The Palestine Chronology

In the West Bank, Israeli forces issued a demolition order for 1 house under construction in Burin. 14 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in Burqa, al-Mughayyir, Bayt Rima, Beit Furik, Jenin, al-Khader, and Beit Fajjar; 1 of the arrested was injured during the settler attack on Burqa on 8/4. In East Jerusalem, 2 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in al-Tur and Shu’fat refugee camp. (WAFA, WAFA 8/7; PCHR 8/10; UNOCHA 8/11)

In Syria, Israeli forces launched airstrikes killing 4 Syrian soldiers and injuring 4 others near Damascus. (AJ, AP, BBC, HA, JP, MEE, REU, TOI, WAFA 8/7)

Israel said it had accepted a U.S. demand to allow Americans living in Gaza to use Ben Gurion Airport and to grant them tourist visas to Israel for 3-month periods. The change in policy will start on 9/15. The policy change is part of Israel’s efforts to be included in the U.S. Visa Waiver program. (ALM, HA, MEE, REU 8/7)

After receiving a letter from Israeli interior minister Moshe Arbel demanding that $85 million earmarked to Palestinian municipalities in Israel be released by the Finance Ministry, Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich said he would not provide the funding, calling it a bribe to MK Mansour Abbas. Israeli opposition leader Yair Lapid said Smotrich was only “mistreat[ing] Arab citizens simply because they are Arabs,” saying that “racism has become an official policy of the state of Israel.” Smotrich also canceled funding for preparatory programs for Palestinians living in East Jerusalem who want to study in Israel. (HA 8/7; MEE, REU 8/8 ALM, HA, HA 8/9; HA 8/10)

24 U.S. Democrats, led by House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY) met with PA prime minister Mohammad Shtayyeh in Ramallah. Shtayyeh called on the delegation to recognize the State of Palestine, warned that the 2-state solution was slipping away due to Israeli actions, and asked that they pressure Israel to allow Palestinian elections in East Jerusalem. The congressional delegation also met with Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Jerusalem earlier in the day. Jeffries claimed he had brought up the issue of settler violence with Netanyahu. The Democrats’ visit to Israel was arranged by AIPAC. (HA, HA, HA, WAFA 8/7; MDW 8/10; HA 8/13)

In an interview with Bloomberg, Prime Minister Netanyahu called reported Saudi demands for Israeli concessions on Palestine as a condition for normalization a “checkbox” he has to tick off but not a hinderance for Israel. Netanyahu also said he would not accept limits on settlement expansion as part of the deal. (BB, HA 8/7)

In the West Bank, an Israeli settler rammed a 4-year-old Palestinian in Kisan, causing life-threatening injuries. Israeli settlers also threw stones at Palestinian vehicles traveling near al-Bireh and Shufa and vandalized a barn in Khirbet Makhul. Israeli forces raided Arrabah, assassinating 3 Palestinians sitting in a car, including a minor. Israeli forces also issued 15 demolition and stop-work orders for homes and 2 demolition notices for walls on agricultural lands in Yatma. 5 Palestinians were arrested during a late-night raid in Burqa; Israel said the arrests were related to the settler attack on Burqa on 8/4. 5 others were arrested during late-night raids in Hebron, Fawwar refugee camp, Bayt Awa, and Rumana. In East Jerusalem, 2 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids. In the Naqab, Israeli police detained and deported a Palestinian woman to Gaza after stopping her and examining her papers. The woman, who had lived in Israel since 1992 after marrying a Palestinian citizen of Israel, was forced to leave her 12 children behind, including 4 minors. (AJ, CNN, HA, MEE, REU, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 8/6; AP, HA, PCHR 8/7; PCHR 8/10; UNOCHA 8/11; HA 8/27; HA 8/28)

6 Palestinian families living in al-Qaboun fled their homes due to Israeli settler violence and attacks by Israeli forces. (WAFA 8/6; MEE, UNOCHA 8/10; AP 8/24)

In Tel Aviv, thousands of Palestinian citizens of Israel, carrying 141 coffins, protested Israeli police inaction in addressing the homicide rate in Palestinian communities. 141 Palestinian citizens of Israel have been killed in 2023. (HA, HA 8/6; HA, MEE 8/7)

The court of appeal in Gaza issued death sentences to 7 Palestinians for allegedly collaborating with Israel. (MEMO, PCHR 8/7)

PA ambassador to the UN Riyad Mansour sent letters to the UN secretary-general, the president of the UN Security Council, and the president of the UN General Assembly, demanding that the international community intervene to protect Palestinians. (WAFA 8/6)

The Israeli organization Retired Police Commissioners and Major Generals’ Forum sent a letter to Police Commissioner Kobi Shabtai and Shin Bet Director Ronen Bar warning that National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir is trying to interfere in the investigation into the settler terror attack on Burqa on 8/4 after he praised 2 of the arrested settlers, saying the suspects should get a “medal of honor.” (JP, TOI, TOI, WAFA 8/6; MEMO 8/7)

The Israeli public broadcaster KAN reported that Israeli finance minister Bezalel Smotrich blocked the funding of a preparatory course that would help Palestinians living in East Jerusalem get admitted to Israeli universities. $54 million had been allocated to the program. (JP, TOI 8/6; JP 8/7)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers with a military escort raided al-Twana, leading to tear-gas related injuries among Palestinian residents. Israeli settlers also attacked Palestinian herders in Khirbet al-Himma. Israeli forces opened fire at a Palestinian vehicle traveling near Turmus ‘Ayya, causing damage. In Tel Aviv, an Israeli police officer shot and killed 1 Palestinian man after he allegedly shot and killed another Israeli police officer. Israeli forces later raided the home of the dead Palestinian in Rumana to take measurements for a punitive demolition. In Baqa al-Gharbiyye, hundreds of Palestinians protested, demanding that Walid Daqqa be released from prison. (AJ, AP, HA, MEE, NYT, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 8/5; CNN, HA, REU, WAFA 8/6; PCHR 8/10; UNOCHA 8/11)

PLO secretary-general Hussein al-Sheikh called on the international community to consider the Otzma Yehudit party a “terrorist party,” citing its leader Itamar Ben-Gvir’s history of inciting killings of Palestinians and the murder of a Palestinian in Burqa on 8/4 by a member of the party. (HA, WAFA 8/5)

Acting Lebanese prime minister Najib Mikati said there had been significant progress in resolving the situation in Ain al-Hilweh after Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar, Germany, and the UK warned its citizens to leave Lebanon due to the armed conflict in the refugee camp that broke out on 7/29. (AP, REU, REU, REU 8/5)

In the West Bank, about 50 Israeli settlers from the Oz Tzion settlement outpost shot and killed 1 Palestinian, injured 4 others, and set fire to 2 vehicles in Burqa. 2 of the settlers involved were arrested, including Elisha Yered, a former spokesperson for Otzma Yehudit party MK Limor Son Har-Melech. Israeli national security minister Itamar Ben-Gvir called the arrested settlers heroes, while National Unity leader Benny Gantz called the incident “Jewish terrorism.” The U.S. condemned the incident as a “terror attack by Israeli extremist settlers.” 4 Palestinians were later arrested on 8/7. An Israeli settler also rammed a Palestinian child in Hebron, causing fractures. Elsewhere, Israeli settlers set up a tent on Palestinian-owned land near Tulkarm. Israeli forces shot and killed 1 Palestinian during a raid in Nur Shams refugee camp. Israeli forces also raided Biddu, injuring Palestinians with tear gas and arresting 2. Elsewhere, Israeli forces violently dispersed Palestinian protesters in Beit Dajan; tear-gas related injuries were reported. Israeli forces also violently dispersed Palestinian protesters in Kafr Qaddum, injuring 2 with baton rounds and others with tear gas. Meanwhile, Israeli forces assaulted 2 Palestinians in the Masafer Yatta area. Israeli forces also violently dispersed Palestinian protesters in Deir Istiya, assaulting 1 Palestinian official and causing tear-gas related injuries. In Gaza, Palestinians demonstrated against poor living conditions in several cities and towns. 1 Palestinian minor was injured by an unexploded ordnance that detonated when he touched it. (AJ, AP, HA, MEE, REU, TOI, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 8/4; JP, MEE, NYT, PCHR, REU, WAFA 8/5; ALM, CNN, HA, HA, HA, HA, HA, HA, MEE, PCHR, REU, TOI 8/6; ALM, ALM, HA, HA, HA, HA, NYT, WAFA 8/7; AJ, ALM 8/8; HA 8/9; PCHR 8/10; HA, UNOCHA 8/11)

12 Palestinian families comprised of 89 people fled their homes in Ras al-Tin following Israeli settler violence in the area. (WAFA 8/12; AP 8/24)

The UN humanitarian coordinator for the Occupied Palestinian Territory Lynn Hastings said the UN has launched an assessment of how to aid 60 Palestinian herding communities that are affected by Israeli settler violence. (WAFA 8/4)

An open letter, titled “The Elephant in the Room,” began circulating among academics and public figures and received more than 1,100 signatures by 8/11. The letter stated that “[t]here cannot be democracy for Jews in Israel as long as Palestinians live under a regime of apartheid,” and called for an end to Israeli impunity at the UN and restrictions on U.S. military aid. The letter was primarily signed by Israeli and Jewish academics and public figures, including Benny Morris, Avraham Berg, Avi Shlaim, and Ilan Pappe. (Letter 8/4; HA 8/7; MEE 8/8; TOI 8/9; WAFA, WP 8/11; WAFA 8/12; MDW 8/28)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers threw stones at Palestinian vehicles traveling near Burqa, causing damage. Israeli forces razed farmland in Battir, uprooting dozens of olive tree saplings. 26 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in Qalqilya, Jenin, Nablus, and Hebron. PA forces assaulted 4 journalists covering a sit-in protest at Hebron University against the arrest of the university’s students by PA forces. Off the coast of Gaza, Israeli naval forces opened fire at Palestinian fishermen, injuring 1 with a baton round. (WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 8/3; PCHR 8/5 PCHR 8/10; UNOCHA 8/11)

HaMoked and the Center for Defense of the Individual obtained data from the Israel Prison Service showing that a quarter of Palestinian prisoners held by Israel are in administrative detention. 1,201 Palestinians are held in administrative detention, the highest number since at least 2001. Less than half of the 5,014 Palestinian prisoners held by Israel have received a prison sentence. (AP 8/1; ALM 8/2; HA 8/3)

PA president Mahmoud Abbas spoke with acting Lebanese prime minister Najib Mikati, who told him that Lebanese troops may intervene in Ain al-Hilweh refugee camp if the violence that broke out on 7/29 does not stop. The situation was reportedly improving before Mikati and Abbas spoke. (AJ, AP, HA, WAFA 8/3)

PA foreign minister Riyad al-Maliki criticized the Biden administration to members of the Foreign Press Association, calling it weak on Palestine for not reversing Trump administration measures to undermine Palestinians’ right to statehood and inadequately addressing Israeli violations against Palestinians. Al-Maliki also said he is open to peace talks that include China as the mediator and hoped that Saudi Arabia would not “yield to any kind of pressure or intimidation coming from the Biden administration” regarding normalizing ties with Israel. (AP, MEE 8/3)

A Palestinian American man visiting family in Gaza told Reuters that Israel rejected his request to return to the U.S. via Ben Gurion Airport. Another Palestinian American said Israel denied him entry at Ben Gurion Airport forcing him to return to Dubai, despite being told by the Israeli embassy in the UAE that he would be allowed to enter Israel with his Gaza ID. Israel has said that new procedures relevant to Palestinians with Gaza ID cards will be published on 9/15 as part of the country’s trial to become part of the U.S. Visa Waiver program. The trial period ends on 9/30. (MEE, REU 8/3)

Haaretz reported that Pakistan’s Federal Investigation Agency and police units in the country have used UFED hacking tools made by the Israeli company Cellebrite. Pakistan’s use of Cellebrite spyware technology was first reported in 2012. (HA, MEE 8/3)

Germany donated $30 million to UNRWA through the KfW Development Bank. (WAFA 8/3)

In the West Bank, Israeli forces conducted 10 airstrikes on Jenin before beginning a large-scale ground force invasion with more than 1,000 soldiers, killing 8 Palestinians, injuring at least 50 others, and causing extensive damage to infrastructure and homes. The Israeli forces also shot at clearly marked Palestinian journalists, destroying their equipment, and used bulldozers to make streets in Jenin refugee camp impassable to vehicles. At night, 3,000 Palestinians fled Jenin refugee camp after Israeli loudspeakers were said to order them to leave them camp, an order the Israeli military denied. Jenin suffered widespread power, internet, and water outages as a result of the Israeli damage. The Palestinian Red Crescent said it was having trouble reaching the many injured in the camp. Israel dubbed the attack ‘Operation House and Garden.’ Palestinians protested the Israeli attack in many towns and cities throughout Palestine. Israeli forces also shot and killed 1 Palestinian during a protest in Ramallah against the Israeli attack in Jenin. Elsewhere, Israeli forces shot and injured 3 Palestinian minors with live ammunition in Beit Umar. Israeli forces also shot and injured 1 Palestinian with live ammunition near Hebron. Meanwhile, Israeli forces uprooted 45 grape tree saplings in Jawarish near Nablus. Israeli settlers stole 3 sheep from Palestinians in Aqraba. Israeli settlers also vandalized a Palestinian home in Burqa, causing damage. In East Jerusalem, 1 Palestinian family was forced to demolish parts of their home in Jabel Mukaber. (AJ, AJ, AJ, AJ, AJ, AJ, AP, AX, BBC, GDN, HA, HA, HA, HA, IN, LT, MDW, MEE, MEE, MEE, NYT, PCHR, PCHR, QDS, REU, SKY, UNOCHA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 7/3; AJ, HA, HA, HA, HA, MDW 7/4; AJ, HA, HA 7/5; AJ, HA, PCHR, UNOCHA 7/6; HA, UNOCHA 7/8)

The PA called the Israeli attack on Jenin refugee camp (see above) a war crime and said it had suspended security coordination with Israel. Egypt, Qatar, Turkey, the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Jordan condemned the Israeli attack. The Arab League issued a statement saying the Israeli attack was “tantamount to a war crime” and called on the UN Security Council to intervene. The U.S. national security council spokesperson said that the U.S. supported “Israel’s security and right to defend its people against Hamas, Palestinian Islamic Jihad, and other terrorist groups.” U.S. ambassador to Israel Tom Nides also attended a U.S. embassy event with Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu as the attacks were unfolding. UN special rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the Palestinian territories Francesca Albanese said the Israel attack amounted “to egregious violations of international law and standards on the use of force and may constitute a war crime.” UN secretary-general Antonio Guterres called the airstrikes and use of violence in Jenin the worst in the West Bank in years and said Israel, as an occupying power, has an obligation to protect civilians. (AJ, AJ, AJ, ALM, HA, REU, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 7/3; AJ, MDW, MEE, REU, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 7/4; HA, WAFA 7/5; AP, GDN, HA, WAFA 7/6; AJ, WAFA, WP 7/7; AJ, AP, HA 7/8)

Israeli foreign minister Eli Cohen linked Israel’s recognition of Moroccan sovereignty over Western Sahara to Morocco hosting the Negev Forum normalization summit, which has been repeatedly postponed by Morocco. (AJ, MEE, REU 7/3)

The UK parliament passed a second reading of the anti-BDS Economic Activity of Public Bodies (Overseas Matters) Bill. (HA, MEE 7/4)

In the West Bank, more than 250 Israeli settlers with a military escort raided Turmus ‘Ayya, shooting and killing 1 Palestinian, injuring 12 others with live ammunition, and setting 60 vehicles, 30 homes, and dozens of trees on fire. It was unclear if the Palestinian casualty was killed by settlers or Israeli forces during the raid. Israeli settlers also raided al-Mazra’a al-Gharbiya, vandalizing Palestinian property. Elsewhere, Israeli settlers vandalized farmland, a junkyard, a car wash, vehicles, and a gas station in al-Lubban ash-Sharqiya. Israeli settlers also raided Kafr ad-Dik, vandalizing homes and vehicles. Meanwhile, Israeli settlers vandalized 3 agricultural structures and 25 lemon and fig trees in Burqa. Israeli settlers also set fire to farmland in Husan. Israeli forces assassinated 3 Palestinians, including 1 minor, in a drone strike on a vehicle in Jalama. The Jenin Brigades said 2 of the Palestinians were members of Islamic Jihad and 1 was a member of Fatah. It was the first time since 2006 that Israel used drones to attack Palestinians in the West Bank. Israeli forces also raided ‘Urif, arresting 5 and taking measurements for punitive demolitions of 2 homes. Elsewhere, Israeli forces shot and injured 1 Palestinian during a late-night raid in Kafr Malik. 3 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in Tammun, Rumana, and Aqabat Jaber refugee camp. In East Jerusalem, Israeli authorities demolished 2 apartments in al-Tur. (AJ, AJ, AX, BBC, HA, HA, MDW, MEE, MEE, MEE, NYT, PCHR, REU, REU, TOI, TOI, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 6/21; AP, HA, NYT, PCHR, PCHR, TIME 6/22; MEE, NPR 6/23; HA 6/24; AJ 6/29; UNOCHA 7/8)

The PA said that it had recorded 310 settler attacks on Palestinians and their property since 6/20. (ALM 6/22)

U.S. State Department spokesperson Vedant Patel called on Israel to investigate the incident in Turmus ‘Ayya and to compensate Palestinians for damaged property. The EU also called the settler attacks “unacceptable.” (HA, TOI, WAFA 6/21; MEE, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 6/22)

Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu said his government would immediately advance 1,000 new settlement housing units in Eli as collective punishment for the killing of 4 Israeli settlers near the settlement on 6/20. (HA, MEE, REU, TOI 6/21; PCN 6/23)

Axios reported that U.S. senior advisor for energy and infrastructure Amos Hochstein was in Saudi Arabia to continue talks on a normalization deal between Israel and Saudi Arabia. It was reported that Hochstein was discussing the Saudi demand for U.S. help in creating a nuclear program in return for formally normalizing ties with Israel. (AX 6/21)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers threw stones at Palestinian vehicles near Burqa. Israeli settlers also stole 10 sheep in Yasuf. Israeli forces raided Burqa leading to tear-gas related injuries. Israeli forces also raided Silat al-Harithiya, leading to tear-gas related injuries. Elsewhere, Israeli forces issued stop-work orders for 2 roads and 3 houses in Qarawat Bani Hassan. Israeli forces also issued a demolition notice for a primary school in Badia Yatta. PA forces assaulted and arrested 1 Palestinian student who was a candidate for president of Birzeit University’s student council In East Jerusalem. Israeli settlers toured the Haram al-Sharif compound. In Gaza, 2 Palestinians were arrested by the Gaza fence. (WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 6/18; PCHR 6/19; PCHR 6/22; UNOCHA 7/8)

The Israeli cabinet approved changes to the settlement construction permit process, reducing the influence of the Civil Administration and the Ministry of Defense to significantly shorten the permit process. Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich was given authority to approve 1 of the permit stages. As a result of the changes, the Higher Planning Council will be approving 4,650 new settlement units in the West Bank. U.S. State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller said that the U.S. “is deeply troubled by the Israeli government’s reported decision to advance planning for over 4,000 settlement units in the West Bank. We are similarly concerned by reports of changes to Israel’s system of settlement administration that expedite the planning and approvals of settlements.” Miller further called on Israel to “fulfill the commitments it made in Aqaba, Jordan and Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt” earlier this year. PLO secretary-general Hussein al-Sheikh said that the PA would boycott the Joint Economic Committee meeting on 6/19 is response to the cabinet decision. UN secretary-general António Guterres urged Israel to reverse its decisions. (AJ, AX, HA, MEE, NYT, PCN, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 6/18; AP, HA, HA, MEE, REU, REU, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 6/19; AJ, MEE, WAFA 6/20; MDW, MDW 6/21)

Israeli sources told Al-Monitor that Morocco had canceled the planned Negev Forum of the normalizing countries, Israel and the U.S., in the country due to the settlement decisions described above. (ALM, HA, MEMO 6/21)

Islamic Jihad secretary-general Ziyad al-Nakhalah met with Iranian president Ebrahim Raisi in Tehran. (ALM 6/19)

A Hamas delegation led by its political leader Ismail Haniyeh arrived in Tehran for meetings with Iranian officials. (AJ, ALM, QDS, QDS 6/19; MEMO 6/20)

Israel preliminarily approved the development of the Gaza Marine gas field, saying it would require security coordination with the PA and Egypt. A PA official told Reuters that the PA is awaiting to see exactly what Israel has agreed to before it will comment. (AN, HA, JP, REU, TOI 6/18; ALM 6/19; MEMO 6/20)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers raided Burqa, vandalizing 3 vehicles and leading to confrontations between Israeli forces and Palestinian; tear-gas related injuries were reported. Israeli settlers also assaulted 1 Palestinian family in the Masafer Yatta area, injuring 1 minor. Elsewhere, Israeli settlers set up tents in Deir Balut. Israeli settlers also toured a religious site in Kifl Haris. Israeli forces hit 1 Palestinian minor with a military vehicle during a raid in Beit Furik, causing injuries. Israeli forces also issued a notification that Israel will seize 2 dunams (.5 acre) of land in al-Khader. Elsewhere, Israeli forces shot and injured 1 Palestinian man trying to enter Israel for work at the separation wall near Qalqilya. In East Jerusalem, Israeli settlers led by former MK Yehuda Glick toured the Haram al-Sharif compound. (WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 6/4; WAFA 6/5; PCHR 6/8; UNOCHA 6/18)

The Israeli cabinet decided to expand a law allowing Israeli residential communities to choose who can live in the communities and to subsidize land prices in communities with “demographic and security hardships,” as part of the larger policy of Judaizing the Galilee. (HA 6/5; MEE 6/6; WAFA 6/7)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers with a military escort toured Jericho. Israeli forces violently dispersed Palestinian protesters in Kafr Qaddum, injuring 2 with baton rounds and others with tear gas. Israeli forces also violently dispersed Palestinian protesters in Bayt Dajan, injuring 1 with a tear gas canister and others with tear gas. 8 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in Bani Na’im, Ya’bad, Jalamah, and Burqa. In East Jerusalem, 1 Palestinian family demolished their own home in Umm Tuba. (WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 6/2; PCHR 6/8; UNOCHA 6/18)

A Hamas official told Haaretz that Hamas and the PA are working together to pressure Gulf countries to continue funding the World Food Programme cash payments to 200,000 Palestinians in Gaza, which is set to be shut down this summer due to funding cuts. (HA 6/2; MDW 6/10)

Haaretz reported that Israel is allowing 6 settlement outposts to operate in the part of Masafer Yatta that Israel has designated a firing zone and where the Palestinian residents will be forcefully expelled. 3 of the outposts were built after the High Court of Justice ruling in May 2022 allowing the Israeli government to expel the more than 1,000 Palestinians. (HA 6/2; WAFA 6/3)

UNRWA commissioner-general Phillippe Lazzarini said that his agency only had secured $107 million in new contributions of the $300 million needed during a donor conference. UNRWA did not say who had provided the new funds. Lazzarini said before the conference that UNRWA needs $150 million to keep its services running until the end of 2023, $50 million to start 2024 without liabilities, $75 million to keep food programs in Gaza running and $30 million for cash distributions in Syria and Lebanon. (WAFA, WAFA 6/2; AJ, AP, WAFA, WAFA 6/3) 

Mexico upgraded the Palestinian representation in Mexico City to an embassy. (WAFA 6/2)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers fenced off a tract of Palestinian-owned land in Umm al-Ubur in the Jordan Valley. Israeli settlers also vandalized 25 olive trees and grapevines and erected tents at a water spring in Ein al-Beida. Elsewhere, Israeli settlers set fire to crops outside of Qusra. Israeli settlers also destroyed 2 tombstones at a graveyard in Burqa. Israeli forces shot and injured a 2-year-old Palestinian and his father outside of their home in Nabi Salih, claiming to be returning fire at Palestinian militants. The 2-year-old was evacuated by helicopter to a hospital in Israel for treatment and later succumbed to his succumbed to his wounds on 6/5. The Israeli military claimed that the incident would be investigated. Neither the family of the 2-year-old nor others in Nabi Salih had heard any other gun shots than those fired by the Israeli forces. Israeli forces also shot and injured 1 Palestinian at a checkpoint in Deir Sharaf. Elsewhere, Israeli forces issued a notice to a Palestinian family that they will seize 5 dunams (1.25 acres) of land in al-Mughayyir for construction of a military watchtower. Israeli forces also raided several towns in the Tulkarm area, violently dispersing Palestinians protesting the incursions; tear-gas related injuries were reported. 38 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in Tuqu, Beit Umar, Fawwar refugee camp, Ramallah, Nablus, Qabatiya, and Kafl Haris. Off the coast of Gaza, Israeli naval forces opened fire at Palestinian fishermen; no injuries were reported. (TOI, TOI, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 6/1; AA, AJ, AP, HA, JP, MEE 6/2; HA, WAFA 6/5; HA, HA 6/6; PCHR 6/8; UNOCHA 6/18)

The main entrances to al-Mughayyir were closed off by Israel for the 20th consecutive day. (WAFA 6/1)

The PA called on UNESCO to help prevent Israel from passing a law that would stifle speech on Palestine by Palestinian teachers in Israel. The law, which has passed 1 reading in the Knesset, would require security checks for Palestinian teachers in schools in Israel. (WAFA 6/1)

Officials from Hamas and Islamic Jihad met with officials from the Egyptian intelligence services. The meetings followed meetings between PA prime minister Mohammed Shtayyeh and Egyptian intelligence chief Abbas Kamal on 5/30. (HA 6/2)

Senior Israeli officials, including Shin Bet chief Ronen Bar, National Security Advisor Tzachi Hanegbi, and Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer met with U.S. officials, including CIA director William Burns, in Washington D.C. The 2 sides discussed growing instability in the West Bank and the PA’s diminishing standing among Palestinians. (AX 6/1; ALM, HA 6/2)

The BDS movement said that the security company G4S will sell its 25% stake in the Israeli company Policity to G1 following years of campaigning against the complicity of G4S in Israeli human rights violations against Palestinians. (WAFA 6/1)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers blocked a road south of Jenin and threw stones at Palestinian vehicles, causing damage. Israeli settlers also vandalized heavy machinery in Madama. Elsewhere, Israeli settlers raided Burqa, throwing stones at Palestinian homes. Israeli forces seized a vehicle, an electric transformer, and a forklift used by Aqraba municipal workers to rehabilitate and clean a water spring. In East Jerusalem, Israeli settlers toured the Haram al-Sharif compound. Israeli municipal workers demolished commercial structures in Wadi Qaddum. (WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 5/31; PCHR 6/1; UNOCHA 6/18)

In Lebanon, 5 members of the PFLP-GC were killed and 10 others injured in an explosion in Qusaya. The PFLP-GC said that an Israeli airstrike had killed the 5 members while Israel denied having carried out the attack. (AJ, ALM, AP, HA, MEE, REU 5/31; BBC, HA 6/1)

Palestinian citizens of Israel began a 3-day sit-in protest outside of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s office calling on the Israeli police to ensure the safety of Palestinian citizens as the murder rate in Palestinian towns and cities continued to rise. (MEE 5/31) 

An Israeli parole committee in Ramle prison said it could not determine if Palestinian prisoner Walid Daqqa was eligible for parole and decided to refer the question to a different committee. The Palestinian Prisoner’s Society called the decision tantamount to killing him given Daqqa’s bone marrow cancer. (WAFA 5/31; MDW 6/4)

4 Israeli soldiers were arrested for assaulting 1 Palestinian man after arresting him in Deir Abu Mash‘al on 5/27. (HA 5/31)

PA prime minister Mohammed Shtayyeh and Egyptian prime minister Moustafa Madbouly signed a number of agreements to further cooperation between the 2 countries in Cairo. (WAFA, WAFA 5/31)

U.S. assistant secretary of state for near eastern affairs Barbara Leaf told the Senate Foreign Relations Committee’s Middle East subcommittee that there is “a lot of misreporting and hyperventilation in the press” regarding potential normalization between Israel and Saudi Arabia. Leaf also said that it “is an end goal” for the U.S. to facilitate normalization. (HA, HA 5/31; MEE 6/1)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers built a structure in the Homesh settlement outpost with approval from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Yoav Gallant. Israeli settlers also set fire to palm trees in Burqa, near the Homesh outpost. Israeli forces shot and killed 1 Palestinian intelligence officer and injured 8 others during a late-night raid in Jenin. Israeli forces also demolished 1 house in Artas and 1 in Jericho. Elsewhere, Israeli forces seized a tractor and construction tools in Beitunia. 12 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in Tammun, Jenin, Nablus, and Dura. In East Jerusalem, 1 Palestinian was arrested during a late-night raid in Bayt Hanina. (HA 5/28; AJ, ALM, AP, HA, HA, HA, HA, MEE, REU, TOI, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 5/29; ALM, HA, MDW 5/30; PCHR 6/1; UNOCHA 6/2)

PLO secretary-general Hussein al-Sheikh met with EU representative to Palestine Sven Kühn von Burgsdorff in Ramallah, calling on the EU to pressure Israel to end unilateral measures. (WAFA 5/29)

The U.S., UK, and EU criticized the Israel decision to allow Israeli settlers to build a new structure at the Homesh settlement outpost and to allow settlers a permanent presence there. The U.S. said it was “deeply troubled” and that it “violates Israel’s commitment to the Biden administration.” The UK urged Israel to “honor recent commitments made in Aqaba and Sharm El-Sheikh.” (HA 5/30; MDW 6/1)

At a cabinet meeting, Israeli justice minister Yariv Levin defended his position that the government needs more control over the appointment of judges to the Supreme Court, saying “Arabs buy apartments in Jewish communities in the Galilee and this is causing Jews to leave these areas because they don’t want to live with Arabs,” noting that judges should understand that. (HA, MEE 5/29)

The Israeli military said it had successfully tested the C-Dome, a naval version of the Iron Dome system. (HA 5/29)

In the West Bank, Palestinians in Burqa protested the Israeli government’s decision to reopen the Homesh settlement outpost. Israeli settlers set up a caravan on Palestinian-owned land in Umm al-Qiba. Israeli forces shot and injured 1 Palestinian during a raid in Beit Umar; others suffered tear-gas related injuries. Israeli forces also assaulted 1 Palestinian man at a checkpoint in Sa’ir. In Tel Aviv, tens of thousands of Israelis protested against the Israeli government for the 21st Saturday in a row. (AP, HA, MEE, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 5/27; PCHR 6/1; UNOCHA 6/2)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers damaged 5 dunams (1.25 acres) of wheat crops with pesticides in Beit Umar. Israeli settlers also razed land in Burqa, near the Homesh settlement outpost. Initially the Israeli military prevented the work from being carried out, but stopped intervening on the orders of Defense Minister Yoav Gallant. Israeli forces shot and injured 13 Palestinians with live ammunition and arrested 14 during raids in Aqabat Jaber refugee camp, where at least 50 Palestinian homes were raided, including the home of the Jericho governor Jihad Abu al-Assal. Israeli forces also violently dispersed Palestinians protesting a raid in Beit Umar, leading to tear-gas related injuries. Elsewhere, Israeli forces issued stop-work orders for 17 structures in Aqraba. In East Jerusalem, Israeli settlers toured the Haram al-Sharif compound. (HA, HA, QDS, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 5/25; PCHR 6/1; MEE 6/4; UNOCHA 6/2)

Israel said it had downed a drone crossing from Lebanese airspace. (REU 5/25)

U.S. president Joe Biden released a 60-page document on how his administration seeks to combat anti-Semitism. It was feared that the document would adopt the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) working definition of anti-Semitism. However, the highly controversial definition was only mentioned as being “embraced” by the administration. The IHRA definition is used to stifle criticism of Israel by conflating anti-Semitism with criticism of Israel. (HA, HA 5/25; AP, MEE 5/26; MDW 6/1)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers with a military escort raided Burqa, attacking Palestinians and setting a barn and olive trees on fire; tear-gas related injuries were reported. Israeli forces demolished 1 house in Dahariya, 1 agricultural structure in Beit Jala, 1 agricultural structure in Hebron, and 1 commercial structure in al-Walaja and razed land in Sur Bahir. A delegation of EU officials met with Sebastia mayor Mohammad Azem to learn about the recent Israeli measures to seize Sebastia’s archeological site. In East Jerusalem, Israeli settlers toured the Haram al-Sharif compound. Israeli authorities demolished 1 house in Jabel Mukaber, displacing 5. 4 Palestinians were arrested during raids in al-Tur and Ras al-Amud. (TOI, TOI, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 5/24; ALM, PCHR 5/25; AJ 6/1; UNOCHA 6/2)

In Syria, Israeli forces opened fire at people who shot at a surveillance drone. (REU 5/24)

The Hamas-affiliated voting bloc Islamic Wafa won 25 of 51 seats in the Birzeit University student union elections. The election result follows another win by Islamic Wafa on 5/16 at An-Najah National University. (QDS 5/24; HA, MEE 5/25)

3 Israeli soldiers were sentenced for abducting and assaulting 1 Palestinian man before releasing him in a remote area. 2 of the soldiers were sentenced to 60 days in prison while the third was sentenced to 40 days. (TOI, TOI 5/24; AJ 5/25)

The Knesset approved the Israeli government’s 2023-24 budget, which was criticized for heavily favoring ultra-orthodox communities in Israel. Approximately $4 billion is allocated in discretionary funds for ultra-Orthodox and pro-settler parties. The Otzma Yehudit party also said it had been appeased by the allocation of $67 million to Judaize the Naqab and Galilee through the Negev and Galilee development ministry. After the passing of the budget, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told reporters he would focus on the judicial overhaul. (HA 5/22; AP, HA, HA, REU 5/23; AJ, AP, HA, HA, MEE, NYT, QDS, TOI 5/24)

The EU and U.S. expressed dismay with a bill that the Knesset Ministerial Committee for Legislation was set to debate on 5/28. The bill would impose a 65% tax on non-profits that receive funding from foreign governments while engaging in public advocacy. According to the bill it seeks to curb foreign interference. After days of lobbying by EU countries, Prime Minister Netanyahu said that he would shelve the bill. (HA 5/24; HA, MEE 5/25; AJ 5/26; HA, WAFA 5/27; AX 5/31; TOI 6/2)

PayPal shareholders warned the company that they will take action if it does not expand access to the platform to Palestinians in the West Bank and Gaza. At the same time, U.S. congressperson Mark Pocan (D-WI) circulated a letter among his colleagues calling on PayPal CEO Dan Shulman to allow Palestinians equal access to the company’s services. (GDN, HA, MEE 5/24; WAFA 5/25; MDW 5/26)

Forensic Architecture released an investigation in cooperation with Adalah on the Tantura Massacre committed by the Israeli army 1 week after the establishment of Israel. The investigation located at least 1 more mass grave and 2 additional possible mass grave sites. (FA 5/24; GDN 5/25; HA, MEE 5/26)

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

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

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

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

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

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers assaulted 2 Palestinians with pepper spray, stones, and a bat near Burqa. Israeli settlers also assaulted 1 Palestinian herder near Aqraba and stole 14 sheep. Elsewhere, Israeli settlers let their sheep graze on Palestinian-owned barley, wheat, and olive crops in the Masafer Yatta area, causing damage. Israeli settlers also vandalized 155 olive trees in Deir Sharaf. Israeli forces seized 1 Palestinian-owned vehicle in Taybeh. Israeli forces also fired tear gas near a school in Tuqu’, causing tear-gas related injuries among students. In East Jerusalem, Israeli settlers toured that Haram al-Sharif compound. (HA, QDS, QDS, QDS, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 4/30; PCHR 5/4; UNOCHA 5/5)

The Israeli siege of Jericho continued for the ninth day in a row. (WAFA 4/30)

U.S. House of Representatives speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) told Israel Hayom that he will invite Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu to Washington D.C. if President Joe Biden does not extend an invitation to Netanyahu soon. McCarthy was in Israel to address the Knesset. (HA, HA 4/30; QDS 5/1)

In the West Bank, Israeli forces punitively demolished the family home of 1 Palestinian man accused of killing 1 Israeli settler in October 2022, blowing up the house in Hebron with explosives. Israeli forces also violently dispersed Palestinian protesters in Burqa, causing tear-gas related injuries. Elsewhere, Israeli forces demolished 2 agricultural structures in al-Walaja. 24 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in Beitunia, al-Bireh, Ramallah, Aqabat Jaber refugee camp, Jenin, Deir Sharaf, Tayasir, Aida refugee camp, and Beit Kahil. In East Jerusalem, Israeli authorities issued 6 demolition notices for homes in Isawiya. (AP, HA, MEE, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 2/16; PCHR 2/23; UNOCHA 3/4)

White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre told reporters that the White House is “deeply dismayed by the Israeli announcement” from 10/12 to legalize settlement outposts and expand settlements. Jean-Pierre said the settlement activity “creates facts on the ground” that reduce the chances of a two-state solution. (MEE, TOI 2/16)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers set fire to a Palestinian-owned car and threw stones at Palestinian vehicles near ‘Urif. Israeli settlers also attacked Israeli forces that were pursuing the suspected arsonist, blocking the soldiers’ vehicle and pushing the soldiers. Elsewhere, Israeli settlers threw stones at 2 schools and homes in Burqa. Israeli settlers also the slashed tires of Palestinian vehicles in Hebron. Israeli forces uprooted olive trees from a settlement farm after the Israeli Supreme Court ruled that the farmland belongs to Palestinian families. Some 40 Israeli settlers were detained during the razing of the land. Israeli forces also issued a demolition notice and a stop-work order for 2 homes in Birin. Elsewhere, Israeli forces demolished 1 house in Shaab al-Butum and uprooted 100 olive and almond trees in Khillet al-Dabe in the Masafer Yatta area. 20 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in Husan, Bethlehem, Kafr Malik, Beit Sira, Tell, Nablus, Tulkarm, and Bidya. In East Jerusalem, 1 Palestinian family demolished parts of their own home in Isawiya. (HA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 2/15; HA, HA, PCHR 2/16; UNOCHA 3/4)

The Knesset passed a law that allows the interior ministry to revoke the residency and citizenship of Palestinians in Israel who are convicted of terrorism and receive funding from the PA. If their citizenship and residency status is revoked, Israel can deport the Palestinian to the West Bank. (ALM, AP, HA, MEE, NYT, REU 2/15; AJ, GDN 2/16; MDW 2/20)

Reuters reported that the UN Security Council was considering a draft resolution written by the UAE in coordination with the PA to have the body condemn Israel’s settlement announcement from 2/12. The U.S. State Department called the draft resolution “unhelpful” but did not say if the U.S. would veto it. The vote is likely to take place on 2/20. (AX 2/14; REU 2/15; HA, REU 2/16; AP, HA 2/17)

An investigation by dozens of media outlets worldwide led by Forbidden Stories revealed that an Israeli company has been hired to meddle in election campaigns throughout the world. According to the company’s senior staff, the company has successfully meddled in 27 of 33 presidential-level campaigns it has been involved in, including in the 2022 Kenyan elections and the Nigerian elections in 2015. (GDN, HA, HA, HA 2/15; F24, HA, HA 2/16; GDN 2/17)

Japan announced an aid package to Palestine worth some $40 million, including support for UNRWA. (WAFA 2/15)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers assaulted 1 Palestinian near Burqa, damaging his vehicle. Israeli settlers also assaulted Palestinians in Hebron. Israeli forces shot and killed 1 Palestinian man in Huwwara. A video of the incident showed an Israeli soldier firing 4 shots at the Palestinian victim who was resisting the soldier’s attempt to detain him. The EU and the UN condemned the killing and called for an investigation. 11 Palestinians were injured protesting the killing, including 10 by tear gas and 1 with a baton round; Israel said that 2 soldiers were injured in a stabbing before the killing but it was unclear if the 2 incidents were directly related. Israeli forces also shot and injured 1 Palestinian during a late-night raid in Nablus; 1 member of the Lion’s Den was arrested. Elsewhere, Israeli forces violently dispersed Palestinian protesters in Hebron, causing tear-gas related injuries. Israeli forces also violently dispersed Palestinian protesters in Tuqu’, causing tear-gas related injuries. Meanwhile, Israeli forces violently dispersed Palestinian protesters in Kafr Qaddum, injuring 3 with baton rounds and others with tear gas. Off the coast of Gaza, Israeli naval forces opened fire at Palestinian fishermen; no injuries were reported. (AJ, HA, HA, MEE, MDW, MEMO, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 12/2; AJ, MEMO, MEMO, PCHR, WAFA, WAFA 12/3; AP, HA, HA, MEMO, WAFA 12/4; PCHR 12/8; UNOCHA 12/16)

It was reported that U.S. officials had told the incoming Netanyahu-led government that transferring responsibility for the Civil Administration away from the defense ministry could have consequences for Israeli-U.S. military cooperation. (HA 12/2)

The EU told Israel that it has decided to freeze work on advancing cooperation between Israeli police and Europol. It was reported that the decision was linked to the formation of the incoming Israeli government. (HA 12/6; MEE, MEMO 12/7; ALM 12/8)

In the West Bank, armed Palestinians kidnapped 1 Druze citizen of Israel from a hospital in Jenin where he was admitted after suffering life threating injuries in a car accident. Israeli forces shot and killed 1 Palestinian man during a raid in Nablus. Israeli forces also delivered stop-work orders against 8 houses in Qarawat Bani Hassan. 18 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in ‘Anata, Deir Abu Mash‘al, Balata refugee camp, Silwad, Burqa, Jenin, Bethlehem, Tulkarm, and Hebron. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces raided the home of PA governor of Jerusalem Adnan Ghaith. Governor Ghaith was placed under house arrest on 8/4. 6 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in Silwan. (WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 11/22; HA, HA, TOI, WAFA, 11/23; AJ, HA, PCHR 11/24; MDW 11/25; UNOCHA 12/16)

The Biden administration appointed deputy assistant secretary of state for Israeli-Palestinian affairs Hady Amr to the newly created position of U.S. representative for Palestinian affairs. (AX 11/22; MEE 11/23; MEMO 11/24)

The UN Conference on Trade and Development released a report estimating that the Palestinian economy was deprived of $50 billion between 2000 and 2020 due to Israeli restrictions on Area C. (MEMO, WAFA, WAFA 11/23)

In the West Bank, Israeli forces raided Jenin, injuring 1 Palestinian with live ammunition and arresting 1. Israeli forces also delivered stop-work notices to 2 families for several structures in Humsa. 10 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in Nil‘in, Burqa, Qalqilya, Aida refugee camp, Hebron, and Kuseis. In East Jerusalem, 2 Palestinians were arrested in the Old City. In Gaza, Israeli forces made incursions to level agricultural land east of Dayr al-Balah. Israeli forces also opened fire east of Khan Yunis and al-Bureij refugee camp; no injuries were reported. (HA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 11/10; PCHR 11/17; UNOCHA 11/25)

Israel ended the trial program to extend the hours at the Allenby Bridge crossing. The trial program ran from 11/6 to 11/10 and was initiated under U.S. pressure during President Joe Biden’s visit to Israel in July. The U.S. had announced that Israel would open the crossing 24 hours a day from September, but Israel insisted on carrying out the trial before changing the operating hours. The Times of Israel reported that Israel is preparing to open the Allenby crossing 24 hours a day between Sunday morning and Friday afternoon and on Saturdays between 8 a.m. and 3.30 p.m. starting from 2 April 2023. (AN 11/13; TOI 11/24)

Otzma Yehudit leader Itamar Ben-Gvir attended an event commemorating the 22nd anniversary of the death of Israeli American terrorist Meir Kahane. Ben-Gvir, who is expected to become a minister in the incoming Benjamin Netanyahu-led government, was jeered when he said that unlike Kahane he does not support expelling all Palestinians from Israel. Ben-Gvir said “Kahane’s main characteristic was love.” At the event, participants burned Palestinian flags. U.S. State Department spokesperson Ned Price called Ben-Gvir’s attendance “abhorrent.” (HA 11/9; AJ, AJ, AP, AX, HA, HA, REU 11/10; MEE, MEMO 11/11)

Adalah and the Center for Constitutional Rights wrote a letter to U.S. secretary of state Antony Blinken and ambassador to Israel Tom Nides urging them not to move forward with plans to build an embassy in Jerusalem on lands confiscated from Palestinians. The letter, written on behalf of the Palestinian landowners, stated “[s]hould the US proceed with this plan, it would not only be complicit with Israel's illegal confiscation of Palestinian-owned land, but it would also become an active participant in the seizure of the land of US citizens.” (MEE, WAFA 11/11; WAFA 11/14; MDW 11/17)

The Israeli government and the world soccer federation FIFA announced that direct flights between Israel and Qatar would be available for World Cup ticket holders. Palestinian ticket holders were said to be allowed to use Ben-Gurion International Airport if they receive a special permit. (AJ, AP, ALM, HA, MEMO, REU 11/10; REU 11/17; HA 11/18; AJ, MEE, REU 11/20)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers threw stones at Palestinian vehicles near Burqa, causing damage. 1 7-year-old Palestinian child died during an Israeli house raid in Taqqua; the boy’s uncle said the child died of a heart attack when the Israeli forces entered his home and that he did not have any prior medical history. The U.S. state department called for “an immediate and through investigation” into the incident but later clarified that it believed Israel’s investigation was sufficient. Israeli forces also seized 1 bus in Ras al-Ahmar. Elsewhere, Israeli forces shot and injured 3 Palestinians during a raid in Dura. Israeli forces also demolished 1 Palestinian home in Artas. 10 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in Biddu, Beit Umar, Hebron, and Qalqilya. A general strike was observed in Jenin in protest over the killing of 4 Palestinians on 9/28. In East Jerusalem, 15 Palestinians were arrested in Isawiya, al-Tur, Sheikh Jarrah, Wadi Juz, and Silwan. (AA, AP, AX, HA, JP, MEE, MEMO, REU, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 9/29; AJ, AP, HA, MEE, NA, NAT, TOI, UNOCHA, WAFA 9/30; HA 10/2; MEE 10/3; AP, PCHR 10/6; MDW 10/7; UNOCHA 10/16)

The Israeli military announced that it will supply settlement outposts, deemed illegal by the Israeli government, with observation and warning systems, lighting, public address systems, and firefighting equipment. The move was approved by the Israeli ministry of justice. (HA 9/29)

The Israeli interior minister Ayelet Shaked informed 17 Palestinians, who are relatives of a Palestinian accused of killing 4 Israeli soldiers in 2017, that if they do not leave East Jerusalem for the West Bank by 10/7, they will be forcefully removed by Israeli forces. Interior Minister Shaked also told public security minister Omer Bar-Lev to prepare for the forced expulsion. (HA 9/29)

The Israeli central election committee barred the Palestinian party Balad from running in the upcoming Israeli parliamentary elections. Balad chairman Sami Abu Shehadeh said his party will appeal the decision, which he called “an attempt by Gantz and Lapid to engineer the Arab leadership according to their political needs. Just like the party came out stronger following previous attempts to disqualify us and to disqualify our platform, it won't work this time as well.” Balad was banned from running based on its platform, which calls for Israel to be a state for all its citizens and thus not a Jewish state. The Israeli attorney general had on 9/27 presented an opinion that Balad should not be banned from running. The election committee also rejected a request to bar Ra’am from running. (HA, WAFA 9/29; MEMO 9/30)

Al Monitor reported that Israeli prime minister Yair Lapid’s office had rejected a request by PA president Mahmoud Abbas’s office to arrange a phone call between the 2 on the occasion of the Jewish new year on 9/25. (ALM 9/29)

The Lebanese parliament failed to elect a new president of the country as more than half of the votes by 128 members were blank. (AP, HA, MEMO, REU 9/29)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers attacked Palestinian homes in Madama with stones, leading to a confrontation between Israeli forces and Palestinians in the village; 8 Palestinians were injured by Israeli settlers and 13 by tear gas fired by Israeli forces. Israeli settlers also threw stones at Palestinian vehicles traveling near Bizarya, causing damage. Elsewhere, Israeli settlers raided Burqa, leading to a confrontation between Palestinians and Israeli forces; no injuries were reported. Israeli forces shot and killed 4 Palestinians and injured 44 others during a raid in Jenin refugee camp, where Israeli forces also fired 4 missiles in residential areas. Al-Aqsa Martyrs’ Brigades said 3 of the casualties were members of their organizations while Islamic Jihad said the 4th was an Islamic Jihad member. The PA and OIC condemned the killings and Fatah called for a Day of Rage. Several Palestinian cities held general strikes over the killings. Later, on 10/10, 1 12-year-old Palestinian boy died of wounds sustained during the raid. The boy was shot in the stomach by Israeli forces using live ammunition. Israeli forces also violently dispersed Palestinian protesters at the Beit El checkpoint, injuring 3, including 1 critically. Elsewhere, Israeli forces violently dispersed Palestinian protesters in Huwwara, injuring 1 with a baton round and 33 with tear gas. Israeli forces also violently dispersed Palestinian protesters in Qalqilya, injuring 14 with tear gas. Meanwhile, Israeli forces violently dispersed Palestinian protesters in al-Bireh, leading to tear-gas related injuries. Israeli forces also violently dispersed Palestinian protesters in Hebron, injuring 2 with baton rounds. (ABC, AJ, AP, CNN, HA, JDF, MEE, MEMO, NYT, PCHR, REU, TOI, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 9/28; HA, IN, MDW, MEE, MEMO, MEMO, MEMO, MEMO, PCHR 9/29; WAFA, WAFA 9/29; HA, MEMO, UNOCHA 9/30; HA 10/10; UNOCHA 10/16)

An Israeli court extended the administrative detention of Khalil Awadeh to 10/9, despite an Israeli promise to release him on 9/2 after he challenged his detention with 172-day-long hunger strike. (AJ, MEMO 9/29)

Israel announced that it will start a pilot program to open the Allenby Bridge crossing between the West Bank and Jordan 24 hours a day, beginning on 10/24. The 24/7 opening of the Allenby crossing was 1 of the announcements U.S. president Joe Biden made when he visited the West Bank in June. (HA, MEE 9/28; MEMO 9/29)

Israeli media reported, after a meeting with Israeli defense officials, that Israeli military chief of staff Aviv Kochavi has approved carrying out “targeted assassinations” in the West Bank and the use of drones for the purpose. (JP, MEMO 9/29; ALM, HA 9/30)

Haaretz reported that Shin Bet director Ronen Bar ignored his predecessor’s advice to demote or fire a Shin Bet operative and decided to promote him instead. The operative is accused of rape and demanding the examination of Palestinian women’s genitals. The investigation against the operative was closed in 2021 due to alleged insufficient evidence. (HA 9/28)

UN envoy for the Middle East peace process Tor Wennesland told the UN security council that Israel continues to defy the 2016 security council resolution calling for an immediate halt to Israeli settlement activity in the West Bank. (AP 9/28; MEMO 9/29)

In the West Bank, 2 Palestinians, including a member of the PA security service’s intelligence branch, and the Israeli deputy commander of the Nahal brigade’s special reconnaissance unit, were killed during an exchange of gunfire near the Jalamah checkpoint. Al-Aqsa Martyrs’ Brigades said the 2 Palestinians were members of its organization. Israeli forces raided Burqa, causing tear-gas related injuries. Israeli forces also demolished 2 agricultural structures and 20 olive trees in Rujeib, delivered stop-work notices for 1 house and 1 agricultural structure in Husan and demolition notices against 3 residential tents in Ras al-Ahmar. Elsewhere, Israeli forces seized 2 residential tents in the Masafer Yatta area. 12 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in Jamma‘in, ‘Ayn Bus, Nablus, al-Janiya, Silwad, and Hebron. In East Jerusalem, 2 Palestinians were arrested, including 1 at a checkpoint and 1 in Isawiya. (AJ, AP, HA, HA, MEE, MEMO, REU, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 9/14; HA, PCHR 9/15; UNOCHA 9/16; UNOCHA 9/30)

Israel shut down the Jalamah and Salem checkpoints and prohibited Palestinians from Kafr Dan from entering Israel as a punitive measure for the early morning shooting (see above). Both the Palestinians killed were from Kafr Dan. (HA 9/14)

It was reported that Palestinian children in Tuba had been unable to attend school for 2 days as Israeli soldiers began refusing escorting the children to their school. Since 2004, Israeli soldiers have escorted children in Tuba to their school to protect them from settler attacks. Residents in Tuba said they believe canceling the escorting of the children was related to an incident on 9/12 where 1 Israeli settler was reported injured nearby after armed Israeli settlers attacked Palestinians working their land. The Israeli military said that they had not changed their policy, but had decided to temporarily cancel the escorts. (HA 9/14)

The U.S. senate foreign relations committee passed an amendment to the Manager’s package of the State Department Authorization Act, requiring secretary of state Antony Blinken to submit a report on the circumstances surround the killing of Palestinian American journalist Shireen Abu Akleh. (HA 9/15; WAFA 9/16)

U.S. assistant secretary of state for Near Eastern affairs Barbara Leaf told reporters that the U.S. is concerned about the security situation in the West Bank and cited economic conditions as a direct factor. (AX, HA 9/14; MEMO 9/15)

Axios reported that the EU special envoy for the Israeli-Palestinian peace process Sven Koopmans had complained to the Israeli foreign ministry that his requests for meetings with prime minister Yair Lapid, president Isaac Herzog, and defense minister Benny Gantz had been denied. (AX 9/14)

In an interview with the French newspaper Le Point, Qatari leader Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani dismissed the idea of normalizing relations with Israel, saying “are things normal in Israel? No! There are still occupied Arab lands, refugees who have not been able to return to their homes for over 70 years, Muslims and Christians, living under siege in Gaza.” Sheikh Al Thani further called the “Israeli-Palestinian question” the most important, saying there will not be peace in the Middle East without it being solved. (HA, LePoint 9/14)

UN commissioner Lynn Welchman criticized Israel for its air strike on the Damascus Airport in June, which suspended UN deliveries of humanitarian aid to Syrians. (AP, HA, REU 9/14; MEE 9/15)

The Washington Post reported that in the upcoming book, The Divider: Trump in the White House, 2017-2021 by Peter Baker and Susan Glasser, it is said that former U.S. president Donald Trump offered King Abdullah II of Jordan the West Bank. According to the authors’ sources, King Abdullah said he thought he was having a heart attack when he was made the offer. (WP 9/14; HA, JP, MEE, TOI 9/15)

In the West Bank, Israeli forces demolished 8 houses under construction in al-Dyouk al-Tahta. 18 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in al-Khader, al-Asakra, Tadduh, Burqa, Nablus, Zawata, and Tulkarm refugee camp. In East Jerusalem, 2 Palestinians were arrested in Bayt Hanina and the Old City. (MEMO, WAFA, WAFA 8/22; MEMO 8/23; PCHR 8/25; UNOCHA 9/2)

25 Palestinians traveled from the West Bank to Cyprus via Ramon airport in Israel. The Israeli airport authority said the flight was not part of the postponed plan for Palestinians to be able to use the Ramon airport south of the West Bank, which was shelved earlier this month. The PA urged Palestinians not to use the Ramon airport, saying Israel should allow the PA to operate the Qalandia airport. (REU 8/22; ALM, MEMO 8/23; MEMO, REU 8/24)

Thousands of Palestinians held in Israeli prisons began a protest against the Israel Prison Service, saying it had failed to ease punitive restrictions in the prisons. Prisoners refused to partake in security checks and prisoners will start refusing meals on 8/24. (JP 8/21; WAFA 8/22; MEMO 8/23; MEMO 8/24)

PA president Mahmoud Abbas arrived in Türkiye for a 3-day visit, where he will meet with Türkiye president Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. (MEMO, WAFA 8/21; WAFA 8/22)

The Guardian reported that a CIA study of the material provided by Israel did not amount to evidence to support Israel’s claim that 6 Palestinian rights organizations should be categorized as terrorist organizations. Israel designated the 6 rights organizations as terrorist organizations in October 2021 and raided their offices on 8/18. (GDN, TOI 8/22; MDW, MEMO, NA 8/23)

The Israeli ministry of education told the Tel Aviv-Jaffa municipality that they could not use maps that depicted the Green Line for educational purposes or as posters in classrooms. After the municipality defied the ministry’s guidance and hung the maps up in some 2,000 classrooms, the ministry ordered the municipality to take them down on 8/24. (HA, MEMO 8/23; HA, HA, HA 8/24; MEE 8/25)

It was reported that Iran had dropped some demands as the U.S. and Iran were getting closer to agreeing on reentering the Iran Nuclear Deal, through European intermediaries. Israel’s defense minister Benny Gantz said he was opposed to the nuclear deal and would travel to the U.S. this week to “exert influence on the matter.” Among the demands reportedly dropped by Iran was for the U.S. to remove the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps from its list of terrorist organizations. (AJ, AJ, AJ, MEE, REU 8/22; HA, REU 8/23; AP, AP, AP, HA, HA 8/24)

A U.S. district judge rejected Ben & Jerry’s request to prevent its parent company Unilever from selling Ben & Jerry’s ice cream in Israeli West Bank settlements. Ben & Jerry’s had sued Unilever, saying the sale of its ice cream in Israeli settlements undermined its values. (AJ, AP, HA, REU 8/22; BBC, MEE 8/23; MEMO 8/25)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers set up a settlement outpost outside of the Metzad settlement near Wadi Sa‘ir. Israeli forces shot and killed 1 Israeli soldier near the Separation Wall west of Tulkarm; the killing was described as “friendly fire.” Israeli forces also violently dispersed Palestinian protesters in Beit Lid. Elsewhere, Israeli forces demolished 3 agricultural structures in Burqa, Kafr ad-Dik, and Battir, and seized water pipelines and agricultural tools in Ras al-Ahmar. Israeli forces also violently dispersed Palestinian protesters at the Qalandia checkpoint, causing tear-gas related injuries. 21 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in Deir Abu Mash‘al, Birzeit, Beit Fajjar, Dheisheh refugee camp, Asira ash-Shamaliya, Silat ad-Dhahr, and Zabbuba. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces shot and killed 1 Palestinian man in Kafr ‘Aqab during a late-night house raid; eyewitnesses said the man was standing in his doorway when he was shot from close range, while Israeli police claimed that the man was attempting to stab a police officer. Israeli authorities also delivered a demolition notice for a house in Isawiya. (AJ, AP, AX, HA, HA, MEE, MEMO, PCHR, REU, TOI, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 8/15; ALM, MEE, MEMO, WAFA 8/16; PCHR 8/18; UNOCHA 8/19)

An Israeli military judge rejected an appeal to release Khalil Awawdeh from administrative detention. Awawdeh, who is hospitalized in critical condition, has been on hunger strike for 155 days in protest over his administrative detention. Awawdeh’s lawyer said he would appeal the decision to the Israeli high court of justice. (AJ, HA, WAFA 8/15; AJ, MEMO 8/16)

Iran responded to the EU draft text to reinstate the Iran Nuclear Deal by asking the U.S. to show flexibility on 3 issues. It was unclear what the 3 issues were, but Iran said that if the 3 issues were resolved, an agreement could be made this week. (HA 8/16; AX, HA, MEE, MEMO, REU 8/18)

In the West Bank, Israeli forces violently dispersed Palestinian protesters in Hebron, injuring 3 with live ammunition and others with tear gas. Israeli forces also violently dispersed a funeral procession in Beit Umar by attacking the pallbearers. Elsewhere, Israeli forces violently dispersed Palestinian protesters in Kafr Qaddum, injuring 17 with baton rounds and others with tear gas. Israeli forces also violently dispersed protesters in Ein al-Beida and al-Juwaya in the Masafer Yatta area, arresting 5 international activists and causing tear-gas related injuries. Meanwhile, Israeli forces seized 1 tractor and farm equipment in al-‘Awja. 7 Palestinians were arrested during late-nights raid in Burqa, ‘Askar refugee camp, al-Yamun, and al-Dahariya. (WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 7/1; PCHR 7/7; UNOCHA 7/22)

Human Rights Watch (HRW) said in a report that Palestinian security forces in the West Bank and Gaza systematically torture critics of the PA and Hamas in their detention. HRW called on countries donating to PA security forces to cut off their funding and for the ICC to investigate the issue. HRW said that Palestinian security forces use solitary confinement, beatings, and stress positions to punish and intimidate critics and political opponents and to elicit confessions. (AP, HA, JP, REU 7/1)

It was reported that newly appointed Israeli prime minister Yair Lapid would move into a house seized by Israel from a Palestinian family who fled Jerusalem during the Nakba. The house, Villa Hanna Salameh on Balfour Street, will serve as Prime Minister Lapid’s temporary housing until renovations at the prime minister’s official residence has been completed. (HA, MEE 7/1)

31 Democrats in the House of Representatives sent a letter to U.S. secretary of state Antony Blinken expressing concern over Israeli plans to construct settlements in the E-1 area of the West Bank. The Democrats were led by Mark Pocan (D-WI) and Jan Schakowsky (D-IL). (Mark Pocan 7/1; WAFA 7/4)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers raided Huwwara, spraying pepper spray at 1 Palestinian man confronting the settlers who were trying to steal Palestinian flags. Israeli settlers also assaulted 2 Palestinians near Burqa, causing hospitalizations. Elsewhere, Israeli settlers attacked 1 Palestinian family traveling in a car near Duma, spraying pepper spray at 3 Palestinians, including a 2-year-old who received medical assistance. Israeli forces delivered stop-work orders against 3 houses and 1 agricultural structure in al-Khader. 12 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in Tulkarm, Kafr Qaddum, Habla, Aida refugee camp, Hebron, and al-Juwaya. In East Jerusalem, Israeli settlers attacked 2 Palestinians working for the Israeli municipality in the Ramat Eshkol settlement; 1 of the Palestinians was slashed with a knife in the back and the other was beaten and suffered a broken arm. The Israeli settlers had asked the 2 men if they were Arabs before assaulting them. Israeli forces raided Silwan, firing tear gas and stun grenades, causing injuries. 3 were arrested during late-night raids in Silwan and the Old City. Off the coast of Gaza, Israeli naval forces shot and injured 3 Palestinian fishermen and damaged 1 boat within 3 nautical miles west of al-Sudaniyya. (MEE, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 6/16; HA 6/17; HA 6/20; PCHR 6/23; UNOCHA 7/2)

Al Jazeera published an image of the bullet that killed Shireen Abu Akleh in Jenin refugee camp on 5/11. Ballistic and forensic experts said that the bullet was 5.56mm, used by Israeli forces, and manufactured in the U.S. (AJ, AP, HA 6/16)

The Catalonian parliament passed a resolution saying Israel is committing the crime of apartheid against the Palestinian people. (MEE 6/16; WAFA 6/17)