The Palestine Chronology

In the West Bank, 7 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in and around Qalqilya, Nablus, Salfit, Jericho, and Hebron. In East Jerusalem, 2 Palestinians were arrested in the Old City. In Gaza, Israeli forces struck several targets, causing damage; no injuries were reported. An IDF spokesperson said that the attack was in response to a rocket fired at Israel on 12/25. Israeli forces also made incursions east of Rafah. (HA, WAFA, WAFA 12/26; HA, HA 12/27; PCHR 1/2)

The organizing committee of the Great March of Return announced the suspension of the weekly Great March of Return protest to the end of March 2020. The announcement also declared that from April 2020, the protest would be monthly instead of weekly. (AJ, HA 12/26)

Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu won the Likud leadership primary over his rival Gideon Sa’ar with 72.5 percent of the vote. Netanyahu said in his victory speech that he would work toward U.S. recognition of Israeli sovereignty over the Jordan Valley, the Dead Sea, and all Israeli settlements in the West Bank. (AJ 12/26; AJ, HA 12/27)

In the West Bank, Israeli forces demolished 2 residential structures near Hebron and razed Palestinian-owned land near Nablus. 17 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in and around Bayt Duqqu, Bethlehem, Ramallah, Hebron, and Jericho. Israeli forces also seized a Palestinian-owned tractor near Tubas. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces demolished 1 Palestinian-owned home under construction in Issawiyya, delivered a demolition order for another house in Issawiyya, and demolished 2 homes in Jabal al-Mukabir. 14 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in Issawiyya, al-Tur, and Ras al-Amud. In Gaza, Israeli authorities expanded the Gaza fishing zone to 15 nautical miles after it was reduced to 6 on 12/19. (AJ, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 12/24; PCHR 12/26)

In the West Bank, Israeli forces demolished a garage and car wash in al-Walaja and 4 residential structures and a blacksmith workshop south of Hebron. Israeli settlers attacked Palestinian farmers near Yatta, preventing them from farming their land. Israeli settlers also installed a mobile home on Palestinian-owned land near Burqa. 9 Palestinians were arrested, including 8 during late-night raids in and around Hebron and Tulkarm; 1 was arrested at a checkpoint near Tubas. In East Jerusalem, 6 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in and around Silwan and al-Tur. (WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 12/5; PCHR 12/12)

The PA foreign Ministry summoned a Brazilian diplomat over another Brazilian diplomat Eduardo Bolsonaro, who is also the son of Brazilian president Jair Bolsonaro, who visited an Israeli settlement in the West Bank. (WAFA 12/5)

Japan announced a $60,357 grant for the installation of a solar energy system at the Franciscan Sisters’ School in Jericho. (WAFA 12/5)

In the West Bank, 2 Palestinian families were notified that Israel intend to seize 4 dunums of their land in Jaba‘ for construction of a parking lot for Israeli military vehicles. A Palestinian family from Ya‘bad accused Israeli soldiers of stealing money and jewelry from their house during a late-night raid. Israeli forces also demolished 2 Palestinian-owned water tanks near Tubas and seized a cement mixer near Salfit. 12 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in and around Ramallah, Nablus, Jericho, and Hebron. In East Jerusalem, 2 Palestinians were detained in al-Aqsa Mosque during prayers; both were released after 5 hours of interrogation and banned from entering the mosque for 2 weeks. (WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 12/3; PCHR 12/5)

During a visit by the Irish minister of foreign affairs Simon Coveney to Israel, Gaza, and the West Bank, the ministry announced that Ireland was funding a $8.8 million project for construction of solar panels in Gaza in partnership with the French Development Agency. Foreign Affairs Minister Coveney met with PA prime minister Mahmoud Abbas in Ramallah during his visit. (HA, WAFA 12/3)

In France, the French parliament passed a resolution to combat anti-Semitism that included anti-Zionism and criticism of Israel. The resolution adopted the language of the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance’s working definition of anti-Semitism which equates some criticism of Israel as anti-Semitic. The resolution was passed despite a petition signed by 129 Jewish and Israeli scholars warning the French parliament about equating anti-Zionism with anti-Semitism. (HA 9/4)

At the UN, 5 resolutions pertaining to Israel and Palestine passed in the General Assembly. 13 countries changed their vote, compared to previous years, on the resolution in support of the Division for Palestinian Rights of the Secretariat. The 13 countries that previously abstained on the yearly vote were Germany, the Czech Republic, Austria, Bulgaria, Denmark, Estonia, Greece, Lithuania, the Netherlands, Romania, Slovakia, Brazil, and Colombia. The vote on that resolution passed 83 to 23, with 54 abstentions. (TOI 12/4; HA 12/5)

In the West Bank, Israeli forces demolished a coffee shop in Battir. For the 2d day in a row, Israeli forces fired tear gas near schools in Hebron, causing tear-gas related injuries among students. 13 Palestinians were arrested during raids in and around Bethlehem, Hebron, Tulkarm, Ramallah, Jericho, and Tubas. In East Jerusalem, 12 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in Issawiyya. In Gaza, 1 rocket was launched from Gaza toward Israel, landing in an open area and causing no damage or injuries. Israeli forces opened fire on Palestinian farmlands east of Khan Yunis; no injuries were reported. (HA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 11/25; HA 11/26; PCHR 11/28)

The PA announced 1 day of rage on 11/26 to protest the U.S. administration’s announcement that it no longer considers Israeli settlements in contradiction to international law on 11/18. (HA, WAFA 11/25)

Omar Shakir, the Human Rights Watch director for Israel and Palestine, left Israel after being expelled. Shakir’s deportation proceedings started in May 2018 and the decision to expel him from the country was upheld by the Israeli Supreme Court on 11/5. Shakir will remain in his position working from Jordan. (HA 11/25)

In the West Bank, Israeli forces demolished a Palestinian-owned house in Dura. 6 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in and around Birzeit, Nablus, Hebron, Tubas, and Jericho. Israeli forces raided several neighborhoods in Ramallah, leading to clashes with Palestinians; tear-gas related injuries were reported. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces arrested PA minister of Jerusalem affairs Fadi Hidmi during a house raid and delivered an arrest summons for PA governor of Jerusalem Adnan Ghaith and his son. Minister Hidmi and Governor Ghaith were arrested because they were going to an official event in East Jerusalem, which Israel does not allow PA officials to attend. Elsewhere, Israeli police raided a Palestinian-owned butcher shop and ordered it closed for 15 days for hiring a Palestinian resident of the West Bank. In Gaza, Israeli forces made incursions to level land. (AJ, HA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 9/25; PCHR 9/26)

In the West Bank, Israeli forces closed a major artery connecting Hebron and Bethlehem with central and northern West Bank. Israeli forces also arrested 5 Palestinians during late-night raids in and around Jericho, Tulkarm, and Bethlehem. Israeli settlers threw stones at Palestinian vehicles near Huwwara south of Nablus. In East Jerusalem, 2 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in Silwan and Issawiyya. In Israel, 1 Palestinian woman was killed and 2 of her relatives were injured when an unknown perpetrator opened fire on them in Jaffa. (WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 8/25; HA 8/27; PCHR 8/29)

 Israeli drones were shot down over Beirut in a Hezbollah-dominated neighborhood. 1 of the drones was carrying explosives. A Hezbollah spokesperson denied that Hezbollah had shot down the drones. Lebanon’s prime minister Saad Hariri called the drones an open attack on Lebanon’s sovereignty and an attempt to foment regional tensions. (AJ, AJ, HA 8/25; HA 8/26)

Commenting on Israel’s strikes in Syria on 8/24, Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah said in a speech that Israel did not hit Iran’s Quds Force but Hezbollah forces, killing 2 Hezbollah members. 1 commander of Iran’s Revolutionary Guard also denied that Israel had hit the Quds Force. (HA 8/25; HA 8/26)

An Iraqi group claimed that Israel killed 1 of its members in Iraq near the Syrian border in a drone attack. (AJ 8/25)

In the West Bank, Israeli forces seized 1 tractor and 2 vehicles during a raid in Ras al-Ahmar in the Jordan Valley. Israeli forces also demolished 4 barns and a house under construction near Bayt Jala. Israeli settlers from the Yitzhar settlement raided ‘Urif south of Nablus, throwing stones and bottles at buildings, causing damage. 26 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in and around Nablus, Jenin, Tulkarm, Bethlehem, Hebron, and Jericho. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces demolish 1 house in Bayt Hanina and 1 wall in Issawiyya. Israeli forces also arrested 7 Palestinians during late-night raids in Issawiyya. Off the coast of Gaza, Israeli naval forces opened fire on Palestinian fishermen in 3 separate incidents; 1 Palestinian was arrested and 1 boat confiscated. (WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 8/6; PCHR 8/8)

An Israeli court ruled that 6 Palestinians from the bedouin village of al-Araqib in southern Israel have to pay $372,000 for their own evictions. Al-Araqib was last demolished on 8/5 for the 149^th time since 2010. (HA 8/8)

In the West Bank, 5 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in and around Burqin and Jenin. Israeli forces seized an agricultural irrigation network in Jiftlik near Jericho. Israeli forces also demolished a playground, several water wells, and trees in the southern Hebron Hills. In East Jerusalem, Israel’s minister of agriculture and rural development Uri Ariel toured the Haram al-Sharif compound with a group of 42 Israeli settlers and police escort. In Gaza, Israeli authorities prevented a soccer game from being held between a team from Gaza and a team from the West Bank as Israel delayed issuing permits for the Gaza players. (WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 7/3; WAFA 7/4)

In the West Bank, Israeli forces demolished a Palestinian house under construction east of Jericho. Israeli forces also razed tracts of Palestinian-owned farmland west of Bethlehem, in Madama, and Burin near Nablus. In Tarqumiyya, Israeli forces demolished a greenhouse and razed land belonging to 2 Palestinian families. In Kafr Haris near Salfit, Israeli settlers injured a Palestinian while throwing stones at his house. In a separate incident, Israeli settlers ignited 2 Palestinian-owned olive groves in Madama. 8 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in and around Ramallah, Nablus, Bethlehem, and Qalqilya. In East Jerusalem, 3 Palestinians were wounded and 1 arrested during an Israeli raid in Issawiyya. A 60-year-old man died of wounds sustained after being beaten by Israeli forces earlier in June. (WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 6/19; HA, WAFA 6/20)

In the West Bank, 3 Israeli settlers were arrested; 2 of them for hate crimes against Palestinians and 1 for the attack on Israeli forces on 5/25. All 3 settlers were from the Yitzhar settlement. Israeli forces also arrested 8 Palestinians during late-night raids in and around Hebron, Ramallah, Jericho, and Jenin. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces arrested 3 Palestinians during late-night raids. Separately, 3 Palestinians were arrested in the al-Aqsa Mosque when a group of Israeli settlers toured the mosque, leading to a verbal confrontation with Muslim worshippers. (HA, WAFA 5/26)

Israeli authorities expanded the Gaza fishing zone from 10 nautical miles to 15. (HA 5/26)

In the West Bank, Israeli forces arrested 5 Palestinian during late-night raids in and around Nablus, Jericho, and Halhul. In East Jerusalem, 1 Palestinian was arrested by Israeli forces during a late-night raid. (WAFA 5/21)

PA social development minister Ahmed Majdalani said that, “There will be no Palestinian participation in the Manama workshop,” and further stipulated that, “Any Palestinian who would take part would be nothing but a collaborator for the Americans and Israel.” The message came in response to the White House announcement that the economic component of U.S. president Donald Trump’s peace plan would be presented in Bahrain in June. PA prime minister Mohammed Shtayyeh said that, “The [Palestinian] cabinet wasn’t consulted about the reported workshop, neither over the content, nor the outcome nor timing.” (AJ, HA, WAFA 5/20)

PA president Mahmoud Abbas met with the Emir of Qatar Shaykh Tamim Bin Hamad al-Thani during the 1st day of a 3-day meeting. (WAFA 5/20)

Four hundred out of 535 members of the U.S. congress signed a letter to President Donald Trump calling on him to support Israel. The letter read, “With the region in flux, it remains critical that we reiterate to both friend and foe in the region that we continue to support Israel’s right to defend itself.” (HA 5/21)

Trump tweeted that, “If Iran wants to fight, that will be the official end of Iran. Never threaten the United States again!” Iranian foreign minister Javad Zarif called Trump’s tweet a genocidal taunt in a separate tweet. (HA 5/20)

In the West Bank, 8 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in and around Ramallah, Tulkarm, Hebron, and Jericho. During a raid in Hebron, surveillance camera recordings were confiscated and solar panels were damaged. East of Ramallah, Israeli forces uprooted 120 olive trees. In ‘Urif, Israeli settlers attacked a Palestinian high school by throwing stones at the building, causing moderate damage. In East Jerusalem, 3 Palestinians were arrested; 2 during late-night raids in Issawiyya and 1 near the Haram al-Sharif compound. In Gaza, Israeli shelling continued for the 3d day in a row, killing 19 Palestinians and wounding 29. Several buildings in Gaza were completely destroyed and others were damaged. 3 Israelis were killed by rockets from Gaza and 4 people were wounded in Israel, including a Thai national. This makes the comprehensive death toll from the Israeli attack on Gaza on 4/5-5/5 30 Palestinians total. By the end of 5/5 (U.S. eastern time), it was reported that a cease-fire agreement had been reached. (AJ, AJ, AJ, HA, HA, MNA, MNA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 5/5; MNA, WAFA, WAFA 5/6; PCHR 5/9)

Israel indicated that it had resumed its policy of executions, what Israeli authorities refer to as target killings. Israel killed a Palestinian man in Gaza alleged to facilitating transfers of funds from Iran to Hamas during its attack on Gaza. Chief of the Israeli forces southern command Hertzi Halevy said that the Israeli executions of Palestinians alleged to be involved in terror activity “is expected to continue.” (HA 5/5)

U.S. president Donald Trump tweeted, “Once again, Israel faces a barrage of deadly rocket attacks by terrorist groups Hamas and Islamic Jihad. We support Israel 100% in its defense of its citizens . . . To the Gazan people—these terrorist acts against Israel will bring you nothing but more misery. END the violence and work towards peace—it can happen!” Member of the PLO executive committee Hanan Ashrawi called Israel’s attack on Gaza “criminal and morally reprehensible.” (Twitter, WAFA 5/5)

In the West Bank, Israeli forces arrested 13 Palestinians in late-night raids in and around Far‘un, Jenin, Bethlehem, Hebron, Tulkarm, Nablus, and Qalqilya. Elsewhere in the West Bank, Israeli forces demolished 2 greenhouses near Bethlehem and a residential structure under construction in Khirbat Jabara south of Tulkarm. Israeli forces also sealed off a road between al-Tuwwana and al-Karmel east of Yatta. In East Jerusalem, a day after the Israeli supreme court rejected local residents’ appeal to protect their East Jerusalem homes from demolition, Israeli forces began demolishing the 60 residential structures housing 500 Palestinians. Several Palestinians were wounded trying to protect their homes. Elsewhere in East Jerusalem, a Palestinian home was demolished by Israeli forces in Bayt Hanina, displacing 7 Palestinians that also were fined $11,000. Israeli forces also arrested 6 Palestinians in East Jerusalem; 2 of the arrested were Palestinian minors who reportedly had thrown Molotov cocktails at an Israeli police station. (HA, MNA, MNA, MNA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 4/17; MNA, MNA, WAFA 4/18)

The Israeli ambassador to the UN Danny Danon said that Israel would not start annexing parts of the West Bank until the Trump administration’s peace plan is unveiled. U.S. president Donald Trump’s son-in-law and senior adviser Jared Kushner told a group of ambassadors that the peace plan will not be released until after the end of Ramadan in early June. (HA 4/17; HA 4/18)

Thousands of Palestinians held rallies in Ramallah, Nablus, Jenin, Tulkarm, Qalqilya, Jericho, Tubas, Hebron, and Bethlehem in support of the over 6,000 Palestinian prisoners held in Israeli prisons for Prisoners Day. (WAFA 4/17)

In the West Bank, IDF troops fire tear gas onto the grounds of a Palestinian elementary school near Hebron, causing minor injuries and forcing the school to close temporarily. They also arrest 12 Palestinians during late-night raids in and around al-Bireh, Jericho, Qalqilya, Jenin, and Hebron; and patrol near Nablus and Hebron. Israeli forces demolish 2 Palestinian homes south of Jerusalem, demolish a Palestinian barn near Bethlehem, and confiscate a Palestinian sewage transport vehicle near Nablus. In East Jerusalem, the Israeli authorities re-open the entrances to Haram al-Sharif, having shut them down in response to an alleged firebomb attack on 3/12. Off Gaza’s coast, Israeli naval forces open fire on Palestinian fishing boats near Bayt Lahiya, causing no damage or injuries. (HA, MNA, MNA, WAFA, WAFA 3/13; PCHR 3/14)

IDF troops shoot and kill a Palestinian driver at a checkpoint near Jericho. The IDF claims that he refused to pull over when border security ordered him to and that he attempted to ram his vehicle into several Israeli soldiers. Elsewhere in the West Bank, Israeli settlers chase Palestinians shepherds off their land near Jericho, sparking a minor confrontation between the settlers and Palestinian activists; IDF troops arrest 4 shepherds and 2 activists. Meanwhile, IDF troops arrest 6 Palestinians during late-night raids in and around Jenin, Qalqilya, Bethlehem, and Hebron; and patrol near Hebron, Jenin, and Qalqilya. Along Gaza’s border, IDF troops shoot and kill a Palestinian minor approaching the border fence near al-Bureij refugee camp. It’s unclear why they opened fire. Late at night, after unidentified Palestinians launch a rocket and fly an incendiary balloon into southern Gaza, causing no damage or injuries, the Israeli Air Force conducts air strikes on several Hamas sites in northern Gaza and Dayr al-Balah, causing extensive damage. Off Gaza’s coast, Israeli naval forces open fire on Palestinian fishing boats near Gaza City, causing no damage or injuries. In East Jerusalem, a Palestinian family demolishes their own home in Jabal Mukabir to avoid paying Israeli demolition fees. (HA, MNA, MNA, MNA, MNA, TOI, WAFA 3/9; HA, MNA, MNA, MNA, MNA, TOI, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, YA 3/10; PCHR 3/14)

Hundreds of Palestinians gather along Gaza’s border near Bayt Hanun to set tires on fire and otherwise continue the Great March of Return for a 3d day in a row. IDF troops violently disperse them, injuring 3 protesters. After some protesters reportedly hurl an explosive device over the border fence, Israeli forces shell a Hamas outpost near Bayt Hanun, causing damage. Separately, IDF troops arrest 2 Palestinians allegedly attempting to cross into Israel near Gaza City. Off Gaza’s coast, Israeli naval forces open fire on Palestinian fishing boats near Rafah, causing no damage or injuries. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces demolish a Palestinian-owned carwash in Bayt Hanina and assault and detain a Palestinian outside the Old City. They also deliver an order to the chairman of the Islamic Waqf council, banning him from Haram al-Sharif for 40 days, and arrest 10 Palestinians during raids in Issawiyya, Silwan, and Bayt ‘Anan. In the West Bank, IDF troops shoot and kill 2 Palestinians and injure a 3d after their vehicle collides with an IDF vehicle outside Ramallah, injuring 2 Israeli soldiers. The IDF claims that it was a purposeful ramming attack, while Palestinian eyewitnesses say the collision was an accident. Separately, the Israeli authorities temporarily close the checkpoint at the southern entrance to Hebron’s al-Ibrahimi Mosque, blocking of the area to make room for Israeli settlers holding demonstration. IDF troops shoot and injure a Palestinian amid clashes sparked by a patrol in Nablus; arrest 7 Palestinians during late-night raids near Ramallah, Salfit, and Hebron; and patrol near Hebron and Qalqilya. Israeli settlers chase Palestinian shepherds off their lands near Jericho. Israeli forces demolish a Palestinian carwash, a merchant’s cart, and 2 other steel structures near Salfit. (HA, JP, MNA, MNA, MNA, TOI, TOI, WAFA, WAFA 3/3; HA, MNA, MNA, WAFA 3/4; PCHR 3/7)

Thousands of Palestinians gather along Gaza’s border fence to continue the Great March of Return. IDF troops violently disperse them near Gaza City, Khan Yunis, Rafah, al-Bureij refugee camp, and Jabaliya refugee camp; 1 Palestinian minor is killed and at least 23 are injured. This brings the death toll stemming from the Great March of Return to 205. Also along Gaza’s border, Israeli forces conduct a limited incursion to level land along the border fence near al-Bureij refugee camp. Off Gaza’s coast, Israeli naval forces open fire on Palestinian fishing boats near Jabaliya refugee camp, causing no damage or injuries. In the West Bank, IDF troops violently disperse Palestinians gathering in central Hebron to mark the 25th anniversary of the 2/25/94 massacre at al-Ibrahimi Mosque; 1 Palestinian is injured. The also disperse Palestinians, Israelis, and international activists at Friday protests against the Israeli occupation in al-Mughayyir near Ramallah (3 Palestinians are injured); arrest 4 Palestinians during late-night raids near Qalqilya, Tulkarm, Jenin, and Jericho; and patrol near Jenin, Nablus, and Hebron. Israeli settlers uproot 200 olive tree seedlings from a Palestinian grove near Hebron. In East Jerusalem, hundreds of Palestinians gather at Haram al-Sharif to protest the recent Israeli incursions at the sanctuary. Ahead of the mid-day prayer, Muslim leaders lead the protesters into the al-Rahma Gate area of the sanctuary for the first time since 2003. Separately, Israeli forces arrest 38 Palestinians in raids across the city. (AP, HA, HA, MNA, MNA, MNA, MNA, TOI, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 2/22; MNA 2/23; PCHR 2/28)

Along Gaza’s border, IDF troops open fire on Palestinian shepherds working near Khan Yunis, causing no damage or injuries. Later, they open fire on Palestinian minors approaching the border fence near Gaza City, injuring 1. Off Gaza’s coast, Israeli naval forces open fire on Palestinian fishing boats near Jabaliya refugee camp, causing no damage or injuries. In the West Bank, Israeli forces cut down or uproot at least 520 olive trees in a Palestinian grove outside Bardala village near Jericho. They also demolish a recently repaired road outside Hebron and a Palestinian home between Jerusalem and Bethlehem. IDF troops arrest 2 Palestinian brothers at a checkpoint in central Hebron when one of them is found with a knife on his person; arrest 8 more Palestinians during late-night raids near Salfit, Jenin, Tulkarm, and Hebron; and patrol near Hebron. The raids in Jenin refugee camp spark clashes with stone-throwing Palestinians; 1 Palestinian is lightly injured. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces arrest a Palestinian imam while he is leaving his mosque in Silwan and demolish a Palestinian home in al-Walaja village. (MNA, MNA, MNA, TOI, WAFA, WAFA 2/11; MNA 2/12; PCHR 2/14)

Two Palestinians suffocate to death and several others are injured when Egyptian forces pump unidentified gases into a smuggling tunnel running from Gaza into northeastern Sinai Peninsula. (JP, MNA, TOI, WAFA 2/11)

A U.S. official denies that the Trump administration has asked U.S. and international financial institutions to stop transactions with the Palestinians, denying a charge leveled by a senior PA official on 2/10. “The U.S. has not requested that foreign donors restrict assistance to the Palestinians, nor has it requested that financial institutions cease transfers to Palestinian Authority (PA) bank accounts,” the official says. (AFP, TOI 2/12)

U.S. representative Ilhan Omar (D-MN) apologizes for her 2/10 tweet about Israeli influence in U.S. politics. “Anti-Semitism is real and I am grateful for Jewish allies and colleagues who are educating me on the painful history of anti-Semitic tropes,” she writes in an apology statement. “At the same time, I reaffirm the problematic role of lobbyists in our politics, wither it be AIPAC, the NRA, or the fossil fuel industry.” (NYT 2/11; CNN 2/12)

Israeli forces strike a demolished hospital and an observation post along the Syria-Israel border in Qunaytra, causing moderate damage, according to the Syrian press. An IDF spokesperson declines comment. (HA, JP, REU, TOI, YA 2/11)

In the West Bank, IDF troops shoot and injure 3 Palestinians amid clashes sparked by a raid in Tuqu‘ near Bethlehem. They also assault an elderly Palestinian woman and destroy some furniture during a raid in Hebron; shoot and injure a Palestinian minor who allegedly threw a Molotov cocktail at an IDF post near Bethlehem; assault and injure a Palestinian minor outside an abandoned Israeli settlement near Jenin; arrest 2 Palestinians during late-night raids near Tulkarm and Jenin; and patrol near Hebron. Israeli settlers assault a number of Palestinian farmers working near Jericho, forcing them from their fields. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces demolish a residential building in Silwan, displacing 14 Palestinians. In southern Israel, Israeli forces demolish the Bedouin village al-Araqib for the 139th time since 2010. (MNA, MNA, MNA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 1/31; MNA 2/1; PCHR 2/7)

Al-Monitor reports that the Egyptian authorities decided to largely close the Rafah border crossing on 1/5 in part due to the PA’s withdrawal from the Palestinian side of the crossing, as was previously reported, but also in part out of displeasure with the Qatari transfers of money to Gaza. According to a Hamas source, the Egyptians were “furious” about Qatar’s growing influence in Gaza and wanted to punish Hamas. The Egyptian authorities reportedly only opened the crossing on 1/29 after pressure from the Israelis. (ALM 1/31)

Israel’s Public Security Minister Gilad Erdan signs an order extending the ban on several Palestinian institutions in East Jerusalem, including the Palestinian Prisoner’s Club, the Center for Palestinian Studies, and the Orient House, which once housed the PLO’s headquarters in East Jerusalem. “The PA has recently been trying to strengthen its presence in East Jerusalem in sophisticated ways, including the transfer of significant funds for activities,” Erdan says. “I will continue to strengthen Israeli sovereignty throughout Jerusalem, and prevent any Palestinian attempt to create a foothold in the eastern part of the city.” (JP, TOI 1/31)

The EU announces a new €2.37 million (approximately $2.7 million) to support Palestinian farmers and agricultural businesses in the West Bank. The donation is set to benefit 241 farmers and businesses repair critical machinery, acquire new equipment, and improve their infrastructure. (MNA, WAFA 1/31)

Approximately 1,000 Palestinians gather along Gaza’s northern shore to continue the Great March of Return and to cheer on 20 Palestinian boats sailing in a symbolic challenge to the Israeli blockade. IDF troops and Israeli naval forces violently disperse the demonstrations; 23 Palestinians are injured (1 critically). The Hamas-run Ministry of Health in Gaza states that the critically injured Palestinian was a farmer working in the area, and not a protester. Off Gaza’s coast, Israeli naval forces open fire on Palestinian fishing boats near Jabaliya refugee camp, causing no damage or injuries. In the West Bank, Israeli settlers chase a number of Palestinian shepherds off their land near Jericho. IDF troops arrest 11 Palestinians during late-night raids near Jenin, Hebron, Ramallah, and Nablus; and patrol near Hebron and Bethlehem. Israeli forces dismantle and confiscate 2 makeshift Palestinian residential structures near Bethlehem. (WAFA 1/29; PCHR 1/31)

A Palestinian succumbs to injuries sustained when IDF troops opened fire on protesters along Gaza’s border fence on 1/25. This brings the death toll stemming from the Great March of Return to 200. (MNA, WAFA 1/29; PCHR 1/31)

PA prime minister Rami Hamdallah submits on behalf of his government his resignation to PA president Mahmoud Abbas. “[Hamdallah and his government] will continue to serve our people wherever they are and shoulder all its responsibilities until a new government is formed,” according to a PA statement. Abbas later accepts Hamdallah’s resignation, requesting that he continue to serve until a new government is formed. It’s unclear when that will be. (JP, MNA, NYT, TOI, TOI, WAFA, WAFA 1/29; MNA 1/30)

The Egyptian authorities open the Rafah border crossing for passage in both directions for the first of 2 planned days. They have largely kept the crossing closed since 1/5. (ALM 1/31)

One day after Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced his intention not to renew the Temporary International Presence in Hebron (TIPH)’s mandate, PLO secretary-general Saeb Erakat calls on the UN to deploy a permanent international force in the West Bank and East Jerusalem. The UN should “guarantee the safety and protection of the people of Palestine” until “the end of Israel’s belligerent occupation,” he says. Separately, Norway’s Foreign Minister Ine Marie Eriksen Søreide says that Netanyahu’s “one-sided” decision to not renew the TIPH’s mandate is “worrying” and that if could “mean that the implementation of an important part of the Oslo Accords is discontinued.” (AP, YA 1/29; TOI 1/30)

Widely seen as one of the greatest challenges to Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu, former head of the IDF Benny Gantz officially launches his campaign ahead of the 4/9 Israeli elections. “Under my leadership, the government will strive for peace and will not miss an opportunity to bring about regional change,” he says, pledging to strengthen the “settlement blocs and Golan Heights” and build a “united Jerusalem.” Netanyahu later criticizes Gantz’s speech as just “another speech by [Yesh Atid leader Yair] Lapid. Whoever says he’s neither right nor left, is left.” (HA 1/29; YA 1/30)

A senior Japanese official pledges $341,348 in support of 4 humanitarian projects in Gaza. (MNA 1/31)