The Palestine Chronology

In the West Bank, Israeli forces shot and killed 1 Palestinian during a late-night raid in Nur Shams refugee camp. Israeli bulldozers caused extensive damage during the raid, including to the main road leading to Tulkarm. Later in the day, PA forces opened fire at Islamic Jihad members in the camp; no injuries were reported. Israeli forces also shot and killed 1 Palestinian minor near az-Zubaidat, claiming he had shot and injured 1 Israeli soldier. Elsewhere, Israeli forces shot and injured 1 Palestinian with live ammunition during a raid in Bayt Umar; the soldiers also fired tear gas near a school, causing tear-gas related injuries among students and staff. Israeli forces also confiscated 1 tractor near Yatta and 1 road roller in al-Zawiya. 17 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in Halhul, al-Arroub refugee camp, Ya’bad, al-Am’ari refugee camp, Birzeit, Kafr ‘Aqab, and ‘Anata. In East Jerusalem, 1 Palestinian school in Kafr ‘Aqab was set on fire after it was forced to teach the Israeli curriculum instead of the PA curriculum. (AJ, AP, HA, HA, HA, MEE, QDS, REU, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 9/5; MDW, PCHR 9/7; UNOCHA 9/11; UNOCHA 9/26)

Hamas spokesperson Hazem Qassem said the Israeli decision on 9/4 to close the Karim Abu Salem (Kerem Shalom) crossing would lead to an increase in tensions between Palestinians in Gaza and Israel. PA economy minister Khaled Assaili demanded that Israel reopen the crossing immediately. (HA, REU, WAFA 9/5; AJ 9/7; AP 9/8)

The High Follow-Up Committee for the Arab citizens of Israel declared a general strike in Israel over Israeli inaction in preventing and solving violent crime. (WAFA 9/3; ALM, QDS, WAFA 9/5)

Israeli military chief of central command Yehuda Fuchs said he will issue an administrative restriction order for Elisha Yered, a settler who took part in the raid on Burqa on 8/4 where 1 Palestinian man was killed. The order would prevent Yered from leaving the northern part of the Jordan Valley. (HA 9/5)

Israeli finance minister Bezalel Smotrich said the Israeli government will start deducting additional funds from the PA taxes Israel collects to pay for the PA’s debt to the Israel Electric Corp (IEC). A spokesperson for Smotrich said the amount would be $5.2 million to $7.8 million per month depending on how much energy the PA purchases from the IEC. PA prime minister Mohammad Shtayyeh called the decision systematic piracy and theft. (REU, WAFA 9/5; MEMO 9/7)

PLO secretary-general Hussein al-Sheikh, head of PA intelligence Majed Faraj, and PA president Mahmoud Abbas’ foreign policy advisor Majdi Khaldi arrived in Riyadh for meetings with Saudi and U.S. officials, including National Security Council Coordinator for the Middle East and North Africa Brett McGurk, to discuss the Palestinian aspect of the potential Saudi-Israeli normalization deal. Khaldi told the New York Times that the PA demand is the implementation of the Arab Peace Initiative. See 8/30 for Axios’ reporting on the PA demands for support of the normalization deal.  (AX 9/3; MEE, QDS, TOI 9/4; HA, NYT 9/5; BBC, HA 9/7)

U.S. president Joe Biden nominated former Treasury Secretary Jack Lew to be the next U.S. ambassador to Israel. Lew will have to be confirmed by the U.S. Senate to be instated. Lew sits on the U.S. board of directors for the National Library of Israel, a partly Israeli state-owned institution. If confirmed, Lew will replace Chargé d’Affaires ad interim Stephanie Hallett who has led the embassy since Tom Nides resigned in July. (AJ, ALM, AX, HA, MEE, NYT, REU 9/5)

Haaretz reported that Israel continued to sell weapons to Myanmar after a U.S. and EU arms embargo was placed on the country and despite the Israeli government claiming it had ended arms sales to the country in 2018. (HA, MEE 9/5)

Papua New Guinean prime minister James Marape and Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu inaugurated the Papua New Guinean embassy to Israel in Jerusalem. Marape cited his Christian beliefs in making the decision to open the embassy in Jerusalem, which Israel will fund for the first 2 years. PLO Executive Committee member Wasel Abu Yousef said that Israel was “looking for any country – even if that country can only be seen under a microscope – so it can claim there are countries opening embassies in Jerusalem.” A picture circulating on social media showed the embassy completely empty, except for the embassy plague, the day after the inauguration. The PA, Jordan, and the OIC condemned the opening of the embassy. (AJ, REU, TOI 9/5; WAFA 9/6; WAFA, WAFA 9/7)

In Gaza, 8 Palestinians, including 3 children, were injured in airstrikes on Beit Hanun, Gaza City, Beit Lahiya, and Rafah. Israeli airstrikes also caused damage to Al-Aqsa Hospital. 1 Palestinian man from Gaza was killed and 2 other Palestinians were injured by a rocket fired from Gaza, which hit a construction site near Shokeda in Israel. In the West Bank, undercover Israeli forces shot and killed 2 Palestinians, injured 4, and severely damaged a house using RPGs during a raid in Balata refugee camp. Israeli forces also shot and killed 1 Palestinian man at a checkpoint near Jenin, alleging that the man was carrying a knife. (AJ, HA, HA, HA, HA, MEE, PCHR, PCHR, UNOCHA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 5/13; TOI 5/14; AP 5/15; PCHR 5/18; UNOCHA 5/19)

An Egyptian and Qatari mediated ceasefire took effect in the late evening after 5 days of Israeli airstrikes on Gaza, dubbed Operation Shield and Arrow. 33 Palestinians were killed in Gaza, including 6 children and 4 women, and 190 were injured, including 64 children and 38 women. The UN said at least 12 of those killed were civilians. 2 people were killed by rockets fired from Gaza, including 1 Israeli woman and 1 Palestinian from Gaza working at a construction site; 9 were injured. 103 housing units in Gaza were completely destroyed and hundreds of others damaged, displacing 1,244 Palestinians. Airstrikes also damaged al-Aqsa Hospital in Dayr al-Balah, the Indonesian hospital, 2 health-care clinics, and 6 UNRWA and 20 PA schools. According to Islamic Jihad the ceasefire agreement included Israel stopping its assassination campaign. Israeli officials claimed that Hamas had not been an active participant in the alleged firing of more than 1,000 rockets at Israel, 865 of which were said to have crossed into Israel from Gaza. U.S. State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller said the U.S. supports Israel’s security and “also will continue our efforts to improve quality of life for Palestinians.” (HA 5/12; AJ, AJ, ALM, AP, HA, HA, HA, MEE, MEMO, NYT, REU, REU, REU, WAFA, WAFA 5/13; ALM, BBC, GDN, HA, HA, HA, HA, QDS, QDS, QDS, REU, SKY, WAFA, WAFA 5/14; AP, HA, HA, HA, UNOCHA 5/15; MDW 5/18; MEE 5/19; HA 5/20; HA 5/21; AJ 5/23)

Before the ceasefire took effect, PA presidential spokesperson Nabil Abu Rudeineh said that the U.S. bore responsibility for the Palestinian loss of life due to its silence. PLO secretary-general Hussein al-Sheikh also called on the U.S., the international community, “and our Arab brothers” to pressure Israel to ends its attacks. (AJ, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 5/13)

PA president Mahmoud Abbas arrived in New York City ahead of his address to the UN General Assembly on the 75th anniversary of the Nakba on 5/15. (WAFA 5/13)

In Tel Aviv, the weekly demonstration against the Israeli government was canceled by the organizers due to Israel’s attacks on Gaza, but thousands still demonstrated against the government for the nineteenth week in a row. People also demonstrated against the Israeli attacks on Gaza in Tel Aviv and Haifa. (HA 5/12; HA, HA, QDS, WAFA 5/13)

In Gaza, 2 Palestinians were killed and 17 were injured during the fourth day in a row of Israeli airstrikes. Israeli forces assassinated Islamic Jihad military leader Iyad al-Hassani, killing 1 other Islamic Jihad member and injuring 6 others, including 2 children, in airstrikes on an apartment building in Gaza City. 1 Palestinian was injured in an airstrike on a house in Rafah. 10 Palestinians were injured in an airstrike near al-Aqsa Hospital in Dayr al-Balah, including 3 inside the hospital. 1 primary health care center in Khan Yunis was also damaged in airstrikes. Rockets were launched at Israel; no injuries were reported. In the West Bank, Israeli settlers shot and injured 1 Palestinian during a settler raid in Silwad. The Israeli military said that the settler was an off-duty soldier and was arrested. Israeli forces violently dispersed Palestinians protesting Israeli attacks on Gaza in al-Arroub refugee camp, injuring 4 with live ammunition and others with tear gas. Israeli forces also shot and injured 3 Palestinians with live ammunition during a raid in ‘Azzun. Elsewhere, Israeli forces violently dispersed a funeral procession in Beit Umar, leading to tear-gas related injuries. Israeli forces also violently dispersed Palestinian protesters in Kafr Qaddum, injuring 1 with live ammunition, 2 with baton rounds, and others with tear gas. Meanwhile, Israeli forces violently dispersed Palestinian protesters in Bayt Dajan, leading to tear-gas related injuries. (AJ, ALM, AP, HA, HA, MEE, MEE, NYT, PCHR, QDS, QDS, REU, REU, TOI, TOI, UNOCHA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 5/12; PCHR 5/13; REU 5/16; PCHR 5/18; UNOCHA 5/19)

Gisha and Physicians for Human Rights urged Israeli defense minister Yoav Gallant to open the Erez crossing to allow medical evacuations as more than 292 Palestinian have been prevented from receiving medical treatment, including 15 who are in need of immediate treatment for cancer and heart conditions. (PCHR 5/10; HA, REU 5/12; BBC, WAFA, WAFA 5/13)

The PA and Jordan suspended their recognition of Nourhan Manougian as the Patriarch of the Armenian Orthodox Church because he has overseen real estate deals in the Armenian quarter in the Old City of Jerusalem that “would affect the future of Jerusalem.” (WAFA 5/12; AP, HA 6/7)

Hamas political bureau head Ismail Haniyeh spoke with Iranian foreign minister Hussein Amir Abdollahian. (QDS 5/12)

In Gaza, Israeli forces killed 9 Palestinians during airstrikes on the third day of Israel’s attack on Gaza. Israeli forces assassinated Islamic Jihad member Ali Hassan Muhammad Ghali in an airstrike on a residential building in Khan Yunis, 2 others were also killed in the strike and 7 were injured, including 1 child and 3 women. Later Israeli forces assassinated Islamic Jihad member Ahmed Abu Daqqa in an air strike on his home in Khan Yunis, injuring 4 others, including 1 woman and 1 child. Israel also assassinated 2 members of the Mujahideen Brigades, Husain Dallol and Mohammed Dared, in an airstrike in the Shuja’iyya neighborhood of Gaza City. 2 Palestinians were killed in airstrikes in Jabaliya refugee camp. 1 Palestinian was injured in an airstrike in Nuseirat refugee camp. In Israel, 1 rocket fired from Gaza hit an apartment building in Rehovot, killing 1 Israeli and injuring 5 others. In the West Bank, an Israeli settler rammed 1 Palestinian woman near al-Arroub refugee camp, causing moderate injuries. Israeli settlers threw stones at Palestinian vehicles near Beit Umar. Elsewhere, Israeli settlers razed land near ‘Urif. Israeli forces shot and killed 1 Palestinian, injured 1 and arrested 4 during a raid in Nur Shams refugee camp. Israeli forces issued a stop-work order for a water pipeline near Maeen in the Masafer Yatta area. 23 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in Nablus, Tubas, Tulkarm, Hebron, Bethlehem, and Ramallah. In East Jerusalem, Israeli settlers toured the Haram al-Sharif compound. (HA 5/10; AJ, AJ, AP, BBC, HA, HA, MEE, MEE, NYT, PCHR, QDS, QDS, REU, UNOCHA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 5/11; HA, MEE, PCHR, TOI 5/12; TOI 5/13; HA 5/14; PCHR 5/18; UNOCHA 5/19)

In calls overnight, U.S. national security advisor Jake Sullivan and Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin urged their Israeli counterparts to deescalate the situation in Gaza. Both U.S. officials also stressed the U.S.’s “ironclad support for Israel’s security.” (HA 5/10; HA, HA 5/11)

The Munich Group, consisting of the foreign ministries of Jordan, Egypt, Germany, and France, held a meeting in Berlin and expressed concern over the situation in Gaza, calling the civilian casualties “unacceptable.” (WAFA 5/11)

Israeli police issued an administrative restraining order against 2 Palestinian citizens of Israel from Tuba-Zangaria, barring them from entering Rosh Pina, Tiberias, Kfar Tavor, and Kiryat Shamona for 30 days. The 2 had not been brought in for questioning or arrested. (HA 5/11)

On the 1-year anniversary of the Israeli killing of Palestinian American Al Jazeera journalist Shireen Abu Akleh, Israeli military spokesperson Daniel Hagari told CNN that “we are very sorry of the death of Shireen Abu Akleh.” Abu Akleh’s niece Lina said the remarks did not amount to an apology, calling it “a slap in the face to Shireen’s legacy and to our family. An apology, which that was not, is not accountability.” Memorial services for Abu Akleh have been carried out in Washington D.C., Ramallah, and Doha. Abu Akleh’s family members, U.S. lawmakers, Al Jazeera, and several press associations marked the anniversary by demanding accountability for her death. PA prime minister Mohammad Shtayyeh also laid the cornerstone for the Shireen Abu Akleh press museum in Ramallah which is scheduled to open in 2025. (MDW 5/9; +972, AJ, AJ, HA, MDW, MDW, MEE, WAFA, WAFA 5/11; HA 5/12; AJ 5/18)

The Israeli military refused to investigate the trashing of a Palestinian-owned apartment building in Huwwara by Israeli forces. The building was temporarily seized by Israeli forces after the large-scale settler attack in February. According to the Palestinian owner, the Israeli soldiers had vandalized his property leaving trash and feces throughout the building and burned 2 water meters and a portable toilet. (HA 5/11)

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers threw stones at Palestinian vehicles near Huwwara, causing damage. Israeli forces shot and killed 10 Palestinians, including 3 by surface-to-air missiles and wounded more than 28 others during a raid in Jenin refugee camp. The PA and Hamas called the Israeli actions “a massacre” and the PA said it was halting security cooperation with Israel in response. Israeli forces also shot and killed 1 Palestinian during a protest in al-Ram against the raid in Jenin earlier in the day. Elsewhere, Israeli forces violently dispersed Palestinian protesters in Beit Umar, causing tear-gas related injuries. Israeli forces also shot and injured 2 Palestinians during a raid in ‘Azzun, others suffered tear-gas related injuries. Meanwhile, Israeli forces shot and injured 4 Palestinians during raids in al-Bireh. Israeli forces also shot and injured 1 Palestinian during a raid in Bethlehem. Israeli forces also razed land in Jabara and issued notices that they will uproot 100 olive tree saplings in Khallet ad-Dabi‘ in the Masafer Yatta area. 4 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in al-Am’ari refugee camp, al-Bireh, Tammun, and Dheisheh refugee camp. In East Jerusalem, Israeli settlers chanted ‘Death to Arabs’ at the Damascus Gate plaza before vandalizing an Armenian restaurant in the Christian Quarter of the Old City. In Gaza, 1 Palestinian child succumbed to injuries sustained on 8/5/2022 during Israel’s assault on Gaza dubbed “Operation Breaking Dawn.” Islamic Jihad fired 7 rockets into Israel in retaliation for the Israeli attacks on Jenin refugee camp. Israel later conducted airstrikes in Gaza, causing damage. (AJ, AJ, ALM, AP, AP, AX, AX, HA, HA, HA, MDW, MEE, MEE, MEE, NYT, PCHR, REU, REU, REU, REU, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 1/26; AJ, AJ, AJ, ALM, ALM, HA, MDW, MDW, MDW, MEE, REU, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 1/27; AJ, AJ, AJ, HA, WAFA 1/28; HA, MDW, WAFA, WAFA 1/29; AJ, MEE 1/30; PCHR 2/2; UNOCHA 2/3; HA 2/11)

Several countries condemned Israel’s raid in Jenin, including Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Kuwait, and Oman. U.S. assistant secretary of state for Near Eastern affairs Barbara Leaf said that the U.S. has reached out to Israel to understand the circumstances of the raid and urged the PA not to end its security coordination with Israel. The UN Security Council scheduled a closed-door session to discuss the raid on 1/27. The UN coordinator for the Middle East peace process Tor Wennesland called the raid alarming. (MEE, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 1/26; WAFA, WAFA 1/27)

Otzma Yehudit party MK Almog Cohen tweeted in response to Israel’s raid in Jenin, “Nice and professional work by the fighters in Jenin, keep killing them.” (HA, MEE, TOI 1/27)

In the West Bank, Palestinian militants handed the body of a Druze citizen of Israel to Israel after negotiations between the PA and the militant group. Islamic Jihad, Hamas, and the PA all called for the release of the body. Israeli settlers threw stones at Palestinian vehicles traveling west of Ramallah, causing damage. Israeli forces shot and injured 2 Palestinian students with live ammunition during a raid at the Palestine Technical University – Kadoorie in Tulkarm; others suffered tear-gas related injuries. Israeli forces also demolished 3 agricultural structures in Kafr ad-Dik. Elsewhere, Israeli forces shot and injured 1 Palestinian minor before arresting him in Nil’in. Israeli forces also seized 2 caravans, demolished 1 agricultural structure, and razed land in Atara. 14 Palestinians were arrested, including 12 during late-night raids in al-Mughayyir, Bayt Rima, Qaddura refugee camp, ‘Anata, Arab ar-Rashayida, Beit Umar, Dura, Khirbet Qilqis, Azzun, and Huwwara. 2 were arrested at a flying checkpoint near the Halamish settlement. Off the coast of Gaza, Israeli naval forces shot and injured 1 Palestinian fisherman west of al-Sudaniyya. In Gaza, Israeli forces fired tear gas at agricultural lands east of Gaza City and Khan Yunis; no injuries were reported. In Israel, 3 Palestinians from Hebron were kidnapped in Yarka by Druze citizens of Israel seeking revenge for the kidnapping on 11/22 (see above). The 3 Palestinians were hospitalized after they were released. (HA, HA 11/23; AP, CNN, HA, HA, MEMO, TOI, TOI, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 11/24; ALM, MEMO, UNOCHA 11/25; MEMO 11/27; PCHR 12/1; UNOCHA 12/16)

Israel revoked 200 of the 15,500 work permits for Palestinians in Gaza, saying that a laborer had admitted that he planned to plant a bomb on a bus on behalf of Islamic Jihad. The man was arrested on 10/30. (REU 11/24)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers tried to enter ‘Urif, but were repelled by Palestinians. Israeli forces razed land, uprooted 50 olive trees, and demolished 2 agricultural structures and 1 house under construction in Tuqu‘. 11 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in Silwad, Kifl Haris, Idhna, Hebron, and Beit Umar; 1 Palestinian was injured by live ammunition during the raid in Silwad and 1 was hit by a baton round; others suffered tear-gas related injuries during the raid in Beit Umar. Off the coast of Gaza, Israeli naval forces opened fire at Palestinian fishermen northwest of Rafah and seized 3 boats carrying 2 generators and flashlights. In Gaza, Israeli forces made incursions and leveled land east of al-Fukhari. In the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights, 1 Israeli soldier died during a military exercise involving a tank. (HA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 8/31; PCHR, PCHR 9/1)

Khalil Awawdeh suspended his over-170-day hunger strike to protest his administrative detention after Israel said it would not extend his administrative detention period beyond 10/2. Haaretz reported that Egyptian security officials had been mediating between Islamic Jihad and Israel to secure Awawdeh’s release and that talks continued for the release of Bassam al-Saadi. Their release was reportedly a demand by Islamic Jihad for agreeing to the ceasefire after Operation Breaking Dawn. Awawdeh is currently hospitalized for treatment related to his hunger strike. (MEE 8/29; AJ 8/30; AJ, AP, HA, MEE, REU, WAFA 8/31; MDW 9/1)

The Palestinian Prisoners’ Club said that more than 1,000 Palestinian prisoners would launch a hunger strike on 9/1 in protest against Israeli punitive measures against prisoners implemented since February, including limited yard time and constant transfer of prisoners. The mass hunger strike was called off after the Israeli prison service gave in to the prisoners’ demands. (HA, MEMO, WAFA, WAFA 8/31; MEE, WAFA 9/1)

Israel imposed sanctions on 20 companies and individuals alleged to be involved in financing Hamas. The companies and individuals are in Sudan, Turkey, Algeria, and the UAE. (ALM, AP 8/31)

PA prime minister Mohammed Shtayyeh met with U.S. deputy assistant secretary for Israeli and Palestinian affairs Hady Amr in Ramallah. Prime Minister Shtayyeh called on Deputy Assistant Secretary Amr to ensure that the Biden administration will fulfill its promises to the Palestinian people. (WAFA 8/31)

In Syria, Israeli forces fired missiles at the Aleppo airport and near Damascus, causing damage. (AJ, AP, REU 8/31; REU 9/1; AP, HA 9/2)

U.S. president Joe Biden and Israeli prime minister Yair Lapid spoke on the phone, discussing the U.S. reentering the Iran Nuclear Deal and both countries’ commitment to prevent Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons. (AJ, REU 8/31)

The UN security council passed a resolution extending the UNIFIL mandate until 8/31/2023 and condemning harassment of UNIFIL personnel in southern Lebanon. (AP 8/31)

In the West Bank, an Israeli settlement security vehicle was reportedly hit by 3 bullets near Deir Sharaf; no injuries were reported. Israeli forces shot and injured 2 Palestinians with live ammunition during a raid in Beit Umar. Israeli forces also violently dispersed a sit-in demonstration near Tulkarm, where Palestinians protested Israeli settler attacks in the area; tear-gas related injuries were reported. Elsewhere, Israeli forces violently dispersed Palestinian protesters in Kafr Qaddum, injuring 5 with baton rounds. Israeli forces also violently dispersed Palestinian protesters in Bayt Dajan, injuring 18 with tear gas. Meanwhile, Israeli forces shot and injured 1 Palestinian with live ammunition during a raid in Seida. 3 Palestinians were arrested, including 2 during late-night raids in Nablus and al-Far‘a refugee camp and 1 at a flying checkpoint near ‘Azzun. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces raided the home of PA governor to Jerusalem Adnan Ghaith, arresting his son. In Gaza, Israeli forces opened fire at Palestinian shepherds east of Dayr al-Balah; no injuries were reported. (TOI, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 8/26; PCHR 9/1; UNOCHA 9/2)

Deputy head of the Hamas political bureau Saleh al-Arouri met with Islamic Jihad leader Ziyad al-Nakhala in Beirut. (JP 8/27)

Israeli defense minister Benny Gantz met with U.S. national security advisor Jake Sullivan in Washington to voice Israel’s opposition to the Iran nuclear deal. (HA 8/26)

In the West Bank, 1 Israeli settler intentionally rammed 1 Palestinian protester with their vehicle in Izbat at-Tabib. Israeli forces shot and injured 1 Palestinian child with live ammunition during a protest in Hebron. Israeli forces also demolished the Ramot Migron settlement outpost. Elsewhere, Israeli forces placed cement blocks at an entrance to al-Twana. 15 Palestinians were arrested, including 11 during late-night raids in Bethlehem, al-Mughayyir, and Hebron, 4 were arrested at flying checkpoints near Nablus and Tulkarm. In Gaza, 2 Palestinians died of wounds sustained from Israel’s attacks on Gaza over the weekend, including 1 child. Israeli forces opened fire at agricultural lands east of Khan Yunis; no injuries were reported. Off the coast of Gaza, Israeli naval forces opened fire at Palestinian fishermen within 4 nautical miles west of Gaza; no injuries were reported. (ABC, ALM, AP, HA, MEMO, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 8/11; PCHR 8/18; UNOCHA 8/19)

Middle East Eye reported that Islamic Jihad was angry with Egypt after its intelligence service allegedly informed the group that Israel was not seeking an escalation hours before attacking Gaza in Operation Breaking Dawn. (MEE 8/11)

In was reported that the U.S. defense department had decided against downgrading the post of security coordinator for Israel and the PA from a 3-star general to a colonel. The decision followed sustained pressure from U.S. lawmakers. (HA 8/11)

The EU donated $2.7 million in support of a PA program to help farmers in Gaza. (WAFA 8/11)

In the West Bank, Israeli forces violently dispersed Palestinian protesters in Hebron, injuring 1 child with live ammunition. Israeli forces also violently dispersed Palestinian protesters in Taqqua, causing tear-gas related injuries. Elsewhere, Israeli forces delivered a demolition notice for an EU-funded school in al-Samiya. Israeli forces also demolished 1 house and 1 agricultural structure in al-‘Awja and 1 carpentry shop in Husan, and delivered 4 demolition orders for houses in Fasayil. 11 Palestinians were arrested in al-Mughayyir, Deir Jarir, Abud, Jaba‘, al-Khader, and Bethlehem. In East Jerusalem, 1 Palestinian family demolished their own home in Bayt Hanina, displacing 6, including 4 children. 3 Palestinians were arrested at the Mount of Olives. (WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 8/10; MEMO, PCHR 8/11; AN 8/15; UNOCHA 8/19)

The Israeli government told the supreme court that the Homesh settlement outpost will be evacuated, but that no time frame has been set. (HA 8/10)

PA prime minister Mohammed Shtayyeh met with Türkiye president Recep Tayyip Erdoğan in Konya. Prime minister Shtayyeh also met with president of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev. (WAFA 8/10)

U.S. ambassador to Israel Tom Nides said in an interview that the U.S. fully backed Israel’s attack on Gaza over the weekend, calling Islamic Jihad “bad guys.” Ambassador Nides further said that the U.S. was not informed about Israel’s Operation Breaking Dawn beforehand but was not surprised. (TOI 8/11)

In the West Bank, Israeli forces punitively demolished the homes of 2 Palestinians in Rumana accused of killing 3 Israelis in Elad on 5/5, displacing 14 Palestinians. Israeli forces also demolished 5 residential structures and 4 agricultural structures in Arab al-Ka‘abneh. Elsewhere, Israeli forces razed 12 dunams (3 acres) of farmland planted with olive trees in Tarqumiyah. Israeli forces also issued notices that it will seize land near Sa‘ir to expand a settler road. 15 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raid in Ramallah, Silwad, Marda, Beit Furik, Jamma‘in, Ya‘bad, Bethlehem, Halhul, and Beit Kahel. In Lebanon, unknown perpetrators killed 1 Palestinian security official in Ein El-Hilweh refugee camp. (ALM, MEMO, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 8/8; MEMO 8/9; PCHR 8/11; UNOCHA 8/19)

Israel partially reopened crossings into Gaza for humanitarian aid after closing all crossings on 8/2 in anticipation of its assault on Gaza. New shipments of fuel also allowed the Gaza power plant to resume operations. (HA 8/7; AP, HA, MEMO, REU, TOI, TOI, WAFA 8/8)

Israel’s civil administration told an Israeli court that it demolished the home of a Palestinian family in the West Bank by mistake. The family of 5’s home was demolished in July by Israeli forces despite the family’s pleas that there was a court order protecting their home. The Civil Administration said that the family’s home was thought to be the home of a different Palestinian family, whose home had already been demolished and blamed the mistake on “human error.” (HA 8/10)

U.S. president Joe Biden thanked Egypt for mediating the ceasefire that went into effect on 8/7 between Israel and Islamic Jihad. (HA 8/7)

The Honduran foreign ministry said that the country is considering moving its embassy to Israel back from Jerusalem to Tel Aviv. The new Honduran government that took office in January this year said in a statement that president Xiomara Castro wants to maintain a balanced relationship with Israel and Arab countries. PA foreign minister Riyad al-Maliki discussed the Honduran consideration with Honduran foreign minister Enrique Reina in Columbia on 8/7. (HA, MEMO 8/8)

The UN envoy for the Middle East peace process warned the UN security council that the ceasefire between Islamic Jihad and Israel was fragile and that the only way to secure longtime peace is through a 2-state solution based on the 1967 lines. PA UN envoy Riyad Mansour called on members of the Security Council to protect Palestinian lives and pressure Israel to end its blockade of Gaza. The Security Council emergency session was called by France, China, Norway, Ireland, and the UAE in response to Israel’s attacks on Gaza over the weekend, dubbed Operation Breaking Dawn. (AJ, AP, HA, TOI 8/9)

In the West Bank, Israeli forces shot and killed 1 Palestinian minor during a late-night raid in Jenin refugee camp where Islamic Jihad commander Bassam al-Saadi was arrested after being shot and injured; 2 others were also arrested during the raid at al-Saadi’s home. A general strike was declared in Jenin after the killing and arrests. Israeli forces also violently dispersed Palestinian protesters in Bayt Dajan, injuring 22 with baton rounds and 75 others with tear gas. Elsewhere, Israeli forces delivered stop-work orders for 3 houses and 1 demolition order for a house in Kafr ad-Dik. Israeli forces also demolished 1 car wash in Bizarya and 1 home in Sabastiyya, displacing 8. 16 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in Ya‘bad, Nablus, al-Far‘a refugee camp, al-Ama‘ari refugee camp, Jannatah, and al-Azza refugee camp; 4 Palestinians were injured by live ammunition while protesting the raid in al-Far‘a refugee camp. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces demolished commercial structures in Silwan. In Gaza, Israeli forces opened fire at Palestinian farmers east of Khan Yunis; no injuries were reported. (AP, MEE 8/1; AA, AJ, ALM, HA, HA, HA, JP, MEMO, NA, TOI, TOI, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 8/2; MDW, MEMO, MEMO, MEMO 8/3; MEMO, PCHR 8/4; UNOCHA 8/19)

Haaretz reported that Egyptian military intelligence officials were meeting with leaders of militant factions in Gaza to prevent a response to the arrest to Islamic Jihad commander al-Saadi (see above). Israel also closed all crossings to Gaza in anticipation of a retaliatory attack. (HA, HA, WAFA 8/2)

The EU, Finland, and Italy contributed $16 million to the PA to help pay for referrals to East Jerusalem hospitals. (WAFA 8/2; MEMO 8/3)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers shot and killed 1 Palestinian minor during a settler incursion into al-Mughayyir. Israeli soldiers were present at the killing, but eyewitnesses say the shots were fired by Israeli settlers. Israeli forces shot and injured 3 Palestinians at a checkpoint near Nablus, claiming that the Palestinians had opened fire at Israeli soldiers at the checkpoint. Israeli forces also violently dispersed Palestinian protesters in Kafr Qaddum, injuring 11 with baton rounds and others with tear gas. 5 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in Kafr Qalil, Tell, Hebron, and al-Maniya. (AA, AJ, AP, HA, HA, MEE, MEMO, REU, TOI, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 7/29; NAT, WAFA 7/30; WAFA 7/31; PCHR 8/4; UNOCHA 8/5)

The Ramallah-based group Lawyers for Justice said that the PA had arrested at least 94 people for political reasons in the past 2 months. None of the people arrested were charged with any offenses and most were released within days. A representative for Lawyers for Justice said the latest arrest campaign is the biggest since 2012 and that detainees have reported maltreatment and torture. Most of the people arrested were affiliated with Hamas and Islamic Jihad. (AJ 7/29)

The UN Committee against Torture issued findings from its review of the State of Palestine, saying it was “seriously concerned about the causalities caused by the excessive use of force, particularly the use of lethal weapons by security forces and unidentified armed elements during demonstrations on the postponement of national elections in April 2021 and about Nizar Banat’s death in custody in June 2021.” It also urged the PA to investigate allegations of torture and ill treatment by security forces and intelligence officers in prison and jail facilities in the West Bank and Gaza. (OHCHR 7/29; MEE 8/2)

The Israeli defense ministry released transcripts from the trial related to the 1956 Israeli massacre of Palestinians in Kafr Qasem. In the transcript, a commander is recorded saying that his superior, Colonel Issachar Shadmi, had told him that it would be “desirable that there be some fatalities” in Kafr Qasem. The commander also said that he had been ordered to kill Palestinians violating the curfew, even if he believed that they had not been informed of the curfew. (HA, MEE 7/29; WAFA 7/30; HA 7/31; HA, MEMO 8/1)

In the West Bank, Israeli forces beat 1 Palestinian man to death at the separation wall near Tulkarm after he tried to enter Israel for work. The body of the man, who was from Gaza, was returned to his family on 7/5. Israeli forces also shot and injured 6 Palestinians during a raid in Dura, including 5 with live ammunition and 1 with a baton round. Elsewhere, Israeli forces violently dispersed Palestinians in Abu Dis, injuring 1 with live ammunition. Israeli forces also demolished 1 residential structure in Umm Qassa in the Masafer Yatta area, displacing 15. Meanwhile, Israeli forces demolished 1 3-story building in Sawahara al-Sharqiyya and assaulted the Palestinian owner trying to prevent the demolition. Israeli forces also delivered stop-work notices for some 30 structures in Humsa al-Tahta. 19 Palestinians were arrested, including 18 during late-night raids in Beit Sira, Beitunia, Ramallah, Abu Nujaym, Dahariya, Beit Umar, al-Arroub refugee camp, Iskaka, and Nablus; 1 was arrested at a checkpoint near Nablus. In East Jerusalem, Israeli authorities demolished 1 house in Jabel Mukaber and 1 nursery in Isawiya; 2 Palestinians were arrested during the demolition in Jabel Mukaber. 6 others were arrested during raids in the Old City and Isawiya. (WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 7/4; MEE, WAFA 7/5; PCHR 7/7; UNOCHA 7/22)

U.S. state department spokesperson Ned Price said that the U.S. had determined that the ballistic analysis of the bullet that killed Palestinian American journalist Shireen Abu Akleh was inconclusive, saying the bullet was badly damaged. The U.S. said it had “concluded that gunfire from IDF positions was likely responsible for the death” of Abu Akleh but that the U.S. “found no reason to believe that this was intentional but rather the result of tragic circumstances during an IDF-led military operation against factions of Palestinian Islamic Jihad.” Several independent investigations, eyewitnesses, and the PA have concluded that Israeli forces deliberately targeted Abu Akleh given the bullet’s trajectory where she was killed. Member of the PLO executive committee Wasel Abu Yousef accused the U.S. of protecting Israel. Secretary general of the PLO Hussein al-Sheikh said the PA rejected the U.S. findings and would seek justice at the ICC. The family of Abu Akleh expressed disbelief that the U.S. was unable to conclude with certainty Israel had killed Shireen, given the evidence available. (AJ, AJ, AJ, AP, AX, DOS, HA, HA, MEE, REU, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 7/4; AJ, HA, WAFA, WAFA 7/5; ALM, ALM, AX, MDW, PCHR, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 7/6; HA, MEE, MEE 7/7; AJ, AJ, AP, HA, MDW, MEE, REU 7/8; WAFA 7/10; GDN 7/12)

1 Palestinian man from Gaza died after being denied cancer treatment by Israeli authorities, claiming his 2 travel permits for treatment were under security check. The man had applied to travel to Nablus for treatment on 3 occasions since April, but his applications remained pending when he passed. (PCHR 7/6)

PA prime minister Mohammed Shtayyeh accused Israel of using the corpses of Palestinians killed by Israel in Israeli medical schools. (WAFA 7/4)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers threw stones at Palestinian vehicles traveling south of Jenin on the Jenin-Nablus road. Israeli settlers with military escort also attacked Palestinian herders east of Yatta, leading to a confrontation between Israeli forces and Palestinian herders; tear-gas related injuries were reported. Elsewhere, Israeli settlers with military escort attacked Palestinians in al-Lubban al-Sharqiya, leading to a confrontation between Palestinians and Israeli forces; tear-gas related injuries were reported. Israeli forces shot and killed 2 Palestinians and injured 1 other during a raid in Jenin refugee camp; 1 of the victims was described as unarmed and the other a member of Islamic Jihad, who resisted the Israeli raid; 1 Palestinian was arrested during the raid. 4 other Palestinians were arrested, including 3 during late-night raids in Beit Umar and Hebron, 1 was arrested at a flying checkpoint in Jannatah; Israeli forces violently dispersed Palestinians protesting the raid in Beit Umar, causing tear-gas related injuries. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces violently dispersed Palestinians celebrating al-Israa wa al-Miraj in the Old City, injuring 36, including 1 11-year-old girl who was hit in the head with a stun grenade, fracturing her jaw; there were several videos circulating showing Israeli forces assaulting Palestinian minors; 20 were arrested. In Gaza, Israeli forces made incursions and leveled land east of Khuza‘a. Off the coast of Gaza, Israeli naval forces opened fire at Palestinian fishermen west of al-Sudaniyya; no injuries were reported. (HA, JP, MEE, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 2/28; AJ, AP, HA, JP, MEE, MEE, MEMO, MEMO, PCHR, REU, WAFA 3/1; HA 3/2; PCHR 3/3; UNOCHA 3/11)

The Israeli high court of justice denied a petition by Palestinians in Hebron to end Israeli forces’ use of a building on Palestinian-owned land in Hebron, saying that returning the land to its Palestinian owners would be a security risk. Israel has expressed its desire to expand Israeli settlements in Hebron on parts of the Palestinian-owned land that the Israeli forces use. (HA 3/2)

The Israeli Jerusalem district planning and construction committee rejected a petition by the committee of Muslim cemeteries and Palestinian landowners to block plans to construct a promenade at al-Yusufiya cemetery at the Old City walls in East Jerusalem. The Israel nature and park authority said that Israel does not intend to “expropriate the area in question.” (HA 3/1)

At the UN human rights council, PA foreign minister Riyad al-Maliki called out the international community’s double standard in its sanctioning of Russia due to its invasion of Ukraine while shielding Israel from similar sanctions. (WAFA 2/28; MEMO 3/1; HA 3/4; HA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 3/5; WAFA 3/7)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers attacked Israeli activists from Rabbis for Human Rights working with Palestinians in Burin to plant trees; 7 were injured by the settlers with clubs and other improvised weapons and 1 car was set on fire. Rabbis for Human rights posted a video of the incident on Twitter. Israeli settlers also fenced off 4 dunams (1 acre) of Palestinian land in Kafr ad-Dik and planted it with trees. Elsewhere, Israeli settlers vandalized some 300 olive tree saplings in Deir Sharaf. Israeli settlers also vandalized 90 olive trees and olive saplings in Yasuf and Bidya. Meanwhile, Israeli settlers assaulted 1 Palestinian man and attempted to set his car on fire in Deir Istiya. Israeli forces violently dispersed Palestinian protesters in Kafr Qaddum, inuring 6 with rubber-coated bullets and others with tear gas. Israeli forces also violently dispersed Palestinian protesters in Beita, injuring 9 with rubber-coated bullets and 52 with tear gas. Elsewhere, Israeli forces violently dispersed Palestinian protesters in Bayt Dajan, injuring 17 with tear gas. Israeli forces also shot and injured 1 Palestinian man in Sinjil, detaining him before allowing Palestinians to take him to a hospital in Ramallah. Meanwhile, Israeli forces opened fire at Palestinian protesters in Hebron, injuring 1 with a rubber-coated bullet and others with tear gas. 6 Palestinians were arrested, including 2 during late-night raids in Sinjil and Jannatah and 4 during a house raid in Zeita. PA forces arrested 3 members of Islamic Jihad during a raid in Beita, including Abdul Raouf al-Jaghoub, a local Islamic Jihad leader. Hamas and Islamic Jihad slammed the PA for the arrests. In East Jerusalem, Israeli settlers led by deputy mayor of Jerusalem Aryeh King assaulted 1 Palestinian and set up barbed wire around a plot of land belonging to the Salem family, who are threatened by eviction in Sheikh Jarrah; Israeli forces also confiscated Palestinian flags from protesters. In Gaza, Israeli forces opened fire and fired tear gas at Palestinian farmers east of Dayr al-Balah, Abasan, and al-Qarara; no injuries were reported. (HA, MEE, MEMO, MEMO, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 1/21; MEMO 1/22; ALM 1/25; PCHR 1/27)

Israel’s public security minister Omer Bar-Lev called the incident where activists from Rabbis for Human Rights were attacked by Israeli settlers near Burin “actions of a terror organization.” Public Security Minister Bar-Lev further stated that it is difficult to apprehend the attackers. No arrests were made as of 1/22. (HA, MEMO 1/23)

The Qatari foreign ministry said it had signed a deal to cover the cost of supplying Gaza’s power plant with gas through an escrow account. (HA 1/21; ALM, MEMO 1/22)

In the West Bank, Israeli forces uprooted 50 olive trees in Wadi Fukin. Israeli forces also demolished 9 residential and 14 agricultural structures in Ibziq. Elsewhere, Israeli forces demolished a house under construction in Qalqas. Israeli force shot and injured 6 Palestinians using live ammunition during a late-night raid in Tubas. 13 Palestinians were arrested during raids in al-Am‘ari refugee camp, Beit Umar, Halhul, Yatta, Jenin, Ya‘bad, and Kaft Laqif; 1 Palestinian was injured by Israeli live ammunition during a protest against the raid in al-Am‘ari refugee camp. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces physically assaulted 2 Palestinians in Isawiya and Jabel Mukaber. In Gaza, Israeli forces opened fire at Palestinian farmers east of Dayr al-Balah; no injuries were reported. Off the coast of Gaza, Israeli naval forces opened fire at Palestinian fishermen within 3 nautical miles west of Gaza City; no injuries were reported. (WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 12/28; MEE, WAFA 12/29; PCHR 12/30)

The Jordanian Detainees Committee in Saudi Arabia said that a Saudi court had reduced the sentence of former Hamas official Mohammad al-Khodari from 15 years to 3 years in prison. Al-Khodari was 1 of some 60 Jordanian and Palestinian nationals to receive sentences by Saudi Arabia earlier this year for an affiliation with Hamas or other resistance groups. (MEMO 12/29)

PA president Mahmoud Abbas met with Israeli defense minister Benny Gantz at Gantz’s residence in Rosh Ha’ayin. The 2.5-hour-long meeting was attended by Israel’s coordinator of government activities in the territories Rassan Aliyan, PA civil affairs minister Hussein al-Sheikh, and head of PA security service Majed Faraj. Civil Affairs Minister al-Sheikh said the 2 sides spoke of a political horizon while Defense Minister Gantz tweeted that the meeting was about economic and civic measures and security coordination. An Israeli statement said Israel had agreed to register 6,000 Palestinians living in the West Bank and 3,500 living in Gaza, give the PA a $32-million advance on its tax income, and grant more business permits and VIP passes for the PA. Israeli and Palestinian officials said that President Abbas demanded more action against settler violence and the revocation of terror designations for 6 Palestinian rights organizations. It was President Abbas’s 1st meeting with an Israeli official in Israel since 2010. A Hamas spokesperson condemned Abbas’s visit, saying he was accommodating the occupation and “deepening Palestinian political divisions.” Islamic Jihad and the PFLP also condemned the meeting. (AP, HA, JP, TOI 12/28; ABC, AJ, ALM, AP, AX, F24, HILL, MEE, MEMO, MEMO, REU, TOI, WAFA, WAFA 12/29; ALM, HA, MEE, MEMO, MEMO 12/30; ALM, MEMO 12/31; TOI 1/1; TOI 1/2)

Israeli justice minister Gideon Sa‘ar said he wanted the Homesh settlement outpost legalized in response to the killing of 1 Israeli settler on 12/16. (HA 12/28)

In Syria, Israel conducted air strikes in Latakia, causing damage at the city’s port. Israeli sources claimed that Israeli missiles had hit Iranian munitions stored in containers. A Russian official said 4 missiles were fired from 2 Israeli F-16s, causing minor material damage. The Russian official also said that the Syrian air defense system was deactivated because a Russian plane was landing nearby. (AJ, AP, AP, GDN, HA, HA, NWK, REU 12/28; MEMO 12/29; AP, HA 12/30)

In the West Bank, Israeli forces shot and killed 1 Palestinian man during a late-night raid in Tubas; Islamic Jihad said the man was a member of the organization, and PCHR said the man was throwing stones at Israeli forces but posed no imminent threat to them when they shot him from a distance of 33 yards; 2 Palestinians were arrested during the raid. Israeli forces also demolished 1 grocery store, 1 vegetable store, and 1 gas station near Qalandia and demolished 1 residential structure and 5 agricultural structures in Tarqumiyah, displacing 4. Elsewhere, Israeli forces fired tear gas at Palestinian pupils heading to a school in al-Lubban ash-Sharqiya, injuring 1 with a tear gas canister to his arm and some 70 with tear gas. 11 Palestinians were arrested, including 8 during late-night raids in Ya‘bad, Bayt Dajan, and Zababdeh; 3 were arrested while driving near Beita. In East Jerusalem, 1 Palestinian family demolished their own home in Ras al-Amud In Gaza, Israeli forces opened fire at Palestinian agricultural lands east of Maghazi; no injuries were reported. (AJ, AP, HA, JP, MEE, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 11/16; ALM, MEMO 11/17; PCHR 11/18)

It was reported in Israeli media that PA president Mahmoud Abbas met with new director of the Shin Bet Ronen Bar in the last week. The 2 were said to have discussed security coordination and efforts to reach a long-term ceasefire between Israel and Hamas. Director Bar had also in recent days held meetings with head of Egyptian intelligence Abbas Kamel and Jordanian officials. (HA, JP, MEMO 11/16)

An Israeli military court refuted claims by defense and foreign ministers Benny Gantz and Yair Lapid that a Spanish woman working for Health Work Committees had any links to the 6 Palestinian rights organizations that Israel last month deemed terrorist. The 2 ministers had tried to justify the designation by using the conviction of the Spanish woman as evidence, which the military court then rejected. The Spanish woman was also sentenced by the military court to 13 months in prison and a fine of $16,000 after entering a plea deal. (HA 11/16; AP, TOI 11/17)

The cybersecurity firm ESET published a report saying that the Israeli spyware company Candiru’s spyware was used to hack 20 websites in the UK, Yemen, South Africa, Italy, Iran, and Syria, including Middle East Eye. The hackers were able to use the websites to gain access to computers of website visitors. (GDN, VICE 11/16; HA, MEMO 11/17)

U.S. ambassador to the UN Linda Thomas-Greenfield met with Israel’s defense minister Benny Gantz in Israel. According to the readout from the meeting, Ambassador Thomas-Greenfield urged Gantz to curb settlement activity. (HA 11/16; MEMO 11/17)

Palestine Legal submitted a civil rights complaint against the George Washington University (GWU) to the DC office for human rights for discriminating against Palestinians. High-level GWU administrators had forced its employees to cancel a session for Palestinian students experiencing trauma related to the Israeli assault on Gaza in May. In addition, organizers of the event at GWU were forced to apologize for the language used in advertising the event. (JC 11/16; MEE, WAFA 11/17)

UNRWA said that 8 countries had pledged $614 million during a donor conference hosted by Jordan and Sweden. (WAFA, WAFA 11/16; MEMO, WAFA 11/17)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers threw stones at Palestinians driving near Silat ad-Dhahr. Israeli forces delivered stop-work notices for 9 houses in al-Ramadin and Arab Abu Farda near Qalqilya and demolished 2 agricultural structures in Tarqumiyah. Israeli forces also violently dispersed Palestinian protesters in Hebron, causing tear-gas related injuries. 9 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in Jalazun refugee camp, Beitunia, Silwad, Rantis, Tulkarm, Jannatah, and Beit ‘Anan; Israeli forces violently dispersed Palestinians protesting the raid in Beit ‘Anan with live ammunition and tear gas and no injuries were reported. In Gaza, Israel said it had downed a drone belonging to Hamas, which crashed into the sea. Off the coast of Gaza, Israeli naval forces opened fire at Palestinian fishermen 2 and 6 nautical miles from the coast; no injuries were reported. (HA, MEMO, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 11/8; PCHR 11/11)

Islamic Jihad charged the PA with creating division among Palestinians by arresting its members in the West Bank. It was unclear when and how many members of Islamic Jihad the PA had arrested. (MEMO 11/9)

PA prime minister Mohammed Shtayyeh met with a bi-partisan group of senators led by Chris Coons (D-DE) in Ramallah. The group discussed reopening the consulate to Palestinians in Jerusalem and U.S. aid to Palestinians. (WAFA 11/8; TOI 11/10)

In Syria, Israeli forces conducted air strikes in Homs and Tartus, injuring 2 Syrian soldiers and causing damage. (HA 11/8)

Haaretz reported that the Israeli military did not know that AP and Al Jazeera had offices in al-Jalaa high-rise in Gaza before deciding to level it on 5/15. Top officials in the Israeli military, including chief of staff Aviv Kochavi, were alerted to the fact after the decision was made to target the building, but before the strike was carried out, and nevertheless decided to go ahead with the strike. Israel never publicly released any evidence to back its claim that Hamas operated out of al-Jalaa building. (HA, MEMO 11/8)

The Washington Post reported that Israel has a secret program called Blue Wolf that includes a large database of pictures of Palestinians taken by Israeli soldiers incentivized with prizes. The pictures are then used to enhance Israel’s facial recognition technology, allowing the occupation to monitor the movements of Palestinians in the West Bank. The sources told The Post that Israeli soldiers have an app on their phone called Wolf Pack, which contains pictures, family history, education, and a security rating for “virtually every Palestinian in the West Bank.” As part of the surveillance program, Israel has installed face-scanning cameras in Hebron. 1 former Israeli soldier told the Post that in some cases, Israel can see into Palestinian private homes. (HA, MEMO, WP 11/8; MEE 11/9)

Front Line Defenders published an investigation showing that the Israeli NSO Group’s Pegasus spyware had been used to spy on 6 Palestinian human rights activists, including 1 field researcher working for Al-Haq, the executive director of Bisan Center for Research and Development—a U.S. citizen—1 Palestinian lawyer who works for Addameer and had his permanent residency in East Jerusalem revoked on 10/18, and 3 unidentified Palestinians. Front Line Defenders investigated 75 iPhones and found 6 were infected with Pegasus spyware, later confirmed by Citizen Lab and Amnesty International. The 3 named victims work for organizations deemed to be terrorist groups by Israel’s defense minister Benny Gantz on 10/22 for alleged connections with the PFLP. NSO Group was blacklisted by the U.S. on 11/3 for facilitating attacks on human rights activists and journalists. AJ, ALM, AP, Front Line Defenders, GDN, HA, HA, IT, MEMO, REU 11/8; HA 11/9; MEMO 11/11)

6 progressive-leaning members of U.S. congress, including Jamaal Bowman (D-NY), Mondaire Jones (D-NY), Rosa DeLauro (D-CT), Barbara Lee (D-CT), Melanie Stansbury (D-NM), and Mark Pocan (D-MN) met with Israel’s foreign minister Yair Lapid during a J Street-sponsored trip to Israel and Palestine. (HA 11/8)

A U.S. court rejected NSO Group’s claim of immunity in a lawsuit brought by Facebook, also known as Meta Platforms Inc., about the hacking of its WhatsApp servers. (HA 11/8; MEMO 11/9)

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, Israeli settlers planted olive saplings on Palestinian-owned land in Tuqu‘. Israeli soldiers shot and killed 1 Palestinian man during a late-night raid in Burqin; 2 others were injured. It was later revealed that the man was a member of Islamic Jihad. Israel claimed that the man was shooting at the Israeli troops with an improvised Carl Gustaf rifle. 4 Palestinians were arrested, including 2 during late-night raids in al-Azza refugee camp and Aida refugee camp, 1 on a street in the Old City in Hebron and 1 at Checkpoint 300. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces shot and killed 1 Palestinian woman in the Old City, claiming she had tried to stab Israeli soldiers. Israel said Israeli soldiers had asked her to identify herself and started inspecting her belongings when she pulled a knife. 2 Palestinians were arrested in the Old City. In Gaza, Israeli forces shot and killed 1 Palestinian bird hunter east of Gaza City. Israeli forces also opened fire east of Beit Hanun; no injuries were reported. Off the coast of Gaza, Israeli naval forces opened fire at Palestinian fishermen within 3 nautical miles west of Gaza. (AJ, HA, HA, HA, HA, REU, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 9/30; PCHR 10/1; PCHR 10/7)

PA president Mahmoud Abbas extended the COVID-19-related state of emergency by 30 days. The state of emergency has been in place since March 2020, when the pandemic hit Palestine. (WAFA 9/30)

In Lebanon, Hezbollah said it had shot down an Israeli drone in south Lebanon near Yater. Israel confirmed that 1 of its drones had “fell within Lebanese territory.” (HA 9/30)

Israel’s foreign minister Yair Lapid visited Bahrain, meeting with king Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa and prime minister Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa. During the trip, Foreign Minister Lapid inaugurated the new Israeli embassy in Manama. (AJ, AJ, ALM, HA, HA 9/30; ALM, HA 10/1)

The EU contributed $5.8 million to the UNRWA in support of vulnerable families in Gaza. (WAFA 9/30)

In the West Bank, Israeli forces blocked a road between Hebron and Qalqas. In East Jerusalem, 1 Palestinian family demolished their own home in Jabel Mukaber, displacing 7 people. In Gaza, Israeli forces attacked 2 targets near Jabalia refugee camp, claiming it was responding to incendiary balloons sent from Gaza to Israel. Israeli forces also later violently dispersed Palestinian protesters near the Gaza fence, injuring 1 with live ammunition; 17 others were also injured by rubber-coated bullets and tear gas. (AA, AJ, AP, HA, HILL, JP, MEE, MEMO, WAFA, WAFA 8/29; MEMO, WAFA, WAFA 8/30; PCHR 9/2)

Egypt reopened the Rafah crossing in both directions. (MEMO 8/29)

PA president Mahmoud Abbas met with Israeli defense minister Benny Gantz in Ramallah. According to the Israeli defense ministry, the 2 talked about security policy, civilian and economic issues, and measures Israel will take to strengthen the PA economy. According to Gantz’s office, among the agreements made were granting residency rights to Palestinians living in the West Bank without legal status and Israel’s providing the PA with an advance of its tax income of $155 million. Gantz also said after the meeting, “the stronger the Palestinian Authority is, the weaker Hamas will be.” Sources close to Israeli prime minister Naftali Bennett said that there was no diplomatic process between Israel and the PA and that there would not be 1 during his time as prime minister. A Palestinian official said that Abbas asked Israel to stop conducting operations in Area A and allow family reunifications as part of efforts to improve the PA-Israel relations. Later at a PLO executive committee meeting, President Abbas said that he had told Defense Minister Gantz that the PA position on peace is based on the Arab peace initiative, and that PA wants Israel to release long-term Palestinian prisoners, return the bodies of Palestinians killed by Israel, end settlement construction, and curb settler attacks. Hamas spokesperson Sami Abu Zuhri called the meeting dangerous and disrespectful. Islamic Jihad also condemned the meeting. The meeting was the 1st between President Abbas and an Israeli government official since 2010. (MEE, REU 8/29; AJ, ALM, AP, F24, HA, HA, HA, JP, NBC, REU, REU, TOI, WAFA, WAFA 8/30; ALM, MEMO, MEMO, MEMO 8/31; MEMO 9/1; ALM, HA 9/2)

Axios reported that former U.S. ambassador to Israel Dan Shapiro had joined the U.S. state department as a liaison between U.S. envoy on Iran Robert Malley and Israel. (AX 8/29; JP 8/30; ALM, MEMO 8/31)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers with military escort attacked Palestinians in Hebron, leading to tear-gas related injuries. Israeli forces violently dispersed Palestinian celebrations of the ceasefire (see below) in Hebron and Bethlehem, leading to tear-gas related injuries. Israeli forces also violently dispersed Palestinian protesters in Beita, injuring 2 with rubber-coated bullets and live ammunition; others suffered tear-gas related injuries. Elsewhere, Israeli forces violently dispersed Palestinian protesters in Huwwara, injuring 2 with live ammunition; others suffered tear-gas related injuries. Israeli forces also violently dispersed protesters in Kafr Qaddum, injuring 3 with rubber-coated bullets; others suffered tear-gas related injuries. 3 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in Bani Na‘im, Abu Njeim, and Jaba‘. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces violently dispersed Palestinians at the Haram al-Sharif compound after the Friday noon prayer, confiscating Palestinian flags, arresting 17, and injuring 23 worshipers with rubber-coated bullets. During the raid, 1 Agence France-Presse journalist was also beaten by Israeli forces. Israeli forces also closed down Shaykh Jarrah to all Palestinians, including those living in the area. In Gaza, 17 Palestinians, including 2 children, were found dead in rubble from Israeli air strikes, raising the comprehensive death toll since 5/10 from 236 to 253, including 67 children and 3 pregnant women. 1 toddler was found dead in rubble from an air strike on Gaza City 5/11; 1 child was found in rubble from an Israeli air strike on a house in al-Shati refugee camp on 5/15; and 15 Palestinians were also found dead in rubble from Israeli air strikes in a tunnel hit by Israeli missiles. In Israel, before the ceasefire took effect (see below), 1 Israeli was injured by rocket shrapnel and 1 house in Kibbutz Be’eri was damaged by a rocket from Gaza. (HA 5/20; AJ, AJ, AX, HA, MEE, PCHR, REU, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 5/21; HA 5/25; PCHR 5/27)

A ceasefire agreement between Hamas and Israel, brokered by Egypt, took effect at 2 a.m. 263 Palestinians were killed in Gaza, including 68 children, and 12 people were killed in Israel, including 1 soldier, 2 Thai citizens, 1 Indian citizen, and 2 Palestinian citizens of Israel. Around 2,000 Palestinians and 345 Israelis were wounded over the 11 days. Israel partially reopened the Kerem Shalom crossing after the ceasefire, allowing some humanitarian aid and goods into Gaza. U.S. secretary of state Antony Blinken said he would meet with Israeli and Palestinian officials during a trip in the coming days. The Gaza housing ministry said that 16,800 housing units had been damaged by Israeli missiles, including 1,800 that had become unfit for living. Some 90,000 Palestinians in Gaza were reported to be internally displaced due to the Israeli attacks, including more than 66,000 seeking shelter at UNRWA facilities. It also reported that Palestinians in Gaza were getting between 3-4 hours of electricity a day, while they previously received 12 hours a day before the escalation started on 5/10. Israel said that some 4,350 rockets had been fired from Gaza toward Israel and that the Iron Dome had intercepted approximately 90% of them. Both Israel and Hamas declared victory. Egyptian officials also arrived in Gaza to discuss with Hamas officials about maintaining the ceasefire. Islamic Jihad in Palestine said that 19 of its fighters were among the 263 Palestinians killed by Israel in Gaza during the latest escalation. Hamas later said that 80 members of its militia had been killed. (AJ, HA, HA, REU 5/20; AJ, AJ, AJ, AJ, ALM, ALM, ALM, ALM, ALM, AP, AP, AP, AX, AX, AX, HA, HA, HA, HA, HA, JP, REU, REU, REU, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 5/21; AX, HA, WAFA 5/22; HA, WAFA 5/23; NYT 5/25; AP 5/26; HA 5/27)

13 trucks carrying food, COVID-19 vaccines, and other aid crossed into Gaza through the Kerem Shalom crossing. (AJ, WAFA 5/21)

PA president Mahmoud Abbas discussed the Israel-Hamas ceasefire and the need for humanitarian aid with U.S. secretary of state Antony Blinken. In a phone call between President Abbas and Saudi king Salman, the latter condemned Israeli aggression in Jerusalem and Gaza. (AJ, WAFA 5/21)

The owner of 1 of the high-rise buildings in Gaza bombed by Israel said he is filing a formal complaint to the ICC about the attack on his building, calling it a war crime. His building, al-Jala Tower, housed AP and Al Jazeera offices in Gaza as well as many residential units. PA prime minister Mohammed Shtayyeh also pledged to refer the Israeli attacks on Gaza to the ICC. (AJ, WAFA 5/21)

Digital rights group 7amleh said Israel and the companies TikTok and Facebook, including its subsidiary Instagram, are cooperating in order to silence Palestinian voices and content on the social media platforms. Posts and hashtags have been deleted from the platforms and users, banned. 7amleh said it was especially concerned related to Gaza and Shaykh Jarrah, which had been censored. Sada Social also sent a formal complaint to Facebook, condemning the censorship. (AJ, WAFA 5/21)

Lebanese president Michel Aoun wrote a letter to the parliament, saying that prime minister-designate Saad Hariri is incapable of forming a cabinet. (HA, REU 5/21; MEMO 5/22)

The U.S. state department circumvented a potential obstacle from Congress by granting Boeing an export license for $735 million’s worth of weapons to Israel. U.S. senator Bernie Sanders (D-VT) said on 5/20 that he wanted the Senate to review the sale. (JC 5/25; ALM 5/27)

A bomb killed 7 people at a Palestinian solidarity rally in Chaman City, Pakistan. The bomb was said to have targeted a political leader who had organized the event. Pakistan’s foreign minister had declared the day a “day of solidarity” with Palestinians. (AJ 5/20; HA, MEMO 5/21)

China said it would send aid to Gaza to help treat the injured and house the homeless. (AJ 5/20)

In the West Bank, 1 Palestinian minor succumbed to wounds sustained from Israeli live ammunition on 5/18. Israeli settlers leveled land in Kisan. Israeli settlers also set up mobile homes south of Hebron. Israeli forces also raided Jaba‘, injuring 4, including 1 minor, when Palestinians confronted the forces. Israeli forces also raided ‘Araqa, injuring 1 minor with live ammunition, when Palestinians confronted the forces. Elsewhere, Israeli forces violently dispersed Palestinian protesters in Bethlehem, injuring 7 with rubber-coated bullets and others with tear gas. 11 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in and around Hebron, Nablus, Jenin, and Jericho. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces raided al-Makassed Hospital, leaving without making arrests. 8 Palestinians were arrested during raids in the Old City, al-Tur, Silwan, and Shu‘fat. In Gaza, 4 Palestinians were killed and many were injured, raising the comprehensive death toll since 5/10 from 232 to 236, including 65 children and 3 pregnant women. The casualties included: 1, and 9 wounded, including 3 children, during an air strike on a house in Khan Yunis; 1, and 1 wounded in an air strike on Bayt Lahiya; 2 in an air strike on a car traveling in Jabaliya. Israeli air strikes also hit power lines near Rafah, causing a total electricity blackout in the city. Israeli forces attacked 1 house in Khan Yunis, causing damage, but the missile remained unexploded as it landed on a bed, saving the family living in the house. 4 factories were also destroyed by Israeli air strikes in an industrial zone east in al-Muntar. In Israel, 1 Israeli soldier was injured by an anti-tank missile rocket fired from Gaza at a military bus. 1 rocket from Gaza hit a house in Ashkelon, causing damage; no injuries were reported. Israeli forces violently dispersed a funeral procession for 1 Palestinian-Israeli who was killed by Israeli police on 5/19 in Umm al-Fahm; 3 were arrested; a general strike was also called in Umm al-Fahm in protest over the killing. (AJ, HA, HA, PCHR, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 5/20; MEE, PCHR 5/21; NYT 5/26; PCHR 5/27)

It was reported that a ceasefire between Hamas, Islamic Jihad in Palestine, and Israel had been brokered by Egypt and would take effect at 2 a.m. on 5/21. Prior to the reporting, Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu had called a meeting at the security cabinet. Shortly after the 2 sides announced the ceasefire, U.S. president Joe Biden praised Egyptian president Abdel Fattah al-Sisi for his role in the ceasefire and Prime Minister Netanyahu for agreeing to it. Biden said in remarks that “Palestinians and Israelis equally deserve to live safely and securely and to enjoy equal measures of freedom, prosperity, and democracy,” in what can be viewed as a slight shift in the paradigm of U.S. statements on Israel and Palestine. President al-Sisi also praised President Biden for his work on the ceasefire agreement. Several prominent Democrats in the U.S. House and Senate welcomed the news of the ceasefire, but said it was time to do more to resolve the roots of the conflict. PA foreign minister Riyad al-Maliki called for the world to address the core issues, saying that the ceasefire is not enough. (AJ, AJ, AP, AP, AP, AP, AX, AX, GDN, HA, REU, REU, WAFA 5/20; AM, AP, CNN, FOX, HA, HA 5/21)

Haaretz reported that 90% of the Israeli citizens charged for the violence in Israeli towns and cities since the start of the Hamas-Israel escalation were Palestinian citizens of Israel. District prosecutors have been criticized for not indicting Jewish-Israelis. (HA 5/20)

Adalah filed a petition on behalf of Palestinians in Shayk Jarrah to have Israeli police remove checkpoints around the neighborhood, which are severely impeding the residents’ freedom of movement. The checkpoints are also meant to block entry of Palestinians who are not residents of the neighborhood, as many residents remain threatened by evictions. (Adalah, HA 5/20)

The Israeli Electric Company said it would not restore the damaged power lines in Gaza until 2 Israelis, believed to be held captive by Hamas, and the bodies of 2 dead Israelis are returned to Israel. (HA 5/20)

PA president Mahmoud Abbas spoke with German chancellor Angela Merkel about efforts to get a ceasefire agreement between Hamas and Israel. President Abbas also met with German foreign minister Heiko Maas in Ramallah. (AJ, WAFA, WAFA 5/20)

Before the ceasefire was announced, Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh wrote a letter to Iran’s supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, asking for “mobilization of Arab, Islamic and international support” in ending Israeli air strikes. (AP 5/20)

Iran’s president Hassan Rouhani said that the country had reached an agreement in principle with the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action signatories about complying with and having the U.S. rejoin the deal. (HA 5/20)

U.S. senator and chair of the Senate budget committee Bernie Sanders (D-VT) said he would introduce a resolution of disapproval of a $735 million arms sale to Israel. (AJ, ALM, HA, REU 5/20)

At the UN, U.S. ambassador to the UN Linda Thomas-Greenfield said that the U.S. had “not been silent,” despite blocking UN security council statements criticizing the violence from the latest escalation between Hamas and Israel. UN general-secretary António Guterres said he was “deeply shocked by the continued air and artillery bombardment” of Gaza and said that Gaza’s children lived in “hell on Earth.” No unified statement was released by the UN general assembly. (AJ, AJ, ALM, HA, REU 5/20)

1 Jewish AP reporter was fired after Stanford University College Republicans criticized her for pro-Palestinian activism while she was a student at the school, before she was hired at AP. Later, more than 100 AP journalists wrote an open letter to AP criticizing the decision. (SFGATE 5/20; FOX, MEE, MEMO 5/21; MEE 5/22; MEE 5/24)

The foreign minister of Germany, the Czech Republic, and Slovakia visited Israel upon the invitation of Israeli foreign minister Gabi Ashkenazi to be briefed on the Israeli-Hamas escalation. In meetings with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, the 3 foreign ministers were shown parts of a drone that had been shot down on 5/18 that Netanyahu claimed was Iranian. (ALM, HA 5/20)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers raided Qarawat Bani Hassan before confronted by Palestinian residents. Israeli settlers attacked 1 Palestinian minor near Kisan, causing injuries. Elsewhere, Israeli settlers set fire to agricultural lands planted with olive trees in Jalud, causing extensive damage. Israeli forces violently dispersed Palestinian protesters commemorating Nakba Day throughout the West Bank, killing 1 Palestinian in Hebron and injuring 450, including 27 in Hebron, 29 in Qalqilya, 12 in Ramallah, 18 in Nablus, 9 in Tulkarm, 6 in Jenin, 2 in Bethlehem, and 1 in Tubas using live ammunition. 13 Palestinians were arrested, including 4 during late-night raids in Tulkarm and 9 during protests near Jenin. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces violently dispersed Palestinian protesters in Shaykh Jarrah, injuring 1 journalist and arresting 1. Israeli forces also violently dispersed Palestinian protesters in al-Tur, causing tear-gas related injuries and 1 arrest. 13 others were arrested during raids in Issawiyya, al-Tur, Silwan, and Sur Bahir. In Gaza, 17 Palestinians were killed, including 8 children, and dozens were injured, raising the comprehensive death toll since 5/10 from 136 to 153, including 41 children and 2 pregnant women. The casualties included: 10 members of the same family in an Israeli air strike in al-Shati refugee camp, including 8 children; 1 infant was found in the rubble of the house and was the only survivor of the attack; 2 in an air strike on a market in Gaza City; 1 in an air strike while driving north of Gaza City; 1 in a drone strike on agricultural lands near al-Bureij; 1, and 1 injured in an air strike on al-Bureij; 1 in an air strike while riding a motorbike in al-Maghazi; 1 Palestinian succumbed to wounds sustained in an air strike on a car wash al-Zawaideh. Israel also demolished al-Jalaa tower, a 12-story building in Gaza City hosting the offices of AP, Al Jazeera, and other international media outlets along with residential apartments; Israel claimed that it also housed Hamas and Islamic Jihad in Palestine intelligence offices, saying that made it a legitimate target; residents and workers were given 1 hour to evacuate the building. AP said their reporting capabilities in Gaza were significantly reduced while Al Jazeera called it a war crime and an act to stop reporting. Air strikes also demolished the home of senior Hamas official Khalil al-Hayya and severely damaged the 14-story tower al-Qahira and the 12-story tower al-Andalus in Gaza City. Shelling from land and sea also caused significant damage and injuries in Khan Yunis and Bayt Hanun. Egypt sent 10 ambulances to Gaza to pick up injured Palestinians for treatment at Egyptian hospitals. In Israel, 1 Israeli was killed by a rocket fired from Gaza in Ramat Gan, raising the Israeli death toll to 10. 6 buildings were also damaged in Ramat Gan. Rockets were also fired at Beersheba, Ashkelon, and Ashdod from Gaza, causing damage in Beersheba and Ashdod. Hundreds of Palestinian-Israelis protested in Jaffa over the Israeli police’s inability to protect them as violence has been escalating in the neighborhood and 1 minor was seriously injured by a firebomb on 5/14. 67 Palestinian-Israelis were reported arrested, including 52 in ‘Akka and 15 in Lydda. In Lebanon, hundreds of protesters gathered along the Blue Line to show solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza and Shaykh Jarrah. (AJ, AJ, AJ, AJ, AJ, AJ, AJ, AJ, AJ, AP, HA, HA, HA, HA, MEE, MEE, PCHR, REU, REU, REU, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 5/15; AP, AP, AP, AP, HA, MEE, PCHR, REU, TOI, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 5/16; AP 5/17; HA 5/18; PCHR 5/20; MEE 5/21; NYT 5/26; GDN 7/28)

There were major demonstrations in many cities worldwide in commemoration of Nakba Day and in solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza and those threatened by eviction in Shaykh Jarrah. (DM, DW, NAT 5/15 BBC, GDN, WAFA 5/16)

U.S. president Joe Biden spoke with both Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu and PA president Mahmoud Abbas. It was the 1st time that President Biden and President Abbas have spoken since Biden took office in January. (HA, WAFA 5/15)

U.S. chair of the senate foreign relations committee Bob Menendez (D-NJ) said, after Israel demolished the building housing the offices of AP and Al Jazeera, that he was “deeply troubled by reports of Israeli military actions that resulted in the death of innocent civilians in Gaza as well as Israeli targeting of buildings housing international media outlets.” Menendez is known as 1 of the staunchest supports of Israel among the senate Democrats. Several House Democrats separately tweeted, “Apartheid states aren’t democracies,” in a reference to Israel. (AJ, AJ, HA, NYT 5/15)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers attacked 1 Palestinian minor and his father in Hebron. Israeli settlers also set up tents in Battir near Bethlehem. Israeli forces delivered demolition orders for 1 residential structure and 1 garden in Sabastiyya, 1 pool used for irrigation in Bayt Dajan, and a number of structures east of Yatta. Israeli forces also demolished 1 residential structure near Tubas and dismantled and seized 1 wooden shed in Umm al-Jamal. Israeli forces also shot and injured 6 Palestinians using rubber-coated bullets during raids in Qalandia refugee camp; 1 Israeli soldier was also injured during the clashes, which lasted some 2 hours; 9 Palestinian-owned vehicles were damaged. 12 Palestinians were arrested during raids in and around Nablus, Birzeit, Bayt Umar, Qalandia, Hebron, and Jenin. 7 Palestinians were arrested in the Old City and Issawiyya. In Gaza, Israeli forces made incursions and razed farmland east of Khan Yunis. (WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 11/17, PCHR 11/19)

The PA civil affairs minister Hussein al-Sheikh announced that the PA would resume coordination with Israel, including security coordination, after suspending ties in May. Civil Affairs Minister al-Sheikh said that Israel had promised to respect its agreements with the PA during “international negotiations conducted by the president [Mahmoud Abbas].” Hamas and Islamic Jihad condemned the PA’s move, saying it undermines reconciliation efforts. PA prime minister Mohammad Shtayyeh said during a Zoom conference organized by the Council of Foreign Relations that the COVID-19 pandemic played a part in the decision as the PA have struggled to find the resources to fight it. (AJ, HA, HA, REU, TOI, WAFA 11/17; HA, TOI 11/18; HA 11/19)

Israeli said it defused explosive devices in the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights near the de facto border of Syria. Israel later attacked Syria, striking 8 targets. According to the Syrian state media SANA, 3 were killed, 1 wounded, and Syria intercepted Israeli missiles over Damascus. The London-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said 10 people were killed in the strikes. Israel acknowledged to have attacked Syria, saying it was responding to the explosive devices and claiming that it had hit Iranian and Syrian forces in Syria. (HA, REU 11/17; AJ, HA 11/18; BBC 11/19)

Both Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu and president Reuven Rivlin congratulated U.S. president-elect Joe Biden via phone. (HA 11/17)

1 Jewish-Israeli was given a 7-year prison sentence for smuggling metals into Gaza and selling them to Hamas. He was also fined $60,000. (TOI, HA 11/17)

41 Democrats in congress cosigned a letter to U.S. secretary of state Mike Pompeo, expressing concern about Israel’s demolition of the village Khirbet Humsa on 11/3, demanding that Secretary Pompeo condemn Israel’s actions. (Mark Pocan’s Office 11/17; HA, WAFA 11/18)

In the West Bank, Israeli forces arrested 8 Palestinians during late-night raids in and around Jenin, Tubas, Nablus, Jericho, and Bethlehem. In East Jerusalem, 1 Palestinian was shot and injured during a confrontation with Israeli forces that was sparked by a demolition of a 5-story Palestinian-owned building in Jabal Mukabir. In Gaza, incendiary balloons were sent toward Israel from Gaza, causing fires, and 1 rocket was launched at Israel. Israel fired missiles at Gaza near Rafah, Gaza City, Bayt Hanun, and Bayt Lahiya, causing damage; no injuries were reported. Israeli naval forces opened fire at Palestinian fishermen west of Bayt Lahiya on 2 occasions; no injuries were reported. (AJ, HA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 8/18; AJ, HA, PCHR, WAFA 8/19)

The Gaza power plant stopped producing electricity as Israel stopped all deliveries of fuel to Gaza on 8/13. Palestinians in Gaza only have between 3-4 hours of electricity a day, as opposed to 8-12 hours, because of the power plant closure. (AJ, HA, REU, WAFA 8/18)

Secretary general of the PLO Saeb Erakat attacked the Arab League and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation for not condemning the UAE’s move toward normalization, violating the Arab countries’ consensus of not making agreements with Israel until Israel and Palestinians have negotiated a peace agreement. PA president Mahmoud Abbas called the UAE-Israel deal nonsense and said that the UAE “have turned their backs on everything: the rights of the Palestinian people, the Palestinian state, the two-state solution, and the holy city of Jerusalem.” At the meeting, attended by officials from Hamas and Islamic Jihad, Abbas praised the steps toward Palestinian organizational unity. (HA, REU, WAFA 8/18)

Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu denied reports that Israel would support U.S. sales of advanced weapons to the UAE as part of the normalization deal between the 2 countries. A spokesperson for the Sudanese foreign ministry said that Sudan is looking at normalizing relations with Israel; however, after Prime Minister Netanyahu welcomed the news and said the dialogue had been going on since 2/2020, the Sudanese foreign ministry walked back the announcement, saying that normalization had not been discussed. The prime minister of Pakistan Imran Khan said that Pakistan would not recognize Israel until the establishment of a Palestinian state acceptable to Palestinians. (HA, HA, REU 8/18; AJ 8/20)

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

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

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

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

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