The Palestine Chronology

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers attacked and injured 2 Palestinians in Deir Istiya. Israeli settlers also stole several cows after Israeli forces arrested the owners of the cows in ‘Ain al-Hilweh. Elsewhere, Israeli settlers vandalized 60 olive trees and water pipes in Jalud. Israeli settlers also opened fire at Palestinian farmers near Qaryut. Israeli forces shot and injured 2 Palestinians, including a child, during raids in Aqabah and Silat al-Harithiya. Israeli forces also raided around 200 homes in Burqa, physically assaulting a woman and causing damage at several houses. Elsewhere, Israeli forces demolished an agricultural structure in Deir Balut and issued stop-work orders for a school near Yatta. 35 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in and around Hebron, Nablus, Jenin, Bethlehem, Ramallah, and Jericho. In East Jerusalem, Israeli authorities forced a Palestinian family to demolish part of their own home in Shu’fat. In Gaza, Israeli forces bombed Khan Yunis, Maghazi, al-Bureij refugee camp, Nuseirat refugee camp, Gaza City, and Jabalia refugee camp, killing dozens of people. Israeli forces also struck 50 buildings in al-Bureij refugee camp, Nuseirat refugee camp, and Maghazi between 12/24 and 12/25 and 1 of 2 water pipelines supplying water to southern Gaza. 5 Israeli soldiers were killed in combat. 21 patients were evacuated from al-Ahli Arab Hospital and 13 from al-Shifa Hospital to Khan Yunis. In Lebanon, Hezbollah said it killed an Israeli soldier near Kiryat Shmona. Israeli forces attacked Aita al-Shaab. In Syria, Israeli forces assassinated high-ranking Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps commander Sayyed Razi Mousavi in an airstrike in the Sayyida Zeinab area outside of Damascus. Iran said Israel would “pay the price” for the assassination of Mousavi. (AJ, AJ, AP, AP, HA, HA, NYT, NYT, REU, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 12/25; AJ, HA, NYT, REU, UNOCHA 12/26)

More than 20,675 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli forces in Gaza, including at least 8,000 children and 6,200 women, and around 54,500 have been injured since 10/7. At least 8,000 people were missing in rubble, including 1,700 children. 296 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli forces and settlers in the West Bank and East Jerusalem since 10/7, including 75 children. More than 3,800 people have been injured. Israel reported that 1,200 Israelis and foreign nationals have been killed and 5,400 have been injured since 10/7. 148 Israeli soldiers have been killed and 771 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. As of 12/23, at least 65,000 housing units had been destroyed and 290,000 had been damaged in Israeli airstrikes since 10/7, constituting over 60% of all housing units. There was no information about aid deliveries into Gaza. (AJ 12/25; UNOCHA 12/26)

An Israeli-made video of hundreds of Palestinians, including children, stripped to their underwear while being detained in a stadium in Gaza circulated in the media. The footage circulated amid reports that Palestinians have been executed in Israeli detention throughout Gaza. Hamas called on the ICC to hold Israel accountable for its killing and “terrorizing [of] civilians” in Gaza. (AJ 12/25; AJ, UNOCHA 12/26)

Israeli interior minister Moshe Arbel said he will revoke the East Jerusalem residency permit of Majed Juaba, claiming he is a known Hamas operative. (HA, HA 12/25)

Egypt presented a proposal for ending Israel’s assault on Gaza to Israel, Hamas, the U.S., and European governments that would see Israel withdraw from Gaza, all the captives released from Gaza, many Palestinian prisoners freed by Israel, and a united technocratic Palestinian government installed. In the first stage of the plan, all civilian captives would be released over a 7 to 10 day ceasefire period where Palestinian prisoners would also be released. The second stage would see all female soldiers released in exchange for Palestinian prisoners over a weeklong period. In the last stage, Hamas and Israel would negotiate the release of the remaining captives and Palestinian prisoners. Hamas denied reporting from Reuters that it and Islamic Jihad had rejected the proposal. (HA, TOI 12/24; AJ, AJ, AP, HA, REU 12/25; AJ 12/26)

The PLO Executive Committee met in Ramallah, discussing Israeli efforts to displace Palestinians throughout Palestine. (WAFA 12/26)

Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu wrote an op-ed in the Wall Street Journal, saying there are 3 “prerequisites for peace between Israel and its Palestinian neighbors in Gaza,” the destruction of Hamas, demilitarization of Gaza, including a “temporary security perimeter” around Gaza, and “deradicalization” of Gaza. Netanyahu also visited Israeli soldiers in Gaza. (AJ, NYT 12/25)

MK and former Israeli ambassador to the UN Danny Danon said in an interview that Israel had received inquiries from countries in South America and Africa that are willing to take Palestinian refugees from Gaza in exchange for payment. Danon said “voluntary migration” is natural during and after wars, citing the situation in Syria. In response to Danon’s comments, Prime Minister Netanyahu said he encourages the displacement of Palestinians in Gaza but said Israel has not found countries that will take the displaced. (HA 12/25; HA, HA 12/26)

Israeli foreign minister Eli Cohen said he had instructed his ministry to reject the residency permit application and extension of 2 UN staff members, saying the UN “cooperate with the propaganda of the terrorist organization Hamas.” (AJ, AJ, HA 12/25; NYT 12/26)

Ynet reported that the U.S. had rejected an Israeli request for Apache helicopters. Ynet also reported that the U.S. has sent 230 cargo planes and 20 ships loaded with weaponry to Israel since 10/7. (AJ 12/25; AJ 12/26)

Israel’s Channel 12 reported that Prime Minister Netanyahu had ordered Defense Minister Yoav Gallant and Mossad Director David Barnea not to meet each other unless Netanyahu is present, saying the ban was related to talks on the release of captives. (AJ, HA 12/25)

U.S. forces attacked alleged Kataib Hezbollah positions in Iraq, killing an Iraqi serviceperson and injuring 18 others. The Iraqi government called the attack “unacceptable.” 3 U.S. soldiers were reportedly injured in an attack by Kataib Hezbollah in Erbil. (HA 12/25; AJ, AP, HA, REU 12/26)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers with military a escort stole an olive harvest and vandalized olive trees in Awarta. Israeli settlers also opened fire at Palestinians harvesting olives in Aqraba; no injuries were reported. Elsewhere, Israeli settlers stole around 40 sheep in Khallet Hamad. Israeli settlers also raided Qaryut, opening fire at Palestinians in the area; no injuries were reported. Meanwhile, Israeli settlers razed farmland near Qasra. Israeli forces shot and injured a Palestinian child in Husan. Israeli soldiers also assaulted a Palestinian man in Dheisheh refugee camp. Elsewhere, Israeli forces demolished a Palestinian home in Bani Na’im. Israeli forces also razed land in Artas. Meanwhile, Israeli forces notified Palestinian families in Deir Qala that Israel will seize 18 dunams (4.4 acres) of land. 28 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in and around Jericho, Balata refugee camp, Bayt Awa, Hebron, Tarqumiyah, Bethlehem, Abu Dis, al-Eizariya, Ramallah, Jenin, and Qalqilya. In Gaza, Israeli forces bombed Rafah, Khan Yunis, Nuseirat refugee camp, Dayr al-Balah, Maghazi, and Jabalia refugee camp, killing at least 208 Palestinians and injuring 416. Israeli forces also shot and injured a surgeon inside al-Awda Hosptial, which has been under Israeli siege for 6 days, and hit the Kamal Adwan hospital with an airstrike. Rockets were fired at Israel, injuring 1. In Lebanon, Israeli forces killed a Lebanese official in Taybeh, Hezbollah said it had attacked Israeli soldiers in Shtula and Metula. In the Red Sea, a Norwegian commercial ship, The Strinda, was hit by a cruise missile launched by Yemen according to the U.S. military. (AJ, AJ, AJ, AP, AP, HA, HA, NYT, UNOCHA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 12/11; HA, HA, REU 12/12; AP 12/13)

More than 18,205 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli forces in Gaza, including at least 7,729 children and 5,153 women, and around 49,645 have been injured since 10/7. At least 8,000 people were missing in rubble, including 1,700 children. 267 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli forces and settlers in the West Bank and East Jerusalem since 10/7, including 69 children. More than 3,387 people have been injured. Israel reported that 1,200 Israelis and foreign nationals have been killed and 5,400 have been injured since 10/7. 101 Israeli soldiers have been killed 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. As of 12/3, at least 52,000 housing units had been destroyed and 253,000 had been damaged in Israeli airstrikes since 10/7, constituting 60% of all housing units. 100 trucks carrying aid, including fuel, entered Gaza via the Rafah crossing. 33 injured Palestinians and 461 dual nationals were evacuated to Egypt. (AJ, HA, UNOCHA, UNOCHA 12/11; AJ 12/13)

Al Jazeera said Israel had killed the father of its journalist Anas al-Sharif in his family’s home in Jabalia refugee camp, saying Israel deliberately targets its journalists in Gaza. (AJ, AJ, AP, WAFA, WAFA 12/11)

Palestinians in the West Bank and East Jerusalem were on strike over Israel’s bombing of Gaza. People outside of Palestinian also participated in the strike; most noteworthy was the Lebanese government’s decision to close government offices and institutions in solidarity with Gaza. (AJ, HA, WAFA, WAFA 12/11)

The PA called on the U.S. to “oblige Israel” to stop the policy of deducting funds from the PA’s tax revenue, calling it piracy and collective punishment. (WAFA 12/11)

Israel started allowing Palestinian Americans living in the West Bank access to Israel for the first time since 10/7 after the U.S. threatened to suspend Israel’s membership in the U.S. Visa Waiver Program. (AX 12/11)

Comments by Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu to the Knesset foreign affairs and defense committees were leaked to the press. Netanyahu said the “difference between Hamas and the PA is only that Hamas wants to destroy us here and now, and the PA wants to do it in stages.” Netanyahu also said Gaza will be under Israeli military control and that Gulf states will rehabilitate the area. (AJ 12/11; HA, WAFA, WAFA 12/12)

U.S. National Security Council spokesperson John Kirby said the U.S. was “asking questions” in relation to reporting from Amnesty International and the Washington Post that Israel had used U.S.-supplied white phosphorus in Lebanon. The Post said a journalist had found remnants of 3 artillery shells that indicated that they were U.S.-made white phosphorous shells. Secretary of State Antony Blinken spoke with Israeli war cabinet member Benny Gantz, calling on Israel to take steps to avoid civilian harm and increase aid. State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller called images of Palestinians stripped to their underwear while in Israeli custody in Gaza “deeply disturbing”  (AJ, AP, HA, HA, NYT, WP 12/11; AJ 12/12)

EU high representative for foreign affairs Josep Borell called the destruction in Gaza “even greater than destruction suffered by the German cities during the Second World War,” noting that 60-70% of the casualties are civilians and 85% of the population have been internally displaced. Borell also said the EU will propose sanctions on violent Israeli settlers. France, Germany, and Italy also called on the EU to set up a special sanctions scheme to target Hamas. (AJ, AJ, AJ, AP, HA, HA 12/11)

Sky News Arabia reported that Israel had asked Egypt and Qatar to mediate another ceasefire, citing Egyptian sources. (HA 12/11; HA 12/12)

Rutgers University in New Jersey notified Students for Justice in Palestine that it had suspended its chapter at the university, citing complaints about the group. (HA 12/12; HA, HA 12/13)

In the West Bank, a Palestinian succumbed to injuries sustained from Israeli forces on 11/9 in Jenin refugee camp. Israeli settlers assaulted Palestinian herders and stole some of their sheep in Tuqu’. Israeli settlers also raided Kisan, stealing solar panels and a generator. Elsewhere, Israeli settlers raided Shaab al-Butum in the Masafer Yatta area, demolishing a residential structure and vandalizing solar panels, water tanks, and 70 olive tree saplings. Israeli settlers also attacked 2 Palestinians and 2 foreign journalists during a raid in Manizil and al-Rakiz in the Masafer Yatta, causing bruises. Israeli forces shot and killed a Palestinian man during a raid near al-Arroub refugee camp. Israeli forces also shot and injured a Palestinian during a raid in Arrabah. Elsewhere, Israeli forces demolished a 4-story building under construction in al-Za’im. Nearly 50 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in and around Hebron, Deir al-Ghusun, Ramallah, Deir Ibzi, Bethlehem, and Qaryut. In Gaza, Israeli forces sealed off the Indonesian Hospital in Beit Lahiya; Israeli shelling of the hospital killed 12 people. 100 patients were later evacuated from the hospital. The Israeli seige of al-Shifa Hospital continued for the fifth day. Israeli forces also attacked a Doctors Without Borders clinic in Gaza City, destroying 4 of its vehicles that were clearly marked with the organization’s logo. Israeli airstrikes targeted Nuseirat refugee camp, killing 20, Rafah killing 15, and Khan Yunis killing a family of 5. The number of fatalities was likely much higher since the Gaza Ministry of Health was unable to communicate with hospitals and civil defense members in northern Gaza. The Israeli military said it attacked 250 sites in Gaza. 2 Israeli soldiers were killed. In Tayibe, Israeli police arrested a 14-year-old Palestinian citizen of Israel for allegedly posting support for Hamas on social media. In Lebanon, Israel attacked several areas, including the home of Amal party official Kabalan Kabalan; no injuries were reported. Israel said Hezbollah launched 25 rockets and 3 drones at Israel, hitting military sites; no injuries were reported. (AJ, AJ, AJ, AP, AP, CNN, HA, HA, NYT, REU, UNOCHA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 11/20; AJ, HA, HA 11/21)

The Gaza Ministry of Health was not able to fully update the casualty figures due to a collapse in services and communications at hospitals in northern Gaza, leaving the casualty numbers at around 13,000 Palestinians killed, including 5,500 children and 3,500 women, and around 32,000 injured in Israeli airstrikes on Gaza since 10/7. At least 3,250 people were missing in rubble, including 1,700 children. 208 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli forces and settlers in the West Bank and East Jerusalem since 10/7, including 52 children. More than 2,885 people have been injured. Israel reported that 1,200 Israelis and foreign nationals have been killed and 5,431 have been injured since 10/7. 71 Israeli soldiers have been killed in Gaza since the ground invasion began on 10/27. 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. As of 11/6, at least 40,000 housing units had been destroyed and 220,000 had been damaged in Israeli airstrikes since 10/7, constituting 45% of all housing units. Some 25,000 people fled northern Gaza to the south. The UN said that since shelters are completely full newly arrived displaced people were sleeping on the streets. 51 aid trucks entered Gaza, including trucks carrying material to build 2 field hospitals run by the UAE and Jordan. 2 trucks carrying 17,000 gallons of fuel entered Gaza. 180 doctors and nurses entered Gaza. 571 foreign nationals and 67 injured Palestinians were evacuated from Gaza via the Rafah crossing. Jordanian crown prince Hussein arrived in Egypt to oversee the establishment of the Jordanian field hospital, which will be set up in Khan Yunis. The Committee to Protect Journalists said 50 journalists have been killed since 10/7, including 45 Palestinians and 1 Lebanese. (AJ, AP, UNOCHA, UNOCHA, WAFA 11/20; HA, UNOCHA 11/21)

Former Israeli prime minister Ehud Barak told CNN that the tunnels system Israel is claiming that Hamas uses under al-Shifa Hospital was built by Israel “five or four decades ago …. to enable more space for the operation of the hospital within the very limited size of the compound.” (CNN 11/20)

A witness said that the Palestinian man who died at the Ketziot Prison in the Naqab on 11/18, Thaer Samih Abu Assab, was beaten to death by Israeli forces after they raided his cell and assaulted 10 prisoners. (AJ 11/20)

Israeli forces reportedly arrested Palestinian poet Mosab Abu Toha on 11/18 while he was fleeing from northern Gaza to Rafah to get to the U.S. where his son has citizenship. (HA 11/21)

Israel indicted 2 Israelis on charges of terrorism for throwing Molotov cocktails at a court, a post office, banks, and Palestinian homes in Sheikh Jarrah. (HA 11/20)

The Israeli military said there have been several incidents of friendly fire in Gaza, saying Israeli soldiers had been killed as a result. There were more than 10,000 Israeli soldiers in Gaza. Israel’s military also said it had transferred 300 Palestinians from Gaza to Israel. (AP, HA 11/20)

Foreign ministers from the PA, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Egypt, and Indonesia and a representative from the OIC met with Chinese foreign minister Wang Yi in Beijing, calling for a ceasefire. (AJ, AJ, HA, NYT, REU, WAFA 11/20)

Hamas political leader Ismail Haniyeh met with International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) president Mirjana Spoljaric in Qatar, who demanded that Hamas release all captives immediately and that the ICRC be allowed to visit the captives. The Hamas information ministry called on Egypt to open the Rafah crossing permanently, saying it fears epidemics and famine will hit Gaza due to the lack of food and basic medical services. A Hamas military spokesperson said the Qassam Brigades had destroyed 60 military vehicles in the past 3 days and that Israeli forces had killed their own soldiers after thinking they were captured by Hamas militants. (AJ, AP, HA 11/20)

PA president Mahmoud Abbas met with Latvian president Edgars Rinkević in Ramallah, discussing the situation in Gaza and the West Bank. (WAFA 11/20)

Israeli interior minister Moshe Arbel demanded that the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) build an aid program for Israelis evacuated from the area around Gaza and near the Blue Line, during a meeting with UNHCR representative in Israel Matthias Larota. The Knesset Ethics Committee banned Likud MK Nissim Vaturi from speaking at the next 10 Knesset sessions after he accused 2 Palestinian, MKs Aida Touma-Sliman and Iman Khatib-Yassin, of supporting Hamas. (HA 11/20)

Israel recalled its ambassador to South Africa. South Africa recalled its ambassador to Israel weeks ago and referred the situation in Gaza to the ICC on 10/7. The South African parliament is also scheduled to vote on 11/21 to close the Israeli embassy and cut all ties with Israel until a ceasefire is implemented. (AJ, HA 11/20; AJ, HA 11/21)

Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdoğan said he will not allow the issue of Israeli nuclear weapons to be dropped from the international agenda and said the “shame of the Holocaust has literally taken European leaders hostage,” referring to their support for Israel. (HA 11/20)

White House senior adviser for energy and investment Amos Hochstein met with Israeli officials, discussing the situation at the Blue Line and the development of the Gaza Marine gas field off the coast of Gaza, which he said would benefit the Palestinian economy. Hochstein arrived in Israel after meetings with Lebanese officials. (AJ, AX, HA, REU 11/20)

Amnesty International said Israel had committed war crimes by attacking a church in Gaza City on 10/19 and a residential building in Nuseirat refugee camp on 10/20, which killed 46 civilians, including 20 children. Amnesty said it had visited the sites, interviewed witnesses and survivors, and analyzed satellite imagery to reach its conclusion. (HA, WAFA 11/20)

13 U.S. senators urged President Joe Biden to work with Israel to increase aid to Gaza, including by reopening the Karem Abu Salem (Karem Shalom) crossing and to protect Palestinian civilians. Senator Jeff Merkley (D-OR) called for a ceasefire, the second U.S. senator to do so after Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL). 41 members of the House have called for a ceasefire. (AJ, HA 11/20)

Qatar said the revenue from the Asia Cup 2023 soccer tournament held in the country will go to Palestinian relief efforts. The Australian soccer team, which is playing against the Palestinian soccer team in a World Cup qualifying game in Kuwait on 11/21, said its players and soccer association will donate a 5-figure sum to Palestinians in Gaza. (AJ, WAFA 11/20)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers assaulted 2 Palestinian farmers in Jalud and slashed a tire on their tractor. Israeli settlers also assaulted Palestinian farmers in Qaryut. 18 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in and around Bethlehem, Ramallah, Jenin, Nablus, and Habla. In East Jerusalem, 1 Palestinian minor was arrested during a late-night raid in Isawiya. (WAFA, WAFA 5/8; PCHR 5/11; UNOCHA 5/19)

The Israeli military said it had indicted 1 Israeli soldier for abducting and assaulting 1 Palestinian man in the West Bank before abandoning the man. The Israeli military prosecution said it also intends to file charges against 3 other soldiers who were involved. (HA 5/8)

EU ambassadors to Israel announced that they will not participate in the EU Europe Day event in Tel Aviv because of Israeli national security minister Itamar Ben-Gvir’s insistence on participating and speaking at the event. The decision was made at an emergency meeting where only the Hungarian and Polish representatives did not oppose participating in the event. The EU delegation issued a statement saying, “we have decided to cancel the diplomatic reception, as we do not want to offer a platform to someone whose views contradict the values the EU stands for.” Ben-Gvir insisted on 5/7 that he will attend to voice criticism of the EU stance on the Palestinian-Israeli conflict. (HA, HA, JP, TOI 5/7; AJ, AP, HA, HA, MEE, REU, TOI, WAFA 5/8; BBC, HA 5/9)

National Security Minister Ben-Gvir and border police commander Amir Cohen issued a statement saying that the border police officer who was convicted on 5/2 for assaulting a Palestinian woman in the Old City in 2021 has been reinstated to the border police until the legal proceedings against her are over. (HA 5/8)

Brett McGurk and Amos Hochstein, senior advisors to U.S. president Joe Biden, met with Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu after participating in meetings with Saudi crown prince Mohammad bin Salman on 5/7, discussing normalization between Saudi Arabia and Israel. U.S. secretary of state Antony Blinken also spoke with Israeli foreign minister Eli Cohen in a phone call about the talks with Saudi Arabia. (AX, HA, REU 5/8; HA 5/9; MDW 5/12)

In the West Bank, PA security forces, dressed in civilian clothes, violently dispersed Palestinian students and staff protesting the dismissal of 10 students from the Islamic bloc and 5 employees at An-Najah National University in Nablus, causing several injuries from beatings and pepper spray. The Iranian news agency Tansim said 1 of its Palestinian reporters was abducted by Palestinian gunmen while covering the events before being beaten and warned against writing negatively about the PA. Israeli settlers threw stones at Palestinian vehicles traveling between Nablus and Jenin. Israeli settlers also vandalized 8 olive trees in Qaryut. Israeli forces evicted 4 Palestinians from their land in Wadi Fukin. 12 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in Ramallah, Tuqu‘, Bethlehem, Surif, al-Tabaqa, Nablus, Far‘un, Rumana, and Aqabat Jaber refugee camp; Israeli forces violently dispersed Palestinians protesting the raid in Nablus, injuring 2 with shrapnel. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces assaulted and arrested 2 Palestinians in Silwan and arrested 1 other in Isawiya. (MEE, WAFA, WAFA 6/14; PCHR 6/15; PCHR 6/16; AP, HA 6/17; UNOCHA 7/2)

Hamas released a statement accusing PA forces in the West Bank of torturing Hamas supporters. (ALM 7/2)

EU commission president Ursula von der Leyen announced that the frozen $224 million in economic aid to the PA from 2021 had been unfrozen and would be transferred to the PA. The announcement came ahead of a meeting between President von der Leyen and PA prime minister Mohammed Shtayyeh in Ramallah. Von der Leyen later met with Israeli prime minister Naftali Bennett and president Isaac Herzog. The EU funding to the PA was frozen due to 1 Hungarian commissioner’s concern over “incitement” in PA schoolbooks. Prime Minister Shtayyeh also met with his Italian counterpart Mario Draghi. (AA, HA, JP, POL, TOI, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 6/14; AJ, WAFA 6/15)

Israel’s deputy religious affairs minister Matan Kahana of the Yamina party was filmed telling Israeli high schoolers in the Efrat settlement that “if there was a button that could be pressed, that would remove all the Arabs from here, send them on an express train to Switzerland—where they would live an amazing life, I wish them all the best in Switzerland—I would press that button. . . . there is no such button. We were probably meant to [co]exist here on this land in some form,” Palestinian members of the Israeli parliament attacked Kahana for his remarks and he later apologized for wording his statements poorly. (AJ, AP, HA, MEE 6/14; HA, MDW, TOI 6/15)

The U.S. White House expressed concern over negotiations between the Israeli spyware company NSO Group and the American defense contractor L3Harris for the latter to buy technology from the former. The deal would see NSO Group removed from the U.S. department of commerce’s blacklist and would transfer NSO’s clients in the U.S., UK, Australia, Canada, and New Zealand, and possibly EU and NATO countries to L3Harris. The New York Times later reported that the negotiations had collapsed after they were made public and that U.S. intelligence officials had backed L3Harris’s potential acquisition of NSO Group. (HA 6/14; MEE, REU 6/15; NYT, WP 7/10; HA, TOI 7/11)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers with military escort raided Nabi Salih and attempted to steal a Palestinian flag, leading to a confrontation between Israeli forces and Palestinians; 1 was injured by a baton round and others suffered tear-gas related injuries. Israeli settlers also set up a settlement outpost near Khirbet al-Farisiyya. Elsewhere, Israeli settlers threw stones at Palestinian vehicles south of Bethlehem. Israeli forces violently dispersed Palestinian protesters in Kafr Qaddum, injuring 3 with baton rounds and others with tear gas. Israeli forces also violently dispersed Palestinian protesters in Bayt Dajan, injuring 1 with baton rounds, 1 with burns from a tear gas canister, and others with tear gas. Elsewhere, Israeli forces raided Beit Umar and Qaryut, causing tear-gas related injuries. Israeli forces also seized 1 excavator near Yatta. 2 Palestinians were arrested at a checkpoint near Nablus. In Gaza, 3 Palestinians were arrested near the Gaza fence east of Khan Yunis. (WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 6/3; WAFA 6/4; PCHR 6/9; UNOCHA 6/17)

Israel released the director of Health Work Committees, Shatha Odeh, after arresting her on 7/7/2021. (WAFA 6/3)

The White House postponed president Joe Biden’s trip to Israel from later this month to July, saying it will be part of a broader trip to the Middle East that will include Saudi Arabia. (HA 6/1; AJ, AP, NBC 6/3; AX, HA 6/4)

80 Democrats in the U.S. Congress, led by David Price (D-NC), Barbara Lee (D-CA), Jennifer Wexton (D-VA), and Joaquin Castro (D-TX), wrote a letter to secretary of state Antony Blinken urging the Biden administration to take action against efforts to undermine the 2-state solution. The Democrats mentioned 5 issues of concern, including settler violence and non-intervention by Israeli forces, settlement expansion, demolitions, increased funding for West Bank settlements, and the PA program for paying stipends to Palestinian prisoners. (HA 6/3)

In Iran, colonel Ali Esmailzadeh of the Quds Force died in an incident at his home in Karaj. Iran denied that Esmailzadeh was assassinated. Local reporting said Esmailzadeh fell from the roof or a balcony at his home. Esmailzadeh’s death follows an incident on 5/22 in which another Iranian colonel was assassinated and an incident on 5/25 in which an Iranian scientist was killed in a drone strike. Both of those incidents were reportedly linked to Israel. Israeli prime minister Naftali Bennett told International Atomic Energy Agency director Rafael Grossi in a meeting that “Israel reserves the right to self-defense and action against Iran to stop its nuclear program.” (AJ, AP, AP, HA, HA 6/3; NYT, TOI 6/4; REU 6/7)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers with military escort raided Qaryut, leading to a confrontation with Palestinians; 2 were injured by baton rounds. Israeli forces shot and killed 1 Palestinian man during a raid in Hebron; Israeli forces claimed that the man had thrown a Molotov cocktail at the forces before they shot him in the head. Israeli forces also violently dispersed Palestinians commemorating Land Day in Bil‘in, injuring 1 with live ammunition and others with tear gas. Elsewhere, Israeli forces shot and injured 2 Palestinians using live ammunition during a raid in Bani Zeid. Israeli forces also violently dispersed Palestinian protesters in Kafr Qaddum, injuring 9, including 3 minors, using baton rounds; others suffered tear-gas related injuries. 14 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in al-Yamun, Bayt Rima, Beita, Salfit, Bethlehem, and Hebron. In East Jerusalem, 1 Palestinian woman was arrested at the Haram al-Sharif compound. In Gaza, 1 19-month-old Palestinian girl died after waiting 5 months for a permit to go to Israel to get surgery for a hole in her heart. Israeli forces opened fire at Palestinian farmers east of Dayr al-Balah; no injuries were reported. (AJ, GDN, HA, MEE, REU, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 4/1; PCHR 4/7; UNOCHA 4/10)

The UAE and Israel concluded negotiations on entering a free trade agreement, which will make 95% of trade products between the 2 countries custom free. The free trade agreement negotiations were part of the 2 countries’ normalization deal. (AJ, ALM, HA 4/1)

At the UN human rights council, 38 countries voted in favor of a resolution confirming the illegality of Israeli settlements in the occupied Palestinian territories and the Golan Heights. Ukraine, Lithuania, Brazil, Cameroon, and Honduras abstained and the U.S., the UK, the Marshall Islands, and Malawi voted against. 41 countries voted for a resolution confirming the Palestinian people’s right to self-determination. Lithuania, Cameroon, and Honduras abstained, while the U.S., the UK, and the Marshall Islands voted against. (PCHR, WAFA 4/1; JP 4/3; AA 4/4)

In the West Bank, 1 Israeli settler opened fire at 2 Palestinians traveling in a vehicle near Hizma, injuring both. Israeli forces shot and injured 1 Palestinian man, claiming he had thrown an explosive device at Israeli forces at the Jalamah checkpoint near Jenin; no Israeli soldiers were injured. Israeli forces also violently dispersed Palestinians marking the 28th anniversary of the Ibrahimi Mosque Massacre in Hebron, causing tear-gas related injuries. Elsewhere, Israeli forces violently dispersed Palestinian protesters in Qaryut, injuring 6 with rubber-coated bullets and others with tear gas. Israeli forces also violently dispersed Palestinian protesters in Bayt Dajan, injuring 5 with rubber-coated bullets and others with tear gas. Meanwhile, Israeli forces violently dispersed Palestinian protesters in Beita, causing tear-gas related injuries. Israeli forces also delivered stop-work orders for a poultry plant, a barn, and a water well in Khillat al-Qern. 8 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in Ramallah, Bethlehem, Hebron, and Abu Dis. In East Jerusalem, 1 Palestinian family started demolishing their own home in Jabel Mukaber. Off the coast of Gaza, Israeli naval forces opened fire at Palestinian fishermen off the coast, injuring 1 with a rubber-coated bullet. (HA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 2/25; MEMO, WAFA 2/26; MEMO 2/27; PCHR 3/3; UNOCHA 3/11)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers set fire to olive fields, burning more than 100 olive trees near Yatta. Israeli settlers also attacked Palestinian shepherds near Susiya. Israeli forces shot and injured 2 Palestinian minors, using live ammunition, during a raid in Tulkarm. Israeli forces also seized a Palestinian-owned bulldozer near Yatta. Elsewhere, Israeli forces delivered stop-work orders for 3 houses in Qaryut. 5 Palestinians were arrested, including 3 during raids in Tulkarm, al-‘Izzariya, and Abu Dis; 2 were arrested at checkpoints in Bethlehem and Nablus. In Gaza, Israeli forces opened fire on Palestinian shepherds east of Khuza‘a and Bayt Hanun; no injuries were reported. (WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 12/13; PCHR 12/17)

PA president Mahmoud Abbas arrived in Qatar for an official 2-day visit. (WAFA 12/13)

Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh said during a speech that while Hamas considers the PA’s decision to resume cooperation with Israel “an intense barrier” to achieving reconciliation, it was ready to resume reconciliation talks. (AJ 12/14)

Haaretz reported that Israeli police requires internet and phone providers to give them access to all user data, essentially allowing the police to monitor all activity by users of Israeli internet and phone providers. (HA 12/13)

In the West Bank, Israeli forces forced Palestinians harvesting olives to leave their fields in Qaryut. Israeli settlers threw stones at Palestinian cars traveling near Luban al-Sharqiyya, causing damage to several vehicles. 6 Palestinians were arrested during raids in and around Bethlehem and Ramallah. In East Jerusalem, 1 Palestinian family in Jabal Mukabir demolished their own home to avoid exorbitant Israeli-imposed fees. Israeli forces raided Issawiyya, leading to clashes with local Palestinians. 1 Palestinian was injured by a Molotov cocktail thrown at the Israeli forces; 8 Palestinians were arrested. Off the coast of Gaza, Israeli naval forces opened fire on Palestinian fishermen on 2 separate occasions 3 nautical miles from Jabalia. In Gaza, Israeli forces opened fire on Palestinian farmland; no injuries were reported. In Israel, 14 Israeli soldiers were arrested for attacking bedouins in southern Israel on 10/16. (HA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 10/22; HA 10/23; PCHR 10/24)

In the Gaza Strip, IDF troops open fire on Palestinian fishermen nr. Bayt Lahiya, causing no damage or injuries. IDF troops also open fire on open land nr. Bayt Hanun, causing no damage or injuries. In the West Bank, the IDF shoots and wounds a student in al-Khadir village nr. Bethlehem with a rubber-coated metal bullet. Jewish settlers set fire to agricultural land nr. Nablus and then attack a school in nearby Qaryut village, causing no injuries. The IDF conducts house searches and arrest raids in Nablus and 1 village nr. Bethlehem at night; patrols 1 village nr. Bethlehem in the morning, and in Hebron and 1 nearby village at night. (MNA 10/9; PCHR 10/10)

Jerusalem municipality approves the construction of 58 housing units in Pisgat Ze’ev settlement, an announcement slammed by the PA as a further “obstacle on the road to peace.” (JP, MNA 10/9)

The Obama administration announces a freeze on military assistance to Egypt, with the aid being withheld including Apache helicopters and tank kits, as well as cash assistance to the govt. There is no precise figure given for the value of the cuts, but it is several hundred million dollars. (JP, REU 10/9)

Two IDF soldiers are hurt when 2 mortar shells fired from Syrian territory lands in the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights. In response, the IDF destroys a Syrian cannon, though also say that the shelling was errant rather than intentional. (ToI, YA 10/9)

In a 45-min. phone conversation, U.S. secy. of state Hillary Clinton sharply rebukes Netanyahu for the 3/9 Ramat Shlomo construction approval, demanding that Israel prove its desire to seek peace by revoking the plans, stating that the U.S. viewed his apology for the timing of the announcement alone as inadequate. She lists several additional steps the U.S. expects Israel to take to support the peace process and warns of consequences if Israel does not comply; no details are made public (State Dept. press release 3/12; WP 3/13; HA 3/15)

The IDF makes a day-long incursion 200 m into Gaza e. of Jabaliya, later moving s. toward Gaza City, to level land along the border fence to clear lines of sight. IDF troops on the n. Gaza border nr. Bayt Hanun fire on Palestinians scavenging construction materials from destroyed buildings, forcing them to flee, causing no injuries. Late in the evening, the IDF makes air strikes on a suspected weapons lab in Khan Yunis in retaliation for Palestinian rocket fire on 3/11, causing no reported injuries; Israeli naval vessels fire on a Palestinian fishing boat off the Bayt Lahiya coast, forcing it to return to shore. Israel, fearing serious Palestinian protests after Friday prayers over the 3/9 Ramat Shlomo construction approval, imposes a general closure on the West Bank through 3/16 and deploys extra units of riot police around Jerusalem; no violence is reported. In an effort to halt weekly Palestinian protests against the separation wall, the IDF issues a military order declaring Bil‘in and Ni‘lin closed military zones on Fridays until 8/17. Today the order is ignored: Palestinian, Israeli, and international activists stage a nonviolent march to the separation wall in Bil‘in and a protest against the wall in Ni‘lin, where some of them throw stones at IDF troops. In both cases, IDF troops fire rubber-coated steel bullets, stun grenades, tear gas (injuring 2 Palestinians in Bil‘in; arresting 1 Palestinian, 1 Israeli in Ni‘lin). The IDF also fires rubber-coated steel bullets, stun grenades, tear gas at Palestinian, Israeli, and international activists staging a nonviolent protest against settlement expansion nr. Dayr Nizam/al-Nabi Salih (injuring 18); fires stun grenades and beats Palestinian and international activists demonstrating against the separation wall in al-Ma‘sara village s. of Bethlehem (injuring 2 Palestinians). Jewish settlers fr. Eli nr. Nablus uproot 40 Palestinian olive trees in nearby Qaryut village. (YA 3/12; OCHA, PCHR 3/18)

Israel’s siege of Gaza, imposed after Hamas’s takeover of the Strip in 6/07, remains tight. In Gaza, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) conduct late-night arrest raids, house searches in Shuka nr. Rafah, arresting 3 Palestinians, wounding 1 with live ammunition, bulldozing 8 dunams (d.; 4 d. = 1 acre) of greenhouses and a poultry farm (killing 50,000 chickens). In the West Bank, the IDF patrols in Qaryut nr. Nablus, detaining 4 Palestinians (including 3 teenagers) for questioning; conducts late-night arrest raids, house searches nr. Jenin and Hebron (partially bulldozing a Palestinian home in Bayt Umar); fires rubber-coated steel bullets, percussion grenades, tear gas at Palestinian, Israeli, international activists taking part in the weekly nonviolent demonstration against the separation wall in Bil‘in n. of Jerusalem nr. Ramallah (10s suffer tear gas inhalation); and beats demonstrators at a similar protest al-Ma‘sara nr. Bethlehem (lightly injuring 3). Nr. Nablus, 10s of armed Jewish settlers fr. Yitzhar vandalize Palestinian homes in nearby Asira al-Qibliyya. In Gaza City, unknown assailants detonate a bomb outside a Catholic school in Gaza City, causing damage but no injuries. (OCHA 5/21; PCHR 5/22)

U.S. pres. George W. Bush ends a 4-day visit to Israel to mark Israel’s 60th anniversary (see Quarterly Update in JPS 148). (NYT, WP, WT 5/17; NYT 5/19)

Before dawn, Hamas mbrs. detonate explosives at 17 points along the 7-mi.-long Rafah border wall, allowing 10,000s of Palestinians to stream into Egypt to buy food, fuel, medicine, cement, livestock, and other goods that have been banned by Israel since 6/07; Gazans who have been stranded in Egypt reenter Gaza. (For details on the border breach, see the Quarterly Update.) Egyptian pres. Husni Mubarak authorizes border police to stand down, saying Egypt will not be party to starving the Palestinians, but makes it clear that Egypt expects Gazans to return home quickly. IDF troops on the n. Gaza border fatally shoot a Palestinian farmer working his land northwest of Bayt Lahiya. The IDF also levels land inside Gaza northeast of Bayt Hanun, uprooting 350 d. of olive and citrus groves. A Palestinian is injured when 2 rockets to be fired into Israel explode at the launch site. In the West Bank, the IDF conducts arrest raids, searches in and around Hebron (including surrounding and searching a medical clinic, interrogating staff and patients, arresting 2 staff mbrs.), in Balata r.c., and nr. Jenin, Salfit; raids a hospital in Bethlehem, confiscating 3 computers and a diagnostic machine that tests for osteoporosis; returns 200 olive trees to a farmer in Qaryut nr. Nablus who had 300 trees stolen by Jewish settlers fr. Shilo settlement in 6/07. A Palestinian civilian dies of injuries received during IDF operations in Nablus on 1/3. (HA, Independent, JAZ, NYT 1/23; NYT, PCHR, WP, WT 1/24; WP 1/28; OCHA 1/30; PCHR 1/31)

In Gaza, the IDF bulldozes Palestinian land 300 m. inside Gaza n. of Jabaliya r.c., occupying the area. In the West Bank, the IDF fatally shoots a Palestinian nr. Hebron who allegedly attempted to infiltrate an IDF post; conducts arrest raids, house searches nr. Ramallah, in Jenin town and r.c. (firing on residential areas, wounding a Palestinian woman inside her home), Nablus; fires rubber-coated steel bullets, percussion grenades, tear gas at Palestinian, Israeli, international activists attending the weekly nonviolent demonstration against the separation wall in Bil‘in, injuring 2 internationals. Jewish settlers fr. Rachelim settlement nr. Nablus uproot and cart away 300 Palestinian olive trees fr. nearby Qaryut (the IDF secures the return of 140 trees). Jewish settlers fr. Yitzhar nr. Nablus cut down 20 Palestinian olive, almond trees in nearby Burkin village. Jewish settlers fr. Tekoa nr. Bethlehem set fire to 300 d. of nearby Palestinian agricultural land, including 400 olive trees. Jewish settlers fr. Ramat Yishai in Hebron burn 50 nearby Palestinian olive and almond trees. Suspected Hamas mbrs. toss a homemade bomb at the Fatah offices in Qalqilya, causing damage but no injuries. (WP 6/23; OCHA 6/27; PCHR 6/28)