In the West Bank, Israeli settlers threw stones at cars traveling near Burqa, leading to clashes between Israeli forces and Palestinians confronting the Israeli settlers. Israeli settlers also...
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April 26, 2021
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April 23, 2021
In the West Bank, Israeli settlers uprooted 13 olive trees in Hares. Israeli settlers also threw stones at Palestinian vehicles traveling between Nablus and Jenin. Israeli forces violently...
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April 16, 2021
In the West Bank, Israeli forces violently dispersed Palestinian protesters in Bayt Dajan, injuring 3 with rubber-coated bullets and others suffered tear-gas related injuries. Israeli forces also...
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March 16, 2021
In the West Bank, Israeli settlers raided Awarta; no injuries were reported. Israeli forces razed 4 dunums (1 acre) of farmland in Bayt Jala. 7 Palestinians were arrested during raids in and...
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March 12, 2021
In the West Bank, Israeli forces violently dispersed Palestinians protesting settlement expansion in ‘Ayn al-Bayda. Israeli forces also violently dispersed a Palestinian protest in Bayt Dajan,...
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March 10, 2021
In the West Bank, Israeli settlers with military escort toured shines in Kafr Haris and Sabastiyya, closing the areas to Palestinians. Israeli forces arrested 5 Palestinian children aged 8-12 in...
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February 23, 2021
In the West Bank, Israeli forces leveled land near Abu Dis to expand nearby settlements. 15 Palestinians were arrested, including 12 during a raid in and around Jenin, Tubas, Hizma, Bethlehem,...
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January 19, 2021
In the West Bank, Israeli settlers uprooted 100 olive saplings in Yatta. Israeli forces shot and injured 3 Palestinians trying to enter Israel for work near the separation barrier north of...
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January 10, 2021
In the West Bank, Israeli settlers uprooted and stole 190 olive saplings in Qusra belonging to 4 Palestinian families. Israeli settlers also threw stones at Palestinian-owned vehicles near Nablus...
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January 9, 2021
In the West Bank, the Israeli military said that 1 Palestinian tried to ram a group of soldiers at a checkpoint near Ya‘bad and that a gun fell from the car as it passed the soldiers; no injuries...
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January 8, 2021
In the West Bank, 1 Palestinian teen was severely injured by an unexploded ordinance left behind by Israeli forces in the Masafer Yatta area near Yatta. Israeli forces violently dispersed...
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January 4, 2021
In the West Bank, Israeli settlers threw stones at vehicles and houses in Sarta and threw stones at Palestinian-owned vehicles traveling near Rawabi. Israeli settlers also razed Palestinian-owned...
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December 26, 2020
In the West Bank, Israeli settlers attacked Palestinian vehicles traveling near Sinjil. Israeli forces violently dispersed a protest in Kafr Qaddum, causing tear-gas related injuries. Israeli...
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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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November 30, 2020
In the West Bank, Israeli settlers with military escort threw stones at Palestinians protesting settlement expansion west of Salfit; Israeli forces also beat several Palestinian protesters....
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November 13, 2020
In the West Bank, Israeli settlers stole 20 Palestinian-owned sheep in Taybeh. Israeli forces shot and injured 3 Palestinians during clashes that unfolded as Israeli forces raided several...
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November 9, 2020
In the West Bank, Israeli settlers stole and broke farming equipment and sprayed racist graffiti in Turmus ‘Ayya. Israeli forces raided 1 hospital in Tulkarm, firing sound bombs inside of it....
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November 8, 2020
In the West Bank, Israeli forces shot 1 Palestinian near al-Fawar refugee camp; Israeli forces alleged that the man was wielding a knife when he was shot. Israeli forces also assaulted 1 minor...
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November 3, 2020
In the West Bank, Israeli settlers assaulted 2 elderly Palestinians south of Jenin, leading to the hospitalization of both Palestinians. Israeli settlers also threw stones at Palestinians driving...
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August 22, 2020
In the West Bank, Israeli settlers attacked Palestinian shepherds near Yatta; cut more than 100 olive trees near Susiya; and set up a mobile home on Palestinian-owned land near Beita. Israeli...
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August 15, 2020
In the West Bank, Israeli settlers uprooted dozens of olive saplings in Asira. Israeli forces shot and injured 2 Palestinians using live ammunition as they were trying to enter Israel using a gate...
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August 12, 2020
In the West Bank, Israeli forces demolished parts of a settlement outpost near the Yitzhar settlement. During the demolition, Israeli settlers attacked the Israeli forces, wounding 1. Israeli...
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August 7, 2020
In the West Bank, 1 Palestinian woman was shot dead by Israeli forces in her house during a late-night raid in Jenin. According to her friend, she was shot while closing a window to prevent tear...
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July 20, 2020
In the West Bank, Israeli forces demolished 1 Palestinian-owned home in al-Khadir. Israeli forces raided Jenin, dismantling a PA COVID-19 checkpoint and injuring 1 Palestinian using live...
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June 5, 2020
In West Bank, Israeli forces violently dispersed protests in Atuf, Kafr Qaddum, and Nablus, injuring 6 Palestinians with tear gas and rubber-coated bullets. Israeli forces also arrested 1...
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May 29, 2020
In the West Bank, Israeli forces shot and killed 1 Palestinian as he allegedly attempted to ram his car into them south of Nabi Salih; no Israeli soldiers were injured. The family of the...
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May 28, 2020
In the West Bank, Israeli forces prevented the Hebron Rehabilitation Committee from doing restoration work in al-Ibrahimi Mosque. Israeli forces also delivered demolition orders for 6 Palestinian-...
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May 20, 2020
In the West Bank, Israeli forces ordered a Palestinian family to leave their 2 mobile homes and stop further construction north of Jericho. Separately, Israeli forces seized a mobile home in Bayt...
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May 17, 2020
In the West Bank, Israeli settlers uprooted some 40 olive trees in Yatma. 6 Palestinians were arrested, including 5 during late-night raids in and around Hebron, Yatta, and Bethlehem; 1 was...
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May 12, 2020
In the West Bank, during a late-night raid in Ya‘bad, 1 Israeli soldier was killed when an unknown assailant dropped a stone on his head. 1 Palestinian was shot and injured after alledgedly...
In the West Bank, Israeli settlers threw stones at cars traveling near Burqa, leading to clashes between Israeli forces and Palestinians confronting the Israeli settlers. Israeli settlers also physically assaulted 2 Palestinians near al-Ibrahimi Mosque. Israeli forces razed Palestinian-owned land planted with almond trees west of Ramallah. Israeli forces also razed land in Bruqin and Nil‘in. 6 Palestinians were arrested, including 3 during raids in Jenin refugee camp and Hebron, and 3 at a checkpoint near Jit. In East Jerusalem, Israeli settlers attacked 2 Palestinian minors in Issawiyya; no serious physical injuries were reported. Israeli forces violently dispersed protests in Bayt Hanina, leading to clashes, and arrested 4 Palestinians. Israeli forces also briefly dispersed Palestinians celebrating by the Damascus Gate but allowed the celebrations to carry on shortly after. 2 Palestinians were charged with hate crimes after throwing coffee on an Israeli settler and putting a video of the incident on social media on 4/22. In Gaza, Israel closed the Gaza fishing zone, citing 3 days of rocket fire toward Israel; Israel claimed that 4 Israelis were injured due to the rocket fire, all from tripping while seeking shelter. Israeli forces violently dispersed Palestinians protesting at the Gaza fence for the 3d day in a row, leading to tear-gas related injuries. 2 Palestinians were arrested for crossing into Israel. Israeli forces also opened fire at agricultural lands east of al-Bureij; no injuries were reported. (HA 4/25; HA, PCHR, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 4/26; HA, WAFA 4/27; HA 4/28; PCHR 4/29)
The PA announced it will build a new city near Jericho, to be named Sama Qarantal. The city will accommodate between 15,000 and 20,000 people. (WAFA 4/26)
2 Egyptian officials said they had been briefed that PA president Mahmoud Abbas will postpone the Palestinian elections this week, citing Israeli unwillingness to let Palestinians in East Jerusalem partake in the elections. A Palestinian source said that a final decision will be made on 4/29, after a meeting between all Palestinian parties. (AJ, AP, HA 4/27)
Israeli member of Knesset, former minister, and leader of HaTzionut HaDatit (Religious Zionist Party) Bezalel Smotrich threatened that “Arabs are citizens of Israel, for now at least, and they have representatives at the Knesset, for now at least” during a party meeting. Smotrich further said that Palestinian-Israelis can only be “legitimate partners” if they accept Israel as a Jewish state. (HA 4/26)
The U.S. said it fired warning shots at an Iranian navy ship for being too close to 2 U.S. military vessels in the Persian Gulf. (AJ 4/27; AP 4/28)
In the West Bank, Israeli settlers uprooted 13 olive trees in Hares. Israeli settlers also threw stones at Palestinian vehicles traveling between Nablus and Jenin. Israeli forces violently dispersed the weekly anti-settlement protest in Kafr Qaddum, injuring 1 with a rubber-coated bullet and others were injured by tear gas. Israeli forces also violently dispersed Palestinian protesters in Tulkarm, injuring 1 with a rubber-coated bullet. Elsewhere, Israeli forces violently dispersed protesters in Qalqilya, arresting 1. 4 Palestinians were arrested at checkpoints near Bethlehem, Qalandia, and Hizma. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces violently dispersed Palestinian protesters, injuring 50 using rubber-coated bullets, beatings, and tear gas near the Haram al-Sharif compound, Silwan, Issawiyya, Wadi al-Juz, and Shaykh Jarrah; 4 were arrested. In Gaza, several dozen rockets were fired at Israel and Israel fired missiles and shells at Gaza east of al-Bureij refugee camp; causing damage; 2 groups, the Nidal al-Amoudi Division and the Abu Ali Mustapha Brigades, claimed responsibility for the rockets fired at Israel, saying they were in response to the violence by Israeli right-wing activists in Jerusalem on 4/22. (HA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 4/23; AJ, AJ, HA, WAFA 4/24; HA 4/25; PCHR 4/29)
Israeli public security affairs minister Amir Ohana condemned attacks against Jewish-Israelis in Jerusalem on 4/22, despite the fact that large crowds of right-wing Israeli activists and Israeli settlers had attacked Palestinians throughout Jerusalem, leading to more than 100 injuries. The attacks were planned by the Lehava group, which has links to right-wing Israeli lawmakers in the Otzma Yehudit (Jewish Power) party. The U.S. embassy in Israel said that the U.S. is “deeply concerned about the incidents of violence” and called on “all responsible voices” to promote calm. Jordan condemned the violence, saying that Israel as “the occupying power” in East Jerusalem must protect the Palestinian residents against the violence. The UAE also later called on Israel to protect Palestinians from “acts of violence committed by right-wing extremist groups in the occupied East Jerusalem.” (HA 4/23; WAFA 4/24; WAFA, WAFA 4/25; AP, WAFA 4/26)
Saudi Arabia announced an indefinite ban on Lebanese agricultural products after finding 5.3 million pills of the amphetamine Captagon hidden in a shipment of pomegranates. (AJ 4/28)
In the West Bank, Israeli forces violently dispersed Palestinian protesters in Bayt Dajan, injuring 3 with rubber-coated bullets and others suffered tear-gas related injuries. Israeli forces also violently dispersed protests in Kafr Qaddum, injuring 1 with a rubber-coated bullet and others suffered tear-gas related injuries. 1 Palestinian was arrested at a checkpoint near Tubas. In East Jerusalem, for the 4th night in a row, Palestinians protested the Israeli-imposed restrictions on the Old City during the month of Ramadan; Israel limited the number of Palestinians from the West Bank who were allowed to partake in the 1st Friday prayers of Ramadan at the Haram al-Sharif to 10,000, requiring all to have been vaccinated for the COVID-19 virus. Israel also closed the Damascus Gate plaza; 6 Palestinians were reported injured, including 4 who were hospitalized. 1 Palestinian was arrested in the Old City. Off the coast of Gaza, Israeli naval forces opened fire at Palestinian fishermen within 3 nautical miles, on 2 different occasions, west of Bayt Lahiya; no injuries were reported. In Gaza, Israeli forces opened fire at Palestinian shepherds east of al-Bureij refugee camp; no injuries were reported. (AJ, AP, HA, JP, TOI, WAFA, WAFA 4/16; HA, HA 4/17; PCHR 4/22)
The speaker of the Iranian parliament said Iran had enriched uranium at 60 percent after Iranian president Hassan Rouhani said it would do so in response to the Israeli attack on the Natanz nuclear site on 4/11. (AP, HA, REU 4/16)
In the West Bank, Israeli settlers raided Awarta; no injuries were reported. Israeli forces razed 4 dunums (1 acre) of farmland in Bayt Jala. 7 Palestinians were arrested during raids in and around Ramallah, Kafr Haris, Qabatiya, and al-Khadir. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces clashed with Palestinians during a raid in Kafr ‘Aqab, injuring 11 Palestinians using rubber-coated bullets and 31 suffered tear-gas related injuries. Israeli forces also seized 3 residential caravans and demolished 2 stores in Kafr ‘Aqab. 3 Palestinian minors were arrested during late-night raids in Issawiyya. In Gaza, Israeli forces made incursions and leveled land east of Jabaliya and east of al-Bureij refugee camp. Israeli forces also opened fire at agricultural lands east of Khuza‘a; no injuries were reported. (WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 3/16; WAFA 3/17; PCHR 3/18)
Delegations from various Palestinian factions continued talks about national unity and upcoming elections in Cairo. (WAFA, WAFA 3/16)
The Syrian military said it had intercepted Israeli-fired missiles near Damascus. (HA 3/16; ALM 3/17)
In the West Bank, Israeli forces violently dispersed Palestinians protesting settlement expansion in ‘Ayn al-Bayda. Israeli forces also violently dispersed a Palestinian protest in Bayt Dajan, injuring 3 with live ammunition, 2 with rubber-coated bullets, 2 with rifles, and others suffered tear-gas related injuries. In East Jerusalem, Israeli police prevented over 300 Palestinians from entering the Haram al-Sharif compound for Friday prayers and arrested 4 for being in East Jerusalem without a permit. In Gaza, 1 Palestinian was arrested for attempting to enter Israel by the Gaza fence east of al-Bureij. In Israel, thousands of Palestinian-Israelis protested gun violence in their community and police inaction to the problem in Jaljulya and Umm al-Fahm. (HA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 3/12; PCHR 3/18)
5 Democrats in the U.S. senate wrote a letter to U.S. secretary of state Antony Blinken urging him to pressure Israel to provide vaccines to all Palestinians in the occupied territories, citing international law. The letter was signed by Bernie Sanders (D-VT), Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), Tom Carper (D-DE), Sherrod Brown (D-OH), and Jeff Merkley (D-OR). 12 members of the house of representatives led by Rashida Tlaib (D-MI) and Mark Pocan (D-WI) also sent a letter to Secretary Blinken urging him to rescind the Trump administration’s “peace plan” and to pressure Israel to stop violations of international law. (HA, WAFA 3/13)
In the West Bank, Israeli settlers with military escort toured shines in Kafr Haris and Sabastiyya, closing the areas to Palestinians. Israeli forces arrested 5 Palestinian children aged 8-12 in al-Rakiz near an Israeli settlement outpost; a video shows that the children were foraging vegetables when Israeli settlers started chasing them, leading to the Israeli forces arresting them. Israeli forces also demolished Palestinian-owned shops near Nablus, leading to confrontations with Palestinians, and delivered a demolition notice for a house under construction in Wadi Hummus in Area B. 9 Palestinians were arrested during raids in and around al-Khadir, Bayt Fajjar, Aida refugee camp, Jenin, and Qalqilya. In East Jerusalem, 66 Israeli settlers toured the Haram al-Sharif compound. Israeli forces arrested the former Mufti of Jerusalem Shaykh Ikrima Sabri at his home. Off the coast of Gaza, Israeli naval forces opened fire and sprayed water at Palestinian fishermen within 6 nautical miles west of Gaza, causing damage to 1 boat; no injuries were reported. In Gaza, Israeli forces made incursions and leveled land east of al-Bureij and Dayr Balah. (AJ, HA, JP, MEE, TOI, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 3/10; AJ, AP, MEE, PCHR, WAFA 3/11; WAFA 3/12; NBC 3/13; HA 3/14)
Mohammad Dahlan, a political rival of PA president Mahmoud Abbas, said the UAE would send another 40,000 doses of the Sputnik V vaccine to Gaza. The UAE had previously sent 20,000 doses to Gaza in February. Dahlan, who is an advisor to the UAE crown price Mohammed bin Zayed, said the vaccines would arrive on 3/11. (TOI, TOI 3/10)
Yahya Sinwar won an internal Gazan election to retain his position as political leader of Hamas in Gaza. Sinwar narrowly defeated Nizar Awadallah, a founder of Hamas. Awadallah is said to represent the more conservative wing of Hamas. (AP 3/9; AJ, ALM, AP, HA, REU, TOI 3/10; HA 3/11)
An investigation by the Fake Reporter project showed that many of the 5,000 followers of Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s Arabic language Facebook page were fake. On 2/1, Prime Minister Netanyahu launched an Arabic language Facebook page as part of his push to convince parts of the Palestinian-Israeli population to vote for him in the upcoming Israeli elections, but some 20% of the surveyed followers were reported to be fake. (HA 3/10)
The Israeli Museum for Islamic Art canceled plans to sell 268 items after the Al Thani Collection promised to provide sponsorship to the museum for 10 years. (AJ, AP 3/10)
An Iranian container ship was hit by an explosion said to be from an explosive device while in the Mediterranean. Iran later said Israel was behind the attack. Israeli officials denied commenting on Israeli involvement. (AJ, REU 3/12; HA, REU 3/13; HA 3/15)
In the West Bank, Israeli forces leveled land near Abu Dis to expand nearby settlements. 15 Palestinians were arrested, including 12 during a raid in and around Jenin, Tubas, Hizma, Bethlehem, Harmala, Bayt Umar, and al-‘Arub refugee camp, and 3 Palestinians were arrested at a checkpoint near Hebron. In East Jerusalem, 2 Palestinians were arrested in al-Tur and Shu‘fat refugee camp. Off the coast of Gaza, Israeli naval forces opened fire at Palestinian fishermen within 4 nautical miles west of Bayt Lahiya; no injuries were reported. In Gaza, Israeli forces opened fire at agricultural lands east of Dayr al-Balah and al-Bureij; no injuries were reported. (WAFA, WAFA 2/23; PCHR 2/25)
In a report, Forensic Architecture concluded that a Palestinian man Ahmed Erekat was killed by Israeli forces in an “extrajudicial execution” on 7/23/2020. The Forensic Architecture report stated that Erekat was shot and killed while not posing a threat to Israeli forces and that the forces had prevented him from getting medical attention after he was shot. Israel claims that Erekat intended to ram Israeli forces at a checkpoint, but the report states that he did not accelerate his car while approaching the checkpoint, that he kept a low speed of 9.3 miles per hour, and that he held his arms in the air after exiting his vehicle after the accident. (GDN 2/23; +972, AJ, MDW 2/24; AP, HA 2/26)
Israel announced that it will share COVID-19 vaccination doses with Guatemala, Honduras, the Czech Republic, and Hungary, all countries that have enhanced ties to Israel in the last couple of years. Israel has been widely criticized for refusing to provide vaccines to Palestinians in the occupied territories, including by U.S. senator Bernie Sanders (D-VT), who said it was “outrageous that [Israeli prime minister Benjamin] Netanyahu would use spare vaccines to reward his foreign allies while so many Palestinians in the occupied territories are still waiting.” The PA foreign minister Riyad al-Maliki called Israel’s decision immoral. (AP, HA, REU 2/23; AP, NYT, 2/24; AJ, AJ, AP, HA, WAFA, WAFA 2/25; WAFA 2/28)
The World Bank threatened to suspend its financing of the COVID-19 vaccine campaign in Lebanon after reports that the vaccines had been given to politicians rather than people who should be 1st in line for a vaccine, such as health workers and the elderly. (AP 2/22)
U.S. state department officials attended a meeting at the Ad Hoc Liaison Committee. At the meeting, PA prime minister Mohammed Shtayyeh welcomed the U.S. delegation and said that Israel was systematically destroying the possibility of a 2-state solution. (AP, WAFA 2/23)
6 Jewish American organizations wrote a letter to the new secretary of homeland security Alejandro Mayorkas, urging him to reverse the Trump administration’s policy change of labeling products made in West Bank settlements “made in Israel.” (J Street 2/23; HA, HUFF 2/24)
In the West Bank, Israeli settlers uprooted 100 olive saplings in Yatta. Israeli forces shot and injured 3 Palestinians trying to enter Israel for work near the separation barrier north of Qalqilya. Israeli forces also destroyed Palestinian-owned crops while conducting drills in the Jordan Valley. 5 Palestinians were arrested during raids in al-Fawar refugee camp, Salim, and Kafr Rai. In East Jerusalem, 5 Palestinians were arrested during raids in Issawiyya. Off the coast of Gaza, Israeli naval forces sprayed water from water cannons at Palestinian fishermen 3 nautical miles west of Bayt Lahiya. In Gaza, Israeli forces shelled al-Maghazi, al-Bureij, and Bayt Lahiya, injuring 1 Palestinian and damaging 1 house in al-Maghazi, after claiming 1 rocket fired from Gaza landed on an empty field in Israel. (HA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 1/19; AJ, WAFA, WAFA 1/20; PCHR 1/21)
The PA received 5,000 doses the Russian-made COVID-19 vaccine Sputnik V after Israel cleared the shipment. (AJ 1/19)
An Israeli court reversed its decision to freeze the bidding process for an Israeli settlement in East Jerusalem. The bidding process was halted on 1/15 after a petition by Palestinian residents and Ir Amim, which complained that 40% of the planned housing would be for Israeli citizens only, forbidding Palestinian residents of East Jerusalem from buying the property. (HA 1/15; HA 1/20)
At an Israeli cabinet meeting, Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu sought to legalize 3 Israeli settler outposts and establish 3 new settlements, but was stopped by Israeli defense minister Benny Gantz, who called the proposal “politically irresponsible . . . especially at such a sensitive time,” referring to either the upcoming Israeli elections of the transition of power in the U.S. (HA 1/19)
U.S. president Donald Trump pardoned the Israeli spy recruiter, Aviem Sella, who recruited Jonathan Pollard to spy on the U.S. for Israel in the 1980s. President Trump cited support for the clemency by Prime Minister Netanyahu, Israeli ambassador to the U.S. Ron Dermer, U.S. ambassador to Israel David Friedman, and Sheldon Adelson’s widow Miriam Adelson. Israel never extradited Sella to the U.S. after he was indicted in 1987. (AP, HA, JP 1/20)
At the confirmation hearing for Antony Blinken, U.S. president-elect Joe Biden’s pick for secretary of state, Blinken said he supported the normalization deals made between the U.S., Israel, and Morocco, and Sudan, Bahrain, and the UAE. Blinken also said that it is “vitally important” that the U.S. involve Israel in reentering the Iran Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action agreement, that he does not see an immediate way forward on finding a solution for the Palestinian-Israeli conflict, and that he and President-Elect Biden both oppose the BDS movement. He furthermore stated that he considers Jerusalem the capital of Israel and that the U.S. embassy to Israel would remain in Jerusalem. Blinken did not mention East Jerusalem as the capital of a future Palestinian state. (HA, MEE 1/19; HA, MEMO, REU 1/20)
In the West Bank, Israeli settlers uprooted and stole 190 olive saplings in Qusra belonging to 4 Palestinian families. Israeli settlers also threw stones at Palestinian-owned vehicles near Nablus, damaging 1. Israeli forces confiscated 1 Palestinian-owned cargo truck in Atuf. Israeli forces also delivered a demolition order for a house under construction in Khirbet Ras al-Ahmar. 5 Palestinians were arrested during raids in Hebron, Yatta, Jenin, and Atuf. In East Jerusalem, 6 Palestinians were arrested, including 5 protesting the razing of land in Silwan and 1 in Issawiyya. Off the coast of Gaza, Israeli naval forces opened fire on Palestinian fishermen within 3 nautical miles west of Bayt Lahiya; no injuries were reported. In Gaza, Israeli forces opened fire at agricultural lands east of Abasan, Dayr al-Balah, al-Bureij refugee camp, Khuza‘a, and north of al-Sifa; no injuries were reported. (WAFA, WAFA 1/10; WAFA 1/11; PCHR 1/14)
The PA said it will receive its 1st doses of COVID-19 vaccines in March from the company Astro-Zeneca. The PA foreign ministry also said in a statement that Israel is “ignoring its duties as an occupation power and committing racial discrimination against the Palestinian people, depriving them of their right to health care . . . The search by the Palestinian leadership to secure the vaccines from various sources doesn't exempt Israel from its responsibilities towards the Palestinian people in providing the vaccines.” Many human rights organizations, Amnesty International amongst them, have maintained that it is Israel’s responsibility to provide vaccines to the Palestinian people it occupies, a responsibility Israel denies, citing the Oslo Accords. Israel has been vaccinating Palestinian citizens of Israel and Palestinian residents of East Jerusalem along with Israeli settlers in the West Bank. (AI 1/6; ALM 1/8; AJ, HA, JP, REU, WAFA, WAFA 1/10; AJ 1/11)
In Lebanon, residents of Beirut complained about low-flying Israeli jets, which is said to become more frequent. On 1/8, an Israeli fighter jet flew over Lebanese air space for 6 hours. UNIFIL has said the Israeli violation of Lebanese air space is a near daily occurrence. (AA, BB, HA 1/10)
In the West Bank, the Israeli military said that 1 Palestinian tried to ram a group of soldiers at a checkpoint near Ya‘bad and that a gun fell from the car as it passed the soldiers; no injuries were reported. 1 Israeli settler struck an Israeli soldier near the Kedumim settlement. Israeli settlers also threw stones at Palestinian vehicles on the Nablus-Ramallah and Qalqilya-Nablus roads, damaging some; no injuries were reported. Israeli forces clashed with Palestinians at a checkpoint in Hebron, leading to tear-gas related injuries. 8 Palestinians were arrested, including 6 during late-night raids in and around Qaryut, al-Twana, Luban al-Sharqiyya, Ramallah, and Balata refugee camp; 2 were arrested at checkpoints near Tubas and Nablus. Off the coast of Gaza, Israeli naval forces opened fire on Palestinian fishermen within 4 nautical miles west of al-Sudaniyya; no injuries were reported. In Gaza, Israeli forces opened fire at agricultural lands east of al-Bureij refugee camp and Dayr al-Balah; no injuries were reported. (HA 1/9; JP 1/11; PCHR 1/14)
PA president Mahmoud Abbas met with the head of the Palestinian Central Election Commission Hanna Nasser to discuss dates for general Palestinian elections. President Abbas said a date would be set no later than 1/20. (WAFA 1/9)
Israeli protesters demonstrated against Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu for the 29th Saturday in a row in Jerusalem. The protesters are demanding that Prime Minister Netanyahu resigns due to his COVID-19 response, the Israeli economy, and the corruption cases against him. (AJ, WAFA 1/10)
The U.S. embassy in Rabat said the assistant secretary of state for Near Eastern affairs David Schenker had made “a historic visit” to the Moroccan-occupied Western Sahara. The U.S. recognized Moroccan sovereignty over Western Sahara in December 2020 was part of the Moroccan-Israeli normalization deal. (AJ 1/9; AP 1/10)
In the West Bank, 1 Palestinian teen was severely injured by an unexploded ordinance left behind by Israeli forces in the Masafer Yatta area near Yatta. Israeli forces violently dispersed Palestinian protesters in the Masafer Yatta area; 1 Palestinian was run over by an Israeli military vehicle and others suffered tear-gas related injuries. Israeli forces also violently dispersed Palestinian protesters during the weekly anti-settlement protest in Kafr Qaddum, injuring 2 Palestinians who were hit by tear gas canisters. Elsewhere, Israeli forces violently dispersed Palestinian protesters in Bayt Dajan and Dayr Jarir, leading to tear-gas related injuries. Israeli forces also clashed with Palestinians in Kafr Malik; 1 Palestinian was shot and injured by a rubber-coated bullet and others suffered tear-gas related injuries. Meanwhile, Israeli forces clashed with Palestinians in Bayt Umar and east of al-Bireh, leading to tear-gas related injuries. Israeli forces also confiscated a Palestinian-owned tractor in Sinjil and a tractor and bulldozer in Bayt Dajan. 5 Palestinians were arrested during raids in and around Jenin refugee camp, Halhul, and Dayr Jarir; clashes broke out during the raids in Jenin refugee camp, leading to tear-gas related injuries. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces assaulted Palestinian minors and their older relatives, claiming that the minors had thrown stones at them in the Old City. 1 Palestinian family demolished part of their house in Ras al-Amud to avoid exorbitant Israeli demolition fees. 2 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in al-Tur. In Gaza, Israeli forces opened fire at agricultural lands east of Juhur al-Dik and al-Bureij refugee camp; no injuries were reported. Israeli forces also arrested 1 Palestinian who had entered Israel through the Gaza fence. (WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 1/8; PCHR 1/14)
In the West Bank, Israeli settlers threw stones at vehicles and houses in Sarta and threw stones at Palestinian-owned vehicles traveling near Rawabi. Israeli settlers also razed Palestinian-owned agricultural land in Khirbet al-Farisiyya. Israeli forces punitively razed agricultural lands in Dayr Nidham after an Israeli settler was injured by a stone-thrower on 1/3. Israeli forces also blocked all entrances and exits to Dayr Nidham for the 2d day in a row. Elsewhere, Israeli forces shot and injured 3 Palestinians, including 2 with live ammunition and 1 with a rubber-coated bullet in ‘Aqabat Jabir during a raid; others suffered tear-gas related injuries. Israeli forces also raided a hospital in Tulkarm, firing stun grenades. Meanwhile, Israeli forces shot and injured 3 Palestinians trying to enter Israel for work by the separation barrier west of Ya‘bad. Israeli forces also demolished 1 agricultural structure in al-Khadir and demolished 1 agricultural structure, 1 water well, and 6 fences in Anabta. 9 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in and around Hebron, Surayf, Nablus, Bethlehem, and Jericho. In East Jerusalem, Israeli settlers made roadblocks and vandalized Palestinian-owned cars near the Old City. 6 Palestinians were arrested in the Old City and al-Tur. In Gaza, Israeli forces opened fire on Palestinian agricultural lands east of al-Maghazi, Bayt Hanun, and al-Bureij; no injuries were reported. Off the coast of Gaza, Israeli naval forces opened fire on Palestinian fishermen within 3 nautical miles of Bayt Lahiya; no injuries were reported. (WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 1/4; PCHR 1/7)
Iranian forces seized a South Korean tanker headed to the UAE from Saudi Arabia. An Iranian government official also said that Iran had resumed 20% uranium enrichment at the Fordow nuclear facility. (AJ, HA, HA, REU, REU, REU 1/4; HA 1/10)
Ahead of the Gulf Cooperation Council summit on 1/5, Saudi Arabia reopened its land border with Qatar, and Kuwait reopened air space and sea borders to the country. This comes after a 3.5-year dispute between Qatar and Egypt, the UAE, Bahrain, and Saudi Arabia, where the quartet of countries claimed that Qatar is sponsoring terrorism, an allegation Qatar has denied. (AJ, ALM 1/4)
In the West Bank, Israeli settlers attacked Palestinian vehicles traveling near Sinjil. Israeli forces violently dispersed a protest in Kafr Qaddum, causing tear-gas related injuries. Israeli forces also clashed with Palestinians in Jaba‘, causing tear-gas related injuries. PA forces arrested a number of attendants at a party held in the Nabi Musa mosque near Jericho; it was later revealed that the PA had approved the party as part of a promotional video intended to increase tourism. However, several attendees, including famous Palestinian DJ Sama Abdulhadi, were still detained days later. 1 Palestinian was arrested at a checkpoint near Tubas. In East Jerusalem, Israeli settlers clashed with Israeli police and attacked Palestinian passersby during a demonstration against the police because of the death of an Israeli settler during a police pursuit on 12/21; chants of “Death to Arabs” were filmed during the protest. In Gaza, 3 Palestinians, including a minor, were wounded by Israeli forces during air attacks in Gaza City and substantial damage was reported in al-Bureij refugee camp and Dayr al-Balah, including to a mosque, a children’s hospital, a sports club, and a warehouse; Israel said it had intercepted 1 missile from Gaza prior to its attack. Israeli forces also opened fire at agricultural lands east of Dayr al-Balah and al-Bureij refugee camp; no injuries were reported. In Israel, 2 Christmas trees belonging to Catholic and Orthodox churches in Sakhnin were set on fire. (AJ, GDN, HA, HA, HA, MEMO, TOI, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 12/26; PCHR, WAFA 12/27; HA 12/28; ALM 12/30; PCHR 12/31)
Israeli protesters demonstrated against Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu for the 27th Saturday in a row in Jerusalem and Tel Aviv. The protesters are demanding that Prime Minister Netanyahu resign due to his COVID-19 response, the Israeli economy, and the corruption cases against him. (HA 12/26; WAFA 12/27)
According to reports in Le Monde, UAE and Israeli officials are working to eliminate the UNRWA and have been working toward that goal since the 2 countries’ normalization agreement in August. (JP, MEE, YNET 12/27)
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 with military escort threw stones at Palestinians protesting settlement expansion west of Salfit; Israeli forces also beat several Palestinian protesters. Israeli forces delivered demolition notices for 3 Palestinian-owned homes in Ya‘bad and demolished 1 house in al-Khadir; 1 house under construction and 1 well near Halhul; and 2 shacks in Qalqilya. 13 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in and around Izzariya, Anata, Bethlehem, Ramallah, Jericho, and Jenin. In East Jerusalem, 1 Palestinian family started demolishing their own home in Jabal Mukabir to avoid paying exorbitant Israeli demolition fees; 6 people were displaced. In Gaza, Israeli forces made incursions to level agricultural lands east of al-Bureij. Israeli forces also opened fire on Palestinians near the Erez crossing; no injuries were reported. (WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 11/30; WAFA 12/1; PCHR 12/3)
PA and Israeli officials met to discuss the details of transferring the $756 million to the PA in taxes owed. (WAFA 11/30)
PA president Mahmoud Abbas met with Egyptian president Abdel Fattah al-Sisi in Cairo. According to WAFA, President al-Sisi confirmed Egypt’s support of a Palestinian state with East Jerusalem as its capital. (WAFA 11/30; WAFA 12/1)
A court in Israel rejected a lawsuit brought by 1 Palestinian-Israeli on behalf of his nephew and niece who have to travel outside the city of Carmiel to go to school as there are no Arabic-speaking schools in their city. The suit asked for the city to pay their expenses for traveling to the Arabic-speaking school, but the Israeli court dismissed the suit, citing the Jewish Nation-State Law saying the city’s Jewish character had to be preserved. The judge wrote in his ruling, “Carmiel, a Jewish city, was meant to establish Jewish settlement in the Galilee . . . Establishing an Arabic-language school . . . [and] funding school rides for Arab students . . . could change the demographic balance and damage the city’s character.” (Adalah, HA, HA 11/30)
Saudi Arabia allowed Israeli airlines to fly over their airspace for commercial flights 1 day before the 1st commercial flight between Israel and the UAE was set to happen. The flight was said to be at risk of being canceled; however, according to a U.S. official, U.S. special advisor to the president Jared Kushner and Saudi officials were able to “reconcile the issue.” Special Advisor Kushner is scheduled to visit Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, and Qatar this week. (AJ, HA 11/30; MEE 12/1)
The EU donated $11.15 million to the PA to help pay for medical transfers to East Jerusalem hospitals. (WAFA 11/30)
In the West Bank, Israeli settlers stole 20 Palestinian-owned sheep in Taybeh. Israeli forces shot and injured 3 Palestinians during clashes that unfolded as Israeli forces raided several neighborhoods in Ramallah; 1 was hit by live ammunition and 2 were hit by rubber-coated bullets. Israeli forces also violently dispersed the weekly anti-settlement protest in Kafr Qaddum, injuring 3 with rubber-coated bullets and 2 by tear-gas canisters; others suffered tear-gas related injuries. Elsewhere, Israeli forces violently dispersed a protest in Bayt Dajan, causing tear-gas related injuries. Israeli forces also started paving a settler road east of Yatta and seized 1 tractor in Tuqu‘. 6 Palestinians were arrested during raids in and around Nablus, Qalqilya, and Qaryut. In Gaza, Israeli forces opened fire on agricultural lands east of al-Bureij; no injuries were reported. (WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 11/13; PCHR 11/19)
The NYT reported that Israeli Mossad agents assassinated a senior al-Qaeda member, Abdullah Ahmed Abdullah, in Tehran on 8/7. According to the reporting, 2 Mossad agents on a motorcycle shot the al-Qaeda member while he was walking the streets of Tehran. The assassination is said to have been carried out on the behest of the U.S. Iran denied the reporting, calling it false. Al-Qaeda has not said whether Abdullah Ahmed Abdullah, who also is known as Abu Muhammad al-Masri, has been killed. (GDN, NYT, REU 11/13; AJ, AJ, HA, WP 11/14; HA, LAT 11/16)
CNN reported that top U.S. official Douglas Macgregor, during an interview in 2019, said that Mike Pompeo “has his hands out for money from the Israeli lobby, the Saudis and others” and that “[John] Bolton has become very, very rich and is in the position he’s in because of his unconditional support for the Israeli lobby.” Macgregor further stated that AIPAC has “enormous quantities of money that over many years have cultivated an enormous influence in power in Congress.” (HA 11/16)
In the West Bank, Israeli settlers stole and broke farming equipment and sprayed racist graffiti in Turmus ‘Ayya. Israeli forces raided 1 hospital in Tulkarm, firing sound bombs inside of it. Israeli forces also demolished 1 agricultural structure near Bethlehem. 10 Palestinians were arrested during raids in and around Hebron, Bethlehem, Tulkarm, Tubas, and Qalandia. In East Jerusalem, 2 Palestinians were arrested during raids in Issawiyya. In Gaza, Israeli forces fired tear gas at Palestinian bird hunters northeast of al-Bureij; no injuries were reported. (WAFA 11/9; HA 11/10; PCHR 11/12)
The UNRWA announced that it needs to raise $70 million by the end of November to be able to pay its 28,000 employees in full for November and December. (WAFA 11/8; AJ, HA, WAFA 11/9)
In the West Bank, Israeli forces shot 1 Palestinian near al-Fawar refugee camp; Israeli forces alleged that the man was wielding a knife when he was shot. Israeli forces also assaulted 1 minor near Jenin; he was taken to a hospital for treatment. 3 Palestinians were arrested trying to enter Israel near Jenin. In East Jerusalem, 6 Palestinians were arrested in al-Tur and the Old City. In Gaza, Israeli forces opened fire on Palestinian bird hunters northeast of al-Bureij; no injuries were reported. Israeli forces also opened fire on agricultural lads east of Abasan; no injuries were reported. (HA, WAFA 11/8; PCHR 11/12)
1 Palestinian sued 1 Israeli settler for vandalizing his property in a Nablus court. The suit against an Israeli settler in a Palestinian court is the 1st of its kind. (WAFA 11/8)
PA president Mahmoud Abbas congratulated president-elect Joe Biden on his victory in the 2020 U.S. presidential elections. In a statement, President Abbas said, “I look forward to working with the President-elect and his administration to strengthen the Palestinian-American relations and to achieve freedom, independence, justice and dignity for our people, as well as to work for peace, stability and security for all in our region and the world.” Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu also congratulated President-elect Biden in a tweet and immediately after, in another tweet, thanked President Donald Trump for “recognizing Jerusalem and the Golan, for standing up to Iran, for the historic peace accords and for bringing the American-Israeli alliance to unprecedented heights.” (HA, REU, Twitter, Twitter, WAFA, WAFA 11/8; HA, WAFA 11/9)
A delegation of Israeli settlers led by Yossi Dagan of the Samaria Regional Council met with Emirati businesspeople to promote their settler businesses. The settler business trip in the UAE is set to commence on 11/12. An aide to President Abbas called it “painful to witness Arab cooperation with one of the worst manifestations of aggression against the Palestinian people, which is the Israeli settlements on our land.” (AP, HA 11/11)
In the West Bank, Israeli settlers assaulted 2 elderly Palestinians south of Jenin, leading to the hospitalization of both Palestinians. Israeli settlers also threw stones at Palestinians driving near Burqa, causing damage. Elsewhere, Israeli settlers vandalized dozens of olive trees in Jalud and 25 olive trees in ‘Ayn Bus. Israeli forces demolished the Palestinian village Khirbet Humsa in the Jordan Valley, including 18 residential tents, displacing 74 people, including 41 minors. Agricultural structures and water tanks were also demolished, and 3 vehicles were seized. The village is located in what Israel deems a firing zone. Israeli forces also seized 9 tractors, 5 water tanks, 2 vehicles, and solar panels near Tubas. 12 Palestinians were arrested during raids in and around Ramallah, Tulkarm, Ya‘bad, Jenin, and Hebron. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces razed a plot of land in Bayt Hanina and demolished 1 horse shed in Jabal Mukabir. In Gaza, Israeli forces made incursions to level farmland east of al-Bureij. Off the coast of Gaza, Israeli naval forces opened fire on Palestinian fishermen within 3 nautical miles west of Bayt Lahiya; no injuries were reported. (WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 11/3; AJ, PCHR, UNOCHA, WAFA, WAFA, +972 11/4; BBC, B’Tselem, CNN, EI, GDN, PCHR, REU 11/5; HA, WAFA 11/6; WAFA, WAFA 11/7)
The foreign minister of Malawi Eisenhower Mkaka and Israeli foreign minister Gabi Ashkenazi released a joint statement saying Malawi would open an embassy to Israel in Jerusalem by the end of 2021. (HA, MEMO, REU 11/3)
In the West Bank, Israeli settlers attacked Palestinian shepherds near Yatta; cut more than 100 olive trees near Susiya; and set up a mobile home on Palestinian-owned land near Beita. Israeli forces delivered demolition notices for 2 buildings northeast of Bethlehem. Israeli forces also violently suppressed a Palestinian protest in Kafr Qaddum using rubber-coated bullets and tear gas; 1 Palestinian was injured by a rubber-coated bullet, others suffered tear-gas related injuries. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces clashed with Palestinians in Issawiyya, leading to tear-gas related injuries. Israeli forces also stormed an engagement party near the Old City, assaulting several guests and arresting 3. In Gaza, Israeli forces fired missiles at southern Gaza east of Rafah and Khan Yunis causing damage, after claiming that 1 rocket was fired toward Israel. Israeli forces also opened fire on Palestinian agricultural lands east of Khan Yunis, Bayt Hanun, and al-Bureij; no injuries were reported. Off the coast of Gaza, Israeli naval forces opened fire on Palestinian fishermen west of Bayt Lahiya. In Israel, thousands of protesters continued their calls for Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu to step down outside of his official residence. (AJ, AJ, HA, HA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 8/22; HA, HA 8/23; HA 8/24; PCHR 8/27)
PA president Mahmoud Abbas and Turkish president Recep Tayyib Erdoğan discussed UAE’s decision to normalize ties with Israel, a move which Turkey has denounced. (WAFA 8/22)
In Lebanon, 1 Israeli drone crashed. It was shot down by Hezbollah, according to the group. (HA 8/22; AJ 8/23)
In the West Bank, Israeli settlers uprooted dozens of olive saplings in Asira. Israeli forces shot and injured 2 Palestinians using live ammunition as they were trying to enter Israel using a gate in the separation wall. Israeli forces and Palestinians clashed in Hebron, leading to tear-gas related injuries. Israeli forces also violently dispersed a protest in Kafr Qaddum, injuring 2 Palestinians with rubber-coated bullets. 1 Palestinian was arrested during a late-night raid in Jenin refugee camp. In Gaza, 5 Palestinians were injured by Israeli forces using live ammunition and rubber-coated bullets by the Gaza fence as some 300 Palestinians protested. Israel and militants in Gaza exchanged rockets; 4 Palestinians were injured, including 2 minors and 2 women, in al-Bureij, and extensive damage was reported in and around Khan Yunis; 2 houses in Sderot in Israel were damaged. In Israel, protesters continued to demand Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s resignation outside of his official residence. (BBC, HA, WAFA, WAFA 8/15; AJ, HA, HA , WAFA 8/16; PCHR 8/19)
The king of Bahrain Hamad bin Isa al-Khalifa congratulated the UAE on its deal to normalize ties with Israel. White House officials said on 8/13 that Bahrain and Oman would be the next countries to normalize ties with Israel. (HA 8/15)
In the West Bank, Israeli forces demolished parts of a settlement outpost near the Yitzhar settlement. During the demolition, Israeli settlers attacked the Israeli forces, wounding 1. Israeli settlers closed a road between Nablus and Qalqilya and threw stones at Palestinian vehicles. Israeli forces razed Palestinian-owned land in Yasuf and east of Salfit. 8 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in and around Ramallah, Tulkarm, Jenin, and Bethlehem. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces razed land and 1 Palestinian family started demolishing their own home in Jabal Mukabir. 4 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in Issawiyya. In Gaza, Israel fired missiles at Gaza City, Rafah, and al-Bureij, causing damage and incendiary balloons from Gaza landing in Israel. Israeli forces also opened fire at agricultural lands east of Bayt Hanun; no injuries were reported. Israel announced that it had reduced the Gaza fishing zone to 8 nautical miles from 15 at its maximum as collective punishment for incendiary balloons landing in Israel. (AJ, HA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 8/12; HA, PCHR, PCHR 8/13; HA, HA 8/14)
Italy contributed $8.1 million for UNRWA core programming. (WAFA 8/12)
In the West Bank, 1 Palestinian woman was shot dead by Israeli forces in her house during a late-night raid in Jenin. According to her friend, she was shot while closing a window to prevent tear gas from entering the home. Elsewhere, Israeli forces violently dispersed the weekly protest in Kafr Qaddum using rubber-coated bullets and tear gas; 1 Palestinian was injured by a rubber-coated bullet, others suffered tear-gas related injuries. Israeli forces also violently dispersed a protest in Turmus ‘Ayya; 5 were injured by rubber-coated bullets, 1 by a tear gas canister to his head, and others suffered tear-gas related injuries. Israeli forces ordered a halt to the construction of 2 buildings near Bethlehem. Israeli settlers blocked 1 road south of Nablus, causing traffic jams. 4 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in and around Bethlehem, Tulkarm, and Jenin. In East Jerusalem, 1 Palestinian 4-year-old girl was killed by what appears to be a stray bullet in Silwan; it is unclear who fired the bullet. In Gaza, Israeli forces opened fire on agricultural lands east of Khan Yunis and al-Bureij; no injuries were reported. (AJ, HA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 8/7; HA, HA, WAFA 8/8; PCHR 8/9; PCHR 8/13)
Israel said it had shot down a drone flying over the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights. (REU, TOI 8/7)
The president of Lebanon Michel Aoun said that the country had not ruled out “external interference” in the explosion in Beirut that killed at least 154 on 8/4. The possibility of external interference will be part of Lebanon’s probe into the incident. (AJ, HA, REU 8/7)
In the West Bank, Israeli forces demolished 1 Palestinian-owned home in al-Khadir. Israeli forces raided Jenin, dismantling a PA COVID-19 checkpoint and injuring 1 Palestinian using live ammunition during clashes at Jenin refugee camp. Elsewhere, Israeli forces injured 1 Palestinian using live ammunition during clashes at Jalazun refugee camp. Israeli forces seized a Byzantine-era baptismal font from a church in Tuqu‘. Israeli forces also seized 700 dunams (173 acres) of Palestinian-owned land for an Israeli national park near Bethlehem. 4 Palestinians were arrested during raids in Yatta, Bethlehem, and Ramallah. In East Jerusalem, 2 Palestinians were arrested during raids in Shu‘fat ad Wadi al-Juz. Off the coast of Gaza, Israeli naval forces opened fire on Palestinian fishermen northwest of Khan Yunis; no injuries were reported. In Gaza, Israeli forces opened fire on Palestinian agricultural lands east of al-Bureij, no injuries were reported. (TOI, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 7/20; PCHR 7/23)
PA president Mahmoud Abbas met with the Egyptian foreign minister Sameh Shoukri in Ramallah. (WAFA, WAFA 7/20)
An Israeli court remanded the PA governor of Jerusalem Adnan Gheith for 7 days. Governor Gheith was arrested on 7/19; it was the 17th time he has been arrested by Israeli forces since being named governor in 2018. Gheith had previously been released after 2 days but this time his lawyer told Agency French Presse that he is being probed over “planning an act of terrorism.” (WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, YAHOO 7/20)
Syrian state media reported that Israel fired missiles from Israel-occupied Golan Heights toward Damascus, but that the missiles were intercepted. Israeli media later reported that some missiles had not been intercepted and 5 people had been killed and 11 injured in the attacks. Hezbollah later said that 1 of their members had been killed in attacks. (HA, REU 7/20; HA, HA, JP 7/21; AJ, HA 7/23)
Austria contributed with $8.8 million for UNRWA programs. Separately, the EU donated $4.6 million to UNRWA to help deal with the agency’s COVID-19 response. (WAFA, WAFA 7/20)
In West Bank, Israeli forces violently dispersed protests in Atuf, Kafr Qaddum, and Nablus, injuring 6 Palestinians with tear gas and rubber-coated bullets. Israeli forces also arrested 1 Palestinian journalist from Palestine TV at a checkpoint in Bayt Iksa near Jerusalem. 2 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in Ya‘bad. In East Jerusalem, 4 Palestinians were arrested near Damascus Gate in the Old City. In Gaza, Israeli forces opened fire on Palestinian farmlands east of Dayr al-Balah and al-Bureij; no injuries were reported. (WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 6/5; PCHR 6/11)
Israel’s minister of Jerusalem affairs and heritage Rafi Peretz said in a Facebook post that the Trump administration’s peace plan had unacceptable clauses, such as settlement freeze and the establishment of a Palestinian state. (HA 6/5)
In the West Bank, Israeli forces shot and killed 1 Palestinian as he allegedly attempted to ram his car into them south of Nabi Salih; no Israeli soldiers were injured. The family of the Palestinian man said he was picking up family members nearby and that his car slid before he was shot. Israeli forces also violently dispersed Palestinian protesters during the weekly anti-settlement protest in Kafr Qaddum using rubber-coated bullets and tear gas, injuring 5. Elsewhere, Israeli forces informed a Palestinian family that it would seize 3.5 dunams (0.86 acres) of the land near Ya‘bad to expand a nearby Israeli settlement. Israeli forces also issued a stop-work order for rehabilitation of a road east of Bethlehem. 4 Palestinians were arrested and 1 vehicle was confiscated near Sabastiyya. In East Jerusalem, 1 Palestinian family started demolishing their own home in Jabal Mukabir to avoid exorbitant Israeli demolition fees. Israeli forces arrested the former Grand Mufti of Jerusalem during a house raid in the Old City. In Gaza, Israeli forces opened fire on Palestinian shepherds east of al-Bureij and on agricultural lands east of Khuza‘a; no injuries were reported. (HA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 5/29; HA, PCHR, WAFA 5/30; PCHR 6/4)
The Lebanese government agreed to extend the UN peacekeeping mission mandate for the UN Interim Force in Lebanon on the southern border. (HA 5/29)
In the West Bank, Israeli forces prevented the Hebron Rehabilitation Committee from doing restoration work in al-Ibrahimi Mosque. Israeli forces also delivered demolition orders for 6 Palestinian-owned homes in al-Tira. Elsewhere, Israeli forces raided al-‘Arub refugee camp, firing tear gas and sound bombs at Palestinians; no injuries were reported. 7 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in and around Ya‘bad, Jalazun refugee camp, Hebron, and Qabatiya. In East Jerusalem, 1 Palestinian was arrested during a late-night raid in Issawiyya. In Gaza, Israeli forces opened fire on Palestinian shepherds east of al-Bureij; no injuries were reported. (WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 5/28; PCHR 6/4)
Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu told Israel Hayom newspaper in an interview that Palestinians living in the Jordan Valley “will remain Palestinian subjects” after Israel’s impending annexation. There are over 50,000 Palestinians living in the parts of the West Bank that Israel is planning to annex. Netanyahu also said that he does not consider what the Trump administration calls a Palestinian state an actual state as it will remain under Israeli control. (HA, Israel Hayom, TOI 5/28)
The EU missions in Jerusalem and Ramallah expressed concern over the rise in demolitions in the West Bank and East Jerusalem in 2020 compared to the number of demolitions in the same period in 2019. (WAFA 5/28)
In the West Bank, Israeli forces ordered a Palestinian family to leave their 2 mobile homes and stop further construction north of Jericho. Separately, Israeli forces seized a mobile home in Bayt Dajan. In Gaza, Israeli forces fired an artillery shell and flare bombs east of al-Bureij; no injuries were reported. In Israel, Israeli forces shot and injured a man crossing from Jordan to Israel south of the Sea of Galilee. Israeli authorities said another man managed to flee and that Israeli police found a bag containing 9 handguns, 6 rifles, and NIS 500,000 ($143,000). (HA, WAFA, WAFA 5/20; PCHR 5/21)
The Israeli Prison Service transferred 1 Palestinian hunger-striker being held in administrative detention to solitary confinement. (WAFA 5/20)
At the UN Security Council (UNSC), the UN envoy to the Middle East Nikolay Mladenov told the council that Israel annexing part of the West Bank “would constitute the most serious violation of international law . . . [and] close the door to a renewal of negotiations.” He further stated that “Israel must abandon its treat of annexation.” Mladenov also called on the Quartet to take up a more active role. EU representatives at the UNSC also called Israel’s plans a violation of international law, expressing concern. In turn, Israel’s envoy to the UN Danny Danon told the council that “[a]ny decision on the topic of sovereignty will be made solely by the Israeli government with coordination with the American administration.” Separately, the Russian foreign minister Sergey Lavrov told the new Israeli foreign minister Gabi Ashkenazi that Russia opposes Israel’s annexation plans during a call. (AJ, HA, REU 5/20)
The EU, Italy, and Finland pledge to contribute $18.6 million to the PA for payments of medical referrals to East Jerusalem hospitals. (WAFA 5/20)
In the West Bank, Israeli settlers uprooted some 40 olive trees in Yatma. 6 Palestinians were arrested, including 5 during late-night raids in and around Hebron, Yatta, and Bethlehem; 1 was arrested at a checkpoint between Nablus and Tubas. In East Jerusalem, Israel’s outgoing public security minister Gilad Erdan ordered 1 nonprofit organization helping Palestinian children from single-family homes with schoolwork to close because of alleged ties to the PA. The institution in charge of the organization, Volunteer for Hope, denies that the organization received any funds from the PA. Off the coast of Gaza, Israeli naval forces opened fire on Palestinian fishermen west of Bayt Lahiya; no injuries were reported. In Gaza, Israeli forces opened fire on agricultural lands east of al-Bureij and al-Maghazi; no injuries were reported. In the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights, Israeli forces shot and injured 1 person crossing from Lebanon. (HA, WAFA 5/17; PCHR 5/21; HA 5/22)
The new Israeli government was sworn in. The new government is headed by Benjamin Netanyahu and has 36 ministers and 16 deputy ministers from 9 different parties. Benny Gantz will be deputy prime minister and defense minister for 18 months, when the coalition deal stipulates that Gantz will become the prime minister for the 2d half of the government term. During his speech to the Knesset, Netanyahu said of annexing Israeli settlements in the West Bank, “[i]t’s time to apply the Israeli law and write another glorious chapter in the history of Zionism.” (AJ, HA, REU 5/17; NPR 5/18)
In the West Bank, during a late-night raid in Ya‘bad, 1 Israeli soldier was killed when an unknown assailant dropped a stone on his head. 1 Palestinian was shot and injured after alledgedly attempting to stab an Israeli soldier at the Qalandia checkpoint. 20 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in and around Ya‘bad, Abu Dis, Ramallah, and Hebron. Off the coast of Gaza, Israeli naval forces opened fire on Palestinian fishermen 3 nautical miles west of Bayt Lahiya; 1 Palestinian was hit by live ammunition. In Gaza, Israeli forces made incursions to level land east of al-Bureij refugee camp. (HA, HA, REU, TOI, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 5/12; PCHR 5/14)