The Palestine Chronology

In the West Bank, 1 Israeli settler rammed a car into 1 63-year-old Palestinian woman walking to a cancer treatment facility near Sinjil, killing her. Israeli settlers also kidnapped a Palestinian man, beating him before releasing him 2 hours later near Azmut. Elsewhere, Israeli settlers threw stones at Palestinian vehicles traveling near the Homesh settlement outpost, causing damage. Israeli settlers also attacked 3 Palestinians having a picnic near Deir Istiya, causing injuries. Israeli forces violently dispersed Palestinian protesters during a raid in ‘Azzun, injuring 1 with live ammunition and arresting 3. Israeli forces also violently dispersed Palestinian protesters in Hebron, causing tear-gas related injuries. 2 Palestinians were arrested during a late-night raid in Ya‘bad. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces violently dispersed Palestinian and Israeli protesters in Sheikh Jarrah, protesting against the pending eviction of the Salem family; 3 were arrested. In Gaza, Israeli forces made incursions and leveled land east of Beit Lahiya. (HA, MEE, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 12/24; MEMO 12/25; PCHR 12/30)

Euro-Mediterranean Human Rights Monitor said that 38 settler attacks against Palestinians had been recorded since the killing of 1 Israeli settler on 12/16. (WAFA 12/25)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers threw stones at Palestinian vehicles near the Beit El settlement, causing damage. Israeli settlers also attacked Palestinians employed by the Land Settlement Authority with stones and clubs in al-Shuyukh, injuring 1 with injuries to his head. Elsewhere, Israeli settlers clashed with Israeli forces as the latter evacuated the Geulat Zion settlement outpost near the Shiloh settlement. Israeli forces fired tear gas at Palestinian pupils heading to a school in al-Lubban ash-Sharqiya for the 2d day in a row, injuring dozens with tear gas. Israeli forces also seized 2 residential structures and 5 agricultural structures in az-Za‘ayyem. 11 Palestinians were arrested during raids in Bil‘in, Jaba‘, Tulkarm, Sanniriya, Nablus, al-Ibayyat, and Deir Sammit. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces shot and killed 1 Palestinian minor after he allegedly stabbed and wounded 2 Israeli soldiers in the Old City. Israeli forces also delivered demolition notices for 2 agricultural structures in Isawiya. 3 Palestinians were arrested during raids in Isawiya and Silwan. Off the coast of Gaza, Israeli naval forces opened fire at Palestinian fishermen 2-5 nautical miles west of al-Sudaniyya; no injuries were reported. (AP, HA, JP, MEMO, REU, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 11/17; PCHR 11/18)

1 39-year-old Palestinian prisoner died in an Israeli hospital of issues related to a heart condition. Palestinian Prisoners Center for Studies said he died due to medical neglect by Israel. (AJ, JP, MEMO, PCHR, WAFA 11/18)

B’Tselem released footage that 1 of its activists had recorded in September, showing Israeli soldiers in Hebron rounding up 13 Palestinian children in the middle of the night and taking photos of them, asking them to say “cheese” for the camera. Many of the very young children are seen crying in the video. (HA, MEMO 11/17; AP, TOI 11/18)

PA president Mahmoud Abbas met with U.S. ambassador to the UN Linda Greenfield-Thomas. Ambassador Greenfield-Thomas urged the PA to end its payments to Palestinian prisoners and their families and to respect human rights issues. (HA, TOI 11/17; TOI, WAFA 11/18)

In Syria, Israeli forces fired 2 missiles from Israeli-occupied Golan Heights at Damascus, hitting 1 empty building. 1 of the missiles was intercepted by Syrian air defense. (AJ, AP, HA 11/17)

EU high representative for foreign affairs Josep Borrell told the Ad Hoc Liaison Committee that Israel has not provided the EU with any evidence proving their accusations that 6 Palestinian rights organizations are terrorist entities. PA prime minister Mohammed Shtayyeh was also present at the meeting and criticized the new Israeli government’s approach to Palestinians and stance against a 2-state solution. He also said Israel had to stop dealing with Palestinians in Gaza differently than it does West Bank Palestinians. (WAFA, WAFA 11/16; HA, WAFA, WAFA 11/17)

Qatar and Egypt signed a deal to supply fuel and building supplies to Gaza during the Ad Hoc Liaison Committee meeting. The deal will see Qatar pay Egypt for oil and gasoline which will be given to Hamas and distributed at gas stations in Gaza and some funds will be directed at vulnerable families in Gaza and to help pay civil servants. The deal was reported to include a monthly transfer from Qatar to Egypt for distribution in Gaza of $30 million. (AJ, REU 11/17; MEMO 11/18; ALM 11/23; HA 11/27; HA 11/29; MEMO 11/30)

In the West Bank, Israeli forces prevented Palestinians from accessing a playground in Susiya because Israeli settlers were using the playground in their village. The Israeli settlers have been protesting the renovation of the playground, which reopened in September. Israeli settlers also attacked Palestinians in Burin, causing fractures to 1 and bruises to 2 others. Elsewhere, Israeli settlers raided Palestinians harvesting olives in Tuqu‘ before being repelled by local Palestinians. Israeli forces forced Palestinians harvesting olives to leave their lands in Qaryut. 3 Palestinians were arrested at flying checkpoints in Qatanna and Dayr Abu Da‘if. In Jerusalem, Israeli right-wing activists from the Lehava organization attacked Palestinians at a gas station, forcing them to barricade themselves. Israeli police removed the Israelis, but they returned 1 hour later to threaten the Palestinians at the gas station. Israeli police arrested 21 Israeli right-wing activists who partook in a protest against the Israeli forces’ decision to follow Israeli settlers who had attacked Palestinians, leading to the death of 1 Israeli settler when his car overturned on 12/21/2020. Off the coast of Gaza, Israeli naval forces opened fire at Palestinian fishermen some 2 nautical miles from the coast; no injuries were reported. (HA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 11/6; TOI 11/7; TOI 11/8; PCHR 11/11)

Israeli prime minister Naftali Bennett and foreign minister Yair Lapid both reiterated their opposition to the reopening of the U.S. consulate to Palestinians in Jerusalem during a joint press conference. Prime Minister Bennett said, “[there] is no place for an American consulate that serves the Palestinians in Jerusalem, Jerusalem is the capital of the State of Israel only.” Foreign Minister Lapid said, “if the Americans want to open a consulate in Ramallah, we have no problem with that . . . Sovereignty in Jerusalem belongs to one country alone, the State of Israel.” Lapid’s aides later clarified that Lapid did not mean a consulate in Ramallah but a liaison’s office. PA civil affairs minister Hussein al-Sheikh later said in a tweet on 11/7 that Bennett is trying to challenge the U.S. on its promise to reopen the consulate in Jerusalem. (HA 11/6; AP, CNN, HA, MEMO, WAFA, WAFA 11/7)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers attacked and injured 1 Israeli soldier and damaged 3 vehicles in the Yitzhar settlement as Israeli forces tried to remove 1 settler-erected tent. Israeli settlers also installed water pipes on Palestinian-owned land in Ein al-Sakout. 14 Palestinians were arrested, including 13 during late-night raids in Beita, al-Khader, Umm Salamuna, and Yatta; 1 was arrested at a checkpoint near Jericho. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces violently dispersed Palestinians at the Damascus Gate plaza using stun grenades and skunk water; 2 Palestinians were arrested. In Gaza, Israeli forces opened fire at Palestinian lands east of al-Qarara; no injuries were reported. Israeli forces also opened fire at municipal workers at a landfill near Juhor ad-Dik; no injuries were reported. Off the coast of Gaza, Israeli naval forces opened fire at Palestinian fishermen within 3 nautical miles west of Gaza; no injuries were reported. (JP, WAFA, WAFA 10/11; HA, TOI 10/12; PCHR 10/14)

Founder of Rawabi City Bashar Masri announced that he will begin building 400 housing units on land belonging to the Greek Orthodox Church in East Jerusalem near Bayt Hanina. Masri said it had taken him more than 10 years to get the building permits from the Israeli municipality. (WAFA 10/11)

Israel issued permits for 442 undocumented Palestinians living in the West Bank and Gaza, making them official residents. Israel controls the Palestinian population registry so people without Israeli permits cannot receive a valid PA-issued identity card. More than 10,000 Palestinians are estimated to be living in the West Bank without being registered by Israel. Israel is said to register over 5,000 Palestinians in the West Bank and Gaza as part of an agreement made between Israeli defense minister Benny Gantz and PA president Mahmoud Abbas. (HA, TOI 10/11)

The Israeli high court of justice criticized the Israeli military for not protecting Palestinian farmers by enforcing a ban on Israeli settlers in the former Homesh settlement area. Because of the lack of enforcement, Palestinian farmers are frequently attacked by Israeli settlers in the area and Israeli settlers have erected a settlement outpost and a Yeshiva on the land. (HA 10/12)

PA president Mahmoud Abbas spoke with Pope Francis on the phone. (WAFA 10/11)

Israeli prime minister Naftali Bennett said that Israel will never renounce its claim to the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights, even if Syria or its president Bashir al-Assad gains favor with the world. Prime Minister Bennett also said that his government seeks to increase the Israeli settler population in the area from 27,000 to 100,000. (MEE, MEMO, REU, TOI 10/11; ALM 10/13)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers from the Yitzhar settlement chased Palestinians harvesting olives off their land in Burin. Israeli settlers also attacked Palestinians harvesting olives with stones and sticks near Qalqilya. Elsewhere, Israeli settlers threw stones at Palestinians harvesting olives near Bidya. Israeli settlers also attacked PA land surveyors working in the Masafer Yatta area, forcing them to leave. Meanwhile, Israeli settlers vandalized Palestinian-owned vehicles near Beit Iksa. Israeli forces seized 1 excavator in Dirat. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces violently dispersed Palestinians said to have been throwing stones at Jewish people at the Damascus Gate plaza; 4 were arrested. Off the coast of Gaza, Israeli naval forces opened fire at Palestinian fishermen within 3 nautical miles west of Gaza; no injuries were reported. (WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 10/9; HA 10/11; TOI 10/12; PCHR 10/14)

The 2 main Lebanese power plants ran out of diesel fuel, stopping all state production of energy in Lebanon. The 2 power plants received some diesel fuel almost 24 hours after shutting down, providing some energy to Lebanon. (AJ, REU 10/9; AJ, MEMO 10/10; HA, REU 10/11)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers with military escort obstructed a Palestinian protest march near Tubas against the establishment of a settlement outpost; no injuries were reported. Israeli settlers with military escort also threw stones at Palestinian houses in al-Twana. Elsewhere, Israeli settlers attacked journalists in the Tel Rumeida neighborhood of Hebron. Israeli settlers also attacked employees of the Palestinian Land Settlement Authority in Umm al-Shaqhan and stole 1 GPS device. Meanwhile, Israeli settlers attacked 1 Palestinian man working on his house near Qaryut. In East Jerusalem, 1 Palestinian demolished a structure added to his house in 2011 in Beit Safafa. 2 Palestinians were arrested in the Old City. (WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 7/24; HA 7/25; PCHR 7/29)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers with military escort attacked Palestinians in Hebron, leading to tear-gas related injuries. Israeli forces violently dispersed Palestinian celebrations of the ceasefire (see below) in Hebron and Bethlehem, leading to tear-gas related injuries. Israeli forces also violently dispersed Palestinian protesters in Beita, injuring 2 with rubber-coated bullets and live ammunition; others suffered tear-gas related injuries. Elsewhere, Israeli forces violently dispersed Palestinian protesters in Huwwara, injuring 2 with live ammunition; others suffered tear-gas related injuries. Israeli forces also violently dispersed protesters in Kafr Qaddum, injuring 3 with rubber-coated bullets; others suffered tear-gas related injuries. 3 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in Bani Na‘im, Abu Njeim, and Jaba‘. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces violently dispersed Palestinians at the Haram al-Sharif compound after the Friday noon prayer, confiscating Palestinian flags, arresting 17, and injuring 23 worshipers with rubber-coated bullets. During the raid, 1 Agence France-Presse journalist was also beaten by Israeli forces. Israeli forces also closed down Shaykh Jarrah to all Palestinians, including those living in the area. In Gaza, 17 Palestinians, including 2 children, were found dead in rubble from Israeli air strikes, raising the comprehensive death toll since 5/10 from 236 to 253, including 67 children and 3 pregnant women. 1 toddler was found dead in rubble from an air strike on Gaza City 5/11; 1 child was found in rubble from an Israeli air strike on a house in al-Shati refugee camp on 5/15; and 15 Palestinians were also found dead in rubble from Israeli air strikes in a tunnel hit by Israeli missiles. In Israel, before the ceasefire took effect (see below), 1 Israeli was injured by rocket shrapnel and 1 house in Kibbutz Be’eri was damaged by a rocket from Gaza. (HA 5/20; AJ, AJ, AX, HA, MEE, PCHR, REU, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 5/21; HA 5/25; PCHR 5/27)

A ceasefire agreement between Hamas and Israel, brokered by Egypt, took effect at 2 a.m. 263 Palestinians were killed in Gaza, including 68 children, and 12 people were killed in Israel, including 1 soldier, 2 Thai citizens, 1 Indian citizen, and 2 Palestinian citizens of Israel. Around 2,000 Palestinians and 345 Israelis were wounded over the 11 days. Israel partially reopened the Kerem Shalom crossing after the ceasefire, allowing some humanitarian aid and goods into Gaza. U.S. secretary of state Antony Blinken said he would meet with Israeli and Palestinian officials during a trip in the coming days. The Gaza housing ministry said that 16,800 housing units had been damaged by Israeli missiles, including 1,800 that had become unfit for living. Some 90,000 Palestinians in Gaza were reported to be internally displaced due to the Israeli attacks, including more than 66,000 seeking shelter at UNRWA facilities. It also reported that Palestinians in Gaza were getting between 3-4 hours of electricity a day, while they previously received 12 hours a day before the escalation started on 5/10. Israel said that some 4,350 rockets had been fired from Gaza toward Israel and that the Iron Dome had intercepted approximately 90% of them. Both Israel and Hamas declared victory. Egyptian officials also arrived in Gaza to discuss with Hamas officials about maintaining the ceasefire. Islamic Jihad in Palestine said that 19 of its fighters were among the 263 Palestinians killed by Israel in Gaza during the latest escalation. Hamas later said that 80 members of its militia had been killed. (AJ, HA, HA, REU 5/20; AJ, AJ, AJ, AJ, ALM, ALM, ALM, ALM, ALM, AP, AP, AP, AX, AX, AX, HA, HA, HA, HA, HA, JP, REU, REU, REU, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 5/21; AX, HA, WAFA 5/22; HA, WAFA 5/23; NYT 5/25; AP 5/26; HA 5/27)

13 trucks carrying food, COVID-19 vaccines, and other aid crossed into Gaza through the Kerem Shalom crossing. (AJ, WAFA 5/21)

PA president Mahmoud Abbas discussed the Israel-Hamas ceasefire and the need for humanitarian aid with U.S. secretary of state Antony Blinken. In a phone call between President Abbas and Saudi king Salman, the latter condemned Israeli aggression in Jerusalem and Gaza. (AJ, WAFA 5/21)

The owner of 1 of the high-rise buildings in Gaza bombed by Israel said he is filing a formal complaint to the ICC about the attack on his building, calling it a war crime. His building, al-Jala Tower, housed AP and Al Jazeera offices in Gaza as well as many residential units. PA prime minister Mohammed Shtayyeh also pledged to refer the Israeli attacks on Gaza to the ICC. (AJ, WAFA 5/21)

Digital rights group 7amleh said Israel and the companies TikTok and Facebook, including its subsidiary Instagram, are cooperating in order to silence Palestinian voices and content on the social media platforms. Posts and hashtags have been deleted from the platforms and users, banned. 7amleh said it was especially concerned related to Gaza and Shaykh Jarrah, which had been censored. Sada Social also sent a formal complaint to Facebook, condemning the censorship. (AJ, WAFA 5/21)

Lebanese president Michel Aoun wrote a letter to the parliament, saying that prime minister-designate Saad Hariri is incapable of forming a cabinet. (HA, REU 5/21; MEMO 5/22)

The U.S. state department circumvented a potential obstacle from Congress by granting Boeing an export license for $735 million’s worth of weapons to Israel. U.S. senator Bernie Sanders (D-VT) said on 5/20 that he wanted the Senate to review the sale. (JC 5/25; ALM 5/27)

A bomb killed 7 people at a Palestinian solidarity rally in Chaman City, Pakistan. The bomb was said to have targeted a political leader who had organized the event. Pakistan’s foreign minister had declared the day a “day of solidarity” with Palestinians. (AJ 5/20; HA, MEMO 5/21)

China said it would send aid to Gaza to help treat the injured and house the homeless. (AJ 5/20)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers attacked 2 Palestinians in Ma’in, causing light injuries. Israeli settlers also set fire to a Palestinian-owned vehicle in Rujeib. Elsewhere, Israeli settlers threw stones at Palestinian vehicles traveling between Jenin and Nablus. Israeli settlers also attacked Palestinians in Burin, demolished parts of a house, and set fields on fire. Israeli forces shot and killed 1 Palestinian child during a late-night raid in Tubas and injured 1 other by running him over. Israeli forces also shot and killed 1 Palestinian during a late-night raid in al-Fawar refugee camp. Elsewhere, Israeli forces shot and killed 1 Palestinian at a checkpoint near Huwwara, claiming he had tried to attack 2 Israeli soldiers. Israeli forces also violently dispersed Palestinian protesters in Hebron, injuring 2, including 1 with live ammunition. Separately, Israeli forces violently dispersed Palestinian protesters in Yatta, injuring 1 with live ammunition and 2 with rubber-coated bullets. Israeli forces also violently dispersed Palestinian protesters in Bayt Umar, injuring 1 minor with live ammunition and 3 others with rubber-coated bullets. Meanwhile, Israeli forces violently dispersed Palestinians protesting in Bethlehem, Harmala, al-Khadir, and Dayr Sharif, resulting in tear-gas related injuries. Israeli forces also violently dispersed Palestinian protesters in Beita, injuring 3 using rubber-coated bullets. Elsewhere, Israeli forces violently dispersed Palestinian protesters in Tulkarm, injuring 3 with live ammunition. 40 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in and around Hebron, al-Fawar refugee camp, Nablus, Tulkarm, Tubas, and Qalqilya. In East Jerusalem, 2 Israeli settlers attacked 1 Palestinian with a sharp tool, slicing her face as she was leaving the Haram al-Sharif compound. Israeli forces violently dispersed Palestinian protesters in al-Tur, injuring 1 with a rubber-coated bullet; others suffered tear-gas related injuries and 2 were arrested. 6 other Palestinians were arrested during house raids in the Old City, Jabal Mukabir, Silwan, and Shu‘fat. In Gaza, 34 Palestinians were killed, including 6 children, and dozens injured, raising the comprehensive death toll since 5/10 from 30 to 64, including 16 children. The casualties included: 4 in a drone strike on a car east of Bayt Lahiya; 8, including 3 children, in 3 air strikes on apartment buildings in Gaza City; 1 child in an air strike on a butcher in Gaza City; 6 in a drone strike on a car in Gaza city, including 3 inside the car and 3 passersby; 1, and 1 wounded, in another air strike on a vehicle in Gaza City; 1 in an air strike in Khan Yunis; 1 in an air strike on agricultural lands near Khuza‘a; 4, and 2 injured, in a drone strike on Nuseirat refugee camp; 2, and 1 child injured, in an air strike on a liquefied petroleum gas distribution vehicle in Khan Yunis; 2, and 3 wounded, including 1 child, in an air strike on a house in Khan Yunis; 2, and 2 wounded, all children, after a helicopter fired missiles at a gas station in al-Fukhari; and the body of 1 Palestinian was found in rubble near Bayt Hanun, it was assessed that he was killed in an air strike on 5/10; the body of 1 Palestinian was found near a mosque in Rafah, the Palestinian Centre for Human Rights said it was unclear if he had been killed by debris from an intercepted rocket or in an Israeli air strike. Hamas reported that the interior ministry and the passport office along with other government buildings had been hit by Israeli air strikes. Israeli air strikes also demolished 2 high-rise buildings, the 10-story al-Jawhara building, and the 14-story al-Shorouq building, which housed news outlets and other offices, and the headquarters of the interior ministry and UNRWA schools. In Israel, 1 Israeli soldier was killed and 2 injured from an anti-tank missile fired from Gaza and 1 child succumbed to injuries sustained in Sderot, raising the Israeli death toll to 7. Dozens of rockets were also fired at Israel from Gaza, most of them intercepted. A mob of Jewish-Israelis pulled 1 Palestinian-Israeli out of his car and beat him while tv cameras were rolling in Bat Yam; the man was said to be in serious condition. A mob of Jewish-Israelis also raided a number of Palestinian-owned businesses in Tel Aviv, causing severe damage. 1 Jewish-Israeli man was attacked by 5 Palestinian-Israelis in ‘Akka; he was said to be in serious condition. Jewish-Israelis also attacked a tent set up to mourn the death of 1 Palestinian-Israeli who was shot by a Jewish-Israeli on 5/10 in Lydda, throwing stones at the mourners. Elsewhere in Lydda, 1 Jewish-Israeli was shot and injured and 2 more were injured in stabbings, 21 Palestinian-Israelis were injured, including 1 by gunshot. Israeli police announced a nighttime curfew in Lydda from 8 p.m. to 4 a.m. 1 Palestinian-Israeli man was injured when rammed by a car­ and beaten near Or Akiva. 1 Palestinian-Israeli was lightly injured by a mob of Jewish-Israelis while driving in Tiberias. 1 Jewish-Israeli was injured in a stabbing incident in Tamra. A mob of Jewish-Israelis also attacked 1 Palestinian-Israeli in Haifa. (AJ, NYT 5/11; AJ, AJ, AJ, AJ, AP, AP, AP, AP, BBC, CNN, HA, HA, HA, NYT, NYT, PCHR, REU, REU, TOI, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 5/12; AP, CNN, HA, PCHR, WAFA, WAFA 5/13; PCHR 5/14; TOI 5/16; HA 5/18; WAFA 5/19; PCHR 5/20; MEE 5/21; HA, NYT 5/26; HA 5/27)

1 Palestinian prisoner suspended a 56-day-long hunger strike as Israel promised not to renew his administrative detention after 7/17. (WAFA 5/12)

PA president Mahmoud Abbas discussed the current situation with EU high representative Josep Borrell, King Abdullah II of Jordan, and Iraqi president Barham Salih. A White House statement also said that U.S. secretary of state Antony Blinken spoke with President Abbas and they discussed “the violence in Jerusalem, the West Bank and Gaza, and the Secretary expressed his condolences for the lives lost as a result. The Secretary condemned the rocket attacks and emphasized the need to de-escalate tensions and bring the current violence to an end.” (HA, WAFA 5/12)

At a security cabinet meeting, Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu and other ministers decided not to accept a potential ceasefire and continue its attack on Gaza for the time being. (HA 5/13)

Israeli president Reuven Rivlin condemned what he called a “pogrom” by “an Arab mob” on 5/11, despite the majority of the violence in Israel being perpetrated against Palestinian-Israelis. (HA 5/12)

Turkey said that its president Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and Russia’s president Vladimir Putin had discussed the situation in Jerusalem and Gaza, and that Turkey had called for international action against Israel. (AJ, AP, REU 5/12)

U.S. president Joe Biden said, during a press conference, that he believes that “Israel has a right to defend itself when you have thousands of rockets flying in your territory,” and that his “hope is that we’ll see this coming to conclusions sooner than later.” President Biden also spoke with Prime Minister Netanyahu, where he gave his “unwavering support for Israel’s security and for Israel’s legitimate right to defend itself and its people, while protecting civilians,” according to the readout. The Biden administration also dispatched deputy assistant secretary of state for Israel and Palestine Hady Amr to Israel for talks with Palestinian and Israeli officials. The White House said that senior officials have had more than 25 calls with officials from Israel, the PA, Qatar, Tunisia, Jordan, and Egypt about the situation. (HA 5/12; NYT 5/13)

25 house democrats signed a letter circulated by Marie Newman (D-IL) and Mark Pocan (D-WI) urging secretary of state Antony Blinken to condemn the planned evictions of Palestinian families from Shaykh Jarrah. (HA 5/13)

ICC prosecutor Fatou Bensouda said that she was following the situation in Gaza and Jerusalem with concern. (MEE, REU, WAFA 5/12)

The UN security council held a 2d meeting in 3 days to discuss the escalation of the conflict between Palestine and Israel. (TOI 5/12)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers set fire to a field planted with wheat crops near al-Mughayyir, causing extensive damage. Israel deployed more forces to the West Bank, increasing the number of military forces by 50%. Israeli forces seized 1 excavator east of Yatta. 1 Palestinian was arrested at the Qalandia checkpoint. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces violently dispersed Palestinian protesters by the Damascus Gate plaza, injuring 3. Israeli forces also violently dispersed Palestinian protesters at the Hebrew University near Issawiyya, injuring 2 and arresting 3; 3 Israeli police officers were reportedly lightly injured. Earlier, Israeli settlers attacked 1 Palestinian in the area, leading to several other Palestinians coming to his defense. Elsewhere, Israeli forces closed off Shaykh Jarrah to prevent Palestinians from entering the neighborhood and violently dispersed Palestinians in the area, leading to 19 injuries, including 5 that required treatment at a hospital. 6 Palestinians were arrested during raids in and around the Haram al-Sharif compound, Bayt Hanina, Shu‘fat, and Sur Bahir. In Gaza, Israel said incendiary balloons from Gaza started several fires in Israel. 2 rockets were also reportedly fired from Gaza toward Israel; no damage was reported. Israeli forces subsequently attacked Dayr al-Balah, causing damage. Israeli forces also violently dispersed Palestinian protests against Israeli aggression in East Jerusalem near the Gaza fence east of Khan Yunis, injuring 1 protester with live ammunition and 2 with tear gas. Elsewhere, Israeli forces violently dispersed Palestinian protesters east of al-Bureij refugee camp; no injuries were reported. Off the coast of Gaza, Israeli naval forces opened fire at Palestinian fishermen within 3 nautical miles west of Bayt Lahiya; no injuries were reported. In Israel, Palestinian citizens of Israel protested Israel’s aggression against Palestinians in East Jerusalem in Haifa and Nazareth. (HA, HA, HA, HA, HA, MEMO, WAFA, WAFA 5/9; AP, HA, HA 5/10; PCHR 5/11)

The Israeli high court of justice postponed the eviction hearing for the Palestinian families in Shaykh Jarrah under the most immediate threat of eviction. The hearing, which has already been postponed a number of times, was scheduled for 5/10. The postponement was made after a request by the Israeli attorney general Avichai Mendelblit, whom the attorneys representing the Palestinian families have requested be part of the proceedings. (GDN, HA, NYT 5/9; HA, REU 5/10)

Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu said, “[w]e firmly reject pressure not to build in Jerusalem. And sadly, these pressures have been increasing recently. I say to our closest friends: Jerusalem is the capital of Israel. Just as every nation builds its capital and builds in its capital, we also reserve the right to build Jerusalem and build in Jerusalem. This is what we have done, and this is what we will continue to do.” His comments came after days of international condemnation of Israeli efforts to evict Palestinians in East Jerusalem, replacing them with Israeli settlers. (AJ, BBC, HA 5/9)

Jordan summoned the Israeli envoy to the country to express its condemnation over Israeli behavior in East Jerusalem in recent days. Jordan’s king Abdullah II also called PA president Mahmoud Abbas to express his support. Jordan called the Israeli violence against Palestinians in East Jerusalem “barbaric.” Protests outside the Israeli embassy in Amman called for Jordan to end its peace treaty with Israel. President Abbas also discussed the situation with Tunisian president Kais Saied. (HA, REU, WAFA, WAFA 5/9)

U.S. national security advisor Jake Sullivan spoke to Israeli national security advisor Meir Ben-Shabbat, expressing concern over the recent violence in East Jerusalem and the Israeli eviction threat over the Palestinian families in Shaykh Jarrah. According to Axios, Security Advisor Ben-Shabbat told U.S. security advisor Sullivan that the U.S. and the international community should stay out of Israel’s actions in East Jerusalem. The spokesperson for UN secretary-general António Guterres urged Israel to “exercise maximum restraint and respect the right to freedom of peaceful assembly” and to stop demolitions and evictions in East Jerusalem. Pope Francis also called on the parties to stop the violence. Pakistan and Switzerland were also among the countries to criticize Israel’s aggression. (AX, HA, MEMO, WAFA, WAFA 5/9; AX, HA, MEE, REU, WAFA 5/10)

Tunisia led a group of 9 nations requesting an emergency meeting at the UN security council for the violence in Jerusalem. (WAFA 5/9)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers raided al-Twana and near Yatta. Israeli forces violently dispersed Palestinian protesters near Huwwara, al-Jalama checkpoint, and in Beita, causing tear-gas related injuries. 2 Palestinians were arrested at a checkpoint near Jericho. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces attacked Palestinian worshipers at the Haram al-Sharif compound, including inside al-Aqsa Mosque, injuring more than 100 with tear gas, stun grenades, and rubber-coated bullets; the Palestinian Red Crescent had set up a makeshift field office at the compound, but said that Israeli forces prevented the organization from evacuating injured Palestinians; around 30 were hospitalized. Israeli forces also dispersed Palestinians gathered around the Damascus Gate plaza using skunk water and stun grenades. Elsewhere, Israeli forces physically assaulted Palestinians in Shaykh Jarrah and arrested 5 protesters. Palestinians reportedly threw stones at Israeli settler vehicles in Shaykh Jarrah. 29 Palestinians were arrested in house raids throughout East Jerusalem. In Gaza, Israel said incendiary balloons from Gaza had sparked 10 fires in Israel. Israeli forces violently dispersed Palestinians by the Gaza fence near al-Bureij, protesting in solidarity with Palestinians in East Jerusalem, injuring 3. In Israel, Israeli forces blocked several buses carrying Palestinian citizens of Israeli to East Jerusalem where they were going to pray at the Haram al-Sharif compound; hundreds of the worshipers subsequently marched on the highway toward East Jerusalem, blocking the highway between Tel Aviv and Jerusalem. (AJ, HA, MEE, MEE, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 5/8; AJ, AP, BBC, HA, HA, HA, NPR, WAFA, WAFA 5/9; HA 5/10; PCHR 5/11)

The Jordanian foreign ministry called on the international community to pressure Israel to cease the attack on Palestinian worshipers at the Haram al-Sharif compound. Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdoğan also tweeted in Hebrew that Turkey “will continue to stand by our Palestinian brothers and sisters under any circumstances.” President Erdoğan also called Israel a “terror state.” Egypt, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Belgium, the EU, and the UAE also condemned the Israeli violence and threats of evicting Palestinian families in Shaykh Jarrah. (HA, REU, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 5/8)

In the West Bank, Israeli forces shot and killed 1 Palestinian minor with 2 shots to his back and injured his cousin with live ammunition during a raid in Odla near Nablus; the deceased’s aunt said that the cousins were running home when they were shot in their backs. Israeli forces raided Aqraba, attacking a house where the suspect of a drive-by shooting against 3 Israeli settlers on 5/2 was allegedly hiding, leading to a firefight; the suspect was later arrested in Silwad. 11 Palestinians were arrested during raids in Aqraba, Dura, Idhna, and Hizma. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces violently dispersed Palestinians protesting the pending evictions of several Palestinian families from Shaykh Jarrah, injuring 22, including 6 from live ammunition, and 12 were arrested. Off the coast of Gaza, Israeli naval forces opened fire at Palestinian fishermen within 3 nautical miles west of al-Sudaniyya; no injuries were reported. (AP, HA, HA, MEE, WAFA, WAFA 5/5; AJ, ALM. AP, PCHR, PCHR, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 5/6; HA, HA, MEE 5/7)

1 Israeli settler victim of a drive-by shooting in the West Bank on 5/2 succumbed to his injuries. (HA 5/5; HA 5/7)

The PA said it had complained to the ICC about the pending forced eviction of Palestinian families from their homes in Shaykh Jarrah. (MEMO 5/6)

PA foreign minister Riyad al-Maliki met with Russian foreign minister Sergey Lavrov in Moscow, discussing revamping the duties of the Middle East Quartet. Foreign Minister Lavrov said that Russia has offered to mediate between the PA and Israel “to resolve all fundamental final-status issues.” Foreign Minister al-Maliki also called on Russia to pressure Israel to allow Palestinians in East Jerusalem to partake in Palestinian elections. (AP 5/5; WAFA 5/6)

Israeli fighter jets attacked several locations near Latakia in Syria, killing 1 and injuring 6. (AJ, AP, HA, JP, MEE 5/5)

Israeli president Reuven Rivlin picked Yesh Atid party leader Yair Lapid as the next candidate to try to form a government after Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s mandate expired on 5/4. (AJ, GDN, NPR, REU 5/5; HA 5/6)

The EU called on Israel to reverse its decision to build 540 settler units in Har Homa and that the EU, with concern, was following the situation in Shaykh Jarrah, Silwan, and al-Walaja. (WAFA 5/6; MEMO 5/7)

The Methodist Church of England said it had divested from the construction company Caterpillar in response to continued use of the company’s products in displacing Palestinians in the occupied Palestinian territory. (Sabeel-Kairos, WAFA 5/5)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers and Israeli forces attacked Palestinian journalists filming in the vicinity of the Ariel settlement. Israeli settlers also began construction on a tract of land in ‘Ayn Bus. Israeli forces seized and demolished residential tents in Khirbet Humsa provided by humanitarian agencies to displaced residents after Israeli forces demolished and confiscated and demolished 46 residential structures on 2/1 and 2/3. Israeli forces also demolished 1 water well in al-Mughayyir and 2 residential structures in Khirbet Yarza. Elsewhere, Israeli forces violently dispersed Palestinian protesters demonstrating against stop-work orders delivered in al-Twana, leading to tear-gas related injuries. Israeli forces also shot and injured 1 Palestinian with live ammunition during a late-night raid near Jenin. Meanwhile, Israeli forces shot and injured 1 Palestinian trying to enter Israel for work near the separation barrier in Barta‘a. 14 Palestinians were arrested, including 13 during late-night raids in and around Jalazun refugee camp, Hebron, Nablus, Qabatiya, and al-Bireh, and 1 was arrested at a checkpoint near Nablus. In East Jerusalem, 4 Palestinian citizens of Israel were arrested at the Haram al-Sharif compound. In Gaza, Israeli forces opened fire on Palestinian famers east of Gaza City and Khan Yunis; no injuries were reported. (WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 2/8; CNN 2/10 PCHR 2/11)

PA and Hamas officials and members of 12 other Palestinian factions met in Cairo to discuss reconciliation and the Palestinian elections. (AJ, REU, WAFA, WAFA 2/8)

A Palestinian court in Nablus sentenced 1 Palestinian man to 5 years in prison for selling Israeli settlement products. (WAFA 2/8)

Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu pleaded not guilty in response to the corruption charges against him in an Israeli court. Prime Minister Netanyahu was forced to appear in court but left after 30 minutes as the judges excused his absence. (REU 2/7; AJ, AP, AX, CBS, CNN, HA, WP 2/8)

The U.S. said it will rejoin the UN Human Rights Council as an observer after the Donald Trump administration left the UN body, citing anti-Israel bias in 2018. The Biden administration wants to rejoin as a full member at an unset date. (NYT 2/7; TOI 2/8)

In an interview with CNN, U.S. secretary of state Antony Blinken said he applauded the normalization deals between Israel, the U.S., the UAE, Bahrain, Morocco, and Sudan, and said that peace between Palestine and Israel is far away, saying the 2 need to engage in peace before the U.S. can get involved. Secretary Blinken also said the Biden administration supported a 2-state solution but when asked about whether a Palestinian state would have East Jerusalem as its capital, he said it was part of final status issues, despite saying the U.S. considers Israel’s capital Jerusalem. Former secretary of state John Kerry said the U.S. supports East Jerusalem as a future capital of Palestine during the Barack Obama administration. Lastly, Secretary Blinken said that the Biden administration would consider supporting the return of the Golan Heights to Syria if Bashar al-Asad was no longer in power. (HA, REU, State Department 2/8; HA 2/9; AJ 2/11)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers attacked Palestinian vehicles traveling near Sinjil. Israeli forces violently dispersed a protest in Kafr Qaddum, causing tear-gas related injuries. Israeli forces also clashed with Palestinians in Jaba‘, causing tear-gas related injuries. PA forces arrested a number of attendants at a party held in the Nabi Musa mosque near Jericho; it was later revealed that the PA had approved the party as part of a promotional video intended to increase tourism. However, several attendees, including famous Palestinian DJ Sama Abdulhadi, were still detained days later. 1 Palestinian was arrested at a checkpoint near Tubas. In East Jerusalem, Israeli settlers clashed with Israeli police and attacked Palestinian passersby during a demonstration against the police because of the death of an Israeli settler during a police pursuit on 12/21; chants of “Death to Arabs” were filmed during the protest. In Gaza, 3 Palestinians, including a minor, were wounded by Israeli forces during air attacks in Gaza City and substantial damage was reported in al-Bureij refugee camp and Dayr al-Balah, including to a mosque, a children’s hospital, a sports club, and a warehouse; Israel said it had intercepted 1 missile from Gaza prior to its attack. Israeli forces also opened fire at agricultural lands east of Dayr al-Balah and al-Bureij refugee camp; no injuries were reported. In Israel, 2 Christmas trees belonging to Catholic and Orthodox churches in Sakhnin were set on fire. (AJ, GDN, HA, HA, HA, MEMO, TOI, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 12/26; PCHR, WAFA 12/27; HA 12/28; ALM 12/30; PCHR 12/31)

Israeli protesters demonstrated against Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu for the 27th Saturday in a row in Jerusalem and Tel Aviv. The protesters are demanding that Prime Minister Netanyahu resign due to his COVID-19 response, the Israeli economy, and the corruption cases against him. (HA 12/26; WAFA 12/27)

According to reports in Le Monde, UAE and Israeli officials are working to eliminate the UNRWA and have been working toward that goal since the 2 countries’ normalization agreement in August. (JP, MEE, YNET 12/27)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers threw stones at 2 Palestinian farmers tending their land in Shushahla near Bethlehem. Israeli settlers also attacked Palestinians who were trying to force settlers to leave their land near Susiya. Israeli forces raided a high school east of Qalqilya. Israeli forces also delivered a stop-work order for a water well and seized a drill in al-Khadir. Elsewhere, Israeli forces raided 1 high school in Qalqilya; no arrests were made. 5 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in and around Hebron. In East Jerusalem, 4 Palestinians were arrested, including 3 during house raids in the Old City and Issawiyya; 1 was arrested at the Haram al-Sharif compound. (WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 11/22; PCHR 11/26)

A member of Gaza’s pandemic task force warned that Gaza was inching toward inability to cope with the COVID-19 pandemic as 79 of 100 ventilators in Gaza are in use. (REU 11/22)

Axios reported that Israeli officials said Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu traveled to the Saudi Arabian city Neom to meet with Saudi crown prince Mohammed bin Salman and U.S. secretary of state Mike Pompeo for a secret meeting. Neither side confirmed the meeting, but a public flight radar showed a private plane flying from Tel Aviv to Neom. It was also reported that the director of the Mossad Yossi Cohen took part in the meeting. Earlier in the day, Prime Minister Netanyahu said at a memorial for David Ben-Gurion that U.S. president-elect Joe Biden should not rejoin the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action. (AX, HA, REU 11/22; AJ, AP, AX, BBC, FT, GDN, HA, HA, REU 11/23; HA 11/25)

In the West Bank, stone-throwing Israeli settlers attacked Palestinians in Asira, injuring 1 Palestinian. Israeli settlers also attacked Palestinian shepherds east of Yatta; no major injuries were reported. Elsewhere, Israeli settlers vandalized Palestinian-owned olive trees in Jalud. In Gaza, Israeli forces opened fire at agricultural lands east of Khuza‘a; no injuries were reported. In Israel, 1 Israeli teenager was killed during a confrontation between Israeli and Palestinian teenagers near Afula. (HA, WAFA, WAFA 10/24; PCHR 10/29; HA 10/30)

In Israel, thousands of protesters continued the weekly demonstrations against Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu, demanding his resignation. This marked the 18th Saturday in a row that thousands of Israelis have been protesting outside of Netanyahu’s official residence. (HA 10/24)

Former Sudanese prime minister and leader of the country’s biggest political party Sadiq al-Mahdi denounced Sudan’s planned normalization with Israel announced on 10/23, saying that the deal “contributes to the elimination of the peace project in the Middle East and to preparing for the ignition of a new war.” Many other Sudanese parties and politicians spoke out against the normalization deal. (AJ, HA, REU, WAFA 10/24)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers attacked Palestinian farmers in 2 separate incidents south of Hebron, injuring at least 1. Israeli forces seized 1 truck and 1 bulldozer near Jericho. 6 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in and around Hebron and Bethlehem. In East Jerusalem, 1 Palestinian woman from Issawiyya died of the COVID-19 virus, marking the 1st Palestinian COVID-19 fatality in East Jerusalem. Off the coast of Gaza, Israeli naval forces opened fire on Palestinian fishermen 2 nautical miles west of Bayt Lahiya and 4 nautical miles northwest of Gaza City; 1 boat was damaged by live ammunition and no injuries were reported. In Gaza, Israeli forces opened fire on agricultural lands east of Bayt Hanun and Khuza‘a; no injuries were reported. (AJ, WAFA, WAFA 4/18; PCHR 4/23)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers under quarantine due to possible COVID-19 virus infection in the Jordan Valley attacked 3 Palestinians with stones and set 2 Palestinian vehicles on fire near the Dead Sea. Israeli settlers also attacked Palestinian minors at a youth center in Hebron. 3 Palestinians were arrested by Israeli forces during raids near Jenin. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces raided a COVID-19 clinic and arrested 4 workers because the PA had donated COVID-19 test kits to the facility. The closure of the clinic happened after days of warnings by health professionals that East Jerusalem is becoming a hot spot for the virus. Off the coast of Gaza, Israeli naval forces opened fire on Palestinian fishermen 2 nautical miles west of Bayt Lahiya; no injuries were reported. In Gaza, 3 Palestinians were arrested by the Gaza fence while trying to enter Israel. (HA, HA, JP, TOI, WAFA, WAFA 4/14; HA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 4/15; PCHR 4/16)

The United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) reported that its troops had broken up a standoff near the Lebanese-Israeli border. A photo depicts Israeli and Lebanese troops with their guns drawn, separated by UNIFIL soldiers. Lebanon reported intensified Israeli drone activity over its air space and that Israel had set up a tent on Lebanese soil, retreating after 4 hours. (TOI 4/15)

The PA received 50,000 COVID-19 testing kits from the Chinese company Alibaba. (WAFA 4/14)

The EU contributed $13.6 million and Austria and Spain contributed $1.1 million each for vulnerable Palestinian families in the West Bank and Gaza. (WAFA 4/14)

In the West Bank, Israeli forces arrested 5 Palestinians during late-night raids in and around Jenin. Israeli forces also delivered punitive demolition notices to 3 families of alleged attackers in the Ramallah area. Elsewhere, Israeli forces violently dispersed the weekly anti-settlement protest in Kafr Qaddum, causing tear-gas related injuries, and clashed with Palestinians in al-‘Arub refugee camp, leading to tear-gas related injuries. Off the coast of Gaza, Israeli naval forces attacked Palestinian fishermen west of Rafah; no injuries were reported. (WAFA, WAFA 1/10; PCHR 1/16)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers attacked Palestinian farmers harvesting olives in Burin and al-Jaba‘; during the attack in Burin, 3 Palestinians were wounded and the settlers stole harvested olives. Israeli forces raided Bayt Umar, injuring Palestinians with stun grenades and tear gas. In Gaza, 1 Palestinian farmer was hospitalized after being shot by Israeli forces while working his land east of Jabalia refugee camp. Off the coast of Gaza, Israeli naval forces opened fire on Palestinian fishermen on 3 separate occasions; no injuries were reported. (HA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 10/19; PCHR 10/24)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers attacked Palestinian farmers and stole olives from the farmers in Dayr Sharaf near Nablus. Israeli forces clashed with Palestinians during a raid near Ramallah; tear-gas related injuries were reported and 1 glass door was damaged by a tear gas canister. Al-Ibrahimi Mosque was closed by Israeli authorities for Palestinians from midday. 18 Palestinians were arrested, including 17 during late-night raids in and around Tulkarm, Nablus, Jenin, and Bethlehem, and 1 Palestinian was arrested at a checkpoint near Salfit. In East Jerusalem, 1 Palestinian was arrested during a late-night raid in Silwan. Off the coast of Gaza, Israeli naval forces opened fire at Palestinian fishermen; no injuries were reported. (WAFA, WAFA 9/29; PCHR 10/3)

A Palestinian man arrested on 9/25 and still in Israeli detention was hospitalized after allegedly being severely beaten during interrogation by the Shin Bet. (HA, WAFA 9/29)

Israeli authorities imposed a closure of all entries in and out of the West Bank and Gaza for Jewish New Year celebrations. The closure will last through 10/1. (WAFA 9/29)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers attacked Palestinian farmers in Umm Safa north of Ramallah and fenced off 150 dunums (37 acres) of their land. Israeli forces arrested 11 Palestinians during late-night raids in and around Bethlehem, Jenin, Bayt Kahal, and Hebron. In East Jerusalem, 4 Palestinians were arrested in Issawiyya and Silwan. Off the coast of Gaza, Israeli naval forces opened fire on Palestinian fishermen 2 nautical miles off shore on 2 separate occasions. By the Gaza fence, Israeli forces opened fire at agricultural fields east of Rafah; no injuries were reported. (WAFA 8/20; PCHR 8/22)

U.S. president Donald Trump attacked Representative Rashida Tlaib (D-MI) on Twitter, saying “She hates Israel and all Jewish people. She is an anti-Semite.” President Trump also said during a press gaggle that “I [President Trump] think any Jewish people that vote for a Democrat—I think it shows either a total lack of knowledge or great disloyalty.” President Trump’s comments drew widespread condemnation from Jewish groups in the U.S. (HA 8/20; HA 8/21)

In the West Bank, 2 apartments in Hebron belonging to the family of a Palestinian convicted for the murder of an Israeli in February were demolished by Israeli forces. In Salfit, Israeli forces raided and took measurements for demolition of a home belonging to the family of a Palestinian alleged to have attacked Israeli settlers in the settlement of Ariel on 3/17. The alleged perpetrator was killed by Israeli forces on 3/20. Israeli forces also violently dispersed the weekly anti-settlement protests in Kafr Qaddum using live ammunition, rubber-coated bullets, and tear gas, injuring 6. One French activist was arrested during the protest. In East Jerusalem, a soccer tournament in Bayt Safafa was shut down by Israeli police, claiming that it was organized by the PA. In Gaza, Israeli forces attacked 2 Hamas posts east of al-Bureij refugee camp after shots allegedly were fired at Israeli soldiers near the Gaza fence, causing damage, but no injuries were reported. Israeli forces also fired live ammunition, tear gas, and rubber-coated bullets at protesters partaking in the weekly Great March of Return protests, injuring at least 46 Palestinians. Off the coast of Gaza, Israeli naval forces opened fire at Palestinian fishermen; no injuries were reported. According to Israeli sources, an incendiary balloon was found on a beach near Ashqelon in Israel. Israeli authorities announced that it would institute a week-long closure between 4/19 and 4/27 of entry points to Israel from Gaza and the West Bank for the celebration of Passover. (HA, HA, MNA, MNA, MNA, MNA, MNA, MNA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 4/19; HA, MNA, WAFA 4/20)

In an interview with the Atlantic, the outgoing French ambassador to the U.S. Gérard Araud, in discussing the Trump administration’s “peace plan,” called Israel an apartheid state. He said, “They [Israel] have the West Bank, but at the same time they don’t have to make the painful decision about the Palestinians, really making them really, totally stateless or making them citizens of Israel. They won’t make them citizens of Israel. So they will have to make it official, which is we know the situation, which is an apartheid. There will be officially an apartheid state. . . . They are in fact already.” Araud also recounted a conversation between French president Emmanuel Macron and U.S. president Donald Trump, in which Trump said “I have given everything to the Israelis; the Israelis will have to give me something.” (AM 4/19; HA 4/24)

The U.S. envoy to the Middle East Jason Greenblatt rebuffed in a tweet speculations that part of the Trump administration’s “peace plan” includes transferring parts of Egypt’s Sinai to the Gaza Strip. (HA 4/19)

In the West Bank, a group of Israeli settlers attacked Jibiya village north of Ramallah overnight by throwing stones, leading to 2 Palestinian injuries. Settlers also attacked Palestinian shepherds in the northern Jordan Valley. Also in the West Bank, Israeli forces arrested 19 during late-night raids in and around Ramallah, al-Bireh, Nabi Salih, Silwad, Jenin, Tulkarm, Qalqilya, and Hebron. The raid near Jenin triggered confrontations with locals trying to block the soldiers’ entrance to their village. Elsewhere in the West Bank, Israeli forces handed out demolition orders for 9 residential structures in Yatta and for animal barns in Bayt Jala near Bethlehem. In Hebron, students and teachers suffered from tear gas inhalation after Israeli soldiers fired the gas into the yard of their school. Some students were taken to a nearby hospital for treatment. A Palestinian man arrested in July 2018 was convicted by an Israeli military court for killing an Israeli soldier in May 2018. According to Israeli forces, the Palestinian man had confessed to throwing a marble slab on the soldier, leading to his death. In East Jerusalem, the Islamic Waqf Council Chairman Sheikh Abdel-Azim Salhab returned to Haram al-Sharif after a 40-day ban issued by Israeli authorities. In Gaza, 4 Palestinian fishermen detained last week by Egyptian authorities were released. Israeli forces also opened fire on Palestinian farmers east of Khan Yunis and on Palestinian fishermen on the northwestern coast of Gaza. There were no reports of injuries. Also in Gaza, some 40 animals were evacuated from Rafah Zoo to sanctuaries in Jordan and South Africa. (HA, MNA, MNA, MNA, MNA, MNA, WAFA, WAFA, 4/7; MNA, MNA, MNA, MNA, WAFA, WAFA 4/8)

The Chairman of the Prisoners’ Affairs Commission Qadri Abu Baker said that Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails had shelved their planned hunger strike protesting the deterioration of their conditions to facilitate the progress in dialogue with the Israeli Prison Service (IPS). Abu Baker said that the IPS had agreed to install pay phones in the jails and to release some prisoners from solitary confinement. (WAFA 4/7)

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: High Court rejects petition by MK Kahane to cancel Knesset's 12/18 decision to strip Kahane of parliamentary immunity with regard to freedom of movement; orders Kahane to pay IS 500,000 court costs [JP 4/2]. Foreign Min. official David Kimche tells UN diplomat Jean-Claude Aime that Israel does not want UNIFIL troops to be deployed along Israel-Lebanon border after IDF withdrawal [JP 4/2]. Inner cabinet unanimously approves plan to exchange 1,150 prisoners held by Israel for 3 IDF soldiers held by PFLP-GC in Syria (see 5/20/85) [JP 5/22].

Other Countries: US State Dept. spokesman Bernard Kalb, referring to 3/31 report by West Bank Data Base Project, states US opposed to W. Bank settlements, feels that settlement activity does not preclude chances for negotiated settlement [JP, JTA 4/2].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Border Police shoot and injure 4 students after stonethrowing incident during Land Day protest outside Bethlehem U. [LAT, JP 4/2]. IDF order settlers to evacuate hill near Umm Safa after they began clearing land for an illegal settlement in response to 3/31 killing of settler in Ramallah [JP 4/2].

Arab World: Action in S. Lebanon: IDF convoy attacked with RPGs near Jwaiyeh. 8 Katyushas fired at IDF position, Douer; no casualties reported. 2 SLA soldiers killed during ambush near 'Arab Salim [JP 4/2]. IDF soldier injured 3/30 in Douer, S. Lebanon, dies of wounds [JP 4/2].