The Palestine Chronology

In the West Bank, a Palestinian man succumbed to injuries sustained from Israeli forces during a raid in Tulkarm on 11/7. Israeli settlers opened fire at Palestinian vehicles near Bethlehem; no injuries were reported. Israeli settlers also began constructing a settlement road on Palestinian-owned land in Birin. Israeli forces shot and killed 4 Palestinians, including 2 children, and injured 17 others during raids in al-Fara’a refugee camp, Ya’bad, and Balata refugee camp. Israeli forces also opened fire at a Palestinian vehicle and detained the driver in Husan. Elsewhere, Israeli forces also demolished a home in Umm Rukba near al-Khader and 2 homes and 2 agricultural structures in Umm Qissa in the Masafer Yatta area. 42 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in and around Hebron, Jenin, Ramallah, Nablus, Bethlehem, Qalqilya, and Tubas. In East Jerusalem, Israeli settlers toured the Haram al-Sharif compound. Israeli forces demolished parts of a home in Silwan. In Gaza, Israeli forces bombed Maghazi, Khan Yunis, Jabalia refugee camp, Rafah, Nuseirat refugee camp, and Gaza City, killing hundreds of people, including more than 100 in Jabalia. Prominent Palestinian poet and academic Refaat Alareer was also killed along with several family members in Gaza City. 3 Israeli soldiers were killed in combat. Rockets were fired at Israel, injuring 1 in Nir Yitzhak. In Lebanon, rockets were fired at Israeli military sites and soldiers in Tal Shaar and Karm al-Tuffah and Israel attacked several places. In Yemen, the Houthi-led government said it had fired ballistic missiles at Israeli military posts near Eilat which were shot down by Israel’s Arrow missile defense system. The U.S. said it had shot down a drone launched by Yemen. (AJ, AJ, AP, HA, HA, HA, HA, NYT, NYT, REU, REU, REU, REU, UNOCHA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 12/6; AJ, AJ 12/7; AJ 12/8)

The casualty numbers for Gaza were not updated, leaving the number at more than 16,248 Palestinians killed by Israeli forces in Gaza, including at least 6,387 children and 4,257 women, and around 43,616 injured since 10/7. At least 7,000 people were missing in rubble, including 1,700 children. 257 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli forces and settlers in the West Bank and East Jerusalem since 10/7, including 67 children. More than 3,325 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. 90 Israeli soldiers have been killed in Gaza since the ground invasion began on 10/27. Over 1.9 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 11/18, at least 45,000 housing units had been destroyed and 233,000 had been damaged in Israeli airstrikes since 10/7, constituting 60% of all housing units. The Red Crescent said its ambulance center in the northern province of Gaza has stopped working due to a lack of fuel. Patients and staff were evacuated from the Kamal Adwan Hospital in Jabalia as the hospital had stopped working. 20 patients that could not be evacuated stayed at the hospital. 80 trucks carrying aid, including 15 gallons of fuel, entered Gaza. Only Rafah received aid for the fourth day in a row. 23 wounded Palestinians and 680 foreign nationals were evacuated to Egypt. (AJ, HA, NYT, UNOCHA, WAFA 12/6)

UN secretary-general Antonio Guterres invoked Article 99 of the UN Charter, forcing the UN Security Council to convene on 12/8 on the basis of threats to “international peace and security,” saying a ceasefire is needed in Gaza to avoid “irreversible implications for Palestinians as a whole and for peace and security in the region.” Israeli ambassador to the UN Gilad Erdan said Guterres had reached “a new moral low.” Israeli foreign minister Eli Cohen called Guterres a “danger to world peace.” After the invocation of Article 99, the UAE circulated a draft resolution calling for “an immediate humanitarian ceasefire,” and for all parties to comply with international law. (AJ, AP, AX, HA, NYT, REU, UNOCHA, WAFA 12/6; AJ, AJ, AJ, HA, REU, WAFA 12/7; AP, WAFA 12/8)

The Israeli security cabinet approved an increase in the amount of fuel entering Gaza from around 13,000 gallons to 26,000 gallons a day. Axios reported that the decision was made after pressure from the Biden administration, which had called on Israel to allow 39,000 gallons to enter Gaza daily. The decision was opposed by National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich. (AJ 12/6; AX 12/7)

Birzeit University published pictures of the central archive of the Gaza municipality, saying Israel had deliberately destroyed thousands of valuable documents to erase the history of Gaza. (AJ 12/6)

The PA Wall and Settlements Commission said it had recorded 610 Israeli settler attacks, which killed 10 Palestinians, since 10/7. (AJ 12/6)

Israeli defense minister Yoav Gallant signed an administration detention order for an Israeli settler who was arrested on 10/3 for attacking Palestinians. (HA 12/7)

PA UN envoy Riyad Mansour addressed the assembly of parties to the Rome Statute, saying “Israel has effectively destroyed every single requirement for live in the Gaza Strip” and complaining that the ICC has not delivered justice for Palestine. (AJ, WAFA, WAFA 12/6)

PA president Mahmoud Abbas met with U.S. vice president Kamala Harris’ National Security Advisor Phil Gordon in Ramallah, discussing the future of the political situation in Gaza after Israel’s war. (HA, WAFA 12/6; HA 12/7)

Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the PA will not govern Gaza as long as he is prime minister. (AJ 12/6)

Israel revoked the residency visa for UN special coordinator for the Middle East peace process Lynn Hastings, saying she did not condemn Hamas’ Operation Al-Aqsa Flood. The UN said on 12/1 that Hastings would be replaced in anticipation of the visa revocation. The PA condemned the revocation of Hastings’ visa. (AJ, WAFA, WAFA 12/6)

Israel’s military discussed closing the “Desert Frontier” unit made up of Israeli settlers in the West Bank after a series of incidents where soldiers from the unit attacked and abused Palestinians and Israeli activists. (HA 12/6)

The Association for Civil Rights in Israel (ACRI) said Israel has established 100 “Community Security Squads” equipped with M16 rifles, adding the members of the militias have only received 7 hours of training and lacked proper oversight. ACRI also said there have been reports of Palestinian citizens of Israel being rounded up by the militias to show their identity cards. (AJ, HA 12/6; HA 12/7)

UN high commissioner for human rights Volker Turk said he had asked Israel for weeks to have his team investigate Israeli allegations of sexual violence committed by Hamas militants in Israel on 10/7 but said Israel had not responded. (AJ, WAFA 12/6)

Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdoğan said “I consider even the debating of this plan as disrespectful to my Palestinian siblings. For us, this is not a plan that can be debated, considered, or discussed,” referring to Israeli suggestions that a buffer zone should be made within Gaza. U.S. State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller also said the Israeli plan was in violation of U.S. policy, suggesting Israel could make a buffer zone in its own territory. (AJ, HA, REU, REU 12/6)

Russian president Vladimir Putin met with UAE president Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan in Abu Dhabi and Saudi crown prince Mohammed bin Salman in Riyadh, discussing energy cooperation, the situation in Gaza, and Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Saudi state media reported that Putin and bin Salman shared “deep concern” for the situation in Gaza. (AJ, AJ, AP, HA 12/6; AJ, REU 12/7)

The U.S. Senate failed to pass a $111 billion bill to provide $50 billion to Ukraine and $14 billion to Israel in a 49-51 vote. All Republicans and Democratic senators Bernie Sanders (D-VT) and Chuck Schumer (D-NY) voted against the bill. Republicans sought to separate the aid for Israel from the aid for Ukraine as many Republican senators are opposed to significant spending on Ukraine, while Sanders opposed spending on Israel given the Palestinian death toll in Gaza. Schumer changed his vote from in favor to against to allow him to bring the bill up again at a later date. (HA, NYT 12/6; AJ, HA 12/7)

Belgian prime minister Alexander De Croo said his government will work with the U.S. to sanction “individuals involved in actions that undermine peace, security, and stability” in the West Bank. (AJ 12/6; HA, HA, REU, WAFA 12/7)

Reuters reported that an “orientation note” circulated among EU foreign ministers ahead of a meeting showed the EU was considering tougher sanctions on Hamas and imposing sanctions against violent Israeli settlers. EU commissioner for crisis management Janez Lenarcic condemned an Israeli settler attack in Khirbet Zanuta which destroyed an EU-funded school. Nils Schmid, foreign policy spokesperson of Germany’s ruling Social Democratic Party, said imposing sanctions on settlers was a good idea. (HA, REU, REU, REU 12/6)

Haaretz reported that Foreign Minister Cohen had bypassed objections from foreign ministry staff to issue diplomatic passports for Prime Minister Netanyahu’s son Yair, Likud politician and settlement leader Israel Gantz, and senior Likud member Benny Biton. (HA 12/7)

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 the West Bank, Israeli settlers vandalized 1 solar panel and 15 olive seedlings near ‘Urif. Israeli forces violently dispersed Palestinian protesters in Dura and Bayt Umar, leading to tear-gas related injuries. Israeli forces also violently dispersed Palestinian protesters in Hebron, injuring 13, including 5 with live ammunition and 8 with rubber-coated bullets; others suffered tear-gas related injuries. Elsewhere, Israeli forces seized a caravan in Sabastiyya. 5 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in Tarqumiyya and Jenin refugee camp; Israeli forces also seized a vehicle during a house raid in Aqraba. In East Jerusalem, 1 Israeli settler rammed Palestinians with his vehicle near the Old City, causing injuries; Palestinians were throwing stones at the vehicle but it was unclear what transpired before the ramming, which appeared in a video. Israeli settlers also attacked Palestinians in Shaykh Jarrah during a tour of the neighborhood by 2 Israeli lawmakers, Itamar Ben-Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich. Israeli forces attacked Palestinian worshipers with tear gas, sound bombs, and rubber-coated bullets at the Haram al-Sharif compound, injuring more than 305 people, including inside of al-Aqsa Mosque where a sound bomb caught a carpet on fire. Israeli forces prevented the Palestinian Red Crescent from entering the compound. Israel also reversed its decision from 5/9 to allow Jewish worshipers to enter the Haram al-Sharif compound for the Israeli celebration of Jerusalem Day. The Jerusalem Day march was later canceled by its organizers as Israeli police decided to prevent the settler march to go through the Damascus Gate plaza. Israeli forces also confiscated the keys to the al-Aqsa Mosque from the Islamic Waqf. Also at the Haram al-Sharif compound, Israeli police were filmed beating up an Israeli-accredited Palestinian journalist covering the events for Anadolu Agency. The Palestinian Red Crescent said that 612 Palestinians were injured throughout Jerusalem, including 333 who were hospitalized. In Gaza, Israeli started a military operation later dubbed “Guardian of the Wall” after Hamas fired rockets at Israel, giving Israel hours to leave the Haram al-Sharif compound. Hamas had earlier in the day warned Israel that it would fire rockets at 6 p.m. if Israel did not remove its forces from the holy places. 20 Palestinians were killed, including 9 children, and dozens were injured. The casualties included: 2, including 1 child, in 1 drone strike at Jabaliya; 10, including 6 children in 2 drone strikes at Bayt Hanun, with 32 others wounded, including 12 children; and 1, with 2 injured, in an Israeli air strike in Khan Yunis. 7 were also killed, including 1 child, and 34 were injured in Jabaliya in an explosion that was not conclusively attributed to an Israeli air strike. Additionally, damage was sustained in al-Bureij refugee camp, al-Qarara, and Rafah. In Israel, 1 Palestinian citizen of Israel was shot dead and 1 other injured by 1 Jewish-Israeli in Lydda; 3 Jewish-Israelis were arrested. Israeli forces later violently dispersed Palestinian-Israeli protesters at the Lydda city hall. In Ramla, Jewish-Israelis threw stones at Palestinian-Israelis and their property and set fire to trash cans. Israeli police dispersed Palestinian-Israeli protesters in Nazareth, Kafr Kana, Kafr Manda, Shefa-Amr, Majdal Krum, Dayr Khana, Umm al-Fahm, Baka al-Garbiyeh, Taiba, Jaffa, Haifa, and Jaljulya; 46 were arrested. The Knesset was evacuated after a rocket from Gaza landed in the vicinity of Jerusalem. (HA 5/9; AJ, AJ, AJ, AJ, AJ, AP, AX, FOX, GDN, HA, HA, HA, HA, HA, HA, HA, MEE, MEE, MEE, MEE, MEMO, NYT, PCHR, REU, REU, REU, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 5/10; ALM, HA, HA, MEE, PCHR, PCHR 5/11; ALM, HA, WAFA 5/12; WAFA 5/19; MEE 5/21; NYT 5/26)

Israel closed all crossings to Gaza and the sea for fishing as collective punishment for rockets fired at Israel. (PCHR 5/10)

The PA prime minister Mohammed Shtayyeh and the PA presidency condemned Israel’s attack on the Haram al-Sharif compound and called on the international community to take action. The PA civil affairs minister Hussein al-Sheikh said the Palestinian leadership is “examining all options to respond to this heinous aggression against the holy sites and the citizens.” PA president Mahmoud Abbas also discussed the situation with Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. (WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 5/10)

Leader of the Ra’am (United Arab List) Mansour Abbas said that he had broken off contacts with Israeli opposition leaders Yair Lapid and Naftali Bennett just before he was to have a joint meeting with them, citing the violence in Jerusalem and Gaza. Mansour Abbas met with Naftali Bennett on 5/9. (ALM, HA 5/10; ALM, HA, MEMO, NBC 5/11)

Israel attacked Syria in the Quneitra region with a helicopter, injuring 1. (HA 5/10)

Iran confirmed that it is in direct talks with Saudi Arabia to resolve the issues between the 2 countries. A Saudi official confirmed the talks on 5/7. (AJ, HA, REU 5/10)

The U.S. said 1 of its Coast Guard ships had fired 30 warning shots at 13 Iranian vessels that came too close to the ship and 6 other U.S. navy vessels. Iran said that it was the U.S. that had acted recklessly in the encounter. (AJ, HA, REU 5/10; AP, MEMO 5/11)

UN security council members met at an emergency session to discuss the situation in Palestine-Israel. No statement was issued after the meeting. U.S. state department spokesperson Ned Price said that the U.S. administration wanted to make sure that a statement would “not escalate tensions.” Spokesperson Price also refused to say if the U.S. condemned the Israeli air strike that killed 9 Palestinian children, and suggested that Palestinians, contrary to Israelis, do not have the right to defend themselves, saying that only states recognized by the U.S. have that right. (HA, MEE 5/11)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers started construction of a settler-only road southwest of Nablus, connecting 2 settlements. Israeli settlers also vandalized electric poles in Jalud. Elsewhere, Israeli settlers vandalized some 300 Palestinian-owned olive trees in al-Jaba‘. Israeli forces shot and injured 1 Palestinian passing through a hole in the separation wall near Jenin. 7 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in and around Bethlehem, Qaddura refugee camp, Kafr Malik, Tulkarm, and Balata refugee camp; during the raid in Balata refugee camp, Israeli forces and Palestinians clashed; 2 Israeli soldiers were reported lightly and moderately injured. In East Jerusalem, 7 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in Issawiyya; clashes ensued during the raids and 1 military SUV was burned. Off the coast of Gaza, Israeli naval forces opened fire on Palestinian fishermen west of Bayt Lahiya. In Gaza, Israeli forces opened fire on agricultural lands east of Khuza‘a; no injuries were reported. (HA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 10/14; PCHR 10/15)

Israel’s civil administration’s supreme planning council approved 1,877 new settler units in 11 different settlements throughout the West Bank. Jordan, the Arab League, and the PA condemned the Israeli settlement expansion. (AJ, REU, WAFA, WAFA 10/14; AJ, HA, PCN, WAFA 10/15)

The Israeli approved the Israeli-UAE normalization agreement in an 80-13 vote. (HA 10/14)

In Lebanon, direct talks between Israel and Lebanon began at a UN base. The 2 sides negotiated, with the U.S. as mediator, where their maritime borders should be drawn. Hezbollah and Amal criticized the Lebanese government for sending civilians and politicians to the negotiations. (AJ, HA, REU 10/14)

India donated $1 million for UNRWA general programming. (WAFA 10/14)

At least 20,000 Palestinian protesters gather along Gaza’s border, marking the 2d consecutive Friday of the Great March of Return. They set fire to hundreds of tires and roll them toward the border fence (some Palestinians say that the burning tires are meant to create a smokescreen to defend protesters from Israeli snipers). IDF troops violently disperse the protesters near Gaza City, killing 7 and injuring at least 250. Off Gaza’s coast, Israeli naval forces open fire on Palestinian fishing boats near Bayt Lahiya, causing no damage or injuries. Elsewhere in the oPt, IDF troops violently disperse Palestinians, Israelis, and international activists at Friday protests against Israel’s occupation, settlements, and separation wall in Beita near Nablus, al-Bireh, 3 villages near Ramallah (Bil‘in, Ni‘lin, and Nabi Salih), Hebron, and Abu Dis near Jerusalem; 8 Palestinians are injured. The IDF also arrests 2 Palestinians during late-night raids near Hebron and patrols near Hebron and Tulkarm. (EI, HA, JP, MNA, NYT, PNN, TOI, WAFA, YA 4/6; HA, YA 4/7; PCHR 4/12)

A Palestinian succumbs to injuries sustained when the IDF violently disperse peaceful protesters along Gaza’s border on 3/30, bringing the death toll stemming from the Great March of Return to 26 by the end of the day. (WAFA 4/6)

For the 2d week in a row, the U.S. blocks a Kuwait-backed effort to get the UNSC to call for an independent and transparent investigation into the IDF’s violent crackdown on the Great March of Return. According to Palestinian UN envoy Riyad Mansour, 14 of the 15 members of the UNSC support the effort. U.S. diplomats blocked a similar Kuwaiti initiative on 3/31 after the beginning of protests on 3/30. (TOI 4/6; JP, TOI 4/7)

Approximately 30,000 Palestinians gather along Gaza’s border for a massive protest dubbed the “Great March of Return” commemorating Land Day and calling for refugees’ rights to return to their homes in Israel (see extensive coverage in JPS 47 [4]). They chant slogans, throw stones, and build protest tent camps in various locations. IDF troops violently disperse the demonstrations in multiple locations; 15 Palestinians are killed and hundreds are injured. Video recorded at the march shows a Palestinian being shot in the back while running away from the border. The protests are set to continue for 6 weeks. Hours before the protest, the IDF declares the border area a closed military zone, threatening violence should any person approach. Israeli tanks then shell and kill a Palestinian farmer working along the border. In the evening, 2 armed Palestinians open fire on an IDF post along Gaza’s northern border. Israeli soldiers return fire, and Israeli tanks and jets strike Hamas observations posts in the area as well; there is no major damage or injuries. In the West Bank, IDF troops violently disperse Palestinians, Israelis, and international activists at Friday protests against Israel’s settlements, occupation, and separation wall, as well as U.S. president Trump’s 12/6/17 recognition of Jerusalem as Israel’s capital, in Kafr Qaddum near Qalqilya, Beita near Nablus, al-Bireh, and 3 villages near Ramallah (Bil‘in, Ni‘lin, and Nabi Salih); at least 26 Palestinians are injured. Meanwhile, IDF troops arrest 2 Palestinians during late-night raids near Hebron. An Israeli settler driver allegedly rams and seriously injures a Palestinian near Hebron. (AJ, ALM, BBC, EI, HA, JP, MNA, NYT, PNN, WAFA, WP, YA 3/30; PCHR 4/5)

UN secretary-general António Guterres calls for an independent and transparent investigation into the killings in Gaza today and “appeals to those concerned to refrain from any act that could lead to further casualties and in particular any measures that could place civilians in harm’s way,” according to a spokesperson. The UNSC also convenes to discuss the killings, despite U.S. and Israeli requests to postpone the discussion to 3/31. (HA, REU 3/31)

IDF troops violently disperse Palestinians, Israelis, and international activists at Friday demonstrations against Israel’s occupation, separation wall, settlements, and killing of a Palestinian youth in Jalazun r.c. on 3/23 in 5 villages nr. Ramallah (Nabi Salih, Bil‘in, Kafr Malik, al-Mughayyir, and Ni‘lin), Kafr Qaddum nr. Qalqilya, and in c. Hebron; 5 Palestinians are injured. They also arrest 2 Palestinians during raids nr. Ramallah and Nablus and patrol nr. Nablus and Hebron. In East Jerusalem, Palestinians conduct a sit-in outside the gates of al-Aqsa Mosque to protest Israel’s withholding of corpses of Palestinians killed in confrontations with the IDF. Israeli forces then impose heightened security restrictions at Haram al-Sharif, searching youths in the area and denying many Palestinians access to the sanctuary. Separately, Israeli forces arrest 4 Palestinians during raids in the Old City. In Israel, 4 Jewish Israelis stab and seriously injure a Palestinian citizen of Israel nr. his home in Nahariya. (MNA 3/24; MNA 3/25; PCHR 3/30)

Unidentified assailants shoot and kill senior Hamas military official and former Israeli prisoner Mazen Fuqaha in s. Gaza City. In a statement released later in the day, Hamas implies that Israel was likely behind the killing. (HA, JP, TOI 3/24; MNA 3/25)

UN special coordinator Nickolay Mladenov tells the UN Security Council that Israel has not complied with UNSC Res. 2334, which passed on 12/23/2016. Israeli settlement construction has increased in the past 3 mos., despite the resolution’s call for a halt in such activity, according to Mladenov. Meanwhile, the UNHRC adopts 4 res. on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict: the first calls on mbr.-states to avoid ties with Israel’s settlements in the oPt, the 2d reaffirms the Palestinians’ right to self-determination, the 3d concerns human rights in the oPt, and the 4th condemns Israel for violating the human rights of Syrian Druze of the Golan Heights. (HA, JP, TOI 3/24; WAFA 3/25)

A Palestinian stabs and injures an Israeli settler inside his home in the Efrat settlement nr. Bethlehem. After the attack, Israeli forces crack down on Palestinian villages nr. Bethlehem, setting up mobile checkpoints and clashing with stone-throwing Palestinians in multiple locations; there are no serious injuries. They also violently suppress the annual “Santa Claus March” in Bethlehem, causing no serious injuries. Elsewhere, a Palestinian youth succumbs to injuries sustained during clashes with the IDF nr. Ramallah on 12/15. IDF troops violently disperse Palestinians, Israelis, and international activists at Friday demonstrations against Israel’s occupation, separation wall, and settlements in 3 villages nr. Ramallah (Bil‘in, Ni‘lin, and Nabi Salih), Kafr Qaddum nr. Qalqilya, and along Gaza’s border nr. Gaza City; 4 Palestinians are injured and 1 is arrested. They also arrest 1 Palestinian during a raid nr. Salfit and patrol nr. Nablus and Hebron. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces arrest 1 Palestinian during a raid in Hizma. (HA, JP, MNA, TOI, YA 12/23; MNA 12/24; PCHR 12/29)

The UNSC passes Res. 2334, the anti-Israeli settlement measure that Egyptian diplomats circulated on 12/21, with 14 votes in favor and the U.S. abstaining. The res. contains no enforcement protocols, but it could facilitate lawsuits against Israel at the International Criminal Court (ICC), sanctions on Israel’s settlement building, and more boycotts of settlement products. (EI, HA, JP, MNA, REU, TOI 12/23; HA, JP, YA 12/24)

After the UNSC vote, U.S. secy. of state Kerry says that he plans to “speak further to the vote . . . and share more detailed thoughts, drawn from the experience of the last several years, on the way ahead.” Some of Kerry’s aides say that he intends to lay out a “comprehensive vision for peace.” (YA 12/23; HA 21/24)

The Israeli authorities return 9 corpses of Palestinians killed during confrontations with the IDF in the past 6 mos., marking the 2d return of bodies in a week. (MNA, TOI 12/23)

IDF troops violently disperse Palestinians, Israelis, and international activists at Friday demonstrations against Israel’s occupation, separation wall, and settlements in 4 villages nr. Ramallah (Bil‘in, Ni‘lin, Silwad, and Nabi Salih), Kafr Qaddum nr. Qalqilya, and along Gaza’s border nr. al-Bureij r.c. and Jabaliya r.c.; 1 Palestinian is injured. Also along Gaza’s border, IDF troops open fire on Palestinian farmland nr. Khan Yunis, causing no serious damage. Elsewhere in the West Bank, they demolish property and threaten demolitions during late-night raids nr. Nablus and Hebron; and patrol nr. Hebron throughout the day. Israeli settlers set fire to Palestinian farmlands nr. Qalqilya, destroying 50 olive trees. In East Jerusalem, Israeli settlers assault a Palestinian from Silwan while he is walking n. of the city. (MNA 10/14; PCHR 10/20)

At Egypt’s request, the UNSC holds a special meeting to discuss Israeli settlement building in the oPt, particularly the obstacles it presents to a 2-state solution. Two major anti-occupation groups, B’Tselem and Americans for Peace Now, address the UNSC. (HA, MNA, TOI, YA 10/14; AP 10/15)

For the 3d day in a row, Israeli forces conduct widespread raids across East Jerusalem, arresting at least 20 Palestinians ahead of the Passover holiday and threatening demolitions in Silwan. Additional Israeli police are deployed in the city. Israeli authorities suspend Gazans’ weekly visit to Jerusalem, and completely close down crossings in the West Bank and Gaza, with exceptions for humanitarian and medical cases (the closure began at midnight on 4/21 and will last through midnight on 4/23, unless the IDF decides the security situation requires its continuation). At Haram al-Sharif, 29 Palestinians are barred from the sanctuary and 10 right-wing Jewish activists are detained as they carry baby goats to the sanctuary for Passover sacrifices (Jewish religious rites are prohibited at Haram al-Sharif). IDF troops violently disperse Palestinians, Israelis, and international activists at Friday demonstrations against Israel’s occupation, settlements, and separation wall in 6 areas nr. Ramallah (Bil‘in, Ni‘lin, Silwad, Nabi Salih, Jalazun r.c., and outside Ofer Prison), 1 village nr. Qalqilya, and 2 areas along Gaza’s border; 6 Palestinians are injured. The IDF also patrols during the day in 4 villages nr. Qalqilya and 2 nr. Ramallah. (JP, MNA 4/22; MNA 4/23; HA 4/24; PCHR 4/28)

In a speech to the UN General Assembly in New York, PA pres. Abbas encourages gathered world leaders to support the French peace initiative, saying, “We are deliberating with international parties and relevant Arab ministerial committee to examine the content and timing for proposing a [UNSC] res. against settlement activity.” The Palestinian leadership had planned to have their antisettlement res. introduced in the UNSC during Abbas’s trip to New York; press reports say that they have decided to postpone the initiative at France’s request to give breathing room to the French peace initiative. (HA, MNA 4/22; JP 4/23)

Across the oPt, IDF troops violently disperse Palestinians, Israelis, and international activists at Friday demonstrations against Israel’s occupation, separation wall, and settlements in 4 villages nr. Ramallah (Bil‘in, Ni‘lin, Silwad, and Nabi Salih), Kafr Qaddum nr. Qalqilya, and 2 areas along Gaza’s border; 7 Palestinians are injured and at least 4 are arrested. On Gaza’s border, an explosive device detonates under an armored Israeli bulldozer, causing damage but no injuries. Off Gaza’s coast, Israeli naval forces open fire on 2 Palestinian fishing boats nr. Rafah, injuring 2 fishermen, arresting 4, and then confiscating the boats. In the West Bank, IDF troops conduct house searches and raids nr. Hebron and Bethlehem, arresting 2 Palestinians and issuing arrest summons to 4; patrols in 3 villages nr. Hebron. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces disperse Palestinians conducting a sit-in in Silwan in protest of Israeli efforts to Judaize the city; 6 Palestinians are arrested and a tent is confiscated. Israeli police arrest a Palestinian for allegedly planning a stabbing attack outside the Old City, and temporarily detain a shaykh at Haram al-Sharif, accusing him of “incitement.” (JP, MNA, TOI, YA 4/8; PCHR 4/14)

A U.S. State Dept. spokesperson says that the Obama admin. has not decided whether or not to support the draft UNSC res. condemning Israel’s settlements that the Palestinians circulated earlier in the week (a U.S. veto would scuttle the effort). Separately, 394 mbrs., or 90%, of the House of Representatives sign onto a letter calling on U.S. pres. Obama to “oppose and, if need be, veto one-sided UNSC resolutions,” inter alia. (USSD 4/8; TOI 4/9; JP 4/10; JTA 4/15)

Stabbing attacks continue in the West Bank today. Private Israeli settlement security guards shoot and kill a Palestinian youth at a checkpoint nr. Jenin after he allegedly stabs and injures an Israeli soldier. IDF troops shoot and injure a Palestinian youth after he stabs and lightly injures an Israeli soldier in the Gush Etzion settlement bloc nr. Bethlehem. (HA, MNA, YA 10/23; PCHR 10/29)

Elsewhere in the oPt, IDF troops clash with and violently disperse Palestinians throwing stones and protesting in 3 locations along Gaza’s border and across the West Bank, injuring 117 Palestinians and arresting 3. They also violently disperse Palestinian, Israeli, and international activists at Friday demonstrations against Israel’s separation wall, settlements, occupation, and recent violence in 4 villages nr. Ramallah (Bil‘in, Ni‘lin, Nabi Salih, and Silwad) and Kafr Qaddum nr. Qalqilya; 1 Palestinian is seriously injured. Meanwhile, the IDF conducts raids and house searches in Jalazun r.c. nr. Ramallah and 1 village nr. Nablus, arresting 2 Palestinians; patrols in 2 villages nr. Ramallah and 1 each nr. Jenin and Nablus. Israeli forces destroy around 90 olive trees nr. Qalqilya during a military training exercise. Israeli settlers attack and attempt to stab the head of the Israeli group Rabbis for Human Rights while he is assisting with the Palestinian olive harvest nr. Nablus; attempt to attack the Nablus-area home of the Palestinian who was shot on 10/21 after IDF soldiers thought she was trying to sneak into a settlement. Palestinian stone-throwers in the area ward off the attack. In East Jerusalem, thousands of Palestinians march in a funeral procession through al-‘Izzariya for the Palestinian killed nr. the city on 10/21; Israeli forces then violently disperse the 400-some Palestinian youths that throw stones in the area after the march (27 Palestinians are injured).Israeli forces arrest 8 Palestinians on late-night raids in Issawiyya, Ras al-Amud, al-Thawri, and s. of the Old City. (HA, MNA, TOI, YA 10/23; PCHR 10/29)

New Zealand’s UN envoys distribute to the mbrs. of the UNSC a draft res. encouraging Israel and the Palestinians to undertake confidence-building steps as a prelude to a new round of peace negotiations. (AFP, TOI 10/23; JP, MNA 10/24; HA, TOI 10/28; AP 10/30)

In the Gaza Strip, IDF troopsstationed along the n. border open fire on a group of stonethrowing Palestinians, injuring 4. A Palestinian is injured in an explosion nr. the French Cultural Center in Gaza City. (A small armed group takes responsibility for the attack on 12/18.) In the West Bank, IDF troops violently disperse Palestinian, Israeli, and international protesters at weekly demonstrations against Israel’s separation wall, settlements, and occupation, as well as the recent death of a senior PA official on 12/10 nr. Ramallah, Nablus, Hebron, and 1 village nearby (Bayt Umar), and 1 village nr. Qalqilya (Kafr Qaddum). Two Palestinians are hit by tear gas canisters in Bil‘in and 7 are shot with rubbercoated metal bullets elsewhere. Meanwhile, a Palestinian man throws vinegar at a family of 5 Israeli settlers nr. Bethlehem, lightly injuring all of them. (The Israeli press 1st reported the story as an acid attack.) Another Israeli settler hits the Palestinian man with his car and shoots him in the leg, moderately injuring him. Shin Bet officers arrive soon after to detain the Palestinian man. The IDF then conducts a raid of his home. Separately, Palestinians throw stones at IDF troops on a patrol of Bayt Umar nr. Hebron, sparking clashes in which 3 Palestinians are injured with rubber-coated metal bullets. The IDF also patrols in the n. Jordan Valley, where they assault a Palestinian farmer and lightly injure him. IDF troops fire tear gas at dozens of Palestinians throwing stones at the soldiers; 1 Palestinian youth and 1 Israeli officer are injured. Israeli soldiers also conduct a raid s. of Bethlehem; patrol in Tulkarm. Following a march marking Hamas’s 27th anniversary, the IDF conducts late-night arrest raids nr. Hebron. In East Jerusalem, the Israeli police increase their patrols and deploy additional officers around Haram al-Sharif. (HA, JP, MNA, TOI, WP, YA 12/12; MNA, TOI 12/13; IMEMC 12/14; AFP, PCHR 12/18; EI 12/22)

The Israel Prison Service threatens to move the 70 Palestinian prisoners on hunger strike since 12/9 to criminal sections of their prisons, which would decrease their quality of life, if they continue their strike. (MNA 12/12)

U.S. Secy. of State Kerry phones Russian FM Sergey Lavrov and PA Pres. Abbas separately to discuss the French and Palestinian draft UNSC res. Kerry pressures Abbas not to end security coordination with Israel in response to the 12/10 death of senior PA official Ziad Abu Ein. Following the call, senior PLO and Fatah officials postpone their meeting to discuss a response until 12/14. (JP, MNA 12/13)

The Portuguese parliament adopts a recommendation calling on the govt. to recognize Palestinian statehood “in coordination with the EU.” (AFP, TOI 12/12; HA, IMEMC, WAFA 12/13)

In the Gaza Strip, unexploded Israeli ordnance kills 3 Palestinians and injures 2 others in e. Gaza City. IDF troops open fire at gravel collectors nr. the border fence e. of Bayt Lahiya, injuring 2. Separately, Israeli forces conduct a limited incursion to level land close to the border fence nr. Khan Yunis. The IDF patrols in Jericho and 2 nearby villages, 2 villages nr. Ramallah, and 1 village nr. Hebron. Also, IDF troops violently disperse Palestinian, Israeli, and international protesters at weekly demonstrations against Israel’s separation wall, settlements, and occupation in 4 villages nr. Ramallah (Bil‘in, Nabi Salih, Nil‘in, and Wadi Fukin), 1 village nr. Bethlehem (al-Ma‘sara) and 1 village nr. Qalqilya (Kafr Qaddum). There are no serious injuries. (MNA 9/19; PCHR 9/25)

French Pres. Hollande meets with PA Pres. Abbas in Paris to discuss Abbas’s plans to go to the UN and ICC. In a joint press conference, Hollande says that a “solution to the conflict” between the Israelis and Palestinians will be put to the UNSC. (AFP, HA 9/19)

Reps. of Iran and the P5+1 group meet in New York for talks on Iran’s disputed nuclear program, with just weeks to go until the 11/24 deadline for a deal over Iran’s nuclear program to be reached. It is the 1st round of talks since the 7/20 deadline was extended. Participants suggest that the parties are close, but with difficult final issues still to resolve. Meanwhile, the IAEA reports that Iran is continuing to take action in compliance with the interim agreement. (AFP, AP, REU 9/19)

The IDF continues its ground invasion, as well as air strikes in the Gaza Strip, killing 53 Palestinians, including 8 mbrs. of a single family killed in Bayt Hanun. IDF troops face resistance on the ground, in particular from fighters in al-Qassam Brigades and al-Quds Brigades, with both groups claiming attacks on IDF soldiers and positions inside the Gaza Strip. Palestinians fire more than 40 rockets into Israel, and Iron Dome batteries intercept several over Tel Aviv while 25 land in open areas, with no reports of casualties. In the West Bank, IDF troops shoot and injure dozens of Palestinians in a number of protests in solidarity with Gaza, including at Qalandia checkpoint, outside Ofer prison, in Biddu village nr. Jerusalem, and in Shuqba village nr. Ramallah. The IDF conducts house searches and arrest raids in Hebron at night; patrols in 3 villages each nr. Jericho and Ramallah, and 1 village nr. Salfit in the afternoon. IDF troops violently disperse Palestinian, Israeli, and international protesters at weekly demonstrations against Israel’s separation wall, settlements, and occupation in 3 villages nr. Ramallah (Bil‘in, Nabi Salih, and Ni‘lin). There are no serious injuries, except in Nabi Salih, where 1 is hit by a bullet, and Ni‘lin, where another is hit by a bullet. In East Jerusalem, Israeli security forces clash with Palestinians at Haram al-Sharif, 9 are taken to the hospital, including at least 4 injured by rubber-coated metal bullets. (AP, HA, JP, MNA, REU, YA 7/18; PCHR 7/19)

The Israeli security cabinet meets to discuss expansion of the ground operation, with Netanyahu saying that “since there is no way to deal with the tunnels only from the air, our soldiers are doing it now from the ground.” Meanwhile, Pres. Abbas asks France to lobby Hamas’s regional allies Turkey and Qatar to pressure the Palestinian group to accept a ceasefire. French FM Fabius meets Abbas in Cairo after flying out specifically to boost efforts at reaching a cease-fire. Abbas then heads to Turkey for talks with PM Recep Tayyip Erdogan. U.S. Pres. Obama, meanwhile, speaks with PM Netanyahu, underscoring Israel’s right to defend itself, but also stressing the risks of “further escalation.” In New York, the UNSC holds an emergency meeting at the request of Jordan, where it is announced that Secy.-Gen. Ban will head to the region the next day. Separately, EU foreign affairs chief Ashton publishes a statement, saying she is “very concerned” about the violence, “including the resumption of rocket fire into Israel and the Israeli ground operation.” (AP, HA, JP, MNA, REU, YA 7/18)

After concluding a 6th round of talks since the beginning of the 6-mo. interim period began on 1/20, reps. of Iran and the P5+1 powers agree to extend talks on Iran’s disputed nuclear program until 11/24. (REU 7/18)

Gaza’s Rafah crossing opens for the 1st time since 1/29/11 to allow Palestinians trapped in Egypt to enter Gaza. In the West Bank, the IDF enters Bayt Umar village nr. Hebron in the afternoon, searching a house and arresting a 10-yr.-old Palestinian for stone-throwing; patrols in 4 villages nr. Qalqilya, 2 nr. Ramallah, and 1 nr. Tulkarm during the afternoon and evening. Palestinians (sometimes accompanied by Israeli and international activists) hold weekly nonviolent demonstrations against the separation wall, land confiscations, and settlement expansion in Bil‘in, Ni‘lin, and Nabi Salih/Dayr Nizam nr. Ramallah, and in Bayt Umar nr. Hebron. IDF soldiers fire rubber-coated steel bullets, tear gas, and stun grenades at the protesters, injuring 8 Palestinians (including 3 children); 15 Palestinians (including 9 children) and 2 international activists are arrested. (Oxfam International 2/20; PCHR 2/24; OCHA 2/25)

Before the UNSC vote reaffirming the illegality of Jewish settlements, U.S. Secy. of State Hillary Clinton phones Abbas to warn him that that U.S. aid could be cut if the vote goes ahead. In Ramallah, the PLOEC and FCC opt to go ahead with the vote saying, “The Palestinian leadership will reject American demands even if our decision leads to a diplomatic crisis with the Americans. We have nothing to lose.” The U.S. vetoes the res. (HA, REU 2/18; HA, WP 2/19; HA 2/20; WJW 2/24; JPI 3/4)

In Bahrain, security forces violently disperse a massive protest in Manama, wounding 10s. From this point, large antigovernment protests (1,000s to 10,000s) become nr. daily events. (NYT, WP 2/19; NYT 2/21)

The UNSC passes (14–0, with the U.S. abstaining) res. 1860, calling for an “immediate, durable, and fully respected cease-fire, leading to the full withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza” but not outlining an implementation or enforcement mechanism (see Doc. A8). Israel says it will not halt its operations until a Hamas cease-fire can be guaranteed. Meanwhile, Egypt begins intensive bilateral talks with Israeli and Hamas envoys to mediate a cease-fire.

Combat notes: The IDF carries out another 60 air strikes across Gaza, with heavy bombing of the Rafah border. Targets include more than 18 homes of senior IQB members (all believed to be in hiding), “a number of armed operatives” assassinated (not named), several groups of armed men, 15 tunnels (including some homes believed to be covering entrances to tunnels), 11 suspected weapons depots (including 1 mosque in n. Gaza), 15 rocket-launching sites, the PASF headquarters and PA Youth and Sports Min. offices in Rafah, and an Islamic Jihad office in Abasan. Target areas include Abasan, Bani Suhayla, Bayt Hanun, Bayt Lahiya, al-Bureij r.c., Dayr al-Balah, Gaza City (city center, al-Nasser), Jabaliya town and r.c., Khan Yunis, al-Nasser (n. of Rafah), Nussayrat, Rafah. Heavy naval shelling of Dayr al-Balah and the nearby al-Qur’an area of c. Gaza is also reported. As ground operations continue, the IDF begins moving a small number of reservists into the Strip for the 1st time since OCL began. Heavy artillery and ground fire is reported in Abasan, Gaza City (al-Sha‘af, al-Shuja‘iyya, Tal al-Hawa, alZaytun), al-Qarara. Late in the evening, IDF troops withdraw from al-Qarara; residents report at least 20 homes destroyed since the IDF took up positions in the city on 1/6.

Palestinians fire at least 15 rockets and 1 mortar into Israel, lightly injuring 4 Israelis. Areas hit by rockets include Ashdod, Ashqelon, Beersheba (4 Grads), Ofakim.

The Palestinian toll, including bodies recovered during the humanitarian lull today (see below), reaches at least 758 dead and more than 3,100 injured. In addition, a Ukrainian woman (married to a Gazan) and her toddler are killed by an IDF shell in Gaza City, becoming the 1st foreign casualties inside Gaza (1 Egyptian was killed on the Rafah border on 12/28). Today, 3 IDF soldiers are killed and 14 are wounded (1 seriously, 1 moderately, 12 lightly) during clashes inside Gaza, bringing the Israeli toll to 13–14 dead and more than 100 injured.

Humanitarian notes: IDF soldiers fire on relief workers in 3 incidents in which the UN and ICRC had fully coordinated their movements with the IDF in advance (providing the IDF with the license plates of the vehicles, giving precise times and routes of travel, and using clearly marked vehicles) and received IDF assurances that travel would be safe. One UN driver is killed and 2 other UN employees and 1 ICRC employee are wounded. The UN and other groups scale back or suspend aid deliveries to Gaza, citing security concerns.

During the humanitarian lull, the IDF allows ICRC workers back into a heavily damaged residential block of al-Zaytun (see 1/7), where they rescue 103 injured Palestinians who have been stranded since 1/5 and report finding 40–50 bodies, fearing that more dead and injured may be trapped under demolished homes. The Israeli human rights group B’Tselem reports (WP 1/9) new evidence that IDF soldiers stationed outside the destroyed houses were aware people were trapped but denied aid. UN Undersecy. Gen. for Humanitarian Affairs John Holmes urges Israel to investigate, calling (WP 1/9) it “a particularly outrageous incident” and “absolutely horrifying.”

Israel allows 223 Palestinian dual nationals to exit Gaza via the Erez crossing for Jordan (see 1/2).

The UN estimates that 20,000 Gazans have been internally displaced by the fighting. (AP, HA, IDF, IHY, JP, MA, NYT, UNIS, YA 1/8; AFP, Daily Star, IDF, IFM, ITARTASS, MET, NYT, RFM, UNIS, WP, WT 1/9; AFP, AP, NYT, WT 1/12; AYM, JP, NYT, WT 1/13; IHY, MM 1/14; PCHR 1/15; WJW 1/16; NYT 1/17; ITIC 1/18; JPI 1/23)

In the West Bank, the IDF fatally shoots a Palestinian who allegedly attempts to set fire to a gas station outside the Ma’ale Adumim settlement e. of Jerusalem; fires live ammunition and rubber-coated steel bullets at Palestinians demonstrating against OCL in al-Fawar r.c. nr. Hebron, seriously wounding 2 (including a 12-yr.-old boy); fires live ammunition at Palestinians protesting against the separation wall in Bil‘in, wounding 1; conducts late-night arrest raids, house searches in and around Nablus, in Qabatya nr. Jenin. (PCHR 1/15)

The PFLP General Command fires 4 rockets fr. s. Lebanon into Israel, 3 of which explode near Nahariya, lightly wounding 4 Israelis (5 others are treated for shock). The IDF fires 5 shells the border as a “measured response” and intensifies surveillance overflights of s. Lebanon. Hizballah, the Lebanese government, and Fatah and Hamas reps. in Lebanon condemn the fire, assuring Israel they have no intention of opening a 2d front. The Lebanese army and UNIFIL pledge to step up surveillance in s. Lebanon (ITV, MM, MNR, RFM 1/8; Guardian, HA, MM, NYT, WP, WT, SFR, al-Watan, YA 1/9; YA 1/10; AFP, AP, NYT, WT 1/12; HA, MM 1/15; JPI 1/23)