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  • January 4, 2023

    In the West Bank, Israeli forces shot and injured 1 Palestinian minor with live ammunition during a raid in al-Arroub refugee camp. Israeli forces also shot and injured 1 Palestinian with live...

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  • September 25, 2022

    In the West Bank, Israeli settlers vandalized 1 water well supplying Palestinians in al-Zawiya. Israeli settlers also set up a mobile home, 6 tents, and 2 water tanks near ‘Arab al-Rashayida....

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  • August 3, 2022

    In the West Bank, Israeli forces demolished 1 residential structure and 1 agricultural structure, razed agricultural land, and seized 1 water tank and agricultural equipment in az-Za‘ayyem....

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  • June 7, 2022

    In the West Bank, Israeli forces delivered demolition notices for 4 houses, 8 water wells, and 1 agricultural structure in a-Tabban in the Masafer Yatta area and stop-work notices for 2 water...

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  • December 15, 2021

    In the West Bank, Israeli forces delivered stop-work notices for 1 agricultural structure, 1 residential structure, 1 water well, and 1 playground in Susiya. Israeli forces arrested 3 Palestinian...

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  • November 22, 2021

    In the West Bank, Israeli settlers threw stones at Palestinian houses and vehicles in ‘Urif, causing damage. Israeli settlers also threw stones at vehicles traveling near Silat ad-Dhahr. Israeli...

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  • October 24, 2021

    In the West Bank, Israeli settlers tried to steal sheep in Qarawat Bani Hassan before being chased away by Palestinians. Israeli forces delivered stop-work notices for 1 house, 1 water well, and 1...

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  • July 28, 2021

    In the West Bank, Israeli forces shot and killed 1 11-year-old boy near Beit Umar who was sitting in his father’s car; according to the family, the child’s father decided to turn his car around...

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  • December 21, 2020

    In the West Bank, Israeli settlers threw stones at Palestinian vehicles traveling south of Nablus, east of Bethlehem, and near Ya‘bad, damaging several cars and causing at least 3 injuries. 1 of...

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  • October 19, 2020

    In the West Bank, Israeli settlers emptied sewage and wastewater on Palestinian agricultural lands in Dayr al-Hatab near Nablus. Israeli settlers also attacked 2 Palestinian journalists from WAFA...

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  • June 30, 2020

    In the West Bank, Israeli settlers assaulted 2 Palestinians west of Salfit. Israeli forces delivered stop-work orders for 1 shack, 1 room, 1 house, 1 residential tent, 1 tin residential structure...

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  • June 21, 2020

    In the West Bank, Israeli settlers attacked 1 Palestinian near Khan al-Ahmar, who was taken to a hospital in Jericho. Israeli forces began expanding a settler-only road built on Palestinian-owned...

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  • June 9, 2020

    In the West Bank, Israeli forces delivered demolition notices for residential structures, 1 stable, and 1 stone wall; a stop-work notice for a water well and fencing in al-Walaja; and demolished...

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  • June 8, 2020

    In the West Bank, Israeli settlers vandalized Palestinian-owned property in al-Sawiya, slashing tires on 12 cars and writing racist graffiti on houses. Israeli forces delivered demolition orders...

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  • January 26, 2020

    In the West Bank, Israeli forces injured 2 Palestinians using rubber-coated bullets during clashes in Bayt Umar; 1 was hospitalized for his injures. Israeli forces demolished a water well in al-...

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  • March 25, 2019

    Unidentified persons launch a rocket from Gaza into central Israel. It strikes an Israeli home north of Tel Aviv, injuring 7 Jewish Israelis and causing damage. The Israeli Air Force then...

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  • January 14, 2019

    In the West Bank, Israeli forces deliver stop-work orders to a Palestinian house, water well, and barn under construction in Yatta village near Hebron. IDF troops assault and lightly injure a...

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  • November 15, 2016

    In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces demolish 3 agricultural structures in Silwan and Jabal Mukabir and the foundation of a mosque in Sur al-Bahir overnight. In the West Bank, Israeli forces demolish...

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  • January 14, 2016

    IDF troops shoot and kill a Palestinian close to the Bayt ‘Aynun junction nr. Hebron after he allegedly attempts to stab one of them, and the Palestinian Red Crescent reports that Israeli forces...

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  • September 19, 2015

    During clashes sparked by a raid in the East Jerusalem neighborhood of Issawiyya, Israeli forces shoot a 13-year-old Palestinian in the head with a rubber-coated bullet, seriously injuring him and...

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  • March 30, 2015

    IDF troops on the Gaza border e. of Khan Yunis open fire on Palestinians nr. the border fence gathering to commemorate Land Day, injuring 2. In the West Bank, thousands of Palestinians gather in...

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  • February 25, 2015

    In Gaza, IDF troops e. of Dayr al-Balah fire warning shots at farmers approaching the border fence, causing no injuries or damage. In the West Bank, IDF troops on a patrol clash with stone-...

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  • November 20, 2014

    In the Gaza Strip, IDF troopsstationed along the border arrest 2 Palestinians attempting to enter Israel. In the West Bank, IDF troops enter e. Nablus on a raid and clash with Palestinians,...

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  • December 22, 2011

    The IDF makes a brief incursion into n. Gaza in the morning to level lands and clear lines of sight along the border e. of Jabaliya r.c., firing on nearby residential areas to keep Palestinians...

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In the West Bank, Israeli forces shot and injured 1 Palestinian minor with live ammunition during a raid in al-Arroub refugee camp. Israeli forces also shot and injured 1 Palestinian with live ammunition during a late-night raid in Qabatiya. Elsewhere, Israeli forces rammed 1 Palestinian during a late-night raid in Zababdeh. Israeli forces also demolished 1 agricultural structure and stone walls, sealed a water well, and uprooted some 250 olive tree saplings in al-Mughayyir, demolished 1 agricultural structure in Nabi Ilyas, and 1 agricultural structure in al-Khader. Meanwhile, Israeli forces issued demolition notices for 1 house in Susiya in the Masafer Yatta area. 12 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in Jalazun refugee camp, Deir Abu Mash‘al, Bayt Rima, Beit Fajjar, Nablus, Deir al-Hatab, Tulkarm, and Qabatiya. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces demolished 1 Palestinian home in Silwan. (WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 1/4; PCHR 1/5; UNOCHA 2/16)

Israel returned the bodies of 2 Palestinians killed by Israeli forces in August 2020 and February 2021 to their families in East Jerusalem and Hebron. (WAFA 1/4; MEMO 1/6)

Axios reported that Morocco is demanding that Israel formally recognizes Moroccan sovereignty over Western Sahara before the country opens an embassy to Israel in Tel Aviv as part of the normalization deal between the 2 countries. (AX 1/4; AJ, MEMO 1/5)

Referring to the evacuated Homesh settlement outpost, U.S. state department spokesperson Ned Price said that the U.S. call on the Israeli government “to refrain from unilateral steps certainly includes any decision to create a new settlement, to legalize outposts or allowing building of any kind deep in the West Bank, adjacent to Palestinian communities or on private Palestinian land.” (HA, MEMO 1/5)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers vandalized 1 water well supplying Palestinians in al-Zawiya. Israeli settlers also set up a mobile home, 6 tents, and 2 water tanks near ‘Arab al-Rashayida. Israeli forces shot and killed 1 Palestinian riding a motorcycle and injured 3 others during a late-night raid in Nablus. Israeli forces also shut the main entrance to Beit Umar for the 2d day in a row. In East Jerusalem, Israeli settlers toured the Haram al-Sharif compound. Israeli forces injured 1 Palestinian with a baton round and 15 with tear gas during a raid in Silwan. 1 Palestinian family demolished their own home near the Lion’s Gate in the Old City, displacing 8. In Gaza, Israeli forces opened fire at Palestinian famers east of Rafah; no injuries were reported. (AJ, HA, JP, MEE, REU, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 9/25; MEMO 9/26; MDW 9/28; PCHR 9/29; UNOCHA 9/30)

Israel closed all crossings to the West Bank and Gaza from midday until 9/27 at midnight, citing celebrations for the Jewish new year. Al-Ibrahimi Mosque was also closed by Israeli authorities until 10 A.M. on 9/26. (WAFA, WAFA 9/25; MEMO 9/26; PCHR 9/29)

30 Palestinians held by Israel on administrative detention started an open-ended hunger strike, demanding their freedom. Among the prisoners starting the hunger strike was French Palestinian human rights lawyer Salah Hamouri. (WAFA 9/24; AJ, WAFA 9/25; MEMO 9/26; MEE, MEMO 9/29; WAFA 10/2)

In an interview with Haaretz, Israeli prime minister Yair Lapid blamed the PA for not creating a situation that allows for a 2-state solution, saying, “I accept that there is external difficulty, and the external difficulty we create. But when Israel was established, we already had a public health system, trains and a positive collective effort. You see very little such effort in the PA.” (HA 9/25)

In the West Bank, Israeli forces demolished 1 residential structure and 1 agricultural structure, razed agricultural land, and seized 1 water tank and agricultural equipment in az-Za‘ayyem. Israeli forces also delivered 1 demolition notice and ordered the removal of electric wiring in al-Twana in the Masafer Yatta area. Elsewhere, Israeli forces issued 2 stop-work notices for houses in Shaab al-Battam in the Masafer Yatta area. Israeli forces also uprooted 20 olive trees and demolished a water well in Taqqua. 12 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in al-Arroub refugee camp, Hebron, Biddu, Ramallah, Nablus, and Jenin. In East Jerusalem, Israeli authorities demolished the home of 1 Palestinian family in Silwan, displacing 8; 2 were arrested while attempting to prevent the demolition. In Gaza, Israeli forces opened fire at Palestinian farmers east of Abasan and Khan Yunis; no injuries were reported. (WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 8/3; PCHR 8/4; UNOCHA 8/19)

All crossings between Israel and Gaza were closed for the 2d day in a row. Israel also sent more troops to the Gaza fence area. (MEE 8/3; ALM, AP, HA, MEMO, PCHR 8/4; MEMO 8/5)

PA finance minister Shukri Bishara said that the PA recorded a surplus of $72 million in its budget during the 1st half of 2022. (WAFA 8/3)

The EU donated $20 million in support of the PA’s Covid-19 vaccination campaign. (WAFA 8/3)

In the West Bank, Israeli forces delivered demolition notices for 4 houses, 8 water wells, and 1 agricultural structure in a-Tabban in the Masafer Yatta area and stop-work notices for 2 water wells and 1 agricultural structure in Zif. Israeli forces also sealed a well in Beit Lid. Elsewhere, Israeli forces prevented Palestinians from working their land in Qusra. Israeli forces also fired tear gas at Palestinians trying to enter Israel for work at the separation wall near Jenin. 15 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in and around Hebron, Bethlehem, Nablus, and Ramallah. In East Jerusalem, representatives from the EU and UN visited Palestinians in Silwan who are threatened by Israeli demolitions and displacement. Israeli forces shot and injured 3 minors with baton rounds on the Jerusalem-Ramallah street. 5 Palestinians were arrested during raids. In the Naqab, Israeli forces demolished al-Araqib for the 202d time since 2000. (WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 6/7; PCHR 6/9; UNOCHA 6/17)

The PA finance ministry said it would pay PA employees 80% of their wages as it continues to be unable to pay its employees in full due to Israel’s withholding of parts of the PA tax revenue. (REU 6/7)

PA prime minister Mohammed Shtayyeh met with German vice chancellor and economy and energy minister Robert Habeck in Ramallah. The 2 discussed German support for energy projects in Palestine. Prime Minister Shtayyeh briefed Vice Chancellor Habeck on Israeli violations against Palestinians. Shtayyeh also called on the international community to create a political horizon for ending the Israeli occupation and for Germany to exert pressure on Israel to allow the PA to hold elections in East Jerusalem. (WAFA 6/7)

UN human rights council’s commission of inquiry on the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem, and Israel, released its 1st report since receiving its mandate on 5/27/2021. In its report, it pointed to Israel’s continued occupation of Palestinian territory and discrimination against Palestinians as a key factor in recurrent tensions between Israelis and Palestinians. 2d, the report noted Palestinian resentment is fueled by lack of consequences for Israeli human rights violations. A commissioner working on the report said that “Israel clearly has no intentions of ending the occupation. In fact, it has established clear policies to ensure complete permanent control over the Occupied Palestinian Territory.” The report also criticized the PA and Hamas for using the occupation as justification for human rights violations against their own people. (AJ, AP, HA, REU, UNOCHR, WAFA 6/7; MEE, MEMO, WAFA, WAFA 6/8)

Israeli ambassador to the UN Gilad Erdan was elected vice president of the 77th session of the UN general assembly (UNGA), along with 20 others. The appointment will see Ambassador Erdan chair UNGA meetings and being part of agenda selection. Erdan will serve for 1 year, starting in September. PA prime minister Mohammed Shtayyeh said that the PA leadership was “surprised by and deplore the election of Israel's ambassador to the United Nations for the position of Vice President of the United Nations General Assembly, which we consider an attempt to promote and legitimize the colonial occupation regime on the land of the State of Palestine.” (JP 6/7; TOI 6/8; MEE 6/9; WAFA 6/13)

In the West Bank, Israeli forces delivered stop-work notices for 1 agricultural structure, 1 residential structure, 1 water well, and 1 playground in Susiya. Israeli forces arrested 3 Palestinian farmers and seized their tractor in al-Rakiz. 6 Palestinians were arrested during raids in Biddu, Beit ‘Anan, Bethlehem, Kafr ad-Dik, and Qarawat Bani Hassan. In East Jerusalem, Israeli settlers fenced off houses in Sheikh Jarrah with barbed wire, set up surveillance cameras, and assaulted 1 member of the Salem family, the owners of the land; the family is threatened with forced eviction. 1 Palestinian family demolished their own 3 houses on a plot of land in Silwan, displacing 35. 2 Palestinians were arrested in Isawiya. (WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 12/15; MEMO, PCHR 12/16)

UNESCO added Palestinian embroidery, tatreez, to the list of Intangible Cultural Heritage. PA prime minister Mohammed Shtayyeh thanked UNESCO for “protect[ing] our Palestinian identity, heritage and narrative, in the face of the occupation’s attempts to steal what it does not own.” Prime Minister Shtayyeh’s comment follows criticism of Miss Universe contestants dressing in Palestinian thobes while promoting Israel during events linked to the Miss Universe competition in Israel last week. (WAFA 12/15; AJ, WAFA 12/16)

The spokesperson for Christian churches in the Holy Land charged Israel with discriminating against Christian tourists by closing off Israel and the West Bank to foreign travelers due to the COVID-19 pandemic while at the same time allowing Jewish-only “Birthright” tourism. An official from the Catholic church called Israel’s discrimination shocking. (AP 12/15; DT 12/18; LT, TOI 12/19)

Al Monitor reported that Qatar and Israel had agreed to a bilateral agreement on allowing diamond trade between the 2 countries. The reporting suggested that Israeli diamond merchants will be allowed to enter Qatar and Qatari merchants will be able to enter Israel. Qatar and Israel have not had official ties since 2009. (ALM 12/15)

The Israeli supreme court criticized interior minister Ayelet Shaked for maintaining a ban on Palestinian family reunifications, despite the ban legally expiring in July this year. (HA 12/15)

U.S. senator Rand Paul (R-KY) blocked the passage of $1 billion in additional military aid to Israel, allegedly to replenish the Iron Dome arsenal. The Senate has been trying to pass the additional military aid to Israel through unanimous consent, but Senator Paul has blocked the 4 efforts. Senator Paul insists that the funding for Israel’s military should be deducted from aid earmarked for Afghanistan. (TOI 12/16; MEMO 12/18)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers threw stones at Palestinian houses and vehicles in ‘Urif, causing damage. Israeli settlers also threw stones at vehicles traveling near Silat ad-Dhahr. Israeli forces arrested the wife of a Palestinian man who shot and killed 1 Israeli settler in East Jerusalem on 11/21 as she was entering the West Bank via the Allenby Bridge from Jordan. Israeli forces also blocked off the entrances to Deir Abu Mash’al. Elsewhere, Israeli forces handed a stop-work order for a water well in Atuf. 17 Palestinians were arrested during raids in Tulkarm, Wadi al-Far‘a, and Qalandia refugee camp. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces raided the home of PA Jerusalem governor Adnan Ghaith in Silwan, injuring 4 by physical assault and temporarily detaining 3. 2 Palestinians were arrested in Silwan. (HA, MEMO, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 11/22; PCHR 11/25)

Israel said it had arrested 50 alleged operatives of Hamas in the West Bank, claiming that they were plotting to commit attacks against Israelis. It was unclear when Israeli forces had apprehended the alleged plotters. (HA 11/22)

2 Palestinian prisoners held on administrative detention suspended their hunger strikes as their lawyers made deals with Israel to release them within a few months. 1 of the prisoners had been hunger-striking for 131 days when he suspended his protest; the other for 51 days. (AP, MEMO, WAFA 11/22; MEE 11/23)

Israel and Jordan signed an agreement of intent to build a solar power plant in Jordan to supply 600 megawatts of electricity to Israel in exchange for Israel to send 200 million cubic meters of desalinated water to Jordan. The agreement was signed in the UAE in the presence of U.S. climate envoy John Kerry. Jordanians protested against the agreement in Amman on 11/23. (HA, JP, MEE, MEMO, MEMO 11/22; AA, HILL 11/23; MEMO 11/25; HA 12/9)

26 Democratic members of the U.S. house of representatives urged U.S. secretary of state Antony Blinken to prevent settlement construction in the E1 area of the West Bank by pressuring Israel. The 26 members were led by representative Mark Pocan (D-WI). (HA 11/22; MEE, MEMO 11/23)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers tried to steal sheep in Qarawat Bani Hassan before being chased away by Palestinians. Israeli forces delivered stop-work notices for 1 house, 1 water well, and 1 outhouse in al-Twana. 6 Palestinians, including 2 11-year-old boys, were arrested during late-night raids in Hebron, Husan, and al-Zawiya. In East Jerusalem, 1 Palestinian minor was arrested during a late-night raid in Silwan. Off the coast of Gaza, Israeli naval forces opened fire at Palestinian fishermen within 3 nautical miles west of Gaza; no injuries were reported. (PCHR 10/28; HA 11/26; BTselem 11/28)

Israel advanced 1,355 Israeli settlement units in the West Bank by inviting bids for construction, the last step before they are constructed. It was the 1st time that Israel promoted new settlement units since U.S. president Joe Biden took office in 1/2021. Of the 1,355 units, 729 are for the Ariel settlement, 324 are for the Beit El settlement, 102 are for the Elkana settlement, and some are for the Geva Binyamin, Immanuel, Karnei Shomron, and Betar Illit settlements. The Israeli construction and housing ministry said it is working toward doubling the settler population in the Jordan Valley by 2026. The UN envoy to the Middle East Tor Wennesland said that the UN is “deeply concerned” about the settlement expansion. The U.S. state department spokesperson Ned Price said, after being asked, that the U.S. is “concerned” and asked both Israel and the PA not to take steps to undermine a 2-state solution. The EU called on Israel to reverse its decision to publish the tenders for the construction. (AJ, DW, HA, HILL, JP, MEE, WAFA, WAFA 10/24; HA, MEMO, MEMO, MEMO, WAFA, WAFA 10/25; WAFA 10/26)

Israel’s Knesset passed a bill to connect homes built without a permit before 2018 to the electricity grid inside of Israel. The bill, pushed by the United Arab List, will provide electricity to many Palestinian Israelis living in the Negev desert. (HA 10/24)

Israeli Labor leader Merav Michaeli and Meretz leader Nitzan Horowitz, both part of the Israeli government coalition, demanded in a cabinet meeting that prime minister Naftali Bennett put a hold on the 10/22 labeling of 6 Palestinian rights organizations as terrorist organizations and further settlement expansion. The leaders of all government coalition parties are scheduled to meet on 10/29 to discuss their disagreements on several issues. (TOI 10/24; HA 10/25; ALM 10/26)

In the West Bank, Israeli forces shot and killed 1 11-year-old boy near Beit Umar who was sitting in his father’s car; according to the family, the child’s father decided to turn his car around after seeing a flying checkpoint near the city, when the Israeli forces fired 13 bullets at the car. Israeli forces also violently dispersed Palestinian protesters near the Evyatar settlement outpost, injuring 8 with rubber-coated bullets and others with tear gas. Elsewhere, Israeli forces delivered demolition orders against 1 water well and 1 agricultural structure in al-Fakheit in the Masafer Yatta area. 11 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in and around Bethlehem, Hebron, and Jenin refugee camp. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces razed land and demolished 1 agricultural structure in al-Tur. 1 Palestinian was arrested during a late-night raid in Silwan. (AA, AJ, HA, REU, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 7/28; AA, MEE, MEE, PCHR 7/29; MEMO, WAFA 7/30; HA 8/3; AA, WAFA 8/4; MEE 8/5; HA 8/8)

The Israeli ministry of defense said it had informed the PA that it would increase the number of work permits for Palestinians by 16,000. 15,000 of the permits would be for construction work and 1,000 would be for work in hospitality. The Israeli government would still need a final approval for the increase. (MEMO, TOI 7/28)

PA prime minister Mohammed Shtayyeh met with EU envoy for the Middle East peace process Sven Koopmans in Ramallah, where he called for a revival of the peace process under the auspices of the Quartet on the Middle East. Envoy Koopmans also met with PA foreign minister Riyad Maliki and head of the civil affairs authority Hussein al-Sheikh. (WAFA 7/28; MEMO 7/29)

PA health minister and head of the PA environmental quality authority Mai al-Kaila and Jamil Matour met with the Israeli health and environmental protection ministers Nitzan Horowitz and Tamar Zandberg, both of the Meretz (Vigor) party, in Jerusalem to discuss cooperation on health and environmental issues. The agreements reached included direct ambulance service from Gaza to the West Bank via the Beit Hanun crossing, easing restrictions on Palestinian medical teams accessing East Jerusalem and Area C, and for Israel to accept vaccination certificates produced by the PA. The meeting was arranged by Israel’s minister of regional cooperation Issawi Frej upon the request of the U.S. The last time PA and Israeli ministers met was in 2018 when PA prime minister Rami Hamdallah met with Israeli finance minister Moshe Kahlon. (HA 8/28; MEMO 7/29; ALM 8/5)

Israel’s defense minister Benny Gantz visited the French defense minister Florence Parly in Paris to relay Israeli findings in regards to the news that the Israeli company NSO Group’s spyware Pegasus had been used to spy on French President Emmanuel Macron’s phone. (AJ, HA, HA, REU 7/27; REU 7/28; ALM, MEMO, MEMO 7/29)

In a briefing at the UN security council, the deputy special coordinator for the Middle East peace process Lynn Hastings said that the UNRWA was facing “an imminent cash flow crisis” amounting to $100 million. Deputy Special Coordinator Hastings also called for Israel to ease restrictions on the entry of goods and people into Gaza. (MEMO 7/28; MEMO, WAFA 7/29)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers threw stones at Palestinian vehicles traveling south of Nablus, east of Bethlehem, and near Ya‘bad, damaging several cars and causing at least 3 injuries. 1 of the Israeli settlers was killed when Israeli forces chased after them and the car flipped over; 4 other settlers suffered injuries and were released without charges. Israeli settlers subsequently attacked a police compound in East Jerusalem, leading to clashes and 50 arrests. Later, 1 Palestinian bus driver from East Jerusalem was attacked near the settlement where the Israeli settler, who died earlier, was buried; 2 Israeli settlers used pepper spray and stones and threatened him with a gun as they yelled “Death to Arabs.” Israeli settlers also slashed the tires of Palestinian cars near Hebron and blocked roads near Kafr Qaddum. Elsewhere, Israeli settlers assaulted 1 Palestinian man near Nablus, causing him to need treatment at a hospital. Israeli forces shot and injured 5 Palestinians using live ammunition during raids in Nablus. Israeli forces also demolished 2 Palestinian-owned houses, 1 water well, and 1 agricultural structure in al-Samou, displacing 20 Palestinians, and delivered 1 stop-work order for a water well in Dhariyya. 6 Palestinians were arrested during raids in and around Jenin refugee camp, Jenin, Nablus, al-Mughayyir, and Dahaysha refugee camp. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces shot and killed 1 Palestinian minor, who had opened fire on Israeli forces near the Haram al-Sharif compound; he was killed as he was fleeing the scene and 1 Israeli soldier was injured as he fell during the pursuit. Israeli forces also raided 3 Palestinian-owned stores in Bayt Hanina, seizing tobacco products with PA labels. 1 Palestinian family started demolishing their own home in Silwan to avoid an Israeli-imposed demolition fee of 70,000 NIS ($22,000). 3 Palestinians were arrested during raids in Silwan and Issawiyya. Off the coast of Gaza, Israeli naval forces opened fire on Palestinian fishermen within 3 nautical miles west of Bayt Lahiya. In Gaza, Israeli forces opened fire on agricultural lands on 3 separate occasions east of Bayt Hanun and al-Bureij; no injuries were reported. Israeli forces also made incursions and levelled 48 acres of farmland planted with peas and potatoes belonging to 7 Palestinian families. In Israel, Palestinian citizens of Israel protested Israeli police inaction in addressing violence in their communities. More than 100 Palestinian citizens of Israel have been killed in communal violence and Israeli police are largely inactive in solving the issue. The protesters drove a caravan from Kafa Qara to the Knesset. (WAFA 12/19; HA, HA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 12/21; AJ, WAFA 12/22; HA 12/23; PCHR 12/24)

Special advisor to U.S. president Donald Trump Jared Kushner met with Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu ahead of a joint trip by Israeli and U.S. officials to Morocco on 12/22 as part of the 2 countries’ normalization deal. (HA 12/21)

As part of the normalization deal between Israel and Sudan, President Trump signed a bill giving immunity to the state of Sudan for future U.S. lawsuits by victims of the 1998 U.S. embassy bombings in East Africa. The bill also provides Sudan close to $1 billion in aid and loans. (AJ, AX 12/22)

Canadian foreign minister Karina Gould said Canada would provide the UNRWA with $70 million over the next 3 years. (AJ 12/22)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers emptied sewage and wastewater on Palestinian agricultural lands in Dayr al-Hatab near Nablus. Israeli settlers also attacked 2 Palestinian journalists from WAFA as they were reporting on settler encroachment in Dayr Istya. Israeli forces demolished 1 residential structure and 1 water well, and seized 1 vehicle and 1 power engine near Tubas. 9 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in and around al-‘Arub refugee camp, Bethlehem, Qalandia refugee camp, Qalqilya, and Izzariya. In East Jerusalem, Israeli authorities issued demolition orders for 13 Palestinian-owned houses in Silwan inhabited by 76 people. 10 Palestinians were arrested in and around the Old City and Issawiyya, including 2 Waqf guards. (WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 10/19; PCHR 10/22)

Israel handed over control of 3 power stations to the PA. PA prime minister Mohammed Shtayyeh supported the deal and said the PA “seek[s] to establish a single Palestinian power company” that will be responsible for electric supply in all the West Bank. The PA took control of another power station in Jenin in 2017. At the same time, Israel granted the Israeli company Bezeq a license to operate in the West Bank, a move that the PA Ministry of Telecommunications and Information Technology condemned. The PA ministry said that the move impedes the development of Palestinian telecommunication development. (WAFA 10/19; HA 10/20)

Israel reported that PLO secretary general Saeb Erakat was in critical condition as he is being treated for COVID-19 at the Hadassah University Hospital in West Jerusalem. (AJ, HA, WAFA 10/19)

The Fatah Central Committee announced that its members had approved the understandings made with Hamas unanimously. (WAFA 10/19)

The UAE cabinet approved the Israel-UAE normalization deal. (HA, REU 10/19)

U.S. president Donald Trump said that the U.S. would remove Sudan from the U.S. list of state sponsors of terrorism if Sudan paid $355 million to American victims of terror attacks in Kenya and Tanzania in 1998. The U.S. has been pressuring Sudan to normalize ties with Israel and some analysts believed that a normalization deal was being worked on despite Trump not mentioning it in his statements. (AJ, GDN, HA, REU 10/19; BBC 10/20)

Japan donated $4.3 million to food programming in Gaza. (WAFA 10/19)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers assaulted 2 Palestinians west of Salfit. Israeli forces delivered stop-work orders for 1 shack, 1 room, 1 house, 1 residential tent, 1 tin residential structure, and 1 water well in al-Twana. 10 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in and around Nahalin, Aida refugee camp, Hebron, ‘Araba, and Bayt Duqqu. Off the coast of Gaza, Israeli naval forces opened fire on Palestinian fishermen west of Gaza City; no injuries were reported. In Gaza, Israeli forces made incursions to level land east of Khan Yunis. (WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 6/30; PCHR 7/2)

A Palestinian family of 18 lost an appeal in an Israeli court to prevent their eviction. The court told them they have until 8/16 to leave their house in Silwan and pay the KKL-Jewish National Fund $5,800. The 1st application for the eviction of the family was filed in 1991 and asserted that the father of the family had abandoned the property. The court found that the family had failed to prove ownership of the building. (HA 7/1)

The secretary of state of the Vatican summoned the ambassadors of the U.S. and Israel to express the Holy See’s concern over Israel’s intentions to annex parts of the West Bank. (REU 7/1)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers attacked 1 Palestinian near Khan al-Ahmar, who was taken to a hospital in Jericho. Israeli forces began expanding a settler-only road built on Palestinian-owned land connecting 2 Israeli settlements near Nahalin. Israeli forces also delivered stop-work orders for 2 houses near Yatta and 1 water well and 1 agricultural structure near Salfit. Elsewhere, Israeli forces delivered an eviction order to 1 Palestinian living on 6 dunams (1.5 acres) of land in al-Khadir, near an Israeli settlement. 5 Palestinians were arrested during raids in and around Ramallah, Bayt Umar, and Yatta. In East Jerusalem, 1 Palestinian family started demolishing their own home in Silwan to avoid exorbitant Israeli demolition fees. 17 Palestinians were arrested, including 9 during late-night raids in Issawiyya and 8 at Bab al-Rahma in the Old City. Off the coast of Gaza, Israeli naval forces opened fire on Palestinian fishermen west of Dayr al-Balah; no injuries were reported. (WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 6/21; WAFA 6/22; PCHR 6/25)

In the West Bank, Israeli forces delivered demolition notices for residential structures, 1 stable, and 1 stone wall; a stop-work notice for a water well and fencing in al-Walaja; and demolished and seized 5 tin structures in Sawahara al-Sharqiyya. 19 Palestinians were arrested during raids in and around Hebron, al-‘Arub refugee camp, al-Fawar refugee camp, Nahalin, Nablus, and Bardala. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces demolished 1 house in Silwan, displacing a family of 9. Israeli forces also violently dispersed Palestinian protesters demonstrating against the killing of an unarmed Palestinian man on 5/30; 6 people were arrested. Another 3 Palestinians were arrested during raids in Issawiyya. In Israel, Israeli forces violently dispersed hundreds of Palestinian citizens of Israel protesting against the planned demolition of an 18th-century Muslim burial ground in Jaffa. (HA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 6/9; TOI 6/10; PCHR 6/11)

PA prime minister Mohammad Shtayyeh told journalists that if Israel moves forward with annexing West Bank territory, the PA would declare an independent state along the 1967 borders with East Jerusalem as the capital. Prime Minister Shtayyeh further stated that the PA had sent a counterproposal to the U.S. peace plan to the Quartet. (AJ, HA, REU 6/9)

The Israeli high court of justice ruled the “Law for the Regularization of Settlement in Judea and Samaria [the West Bank]” unconstitutional. The law was approved in 2017 and allowed use of Palestinian-owned land to build settlements and legalize settlement outposts. (HA, NYT, REU 6/9; WAFA 6/10)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers vandalized Palestinian-owned property in al-Sawiya, slashing tires on 12 cars and writing racist graffiti on houses. Israeli forces delivered demolition orders for 1 park, 1 unpaved road, retaining walls, 1 playground, and 1 storage space in Haris; for several residential structures, 1 barn, and 1 water well south of Hebron; demolished and seized residential shacks and tents south of Hebron; and demolished and seized 1 greenhouse in Sawahara al-Sharqiyya. Thousands of Palestinians protested in Ramallah against Israel’s planned annexation of parts of the West Bank. 7 Palestinians were arrested during raids in and around al-‘Izzariya, al-Khadir, Bayt Fajjar, and Qabatiya. In East Jerusalem, 21 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in al-Tur, Wadi al-Juz, Silwan, Issawiyya, and the Old City; during a raid in al-Tur, Israeli forces seized 1 vehicle. In Gaza, Israeli forces opened fire on Palestinian agricultural lands east of al-Maghazi; no injuries were reported. (HA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 6/8; PCHR 6/11)

PLO secretary general Saeb Erakat, in an op-ed in Haaretz, called on the international community to begin imposing sanctions on Israel to force Israel to back away from annexing parts of the West Bank. (HA 6/8)

In an interview with the New York Times, Hussein al-Sheikh, head of the PA’s general authority of civil affairs, said that if Israel moves ahead with annexing parts of the West Bank the financial repercussions for the PA would mean it would have to cut its $105 million a month in payments for salaries and medical expenses in Gaza. Al-Sheikh also said that the PA forces no longer would extradite Israelis arrested in PA controlled areas and that these would be tried in PA courts. (NYT 6/8)

An Israeli border police officer was convicted of assault and reckless use of a weapon after a court found that she had shot a Palestinian man using a rubber-coated bullet in the back “for fun.” (HA 6/8)

In the West Bank, Israeli forces injured 2 Palestinians using rubber-coated bullets during clashes in Bayt Umar; 1 was hospitalized for his injures. Israeli forces demolished a water well in al-Zawiya and delivered demolition orders for 4 residential structures near Jenin. In East Jerusalem, the Jerusalem Magistrate’s Court ruled to evict 26 Palestinians from their family home in Silwan. It was the 2d ruling this week in which Palestinians were ordered evicted based on claims that their homes were built on land that was owned by Jews prior to 1948. In Gaza, for the 2d day in a row, Israeli forces struck targets in Gaza, causing damage, after alleging that incendiary balloons were launched at Israel. Israeli forces also shot and injured, with live ammunition, 1 Palestinian minor collecting recyclables east of Bayt Hanun. (HA, HA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 1/26; WAFA 1/27; HA, PCHR 1/30)

2 days before U.S. president Donald Trump was to unveil the U.S. peace plan, Israeli defense minister Naftali Bennet said, doing a speech at West Bank settlement, that “In no case, under no condition, will we allow for the establishment of a Palestinian state or recognition of such a state and we will not relinquish a single centimeter of the land of Israel to Arabs.” (HA 1/26)

In Iraq, 5 rockets were fired at the U.S. embassy compound in Baghdad. 1 hit a restaurant inside the compound, injuring 1. (HA 1/27)

Unidentified persons launch a rocket from Gaza into central Israel. It strikes an Israeli home north of Tel Aviv, injuring 7 Jewish Israelis and causing damage. The Israeli Air Force then retaliates with dozens of air strikes on Hamas sites all across Gaza, causing extensive damage and injuring at least 3 Palestinians. Palestinians in Gaza respond, firing at least 50 projectiles into southern Israel and setting of hours of cross-border attacks. An hour after an Egyptian- and UN-backed cease-fire is supposed to go into effect, 30 projectiles are fired into Israel from Gaza. Most are intercepted by Israel’s Iron Dome missile defense system. The rest land in open areas, causing no damage or injuries. The Israeli Air Force then continues its air strikes across Gaza, bombing at least 15 targets in and around Jabaliya refugee camp and causing extensive damage. (EI, HA, HA, HA, JP, MNA, MNA, MNA, TOI, TOI, TOI, WAFA, YA, YA 3/25; HA, MNA, YA 3/26; PCHR 3/28)

After a rocket from Gaza strikes an Israeli home near Tel Aviv (see above), Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu announces that he is cutting his trip to the U.S. short. He still meets with President Donald Trump at the White House, but he skips his planned address at the annual AIPAC conference. At their meeting, Trump signs a formal declaration conveying U.S. recognition of Israeli sovereignty over the Golan Heights, codifying his 3/21 pledge. Meanwhile, the Israeli authorities decide to indefinitely shut down the Erez and Kerem Shalom border crossings, blocking all traffic of persons and good in and out of Gaza. (EI, HA, HA, HA, JP, MNA, MNA, MNA, TOI, TOI, TOI, WAFA, YA, YA 3/25; HA, MNA, YA 3/26)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers spray-paint racist anti-Palestinian graffiti on Palestinian vehicles and buildings near Jerusalem. They also puncture the tires of 28 Palestinian vehicles. Separately, settlers chop down a number of olive and almond trees in a Palestinian grove near Hebron. Israeli forces deliver stop-work orders to 2 Palestinian homes under construction near Hebron and a water well under construction near Tubas. IDF troops arrest 6 Palestinians during late-night raids in and around Hebron and Ramallah; and patrol near Salfit and Qalqilya. An unexploded piece of Israeli ordnance detonates near Bethlehem, injuring 3 Palestinian minors. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces arrest 9 Palestinians during late-night raids in al-Tur, Jabal Mukabir, Hizma, and Silwan. (MNA, MNA, MNA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 3/25; PCHR 3/28)

In the West Bank, Israeli forces deliver stop-work orders to a Palestinian house, water well, and barn under construction in Yatta village near Hebron. IDF troops assault and lightly injure a Palestinian at a checkpoint north of Ramallah. They ultimately let him pass through when they fail to find weapons in his vehicle. IDF troops also arrest 23 Palestinians and issue 5 arrest summons during late night-raids near Hebron, Ramallah, Nablus, Jenin, and Bethlehem; and patrol near Jenin, Hebron, and Ramallah. In East Jerusalem, Muslim worshippers block an Israeli police officer wearing a yarmulke from entering the Dome of the Rock at Haram al-Sharif. The worshippers then barricade themselves inside the building, sparking a minor confrontation; 1 Islamic Waqf official lightly injured and 4 Waqf guards are arrested. Later in the day, Israeli forces temporarily block Muslim worshippers from entering the sanctuary. Meanwhile, Israeli forces arrest 2 Palestinians during raids in Silwan. (AP, HA, JP, MNA, MNA, WAFA, WAFA, YA 1/14; PCHR 1/17)

A Palestinian minor succumbs to injuries sustained when IDF troops violently dispersed Palestinian protesters gathering along Gaza’s border near Jabaliya refugee camp on 1/11. This brings the death toll stemming from the Great March of Return to 198. (HA, JP, MNA, TOI, WAFA 1/14)

Outgoing IDF chief of staff Gadi Eisenkot tells Israel’s Army Radio that he “can say with confidence that we found all Hezbollah tunnels infiltrating into Israel.” Eisenkot’s comments come one day after the IDF announced the end of Operation Northern Shield and 2 days after the discovery of a 6th Hezbollah tunnel in the context of that operation. (JP 1/14)

In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces demolish 3 agricultural structures in Silwan and Jabal Mukabir and the foundation of a mosque in Sur al-Bahir overnight. In the West Bank, Israeli forces demolish a residential structure and a community center in Umm al-Khayr village and a water well nr. Hebron, as well as a residential structure outside Bayt Jala nr. Bethlehem. IDF troops conduct a raid in Nablus late at night, sparking clashes and a brief firefight between their PASF escort and armed Palestinians; 1 Palestinian is killed and 3 PASF troops are injured. The IDF arrests 2 Palestinians and confiscates a number of appliances during further raids in Ramallah and nr. Hebron; and patrol during the day nr. Hebron. Meanwhile, the Israeli authorities announce that they have approved a master plan for future development of Tinnik village nr. Jenin. Israel, which rarely permits Palestinian building in Area C, has been authorizing new projects in the context of DM Lieberman’s “carrot-and-stick” policy. Off Gaza’s coast, Israeli naval forces open fire on Palestinian fishing boats nr. Bayt Lahiya, causing no damage. They arrest 2 fishermen and confiscate their boat. (MNA, TOI, WAFA 11/15; JP, MNA, WAFA 11/16; PCHR 11/17)

The Egyptian authorities open the Rafah border crossing for the 2d of 5 planned days. (MNA 11/15)

IDF troops shoot and kill a Palestinian close to the Bayt ‘Aynun junction nr. Hebron after he allegedly attempts to stab one of them, and the Palestinian Red Crescent reports that Israeli forces prevented medics from treating the man. The incident sparks brief clashes between the IDF and stone-throwers; there are no injuries. Separately, IDF troops shoot and kill a 2d Palestinian at a checkpoint nr. Nablus after he stabs and lightly injures an Israeli officer. Meanwhile, Israeli forces demolish 4 greenhouses and a water well in the Jordan Valley, a home under construction in a village nr. Hebron, and 2 livestock structures outside al-‘Arub r.c. nr. Hebron. The IDF conducts house searches and raids in 1 village each nr. Salfit and Bethlehem, arresting 1 Palestinian and issuing an arrest summons to 1; patrols in Jenin and 1 village each nr. Tulkarm, Qalqilya, and Salfit, as well as 5 nr. Hebron. Along Gaza’s border, Israeli forces conduct a limited incursion to level land nr. Bayt Lahiya. The Israeli authorities shut down the Kerem Shalom border crossing temporarily due to an escalation of violence in the n. Sinai (the Egyptian army kills 30 fighters with SPIS and other armed groups in operations today nr. Rafah, Shaykh Zuwayd, and al-Arish). Off Gaza’s coast, Israeli naval forces arrest 2 Palestinian fishermen working nr. Bayt Lahiya and confiscate their boat. In East Jerusalem, Israeli police violently disperse an educational event allegedly organized by the Northern Branch of the Islamic Movement (Israel banned the Northern Branch on 11/16); 1 Palestinian is arrested and there are no serious injuries. Israeli forces also assault 1 Palestinian and arrest another on raids in Silwan. (AHR, HA, JP, MNA, TOI, WAFA 1/14; JP, MNA 1/15; PCHR 1/21)

During clashes sparked by a raid in the East Jerusalem neighborhood of Issawiyya, Israeli forces shoot a 13-year-old Palestinian in the head with a rubber-coated bullet, seriously injuring him and arresting 7 Palestinians. Enforcing PM Netanyahu’s pledge to crack down on stone-throwers, Israeli forces arrest at least 20 Palestinians during night raids in Issawiyya, Silwan, and Jabal Mukabir. Throughout several other East Jerusalem neighborhoods, Israeli forces clash with Palestinians throwing stones and protesting the recent access restrictions at Haram al-Sharif, injuring several Palestinians and arresting 11. In the West Bank, IDF troops violently disperse Palestinians protesting restrictions in East Jerusalem and at Haram al-Sharif, injuring a 14-year-old Palestinian with live ammunition nr. Qalqilya. They also patrol in Jenin and Jenin r.c., arresting 3 Palestinians and sparking clashes with stone-throwing youths (another Palestinian is seriously injured, then arrested). Israeli forces patrol during the day around Hebron and Qalqilya. Nr. Nablus, an Israeli settler opens fire on a Palestinian vehicle, causing no injuries. Israeli settlers also clog a Palestinian water well nr. Bethlehem with dirt and rocks to prevent its use. For a 2d day, unknown persons launch a rocket from Gaza toward Israel, and it lands short of the border fence. (MNA, WAFA 9/19; JP, MNA, WAFA 9/20; PCHR, WAFA 10/1)

PM Netanyahu’s office releases a statement saying that the Israeli police are working on a new proposal to change their rules of engagement in East Jerusalem and to increase penalties on those convicted of throwing stones or Molotov cocktails. (TOI 9/19; JP, YA 9/20)

IDF troops on the Gaza border e. of Khan Yunis open fire on Palestinians nr. the border fence gathering to commemorate Land Day, injuring 2. In the West Bank, thousands of Palestinians gather in several villages and cities for Land Day; IDF troops violently disperse protests in villages nr. Nablus and Ramallah, causing a number of Palestinians to suffer tear gas inhalation. The IDF conducts house searches and raids in 2 villages nr. Hebron, 1 nr. Jenin, and Tulkarm, arresting 4 Palestinians; patrols in 5 villages nr. Ramallah, 1 nr. Jericho, and al-‘Arub r.c. and 1 village nr. Hebron. Israeli forces deliver demolition notices to 7 Palestinian-owned agricultural structures and water wells in a village nr. Nablus and to 7 residential structures in a village nr. Hebron. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces violently disperse Palestinians marching through the Old City to commemorate Land Day, injuring 1 and arresting 2. They also arrest 3 Palestinians at Haram al-Sharif, 3 in the Old City, and 1 during a house search in Silwan. Meanwhile, Palestinian citizens of Israel gather in Jerusalem, Dayr Hanna in the Galilee, and Rahat in the Negev to commemorate Land Day, but the Arab High Follow-Up Comm. does not call for a general strike as it did in 2014. (HA, JP, MNA, WAFA, YA 3/30; YA 3/31; PCHR 4/2)

The Jerusalem Municipality announces that it has approved tenders to build 142 new residences in the Har Homa settlement in East Jerusalem. Also, the Interior Ministry’s District Planning and Building Comm. approves a plan to construct over 2,200 new residences for Palestinians in Jabal Mukabir, East Jerusalem, and to retroactively approve hundreds that have already been built in the neighborhood. (WAFA 3/30; TOI 3/31; HA 4/1)

The PA Ministry of Civil Affairs announces that it will be providing 1 year of financial support to the approximately 15,000 Palestinian families in Gaza whose homes were destroyed during OPE. The project will be funded by international donors, primarily Arab League mbrs., and will grant families between NIS 1,000 and 1,500 per mo. ($250 to $378). (MNA, WAFA 3/30)

A bipartisan group of 4 U.S. senators sends a letter to Pres. Obama stating their opposition to the admin.’s reported reassessment of its policies regarding Israel and the possible end of U.S. support of Israel in international institutions, such as the UN. (TOI 3/31)

In Gaza, IDF troops e. of Dayr al-Balah fire warning shots at farmers approaching the border fence, causing no injuries or damage. In the West Bank, IDF troops on a patrol clash with stone-throwing Palestinians nr. Bethlehem, causing several to suffer from tear gas inhalation. They also arrest a Palestinian during a patrol in c. Hebron, a Palestinian with a mental disability outside Jenin, and a Palestinian woman at a checkpoint nr. Jenin. Israeli forces install iron gates at a major checkpoint nr. Bethlehem; demolish a water well nr. Hebron.Israeli settlers uproot 100 olive saplings in Hebron. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces detain 4 Palestinian women as they are leaving Haram al-Sharif. An Israeli settlement security guard hits a Palestinian girl with his car in Silwan, moderately injuring her. (MNA, WAFA 2/25; MNA, PCHR 2/26)

For the 2d time in a week, the state-owned IEC cuts electricity to the Nablus and Jenin districts of the West Bank for 1 hour, due to the Palestinians’ unpaid debts. The IEC warns that, without payment, it will continue with these cuts. (HA, MNA, WAFA 2/25; WAFA 2/26)

Senior PA official Shaath tells the Turkish Anadolu Agency that the PA recently requested that the EU reactivate their revolving fund agreement and provide loans equal to the amount of funds that Israel is freezing in transfers of tax revenues. They signed the agreement in 1995 and activated it twice before, in 1995 and from 1998 to 2001. (MEMO 2/25)

The EU and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) announce the completion of the 1st of 4 components of a €10 m. desalinization project—18 km of pipeline— that is set to provide potable water to over 75,000 people in Gaza. (EU press release, WAFA 2/25)

Israeli PM Netanyahu says that he still intends to address the U.S. Congress on 3/3, despite increasingly urgent protests from the Obama admin. (AFP, AM, HA, TOI, YA 2/25)

In the Gaza Strip, IDF troopsstationed along the border arrest 2 Palestinians attempting to enter Israel. In the West Bank, IDF troops enter e. Nablus on a raid and clash with Palestinians, injuring 3 with live ammunition and tear gas. IDF troops enter an area e. of Yatta nr. Hebron and seize a tractor and 4 water tanks; demolish several mobile homes in a village e. of Ramallah; deliver stop-work notes to several construction sites nr. Jericho and demolition notices for 6 wells in Qusra village in the n. West Bank, where Israeli settlers later attack Palestinian property; 2 of the settlers are detained. Separately, around 100 settlers from Adi Ad gather nr. al-Mughir village, but IDF troops intervene before they can attack the residents. In East Jerusalem, Israeli security forces enter Jabal Mukabir to deliver demolition orders to the homes of the Palestinians who attacked a synagogue and were killed on 11/18, then raid a mourning tent set up for them; 5 Palestinians are injured in the ensuing clashes. There are further clashes in Abu Dis, and 37 Palestinians are injured. In Sur al-Bahir, Silwan, and al-Tur, undercover Israeli military officers raid multiple homes, sparking more clashes; approximately 35 Palestinians suffer effects of tear gas inhalation and 12 are injured with rubber-coated metal bullets. Israeli security forces also conduct arrest raids on several homes in the Old City. Late at night, 4 Israeli girls from Yitzhar settlement in the West Bank attack a Palestinian taxi driver with pepper spray. (IMEMC, MNA, WAFA 11/20; MNA 11/21; PCHR 11/27)

Israel’s FM announces that it will return its amb. to Sweden on 11/29, after Amb. Isaac Bachman was recalled in the wake of Sweden’s recognition of Palestine as a state on 10/30. (JP, YA 11/20)

After meeting with UK Foreign Secy. Philip Hammond in London, U.S. Secy. of State Kerry travels to Paris for meetings with French FM Laurent Fabius and Saudi FM Saud al-Faisal, then to Vienna to join the P5+1 negotiating team ahead of the 11/24 deadline. Meanwhile, the head of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Yukiya Amano, calls on Iran to increase its cooperation with the agency, saying that the govt. has not been transparent about some aspects of its research. (AP, NYT, REU, TOI 11/20)

The IDF makes a brief incursion into n. Gaza in the morning to level lands and clear lines of sight along the border e. of Jabaliya r.c., firing on nearby residential areas to keep Palestinians indoors. In Dura and Ithna villages nr. Hebron, the IDF destroys 1 Palestinian home, part of 2 other homes, 9 agricultural pools and irrigation networks, 4 water tanks, and 5 wells, also confiscating 15 water pumps and other agricultural equipment. The IDF also patrols in 3 villages nr. Qalqilya and 1 nr. Jenin in the evening; conducts late-night arrest raids, house searches in Bethlehem and neighboring Dahaysha r.c. Washington Jewish Week reports that in the previous wk., Israel’s Jerusalem Magistrate’s Court rejected 2 lawsuits demanding the eviction of Palestinian families fr. their Silwan homes; the suits were brought by Eldad, an organization seeking to Judaize Jerusalem in part by settling Jews in the predominantly Palestinian neighborhood of Silwan, nr. the Haram al-Sharif/Temple Mount. (WJW 12/22; PCHR 12/29; OCHA 1/5)

At the close of 2 days of talks in Cairo, Fatah’s Abbas and Hamas’s Mishal agree that they will both sit on the comm. that will prepare for the next elections of the PLO’s parliament-in-exile, the Palestinian National Council (PNC), marking a major step toward Hamas joining the PLO. They also agree to form an interim unity government by the end of 1/2012 and to bring elected Hamas-affiliated legislators back into the PA’s parliament, the Palestinian Council (PC), in 2/2012. (NYT, AP, WP, WT 12/23; HA 12/28)

Reports indicate that Hamas is scaling back its presence in Syria because of violence there, but overall feels buoyed by the Arab Spring. Senior Hamas official Mahmud Zahar states that Hamas feels strengthened and validated by the popular support shown for Islamist parties in countries affected by the Arab Spring, suggesting that the new Tunisian model of power-sharing among Islamist and secular nationalist parties could be a model for the Palestinians. (WP 12/22)