The Palestine Chronology

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers assault 2 Palestinian children in Susiya in the Masafer Yatta area. Israeli settlers also assault a Palestinian man with their rifles south of Hebron. Elsewhere, Israeli settlers demolish a tent and uproot 20 olive trees in the Fatih Sidra area of Masafer Yatta. Israeli settlers also ram Palestinian-owned sheep in al-Muarajat, killing and injuring several. Meanwhile, Israeli settlers attack Palestinian shepherds in Shaab al-Butum, forcing them to flee. Israeli forces open fire at a Palestinian vehicle before assaulting Palestinians in the car and seizing it in Tuqu’. Israeli forces also demolish a Palestinian home in Tarqumiyah. 15 Palestinians are arrested during late-night raids in and around Qalqilya, Nablus, Bethlehem, Qalandia refugee camp, and Kharbatha Bani Harith. In East Jerusalem, Israeli settlers tour the Haram al-Sharif compound. In Gaza, Israeli forces bomb Rafah, Khan Yunis, Gaza City, Beit Hanun, Jabalia refugee camp, and Nuseirat refugee camp, killing at least 150 people. Israeli forces also shoot and kill 12 people at al-Amal Hospital. An Israeli soldier is killed in combat. In Lebanon, Israeli forces bomb Blida, Hanine, at Tiri, Aitaroun, Naqoura, al-Dhahira, Majdalzon, and Labouneh, killing a person and destroying an ambulance. Hezbollah says it attacked 3 Israeli military sites. In Yemen, U.S. forces bomb a missile launch site. (AJ, HA, HA, UNOCHA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 1/31; AJ, NYT 1/2)

More than 26,900 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli forces in Gaza, including at least 10,600 children and 7,200 women, and around 65,946 have been injured since 10/7. At least 8,000 people are missing in rubble, including 1,700 children. 374 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli forces and settlers in the West Bank and East Jerusalem since 10/7, including 94 children. More than 4,387 people have been injured. Israel reports that 1,139 Israelis and foreign nationals have been killed and 5,400 have been injured in Israel since 10/7, including Israeli soldiers. In addition, 222 Israeli soldiers have been killed and 1,293 injured in Gaza since the ground invasion began on 10/27. Over 1.93 million Palestinians, nearly 85% of the population of Gaza, have been displaced since 10/7. There has been a complete electricity blackout in Gaza since 10/12 due to the Israeli blockade. At least 70,000 housing units have been destroyed and 290,000 have been damaged in Israeli airstrikes since 10/7, constituting over 60% of all housing units. (UNOCHA, UNOCHA, WAFA 1/31)

The PA calls for the formation of an international field committee to investigate Israeli crimes in Gaza, referring to the 30 bodies that were found in Beit Lahiya on 1/30 who appear to have been killed and dumped in a mass grave while blindfolded and with their hands tied. (WAFA 1/31)

The UN Security Council meets to discuss the ICJ ruling on provisional measures. PA ambassador to the UN Riyad Mansour says a ceasefire is needed to implement the provisional measures instituted by the ICJ on 1/26. UN under-secretary-general for humanitarian affairs and emergency relief coordination Martin Griffiths calls the relief entering Gaza “grossly inadequate.” UN secretary-general Antonio Guterres calls UNRWA the “backbone of all humanitarian response in Gaza” and iterates his call for countries that have suspended funding for the agency to reverse their decisions. EU high commissioner for foreign affairs Josep Borell calls UNRWA’s role in Gaza “irreplaceable” and critical to preserve. (AJ, AJ, AP, AP, NYT, REU, REU, UNOCHA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 1/31; NYT 1/2)

Israeli Channel 12 reports that Mossad director David Barnea briefed the Israeli cabinet on the ceasefire negotiations held over the weekend. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu writes on X that his “red lines” on an agreement are that Israel will not end the war and will not release “thousands of terrorists,” refering to Palestinian prisoners. National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir writes a letter to Netanyahu calling on him to block aid from entering Gaza. Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer meets with U.S. national security advisor Jake Sullivan at the White House. (AJ, HA, REU, REU 1/31)

South African foreign minister Naledi Pandor says Israel is ignoring the ICJ ruling on provisional measures. Pandor also says she asked ICC chief prosecutor Karim Khan why he was able to issue an arrest warrant for Russian president Vladimir Putin but not for Prime Minister Netanyahu. (AP, AP, HA 1/31)

The U.S. House of Representatives passes H.R. 6679, preventing entry to the U.S. of members of the PLO, Hamas, and Islamic Jihad in a 422-2 vote. The bill would need to be approved by both the Senate and the president. PLO secretary-general Hussein al-Sheikh calls the bill a “dangerous decision” and demands a response from the Biden administration. The PA presidency condemns and denounces the bill for banning the entry of PLO members. (AA, WAFA, WAFA 2/1; WAFA 2/2)

Haaretz reports that Israeli commanders have instructed soldiers to set fire to Palestinian homes in Gaza and that in the past months hundreds of homes have been destroyed by Israeli soldiers setting fire to them. A photo of a note left behind by Israeli soldiers reads “[w]e are not burning the house so you can enjoy it, and when you leave – you will know what to do.” (HA 1/31)

Haaretz also reports that in the aftermath of 10/7/2023, Zaka community emergency response volunteers staged scenes in Israeli villages that were attacked to attract donations for the organization instead of properly handling bodies of deceased Israelis and spread accounts of atrocities that never happened to garner media attention. The Israeli military decided from 10/7/2023 to let Zaka handle the bodies of the dead instead of using its unit trained in the identification and collection of human remains. (HA 1/31)

Ynet reports that Prime Minister Netanyahu told the UN envoys from Malta, Bulgaria, Czechia, Hungary, Romania, Ukraine, Slovenia, and Sierra Leone that UNRWA must be replaced during a meeting in Jerusalem. (AJ, AP, REU 1/31)

Axios reports that U.S. secretary of state Antony Blinken has instructed the State Department to review and present policy options on U.S. and international recognition of a Palestinian state. A senior U.S. official tells Axios that some people in the Biden administration think that recognition of a Palestinian state should be the first step toward ending the Israeli occupation rather than the last. (AX, REU 1/31)

U.S. National Security Council spokesperson John Kirby says the U.S. is looking for an extended pause in fighting in Gaza. State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller says the U.S. has warned Israel about reducing the size of Gaza. (AJ, HA 1/31)

A federal judge in Oakland, California, dismisses a lawsuit brought by Palestinian Americans seeking to end U.S. support for Israel’s campaign in Gaza on the basis of genocide, saying he would have issued an injunction but is legally not able to do so due to a lack of jurisdiction. The judge, Jeffrey White, instead implores the Biden administration to “examine the results of their unflagging support” of Israel on the basis that “it is plausible that Israel’s conduct amounts to genocide.” (NYT 1/31; AJ, INT, HA 2/1)

The city of Chicago follows a number of other U.S. cities in calling for a ceasefire in Gaza. Some 70 cities in the U.S., including Atlanta, Minneapolis, Seattle, Detroit, and St. Louis, have passed resolutions on the Israeli attacks on Gaza with most calling for a ceasefire. (AJ, HA, NYT, REU 1/31; AJ, NYT 2/1)

In the West Bank, Israeli forces shot and killed 2 Palestinians during raids in Beit ‘Anan and Sa’ir. Israeli forces also shot and injured 10 Palestinians during raids in Tulkarm refugee camp, Arrabah, and Sa’ir. Elsewhere, Israeli forces shot and injured 1 Palestinian girl at the Qalandia crossing, claiming she was carrying a knife. Israeli forces also seized 1 vehicle and vandalized 2 others during a raid in Shaab al-Butum in the Masafer Yatta area. 56 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in and around Hebron, Jericho, Jenin, and Bethlehem. In East Jerusalem, Israeli settlers toured the Haram al-Sharif compound. In Gaza, Israeli airstrikes killed 306 Palestinians, including mass casualties in strikes on residential buildings and UNRWA schools in Rafah and Khan Yunis. Israel also killed WAFA journalist Mohammad Abu Hasira and 42 members of his family in an airstrike in Gaza City. 450 people were injured in the Israeli airstrikes. The Red Cross said 5 trucks carrying aid to health facilities in Gaza City came under fire, damaging 2 of the trucks and lightly injuring a driver. The Red Cross did not say who attacked the convoy. Rockets were fired at Israel, causing damage. In South Lebanon, Israeli forces attacked several sites, causing damage. Israeli fighter jets were also reported to be flying over Beirut. (AJ, AP, HA, REU, UNOCHA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 11/7; AJ, AJ, NYT 11/8)

The Ministry of Health in Gaza said at least 10,328 Palestinians have been killed, including 4,100 children and 2,550 women, and 25,956 have been injured in Israeli airstrikes on Gaza since 10/7. At least 2,450 people were buried in rubble, including 1,350 children. 153 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli forces and settlers in the West Bank and East Jerusalem since 10/7, including 44 children. More than 2,386 people have been injured. Around 1,400 Israelis and foreign nationals have been killed and 5,431 injured since 10/7. 30 Israeli soldiers have been killed in Gaza since the ground invasion began. Over 1.61 million Palestinians, around 70% of the population of Gaza, have been displaced since 10/7. There has been a complete electricity blackout in Gaza since 10/12 due to the Israel blockade. At least 40,000 housing units have been destroyed and 220,000 have been damaged in Israeli airstrikes since 10/7. 93 aid trucks entered Gaza. 19 Palestinians, including 12 children suffering from cancer, and around 600 foreign nationals were evacuated to Egypt. The WHO said 160 health care workers have been killed while on duty in Gaza and that in some hospitals operations are performed without anesthesia due to lack of supplies. The Israeli military released a video showing thousands of Palestinians fleeing south from the northern part of Gaza. The UN said that 15,000 people fled from the north to the south today, 5,000 on 11/6, and 2,000 on 11/5. The UN also said that there was no flour left in northern Gaza and that all bakeries are closed. (AJ, AJ, AP, HA, REU, UNOCHA, UNOCHA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 11/7; AJ, AP, AP 11/8)

PA Wall and Settlement Resistance Committee head Muayad Shaaban said 9 Palestinian communities, totaling 1,000 people, in the eastern West Bank have been displaced from their homes since 10/7. (AJ 11/7)

The Israeli human rights organizations ACRI, HaMoked, and Ir Amim petitioned the Israeli High Court of Justice to lift restrictions on Kafr ‘Aqab in East Jerusalem, which has been under a strict closure since 10/7, including being completely shut off from 5 p.m. to the next morning. Only private vehicles can leave and enter the neighborhood in the period that the checkpoint is open. (HA 11/7)

Hamas said it wanted to release 12 captives but that “the situation on the ground is what hinders this from being completed.” (AJ 11/7)

PLO secretary-general Hussein al-Sheikh spoke with Russian foreign minister Sergey Lavrov. PA prime minister Mohammed Shtayyeh spoke with Swedish foreign minister Tobias Billström. (AJ, WAFA, WAFA 11/7)

Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu called the Israeli ground invasion of Gaza a ‘phenomenal success.’ Defense Minister Yoav Gallant said the intention of the ground invasion was to remove Hamas and guarantee the Israeli military free access to Gaza “without limitations on operations.” Hamas said Israel had not made big military gains in Gaza. (AJ, AP, HA 11/7)

The Israeli National Planning and Building Council approved the establishment of a new community named Hanon near Gaza. (HA 11/7)

United Arab List leader MK Mansour Abbas told Radio al-Nas that he denounced the Hamas operation on 10/7, saying innocent civilians were killed and that Islam is against taking women, children, and elderly as captives. He added that Hamas’ actions did “not represent our Arab society, nor our Palestinian people nor our Palestine nation.” (HA 11/7)

U.S. vice president Kamala Harris urged Israel to hold Israeli settlers accountable for the many attacks they commit against Palestinians in the West Bank during a conversation with Israeli president Isaac Herzog. Herzog wrote a letter to 700 U.S. university presidents demanding that they deal with students that allegedly support the actions of Hamas. (AJ, HA 11/7)

The U.S. House of Representatives voted 234-188 to censor Palestinian American representative Rashida Tlaib (D-MI) for defending the pro-Palestinian phrase “from the river to the sea.” 22 Democrats joined Republicans in voting to censor Tlaib. Senator Chris Murphy (D-CT) blocked the fast-tracking of a bill that would provide Israel $14 billion in aid and cut the same amount from the budget of the Internal Revenue Service. Democrats want the Israel funding to be part of a bill that also includes aid to Ukraine and Taiwan. (HA, NYT 11/7; AJ, AJ, AP, HA 11/8)

CIA director William Burns met with Egyptian president Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, who called on an immediate ceasefire. (AJ 11/7)

Saudi Arabia said that in addition to the scheduled OIC extraordinary summit on 11/12, the country will host an emergency meeting of the Arab League and an Africa-Saudi summit on the situation in Gaza. (HA 11/7; AJ, REU 11/8)

UK Labour Party MP and shadow minister for employment rights and protections Imran Hussain resigned from the party’s frontbench in protest over leader Keir Starmer’s refusal to call for a ceasefire in Gaza. (AJ 11/8)

Germany said it had decided to release $75.8 million in aid to Palestinians that it suspended nearly month ago when it said it would review its support of Palestine. Germany also pledged an additional $21.5 million in support for Palestine. The majority of the aid will go to Palestinians in Gaza and Jordan through UNRWA. (REU 11/7)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers attacked a Palestinian family in their home in the Masafer Yatta area, causing bruises. Israeli settlers also opened fire at Palestinians harvesting olives in Kafr Ni’ma; no injuries were reported. Elsewhere, Israeli settlers opened fire at Palestinian homes in Hebron; no injuries were reported. Israeli settlers, reportedly disguised as soldiers, also attacked Palestinians west of Jericho with stones and clubs, causing injuries and damage. Israeli forces shot and killed a Palestinian during a funeral procession in Beit Umar, injured 1 other with live ammunition; others suffered tear-gas related injuries. Israeli forces also violently dispersed Palestinian protesters at al-Jalamah checkpoint, killing 2 and injuring 2 others. Elsewhere, Israeli forces violently dispersed Palestinian protesters in Aqabat Jaber refugee camp, injuring 3 with live ammunition. Israeli forces also violently dispersed Palestinian protesters in Bethlehem, injuring a minor with a baton round. Meanwhile, Israeli forces violently dispersed Palestinian protesters near Far’un, injuring 1 with live ammunition. Israeli forces also shot and injured 3 Palestinians near the separation wall west of Attil. Separately, Israeli forces violently dispersed Palestinian protesters in al-Bireh, injuring 2 with live ammunition. Israeli forces also demolished 2 agricultural structures in Mughayyir al-Abeed in the Masafer Yatta area. Additionally, Israeli forces fired tear gas near a hospital in Dura, causing tear-gas related injuries. A rocket, either launched from Gaza or an Iron Dome interceptor, hit Baqa ash-Sharqiya, killing 1 Palestinian and injuring 6 others. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces shot and killed 2 Palestinians in Silwan after they allegedly fired fireworks at Israeli forces. Israeli forces also violently dispersed Palestinians in Isawiya and Ras al-Amud. Elsewhere, Israeli forces arrested 13 Palestinians on suspicion of incitement and supporting Hamas. In Gaza, Israeli naval forces fired shells at a port west of Gaza City and Khan Yunis, damaging the port and fishing boats. Israeli airstrikes also killed hundreds of Palestinians and caused damage, especially to the Rimal, al-Karama, and al-Furqan neighbourhoods and Jabaliya. Gaza economy minister Juad Abu Smallah was reportedly assassinated by Israel. It was reported that white phosphorus bombs were dropped on al-Karama. UNRWA said its headquarters in Gaza was hit by Israeli bombs. Hundreds of rockets were fired at Israel from Gaza. Near Gaza, Israel said it had killed 4 militants at a beach north of Gaza and 2 in Kibbutz Re’im. Militants were also reported to have attacked Mefalsim, causing casualties. In Lebanon, militants fired anti-tank missiles at an Israeli vehicle and Israeli forces attacked militants with a helicopter and artillery. Rockets were also fired toward Israel. In Syria, rockets were launched at the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights and Israel fired artillery and mortar shells at Syria. (AP 10/7; AJ, AJ, AJ, AJ, AJ, AJ, AP, AP, HA, HA, REU, REU, REU, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 10/10; AJ, AP, AP, AP, HA, REU 10/11)

Israel claimed to have regained full control of the area around Gaza, saying the bodies of approximately 1,500 Palestinian militants were found in the area. The Gaza Ministry of Health said 830 Palestinians had been killed in Israeli airstrikes and 4,250 wounded since 10/7 as of 5.30 p.m. 22 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli forces and settlers in the West Bank and East Jerusalem since 10/7, including 4 children; 332 have been injured. Israeli media reported that as of 9 p.m. more than 1,000 Israelis and foreign nationals had been killed and 2,806 injured since 10/7. The UN said 263,934 Palestinians have been displaced, with 175,486 people sheltering at UN facilities. All but 1 mobile communications tower was destroyed in Israeli strikes. More than 610,000 people in Gaza were disconnected from the water supply due to Israeli actions. The Gaza Power Plant was reported to run out of fuel by noon on 10/11, with electricity currently limited to 3-4 hours per day. (AJ 10/9; AJ, AJ, ALM, AP, AP, AP, AP, HA, HA, HA, REU, REU, REU, UNOCHA, UNOCHA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 10/10; AJ, AP, AP, REU 10/11)

The Gaza Ministry of Health called for the opening of a “safe corridor” to allow medical aid as hospitals are overwhelmed. 4 ambulances and 1 hospital in Beit Hanun were targeted by Israeli airstrikes, closing the hospital. PLO secretary-general Hussein al-Sheikh said Israel was refusing to allow aid from the West Bank to enter Gaza. (AJ, AJ 10/10; WAFA 10/11)

Israeli military spokesperson Richard Hecht said Israel may not use the same “level of fidelity” in warning civilians before striking homes and apartment buildings. It had been reported that Israel no longer used smaller munitions to “knock” on the roofs of apartment buildings or call building managers before demolishing them with larger bombs. Hecht also called the parliament and ministries in Gaza legitimate targets. Hecht further said Palestinians in Gaza should flee to Egypt via the Rafah crossing, first saying that it is open and later tweeting that he did not know if it was open. Israel bombed the crossing on 10/9 after which it was closed. Israel also hit the crossing today. Defense Minister Yoav Gallant said the Israeli military would release “all constraints” on its attacks on Gaza and is “transitioning to a full-scale offensive.” The Israeli military said it had dropped hundreds of tons of bombs on Gaza and is emphasizing “damage, not precision.” (AJ 10/9; AJ, AJ, HA, HA, REU, REU 10/10)

The Israeli military began sending planes to Europe to collect reservists that have been called up. More than 300,000 Israeli military reservists were called in to participate in the Israeli assault on Gaza. (REU 10/9; AJ, HA, REU 10/10)

Israeli national security minister Itamar Ben-Gvir said Israel would hand out 10,000 rifles to volunteers in Israeli border communities and in Israeli settlements. (AJ, REU 10/10)

A plane carrying U.S. ammunition arrived in Israel. The USS Gerald R. Ford aircraft carrier reached the eastern Mediterranean. Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdoğan criticized the U.S. for moving the carrier near Israel, warning of a massacre in Gaza. (AJ, HA, REU 10/10; AP 10/12)

Thousands of Jordanians protested in Amman against the Israeli attacks on Gaza, demanding the Israeli embassy be closed and that Jordan end its peace treaty with Israel. (REU 10/11)

PA president Mahmoud Abbas spoke with Norwegian prime minister Jonas Gahr Støre about the Israeli attack on Gaza. PA envoy to the UN Riyad Mansour wrote a letter to the UN Security Council calling Israeli actions, including intentional starvation of Gaza, “genocidal.” (REU, WAFA 10/10)

The Likud Party said the leaders of the parties in the Israeli government coalition have agreed that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu can form an emergency unity government. Yisrael Beiteinu leader Avigdor Lieberman said on 10/8 that he will only join the unity government if the Israeli leadership commits to ending the policy of constraining Hamas and eliminates the organization. (HA, REU 10/10)

U.S. president Joe Biden gave a televised speech calling the Hamas operation on 10/7 “pure, unadulterated evil,” recounting unconfirmed Israeli narratives of militants committing rapes. Biden also compared Hamas to ISIS, attributed the operation to anti-Semitism, rather than resistance, and reiterated his stance in support of Israel, saying Israel has a “duty to respond,” despite the mass civilian casualties in Gaza. Biden further stated that the U.S. is sending ammunition and interceptors for the Iron dome to Israel. Lastly, Biden warned other countries and organizations against getting involved against Israel. Hamas called Biden’s speech deplorable and inflammatory, saying Hamas launched its operation to defend the Palestinian people and put an end to the occupation. Biden also spoke with Prime Minister Netanyahu about U.S. assistance. 392 members of the U.S. House of Representatives co-sponsored a resolution in support of Israel, calling the Hamas operation “barbaric.” It is unknown if the resolution will pass, as it is unclear if the acting speaker of the House Patrick McHenry (R-NC) has the authority to bring the resolution to the floor. (AJ, AJ, AJ, HA, HA, HA 10/10; FWD, HA, REU, REU 10/11)

U.S. national security advisor Jake Sullivan said the U.S. was in talks with Egypt and Israel to create a humanitarian corridor for residents of Gaza. (HA, REU 10/10)

The U.S. State Department said Secretary of State Antony Blinken will arrive in Israel on 10/12 for meetings with Israeli leaders. Blinken will also travel to Jordan. UK foreign secretary James Cleverly is also scheduled to arrive in Israel on 10/11. (AJ, HA, REU 10/10; REU 10/11)

U.S. homeland security advisor Liz Sherwood-Randall said the U.S. is working on different options to ensure that all U.S. citizens can leave Israel by air, sea, and land. There are currently no direct flights from Israel to the U.S. Many other countries, including France, Germany, and Canada, said they are planning on offering their citizens flights out of Israel. (AJ, HA 10/10)

President Erdoğan spoke with Russian president Vladimir Putin about measures to halt the Hamas-Israel conflict and deliver humanitarian aid. Erdoğan also said he is having talks with regional leaders to negotiate a halt to the war. Egyptian president Abdel Fatah al-Sisi and Qatari emir Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani spoke about protecting civilians in Gaza. (AJ, HA, HA, REU, REU, REU 10/10; AJ, AJ 10/11)

Houthi leader Abdel Malek al-Houthi said that if the U.S. intervened in the attack on Gaza it would respond with drones and missiles. (AJ, HA 10/10)

Berlin police banned pro-Palestinian demonstrations planned for 10/11, saying expressions of solidarity with Palestine pose a threat to public order. Australian police said a planned pro-Palestinian protest scheduled for 10/15 will be an unauthorized activity. (HA 10/10; REU 10/11)

UK home secretary Suella Braverman sent a letter to English and Welsh police, saying that waiving Palestinian flags may in some instances be illegal in cases where it is “intended to glorify acts of terrorism.” (AJ 10/10)

EU high commissioner for foreign affairs Josep Borell said he had invited PA and Israeli foreign ministers Riyad al-Maliki and Eli Cohen to an EU foreign ministers meeting to discuss the situation in Palestine and Israel. Borell also said that Israel must adhere to international law, saying Israel violates the law by imposing a total blockade on Gaza. Borell further said that the “overwhelming majority” of EU states are against cutting aid to Palestinians, as suggested by some EU officials. (AJ, HA, REU 10/10)

The UN high commissioner for human rights Volker Turk said the total siege of Gaza imposed by Israel was illegal under international law as it deprives civilians of goods essential to their survival. Turk also said Israeli airstrikes had struck residential and UN buildings as well as UN schools. (AJ, REU 10/10)

The UN Commission of Inquiry on the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem and Israel said that there was clear evidence that war crimes had been committed in Israel and Gaza. (AJ, UN, WAFA 10/10)

The office of the ICC prosecutor said the court mandate to investigate “the situation in the State of Palestine” extends to the current attacks. (REU 10/10) 

Sweden and Denmark suspended aid to Palestinians. (AJ, HA, REU 10/10)

The UAE donated $20 million in aid to Palestinians via UNRWA. (AJ 10/10)

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 the West Bank, Israeli settlers with military escort raided Halhul, vandalizing 1 mosque; Israeli forces shot and injured 2 Palestinians with live ammunition and others with baton rounds and tear gas when the Palestinians confronted the settlers. Israeli settlers also assaulted Palestinian farmers in Shufa, causing injuries. Elsewhere, Israeli settlers chased Palestinian herders off their land in al-Juwaya in the Masafer Yatta area and let their cattle graze on Palestinian crops. In East Jerusalem, Israeli settlers with Israeli police escort attacked 3 Palestinians in Silwan, causing hospitalizations, and vandalized 1 vehicle. Off the coast of Gaza, Israeli naval forces arrested 8 Palestinian fishermen and seized 2 boats within 3 nautical miles northwest of the Rafah seaport; 6 of the 8 fishermen were released on 6/1. (WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 5/31; PCHR 6/1)

Hamas’s military judicial authority sentenced 2 Palestinians for spying for Israel. 1 of the Palestinians was sentenced to life in prison while the other received a 7-year sentence. (JP 5/31)

An Israeli military court sentenced 1 Palestinian man to life in prison plus 25 years for the killing of an Israeli soldier in the West Bank on 8/2019 and ordered him to pay $450,000 to the family of the soldier. The Palestinian man was not present at the killing, but the court claimed that he had formed a cell that incited the murder of the Israeli man. (HA 5/31)

PA president Mahmoud Abbas spoke with U.S. secretary of state Antony Blinken in a phone call. According to Axios reporting, President Abbas pressed Secretary Blinken on Israeli attempts to change the Status Quo at the Haram al-Sharif compound, the lack of a political horizon, the Israeli settler march on 5/29, and the Biden administration’s failure to act on its campaign promises on Palestine. Abbas also asked the U.S. to remove the PLO from the U.S. list of terror organizations and to reopen the PLO mission in Washington D.C. Abbas also met with Jordanian foreign minister Ayman Safadi in Ramallah. (WAFA 5/31; AX, WAFA 6/1)

Haaretz reported that an Israeli plan to reduce the economic gaps between Palestinians and Israeli Jews living in Israeli cities had been postponed due to failure to fund the program. The plan was finalized in October 2021 in response to tensions between Palestinians and Israeli Jews in cities in which both populations reside. Additionally, some local governments have opposed earmarking funds exclusively for Palestinian communities in the cities they govern. (HA 5/31)

Israel and the UAE signed a free trade agreement removing tariffs on food, agriculture, cosmetics, medical equipment, and medicine. The agreement also defines tax rates, imports and intellectual property. The free trade agreement was part of the Israeli-UAE-U.S. normalization agreement. (REU 5/30; ABC, AJ, ALM, BB, HA, JP, MEMO, NBC, REU, TOI, WSJ 5/31; CNN 6/1; ALM, HA 6/2)

U.S. state department spokesperson Ned Price told reporters that the Biden administration remains committed to reopening the U.S. consulate to Palestinians in Jerusalem. The statement comes after reporting in the Times of Israel that the U.S. had given up on its plans due to the instability in the Israeli government coalition. (REU 5/31; MEMO 6/1; AX 6/4)

15 Democratic members of the U.S. house of representatives, led by Cori Bush (D-MO), wrote a letter to Secretary Blinken urging him to send the “strongest message possible” to prevent Israel from evicting more than 1,000 Palestinians from the Masafer Yatta area, calling the displacement of Palestinians “a war crime.” (HA, MEE 5/31; WAFA 6/1)

Lebanese parliament reelected Nabih Berri of the Amal Movement as speaker at the 1st parliamentary session of the newly elected parliament. Speaker Berri, who received 65 of 128 votes, has been the speaker of the parliament since 1992. (AJ, HA, MEMO, REU, REU 5/31)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers leveled Palestinian agricultural land near Deir ‘Ammar before Israeli forces removed them from the area. Israeli forces sealed off Sabastia for the 2d day in a row and closed Palestinian stores. 7 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in Jalazun refugee camp, Bani Na‘im, Bayt Awa, Ya‘bad, and Beit Sira. In East Jerusalem, some 600 Israeli settlers toured the Haram al-Sharif compound. 6 Palestinians were arrested in Silwan, al-Tur, Isawiya, and at the Haram al-Sharif compound. In Gaza, Israeli forces made incursions and leveled land north of Beit Lahiya and east of Dayr al-Balah. Israeli forces also opened fire at Palestinian agricultural lands east of Khan Yunis and Beit Hanun; no injuries were reported. Off the coast of Gaza, Israeli naval forces opened fire at Palestinian fisherman within 3 nautical miles west of al-Sudaniyya; no injuries were reported. (WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 9/23; PCHR 9/30)

2 Palestinians who had been missing after going fishing on 9/3 off the coast of Gaza were reported detained at a prison in Egypt. (MEE 9/23)

The PA commission of detainees’ affairs said in a statement that 1 39-year-old Palestinian who died of leukemia 7 months after being released from an Israeli prison perished because of medical neglect while he was incarcerated by Israel. (AJ, WAFA, WAFA 9/23)

The PLO rejected an agreement made between the U.S. and UNRWA to keep the U.S. providing funds to the agency, saying that the agreement is an attempt to abolish the Right of Return for Palestinian refugees. (WAFA 9/23)

It was reported that Sudan had seized a number of companies and bank accounts belonging to Palestinians. According to the reporting, the assets belong to Hamas as a means to generate revenue for the organization. Later, on 9/24, Hamas said that it did not have links to the companies and individuals targeted by Sudan. 1 day later, on 9/25, the PA urged Sudan to hand over the assets to the PA. A Hamas official said the seizing of the funds by Sudan was a way for the new government to win the support of the U.S by slandering Hamas. (HA, REU, TOI 9/23; AA, HA, MEMO, REU, TOI, WAFA 9/25; ALM 9/30)

The U.S. house of representatives passed a bill 420-9-2, providing Israel with another $1 billion of military aid to allegedly restock Israel’s Iron Dome missile defense system after Israel’s attack on Gaza in May. The $1 billion was removed from a stopgap government-funding bill on 9/21, prompting Democratic majority leader Steny Hoyer (D-MD) to present the funding as a stand-alone bill. The 9 representatives to vote against the bill were Rashida Tlaib (D-MI), André Carson (D-IN), Marie Newman (D-IL), Ayanna Pressley (D-MA), Jesús “Chuy” García (D-IL), Ilhan Omar (D-MN), Raúl Grijalva (D-AZ), Cori Bush (D-MO), And Thomas Massie (R-KY). Representatives Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) and Hank Johnson (D-GA) voted present. Representative Tlaib gave a speech before the vote calling Israel an apartheid state, drawing ire from several pro-Israel Democrats, including Ted Deutch (D-FL) who said that calling Israel an apartheid state was anti-Semitic. Later, Israel’s envoy to the UN Gilad Erdan said that the 9 representatives who voted against the bill were “either ignorant or antisemitic.” It is estimated that the deployment of the Iron Dome during May cost Israel a maximum of $120 million. (AJ, AP, FOX, FOX, HA, HA, HA, MEE, MEMO, MEMO, NYT, REU, TOI 9/23; CNN 9/24; WAFA 9/25; HA 9/26; HA 9/27; JCUR, MEE 9/28)

Also in the house of representatives, representative Andy Levin (D-MI), supported by more than 24 Democrats, introduced the Two-State Solution Act, aimed at preserving the feasibility of a 2-state solution. Among its provisions, the bill aims at distinguishing between Israel and occupied Palestinian territory, defined as the West Bank, East Jerusalem, and Gaza. The authors of the bill want the U.S. to label products from occupied Palestine as such and not as Israeli products. It also aims at pushing the U.S. administration to reopen the PLO mission in D.C. and U.S. consulate to Palestinians in Jerusalem. Lastly, the authors want the PA to end its payments to Palestinian prisoners and their families convicted of terrorism by Israeli military courts. (POL 9/22; AJ, HA, JP, MEE 9/23; TOI 9/24)

Texas’s state comptroller Glenn Hegar said that Ben & Jerry’s had been added to the state’s list of companies that boycott Israel and that Texas will start to divest from the company. Texas is the 4th state to divest from Ben & Jerry’s over its decision to stop selling ice cream in West Bank settlements and to move its franchise regional office from Israel. (NWK 9/23; JP 9/24)

Denmark and the PA signed an agreement for Denmark to provide $72 million in grants over the next 5 years to help development in, among other areas, local government, agriculture, and civil society. (WAFA 9/23; MEMO 9/24)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers set fire to 2 Palestinian-owned vehicles and sprayed graffiti on a wall in Far’ata village west of Qalqilya. In Gaza, 45 Palestinians were injured by Israeli forces using live ammunition and rubber-coated bullets at protesters during the 85th weekly Great March of Return protest. Israeli naval forces opened fire at Palestinian fishermen west of Bayt Lahiya; no injuries were reported. Israeli forces also fired tear gas at Palestinian shepherds east of Rafah, causing tear-gas related injuries. In a separate incident, Israeli forces opened fire on Palestinian agricultural lands east of Dayr al-Balah; no injuries were reported. (PCHR, WAFA 12/20; PCHR 12/26)

House Resolution 1865 was signed into law by U.S. president Donald Trump. H.R. 1865 is a 715 page-long appropriations bill for the 2020 fiscal year which allocates $150 million in aid to Palestine, $75 million in assistance to the PA security forces and $75 million for civilian and humanitarian programs and institutions not directly connected to the PA. The bill also seeks to “fix” the Anti-Terrorism Clarifications Act which became law on 10/3/2018 and effectively ended all aid for the PA, including security aid, as it subjected the PA to the jurisdiction of U.S. courts if the PA accepted any aid from the U.S. The “fix” gives U.S. courts jurisdiction if the PA or the PLO provides payments to any individual or family of an individual convicted of killing a U.S. citizen. (HA 12/18; Congress, FMEP 12/20)

The Chief Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court (ICC) Fatou Bensouda announced that there is basis to probe Israel for war crimes committed against Palestinians, but requested the ICC to decide on the question of the jurisdiction of East Jerusalem, the West Bank, and Gaza. Chief Prosecutor Bensouda said that her preliminary investigation has found that “war crimes have been or are being committed in the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, and the Gaza Strip.” (AJ, Guardian, HA, HA, WAFA 12/20; HA 12/21)

In Gaza, over 70 Palestinians are injured when police accidentally detonate an unexploded Israeli rocket in Gaza City. Off the coast nr. Jabaliya, Israeli naval forces open fire on Palestinian fishing boats, causing no injuries. In the West Bank, Israeli forces clash with Palestinians in a village nr. Ramallah, shooting 3 youths with live ammunition; clash with Palestinians in a village s. of Bethlehem, causing several to suffer from tear gas inhalation. Israeli settlers throw stones at Palestinian vehicles nr. Nablus and Bethlehem, causing damage. Late at night, IDF troops clash with stone-throwing Palestinian youth in e. Nablus, injuring 19 with live ammunition, rubber-coated metal bullets, tear gas, and stun grenades. The IDF raids a barber shop in ‘Askar r.c. nr. Nablus and a home nr. Jenin, arresting 1 Palestinian and issuing arrest summons to 2; patrols in and around Jenin, 3 villages nr. Hebron, and 1 each nr. Ramallah and Qalqilya. A Palestinian driver rams his car into 3 Israeli teenagers on a road nr. Bethlehem, injuring all 3; the IDF arrests the man an hour later. (HA, JP, MNA, NYT, WAFA 5/14; AFP, MNA 5/15; PCHR 5/21)

Senior PLO official Wasel Abu Yousef says that the Palestinians will not enter a new round of peace negotiations with Israel unless a deadline for the occupation is set. Meanwhile, in Tunisia, PA Pres. Abbas says that the Palestinians welcome the French efforts to resume Israeli-Palestinian peace negotiations and have the UNSC pass a corresponding res. (JP, TOI 5/14; JP 5/15)

Israel’s Housing Ministry issues tenders for the construction of 85 new residences in the Givat Ze’ev settlement, n. of Jerusalem, and 1,500 new hotel rooms in the Jabal Mukabir neighborhood of East Jerusalem. Later, UN Secy.-Gen. Ban “strongly deplores” the new settlement announcements over the past 3 weeks. (AFP, HA, WAFA 5/14; AP, TOI 5/15)

The U.S. House of Representatives passes the Iran Nuclear Agreement Review Act by a vote of 400–25. (It passed in the Senate on 5/7.) The bill now goes to Pres. Obama, and White House spokesperson Josh Earnest says that he intends to sign it into law.

Meanwhile, Israeli govt. sources say the govt. will be willing to accept a nuclear deal with Iran in exchange for compensation in other areas from the U.S. (AP, JP, TOI, YA 5/15)

Palestinian delegates hold first public meeting with PLO Chmn. Arafat in Amman. (WP 6/18)

Islamic Conference Organization (ICO) concludes 2-day emergency meeting in Istanbul, recommends international military action against Serbia, reaffirms three past resolutions supporting Palestinian people's struggle and Arab-Israeli peace process, and condemning Israeli attacks in S. Lebanon. (FBIS, MM 6/19)

UNRWA announces Japan's grant of Y900 million (about $6.9 million) for purchase of flour for Palestinians. Japan is one of UNRWA's leading donors, contributing over $27 million in 1991. (UNRWA News 6/24)

After shelling of and ground advance toward Nabatiyya, Israeli air force attacks targets in Siddiqin, north of S. Lebanon "security zone." Hizballah unit attacks IDF position in eastern zone, 2 IDF soldiers wounded; SLA expels 5 Shiite families from "security zone." (MM 6/19; Qol Yisra'el, Radio Lebanon 6/18 in FBIS 6/19)

U.S. House of Reps. passes res. 113 hailing "reunification" of Jerusalem, "congratulating" its residents. The 72-cosponsor bill passed the Senate on 7/10. (MEPARC 7/92)

Sec. of State Baker, in testimony before U.S. House of Representatives Foreign Affairs subcommittee, calls continued building of Israeli settlements "largest obstacle" to convening proposed Middle East peace conference. Remarks come in wake of four new settlements established in occupied territories since Baker began his recent peace initiative. (See JPS 80, doc. D2)

More than 200,000 Israelis now live in occupied territories. (NYT, WP, LAT 5/23)

Pres. al-Asad and Lebanese Pres. Ilyas al-Hirawi sign a "Treaty of Brotherhood, Cooperation and Coordination" in Damascus. (See JPS 80, doc. B9). Treaty establishes joint Syrian-Lebanese institutions for coordinating defense, security, foreign and economy policy, under authority of higher council comprising the two country's presidents, prime ministers and parliamentary speakers. Treaty transforms Syrian influence in Lebanon into formal role.

Treaty calls for Syria to redeploy its 40,000 troops in Lebanon in Biqa' valley. Syrian troops currently effectively control two-thirds of Lebanon.

Lebanese Maronite Catholic Patriarch Nasr Allah Sufayr opposes accord, stating that it would lead to Syrian domination of Lebanon. Israel voiced opposition to the accord as well. (NYT, WP, LAT 5/23)

Israeli def. ministry confirms that Polish Pres. Walesa promised Def. Min. Moshe Arens that Poland will not sell tanks to Syria out of deference to Israel. (LAT 5/22)

Knesset erupts into shouting match when Knesset Speaker Dov Shilansky (Likud) calls on Israeli peace activist Abie Nathan to halt his 25-day fast. Nathan began fast 3/25 to protest Israeli law forbidding Israelis to meet with members of PLO. Shilansky's statement came in wake of failed motion to abolish law. Nathan has publicly met Yasir Arafat several times since law was passed, serving 122 days in prison in 1990 as result. (NYT 5/23; MEM 7/15)

Los Angeles Times reports that Coca-Cola Company was removed last month from list of companies boycotted by Arab League for their dealings with Israel. Japanese car manufacturer Toyota also reported last month that it will begin selling cars in Israel in 1992, a departure from its policy of dealing solely with Arab countries. (LAT 5/22) 

Responding to international criticism about secret gov't. funding of Jewish settlement in Jerusalem, Israeli foreign ministry issues statement: "It is the right of Jews to live everywhere, and to purchase or rent property in all parts of the land of Israel, and especially in Jerusalem" [NYT 4/25].

UN spokesperson says Sec. Gen. Javier Perez de Cuellar is deeply concerned over presence of Jewish settlers in Christian quarter of Jerusalem, and disturbed over Israeli officials' financial involvement [WP 4/25].

Through an emissary to interim P.M. Shamir, AIPAC exec. dir. Thomas Dine questions timing of Jewish settlement in Christian quarter of Jerusalem, criticizes Israeli gov't.'s secret financing of move (cf. 4/25) [NYT, WT 4/25].

Gov't of Greece has shelved its plans to establish full diplomatic relations with Israel until all settlers are evacuated from Greek Orthodox St. John's Hospice in Jerusalem [JPD 4/24 in FBIS 4/25].

Peretz Kidron of Yesh Gvul organization says at least 108 IDF reservists have gone to prison for refusing to serve in O.T. [MET 5/8-14].

Group called Islamic Jihad-Jerusalem threatens to kill Americans worldwide unless U.S. Senate repeals 3/22 resolution calling Jerusalem the capital of Israel [NYT 4/25].

U.S. House of Representatives votes 378 to 34 in favor of a nonbinding resolution affirming support for united Jerusalem as capital of Israel. Resolution, identical to one passed by Senate on 3/22, conflicts with official U.S. policy [WP, WT 4/25; FJ 4/30].

Syria's first ambassador to Egypt in 13 years, Isa Darwish, presents his credentials to Pres. Mubarak [MET 5/8-14].

Eight Arab states, including the State of Palestine, have agreed to Arab summit in Baghdad in late May (cf. 5/1) [KUNA 4/24 in FBIS 4/25].

Officials from PLO and Japan meet within framework of agreement reached last October, PLO to ask for assistance in creating jobs in O.T. [AVP 4/24 in FBIS 4/25].

Czechoslovakia's Pres. Havel says his country can serve as transit station for emigrating Soviet Jews [JDS 4/24 in FBIS 4/25].

Amid rumors that Israel will release captives held in S. Lebanon as payoffor release of U.S. hostage, Israeli officials say Israeli prisoners in Lebanon must be released as part of any deal [LAT 4/25].

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Israel's attorney general orders investigation into whether Ariel's order that Palestinian workers wear special identification badges incites racism [NYT 6/6]. President Herzog reduces sentences of 3 members of Jewish underground; originally sentenced to life in prison, they will most likely serve 7 years for murdering 3 Palestinians, wounding 30 [FBIS 6/6]. General strike observes 22nd anniversary of 1967 war [FBIS 6/5].

Other Countries: Labib al-Tarazi, PLO envoy to UN, meets with U. S. ambassador to UN Thomas Pickering. Pickering says that he met with PLO representative in role of president of Security Council for June, not as U.S. representative [FBIS 6/8].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Israel carries out "initiated operation" in Bayta, wounds 2 Palestinians [FBIS 6/5]. In O.T. at least 10 Palestinians are injured during clashes with troops [FBIS 6/5].

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: General strike is observed throughout O.T. [FBIS 5/9].

Other Countries: PLO officially asks UNESCO to upgrade its status from observer status to full membership [FBIS 5/10]. U.S. Justice Department official states that U.S. representatives met with Israeli representatives concerning the Pollard case [WP 5/10].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: In Salfit troops shoot, kill Palestinian, wound 2 others [FBIS 5/9, FJ 5/15]. At least 6 Palestinians are injured throughout O.T. [FJ 5/15].

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Palestinian stabs, slightly injures Jewish youth in Hebron. Settlers react by attacking photographers [WP 3/4]. Sec. of State Shultz voices support for joint Palestinian-Jordanian delegation [WP 3/4].

Other Countries: Letter to Sec. of State Shultz signed by 30 U.S. senators criticizes P.M. Shamir's position on peace proposal [NYT 3/6; WP 3/7]. Shultz meets with King Hussein in London before flying to Jerusalem [NYT 3/5]. In U.S. House of Representatives, Rep. George Crockett, Jr. introduces bill to repeal order closing PLO's observer mission to UN [FJ 3/13].

Military Action Occupied

Palestine/Israel: Soldiers wound 4 Palestinians in violent clashes in W. Bank [WP 3/4].

Social/Economic/Political

Arab World: Yasir Arafat makes "Cairo Declaration," condemns acts of violence against unarmed civilians anywhere, states violators will be punished for attacks outside Israeli-held lands [NYT 11/8].

Other Countries: France reaffirms its view PLO should be present at M.E. peace talks [NYT 11/8]. U.S. House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee approves Senate-passed legislation shelving Pres. Reagan's proposed $1.9 billion arms sale to Jordan until 1 March unless King Hussein begins "direct and meaningful" peace negotiations with Israel [CT, JTA 11/8]. U.S. Senate votes 90-2 to prohibit any voluntary contributions by the U.S. to the UN from being used for programs for the PLO; Sen. Barry Goldwater (R-Ariz.) and Sen. Charles Mathias (R-Md.) voted against the bill, but did not give any reason for doing so [JTA 11/8].

Military Action:

IDF attacked twice in Sidon; fighting continues in Tripoli.

Casualties:

Tripoli death toll for weekend is 17.

Political Responses:

Israel/ Occupied Territories: Israeli Cabinet discusses fighting in Chouf, is briefed on Lebanese negotiations by Foreign Minister Shamir and David Kimche, hears of new security measures to be taken to reduce Israeli casualties in Lebanon; 3 members of Committee Against the War in Lebanon on trial for breach of peace after distributing leaflets in Haifa; Government agrees to 12% wage increase for public employees, averting general strike; official statistics show GNP did not increase in 1982, while real wages declined 3%; Begin's adviser on Arab Affairs Ben-yamin Gur-Arye says Begin will see if evacuation of Negev Bedouin families can be postponed; Bedouin township of Rahat forms labor council, the first in the Negev; Commission of Inquiry completes hearing of testimony, allowing Sharon to submit written answers instead of appearing for questioning; Moshe Reich, Israeli builder on West Bank, acquitted of blackmail, assault and threatened assault based on charges by Palestinians that he tried to force them to sell land; Jenin military governor warns Attorney Zuhair Jarrar not to complain to press about December 29 cut off of his electricity and water ordered by Israeli-appointed mayor Shihab Sanouri; Theodore Mann, chair of National Conference on Soviet Jews, announces 2,600 exit visas issued in 1982; PM Begin meets with relatives of Israeli prisoners, promises them no withdrawl of IDF from Lebanon until release of prisoners; Jerusalem police report series of raids on Jerusalem bookstores, seizing Palestinian flags, cassettes, T-shirts and other pro-PLO material.

Palestinians/ Lebanese: Rashid Karami appeals to Syria to send envoy to stop fighting in Tripoli.

Arab Governments: Saudi Arabia says British Foreign Secretary Pym not welcome to visit after Thatcher government refuses PLO representative in Arab League delegation; Iraq announces that Saddam Hussein told Congressman Stephen Solarz (D-NY) on August 25, he accepts Israelis' need for security.

Military Action:

Syrians fire two anti-aircraft missiles at IAF jets overflying Bekaa, both miss, Israeli military command accuses Syria of cease-fire violations; plans to deploy 1,800 Lebanese Army soldiers in East Beirut delayed by tensions in Chouf area; new fighting flares before IDF reimposes curfew; fighting in Aley erupts day after Druze militiamen ambush Lebanese Army soldiers; artillery battles break out after gunmen fire on car in village of Kaifoun; gunbattles continue in village of Souk el-Gharb; IDF jeep comes under fire in village of Bchamoun; explosion in West Beirut flat kills 2, wounds 8; Sidon placed under tight IDF control following 2 attacks on IDF soldiers in past week, allegedly by newly-formed Lebanese National Patriotic Front.

Casualties:

One Lebanese Army soldier killed, 3 wounded in ambush; some Palestinians released from Answar have been rearrested in past few days; 6 Israeli soldiers captured by PLO are interviewed by ICRC team in camp near Barr Elias in eastern Bekaa.

Political Responses:

Israel/ Occupied Territories: Shamir warns that Syrian missile attacks may delay withdrawal of foreign forces; Meridor says Israel willing to make political commitment to welfare of Palestinian refugees in upcoming negotiations with Lebanese, will seek guarantee that Lebanese will not tear down houses built by refugees who lost their homes in the fighting; Mapam leader Shemtov says PLO willingness to dialogue with Israel should not be ignored; Israeli Cabinet says Israel will agree to negotiate Taba issue only if Egypt resumes talks on all outstanding issues between two countries and ends diplomatic freeze; Israeli Ambassador to US Moshe Arens proposes 6-month moratorium on new settlements, but Begin rejects request and Arens is heavily criticized in Jerusalem; Drori testifies that he did not know of hundreds of civilian deaths until Saturday afternoon, yet feared mass civilian killings by Phalange, may have been told of Eitan decision to let Phalange enter camps only at time Phalange learned of it, and says Phalange asked IDF for tractors, were given one with IDF markings removed.

Palestinians/ Lebanese: Lebanese Information Minister Roger Shikhani warns press of need for "wisdom" in deciding what they print to avoid imposition of censorship; Lebanese Cabinet endorses plan to use existing military liaison committee for future talks, expanded to include at least one civilian legal expert and US representatives; PLO's Abu Jihad says PLO will not withdraw until IDF does first and Lebanese Government signs written guarantee of safety of civilians, says US guarantee no longer reliable after massacre, PLO uninterested in Draper negotiations and will deal with Lebanese separately, would like to retain PLO military presence in Lebanon, perhaps through Lebanese PLA unit; PLO official Khalid al-Hassan, in New York, says establishment of Palestinian state a prerequisite to PLO acceptance of US peace plan.

Arab Governments: Egypt asks Israel to delay opening of luxury hotel at Taba.