The Palestine Chronology

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers set fire to a Palestinian-owned vehicle in al-Zawiya. An Israeli settler also rams a flock of sheep with his car in Kisan, killing 1 and injuring others. Israeli forces shoot and injure a Palestinian with live ammunition during a raid in Qusra. Israeli forces also open fire at a Palestinian vehicle traveling in Hebron before arresting the driver. Meanwhile, Israeli forces arrest 25 Palestinians during late-night raids in and around Baqa al-Hatab, Jenin, Hebron, Tubas, and Tulkarm. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces prevent the movement of Palestinian worshippers to the Haram al-Sharif compound, limiting the entry to 13,000 worshippers for Friday prayers. In Gaza, Israeli forces bomb Rafah, Khan Yunis, Gaza City, al-Bureij refugee camp, and Beit Lahiya, killing at least 112 people. Israeli forces shoot and kill 4 Palestinians at al-Amal Hospital, including the Palestine Red Crescent Society’s director of the youth and volunteers department Hedaya Hamad. In Lebanon, Israeli forces bomb Tayr Harfa, Wadi Hassan, Majdal Zoun, Marwahin, Zibqin, and Jabal Balat. In Syria, Israeli forces bomb Damascus, killing an Iranian national and causing damage. In Yemen, Houthi militants fire a ballistic missile at Eilat, which Israel says is intercepted over the Red Sea. (AJ, AP, HA, REU, REU, REU, UNOCHA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 2/2; WAFA 2/3)

More than 27,131 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli forces in Gaza, including at least 11,500 children and 7,200 women, and around 66,287 have been injured since 10/7. At least 8,000 people are missing in rubble, including 1,700 children. 374 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli forces and settlers in the West Bank and East Jerusalem since 10/7, including 94 children. More than 4,391 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, including Israeli soldiers. In addition, 222 Israeli soldiers have been killed and 1,296 injured in Gaza since the ground invasion began on 10/27. Over 1.93 million Palestinians, nearly 85% of the population of Gaza, have been displaced since 10/7. There has been a complete electricity blackout in Gaza since 10/12 due to the Israeli blockade. At least 70,000 housing units have been destroyed and 290,000 have been damaged in Israeli airstrikes since 10/7, constituting over 60% of all housing units. UNICEF says it estimates that 17,000 Palestinian children in Gaza have been left separated from their families during the Israeli assault on Gaza and that nearly all children in Gaza require mental health support. (AJ, AJ, AP, HA, REU, UNOCHA, WAFA, WAFA 2/2; HA 2/4)

Hamas official Osama Hamdan says the ceasefire proposal by Israel, Egypt, Qatar, and the U.S. is not acceptable, saying a permanent ceasefire is needed. Hamdan also says Hamas demands the release of Marwan Barghouthi and Ahmad Saadat in a prisoner swap as part of the deal. Islamic Jihad leader Ziad al-Nakhala speaks to Hamas political leader Ismail Haniyeh, discussing the ceasefire proposal. (AJ, AP, AP, HA, HA 2/2; AJ 2/3)

Al-Haq, Al Mezan, and the Palestinian Centre for Human Rights condemn the decision by the U.S., Germany, the UK, Canada, Australia, Italy, the Netherlands, Sweden, Finland, Estonia, Iceland, Japan, Austria, Latvia, Lithuania, and Romania to suspend funding for UNRWA, calling their decisions collective punishment of Palestinian refugees. (WAFA 2/2)

The Israeli security cabinet convenes for a briefing on the ceasefire proposal. Sources say that the proposal includes a 142-day ceasefire where 1 Israeli captive would be released every day. Many in the security cabinet reportedly oppose the plan. (HA 2/2)

Israeli defense minister Yoav Gallant says Israel will not stop attacking Lebanon if a ceasefire deal is reached in Gaza. MK and former defense minister Avigdor Liberman tells the Jerusalem Post that Egypt should control Gaza, Jordan should control Area A and parts of Area B of the West Bank, while Israel annexes Area C and parts of Area B. (AJ, HA 2/2)

U.S. ambassador to the UN Linda Thomas-Greenfield says an Algerian-circulated draft resolution calling for a ceasefire in Gaza could jeopardize “sensitive negotiations” for a temporary ceasefire. (REU 2/2)

Canadian prime minister Justin Trudeau says he is considering sanctioning “those responsible for extremist violence or extreme settler violence in the West Bank.” The U.S. sanctioned 4 Israeli settlers on 2/1. (AJ, HA, HA, WAFA 2/2)

The U.S. House Foreign Affairs Committee schedules a vote on 2/6 on a bill called “Stop Support for UNRWA ACT” that would bar the U.S. from making contributions to the agency. (INT 2/2)

U.S. senator Bernie Sanders (D-VT) says he will introduce an amendment to the foreign aid supplemental package that would cut $10.1 billion in “offensive weaponry funding” to Israel, saying the U.S. “must end its complicity in the nightmare unfolding in Gaza.” (AJ 2/2)

More than 800 officials from the U.S., UK, and EU release a letter of dissent criticizing their nations’ policies of support for Israel’s war in Gaza. (AJ, NYT 2/2; WAFA 2/3)

An AP-NORC poll finds that 50% of Americans say the “military response from Israel in the Gaza Strip has gone too far” compared to 40% in early November 2023. (AJ, AX, AP 2/2; WAFA 2/3)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers shot and killed a Palestinian in Huwwara as Israeli settlers with a military escort, including MK Zvi Sukkot, raided the town at night. 51 Palestinians were injured, including 42 by tear gas, and settlers vandalized Palestinian property. The PA condemned the raid, saying Israel and the U.S. were responsible. Israeli national security minister Itamar Ben-Gvir said of the raid on X, “Our lives take priority to the Palestinians’ freedom of movement (and commerce).” Israeli settlers, including MK Limor Son-Harmelech, raided Jabel ‘Aybal in Area B near Nablus for the fifth day in a row. Settlers first toured the site on 10/2 with a military escort but since then have toured it without military involvement. Son-Harmelech called on the Israeli government to create a settlement at the site. Elsewhere, Israeli settlers vandalized 40 olive trees and stole the olive harvest in Yasuf. Israeli settlers also fired live ammunition at Palestinian motorists near Turmus ‘Ayya and threw stones at Palestinians at the DCO checkpoint near al-Bireh, causing damage. Israeli forces violently dispersed the funeral procession for the Palestinian who was killed in Huwwara in the early hours of the day, injuring 1 person with live ammunition, 1 with a baton round, and others with tear gas. Israeli forces also violently dispersed Palestinian protesters in Kafr Qaddum, injuring a journalist with a baton round and others with tear gas. Elsewhere, Israeli forces violently dispersed Palestinian protesters in Bayt Dajan, causing tear-gas related injuries. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces violently arrested 5 activists for waiving Palestinian flags in Sheikh Jarrah.  (AJ, AP, AP, HA, HA, HA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 10/6; AJ 10/7)

Israel closed all crossings to the West Bank and Gaza for the Israeli holiday of Simhat Torah. The crossings are scheduled to reopen at the end of 10/7. (HA 10/6)

The EU and UN expressed concern over Israeli settler attacks in Huwwara, calling for Israel to ensure the safety of Palestinian civilians and to hold perpetrators accountable. (WAFA 10/6)

In the West Bank, masked gunmen fired 12 shots at Hebron deputy mayor Asmaa Hatem Nasser al-Shurbati’s car parked in front of her house and later fired shots at her husband’s clinic in Hebron, causing damage. Israeli settlers set up tents and sheep pens on Palestinian land in Shaab al-Butum in the Masafer Yatta area. Israeli forces shot and killed 1 Palestinian during a raid in Aqabat Jaber refugee camp, 2 were arrested. Israeli forces also raided Jalbun, leading to tear-gas related injuries. Elsewhere, Israeli forces issued 23 stop-work orders for homes in Qarawat Bani Hassan. In East Jerusalem, Israeli settlers toured the Haram al-Sharif compound. In Gaza, Israeli forces violently dispersed Palestinians protesters near the Gaza fence east of Gaza City, injuring 4 with live ammunition and others with tear gas. (AP, HA, MDW, MEE, MEMO, PCHR, REU, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 9/20; PCHR, PCHR 9/21; UNOCHA 9/26)

Israeli settlers from the Im Tirtzu organization harassed and threatened a delegation of foreign diplomats touring Palestinian communities experiencing settler violence with members of B’Tselem near Ramallah. 1 settler were arrested by PA forces in Taibeh in Area B and transferred to Israel after PA forces fired warning shots at the settlers when they entered Taibeh. 1 of the settlers waived a gun at the PA forces when they arrived. EU high representative for foreign affairs Josep Borrel spoke to Israel foreign minister Eli Cohen about the incident. A diplomat told Haaretz that the delegation had informed Israel about the tour beforehand but when they contacted the Israeli army to request assistance they did not show up. (HA, WAFA 9/21)

1 Palestinian prisoner held in administrative detention suspended his 49-day long hunger strike after an Israeli military court said it would not extend his detention beyond 12/2. (QDS, WAFA 9/20)

U.S. president Joe Biden met Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu on the sidelines of the annual UN General Assembly meeting in New York. According to a White House statement, Biden cautioned Netanyahu about further advancing his judicial overhaul without gaining a broad consensus and invited Netanyahu to the White House later in 2023. Israeli officials said the Biden-Netanyahu conversation mostly concerned the Israeli-Saudi normalization deal. U.S. national security council coordinator for the Middle East and North Africa Brett McGurk and presidential envoy on energy security Amos Hochstein, who have been leading the U.S. negotiations with Saudi Arabia on normalization, also attended the meeting. It was the first time Biden and Netanyahu met since Netanyahu took office in December 2022. According to an Israeli official, Netanyahu told Biden that there can be a Palestinian component to the deal but the Palestinians cannot have veto power. Netanyahu also met with UN secretary general Antonio Guterres, telling him that the UN should condemn Iran and Palestinian ‘terror.’ (AJ, AX, AX, HA, HA, MDW, MEE, NYT, PCN, REU 8/20; HA, HA 9/21; HA, HA 9/22)

Israeli government ministers Bezalel Smotrich and Itamar Ben-Gvir, along with 11 members of the Likud Party, sent Prime Minister Netanyahu a letter demanding that Israeli-Saudi normalization not be tied to improvements for the Palestinian people. (HA 9/21; HA 9/22)

Saudi Arabian crown prince Mohammed bin Salman told Fox News in an interview that normalization with Israel is moving closer every day. Bin Salman said “[f]or us, the Palestinian issue is very important. We need to solve that part,” later saying “[w]e hope that it [the normalization talks] will reach a place that will ease the life of Palestinians and get Israel as a player in the Middle East.” Lastly, bin Salman said that if Iran gets a nuclear weapon, then Saudi Arabia will “have to get one.” One of the Saudi demands for normalization is that the U.S. aids the country in creating a nuclear program. (AJ, AX, HA 9/20; AJ, ALM, MEE, REU 9/21; HA, MEE 9/22)

UN envoy for the Middle East Tor Wennesland issued a report warning that the economic crisis in the West Bank and Gaza could threaten regional stability. The report called for investment in health, education, social support, employment opportunities for youth and women, and infrastructure. The report was issued ahead of a donor conference for Palestine which will take place on the sidelines of the annual UN General Assembly meeting. (HA 9/20)

Norway contributed $2.9 million to the World Food Programme in support of vulnerable Palestinians in Gaza. (WAFA 9/20)

In the West Bank, 1 Palestinian man, described as a bystander, was killed during an exchange of fire between Palestinian militants and PA forces in Tulkarm. Palestinian militants threw an explosive device at Israeli soldiers who were escorting Israeli settlers to Joseph’s Tomb in Nablus, injuring 4. Israeli settlers assaulted 1 Palestinian man in Khirbet Umm Zuqah in the Jordan Valley. Israeli forces shot and injured 1 Palestinian man before arresting him, claiming he had attempted to ram Israeli soldiers near Hebron; his father at their home in Karma. Israeli forces also violently dispersed Palestinians in Beit Umar, causing tear-gas related injuries. Elsewhere, Israeli forces demolished an agricultural structure in Khirbet Tiba. 14 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in Jericho, Tulkarm, and Ramallah. In East Jerusalem, an Israeli settler shot and killed 1 Palestinian minor in Bab a-Zahara, claiming he had stabbed 1 Israeli soldier. Israeli forces prevented the minor from receiving first aid; in a video the minor appeared unarmed before he was executed. Israeli settlers also toured the Haram al-Sharif compound. Israel forces made 1 Palestinian family demolish their own home in the Old City, displacing 4. 7 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids. (AJ, AJ, ALM, HA, HA, HA, MEE, REU, TOI, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 8/30; AP, MEE, MEMO, MEMO, PCHR, WAFA 8/31; UNOCHA 9/11)

The Coordination Administration for the Marches of Return in Gaza announced that it would be setting up tents east of Gaza City in preparation for the renewal of the Great March of Return protests. (HA, MEMO 8/31)

Israel denied the director of the Bisan Center for Research and Development, Ubai Aboudi, exit to Jordan via the Allenby crossing, summoning him for questioning. It was the third time that Israel has prevented Aboudi from traveling since 2022. Aboudi was scheduled to attend a meeting with UN human rights experts in Jordan. (Bisan, QDS, WAFA 9/5)

UNRWA made an appeal for $15.5 million to rebuild infrastructure, provide new schooling locations, and give cash assistance to Palestinian refugees who were displaced due to the fighting in Ain al-Hilweh refugee camp in Lebanon earlier this month. (AP 8/30)

PA foreign minister Riyad al-Maliki attended the opening of the Palestinian embassy to Tajikistan in Dushanbe. (WAFA 8/30)

Axios reported that the PA has provided Saudi Arabia with a list of possible deliverables in exchange for not opposing Saudi-Israeli normalization. PLO secretary-general Hussein al-Sheikh was reported to have given Saudi national security advisor Musaed bin Mohammed al-Aiban the list 3 months ago. The list reportedly included: changing the status of parts of Area C to Area B, for the U.S. to reopen its consulate to Palestinians in Jerusalem, for Saudi Arabia open a consulate to the PA in Jerusalem, for Saudi Arabia to resume funding of the PA, and for Israel to agree to resume final status negotiations under a clear timeline. Axios further reported that al-Sheikh, PA intelligence chief Majed Faraj, and PA president Mahmoud Abbas’ foreign policy advisor Majdi Khaldi met with U.S. assistant secretary of state for near eastern affairs Barbara Leaf last week in Jordan. Axios later reported that the meeting between the Palestinian officials and Leaf was tense, as Leaf dismissed the idea that the U.S. would support Palestine to obtain full UN membership. (AX 8/30; HA, MEE, WSJ 8/31; AX 9/3)

A report commissioned by the UN Committee on the Exercise of the Inalienable Rights of the Palestinian People found that the Israeli occupation of the West Bank is unlawful, calling on Israel to immediately and unconditionally withdraw, including evacuating Israeli settlers. (MEE 8/30)

Iranian foreign minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian condemned Israeli attacks in Syria during a press conference in Damascus, threatening retaliation. (HA 8/30)

In the West Bank, 1 Palestinian child, shot by Israeli forces during a raid in al-Bireh on 9/28, succumbed to his injuries. Israeli settlers threw stones at Palestinian vehicles in Huwwara and attacked Israeli soldiers with pepper-spray; 1 off-duty Israeli soldier was later arrested for attacking Israeli soldiers. Israeli settlers also threw stones at Palestinian vehicles traveling near al-Bireh. Elsewhere, Israeli settlers set fire to a vehicle and a water tank and vandalized 80 olive and almond trees in al-Mughayyir. Israeli forces temporarily expelled Palestinians in parts of Khirbat al-Karmil to convene a conference for settlers and soldiers in the village, which is in Area A. Israeli forces also assaulted 1 Palestinian at a checkpoint near Beit Furik, causing injuries. Elsewhere, Israeli forces violently dispersed Palestinian protesters near al-Bireh, injuring 2 with baton rounds and others with tear gas. Israeli forces also violently dispersed Palestinian protesters in Bethlehem, injuring 2 minors with live ammunition and others with tear gas. Meanwhile, Israeli forces shot and injured 1 Palestinian with live ammunition in al-Ram. Israeli forces also closed the main entrance to Beit Umar. Separately, Israeli forces violently dispersed Palestinian protesters in Sa‘ir, injuring 1 minor with live ammunition and others with tear gas. Israeli forces also violently dispersed Palestinian protesters in Hebron, injuring 2 minors with live ammunition and arresting 4. Elsewhere, Israeli forces violently dispersed Palestinian protesters in Nabi Salih, injuring 1 with live ammunition and others with tear gas. Israeli forces also violently dispersed Palestinian protesters in al-Arroub refugee camp, causing tear-gas related injuries. Meanwhile, Israeli forces violently dispersed Palestinians in ‘Azzun, causing tear-gas related injuries and assaulting a crew of journalists from Palestine TV. Israeli forces also violently dispersed Palestinian protesters in Biddu, injuring 1 with a baton round. Separately, Israeli forces violently dispersed Palestinians protesting against restrictions imposed on Nablus, causing tear-gas related injuries. Israeli forces also demolished 1 house in Dura, displacing 8, and destroyed a water pump south of Nablus, disrupting water supply in Burin, Madama, ‘Urif, and Asira al-Qibliya. 1 Palestinian was arrested during a late-night raid in Bethlehem. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces raided a house in Shu‘fat where the family and friends of a Palestinian killed by Israeli forces on 10/19 were meeting to remember him. Israeli authorities delivered a demolition notice against a Palestinian-owned home in Silwan. 1 minor was arrested during a late-night raid in Isawiya. (AJ, AP, HA, HA, HA, MEMO, NBC, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 10/20; MDW 10/21; PCHR 10/27; UNOCHA 11/1)

Palestinians in East Jerusalem and the West Bank observed a general strike in protest over the killing of a Palestinian man on 10/19 near Ma’ale Adumim. (F24, MEMO, WAFA 10/20)

The new Israeli-imposed restrictions for entry into the West Bank, outside of Israeli settlements, took effect. The heavily criticized restrictions were 1st published earlier this year in the policy paper “Procedure for entry and residence of foreigners in the Judea and Samaria area,” issued by Israel’s Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories and have been slightly amended after criticism by U.S. and EU lawmakers. (GDN, MDW 10/20; NA, TOI 10/21)

Haaretz reported that Israel will approve the purchase of 2 helicopters by the PA for usage of PA officials. The helicopters, which will be stationed in Jordan, are reportedly funded by Gulf state donations. The PA will need permission from Israel to use the helicopters in the West Bank. (HA 10/20; ALM 10/21)

At a conference in Eliat attended by Morocco, Bahrain, and the UAE, Israel and Bahrain signed an agricultural cooperation deal. (REU 10/20)

The ACLU filed an appeal with the U.S. supreme court asking it to review the appeals court decision to uphold an Arkansas state law that penalizes companies boycotting Israel. The ACLU said the law violates the 1st Amendment of the U.S. Constitution. (ACLU, AJ, FOX, GDN 10/20; TOI 10/21; MDW 10/25)

The UN-mandated commission of inquiry on the occupied West Bank, Gaza, east Jerusalem, and Israel released a 28-page report, calling on the International Court of Justice to make a legal opinion on the Israeli occupation of the Palestinian territories and said the occupation is unlawful due to its permanence and Israel’s “de-facto annexation policy.” (AP, UN, WAFA 10/20; HA, MEE, WAFA 10/21)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers raided al-Juwaya in the Masafer Yatta area, bringing their cattle to graze on wheat and barley crops and assaulting Palestinian herders. Israeli forces shot and killed 1 Palestinian journalist at a checkpoint in al-Arroub refugee camp while she was on her way to work, claiming she had attempted to carry out a stabbing attack against Israeli soldiers; the woman was left without medical assistance for 20 minutes before a Palestinian ambulance arrived. Later, during her funeral, Israeli forces violently dispersed the funeral procession, critically injuring 1 with live ammunition, moderately injuring 2 with live ammunition, and injuring others with tear gas. Israeli forces also shot and killed 1 Palestinian and injured 6 others with live ammunition, including 2 who were critically injured during a punitive demolition raid in Ya‘bad; 1 family home of an alleged Palestinian attacker was demolished by Israeli forces using explosives, displacing 6. 1 of the Palestinians critically injured later succumbed to his injuries on 6/11. Elsewhere, Israeli forces handcuffed and detained for 30 minutes 2 Palestinian girls aged 11 and 12 in Hebron, claiming that Israeli settlers had reported that 1 of them carried a knife—an accusation the girls and their father denied. Israeli forces also demolished 8 residential structures and 2 agricultural structures, and seized 3 tents in al-Fakhit and al-Mirkez in the Masafer Yatta area. Separately, Israeli forces also demolished 1 house and 1 agricultural structure in az-Za’ayyem, displacing 5. Israeli forces also delivered stop-work notices for 6 houses and 4 other structures in Marda, despite the homes and structures being in Area B. Elsewhere, Israeli forces seized 6 Palestinian-owned tractors in the Jordan Valley. 14 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in Ras Karkar, al-Midya, Beit Sira, Beit Fajjar, ‘Urif, and Nablus. In East Jerusalem, Israeli authorities demolished 1 Palestinian-owned house in Isawiya, displacing 8; 1 member of the displaced family had her arm fractured by Israeli forces during the demolition. In Gaza, Israeli forces opened fire at Palestinians east of Beit Hanun; no injuries were reported. (AJ, HA, MEE, MEE, PCHR, REU, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 6/1; AJ, AP, HA, MDW, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 6/2; HA 6/3; MEE, UNOCHA 6/4; MEE 6/5; PCHR 6/9; MEE, WAFA 6/11; UNOCHA 6/17)

Israeli forces prevented the executive director of the Bisan Center for Research and Development from traveling to Jordan via the Allenby Bridge for a 2-day UN conference. (WAFA 6/2)

The Knesset passed a preliminary vote 63-14, banning the flying of Palestinian flags at state-funded institutions. Members of Meretz and Joint List voted against the bill. The bill will still have to pass 3 additional votes to become law. During the debate leading to the vote, MK Eli Cohen of Likud told Sami Abu Shehadeh of Joint List that he should “go to Gaza or Jordan.” On the same day, Israeli authorities removed a large Palestinian flag placed next to an Israeli flag with the words “We are destined to live together” from an office building in Tel Aviv. The flags were funded by the Mehazkim movement. (HA, MEMO 5/30; HA, HA 6/1; MEE 6/2; ALM, AP 6/6; REU 6/7; MDW 6/9)

Israeli conducted military drills over the Mediterranean Sea, simulating air strikes on long-range targets in what was described as a message to Iran. (AP 6/1)

Axios reported that the Pentagon is considering downgrading the U.S. official in charge of security coordination with the PA from a 3-star general to a colonel, as part of a larger push to reduce the number of U.S. generals. The ranks of the military attachés in Saudi Arabia and the UAE would also be affected by the potential change. Later, on 6/17, a bipartisan group of 32 U.S. senators wrote a letter to secretary of defense Lloyd Austin, urging him not to downgrade the post of security coordinator. The group was led by Jon Ossoff (D-GA) and Lindsey Graham (R-SC). (AX 6/1; AX, HA 6/17)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers vandalized 20 olive trees in the Masafer Yatta area. Israeli forces demolished 1 Palestinian-owned home in Deir Salah in Area A. Israeli forces also raided the Palestine Technical University in Tulkarm, causing tear-gas related injuries. Elsewhere, Israeli forces opened fire near a girl’s school in Duma, causing panic among students. 1 Palestinian minor was arrested at the Havat Maon settlement. 9 others were arrested during late-night raids in Hebron, Harmala, Rafat, Tell, Jenin refugee camp, and al-Yamun. Off the coast of Gaza, Israeli naval forces opened fire at Palestinian fishermen; no injuries were reported. (WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 5/18; PCHR, WAFA 5/19; UNOCHA 6/4)

PA prime minister Mohammed Shtayyeh and foreign minister Riyad al-Maliki met with Dutch foreign minister Wopke Hoekstra in Ramallah. Foreign Minister Hoekstra also met with representatives from the Palestinian NGO Al Haq, drawing ire from Israel as Al Haq is 1 of 6 Palestinian rights organizations that were deemed terrorist organizations by Israel in 10/2021. Hoekstra subsequently told reporters that “there isn’t a single European state—nor the United States—that has arrived at the same conclusions as has Israel [in regards to the terrorism accusations]. If there is proof, then we should see and we should review it. An accusation in and of itself can never be sufficient for a country that subscribes to the rule of law.” (WAFA, WAFA 5/18; JP 5/19)

The Hamas-affiliated Islamic Wafa bloc won the Birzeit University student council elections with 28 of 51 seats. The Fatah-affiliated Shabibia bloc won 18 seats. (MEE, MEMO, MEMO 5/19; MEMO 5/20; ALM 5/25)

Haaretz reported that the leaders of Turkey, Jordan, and the UAE had accepted an invitation by Israel’s president Isaac Herzog to discuss regional cooperation in climate change. (HA 5/18)

In the West Bank, Israeli forces blocked a road between Hebron and Qalqas. In East Jerusalem, 1 Palestinian family demolished their own home in Jabel Mukaber, displacing 7 people. In Gaza, Israeli forces attacked 2 targets near Jabalia refugee camp, claiming it was responding to incendiary balloons sent from Gaza to Israel. Israeli forces also later violently dispersed Palestinian protesters near the Gaza fence, injuring 1 with live ammunition; 17 others were also injured by rubber-coated bullets and tear gas. (AA, AJ, AP, HA, HILL, JP, MEE, MEMO, WAFA, WAFA 8/29; MEMO, WAFA, WAFA 8/30; PCHR 9/2)

Egypt reopened the Rafah crossing in both directions. (MEMO 8/29)

PA president Mahmoud Abbas met with Israeli defense minister Benny Gantz in Ramallah. According to the Israeli defense ministry, the 2 talked about security policy, civilian and economic issues, and measures Israel will take to strengthen the PA economy. According to Gantz’s office, among the agreements made were granting residency rights to Palestinians living in the West Bank without legal status and Israel’s providing the PA with an advance of its tax income of $155 million. Gantz also said after the meeting, “the stronger the Palestinian Authority is, the weaker Hamas will be.” Sources close to Israeli prime minister Naftali Bennett said that there was no diplomatic process between Israel and the PA and that there would not be 1 during his time as prime minister. A Palestinian official said that Abbas asked Israel to stop conducting operations in Area A and allow family reunifications as part of efforts to improve the PA-Israel relations. Later at a PLO executive committee meeting, President Abbas said that he had told Defense Minister Gantz that the PA position on peace is based on the Arab peace initiative, and that PA wants Israel to release long-term Palestinian prisoners, return the bodies of Palestinians killed by Israel, end settlement construction, and curb settler attacks. Hamas spokesperson Sami Abu Zuhri called the meeting dangerous and disrespectful. Islamic Jihad also condemned the meeting. The meeting was the 1st between President Abbas and an Israeli government official since 2010. (MEE, REU 8/29; AJ, ALM, AP, F24, HA, HA, HA, JP, NBC, REU, REU, TOI, WAFA, WAFA 8/30; ALM, MEMO, MEMO, MEMO 8/31; MEMO 9/1; ALM, HA 9/2)

Axios reported that former U.S. ambassador to Israel Dan Shapiro had joined the U.S. state department as a liaison between U.S. envoy on Iran Robert Malley and Israel. (AX 8/29; JP 8/30; ALM, MEMO 8/31)

In the West Bank, 1 Palestinian succumbed to injuries inflicted by Israeli forces on 8/3 in Jenin. Israeli forces demolished 1 poultry farm in al-Walaja, 1 rainwater collection well in Khallet al-Dabe’, 1 car wash in al-Lubban ash-Sharqiya, and 1 agricultural structure in al-Fakhit. Israeli forces also handed an evacuation order to Palestinians near Tuqu’ for their livestock, forcing them to remove their livestock and dismantle their agricultural structures within 14 days. Elsewhere, Israeli forces violently dispersed Palestinians protesting Israeli construction at al-Ibrahimi Mosque, leading to tear-gas related injuries; 3 were arrested. 9 other Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in and around Jaba‘, Huwwara, and Yatta. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces summoned 2 Palestinian activists for questioning after they protested the arrest of a local activist in Sheikh Jarrah on 8/10. In Israel, Israeli authorities said they shot down a drone entering the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights from Lebanon, claiming the drone was operated by Hezbollah. Israel also said it had shot down a drone flying from Gaza into Israel, claiming it was operated by Hamas. (WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 8/11; HA, PCHR, REU 8/12; HA, MEMO 8/13)

The Israeli government gave its initial approval for the construction of more than 2,000 new settlement units in the West Bank and 863 housing units for Palestinian villages in Area C, including 150 units in Ma‘asara, 270 in Bir al-Basha, 223 in al-Masqufa, 160 in Khirbet ‘Aaba, and 50 in Khirbet Zakariya. Of the advanced settlement expansion plans, 908 are expected to get final approval next week, including 58 in Beit El, 285 in Har Brakha, and 105 in Alon Shvut. An Israeli official told Haaretz that the move was a “calculated risk” made by the government vis-à-vis the U.S. Biden administration. The Meretz party wrote a letter to Israeli defense minister Benny Gantz, calling the decision to expand Israeli settlements “a dangerous move.” The U.S. later criticized Israel’s decision to expand Israeli settlements, on 8/13, saying that settlement activity is an obstacle to a 2-state solution. (AA, AX, HA, REU 8/11; MEMO, WAFA, WAFA 8/12; HA, MEMO 8/13; JP 8/16)

IDF chief of staff Aviv Kochavi said the Israeli army will take harsher measures against Israeli soldiers who do not follow regulations, in response to the killing of 40 Palestinians by Israeli forces in the West Bank since May. The statement came after Chief of Staff Kochavi met with senior staff of the Israeli central command on 8/8 and urged them to take steps to reduce lethal shootings. Kochavi said the military will back soldiers who make mistakes in their judgements in relation to lethal shootings, but not if the soldiers act reckless. (HA 8/12)

Israel’s police commissioner Kobi Shabtai inaugurated a new police department focused on combatting crime in Palestinian Israeli communities, which seeks to increase the number of Palestinian Israeli police officers by 300%. 69 Palestinian citizens of Israel have been killed in Israel since 2021 and only 23% of the cases have been solved, whereas 71% of the cases involving Jewish Israelis have been solved by Israeli police. (HA 8/12)

Israeli foreign minister Yair Lapid visited Morocco to meet with his Moroccan counterpart and open the new Israeli mission to Morocco as part of the 2 countries’ normalization deal. The 2 foreign ministers signed cooperation agreements related to air travel, culture, sports, and youth. Foreign Minister Lapid said the 2 countries would open mutual embassies within 2 months. The leader of the PJD party in Morocco condemned the decision to establish full diplomatic relations with Israel. Part of the 2 countries’ normalization deal was for the U.S. to recognize Moroccan sovereignty over the Western Sahara during the Trump administration, a controversial recognition that the Biden administration has not reversed. (MEMO 8/10; AJ, AJ, AX, HA, MEMO, REU 8/11; AJ, ALM, AX, HA, HA, MEMO, REU 8/12; ALM 8/13; MEE 8/16)

U.S. CIA director William J. Burns met with Israeli prime minister Naftali Bennet and other Israeli officials during a trip to Israel. Director Burns is expected to meet with PA president Mahmoud Abbas and other senior PA officials on 8/12. Axios reported that Director Burns voiced concern to Prime Minister Bennett about Chinese investment in Israel. (AX 8/9; HA, MEMO 8/10; ALM, HA, MEMO, MEMO, REU 8/11; AX, HA, HA 8/12; AX 8/18; MEE, MEMO, TOI 8/19)

The private equity firm KKR announced that it will be funding a server farm in Israel to be completed in the 2d quarter of 2023. The server farm will be located underground in Petah Tikva. (HA 8/11)

Palestinian Israeli NGO Combatants for Peace asked the ICC to open an investigation into potential war crimes committed by Israel in demolishing the bedouin village Khirbet Humsa on 7/7. (HA 8/11; MEMO 8/13)

Human Rights Watch (HRW) said its investigation into the events of the Israeli assault on Gaza in May, dubbed Operation Guardians of the Wall, had showed that Hamas’s rockets fired at Israel “violated the laws of war and amount to war crimes.” HRW also said that Hamas’s rockets had killed 12 civilians in Israel and a misfired rocket had killed 7 Palestinians in Gaza. HRW released its investigation into Israeli actions during the assault on 7/27, finding that Israel had also committed war crimes. (HA, HRW 8/12; ALM 8/23)

France donated $575,000 to the UN World Food Programme for its programming in Gaza. (WAFA 8/11)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers assaulted 1 Palestinian farmer working his land near Qalqilya. Israeli forces uprooted some 100 olive trees while razing some 30 dunams (7.4 acres) of land in Jayyus. Israeli forces also delivered demolition notices for 10 houses in Ni‘lin and Dayr Qaddis in Area B. Elsewhere, Israeli forces seized 2 residential tents and 2 agricultural tents, displacing 15 Palestinians in al-Buwayb in the Masafer Yatta area. Palestinians protested Israeli attacks on Palestinian and international journalists at the office of the Palestinian Journalists Syndicate in Ramallah. 11 Palestinians were arrested, including 10 during raids in and around Bethlehem, Nablus, al-‘Arub refugee camp, Bayt Umar, Hebron, Dayr Abu Mash‘al, Idhna, al-‘Amari refugee camp, Dayr Balut, and Surayf, and 1 was arrested at a checkpoint in Huwwara. In East Jerusalem, 5 Palestinians were arrested in al-Tur, Silwan, and the Old City. In Gaza, 1 Palestinian was found dead in rubble resulting from Israeli air strikes in Gaza City, raising the comprehensive death toll since 5/10 from 260 to 261, including 67 children and 3 pregnant women. (WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 5/31; PCHR 6/3)

In Gaza, electricity remained limited to 6 hours followed by blackouts for 12 hours despite repairs made to power lines that were damaged during the most recent escalation between Israel and Hamas. It was reported that the power shortages were due to Israel continuing to withhold fuel transfers to Gaza’s power plant. It was also reported that Israel continues to prevent Palestinians in need of cancer treatment from traveling to East Jerusalem for chemotherapy. (HA, HA 5/31; MEMO 6/1)

Palestinian prisoners started an open-ended hunger strike for the Israel Prison Service allow family visits, which has been prohibited since March of 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. (WAFA 5/31)

2 Palestinians were charged with terrorism for allegedly throwing stones at 1 Jewish family traveling by car in East Jerusalem on 5/9, a day where more than 330 Palestinians were injured by Israeli settlers and police. (HA 5/31)

Hamas leader in Gaza Yahya Sinwar said Hamas was ready to negotiate the terms of releasing Israeli captives and the bodies of 2 Israeli soldiers held by the organization. The deputy head of Hamas in Gaza, Khalil al-Hayya, had earlier that day warned Israel not to tie the issue of Israeli captives to aid to Gaza or to Israeli policy on Jerusalem. Israel’s foreign minister Gabi Ashkenazi made the opposite demand during a meeting with Egypt’s foreign minister Sameh Shoukry on 5/30. Head of Egyptian general intelligence Abbas Kamel also met with Sinwar in Gaza to discuss a long-term ceasefire with Israel. (HA 5/29; AJ, AP, HA, HA, REU 5/31; MEMO, MEMO 6/1)

Israeli public security minister Amir Ohana backed a call by Lydda councilman Amichai Langfeld to have armed Jewish-Israeli civilians patrol the streets of the city to “protect the Jewish community” there. Jewish-Israeli member of Knesset from the Joint Arab List Ofer Cassif said such calls were incitement. (HA 6/1)

Israel and the UAE signed a tax treaty. (HA, MEMO, REU 5/31)

Israel summoned the ambassador of Mexico to Israel because of the country’s vote at the UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC) on 5/27 to investigate potential Israeli war crimes. On 5/30, Israel also summoned the ambassador the Philippines over his country’s vote at the UNHRC. (JP 6/1)

More than 50 former prime ministers, foreign ministers, and senior international officials wrote an open letter calling for protecting the independence of the ICC and condemning attacks on the court. The letter mentioned Israel-Palestine as a place where, without the ICC, there “is no accountability for grave human rights violations, it is the victims seeking justice and people longing for lasting peace who are paying the price.” The letter also called allegation of anti-Semitism waged against the ICC “unfounded.” (GDN, GDN 5/31; MEMO, WAFA 6/1)

The UN’s International Atomic Energy Agency said in a report that Iran has failed to explain why traces of uranium were found at undeclared sites. (REU 5/31)

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 settlers uprooted 30 olive trees in Kafr al-Dik and uprooted 30 olive tree saplings and stole farm equipment in Burqin. Israeli forces shot and injured 1 Palestinian worker trying to enter Israel by the separation barrier near Jenin. Israeli forces also shot and injured 2 Palestinians with live ammunition during clashes that unfolded as Israeli forces raided Jenin; 1 other Palestinian was hit by an Israeli forces’ vehicle and tear-gas related injuries were reported. Israeli forces also delivered stop-work notices for 7 houses near Nablus. Meanwhile, Israeli forces raided 2 houses near Haris and Dayr Istya in Area B and took measurements. 4 Palestinians were arrested, including 3 during raids in ‘Azun and 1 at a checkpoint near Abu Dis. In East Jerusalem, 5 Palestinians were arrested, including 4 during late-night raids in Issawiyya and Jabal Mukabir and 1 at the Haram al-Sharif compound. Off the coast of Gaza, Israeli naval forces opened fire at Palestinian fishermen northwest of Khan Yunis and west of al-Sudaniyya; no injuries were reported. (WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 2/7; PCHR 2/11)

The PA announced it will begin using its own postcodes for international mail. PA minister of communications Ishaq Sidr said, “[f]rom April, postal items that do not bear a Palestinian postal code will not be processed . . . It is a question of asserting Palestinian rights.” (AJ 2/7)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers uprooted dozens of almond trees and grapevines in Bayt Umar and threatened the Palestinian landowners with guns. Israeli forces razed Palestinian-owned land in ‘Ayn Bus and seized 1 greenhouse in Bethlehem. Israeli forces also shot and injured 1 Palestinian with live ammunition as he was trying to enter Israel for work through the separation barrier near Far‘un. Elsewhere, Israeli forces dismantled and seized 1 agricultural structure in Tuqu‘. Israeli forces also arrested 1 Palestinian at the Qalandia checkpoint, claiming he wanted to stab a soldier with a screwdriver. 15 others were arrested during raids in and around Qabatiya, Jenin refugee camp, Burqin, Ramallah, Kafr Malik, Tulkarm, Tubas, and Nablus. Off the coast of Gaza, Israeli naval forces opened fire at Palestinian fishermen within 7 nautical miles northwest of Rafah. (WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 1/12; PCHR 1/14)

The Israeli government told its high court of justice that it had delivered 100 COVID-19 vaccine doses to the PA and that more doses would arrive in some 10 days. The PA health ministry denied having received any doses of COVID-19 vaccines from Israel. (HA, WAFA 1/13)

The Israeli human rights organization B’Tselem released a position paper “A regime of Jewish supremacy from the Jordan River to the Mediterranean Sea: this is apartheid,” calling Israel an apartheid state. B’Tselem argued that the distinction between Israel proper, East Jerusalem, the West Bank, and Gaza has been obfuscated so that “the entire area between the Mediterranean Sea and the Jordan River is organized under a single principle: advancing and cementing the supremacy of one group—Jews—over another—Palestinians.” B’Tselem said it no longer could treat the occupied Palestinian territories as distinct from Israel as it has in the past and therefore needs to treat the area as 1 entity operating as an apartheid state. 2 particular developments led B’Tselem to change its viewpoint: the Nation-State law and the threats of annexation of Area C. Several Palestinian human rights organizations including al-Haq and the Palestinian Centre for Human Rights have already called Israel an apartheid state. (AQ 11/12/2019; +972, AJ, AP, B’Tselem, CNN, GDN, HA, IN 1/12)

Israel attacked several places in Dayr al-Zur and Abu Kamal in eastern Syria with airstrikes, killing 57 people and wounding at least 37. According to a U.S. intelligence official, the strikes were made with intelligence from the U.S.; U.S. secretary of state Mike Pompeo had discussed the airstrikes with Mossad director Yossi Cohen at a D.C. restaurant on 1/11. Secretary Pompeo also announced that the terrorist group Al Qaeda has a home base in Iran without providing any evidence, a charge the Iranian foreign minister Mohammad Javad Zarif called “warmongering lies.” On 1/10, Secretary Pompeo said that the Houthi rebels in Yemen would be added to the U.S. list of foreign terrorist organizations, a designation many humanitarian organizations lambasted as it will make it impossible to deliver aid to the civilian population living in Houthi-controlled areas who are heavily hunger stricken. (REU 1/10; AJ, AJ, AJ, AJ, HA, HA, HA, REU 1/11; AJ, AJ, REU, REU 1/12; AA, AJ, FOX, HA, HA, HA, JP 1/13; HA 1/15; HA, HA 1/17)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers raided Silat al-Dahir, vandalizing Palestinian-owned houses and vehicles. Israeli settlers also razed Palestinian-owned land and planted their own crops in ‘Urif. Israeli forces delivered 1 demolition order for 1 agricultural shed in al-Walaja and 1 commercial barrack in Qalqilya, and delivered 1 stop-work order for 1 house under construction in Bayt Awa. Israeli forces also clashed with Palestinians in Bayt Umar, leading to tear-gas related injuries. 3 Palestinians were arrested, including 1 during a late-night raid in Yatta and 2 at checkpoints near Nablus and Bethlehem. In East Jerusalem, 2 Palestinians were arrested during raids in the Old City and Bayt Hanina. (WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 11/19; PCHR 11/26)

PA civil affairs minister Hussein al-Sheikh said, after a meeting with Israeli officials, that Israel has agreed to pay the PA the money it owes in tax revenue, about $890 million. (NYT, WAFA 11/19; HA 11/20)

The U.S. state department issued new guidelines of how to refer to products produced in Gaza and the West Bank as secretary of state Mike Pompeo was visiting Israel and Israeli settlements in the West Bank. Under the new guidelines, products imported to the U.S. from Area C of the West Bank would have to be labeled “Made in Israel.” Products can no longer be labeled “Made in West Bank/Gaza,” so products made in Gaza should be labeled “product of Gaza” and products made in Area A and B of the West Bank should be labeled “product of West Bank.” In a statement by Secretary Pompeo, he said that the U.S. is adhering to a “reality-based” approach, which would indicate that the new guidelines are a way for the U.S. administration to recognize Israel’s annexation of Area C. The statement also stipulated that “Gaza and the West Bank are politically and administratively separate and should be treated accordingly.” Secretary Pompeo also made another policy announcement during a press conference with Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu. At the press conference, Pompeo announced that the State Department regards the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) movement as anti-Semitic and that the U.S. would start identifying organizations that support BDS to penalize them. The BDS movement released a statement reiterating that it rejects “all forms of racism, including anti-Jewish racism” and said it would resist “these McCarthyite attempts to intimidate and bully Palestinian, Israeli and international human rights defenders into accepting Israeli apartheid and settler-colonialism as fate.” The American Civil Liberties Union responded to Pompeo’s announcement that “[c]riticism of Israel, or any government, is fully protected by the First Amendment. Threatening to block government funds to groups that criticize Israel is blatantly unconstitutional.” Secretary Pompeo also visited the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights and was the 1st secretary of state to do so. Pompeo’s visit to Israeli settlements in the West Bank was also a 1st for a U.S. secretary of state. Pompeo also tweeted, “Anti-Zionism is Anti-Semitism” (AJ, AJ, Amnesty, AX, BBC, BBC, DT, DW, HA, IN, IN, MDN, MEE, NYT, REU, REU, SKY, TOI, TOI, Twitter, Twitter, Twitter, U.S. State Department, WAFA, WAFA, WP 11/19; AJ, BBC, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WP 11/20)

The EU told Serbia and Kosovo that if the countries still desire to become member states of the EU, they will have to follow EU policy, including not moving their Israeli embassies to Jerusalem as this would undermine EU policy and international law. A statement released conveying the message referenced the White House meetings held on 9/5-9/7 in which U.S. president Donald Trump announced the embassy moves. (EU Commission 11/19)

At the UN general assembly, 163 countries voted for a resolution recognizing “the right of the Palestinian people to self-determination, including the right to their independent State of Palestine.” 5 countries—Israel, the U.S., Micronesia, Nauru, and the Marshall Islands—voted against. (HA 11/20)

In the West Bank, Israeli forces raided Qatanna, leading to clashes with Palestinians; tear-gas related injuries were reported. Israeli forces arrested 1 Palestinian and seized his vehicle. Israeli forces also clashed with Palestinians during a raid in Sabastiyya; 1 Palestinian bystander was hit in the head with Israeli-fired live ammunition. 20 Palestinians were arrested during raids in and around Jenin, Tubas, Qalqilya, Nablus, Hebron, and Ramallah. In East Jerusalem, 19 Palestinians were arrested during raids in and around Issawiyya, al-Tur, and Wadi al-Juz. In Gaza, Israeli forces made incursions to level agricultural lands east of Khan Yunis. In Israel, 2 Palestinians from Gaza were arrested after breaching the Gaza fence; according to the Israeli military, the 2 had 2 defective grenades and 1 knife in their possession when they were arrested. (HA, WAFA 10/1; PCHR 10/8)

The Israeli ministry of justice said, in response to a petition made by Adalah in August, that Israel will have to limit the amount of home demolitions conducted in Israel, which includes East Jerusalem. (Adalah, WAFA 10/5)

The PA ministry of local government issued building permits for Palestinian residents in the Jordan Valley. The minister, Majdi Salah, said that the PA no longer recognizes the classifications of areas A, B, and C made during the Oslo Accords and therefore is not bound by Israel’s claims of civil and military control in Area C. (WAFA 10/1)

Israel’s high court of justice rejected a petition to free a 49-year-old Palestinian who is held on administrative detention and has been hunger-striking for more than 60 days. The petition was rejected despite the Shin Bet and the Israeli Central Command caught lying about the Palestinian’s affiliation to Islamic Jihad. According to the prosecutors, he had been filmed saying he was a proud member of Islamic Jihad while interrogated; however, the transcripts do not back up their claim. (HA 10/6)

Israel and Lebanon confirmed that they would begin direct talks about their maritime borders on 10/14. The direct talks will be mediated by the U.S. and the UN. (AJ, BBC, HA, REU, TOI 10/1)

Armenia said it had recalled its ambassador to Israel over Israeli weapons sales to Azerbaijan. Azerbaijan has acknowledged use of Israeli-made drones to bomb Armenian forces and civilians in Nagorno-Karabakh, a de facto self-governed predominantly ethnically Armenian region within the borders of Azerbaijan. (REU, TOI 10/1)

In the West Bank, Israeli forces arrested 16 Palestinians during late-night raids in and around Hebron, Tulkarm, Tubas, and Nablus. In Israel, 3 Palestinians from Gaza who had breached the Gaza fence were shot dead by Israeli forces. The Israeli military alleged that the 3 threw improvised explosives at the Israeli forces. (REU, WAFA, WP 1/21; AJ, HA, WAFA 1/22; PCHR 1/23)

Israeli defense minister Naftali Bennett said that Israel would annex the West Bank if the PA acted to erase the distinction between Areas A, B, and C. Chairperson of the Kahol Lavan party Benny Gantz separately said that he would work to advance annexation of the Jordan Valley if elected prime minister. (HA 1/21)

In Lebanon, a new government was formed under the new prime minister Hassan Diab. Prime Minister Diab described his 20 new ministers as a technocratic “rescue team.” Despite the formation of the new government, the protest that started in 2019 continued in Lebanon. (HA 1/21; AJ 1/22)

In the West Bank, Israel issued a military order to seize 350 dunams (86.4 acres) of Palestinian farmland for expanding settlement roads south of Bethlehem. Israeli forces also seized equipment from a blacksmith shop near Salfit and a bulldozer near Nablus. 5 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in and around Ramallah, Bethlehem, Nablus, and Hebron. Israeli settlers discharged wastewater on Palestinian farmland near Jalbun and threw stones at a Palestinian home in Madama, causing damage. Settlers also threw stones at Israeli forces as they demolished Israeli-deemed illegal settlement outposts near the Yitzhar settlement. In East Jerusalem, 2 Palestinians demolished their own homes in Jabal Mukabir to avoid exorbitant Israeli demolition fees. In Gaza, 4 rockets were launched at Israel, 2 of which were intercepted. There were no reports of damage or injuries and it was unclear who fired the rockets. Israel later struck several targets in Gaza. A military spokesperson said that it had struck “Hamas sites.” Israeli forces also sprayed herbicides over Palestinian farmland for the 2d day in a row. (HA, HA, HA, REU, REU, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 1/15; WAFA, PCHR 1/16)

The Israeli defense ministry approved 7 new Israeli “nature reserves” in Area C and the expansion of 12 already-existing “nature reserves.” The approval comes 1 week after Israeli defense minister Naftali Bennet said that he had started a campaign to ensure that Area C remains under Israeli control. The PA foreign ministry called the approval of the “nature reserves” a “scheme for the appropriation and seizure of Palestinian land.” (HA, JP, WAFA 1/15)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers set fire to olive fields between Burin and Huwwara, damaging 70 trees. Israeli settlers also threw stones, damaging a Palestinian-owned vehicle while it was traveling on the Ramallah-Nablus road. Israeli forces prevented Palestinian farmers from harvesting their olive trees in Kafr Qaddum, declaring the area a closed military zone. Israeli forces shot a Palestinian at a checkpoint near Tulkarm. 13 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in and around Hebron, Nablus, Ramallah, and Jenin. In East Jerusalem, Israeli settlers toured the Haram al-Sharif compound. In Gaza, Israeli forces opened fire at Palestinian farmers near the Gaza fence; no injuries were reported. Off the coast of Gaza, Israeli naval forces opened fire on Palestinian fishermen; no injuries were reported. (WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 10/8; PCHR 10/10)

In the West Bank, 10 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in and around Bethlehem, Ramallah, Salfit, and Tulkarm. Israeli forces also raided Beitunia in Area A, seizing footage from surveillance cameras; the raid led to clashes with local residents. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces clashed with local residents and Israeli activists after raiding Issawiyya. Off the coast of Gaza, Israeli forces opened fire on Palestinian fishermen 2 nautical miles offshore from Bayt Lahiya. (WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 8/28; HA, PCHR 8/29)

The Lebanese army opened fire on 3 Israeli drones in Lebanese airspace. All 3 drones returned to Israel after being fired at. (HA 8/28)

In the West Bank, 4 Palestinians were arrested during 3 late-night raids in Jenin and 1 at a checkpoint east of Tulkarm. Israeli forces also demolished a house under construction in Wadi Rahal south of Bethlehem. Israeli settlers threw stones at Palestinians near Nabi Saleh, northwest of Ramallah. In East Jerusalem, 8 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in Issawiyya and Shu’fat. Off the coast of Gaza, Israeli naval forces opened fire at Palestinian fishermen; no injuries were reported. By the Gaza fence, Israeli forces opened fire at Palestinian shepherds; no injuries were reported. (WAFA, WAFA 8/4; PCHR 8/8)

Israel’s Higher Planning Committee approved plans for 2,304 Israeli settlement housing units in the West Bank. (PeaceNow 8/4; AJ, MDW 8/6)

The PA prime minister Mohammed Shtayyeh announced that since Israel demolished Palestinian-owned buildings in Area A and B on 6/22, the PA would no longer consider the West Bank divided into separate areas, but all under PA control. (WAFA 8/4)

The PA also announced that it would pay out 60% of civil servants’ salaries for July. The PA has been paying only 60% of salaries since February this year due to its financial crisis. (WAFA 8/4)

Amid heightened tensions at Haram al-Sharif, Israeli police enter the sanctuary to disperse hundreds of Muslim worshippers protesting the Israeli crackdown following the deadly attack on 6/16; 3 Israelis are injured and several Palestinians are arrested. Meanwhile, Israeli forces arrest 2 Palestinians during late-night raids in Shu‘fat r.c. and Kafr ‘Aqab. In the West Bank, IDF troops conduct raids in Dayr Abu Mash‘al nr. Ramallah for the 3d day in a row, arresting at least 3 Palestinians and sparking minor clashes; 2 Palestinians are injured. The IDF arrests 11 Palestinians and issues 2 arrest summons during late-night raids in and around Qalqilya, Bethlehem, Nablus, and Jenin. Off Gaza’s coast, Israeli naval forces open fire on Palestinian fishing boats nr. Gaza City, causing no damage or injuries. (HA, MNA, WAFA 6/18; MNA 6/19; PCHR 6/22)

Following days of complaints from Israeli ultranationalists, Israeli PM Netanyahu says that his security cabinet will reconsider the plan, 1st reported on 6/14, to allow Qalqilya to expand into Area C with 5,000 new housing units. He claims to not remember the cabinet’s approval of the plan back in 2016. (JP, TOI 6/18)

In the West Bank, an Israeli settler driver allegedly rams a Palestinian youth nr. Hebron, causing serious injuries. Israeli settlers and IDF troops surround a Palestinian school in Tuqu‘ village nr. Bethlehem. The soldiers arrest 2 teachers and 1 student who allegedly threw rocks at the settlers. IDF troops raid a printing shop in Ramallah, seizing $18,000 worth of equipment. They also arrest 2 Palestinians during a late-night raid nr. Ramallah, patrol during the day nr. Hebron and Qalqilya; and violently disperse Palestinian and international activists at a protest encampment outside Yatta village nr. Hebron; there are no serious injuries. The IDF injures 4 Palestinians in further clashes at a checkpoint nr. Qalqilya. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces arrest 6 Palestinians during violent raids in Issawiyya and Hizma. Off Gaza’s coast, Israeli naval forces open fire on Palestinian fishing boats nr. Bayt Lahiya and Gaza City; there are no serious injuries or damage. (MNA 5/25; PCHR 6/1)

The Palestinian man seriously injured on 5/23 in a confrontation with Israeli forces in Netanya succumbs to his injuries. (MNA 5/25)

PA pres. Abbas meets with U.S. special rep. for international negotiations Jason Greenblatt in Ramallah to discuss the Dignity Strike. “We asked the American side to intervene in guaranteeing [our] prisoners’ rights and achieving their humane demands,” Abbas later tells the Fatah Central Comm. (JP, TOI 5/25)

Greenblatt also meets with Israeli PM Netanyahu to follow up on U.S. pres. Trump’s visit to the region on 5/22–23. The PM’s office then denies a report that the U.S. is pushing for Israel to transfer parts of Area C to Area B, increasing Palestinian control of the West Bank, as a goodwill gesture. (JP 5/26)

The IDF’s Coordinator of Govt. Activities in the Territories (COGAT) Yoav Mordechai says that the Israeli govt. will acquiesce to the PA’s 4/27 request to reduce the electricity supply to Gaza (see JPS 46 [4]). The PA, which typically pays NIS 40 m. (approx. $11.2 m.) per mo. for Israel to transfer electricity to Gaza, will reduce its monthly payments to NIS 25–30 m. (BBC, JP, MNA, TOI, YA 5/25; AP 5/31)

Hamas forces execute the 3 Palestinians convicted of crimes related to the assassination of senior Hamas cmdr. Fuqaha on 3/24 (see JPS 46 [3]). (JP, NYT 5/25; EI 5/26)

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

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

Off the n. coast of Gaza, Israeli naval forces open fire on Palestinian fishing boats, injuring 1 fisherman with rubber-coated metal bullets. In the West Bank, IDF troops arrest a Palestinian in a village nr. Hebron and another in c. Hebron. Meanwhile, hundreds of Israeli settlers perform religious rites at Joseph’s Tomb outside Balata r.c. nr. Nablus, sparking clashes between IDF troops and Palestinians in the camp. Israeli forces seize around 1,000 dunams of land nr. Hebron for the expansion of a nearby settlement. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces assault 2 guards in Haram al-Sharif after they try to intervene in the arrest of a Palestinian woman in the sanctuary. (MNA, WAFA 4/8; PCHR 4/9)

PA PM Hamdallah confirms PA Pres. Abbas’s earlier announcement that the PA refused reduced tax revenues from Israel after PM Netanyahu’s office announced on 3/27 that it would be unfreezing the transfers. He also says that the Palestinians will lodge an official complaint about the freeze at the ICC. (WAFA 4/8)

As part of a reported deal with Israel’s COGAT, the PASF expands deployments in towns and villages nr. Jerusalem, in Area B. The PASF will begin by opening up police stations in the villages. (REU 4/8; AFP, MNA 4/9)

U.S. Pres. Obama calls Sens. Corker (R-TN) and Ben Cardin (D-MD), the 2 ranking mbrs. of the Senate Foreign Relations Comm., denouncing Corker’s proposed bill that would empower Congress to approve or disapprove of any final agreement made by Iran and the P5+1. The bill, the Iran Nuclear Agreement Review Act, is set for a comm. deliberation on 4/14. Meanwhile, Secy. of State Kerry and Under Secy. Wendy Sherman meet with reps. of AIPAC, the American Jewish Comm. (AJC), the Anti-Defamation League (ADL), and other pro-Israel U.S. Jewish groups to argue in favor of the agreement with Iran and further diplomacy. (AP 4/8; TOI 4/9; JTA 4/12)

Unidentified Palestinians fire 2 rockets fr. Gaza into Israel, causing no damage or injuries; 1 rocket is intercepted by Israel’s Iron Dome antimissile system. In the West Bank, the IDF conducts arrest raids, house searches in Hebron in the evening and nr. Hebron late at night. Jewish settlers fr. Ma’on and Susia settlements nr. Hebron uproot at least 45 olive trees fr. a plot of nearby Palestinian land. OCHA reports that Israeli authorities in East Jerusalem demolished 1 Palestinian animal pen and forced a Palestinian family to demolish an extension to their home. In West Bank Area C, the IDF demolishes 3 Palestinian agricultural storehouses and 4 wells nr. Bethlehem and Hebron. (YA 7/24; PCHR 7/26; OCHA 7/27)

Pro-Israel Republican donor Sheldon Adelson, who previously pledged to spend $100 m. of his personal wealth to defeat Obama in the 2012 presidential campaign, agrees to give at least $6.5 m. to fund a new advertising campaign (word of mouth, social media, television) by the Republican Jewish Coalition aimed at drawing Jewish voters in the key battleground states of Florida, Ohio, and Pennsylvania away from Pres. Obama and to Republican candidate Mitt Romney. (NYT 7/25)

Israel’s Jerusalem municipality approves construction of 2,500 new housing units in Gilo settlement. Also in East Jerusalem, the IDF demolishes 5 residential tents and 5 sheds in the Arab al-Jahalin bedouin community e. of Jerusalem. In the West Bank, the IDF demolishes 5 wells and water and electricity networks in Bayt Qad village nr. Jenin (marking the 1st Israeli demolition in Area B in 2012). The IDF also patrols in 3 villages nr. Ramallah and 1 each nr. Jericho and Salfit in the morning; in Qalqilya and 1 nearby village, and in 1 village each nr. Jericho and Ramallah in the afternoon; and in 1 village each nr. Jenin, Qalqilya, and Ramallah late at night. Jewish settlers fr. Eliezer settlement nr. Bethlehem steal fencing surrounding a plot of nearby Palestinian crop land, leaving leaflets taking credit for the action signed by the ‘‘Green Helmets.’’ In Gaza, 1 Palestinian is killed and 1 is injured in a smuggling tunnel collapse on the Rafah border. (PCHR 6/14; OCHA 6/15)

A Palestinian court convicts Muhammad Rashid, the former economic adviser to late PA pres. Yasir Arafat and political ally to Abbas adversary Muhammad Dahlan, of embezzling millions of dollars in public funds during Arafat’s rule. Rashid had been charged in 4/2012 by an independent Palestinian anticorruption commission created in 2010. While few if any Palestinians thought that Rashid (who has lived abroad for years and was convicted in absentia) was innocent, many saw the case against him as, in the words of Palestinian analyst Hani al-Masri (WP 6/21), ‘‘a reaction to a political dispute [with Abbas], not a continuous fight against corruption.’’ Other critics noted (WP 6/21) that the commission had been selective about the cases it chose to investigate, and that of the more than 80 cases it had investigated, few had led to charges against senior officials. (WP 6/21)

Israeli and Palestinian officials issue opposing statements on the content of Israel’s principles on borders presented in the Jordanian-sponsored exploratory talks last quarter. Israeli officials say the principles “effectively means a withdrawal from 90% of the West Bank,” similar to proposals made by Israel at the 2008 Annapolis conference. Palestinian officials counter that Israel never presented maps or discussed percentages, stating “If they wanted to say 90% they should have said 90%.” (WT 2/24)

Jerusalem Post reports that Naftali Bennett, former head of PM Netanyahu’s office and a former head of the YESHA settlers council who has recently launched a new group called One State Israel, has started circulating his proposed solution to the Israel-Palestine conflict to Israel’s political and military elites, who reportedly give it “high praise.” His “Israel Stability Initiative,” which he describes as “a practical plan for managing the . . . conflict,” calls for: (1) Israel unilaterally extending sovereignty over West Bank area C (60% of the West Bank); (2) granting citizenship to the 50,000 (by his estimate; as of 8/2011, OCHA put the figure at 150,000) Palestinians in Area C; (3) full PA “autonomy” in and freedom of movement among West Bank areas A and B; (4) no right of return for Palestinian refugees and no access for Palestinian refugees to areas under PA control; (5) a “full Israeli security umbrella” covering all of the West Bank; (6) the permanent separation of Gaza from the West Bank; and (7) heavy Israeli investment in economic projects in the West Bank that reinforce separation, such as joint industrial zones and separate road networks. (JP 2/23; YA 2/24; Foreign Policy online 5/1; see also OCHA, “Displacement and Insecurity in Area C of the West Bank,” 8/2011)

Unidentified Palestinians fire 2 Qassam rockets fr. Gaza into Israel, causing no damage or injuries. In retaliation, Israeli warplanes and IDF troops on the s. Gaza border fire on open areas e. of Khan Yunis, causing no reported injuries. Late at night, after unidentified Palestinians fire another 2 Qassam rockets into Israel (causing no damage or injuries), Israeli warplanes make 3 air strikes on a group of armed Palestinians operating nr. Gaza City and on a Hamas training base in n. Gaza, causing no reported injuries. In the West Bank, IDF troops nr. Hebron uproot 690 trees and bulldoze 22 dunams (d.; 4 d. = 1 acre) of agricultural land, a well and water tank, and 800 meters (m) of fence surrounding the fields, located in Surif village; and demolish a mosque, a school, and 19 shelters in Khirbat Janba bedouin community; conducts daytime patrols in Qalqilya, Tulkarm, 4 villages nr. Ramallah, and 1 nr. Jenin (accidentally damaging 1 home and a water network when an IDF vehicle gets stuck); conducts afternoon and evening patrols in Qalqilya and 1 nearby village, Tulkarm and 3 nearby villages, and 1 village nr. Salfit; conducts late night patrols nr. Qalqilya. In Jerusalem, Israeli police arrest 7 Palestinians for jeering a group of Jews touring the Temple Mount/alAqsa Mosque compound. (JP 2/23; JP, WT, YA 2/24; PCHR 3/1; OCHA 3/2)

PA pres. and Fatah head Abbas holds separate meetings in Cairo with Hamas leader Mishal and Hamas’s acting PM in Gaza Ismail Haniyeh (marking their 1st meeting since 2007). Afterward, Fatah officials stated (Jerusalem Post 2/26) that Abbas has agreed to Mishal’s request to suspend talks on implementation of the 5/2011 Fatah-Hamas unity deal until Hamas resolves its internal disputes. (REU 2/23; JP 2/26)

On the anniversary of the Nakba, 1,000s of Palestinians fr. the West Bank, Gaza, Jordan, Lebanon, and Syria stage marches (mostly nonviolent, though some stone throwing) toward the Israeli border. In Lebanon, though troops, riot police, and UNIFIL soldiers deploy to prevent marchers fr. reaching the border, a large group succeeds in reaching the border fence nr. Hizballah-controlled Maroun al-Ras village, where they throw stones at IDF troops. IDF troops open fire into Lebanon, leaving 10 Palestinians dead and at least 112 wounded. Palestinians refugees marching fr. Syria knock down the border fence into the Golan Heights, enter the Druze village of Majdal Shams, and rally in the village square, erecting Palestinian flags. IDF troops open fire to drive them back across the border, killing 4 Palestinians and wounding around 200. On the border with Jordan, Jordanian troops fired tear gas and scuffle with some 800 Palestinians, preventing them fr. reaching the border, leaving 14 demonstrators and 3 police officers lightly injured. In Egypt, govt. forces reinforce their border, preventing some 250 Palestinians fr. marching to the Rafah crossing. In Cairo, riot police fire tear gas, disperse protesters converging on the Israeli embassy, injuring around 120. On the Gaza border, IDF troops fire live ammunition and artillery at Gazans marching toward the border, wounding at least 125. In the West Bank, IDF troops fire tear gas, rubber-coated steel bullets to disperse around 1,000 stone-throwing Palestinians marching toward the Qalandia crossing (injuring 10s) and violently beat scores of Palestinians marching fr. Palestinian-controlled area A toward Israeli security-controlled area B in Hebron (injuring 10s). A large peaceful rally commemorating the Nakba is held in Ramallah. Numerous smaller and protests clashes are also reported in the West Bank and East Jerusalem; rights groups say some 185 Palestinians have been injured in these clashes over the past 3 days, 153 of them in Jerusalem. Netanyahu accuses the demonstrators of “incitement” and challenging “the very existence of Israel.” Other Israeli officials accuse Iran and Syria of instigating the Palestinians, noting that Syrian security did nothing to prevent Palestinians fr. approaching the border. (DS, IFM, IsRN, JAZ, JP, MA, YA 5/15; Christian Science Monitor, NYT, PCHR, WP, WT 5/16)

Unrelated to the “March to Palestine,” IDF troops fired across the border into Gaza, killing a Palestinian who allegedly was planting an explosive device. Inside Israel, an Israeli Palestinian drives his truck into several cars, a bus, and pedestrians in Tel Aviv, killing 1 Israeli and injuring 17 in what Israeli police say was a deliberate terrorist attack; the driver, who is arrested, strongly denies deliberately harming anyone, saying he lost control of his vehicle when a tire blew. The IDF also patrols in 2 village nr. Qalqilya (arresting 1 Palestinian teenager for throwing stones) and 2 nr. Tulkarm; sends undercover units into Nur al-Shams r.c. nr. Tulkarm late at night, surrounding and raiding a house and arresting 1 Palestinian; conducts other late-night arrest raids, house searches in and around al-‘Arub r.c. and Hebron, and nr. Salfit. Jewish settlers fr. Kiryat Arba settlement in Hebron throw 4 Molotov cocktails at a nearby Palestinian home, causing minor damage. Israel resumes transferring VAT taxes to the PA (see 5/1), having received PA assurances that none of the money would be accessible to Hamas under the new Fatah-Hamas unity deal, but warning that it would reconsider suspending transfers if Hamas was allowed to join a PA govt. (NYT 5/16; PCHR 5/19; OCHA 5/20)

At quarter’s end, fierce fighting is ongoing in Libya and NATO intervention continues. Rebel-held areas increasingly report shortages of food and medical supplies. No reliable figures on casualties are available since independent media access and communications are extremely difficult. Deaths are thought to be well into the 1,000s and perhaps as high as 10,000. (WP 5/16; REU 6/9)

In the morning, Netanyahu tours Capitol Hill, where he is greeted warmly. He then meets for 2 hrs. at the White House with Pres. Obama, who reportedly makes tough demands of Israel to put the peace process back on track. After a 90-min. sidebar with his advisors, Netanyahu makes a counterproposal that is rejected by Obama. (NYT, WP, WT 3/24; NYT, WP 3/25; JPI, NYT 3/26)

Unidentified Palestinians fire a Qassam rocket fr. Gaza into Israel, causing no damage or injuries. In retaliation, the IDF carries out an air strike on a suspected weapons depot nr. Jabaliya r.c., damaging a nearby home but causing no injuries. The IDF makes a brief incursion into the Erez industrial zone to level land and clear lines of sight. In the West Bank, the IDF conducts late-night arrest raids, house searches nr. Hebron. Jewish settlers fr. several settlements beat Palestinian farmers working their land in Sinjil village n. of Ramallah; the IDF intervenes, declaring the area a closed military zone and forcing settlers and Palestinians to leave. (JP, YA 3/23; JP 3/24; OCHA, PCHR 3/25)

IDF troops on the n. Gaza border fire on Palestinians scavenging material from destroyed buildings 400 m fr. the border, forcing them to flee; no injuries are reported. Shortly after, the same IDF unit shells the area where the Palestinians had been scavenging as well as a Palestinian home in Bayt Lahiya, causing damage but no injuries. In the West Bank, the IDF patrols in Bayt Rima nr. Ramallah during the day; conducts late-night arrest raids, house searches nr. Hebron. Some 50 Jewish settlers break into the ancient Na’aran synagogue in Palestinian-controlled area A in Jericho to hold religious services, declaring their hopes of “renewing Jewish settlement in Jericho”; the IDF removes the settlers, arresting at least 35. Jewish settlers escorted by IDF troops enter Kafr Haris village n. of Salfit to perform Jewish prayers at monuments in the village. (HA 2/22; PCHR 2/24; OCHA 2/25)

Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu adds 2 key West Bank Jewish shrines, the Tomb of the Patriarchs (known as alIbrahimi Mosque to Palestinians) in the center of Hebron and Rachel’s Tomb just inside Bethlehem, to Israel’s national heritage sites, allocating $1 m. for their maintenance and repair as part of a $100 m. project to refurbish and link 150 national heritage sites, creating a “historical biblical trail [to] educate the next generation about Jewish and Zionist history.” The PA condemns the action. (IFM 2/21; PCHR, WT 2/22; NYT 2/23; JPI 3/4)