The Palestine Chronology

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers attacked Palestinian herders in Kisan with sticks, injuring 2, including a child. Israeli forces killed 14 Palestinians, including a PA officer, during a raid in Jenin and Jenin refugee camp. During the raid Israeli forces opened fire at ambulances, used drones to attack buildings with airstrikes, and used 4 bulldozers to raze paved streets. Israeli forces also shot and killed 4 Palestinians during raids in al-Am’ari refugee camp, Balata refugee camp, Hebron, and Bethlehem. Meanwhile, Israeli forces shot and injured 69 Palestinians during raids in Bethlehem, Beit Furik, Aqraba, Ni’lin, Jenin, Balata refugee camp, and al-Bireh. Israeli forces also displaced 20 Palestinian families from their homes in Khirbet Tana, demolishing homes and destroying beehives. 50 Palestinians, mostly people from Gaza working in Israel before 10/7, were arrested in Barta’a. In Gaza, Israeli airstrikes killed 243 Palestinians and injured around 430 others. Israeli airstrikes targeted the vicinity of al-Nasr Hospital, al-Awda Hospital, the Indonesian Hospital, and al-Shifa Hospital, killing at least 3 people and causing significant damage to the hospitals and 2 ambulances.  Israeli said it assassinated Hamas member Ibrahim Abu-Ma’asiv in an airstrike. 2 Israeli soldiers were killed in Gaza. In South Lebanon, anti-tank missiles were fired at Israel and Israel attacked Lebanon. In Eilat, Israel said a drone launched from Syria damaged a school in Eilat. Israel also said it deployed its Arrow 3 missile defense system for the first time to intercept a surface-to-surface missile fired at Eilat, reportedly from Yemen. (AJ, AJ, AP, HA, HA, REU, UNOCHA, UNOCHA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 11/9; AJ, AJ, HA, REU 11/10)

The Ministry of Health in Gaza said at least 10,818 Palestinians have been killed, including 4,412 children and 2,918 women, and 26,905 have been injured in Israeli airstrikes on Gaza since 10/7. At least 2,450 people were buried in rubble, including 1,350 children. 173 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli forces and settlers in the West Bank and East Jerusalem since 10/7, including 46 children. More than 2,492 people have been injured. Around 1,400 Israelis and foreign nationals have been killed and 5,431 injured since 10/7. 35 Israeli soldiers have been killed in Gaza since the ground invasion began. Over 1.61 million Palestinians, around 70% 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 Israel blockade. As of 11/6, at least 40,000 housing units have been destroyed and 220,000 have been damaged in Israeli airstrikes since 10/7, constituting 45% of all housing units. 65 trucks carrying aid to Gaza and 7 ambulances entered via the Rafah crossing. 12 injured Palestinians and 695 foreign passport holders were evacuated from Gaza to Egypt. Around 50,000 people fled north Gaza to the south, bringing the total number to 122,000 since 11/5. UNRWA launched a flash appeal for $481 million to address the humanitarian needs in Gaza and the West Bank. (AJ, AP, HA, REU, UNOCHA, UNOCHA 11/9; WAFA 11/10)

The PA Finance Ministry said it returned its tax revenue to Israel due to Israel deducting $600 million Israel said is earmarked for administrative expenses in Gaza. (WAFA 11/9)

Israel arrested High Follow-Up Committee for Arab Citizens of Israel chairperson Mohammed Barakeh and former MKs Haneen Zoabi, Sami Abou Shehadeh, and Mtanes Shehadeh who were planning to attend a small anti-war protest in Nazareth. Since Israel has banned large anti-war protests, Barakeh said he had told Nazereth police that he and 40 others would rally together, leading to his arrest. Protesters later demonstrated against the arrests of the Palestinian leaders outside of a police station in Tel Aviv; 15 were arrested. After the Palestinian leaders were released, Abou Shahadeh said he was arrested for “being a Palestinian citizen calling to end the war. By contrast, If I were a Jewish citizen calling for a genocide of Palestinians I could become a minister.”  (AJ, HA, HA, HA, HA, WAFA, WAFA 11/9; NYT 11/10)

Hamas said 1 Israeli soldier held captive in Gaza was killed in an Israeli airstrike. Islamic Jihad released a video of an Israeli child and elderly woman that it said it wanted to release for humanitarian reasons. (AJ, HA, HA, REU, REU 11/9; NYT 11/10)

Hamas leaders Ismail Haniyeh and Khaled Mashal arrived in Cairo, reportedly to discuss a prisoner exchange. (AJ, HA 11/9)

During a speech at an aid conference in Paris, PA prime minister Mohammad Shtayyeh said that Hamas could not be eliminated because it is not just a military organization but “also an idea.” Shtayyeh also said Israel was waging war against all Palestinians, violating international law. French president Emmanuel Macron, who hosted the conference, said civilians in Gaza must be protected, calling for humanitarian pauses and for countries to work on a ceasefire. Egyptian foreign minister Sameh Shoukry complained that the international community has an “imbalance” in its conscience when it ignores Israeli violations of international law. Separately, PA presidential spokesperson Nabil Abu Rudeineh said Israel’s aim is to kill as many Palestinians as possible, referring to the many killed in the West Bank as Israel attacks Gaza. Abu Rudeineh called on the U.S. to force Israel to stop its attacks. PA foreign minister Riyad al-Maliki met with UK foreign secretary James Cleverly in Riyadh, calling on the UK to help achieve a ceasefire. (AJ, AJ, AP, HA, HA, REU, UNOCHA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 11/9)

Haaretz reported an increase in Israeli soldiers publishing videos of themselves beating and humiliating Palestinians they have arrested in the West Bank. (HA 11/9)

A report by the UNDP and the ESCWA said Palestinian GDP had shrunk 4% during the first month of Israel’s attacks on Gaza. It projected that if the attacks continue for a second month it will drop by 8.4%, and by 12% if attacks continue for a third month. (AJ, HA 11/9; AJ, AJ, AP, AP 11/10)

Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s spokesperson Ofir Gendelman tweeted a video he claimed showed Palestinians staging people being injured and evacuated. However, the video was backstage footage from the Lebanese short film The Reality. Gendelman kept the tweet up even after X (formerly known as Twitter) clarified what the video actually showed. (DB 11/9)

U.S. president Joe Biden said Israel had agreed to daily 4-hour pauses in its attacks on Gaza to allow Palestinians in the north to flee south, saying it had taken longer for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to agree to the pauses than he had hoped. Biden also said had asked for longer pauses that would help facilitate the release of captives. State Department deputy spokesperson Vedant Patel said Palestinians fleeing the north of Gaza should be able to return. Israeli national security minister Itamar Ben-Gvir called the pauses a “particularly serious mistake.” Netanyahu clarified in an interview with Fox News that he does not seek to govern Gaza. (AJ, AJ, AP, HA, REU, REU 11/9; AJ, AP, HA, REU 11/10)

The Israeli organization HonestReporting said it had identified CNN, AP, and Reuters contributors who covered the Hamas Operation Al Aqsa Flood on 10/7, claiming they must have had knowledge of the operation prior to it or participated in it. Israeli war cabinet member Benny Gantz and National Security Minister Ben-Gvir said the journalists should be treated as terrorists. Likud Party MK Danny Danon said the journalist would be added to Israel’s kill list. The New York Times, which employs one of the freelance journalists, called HonestReporting’s allegations “reckless” and said it endangered their journalists in Gaza and Israel. CNN said it cut relations with 1 of the freelance journalists that HonestReporting posted a photo of standing next to Hamas leader in Gaza Yahya Sinwar. (AJ, AJ, HA, HA, NYT, REU 11/9)

CIA director William Burns and Mossad director David Barnea traveled to Doha for meetings with Qatari prime minister Mohammed Bin Abdulrahman Al Thani regarding a potential prisoner swap. Al Thani reportedly held a meeting with Hamas officials in Qatar on 11/8. (AJ, HA, HA, REU 11/9)

Belgian minister of development cooperation Caroline Gennez said her government was considering recognizing the state of Palestine and would donate $2.1 million in aid to Palestine and $5.3 million to the ICC. (AJ 11/9)

Media workers staged a sit-in demonstration at the New York Times headquarters, criticizing the newspaper’s pro-Israel bias. The American Postal Workers Union called for a ceasefire. (AJ, HA 11/9; AJ 11/10)

The Syrian Aviation Authority said the Damascus International Airport would not reopen for another week. The airport has been closed since 10/12 due to Israeli airstrikes damaging the runway. (HA 11/9)

In the West Bank, Israeli forces arrested 3 Palestinians during a raid in Aqabat Jaber refugee camp. Israeli forces also issued stop-work orders for 8 houses in Sinjil, including for a house that was severely damaged by Israeli settlers in 2013. Elsewhere, Israeli forces uprooted 20 olive tree saplings and razed farmland in Kafr ad-Dik. In East Jerusalem, Israeli settlers toured the Haram al-Sharif compound. (WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 8/9; PCHR 8/10; UNOCHA 8/28)

The Jerusalem District Court overturned a decision by the Jerusalem Magistrate Court to release one of the Israeli settlers accused of carrying out the terrorist attack on Burqa on 8/4, releasing Elisha Yered to house arrest while keeping Yehiel Indore in custody until 8/11. The magistrate court had ordered that both suspects be released. 4 Palestinians are being held in custody by Israel in relation to the settler attack. Israeli police rejected a request by Hadash-Ta’al MK Ahmad Tibi to meet with the 4 Palestinians, despite 2 MKs from Otzma Yehudit and Likud visiting the main Israeli suspect Yehiel Indore at the hospital on 8/6. Tibi responded saying that separate rules apply for Jewish and Palestinians members of Knesset. (HA, HA, WAFA 8/8; AP, HA, HA, WAFA 8/9; HA 8/10)

Israeli president Isaac Herzog visited the Stella Maris monastery in Haifa after continued harassment of Christian worshippers by members of the Hassidic Breslow sect. Harassment of Christians in Israel and Jerusalem has been rising during the summer. The Religious Freedom Data Center recorded at least 30 hate crimes against Christians in Jerusalem in June and July. (ALM 8/10)

PA national economy minister Khaled Osaily sent a letter to his Spanish counterpart Hector Jose Hernandez, demanding that he force the companies CAF and GMV to cease their involvement in the expansion of the Jerusalem light rail network in East Jerusalem. (WAFA 8/9)

The Wall Street Journal reported that the U.S. and Saudi Arabia have agreed to a broad framework for a normalization deal between Israel and Saudi Arabia. The White House later denied that a framework had been agreed upon. (AJ, HA, HA, REU WSJ 8/9; HA, HA 8/10)

In the West Bank, Israeli forces issued stop-work orders for an agricultural structure in Deir Balut and for nearby roads. Israeli forces also issued demolition notices for 8 homes in Furush Beit Dajan. 6 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in Yatta, Deir Sammit, Qarawat Bani Hassan, and Haris. In East Jerusalem, Israeli settlers toured the Haram al-Sharif compound. 3 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids. In Gaza, Palestinians demonstrated against the power outages and living conditions in Gaza City and Khan Yunis, before being dispersed by Hamas forces. (HA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 7/30; PCHR 7/31; PCHR 8/3; UNOCHA 8/11)

5 were killed and 6 wounded during clashes in Ain al-Hilweh refugee camp in Lebanon. According to Palestinian officials the violence broke out on 7/29 after an unknown gunman tried to assassinate Mahmoud Khalil from al-Shabab al-Muslim, killing his companion. Fatah said Commander Ashraf al-Armouchi, who was in charge of security in the camp, and 4 others were killed. The Lebanese army said 1 mortar shell had hit a base outside of the camp, injuring 1. A ceasefire was reached in the early evening. (MEE 7/29; AJ, F24, GDN, HA, MEE, REU 7/30; ALM, BBC, MEE, NYT 7/31; MDW 8/2)

Palestinian factions met in El Alamein in Egypt to discuss reconciliation. Islamic Jihad boycotted the meeting due to PA arrests of its members in the West Bank. After the meeting, PA president Mahmoud Abbas released a statement saying, “I consider today’s meeting of the general secretaries of the Palestinian factions a first and important step in continuing our dialogue,” and announced a committee to continue the dialogue. Earlier in the day Hamas had called on the PA to end security coordination with Israel and to stop political arrests. President Abbas also met with Egyptian intelligence chief Abbas Kamel before the reconciliation talks. (WAFA 7/29; AJ, ALM, HA, MEE, MEMO, MEMO, NA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 7/30; HA, MEMO 7/31; QDS 8/1)

Israeli national security minister Itamar Ben-Gvir amended Israeli policy preventing Palestinians held on administrative detention from being released earlier in cases where Israeli prisons are lacking space. (WAFA 7/30)

The Knesset passed a law to add stricter punishment for “nationalistically” motivated sex crimes. 6 Palestinian MKs and Gilad Kariv of the Labor Party voted against it. Kariv called the law Kahanist as it is targeting Palestinian offenders by doubling the penalty if they commit sex crimes against Jews. (HA 7/30; MEE 7/31; HA 8/1; HA 8/4)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers stole 1 residential tent and vandalized a fence in Khirbet Martaba. Israeli also settlers assaulted 2 Palestinian minors in Qusra, leading to the hospitalization of 1 of them. Israeli forces subsequently violently dispersed Palestinians in Qusra protesting the settler attack, injuring 22 with baton rounds and tear gas. Israeli forces also shot and injured 7 Palestinians with baton rounds during a raid in Jifna; others suffered tear-gas related injuries. 8 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in Silwad, Ras Karkar, Beit Fajjar, and al-‘Ain refugee camp. In East Jerusalem, dozens of Israeli settlers toured the Haram al-Sharif compound. Israeli forces assaulted and detained 4 Palestinians in the Old City. (WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 5/22; WAFA 5/23; PCHR 5/26; UNOCHA 6/4)

A Jerusalem court overturned an Israeli police decision to bar 3 Jewish people from entering the Haram al-Sharif compound after they violated the ban on praying at the Muslim site. PA president Mahmoud Abbas called the court decision “a grave assault against the historic status quo,” and Jordan said the ruling violates international law. Israeli prime minister Naftali Bennett’s office issued a statement saying that there had been no policy change at the Haram al-Sharif compound. Hamas said that the court decision crossed “all red lines and is a dangerous escalation.” Israeli police appealed the decision on 5/23. (AJ, HA, MEMO, REU, TOI 5/22; CNN, HA, JP, MEE, TOI, WAFA 5/23)

The 6 Palestinians who escaped Gilboa prison on 9/6/2021 were sentenced to 5 years in prison for their escape and each fined $1,487. 5 other Palestinian prisoners were sentenced to 4 years for assisting in their escape. (AJ, AP, HA, MEMO, WAFA 5/22)

Hamas imposed a 16.5% tax on 24 products from the West Bank, including bottled water and soft drinks. PA economy minister Khaled al-Osaily called the new taxes “illegal and not permissible within the same nation.” (ALM 6/1)

Hamas and the PA warned Israel, in separate statements, against carrying out the right-wing flag march through East Jerusalem on 5/29. (HA, MEMO 5/22)

Ghaida Rinawie Zoabi, who on 5/19 announced that she was leaving the Israeli government coalition, said she would resume supporting the coalition after meetings with foreign minister Yair Lapid and several mayors. Rinawie Zoabi’s reversal brought the government coalition back to an equal number of Knesset members to that of the opposition. Rinawie Zoabi told her colleagues on 5/19 that she was leaving the coalition due to Israeli attacks on Palestinians at the Haram al-Sharif compound and at the funeral for Al Jazeera journalist Shireen Abu Akleh. She further stated that the government coalition is not a government of change but a right-wing government. (AP, AX, HA, MEMO, NYT, REU 5/22; HA 5/23)

In Iran, a colonel in the Iranian Revolutionary Guard’s Quds Forces, Hassan Sayyad Khodaei, was assassinated in front of his house in Tehran by 2 people on a motorbike. Iranian president Ebrahim Raisi said on 5/23 that the assassination is being investigated and that Iran will revenge the killing. The New York Times reported later, on 5/25, that Israel had told the U.S. that it was behind the assassination of Khodaei. (AA, AJ, AP, HA, MEE, REU, TOI 5/22; AP, GDN, HA, IN, JP, MEE, REU 5/23; AJ, ALM, AP, HA 5/24; HA, NYT 5/25; HA 5/26; REU 5/29; REU 5/30)

Chairperson of the EU parliament’s relations with Palestine Manu Pineda was forced to cancel a trip to the occupied Palestinian territories with a group of other EU parliamentarians after Israel refused to allow him entry to Israel and his delegation access to Gaza. President of the EU parliament Roberta Metsola said on Twitter that she regretted the decision but that she would continue her visit to Israel. (HA, TOI 5/21; AJ, JP, TOI 5/22; HA, MEMO, WAFA 5/23; MEMO 5/25)

In the West Bank, 9 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in Bayt Awa, Beit Umar, al-Twana, Nablus, and Birin. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces violently dispersed Palestinians at the Damascus Gate plaza, detaining and assaulting 2 and arresting 3 others. Former MK Yehuda Glick led a group of Israeli settlers touring the Haram al-Sharif compound. (WAFA 4/6; PCHR, WAFA 4/7; UNOCHA 4/23)

An Israeli court ordered a punitive demolition against the family home of 1 Palestinian in Silat ad-Dhahr accused of killing 1 Israeli settler on 20 December 2021. (WAFA 4/7)

3 Palestinian citizens of Israel were indicted on charges of smuggling pistols and hashish from Lebanon into Israel. According to the indictment, the 3 were going to sell the pistols to a man in Hebron. (HA 4/6)

PA prime minister Mohammed Shtayyeh met with 15 conservative members of the UK Parliament in Ramallah. Prime Minister Shtayyeh called on the MP to recognize the State of Palestine, citing the UK’s historical responsibility for the current situation. Shtayyeh also asked the politicians to help facilitate elections being held in Jerusalem. (WAFA 4/6)

The 6 Palestinian rights organizations deemed terrorist organizations by Israel in October 2021—al-Haq, Addameer, Bisan Center for Research and Development, Defence for Children International – Palestine, the Union of Palestinian Women’s Committees, and the Union of Agricultural Work Committees—issued a joint statement calling for international help to have their terror designations rescinded. The organizations said that verbal condemnation of the designations had not helped their situation. (AHQ 4/6; MDW 4/12)

Idit Sliman of Yamina said she would leave the Israeli government coalition after striking a deal with former prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Sliman’s departure from the coalition ended the coalition’s majority in the Knesset that is now split 60-60. Sliman commented that “the time has come to form a national, Jewish and Zionist government.” Sliman was promised, by Netanyahu, the role of health minister if he wins the next election. Joint List chairperson Ayman Odeh rejected calls for him and his party to join the government to restore the majority, saying that “we will not be a lifeline for [Prime Minister Naftali] Bennett and [Interior Minister Ayelet] Shaked.” (AJ, ALM, AX, CNN, GDN, HA, HA, HA, WSJ 4/6; MDW, TOI 4/7)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers uprooted 50 olive trees in Tarqumiyah as part of an effort to make a road to the Telem settlement. Israeli forces shot and killed 1 Palestinian man near a checkpoint in the Nablus area; Israel claimed that the man had attempted ramming soldiers with his car; no soldier was injured. Israeli forces demolished a 2-story house in Nahalin; Israeli forces also violently dispersed Palestinians protesting the demolition, causing tear-gas related injuries. 1 Palestinian was arrested during a house raid in Jericho. In East Jerusalem, 1 Palestinian family demolished their own home in Jabel Mukaber, displacing 5. Israeli forces detained 3 Palestinian minors and seized their Palestinian flags after they had raised the flags on the Haram al-Sharif compound. 4 others were arrested in the Old City. In Israel, the Israeli member of the Knesset from the Religious Zionist party Itamar Ben-Gvir threatened 2 Palestinian Israeli parking garage employees with a gun when the 2 told Ben-Gvir not to park in a prohibited zone. (AP, HA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 12/21; MEE, MEMO, WAFA, WAFA 12/22; MEMO, PCHR 12/23)

Israeli media reported that Israel had handed over 2 Palestinians to the PA. The 2 were allegedly wanted by the PA when they were arrested in Israel. (MEMO 12/23)

PA president Mahmoud Abbas met with U.S. acting assistant secretary of state for Near East Affairs Yael Lambert in Ramallah. (WAFA 12/21)

The Fatah central committee convened without making any significant announcements. (WAFA 12/21)

Hamas spokesperson Sami Abu Zuhri said Hamas supports reconciliation talks with Fatah sponsored by Algeria. The talks were 1st announced by Algeria during a meeting between president Abdelmadjid Tebboune and PA president Mahmoud Abbas in Algiers on 12/6. (MEMO 12/22)

United Arab List leader Mansour Abbas said during a conference hosted by the Hebrew newspaper Globes that “Israel was born as a Jewish state. And that was the decision of the Jewish people, to establish a Jewish state. The question is not ‘what is the identity of the state?’ That’s how the state was born, and so it will remain.” Leader of the Joint List coalition Ayman Odeh criticized Abbas’s remarks, saying that “the state’s identity should interest every citizen.” PA president Mahmoud Abbas also criticized Mansour Abbas for his comments, saying that he has abandoned his own people to side with the “Zionist colonial project.” (JP, TOI 12/21; ALM, WAFA, WAFA 12/22; HA, MEMO 12/23; HA 12/25)

U.S. national security advisor Jake Sullivan met with Israeli president Isaac Herzog. President Herzog had said before the meeting he would raise with Security Advisor Sullivan his desire to have the yeshiva in the evacuated settlement outpost Homesh remain. 1 Israeli settler was killed at the Homesh outpost on 12/16. Meanwhile, Israeli Channel 13 reported that U.S. president Joe Biden ignored a request from Israeli prime minister Naftali Bennett for a phone meeting. (TOI 12/22; ALM 12/28)

AP reported that former head of the Israeli military intelligence directorate Tamir Heyman acknowledged that Israel took part in the U.S. assassination of Iranian general Qassim Soleimani on 1/2/2020. (ABC, HILL, MEMO 12/21)

The Washington Post reported that the UAE had planted NSO Group’s Pegasus spyware on Saudi dissident journalist Jamal Khashoggi’s then-fiancée’s phone prior to the killing of Khashoggi. The Post reported that Hanan Elatr’s devices were hacked while she was in Dubai airport due to her job as a flight attendant. While in Dubai airport, Elatr was detained and questioned as agents planted the Pegasus spyware on her devices. The Citizen Lab research group confirmed that the Pegasus spyware had been planted on her phone prior to the killing of Khashoggi. AP also reported that Citizen Lab had found Pegasus spyware on phones belonging to a Polish lawyer and a Polish prosecutor known to publicly oppose the right-wing Polish government’s attempts to undermine the judicial branch of government. (AJ, AP, HA, WP 12/21)

UN special coordinator for the Middle East peace process Tor Wennesland called on Israel to cease settlement activities and displacement of Palestinians in East Jerusalem during a UN security council meeting. Special Coordinator Wennesland also warned that an increase in settler violence in the West Bank could ignite tensions between Hamas and Israel. (MEMO, MEMO 12/22)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers with military escort attempted to raid a school in al-Lubban ash-Sharqiya before they were repelled by Palestinians protecting the students. Israeli forces razed agricultural lands in Birin, uprooting 120 olive and almond trees and demolishing 1 well in Khillat al-Furn. Israeli forces also raided Birzeit University, injuring 1 student with a rubber-coated bullet who was protesting the raid. 17 Palestinians were arrested during raids in Deir Abu Mash‘al, Deir Nidham, Kafr Ni‘ma, Bethlehem, al-Walaja, Sa‘ir, al-Shuyukh, Tarqumiyah, Tulkarm, Far‘un, and Kafr al-Labad; Israel also said that it had arrested 11 students of An-Najah University in Nablus, saying they were connected to a Hamas student network. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces demolished the foundations to a house in al-Tur and demolished 1 house near the Old City. 2 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in Wadi al-Juz and Isawiya; Israeli forces confiscated 11,500 NIS ($7,300) during a raid in Sur Baher. Off the coast of Gaza, Israeli naval forces opened fire at Palestinian fishermen within 6 nautical miles north of Rafah; no injuries were reported. (HA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 12/14; PCHR 12/16)

Israeli Channel 13 reported that a group called Returning to the Mount are praying at the Haram al-Sharif compound by disguising themselves as Muslims while following Islamic practices of prayer, but reciting Jewish prayers. Channel 13 reported that members of the group meet to learn how to appear like Muslim worshippers. (MEMO, TOI 12/14)

The Palestinian prisoners’ club said Israeli prison guards assaulted at least 3 female prisoners in Damon prison when they refused to leave their cell. The 3 prisoners were also transferred to solitary confinement. (MEMO, WAFA 12/19; MEE, MEMO 12/20)

PA and U.S. officials held a virtual meeting discussing economic ties. The meeting was headed by PA economic affairs minister Khaled Osaily and acting assistant secretary of state for Near East Affairs Yael Lambert. (MEMO, WAFA 12/15; ALM 12/18)

Israel’s prime minister Naftali Bennett said settler violence is an “insignificant phenomena” in the West Bank, criticizing Israel’s public security minister Omer Bar-Lev, who on 12/13 brought up the issue in a meeting with U.S. state department undersecretary for political affairs Victoria Nuland. Prime Minister Bennett said that the settlers were the victims in the West Bank and needed the support of the Israeli government. Public Security Minister Bar-Lev subsequently reiterated his focus on settler violence during a trip to Hebron, saying that “it is truly difficult for some to look in the mirror” instead of tackling the issue of extremist settlers. (HA 12/14; HA 12/15; ALM 12/17)

Human Rights Watch (HRW) called on the UN Commission of Inquiry to investigate what HRW have found to be organized discriminatory behavior of Israeli law enforcement agencies when dealing with “Jewish ultra nationalist” and Palestinian citizens of Israel during the May 2021 civil unrest. HRW found that Israeli law enforcement used excessive force when dispersing Palestinians in Lydda while “failing to act even-handedly as Jewish ultra-nationalists attacked Palestinians.” (HRW, MEMO, WAFA 12/14)

Israel’s interior minister Ayelet Shaked announced that plans to construct the Trump Heights settlement in the Israeli occupied Golan Heights had advanced. The Trump Heights settlement, named after former U.S. president Donald Trump, will cover 70 acres. The announcement stated that construction of homes, public buildings, industrial zones, and roads can begin. (HA 12/14)

The Knesset passed the 1st reading of a bill that would allow Israeli police to conduct house raids in Israel without a court-issued warrant. An explanatory note to the bill clarified that the bill was intended for the Israeli police to use “in its battle against serious crime, and particularly serious crime in Arab society.” (Knesset 12/14; MEMO 12/15)

The officer of the Knesset granted the leader of United Arab List Mansour Abbas a security detail, as he was receiving a growing number of death threats. (MEMO 12/15)

The UAE said it had suspended talks with the U.S. on buying 50 F-35 fighter jets, citing “[t]echnical requirements, sovereign operational restrictions, and cost/benefit analysis.” The announcement follows U.S. concerns about the UAE’s relationship to China, including the UAE using Huawei 5G technology. The Trump administration had agreed to allow the UAE to purchase the F-35 fighter jets as part of the UAE’s and Israel’s normalization agreement. The UAE announced on 12/3, during a visit to the country by French president Emmanuel Macron, that it would buy 80 French-made Rafale fighter jets and 12 military helicopters. (AJ 12/3; AJ, AP, HA, MEMO, REU 12/14; REU, REU 12/15)

18 Democratic members of U.S. Congress wrote a letter to the Treasury and State Departments asking them to put sanctions on 4 foreign surveillance companies, including the Israeli NSO Group, citing the companies’ assistance in human rights abuses. Among the signatories were Senate finance committee chairperson Ron Wyden (D-OR) and House intelligence committee chairperson Adam Schiff (D-CA). (AJ, HA, MEMO, REU 12/15; +972 12/17)

Italy contributed $2.25 million to UNRWA programming in the West Bank and East Jerusalem, and $1.13 million to UNRWA programming in Syria. (WAFA 12/14)

In the West Bank, Israeli forces killed 1 Palestinian child during a raid in Balata refugee camp; Israeli forces said that the child had thrown a stone at the forces during the raid; no soldiers were reported injured. Israeli forces also shot and injured 2 Palestinian minors near a watchtower in al-Arroub refugee camp, claiming that the 2 threw stones at soldiers. Elsewhere, Israeli forces delivered stop-work orders for 4 commercial buildings in Salfit, 1 demolition order for a house in Bayt Jala, and demolished 3 agricultural structures in Khirbet al-Rahwa. 15 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in and around Ramallah, al-Bireh, Beit Sahour, Bayt Jala, al-Arroub refugee camp, Sa‘ir, Mirka, al-Zawiya, ‘Azzun, and Balata refugee camp. (AJ, HA, MEE, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 8/24; PCHR 8/26)

Haaretz reported that Israel had sent more troops to the Gaza fence in anticipation of another Palestinian demonstration on 8/25. Israel is also said to have instructed its soldiers to respond “more aggressively” to the Palestinian protests, despite injuring more than 40 Palestinians on 8/21. It was also reported that Hamas, in talks with Egypt, had agreed to end or curb the sending of incendiary balloons into Israel. (HA 8/24; MEMO 8/25)

500,000 doses of the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine donated by the U.S. arrived in Palestine, with 300,000 doses in the West Bank and 200,000 in Gaza. The PA said it had received a total of 2.5 million COVID-19 doses, which have been distributed between the West Bank and Gaza. Hamas, like the PA, recently required workers to get vaccinated. (HA, WAFA 8/24)

7 out of the 20 Palestinians from East Jerusalem who had their Israeli government benefits revoked in May saw these benefits restored. The revoked benefits included their health insurance and government allowances. (HA 8/24)

The New York Times reported that Israel has changed its policy on allowing Jewish people to pray at the Haram al-Sharif compound. The reporting came after former MK and greater Israel advocate Yehuda Glick on 8/23 livestreamed himself praying at the Haram al-Sharif compound, in violation of the Status Quo agreement. While Israel does not have a law against non-Muslims praying at the compound, it has generally upheld the agreement. However, according to the NYT reporting, this does not seem to be the case anymore. (AJ, NYT 8/24; AP 8/25)

1 Palestinian on administrative detention ended his hunger strike after reassurances from Israel that his detention would not be renewed after January. The man was placed on administrative detention after being arrested on 9/22/2020 and had been hunger striking for 42 days. (WAFA 8/24)

A PA official said that the EU funding of its budget had still not arrived for 2021. The EU has helped fund the PA budget with $176 million, but the funding had not arrived due to technical reasons. The funding is presumed to be arriving in October, but the PA may not be able to pay salaries and social allowances for August without the funding. (JP 8/24)

The Fatah central committee said that PA president Mahmoud Abbas will reshuffle the PA government and announce new ministers on 8/27. It was later reported that the reshuffling was canceled. (ALM, MEMO 8/25)

In an interview with NYT before his trip to Washington D.C., Israeli prime minister Naftali Bennett said that there will not be the creation of a Palestinian state while he is in office, as he is opposed to Palestinian sovereignty. Prime Minister Bennett also said that his government would not annex parts of the West Bank, but would continue the expansion of settlements and Israel blockade of Gaza. (NYT 8/24; MEMO 8/25)

Citizen Lab released a report saying that the Israeli spyware company NSO Group’s Pegasus spyware was used to spy on 9 Bahraini nationals. (AP, HA 8/24)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers started construction of a settlement outpost between al-Khadir and Nahalin. Israeli forces razed an agricultural road near Yatta. Israeli forces also sealed off a main entrance to Qarawat Bani Hassan. Elsewhere, Israeli forces raided the headquarters of the Union of Heath Work Committees (UHWC) in al-Bireh, seizing documents and computers and posting a notice closing the building for 6 months; Amnesty International warned that closing UHWC will have “catastrophic consequences” for sick Palestinians. 16 Palestinians were arrested during raid in and around Umm Safa, Beitunia, Tuqu‘, al ‘Arub refugee camp, Tubas, Hizma, and Salem; during the raid in Tubas, Israeli forces shot and injured 3 Palestinians using live ammunition. In East Jerusalem, Israel banned Fatah member Awad al-Salaimeh from entering Shaykh Jarrah and Batn al-Hawa for 15 days. 2 were arrested in Batn al-Hawa. In Gaza, Israeli forces opened fire at agricultural lands east of Khuza‘a; no injuries were reported. (PCHR, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 6/9; AJ, ALM, PCHR, WAFA 6/10)

Israel put 1 Palestinian citizen of Israel in administrative detention. He is the 2d Palestinian citizen of Israel to be put in administrative detention since 5/17. 12 Palestinian residents of East Jerusalem have also recently been put in administrative detention. (HA 6/9; HA 6/24)

Israeli police commissioner Kobi Shabtai banned 2 members of the Knesset from the Otzma Yehudit (Jewish Power) party, Itamar Ben-Gvir and May Golan, from partaking in the planned Israeli Flag March in East Jerusalem on 6/10. The march had been postponed by the Israeli security cabinet on 6/8, but the lawmakers said they would march despite the postponement and encouraged others to join them. Police Commissioner Shabtai also wanted to ban Ben-Gvir from entering the Haram al-Sharif compound on 6/9 and 6/10, but that decision required Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s approval. Shabtai said his decisions were made in order to prevent incitement to violence. (HA 6/9)

UK Labor leader Keir Starmer called on UK prime minister Boris Johnson to press for recognition of the state of Palestine at the upcoming G7 meeting in Cornwall. Starmer referred to the Israeli attacks on Gaza as a reason why the recognition was urgent. (MEE 6/9; MEMO, WAFA 6/10)

In the West Bank, Israeli settlers vandalized 1 solar panel and 15 olive seedlings near ‘Urif. Israeli forces violently dispersed Palestinian protesters in Dura and Bayt Umar, leading to tear-gas related injuries. Israeli forces also violently dispersed Palestinian protesters in Hebron, injuring 13, including 5 with live ammunition and 8 with rubber-coated bullets; others suffered tear-gas related injuries. Elsewhere, Israeli forces seized a caravan in Sabastiyya. 5 Palestinians were arrested during late-night raids in Tarqumiyya and Jenin refugee camp; Israeli forces also seized a vehicle during a house raid in Aqraba. In East Jerusalem, 1 Israeli settler rammed Palestinians with his vehicle near the Old City, causing injuries; Palestinians were throwing stones at the vehicle but it was unclear what transpired before the ramming, which appeared in a video. Israeli settlers also attacked Palestinians in Shaykh Jarrah during a tour of the neighborhood by 2 Israeli lawmakers, Itamar Ben-Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich. Israeli forces attacked Palestinian worshipers with tear gas, sound bombs, and rubber-coated bullets at the Haram al-Sharif compound, injuring more than 305 people, including inside of al-Aqsa Mosque where a sound bomb caught a carpet on fire. Israeli forces prevented the Palestinian Red Crescent from entering the compound. Israel also reversed its decision from 5/9 to allow Jewish worshipers to enter the Haram al-Sharif compound for the Israeli celebration of Jerusalem Day. The Jerusalem Day march was later canceled by its organizers as Israeli police decided to prevent the settler march to go through the Damascus Gate plaza. Israeli forces also confiscated the keys to the al-Aqsa Mosque from the Islamic Waqf. Also at the Haram al-Sharif compound, Israeli police were filmed beating up an Israeli-accredited Palestinian journalist covering the events for Anadolu Agency. The Palestinian Red Crescent said that 612 Palestinians were injured throughout Jerusalem, including 333 who were hospitalized. In Gaza, Israeli started a military operation later dubbed “Guardian of the Wall” after Hamas fired rockets at Israel, giving Israel hours to leave the Haram al-Sharif compound. Hamas had earlier in the day warned Israel that it would fire rockets at 6 p.m. if Israel did not remove its forces from the holy places. 20 Palestinians were killed, including 9 children, and dozens were injured. The casualties included: 2, including 1 child, in 1 drone strike at Jabaliya; 10, including 6 children in 2 drone strikes at Bayt Hanun, with 32 others wounded, including 12 children; and 1, with 2 injured, in an Israeli air strike in Khan Yunis. 7 were also killed, including 1 child, and 34 were injured in Jabaliya in an explosion that was not conclusively attributed to an Israeli air strike. Additionally, damage was sustained in al-Bureij refugee camp, al-Qarara, and Rafah. In Israel, 1 Palestinian citizen of Israel was shot dead and 1 other injured by 1 Jewish-Israeli in Lydda; 3 Jewish-Israelis were arrested. Israeli forces later violently dispersed Palestinian-Israeli protesters at the Lydda city hall. In Ramla, Jewish-Israelis threw stones at Palestinian-Israelis and their property and set fire to trash cans. Israeli police dispersed Palestinian-Israeli protesters in Nazareth, Kafr Kana, Kafr Manda, Shefa-Amr, Majdal Krum, Dayr Khana, Umm al-Fahm, Baka al-Garbiyeh, Taiba, Jaffa, Haifa, and Jaljulya; 46 were arrested. The Knesset was evacuated after a rocket from Gaza landed in the vicinity of Jerusalem. (HA 5/9; AJ, AJ, AJ, AJ, AJ, AP, AX, FOX, GDN, HA, HA, HA, HA, HA, HA, HA, MEE, MEE, MEE, MEE, MEMO, NYT, PCHR, REU, REU, REU, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 5/10; ALM, HA, HA, MEE, PCHR, PCHR 5/11; ALM, HA, WAFA 5/12; WAFA 5/19; MEE 5/21; NYT 5/26)

Israel closed all crossings to Gaza and the sea for fishing as collective punishment for rockets fired at Israel. (PCHR 5/10)

The PA prime minister Mohammed Shtayyeh and the PA presidency condemned Israel’s attack on the Haram al-Sharif compound and called on the international community to take action. The PA civil affairs minister Hussein al-Sheikh said the Palestinian leadership is “examining all options to respond to this heinous aggression against the holy sites and the citizens.” PA president Mahmoud Abbas also discussed the situation with Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. (WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 5/10)

Leader of the Ra’am (United Arab List) Mansour Abbas said that he had broken off contacts with Israeli opposition leaders Yair Lapid and Naftali Bennett just before he was to have a joint meeting with them, citing the violence in Jerusalem and Gaza. Mansour Abbas met with Naftali Bennett on 5/9. (ALM, HA 5/10; ALM, HA, MEMO, NBC 5/11)

Israel attacked Syria in the Quneitra region with a helicopter, injuring 1. (HA 5/10)

Iran confirmed that it is in direct talks with Saudi Arabia to resolve the issues between the 2 countries. A Saudi official confirmed the talks on 5/7. (AJ, HA, REU 5/10)

The U.S. said 1 of its Coast Guard ships had fired 30 warning shots at 13 Iranian vessels that came too close to the ship and 6 other U.S. navy vessels. Iran said that it was the U.S. that had acted recklessly in the encounter. (AJ, HA, REU 5/10; AP, MEMO 5/11)

UN security council members met at an emergency session to discuss the situation in Palestine-Israel. No statement was issued after the meeting. U.S. state department spokesperson Ned Price said that the U.S. administration wanted to make sure that a statement would “not escalate tensions.” Spokesperson Price also refused to say if the U.S. condemned the Israeli air strike that killed 9 Palestinian children, and suggested that Palestinians, contrary to Israelis, do not have the right to defend themselves, saying that only states recognized by the U.S. have that right. (HA, MEE 5/11)

Hundreds of Palestinians gather along Gaza’s border fence near Jabaliya refugee camp to set tires on fire and otherwise continue the Great March of Return. IDF troops violently disperse them in the evening, injuring 1. After an incendiary balloon flown from Gaza sparks a small fire and damages a home in southern Israel, the Israeli Air Force conducts air strikes on 2 Hamas sites in central and southern Gaza late at night, causing major damage. In East Jerusalem, MK Yehuda Glick (Likud) leads a group of right-wing Jewish activists on a tour of Haram al-Sharif. Israeli forces arrest 22 Palestinians during raids in Issawiyya. In the West Bank, Israeli forces uproot 50 olive trees from a Palestinian grove near Hebron. IDF troops arrest 5 Palestinians during late-night raids in and around Qalqilya and Nablus; and patrol near Qalqilya, Salfit, and Ramallah. (HA, JP, MNA, MNA, MNA, TOI, WAFA, WAFA 2/27; HA, MNA, MNA, PCHR, YA 2/28)

The EU announces an €82 million (approximately $93.3 million) to support UNRWA’s core budget in 2019. (WAFA 2/27)

Along Gaza’s border, IDF troops shoot and injure a Palestinian minor approaching the border fence near Khan Yunis. They also open fire on Palestinian farmers and shepherds near Dayr al-Balah and al-Bureij refugee camp, causing no reported injuries. In the West Bank, Israeli settlers assault and lightly injure a number of Palestinian farmers working near Hebron. Israeli forces demolish a number of structures on Palestinian farmland near Bethlehem and seize a tractor from a farm near Tubas. IDF troops arrest 7 Palestinians during late-night raids near Tulkarm, Ramallah, Nablus, and Jenin; and patrol near Qalqilya, Hebron, and Ramallah. An unexploded piece of Israeli ordnance detonates in the northern Jordan Valley, killing 4 Palestinian-owned cows. In East Jerusalem, Israeli MK Yehuda Glick (Likud) leads a group of right-wing Jewish activists on a tour of Haram al-Sharif. Separately, Israeli forces arrest 3 Palestinians during a raid in Hizma. (JP, MNA, MNA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 1/28; MNA, MNA, TOI 1/29; PCHR 1/31)

Palestinian ambassador to the UN Riyad Mansour says that the effort to submit the State of Palestine for full membership at the UN is on hold until “obstacles” are no longer in the way, alluding to the U.S. veto at the UN Security Council. Earlier this month, PA foreign minister Riyad al-Maliki said he intended to file the paperwork for another full membership bid before the end of 1/2019. (AP, TOI 1/29)

Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu announces that his government does not intend to renew the mandate of the Temporary International Presence in Hebron (TIPH), an international civilian group that has been monitoring “efforts to maintain normal life” in Hebron since it was established as part of the Hebron Protocol in 1997. The TIPH’s mandate, which has been renewed every 6 months since then, is set to expire on 1/31. A PA spokesperson calls the move “unacceptable.” “We call on the countries sponsoring this agreement to take a clear stance from this grave Israeli position and to immediately act to pressure the Israeli government to continue implementation of the agreement as agreed and not to treat Israel as a state above the law.” (HA, JP, TOI, WAFA, WAFA 1/28; MNA, TOI 1/29; FMEP 2/1)

In the West Bank, IDF troops shoot and injure a Palestinian driver after he allegedly attempts to ram a group of Israeli settlers at Huwwara checkpoint. They also arrest 5 Palestinians during raids near Bethlehem, Tulkarm, and Nablus; and patrol near Hebron throughout the day. Israeli forces demolish a Palestinian car repair shop near Nablus. Israeli settlers assault and injure a Palestinian shepherd working his land near Nablus. In East Jerusalem, a number of right-wing Jewish activists tour Haram al-Sharif. Israeli forces arrest 1 Palestinian during a raid in Silwan. Along Gaza’s border, Israeli forces conduct a limited incursion to level land near Bayt Lahiya. Off Gaza’s coast, Israeli naval forces open fire on Palestinian fishing boats near Jabaliya refugee camp, causing no damage or injuries. (HA, JP, MNA, MNA, MNA, MNA, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 12/26; PCHR 12/27; PCHR 1/3)

PA foreign minister Riyad al-Maliki says that he plans to initiate an application for the State of Palestine to obtain full membership at the UN during his next visit to New York City in 1/2019. The application, if accepted by the UN Security Council, would see Palestine’s status upgraded from non-member observer state. Later, Israel’s Ambassador to the UN Danny Danon says that Israel and the U.S. are already working together to “stop the [new Palestinian] initiative.” (JP, WAFA 12/26; TOI 12/27)

PA security forces seal off the entrances to the Palestinian Legislative Council building in Ramallah, preventing Hamas officials from holding a planned press conference. A PA official says that although Hamas claims they were attempting to hold a press conference, their true intention was to open a session of the PLC in protest of the 12/22 announcement of a new round of PLC elections. (JP, TOI 12/26)

The High Planning Committee of Israel’s Civil Administration meets for a 2d day to discuss proposals to expand Israel’s West Bank settlements. Between today and yesterday, they have advanced plans for 2,191 new residences in various settlements, 3 new industrial zones, and the retroactive authorization of 2 illegal settlement outposts. Separately, Israel’s Civil Administration announces plans to put together a new proposal for as many as 2,500 new settler residences at the site of the Givat Eitam outpost near Bethlehem, which is within the municipal boundaries of the Efrat settlement, but not contiguous to any of that settlement’s buildings. According to the Israeli NGO Peace Now, an expanded Givat Eitam would “block Bethlehem from the south, and prevent any development in the only direction that has not yet been blocked by settlements.” (HA, PCN, TOI 12/26)

Haaretz reports that Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu has asked the IDF to declare an end to Operation Northern Shield, but to continue detecting and demolishing the cross-border tunnels allegedly built by Hezbollah. Some senior defense sources say that Netanyahu no longer has a political reason for a formal operation in the north now that he is running for re-election. Meanwhile, the IDF announces that it has uncovered and demolished a 5th cross-border tunnel and the Knesset votes to dissolve itself, officially triggering snap elections. (HA, JP, TOI 12/26; MNA 12/27)

In the West Bank, IDF troops conduct raids in al-‘Arub refugee camp near Hebron, sparking clashes with stone-throwing residents of the area; there are no serious injuries. They arrest 18 Palestinians during further raids near Ramallah, Hebron, Bethlehem, and Qalqilya; and patrol near Hebron throughout the day. In East Jerusalem, Israeli MK Yehuda Glick leads more than 100 right-wing Jewish activists on a tour of Haram al-Sharif. Separately, Israeli forces arrest 1 Palestinian during a raid in the Old City. (MNA, WAFA 12/23; PCHR 12/27)

PLO secretary general Saeb Erakat says that the decision, announced on 12/22, to dissolve the Palestinian Legislative Council “goes hand in hand with efforts of transition from the period of the Palestinian Authority to into the State of Palestine period.” (MNA 12/23)

Tensions remain high at Haram al-Sharif, as Palestinians hold a “day of rage” across the oPt. Muslim worshippers clash with Israeli forces after midday prayers at the Lion’s Gate to the Old City; 2 Palestinians are injured and arrested. Elsewhere, Palestinian, Israeli, and international protesters clash with Israeli forces at Qalandia checkpoint, Shu‘fat, Ramallah, and Bethlehem; at least 8 Palestinians are injured. Protests in Nablus and Tubas are without incident. Meanwhile, after a number of Jewish settlers perform religious rituals at Haram al-Sharif, the Israeli police temporarily suspended Jewish visitation rights to the sanctuary. (HA, JP, MNA, TOI, WAFA, YA 7/19; PCHR 7/20)

In the West Bank, Israeli forces confiscate water pumps and tanks from Bedouin villages in the n. Jordan Valley. IDF troops arrest 8 Palestinians during late-night raids nr. Hebron, Nablus, and Tulkarm; and patrol nr. Hebron during the day. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces arrest 10 Palestinians during raids in Silwan, al-Tur, Issawiyya, and Shu‘fat r.c. Off Gaza’s coast, Israeli naval forces open fire on Palestinian fishing boats nr. Bayt Lahiya, causing no damage or injuries. (HA, MNA, TOI, WAFA 7/19; PCHR 7/20; PCHR 7/27)

After consulting with top security officials, Israeli PM Netanyahu says, “We want to solve this crisis in the quietest way possible and to bring back the calm.” Israel’s security agencies reportedly support removing the new metal detectors. Separately, a White House spokesperson says that the U.S. is “very concerned” about the situation and calls on “the State of Israel and the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan to make a good faith effort to reduce tensions and to find a solution that assures public safety and the security of the site and maintains the status quo.” (TOI 7/19; SA, TOI 7/20)

Israel’s Knesset passes a preliminary reading of the “United Jerusalem Law,” which the Ministerial Comm. for Legislation approved on 7/16. (KNE, MNA, TOI 7/19; HA 7/20)

In the West Bank, the IDF imposes heightened precautions at checkpoints in the Ramallah area, causing traffic jams across the region. It’s unclear why security is tightened. IDF troops also weld shut the door to a home and arrest 9 Palestinians during late-night raids nr. Nablus, Hebron, Ramallah, and in Qalqilya; and patrol nr. Hebron during the day. Israeli forces demolish a water pipeline nr. Tubas and a residential structure in Khan al-Ahmar village nr. Jerusalem. In East Jerusalem, 74 right-wing Jewish activists tour Haram al-Sharif in the morning. Israeli forces arrest 7 Palestinians during raids in Issawiyya and Shu‘fat refugee camp (r.c.). Off Gaza’s coast, Israeli naval forces open fire on Palestinian fishing boats nr. Bayt Lahiya and again nr. Rafah, causing no damage or injuries. (MNA, WAFA 2/20; PCHR 2/23)

Israel’s Knesset passes a new law requiring private businesses that choose not to sell products or services to Israel’s settlements in the West Bank or East Jerusalem to display signage indicating that on their premises. Businesses that fail to display proper signage will be fined. Member of the Knesset (MK) Shuli Moalem-Refaeli (Jewish Home), who proposed the legislation, says, “businesses that choose to discriminate against consumers who live in Judea and Samaria, in outlying areas or in Arab communities will be obligated to inform their customers in advance. If they fear being put on customers’ blacklists, they should them treat all equally.” (HA 2/20; MNA, TOI 2/21)

In the West Bank, the IDF closes the 2d major entrance to Shuqba village nr. Ramallah, having closed the first one in the wake of the killing in nearby Bayt Rima on 12/18. IDF troops arrest 2 Palestinians during raids nr. Hebron and Ramallah, and patrol nr. Hebron. Late at night, Israeli settlers visit Kifl Haris village nr. Salfit to pray at Jewish shrines. Their IDF escort sets up mobile checkpoints and roadblocks to facilitate their visit. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces demolish 3 agricultural containers and a steel structure, as well as parts of a store in Silwan. Approximately 176 right-wing Jewish activists tour Haram al-Sharif in the morning; Israeli forces meanwhile detain 1 Palestinian guard at the sanctuary. (MNA, WAFA 12/28; MNA, PCHR 12/29; PCHR 1/5)

U.S. secy. of state Kerry gives a speech in Washington outlining his principles for resolving the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, as he pledged to do in the wake of the UNSC’s adoption of anti-settlement Res. 2334 on 12/23. Citing the so-called regulations bill that is percolating through the Knesset, Kerry says that current trends on the ground, particularly settlement growth and the legalization of settlement outposts, are eliminating the possibility of a 2-state solution, that Jerusalem must be the shared capital of Israel and a future state of Palestine, and that a final agreement must be based on negotiated land swaps, inter alia. Israeli PM Netanyahu calls Kerry’s speech a “big disappointment” and reiterates his desire for the U.S.-Israel relationship to improve under Pres.-elect Trump. Trump himself tweets, “Stay strong, Israel, JANUARY 20 is approaching fast.” PA pres. Abbas says that he would be open to restarting peace talks with Israel as long as the Israeli govt. freezes settlement growth and upholds previous agreements. (BBC, EI, HA, JP, MNA, NYT, REU, TOI, WP, YA 12/28)

A senior PLO official says that the Palestinian leadership wants the ICC to “expedite” its preliminary examination of alleged war crimes committed during Israel’s assault on Gaza in 2014 and “proceed to opening a full investigation” into Israeli settlements in the wake of the 12/23 UNSC res. condemning them. (JP 12/28)

Amid an upswing in tension across the West Bank, Israeli soldiers shoot and seriously injure a Palestinian after he allegedly stabs and moderately injures an Israeli officer outside the Efrat settlement nr. Bethlehem. IDF troops on a patrol nr. Jenin clash with and violently disperse stone-throwing Palestinian youths; 4 Palestinians are arrested. They arrest 3 more Palestinians during late-night raids in and around Nablus; and patrol throughout the day nr. Nablus, Hebron, and Salfit. Israeli forces shut down the entrance to Bayt Umar village nr. Hebron to allow for maintenance work on an IDF watchtower in the area (the work will continue through 9/22). Meanwhile, the Israeli authorities return the body of the Jordanian killed on 9/16 to his family via the Allenby border crossing. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces arrest 4 Palestinians during raids in Ras al-Amud, Issawiyya, and Silwan. (MNA, YA 9/18; PCHR 9/22)

Israeli PM Netanyahu authorizes the extension of his ban on mbrs. of the Knesset (MKs) visiting Haram al-Sharif ahead of the Jewish High Holidays, which he implemented during the habba, the surge of Palestinian resistance, random attacks, and protests that began in Jerusalem in 9/2015. (TOI 9/18)

The Egyptian authorities open the Rafah border crossing overnight and allow 474 Palestinian pilgrims to return home from their trip to Saudi Arabia. (MNA 9/18)

For a 3d day in a row in Gaza, Israeli forces open fire on hundreds of Palestinians protesting and throwing stones nr. the Erez border crossing and e. of al-Bureij r.c., injuring 17 Palestinians (1 will succumb to injuries on 10/24). Separately, unknown persons fire a rocket into Israel, causing no damage or injuries. Palestinians open fire on Israeli construction vehicles working on the border fence, causing no injuries. (HA, JP, MNA, WAFA 10/11; PCHR 10/15)

Small-scale attacks continue amid the ongoing wave of violence in Israel and the rest of the oPt. In Israel, a Palestinian citizen is arrested after he rams an Israeli woman with his car nr. Hadera, then stabs her and 3 other Jewish Israelis, injuring all 4. In West Jerusalem, 3 Israeli settlers pepper-spray a Palestinian youth, causing minor injuries. In the West Bank, a car catches fire at the al-Za’ayem checkpoint, severely injuring the Palestinian driver and lighly injuring an Israeli police officer. Witnesses report that it was an electrical fire while the IDF describes it as an attempted car bombing. Outside Hebron, Palestinian youths throw stones at Israeli drivers, injuring 1 settler. Nearby, the IDF violently disperses the funeral procession of the Palestinian who succumbed, on 10/10, to injuries sustained in clashes with Israeli soldiers on 10/8. Throughout the day, IDF troops clash with and violently disperse Palestinians protesting and throwing stones across the West Bank and East Jerusalem, killing 1 Palestinian youth and injuring 129 others, including 1 photojournalist. The IDF also continues raids and house searches throughout the region, arresting 45 Palestinians. In Israel, dozens of Palestinians gather in Kafr Kanna and 3 other Palestinian municipalities to protest the recent Israeli crackdown. In East Jerusalem, several groups of right-wing Jewish activists tour Haram al-Sharif. Meanwhile, the Higher Follow-Up Comm. for Arab Citizens of Israel calls for a general strike and a mass demonstration on 10/13 in protest of the recent Israeli access restrictions at Haram al-Sharif. (HA, JP, MNA, TOI, WAFA, YA 10/11; HA, MNA, YA 10/12; MNA 10/13; PCHR 10/14)

A Palestinian administrative detainee suffers a stroke, and Israeli doctors in Soroka Medical Center declare him “brain dead.” The Palestinian Prisoners Society responds, accusing the Israel Prison Service of medical negligence. He will die of related complications on 10/14. (HA, MNA 10/12)

The Israeli cabinet unanimously approves a series of measures designed to deter stone-throwing, including mandatory minimum sentences and the imposition of penalties on parents of minors convicted of such crimes. The security cabinet previously approved the measures on 9/24 (they will pass a 1st reading in the Knesset on 10/12). (HA, JP 10/11; HA, JP 10/12; JP 10/13)

In Gaza, IDF troops level land e. of the Gaza Valley along the border fence. In the West Bank, Israeli forces issue a stop-work order to Palestinians constructing a UN Development Programme–funded well in a village nr. Tubas; patrol in al-‘Arub r.c. and 2 villages nr. Hebron. In East Jerusalem, Israeli forces bar Palestinian children from entering Haram al-Sharif while a group of right-wing Jewish activists tours the sanctuary; arrest a Palestinian on a raid nr. the Old City. (MNA, WAFA 7/30; PCHR 8/6)

The PA announces that 5 new ministers will be sworn in on 7/31, implementing the cabinet “reshuffle” that the PLO leadership approved on 6/30. Hussein al-Araj will serve as min. of local governance; Sabri Saydam will serve as min. of education; Samih al-Abed will serve as min. of transportation; Sufian Sultan will serve as min. of agriculture; and Abeer Odeh will serve as min. of national economy. Hamas calls the move “unconstitutional and outside consensus”. (MNA 7/30)

After an all-night session, Israel’s Knesset passes, 46–40, the 2d and 3d readings of a bill to allow force-feeding of prisoners on hunger strike that was approved by the Israeli cabinet on 6/14. The new law will allow judges to approve force-feeding if there is a clear threat to an inmate’s life. (AFP, AP, HA, JP, MNA, TOI, WAFA, YA 7/30)

In the Gaza Strip, gas shipments are held as a result of a dispute between the Palestinian Ministry of Finance in Gaza and the Palestinian Gen. Directorate of Petroleum. In the West Bank, an Israeli settler stabs a Palestinian man e. of Hebron, causing moderate injuries. Hours later, Israeli settlers attack a 12-year-old Palestinian in the H2 area of Hebron, causing major bruising. In response, the IDF sets up several mobile checkpoints around Hebron, and later detain and beat 1 Palestinian. Following the 3 incidents, hundreds of Israeli soldiers and a group of private settler security officers conduct military drills n. of Hebron. They also conduct house searches nr. Hebron and Salfit. Elsewhere, Israeli settlers and soldiers continue leveling land around the Ahiya outpost nr. Nablus. Unknown assailants throw stones at a bus full of Israeli settlers in the Gush Etzion settlement bloc nr. Jerusalem. Right-wing Jewish activists enter Haram al-Sharif with an escort of Israeli intelligence officers and soldiers. Meanwhile, Israeli police detain 1 Palestinian woman at an entrance to the compound. Israeli forces conduct arrest raids and house searches nr. Hebron and Salfit; patrol in Anata r.c., sparking clashes with stone-throwing residents. Israeli security forces also arrest an 11-year-old Palestinian for throwing stones at an Egged bus nr. the Old City, and later take him to alMaskubiya prison. In the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights, Israeli police arrest 9 Druze for raising Hizballah flags at public events in recent mos. In the Negev, Israeli forces demolish several homes in the unrecognized bedouin village al-‘Araqib. (JP, MNA, WAFA, YA 12/8; IMEMC, MEMO, MNA, WAFA 12/9; PCHR 12/10)

The Knesset approves a motion to dissolve itself, officially setting 3/17/2015 as the date for national elections. Israel’s major parties begin discussions about potential coalitions, blocs, and joint lists. Before the vote, PM Netanyahu, in his capacity as acting fin. min., asks the Knesset Finance Comm. to allocate $20 m. for settlements in the West Bank. (HA, JP, MEMO, NYT, TOI, YA 12/8; YA 12/9)

The 122 mbr. states of the International Criminal Court (ICC) grant Palestine observer status, which is seen as symbolically advancing the Palestinians toward signing the Rome Statute and attaining full membership at the ICC. (AP, NYT 12/9)

A delegation of Hamas officials arrives in Tehran for talks on repairing ties with the Iranian govt. The visit is reportedly a prelude to a future visit of Hamas leader Khalid Mishal. (MEMO, WAFA, YA 12/9; TOI, YA 2/17)

In the Gaza Strip, Palestinians continue emergency relief efforts, with many more bodies found in the rubble and many people succumbing to their injuries. In East Jerusalem, right-wing Jewish activists, accompanied by MK Moshe Feiglin, tour Haram al-Sharif with Israeli security forces escorting them. Israeli police close the main gates into the area while the group is inside. They also bar access to all women and men under 50 years of age. Separately, leader of the messianic Temple Mount movement Yehuda Glick tours Haram al-Sharif with a group of settlers. (MNA 8/17; PCHR 8/21)

The Palestinian delegation and the Israeli negotiators return to Cairo to restart talks on extending the current 5-day cease-fire, which is set to expire on 8/18. Upon landing at Cairo International Airport, an anonymous Palestinian negotiator says that his side is “less optimistic than we were earlier” about reaching a deal in time and that the final point of contention is Hamas insistence that Israel agree to lift the blockade on Gaza before the talks conclude. The parties meet for 9 hours of negotiations. Meanwhile, at the start of a cabinet meeting, Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu says that he has given the Israeli negotiators a “very clear mandate to stand firmly on Israel’s security needs.” Hamas spokesperson Sami Abu Zuhri responds, saying that lifting the blockade on Gaza would be the only way to ensure Israeli security. U.S. Pres. Barack Obama calls several foreign leaders to discuss the Israeli assault on Gaza, among other things. (AJ, AP, BBC, JP, MNA 8/17; MNA 8/18)

In a goodwill gesture aimed at facilitating the negotiations in Cairo, Israeli authorities lift the fishing ban on Gaza, allowing Palestinian fishermen to sail 3 naut. mi. offshore. (HA 8/17)

The Qatari Comm. for Rebuilding the Gaza Strip says that it will double the previously reported donation to each Palestinian family whose home was destroyed, following up on the 8/16 announcement. (JP 8/17)

In Washington, the Israeli, PA delegations end consultations with the U.S. peace team, return home. (REU 9/28; NYT 10/2; WP 10/22)

With the authorization of Barak and Ben-Ami (who is also Israel's internal security M), Likud MK Sharon leads a group of Likud MKs into the Haram al-Sharif/Temple Mount under heavy escort and police helicopter guard to assert Israeli sovereignty over the disputed site. 1,000 Israeli riot police are deployed on the buildings surrounding the mosque compound. Sharon attempts to enter the Marwani Mosque (which some Jews consider to be the site of Solomon's stables) but is barred by 200 Palestinians, including several Israeli Arab MKs, who sit peacefully in his path. After Sharon leaves, Palestinians scuffle with and throw stones at police, who fire tear gas, rubber bullets at them. 24 Palestinians, 25 policemen are injured. Rioting spreads throughout East Jerusalem and to Ramallah, where 6 Palestinians are injured. (IsRN, LAW, MA [Internet], MM 9/28; HJ 9/28, al-Quds, MENA 9/29 in WNC 10/2; CSM, NYT, WP, WT 9/29; WP 10/1; NYT 10/3; WJW 10/5; MEI 10/13)

In Gaza, another roadside bomb explodes nr. an IDF patrol causing no injuries. An IDF soldier injured by a roadside bomb on 9/27 dies. (WP, WT 9/29)

Rachelim settlement issues tenders for construction of 14 new housing units and related infrastructure. (IsRN 9/28)

Addressing Knesset, PM Shamir declares Pres. Bush's stance on loan guarantees constitutes an attack on the "deepest foundations of Jewish and Zionist consciousness." Shamir also insists that Israel approve Palestinian delegates to peace conference and states Israel will not negotiate with any Palestinian who announces affiliation with PLO while at the conference. (WP, MEM 10/8)

Israeli security forces impose a ban on travel to Jerusalem for residents of the o.t. in an attempt to forestall violence on 8 October, first anniversary of the 1990 disturbances on the Haram al-Sharif which left 18 Palestinians dead. (AFP 10/8, in FBIS 10/9)

The new Israeli voluntary society Sikuy ("Chance") issues report indicating that 46% of Palestinian families in Israel live below the poverty line, compared to 8% of Jewish families. Palestinian academics hold only 10 of some 5,000 academic positions in Israel while only 17 of 1,310 senior positions in government are filled by Palestinians. (Davar 10/8, in FBIS 10/9)

Undercover Israeli agents kill Palestinian youth, 'Imad 'Abdullah 'Atiq, in Burkin village near Jenin. (MEM 10/7)

Turkish Pres. Turgut Ozal announces that proposed conference on Middle East water resources scheduled to meet 3-9 November in Turkey will be postponed [see 8/16]. (WP 10/8)

Iraqi F.M. Tarik Aziz arrives in Moscow and meets with Pres. Gorbachev and F.M. Shevardnadze; Soviet Union demands that Iraq release more than 3,000 Soviet citizens stranded there, charging for 1st time that Baghdad was preventing them from leaving [FNS, MEM 11/26; TASS 11/26 in FBIS 11/26; PRA 11/27 in FBIS 11/27; NYT, WT, WP 11/27]; Pres. Gorbachev warns Saddam Hussein that "time is running out" and that USSR will agree to tougher UN action if Iraq does not leave Kuwait [LAT 11/27].

Saddam orders release of 3 American hostages; National Assembly votes to free all 58 Swedish hostages [BADS, AFP 11/26 in FBIS 11/27; LAT 11/27; MET 12/4].

U.S. army orders 10,567 more reservists into active duty in Gulf [LAT 11/27].

Israeli police report number and gravity of "terrorist" incidents perpetrated by Negev Bedouin have risen sharply since 10/8 Haram al-Sharif killings [DAV 11/27 in FBIS 11/27].

Police also report the arrest of 3 Meir Kahane followers for attacking Jewish shops that employ Palestinians [WT 11/27; MET 12/4; JPI 12/8].

P.M. Shamir's gov't. survives 2 no-confidence motions in Knesset brought about by Shamir's 11/18 "sea to Jordan" remark [JDS 11/26 in FBIS 11/28; MET 12/4].

22-year-old Egyptian police conscript is arrested in Suez and charged with 11/25 shooting deaths in Israel [MEM 11/27].

In Brussels for international economic meetings, Sec. of State Baker rejects Soviet envoy Yevgeny Primakov's suggestion that solution to Gulf crisis be linked to Palestine question [LAT 11/17].

Soviet envoy Alexander Belonogov meets in Cairo with Pres. Mubarak to discuss Gulf crisis; Belonogov then leaves for Saudi Arabia [MENA 11/16, CDS 11/17 in FBIS 11/20].

Ultra-Orthodox Agudat Israel party joins P.M. Shamir's ruling coalition; belated agreement increases Likud majority from 62 Knesset seats out of 120, to 66 seats [JDS 11/16 in FBIS 11/16; NYT, LAT 11/17; CSM, MEM 11/19; JPI 11/24; MET 11/27].

Arab and nonaligned nations introduce Sec. Council resolution calling for UN observer force in occupied territories (o.t.) and for conference of 164 signators of Fourth Geneva Convention [LAT 11/17; MEM 11/19].

Iran and Iraq announce agreement on series of steps to end major disputes lingering from 8-year war; Iranian F.M. Velayati says he detects willingness by Iraq to end crisis by withdrawing from Kuwait [NYT 11/17].

700 members of U.S. Council of Jewish Federations pass without dissent resolution backing Bush admin. policy in Gulf, but say they will fight U.S. plans to sell weapons to Saudia Arabia [NYT 11/17].

IDF bars Gaza Strip and West Bank residents from Jerusalem as preventive measure against anticipated protests following prayers on Haram al-Sharif [FJ 11/19].

Israeli Immigration Minister Yitzhak Peretz ignites political row by calling for curbs on Soviet immigration, saying 4 of 10 newcomers are not Jewish [MEM 11/1].