The Palestine Chronology

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers shoot and kill a Palestinian man during a raid in Aqraba. Israeli settlers also seize 20 residential structures from Palestinians who were displaced in November 2023 in al-Ma’ajat near Jericho. Israeli forces shoot and kill a Palestinian man near Beit Fajjar, claiming he shot and injured 2 Israeli soldiers. Israeli forces arrest 4 Palestinians in and around ‘Azzun, Kafr Thulth, and Hebron. In East Jerusalem, more than 50 Israeli settlers tour the Haram al-Sharif compound. In Gaza, Israeli forces bomb Rafah, Dayr al-Balah, Khan Yunis, Gaza City, Nuseirat refugee camp, and Jabalia refugee camp, killing at least 93 people, including 30 people involved in securing the safe passage of aid to Gaza City at the Kuwait Roundabout in Gaza City, 27 people in a building in Nuseirat refugee camp, and the director of police investigations in northern Gaza Raed al-Banna. Israeli forces continue the siege of al-Shifa Hospital after raiding it on 3/18 and bombing adjacent buildings, killing at least 20 people and arresting 150 during the raid. An Israeli soldier is killed in combat. In Lebanon, Hezbollah forces fire missiles at Israeli forces in al-Tayhat Hill and al-Malikiyah, injuring 2. In Syria, Israel bombs several military sites near Damascus. (AJ, AP, HA, HA, HA, NYT, REU, REU, UNOCHA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 3/19; AJ, NYT, UNOCHA, WAFA 3/20; UNOCHA 3/22)

More than 31,819 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli forces in Gaza, including at least 13,400 children and 8,900 women, and around 73,934 have been injured since 10/7/2023. At least 7,000 people are missing in rubble, including 1,700 children. 428 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli forces and settlers in the West Bank and East Jerusalem since 10/7/2023, including 111 children. More than 4,665 people have been injured. Israel reports that 1,139 Israelis and foreign nationals have been killed and 5,400 have been injured in Israel since 10/7/2023, including Israeli soldiers. In addition, 250 Israeli soldiers have been killed and 1,482 injured in Gaza since the ground invasion began on 10/27/2023. Over 1.93 million Palestinians, nearly 85% of the population of Gaza, have been displaced since 10/7/2023. There has been a complete electricity blackout in Gaza since 10/12/2023 due to the Israeli blockade. At least 70,000 housing units have been destroyed and 290,000 have been damaged in Israeli airstrikes since 10/7/2023, constituting over 60% of all housing units. 147 trucks carrying aid enter Gaza. (UNOCHA, WAFA 3/19; UNOCHA 3/21)

Mossad director David Barnea leaves ceasefire negotiations Doha to brief the Israeli war cabinet, while the rest of the Israeli delegation remains for continued talks. Israel’s Channel 13 reports that Israeli national security and finance ministers Itamar Ben-Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich say they will resign and leave the government if Israel releases “dozens of terrorists with blood on their hands” as part of the ceasefire deal. The Qatari Foreign Ministry says there is cautious optimism regarding a ceasefire deal. Hamas political leader Ismail Haniyeh says Israel is trying to sow chaos and sabotage the ceasefire negotiations by assassinating police officers and Hamas officials. The deputy chairperson of Hamas’s political bureau Mousa Abu Marzook reportedly meets UN special coordinator for the Middle East peace process Tor Wennesland. (AJ, HA, NYT 3/19; AJ 3/20)

Newly appointed PA prime minister Mohammad Mustafa says in a mission statement that he will appoint a “non-partisan, technocratic government that can gain both the trust of our people and the support of the international community” and that will have a “zero tolerance” policy toward corruption. Mustafa also says he will create an independent agency to oversee the recovery and reconstruction of Gaza. The PA issues a statement saying Israel has quietly begun its attack on Rafah by systematically destroying the city. (AJ, AP, WAFA 3/19)

The UN high commissioner for human rights Volker Turk says Israeli restrictions on humanitarian aid for Gaza may be war crime as it could amount to a starvation tactic. (AJ, AJ, HA, NYT, WAFA 3/19)

Canadian foreign minister Melanie Joly says Canada will implement the parliamentary resolution from 3/18 and cease further arms exports to Israel. Israeli foreign minister Israel Katz says “[h]istory will judge Canada’s current action harshly.” (AJ, HA, HA, WAFA 3/19; AJ, REU, WAFA 3/20)

Reuters reports that U.S. congressional leaders and the White House have agreed to continue blocking UNRWA funding until March 2025 as part of a deal to secure a spending bill. U.S. State Department spokesperson Vedant Patel tells reporters that the U.S. has “not yet seen conclusive evidence indicating that Israel is using starvation as a weapon in the Gaza war.” (AJ, WAFA 3/19; AJ, NYT 3/20; AJ, HA 3/21)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers raided Jalud, setting fire to vehicles and throwing stones at homes. Israeli settlers also assaulted Palestinians and stole olive harvest in Khirbet Yanun. Elsewhere, Israeli settlers raided a store in al-Zawiya, vandalizing it and steal items. Israeli settlers also threatened Palestinians in the al-Ka’abneh community near Jericho with death if they did not flee their village; the settlers threw stones at Palestinians, vandalized a vehicle and stole another. Meanwhile, Israeli settlers with military escort also attacked Palestinians in Qarawat Bani Hassan, stealing cash and vandalizing property. Israeli settlers also attacked Palestinian shepherds in the Masafer Yatta area and vandalized 50 olive trees in Qusra. Israeli forces violently dispersed Palestinian protesters in Kafr Qaddum, injuring 2 with live ammunition and others with tear gas. Israeli forces also shot and injured 1 child during a riad in Sa’ir. East Jerusalem, Israeli forces sealed off the family homes in Sur Baher of 2 Palestinians who were killed after they shot and killed 3 Israelis in West Jerusalem on 11/30 in preparation for punitive demolitions. In Gaza, Israeli forces killed at least 180 Palestinians and injured more than 589 after the ceasefire expired at 7 a.m, including a family of 5 fleeing northern Gaza to the south on Salah al-Din Street and in bombardments on Rafah, al-Maghazi refugee camp. Israeli forces also bombed an ambulance outside of al-Shifa hospital, killing 2 paramedics. Elsewhere, Israeli forces attacked al-Awda Hostpial, causing damage and dropped leaflets in al-Qarara, Khuza’a, Abasan, and Bani Suheila, telling Palestinians to flee to Rafah. Rockets and mortar shells were fired at Israel, injuring 5 soldiers in Nirim. In Lebanon, Israeli forces shelled Hula, killing 2 civilians and 1 member of Hezbollah. Rockets were fired from Lebanon at Israel. In Yemen, Israeli forces reportedly attacked a missile warehouse in Saana. (AJ, AJ, AJ, AJ, AJ, AP, AP, AX, HA, NYT, REU, UNOCHA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 12/1; AJ, UNOCHA 12/2)

More than 15,180 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli forces in Gaza, including at least 6,150 children and 4,000 women, and around 37,000 have been injured since 10/7. At least 7,000 people were missing in rubble, including 1,700 children. 242 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli forces and settlers in the West Bank and East Jerusalem since 10/7, including 63 children. More than 3,200 people have been injured. Israel reported that 1,200 Israelis and foreign nationals have been killed and 5,431 have been injured since 10/7. 75 Israeli soldiers have been killed in Gaza since the ground invasion began on 10/27. Over 1.8 million Palestinians, nearly 80% of the population of Gaza, have been displaced since 10/7. There has been a complete electricity blackout in Gaza since 10/12 due to the Israel blockade. As of 11/18, at least 45,000 housing units had been destroyed and 233,000 had been damaged in Israeli airstrikes since 10/7, constituting 60% of all housing units. The Red Crescent said Israeli forces prevented aid trucks from entering Gaza via the Rafah crossing. The Palestinian Journalists Syndicate said 67 Palestinian journalists had been killed by Israel since 10/7. UNRWA reported a Hepatitis A outbreak at 1 of its shelters. (AJ, AJ, AX, HA, UNOCHA, WAFA 12/1; AJ 12/2)

Qatar, Egypt, and the U.S. said they were working on reinstating the ceasefire which expired at 7 a.m. Israel confirmed that 4 captives held by Hamas had died. The U.S. parroted Israel’s explanation for the not extending the ceasefire, saying that Hamas did not produce a list of captives for exchange. Israeli finance minister Bezalel Smotrich said he told Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to announce that Israel will not negotiate another ceasefire until all captives are released from Gaza. Hamas said it was Israel who undermined extending the ceasefire by rejecting 3 separate options presented to them by mediators, but that Israel had already decided to resume its attacks. The PA said it held the U.S. responsible for the resumption of Israeli attacks on Gaza. Israel said that Hamas still holds 137 captives, including 4 from before 10/7. During the temporary ceasefire 240 Palestinians, 107 children and 133 adults, including 65 18-year-olds and 68 women, were exchanged for 105 captives held by Hamas. 75% of the Palestinians were not convicted of a crime, most were arrested within the past year with 37 since 10/7. (AJ, AJ, AJ, AX, HA, NYT, NYT, NYT, REU, UNOCHA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 12/1; HA 12/3)

Israel published a map of Gaza dividing it into hundreds of small parcels, saying it will notify Palestinian civilians to leave the parcels when Israel intends to attack them. (AJ, UNOCHA 12/1)

Addameer said conditions in Israeli prisons had deteriorated significantly since 10/7, noting that 6 Palestinians had died and that prisoners are denied medical care, electricity, family and lawyer visits, and sufficient food and water. The UN Human Rights Office in the occupied Palestinian territories expressed concern over the “massive rise in the number of Palestinians arrested and detained, the number of reports of ill-treatment and humiliations suffered by those in custody, and the reported failure to adhere to basic due process.” (AJ, HA, REU, UNOCHA 12/1)

Israeli national security minister Itamar Ben-Gvir said Israel “must return to and crush Gaza with all our might.” (AJ 12/1)

U.S. secretary of state Antony Blinken claimed that Israel had taken steps to minimize civilian causalities by telling Palestinians in Gaza where they can go to safe zones. Blinken also spoke with Israeli strategic affairs minister Ron Dermer calling on Israel to allow the same amount of aid into Gaza as during the ceasefire period. (HA 12/1; AX 12/2)

Reuters said Israel had informed Egypt, Jordan, the UAE, and Saudi Arabia that it intends to create a buffer zone in Gaza. The 4 countries reportedly opposed Israel’s plans. Reuters also reported that the U.S. has told Israel that it will impose visa bans on violent Israeli settlers in the coming weeks.  (AJ, HA, REU 12/1; AJ, REU 12/2; HA 12/3)

1 person self-immolated outside of the Israeli consulate in Atlanta. Authorities said a Palestinian flag was recovered at the scene. The individual was said to be in critical condition. The Israeli consul general in Atlanta Anat Sultan-Dadon called the self-immolation an act of hate towards Israel. (AJ, HA, NYT 12/1; AJ 12/2)

The UN said Deputy Special Coordinator for the Middle East peace process Lynn Hastings would be replaced after Israel refused to renew her visa. UN secretary-general spokesperson Stephane Dujarric said “[w]e need to make sure that there’s agreement and everybody is ok with the people we send,” calling Israeli slander against Hastings “unacceptable.”  (AJ, HA 12/1)

Spanish prime minister Pedro Sanchez spoke with Israeli war cabinet member Benny Gantz, saying Israel had a right to defend itself but said they civilian death toll in Gaza was unbearable. (AJ 12/1)

The Wall Street Journal reported that U.S. had provided Israel with BLU-09 bunker busting bombs weighing 2,000 pounds each. The Journal said the U.S. had provided Israel with 15,000 bombs and 57,000 artillery shells since 10/7. (AJ 12/1; AJ 12/2)

The United Auto Workers union in the U.S., representing 400,000 people, called for the U.S. to pressure Israel to end its war in Gaza. (AJ, HA 12/1)

The New York Times reported that staff at the World Food Programme were angered at Executive Director Cindy McCain’s timid response to the situation in Gaza and that she had compromised the neutrality of the organization by sharing a stage on 11/18 with former Israeli prime minister Ehud Barak as a prize named after her late husband John McCain was awarded to the “People of Israel.” (NYT 12/1)

In the West Bank, a Palestinian succumbed to injuries sustained from Israeli forces in Tulkarm on 10/13. Israeli settlers vandalized 3 water wells, uprooted 70 olive tree saplings, and removed barbed wire in Susiya. Israeli forces shot and killed 2 Palestinians during raids in Aqabat Jaber refugee camp and Jenin. Israeli forces also violently dispersed Palestinians in Aqabat Jaber refugee camp and Fawwar refugee camp, injuring 4 with live ammunition. At least 70 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in and around Hebron, Tulkarm, Nablus, Ramallah, Nil’in, Qarawat Bani Hassan, Bethlehem, and Jericho. In Gaza, Israeli airstrikes killed more than 100 Palestinians and caused extensive damage. Israeli forces also attacked the Rafah crossing for the fourth time since 10/7. Rockets were fired at Israel, causing damage and injuries. In Lebanon, Israel said it attacked Hezbollah targets. (AP 10/7; AJ, HA 10/15; AJ, HA, REU, UNOCHA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 10/16; AJ, HA 10/17)

The Gaza Ministry of Health said at least 2,808 Palestinians have been killed and 10,850 have been injured in Israeli airstrikes on Gaza since 10/7, including 47 entire families consisting of 500 people. In addition, Israeli media reported that 1,500 Palestinian militants have been killed near Gaza. 58 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli forces and settlers in the West Bank and East Jerusalem since 10/7, including 12 children. More than 1,176 have been injured, including at least 300 with live ammunition. Israeli officials recorded no new fatalities, leaving the Israeli death toll at around 1,300 Israelis and foreign nationals; 4,121 have been injured since 10/7. The UN reported that over 1 million Palestinians have been displaced since 10/7 and that since 11 p.m. on 10/12 there has been a complete electricity blackout due to the Israeli blockade. At least 11,887 housing units have been destroyed in Israeli airstrikes since 10/7. The Palestinian civil defense team said that more than 1,000 Palestinians were under the rubble of buildings in Gaza. 7 members of the civil defense team were killed in Israeli airstrikes on the Palestinian civil defense headquarters in at-Tuffah, bringing the number of humanitarian staff killed since 10/7 to 31. The Palestinian Journalists Syndicate said 11 Palestinian journalists have been killed in Israeli airstrikes since 10/7. (AJ, HA 10/15; AJ, HA, REU, REU, REU, UNOCHA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 10/16; AJ 10/17)

UNRWA said in a tweet that people claiming to be from the Gaza Ministry of Health seized fuel and medical equipment from its compound in Gaza City, before later deleting the tweet. An UNRWA statement later said that there had been no looting of UNRWA warehouses. (HA, HA 10/16; HA 10/17)

Palestinian prisoner Kayed al-Fafsous suspended his 75-day hunger strike after his family urged him to end it, fearing that Israel will let him die as part of its campaign against Palestinians related to the war with Hamas. Al-Fafsous was protesting being held in administrative detention. (WAFA 10/16)

Hamas released a video of one of its captives, a 21-year-old dual French Israeli citizen, who said in the video, “I'm in Gaza. I came back early on Saturday morning from a party in the Sderot area. I was seriously injured in the arm. They brought me to Gaza, and they took me to the hospital here for three hours. They've been taking care of me, providing medication. I'm just asking that you bring me back home as soon as possible to my family, my parents, my siblings. Please get me out of here as quickly as possible.” Hamas military spokesperson Abu Obeida said Hamas is holding around 200-250 people captive and that they are being treated with dignity and respect. He added that 22 captives have been killed in Israeli airstrikes since 10/7 and that non-Israeli captives will be released when “circumstances allow.” (AJ 10/15; AJ, HA, HA, NYT, REU 10/16; HA, REU, REU 10/17)

Hamas political leader Ismail Haniyeh spoke with Turkish foreign minister Hakan Fidan about the release of Hamas-held captives and with Malaysian prime minister Anwar Ibrahim. (AJ 10/15; AJ, HA, REU, REU 10/16)

PLO secretary-general Hussein al-Sheikh met with UN special coordinator for the Middle East peace process Tor Wennesland in Ramallah, discussing the need for an immediate ceasefire and humanitarian aid to enter Gaza. PA president Mahmoud Abbas spoke with UK prime minister Rishi Sunak and Russian president Vladimir Putin. (WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 10/16)

Israeli military spokesperson Daniel Hagari said 199 people have been taking captive by Hamas in Gaza. The Israeli prime minister’s office denied reports that there will be a ceasefire to allow foreigners to leave Gaza. (AJ 10/15; AJ 10/16)

Israel said it allowed some aid to enter Gaza via the Rafah crossing but did not allow fuel to enter. Egypt said humanitarian aid for Gaza is stuck in Egypt as Israel is not cooperating in allowing the aid to enter Gaza. The EU said it would launch a humanitarian air bridge to Egypt with aid to Gaza and the UN began shipping aid to Egypt in anticipation of being able to enter Gaza. (AJ 10/15; AJ, AP, HA, HA, NYT, REU, REU, REU 10/16; WAFA 10/17)

Hezbollah said it started destroying Israeli surveillance cameras near the Blue Line. (AP 10/16)

The Israeli military said it will evacuate Israeli residents from 28 communities within 1.2 miles of the Blue Line. (HA, REU, REU 10/16; HA, HA 10/17)

The Knesset National Security Committee approved new regulations making it easier for Israelis to obtain a gun license. 41,000 Israelis have applied for a license since 10/7. (HA 10/16; WAFA 10/17; HA 10/24)

The U.S. said 30 U.S. citizens were killed since 10/7 and 13 are unaccounted for. (HA 10/15; HA 10/16)

Iranian foreign minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian told Iranian state TV that a “preemptive strike” against Israel could be expected as Israel continues to attack Gaza. Amir-Abdollahian suggested the strike would be carried out by Hezbollah and would be related to a potential Israeli ground invasion of Gaza. Iranian foreign ministry spokesperson Nasser Kanaani said that Iran considers the U.S. militarily involved in the conflict. (AJ 10/15; AJ, AJ, HA, NYT, REU, REU 10/16; AJ 10/17)

Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu told President Putin that Israel would not end its attacks on Gaza until Israel had eliminated Hamas’ military and governmental capabilities. Netanyahu also spoke with UAE president Mohammed bin Zayed. (AJ 10/15; HA, REU 10/16; HA, REU 10/17)

U.S. secretary of state Antony Blinken visited Israel again after touring the Middle East over the weekend, meeting with Prime Minister Netanyahu, the Israeli war cabinet, and President Isaac Herzog. Blinken said Israel had agreed to develop a plan to get humanitarian aid to Gaza without it benefiting Hamas. Blinken also spoke with Foreign Minister Fidan, who condemned Israel’s “inhumane” actions in Gaza. President Joe Biden spoke with German chancellor Olaf Scholz and Egyptian president Abdel-Fattah el-Sisi. The Wall Street Journal reported that the U.S. has prepared around 2,000 soldiers for potential deployment to Israel to serve as advisors and for medical support. (AJ 10/15; AJ, HA, NYT, REU, REU 10/16; AP, HA, REU 10/17; HA 10/18)

The UN Security Council rejected a Russian resolution calling for a humanitarian ceasefire and condemning violence and terrorism against civilians. 5 countries voted for the resolution (China, Russia the UAE, Gabon, and Mozambique), 4 voted against (the U.S., the UK, France, and Japan), while 6 abstained. The U.S. criticized the resolution for not condemning Hamas. (AJ, HA, REU 10/16; AP, WAFA 10/17)

U.S. senators Brian Schatz (D-HI), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), and Peter Welch (D-VT) called on Israel to protect civilians in Gaza. 14 U.S. senators, 8 Democrats, 5 Republican, and 1 independent, called on President Biden to freeze $6 billion in Iranian assets held in Qatar that the U.S. exchanged for the release of people held in Iran last month. 13 members of the House co-sponsored a resolution urging Biden to call for an immediate ceasefire. The resolution spearheaded was by Cori Bush (D-MO), Rashida Tlaib (D-MI), Summer Lee (D-PA), Delia Ramirez (D-IL), and Andre Carson (D-IN). (AJ 10/15; AJ, AJ, HA 10/16)

Pakistani foreign minister Jalil Abbas Jilani called Israel’s attacks on Gaza genocide. Canadian prime minister Justin Trudeau called for the opening of a humanitarian corridor in Gaza to allow delivery of food, fuel, and water. Scottish first minister Humza Yousaf said that he fears that his in-laws, who are visiting Gaza, could die any day as they are running out of water and food. Prime Minister Sunak characterized the Hamas operation on 10/7 as a “pogrom” while addressing the House of Commons and said, “Israel must defend itself in line with international humanitarian law.” Sunak said 6 UK citizens have been killed and 10 are missing. Furthermore, Sunak said the UK would increase its aid to Palestinians by $12.12 million. Sunak also spoke to Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, who warned him about making “provocative steps” and reminded him of the “unkept promises [made] to Palestine.” (AJ 10/15; HA, HA, REU, REU, REU, REU 10/16; HA 10/17)

U.S. police arrested 50 demonstrators outside the White House who were calling for a ceasefire. The demonstration was arranged by Jewish American groups, including IfNotNow. (AJ 10/15; HA 10/16)

The BBC apologized for describing thousands of protesters in London on 10/14 as backing Hamas, calling the reporting misleading. (AJ 10/15)

The New York Times reported that Meta, the parent company of Instagram and Facebook, was accused of suppressing pro-Palestinian content on its platforms. (NYT 10/16)

The UN Independent International Commission of Inquiry on the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem, and Israel, concluded that “Israeli forces used lethal forces without justification under international human rights law,” when soldiers killed Al Jazeera journalist Shireen Abu Akleh in Jenin in 5/11/2022. (AJ 10/15; AJ 10/16)

Republican presidential candidate and former U.S. president Donald Trump said he would expel immigrants who are anti-Zionists, support Hamas, or are Communist, Marxist, or Fascist. (HA, REU 10/16)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers vandalized electricity poles between Qusra and Jalud. Israeli forces demolished 1 house under construction and 1 shack in an-Nuway’imah near Jericho. In East Jerusalem, Israeli settlers toured the Haram al-Sharif compound. In Gaza, Israeli forces violently dispersed Palestinians protesting near the Gaza fence east of Gaza City, injuring 11 with live ammunition, 1 minor with a tear-gas canister, and others with tear gas. Israeli forces also conducted airstrikes by drones and helicopters, striking 3 sites near the Rafah and Karni crossings and causing damage. (AP, HA, TOI, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 9/26; PCHR 9/27)

PA president Mahmoud Abbas met with Saudi non-resident ambassador to Palestine and consul general in Jerusalem Nayef al-Sudairi, receiving his credentials. Ambassador al-Sudairi also met with PA foreign minister Riyad al-Maliki, saying at a press conference that “the Arab Peace Initiative is the main point in any upcoming agreement” to normalize relations with Israel. Al-Sudairi also said Saudi Arabia “is working to establish a Palestinian State with East Jerusalem as its capital.” (AJ, AJ, AP, HA, HA, MEE, QDS, TOI, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 9/26; GDN, HA, NYT 9/27)

UN envoy for the Middle East peace process Tor Wennesland met with Hamas officials in Gaza. (HA, HA 9/28)

Palestinian Americans and Arab American civil rights organizations filed a lawsuit against the U.S. government, stating that the government is endorsing discrimination against Palestinian Americans by admitting Israel into its Visa Waiver Program. American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee national executive director Abed Ayoub said the organization will hold the government “accountable for any actions that create separate classes of U.S. citizens.” The other plaintiffs were 3 Palestinian Americans and the organization Democracy for the Arab World Now. The plaintiffs argued that the U.S.-Israeli memorandum, which was kept secret, for the creation of the trial period “differentiate treatment to U.S. citizens who are ‘residents’ of the occupied West Bank, no including East Jerusalem; U.S. citizens who are residents of the occupied Gaza Strip; U.S. citizens who are registered on the [Palestinian Population Registry] but not residents in either the West Bank or Gaza Strip; and U.S. citizens who are not of Palestinian nationality.” Israeli foreign minister Eli Cohen announced that Israel had been admitted to the program on 9/25 2 days before the U.S. made an official announcement on 9/27. (AJ, REU 9/25; HA, MDW 9/26; HA, MDW 9/27)

The Israeli Justice Ministry’s police misconduct unit indicted an Israeli soldier for shooting a 16-year-old Palestinian girl in the back with a baton round while she was in her yard in Sheikh Jarrah in 2021. The unnamed soldier was charged with shooting with a firearm, severe injury under aggravated circumstances, and common assault. (HA 9/26)

Israeli tourism minister Haim Katz visited Saudi Arabia in the first public visit to the country by an Israeli minister. Katz was attending a conference of the UN World Tourism Organization. Israeli communications minister Shlomo Karhi and MK David Bitan are scheduled to visit Saudi Arabia on 10/2 for a Universal Postal Union conference in Riyadh. (AJ, ALM, HA, MEE 9/26; NYT 9/27; ALM 10/2)

Japan contributed $20 million to a project improving drinking water in Jenin. (WAFA 9/26)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers uprooted and stole some 750 olive tree saplings near Burqa. Israeli forces shot and injured 1 Palestinian near Bethlehem. Israeli forces also shot and injured 2 Palestinians during a raid in Jericho. Elsewhere, Israeli forces punitively demolished the family home of 1 alleged attacker in Hijja. Israeli forces also punitively demolished the family home of 1 alleged attacker in Haris, using explosives. Meanwhile, Israeli forces issued stop-work orders for 11 houses in Jiftlik. 15 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in Ramallah, Hebron, and Tulkarm. In East Jerusalem, Israeli settlers toured the Haram al-Sharif compound. Israeli authorities demolished an apartment building containing 16 Palestinian-owned apartments in ‘Anata. (AN, TOI, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 5/3; PCHR 5/4; UNOCHA 5/19)

The PA said that it and Palestinian organizations had been subject to cyber attacks the past 3 days. (WAFA 5/3)

Israeli national security minister Itamar Ben-Gvir publicly complained that the Israeli response to the rockets fired at Israel after the death of Khader Adnan on 5/2 was too “lenient.” Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu subsequently issued a statement saying that Ben-Gvir can leave the government if he does not accept the decisions made. In protest Ben-Gvir’s party held a meeting in Sderot near the Gaza fence instead of attending proceedings in the Knesset. (HA 5/3; HA, HA 5/4)

U.S. State Department spokesperson Vedant Patel told reporters that the U.S. has been seeking accountability for the Israeli killing of Al Jazeera journalist Shireen Abu Akleh by asking Israel to review its rules of engagement. Patel also called the Israeli killing of Abu Akleh “unintentional” despite several investigations having found it intentional. (AJ 5/3)

The Office of the UN Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process (UNSCO) released a report saying that a strategic shift by the parties and the international community is necessary to reverse the negative trajectory of the PA. UNSCO proposed that a policy change that would include “addressing the continuing drivers of conflict and instability;” “strengthening Palestinian institutions and addressing the challenge of Palestinian governance;” “improving access, movement, and trade and thereby creating space for the Palestinian economy to grow;” and “better aligning the framework of economic and administrative relationships with the economic transformations of the past decades.” (WAFA 5/2; UNSCO 5/3)

In Gaza, Egyptian authorities close the Rafah border crossing after keeping it open since 6/13. IDF troops on the border e. of Khan Yunis open fire on 3 Palestinians nr. the border fence, injuring 1. In the West Bank, a Palestinian man shoots and wounds 2 Israelis from Lydda who are traveling nr. an Israeli settlement outside Ramallah; 1 of the Israelis succumbs to his injuries later in the day. (The IDF will arrest 5 Palestinians allegedly responsible for the shooting attack on 7/15, including 3 mbrs. of Fatah’s military wing.) Later, the IDF conducts a violent raid in a village nr. Ramallah, destroying personal property, detaining several Palestinians, and confiscating recording equipment. IDF troops violently disperse Palestinian, Israeli, and international protesters at weekly demonstrations against the Israeli occupation in 3 villages nr. Ramallah (Bil‘in, Ni‘lin, and Nabi Salih) and Kafr Qaddum nr. Qalqilya; 3 Palestinians are injured. The IDF patrols in 1 village nr. Jenin and 2 each nr. Ramallah and Jericho. Israeli settlers throw stones at Palestinian-owned vehicles nr. the Beit El settlement, breaking 1 windshield. (HA, JP, MNA, NYT 6/19; MNA, NYT 6/20; PCHR 6/25; NYT 7/15)

Cypriot pres. Anastasiades calls PA pres. Abbas to discuss the possibility of Abbas addressing an upcoming EU meeting in Brussels in an effort to restart the peace negotiations with Israel. Anastasiades discussed a similar possibility with Israeli PM Netanyahu on 6/15. (HA 6/29)

In the Gaza Strip, Israeli forces launch air strikes on 3 targets, causing no damage or casualties. Separately, Israeli forces open fire on 1 Palestinian collecting metal close to the border fence nr. Bayt Hanun, wounding him in the leg. Separately, during a protest, Israeli forces wound another Palestinian civilian close to the border fence with live ammunition. In the West Bank, the IDF conducts house searches and arrest raids in Hebron at night; patrols in 2 villages nr. Ramallah and 1 village nr. Jenin in the morning, in 2 villages nr. Jenin and 1 village nr. Hebron in the afternoon, and in 2 villages nr. Hebron and 1 village nr. Jericho at night. IDF troops violently disperse Palestinian, Israeli, and international protesters at weekly demonstrations against Israel’s separation wall, settlements, and occupation in 2 villages nr. Ramallah (Bil‘in and Ni‘lin), 1 village nr. Bethlehem (al-Ma‘sara), and 1 village nr. Qalqilya (Kafr Qaddum). There are no serious injuries. In East Jerusalem, a Palestinian woman attempts, and fails, to stab a border police officer nr. Nablus Gate. (JP, MNA, YA 1/3; PCHR 1/9)

U.S. Secy. of State Kerry meets with Israeli FM Lieberman in the morning, before meeting Netanyahu again, and then heads to Ramallah for talks with PA Pres. Abbas. Israeli media reports that in discussion with Kerry, Lieberman states his opposition to the return of Palestinian refugees to the West Bank. In Ramallah, meanwhile, Kerry’s visit is met with a demonstration by hundreds of Palestinians protesting against the U.S. official and the peace process. (AFP, JP, ToI 1/3)

In Egypt, clashes between supporters of ousted pres. Morsi and security forces leave 17 people dead, and 62 wounded, with 17 mbrs. of the security forces also injured. An anonymous govt. official says that 258 protesters were arrested. The violence took place in a number of cities, including Cairo, Giza, Ismailia, Fayoum, and Alexandria. (AP, REU 1/3)

In the Gaza Strip, Israeli forces open fire on Palestinian farmers close to the border fence nr. Khan Yunis, wounding 1. The army says it targeted the group because it was laying an explosive device. In the West Bank, the IDF conducts house searches and arrest raids in Hebron and 2 nearby villages at night; patrols in 1 village nr. Hebron in the afternoon, and in 2 villages nr. Ramallah, in Nablus and Balata r.c., and 1 village each nr. Jenin and Jericho at night. (MNA 12/20; PCHR 12/26)

PA Pres. Abbas holds talks in Egypt with foreign ministers from Arab League mbr. states about the current state of the peace process. He also meets with Egyptian interim pres. Mansour to discuss regional developments and the national reconciliation effort with Hamas. (MNA 12/21)

Iran’s Dep. FM Abbas Araghchi says that talks in Geneva with reps. of the P5+1 are continuing for a 4th day and making slow progress. According to Araghchi, the issue of uranium enrichment is still a point of contention. (AP, JP 12/21)

The Fatah Central Committee accepts the Arab League’s latest proposal (4/29) authorizing land swaps with Israel and welcomes U.S. efforts to revive the peace process. Meanwhile, Israeli opposition leader Shelly Yachimovich (Labor) meets with PA Pres. Mahmud Abbas in Ramallah and expresses her support for a two-state solution. (JP, HA 5/12)

In the West Bank, the IDF patrols in 1 village each nr. Hebron and Jenin in the morning, 1 village nr. Jenin in the afternoon, and 1 village each nr. Jenin and Jericho at night. IDF soldiers conduct house searches and arrest raids in 1 village nr. Jenin in the afternoon, and in 3 villages nr. Hebron, 1 village nr. Jenin, and in Qalqilya. (PCHR 5/16)

Israeli newspaper Ha’Aretz speculates that Israel has opened a new diplomatic mission in the Gulf, based on its examination of Finance Ministry budget allocations for 2014. (HA 5/12)

The Yarmouk Martyrs’ Brigade releases the 4 Filipino UN peacekeepers it captured last week (5/7) on the Syria side of the Golan Heights demarcation line. (REU 5/12)

Israel’s Justice Minister Tzipi Livni meets with U.S. Secy. of State John Kerry in Rome, following a meeting last week in Washington that discussed the possibility of reviving Israeli-Palestinian peace talks. U.S. Pres. Barack Obama speaks with PM Benjamin Netanyahu by phone to discuss the peace process. Meanwhile, Israeli authorities approve construction of 296 new settlement housing units in Beit El settlement nr. Ramallah. (JP 5/8; JP, MNA 5/9)

In Jerusalem, Jewish settlers accompanied by Israeli security forces enter the al-Aqsa Mosque compound for the second consecutive day, preventing Muslim worshippers from freely accessing the site. Meanwhile, Israeli police detain Jerusalem Mufti Mohammed Hussein for a few hours over his role in clashes the previous day.

In the West Bank, IDF forces demolish 3 Palestinian homes in al-Auja village nr. Jericho. IDF undercover units conduct a raid nr. Jenin, arresting PA Preventive Security officer Mohammed Ahmed Zakarna, who received an amnesty a few years ago for his participation in the al-Aqsa Martyrs’ Brigades. The IDF patrols in 1 village nr. Hebron in the morning, and in 1 village nr. Tulkarm at night. IDF troops conducts house searches and arrest raids in Hebron and 1 village nr. Hebron in the afternoon, and in 1 village nr. Hebron, 1 village nr. Jenin and in Tulkarm at night. IDF forces make 2 brief incursions into Gaza to level land and clear lines of sight along the border nr. Jabaliya and Bayt Hanun. (AFP, MNA 5/8; PCHR 5/9)

Israeli human rights organization B’Tselem publishes a report that says Israel killed 87 Palestinian civilians in Operation Pillar of Defense in 11/2012, 80% of whom died in the second half of the operation. (JP 5/9)

Egyptian theologian and prominent Islamist cleric Yusuf al-Qaradawi enters the Gaza Strip on a high-profile official visit to the Hamas government, welcomed and hosted by PM Ismail Haniyeh (AFP 5/8)

Jordan’s parliament votes in favor of petitioning the government to expel Israeli amb. Daniel Nevo and recalling Jordan’s amb. to Israel to protest recent unrest involving Jewish settlers entering the al-Aqsa Mosque compound (see 5/7) Ultimately, Jordan’s Interior Min. Hussein al-Majali only summons Nevo to convey an official protest. (AFP 5/8)

Professor Stephen Hawking of Cambridge University pulls out of a conference in Israel in 6/2013 hosted by Pres. Shimon Peres, citing the Palestinian boycott call. Israeli FM spokesman Yigal Palmor says that ‘‘never has a scientist of this stature boycotted Israel.’’ (NYT 5/8)

The UN relocates peacekeepers from an observation post in the al-Jamla area of the Golan Heights cease-fire zone, following the most recent abduction of Filipino troops on 5/7. (AFP 5/8)

Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu says that Israel will only accept a peace agreement with the Palestinians ‘‘that will prevent Israel from becoming a binational state, but will provide stability and security.’’ Meanwhile, Palestinian FM Riyad al-Maliki confirms that the PA has promised the U.S. that it will freeze efforts to join United Nations agencies or turn to the International Criminal Court as a ‘‘gesture’’ for the peace process. (HA, JP 5/1)

The IDF makes a brief incursion into southern Gaza to level land and clear lines of site along the border fence nr. Khan Yunis. Israeli naval vessels twice open fire on Palestinian fishermen off the Gaza coast, once nr. Rafah and once nr. Dayr al-Balah, causing no damage or injuries. In the West Bank, the IDF patrols in Hebron in the morning, and in 1 village nr. Hebron in the afternoon. At night, IDF troops conduct house searches and arrest raids in 3 villages nr. Hebron, 1 village nr. Jericho, and 1 village nr. Salfit. (MNA 5/1; PCHR 5/2)

Hamas reports that PA security forces have arrested 5 Hamas members in Hebron, Ramallah and Qalqilya. (MNA 5/1)

Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu meets with Yesh Atid leader Yair Lapid to have the 1st discussions about forming a coalition. Lapid reportedly sets 2 conditions for joining a governing coalition: (1) a universal draft bill (see Quarterly Update in JPS 165) and (2) the resumption of peace talks with the Palestinians. Meanwhile, Yisrael Beiteinu leader Avigdor Lieberman says that domestic issues will be the priority of the next government. (HA, YA, JP 1/24)

Secy.-gen. of the PLO Executive Comm. Yasir ‘Abid Rabbuh says that Pres. Abbas wants to meet and talk with centrist mbrs. of the new Knesset in coming weeks, including newcomers such as Yair Lapid. (YA 1/24)

Nominated U.S. secy. of state John Kerry tells his Senate confirmation hearing that he intends to invest effort in the Israeli-Palestinian peace process and hopes that the Israeli election can help restart talks. (JP 1/24)

Israeli naval vessels open fire on Palestinian fishermen off the Gaza coast nr. al-Waha, causing no injuries. In the West Bank, the IDF demolishes 4 homes in 2 communities in the n. Jordan Valley; conducts house searches and arrest raids in 1 village nr. Salfit at night. The IDF also patrols in 3 villages nr. Jenin, 2 each nr. Jericho and Ramallah, and 1 nr. Tulkarm in the morning; in Tulkarm and 1 village nr. Qalqilya in the afternoon; and in ‘Ayn al-Sultan r.c. nr. Jericho, 2 villages each nr. Jenin and Qalqilya, and 1 village each nr. Jericho and Ramallah at night. (MNA 1/24; PCHR 1/31)

The International Federation of Journalists condemns a week of arrests of journalists by Hamas security forces in the Gaza Strip, and calls for the release of 6 detained media workers. (MNA 1/24)

Israeli security agency Shin Bet announces that for the 1st year since 1973, there were no Israeli casualties from a Palestinian attack in the West Bank. The report covering 2012 says that there was an uptick in so-called popular terror in the West Bank, referring to stone-throwing and Molotov cocktails. The report notes that 10 Israelis were killed in security-related incidents during 2012, and that more than 2,500 rockets and mortar shells were fired from the Gaza Strip into Israel. However, Shin Bet reports that since Operation Pillar of Defense in November 2012, no rockets have been fired. The report also records that 8 rockets were fired at Israel from Egypt’s Sinai Peninsula, and that there were 11 attempts to fire anti-aircraft weaponry at IDF planes, up from just 1 effort in 2011. (HA 1/24)

A number of Fatah leaders who fled the Gaza Strip during the Fatah-Hamas fighting in 2007 return to the territory, including former PA preventive security service head in Khan Yunis, Nasser al-Saqq. (MNA 1/24)

UN special rapporteur on human rights and counterterrorism Ben Emmerson announces that the UN is launching an inquiry into the impact on civilians of drone strikes that will focus on 5 locations, including the Palestinian territories. The other 4 are Afghanistan, Pakistan, Somalia, and Yemen. (BBC 1/24)

Gaza’s power plant begins operating on 4 turbines for the first time since 2006, after Israel (in a gesture to mark Ramadan) allowed the UN Development Program to import new transformers to replace those destroyed by an Israeli air strike in 2006. The improved capacity of the plant and additional Israeli fuel imports to mark Ramadan reduce rolling blackouts across Gaza to 8–10 hrs./day (down from around 12 hrs./day in recent months). The IDF patrols in 2 villages nr. Jericho and Ramallah in the morning; conducts synchronized patrols in 4 villages nr. Jenin at midday; patrols in alNabi Salih in the afternoon, firing rubbercoated steel bullets, tear gas, and stun grenades at stone-throwing Palestinian youths who confront them (causing no serious injuries); and conducts synchronized patrols in 2 villages nr. Jericho in the evening. (PCHR 8/2; OCHA 8/3)

PA Fin. Min. Nabil Kassis says the government is finding it harder each month to meet its routine budget expenses because donors, including the U.S. and Arab states, have failed to fulfill their 2012 pledges. The PA had hoped to close a $1.1 b. gap in its $4 b. budget, but is expected to fall short by $250,000, despite increasing taxes and making cuts to subsidies. (WT 7/27)

Republican candidate Mitt Romney begins a 6-day international tour of Britain, Israel, and Poland to point up his foreign policy skills. The theme of the trip is ‘‘the importance of locking arms with the nation’s allies.’’ Aides say that on the Middle East, Romney intends to highlight differences with Obama over plans for the peace process, support for Israel, Iran’s nuclear program, and the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan. (WT 7/26; see QU in JPS 165 for details.)

The International Israel Allies Caucus Foundation (formed by Israeli Knesset mbrs. and mbrs. of the U.S. House of Representatives in 2008) sponsors 2 panels on Capitol Hill to mark nearly 20 yrs. since the signing of the 9/2003 Oslo Accord and to discuss how to move the peace process forward. Speakers include former State Dept. adviser to the negotiations Aaron David Miller, Likud MK and avid settlement supporter Danny Danon (who supports annexation of the West Bank except for the Palestinian population, which would be left to fend for itself), right-wing settler leader and former MK Rabbi Benny Elon (who supports annexation of the West Bank and creation of a Palestinian state in Jordan), and Israeli negotiator to the Oslo talks Yossi Beilin (who says: ‘‘My interest is not necessarily a Palestinian state. All I want is a Jewish majority forever.’’), and Jerusalem Post dep. managing editor Caroline Glick (who says Oslo was destined to fail because Palestinian leaders ‘‘raised a generation of kids who value death’’). The only representative of the Palestinian viewpoint, American Task Force on Palestine (ATFP) dir. Ghaith al-Omari, praises Oslo for establishing a sense of ‘‘mutual respect’’ necessary for moving talks forward and calls for a quick resumption of negotiations. Elon responds that there will be no progress until the Palestinians understand that the Jewish people ‘‘are back in Zion, back in Jerusalem.’’ (WJW 7/26)