The Palestine Chronology

In the West Bank, a Palestinian man succumbs to injuries sustained from Israeli forces in Qabatiya on 3/30. Israeli settlers assault a Palestinian woman during a raid in Susiya in the Masafer Yatta area. Israeli settlers also throw stones at Palestinian vehicles traveling near Nablus, causing damage. Israeli forces shoot and injure a Palestinian man during a raid in Nablus. Israeli forces also assault Palestinian farmers in the Masafer Yatta area. Elsewhere, Israeli forces demolish 2 homes in as-Samu and 2 homes under construction in al-Simiya. Israeli forces also seize a rickshaw in Deir Balut. Meanwhile, Israeli forces raze land near Ya’bad and Arrabah. Israeli forces also arrest 34 Palestinians during late-night raids in and around Husa, Battir, Bethlehem, Qalandia, Hizma, Nablus, Madama, Qabalan, Qiffin, ‘Azzun, and Jayyus. In Gaza, Israeli forces bomb Rafah, Dayr al-Balah, Khan Yunis, Gaza City, and Nuseirat refugee camp, killing at least 71 people. In Lebanon, Israeli forces bomb Ainata, Aitaroun, and Blida. Hezbollah forces fire rockets at Nahariya. In Jordan, protesters demonstrate outside of the Israeli embassy in Amman for the 10th day in a row. (AJ, HA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 4/2; AJ, UNOCHA 4/3)

More than 32,916 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli forces in Gaza, including at least 13,750 children and 8,900 women, and around 75,495 have been injured since 10/7/2023. At least 7,000 people are missing in rubble, including 1,700 children. 446 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli forces and settlers in the West Bank and East Jerusalem since 10/7/2023, including 112 children. More than 4,700 people have been injured. Israel reports that 1,139 Israelis and foreign nationals have been killed and 5,400 have been injured in Israel since 10/7/2023, including Israeli soldiers. In addition, 254 Israeli soldiers have been killed and 1,520 injured in Gaza since the ground invasion began on 10/27/2023. Over 1.93 million Palestinians, nearly 85% of the population of Gaza, have been displaced since 10/7/2023. There has been a complete electricity blackout in Gaza since 10/12/2023 due to the Israeli blockade. At least 70,000 housing units have been destroyed and 290,000 have been damaged in Israeli airstrikes since 10/7/2023, constituting over 60% of all housing units. U.S. forces airdrop aid over northern Gaza. 158 trucks carrying aid enter Gaza. The UN suspends aid movements at night in Gaza, citing risks to aid workers. (AJ, WAFA 4/2; AJ, HA, REU, UNOCHA 4/3; UNOCHA 4/5)

Anera, the second largest humanitarian organization in Gaza, suspends operations following the Israeli attack on World Central Kitchen aid workers on 4/1 that killed 7 people. The UAE suspends its operations in the maritime corridor between Cyprus and Gaza due to the attack. (AJ, AX, HA, REU, WAFA 4/2; AJ 4/3)

140 countries sign letters to the presidents of the UN Security Council and the General Assembly, and UN secretary-general Antonio Guterres supporting Palestine gaining full UN membership. The Security Council would have to approve full membership for Palestine before the General Assembly can vote on approval. U.S. deputy ambassador to the UN Robert Wood says the U.S. position remains that the issue of Palestinian statehood is a final status issue to be decided in talks between Israel and Palestine. (REU 4/2; AJ, AP 4/3)

A ceasefire proposal formulated by Egypt and Qatar is sent to Hamas. (HA 4/3)

The World Bank and the UN release a report saying the damage to Gaza’s infrastructure is estimated at $18.5 billion and that the estimated 26 million tons of rubble caused by Israeli destruction  will take years to remove. (AJ, REU, WAFA 4/2; AJ 4/3)

PA prime minister Mohammad Mustafa addresses the first cabinet meeting of the new government, outlining 3 major priorities: easing the hardship of Palestinians in Gaza, achieving financial stability, and reform of public institutions to make them more productive, accountable, and transparent. Mustafa also speaks with UK foreign secretary David Cameron, Egyptian prime minister Mustafa Madbouly, and Japanese foreign minister Yoko Kamikawa in separate phone calls. PA president Mahmoud Abbas speaks with Jordanian king Abdullah II in a phone call, saying he supports Jordan as external forces are trying to interfere in internal Jordanian affairs, exploiting the situation in Gaza. It is not immediately clear what Abbas is referring to, but it could relate to the more than week-long protests outside of the Israeli embassy in Amman. (AJ, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 4/2; WAFA 4/3)

The UN Security Council discusses Israel’s attack on the Iranian consulate in Damascus on 4/1. The Russian and Iranian ambassadors condemn the attack, as does Secretary-General Guterres who says the “inviolability of diplomatic and consular premises and personnel must be respected in all cases in accordance with international law.” The U.S., France, and the UK do not condemn the Israeli attack but say that diplomatic structures should be protected. (AJ, HA, REU 4/2; NYT 4/3)

U.S. secretary of state Antony Blinken meets with French president Emmanuel Macron in Paris. Blinken says the U.S. is in contact with Israel on how to distribute aid in Gaza, adding not enough aid is getting in. (HA 4/2)

U.S. national security advisor Jake Sullivan postpones a trip to Saudi Arabia to discuss Saudi-Israeli normalization with Saudi crown prince Mohammed bin Salman after he suffers a cracked rib. (AJ, AX, HA 4/2; REU 4/3)

47,800 Americans in Wisconsin vote “uninstructed” in the Democratic primary election, more than the 20,682 votes President Joe Biden defeated Donald Trump by in the state in 2020. Wisconsin is one of several swing states where a campaign to criticize Biden’s policy on Gaza has gathered significant support. (HA 4/2; AJ 4/3)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers raid Arab al-Milehat, stealing nearly 30 sheep. Israeli forces uproot 50 trees in Sarta while preparing to build a settler road. Israeli forces also raid Jenin, assaulting 2 Palestinians. Israeli forces arrest 15 Palestinians during raids in and around Hebron, Nablus, Jericho, Jenin, and Ramallah. In Jerusalem, Israelis raid and vandalize a Muslim shrine, declaring it a Jewish holy site. Israeli forces install a watchtower fitted with surveillance camaras at the Haram al-Sharif compound. In Gaza, Israeli forces bomb Gaza City, Khan Yunis, Rafah, Dayr al-Balah, and Beit Lahiya, killing at least 86 people. Israeli forces also kill 10 Palestinians waiting to receive aid in Gaza City. The Red Crescent evacuates 24 people from al-Amal Hospital and delivers water and food to the hospital. In Lebanon, Hezbollah attacks Israeli forces in Manara and Malkia. Israeli forces kill 2 Hezbollah members near the Syrian border. (AJ, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 2/25; AJ, UNOCHA, WAFA, WAFA 2/26)

More than 29,692 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli forces in Gaza, including at least 12,000 children and 7,200 women, and around 69,879 have been injured since 10/7/2023. At least 8,000 people are missing in rubble, including 1,700 children. 399 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli forces and settlers in the West Bank and East Jerusalem since 10/7/2023, including 102 children. More than 4,545 people have been injured. Israel reports that 1,139 Israelis and foreign nationals have been killed and 5,400 have been injured in Israel since 10/7/2023, including Israeli soldiers. In addition, 237 Israeli soldiers have been killed and 1,396 injured in Gaza since the ground invasion began on 10/27/2023. Over 1.93 million Palestinians, nearly 85% of the population of Gaza, have been displaced since 10/7/2023. There has been a complete electricity blackout in Gaza since 10/12/2023 due to the Israeli blockade. At least 70,000 housing units have been destroyed and 290,000 have been damaged in Israeli airstrikes since 10/7/2023, constituting over 60% of all housing units. 94 trucks carrying aid enter Gaza. (WAFA 2/25; UNOCHA, UNOCHA 2/26)

The Israeli military says it has withdrawn from the Nasser Hospital in Khan Yunis. (AJ 2/25)

The Gaza Media Office accuses Israel of 19 different war crimes, including deliberate killings, torture, forced displacement, hostage-taking, using hunger as a weapon of war, bombing homes, schools, and places of worship, targeting heritage sites, and targeting medical centers. (AJ 2/25)

PA president Mahmoud Abbas meets Jordanian king Abdullah II in Amman. (WAFA 2/25)

Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu tells CBS News that the Israeli invasion of Rafah will happen regardless of a ceasefire deal, saying a deal would only delay the invasion. The war cabinet discusses the plans for the ground invasion of Rafah and ceasefire negotiations. An Israeli delegation is said to be traveling to Doha for continued talks next week. Israel’s Channel 12 News reports that Netanyahu added a new demand to the recently concluded U.S., Israeli, Egyptian, and Qatari ceasefire talks, stipulating that high-profile prisoners released in the exchange are deported to Qatar. Defense Minister Yoav Gallant says Israel will continue attacking Lebanon even if a ceasefire deal is reached in Gaza. (AP, NYT 2/24; AJ, AJ, AP, AP, HA, HA, NYT, NYT, REU, REU 2/25; AJ, AJ, HA, WAFA 2/26)

Aaron Bushnell, an active-duty soldier from the U.S. Air Force wearing his uniform self-immolates outside of the Israeli embassy in Washington D.C. In a livestream, Bushnell says that he “no longer will be complicit in genocide” and that he is doing an extreme act of protest which he says is not extreme in comparison to what people are experiencing in Palestine “at the hands of the colonizers.” As he burns, he chants “free Palestine.” Bushnell later dies in hospital. Bushnell is the second person to self-immolate outside of an Israeli diplomatic post in the U.S. An unidentified woman holding a Palestinian flag self-immolated outside of the Israeli consulate in Atlanta in December 2023. (AJ, HA, NYT 2/25; AJ, AJ, AP, WAFA 2/26; AP 2/27)

UN General Assembly president Dennis Francis calls on UN members to provide “sustainable and predictable financial and political support” to UNRWA. UNRWA commissioner-general Philippe Lazzarini says food aid has not been delivered to northern Gaza since 1/23. (AJ, WAFA 2/25; AJ 2/26

The information ministers of the OIC hold an extraordinary session in Turkey, condemning Israel’s genocide in Gaza and calling for an unconditional ceasefire. (WAFA 2/24; AJ, WAFA 2/25)

Haaretz reports that the Israeli Population and Immigration Authority is refusing to grant visas to employees of international NGOs operating in the West Bank and Gaza. (HA 2/25)

The New York Times says it is reviewing Israeli freelance journalist Anat Schwartz, who has contributed to the Times’ coverage of Hamas, for liking a tweet on X calling for turning Gaza “into a slaughterhouse.” (AJ 2/25)

In the West Bank, a Palestinian man from East Jerusalem driving with Israeli license plates on his car is shot and killed in a drive-by shooting near the Ofra settlement north of Ramallah; it is unclear who the assailants are. Israeli settlers uproot 250 olive trees in Khallet al-Nahlah. Israeli settlers also assault several farmers and steal agricultural equipment in Maeen in the Masafer Yatta area. Elsewhere, Israeli settlers raid al-Juwaya in the Masafer Yatta area and Shuwe’er in the Jordan Valley, assaulting Palestinians. Israeli forces raid Jenin, killing 7 Palestinians in a drone strike in Jenin; 1 Israeli soldier is killed and 3 others are injured when an explosive device hits their car during the raid. Israeli forces also shoot and kill 3 Palestinians, including a 3-year-old girl, at a checkpoint near Beit Iksa; Israel claims the 2 adults had rammed and injured an Israeli soldier and says the girl was accidentally shot and killed and was in a different car not related to the alleged ramming incident. Elsewhere, Israeli forces shoot and kill a Palestinian man and injure another during a raid in Abwein. Israeli forces also assault a Palestinian near Deir Sharaf. In Gaza, Israeli forces bomb Khan Yunis, Maghazi, Faluja, Jabalia refugee camp, Nuseirat refugee camp, Dayr al-Balah, and Rafah, killing at least 85 people, including Al Jazeera Gaza bureau chief Wael Dahdouh’s son Hamza, who is also a journalist, and his colleague Mustafa Thuraya in an airstrike on their car in Khan Yunis. Israel has targeted Dahdouh and his family previously, killing his wife, 2 of his other children, and a grandchild among other relatives in October and injured Dahdouh in December. Medical Aid for Palestinians and the International Rescue Committee say their staff have been forced to evacuate al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital due to Israel declaring the area around the hospital a “red zone.” Rockets are fired at Sderot, Yakhini and Nirim, lightly injuring 1 in Yakhini. In Lebanon, Hezbollah militants fire a missile at an Israeli tank across the Blue Lin near Metula. Israeli forces attack Aita al-Shaab, Bint Jbeil, and Majdal Zoun. (AJ, AJ, AJ, AP, HA, HA, HA, HA, HA, NYT, NYT, REU, REU, REU, UNOCHA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 1/7; AJ, AP, WAFA 1/8)

More than 22,835 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli forces in Gaza, including at least 8,800 children and 6,300 women, and around 58,416 have been injured since 10/7. At least 7,000 people are missing in rubble, including 1,700 children. 330 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli forces and settlers in the West Bank and East Jerusalem since 10/7, including 81 children. More than 4,042 people have been injured. Israel reports that 1,139 Israelis and foreign nationals have been killed and 5,400 have been injured since 10/7, including Israeli soldiers. In addition, 174 Israeli soldiers have been killed and 1,023 injured in Gaza since the ground invasion began on 10/27. Over 1.93 million Palestinians, nearly 85% of the population of Gaza, have been displaced since 10/7. There has been a complete electricity blackout in Gaza since 10/12 due to the Israeli blockade. As of 12/23, at least 65,000 housing units had been destroyed and 290,000 had been damaged in Israeli airstrikes since 10/7, constituting over 60% of all housing units. 102 trucks carrying aid enter Gaza via the Rafah and Karim Abu Salem (Kerem Shalom) crossings. (UNOCHA, UNOCHA 1/7)

WAFA reports that the Israeli-run Jerusalem municipality has approved the Silicon Valley settlement project, to be built on the Wadi al-Juz industrial area in East Jerusalem, and approved a landfill near Isawiya. (WAFA 1/7)

Save the Children says more than 1,000 Palestinian children in Gaza have had 1 or both legs amputated after being hit by Israeli bombs, many of the amputations are done without anesthetics. Save the Children notes that on average 10 children are subject to amputations every day. The WHO says it has canceled plans to bring medical supplies to northern Gaza because “[h]eavy bombardment, movement restrictions, and interrupted communications, makes it too dangerous. UNRWA says 142 of its staff have been killed since 10/7. (HA, UNOCHA, WAFA 1/7; REU 1/8)

Authorities in Gaza call on Egypt to open the Rafah crossing further to allow more wounded Palestinians into Egypt, noting that 6,000 people are awaiting approval to cross to Egypt while 10-20 wounded people are evacuated daily. Hamas official Osama Hamdan says Israel has destroyed more than 200 heritage sites in Gaza and calls on the OIC, the Arab League, and the African Union to support South Africa’s filing at the ICJ. (AJ, HA 1/7; AJ 1/8)

The Euro-Med Human Rights Monitor releases a report based on testimonies from Palestinians abducted by Israeli forces in Gaza and taken to Israel, saying civilians were tortured in detention, including being beaten, subject to electric shocks, burned with cigarettes, and tied up in stress positions. Euro-Med says many of the Palestinians taken from Gaza are being held at the Sde Teiman camp between Gaza and Beersheba in what was described as a Guantanamo-like prison. (Euro-Med 1/7)

Israeli military chief of staff Herzi Halevi says Israel will be fighting in Gaza all year. Defense Minister Yoav Gallant tells the Wall Street Journal that Hezbollah leaders “know we can copy-paste [Israel’s attacks on Gaza] to Beirut,” adding Israel’s priority is not a war in Lebanon. (AJ, HA, WSJ 1/7; AJ, HA 1/8)

Israeli national security minister Itamar Ben-Gvir reiterates his calls for the displacement of Palestinians in Gaza to other countries and the resettlement of Gaza. Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich calls Palestinians in Gaza “Nazis,” saying Israel must resettle Gaza. (HA, HA 1/7; AJ, AP 1/8)

U.S. secretary of state Antony Blinken meets with Qatar prime minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani in Doha, discussing the situation in Gaza and the Red Sea. Blinken calls the killing of Hamza Dahdouh (see above) an “unimaginable tragedy” and says Palestinians in Gaza must be allowed to return to their homes and “must not be pressed to leave Gaza.” Al Thani says the Israeli assassination of Saleh al-Arouri in Beirut has affected Qatari mediation efforts but that the negotiations continue. Blinken also meets with Jordanian king Abdullah II and foreign minister Ayman Safadi in Amman. King Abdullah II warns Blinken of “catastrophic repercussions” if Israel’s war on Gaza continues. (AJ, AJ, AJ, AP, HA, HA, REU, REU, WAFA 1/7; AJ, HA 1/8)

Israeli MK Ofer Cassif signs the petition filed by South Africa to the ICJ, accusing Israel of genocide in Gaza. Several other members of Knesset call for his removal. Cassif says he signed the petition as part of his constitutional duty to Israeli society. (JP 1/7; AJ, HA 1/8)

Israel appoints former Supreme Court president Aharon Barak to represent Israel at the ICJ hearings on the Israeli genocide in Gaza. Bolivia endorses South Africa’s case at the ICJ. (HA, HA 1/7; AJ, AP, HA, NYT 1/8)

Israeli news website Globes reports that the fourth largest shipping company in the world, Chinese COSCO, has suspended shipments to Israel due to the attacks by Yemen’s Houthi governments on ships bound for Israel. (HA 1/7)

The Washington Post reports that U.S. president Joe Biden has tasked his staff with preventing an all-out war between Israel and Hezbollah. The Post says U.S. officials are worried that Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu sees an escalation with Hezbollah as a way to stay in power. A Defense Intelligence Agency report saying that Israel would have trouble winning a war against Hezbollah while fighting in Gaza is also leaked to the press. (HA 1/8)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers attacked Palestinians harvesting olives in Burin, assaulting them at gun point and stealing tools, phones, and olive crops. Israeli settlers also raided Qarawat Bani Hassan, opening fire at Palestinians harvesting olives, forcing them to flee. Elsewhere, Israeli settlers uprooted 55 trees using a bulldozer in al-Twana. Israeli settlers also assaulted Palestinians in Khallet ad-Dabi, causing fractures and bruises on several of them. Meanwhile, Israeli settlers threw stones at Palestinian homes in Arab al-Milehat near Jericho. Israeli forces killed 7 Palestinians, including 2 children, during raids in Jenin refugee camp, Qalqilya, and Qalandia refugee camp; 5 of the Palestinians were killed in a drone strike on Jenin refugee camp. Israeli forces also shot and injured 28 Palestinians during raids in Jenin refugee camp and Qalandia refugee camp. Elsewhere, Israeli forces razed land and uprooted 25 trees near Beit Umar. 52 Palestinians were arrested during raids in and around Ramallah, Hebron, Bethlehem, Qalqilya, Salfit, Jenin, Tubas, Bayt Awa, and Beit Umar. In East Jerusalem, Israeli settlers toured the Haram al-Sharif compound. Israeli settlers with a military escort also attacked Palestinians in al-Sawana, injuring 3, including 2 with baton rounds and 1 by assault. Israeli forces demolished a Palestinian home in Shaykh Jarrah, displacing 9. Israel also forced a Palestinian family to demolish their own home in Bayt Hanina. 20 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids. In Gaza, Israeli airstrikes killed 756 Palestinians, including the wife, son, daughter, and grandchild of Al Jazeera Gaza bureau chief Wael Dahdouh in an airstrike that was said to be targeting him. Israeli airstrikes also destroyed a bakery in Dayr al-Balah shortly after it received a shipment of flour. Rockets were fired at Israel, causing damage and injuries. In Lebanon, Israeli attacks killed 2 members of Hezbollah, increasing the number of Hezbollah members killed to 40 since 10/7. In Syria, Israeli forces attacked Aleppo International Airport, rendering it out of service, and killed at least 8 and wounded 7 others in a different attack in southwestern Syria. (AJ 10/24; AJ, AJ, AJ, AJ, AP, HA, NYT, REU, REU, REU, UNOCHA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 10/25; AJ, AP, AP, AP, WAFA 10/26)

The Gaza Ministry of Health said as of 5 p.m. at least 6,547 Palestinians had been killed, including at least 4,000 women and children, and 17,439 had been injured in Israeli airstrikes on Gaza since 10/7. It is estimated that 1,500 were trapped in rubble. In addition, Israeli media reported that 1,500 Palestinian militants have been killed near Gaza. 102 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli forces and settlers in the West Bank and East Jerusalem since 10/7, including 29 children. More than 1,833 have been injured. Israeli officials recorded no new fatalities, leaving the Israeli death toll at around 1,400 Israelis and foreign nationals; 5,431 have been injured since 10/7. The UN reported that over 1.4 million Palestinians, more than half the population in Gaza, have been displaced since 10/7 and that since 11 p.m. on 10/12 there has been a complete electricity blackout due to the Israeli blockade. At least 27,781 housing units have been destroyed and 150,000 have been damaged in Israeli airstrikes since 10/7. At least 45% of all housing units have been either destroyed or damaged in Israeli airstrikes. The Committee to Protect Journalists said at least 24 journalists have been killed since 10/7, including 20 Palestinians, 3 Israelis, and 1 Lebanese. The UN said the shortage of fuel was undermining its efforts to help Palestinians in Gaza. Israel told 40,000 Palestinians in Dayr al-Balah and Khan Yunis to evacuate to al-Mawasi. (AJ 10/24; HA, NYT, UNOCHA, WAFA 10/25; AP 10/26)

The Palestinian Federation of Trade Unions said between 9,000 and 9,500 Palestinians from Gaza, employed in Israel, were in Israel on 10/7. 5,000 of them made it to the West Bank, with some 2,000 of them subsequently being arrested by Israel while 1,000 are unaccounted for. A Palestinian worker told Haaretz after he was released from an Israeli detention camp that Palestinians were held in the sun for 2 days without food, while they were blindfolded and their hands were tied. He also said he was beaten and threatened with death during an interrogation. (AJ 10/24; HA 10/25; HA, WAFA 10/26; AJ 10/28)

Oxfam said Israel was using starvation as a weapon of war, saying only 2% of the food that circumstances would have entered Gaza under normal circumstances has been delivered since 10/7 and that 104 trucks of food are needed daily to cover the needs of the population. (AJ 10/25)

Hamas deputy political leader Saleh al-Arouri and Islamic Jihad secretary-general Ziad al-Nakhalah met with Hezbollah secretary-general Hassan Nasrallah in Beirut. (AJ 10/24; AJ, HA, REU 10/25; HA 10/26)

U.S. president Joe Biden questioned the accuracy of the death toll reported by the Gaza Ministry of Health. Human Rights Watch said the data provided by the ministry is accurate, saying their own investigations are aligned with the ministry’s data. Biden also criticized Israeli settlers for “attacking Palestinians in places that they are entitled to be.” After a call with Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu, a readout of the conversation stated that they discussed a “pathway for a permanent peace.” Newly elected House of Representatives speaker Mike Johnson’s first act as speaker was to bring a pro-Israel resolution to the floor, which passed 412-10, with 6 voting present. The U.S. said it will send 2 Iron Dome batteries and 300 interceptors to Israel. (AJ, REU 10/24; AJ, HA, HA, NYT, NYT 10/25; AJ, AP, AP, HA, HA, REU 10/26)

At the UN Security Council, the U.S. and UK vetoed a Russian resolution calling for a humanitarian ceasefire. China, Gabon, Russia, and the UAE voted for the resolution while the 9 other members abstained. Russia and China vetoed a U.S. resolution calling for “humanitarian pauses.” The UAE also voted against it, while Albania, France, Ecuador, Gabon, Ghana, Japan, Malta, Switzerland, and the UK voted in favor. Brazil and Mozambique abstained. (AJ 10/24; AJ, REU 10/25; AJ, AJ, AJ, AJ, AP, AP, HA, WAFA 10/26)

Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdoğan said in a speech that he will not visit Israel as planned and that relations between the 2 states will not improve, calling Israel’s attacks on Gaza “inhumane.” Erdoğan also said Hamas is a liberation group that protects its lands and people.  (AJ 10/24; AJ, HA, HA, NYT, REU 10/25; NYT 10/26)

French president Emmanuel Macron met with his Egyptian counterpart Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, who said the 2 discussed the “many, many civilian casualties” that could result from an Israeli ground invasion of Gaza. Macron also met with King Abdullah II of Jordan in Amman. Macron said France will deploy a navy ship to bring aid to Gaza hospitals via Egypt. (AJ 10/24; HA, REU, REU 10/25; AP 10/26)

Scottish first minister Humza Yousaf called UK prime minister Rishi Sunak and Labour leader Keir Starmer’s refusal to call for a ceasefire “infuriating.” (AJ 10/24)

The Wall Street Journal reported that the U.S. has asked Israel to hold off on its planned ground invasion of Gaza until the U.S. has bolstered its defenses in Iraq, Syria, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Kuwait, and the UAE. Haaretz reported that as of 10/22, 80 U.S. military planes have landed in Israel, Jordan, and Cyprus. (HA 10/24; HA, HA, NYT, REU 10/25)

Axios reported that U.S. secretary of state Antony Blinken has asked Qatar to “tone down” Al Jazeera’s rhetoric on the Israeli attacks on Gaza. (AJ 10/24)

Fans of the Scottish soccer club Celtic waived 100s of Palestinian flags during a Champions League match against Atletico Madrid in Glasgow. (AJ 10/24; AJ 10/26)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers with a military escort shot and killed a Palestinian man during a raid in Dura al-Qara’. Israeli settlers also shot and injured a Palestinian in Shufa. Elsewhere, Israeli settlers threw stones at Palestinians traveling near Burqa, injuring a Palestinian woman. Israeli settlers also opened fire at a Palestinian vehicle near Bizarya, causing damage. Meanwhile, Israeli settlers vandalized olive trees near Tell. Israeli forces shot and killed 3 Palestinians, including 2 minors, during raids in Shuqba and Jamma’in. Israeli forces also violently dispersed Palestinian protesters in Huwwara, Tarqumiyah, and Dar Salah, injuring 3 with live ammunition and others with tear gas. Elsewhere, Israeli forces demolished a Palestinian home in Bayt Hanina. 65 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in and around Hebron, Bethlehem, and Nablus. Around 750 Palestinians have been arrested by Israeli forces since 10/7. In East Jerusalem, Israeli settlers toured the Haram al-Sharif compound. In Gaza, Israeli airstrikes killed around 100 Palestinians, including several people sheltering at an UNRWA school in Khan Yunis. Rockets were fired at Israel, causing damage. In Haifa, Israeli police violently dispersed anti-war protesters, arresting 4 and injuring others with batons. In Lebanon, Hezbollah fired an anti-tank missile at Israeli soldiers in Shtula, injuring 5. Israel fired artillery shells and conducted drone strikes in Lebanon. Hezbollah said 2 of its members were killed. Protesters demonstrated outside of the German and U.S. embassies in Beirut. In Syria, Israel conducted airstrikes in the Quneitra province. In Turkey, 60 people, mostly police officers, were injured after protesters in Istanbul attempted to storm the Israeli consulate. There were also demonstrations in Jordan, Yemen, Egypt, Tunisia, Morocco, Libya, Iran, and the West Bank. (AJ, AJ, AP, AP, AP, HA, HA, NYT, NYT, REU, UNOCHA WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 10/18; AJ, AJ, AJ, AP, HA, NYT, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 10/19)

The Gaza Ministry of Health said as of 5 p.m. at least 3,500 Palestinians had been killed, including at least 853 children, and 12,500 had been injured in Israeli airstrikes on Gaza since 10/7, including 47 entire families consisting of 500 people. In addition, Israeli media reported that 1,500 Palestinian militants have been killed near Gaza. 65 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli forces and settlers in the West Bank and East Jerusalem since 10/7, including 15 children. More than 1,284 have been injured, including at least 300 with live ammunition. Israeli officials recorded no new fatalities, leaving the Israeli death toll at around 1,300 Israelis and foreign nationals; 4,562 have been injured since 10/7. The UN reported that over 1 million Palestinians have been displaced since 10/7 and that since 11 p.m. on 10/12 there has been a complete electricity blackout due to the Israeli blockade. At least 11,887 housing units have been destroyed in Israeli airstrikes since 10/7. The number is likely much higher as the latest data is from 10/14. The Palestinian civil defense team said that more than 1,000 Palestinians were under the rubble of buildings in Gaza. (AJ, AJ, HA, UNOCHA 10/18)

Palestinians in the West Bank observed a general strike in protest against the Israeli airstrike that killed 471 people at al-Ahli Arab Hospital in Gaza City on 10/17. (WAFA, WAFA 10/18)

The Israeli military again called on Palestinians in northern Gaza to evacuate south to the al-Mawasi area. (AJ 10/17; HA, UNOCHA 10/18)

The PA leadership held an emergency meeting chaired by President Mahmoud Abbas, confirming a July 2023 decision to end security coordination with Israel and reaffirming the Palestinian people’s right to self-defense. (WAFA 10/18)

The Knesset approved temporary legislation to allow Israeli prisons to admit new inmates beyond their legal capacity, allowing worsening conditions for Palestinian prisoners, including reducing living spaces and forcing prisoners to sleep on mattresses on the floor. The bill will be in effect for 3 months. Israel prisons have received 500 new Palestinian prisoners since 10/7, including 118 who crossed from Gaza to Israel in relation to Operation Al-Aqsa Flood. The Israeli High Court of Justice ruled in 2017 that prisoners must be given at least 37.7 square feet of space. The Knesset ethics panel also voted to suspend Jewish Hadash MK Ofer Cassif from the Knesset for 45 days and revoked his salary for 14 days over his anti-war stance. (AJ, HA 10/18; HA 10/19)

U.S. president Joe Biden landed in Israel for meetings with Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu, President Isaac Herzog, and the war cabinet. Biden was supposed to travel to Amman for meetings with President Abbas, Jordanian king Abdullah II, and Egyptian president Abdel-Fattah el-Sisi, but the meetings were cancelled by the 3 leaders after Israel bombed al-Ahli Arab Hospital in Gaza, killing 471 people. Biden told Netanyahu during a meeting that “it appears as though it was done by the other team, not you” in reference to the hospital bombing. Biden cautioned Israel not to be consumed by rage, saying the U.S. made mistakes after 9/11. Biden also announced $100 million in humanitarian aid to Palestinians as the Senate was working on passing a bill providing $10 billion in extra military aid to Israel. Biden said aid to Gaza could start arriving on 10/20, as Egypt needs to “patch the road” to the crossing. Senator Bernie Sanders (D-VT) blocked an attempt by Senator Rick Scott (R-FL) to prevent the Biden administration from dispersing the $100 million in aid to Palestinians. 33 Democratic senators urged Secretary of State Antony Blinken to lead efforts to provide humanitarian aid to Gaza. Around 300 Jewish Americans were arrested at the U.S. Capitol while protesting Israel’s war in Gaza. The protest was arranged by Jewish Voice for Peace. (HA 10/17; AJ, AJ, AJ, AJ, AP, HA, HA, HA, HA, HA, HA, HA, NYT, NYT, NYT, REU, REU, REU, REU, REU, REU 10/18; AJ, AP, HA, HA, REU, WAFA 10/19; AJ 10/20)

After President Biden’s meeting with Prime Minister Netanyahu, Netanyahu’s office released a statement saying that Israel will not allow aid from its territory to enter Gaza until the captives are returned. The statement also said Israel demands that the Red Cross be able to visit the captives and that Israel will not “thwart” humanitarian aid from Egypt as long as it only consists of food, water, and medicine. (AJ 10/17; AJ, HA 10/18)

President el-Sisi said during a press conference with German chancellor Olaf Schulz that Israel could allow Palestinians in Gaza to stay in the Naqab desert until Israel can “do what they wish to do with the militant operatives in the Gaza Strip.” El-Sisi also spoke with President Biden about aid coming through the Rafah crossing. Saudi foreign minister Faisal bin Farhan met with his Iranian counterpart Hossein Amir-Abdollahian in the sidelines of an OIC meeting in Jeddah, discussing the situation in Gaza. Amir-Abdollahian called on the OIC members to sanction Israel and expel Israeli ambassadors. The OIC called for an immediate ceasefire and for Israel to lift the siege of Gaza. (AP 10/16; AJ 10/17; AJ, HA, REU, REU, WAFA, WAFA 10/18; WAFA 10/19)

The U.S. blocked a UN Security Council resolution calling for humanitarian access to Gaza, protection of civilians, and condemning Hamas’ operation in Israel. The resolution, introduced by Brazil, was approved by 12 members of the Security Council, while Russia and the UK abstained. UN secretary-general Antonio Guterres called “for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire in the Middle East.” (AJ 10/17; AJ, AJ, AJ, AP, HA, NYT, REU 10/18)

U.S. State Department director of the office of public and congressional affairs Josh Paul resigned in protest over the Biden administration’s policy toward the Israeli assault on Gaza and its “impulsive reaction built on confirmation bias, political convenience, intellectual bankruptcy, and bureaucratic inertia.” (AJ, HA 10/18; AJ, NYT 10/19)

Jewish Currents reported that the Palestinian academics and analysts Noura Erakat, Yousef Munayyer, and Omar Baddar had their interviews cut from segments on CBS and CNN. MSNBC last week temporarily removed 3 Muslim hosts, Mehdi Hasan, Ali Velshi, and Ayman Mohyeldin, who is Palestinian, from their programming. (JC 10/18)

In Gaza, an Israeli airstrike killed 471 Palestinians in al-Ahli Arab Hospital in Gaza City. The hospital, which was filled with patients and Palestinians seeking shelter from Israeli bombardment, had received evacuation warnings from Israel on 10/14, 10/15, and 10/16. Israel claimed it was an errant rocket fired by Hamas that caused the mass casualties, however all evidence presented by Israel was debunked in subsequent investigations. Other Israeli airstrikes killed around 200 Palestinians, mostly in Rafah and Khan Yunis. Israel also assassinated the head of Hamas’ Shura Council Osama Mazini, who led negotiations on the prisoner exchange that saw Gilad Shalit transferred to Israel in exchange for 1,000 Palestinian prisoners in 2011, and Hamas commanders Muhammad Alwadia, Ayman Nofal, and Akram Hijaz. Israeli airstrikes also reportedly killed 3 members of Hamas political leader Ismail Haniyeh’s family. 6 were killed in an airstrike on an UNRWA school sheltering Palestinians in al-Maghazi. Rockets were fired at Israel, causing damage. In the West Bank, there were large demonstrations against the PA and the Israeli bombing of the al-Ahli Arab Hospital throughout the West Bank, with PA forces violently dispersing Palestinian protesters, killing a 12-year-old girl in Jenin with live ammunition, and injuring many others with tear gas. Israeli forces shot and killed 2 Palestinians, including a minor, during raids in Halhul and Nabi Salih. An elderly Palestinian succumbed to injuries sustained from Israeli forces on 10/13 in Nablus. Israeli forces also violently dispersed Palestinians, injuring 8 with live ammunition in Nablus. Elsewhere, Israeli forces assaulted an ambulance driver near al-Arroub refugee camp, causing a fractured arm and bruises. Israeli forces arrested Palestinian Legislative Council speaker Aziz Dweik during a raid. 115 others were arrested during raids in and around Hebron, Ramallah, Bethlehem, and Nablus, including 50 Palestinians from Gaza who were employed in Israel before being expelled to the West Bank. The Prisoners and Ex-Prisoners’ Affairs Authority said Israel has arrested 680 Palestinians in the West Bank and East Jerusalem since 10/7. In East Jerusalem, Israeli settlers toured the Haram al-Sharif compound. In Lebanon, Israeli forces attacked targets north of the Blue Line. Hezbollah said it fired an anti-tank missile at a vehicle in Metula; 3 were reportedly injured. Israel said it killed 4 people who had entered Israel from Lebanon. 4 were also killed in an Israeli airstrike west of Yarine. In Jordan, protesters attempted to storm the Israeli embassy in Amman. (AP 10/7; AJ, AP, HA, REU 10/16; AJ, AJ, AJ, AJ, AJ, AJ, AJ, AP, AP, AP, AP, HA, HA, NYT, NYT, NYT, REU, REU, REU, REU, REU, UNOCHA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 10/17; AJ, AJ, AP, AP, AP, HA, HA, NYT, REU, REU, WAFA 10/18)

The Gaza Ministry of Health said at least 3,500 Palestinians have been killed and 12,500 have been injured in Israeli airstrikes on Gaza since 10/7, including 47 entire families consisting of 500 people. In addition, Israeli media reported that 1,500 Palestinian militants have been killed near Gaza. 61 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli forces and settlers in the West Bank and East Jerusalem since 10/7, including 13 children. More than 1,230 had been injured, including at least 300 with live ammunition. Israeli officials recorded no new fatalities, leaving the Israeli death toll at around 1,300 Israelis and foreign nationals; 4,229 have been injured since 10/7. The UN reported that over 1 million Palestinians have been displaced since 10/7 and that since 11 p.m. on 10/12 there has been a complete electricity blackout due to the Israeli blockade. At least 11,887 housing units have been destroyed in Israeli airstrikes since 10/7. The number is likely much higher as the latest data is from 10/14. The Palestinian civil defense team said that more than 1,000 Palestinians were under the rubble of buildings in Gaza. The Committee to Protect Journalists said 13 Palestinian, 3 Israeli, and 1 Lebanese journalist have been killed in attacks relating to the Israel-Hamas war since 10/7. (AJ 10/16; AJ, AJ, AJ, AJ, HA, HA, UNOCHA, WAFA, WAFA 10/17; HA 10/18)

UNRWA said parts of southern Gaza, containing about 14% of the population, received water for 3 hours. The remaining seawater desalination plant in Gaza shut down due to a lack of fuel. (AJ 10/16; HA 10/17)

Hundreds of trucks carrying aid to Gaza were stuck near the Rafah crossing as Israel continued to prevent safe passage into Gaza. Egyptian foreign minister Sameh Shoukry said the crossing was not officially closed but was not functioning due to being targeted 4 times by Israel. (AJ 10/16; HA, REU, REU 10/17)

UN human rights office spokesperson Ravina Shamdasani said Israel’s siege and order to evacuate northern Gaza could breach international law. (AJ, REU 10/17)

Israel attempted to deny that it killed hundreds of Palestinian civilians in an airstrike on al-Ahli Arab Hospital in Gaza, presenting a range of questionable evidence to put the blame on Islamic Jihad. Israeli government social media accounts published what it claimed to be evidence that it was a rocket misfire not an airstrike, but later deleted the videos when a New York Times journalist questioned the timing of the videos. Military spokesperson Daniel Hagari said “[a]ccording to our intelligence, Hamas checked reports and understood it was a Palestinian Islamic Jihad misfire, then launched a global media campaign to inflate numbers of casualties.” Israel has previously employed misinformation campaigns to deflect blame for atrocities, on occasion then taking responsibility long after the event, as in the case of the killing of Shireen Abu Akleh. A UK Channel 4 investigation said evidence presented by Israel was both likely fabricated and contradictory, but did not reach a conclusion regarding the origin of the blast. Israeli president Isaac Herzog called reports that Israel conducted the airstrike “21st century blood libel.” Many Western leaders called for an investigation or referred to the loss of life without condemning the perpetrators. Leaders in the Middle East were unequivocal in their condemnation of the Israeli airstrike. King Abdullah II of Jordan, PA president Mahmoud Abbas, and Egyptian president Abdel-Fattah el-Sisi canceled meetings with U.S. president Joe Biden scheduled for 10/18 in Amman. The UAE and Russia called a meeting of the UN Security Council on 10/18 on the attack on the hospital. U.S. Defense Department spokesperson Sabrina Singh said in response to questions about the incident that Hamas puts “their command and control units inside hospitals,” adding the U.S. does not know who the perpetrator was. Biden said he spoke to Prime Minister Netanyahu and that his national security team will gather information about the incident. Large demonstrations were held in Washington D.C., Turkey, Jordan, Yemen, Iraq, Lebanon, and Morocco. (AJ, AP 10/16; AJ, AJ, AJ, AJ, AJ, AJ, AJ, HA, HA, NYT, NYT, NYT, REU, REU, REU, REU, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 10/17; AJ, AJ, AP, C4, HA, HA, HA, HA, HA, NYT, NYT, NYT, REU, REU, REU, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 10/18)

The PA foreign ministry accused Israel of ethnic cleansing and genocide aimed at removing all Palestinians from Gaza. The Palestinian Central Bureau of Statistics said Israel has killed at least 3,057 Palestinians since the beginning of 2023, including 2,793 in Gaza and 264 in the West Bank and East Jerusalem. (WAFA, WAFA 10/17)

Fatah’s military wing, al-Aqsa Martyrs’ Brigades, called on President Abbas to step down as the head of Fatah’s Martyrs and Prisoners Commission. (AJ 10/18)

Military spokesperson Hagari ruled out a ceasefire, saying Israel continues to “prepare for the next stages of war.” Foreign Minister Eli Cohen said the Israeli campaign would take several months. The Israeli military also said that it could not confirm that white phosphorus was used in attacks on Gaza but maintained that it would not be “unlawful” in certain situations. Israeli police commissioner Kobi Shabtai said, “[w]hoever wants to become an Israeli citizen, welcome. Anyone who wants to identify with Gaza is welcome. I will put him on the buses heading there now.” Shabtai also said he had outlawed demonstrations in solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza. (HA 10/17; AJ, HA, WAFA 10/18; AJ 10/19)

After the Israeli airstrike on al-Ahli Arab Hospital, President Abbas traveled back from Amman to Ramallah to hold an emergency meeting. In a speech Abbas called the airstrike a heinous crime and declared 3 days of mourning. Earlier in the day Abbas met with U.S. secretary of state Antony Blinken in Amman. Blinken later called Abbas to offer condolences on the massacre at al-Ahli Arab Hospital. PA envoy to the UN Riyad Mansour called on the UN Security Council to intervene by demanding a ceasefire. (AJ 10/16; AJ, HA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 10/17; AJ, HA, WAFA, WAFA 10/18)

Hamas political leader Ismail Haniyeh spoke with South African foreign minister Nalendi Pandor, who conveyed support for Palestine and expressed sadness for the loss of innocent life in Gaza and Israel. (AJ 10/16; REU 10/18)

The Knesset National Security Committee approved legislation allowing Israeli prisons to admit new inmates above their legal capacity, which would worsen conditions for Palestinian prisoners. Since 10/7, family visits have been suspended, public phones have been blocked, and all electrical devices have been cut off from power. The Hadassah University Hospital refused to treat a Palestinian militant captured by Israel, saying it would “offend national feelings.” (HA, HA 10/17)

The U.S. announced that President Biden will visit Israel on 10/18. The New York Times reported that Biden’s visit will postpone Israel’s planned ground operation in Gaza by at least 24 hours. The Times also reported that Israel has asked the U.S. for $10 billion in emergency aid. Secretary of State Blinken said the announcement was made after Prime Minister Netanyahu committed to allowing aid to enter Gaza and to establishing safe zones at an 8-hour long meeting of the Israeli war cabinet that Blinken attended. New York governor Kathy Hochul said she will visit Israel. Biden also said he will visit Jordan. Senate majority leader Chuck Schumer said he would push through an emergency aid package to Israel “as quickly as possible.” 6 Republican senators introduced legislation to end all U.S. funding for UNRWA. All senators except Rand Paul (I-KY) sponsored a resolution in support of Israel’s war against Hamas. (AJ, HA 10/16; AJ, HA, HA, REU, REU 10/17; HA 10/18)

King Abdullah II said Jordan and Egypt would not take in Palestinian refugees from Gaza, calling it a red line. Abdullah II also met with German chancellor Olaf Scholz in Berlin. Scholz warned Hezbollah and Iran to stay out of the Hamas-Israel war. Scholz later traveled to Israel where he met with Prime Minister Netanyahu, invoking the German genocide of the Jewish people as a reason for Germany to “ensure Israel’s existence and security.” Lebanese foreign minister Abdallah Bou Habib said Israel was “pouring oil on fire” at the Lebanese border. Turkish foreign minister Hakan Fidan said Egypt will host a summit on the situation in Gaza on 10/21. (AJ 10/16; HA, REU, REU, REU 10/17; AP, HA 10/18)

Iranian sources told Al Jazeera that the U.S. had sent the Iranian UN representative a message warning Iran of war if it enters the conflict. (HA 10/17)

U.S. Central Command commander Michael Kurilla arrived in Israel for meetings with Israeli military leaders. The U.S. also sent 2,000 Marines to the Middle East. (AJ, HA, HA, HA 10/16; HA, REU 10/17; AP 10/18)

Russian president Vladimir Putin and Chinese president Xi Jinping discussed the Palestinian-Israeli conflict during a meeting in Beijing. (AJ, AJ, HA 10/17)

159 U.S. citizens were evacuated from Israel headed for Cyprus on a cruise ship. Nearly 1,000 U.S. citizens have left Israel on State Department-charted planes to Europe since 10/13. (AJ, HA, HA 10/16; HA 10/17)

Japanese foreign minister Yoko Kamikawa said Japan will donate $10 million in emergency aid to Gaza. Spain said it would donate $1 million in humanitarian aid to Gaza. The Netherlands pledged $10 million in humanitarian aid to Gaza. (AJ 10/16; HA, REU, REU, REU 10/17)

The EU held a video conference for the leaders of its 27 members to discuss the situation in Gaza and find a unified stance after EU member states had expressed dissatisfaction with the EU leadership’s pro-Israel statements, including European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen’s failure to call on Israel to abide by international law during her visit on 10/17. Irish president Michael D Higgins called von der Leyen’s comments about Israel’s attacks “thoughtless and even reckless,” questioning where she gets the authority to speak on behalf of the EU on the issue. After the meeting, the EU leadership agreed to condemn Hamas’ operation in Israel on 10/7, expressed solidarity with the people of Israel, said Israel has a right to defend itself in line with humanitarian and international law, and called on Hamas to release all captives. (AJ 10/15; AJ 10/16; AJ, EU, HA, REU 10/17)

Germany’s Mainz 05 soccer club suspended Dutch Egyptian player Anwar El Ghazi for a pro-Palestinian social media post. (AJ 10/17)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers attacked a Palestinian family in their home in the Masafer Yatta area, causing bruises. Israeli settlers also opened fire at Palestinians harvesting olives in Kafr Ni’ma; no injuries were reported. Elsewhere, Israeli settlers opened fire at Palestinian homes in Hebron; no injuries were reported. Israeli settlers, reportedly disguised as soldiers, also attacked Palestinians west of Jericho with stones and clubs, causing injuries and damage. Israeli forces shot and killed a Palestinian during a funeral procession in Beit Umar, injured 1 other with live ammunition; others suffered tear-gas related injuries. Israeli forces also violently dispersed Palestinian protesters at al-Jalamah checkpoint, killing 2 and injuring 2 others. Elsewhere, Israeli forces violently dispersed Palestinian protesters in Aqabat Jaber refugee camp, injuring 3 with live ammunition. Israeli forces also violently dispersed Palestinian protesters in Bethlehem, injuring a minor with a baton round. Meanwhile, Israeli forces violently dispersed Palestinian protesters near Far’un, injuring 1 with live ammunition. Israeli forces also shot and injured 3 Palestinians near the separation wall west of Attil. Separately, Israeli forces violently dispersed Palestinian protesters in al-Bireh, injuring 2 with live ammunition. Israeli forces also demolished 2 agricultural structures in Mughayyir al-Abeed in the Masafer Yatta area. Additionally, Israeli forces fired tear gas near a hospital in Dura, causing tear-gas related injuries. A rocket, either launched from Gaza or an Iron Dome interceptor, hit Baqa ash-Sharqiya, killing 1 Palestinian and injuring 6 others. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces shot and killed 2 Palestinians in Silwan after they allegedly fired fireworks at Israeli forces. Israeli forces also violently dispersed Palestinians in Isawiya and Ras al-Amud. Elsewhere, Israeli forces arrested 13 Palestinians on suspicion of incitement and supporting Hamas. In Gaza, Israeli naval forces fired shells at a port west of Gaza City and Khan Yunis, damaging the port and fishing boats. Israeli airstrikes also killed hundreds of Palestinians and caused damage, especially to the Rimal, al-Karama, and al-Furqan neighbourhoods and Jabaliya. Gaza economy minister Juad Abu Smallah was reportedly assassinated by Israel. It was reported that white phosphorus bombs were dropped on al-Karama. UNRWA said its headquarters in Gaza was hit by Israeli bombs. Hundreds of rockets were fired at Israel from Gaza. Near Gaza, Israel said it had killed 4 militants at a beach north of Gaza and 2 in Kibbutz Re’im. Militants were also reported to have attacked Mefalsim, causing casualties. In Lebanon, militants fired anti-tank missiles at an Israeli vehicle and Israeli forces attacked militants with a helicopter and artillery. Rockets were also fired toward Israel. In Syria, rockets were launched at the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights and Israel fired artillery and mortar shells at Syria. (AP 10/7; AJ, AJ, AJ, AJ, AJ, AJ, AP, AP, HA, HA, REU, REU, REU, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 10/10; AJ, AP, AP, AP, HA, REU 10/11)

Israel claimed to have regained full control of the area around Gaza, saying the bodies of approximately 1,500 Palestinian militants were found in the area. The Gaza Ministry of Health said 830 Palestinians had been killed in Israeli airstrikes and 4,250 wounded since 10/7 as of 5.30 p.m. 22 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli forces and settlers in the West Bank and East Jerusalem since 10/7, including 4 children; 332 have been injured. Israeli media reported that as of 9 p.m. more than 1,000 Israelis and foreign nationals had been killed and 2,806 injured since 10/7. The UN said 263,934 Palestinians have been displaced, with 175,486 people sheltering at UN facilities. All but 1 mobile communications tower was destroyed in Israeli strikes. More than 610,000 people in Gaza were disconnected from the water supply due to Israeli actions. The Gaza Power Plant was reported to run out of fuel by noon on 10/11, with electricity currently limited to 3-4 hours per day. (AJ 10/9; AJ, AJ, ALM, AP, AP, AP, AP, HA, HA, HA, REU, REU, REU, UNOCHA, UNOCHA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 10/10; AJ, AP, AP, REU 10/11)

The Gaza Ministry of Health called for the opening of a “safe corridor” to allow medical aid as hospitals are overwhelmed. 4 ambulances and 1 hospital in Beit Hanun were targeted by Israeli airstrikes, closing the hospital. PLO secretary-general Hussein al-Sheikh said Israel was refusing to allow aid from the West Bank to enter Gaza. (AJ, AJ 10/10; WAFA 10/11)

Israeli military spokesperson Richard Hecht said Israel may not use the same “level of fidelity” in warning civilians before striking homes and apartment buildings. It had been reported that Israel no longer used smaller munitions to “knock” on the roofs of apartment buildings or call building managers before demolishing them with larger bombs. Hecht also called the parliament and ministries in Gaza legitimate targets. Hecht further said Palestinians in Gaza should flee to Egypt via the Rafah crossing, first saying that it is open and later tweeting that he did not know if it was open. Israel bombed the crossing on 10/9 after which it was closed. Israel also hit the crossing today. Defense Minister Yoav Gallant said the Israeli military would release “all constraints” on its attacks on Gaza and is “transitioning to a full-scale offensive.” The Israeli military said it had dropped hundreds of tons of bombs on Gaza and is emphasizing “damage, not precision.” (AJ 10/9; AJ, AJ, HA, HA, REU, REU 10/10)

The Israeli military began sending planes to Europe to collect reservists that have been called up. More than 300,000 Israeli military reservists were called in to participate in the Israeli assault on Gaza. (REU 10/9; AJ, HA, REU 10/10)

Israeli national security minister Itamar Ben-Gvir said Israel would hand out 10,000 rifles to volunteers in Israeli border communities and in Israeli settlements. (AJ, REU 10/10)

A plane carrying U.S. ammunition arrived in Israel. The USS Gerald R. Ford aircraft carrier reached the eastern Mediterranean. Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdoğan criticized the U.S. for moving the carrier near Israel, warning of a massacre in Gaza. (AJ, HA, REU 10/10; AP 10/12)

Thousands of Jordanians protested in Amman against the Israeli attacks on Gaza, demanding the Israeli embassy be closed and that Jordan end its peace treaty with Israel. (REU 10/11)

PA president Mahmoud Abbas spoke with Norwegian prime minister Jonas Gahr Støre about the Israeli attack on Gaza. PA envoy to the UN Riyad Mansour wrote a letter to the UN Security Council calling Israeli actions, including intentional starvation of Gaza, “genocidal.” (REU, WAFA 10/10)

The Likud Party said the leaders of the parties in the Israeli government coalition have agreed that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu can form an emergency unity government. Yisrael Beiteinu leader Avigdor Lieberman said on 10/8 that he will only join the unity government if the Israeli leadership commits to ending the policy of constraining Hamas and eliminates the organization. (HA, REU 10/10)

U.S. president Joe Biden gave a televised speech calling the Hamas operation on 10/7 “pure, unadulterated evil,” recounting unconfirmed Israeli narratives of militants committing rapes. Biden also compared Hamas to ISIS, attributed the operation to anti-Semitism, rather than resistance, and reiterated his stance in support of Israel, saying Israel has a “duty to respond,” despite the mass civilian casualties in Gaza. Biden further stated that the U.S. is sending ammunition and interceptors for the Iron dome to Israel. Lastly, Biden warned other countries and organizations against getting involved against Israel. Hamas called Biden’s speech deplorable and inflammatory, saying Hamas launched its operation to defend the Palestinian people and put an end to the occupation. Biden also spoke with Prime Minister Netanyahu about U.S. assistance. 392 members of the U.S. House of Representatives co-sponsored a resolution in support of Israel, calling the Hamas operation “barbaric.” It is unknown if the resolution will pass, as it is unclear if the acting speaker of the House Patrick McHenry (R-NC) has the authority to bring the resolution to the floor. (AJ, AJ, AJ, HA, HA, HA 10/10; FWD, HA, REU, REU 10/11)

U.S. national security advisor Jake Sullivan said the U.S. was in talks with Egypt and Israel to create a humanitarian corridor for residents of Gaza. (HA, REU 10/10)

The U.S. State Department said Secretary of State Antony Blinken will arrive in Israel on 10/12 for meetings with Israeli leaders. Blinken will also travel to Jordan. UK foreign secretary James Cleverly is also scheduled to arrive in Israel on 10/11. (AJ, HA, REU 10/10; REU 10/11)

U.S. homeland security advisor Liz Sherwood-Randall said the U.S. is working on different options to ensure that all U.S. citizens can leave Israel by air, sea, and land. There are currently no direct flights from Israel to the U.S. Many other countries, including France, Germany, and Canada, said they are planning on offering their citizens flights out of Israel. (AJ, HA 10/10)

President Erdoğan spoke with Russian president Vladimir Putin about measures to halt the Hamas-Israel conflict and deliver humanitarian aid. Erdoğan also said he is having talks with regional leaders to negotiate a halt to the war. Egyptian president Abdel Fatah al-Sisi and Qatari emir Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani spoke about protecting civilians in Gaza. (AJ, HA, HA, REU, REU, REU 10/10; AJ, AJ 10/11)

Houthi leader Abdel Malek al-Houthi said that if the U.S. intervened in the attack on Gaza it would respond with drones and missiles. (AJ, HA 10/10)

Berlin police banned pro-Palestinian demonstrations planned for 10/11, saying expressions of solidarity with Palestine pose a threat to public order. Australian police said a planned pro-Palestinian protest scheduled for 10/15 will be an unauthorized activity. (HA 10/10; REU 10/11)

UK home secretary Suella Braverman sent a letter to English and Welsh police, saying that waiving Palestinian flags may in some instances be illegal in cases where it is “intended to glorify acts of terrorism.” (AJ 10/10)

EU high commissioner for foreign affairs Josep Borell said he had invited PA and Israeli foreign ministers Riyad al-Maliki and Eli Cohen to an EU foreign ministers meeting to discuss the situation in Palestine and Israel. Borell also said that Israel must adhere to international law, saying Israel violates the law by imposing a total blockade on Gaza. Borell further said that the “overwhelming majority” of EU states are against cutting aid to Palestinians, as suggested by some EU officials. (AJ, HA, REU 10/10)

The UN high commissioner for human rights Volker Turk said the total siege of Gaza imposed by Israel was illegal under international law as it deprives civilians of goods essential to their survival. Turk also said Israeli airstrikes had struck residential and UN buildings as well as UN schools. (AJ, REU 10/10)

The UN Commission of Inquiry on the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including East Jerusalem and Israel said that there was clear evidence that war crimes had been committed in Israel and Gaza. (AJ, UN, WAFA 10/10)

The office of the ICC prosecutor said the court mandate to investigate “the situation in the State of Palestine” extends to the current attacks. (REU 10/10) 

Sweden and Denmark suspended aid to Palestinians. (AJ, HA, REU 10/10)

The UAE donated $20 million in aid to Palestinians via UNRWA. (AJ 10/10)

In the West Bank, the Shin Bet arrested 3 Palestinian relatives of the Palestinian man who was stabbed to death by an Israeli settler on 6/21 near the Ariel settlement. The 3 were also eyewitnesses to the killing and had given their testimony to Israeli police before being arrested. Israeli forces shot and injured 2 Palestinians at the Taibe checkpoint near Tulkarm. Elsewhere, Israeli forces shot and injured 1 Palestinian using a baton round during a raid in Nur Shams refugee camp. 12 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in Nur Shams refugee camp, Qaryut, Beit Umar, and al-Khader. In East Jerusalem, Israeli settlers toured the Haram al-Sharif compound. 1 Palestinian family demolished their own home in Wadi al-Juz, displacing 2. 2 Fatah activists were arrested. Off the coast of Gaza, Israeli naval forces opened fire at Palestinian fishermen; no injuries were reported. (HA, MEMO, TOI, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 6/26; HA, HA 6/27; PCHR 6/30; UNOCHA 7/2)

PA president Mahmoud Abbas met with Jordan’s king Abdullah II in Amman. (WAFA, WAFA 6/26)

Israel’s economy ministry said the Israeli cabinet had approved issuing 3,500 additional permits for Palestinians to work in manufacturing and services to relieve an Israeli shortage of skilled workers. (REU 6/26)

The Wall Street Journal reported that senior Israeli military officials partook in a meeting in March this year with top officials from Egypt, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, the U.S., and representatives from Bahrain and the UAE in Sharm El Sheikh. At the secretive meeting, the officials were reported to have discussed efforts to combat Iranian missile and drone capabilities. The reporting comes 1 week after Israel’s defense minister Benny Gantz said that Israel is working with Arab partners in what he called “Middle East Air Defense Alliance.” (HA, WSJ 6/26; HA, MEMO 6/27)

In the West Bank, Israeli forces prevented Palestinians from renovating a water reservoir in Bayt Dajan. 6 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in and around al-Yamun, Deir Balut, Hebron, Beita, and Deir Nidham. In East Jerusalem, the head of Shu‘fat’s local council Mahmoud Ali al-Shaykh was arrested during a late-night raid. In Gaza, the UN mine action service removed an unexploded Israeli bomb fired in May during Israel’s Operation Guardians of the Wall. Off the coast of Gaza, Israeli naval forces opened fire at Palestinian fishermen within 3 nautical miles west of Gaza; no injuries were reported. (WAFA 8/26; MEMO 8/27; PCHR 9/2)

Egypt reopened the Rafah crossing for traffic from Egypt toward Gaza but not from Gaza toward Egypt. Egypt closed the crossing on 8/23. (MEMO, REU 8/25; AJ, MEMO, WAFA 8/26)

Israel’s defense ministry said Israel would increase the number of allowed imports of vehicles and goods to Gaza and issue more permits for Palestinian businesspeople entering Israel from Gaza. (AJ, ALM, AP, HA 8/26)

Hamas thanked Jordanian king Abdullah II for allowing its leaders Ismail Haniyeh and Khaled Meshaal to attend the funeral in Amman of former Hamas leader Ibrahim Ghosheh, who passed away today. The funeral will take place on 8/27. (MEMO 8/27)

U.S. president Joe Biden postponed a meeting with Israeli prime minister Naftali Bennett in Washington D.C. after suicide bombs killed nearly 90 people at the Kabul airport as evacuations continue after the Taliban took over almost all of Afghanistan. Among the killed were 11 U.S. Marines and 1 other navy soldier. President Biden and Prime Minister Bennett are expected to meet on 8/27 instead. German chancellor Angela Merkel reportedly also canceled a visit to Israel next week due to the situation in Afghanistan. The attack at Kabul airport was reportedly made by Islamic State – Khorasan Province, an Afghan offshoot of the Islamic State. (HA 8/25; AJ, AJ, AP, AP, AX, FOX, HA, HA, HA, HA, MEE, MEMO 8/26; AP, AP, AP, HA, REU 8/27)

The New York Times reported that when Israel attacked the Iranian Natanz nuclear facility on 4/11/2021, the Netanyahu administration gave the U.S. 2 hours’ notice before the attack. U.S. officials told the NYT that Israel deliberately gave the Biden administration too little time to ask Israel to call off its attack. (HA, NYT 8/26)

Germany provided the PA a grant of $29.5 million to develop the education sector in the West Bank. (WAFA 9/26; MEMO 8/27)

In the West Bank, Israeli forces shot and injured 1 Palestinian during clashes in Jericho. Israeli forces also sealed the entrance to Asira. Elsewhere, Israeli forces razed land in Jalud to expand a nearby settlement, and demolished residential tents and agricultural structures in Kisan. 5 Palestinians were arrested, including 2 who were shot by live ammunition and injured by Israeli forces near the entrance to Kafr Malik; 2 during raids in and around Jalazun refugee camp and Bayt Umar; and 1 at the Allenby border crossing. In East Jerusalem, 7 Palestinians were arrested in the Old City and Issawiyya. (WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 9/24; PCHR 10/1)

Fatah and Hamas leaders said they have agreed to the 1st Palestinian elections since 2006. Fatah official Jibril Rajoub said that “[w]e have agreed to first hold legislative elections, then presidential elections of the Palestinian Authority, and finally the central council of the Palestine Liberation Organization.” A member of the Fatah Central Committee also said that “[w]ithout Jerusalem, there will be no elections.” It is unclear how national elections will include East Jerusalem as Israel refuses to let Palestinian East Jerusalemites participate in Palestinian elections. The 2 factions also agreed to a common vision of action to end the dispute between the 2; the vision would be presented on 10/1. (AJ, HA, WAFA, WAFA 9/24)

Foreign ministers of Jordan, Germany, Egypt, and France held a joint press conference in Amman, calling for resumption of Palestinian-Israeli peace negotiations. The 4 foreign ministers also praised the UAE and Bahrain’s normalization deals with Israel. (AJ 9/24)

At the UN General Assembly, the king of Bahrain Hamad bin Isa al-Khalifa said, via video link, that Bahrain’s normalization of ties with Israel will help facilitate a 2-state solution and that Bahrain still adheres to the parameters stipulated in the Arab Peace Initiative. (AJ 9/24)

The IDF continues its assault on the Gaza Strip by land, air, and sea, attacking over 90 targets and killing 104 Palestinians. One IDF strike on a UN-run school in Bayt Hanun kills at least 15, and wounds 200, mostly women and children seeking shelter. The Israeli army says it is investigating the incident and that “terrorists” opened fire at IDF personnel from the area of the school. Palestinians fire around 60 rockets into Israel, 15 of which are intercepted by Iron Dome, causing no damage or injuries (including 5 over Tel Aviv). On the ground in Gaza, al-Quds Brigades and al-Qassam Brigades claim to have killed 4 and 8 Israeli soldiers, respectively. In the West Bank, a reported 10,000 Palestinians gather in protest of the assault on Gaza and march from c. Ramallah to Qalandia checkpoint, where clashes with IDF troops break out. IDF troops kill 2 and injure more than 200 protesters, including 60 with live ammunition. The IDF conducts house searches and arrest raids in Nablus in the morning. In East Jerusalem, Israeli security forces set up checkpoints to restrict access to Haram al-Sharif, leading to clashes and the arrest of 12 Palestinian youth. (AFP, AP, HA, JP, MNA, REU, YA 7/24; PCHR 7/25)

Secy. of State Kerry meets with UN Secy.- Gen. Ban in Cairo once more. Meanwhile, in Amman, PA Pres. Abbas meets with Jordan’s King Abdallah and says “there is hope for a cease-fire” along the lines of “the Egyptian initiative” before fuller negotiations about wider demands. Kerry reaches out to Turkish and Qatari diplomats in an effort to garner support from Hamas’s regional allies for his cease-fire initiative. (AFP, AP, JP, MNA, REU, YA 7/24)

Rivlin is sworn in as the new pres. of Israel, succeeding Peres. (HA 7/24)

U.S. Secy. of State John Kerry announces at a press conference in Amman that direct Israeli-Palestinian negotiations will begin as early as the following week in Washington. Kerry says details are still being finalized, but that Israeli justice minister Tzipi Livni and Palestinian chief negotiator Saeb Erakat will travel to the U.S. to hold preliminary talks. Kerry made no mention of any conditions or framework for the talks. UN Secy.-Gen. Ban Ki-moon welcomes the news and commends Kerry for his efforts, as does EU foreign affairs chief Catherine Ashton. (HA, JP, MNA, REU 7/19)

In the West Bank, the IDF conducts house searches and arrest raids in Hebron and 2 nearby villages, and 1 village nr. Qalqilya at night; patrols in 1 village nr. Jenin and al-‘Arub r.c. at night. Israeli soldiers clash with protesters at regular demonstrations by Palestinians, Israelis and international activists against Israel’s separation wall, settlements, and the occupation in 3 villages nr. Ramallah (Bil‘in, Ni‘lin, Nabi Salih), and 1 village nr. Qalqilya (Kafr Qaddum), causing no serious injuries, except in Nabi Saleh, where 1 person is shot and wounded by a rubbercoated metal bullet. (MNA 7/19; PCHR 7/25)

Pro-Muslim Brotherhood demonstrators take to the streets across Egypt, and 3 people die in clashes between supporters and opponents of ousted pres. Morsi. Meanwhile in the Sinai, gunmen launch attacks on Egyptian army posts and police stations, killing 3 civilians when a rocket-propelled grenade struck their home. (AFP, MNA, REU 7/19)

IDF forces shoot and injure 2 Palestinians during clashes in Anata nr. Jerusalem. In the West Bank, the IDF patrols in Hebron, in al-‘Arub r.c. and 1 village nr. Hebron in the afternoon; conducts house searches and arrest raids in 1 village nr. Ramallah at night. IDF soldiers violently disperse Palestinians, Israelis, and internationals taking part in nonviolent demonstrations in multiple villages against the Israeli occupation and in solidarity with Palestinian prisoners. Protesters are dispersed in 5 villages nr. Ramallah (Abud, Bayt Laqiya, Bil‘in, alNabi Salih, Ni‘lin), al-Haraiek nr. Hebron, 1 village nr. Qalqilya (Kafr Qaddum), and at Ofer prison nr. Ramallah. There are no serious injuries, except in Abud (2 wounded) and in al-Haraiek (1 wounded). (MNA 3/22; PCHR 3/28)

U.S. State Dept. spokesperson Victoria Nuland says that the Obama admin. has unblocked almost $500 million in aid—including $200 million in direct budget support—to the PA, previously frozen by Congress in October 2011 as a response to the UN statehood bid (see QU 162). According to Nuland, the White House also notified Congress in late 2/2013 that it seeks a further $200 million to fund USAID projects for the Palestinians. In response, Palestinian Labor Minister Ahmad Majdalani says that the PA’s financial crisis is not over. (AFP 3/22; MNA 3/23)

Hamas authorities complain to Egypt about Israel’s 3/21 decision to restrict Palestinian fishermen off the coast of Gaza. The government in Gaza also reportedly arrests 2 members of the Mujahidin Shura Council, which claimed responsibility for the 3/21 rocket attack on Israel. (ToI 3/22)

Under pressure from Pres. Obama to restore normal ties with Turkey, Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu phones Turkish PM Recep Tayyip Erdogan to apologize for ‘‘mistakes made’’ during the IDF’s attack on a Gaza-bound flotilla in 2010, when 9 Turks (including one U.S. dual national) were killed aboard the Mavi Marmara (see QU 157). They agree to dispatch envoys to each other’s countries. After coordinating this diplomatic breakthrough, Pres. Obama leaves for Jordan. (NYT 3/23)

U.S. Pres. Barack Obama meets with Jordan’s King Abdullah II in Amman for talks primarily on the Syrian civil war and the refugee crisis. Pres. Obama pledges to work to supply Jordanian authorities with $200 million extra assistance to care for the estimated 460,000 Syrian refugees who have crossed the border seeking refuge. (REU 3/22)

Lebanese PM Najib Mikati resigns due to divisions within the government about elections later in the year and to protest the cabinet’s refusal to extend the tenure of the national police chief, a figure perceived by the Sunni community as sympathetic to their interests. (AP 3/22)

Israel’s Operation Pillar of Defense against Gaza enters its 3d day, leaving another 11 Palestinians dead and bringing the Palestinian death toll since 11/14 to 30, around 1/3 civilians. Intense levels of Israeli air strikes continue, with 40 attacks before dawn and at least 200 overall during the day; reports estimate some 500 targets struck by the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) since the operation began. The IDF bombs Gaza’s Ministry of Interior building and the offices of Hamas’s acting PM Ismail Haniyeh. Palestinian armed groups fire a total of 190 rockets into Israel, including a rocket that lands in an open area nr. Gush Etzion settlement bloc s. of Jerusalem, causing no damage or injuries. The Israeli cabinet approves Israeli DM Ehud Barak’s requests to mobilize 75,000 reservists. Israel’s FM Avigdor Lieberman states that the 2 goals of the operation are to restore deterrence and destroy long-range missiles. Meanwhile, in the West Bank, Palestinians hold demonstrations to protest the attack on Gaza, including a rally of hundreds of Hamas activists in Ramallah. IDF forces injure dozens of Palestinians in the solidarity protests, seriously wounding 1 man in Kafr Qaddum village nr. Qalqilya with a tear-gas canister to the head. (AP, HA, Guardian, JP, MNA 11/16)

Internationally, there is a mixture of support for Israel’s actions and caution regarding escalation. The U.S. Senate unanimously passes a resolution expressing support for Israel’s ‘‘right to act in self-defense.’’ UK foreign secretary William Hague warns Israel against staging a ground incursion into Gaza. Egyptian PM Hesham Kandil visits the Gaza Strip, during which time Israel temporarily stops its attacks. Egyptian pres. Mohamed Morsi condemns Israel’s operation and pledges Egyptian support for the Palestinians. Meanwhile, UN high commissioner for human rights Navi Pillay condemns Israel’s aerial bombardment of Gaza as well as Palestinian rocket fire. (HA, Guardian, JP, MNA, REU 11/16)

In the West Bank, the IDF patrols in 1 village nr. Ramallah in the morning, 1 village nr. Qalqilya in the afternoon, and 1 village nr. Ramallah, 2 villages nr. Salfit, and 1 village nr. Jericho at night; conducts house searches and arrest raids in Tulkarm in the afternoon, and in Hebron and 1 nearby village, and 1 village nr. Ramallah at night. Israeli soldiers violently disperse Palestinians, Israelis, and internationals taking part in weekly nonviolent demonstrations against the Israeli occupation and land confiscations held in 4 villages nr. Ramallah (Bil‘in, Ni‘lin, al-Nabi Salih, Budrus), 1 village nr. Bethlehem (al-Ma‘sara), and 1 village nr. Qalqilya (Kafr Qaddum). There are no serious injuries, except in Bil‘in, where 2 Palestinians are wounded by a tear-gas canister and rubber-coated steel bullet respectively, and in Kafr Qaddum, where 1 Palestinian is wounded by a tear-gas canister. (PCHR 11/22)

Egyptian security forces say that unidentified militants fire 3 rockets into Israel from the Sinai Peninsula nr. Rafah. No damage or injuries are reported. (MNA 11/16)

In Amman, Jordanian protests over rising fuel prices continue for a 4th day. Protesters clash with security forces, and a rally of several thousand passes off largely peacefully; chants include demands for the departure of King Abdallah II. (WP 11/16)

Paraguay recognizes Palestine as independent state on the 1967 borders. (JP 2/5)

In Gaza, 1,000s of Hamas supporters protest against the PA in light of the Palestine Papers revelations about negotiation concessions, particularly on the right of return. In the West Bank, around 2,000 Palestinians in Hebron and smaller groups in other cities attend Fatah-organized rallies in support of Abbas and against al-Jazeera. Also in the West Bank, a group of 100 armed Jewish settlers hiking nr. Khirbat Safa nr. Hebron is confronted by stone-throwing Palestinian youths, prompting 1 Jewish settler to open fire, killing 1 Palestinian teenager and wounding a 2d, marking the 2d such shooting in 2 days. Jewish settlers fr. Yonatan outpost in the East Jerusalem environs attack nearby Palestinian houses; accompanying IDF soldiers fire tear gas and stun grenades to keep Palestinians at a distance, sparking a fire that lightly damages 1 home. Meanwhile in the West Bank, the IDF patrols in villages nr. Ramallah, Tulkarm; enters Jayyus village nr. Qalqilya, searching 1 home but making no arrests. Palestinians (accompanied by Israeli and international activists in some areas) hold weekly nonviolent demonstrations against the separation wall, land confiscations, and settlement expansion in Bil‘in and Ni‘lin. IDF soldiers fire rubber-coated steel bullets, tear gas, and stun grenades at the protesters, injuring 2 Palestinians. PA General Intelligence units detain leading Hizb al-Tahrir mbr. Mus‘ab Abu Arqub after Friday prayers in Dura nr. Hebron. (WP 1/29, MNA 1/30; PCHR 2/3; OCHA 2/4)

Across Egypt, 100,000s of protesters heed the call to observe a “Friday of rage” in Egypt, launching massive demonstrations after midday prayers. Protesters burn the ruling National Democratic Party (NDP) headquarters in Cairo’s Tahrir Square. Police stations and NDP offices are torched in several of Cairo’s middleclass neighborhoods and poorer quarters, as well as in Alexandria, Suez, Port Said, Damietta, Damanhour, and other areas of Upper Egypt and Sinai; prisoners in several jails are freed. With regular police already largely having withdrawn fr. the street, not wanting to confront protesters, Mubarak sends out security and plain-clothes police who violently clash with demonstrators and target journalists, killing as many as 300 and injuring as many as 2,000. Protesters in Cairo and Alexandria overwhelm the security police by dusk, forcing Mubarak to withdraw them to regroup and send the army and tanks into the cities to impose a curfew; but when protesters ignore the curfew, the army does not act. Later, Mubarak appears on state TV and, in effort to appease critics and quell protests, pledges to speed up his program of political and economic reforms, announcing that he has dissolved his cabinet, appointed a new PM to form a new government, and named military intelligence chief Gen. Omar Suleiman as his 1st ever VP, but protesters vow to remain in the streets until he steps down. The U.S. issues its first warnings that it will review its $1.56 b. in annual aid to Egypt depending on how events unfold in the coming days, pressing its contacts within the Egyptian army to avoid violence. Abbas, however, phones Mubarak to assure him of the PA’s support for Egypt’s security and stability. (IHS Global Insight, Middle East Research and Information Project, NYT, WP 1/29; MNA 1/30)

In Jordan, where criticism of the king is banned, 1,000s of demonstrators inspired by events in Egypt and Tunisia turn out after Friday prayers in Amman and cities across the kingdom to demand the resignation of PM Samir al-Rifa‘i and his cabinet, dissolution of the parliament, and a new round of free and fair elections. (The last parliamentary elections held in 11/2010 were widely criticized as fraudulent.) (NYT 1/29; NYT, WP 1/30; WP 2/1; NYT 2/2)

The IDF imposes a curfew on Jenin town and r.c., closes off all access roads leading to the city, conducts arrest raids and house searches, fires on residential areas; withdraws fr. Bayt Hanun, having leveled 100 d. of citrus groves since 10/26, 1 Palestinian home,5wells. Palestinians fire a Qassam rocket at the Negev, causing no damage or injuries. Jewish settlers fr. Shilo attack, chase off a group of Palestinians harvesting olives in nearby al-Mughayyir village. Israeli sources confirm that the West Jerusalem municipality has completed plans for construction of a new 280-unit Jewish settlement quarter in Abu Dis in East Jerusalem following completion of the separation wall through Abu Dis. A Palestinian dies of injuries received on 10/2 during the IDF attack on n. Gaza. In Gaza, scores of Palestinians protest increasing crime, kidnappings, violence in Gaza and demand security, legal reforms. (HJ, al-Quds, VOI, VOP 10/27 in WNC 10/29; PCHR, PRCS 10/28; PRCS 10/30; PR 11/3; PCHR 11/4)

An Israeli court rules that Palestinian residents of Jerusalem have the right to register any child under age 12 without having to apply for family reunification even if 1 parent holds a West Bank ID. Previously, the Israeli Interior Min. asserted that any such children not registered by age 1 would have to apply for family reunification. (PR 11/3)

Arafat collapses in his Ramallah headquarters and deteriorates dramatically during the day, reportedly lapsing in and out of consciousness. His personal doctor is summoned fr. Amman, a medical team fr. Egypt, and his wife fr. Paris, raising speculation that he is nearing death. (AP, BBC, CNN, HA, REU 10/27; JAZ, JP, LBC, MENA, PSCT, VOI, VOP, YA 10/27 in WNC 10/29; AP, BBC, HA, MM, NYT, REU, WP, WT 10/28; PR, WT 11/3; MEI 11/5)

In retaliation for the injury to a settler baby on 6/5, 100s of armed Jewish settlers torch several Palestinian homes in Luban al-Sharqiyya and al-Sawiya nr. Nablus. When Palestinians confront the settlers, IDF troops fire on them with rubber-coated steel bullets, seriously wounding several. 1,000s of settlers rally in Zion Square in Jerusalem to denounce Sharon, to demand he declare war on the Palestinians. Settlers also attack Palestinians, foreign journalists in Hebron; place 5 caravans on Khillat al-`Ayn hill nr. al-Khadir to establish a new settlement. The IDF confiscates 200 dunams of Palestinian land nr. Ramallah, bulldozes 1,000 olive trees in preparation for a new settler bypass road. Israel reopens the Egypt, Jordan border crossings to Palestinians, but not to goods; allows 2,000 Palestinians to return to their jobs in the West Bank, Gaza industrial zones on the borders with Israel. A Palestinian, last seen on 4/4 when he was taken into PSF custody, is found at an IDF checkpoint nr. Bethlehem, claiming to have escaped fr. the PA General Intelligence Service fearing he would be killed. (PMC, REU 6/6; MENA 6/6 in WNC 6/7; HA, HP, NYT, WP 6/7; MENA 6/7 in WNC 6/8; AFP [Internet], MM 6/8)

CIA Dir. Tenet meets with Mubarak in Cairo, with King Abdallah, Burns in Amman before heading to Israel and the PA areas to meet with Israeli, the PA officials. (MM, WP, WT 6/6; MENA 6/6 in WNC 6/7; WP 6/7)

Israeli-Palestinian clashes continue. A Palestinian suicide bomber detonates a car bomb nr. a Jewish settler school bus in the West Bank, killing himself but causing no other injuries. Palestinians also fire 2 mortars at a Kefar Darom settlement in Gaza. Inside the Green Line, Israeli police find, safely detonate a bomb in Netanya. The IDF shells a PSF office in Gaza, residential areas of Khan Yunis; bulldozes Palestinian land in Khan Yunis; conducts an arrest sweep in Jalazun. Jewish settlers set fire to a Palestinian olive grove in Salfit, destroying 50 trees. (WP 4/30; LAW 5/4)

Arafat orders the popular resistance comms. to disband and their mbrs. (most of whom are Fatah mbrs., some of whom are PSF officers) to "return to their original security positions," calls senior PSF officer Yasir Zanun (a Fatah mbr. and a leader of the resistance comms.) in for questioning, has the PSF arrest Hamas spokesman `Abd al-`Aziz Rantisi for statements accusing Arafat of treason for resuming security talks with Israel. Fatah tanzim leader Barghouti, Hamas, Islamic Jihad, the PFLP strongly oppose disbanding the resistance comms. (WP 4/30; AYM 5/1 in WNC 5/3; WJW 5/3; SA 5/3 in WNC 5/4; MEI 5/4 WP 5/7; MEI 5/18)

Israeli FM Peres presents Israel's response to the Jordanian-Egyptian proposal to Mubarak in Cairo, Jordanian FM Khatib in Amman. Egypt, Jordan say they will study Israel's reservations and proposed changes, but they are not willing start a new process of "talks about talks." (MENA 4/29 in WNC 4/30; HA, NYT, WP 4/30; HA, MM 5/1; AYM 5/1 in WNC 5/3; MM 5/2; MEI, MM 5/4)

Israeli-Palestinian clashes continue. The IDF shells residential areas of Brazil refugee camp, damaging a school. Israel says it will begin allowing Palestinians with VIP passes (e.g., PC mbrs.) to travel btwn. the West Bank and Gaza providing they request permission of the IDF in advance, submit to searches. The PA says Israel should honor the VIP passes without restrictions as per signed agmts. (MA 2/25 in WNC 2/26; HJ 2/26 in WNC 2/27; LAW 3/1)

U.S. Secy. of State Colin Powell arrives in Egypt on the 1st leg of a 3-day tour to meet regional leaders, to discuss the Bush administration's proposal to modify the sanctions regime on Iraq to eliminate many economic restrictions, refocus sanctions more narrowly on Saddam Hussein's military. After meeting with Egyptian pres. Husni Mubarak, Powell heads to Israel, where he confers with Barak on bilateral, Israeli-Palestinian relations. Powell will also visit Ramallah, Jordan, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Syria. (NYT, WP, WT 2/25; al-Ra'i 2/25 in WNC 2/27; WP 2/27; MA 3/1 in WNC 3/5; MEI 3/9)

In Amman, 1,000 Jordanians attend a rally organized by the Jordan professional associations to protest the U.S. Secy. of State Powell's visit to the kingdom on 2/25 in light of the U.S. position toward the Palestinians, Iraq. (JT 2/25 in WNC 2/26; JT 2/26 in WNC 2/27)

Israeli-Palestinian clashes continue, leaving 5 Palestinians, 1 Israeli Arab, 1 IDF soldier dead, 300 Palestinians injured. Following the funeral for Fatah cmdr. Ubayyat (attended by 10,000 Palestinians), a Palestinian sniper fires on IDF troops outside Rachel's Tomb nearby, killing 1 soldier, wounding another. A small bomb explodes in East Jerusalem, slightly injuring an Israeli border policeman. More than 50 IDF shells fall in the Ramallah area, hitting the PA civil administration building, the PA Central Bureau of Statistics headquarters, the Islamic Elementary School, several apartment complexes and homes. IDF tank, heavy machine gun fire are reported in and around Hebron, Jinin, Khan Yunis, Nablus, Qalqilya, Salfit. The IDF also bulldozes agricultural lands nr. Qalqilya. Jewish settlers uproot Palestinian olive trees nr. Ramallah, assault Palestinians in several locations around Nablus. Israel again restricts Palestinian access to al-Aqsa Mosque for Friday prayers. Egypt reports that Israel is barring medical goods, 30 ambulances donated by Saudi Arabia fr. entering Gaza via the Rafah crossing. (ADM, LAW 11/10; MENA 11/10 in WNC 11/13; NYT, PCHR, WP 11/11; HJ 11/15 in WNC 11/27)

UNSC resumes talks on an international buffer force for the West Bank, Gaza. Arafat lobbies for the UN to send 2,000 troops to the West Bank, Gaza, Jerusalem. The UK, U.S. vow to block the proposal as long as Israel disapproves. (XIN 11/10 in WNC 11/13; NYT, WP, WT 11/11; HJ 11/13 in WNC 11/15)

In Amman, Jordanian security forces peacefully disperse 1,000 Jordanians attempting to march to the Israeli emb. 100s of Lebanese, Palestinian refugees demonstrate at Fatima Gate on the blue line. The IDF shoots across the border, wounding a Lebanese truck driver approaching the border with a load of stones. (AFP [Internet] 11/10; DUS 11/10 in WNC 11/13; MEI 11/24)

Israeli-Palestinian clashes continue but are less severe, largely because overnight the IDF deployed tanks on access roads to and around PA cities, sealing areas A, limiting movement. During the day, 2 Palestinians are killed by Israeli gunfire, over 160 are injured. Israel prohibits Palestinians under 45 fr. attending Friday prayers in Jerusalem, prompting scuffles with those denied access but preventing the full-scale rioting of 9/29, 10/6. In Jerusalem, cameramen record footage of Israeli police disguised as Palestinians seizing 2 Palestinian youths, beating them while holding them in a choke hold. Armed Jewish settlers rampage through Husan, fire on Palestinian homes in Artas, Bayt Inun, al-Khadir. In Gaza City and Shati camp, 100s of Palestinians hold rallies denouncing the PA for the failed peace process. The rallies devolve into riots, with demonstrators torching cars, bars, hotels, restaurants; the PA police arrest 16. (AP, IsRN, LAW 10/13; ADM, LAW, NYT, WP, WT 10/14; HA [Internet] 10/15)

Oman closes its trade office in Tel Aviv, Israel's trade mission in Muscat. Morocco recalls its envoy to Israel. In Cairo, 10,000 Egyptians hold anti-Israeli, anti-U.S. demonstrations. In Lebanon, the army keeps Palestinians away fr. the blue line, where they want to hold demonstrations. However, 6,000 Palestinians in `Ayn al-Hilwa camp, 3,000 in Beddawi camp, 5,000 in Nahr al-Barid camp, 7,000 in Rashidiyya camp demonstrate against Israel. In Amman, 8,000 Jordanians attend a government-sanctioned rally; a smaller, unauthorized demonstration takes place spontaneously following Friday prayers. In the U.S., rallies are held in Ann Arbor, Atlanta, Austin, Chicago, Columbus, Detroit, Las Vegas, New York, Petaluma (CA), Philadelphia, Santa Ana (CA), San Francisco, Washington. Similar demonstrations are held in Austria, Bahrain, Bosnia, Canada, Djbouti, Greece, Indonesia, Italy, Pakistan, Scotland, Sudan, Syria. (AFP [Internet], BBC, Los Angeles Times [Internet], MM, Omani News Agency [Internet], REU, UPI 10/13; AFP, BETA [Belgrade], MENA 10/13, MENA 10/14 in WNC 10/16; Daily Star [Internet], NYT 10/14; HA [Internet], NYT 10/15; MM 10/17; WJW 10/19; WP, WT 10/20; MM 10/24, 10/25; WJW 10/26; MEI 10/27)

As Israeli-Palestinian fighting continue as Israel marks Yom Kippur. Barak warns if clashes continue, the IDF's will begin targeting Arafat's offices, PA police stations, top cmdrs.; Israel may implement a "sanctions package" (including, sealing the West Bank and Gaza, halting all monetary transfers). At Netzarim Junction, the IDF demolishes 2 apartment buildings formerly used as PA police barracks, a factory, an office, several homes, a water well, and an 20-dunam orange grove. A settler rabbi is found shot to death in a West Bank cave. Armed Jewish settlers enter Palestinian areas of East Jerusalem and Hebron, Bidya, Husan, Salfit, Shuafat camp, burning shops, beating Palestinians, shooting at houses, and wounding at least 8 Palestinians, 1 of whom bleeds to death as settlers hold off ambulances with gunfire. Inside Israel, Jewish residents of Upper Nazareth attack Israeli Arabs, property in Nazareth. (ADM, LAW, REU 10/8; Interfax 10/8 in WNC 10/10; Gush Shalom press release, MM, NYT, WP, WT 10/9; HA [Internet], MM, WP 10/10; MA 10/10 in WNC 10/12; HA [Internet] 10/11; MEI, NYT 10/13; LAW 10/19; Globes [Internet] 10/25)

Lebanon places its forces on alert as Israel reinforces troops on the blue line, conducts overflights of Beirut, and warns Hizballah, Lebanon, and Syria of "decisive action" if Hizballah does not release the 3 IDF soldiers kidnapped on 10/7. Saudi Arabia warns Israel that Arab states will not sit idly by if Barak follows through on his threat. (NYT, WP, WT 10/9; MM 10/10; MEI 10/13)

Pres. Clinton asks Mubarak to convene a summit where they could meet with Arafat, Barak. None of the 3 leaders immediately embraces the idea. (MM, NYT, WP, WT 10/9; MENA 10/9 in WNC 10/10; AYM 10/10 in WNC 10/12)

In Gaza, Arafat meets with the Executive Authority and reps. of Hamas, Islamic Jihad to coordinate a joint response to Barak's latest warnings. (NYT 10/9; HJ, MA 10/10 in WNC 10/12; MM 10/11)

The PA releases 5 Hamas mbrs. fr. PA jails. Hamas says 23 mbrs. have been freed in recent days. (AYM 10/9 in WNC 10/12; AYM 10/12 in WNC 10/13) (see 10/4)

Jordan announces that it will postpone sending its newly appointed amb. to Israel to protest Israel's excessive use of force against Palestinians. (WP 10/9; MM 10/10; HA [Internet] 10/11)

In Morocco, 500,000 people march to protest Israel's recent actions. In Amman, 100s of Jordanian students attempt a march to the U.S., Israeli embs. but clash with riot police; at least 5 are injured, 10 arrested. In Beirut, 25,000 Lebanese and Palestinians march in funeral processions for 2 Palestinians shot by IDF on the blue line on 10/7. In Cairo, 9,000 Egyptian students hold a rally. Demonstrations continue in Australia, Greece, Jordan, Lebanon, Syria, Yemen. In the U.S., protests are held in Albuquerque, Anaheim, Kansas City. (UPI 10/8; MENA 10/8, JT 10/9 in WNC 10/10; MM 10/9; Daily Star [Internet], NYT, WP 10/9; TT 10/10 in WNC 10/12; MEI 10/13)

Israeli-Palestinian fighting in the West Bank and Gaza abates slightly but escalates again this evening, leaving at least 3 Palestinians dead. The most serious incident is in Nablus, where the IDF, implementing the Sharm agmts., turns over Joseph's Tomb to the PSF. Palestinians celebrating the IDF pullback overrun the PSF, destroy the tomb. In response, armed Jewish settlers roam areas around West Bank settlements, stoning and firing at Palestinian cars, killing 1 Palestinian. Inside Israel, Jews fr. Upper Nazareth rampage through Arab Nazareth throwing stones at Israeli Palestinians, sparking a riot; when Israeli Arabs start to fight back, Israeli riot police intervene, using tear gas and live ammunition, shooting dead 2 Israeli Arabs. In Tiberias, Jews vandalize a historic mosque. The IDF moves tanks into the West Bank to guard the Jewish settlement of Psagot, which has been the target of Palestinian sniping. At Rafah airport, Palestinians fire on a bus Israeli airport workers, injuring 8. Israel shuts the airport. (LAW 10/7; MENA, RL 10/7, al-Quds 10/8, AFP, Le Monde 10/10 in WNC 10/10; ADM, NYT, WP, WT 10/8; MM, NYT, WT 10/9; AYM 10/9, MA 10/10, 10/11 in WNC 10/12; NYT 10/10; WJW 10/12; MEI 10/13; WJW 10/19; WP 10/28)

Barak calls up IDF reservists, sets an ultimatum of 48 hrs. for Palestinians to halt their assaults on IDF outposts, Jewish settlements or "we will regard this as a cessation by Arafat of the peace process, and we will order the army to use all means at its disposal." Barak also says he is considering forming a "unity government" with Likud MK Sharon. (AYM 10/7, al-Quds 10/9 in WNC 10/12; NYT, WP, WT 10/8; AYM 10/8 in WNC 10/13; MM 10/9; Le Monde 10/10 in WNC 10/10; MM 10/11; JP, MEI 10/13)

Nr. Shaba` Farms, IDF soldiers fire across the blue line into Lebanon at 100s of Palestinian refugees staging a protest, killing 2, wounding 15. In response, Hizballah guerrillas cross into Golan Heights, kidnap 3 IDF soldiers; fire rockets at the IDF's Shaba` outpost, injuring 6 soldiers. Barak reinforces the border area, sends Israeli warplanes and attack helicopters into Lebanon to strike Hizballah targets, injuring 4 Lebanese civilians. U.S.'s Albright phones Lebanese pres. Lahoud, Syrian pres. Asad to urge them to intercede with Hizballah to release the IDF soldiers. France, Germany, the Red Cross, Russia, the UN open channels with Hizballah, which demands Israel release at least 19 Lebanese political prisoners (kidnaped by the IDF in Lebanon, held without trial for as long as 20 yrs.) in exchange for the soldiers. (CNN [Internet] 10/7; RL 10/7, AYM 10/8, Interfax 10/9, Le Monde 10/10 in WNC 10/10; NYT, WP, WT 10/8; Manar TV [Internet], MM, NYT, WT 10/9; al-Quds 10/9, DUS, al-Safir 10/10 in WNC 10/12; MM, NYT, WP 10/10; NYT, WJW, WP 10/12; JP, MEI 10/13; JP 10/27, 11/3)

After 6 days of debate, the UNSC passes (14 to 0, with the U.S. abstaining) a watered down resolution that condemns the "excessive use of force" against the Palestinians but does not mention Israel by name. U.S. Amb. Richard Holbrooke threatened to veto stronger language. (AP 10/7; NYT, WP, WT 10/8; AYM 10/8 in WNC 10/13; MM, NYT, WT 10/9; CSM, WP 10/10; MEI 10/13)

In Amman, Jordanian police open fire on Palestinian refugees demonstrating for the closure of the Israeli emb., killing 1, arresting 97. Demonstrations condemning Israeli violence, U.S. support of Israel are held in Bahrain, Canada, Egypt, France, Iraq, Kuwait, Lebanon, Mauritania, Nigeria, Oman, Pakistan, Sweden, Switzerland, Syria, Turkey, the UAE, and Yemen. In the U.S., rallies are held in Albuquerque, Dearborn, New York. (BBC, al-Jazeera TV [Internet] 10/7; AFP, ATL, MENA 10/7, JT 10/8 in WNC 10/10; Daily Star 10/12 in WNC 10/13; Gulf News [Internet], NYT 10/8; MM 10/11; AYM 10/11 in WNC 10/12; MEI 10/13)

Anticipating protests following Friday prayers, Israel seals the West Bank and Gaza, allows plain clothes PA police to deploy in the Haram al-Sharif/Temple Mount to form a cordon to prevent Palestinians fr. throwing stones. The PA police, Waqf officials largely succeed in restraining the crowd, but when a handful of the 8,000 Palestinian worshipers do throw rocks, Israeli forces open fire, killing 2 Palestinians, wounding 60. At sundown IDF troops raid the Haram al-Sharif to chase off Palestinians, lower a Palestinian flag. In total, 9 Palestinians are killed, 450 injured during the day; a 10th dies of wounds received earlier. (AP, JP [Internet], LAW, MM 10/6; MENA 10/6, IRNA, TT 10/7 in WNC 10/10; NYT, WP, WT 10/7; AYM 10/7 in WNC 10/12)

The largest rally in support of the Palestinians is held in Amman, where 30,000 Jordanians, Palestinians attempt to march on the Israeli emb. but are dispersed by Jordanian police firing tear gas. In Baqa` camp, Jordanian police fire on 2,000 Palestinian demonstrators, killing 1, injuring at least 50. The incidents prompt the government to ban public protests. In Damascus, Syrian police use tear gas to disperse protesters attempting to march to the U.S. emb. In Tunis, Arafat, Pres. Zine Abidine Ben Ali participate in a rally attended by 10,000 Tunisians. Crowds also demonstrate in Egypt, Indonesia, Iran, Lebanon, Malaysia, Mauritania, Oman, Nigeria, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and Yemen, as well as in Berlin, Canberra, Geneva, the Hague, London, Prague, Reykjavik, and Vienna. In Canada, rallies are held in Calgary, Edmonton, Ottawa, Toronto, Waterloo, and Windsor. In the U.S., protests are staged in Atlanta, Baton Rouge, Chicago, Cleveland, Columbus, Dearborn, Denver, Houston, Los Angeles, Memphis, Miami, New York, Oklahoma City, Orlando, Ottawa, Phoenix, Raleigh, Sacramento, San Diego, San Francisco, San Jose, Tampa, Washington. (BBC, MM, REU, UPI 10/6; AFP, CTK [Prague], EFE [Madrid] 10/6, JT 10/8 in WNC 10/10; Toronto Star, WP, WT 10/7; al-Quds 10/7, AFP 10/11 in WNC 10/12; REU 10/8; WP 10/10; MM 10/11; Daily Star 10/12 in WNC 10/13; MEI 10/13; SA 10/16 in WNC 10/18; Le Monde 11/7 in WNC 11/8)

This morning, the IDF begins pulling back reinforcements fr. the West Bank, Gaza after reaching a new agmt. with the PA. Initially, clashes abate, but fighting continues at old hot spots (e.g., Hebron, Nablus, Netzarim Junction, Ramallah, Tulkarm). Within hrs., the IDF sends reinforcements back in, firing antitank missiles and deploying helicopter gunships, tanks against Palestinians, killing 3, injuring 40. In Nablus, 27 Palestinians are injured when and IDF helicopter fires rockets at an apartment building. 1 Palestinian injured last wk. dies. Inside Israel, massive demonstrations continue across the Galilee following 2 funerals for Israeli Arabs killed by the Israeli police earlier in the wk. (MM 10/3; AFP, IRNA, MENA 10/3, JT, Le Monde 10/4 in WNC 10/6; CSM, NYT, WP, WT 10/4; AYM 10/4 in WNC 10/10; MEI 10/13)

Barak meets with Israeli Arab leaders to "ease concerns about the neglect of their community," agrees to set up a special cabinet comm. to address Arab concerns. Under pressure fr. Israeli Arab MKs, he bans police fr. using live ammunition against Israeli protesters unless there is "clear and immediate danger to life." The Israeli government also releases plans to improve roads in schools in Israeli Arab towns, raise the standard of living of the Arab minority. (MM 10/3; NYT, WT 10/4; MEI 10/13)

In Beirut, 20,000 Palestinians, Lebanese march to UN House to protest Israeli actions. Some 10,000 Palestinian refugees demonstrate in camps in Rashidiyya, Sidon, and Tyre. In Amman, Jordanians observe a strike in solidarity with the Palestinians, and Jordanian riot police wield clubs against 100s of stone-throwing demonstrators marching on the Israeli emb. In Norway, some 100 Norwegians take part in a violent protest outside the Israeli emb. in Oslo, burning flags, throwing bottles, breaking windows. Rallies are also reported in Egypt, Greece, Oman, Pakistan, the UAE. In the U.S., anti-Israeli protests are held in Austin, Cleveland, Philadelphia, Raleigh, San Francisco, Washington, and outside the CNN offices in Atlanta, Alabama, Florida, Tennessee, Toronto. (JP [Internet], MM 10/4; JT 10/4 in WNC 10/6; Daily Star [Internet] 10/5; MM 10/6; MEI 10/13)

The IDF admits that its soldiers fired the shots that killed a Muhammad al-Dura at Netzarim Junction on 10/1 but blames Palestinians for the "cynical use" of children in confrontations with IDF troops. (WP 10/4; NYT 10/5) (see 10/2)

Egyptian pres. Mubarak says that Israel, Syria have neared a peace agmt. in behind-the-scenes talks (through "special envoys," U.S. and British officials) that have continued since talks were formally suspended in 1/00. (WP 3/22) (see 3/20)

PA, Israeli negotiating teams, led by Yasir `Abid Rabbu and Eran respectively, resume final status talks at Bolling air force base (AFB) nr. Washington under a media blackout. U.S. special envoy Ross, his assistant Aaron Miller will oversee the talks but will not, at this stage, present U.S. proposals. (CSM 3/21; MENA 3/21 in WNC 3/22; NYT, WP, WT 3/22)

Israel implements the 3d stage of the 2d FRD, transferring 6.1% of area B to area A. In total, the PA now has full control of 18.2% of the West Bank, partial control of 21.8%. (CSM 3/21; CSM, NYT, WP, WT 3/22; JP 3/31)

The pope celebrates mass for 30,000 Catholics in Amman, visits several religious sites before heading to Israel. (MM 3/21; NYT, WP, WT 3/22; MEI 3/24)

PM Barak tells his cabinet that if asked, he will not make any written pledge to withdraw fr. the Golan to resume peace talks with Syria. (MM, WP 1/24; WJW 1/27)

In Amman, Egyptian pres. Mubarak, King Abdallah discuss the peace process, inter-Arab coordination. (JT, MENA 1/23 in WNC 1/24; MM 1/24; al-Quds 1/24, AYM 1/25 in WNC 1/27)

Martin Indyk assumes his post as U.S. amb. to Israel. Indyk left his post as asst. secy. of state to serve as amb. to Israel for the 2d time. His 1st term was 1995+n97. (WT 1/25; MM, NYT 1/26; WJW 1/27)

Hizballah spiritual leader Shaykh Hassan Nasrallah says Hizballah is "working very assiduously" to ascertain the fate of IDF airman Arad. He doubts Arad is alive but hopes to find his remains, so they can be exchanged for Hizballah mbrs. jailed by Israel. (Der Spiegel, SA 1/24 in WNC 1/27; MEI 1/28; MM 2/4) (see 1/23)

In Ramallah, Israeli, PA final status teams meet but make no progress on the FAPS. The PA reportedly rejects Israel's demand that decision on final borders be based on Israel's security needs and continued Israeli sovereignty over settlements. (CSM 12/21)

Syrian FM Shara` stops in Beirut to brief Lebanese leaders on the Washington talks with Israel. (RL 12/20 in WNC 12/21)

Arafat arrives in Amman for 2-day visit to brief King Abdallah on talks with Israel, discuss Arab coordination in light of the resumption of the Syrian-Israeli talks. Arafat asks the king to intervene with Syria to improve PA-Syrian relations, encourage coordination on their negotiating tracks. Arafat would like hold a 5-way summit among Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon, the PA, Syria. (AYM, al-Quds 12/20 in WNC 12/22; al-Quds 12/21, JT 12/22 in WNC 12/23; AYM 12/21 in WNC 12/27; JT 12/28 in WNC 12/29)

PM Barak tells his cabinet that although he had made no new commitments to Syria in order to resume talks, he "would not erase" any promises made in previous negotiations under PMs Yitzhak Rabin, Shimon Peres, or Benjamin Netanyahu. (CSM, NYT, WP 12/14)

At the Knesset, PM Barak gives a speech, telling Israelis to prepare to pay "a heavy territorial price" for peace with Syria. After 7 hrs. of debate, MKs pass (47-31, with 24 abstentions, 18 absent) a vote of confidence giving Barak a mandate to negotiate with Syria. 1,000s of Golan settlers demonstrate outside. (CSM, MM, NYT, WP 12/14; CSM 12/15; WJW 12/16)

Russian dep. FM Sredin arrives in Amman for a 2-day visit. He discusses the peace process with the Russian rep. to the PA and Russian ambs. to Egypt, Iraq, Israel, Jordan, Lebanon, Syria. (ITAR-TASS 12/14 in WNC 12/15)

In Bayt Awa, nr. Hebron, IDF commandos searching for 2 wanted Hamas mbrs. storm a house, killing 2 Palestinians, arresting 3. DM Efraim Sneh admits that there was a "contract" out for 1 of the men for killing an undercover Israeli border policeman in 1/99. (WT 12/14; NYT, WP 12/15; VIRI 12/15 in WNC 12/16; LAW 12/16; JP, MEI 12/24)

The U.S. reports the arrest in the Middle East of 13 mbrs. of a suspected terrorist group with links to Saudi dissident Osama Bin Laden that was believed to be planning New Year's attacks around the world. (NYT, WP 12/14; WT 12/15)