The Palestine Chronology

In the West Bank, 2 Israeli settlers were wounded by gunfire near Joseph’s Tomb. Israeli settlers opened fire at Palestinians in Kisan; no injuries were reported. Israeli settlers also threw stones at Palestinian vehicles traveling near the Yitzhar settlement, damaging 3. Israeli forces shot and injured 4 Palestinians with live ammunition, 5 with baton rounds, and 13 with shrapnel, and fired an anti-tank missile at a home during an arrest raid in Rujeib. Israeli forces also placed dirt mounds at the main entrance to Silwad. 13 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in Zeita, Deir al-Ghusun, Attil, Seida, Huwwara, Tubas, Qalqilya, Jenin, Beit Umar, and Deir Sammit. In East Jerusalem, 3 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in Silwan. (MEE, TOI, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 8/30; MEMO 8/31; PCHR 9/1)

An Israeli district court in Beersheba sentenced the former director of World Vision in Gaza, Mohammad al-Halabi, with another 6 years in prison, in addition to the 6 years he has already spent in Israeli prison. Human Rights Watch’s Israel and Palestine director Omar Shakir called the sentencing “a profound miscarriage of justice . . . The al-Halabi case exposes how Israel uses its legal system to provide a veneer of legality to mask its ugly apartheid over millions of Palestinians.” (AJ, GDN, REU, WAFA, WAFA 8/30; BBC, MDW, WAFA 8/31; MEMO 9/1)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers vandalized more than 20 Palestinian-owned vehicles in al-Bireh with racist graffiti and by slashing tires. Israeli settlers with military escort brought their cattle to graze on Palestinian lands, leading to a confrontation between Israeli soldiers and Palestinians; tear-gas related injuries were reported. Elsewhere, Israeli settlers threw stones at Palestinian vehicles traveling near Burqa and the Za‘atara checkpoint, causing damage. Israeli forces razed an olive grove in Wadi Fukin, uprooting 30 olive trees. Israeli forces also raided Qalandia refugee camp, injuring 7 with rubber-coated bullets and dozens of others with tear gas; 1 was arrested. 9 other Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in Abu Shukheidim, Jalazun refugee camp, Tuqu‘, Hebron, Nablus, and Awarta. In East Jerusalem, 2 Palestinians were arrested in the Old City and Silwan. In Israel, 1 Palestinian citizen of Israel stabbed 6 Israeli Jewish people and rammed them with his car in Beersheba, killing 4 and wounding 2 others before he was shot dead by an Israeli bus driver. The Palestinian man, who was a resident of Hura, was said to be a supporter of ISIS and was reportedly arrested in 2015 and 2016 for attempting to join ISIS in Syria. (AJ, AP, AX, HA, MEE, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 3/22; HA, HA 3/23; ALM, HA, HA, HA, PCHR 3/24; ALM, HA 3/25; UNOCHA 4/10)

1 Palestinian resident of Sheikh Jarrah was sentenced to 1 year in prison on classified charges. (WAFA 3/22)

Israeli prime minister Naftali Bennett, Egyptian president Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, and UAE crown prince Mohammed bin Zayed al Nahyan met in Sharm El Sheikh, discussing energy stability, food security, and international issues. (AJ, AX, HA, REU, REU 3/22; HA, HA 3/23)

In a report to the UN Human Rights Council, the UN special rapporteur Michael Lynk charged Israel with committing crimes of apartheid. Special Rapporteur Lynk wrote that Israel has “an institutionalized regime of systematic racial oppression and discrimination ... where Israeli Jews and Palestinian Arabs in East Jerusalem and the West Bank live their lives under a single regime which differentiates its distribution of rights and benefits of the basis of national and ethnic identity, and which ensures the supremacy of one group over, and to the detriment of, the other.” (NYT 3/23; HA, WAFA 3/24; WAFA 3/25)

In the West Bank, 2 Israeli soldiers were injured during a training accident near the Ma’ale Adumim settlement. Israeli settlers with military escort marched near al-Bireh. Israeli settlers also uprooted and stole some 30 olive saplings on a fenced plot of land in the Masafer Yatta area. Elsewhere, Israeli settlers with military escort marched toward Beita, leading to clashes between Palestinians and Israeli forces; 28 were injured by tear gas. The settler march was organized by the Samaria Regional Council and advertised with the slogan “We want a Jewish state.” Israeli forces delivered an eviction notice to 1 Palestinian family in Kafr ad-Dik, telling them to vacate 5 dunams (2.5 acres) of land planted with 60 olive trees. Israeli forces also demolished 1 agricultural structure in Nabi Ilyas. Elsewhere, Israeli forces raided a school in Deir Nidham, arresting 2 students. 15 others were arrested during late-night raids in Silwad, Ein Yabrud, Tuqu‘, and Beit Umar. In East Jerusalem, 1 Palestinian family demolished their own home in Bayt Hanina, displacing 7. 4 Palestinians were arrested in Kafr ‘Aqab and Silwan. In Gaza, Israeli forces made incursions and leveled farmland north of Beit Lahiya and east of Khuza‘a. In the Naqab, Israeli police arrested more than 30 Palestinian Bedouins who allegedly took part in the demonstrations against the forestation program meant to displace Bedouins in the Naqab last week. Activists later protested in front for a court in Beersheba, demanding their release. (HA, HA, MEE, MEMO, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 1/18; MEMO 1/19; MEMO, PCHR 1/20)

Israel released Palestinian lawmaker Nayef Rajoub of Hamas after 8 months of administrative detention. Rajoub was arrested on 5/20/2021. (MEMO 1/19)

The Fatah Central Committee voted unanimously to elect Rawhi Fattouh as the new chairperson of the PNC after Salim Zanoun retired from the post. (WAFA 1/19)

Israel and the U.S. tested the Arrow 3 Weapons System in Israel. The Arrow 3 system is designed to intercept long-range ballistic missiles. (HA 1/18; ALM 1/20)

Israeli newspaper Calcalist reported that Israeli police have been using the NSO Group’s Pegasus spyware to surveil Israeli citizens, including activists protesting against former Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Israeli mayors, and other politicians. The spyware was said to have been used without a warrant or court order. The Israeli police bought the spyware from NSO Group in 2013 for $859,500, according to an invoice. The police have subsequently bought upgrades to the system, adding to the initial price tag. (AJ, ALM, AP, HA, HA, MEMO, REU 1/18; AJ, AP, HA 1/19; AJ, ALM, HA, HA, HA, MEMO, MEMO, TOI 1/20; REU 1/21; HA 1/23)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers raided Sabastia, throwing stones at 2 Palestinian homes. Israeli settlers with military escort raided Burqa, leading to a confrontation between Israeli forces and Palestinians protecting their land; tear-gas related injuries were reported. Meanwhile, Israeli settlers threw stones at Palestinian vehicles outside of Burqa. Some 1,200 Israeli settlers visited the evacuated Homesh settlement outpost, bypassing Israeli checkpoints without incident. Israeli forces blocked a road between Nablus and Jenin near Sabastia. 1 Palestinian was arrested during a raid in Qalqilya. In East Jerusalem, head of the Anti-Judaization Committee Naser al-Hidmi received a notice that he was banned from traveling for 5 months. 2 Palestinians were arrested, including 1 minor during a late-night raid in Silwan and 1 while present at the Damascus Gate plaza. In Israel, Palestinians protested in Beersheba in support of the about 130 Palestinians who have been arrested while protesting displacement of Bedouin communities in the Naqab in the past week. (WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 1/16; HA, WAFA 1/17; PCHR 1/20)

The town of Kafr ‘Aqab in East Jerusalem experienced severe flooding after heavy rainfall overnight, causing damage. Kafr ‘Aqab, which is within the Israeli-annexed Jerusalem municipal boundaries but is on the West Bank side of the separation wall, lacks municipality services, causing issues like the severe flooding. (HA 1/17)

The Knesset ministerial committee for legislation approved a bill that would bar Palestinians married to Israeli citizens from getting residency rights in Israel. The bill, which must still pass in the Knesset, builds on a temporary ban on Palestinian family unification, which expired in July 2021. Interior minister Ayelet Shaked has acted as if the ban did not expire in July and has been ordered by the Israeli supreme court to pass legislation justifying her policy. (HA, JP, TOI 1/16)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers raided Qarawat Bani Hassan before confronted by Palestinian residents. Israeli settlers attacked 1 Palestinian minor near Kisan, causing injuries. Elsewhere, Israeli settlers set fire to agricultural lands planted with olive trees in Jalud, causing extensive damage. Israeli forces violently dispersed Palestinian protesters commemorating Nakba Day throughout the West Bank, killing 1 Palestinian in Hebron and injuring 450, including 27 in Hebron, 29 in Qalqilya, 12 in Ramallah, 18 in Nablus, 9 in Tulkarm, 6 in Jenin, 2 in Bethlehem, and 1 in Tubas using live ammunition. 13 Palestinians were arrested, including 4 during late-night raids in Tulkarm and 9 during protests near Jenin. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces violently dispersed Palestinian protesters in Shaykh Jarrah, injuring 1 journalist and arresting 1. Israeli forces also violently dispersed Palestinian protesters in al-Tur, causing tear-gas related injuries and 1 arrest. 13 others were arrested during raids in Issawiyya, al-Tur, Silwan, and Sur Bahir. In Gaza, 17 Palestinians were killed, including 8 children, and dozens were injured, raising the comprehensive death toll since 5/10 from 136 to 153, including 41 children and 2 pregnant women. The casualties included: 10 members of the same family in an Israeli air strike in al-Shati refugee camp, including 8 children; 1 infant was found in the rubble of the house and was the only survivor of the attack; 2 in an air strike on a market in Gaza City; 1 in an air strike while driving north of Gaza City; 1 in a drone strike on agricultural lands near al-Bureij; 1, and 1 injured in an air strike on al-Bureij; 1 in an air strike while riding a motorbike in al-Maghazi; 1 Palestinian succumbed to wounds sustained in an air strike on a car wash al-Zawaideh. Israel also demolished al-Jalaa tower, a 12-story building in Gaza City hosting the offices of AP, Al Jazeera, and other international media outlets along with residential apartments; Israel claimed that it also housed Hamas and Islamic Jihad in Palestine intelligence offices, saying that made it a legitimate target; residents and workers were given 1 hour to evacuate the building. AP said their reporting capabilities in Gaza were significantly reduced while Al Jazeera called it a war crime and an act to stop reporting. Air strikes also demolished the home of senior Hamas official Khalil al-Hayya and severely damaged the 14-story tower al-Qahira and the 12-story tower al-Andalus in Gaza City. Shelling from land and sea also caused significant damage and injuries in Khan Yunis and Bayt Hanun. Egypt sent 10 ambulances to Gaza to pick up injured Palestinians for treatment at Egyptian hospitals. In Israel, 1 Israeli was killed by a rocket fired from Gaza in Ramat Gan, raising the Israeli death toll to 10. 6 buildings were also damaged in Ramat Gan. Rockets were also fired at Beersheba, Ashkelon, and Ashdod from Gaza, causing damage in Beersheba and Ashdod. Hundreds of Palestinian-Israelis protested in Jaffa over the Israeli police’s inability to protect them as violence has been escalating in the neighborhood and 1 minor was seriously injured by a firebomb on 5/14. 67 Palestinian-Israelis were reported arrested, including 52 in ‘Akka and 15 in Lydda. In Lebanon, hundreds of protesters gathered along the Blue Line to show solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza and Shaykh Jarrah. (AJ, AJ, AJ, AJ, AJ, AJ, AJ, AJ, AJ, AP, HA, HA, HA, HA, MEE, MEE, PCHR, REU, REU, REU, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 5/15; AP, AP, AP, AP, HA, MEE, PCHR, REU, TOI, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 5/16; AP 5/17; HA 5/18; PCHR 5/20; MEE 5/21; NYT 5/26; GDN 7/28)

There were major demonstrations in many cities worldwide in commemoration of Nakba Day and in solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza and those threatened by eviction in Shaykh Jarrah. (DM, DW, NAT 5/15 BBC, GDN, WAFA 5/16)

U.S. president Joe Biden spoke with both Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu and PA president Mahmoud Abbas. It was the 1st time that President Biden and President Abbas have spoken since Biden took office in January. (HA, WAFA 5/15)

U.S. chair of the senate foreign relations committee Bob Menendez (D-NJ) said, after Israel demolished the building housing the offices of AP and Al Jazeera, that he was “deeply troubled by reports of Israeli military actions that resulted in the death of innocent civilians in Gaza as well as Israeli targeting of buildings housing international media outlets.” Menendez is known as 1 of the staunchest supports of Israel among the senate Democrats. Several House Democrats separately tweeted, “Apartheid states aren’t democracies,” in a reference to Israel. (AJ, AJ, HA, NYT 5/15)

In the West Bank, 1 Israeli settler shot and killed 1 Palestinian and injured 1 other when the 2 confronted a group of settlers attempting to set fire to their crops near al-Rihiya, south of Hebron; +972 reported that the settlers mutilated the body of the Palestinian man they had shot dead. 10 Palestinians were killed and 209 wounded by Israeli forces throughout the West Bank. The casualties included: 1, and 39 injured during a protest in Shwaika near Tulkarm; several others were reported injured; 1 protester, and 2 injured in Salem; 1 protester in Asira; 1 protester, and 4 injured in Beita; 1 protester, and 18 others injured by live ammunition in Ya‘bad; 1 protester in Marda; 1 protester in Iskaka; 1 protester, and 4 injured in ‘Urif; 1 protester in Jericho; 1 Palestinian at a checkpoint, who allegedly tried to ram Israeli soldiers near Silwad; 148 protesters injured by live ammunition and rubber-coated bullets during protests in and around Dayr Nidham, Bayt Dajan, Bayt Furik, al-Fawar refugee camp, al-Khadir, Salfit, Tayassir, Huwwara, Aqraba, Ni‘lin, Jenin, Qalqilya, Tulkarm, and Qusra. 13 Palestinians were arrested, including 6 during late-night raids in and around Qalandia refugee camp, Bayt Umar, and Sa‘ir; 7 were arrested during protests at the al-Jalama checkpoint near Jenin. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces shot and injured 19 Palestinians using live ammunition, rubber-coated bullets, and sound bomb canisters during protests in and around Shaykh Jarrah, Bayt Hanina, Silwan, and the Old City. 7 Palestinians were arrested during raids in al-Tur, Silwan, and Sur Bahir. In Gaza, 22 Palestinians were killed, including 6 children, and dozens injured, raising the comprehensive death toll since 5/10 from 114 to 136, including 33 children and 2 pregnant women. The casualties included: 9, including 3 children, and 73 injured, including 20 children, in air strikes on buildings in Bayt Lahiya and Bayt Hanun; 4 in an air strike on Gaza City, including 1 child; 3, including 1 child, in air strikes on Jabaliya; 1, and 16 injured, including 2 children, in air strikes on al-Bureij refugee camp; 1, and 1 wounded in an air strike on Abasan; 1 in an air strike while riding a motorbike in Rafah; 1 Palestinian was found dead in rubble from an air strike in Dayr al-Balah on 5/13; 1 Palestinian child succumbed to wounds sustained in an air strike on Gaza City on 5/12; 1 Palestinian succumbed to wounds sustained in an air strike on 5/12 in Bayt Lahiya. Israel also said it had assassinated 3 Hamas operatives, Shadi Abed Al-Hadi, Osama Shehadeh, and Zakaria Zarendah. Israeli air strikes also destroyed an interior ministry building west of Gaza City and 3 poultry farms near Rafah, killing more than 10,000 chickens. Israeli forces also struck the fishing ports in Gaza city and Khan Yunis. Damage to power lines in Gaza was reported, significantly reducing the amount of available electricity. In Israel, Israeli forces killed 2 people after several people crossed from Lebanon into Israel by Metula. Israel also said that 3 rockets were fired at Israel from Syria, with 2 landing in open land in the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights and 1 in Syria. 2 rockets from Gaza hit 2 houses in Sderot, causing damage and 1 injury. 1 rocket from Gaza lightly injured 1 Israeli driving near Beersheba. Israel barred people from outside of Lydda from entering the city from 4 p.m. and barred all its residents from leaving their homes after 9 p.m. 1 Palestinian-Israeli minor was seriously injured, and another minor lightly injured, after a firebomb was thrown at their house in Jaffa; Israeli police claimed without evidence that it was 2 Palestinian-Israeli men that had thrown the firebomb. Israeli forces were filmed kicking Palestinian-Israeli vehicles traveling in Umm al-Fahm and firing stun grenades at them for no apparent reason. Israeli forces shot and injured 1 Palestinian-Israeli minor in Lydda, claiming he tried to throw a firebomb at them. 5 Palestinian-Israelis were arrested in Umm al-Fahm after a fire was ignited at the town’s city hall. 9 Palestinian-Israelis were arrested in ‘Akka. Israeli forces violently dispersed Palestinian-Israeli protesters in Kafr Kana, injuring 28. Israel also told international news outlets that it would conduct a ground invasion of Gaza shortly and then later apologized to the news outlets for providing false information; analysts suspected that Israel used the media outlets to lure Hamas militants into tunnels before heavily bombarding said tunnels; Israel said that dozens were killed in the attack on the tunnels. Israel also shot down 1 drone sent from Gaza. 1 Israeli woman succumbed to injuries sustained after falling while running to a shelter in Neta’im on 5/11, raising the Israeli death toll to 9. In Jordan, some 500 protesters tried to enter the West Bank through the Allenby bridge, but were dispersed by Jordanian forces 3 miles from the border. In Amman, thousands of protesters called for the expulsion of the Israeli ambassador and ending the Jordanian-Israeli peace treaty. (AJ, AJ, AJ, HA, HA, HA, HA, HA, HA, HA, HA, NYT, NYT, PCHR, PCHR, REU, REU, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 5/14; AJ, AP, AP, GDN, HA, HA, HA, PCHR, PCHR 5/15; TOI 5/16; HA 5/19; PCHR 5/20; MEE 5/21; NYT 5/26; +972 6/8; INT 7/15)

The Palestinian Health Ministry in Gaza said that 42% of the 119 people who have been killed in the Israeli attack on Gaza, at the time of reporting, were women and children. It also said 830 people had been injured. The UN estimated that 10,000 Palestinians have been internally displaced during the current escalation so far. (AJ, HA 5/14)

Spokesperson for PA president Mahmoud Abbas Nabil Abu Rudeineh said that the silence of the U.S. administration was encouraging Israeli war crimes in Gaza, East Jerusalem, and the West Bank. (WAFA 5/14)

Morocco sent 40 tons of emergency aid to Palestine and denounced Israel’s aggression toward Palestinians. (HA 5/15)

The U.S. deputy assistant secretary for Israel and Palestinian affairs Hady Amr landed in Tel Aviv in an attempt by the U.S. administration to deescalate the situation. (AX, HA 5/14; HA 5/15)

A letter co-signed by 11 Jewish Democrats in the house of representatives, led by Jerrold Nadler (D-NY), urged the Biden administration to be more active in ending the escalation of violence between Israel and Hamas and to do more to end the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The 11 members of Congress also expressed concern about the violence in East Jerusalem and urged Israel to halt the “unjust eviction” of Palestinians from their homes in Shaykh Jarrah, and said that the U.S. must address the deepening occupation. (HA 5/15)

Democrats in the House also debated the attack on Gaza on the floor, with 1 group of 11 speaking in defense of Palestinians and 1 group of 10 defending Israel’s actions. (AJ, HA 5/14)

ICC chief prosecutor Fatou Bensouda said that she will continue with her inquiry into potential war crimes committed by Israelis and Palestinians in the occupied Palestinian territories despite Israel’s refusal to cooperate. Chief Prosecutor Bensouda also said that the investigation will include the current escalation of the conflict. (HA, REU 5/14)

The Italian trade union of port workers said that its members in Livorno had refused to load a shipment of weapons and explosives to be shipped to Israel, citing Israel’s attack on Gaza. (AA 5/15; WAFA 5/16; IN 5/17)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers attacked 2 Palestinians near Nablus by throwing stones and physically assaulting them, causing their hospitalization. Israeli forces shot and killed 1 Palestinian at a checkpoint in Za’atra and injured 1 other; Israeli forces claimed that 2 were in a car and refused to stop at the checkpoint. Israeli forces also violently dispersed protesters at a checkpoint north of Ramallah, injuring 9 Palestinians with rubber-coated bullets. Elsewhere, Israeli forces violently dispersed protesters at the Qalandia checkpoint, injuring 37 Palestinians using rubber-coated bullets. Israeli forces also violently dispersed Palestinian protesters in Jenin, injuring 1 with live ammunition while others suffered tear-gas related injuries. Meanwhile, Israeli forces violently dispersed Palestinian protesters, injuring 2 using live ammunition. Israeli forces also violently dispersed Palestinian protesters in Tulkarm, injuring 1 with live ammunition; others suffered tear-gas related injuries. Separately, Israeli forces violently dispersed Palestinian protesters in Hebron, injuring 7 with live ammunition and 10 with rubber-coated bullets. Israeli forces also injured 1 with a tear gas canister in Bethlehem. Elsewhere, Israeli forces violently dispersed Palestinian protesters at the Huwwara checkpoint, injuring 5 with rubber-coated bullets. 14 Palestinians were arrested, including 13 at checkpoints in Tulkarm, Huwwara, and Jenin, and 1 was arrested during a late-night raid in Jenin. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces violently dispersed a sit-in protest against evictions in Shaykh Jarrah, spraying skunk water at protesters and arresting 3 residents. 6 other Palestinians were arrested, including 4 at a checkpoint in Issawiyya and 2 during late-night raids in Silwan and al-Tur. In Gaza, 10 Palestinians, including 1 child, were killed in Israeli air strikes, raising the comprehensive death toll since 5/10 from 20 to 30, including 10 children. The casualties included: 2, and 2 injured in an air strike on a 7-story building in al-Shati camp; 6, and at least 8 injured in 3 air strikes on apartment buildings in Gaza City; and 2 in an air strike near a chicken farm southwest of Dayr al-Balah. Additionally, Israeli air strikes damaged or destroyed dozens of buildings, including 1 14-story residential and commercial building, the Hanadi Tower west of Gaza City, 1 ice cream factory south of Gaza City, 1 health clinic and police station in Bayt Lahiya, 1 large school in Dayr al-Balah. Hamas reported that Israeli air strikes had destroyed all police buildings in Gaza. In Israel, 5 were killed by rockets from Gaza, including 2 Palestinian citizens of Israel, who were killed by a rocket fired from Gaza near Lydda, and 2 Jewish-Israelis and 1 Indian national in Ashkelon and Tel Aviv. 1 rocket fired from Gaza also damaged an Israeli pipeline in Ashkelon, igniting a large oil fire. A state of emergency was also declared in Lydda after a synagogue and some 30 cars were set on fire as Jewish-Israelis and Palestinian citizens of Israel clashed. Israeli forces also violently dispersed Palestinian-Israelis in Lydda after a protest erupted following a funeral of 1 Palestinian citizen of Israel who was killed by a Jewish-Israeli on 5/10; 12 Palestinian-Israelis were injured by stun grenades and rubber-coated bullets. Clashes also ensued in Ramla and a synagogue, a marketplace, and a Muslim cemetery were set on fire. In Acre, 1 police station and 1 restaurant were set on fire. 19 Palestinian citizens of Israel were arrested after trash bins were set on fire and stones were thrown at Israeli police in Haifa. Israeli forces also violently dispersed Palestinian-Israeli protesters in Jaffa, arresting 3; 2 police officers were reportedly injured. Clashes between Jewish-Israelis and Palestinian-Israelis were also reported in Beersheba. Israeli forces said that the Iron Dome had intercepted 85-90% of around 850 rockets fired from Gaza since 5/10. (AJ 5/10; AJ, AJ, AX, CBS, HA, HA, MEE, MEMO, MEMO, NYT, PCHR, REU, REU, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 5/11; AJ, AJ, AP, AP, BBC, CNN, CNN, HA, HA, HA, JP, MEMO, PCHR, PCHR, REU, REU, TOI 5/12; HA 5/18; WAFA 5/19; PCHR 5/20; MEE 5/21; NYT 5/26)

PA president Mahmoud Abbas canceled Eid al-Fitr celebrations to mourn for the Palestinians killed by Israel in the last couple of days. (MEMO 5/12)

A Spokesperson for the U.S. national security advisor said chief of Palestinian affairs at the U.S. embassy in Israel George Noll had delivered a letter from U.S. president Joe Biden to PA president Mahmoud Abbas. The spokesperson would not say what the letter was about, saying it was part of the administrations outreach to “the Palestinian leadership.” (HILL, WAFA 5/11)

The Arab League secretary-general Ahmed Aboul Gheit said Israel was responsible for the escalation between Hamas and Israel, stating that “Israeli violations in Jerusalem . . . is what led to the ignition of the situation in this dangerous way.” Secretary-general Gheit’s comments came after a meeting of Arab League foreign secretaries discussing the situation. (AJ, REU 5/11)

Haaretz reported that Palestinian and Egyptian sources said that talks to end the escalation between Hamas and Israel had ended due to opposition from Islamic Jihad and Israel. Leader of Hamas Ismail Haniyeh said that the escalation was started by Israel and that Hamas is ready for “an escalation and ready for calm, on the condition that they end the aggression against al-Quds.” Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu said, “Hamas and Islamic Jihad have paid—and will pay—a heavy price for their aggression . . . It will take time. We’ll restore security for the citizens of Israel.” (AJ, HA, MEMO 5/12)

It was reported that the U.S. was delaying a UN security council (UNSC) statement addressing the Israeli aggression in Jerusalem, and escalation of the conflict between Hamas and Israel. A UNSC emergency meeting was called on 5/9 by Tunisia and 9 other countries. The state department spokesperson Ned Price said secretary of state Antony Blinken, national security advisor Jake Sullivan, and deputy secretary of state Wendy Sherman had talked to their Israeli counterparts and unnamed Palestinian officials. The White House spokesperson Jen Psaki said that President Joe Biden’s “support for Israel security, for its legitimate right to defend itself and its people is fundamental and will never waver . . . We condemn ongoing rocket attacks by Hamas and other terrorist groups, including against Jerusalem.” (HA, HA, REU 5/11; AP, HA 5/12)

The 57 members of the Organisation for Islamic Cooperation released a joint communiqué after an emergency meeting, calling Israeli attacks on the Haram al-Sharif compound “barbaric” and said the nations consider Israel’s attacks a “serious violation of international law.” (HA 5/11)

The U.S. treasury department sanctioned 7 Lebanese people for transferring $500 million on behalf of Hezbollah. (AJ, AP, REU 5/11)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers uprooted 25 olive seedlings, stealing 22 of them in Tell. Israeli forces sealed off 8 villages near Ramallah, leading to clashes with Palestinians in 1 of the villages, Dayr Abu Mash‘al, causing tear-gas related injuries. Israeli forces also violently dispersed an anti-settlement protest in Beita, injuring 1 Palestinian with a rubber-coated bullet to his head, and others suffered tear-gas related injuries. 2 Palestinians were arrested, including 1 during a late-night raid in Anata, and 1 at a checkpoint in Halhul. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces demolished 1 house in Shu‘fat refugee camp. Israeli police physically assaulted and arrested 3 Palestinians in Silwan after stopping their car. 2 others were arrested during late-night raids in Issawiyya and al-Tur. In Gaza, rockets launched from Gaza landed in an open area near Beersheba, where Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu was visiting during his election day campaign; no injuries or damage were reported. Israel subsequently attacked Gaza with fighter jets and helicopters, firing 5 missiles at sites near Gaza City and at 1 site in Dayr al-Balah, causing severe damage. Off the coast of Gaza, Israeli naval forces opened fire at Palestinian fishermen within 3 nautical miles west of Gaza; no injuries were reported. (HA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 3/23; AJ, WAFA, WAFA 3/24; PCHR 3/25)

Israel closed all crossings for the Israeli elections. (WAFA 3/21)

A poll conducted by the Palestinian Center for Policy and Survey Research found that a single Fatah list would get 43% of the votes for the parliamentary elections while Hamas would win 30%; 18% were undecided. However, within the population of Fatah supports, some 10% would vote for a party headed by Mohammad Dahlan and 7% for a party head by Nasser al-Kidwa. (AP, HA, PCPSR 3/23)

Israelis voted in the general elections for the 4th time in 2 years. This time, there was not an obvious coalition to formed either, as many right-wing parties had promised not to support a government with Benjamin Netanyahu as its prime minister. Netanyahu, who had convinced the Palestinian-Israeli party Ra’am (United Arab List) to break with the Joint Arab List, also relied on religious Zionist parties, to the right of his Likud party, to be able to form a government. Those parties, including a significant majority of Likud, were vocally opposed to being in a governing coalition with Palestinian-Israelis. Ra’am leader Mansour Abbas said after the election that he was not wedded to either the right wing or left wing at that point. Meretz (Vigor) and Labor both had a better election than anticipated and went over the electoral threshold. So did the terrorist-supporting Otzma Yehudit (Jewish Power), made up by followers of Meir Kahane. The Joint Arab List ended up with 6 mandates, down from 15, partially a result of lower Palestinian-Israeli voter turnout and because Ra’am received 4 mandates that previously would have gone to the Joint Arab List. (REU 3/22; AJ, AP, AP, GDN, HA, HA, HA 3/24; ALM, HA, HA, REU 3/25; AJ 3/26)

The Middle East Quartet members met for the 1st time since 2018 to discuss “meaningful negotiations” between Israelis and Palestinians. PA president Mahmoud Abbas welcomed the statement made by the Quartet. (AP, REU 3/23; HA, WAFA 3/24; WAFA 3/26)

The Dutch foreign ministry summoned the Israeli ambassador to the country for clarification as to why PA foreign minister Riyad al-Maliki had his VIP travel card confiscated after meeting with ICC personnel in the Hague. The Dutch foreign ministry said that “the ICC must be able to carry out its work without interference.” (HA, MEMO, REU, WAFA 3/23)

In the West Bank, Israeli forces demolish a Palestinian carwash north of Hebron. An IDF driver runs over a Palestinian as he attempts to cross a road near Hebron, causing major injuries. It’s unclear if the crash was an accident or a ramming attack. IDF troops patrol in and around Nablus, Hebron, and Tulkarm. Off Gaza’s coast, Israeli naval forces open fire on Palestinian fishing boats near Jabaliya refugee camp and Bayt Lahiya, causing no damage or injury. In southern Israel, Israeli forces demolish a Palestinian home, workshop, and agricultural structure in Rahat near Beersheba. (MNA, MNA, MNA 11/22; PCHR 11/29)

Israel’s High Court of Justice rules to allow Ateret Cohanim, a settler organization, to continue its legal campaign that would evict 700 Palestinians from their homes in Silwan. The ruling upholds a 2002 decision, but it defers a decision on most of the case’s central issues to a lower court. (HA, TOI 11/22; EI 11/27; PCHR 11/29)

An incendiary balloon allegedly flown from Gaza sparks a fire in Israel’s Alumin Kibbutz near Beersheba, damaging 1 vehicle. Off Gaza’s coast, Israeli naval forces open fire on Palestinian fishing boats near Bayt Lahiya, causing no damage or injuries. In the West Bank, Israeli forces uproot a number of olive trees from Palestinian land near Tulkarm. IDF troops patrol near Jenin, Tulkarm, Qalqilya, and Hebron. Israeli settlers dump sewage on the grounds of a Palestinian school in ‘Azun ‘Atma village near Qalqilya. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces arrest 3 Palestinians during raids in Hizma, Silwan, and the Old City. They also arrest the PA’s governor of Jerusalem, Adnan Ghaith, during a raid in Silwan. The allegations against him are reportedly varied, revolving around land sales in East Jerusalem and PA operations in the city. Ghaith was arrested in connection with similarly murky allegations on 10/21. (MNA, MNA, WAFA, WAFA 11/1; MNA 11/2; PCHR 11/8)

After meeting with Egyptian intelligence officials in Gaza, the various political factions in Gaza agree to stop launching incendiary kites and balloons into Israel and to stop protesters from setting fire to tires, according to a senior Hamas official. “Friday’s events will be quiet,” adds a member of the Great March of Return organizing committee. The protests on 11/2 are set to proceed no less than 500 meters away from the border fence. Today’s agreement comes amid ongoing Egypt-mediated talks on a possible long-term cease-fire between Hamas and Israel. It also comes one day after Israeli defense minister Lieberman ordered an expansion of the fishing zone off Gaza’s coast. (HA, JP, TOI, YA 11/1)

Along Gaza’s border fence, IDF troops open fire on a group of Palestinians congregating near the Great March of Return tent camps outside Gaza City; 2 Palestinians are injured. Later, an incendiary balloon reportedly flown from Gaza lands on a street in Beersheba, causing no damage. Israeli firefighters put out 6 small fires allegedly sparked by similar devices closer to the border fence throughout the day. In two separate incidents off Gaza’s coast, Israeli naval forces open fire on Palestinian fishing boats near Bayt Lahiya, causing no damage or injuries. In the West Bank, IDF troops arrest 12 Palestinians and issue 4 arrest summons during late-night raids in and around Qalqilya, Jenin, Ramallah, and Bethlehem; and patrol near Hebron and Nablus. Israeli settlers slash the tires of 8 Palestinian cars and leave racist graffiti on nearby walls in al-Mughayyir village near Ramallah. Separately, Israeli settlers assault and injure a Palestinian in central Hebron. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces arrest 7 Palestinians during raids in Silwan and Issawiyya. (MNA, WAFA, YA 7/30; MNA 7/31; PCHR 8/2)

Thousands of Jewish and Palestinian citizens of Israel attend a massive Arabic language lesson in the streets of Tel Aviv in protest of the new Nation-State Law, which the Knesset passed on 7/19 and which downgraded Arabic from an official language to one with “special status." (HA, JP 7/30)

In the West Bank, Israeli forces confiscate a number of mobile homes that were to serve as classrooms in Jubbet al-Dhib, a Palestinian Bedouin village near Jerusalem. Sources in the village say they have to delay the start of the school year from 8/23 to 8/27 as a result. IDF troops patrol near Qalqilya and Hebron during the day. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces demolish a makeshift home in Silwan, having demolished it on 8/15. (The Palestinian owner rebuilt it.) They also prevent the delivery of Palestinian textbooks to schools at Haram al-Sharif, assault a number of Palestinians, and arrest 6 Palestinians during raids in Silwan. Off Gaza’s coast, Israeli naval forces open fire on Palestinian fishing boats near Bayt Lahiya for the 3d and 4th time in 24 hours, causing no damage or injuries. In the Negev, Israeli forces demolish a home in the Palestinian Bedouin village Wadi al-Na‘am near Beersheba. (MNA, WAFA 8/22; HA 8/23; PCHR 8/24)

Two U.S. sources say that the Trump administration has decided to withhold approximately $290 million in aid to Egypt because of the government’s failure to make adequate progress on democratic reforms ($95.7 million will be cut entirely and $195 million will be delayed). (REU, TOI, YA 8/22; CNN 8/23)

Fighters fire a projectile from Gaza into s. Israel, which lands in an open area, causing no damage or injuries. Israeli forces conduct air strikes on 2 Hamas sites in n. Gaza late at night, causing damage to electricity infrastructure in the area. (JP, MNA 3/15; MNA, WAFA 3/16)

IDF troops shoot and injure a Palestinian driver after she allegedly attempts to carry out a ramming attack nr. Bethlehem. They also conduct raids in Dahaysha r.c. nr. Bethlehem overnight, sparking clashes with stone-throwing youths; 5 Palestinians are injured. Also nr. Bethlehem, Israeli soldiers shoot and injure a Palestinian attempting to pass through a gap in the separation wall, and deliver stop-work orders to 2 Palestinian homes under construction. Elsewhere in the West Bank, IDF troops arrest a Palestinian youth in c. Hebron for allegedly possessing a knife. They also arrest 11 Palestinians during late-night raids in and around Ramallah, Hebron, Nablus, and Tubas; and patrol nr. Nablus and Hebron during the day. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces demolish a Palestinian home in Silwan. Approximately 42 right-wing Jewish activists tour Haram al-Sharif. Along Gaza’s border, Israeli forces conduct a limited incursion to level land nr. Gaza City. For a 2d day in a row, the ILA demolishes crops in a Bedouinowned field nr. Beersheba. (MNA, WAFA 3/15; PCHR 3/16; PCHR 3/23)

In the West Bank, IDF troops patrol nr. Nablus, sparking clashes with stone-throwing Palestinian youths; 1 Palestinian is injured. They conduct further patrols nr. Hebron and Ramallah; and arrest 9 Palestinians during late-night raids nr. Hebron, Ramallah, and Nablus. In East Jerusalem, Palestinian schools go on strike to protest the closure of al-Nukhba School on 2/23 and the Jerusalem Municipality’s 12/2016 decision to align its vacation calendar with the Israeli school calendar. Israeli forces demolish a Palestinian home under construction in Issawiyya as well as 2 rooms in a Palestinian home in Silwan; arrest 7 Palestinians during raids in Hizma and Issawiyya; and shut down a dept. of the Arab Studies Society in Bayt Hanina because of alleged affiliation with the PA (it will be reopened on 3/16). Off Gaza’s coast, Israeli naval forces open fire on Palestinian fishing boats nr. Bayt Lahiya, causing no damage or injuries. In West Jerusalem, Israeli forces violently disperse Palestinians protesting Israeli demolitions of Palestinian property outside the finance ministry’s headquarters; there are no serious injuries. In s. Israel, the Israel Land Authority (ILA) demolishes crops in a Bedouin-owned field nr. Beersheba. (HA, MNA, PLONAD, TOI, WAFA 3/14; PCHR 3/16; MNA 3/17)

The Israeli Knesset approves amendments to the Basic Law barring politicians from running for office if they are known to “support terrorism,” if they do not recognize Israel as a Jewish and democratic state, or if they incite racism or support armed resistance against Israel. In response, Joint List MK Ahmad Tibi says “there is a tendency in recent Knessets in which MKs from the right wing compete with themselves over which bill they can present to exclude authentic representatives of the Arab population.” (KNE, WAFA 3/15)

PA pres. Abbas meets with U.S. special representative for international negotiations Greenblatt in Ramallah. Abbas tells him that “under [U.S.] pres. Trump’s leadership a historic peace deal is possible,” according to a U.S. statement. Meanwhile, Israeli PM Netanyahu comments on his 3/13 meeting with Greenblatt, saying that “we’re in a process, but it’s a process of mutual dialogue, authentic and honest in the positive sense.” The process is “not yet visible to the media,” he adds. (MNA, NYT, HA, TOI 3/14)

Less than 24 hours after unidentified fighters fired a rocket from Gaza into Israel, Hamas fighters open fire on an IDF patrol nr. Bayt Lahiya, causing minor damage to 1 vehicle, according to the IDF. The IDF then launches a retaliatory air strike and several artillery salvos at Hamas positions along the border. The amount of damage caused is unclear. In the West Bank, IDF troops conduct raids in Zabbuba village nr. Jenin overnight, sparking clashes with stone-throwing Palestinians; there are no serious injuries. IDF troops conduct more raids nr. Qalqilya, confiscating 32 water pipes from a construction site; and patrol nr. Hebron and Salfit throughout the day. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces arrest 1 Palestinian during a raid in Silwan. In Israel, Israeli forces demolish a Palestinian home under construction in Kafr Kassim. They also conduct raids in Umm al-Hiran nr. Beersheba, leading residents to fear that more demolitions are imminent (Israeli forces demolished a number of structures in the village on 1/18). (HA, JP, MNA, TOI, WAFA 3/2; PCHR 3/9)

Israeli police shoot and kill a Palestinian in Sheikh Jarrah, East Jerusalem, after he injures 6 Israelis in a drive-by shooting nr. an Israeli police headquarters (2 succumb to their injuries later in the day). The Palestinian was reportedly supposed to turn himself into the Israeli authorities today to begin serving a 4-mo. sentence for attacking a police officer in 2013. Israeli forces later conduct a series of raids in Silwan and al-Ram, interrogate the attacker’s family, and spark clashes with stone-throwing Palestinians; 7 Palestinians are detained, and 1 Associated Press photographer and 2 Israeli soldiers are injured (1 seriously). Israeli troops return to al-Ram late at night, arrest the attacker’s teenage daughter, and threaten punitive demolition of the attacker’s home. (HA, JP, MNA, TOI, WAFA, YA 10/9; HA, MNA, NYT, YA 10/10; PCHR 10/13)

Around 1,200 right-wing Jewish activists visit Joseph’s Tomb nr. Nablus, sparking clashes between their IDF escort and stonethrowing Palestinians; there are no serious injuries. Meanwhile, IDF troops arrest 13 Palestinians and damage 1 workshop during raids and house searches nr. Tulkarm, Hebron, and Qalqilya. Inside Israel, Israeli forces demolish multiple homes in the bedouin village of Bir Hadaj nr. Beersheba. The IDF also demolishes 22 residential and agricultural structures in the n. Jordan Valley, 8 homes in a bedouin community nr. Bethlehem, and a number of residences, agricultural structures, solar panels, and the main water pipeline in a bedouin village nr. Jerusalem. Along Gaza’s border, Israeli forces open fire on Palestinian farmers nr. al-Maghazi r.c., causing no injuries; and conduct a limited incursion to level land nr. al-Bureij r.c. (MNA, WAFA 10/9; MNA 10/10; PCHR 10/13)

The Israeli crackdown on the ongoing wave of violence continues across the oPt. IDF troops clash with and violently disperse Palestinians protesting and throwing stones along Gaza’s border nr. al-Bureij r.c., w. of Tulkarm, in Bethlehem, in 3 villages nr. Hebron, ‘Askar r.c. nr. Nablus, and outside a settlement nr. Ramallah; 10 Palestinians are injured and 2 are arrested. The IDF also conducts late-night raids and house searches in al-Fawar r.c. and 3 villages nr. Hebron, ‘Askar r.c. nr. Nablus, and 2 villages each nr. Ramallah and Nablus, arresting 12 Palestinians and issuing an arrest summons to 1. Israeli forces arrest a Palestinian man armed with a knife and a pipe bomb at a gas station across the street from a checkpoint nr. Jenin. They indefinitely close the checkpoint after the arrest (they will reopen it on 11/5). IDF troops fire tear gas canisters into Palestinian homes in Aida r.c. nr. Bethlehem, causing damage and a number of minor injuries. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces close a checkpoint between Silwan and the Old City; raid a medical center in Issawiyya, issuing 1 Palestinian an interrogation summons and searching a number of files. They also arrest 13 Palestinians on raids and patrols in al-Thawri, Issawiyya, and the Old City. In Israel, Israeli forces demolish 2 bedouin homes nr. Beersheba. (HA, JP, MNA, TOI, WAFA, YA 11/3; PCHR 11/5)

The Israeli Civil Admin.’s Higher Planning Council gives preliminary approval of a 2014 master plan for a settlement bloc nr. Ramallah, which would include the construction of 2,200 new residences and the retroactive authorization of 2 settlement outposts. A public hearing was held on the plan on 10/21 (the Civil Admin. will publish the approval on 11/5). (AP, HA 11/9)

For the 10th day in a row, IDF troops stationed along Gaza’s border open fire on Palestinian protesters, injuring 1 e. of al-Bureij r.c. Separately, off the coast nr. Khan Yunis and twice nr. Bayt Lahiya, Israeli naval forces open fire on Palestinian fishing boats, causing no damage or injuries. (HA, MNA, WAFA 10/18; PCHR 10/22)

Stabbing and small-scale attacks continue amid the ongoing wave of violence in Israel and the oPt. In s. Israel, Israeli police shoot and kill a bedouin Palestinian in Beersheba after he grabs a soldier’s gun and opens fire on a crowd at the city’s central bus station, killing 1 soldier and injuring 11 Israeli civilians. During the attack, an Israeli security guard shoots an Eritrean asylum seeker, allegedly misidentifying him as the shooter, then a group of Israeli civilians assault the man, seriously injuring him (he succumbs to his injuries later in the day). (HA, JP, MNA, WAFA, YA 10/18; EI 10/19; PCHR 10/22)

Throughout the day in the West Bank, IDF troops clash with and violently disperse Palestinian protesters across 5 areas in the region, injuring at least 7 Palestinians. IDF troops fire tear gas canisters into a secondary school in Jenin, causing no serious injuries; conduct house searches, raids, and patrols in 8 areas across the West Bank, arresting 11 Palestinians and issuing arrest summons to 2. Israeli settlers attempt to kidnap 2 Palestinians in a village nr. Nablus; throw stones at Palestinian homes in e. Hebron, causing no serious damage. Early in the morning, around 30 Israeli settlers attempt to pray at Joseph’s Tomb nr. Nablus, sparking minor clashes with stone-throwing Palestinians and the PASF; 5 settlers are arrested. In East Jerusalem, an elderly Palestinian woman dies of complications related to tear gas inhalation, which she suffered during clashes nr. her home in Issawiyya earlier in the week. Her family was driving her to the hospital at the time of her death, but they were delayed at an Israeli mobile checkpoint. The Israeli police will say that the family’s vehicle was only detained briefly. Israeli forces begin installing a planned 300 m concrete wall to separate Jabal Mukabir from the nearby Israeli settlement East Talpiot; assault 3 Palestinians and arrest 1 at a checkpoint in Silwan; arrest 7 Palestinians on late-night raids in Sur al-Bahir and al-Thawri. (HA, JP, MNA, NYT, TOI, WAFA, YA 10/18; HA, JP, MNA, WAFA 10/19; EI 10/20; PCHR 10/22)

Israeli PM Netanyahu says that Israel rejects France’s rumored proposal for international observers to be deployed at Haram al-Sharif, responding to the 10/17 reports in French press. (HA, JP 10/18)

In Gaza, a group claiming affiliation with ISIS launches a single rocket toward s. Israel, but it lands inside Gaza. The group will claim responsibility on 6/12, citing Israel’s treatment of Palestinian prisoners and the 6/10 killing of a Palestinian in Jenin r.c. as motivation. Off the coast nr. Dayr al-Balah, Israeli naval forces fire warning shots at Palestinian fishing boats, then destroy 8 nets and confiscate private property. In the West Bank, Israeli forces level at least 17 dunams (around 4 acres) of agricultural land nr. Bethlehem to make room for settlement expansion; order 30 Palestinian families to leave their homes in the n. Jordan Valley for 6 hours to conduct military drills in the area; close the c. market in a village nr. Hebron for the 2d day in a row. IDF troops patrol in a village nr. Hebron, sparking minor clashes with stone-throwing youths and arresting 1 Palestinian. They also conduct a late-night raid in al-‘Azza r.c. nr. Bethlehem, issuing an arrest summons to 1 Palestinian, and patrol in 2 villages each nr. Hebron and Ramallah. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces detain and interrogate 3 Palestinian children who allegedly threw rocks at an Israeli settler in Silwan. Israeli settlers assault a Palestinian man from Jabal Mukabir on his way to work. In s. Israel, around 400 Palestinians march in Beersheba to protest the planned evacuation of the nearby bedouin village Umm al-Hiran. (HA, MNA, WAFA, YA 6/11; MNA, TOI 6/12; PCHR 6/18)

The IDF’s Military Advocate Gen. concludes his internal investigation into its 7/16/2014 air strike that killed 4 children on a Gaza beach during OPE, determining that the “incident took place in an area that had long been known as a compound belonging to Hamas’s Naval Police and Naval Force,” which made it a “lawful target” by IDF regulations. No criminal or disciplinary action will be taken. The IDF also closes 2 other internal investigations into similar incidents during OPE, issuing indictments to 3 soldiers for looting, and opens 3 more. (HA, MNA, NYT 6/12)

In Gaza, a Palestinian man from Jabaliya succumbs to injuries sustained on 7/28/2014 during OPE. In the West Bank, the IDF conducts a late-night raid nr. Hebron, issuing an arrest summons to 1 Palestinian and sparking minor clashes with stone-throwing Palestinian youths; patrols in 2 villages each nr. Ramallah and Hebron, as well as ‘Ayn al-Sultan r.c. and 1 village nr. Jericho, and also violently disperses dozens of Palestinians protesting outside Jalazun r.c. nr. Ramallah, causing no serious injuries. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces conduct raids and house searches in Silwan and Bayt Hanina, arresting 7 Palestinians. In s. Israel nr. Beersheba, Israeli forces demolish a bedouin-owned home. (MNA 5/28; MNA 5/29; PCHR 6/4)

French FM Laurent Fabius says that he will travel to Israel and the oPt in 6/2015 to try to persuade the Israelis, Palestinians, and the Arab states to accept a French-drafted UNSC res. setting parameters for a new round of peace negotiations between the parties. (HA, REU, TOI 5/28)

In Egypt, the Sinai Province of the Islamic State (SPIS) says on its Facebook page that it plans to attack Eilat, Israel, “in the coming days.” (SPIS will launch a rocket into Israel on 7/3.) According to Egyptian media reports, SPIS also threatens to “begin operations against Hamas positions” in Gaza. The threat comes amid escalating tension between Hamas and Islamist groups in Gaza. (JP, TOI 5/28)

In Gaza, IDF troops e. of Gaza City fire warning shots at Palestinian farmers approaching the border fence, causing no injuries. They also arrest a Palestinian man who entered Israel with a knife. In the West Bank, IDF troops clash with stone-throwing Palestinians nr. Jenin; 1 Palestinian is shot and injured with live ammunition and another is hospitalized after inhaling tear gas. The IDF also conducts house searches and raids in 2 villages nr. Ramallah and al-‘Arub r.c. nr. Hebron, arresting 8 Palestinians; arrests 5 Palestinian children on their way to school in Hebron; patrols in Qalqilya, 2 villages nr. Hebron, and 1 nr. Jenin. Israeli forces seal off a stone factory nr. Hebron and seize a truck from the facility. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces clash with Palestinians in Silwan, arresting 1. In s. Israel, Israeli forces level 25,000 dunams of agricultural land in a Palestinian bedouin village nr. Beersheba. (MNA, WAFA 3/3; MNA, TOI 3/4; PCHR 3/5)

UN Special Rapporteur Makarim Wibisono files a report with the UNHRC calling on Israel to investigate the killing of over 1,500 Palestinian civilians during OPE. Since Israel barred Wibisono entrance to Gaza, the report is based solely on interviews conducted in Amman and Cairo. (REU 3/3)

Israeli PM Netanyahu addresses the U.S. Congress, warning of the dangers of a deal with Iran on its nuclear program and drawing connections between the Iranian govt. and the Islamic State of Iraq and al-Sham (ISIS). Playing off momentum from the speech, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) schedules a floor vote for 3/10 on the Iran Nuclear Agreement Review Act. (AFP, HA, JP, MNA, REU, TOI, WAFA, YA 3/3)

Unidentified assailants attack and damage Egypt’s national gas pipeline to Israel for the 3d time in a month and the 5th time since unrest in Egypt erupted in 2/2011 (see 7/11). IDF troops on the n. Gaza border fire warning shots at Palestinian farmers working nr. the border fence, grazing 1. In the West Bank, the IDF conducts synchronized morning patrols in 4 villages nr. Jenin; patrols in 3 villages nr. Tulkarm, 2 nr. Salfit, and 1 each nr. Jericho and Ramallah; conducts late-night arrest raids, house searches nr. Hebron. In East Jerusalem, the IDF enters Silwan at midday, raiding a home and arresting a Palestinian. (JTA 7/31; PCHR 8/4; OCHA 8/5)

As many as 150,000 Israelis in Tel Aviv, Haifa, Jerusalem, Beersheba, and 6 other cities protest the high cost of living, demanding economic reforms, “social justice,” and “a welfare state now.” In previous days, the Histadrut, Israel’s labor federation, said it strongly supports the demonstrations. (WP 7/31; NYT, WP, WT 8/1)

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: U.S. Asst. Sec. of State Richard Murphy arrives in Israel for meetings with P. M. Shamir. Director of UNRWA in Gaza accuses IDF of intensifying beatings in recent days. Gazan youth beaten 2/8 dies in Beersheba hospital; 3 Palestinians have died from military-inflicted beatings [NYT 2/10]. Closure of Birzeit U. is extended for another month [FJ 2/14]. Settlers from Ma'aleh Adomim, between Jerusalem and Jericho, raid neighboring village of al-'Azzariyyah (Bethany), attacking houses, breaking doors and windows [FJ 2/14].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Palestinian is shot, killed in 'Attil, village near Tulkarm [NYT 2/10]. Demonstrators and troops clash in Gaza City; reports indicate at least 50 are injured by soldiers. Settlers and soldiers battle demonstrators in W. Bank town of Halhul; town is placed under curfew. Demonstrations are reported in Hebron, Sa'ir, Jenin-district village of Qabatiyyah, Bethlehem, Silwan, and jerusalem. Curfews remain in force for Nablus region, Qalqiliyyah, Tulkarm, Bayt 'Ur al-Tahta, Bayt Ummar, Bani Na'im, 'Anabta, refugee camps of Balatah, 'Askar, 'A'idah, Shu'fat, and Gaza Strip's Burayj camp. Al-'Azzah camp, Hibla village, and Jabal al-Mukabir ae under siege [FJ 2/14].