The Palestine Chronology

In the West Bank, Israeli settler set up a mobile home on Palestinian land east of Hebron. Israeli forces violently dispersed an anti-settlement protest in al-Mughayyir, leading to tear-gas related injuries. Israeli forces also violently dispersed anti-settlement protests in Kafr Qaddum, leading to tear-gas related injuries. Elsewhere, Israeli forces violently dispersed Palestinians at an olive tree planting event in Bayt Dajan, injuring 2 with rubber-coated bullets while 15 others suffered tear-gas related injuries. Israeli forces also denied Palestinians access to their land near Salfit. Palestinians clashed with PA security forces during several demonstrations against COVID-19 lockdown restrictions in and around Hebron, leading to tear-gas related injuries. 6 Palestinians were arrested during raids in and around Nablus, al-Bireh, al-‘Izzariya, Luban al-Sharqiyya, and Huwwara. In East Jerusalem, 4 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in the Old City and Issawiyya. In Gaza, Israeli forces opened fire on agricultural lands east of al-Fukhari; no injuries were reported. (WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 12/11; HA 12/12; PCHR 12/17)

1 Palestinian man died of wounds sustained after being shot by Israeli forces at the Qalandia checkpoint on 8/16. The man, who had a hearing disability, was shot after he did not stop when told by Israeli forces. (WAFA 12/11; PCHR 12/17)

A member of Hezbollah was sentenced to 5 consecutive life sentences for killing former Lebanese prime minister Rafik Hariri and 21 others in 2005. The man, Salim Jamil Ayyash, was sentenced in absentia by the UN-backed Lebanon Tribunal. (AJ, HA, REU 12/11)

A group of 22 Republican members of the U.S. House sent a letter to U.S. president Donald Trump urging the president to declassify a State Department report mandated by Congress in 2012 that distinguishes between Palestinian refugees born in Palestine before 1948 and those born outside of Palestine. The 22 Republicans said in the letter that they do not believe that descendants of Palestinian refugees born in Palestine before 1948 can be considered refugees and called the Right of Return a “fiction” that should “end.” (Rep. Doug Lamborn 12/11, MDW 12/21)

In the West Bank, Israeli forces shot and injured 1 Palestinian near the separation wall west of Jenin. Israeli forces also violently dispersed Palestinians protesting in Kafr Qaddum; 2 were injured by rubber-coated bullets. Elsewhere, Israeli forces and Palestinians clashed during raids in al-‘Arub refugee camp, leading to tear-gas related injuries. 3 Palestinians were arrested in and around Anata, Hebron, and Bethlehem. Off the coast of Gaza, Israeli naval forces opened fire at Palestinian fishermen 1 nautical mile west of Bayt Lahiya; 1 Palestinian was lightly injured by 1 rubber-coated bullet. (WAFA 11/7; PCHR 11/12)

For the 20th Saturday in a row, thousands of Israelis protested prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu outside of his official residence and throughout Israel. (HA, WAFA 11/7)

Lebanese president Michel Aoun asked the Lebanese foreign ministry to retrieve evidence of U.S. claims against Christian politician Gibran Bassil after the U.S. put sanctions on him on 11/6. Bassil is also President Aoun’s son-in-law. (HA, HA, REU 11/7)

All major news outlets called the 2020 U.S. presidential election for Joe Biden after 5 days of vote counting. It took news outlets longer to call the 2020 president election because of the large amounts of mail-in ballots cast due to the COVID-19 pandemic. U.S. president Donald Trump refused to concede the elections, making unsubstantiated allegations of voter fraud. (AP, NYT 11/7; CNN, NYT, REU 11/8; WAFA 11/9; WP 11/12)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers emptied wastewater on Palestinian agricultural lands, damaging crops in Luban al-Sharqiyya. 23 Palestinians were arrested during raids in and around Hebron, Ramallah, Jenin, Nablus, Bethlehem, and Tubas; during a raid in Jenin, 1 Palestinian was shot in the foot before being arrested. In Gaza, Israeli authorities claimed that 2 rockets were launched at Israel from Gaza, 1 being intercepted by the Iron Dome. Israel then fired rockets at Nuseirat refugee camp and Khan Yunis, causing damage; no injuries were reported. Israeli forces also opened fire on agricultural lands east of Dayr al-Balah; no injuries were reported. (HA, WAFA, WAFA 10/22; AJ, TOI, WAFA 10/23; PCHR 10/29)

Sudanese government sources told Reuters that the prime minister of Sudan’s transitional government, Abdalla Hamdok, is ready to proceed with normalization of relations with Israel if the transitional parliament approves. The transitional parliament has not yet been formed. (HA 10/23)

Lebanese president Michel Aoun designated Saad Hariri as prime minister to form a new government. Hariri resigned 1 year ago as prime minister after prolonged protests in Lebanon against nepotism and corruption. (AJ, GDN, HA, REU 10/22)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers threw stones at Palestinian vehicles traveling between Bethlehem and Hebron; 1 Palestinian child was injured by broken glass in his eye. Israeli settlers also uprooted dozens of Palestinian-owned olive saplings east of Yatta. Israeli forces opened fire at a vehicle with 5 Palestinians inside at a military checkpoint near Jenin, causing damage to the vehicle; no injuries were reported. 7 Palestinians were arrested in and around Hebron, Qalqilya, and Nablus; during a raid in Tammun, Israeli forces seized mobile phones, leading to confrontations with Palestinians; no injuries were reported. During a different raid in Sabastiyya, Israeli forces clashed with Palestinians, leading to tear-gas related injuries. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces detained the secretary of Fatah in Jerusalem Yasser Darwish and banned him from entry to the West Bank for 3 months. 7 Palestinians were arrested during raids in Issawiyya, the Old City, and al-Tur. In Gaza, Israeli forces opened fire at agricultural lands east of al-Shawka; no injuries were reported. Off the coast of Gaza, Israeli naval forces opened fire on Palestinian fishermen within 4 nautical miles west of al-Sudaniyya; no injuries were reported. (WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 10/8; WAFA 10/9; PCHR 10/15)

An Israeli court ruled that Israel can demolish 1 school east of Ramallah under the pretext that it was built without a permit. The school enrolls 50 students and was financed by donations from France, Finland, Luxembourg, Ireland, Spain, the UK, and Sweden. (WAFA 10/8; WAFA 10/9)

Secretary-general of the PLO Saeb Erakat said that he had tested positive for the COVID-19 virus. (AJ, JP, TOI, WAFA 10/9)

Israel and Jordan signed a deal allowing airlines from each country to fly over each other’s airspace. (HA 10/8)

Lebanon’s former prime minister Saad Hariri, who resigned after prolonged protests at the end of 2019, said that he is a possible candidate to head the new Lebanese government. (REU 10/8; AJ 10/9)

The U.S. Trump administration announced new sanctions on Iran that effectively shuts off the country from the global financial system. The new sanctions are expected to halt flows of food, medicine, and humanitarian aid to Iran. (AJ, REU 10/8)

In the West Bank, Israeli forces raided Qatanna, leading to clashes with Palestinians; tear-gas related injuries were reported. Israeli forces arrested 1 Palestinian and seized his vehicle. Israeli forces also clashed with Palestinians during a raid in Sabastiyya; 1 Palestinian bystander was hit in the head with Israeli-fired live ammunition. 20 Palestinians were arrested during raids in and around Jenin, Tubas, Qalqilya, Nablus, Hebron, and Ramallah. In East Jerusalem, 19 Palestinians were arrested during raids in and around Issawiyya, al-Tur, and Wadi al-Juz. In Gaza, Israeli forces made incursions to level agricultural lands east of Khan Yunis. In Israel, 2 Palestinians from Gaza were arrested after breaching the Gaza fence; according to the Israeli military, the 2 had 2 defective grenades and 1 knife in their possession when they were arrested. (HA, WAFA 10/1; PCHR 10/8)

The Israeli ministry of justice said, in response to a petition made by Adalah in August, that Israel will have to limit the amount of home demolitions conducted in Israel, which includes East Jerusalem. (Adalah, WAFA 10/5)

The PA ministry of local government issued building permits for Palestinian residents in the Jordan Valley. The minister, Majdi Salah, said that the PA no longer recognizes the classifications of areas A, B, and C made during the Oslo Accords and therefore is not bound by Israel’s claims of civil and military control in Area C. (WAFA 10/1)

Israel’s high court of justice rejected a petition to free a 49-year-old Palestinian who is held on administrative detention and has been hunger-striking for more than 60 days. The petition was rejected despite the Shin Bet and the Israeli Central Command caught lying about the Palestinian’s affiliation to Islamic Jihad. According to the prosecutors, he had been filmed saying he was a proud member of Islamic Jihad while interrogated; however, the transcripts do not back up their claim. (HA 10/6)

Israel and Lebanon confirmed that they would begin direct talks about their maritime borders on 10/14. The direct talks will be mediated by the U.S. and the UN. (AJ, BBC, HA, REU, TOI 10/1)

Armenia said it had recalled its ambassador to Israel over Israeli weapons sales to Azerbaijan. Azerbaijan has acknowledged use of Israeli-made drones to bomb Armenian forces and civilians in Nagorno-Karabakh, a de facto self-governed predominantly ethnically Armenian region within the borders of Azerbaijan. (REU, TOI 10/1)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers raided Qusra, damaging 2 poultry farms, killing some 200 chickens, setting fire to 1 tractor, and damaging water tanks; as clashes erupted, Israeli forces intervened on behalf of the settlers, injuring 2 Palestinians using rubber-coated bullets; Israeli settlers alleged that Palestinians had set fire to a settler-owned vineyard. Israeli forces violently dispersed protests in Kafr Qaddum, shooting 5 Palestinians with rubber-coated bullets. Elsewhere, Israeli forces and Palestinians clashed during an Israeli raid in Hebron, leading to tear-gas related injuries. Israeli forces also seized 1 concrete pump and 1 concrete mixer near Yatta. In East Jerusalem, 1 Palestinian was arrested in Issawiyya. In Gaza, Israeli forces opened fire on agricultural lands east of Rafah; no injuries were reported. In Israel, thousands of protesters called for Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s resignation in front of his official residence, despite lockdown restrictions. (HA, REU, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 9/26; AJ, HA, WAFA 9/27; PCHR 10/1)

The Czech Republic signed a deal with Israel to buy 4 SPYDER anti-aircraft batteries for about $430 million. (HA 9/25; TOI 9/27)

The prime minister-designate of Lebanon Mustapha Adib resigned as he was unable to form a government. (AJ, HA, REU 9/26; REU 9/27)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers chopped down dozens of Palestinian-owned olive trees in Bidya. Israeli forces demolished 1 wedding hall south of Tulkarm and 1 house under construction, 2 water wells, and 15 electric poles in Bayt ‘Awa. 5 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in and around Jenin, Tubas, Bayt Fajjar, and Hebron. In Gaza, Israeli forces made incursions to level agricultural land east of al-Maghazi. Israeli forces also opened fire on agricultural lands east of Khuza‘a; no injuries were reported. Off the coast of Gaza, Israeli naval forces opened fire on Palestinian fishermen west of Bayt Lahiya; no injuries were reported. (WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 9/23; PCHR 9/24)

Senior officials from Fatah and Hamas met for the 2d day in Turkey to continue talks about reconciliation between the 2 parties. (AJ 9/24)

Sudanese and U.S. officials in the UAE discussed advancing Arab-Israeli peace and removing Sudan from the U.S. list of state sponsors of terrorism, according to the Sudanese sovereign council. Sudan has been rumored to join the U.S. recent push for Arab and Muslim countries to normalize ties with Israel. (AJ, HA 9/23)

The virtual meeting platform Zoom canceled a webinar hosted by San Francisco State University called “Whose Narratives? Gender, Justice and Resistance” because of pro-Israel activists lobbying against the webinar as 1 of the speakers would be Laila Khaled. Khaled was part of 2 PFLP hijackings in 1969 and 1970. (JP, TOI 9/23)

The student government at University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign voted for a resolution calling for the school to divest from companies that contribute to American and Israeli military, prisons, police forces, or the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, also known as ICE. (MDW 9/30; WAFA 10/2)

The EU contributed $35.6 million to UNRWA programs in Lebanon. (WAFA 9/23)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers stormed Bidya and leveled 16 dunams of land using bulldozers, destroying some 950 olive, almond, fig, grape, and citrus trees, and 1 caravan, and fenced off some 20 dunams (4.95 acres) of Palestinian-owned land in Kisan. Israeli forces demolished shacks used for farming in Tarqumiyya and ordered stop-work on 1 house in Taqqua, seizing 1 concreate mixer. Israeli forces also demolished 1 Palestinian-owned house in Bayt Sira. 13 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in and around Hebron, Yatta, Jenin, Tulkarm, and Ramallah. In Israel, Israeli forces raided cells and assaulted Palestinian prisoners in Megiddo prison. Israeli forces also demolished the Bedouin village al-Araqib for the 178th time since 2000. (WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 9/17; PCHR 9/24)

In Lebanon, leaders of Hezbollah’s political wing accused the U.S. of obstructing the formation of a new Lebanese government as a deadline for forming a government passed on 9/15. (HA 9/17)

A bipartisan group of members of the U.S. House of Representatives introduced a resolution supporting the normalization deal between Bahrain, the UAE, and Israel, and called on other Arab and Muslim countries to join. The resolution also called on the U.S. government to ensure that U.S. weapons sales does not harm Israel’s qualitative military edge. (HA 9/18)

In the West Bank, Palestinians fended off Israeli settlers trying to seize their land in Birin. Israeli forces shot and injured 1 Palestinian using live ammunition near the separation wall north of Jenin. 5 Palestinians were arrested, including 4 during late-night raids in Nablus, Anata, Kisan, and Hebron; 1 was arrested by undercover Israeli forces while working at a gas station near Kafr Qaddum. In East Jerusalem, 2 Palestinians started demolishing their own homes to avoid exorbitant Israeli demolition fees. Israeli forces summoned 3 members of Fatah for interrogation in Silwan. (WAFA, WAFA 8/31; PCHR 9/3)

Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar announced that Hamas and Israel had reached an understanding to de-escalate the conflict after nearly a month of daily attacks on Gaza and incendiary balloons launched toward Israel. The understanding was facilitated by Qatari mediators. As part of the de-escalation, the Kerem Shalom border crossing would be reopened on 9/1 and the fishing zone would be reopened up to 15 nautical miles. Sources in Hamas told Haaretz that Israel would allow Qatari aid to enter Gaza again, and that Qatar was granted approval by Israel to build a gas pipeline and operate a power station in Gaza. (AJ 8/31; HA 9/1)

A delegation of senior Israeli and U.S. officials arrived in the UAE to discuss the details of the UAE’s normalization deal with Israel. The delegation arrived in the UAE on an El Al plane flying directly from Tel Aviv to Abu Dhabi using Saudi Arabian airspace. In Israel, prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu said at a press conference that he would discuss sales of U.S. F-35s and other advanced weaponry to the UAE with U.S. president Donald Trump while stressing that U.S. sales of weapons to the UAE was not part of the normalization deal. In a joint statement released by the 3 parties, the language between the English and Arabic releases differed on Israel’s commitment not to annex parts of the West Bank as part of the normalization deal. In the Arabic version it said the agreement had “stopped” Israel’s plans while the English said it had led to “the suspension of Israel’s plans to extend sovereignty.” (HA, REU 8/31; AJ 9/1; REU 9/2)

Syrian officials said that Israel fired missiles at military installments south of Damascus, killing 2 Syrian soldiers and wounding 7. The London-based Syrian Observatory of Human Rights later said that the number of deaths was 10, most of them foreign. (HA 8/31; HA 9/1)

A former Lebanese ambassador to Germany Mustapha Adib was announced as the new prime minister of Lebanon after the government resigned earlier this month. The announcement came as French president Emmanuel Macron was en route for Beirut. Reuters reported that Adib was President Macron’s preferred choice. (AJ, HA 8/31)

In the West Bank, 1 Palestinian was shot and injured by Israeli forces near the separation wall adjacent to Jenin. Israeli forces handed demolition notices for 3 houses and 2 houses under construction, and 5 others received stop-work orders for the houses in Nahalin. 17 Palestinians were arrested during raids in and around Ramallah, Burin, Madama, Tulkarm, and Jenin; tear-gas related injuries were reported during a raid in Hebron. In East Jerusalem, 1 Palestinian family demolished their own home to avoid exorbitant Israeli demolition fees in Sur Bahir, displacing 11 people. 7 Palestinians were arrested during raids. In Gaza, Israeli forces attacked buildings and infrastructure east of Khan Yunis, causing damage. Hamas authorities extended the COVID-19-related lockdown until 8/29. According to Gaza health officials, 26 people have tested positive and 2 people have died of the virus. In Israel, 1 Israeli was stabbed to death in Petah Tikva; Israeli police arrested 1 Palestinian from Nablus who they investigated as the perpetrator. (HA 8/25; BBC, HA, REU, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 8/26; HA, PCHR 8/27)

The Prisoner’s Affairs Commission reported that several Palestinians in Ofer prison have tested positive for COVID-19. (WAFA 8/26)

Israeli forces attacked Hezbollah infrastructure in Lebanon, claiming that shots were fired from Lebanon toward Israeli troops the day before. Lebanon’s supreme defense council said it would file a complaint to the UN. Earlier in the day, Israel had proposed changes to the UNIFIL mandate, which Lebanon rejected. (HA, REU 8/25; HA, HA 8/26; LT 8/27)

U.S. secretary of state Mike Pompeo met with senior members of the royal family in Bahrain to discuss “the importance of building regional peace and stability,” including normalizing ties between Bahrain and Israel. According to Bahrain state news, King Hamad bin Isa al-Khalifa told Pompeo that Bahrain is committed to the Arab Peace Initiative and the creation of a Palestinian state before normalizing relations with Israel. Later, Secretary Pompeo met with senior officials in the UAE to discuss, among other subjects, the sale of F-35 fighter jets to the UAE. (AJ, HA, HA, REU 8/26)

China donated personal protective equipment to UNRWA to help fight against the spread of COVID-19. (WAFA 8/26)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers and Israeli forces clashed with Palestinians after Israeli settlers set up a tent and caravan near Dayr Sharif. Israeli forces destroyed an irrigation system in Jiftlik, demolished 1 residential structure in Susiya, and seized 1 concrete mixing pump in Yatta. 23 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in and around Ramallah, Hebron, Nablus, Qalqilya, and Shu‘fat. In Gaza, Israel fired missiles at Bayt Lahiya causing damage after alleging that incendiary balloons from Gaza caused damage in Israel. Israeli forces also opened fire on agricultural lands east of Juhur al-Dik and Khuza‘a; no injuries were reported. (HA, TOI, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 8/6; JP, WAFA 8/7; PCHR 8/13)

French president Emmanuel Macron arrived in Lebanon, touring the damage by the massive blast in Beirut on 8/4 and offering extensive aid. (REU 8/6; AJ, HA 8/7)

In the West Bank, 1 Palestinian was injured by Israeli forces ramming him with a vehicle during a raid in Tubas. Another Palestinian was injured by Israeli forces shooting him in the head near Nablus; Israeli authorities later said it was a mistake and that the Israeli forces thought the man to be someone else. Israeli forces uprooted and seized some 100 palm trees in Jiftlik. Israeli forces also razed land in Dura. 19 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in and around Nablus, Tubas, Ramallah, Jalazun refugee camp, Bethlehem, and Hebron. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces demolished 3 Palestinian-owned homes and 1 store in Silwan. In Gaza, Israeli forces opened fire at agricultural lands on 3 separate occasions east of al-Maghazi and Khuza‘a; no injuries were reported. (WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 8/5; HA 8/7; PCHR 8/13)

In Lebanon, the Lebanese government declared a 2-week state of emergency in Beirut in the wake of the deadly blast on 8/4, which killed more than 135 people and wounded more than 5,000. The president of Lebanon Michel Aoun said the government would initiate a transparent investigation into what could have happened. PA president Mahmoud Abbas called President Aoun to express his condolences and to offer assistance. (AJ, REU, WAFA 8/5)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers set fire to a mosque and wrote racist graffiti on walls in al-Bireh. Israeli forces razed Palestinian farmland to expand an Israeli settlement near Burqin. Elsewhere, Israeli forces seized 4 animal barns in Nahalin. 11 Palestinians were arrested, including 9 during late-night raids in and around Anata, Hebron, Shu‘fat, and Jenin; 2 were arrested at a military checkpoint near Nablus. In Gaza, Israeli forces made incursions to level land east of Rafah. (HA, REU, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 7/27; PCHR 7/29)

In the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights, Israeli forces and Hezbollah militants were said to have exchanged fire near the Lebanese border; no casualties were reported. Israel claimed that Hezbollah operatives had entered Israel, leading to an exchange of fire. Hezbollah, however, said that it had not opened fire on Israeli forces and that the Israeli claims were a publicity stunt. The Lebanese prime minister Hassan Diab later said that Israel’s conduct was a dangerous military escalation in violation of Lebanese sovereignty. (REU, REU 7/27; AJ, HA, HA, HA, REU 7/28)

The U.S. Democratic Party finalized its platform for the 2020 elections. While the platform states opposition to Israeli annexation of West Bank settlements and calls for a 2-state solution, it also dismissed progressive amendments to dealing with Israel, such as conditioning military aid and calling for an end to the occupation of the West Bank. The amendments were voted down 117-34. The platform also recognizes Jerusalem as the capital of Israel. Jewish Voice for Peace called the platform “wildly out of touch with the Democratic base.” (HA 7/27; JVP Action 7/28; WAFA 7/29)

The EU said it was “deeply concerned” about the detention of PA governor of Jerusalem Adnan Gheith and called for “full respect of bilateral agreements between Israel and the PLO” with regard to East Jerusalem. Governor Gheith was arrested on 7/19 during a house raid; it was the 18th time he has been arrested since becoming governor 2 years ago. (WAFA 7/28)

The EU contributed with $27 million to the PA to help pay for the June salaries for PA civil servants. The PA has only paid civil servants half their salaries, citing the refusal to receive tax revenue payments collected by Israel because it would include coordination between the PA and Israel. (WAFA, WAFA 7/27)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers set fire to Palestinian-owned agricultural lands near Beita. Separately, Israeli settlers set fire to olive trees near Burin and Madama. Israeli forces clashed with Palestinians in Balata refugee camp; during the raid, 2 Palestinians were injured by live ammunition and 1 was arrested. 4 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in and around Tulkarm and Hebron. PA security forces also arrested 20 Palestinians who were planning to protest against corruption in the PA; the PA said the activists were arrested for violating the ban on gatherings during the COVID-19 crisis. In East Jerusalem, the PA governor of Jerusalem Adnan Gheith was arrested during a house raid in Silwan. In Israel, Israeli police violently dispersed Palestinian protesters in Jaffa demonstrating against a pending demolition of a Muslim cemetery; 4 were arrested. (HA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 7/19; PCHR 7/23; HA 7/24)

Israel claimed it had “neutralized” a drone entering Israeli air space from Lebanon. (HA, JP 7/19)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers attacked 2 Palestinians in 2 separate incidents in Hebron. In the 1st incident, 1 Palestinian man was hospitalized after 4 settlers attacked him while Israeli soldiers chose not to intervene. In the 2d incident, a larger group of settlers attacked 1 Palestinian man; when an Israeli soldier intervened, the settlers attacked him as well. Israeli settlers also vandalized several vehicles in Hebron. South of Hebron, in Susiya, Israeli settlers raided the village and attacked Palestinian-owned homes. Elsewhere, in Kafr Haris, Israeli settlers attacked 1 Islamic shrine and 1 Palestinian-owned home. Israeli forces violently dispersed the weekly anti-settlement protest in Kafr Qaddum, injuring 5 Palestinians with rubber-coated bullets, including 3 journalists, and damaged 1 ambulance. Israeli forces also violently dispersed protests in Zubaydat and Ni‘lin, leading to tear-gas related injuries. 3 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in and around Burqa and Tulkarm. In East Jerusalem, 1 Palestinian family started demolishing their own home in Sur Bahir to avoid exorbitant Israeli demolition fees. In Gaza, Israeli forces opened fire on agricultural lands east of Bayt Hanun; no injuries were reported. (WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 6/12; HA, WAFA 6/13; HA 6/14; PCHR 6/18)

Israeli defense minister Benny Gantz and Israeli justice minister Avi Nissenkorn told their ministries to find ways to legalize Israeli structures built on privately-owned Palestinian land in the West Bank. (HA 6/12)

In Lebanon, protesters rallied against the Lebanese government for the 2d day in a row after Lebanese currency lost 60 percent of its value in recent weeks. At least 33 people, including 2 soldiers, were injured in clashes between protesters and Lebanese forces. (REU 6/12; AJ, AJ 6/13)

The EU informed BADIL Resource Center for Palestinian Residency and Refugee Rights that it had canceled its funding for a project called Mobilizing for Justice in East Jerusalem, totaling $1.9 million. BADIL had refused to sign what was called the anti-terrorism clause, which made the EU pull its funding. In a press release, BADIL said that it had proposed different language for the clause and that the EU’s proposed language “criminalizes the Palestinian struggle against oppression . . . the article violates both Palestinian and international law, as well as the declared obligations of the EU itself.” (BADIL 6/16; TOI 6/17)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers attacked 1 Palestinian man in Burqa, causing fractures and bruises. An Israeli settler also set a car on fire and wrote racist graffiti in Zeita, south of Nablus. Israeli forces destroyed a 200-meter-long water pipe near Bardala and took measurements for a punitive demolition of the home belonging to the family of an alleged attacker in Ya‘bad. 11 Palestinians were arrested during raids in and around Bethlehem, Hebron, Ramallah, and ‘Azun. In East Jerusalem, 6 Palestinians were arrested in Issawiyya. (WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 6/11; WAFA 6/12; PCHR 6/18)

Yedioth Ahronoth reported that Israel is planning a census of Palestinians living in Area C, which would be the 1st since 1967. (HA 6/11)

In Lebanon, protesters rallied against the Lebanese government after the local currency lost 60 percent of its value in recent weeks. (REU 6/12; AJ, AJ 6/13)

U.S. president Donald Trump announced sanctions on the ICC and ICC personnel in retaliation to investigations into potential U.S. war crimes committed in Afghanistan. While Israel was not mentioned in Trump’s executive order, the country was mentioned in the accompanying press release: “the International Criminal Court has taken no action to reform itself and continues to pursue politically motivated investigations against us and our allies, including Israel.” (HA 6/11; WAFA 6/12)

More than 50 members of the U.S. congress called, in a letter, on U.S. ambassador David Friedman to condemn violence committed by Israeli settlers in the same manner he condemns violence committed by Palestinians. The letter noted the rise in cases of violence committed by Israeli settlers against Palestinians in recent months. (HA 6/11; WAFA 6/12)

The European Court of Human Rights ruled that the French courts had violated freedom of expression when 12 people from the BDS movement were convicted of inciting racism and anti-Semitism for distributing leaflets calling for boycotts of Israeli goods. France was ordered to pay each of the 12 campaigners $31,150. (Amnesty, HA, REU, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 6/11)

The World Bank approved a $10 million grant to help operate and maintain a wastewater plant in Gaza. (WAFA 6/11)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers uprooted some 40 olive trees in Yatma. 6 Palestinians were arrested, including 5 during late-night raids in and around Hebron, Yatta, and Bethlehem; 1 was arrested at a checkpoint between Nablus and Tubas. In East Jerusalem, Israel’s outgoing public security minister Gilad Erdan ordered 1 nonprofit organization helping Palestinian children from single-family homes with schoolwork to close because of alleged ties to the PA. The institution in charge of the organization, Volunteer for Hope, denies that the organization received any funds from the PA. Off the coast of Gaza, Israeli naval forces opened fire on Palestinian fishermen west of Bayt Lahiya; no injuries were reported. In Gaza, Israeli forces opened fire on agricultural lands east of al-Bureij and al-Maghazi; no injuries were reported. In the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights, Israeli forces shot and injured 1 person crossing from Lebanon. (HA, WAFA 5/17; PCHR 5/21; HA 5/22)

The new Israeli government was sworn in. The new government is headed by Benjamin Netanyahu and has 36 ministers and 16 deputy ministers from 9 different parties. Benny Gantz will be deputy prime minister and defense minister for 18 months, when the coalition deal stipulates that Gantz will become the prime minister for the 2d half of the government term. During his speech to the Knesset, Netanyahu said of annexing Israeli settlements in the West Bank, “[i]t’s time to apply the Israeli law and write another glorious chapter in the history of Zionism.” (AJ, HA, REU 5/17; NPR 5/18)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers under quarantine due to possible COVID-19 virus infection in the Jordan Valley attacked 3 Palestinians with stones and set 2 Palestinian vehicles on fire near the Dead Sea. Israeli settlers also attacked Palestinian minors at a youth center in Hebron. 3 Palestinians were arrested by Israeli forces during raids near Jenin. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces raided a COVID-19 clinic and arrested 4 workers because the PA had donated COVID-19 test kits to the facility. The closure of the clinic happened after days of warnings by health professionals that East Jerusalem is becoming a hot spot for the virus. Off the coast of Gaza, Israeli naval forces opened fire on Palestinian fishermen 2 nautical miles west of Bayt Lahiya; no injuries were reported. In Gaza, 3 Palestinians were arrested by the Gaza fence while trying to enter Israel. (HA, HA, JP, TOI, WAFA, WAFA 4/14; HA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 4/15; PCHR 4/16)

The United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) reported that its troops had broken up a standoff near the Lebanese-Israeli border. A photo depicts Israeli and Lebanese troops with their guns drawn, separated by UNIFIL soldiers. Lebanon reported intensified Israeli drone activity over its air space and that Israel had set up a tent on Lebanese soil, retreating after 4 hours. (TOI 4/15)

The PA received 50,000 COVID-19 testing kits from the Chinese company Alibaba. (WAFA 4/14)

The EU contributed $13.6 million and Austria and Spain contributed $1.1 million each for vulnerable Palestinian families in the West Bank and Gaza. (WAFA 4/14)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers razed Palestinian-owned land near the villages of Jalud and Qaryut. Israeli forces closed an agricultural road, forced Palestinian farmers to leave their land, and demolished a house under construction south of Tulkarm. Israeli forces also delivered a stop-work notice for a barn south of Hebron. Elsewhere, Israeli forces raided several areas of Ramallah, arresting 4 Palestinians and seizing a car. During 1 of the raids, Israeli forces clashed with Palestinians, leading to tear-gas related injuries In East Jerusalem. PA security forces entered Kafr ‘Aqab within the Israeli municipal boundaries of Jerusalem, but on the West Bank side of the separation barrier to address friction over a roadblock between residents and members of Fatah to prevent the spread of the COVID-19 virus. 1 Palestinian was hit by a bullet from an unknown perpetrator. The PA said it had informed Israeli authorities about the intervention. Elsewhere, Israeli forces raided Issawiyya; it was reported that several Palestinians were beaten and 1 Palestinian was arrested. Later, 6 other Palestinians were arrested in Issawiyya. In Gaza, Israeli forces opened fire on agricultural lands east of Bayt Hanun; no injuries were reported. (HA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 3/31; PCHR 4/2)

Syrian media reported that Israeli jets fired missiles at targets in western Syria from Lebanese air space, but that the missiles were intercepted. (AJ, HA 3/31)

In the West Bank, PA president Mahmoud Abbas declared a 30-day state of emergency after 7 Palestinians tested positive for the COVID-19 virus in Bethlehem. All churches and mosques in Bethlehem were told to close for at least 2 weeks and all schools, tourist sites, and national parks throughout the West Bank were to be closed for 30 days. Israeli forces carried out 2 punitive demolitions of the homes of 2 alleged Palestinian attackers in Birzeit. Israeli forces also handed a stop-work order for agricultural structures near Qalqilya and demolished a retaining wall for a farm in Ni‘lin. 11 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in and around Hebron, Jenin, Burin, and Tubas. In Gaza, 10 people were killed and at least 60 were injured by a fire that started in a bakery and spread to a crowded market in Nuseirat refugee camp in the central part of Gaza. (AJ, AJ, HA, REU, REU, REU, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 3/5; AJ 3/6; PCHR 3/18)

Israel attacked 2 different positions in central and southern Syria. According to Syrian media, 1 person was killed and the attacks were carried out over Lebanese air space. (HA 3/5)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers uprooted some 200 olive trees and 80 vine trees in al-Khadir. Israeli forces demolished 2 residential structures and 2 animal barns south of Hebron; and 1 house and 1 workshop in al-Walaja. 12 Palestinians were arrested in and around Hebron, Jenin, Qalqilya, and Ramallah. 1 Fatah official from Jericho was placed in 6-month administrative detention without charges. During a raid in Jenin, Israeli forces and Palestinians clashed; 1 Palestinian was injured by a rubber-coated bullet. In East Jerusalem, 1 Palestinian minor was arrested. In Gaza, Israeli forces opened fire on Palestinian agricultural lands east of Dayr al-Balah and al-Maghazi; no injuries were reported. (WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 2/27; PCHR 3/5)

In Syria, an Israeli drone strike killed 1 person near Quneitra. Syrian opposition media reported that the man was a Hezbollah operative, while Syrian state media said he was a local policeman. (HA 2/27)

Japan donated $22.4 million for various UNRWA projects throughout Syria, Lebanon, Jordan, Gaza, the West Bank, and East Jerusalem. (WAFA 2/28)

In the West Bank, Israeli forces arrested 16 Palestinians during late-night raids in and around Hebron, Tulkarm, Tubas, and Nablus. In Israel, 3 Palestinians from Gaza who had breached the Gaza fence were shot dead by Israeli forces. The Israeli military alleged that the 3 threw improvised explosives at the Israeli forces. (REU, WAFA, WP 1/21; AJ, HA, WAFA 1/22; PCHR 1/23)

Israeli defense minister Naftali Bennett said that Israel would annex the West Bank if the PA acted to erase the distinction between Areas A, B, and C. Chairperson of the Kahol Lavan party Benny Gantz separately said that he would work to advance annexation of the Jordan Valley if elected prime minister. (HA 1/21)

In Lebanon, a new government was formed under the new prime minister Hassan Diab. Prime Minister Diab described his 20 new ministers as a technocratic “rescue team.” Despite the formation of the new government, the protest that started in 2019 continued in Lebanon. (HA 1/21; AJ 1/22)

In the West Bank, Israeli forces dismantled and seized a shack in Ras Karkar, and handed a punitive demolition order for a house in Jenin. 6 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in and around Ramallah, Bethlehem, ‘Azun, and Kafr Labad. Israeli forces clashed with Palestinians at a checkpoint in Hebron, causing tear-gas related injuries. Israeli settlers vandalized 80 olive trees and ignited a different olive field, burning another 30 olive trees in al-Sawiya. In East Jerusalem, 1 Palestinian was arrested during a late-night raid in Issawiyya. In Gaza, 2 Palestinians were arrested while trying to enter Israel by the Gaza fence. (WAFA, WAFA 1/9; PCHR 1/16)

Lebanese newspaper al-Mayadeen reported that Israel was behind an air strike that killed 8 people in Syria near the Iraqi border. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said that no Syrian citizens were killed and that the air strikes had targeted Iran-backed militias. (HA 1/10)

The U.S. administration rejected a request made by Iraqi prime minister Adel Abdul Mahdi for the U.S. troops to leave Iraq. The request was made during a phone call between Prime Minister Mahdi and U.S. secretary of state Mike Pompeo. (AJ 1/10)