10/15)

Some 400 Palestinians held in Israeli prisons started an open-ended hunger strike to protest new restrictions imposed after 6 prisoners escaped Gilboa prison on 9/6. (MEMO, WAFA 10/14)

In Syria, Syrian officials said Israel had conducted an air strike near Palmyra, targeting a telecommunications tower and causing damage. Russia said that the Syrian air defense system did not engage the Israeli-fired missiles because the Israeli jets firing them were using civilian airplanes as cover. 9 people were killed in the attack, according to the London-based Syrian opposition group Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. (AP 10/13; TOI 10/15)

Chairman of the Religious Zionist party Bezalel Smotrich told Palestinian Israeli lawmakers during a Knesset discussion that they are only in Israel because “Ben-Gurion didn’t finish the job and throw you out in 1948.” Smotrich also called the lawmakers “terror supporters.” (HA 10/13; MEMO 10/14)

Israel’s regional cooperation minister Issawi Frej and deputy minister of foreign affairs Idan Roll met with Sudanese justice minister Nasredeen Abdulbari in Dubai. They talked about promoting future projects between the 2 countries and how to further their normalization deal. (AP 10/13; ALM 10/14)

U.S. secretary of state Antony Blinken met with Israeli foreign minister Yair Lapid and later had a trilateral meeting with Foreign Minister Lapid and foreign minister of the UAE Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan in Washington D.C. During a press conference, Secretary Blinken said that the U.S. is moving forward with reopening the U.S. consulate to Palestinians in Jerusalem, despite Israeli opposition. Lapid also later confirmed that the U.S. had raised the issue of Israeli settlement expansion during his meetings with U.S. officials. (AJ, ALM, AX, HA, HA, MEE, REU, REU 10/13; AP, REU 10/14)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers attacked and injured 1 Israeli soldier and damaged 3 vehicles in the Yitzhar settlement as Israeli forces tried to remove 1 settler-erected tent. Israeli settlers also installed water pipes on Palestinian-owned land in Ein al-Sakout. 14 Palestinians were arrested, including 13 during late-night raids in Beita, al-Khader, Umm Salamuna, and Yatta; 1 was arrested at a checkpoint near Jericho. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces violently dispersed Palestinians at the Damascus Gate plaza using stun grenades and skunk water; 2 Palestinians were arrested. In Gaza, Israeli forces opened fire at Palestinian lands east of al-Qarara; no injuries were reported. Israeli forces also opened fire at municipal workers at a landfill near Juhor ad-Dik; no injuries were reported. Off the coast of Gaza, Israeli naval forces opened fire at Palestinian fishermen within 3 nautical miles west of Gaza; no injuries were reported. (JP, WAFA, WAFA 10/11; HA, TOI 10/12; PCHR 10/14)

Founder of Rawabi City Bashar Masri announced that he will begin building 400 housing units on land belonging to the Greek Orthodox Church in East Jerusalem near Bayt Hanina. Masri said it had taken him more than 10 years to get the building permits from the Israeli municipality. (WAFA 10/11)

Israel issued permits for 442 undocumented Palestinians living in the West Bank and Gaza, making them official residents. Israel controls the Palestinian population registry so people without Israeli permits cannot receive a valid PA-issued identity card. More than 10,000 Palestinians are estimated to be living in the West Bank without being registered by Israel. Israel is said to register over 5,000 Palestinians in the West Bank and Gaza as part of an agreement made between Israeli defense minister Benny Gantz and PA president Mahmoud Abbas. (HA, TOI 10/11)

The Israeli high court of justice criticized the Israeli military for not protecting Palestinian farmers by enforcing a ban on Israeli settlers in the former Homesh settlement area. Because of the lack of enforcement, Palestinian farmers are frequently attacked by Israeli settlers in the area and Israeli settlers have erected a settlement outpost and a Yeshiva on the land. (HA 10/12)

PA president Mahmoud Abbas spoke with Pope Francis on the phone. (WAFA 10/11)

Israeli prime minister Naftali Bennett said that Israel will never renounce its claim to the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights, even if Syria or its president Bashir al-Assad gains favor with the world. Prime Minister Bennett also said that his government seeks to increase the Israeli settler population in the area from 27,000 to 100,000. (MEE, MEMO, REU, TOI 10/11; ALM 10/13)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers from the Ibei HaNahal settlement outpost assaulted 3 Palestinians working their land in Kisan. Israeli settlers also installed electric fencing around a plot of land near Kisan. Israeli forces demolished 3 shops and 1 water tank in Ya‘bad. 8 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in al-Am‘ari refugee camp and Beita. In East Jerusalem, 3 Palestinians were arrested and beaten by Israeli forces at the Damascus Gate. In Gaza, Israeli forces made incursions and leveled farmland east of Maghazi. (WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 8/9; PCHR 8/12)

Israel began work to build an electric lift at al-Ibrahimi Mosque, drawing condemnation from the PA and Palestinian protesters as the project violates the Hebron Protocol signed by the PA and Israel in 1997. PA prime minister Mohammed Shtayyeh called on UNESCO and international rights organizations to intervene. (MEMO 8/9; MEMO 8/11; MEMO 8/12; ALM 8/16; MEE 8/18)

Israeli interior minister Ayelet Shaked said that since the expiration of the ban of family reunification between Israeli citizens and Palestinians in the West Bank and Gaza on 7/6, 785 requests have been made. Interior Minister Shaked also said that 2,000 Palestinians have requested to have their temporary permits upgraded to Israeli citizenship. (HA 8/9)

PA president Mahmoud Abbas met with the new British counsel to Palestine Diane Corner in Ramallah. (MEMO, WAFA 8/10)

Egypt said its petroleum minister discussed plans to liquefy Israeli natural gas at Egyptian liquefaction plants for export. (REU 8/9)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers raided Yatta, assaulting 2 Palestinians and damaging water pipes. Israeli forces delivered stop-work orders for 2 agricultural structures in al-Walaja. 14 Palestinians were arrested in and around al-Arroub refugee camp, Dar Salah, Qusin, Rujeib, Beita, Abu Dis, and Jenin. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces demolished 1 warehouse, 1 barrack, and 1 fence in Sur Baher. 1 Palestinian family started demolishing their own home in Beit Safafa and 1 Palestinian family started demolishing their own home in Sheikh Jarrah. (WAFA, WAFA 7/1; PCHR 7/8)

The Israeli government and settlers in the settlement outpost Evyatar agreed to a compromise where the settlers would leave the outpost in exchange for Israel establishing a military post there, re-examine if Israel can legalize the outpost allowing the Israeli settlers to return, while leaving all structures intact. Palestinians from nearby Beita and Yatma have protested near the settlement outpost on a near-daily basis since it was established on 5/3. The Palestinian owners of the land had petitioned the Israeli attorney general not to allow the compromise deal between the Israeli government and the settlers. Israeli forces have killed 4 Palestinians protesting the settlement outpost and injured many others since it was created. (HA 6/25; MEMO 6/29; AJ, HA, REU 6/30; HA 7/1; ALM, HA 7/2)

The PA justice minister Mohammed al-Shalaldeh said the medical report about the death of Nizar Banat on 6/24 confirmed that he was subject to physical violence before his death. Banat died shortly after being arrested by PA security forces at his home; he was said to have been beaten by the forces with metal rods. Banat’s family called his death an assassination by the PA forces in order to quell his critique of the PA government. (AJ 7/1)

The UN high commissioner for human rights Michelle Bachelet criticized the violent PA response to Palestinian protests since the killing of Nizar Banat on 6/24. Commissioner Bachelet urged the PA to ensure the safety of protesters after they had been beaten with batons and PA forces in civilian clothing had attacked them. (HA 7/1)

In the West Bank, Israeli forces violently dispersed Palestinians protesting against the new Israeli settlement outpost Evyatar near Beita, injuring 20. Israeli forces also demolished 1 agricultural structure in al-Khadir and 2 agricultural structures in Abu Tayyah. Elsewhere, Israeli forces continued blocking the main road to ‘Azun for the 5th day in a row. 2 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in Yamun and Jalazun refugee camp. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces raided Issawiyya and confiscated Palestinian flags, leading to a confrontation with Palestinians; 1 was arrested. 3 others were arrested during raids in al-Tur, Silwan, and the Old City. Off the coast of Gaza, Israeli naval forces opened fire at Palestinian fishermen within 3 nautical miles west of Bayt Lahiya; no injuries were reported. (WAFA, WAFA 6/20; WAFA, WAFA 6/21)

The PA said it still intends to work with Israel on an exchange of COVID-19 vaccines after the PA canceled a deal with Israel on 6/18, saying that the vials received by Israel did not meet the agreed standards. Israel also said that 3 other countries had asked Israel for the vaccine exchange if the PA formally canceled the deal. (HA, JP, WP 6/20; TOI 6/21)

The head of Israel’s central command force Tamir Yadai rejected an appeal by Israeli settlers in the Evyatar settlement outpost to not evacuate it. (HA 6/21)

The new Israeli government decided to postpone a vote on the 2003 emergency regulation, the Provision to the Citizenship and Entry Law, which blocks family unification between Israeli citizens and Palestinians from the West Bank and Gaza. The regulation has been extended yearly since 2003, but the new government coalition did agree that the racist regulation should be extended. The regulation ends on 7/6 and the parties said they would work on a compromise. If the order expires, interior minister Ayelet Shaked is presumed to use her authority to reject family reunification applications from Palestinian citizens of Israel. (MEMO 6/18; HA 6/19; HA 6/20; HA, TOI 6/21; PCHR 6/24)

An Israeli court released the deputy leader of the northern faction of the Islamic Movement in Israel, Shaykh Kamal Khatib, into house arrest after arresting him on 5/14, accusing him of incitement to violence. (MEMO 6/21)

Israeli prime minister Naftali Bennett said Israel would change its approach to Hamas, stating that “our enemies will learn the rules—we won’t tolerate violence, we won’t tolerate trickles (of rocket), we won’t understand or accept ‘rebels’.” Prime Minister Bennett also said his approach was “one of initiative, decisiveness and suspicion.” (HA, TOI 6/20)

The German government coalition agreed to ban Hamas flags, saying that displays of the flag were seen at pro-Palestinian protests in Germany in May. (HA 6/20)

Malaysia said it would contribute $1 million to rebuilding a COVID-19 test center destroyed in an Israeli air strike last month. (WAFA 6/20)

In the West Bank, Israeli forces demolished 10 structures in a Bedouin community north of Jericho. 10 Palestinians were arrested during raids in and around Ramallah, Birzeit, Jalazun refugee camp, al-Khadir, Bayt Fajjar, and al-‘Arub refugee camp; during the raid in al-Khadir, 2 minors who were arrested were injured by rubber-coated bullets. In East Jerusalem, 1 Palestinian family started demolishing their own house in Jabal Mukabir, displacing 5. 7 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in the Old City and Shu‘fat. (WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 6/7; PCHR 6/10)

A settler leader moved his office to the Evyatar settlement outpost near Beita after Israel told the settlers they would have to leave the outpost within 8 days. 42 Israeli settler families have moved to the outpost since 5/3. 1 member of the Knesset from Shas, Moshe Arbel, also brought construction materials to the settlement outpost. (HA, HA 6/7)

Israel’s attorney general Avichai Mendelblit said he would not intervene in the eviction case against Palestinian families in Shaykh Jarrah. PeaceNow called Attorney General Mendelblit’s decision “a cynical attempt to evade responsibility,” and said the evictions are based on “laws that [discriminate] between Israelis and Palestinians.” (AJ, HA 6/7)

PA prime minister Mohammed Shtayyeh met with the emir of Qatar Shaykh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani in Doha. (WAFA 6/7)

The Knesset passed a bill that would allow the Shin Bet to place citizens of Israel in West Bank prisons, in the 1st of 3 votes. The Association for Civil Rights in Israel criticized the bill for being unconstitutional and for the Knesset to pass legislation about the West Bank. Joint List lawmakers warned that the bill only would apply to Palestinian citizens of Israel. (HA 6/10)

Israel’s ambassador to the U.S. and UN, Gilad Erdan, visited the Associated Press headquarters in New York, meeting with AP’s president and CEO Gary Pruitt “to restore the relations between Israel and the Associated Press” in the wake of Israel’s air strike demolishing AP’s offices in Gaza on 5/15. Ambassador Erdan justified the air strike that demolished the high-rise by alleging that Hamas was using an office in the 14-story building to jam the Iron Dome missile defense system. AP said it had not been shown any evidence to back Israel’s claim. Hamas denied the Israeli claim, saying, “Israel is trying to whitewash its black image.” (ALM, AP, HA, REU 6/8; MEMO 6/10)

Representative Ilhan Omar (D-MN) asked secretary of state Antony Blinken, during a house foreign affairs committee hearing, where victims of Israeli crimes should seek justice, if the U.S. opposes investigations by the ICC. Secretary Blinken said in his response that Israel does provide the mechanism of accountability without further elaborating. (AJ, AP, HA 6/10)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers set fire to large swaths of farmland and attacked 3 houses in Burin. Israeli settlers also set up a settlement outpost near Beita. Elsewhere, Israeli settlers attacked Palestinians trying to prevent the settlers from setting up a mobile home on their land near al-Buqa‘a, beating them and using pepper-spray. Israeli settlers also threw stones at Palestinian vehicles driving near Turmus ‘Ayya, leading to 1 injury and causing damage. Israeli forces demolished 1 residential structure in al-Khadir and 1 car wash in Bayt Jala. Israeli forces also seized 1 dunam (0.25 acres) of land in Tuqu‘ and delivered a stop-work order for 1 agricultural structure near Dura. 8 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in Tarqumiyya, Surayf, Bayt Umar, Turmus ‘Ayya, and Aqraba. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces violently dispersed Palestinian protesters in Shaykh Jarrah, spraying skunk water and physically assaulting several protesters; 6 Palestinians were injured, including 2 who were taken to a hospital, and 3 were arrested. 5 others were arrested during late-night raids in Issawiyya. (WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 5/4; AJ, AJ, ALM, HA, MEE, MEE, MEMO, MEMO, WAFA, WAFA 5/5; PCHR 5/6)

The leader of the Hamas military wing Mohammed Deif warned Israel against evicting Palestinians from their homes in Shaykh Jarrah, saying Hamas will respond to the Israeli aggression. (AJ, AP, HA 5/5)

Member of Hamas’ politburo Mahmoud al-Zahar called on Palestinian factions to reactivate the Palestinian parliament, calling it the only legitimate Palestinian institution. (MEMO 5/5)

Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s mandate for forming a government expired, leaving Israeli president Reuven Rivlin to choose another candidate or seeing if the Knesset members can choose a candidate. (AJ, AP, AX, MEE 5/4; HA 5/5)

Israel and Lebanon resumed U.S.-mediated indirect talks over their maritime border dispute after talks last stalled in October last year. (AJ, AP, HA, MEMO, REU 5/4)

U.S. president Joe Biden expressed support for UAE’s normalization deal with Israel in a phone call with UAE crown prince Shaykh Mohamed bin Zayed al-Nahyan. (HA, REU 5/4)